Wonders Newfoundland Featuring Lighthouses, Iceburg Alley & Gros Morne

For details on availability, departure dates and additional tour information, contact 01943 605999 or info@simplygroups.co.uk 

 

Day 1: St. John’s, Newfoundland- The tip of the Avalon Peninsula is your gateway to an unforgettable journey through the wonders of Newfoundland and Labrador. Start in the 500 years-young coastal city of St. John’s, where contemporary elegance melds seamlessly with the charms of the old world.

Day 2: St. John’s- Meet your fellow travelers at breakfast before setting out on a discovery of North America’s easternmost city. On a tour that highlights the best of the best in St. John’s, get caught up in the windswept trails of Signal Hill, and step in to maritime history at Cape Spear Lighthouse, the oldest-surviving lighthouse in the region. Visit the quaint fishing community of Quidi Vidi, whose lake plays host to the annual St. John’s Regatta, and see the Government House and the Basilica of St. John the Baptist. Watch for puffins on a nature cruise to Witless Bay Ecological Reserve. Your on-board guide will engage you in the region’s connection to marine life – specifically the thousands of Humpback and Minke whales that call this corner of the world home. This evening, sample a brew before a welcome dinner with new friends at a local restaurant.

Day 3: St. John’s - Clarenville Area - In the breathtaking surround of Concepcion Bay, enjoy a scenic drive along the coast. Stop in charming Brigus before continuing on to Cupid’s Cove. When you arrive, it’s your choice! Learn what life was really like in the 1600s when you join an expert for a private tour of the Legacy Center at Cupid’s Cove Plantation, where you’ll view a curated selection of artifacts that brings you closer in to the history of Newfoundland and Labrador. Continue on to the site of the first attempt at permanent English settlement in what would become Canada; visit an active archaeological dig where historic treasures have been uncovered for more than 20 years -OR- go for an easy hike along the gentle ups and downs of the Burnt Head Trail Loop, where woods, meadows, and sprawling ocean vistas comingle with a waterfall and sea arch.

Day 4: Clarenville - Cape Bonavista – Clarenville- Welcome to Trinity Village, a time capsule of the 19th century come to life, where houses, museums, and historic buildings have been painstakingly preserved. Relive days gone by on a visit to the historic Georgian-designed Lester-Garland House, and a living history blacksmith museum, the Green Family Forge. Pause at the legendary Cape Bonavista Lighthouse, one of the few where you can still climb up the stone tower. Whether you choose to hike to the top or stay on the ground, you’ll have an amazing vantage point for sweeping views of Trinity Bay to the south and Bonavista Bay to the north. If you look closely enough, you may even spot an iceberg!

Day 5: Clarenville - Terra Nova National Park - Twillingate – Gander- Earthly wonders are all within reach at Terra Nova National Park. From secluded boreal forests to sheltered bays and dramatically-indented coastlines, Terra Nova is a natural paradise that spans more than 250 miles. Explore the interactive exhibits at the Marine Atlantic Centre and learn more about this incredible place, where beavers fashion personal fortresses and eagles glide over roaming lynx and moose. Next, venture to Twillingate’s Long Point Lighthouse, a prime location to see Iceberg Alley (an epic setting for a selfie). This evening, take part in a traditional Newfoundland gathering known as a “Jiggs dinner."

Day 6: Gander - Rocky Harbour- Today it’s your choice! Make passage on the Exploits River to the Salmonid Centre, where you’ll learn about the history, biology, and habitat of the Atlantic salmon -OR- visit the Mary March Museum and trace Newfoundland’s natural and human history. If you’d prefer, set out on a light hike along the Corduroy Trail, one of the Exploits region’s crown jewels. This afternoon, become lost in the majesty of hundreds of butterflies that light up the Butterfly House, and relax in the tranquil garden. Later, arrive in Rocky Harbour.

Day 7: Gros Morne National Park- To see Mother Nature’s effect on the physical world, you need only step inside Gros Morne National Park. Visit the park’s Discovery Centre and learn how forces of nature have dictated the shape of this enigmatic, raw landscape. From hidden fjords, stark peaks and highland tundra, you’ll get the chance to explore Tableland Mountains on a guided tour that uncovers a never-ending series of wonders on the Earth’s mantle. Board a boat and watch the waters for whales, and the open sky for eagles – all to a live soundtrack of traditional Newfoundland music. Take part in a “Screech-In,” a traditional ceremony that commemorates your new status as an honorary Newfoundlander – sealed with a shot of rum. Tonight, enjoy dinner overlooking the semi-enclosed sea that is the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

Day 8: Rocky Harbour - St. Anthony- Set course on the Viking Trail to L’Anse aux Meadows for a journey back in time to A.D. 1000, when the Vikings first made landfall. See how Newfoundlanders have adapted to this forbidding landscape and experience firsthand their unique solutions to living under extreme conditions. Later, visit an ecomuseum and meet two local culinary stars: partridgeberry and bakeapple. Learn the secrets to making jams, sauces, and vinegars from these famous regional berries.

Day 9: St. Anthony - L’Anse Au Clair, Labrador- This morning, cross the Straits of Belle Isle to Labrador by ferry. When you arrive in Red Bay, it’s your choice! Recount the traditions of 16th century Basque whalers at the UNESCO-designated Red Bay National Historic Site -OR- embark on an interpretive hike along Tracy Hill Trail for extraordinary views of Red Bay.

Day 10: L’Anse Au Clair - Corner Brook, Newfoundland - Cut through the mists on board a ferry bound for Newfoundland this morning. On land, travel the same area surveyed by Captain James Cook during his expeditions in the 1760s. Be sure to have your camera ready to record the spectacular scenery that unfolds along the way.

Day 11: Corner Brook- Retrace the steps of a legendary British explorer, navigator, and captain of the Royal Navy at the Captain James Cook National Historic Site. Stop at the breathtaking Bay of Islands on your way to picture-perfect Lake Harbour. This afternoon, a local mineral and stone specialist leads you in a discussion about the labradorite – a colorful gem said to harbor mystical powers. Tonight, stomp your feet to the traditional and original sounds of the music trio, Sharecroppers.

Day 12: Corner Brook- Tour Ends

All Long Haul destination tours are operated by The Big Journey Company a member of The Travel Trust Association member number U5675 and ATOL number T7282.Financial Protection: The flight-inclusive holidays on this website are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. When you pay you will be supplied with an ATOL Certificate. Please request this and check to ensure that everything you have booked (flights, hotels and other services) are detailed. Please see The Big Journey Company  booking conditions for further information or go to WWW.ATOL.ORG.UK for more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate.