Newfoundland and Labrador Tour
Recently I have been seeing a trend in requests for travellers interested in discovering Newfoundland. If you're from the West Coast, it can seem a bit far and daunting to plan a trip to this lovely area of Canada. However, do not be dismayed! The easterly most point of North America is intriguing, and in case you are interested in going yourself, check out this sample itinerary of some of the amazing things you can see. Contact me at [email protected] to help you set up your next trip to Newfoundland!
Sample Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrive Halifax, NS. Arrive in Halifax and check in at your accommodations for the night. Your hotel is ideally located in the downtown core. This evening meet your fellow travellers and Tour Director at a welcome reception. Depending on your time of arrival, you may wish to book a Gray Line Tour of Halifax, Peggy's Cove or Lunenburg.
Day 2 - Halifax, NS to Port aux Basques, NL. Travel via Truro and Antigonish to cross over the Canso Causeway to Cape Breton Island. At North Sydney, board a Marine Atlantic ferry for a relaxing crossing to Port aux Basques, your port of entry on the island of Newfoundland. (Continental breakfast & dinner is included today) Note: The Marine Atlantic Ferry schedule changes yearly. As such, an overnight crossing including cabin accommodation may be necessary.
Day 3 - Port aux Basques to Port au Choix, NL. Drive through the Codroy Valley and on to Corner Brook, the largest city on the west coast. Your journey continues through Gros Morne National Park – to be enjoyed later on during your tour – to the fishing community of Port au Choix. (Breakfast, lunch & dinner is included today)
Day 4 - Port au Choix to L'anse au Clair, NL. Board the ferry from St. Barbe to cross the Strait of Belle Isle to Labrador. Continue to Red Bay National Historic Site where the Basques had a whaling station in the 16th century. Spend the night in Labrador. (Breakfast & dinner is included today)
Day 5 - L'anse au Clair to St. Anthony, NL. Return to Newfoundland and travel to L'Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site, the first cultural discovery in the world to receive recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hear of the Vikings who walked here over a thousand years ago. (Breakfast & dinner is included today)
Day 6 - St. Anthony to Cow Head, NL. Enjoy a morning whale watching boat tour in St. Anthony (weather permitting)* before traveling to Cow Head for a two-night stay. (Breakfast & dinner is included today)
June and early July are the best time to see Titanic-size icebergs!
Day 7 - Gros Morne Local Touring. Discover why Gros Morne National Park is truly one of the highlights of your tour. Visit the Lobster Cove Lighthouse. Enjoy a scenic boat tour (weather permitting) as you learn the geology of the Tablelands, see the bald eagles that frequent the deep waters of the fjord, and hear the history of the small villages nestled on the shores. It is an unforgettable experience; some say the scenery is unequaled in eastern Canada. (Breakfast, box lunch & dinner is included today)
Day 8 - Cow Head to Gander, NL. Have your camera at the ready as your time in Gros Morne National Park draws to a close. Later travel through central Newfoundland and on to Gander where you spend two nights. (Breakfast & dinner is included today)
Day 9 - Twillingate Touring. A scenic drive along the rocky coast of Notre Dame Bay leads to the beautiful outport of Twillingate. At the tip of the island, visit Long Point Lighthouse and the local co-op. Return to Gander to visit the North Atlantic Aviation Museum before returning to your hotel. (Breakfast & lunch is included today)
Day 10 - Gander to Clarenville, NL. Head out on the Trans-Canada Highway to visit Terra Nova National Park, the most easterly of Canada's beautiful national parks. Keep your camera close at hand for wildlife along the way. Learn about the hard life of light keepers at Cape Bonavista Lighthouse Provincial Historic Site. This afternoon stroll through the lanes of the charming town of Trinity and see several historic buildings including a typical 20th century rural merchant's house and a counting house. Arrival at your Clarenville hotel for the night. (Breakfast, lunch & dinner is included today)
Day 11 - Clarenville to St. John's, NL. Arrive in the capital city of St. John's for a two-night stay. Enjoy an intriguing tour of this old seaport. See the Victorian architecture of the downtown area, the busy modern waterfront, the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, Confederation Building, and the panoramic view from Signal Hill National Historic Site. (Breakfast & dinner is included today)
Day 12 - St. John's Area Touring. This morning, travel to Bay Bulls for one of the highlights of your trip ...a boat tour to the Witless Bay Bird Sanctuary (weather permitting). Later visit the most easterly point in North America, Cape Spear National Historic Site. The remainder of the day is free to explore on your own. (Breakfast is included today)
Day 13 - Depart St. John's. Depart St. John’s for your flight home. Atlantic Tours' arrangements end on check-out from the hotel.
*Itinerary compliments of my partners at Canada by Design.