Newfoundland Discovery

Enjoy a morning of sightseeing in St. John’s. Explore ‘The Rooms’, drive up Signal Hill for spectacular views and take a drive out to Cape Spear National Historic Site, the most easterly point in North America. Visit one of the province’s most photographed places, Quidi Vidi Village just 3 km from St. John’s. You may want to stop at Quidi Vidi Brewery for a refreshing iceberg beer.

Drive to Bay Bulls to take a boat excursion to see whales and the Atlantic puffin – if you are lucky you may even spot an iceberg. The best time to see the iconic humpback whales is during July and August however, whales can be spotted from May to September. Along the way explore the little villages that dot the coastline. After your whale watching excursion you may want to continue to Cape St. Mary’s Ecological reserve. The reserve is settled by thousands of sea birds nestled along the rocky shore’s edge, including thousands of northern gannets. Return to St John’s this evening.

Drive to Bay Bulls to take a boat excursion to see whales and the Atlantic puffin – if you are lucky you may even spot an iceberg. The best time to see the iconic humpback whales is during July and August however, whales can be spotted from May to September. Along the way explore the little villages that dot the coastline. After your whale watching excursion you may want to continue to Cape St. Mary’s Ecological reserve. The reserve is settled by thousands of sea birds nestled along the rocky shore’s edge, including thousands of northern gannets. Return to St John’s this evening.

In pictures

Today make your way to Trinity on the beautiful Bonavista Peninsula. You may wish to take the opportunity to drive to New Bonaventure to visit the film set of ‘Random Passage’, a mini-series outlining the story of the trials and tribulations of early settlers. The site today provides the opportunity to step back in time and experience what life might have been like in a fishing outpost in the early 1800s.

Explore the enchanting village of Trinity with its restored white and pastel coloured clapboard houses. Set along a dramatic coastline, here you’ll discover a sense of Newfoundland’s history and nature. Join the Trinity Pageant (Wed & Sat only), a walking theatre that meanders through the village enticing viewers to live the history of the area. Recommended is a trip to Port Rexton to hike the Skerwink Trail. This easy walking trail will take you along the rugged coastline for spectacular views of the surrounding villages, set against a backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean. Perhaps also visit the Ryan Premises National Historic Site at Bonavista, a 19th century replica fish processing factory. Nearby you will also find the red and white striped Bonavista Lighthouse, and the Matthew Legacy, a replica of John Cabot’s ship which voyaged across the Atlantic to discover land in 1497.

Explore the enchanting village of Trinity with its restored white and pastel coloured clapboard houses. Set along a dramatic coastline, here you’ll discover a sense of Newfoundland’s history and nature. Join the Trinity Pageant (Wed & Sat only), a walking theatre that meanders through the village enticing viewers to live the history of the area.

Recommended is a trip to Port Rexton to hike the Skerwink Trail. This easy walking trail will take you along the rugged coastline for spectacular views of the surrounding villages, set against a backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean. Perhaps also visit the Ryan Premises National Historic Site at Bonavista, a 19th century replica fish processing factory. Nearby you will also find the red and white striped Bonavista Lighthouse, and the Matthew Legacy, a replica of John Cabot’s ship which voyaged across the Atlantic to discover land in 1497.

In pictures

Enroute to Twillingate, pass through Terra Nova National Park, home to coniferous forests, ponds, and a plethora of walking trails. Continue towards Twillingate. In Boyd’s Cove make another stop at the Beothuk Interpretive Centre and visit an ancient Beothuk village discovered by archaeologists in the 1980s. Arrive in Twillingate, grab your camera and head out on the ocean with the afternoon Iceberg Watch boat tour, where you will have an opportunity to see icebergs, whales, sunsets and many other spectacular views that the beautiful island of Twillingate has to offer.

Enroute to Twillingate, pass through Terra Nova National Park, home to coniferous forests, ponds, and a plethora of walking trails. Continue towards Twillingate. In Boyd’s Cove make another stop at the Beothuk Interpretive Centre and visit an ancient Beothuk village discovered by archaeologists in the 1980s. Arrive in Twillingate, grab your camera and head out on the ocean with the afternoon Iceberg Watch boat tour, where you will have an opportunity to see icebergs, whales, sunsets and many other spectacular views that the beautiful island of Twillingate has to offer.

In pictures

Head west today to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Gros Morne National Park. This wild and rugged landscape was shaped by colliding continents and ancient glaciers, and is scattered with little villages, bare-topped mountains, fjords and dense forests populated by moose and caribou.

After a leisurely morning to explore, enjoy an included boat tour on the spectacular freshwater fjord of Western Brook Pond. This vast landlocked fjord is a breathtaking sight, carved by glaciers and home to countless waterfalls and Canadian wildlife,

After a leisurely morning to explore, enjoy an included boat tour on the spectacular freshwater fjord of Western Brook Pond. This vast landlocked fjord is a breathtaking sight, carved by glaciers and home to countless waterfalls and Canadian wildlife,

In pictures

Enjoy a day exploring Gros Morne National Park on your own, viewing glacial valleys, intriguing rock formations, magnificent sea arches and numerous types of wildlife. Take a hike on the Lookout Trail which provides panoramic views of the park, or tackle the Tablelands Hiking Trail, a 4km track that cuts across the barren rock. You might like to opt for a whale watching cruise on Bonne Bay, or learn about the geological significance of the Tablelands, where you can walk on the earth’s mantle.

Enjoy a day exploring Gros Morne National Park on your own, viewing glacial valleys, intriguing rock formations, magnificent sea arches and numerous types of wildlife. Take a hike on the Lookout Trail which provides panoramic views of the park, or tackle the Tablelands Hiking Trail, a 4km track that cuts across the barren rock. You might like to opt for a whale watching cruise on Bonne Bay, or learn about the geological significance of the Tablelands, where you can walk on the earth’s mantle.

In pictures

Today you’ll follow the Viking Trail route north to St. Anthony. Allow time for a stop in Port Au Choix and Port Au Choix National Historic Site where three ancient cemeteries of the Maritime Archaic People were discovered. The Visitor Centre gives great background to this culture with exhibits and artefacts.

Visit the L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site comprising the remains of the earliest European settlement in the Americas. The colony of Vinland was excavated in the 1960s and the artefacts are on display supported by a film. Walk to the original village and discover the full scale replicas of Norse buildings. Return to St. Anthony for the night.

Visit the L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site comprising the remains of the earliest European settlement in the Americas. The colony of Vinland was excavated in the 1960s and the artefacts are on display supported by a film. Walk to the original village and discover the full scale replicas of Norse buildings. Return to St. Anthony for the night.

In pictures

Make your way back down the peninsula to Norris Point, your base at the gateway to Gros Morne National Park. Perhaps stop off at Jenniex House, a traditional salt box house that has been restored as a museum, gift shop and cafe, with fantastic views of Bonne Bay and the Tablelands. The Tablelands were designated a World Heritage Site in 1987 to acknowledge its geological diversity and striking barren shapes.

Upon check out of your hotel drive to Deer Lake. Return your rental car and depart from Deer Lake Airport (local one way drop off fee applies).