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Barrels at a Prince Edward County Winery1

Between Toronto and Ottawa rest the wineries, serene shores and the culturally and historically rich tract of land known as Prince Edward County. Covering a total area of 1048 sq km (405 sq mi), it is 262 km (163 mi) from the city of Ottawa. The region is home to a wealth of vast pastures with highly fertile land, prosperous vineyards, a plethora of outdoor activities and many accommodations to suit the needs of any potential visitor.

Picton is the largest townsite in Prince Edward County, which was established in 1792. It was named after Prince Edward Augustus, Duke of Kent, who was the commander-in-chief of British North America. The island—now connected to the mainland by a man-made canal—was also a popular settlement for United Empire Loyalists who took refuge there during the American Revolution.

TRANSPORTATION AND ORIENTATION

	Sail the Mighty Lake Ontario2

Picton is situated 30 km (18.6 mi) southeast of Belleville and 60 km (37.3 mi) west of Kingston. Prince Edward County is only accessible by taking the Glenora Ferry, 10 km (6.2 mi) from Picton, or by driving down Highway 33, otherwise known as Loyalist Parkway.

The Parkway goes through Picton and connects to the mainland and the greater Ontario road network, mainly Highway 62, which provides access to Belleville. The year-round ferry service provides an eastern connection to Highway 33 leading into Kingston.

Prince Edward County was at one point serviced by rail, but the railroad is no longer in use and now acts as a system of trails and pathways that span the outskirts of the island. Bike hires, taxi cabs and marinas are plentiful on the island and provide complete access to the entire region. The tour companies of the area usually provide their own transportation to show visitors around this dominion.

Picton is the largest settlement in Prince Edward County and is situated on the northeast edge of the county's landmass. Bay of Quinte and the Lake on the Mountain Provincial Park is northwest of Picton and provides some of the best fishing on the island. Cherry Valley and Milford are located to the south. West Lake and East Lake are just west of Milford and rest on either side of the Sandbanks Provincial Park, a favourite destination of outsiders visiting the area. To the north of the park sits Bloomfield and Wellington.

CLIMATE AND CONDITIONS

Sunset Over the Lake3

Prince Edward County is situated in a portion of Ontario that offers a temperate and mild climate. During the summer, the mean temperature in the afternoon is usually around 21°C (70°F) and through winter they see an average temperature of around -7°C (19°F). From late May to early September, a simple t-shirt or light sweater is ample to keep one warm. However, in the winter, toasty clothing like parkas, mittens and skarves must be donned to prevent hypothermia if one plans on remaining outdoors for an extended period of time. Road conditions in Prince Edward County can be hazardous during this period and motorists should plan to encounter slippery roads and icy driving conditions. Most of the region's snowfall occurs during November and December and a majority of their rainfall happens during May and June.

USEFUL ACCOMMODATION LINKS

• Prince Edward County Accommodations Guide – This provides links to the the accommodation guide for Prince Edward County. It is categorized into hotels and motels, bed and breakfasts, hostels, extended stay suites, conference centres and more.
• Map of Prince Edward County – This interactive map shows Prince Edward County and the surrounding area.
• Book Accommodations Online – This gives the ability to securely book accommodations online.

MAJOR ACCOMMODATION AREAS

	Angling for Walleye4

Picton
The town of Picton is the hub of activity in Prince Edward County. Situated on the banks of Lake Ontario, it provides visitors with countless outdoor pursuits. Beautiful green foothills surround the town and at its centre is a bustling marina where dozens of sails can be seen flapping in the westerly breeze. Due to the mild weather experienced here, people can enjoy the natural surroundings for most of the year. The area is rich with lush vineyards and agricultural land. Furthermore, the town contains the Regent Theatre, which hosts jazz festivals and other events and the theatre even screens classic movies on a regular basis. Bergeron's Exotic Animal Sanctuary is yet another popular destination as visitors here are offered the opportunity to see over 150 different species of animals ranging from wild boars to Siberian tigers.

Due to the size of Picton, it doesn't offer a great deal of hotels. Bed and breakfasts are the most prevalent accommodations because of the blue-bonnet country-style setting of Prince Edward County. Accommodations can mainly be found near the water's edge in the heart of town. The Sportsman Motel offers a place to stay overlooking the bay and is just 1 km (0.6 mi) from the boat launch. The Tip of the Bay Hotel offers a fantastic patio overlooking the bay and a flourishing rose garden.

Bloomfield and Wellington
Bloomfield and Wellington are the perfect places to make and drink wine, as they are directly situated in Prince Edward County's winery hotbed. To the south of Bloomfield is the majestic Sandbanks Provincial Park with its dunes and diverse ecosystem. It offers some of the most fertile soil in Prince Edward County and easy access to Lake Ontario. The Huff Estates Winery is just outside of Bloomfield and provides tours and wine tastings.

The town of Bloomfield doesn't offer hotels. It does feature plenty of bed and breakfasts and an inn. The town has dozens of gardens and park areas. Downtown on Main Street is where a majority of the towns bed and breakfasts are located. Visitors have the option of staying in the Patterson House Bed and Breakfast with its outdoor four-person spa. There is also the Chocolate Suite, and the Victorian-style Renlea House Bed and Breakfast. The Hillsdale House Bed and Breakfast offers additional quarters and is home to the Island Forge Gallery featuring the works of the local artisan metalsmith. There are just under a dozen of these bed and breakfasts along Main Street and each provides a distinctly different experience for those enjoying a stay in Prince Edward County. Similar accommodations are available in Wellington, just down Highway 33.

Milford and Cherry Valley

Prince Edward County's Beautiful South5

The southern portion of the island provides two locations visitors should definitely check out. On the southwest shoreline is Cherry Valley and to the east is the town of Milford. Neither provide a great deal of accommodations, but each host their own small selection of bed and breakfast type accommodations. Because Cherry Valley is in such close proximity to the Sandbanks Provincial Park and numerous wineries, it is a more popular destination than Milford, but each boast attractions of different natures.

Milford is home to the Mariner's Park Museum and the False Duck Lighthouse, erected as monuments to the sailors of the county responsible for trading by traversing the Great Lakes. Long Dog Vineyards operates a winery in the area and provide tours and tastings to guests looking to sample Canadian grown fine wines. Milford also has a cheese factory churning up quality artisan cheeses, and obviously, cheese is always popular. There are three bed and breakfasts in town along Morrison Street and a few others in the surrounding area including the Colleen Cottage Riverside Bed and Breakfast with its own private pier and the Black River Lodge, which sits directly on the banks of the Black River.

Cherry Valley has only one notable bed and breakfast, but offers three different campgrounds for those looking to catch a slice of the outdoors in the provincial park. Salmon Point Campground is ultra-close to the park and provides both water and electrical hook-ups. The Lake Avenue Resort offers camping and cabin quarters only moments away from the park, the lake and the amenities of Cherry Valley. Quinte's Isle Campark provides treed and spacious areas to erect a tent or to park a camper.

Countryside Accommodations and Out-of-Town Bed and Breakfasts
One of the main attractions drawing people to Prince Edward County is the sparse population and laid-back atmosphere of the place. One doesn't have to stay in town to find the relaxing accommodations most desired. Prince Edward Country offers a wide assortment of bed and breakfasts situated along rural routes and country roads. For true peace and tranquility, it might be a good idea to stay in the country, rather than in one of Prince Edward County's small blue-bonnet country towns.

The collection of countryside bed and breakfasts include places like the Gilead Schoolhouse, which is an old-style farm house converted into traveller accommodations. Sunset Paradise is located south of Sandbanks Park on the coast and provides its guests with breathtaking views of the sun setting over the park. The area is the perfect location for watersports and can provide waterskiiers or wakeboarders with some water meant to be shredded.

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PHOTO COURTESY

1. Wine Barrels at a Winery; Prince Edward Country, ON
2. Sail the Mighty Lake Ontario; Prince Edward County, ON
3. Sunset Over Lake Ontario; Prince Edward County, ON
4. Angling for Walleye; Prince Edward County, ON
5. Prince Edward County's Beautiful Southern Shores; Prince Edward County, ON