28th November, 2023

 

Increased flight capacity opens up Canada's East Coast, Atlantic Canada

 

Atlantic Canada has never been more accessible for British visitors. Starting summer 2024, the chief international gateway to the Atlantic Canada region will see some services resume and one new direct flight commence.

WestJet

WesJet will be offering a seasonal direct flight to Nova Scotia's capital Halifax from London, Dublin and Edinburgh which will be served by the airline's Boeing 737 MAX fleet. The London and Dublin service will operate 4 times a week and will start on 29 April and 20 June 2024 respectively. The Edinburgh service – a new route not previously operated – will operate three times a week from 20 June 2024. 

Westjet are also launching a May 1st to October 21 direct flight, three times a week from London Gatwick to St. Johns, Newfoundland and Labrador.This marks the first direct St. Johns flight since 2019. The outbound flight departs at 11.00 from Gatwick and arrives at 13.15 Local time with one of the shortest flying times between the UK and Canada.  The flight opens up the province to explore the arts and culture of St. Johns, the whale watching, fly drives of remote fishing villages or going further afield to Labrador and for example the extreme  wilderness of the Torngat National Park

Icelandair

May 2024 will also see the return of Icelandair to Halifax Stanfield International Airport opening up another exciting way to access the province of Nova Scotia from the UK, with the added bonus of free Iceland stopovers en route for durations of up to seven days.  Icelandair's new thrice-weekly seasonal service, which will operate on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from May 31 through to October 14, marks the welcome return of the carrier to Halifax after a five-year absence.  Flights are already on sale for the service, which will be served by the carrier's Boeing 737MAX8 aircraft.

 

IT'S TIME TO EXPLORE ATLANTIC CANADA

For thousands of years, the Atlantic provinces of Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador have been intrinsically tied to water. This part of Canada is home to fierce tides, craggy coastlines, abundant fresh seafood, massive icebergs, remarkable wildlife, fascinating history and diverse cultures. In fact, the Mi'kmaq name for Prince Edward Island is “Epekwitk,” which means "something lying on the water.” And there's no better time to visit.

 Upcoming: There are several big events and anniversaries you won't want to miss in 2024.

➢ Becoming Canada: Canada became a nation in 1867, but Newfoundland and Labrador didn't officially become part of Canada until March 31, 1949. 2024 will mark the 75th anniversary of this historic event.

➢ Look to the skies: On April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will be visible in Atlantic Canada. There hasn't been a total eclipse visible from major Canadian cities since the 1970s. The next one of this magnitude won't happen until 2079. The path of totality, the swath of land from which a total eclipse is visible, will pass through Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick and the tip of Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia.

➢ Bookish birthday: Nov 30, 2024, will mark the 150th anniversary of the birth of author and novelist, Lucy Maud Montgomery. It has been more than 115 years since her beloved debut novel, Anne of Green Gables, was published and in that time the book has never been out of print. The book has sold more than 50 million copies worldwide And it has been adapted into plays, television shows and movies. You could spend several days on an Anne of Green Gables itinerary in Prince Edward Island.

Diverse and fascinating cultures: This region of Canada has been shaped by countless people from many different cultures. Each group has made an indelible mark - from the Mi'kmaq Peoples to Acadians, Brits, black loyalists, Maroons from Jamaica and even the Vikings. Vikings settled in Newfoundland centuries before Columbus made contact with the “new world.”

Storytellers: The region is replete with innovative thinkers, doers and makers spanning industries and disciplines. A recent TED speakers event featured food laureate Lori McCarthy, wine grower Amy Savoury, tour operator Trina Reid, dietician Crystal MacGregor, and farmer Mary Robinson.

Only in Atlantic Canada: There are many experiences unique to this region. Explore multiple UNESCO World Heritage Sites in a single day. Drive the scenic Cabot Trail or the Fundy Coastal Drive. Enjoy world-famous seafood with iceberg beer or iceberg vodka. Get screeched in. Experience a kitchen party or an Acadian ceilidh. Experience the 300-year-old cultural tradition of mummering in Newfoundland.

In this story package, we explore the richness of Acadian culture and celebrate as Acadians from all over the world descend onto Nova Scotia later this year; experience the healing and curative powers of water and point you to water-restorative experiences in Atlantic Canada; encounter the diverse UNESCO sites in the region; and immerse in the Atlantic landscapes that have so beguiled authors and creatives, including Lucy Maud Montgomery, one of the most widely read authors of the world, on the 150th anniversary of her birth.

 

 

Deep Dive: All About L'Acadie

Why now? 2024 is the 420th anniversary of French settlement in North America. And from August 10–18, the World Acadian Congress will be held in the Acadian region of southwestern Nova Scotia in the communities of Clare and Argyle. As many as 100,000 participants are expected to attend. The theme of the event is “Venez vivre votre Acadie” (Come Experience YournAcadia). The Congrès mondial acadien 2024 will bring together the Acadian diaspora from across the world for nine days of celebrations, discovery and reunions. There will be many ways to experience Acadian culture - outdoor concerts, culinary experiences, family gatherings, kitchen parties, and outdoor concerts with big names from the Acadian music scene.

Cool fact: Acadians in Canada have celebrated National Acadian Day on August 15 since 1881 when the first national Acadian convention was held in New Brunswick.

Backgrounder: L'Acadie - or Acadia, in English - today is both a place and a people that few people, including Canadians, know much about. Historically, L'Acadie was a colony of New France in northeastern North America. It stretched through what is now Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick and eastern Maine. The first capital of L'Acadie was established in 1605 in Port-Royal, a settlement on the site of modern day Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia. As settlers moved from France to what is today Canada's Atlantic provinces, they created prosperous farming communities by dyking fertile tidal marshlands around the Bay of Fundy. Over many years, Acadians developed their own language called Chiac, a mixture of French and English, and their own distinct culture.

Painful history: During the early 18th century, Acadians found themselves caught between the warring French and British. Le Grand Derangement (the Great Expulsion) of the Acadians took place from 1755–1764. The British deported approximately 11,500 Acadians to other locations, such as Louisiana and Massachusetts. Families were forcibly removed from their homes and their lands, which some had farmed for more than a century. Their houses were burned and their land was given to settlers loyal to Britain. At least 5,000 Acadians died of disease, starvation and shipwrecks. About 2,600 Acadians eluded capture and remained in the area. Over time, some of the Acadians who were expelled returned to their original homeland and formed Acadian communities in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. Today, Acadians are found all over the world.

Exploring L'Acadie: The string of communities between Digby and Yarmouth is the most Francophone region of Nova Scotia. It was here that Acadians first returned after the expulsion and the area has retained the biggest node of French speakers in the province ever since. The Acadian Shores Interpretive Trail is a brand new self-guided tour to help you explore Acadian history and culture in southwestern Nova Scotia - Clare, Argyle and Yarmouth. There are bilingual wayfinding signs and interpretive panels.

Storyteller: Natalie Robichaud is head of the Clare division of the Acadian Federation of Nova Scotia. It is her job to help preserve Acadian culture.

 

NOVA SCOTIA

➢ Old town: Pubnico, the oldest Acadian region still inhabited by descendants of its founder is also home to Le Village Historique Acadian de la Nouvelle Écosse. This site showcases the industrious and joyful spirit of the Acadian people, celebrating a language and culture that has thrived for more than 350 years. Learn the village's history while exploring numerous historic buildings, such as the original wood gardens and the historic cemetery.

Experience fishing and farming traditions that were practiced over a century ago. Enjoy hospitality that is second to none while savouring home-cooked Acadian cuisine.

➢ Convivial community: The municipality of Clare is home to the largest Acadian community in Nova Scotia where more than 75 percent of its residents speak both French and English. Clare is renowned for its joie de vivre and its vibrant Acadian culture, from kitchen parties to seafood suppers.

 ➢ By the bay: Explore the panoramic shores of La Baie Sainte-Marie. Rent a bike andcycle beautiful trails through a remarkable landscape. Experience the ancestral art of hull scraping. Enjoy an unforgettable six course meal served on an Acadian-style harvest table at the ocean's edge. Dig for clams with a local and learn the area's history on a walking tour or a night hike.

Storyteller: Local Acadian Artist June Deveauasshe to inspire your own work of art using colour, bold brush strokes and movement.

➢ Centred in the sea: Have a historical, musical and educational adventure in the Tusket Islands. Pull lobster traps, visit a fishing shanty, enjoy homemade seafood chowder and live entertainment. Enjoy one final lobster-focused meal, an authentic lobster boil, on the shores of Lobster Bay.

 

NEW BRUNSWICK

➢ Night lights: Enjoy a luminous and immersive 1.5 km (1 mi) night walk through the culture of Acadia from May through October 2024 in Bouctouche, New Brunswick. Created by Acadian artists and artisans working with the Montreal-based company Moment Factory, Akadi Lumina is a magical experience that tells the stories of L'Acadie with light, colour, poetry, video projection and original music.

 ➢ Back in time: Located in Batrand, Village historique acadien brings to life the ancestral customs and traditional trades of Acadians from 1770 to 1949. Help with farm chores, take an Acadian cooking class, or explore more than 55 historic buildings to learn from costumed interpreters.

➢ Creative village: Pays de la Sagouine is a theatrical village on a small natural island in the middle of Bouctouche Bay near the town of Bouctouche and is one of the largest Acadian performing arts employers. Established in 1992, the village is based on the acclaimed play La Sagouine, written by Acadian writer Antonine Maillet. The village celebrates l'Acadie through her characters and imagination. It's a place to experience Acadian culture through entertaining performance art, live music, stories and food.

 ➢ National historic sites: Monument-Lefebvre National Historic Site in Memramcook is a living symbol of Renaissance Acadienne. The imposing sandstone building features a concert hall and exhibits about Acadian history and culture. Fort Beauséjour – Fort Cumberland National Historic Site was the scene of three acts of war between France and Great Britain. Here you will see artifacts and learn more about the conflicts and the deportation of the Acadians.

 ➢ Special day: August 15 is National Acadian Day and there are countless festivals and celebrations through New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.

 ➢ Tasty treats: As you explore the Acadian regions of Atlantic Canada, be sure to taste traditional foods in local restaurants. Enjoy dishes like rappie pie, Acadian salted green onions, and creamed lobster. You'll find these and other unique specialties in local restaurants in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.

 Atlantic Canada's UNESCO Sites: Cultural and Natural Gifts to the World

Beginning in 1978, UNESCO began designating places in the world of outstanding universal value to humanity. Each year new sites are added to the list of World Heritage Sites. Of 42 newly inscribed UNESCO sites in 2022 and 2023, two were in Canada: Tr'ondëk- Klondike, in Yukon, and Anticosti, in Quebec.

A singular region: Atlantic Canada has almost one third of all the World Heritage Sites in Canada, and unlike other regions, several are close enough to see in one trip. Take a tour of Atlantic Canada's seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites - places of remarkable history, geology, fossils, and culture, not only to the country but the world.

➢ Viking visit: At L'Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site, located at the tip of the Great Northern Peninsula of Newfoundland, lie the excavated remains of an 11th-century Viking settlement.

Whats special: It's the earliest evidence of Europeans in North America. Inscripted in 1978, this was the first cultural site in Canada to become a World Heritage Site. The spot provides unequivocal proof that Columbus was not the first to make contact with the “New World.”

Don't miss: When you visit the site, you'll see excavated and reconstructed sod buildings similar to those found in Iceland and Greenland, hiking trails, and a fascinating visitor center.

 ➢ Journey to the center of the Earth: On the west coast of Newfoundland, Gros Morne National Park is one of the few places on the planet where you can readily see the effects of plate tectonics or continental drift. 

What's special: It's also one of the few places on the earth where you can walk on the earth's mantle, a rock layer normally found deep below the earth's surface. The earth's mantle was pushed upwards and became exposed when two continental plates collided.

Storyteller: Got questions? Trevor Sparkes of Parks Canada is a font of knowledge.

Don't miss: You can see this on a guided interpretive hike through the Tablelands region of this national park. This area was also affected by glacial action, which yielded some of the most dramatically beautiful scenery in Canada - deep fjords, vast valleys, sheer cliffs, rivers, waterfalls and pristine lakes. The scenery can be enjoyed by hiking, boat tours, kayaking, skiing and driving.

 ➢ European whaling tradition: On the shores of Labrador near the Strait of Belle Isle, Basque mariners from northern Spain established a whaling station in the 16th century and hunted whales for about 70 years.

What's special: Today Red Bay Basque Whaling Station provides the earliest, most complete and best preserved testimony of the European whaling tradition - providing the oil that lit the lamps of Europe.

 Storyteller: Loretta Decker shares more about the history of this site at the Parks Canada Interpretive Centre.

Don't miss: Visitors can also take a ferry to nearby Saddle Island where many of the whalers are buried or hike to the top of Tracy Hill to enjoy a panoramic view of Red Bay.

 ➢ Important fossil site: Mistaken Point was named for the navigational hazard it posed for ships travelling along the southeastern tip of Newfoundland's Avalon Peninsula.

 What's special: It is home to the world's largest known repository of Ediacaran fossils (580-560 million years ago). These fossils represent an important in the history of life on earth - the first appearance of large biologically diverse organisms. 

Don't miss: There are more than 10,000 fossil impressions on the 10.6 mile (17 km) stretch of sea cliffs. Visitors can only see the fossils on a guided hiking tour, which must be arranged in advance. 

➢ British colonial settlement: With 70 percent of its buildings dating to the 18th and 19th centuries, Old Town Lunenburg, in Nova Scotia, is the best surviving example of a planned British colonial settlement in North America.

 What's special: It's also one of the most charming towns in Canada with brightly colored buildings, a lovely waterfront and a fascinating history. It gets more visits than any other World Heritage Site in Atlantic Canada.

Don't miss: Visitors come to see the iconic Bluenose II schooner, enjoy the remarkable architecture, and enjoy restaurants and art galleries.

➢ Coal Age Galapagos: Joggins Fossil Cliffs are located on the shores of the Bay of Fundy in Nova Scotia near the former coal mining town of Joggins.

 What's special: They contain the finest example of Carboniferous Period fossils (300 million years old) in the world. They are often called the “Coal Age Galapagos” because its significance in providing insight into the Carboniferous Period is akin to the effect the Galapagos had on Charles Darwin's work.

Don't miss: Visitors here can see fossilized trees, early amphibians and the footprints of 20 different species. The Interpretive Centre displays many of the best fossils and visitors can take a guided tour of the cliffs. New fossils are exposed with the tides, so there's always a chance of discovering something new at this site.

 ➢ Return to L'Acadie: The Landscape of Grand Pré tells the powerful stories of the Acadians who lived in this region of Nova Scotia for hundreds of years before they were deported and scattered. If all you know about Acadia is the Henry Wadsworth Longfellow poem, Evangeline, this spot in the Minas Basin of Nova Scotia is the place to go.

 What's special: The Grand Pré marshland and archaeological sites are part of a stunning cultural landscape that bears testimony to the use of dykes and the aboiteau wooden sluice system by Acadian farmers. It tells the story of the Acadian way of life and of their deportation that began in

 Storyteller: There's no better ambassador than Claude DeGrace, executive director of the nonprofit that protects the site.

Don't miss: A visit to this site begins at the Parks Canada interpretive centre where visitors can watch a multimedia presentation, see engaging displays, and visit a Victorian garden and the Memorial Church. (For more on Acadia, see “Deep Dive: All About L'Acadie” story, above.)

 A new kind of park: In 2015, UNESCO began officially designating geoparks as a way to celebrate places with globally significant connections between geology, local communities, culture and nature.

 ➢ The Cliffs of Fundy UNESCO Geopark in Nova Scotia tells the story of the coming together of the supercontinent, Pangea, about 400 million years ago and its ripping apart about 100 million years later. It's a place where you can witness the world's highest tides in action. The Bay of Fundy and its costal ecosystem is as biodiverse as the Amazon Rainforest. Visitors can take a tour of the tidal floor, enjoy trail rides, hike trails, see waterfalls and more in this geopark.

➢ In New Brunswick, Stonehammer Global Geopark celebrates one billion years of stories through a nearly continuous fossil record of each of the geological time periods dating back to the first life on the planet. A seasonal interpretation centre is open in the Area 506 Container Village on the Saint John waterfront.

  

Wave of the Future: Water Wellness in Atlantic Canada

 

Water is essential to survival, and a growing body of scientific studies are showing the benefits of water. Even just being near water has a healing effect. Spending time near the water slows your heart rate, reduces stress hormones and boosts overall mental health. It also promotes physical activity and general fitness, thus improving overall health. There is growing evidence of the healing power of water and Canada has a lot of it. Canada has the longest coastline in the world and it is also home to seven percent of the world's renewable fresh water.

 

The importance of blue: Scientists have long researched the health benefits of spending time in green spaces and there's growing evidence of the health benefits of spending time in “blue environments.” There's also evidence that coastal living is good for your health. Sea air, which contains iodine, salt, and magnesium, encourages respiratory health and can reduce the symptoms of asthma, promote respiratory health, improve allergies and skin problems, and stimulate the immune system. It also appears to have a soothing effect on the respiratory system's mucosal lining.

 

Rich waters of the Atlantic: Canada's Atlantic coastline stretches for 26,098 miles (42,000 km) and there are many lakes and rivers. There's no better place to experience the healing power of water than Atlantic Canada.

 

Indigenous concepts: The Mi'kmaq, Wolastoqiyik, Passamaquoddy, Innu and Inuit traditionally made their homes along the coasts of the Atlantic Ocean and they continue to do so today. In addition, the Beothuk once lived on the island of Newfoundland. For the area's original stewards, the waters and coastline of the Atlantic Ocean provided sustenance and wellness. The First Nations perspective on health and wellness includes five circles as environmental determinants of health. The fifth circle is water. In this view, water is life and water is alive. It is sacred, used in sweat lodges. Some Coastal Nations take spirit baths in the Oceans and rivers.

 

The blue economy: Nova Scotia boasts more than 300 companies, 80-plus innovators, and 35,000 people driving innovation in numerous ocean-related sectors. The province is a globally recognized powerhouse with a CAD$4.5 billion ocean economy.

 

Brain power: Halifax's science-based workforce's depth includes experts in pioneering tech, research and academia (not to mention one of the highest concentrations of ocean-related PhDs in the world). Halifax's Dalhousie University is home to the Aquatron Laboratory, Canada's largest university aquatic research facility. The Bedford Institute of Oceanography is Canada's largest ocean research facility, housing more than 600 researchers, engineers, technicians, natural resource and environmental managers.

Harnessing the tides: A new coalition of entrepreneurs and scientists in Nova Scotia is hoping to harness its record-setting 50-foot high tide to generate electricity. Past attempts have failed as the tides so powerful they broke generators

Experience water wellness in Atlantic Canada: From Nordic spas to coastal retreats and lakeside resorts, there are many places to experience water wellness in Atlantic Canada.

New Brunswick

 ➢ A remote spa in the forest: Have a complete Nordic Spa experience deep in the woods outside Moncton at Creekside RNR. This water wellness experience features a red cedar sauna, three hot tubs, a plunging pool for a cold-water soak and a cold bucket shower. There's also a change room, shower, a relaxation area and outdoor dome gazebo with outdoor furniture, a fire pit and the world's largest hammock that can accommodate up to eight people. The property also has cabins, a tree tent and domeshaped glamping accommodations.

 

New Indigenous experience: Opened in the winter of 2023, the Kingston Spa, located at La Belle Cabane is a relaxing thermal experience that involves salt, river rocks, cedar, warmth and cooling, rest, trees, health, healing and more. As an off-grid retreat, La Belle Cabane is the perfect place to get away from it all, and only a 40-minute drive from the bustling city of Saint John. La Belle Cabane is Indigenous owned with plans to eventually offer Indigenous experiences such as traditional games, décor, murals, interpretive education, culinary experiences and teepees.

 

➢ By the bay: Located on the edge of Saint-Simon Bay, Cielo Luxury Glamping Domes in north eastern New Brunswick offers a perfect waterfront escape. There's swimming and clam digging in summer, snowshoeing in winter and stargazing year-round.

 

➢ Waterside resort: Located in the coastal town of St. Andrews by-the-Sea, the Algonquin Resort is an iconic Canadian property with incredible dining, a wonderful spa, a golf course, and beautiful views of the sea from one of North America's most historic towns.

 

Newfoundland and Labrador

 

➢ Seaweed benefits: Relax in a luxurious outdoor private seaweed bath at Grates Cove Studios in Grates Cove. Set against the stunning backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean, enjoy leisurely two-hour immersion in a personal outdoor tub with fresh seaweed sheets and seaweed-based skincare products.

 

➢ Mindful hiking: Enjoy a moment to reflect with a Mug Up Meditation Experience in Harbour Main. This guided meditative experience along the ocean's edge provides time to reflect and become very present. It also includes the chance to see whales, eagles and enjoy a bonfire with toutons, muffins, and locally brewed coffee and tea.

 

➢ Lighkeeper's home: Quirpon Island boasts the longest iceberg-viewing season in Newfoundland and one of the best places to view these majestic ice cathedrals is the comfortable viewing station at Quirpon Lighthouse Inn. The historic 1922 lighthouse inn sits at the northern tip of Newfoundland. Orca and humpback whales are also commonly seen and the inn offers Zodiac tours for those who want closer views.

 

➢ Water at world's end: According to the Flat Earth Society, Fogo Island is one of the four corners of the world. There's water at this corner of the world - lots of it. The ultralux Fogo Island Inn has amazing waterfront views and offers guests the opportunity to experience the beauty of the ocean at earth's end with beach walks, whale watching, iceberg watching, fishing experiences, boat tours and more.

 

Nova Scotia

➢ Nordic-inspired: Sensea Nordic Spa, the province's first Nordic spa, is surrounded by forest at the edge of a lake and close to the ocean in Chester. There are saunas, hammams, outdoor hot and cold baths, a waterfall, a relaxation area, spa rituals, massages & body treatments. Onsite accommodations offer guests a complete immersion into nature.

 

➢ Roll with the tides: Spend some time along the shores of the Shubenacadie River andexperience the thrill of tidal bore rafting. It's an experience you can only have in Nova Scotia where the world's highest tides in the Bay of Fundy turn the river into a water roller coaster with waves up to 13 feet (4 metres) high. If you stay at Shubenacadie Tidal Bore Rafting Resort, you'll be able to watch the tidal bore more than once - viewing it from the comfort of your cabin's deck.

 

➢ Lightkeeper for a day: On a cliffside next to the lighthouse in Advocate Harbour is one of the most unique accommodations in Nova Scotia. Lightkeepers Kitchen & Guest House a converted Lightkeeper's residence. The rooms are simple, but views of the Bay of Fundy are unparalleled. There's even an onsite restaurant.

 

Prince Edward Island

➢ Water therapy: On the banks of St. Peters Bay, Mysa Nordic Spa & Resort is an 18-acre water therapy paradise. Prince Edward Island's first Nordic spa is a serene space that offers a wide range of experiences including thermal baths, essential oil steam  rooms,  cold water plunges, a Finnish sauna, meditation sessions, and massages. There are also onsite cottages for those who want to relax and enjoy the oceanfront longer.

 

➢ Glamping yurts: Nature Space Resort and Retreat Centre is located in a quiet corner of the island's north shore. The 16-acre property has five Mongolian yurts for overnight glamping in a natural paradise with direct access to an ocean lagoon and many trails to explore. There are yoga and mindfulness sessions, outdoor activities like kayaking and SUP, forest bathing and other experiences to enjoy on the property.

 

Storytellers: Jarrod and Heather McQuillan warmly welcome guests to their glamping nature resort. Jarrod is an oyster biologist as well as a resort operator and owner.

 

➢Canadian Camino: The Island Walk is a 700-km hiking and cycling trail that circumnavigates Prince Edward Island - the Canadian answer to the Camino de Santiago. It takes travellers on a reflective journey around the island past some of the prettiest scenery in Canada.

 

Storyteller: Bryson Guptill is the founder of this unique Canadian Camino. Guptill worked with other volunteers of Island Trails Inc. to make a dream become a reality.

 

➢ Romantic escapes: Built in 1895 in Queen Anne Revival style, Dalvay by the Sea sits inside Prince Edward Island National Park - perfectly positioned for exploring and engaging with nature. There's an excellent restaurant and spa as well as tennis and basketball courts, horseshoes, lawn bowling, bike rentals, paddle boats, and canoes. The Inn at Bay Fortune is a seaside sanctuary that has its own farm, hiking trails and unique culinary experiences as well as an inn.

 

PEI Celebrates the 150th Birthday of the World's Most Widely Read Canadian Author

 

2024 marks the 150th anniversary of the birth of Lucy Maud Montgomery, author of the classic children's novel Anne of Green Gables. Since the first book in the series was published in 1908, it has never been out of print. An estimated 50 million copies of the book have been sold worldwide and it has been translated into 36 languages as well as braille. The book has also been adapted for television, plays and movies, including the popular 2017 CBC and Netflix series, Anne with an E.

 Inspired setting: Every year, people travel to Prince Edward Island, Canada's smallest province, to discover the magical land of Anne firsthand. Though Avonlea, the village in which Anne resides, is fictional, it is based on real-life Cavendish, located on the North Shore of PEI. Anne Shirley has become an icon of Canadian culture, and her creator a national treasure.

 

Origin story: Montgomery sent the manuscript for Anne of Green Gables to several publishers in 1905, all of which rejected the book. She put the manuscript in a hatbox where it stayed for two years. In 1907, she made edits and sent it out to publishers again. The original handwritten manuscript is now available online in its entirety. And the Confederation Centre of the Arts, in

Charlottetown, holds the original manuscript and displays portions of it.

 

 Later recognition: In 1923, Montgomery became the first Canadian woman to be made a member of the British Royal Society of Arts. And in 1943, she was posthumously declared a Person of National Historic Significance in Canada.

 

Provincial celebration: Visitors to Prince Edward Island can experience a once-in-a lifetime literary celebration of Lucy Maud Montgomery and her timeless classic, Anne of Green Gables.

 

➢ A new literary tour guides you through the picturesque locales she vividly brought to life in her novels. You can even download and print a map to take with you.

 

➢ The world's longest-running musical theatre production, Anne of Green Gables - The Musical will be playing at the Confederation Theatre in Charlottetown in 2024 with plans to run it every other year thereafter.

 

➢ Catch another musical, Anne & Gilbert, at Florence Simmons Performance Hall in Charlottetown to see a grown-up Anne fall in love.

 

➢ Visit Green Gables Heritage Place, listed on the register of national historic sites of Canada. The recognition encompasses Green Gables House, Montgomery's Cavendish home, and landscape features such as the Haunted Wood, Balsam Hollow Trail and Lover's Lane. Parks Canada has recently completed a comprehensive site rehabilitation at Green Gables, which includes a new visitor centre with an exhibit hall, gift shop, and café as well as updated interpretive elements.

 

➢ Check out the best Anne of Green Gables museums, attractions and experiences following a road trip itinerary. Highlights  would include Green Gables Heritage Place, Prince Edward Island National Park, and the attractions at L.M. Montgomery's Cavendish National Historic Site including Montgomery's Cavendish home, Cavendish United Church, Cavendish Cemetery, Montgomery Park and the Anne of Green Gables Store in Avonlea Village.

 

➢ Want more? To delve even deeper, visit the L.M. Montgomery Institute at the University of Prince Edward Island

 

Atlantic Canada as a literary hub: The region as inspiration for great literature extends beyond PEI. St. John's, Newfoundland's legendary “A1C” postal code, which covers most of downtown, has more artists per capita than any postal code in Canada.

 

Storytellers: Donna Morrissey, with six national bestselling novels, is one of the many authors in the A1C postal code. Nova Scotia's Bay of Fundy is home to Ami McKay, award-winning writer of The Virgin Cure and The Birth House. New Brunswick has also attracted many authors including David

Adams Richards, author of The Bay of Love and Sorrows (now a film), Mercy Among Children, and other award-winning titles; he is currently serving in the Canadian Senate.

 

Festivals and bookstores galore: Atlantic Canada is also home to some of the country's best literary festivals and bookstores. Festivals include the Fog Lit Festival and the Frye Festival in New Brunswick, Winterset in Summer, Writers at Woody Point and Sparks Literary Festival in Newfoundland, and Afterwords and Cabot Trail Writers Festival in Nova Scotia. Unique local bookstores include: Elaine's Books in St John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, The Odd Book in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, The Bookman in Charlottetown, PEI, and Westminster Books Ltd in Fredericton, New Brunswick.

 

For more information on Canada readers can go to www.explore-canada.co.uk

 

For more media information please contact Ms.Nim Singh,Media and PR Manager Destination Canada singh.nim@destinationcanada.com (not for publication) . For news, images and video go to www.destinationcanada.com/media