My Canadian travel adventures continue in one of the most beautiful and distinctive locations in Canada: Prince Edward Island!

I’ve had PEI on my bucket list ever since I was young, and finally got the chance to spend two quick but magnificent days in the province with photographer Joey Wong.

Of course, we pranced around the Anne of Green Gables house in Cavendish (aka Avonlea)! Did you know that the Japanese are mega-fans of Anne Shirley, the feisty orphan in Lucy Maud Montgomery’s novels?

Read on for photos from Green Gables Heritage Place and other must-visit photogenic spots around Prince Edward Island!

If you’re driving to PEI from Nova Scotia, stop by the fishing village of Victoria as you make your way up to Charlottetown, the capital city.

We were hungry after driving for several hours, and stopped here to devour seafood at Lobster Barn.

Victoria-by-the-Sea is a quaint seaside village that preserves the old-school charm of the Maritimes fishing heyday.

Stop here for scenic views as you chow down at Lobster Barn. The lobster roll with warm butter, and fish and chips hit the spot. Don’t miss out on PEI spuds, as the local potatoes live up to their fame.

Victoria’s historic seaport was founded in 1819 and features a lighthouse, fisherman shacks and fishing vessels.

Then, we settled into our downtown Charlottetown digs at The Holman Grand Hotel. The spacious rooms and prime location (on the main Queen Street) made this the perfect choice for our brief trip to PEI.

The capital city is small and easily walkable. We strolled down Queen Street to the waterfront and Confederate Landing Park, where we saw people fishing from the pier and lounging on Adirondack chairs.

Queen Street is lined with classic brick buildings and rows of seafood restaurants, Anne of Green Gable shops and craft boutiques. I was pleased to hear free live music at several spots during my walkabout.

Many told me that the best spot in Charlottetown for dinner is Slaymaker & Nichols gastro house — and from the moment I spotted the vibe-y exterior, I knew this was the right choice.

Slaymaker & Nichols has a playfully-named menu that serves fresh, local ingredients in bright and creative creations. You can tell from the photos that these dishes slayed: “Let’s Go Mushrooming” portobello and crimini mushrooms on garlic toast, and house made smoked haddock and salmon cakes with tangy sauces.

The interior’s vintage feel is a hat-tip to the 19th-century Slaymaker & Nichols Olympic Circus, which caused a splash in Charlottetown in 1864.

The elegant carnival atmosphere extends to the charmingly presented, mouthwatering dishes designed for sharing.

The mixology is a stand-out: I had a hard time deciding between all the creative, well-balanced cocktails like this orange one with foam and bitters.

Slaymaker & Nichols features rotating menu items like this Thai curry fish and rice dish. Ask your server for the daily recommendations, although everything you’ll eat here is a slay!

The next day, we drove to the University of Prince Edward Island in Charlottetown — a tranquil campus with lovingly maintained brick school buildings.

I can’t stop mentioning how the Canadian Maritimes took me back in time to the happy, relaxed 1990s. The authentic friendliness and gentler pace of life here are so different from my usual travel experiences.

It’s best to have a car when traveling in Prince Edward Island, as the driving conditions are easy and you can better access areas around the province — like Brackley Beach up north.

We rode to Covehead Harbour Lighthouse, a tapered wooden tower built in 1975.

The sand at Covehead Bay is so powder soft — did you expect landscapes like this in Canada?

Wearing a jacket and dress by Michi, Roberto Cavalli sunglasses, and Anthony Wang shoes.

Brackley Beach is one of the most popular beaches in PEI, only 20 minutes away from Charlottetown. The clear water, dramatic dunes, and long stretches of sand are fire.

Canada’s tiniest province remains predominantly rural, with gorgeous flora and greenery especially in the peak summer season.

It’s so chill at Brackley Beach that for once, I was not fueled by spite — but you can never escape the fate of microplastics! Bag by Mourning Breath Shoppe.

When in Prince Edward Island, you must make the pilgrimage to Green Gables Heritage Place in Cavendish. Anne of Green Gables fans will immediately recognize Anne Shirley’s green and white Avonlea home featured in the children’s books, movies and TV shows.

Anne of Green Gables is a 1908 novel by local author Lucy Maud Montgomery, which spanned sequels and various film, TV and manga adaptations. The tales of the fiery red-headed orphan girl and her journey growing up captured the hearts of millions — including a particularly passionate audience in Japan.

The novel is centered in Green Gables, the home in which orphaned Anne (“with an E”) is raised by Marilla Cuthbert and her brother, Matthew. The setting is based on L.M. Montgomery’s memories of this turn of the century house and surrounding farmland of Cavendish (which inspired Anne’s fictional home of Avonlea).

Lucy Maud Montgomery lived nearby and frequently visited this real-life Green Gables owned by her aunt Annie, which is now a National Historic Site and part of Parks Canada.

The author had warm memories of her “second home” and was even married here in 1911. Visitors can go inside and get immersed in the storybook via the Anne of Green Gables Museum.

How quaint is the kitchen with the butter churn and washboard? If you grew up with the Anne books and films/shows like I did, then being here hits you right in the feels.

I was tickled to see the puffy sleeved dress, which was one of Anne Shirley’s dearest wishes! Stoic father figure Matthew was so pleased to gift her with the puffed sleeved dress of her dreams.

Anne of Green Gables is a Canadian icon, and led to a number of related works like the TV spin-off “Road to Avonlea.”

Going inside Green Gables Heritage Place lets you be part of her world.

The novel is set in the late 19th century, so there are a variety of old-time photo spots, exhibits and activities throughout the property — like this carriage in the barn.

PEI is home to other Anne attractions including L.M. Montgomery’s birthplace in New London, Anne of Green Gables Museum at Campbell Homestead, the Lower Bedeque School where Montgomery taught, and Avonlea Village, a recreation of the storybook setting. There may also be performances of Anne of Green Gables–The Musical.

Why is Anne so big in Japan, where she is known as Akage no An (赤毛のアン) or “Red-haired Anne”? The story was translated to Japanese after WWII and became a beloved anime series. As a result, she became a pop culture icon and many Japanese tourists visit Prince Edward Island because of her.

Super-fans can also pick up souvenirs like Anne’s Raspberry Cordial, a sparkling berry beverage that is unique to PEI and a fav of the character.

After visiting the buildings, take a walk through the Haunted Wood and the romantic Lover’s Lane.

As we were in Cavendish, we popped over to the Dunelands Trail by the water.

The easy path is lined with ponds, sand dunes and boardwalk with plenty of chances to spot flora and fauna.

Summer is the best time to visit Prince Edward Island, as the weather is comfortable and everything is in bloom. (Although accommodations are pricier, so book early.)

L Maud Montgomery enjoyed visiting Cavendish Beach with her friends and family. The relaxed natural setting makes it feel like a scene from the past.

How 90s is the Cavendish sign? I love the nostalgic feel of PEI and the Canadian Maritimes.

Can’t get over the stunning red sandstone cliffs and wind-sculpted dunes overlooking the Gulf of St Lawrence.

Photographer Joey Wong and I only got to spend a short time in PEI, but we’d love to come back to take it easy by the red sand beaches. (And eat more seafood and spuds.)

Traveling in Canada rocks! Please add me Instagram @lacarmina to see snaps from this trip (saved in IG Stories) — as well as my most recent adventures in Japan for Halloween.

More Canadian travels and adventures to come — I’m keen to see new parts of the country with friends like Sancho Angulo (you may remember our game show appearance on trivia TV series, CTV Battle of the Generations! Here we are on the downtown Vancouver Seawall recently).

Are you an Anne of Green Gables aficionado? Do you want to visit Prince Edward Island, Canada’s smallest (and arguably sweetest) province?