Home > Canada and Alaska > Atlantic Provinces > 14 Day Ultimate Newfoundland & Labrador Discovery with St. Pierre
14 DAY ULTIMATE NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR DISCOVERY WITH ST. PIERRE
TRIP DESCRIPTION
This is a comprehensive exploration of one of Canada's most isolated, scenic, and historically/culturally distinct provinces, as well as the unique French Island of Ste-Pierre. Join us on a thorough treatment of this unique corner of North America. Adding to the historical/cultural milieu is a three-night stay on Ste-Pierre, an overseas department of France.
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Start Location: Corner Brook
End Location: St. John's, NL
TOP HIGHLIGHTS
- UNESCO World Heritage Site Gros Morne National Park
- Bonne Bay Boat Cruise with
- UNESCO World Hertiage Site L'Anse Aux Meadows
- The Arches Provincial Park
- Iceberg Alley and Twillingate
- Prime Berth Fishery and Heritage Center
- North Atlantic Aviation Museum
- Terra Nova National Park and Marine Interpretation Center
- Signal Hill and The Rooms in St. John's
- Cape Spear
- Scenic Coastal Cruise
- Witless Bay Ecological Reserve
ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrive in Corner Brook, NL
PLEASE NOTE: JUNE DEPARTURE OPERATES IN REVERSE, BEGINNING IN ST JOHN'S AND ENDING IN CORNER BROOK. Arrive in Corner Brook in Newfoundland, Canada’s most easterly province and also known as “The Rock”. The town of Corner Brook is located on the west side of the island and is renowned for its world-famous salmon-bearing river, the Humber. This evening your Tour Leader will join you for an evening pre-tour briefing and you will meet your fellow travellers at dinnertime.
Overnight: Corner Brook
Meals: Dinner
Day 2: Corner Brook - Grose Morne Cow Head
Today we explore the incredible Gros Morne National Park, with its towering inland fjords and walking trails. We will learn about the geology of the area at the Gros Morne Visitor Centre and experience it firsthand with a scenic walk through the Tablelands area discovering the unique flora and fauna native to the region. Moose, caribou, waterfalls, and dozens of unforgettable photographic scenes add to this UNESCO World Heritage Destination. Next, we visit Lobster Cove Lighthouse in Rocky Harbour and enjoy a boat cruise of Bonne Bay and participate in an age-old tradition – the “Screech In” ceremony, featuring live traditional music, a cod fish, and a taste of the famous Newfoundland Screech. Following the boat cruise, we continue up the Northern Peninsula of Newfoundland to the town of Cow Head.
Overnight: Cow Head
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3: Cow Head - St. Anthony, NL
This morning we travel the well-known Viking Trail Route to the most northerly tip of Newfoundland, to the L'Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site. We will see where the Vikings, the first Europeans to reach the New World, landed and established a settlement. We visit the interpretive centre, tour the Viking ruins, and have an interactive experience at the longhouse to discover what life was like for the Viking encampment in 1,000 AD. As we make our way onwards to St. Anthony, at the centre of the Northern Peninsula, we tour the town and make our way up to the St. Anthony Lighthouse. Look down at the crashing waves below the shoreline and take in the view of the town. The evening is at leisure.
Overnight: St. Anthony
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4: St. Anthony – Ferry to Blanc Sablo, Quebec – L’Anse au Clair, Labrador
Today we get a closer look at some of the earliest settlements in Canada. We ferry across the Strait of Belle Isle, known as Iceberg Alley, to the fishing village where Jacques Cartier first landed at Blanc Sablon, Quebec.
We then continue by road to Red Bay, Labrador, a community where one of the earliest industrial complexes in the New World – a Basque whaling station, which we visit – has been declared a National Historic Site. Archaeologists have discovered several shipwrecks from the period of 1550-1600 when this was the world whaling capital, supplying Europe with oil for lamps and soap. Archaeologists have also uncovered an astounding number of tools and personal effects that confirm European habitation of this coast during the 16th and 17th centuries. Many of these are now conserved in the Interpretation Centre. This is part of Labrador’s famous Coastal Drive Route; modern-day explorers find a wildland dotted with a few coastal settlements inhabited mainly by the descendants of fishermen who began to settle here 200 years ago.
We finish our day back down in L’Anse au Clair, population 264, located 3 km from the Quebec/Labrador border in the Labrador Straits. This is the first established by French fishing interests in the early 1700s; the first permanent settlers were Jersey fishermen. Shortly after the Quebec-Labrador border dispute in 1825, Newfoundlanders and people from the south of England also began settling in L’Anse au Clair. The original name of the community was Anse St. Clair named after one of the first merchants to establish here whose last name was St. Clair. While here, we hope to visit the Gateway to Labrador Visitor Centre. If skies are favourable this evening, you may see the Northern Lights.
Overnight: L'Anse au Clair
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5: L'Anse au Clair - Rocky Harbour
Today we ferry back across to Newfoundland and continue to Rocky Harbour, located on the t coast in the heart of Gros Morne National Park. Finds of arrowheads in the area indicate that the Micmac once inhabited the area. Then came the fishermen from England and France, some of whom eventually stayed all year round. Today this is the largest community in Gros Morne National Park and is centrally located for touring the World Heritage Site.It took Mother Nature 485,000,000 years to mold Gros Morne National Park into the geological and visual wonder we know today. The second largest National Park in eastern Canada, Gros Morne is a UNESCO World Heritage Site stretching across 1805 square kilometres of western Newfoundland as part of the towering Long-Range Mountains.Encircled by tiny seaside communities, and encompassing forests, freshwater fjords, bogs, barren lowlands, moose, and striking cliffs and shorelines, this area is also world-renowned for its complex geology. It was here that geologists proved the theory of plate tectonics.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6: Rocky Harbour - Grand Falls-Windsor
Making our way along the Viking Trail Route to Grand Falls-Windsor, the largest town in central Newfoundland, we have plenty of scenic stops along the way, with informative talks from our Tour Leader throughout our journey. We visit The Arches Provincial Park along the western coast of Newfoundland and take some time to explore the natural rock formations that have been shaped by the power of ocean tides. We continue to the town of Grand Falls-Windsor, where we have the evening to explore the area at leisure before dinner.
Overnight: Grand Falls-Windsor
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7: Twillingate Day Tour - Gander
Today, we visit the Iceberg Alley and the historic town of Twillingate. At the Prime Berth Fishery and Heritage Centre, an interpretive fishing centre, we learn about the history of the all-important fishing industry in Newfoundland, and how the industry has changed over the years. This afternoon is spent exploring the area with a tour taking in the history of Twillingate and the surrounding areas. We stop and visit Long Point Lighthouse, which sits more than 300 feet above the sea and is still operated by one lighthouse keeper year-round guiding ships through the fog and the stormy nights. We finally make our way to Gander for an evening at leisure.
Overnight: Gander
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 8: Gander - Clarenville, NL
Gander is a town full of history and plays a vital role in international aviation industry. Gander is also the setting for the now famous musical ‘Come from Away’ showcasing the story of how the friendly town handled the sudden arrival of 38 plane loads totaling 7000 passengers who landed here following the September 11th terrorist attacks in the US. We visit the North Atlantic Aviation Museum this morning and learn about the important historical events that has made this town an inspiration to all Canadians. From Gander, we take a scenic drive through Terra Nova National Park, Canada's most easterly national park, where the boreal forest meets the rugged Atlantic coastline. A visit to the Terra Nova Marine Interpretation Centre will inform us about North Atlantic marine creatures and the importance of local conservation efforts. This afternoon we arrive in Newfoundland's capital city of St. John's, an eccentric, colourful city which dates to 1519, and is one of the oldest European settlements in North America. The remainder of our evening is at leisure, with time to explore, shop, or enjoy the local cuisine.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 9: Clarenville & The Discovery Trail
Today, two of Newfoundland's most famous outports, beginning with the site of John Cabot's arrival. We drive to Cape Bonavista, where Cabot is believed to have first sighted the New World on June 24, 1497. Back down the rugged Bonavista Peninsula is Trinity, who was named by the Portuguese explorer Gaspar Corte Real when he sailed into the harbour on Trinity Sunday, 1500. We stroll Trinity's narrow, tree-lined streets, enjoying the beautifully preserved historic buildings.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 10: Clarenville & The Discovery Trail
This morning we depart Clarenville and head south onto the beautiful Burin Peninsula via the famous "Heritage Run" route.True to its name, the Heritage Run still rings loud with the echoes of colonial industry. The famous Grand Banks was once a rich fishing ground and was the world's "bread & butter" for centuries. Codfish were plentiful here, attracting first the European fleets and then French and English settlers. From Placentia Bay's collection of islands and the communities that are tucked into the head of Fortune Bay, to the unsheltered vistas and haze covered French outposts of the peninsula's tip.We travel to the village of Fortune, the departure points for our afternoon ferry to the French islands of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon (bring your passports!). These are two groups of islands with a fascinating maritime history (and their own time zone); they make up a part of France off the coast of Newfoundland. Although many people in North America believe those islands are part of Canada or some type of autonomous region, the islands are an integral part of the French Republic. A specific series of institutions and limited autonomy was indeed granted by France, but the islands are and shall likely remain French. Hence, the islands have a decidedly European feel; French is the primary language, plus you'll find French food, customs, and the Euro.During our time on Saint-Pierre, we will have a city / island tour. The "Place du General de Gaulle" on the waterfront, is the heart of the town. It is the unavoidable square to mingle and tap into the "ambiance". The "Zaspiak Bat" or basque playing wall, the "Pointe aux canons" lighthouse, the salt houses, the "Pointe du Diamant" and the last not least the "Arche" museum, are all must-see spots embodying the islands' identity.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 11: L’ile aux Marins
This morning we take a short ferry to Sailor’s Island where you will enjoy a walking tour of Ile aux Marins, one of the eight islands in the Saint-Pierre Miquelon archipelago. It’s an island preserved the way it was back in the late 19th and early 20th centuries when traditional fishermen lived there before modern technology rendered them obsolete. We transfer back to St-Pierre in the evening for dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 12: Saint-Pierre, France - St. John's, NL
Today we ferry back to the mainland and continue by road to St John’s. This is a pretty full (and scenic) day of travel with breaks for refreshment/lunch along the way. We aim to be in St John’s in the mid-late afternoon. Our route takes us northeast, up the Burin Penninsula and then east onto the Avalon Penninsula, travelling the last bit of the 7821km TransCanada Highway to it’s terminus.St. John’s, the provincial capital, is the perfect combination of big-city luxury and traditional small-town charm. It is one of the oldest and most easterly cities in North America, and has become a rare destination full of character and charisma, with a contemporary, sophisticated edge. The town is quite walkable, with lots of great shopping, restaurants, historical sites and more.
Overnight: St. John's, NL
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 13: St. John's Touring
Today is a full day of local touring as we explore North America's oldest city. We visit Canada's second largest National Historic Park as well as Signal Hill and Cape Spear, home to the oldest lighthouse and the most easterly point in North America. This afternoon, we enjoy a coastal cruise with opportunities to see whales and puffins at the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve. Following that, we will immerse ourselves in the traditions of Newfoundland and Labrador's largest public cultural space, The Rooms, showcasing history, heritage and artistic expression of this unique province. This evening’s farewell dinner will celebrate the amazing time we have spent together. This is the time to exchange stories, memories and the highlights of our time spent along the East Coast of Canada.
Overnight: St. John's, NL
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 14: Depart St. John's, NL
Our Newfoundland adventure comes to an end. Following breakfast, you will transfer to the airport for your return flight home. PLEASE NOTE: JUNE DEPARTURE OPERATES IN REVERSE, BEGINNING IN ST JOHN'S AND ENDING IN CORNER BROOK.
Meals: Breakfast
DATES & PRICES
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WHAT'S INCLUDED
- 13 nights of accommodation (3.5-4 star)
- Professional Tour Leader
- Expert Local Step-On-Guide on days 5 and 6
- Transportation by Private Vehicles
- 26 Meals: 13 Breakfasts, 2 lunches, 11 dinners
Why Take An Anderson Tour?
Seasoned Tour Guides
Get a deeper understanding with storytelling tailored to your interests.
Space To Breathe
We never max out buses even if we use the same size bus as the competition.
All Inclusive
No hidden expenses along the way. Competitors offer activities as an extra - we don't
Our guide training manual is accredited by ACTA/CITC Canadian Educational Standard Inc. Now used as the standard in educational college programs.
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Unique Experiences
Experiences that help you take in the region in a different way.
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Time to take in each place with only the tours you want to do.
Tour Questions
What is the maximum number of travellers in a group?
Anderson Vacations specializes in Small Group Fully Escorted tours. If the tour is classified as a ‘Classic Tour’ up to 24 persons may join the tour although tours commonly travel with anywhere between 18 to 24 travellers. If the tour is classified as a 'Tour of Distinction’ only up to 18 persons may join the tour and many 'Tours of Distinction' travel with 12 to 18 travellers.
What are Guaranteed Departures?
After dreaming about travel to an exciting destination, arranging for time off work, booking your flights the last thing you need is for your trip to be cancelled. Anderson vacation's pre-Guaranteed tours take the uncertainty away from planning your travel and give you peace of mind to book our tours. Pre-Guaranteed Tours are group tours that we have already confirmed as certain to travel on the specified date. All 'Guaranteed Tours' will travel except in the event of a natural disaster or a catastrophic event that is beyond our control. They may already have the minimum number of people booked or else are tours that are known to be popular. Only select departures of tours are 'pre-Guaranteed'.
What happens if I book on a tour that is not Guaranteed?
We pride ourselves on providing “a small shared group experience.” In the event that we have fewer than ten participants on a tour we will offer a “small-group surcharge” to ensure that the tour runs as scheduled. This fee, which is up to 15% of the “land” portion of the tour, will be offered to you as an option to continue with the trip. This fee will cover the costs associated with handling a smaller group.
What is the average age of passengers for this tour?
Our tours are suitable for all age demographics. The average age of travelers is typically 45+.
How physically demanding is this tour? Are you able to accommodate people with mobility restrictions/limitations?
Some tours are mainly coach based and may not be physically demanding while others may require walking inclines or on rough surfaces to access interesting locations. Please check with us and your booking agent carefully and discuss your mobility restrictions before completing any tour booking to ensure this style of travel is right for you.
Can you accommodate passengers with dietary restrictions (food allergies, vegan, vegetarian etc.)?
Yes, we do accommodate dietary restrictions (within reason) such as, food allergies, vegan, vegetarian, etc. There are many meals included on our fully escorted tours. Please inform us of any dietary restrictions at the time of booking so we can ensure there are alternative meal choices.
Booking & Flight Questions
Do you arrange airport transfers?
Yes, we can assist you with airport transfers for you in most locations at a reasonable extra cost. Several tours have airport transfers already included. Please contact us for more details.
Can you assist with booking additional accommodation?
Yes, we can certainly assist with booking additional nights of hotel accommodation for you before and after your fully escorted tour. This is available upon request and subject to availability. Please inquire for further information and prices.
How much luggage should I bring?
Each passenger may bring one large suitcase and one carry-on bag. The weight limit for baggage is 20 kilograms or about 40 pounds. Baggage handling is provided at the hotels in our tour packages but there may be places where you will be required to wheel in your bags for quicker access. Be sure to advise our reservations staff if you will be bringing additional items such as a cane, walker, or wheelchair. You may also bring one small soft-sided carry-on bag, which should easily fit into the overhead shelf of a coach. Each person is responsible for his/her own carryon luggage. Remember to check your airline baggage restrictions if you are flying, as they may differ from Anderson Vacations guidelines.
I am a solo traveller. Is there a single surcharge?
There are options for single travelers to join most tours. Solo travellers can choose to pay a Single Supplement and have their own room throughout the tour. For those willing to share with a co-traveller of the same gender, we have a Twin Share option that is offered for most tours where you share a hotel room with another same gender traveller. In this case, you will not be charged for Single Supplement.
Is it possible to book a triple share accommodation?
Yes, it is possible to book triple share accommodations on select trips. Please inquire or contact us regarding this option, as prices and availability vary from tour to tour.
Can we book this tour with our exclusive group?
Yes, you can! Anderson Vacations works with many private groups and helps to customize a tour to traveller’s needs. Please contact us for more details.
Are gratuities included in the tour cost?
For convenience, gratuities for local guides and meals that are specified in the itinerary are included in the tour price. For meals not included in your tour package please remember that it is customary to tip your server 10-20% in North America. Gratuities for your Coach Driver (where appropriate) and Tour Director are entirely at your discretion. We recommend about CDN $5.00 per person, per day, for your Driver and CDN$7.00 per person, per day for your Tour Leader.
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INQUIRE ABOUT THIS TRIP
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1.866.814.7378
Seasoned Tour Guides
Get a deeper understanding with storytelling tailored to your interests.
Space To Breathe
We never max out buses even if we use the same size bus as the competition.
All Inclusive
No hidden expenses along the way. Competitors offer activities as an extra - we don't
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Tour Code
NFUD
14 Day Ultimate Newfoundland & Labrador Discovery with St. Pierre
14 days
Created On: 29 Mar 2023
Highlights
- UNESCO World Heritage Site Gros Morne National Park
- Bonne Bay Boat Cruise with
- UNESCO World Hertiage Site L'Anse Aux Meadows
- The Arches Provincial Park
- Iceberg Alley and Twillingate
- Prime Berth Fishery and Heritage Center
- North Atlantic Aviation Museum
- Terra Nova National Park and Marine Interpretation Center
- Signal Hill and The Rooms in St. John's
- Cape Spear
- Scenic Coastal Cruise
- Witless Bay Ecological Reserve
Inclusions
- 13 nights of accommodation (3.5-4 star)
- Professional Tour Leader
- Expert Local Step-On-Guide on days 5 and 6
- Transportation by Private Vehicles
- 26 Meals: 13 Breakfasts, 2 lunches, 11 dinners
Dates & Prices
AVAILABILITY
START DATE
END DATE
PRICE
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
DEPOSIT
AVAILABLE
Sun, 11 Jun 2023
Sat, 24 Jun 2023
$5,850 USD
$1,440 USD
$500 USD
AVAILABLE
Sun, 27 Aug 2023
Sat, 09 Sep 2023
$5,850 USD
$1,440 USD
$500 USD
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Corner Brook, NL
PLEASE NOTE: JUNE DEPARTURE OPERATES IN REVERSE, BEGINNING IN ST JOHN'S AND ENDING IN CORNER BROOK. Arrive in Corner Brook in Newfoundland, Canada’s most easterly province and also known as “The Rock”. The town of Corner Brook is located on the west side of the island and is renowned for its world-famous salmon-bearing river, the Humber. This evening your Tour Leader will join you for an evening pre-tour briefing and you will meet your fellow travellers at dinnertime.
Overnight: Corner Brook
Meals: Dinner
Day 2: Corner Brook - Grose Morne Cow Head
Today we explore the incredible Gros Morne National Park, with its towering inland fjords and walking trails. We will learn about the geology of the area at the Gros Morne Visitor Centre and experience it firsthand with a scenic walk through the Tablelands area discovering the unique flora and fauna native to the region. Moose, caribou, waterfalls, and dozens of unforgettable photographic scenes add to this UNESCO World Heritage Destination. Next, we visit Lobster Cove Lighthouse in Rocky Harbour and enjoy a boat cruise of Bonne Bay and participate in an age-old tradition – the “Screech In” ceremony, featuring live traditional music, a cod fish, and a taste of the famous Newfoundland Screech. Following the boat cruise, we continue up the Northern Peninsula of Newfoundland to the town of Cow Head.
Overnight: Cow Head
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3: Cow Head - St. Anthony, NL
This morning we travel the well-known Viking Trail Route to the most northerly tip of Newfoundland, to the L'Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site. We will see where the Vikings, the first Europeans to reach the New World, landed and established a settlement. We visit the interpretive centre, tour the Viking ruins, and have an interactive experience at the longhouse to discover what life was like for the Viking encampment in 1,000 AD. As we make our way onwards to St. Anthony, at the centre of the Northern Peninsula, we tour the town and make our way up to the St. Anthony Lighthouse. Look down at the crashing waves below the shoreline and take in the view of the town. The evening is at leisure.
Overnight: St. Anthony
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4: St. Anthony – Ferry to Blanc Sablo, Quebec – L’Anse au Clair, Labrador
Today we get a closer look at some of the earliest settlements in Canada. We ferry across the Strait of Belle Isle, known as Iceberg Alley, to the fishing village where Jacques Cartier first landed at Blanc Sablon, Quebec.
We then continue by road to Red Bay, Labrador, a community where one of the earliest industrial complexes in the New World – a Basque whaling station, which we visit – has been declared a National Historic Site. Archaeologists have discovered several shipwrecks from the period of 1550-1600 when this was the world whaling capital, supplying Europe with oil for lamps and soap. Archaeologists have also uncovered an astounding number of tools and personal effects that confirm European habitation of this coast during the 16th and 17th centuries. Many of these are now conserved in the Interpretation Centre. This is part of Labrador’s famous Coastal Drive Route; modern-day explorers find a wildland dotted with a few coastal settlements inhabited mainly by the descendants of fishermen who began to settle here 200 years ago.
We finish our day back down in L’Anse au Clair, population 264, located 3 km from the Quebec/Labrador border in the Labrador Straits. This is the first established by French fishing interests in the early 1700s; the first permanent settlers were Jersey fishermen. Shortly after the Quebec-Labrador border dispute in 1825, Newfoundlanders and people from the south of England also began settling in L’Anse au Clair. The original name of the community was Anse St. Clair named after one of the first merchants to establish here whose last name was St. Clair. While here, we hope to visit the Gateway to Labrador Visitor Centre. If skies are favourable this evening, you may see the Northern Lights.
Overnight: L'Anse au Clair
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5: L\'Anse au Clair - Rocky Harbour
Today we ferry back across to Newfoundland and continue to Rocky Harbour, located on the t coast in the heart of Gros Morne National Park. Finds of arrowheads in the area indicate that the Micmac once inhabited the area. Then came the fishermen from England and France, some of whom eventually stayed all year round. Today this is the largest community in Gros Morne National Park and is centrally located for touring the World Heritage Site.It took Mother Nature 485,000,000 years to mold Gros Morne National Park into the geological and visual wonder we know today. The second largest National Park in eastern Canada, Gros Morne is a UNESCO World Heritage Site stretching across 1805 square kilometres of western Newfoundland as part of the towering Long-Range Mountains.Encircled by tiny seaside communities, and encompassing forests, freshwater fjords, bogs, barren lowlands, moose, and striking cliffs and shorelines, this area is also world-renowned for its complex geology. It was here that geologists proved the theory of plate tectonics.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6: Rocky Harbour - Grand Falls-Windsor
Making our way along the Viking Trail Route to Grand Falls-Windsor, the largest town in central Newfoundland, we have plenty of scenic stops along the way, with informative talks from our Tour Leader throughout our journey. We visit The Arches Provincial Park along the western coast of Newfoundland and take some time to explore the natural rock formations that have been shaped by the power of ocean tides. We continue to the town of Grand Falls-Windsor, where we have the evening to explore the area at leisure before dinner.
Overnight: Grand Falls-Windsor
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7: Twillingate Day Tour - Gander
Today, we visit the Iceberg Alley and the historic town of Twillingate. At the Prime Berth Fishery and Heritage Centre, an interpretive fishing centre, we learn about the history of the all-important fishing industry in Newfoundland, and how the industry has changed over the years. This afternoon is spent exploring the area with a tour taking in the history of Twillingate and the surrounding areas. We stop and visit Long Point Lighthouse, which sits more than 300 feet above the sea and is still operated by one lighthouse keeper year-round guiding ships through the fog and the stormy nights. We finally make our way to Gander for an evening at leisure.
Overnight: Gander
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 8: Gander - Clarenville, NL
Gander is a town full of history and plays a vital role in international aviation industry. Gander is also the setting for the now famous musical ‘Come from Away’ showcasing the story of how the friendly town handled the sudden arrival of 38 plane loads totaling 7000 passengers who landed here following the September 11th terrorist attacks in the US. We visit the North Atlantic Aviation Museum this morning and learn about the important historical events that has made this town an inspiration to all Canadians. From Gander, we take a scenic drive through Terra Nova National Park, Canada's most easterly national park, where the boreal forest meets the rugged Atlantic coastline. A visit to the Terra Nova Marine Interpretation Centre will inform us about North Atlantic marine creatures and the importance of local conservation efforts. This afternoon we arrive in Newfoundland's capital city of St. John's, an eccentric, colourful city which dates to 1519, and is one of the oldest European settlements in North America. The remainder of our evening is at leisure, with time to explore, shop, or enjoy the local cuisine.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 9: Clarenville & The Discovery Trail
Today, two of Newfoundland's most famous outports, beginning with the site of John Cabot's arrival. We drive to Cape Bonavista, where Cabot is believed to have first sighted the New World on June 24, 1497. Back down the rugged Bonavista Peninsula is Trinity, who was named by the Portuguese explorer Gaspar Corte Real when he sailed into the harbour on Trinity Sunday, 1500. We stroll Trinity's narrow, tree-lined streets, enjoying the beautifully preserved historic buildings.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 10: Clarenville & The Discovery Trail
This morning we depart Clarenville and head south onto the beautiful Burin Peninsula via the famous "Heritage Run" route.True to its name, the Heritage Run still rings loud with the echoes of colonial industry. The famous Grand Banks was once a rich fishing ground and was the world's "bread & butter" for centuries. Codfish were plentiful here, attracting first the European fleets and then French and English settlers. From Placentia Bay's collection of islands and the communities that are tucked into the head of Fortune Bay, to the unsheltered vistas and haze covered French outposts of the peninsula's tip.We travel to the village of Fortune, the departure points for our afternoon ferry to the French islands of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon (bring your passports!). These are two groups of islands with a fascinating maritime history (and their own time zone); they make up a part of France off the coast of Newfoundland. Although many people in North America believe those islands are part of Canada or some type of autonomous region, the islands are an integral part of the French Republic. A specific series of institutions and limited autonomy was indeed granted by France, but the islands are and shall likely remain French. Hence, the islands have a decidedly European feel; French is the primary language, plus you'll find French food, customs, and the Euro.During our time on Saint-Pierre, we will have a city / island tour. The "Place du General de Gaulle" on the waterfront, is the heart of the town. It is the unavoidable square to mingle and tap into the "ambiance". The "Zaspiak Bat" or basque playing wall, the "Pointe aux canons" lighthouse, the salt houses, the "Pointe du Diamant" and the last not least the "Arche" museum, are all must-see spots embodying the islands' identity.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 11: L’ile aux Marins
This morning we take a short ferry to Sailor’s Island where you will enjoy a walking tour of Ile aux Marins, one of the eight islands in the Saint-Pierre Miquelon archipelago. It’s an island preserved the way it was back in the late 19th and early 20th centuries when traditional fishermen lived there before modern technology rendered them obsolete. We transfer back to St-Pierre in the evening for dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 12: Saint-Pierre, France - St. John\'s, NL
Today we ferry back to the mainland and continue by road to St John’s. This is a pretty full (and scenic) day of travel with breaks for refreshment/lunch along the way. We aim to be in St John’s in the mid-late afternoon. Our route takes us northeast, up the Burin Penninsula and then east onto the Avalon Penninsula, travelling the last bit of the 7821km TransCanada Highway to it’s terminus.St. John’s, the provincial capital, is the perfect combination of big-city luxury and traditional small-town charm. It is one of the oldest and most easterly cities in North America, and has become a rare destination full of character and charisma, with a contemporary, sophisticated edge. The town is quite walkable, with lots of great shopping, restaurants, historical sites and more.
Overnight: St. John's, NL
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 13: St. John\'s Touring
Today is a full day of local touring as we explore North America's oldest city. We visit Canada's second largest National Historic Park as well as Signal Hill and Cape Spear, home to the oldest lighthouse and the most easterly point in North America. This afternoon, we enjoy a coastal cruise with opportunities to see whales and puffins at the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve. Following that, we will immerse ourselves in the traditions of Newfoundland and Labrador's largest public cultural space, The Rooms, showcasing history, heritage and artistic expression of this unique province. This evening’s farewell dinner will celebrate the amazing time we have spent together. This is the time to exchange stories, memories and the highlights of our time spent along the East Coast of Canada.
Overnight: St. John's, NL
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 14: Depart St. John\'s, NL
Our Newfoundland adventure comes to an end. Following breakfast, you will transfer to the airport for your return flight home. PLEASE NOTE: JUNE DEPARTURE OPERATES IN REVERSE, BEGINNING IN ST JOHN'S AND ENDING IN CORNER BROOK.
Meals: Breakfast
