If you are anything like Karl and I, the perfect vacation is a mix of relaxation, exercise, adventure and good food. Here we describe one such vacation - a bike trip to Les Iles de la Madeleine.
http://www.tourismeilesdelamadeleine.com/magdalen-islands/atrim-ang-696-home.cfm
You start by flying to Charlottetown and putting your bike back together in the airport. The first workout of the vacation is pumping up four tires with a ridiculously small hand pump.
Then you get on your bike. After exiting the airport parking lot you immediately find a bike path that leads you to the Confederation trail.
After about an hour and a half of peaceful riding you arrive in sleepy Mount Stewart. Note: the Trailside Inn (although a great place to stay) is not open for dinner on Sunday nights. However, a nice lady might get you cheese, a toaster and some local beer to go with the bread you can buy at the Irving around the corner.
That and the record player in the room makes for a nice evening.
In the morning, have a greasy spoon breakfast next door and take the path directly to the ferry in Souris.
Go on a picturesque and entertaining ferry ride to Iles de la Madeleine.
Check out the romantic harbour at night in Caps-aux-Meules
Bike to Ile de la Grande Entrée on a warm and sunny day.
Take the scenic route.
Lose a map, find a map.
Go for a stroll on the beach.
Then bike some more.
Stop at another beach before dinner.
If you get tired of riding your bike, go "dune hiking"....
and find a secluded beach...
and then bike to another beach before a fresh seafood dinner.
Time to check out Ile du Havre Aubert. Take lots of beach breaks...
and scenic detours along the way. It is also a good idea to check out the coffee shop, crepe stand and brewery.
In Ile du Havre Aubert go canoeing and skip rocks in the ocean (unless its windy, then go windsurfing instead).
Take a hike on the bluffs.
and check out the sandcastle competition.
And finally, head back to P.E.I. for the short plane ride back home.
Obviously the bike path will take you straight back to the airport in the morning.
http://www.tourismeilesdelamadeleine.com/magdalen-islands/atrim-ang-696-home.cfm
You start by flying to Charlottetown and putting your bike back together in the airport. The first workout of the vacation is pumping up four tires with a ridiculously small hand pump.
Then you get on your bike. After exiting the airport parking lot you immediately find a bike path that leads you to the Confederation trail.
After about an hour and a half of peaceful riding you arrive in sleepy Mount Stewart. Note: the Trailside Inn (although a great place to stay) is not open for dinner on Sunday nights. However, a nice lady might get you cheese, a toaster and some local beer to go with the bread you can buy at the Irving around the corner.
That and the record player in the room makes for a nice evening.
In the morning, have a greasy spoon breakfast next door and take the path directly to the ferry in Souris.
Go on a picturesque and entertaining ferry ride to Iles de la Madeleine.
Check out the romantic harbour at night in Caps-aux-Meules
Bike to Ile de la Grande Entrée on a warm and sunny day.
Take the scenic route.
Lose a map, find a map.
Go for a stroll on the beach.
Then bike some more.
Stop at another beach before dinner.
If you get tired of riding your bike, go "dune hiking"....
and find a secluded beach...
and then bike to another beach before a fresh seafood dinner.
Time to check out Ile du Havre Aubert. Take lots of beach breaks...
and scenic detours along the way. It is also a good idea to check out the coffee shop, crepe stand and brewery.
In Ile du Havre Aubert go canoeing and skip rocks in the ocean (unless its windy, then go windsurfing instead).
Take a hike on the bluffs.
and check out the sandcastle competition.
And finally, head back to P.E.I. for the short plane ride back home.
Obviously the bike path will take you straight back to the airport in the morning.
Interesting Reading. . .
"Sustaining People in Motion"