Newfoundland & Labrador (June Departure)

We have selected pick up points for you to meet our tour. We will transfer to Pearson International where we will board our flight for Deer Lake on the West Coast of Newfoundland. Upon landing we will be met by our local guide from McCarthy’s Party and will be transferred to our hotel in Corner Brook. This evening we will enjoy a welcome reception Newfoundland style!

This morning we take the Viking trail to beautiful Gros Morne National Park. We will travel along some of the most spectacular coastline in North America and visit the National Historic Park at Port au Choix, which interprets the intriguing history and lifestyle of the Maritime Archaic people who lived here over 3000 years ago. This evening we enjoy a Welcome Dinner.

Today we travel the coastline to St. Anthony to visit the home of the famous medical missionary, Sir Wilfred Grenfell. The highlight of this day is our visit to the UNESCO World Heritage site at L’Anse aux Meadows, home of Lief the Lucky and the Viking people who settled this area as early as the year 1000 A.D.

Keep a sharp eye out for whales as we travel across the Straits of Belle Isle to the shores of Labrador. Here we visit the recently discovered Whaling Station founded by the Basques in the early 1500’s, and learn about the “modern techniques” used by these whalers and the hardships they endured. Later we visit the tallest lighthouse in the province at L’Anse Amour.

This morning we return to the island and continue to explore the rugged coastline stopping to visit The Arches and enjoy an interpretation of the many unique and wonderful geological formations for which Newfoundland is so famous. Tonight we will enjoy a traditional Newfoundland dinner.

This morning we take a boat tour across beautiful Bonne Bay to Woody Point where we spend time in Gros Morne National Park UNESCO World Heritage Site. We visit the new Discovery Centre and view the famous Tableland Mountains. It is this area that earned the park its UNESCO World Heritage status and its nickname as the ‘Galapagos of Plate Tectonics’.

Bid farewell to the west coast as we take an easterly trek, to a new geological frontier. A perfect harbour provides a beautiful backdrop for an eventful morning of whale interpretation and brilliant art exhibits. This afternoon commemorates the survivors of the 9/11 Tragedy and the many acts of kindness extended when we welcomed the ‘Come From Away’ guests into the homes and communities surrounding Gander; the epicenter of the hit Broadway musical.

This morning we are off on the “Road to the Isles” before travelling across “Tickles and Runs” to spend time on beautiful Twillingate Island. This is one of Newfoundland’s oldest and most interesting fishing communities. We then travel to Terra Nova National Park to view the vistas of Newman Sound.

This morning we travel to the historic village of Trinity, one of the oldest communities in North America, the gem of the Island. Then it’s out to Cape Bonavista for a chance to walk the cliffs and enjoy the spectacular coastal scenery. We will spend this afternoon Bonavista, the landfall of John Cabot in 1497. Here we visit the Ryan Premises and have an opportunity to learn about inshore fishing techniques that have allowed this town to thrive for hundreds of years.

Today we travel to the Avalon Peninsula to the town of Bay Bulls. From here we take a boat trip to the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve where we view thousands of Atlantic Puffins, Murres and other seabirds that nest here in the summer. Witless Bay is also home to many Humpback, Minke, and Fin whales in the summer months so whale sightings are a definite possibility. This afternoon we visit Cape Spear National Historic Park, the most easterly point of land in North America before heading into St. John’s, the capital of Newfoundland and Labrador.

This morning we will tour historic St. John’s, the oldest city in North America. This trip includes a visit to Cabot Tower and Signal Hill where we can view the famous “Narrows” and admire the architecture of old St. John’s. This afternoon is free. This evening we will have our farewell dinner.

All good things must come to an end and so we bid a fond farewell to this beautiful place. After breakfast we’ll depart for St. John’s Airport to begin our journey home. As you fly homeward it will be with many delightful memories of an authentic Newfoundland experience that will be recalled for years to come. Upon arrival in Toronto our coach will return us to our original pickup points!