This post feels a bit like it’s the first day of school, and I am giving a report on what I did over my summer vacation. But I was so blown away by the beauty we encountered on our trip to the picturesque and wonderfully temperate (especially compared to steamy North Carolina) provinces of New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island that I just had to share it with you.
Unfortunately, traveling to Canada was a bit like that movie, “Planes, Trains, and Automobiles,” without the comic relief of Steve Martin and John Candy. We flew from Charlotte to Toronto, and then, because of bad weather, our flight to Moncton, New Brunswick, was delayed numerous times. Because of this fun-filled sojourn in the Toronto airport, we didn’t arrive in Moncton until 1:30 a.m. From there, we rented a car and white-knuckled it through the fog and pouring rain to the quaint little town of St. Andrews By The Sea, where we finally checked into The Algonquin Resort bone-weary and bleary-eyed at 5 in the morning.
The Algonquin Hotel
Because we went straight to bed, we didn’t appreciate the beauty of the historic Tudor-style Algonquin Resort until we emerged from our bed later in the afternoon. The impressive Algonquin Hotel was Canada’s first seaside resort, opening its doors to guests in 1889. In addition to luxurious rooms, the hotel offers an indoor pool and waterslide, a private beach, a rooftop garden with panoramic views of the Passamaquoddy Bay, fire pits for making smores, and a boat-load of ghosts.
Yep, I said ghosts. Apparently, the Algonquin is considered to be the most haunted location in the province. People have reported seeing a spectral bellhop carrying bags to and fro in the lobby. There are also stories about a waitress in turn of the century garb who clears tables in the dining room. And most disturbingly, people have reported seeing and hearing the ghost of a jilted bride sobbing in one of the guest rooms. Now, in the interest of full disclosure, we did not encounter any ghostly apparitions (unless you count my husband’s wraith-like appearance after being up for 24 hours). However, having been scared to death by the “Shining,” I was not unhappy to be spared a visitation. “Redrum,” yikes!
Kingsbrae Garden
The first place we visited, once we recovered from our travels, was the Kingsbrae Garden. This stunningly beautiful 27-acre garden is within walking distance of the Algonquin. It was created by John and Lucinda Flemer on the grounds of their former estate. And it is now an award-winning showcase for 2500 species of perennials, shrubs, and trees. It also boasts a real working Dutch windmill, two ponds, a labyrinth, adorable alpacas, strutting peacocks, and many themed gardens, including a remarkable sculpture garden. Since I have no idea how to describe the loveliness of this amazing garden, I will let my pictures do the talking.
The Sculpture Garden
After spending a delightful afternoon in the garden, we ventured down to the Harbor Front Restaurant for dinner, where we had an up-close view of Passamaquoddy Bay. And I indulged in a large cold gin and tonic and a heaping plate of golden fried fish and chips. Pleasantly tired and full, we headed back to the Algonquin for a good night’s sleep. “I ain’t afraid of no ghosts!”
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What great pictures! I am jealous you got to stay in a haunted hotel– that’s exactly the kind of creepy stuff that I love!
Thanks for your comment. It was a beautiful old hotel but it really wasn’t creepy at all.
I understand what you’re saying, D… Gardens are nice, but I pounced on the word “haunted”. All beautiful old hotels are a little bit spooky :).
So glad i stopped by your blog. What a gorgeous tour of the maritimes. Nothing is more quaint and says vacation to me than an old hotel. Glad you had a good time, even if your arrival was harsh.
Thanks so much for taking the time to comment on my St. Andrews post. It was a wonderful trip but I will not be flying West Jet again.
Gorgeous! We have been there before! My husband and I went there on a business trip one time. I don’t remember seeing all those gardens which would have been my favorite part of the trip. Years ago we used to get to go to different parts of Canada each year. He doesn’t do those trips anymore but it sure was fun.
Thanks so much for commenting. I am jealous that you got to go on trips to different parts of Canada each year. Our trip to New Brunswick and PEI this summer was so terrific that I really want to explore other parts of Canada, particularly the area around Vancouver. Hopefully, we will be able to make that trip sometime.
I have never visited Canada, but it is on my bucket list. The pictures of the hotel and gardens are lovely. Thank you so much for sharing at Party in Your PJs! Pinned!
Thanks so much for your kind comment about my St. Andrews post and thank you for hosting Party in Your PJ’s.
the garden looks amazing! TFS!
Thanks for taking the time to comment. I really appreciate it. Kingsbrae really is an amazing garden.
Wow, I love these photos! Visiting gardens while traveling is a must for me. You’ve given me a new visiting place. Thanks for sharing this vacation-in-a-blog!
Thank you so much for your kind comment. I hope you do visit Kingsbrae. It is remarkable and all of New Brunswick is beautiful.
Oh wow! This looks amazing! I love all your photos and that Sculpture Garden is divine. I found you from Party in your PJs Linky.
Thanks so much for your kind comment about my St. Andrews post. I really appreciate it. I hope you visit my blog again. I will be doing several future posts on the Canadian Maritimes and the scenery is just gorgeous.
I would have loved to stay in that Tudor mansion. How disappointing to have to spend so much time in the airport.
The gardens would have been the highlight for me. Thanks so much for sharing your lovely photos. It was inspiring!
Thank you so much for your kind comment. St. Andrews really is a magical place.
I’ve been to St. Andrews by the Sea but it has been a long time, and it isn’t far from where I live in Maine. You have kindled my interest in going there with your beautiful photographs.
Thank you so much. I am totally jealous of your location in Maine with its proximity to St. Andrews. While we were in New Brunswick, we also visited Campobello which, while in Canada, is also part of the U.S. Parks System. I am sure you have visited there as well but if you haven’t, it’s amazing. I am going to do an upcoming post on it so I hope you check back to see those pics.
I have been to Campobello, but again, it was a long time ago. There are so many beautiful places in Maine and New Brunswick to visit. I also love PEI and Nova Scotia and it has been many years since I have been there too. I’ll look forward to your post on Campobello.
Beautiful gardens. Nice to meet you. Coming over from Gardens Galore!
What a trip you had. The trip there sounds stressful….. glad it was worth it. You did a lot of work on this post. Interesting and large hotel and gardens! The sculptures are amazing. I enjoyed your post.
Thank you so much. It was a fun trip and the gardens were truly a highlight. Kingsbrae Gardens display new sculptures annually and host a competition for artists. If you ever find yourself in New Brunswick, you should definitely check it out.
Lovely photos!Hugs.Maristella.
Thanks so much for taking the time to comment on my St. Andrews post. I really appreciate it.
Glad you enjoyed the beautiful Maritimes. Just wanted to correct you that Fredericton is the capitol of New Brunswick, not Moncton
Thank you so much taking the time to comment and for catching my error. I know very well that Monton is not the capitol of New Brunswick and so does my husband and neither one of us caught that mistake before I published that post. I have made the correction thanks to you.
I’m never quite sure if I like the idea of haunted hotels but this is a very pretty one. Thanks for linking up with #citytripping
Thanks for taking the time to comment on my St. Andrews post and thanks for hosting City Tripping.