PROGRAM

27  July
Arrive St. John’s International Airport.  If time allows, provide a short orientation excursion around the town. Enjoy your hotel’s prime downtown location. Perhaps take a stroll on Water Street this evening, North America’s oldest street. In the morning after breakfast, meet your tour leader and fellow travelers. Your adventure begins!
Overnight at Hotel Courtyard by Marriott  or similar***.

28  July
Your holiday starts with the thrill of being out on the ocean blue viewing members of the world’s largest summertime gathering of acrobatic Humpback Whales!
On a boat excursion out of Bay Bulls, you are on the lookout for whales, seabirds, and depending on the time of the year, icebergs! Other whale species including Fin whales, Minkes, and Dolphins usually make an appearance. Become mesmerized as tens of thousands of seabirds swirl around you in the overhead sky and cry in chorus from the islands that you slowly sail alongside; camera in hand. Delight in knowing you have now experienced North America’s largest Atlantic Puffin colony. Challenge yourself to find a Bald Eagle and other more exotic seabirds like Shearwaters, Jaegers, Fulmars, and Thick Billed Murres. Be prepared for an amazing and joyful morning.
Midday, savour a delicious lunch featuring local flavors before visiting one of the New World’s earliest fishing villages.
Overnight at Hotel Courtyard by Marriott  or similar***.

29  July
Today we travel southwest on the Avalon to Cape St. Mary’s along the scenic Cape Shore; stopping in along the way to Castle Hill National Historic Site in Placentia, or as the French referred to it, ‘Plaisance’. In the early seventeenth century this area became the French capital of Newfoundland and is still steeped in its history today. Vantage points along the way overlook the ocean and expanses of wild country, providing chances for Moose and Eagle sightings or activity on the water.
You will never forget your time at the Cape! Before modern day’s recognition by the world’s nature-loving community, our famous Cape St. Mary’s had been celebrated locally in myth and song for centuries. Roger Tory Peterson, himself, recognized it as one of our planet’s most dramatic marine wonders.
Cape St. Mary’s Seabird Sanctuary, the continent’s third largest Gannet nesting site, is an incredible breeding ground for tens of thousands of seabirds, including the world’s most southerly Thick-Billed Murres. Stand only feet away from Gannets, Kittiwakes, and Murres as they tend to their eggs and/or chicks! In season sea cliffs act as theatre seating for you to enjoy some of the world’s finest land-based Whale watching, as these majestic marine mammals cavort around their northern coastal feeding grounds.
After lunch, your scenic coastal communities’ drive continues as you make your way to the Rocky River Salmon ladder. Here, learn about the efforts to introduce Atlantic Salmon to this once infertile river. Your evening destination awaits you, just a few minutes away, alongside yet another salmon river. If time allows, you may opt for an evening round of golf at your resort or a hike along the river.
Overnight at The Wilds Resort or similar****.

30  July
After a scrumptious breakfast, it’s off for an early morning, gentle hike through the Salmonier Nature Park for an opportunity to view up-close Newfoundland and Labrador’s native wildlife. Here you will learn about our provincial government’s programs for wildlife rehabilitation, research, and environmental monitoring.
Then, once again, we hit the road. Get ready to explore the Trinity/Bonavista region! Notice the change in terrain as you travel off the Avalon and deeper into the interior of the island of Newfoundland. Taller and varied deciduous trees and richer soils abound. Keep your eyes alert for wildlife along the way.
After lunch, we are destined for beautiful sea-glass speckled beaches, sea arches, and amazing rock formations. Dramatic waterfalls, scenic vistas and a chance to stretch your legs on local hiking trails taking in woodland and coastline views are all highlights of the day.
Overnight at Round da Bay Inn or similar***.

31  July
After a night’s rest in a comfortable bed, this morning we go to sea once again, to enjoy more of the ocean’s wonders. The Trinity Bay area is alive with Bald Eagles, Whales, and Dolphins. On one of our nature studies, our local partner was the first to determine that Sperm Whales are consistently found during the summer in parts of Trinity Bay. When you are rewarded with the sound of Sperm Whales through an underwater microphone, as they communicate to each other with vocal ‘clicks’, it is truly a once in a life-time experience!
Your afternoon will feature more of what makes this area so special — trails, Moose, Osprey, Songbirds, dramatic vistas, orchids, Shore-Birds, and numerous small museums and interpretation centres. In some ways this is an afternoon where you can explore your interests. Bird watching, icebergs, lighthouses, flower walks, beachcombing, land-based whale watching, photographing the local architecture, and a visit to the local aquarium are all possibilities. Many guests simply enjoy exploring the beautiful and historic community of Trinity. Wander through this picturesque town rich in history or take in some local theatre on your own.
Overnight at Round da Bay Inn or similar***.

01  August
Today, after another adventurous morning in the Bonavista/Trinity region, you head back to explore North America’s first city and all its notable wonders. Enroute to St. John’s, you call in at nearby coastal settlements to experience more of Newfoundland’s unique culture and flavours. A photographer’s wonderland of wildlife, historic properties, and crashing, rolling waves upon seascapes beckons around every turn of the road.
Once you are back in the midst of colorful rows of houses overlooking merchant ships coming and going in the bustling harbour, your tour leader can provide lots of suggestions of things to see and do on your Friday and Saturday nights; local theatre, shopping, fine dining, entertainment, or natural and cultural experiences. Enjoy!
Overnight at Hotel Courtyard by Marriott  or similar***.

02  August
Travel to Cape Spear, North America’s most easterly point, and look over the blue horizon as it reaches endlessly towards the eastern continents. Today, we can further explore the trails, museums, and attractions of historic St. John’s. Maybe you would like to visit The Rooms – the majestic provincial museum, gallery, and archives, where Newfoundland and Labrador history, heritage, and artistic expression come together; or venture through the Johnson Geo Centre – an underground geological interpretation centre. Maybe you would like to go shopping or stroll through Harbourside Park where Sir Humphrey Gilbert claimed this land for England in 1583? Perhaps an additional boat tour out of the St. John’s Harbour would also be an option to top off your Newfoundland Adventure!
Overnight at Hotel Courtyard by Marriott  or similar***.

03  August
Enjoy leisure time in St. John’s until you head to the airport in time for our flight to Deer Lake.
In the early evening, we begin this Newfoundland and Labrador adventure with an overview of your vacation and perhaps a light hike in Gros Morne or a wander along the dockside. Enjoy the coast and fishing communities. The region is rich with Moose, waterfalls, orchids, mountains, songbirds, and wildflowers. The priority for the day is meeting you at the airport and getting you to our comfortable hotel. Tomorrow is when the fun – and your vacation – really begins. Enjoy the next two days exploring Gros Morne National Park.
Overnight at Shallow Bay Motel or similar***.

04  August
Gros Morne provides one of the world’s great geology lessons. As Prince Edward noted, “What the Galapagos are to biology, Gros Morne is to geology.” Hence, its United Nations’ World Heritage Site designation. This morning we enjoy the gentle 60-minute walk to Western Brook Pond for a 2.5-hour boat journey through a billion years of geological history. The gorge, the mountains, and the glacier-carved valleys viewed during this boat trip have been included among the scenic highlights in Canada’s tourism literature for decades. The level trail’s highlights include Orchids, Carnivorous Plants, and sometimes Moose and Caribou.
The afternoon features beaches, dunes, spectacular scenery, and more opportunities for sighting Caribou and Moose.  We also take the time to enjoy the region’s fishing villages and lighthouses. 
Overnight at Shallow Bay Motel or similar***.

05  August
Today we travel to the centre of the Earth. More specifically, we visit the Tablelands where an 80 square kilometer slab of the Earth’s mantle has been shoved up on land from deep beneath the ocean floor. Some scientists say the Tablelands more closely resemble the surface of the moon than the rest of the Earth. We will visit Parks Canada’s Discovery Centre and learn more about this UNESCO site’s intriguing history and geology. A poet on our Tablelands walk might claim that we are actually walking on the centre of the earth, while photographers will marvel at the mountains and the visual spectacle of this glacier-carved landscape. This region features a unique collection of plants including high arctic species, southern mountain top varieties, and carnivorous plants that are tolerant of the heavy metal rocks thrust up from deep inside the planet. Our leader will share his in-depth knowledge of the geology and botany with you; or you can simply enjoy the rugged scenery and the local stories. We also take some time to remember the Cambrian as we show off some of our secret fossil beds.  We also enjoy the local trails and fishing communities.
Overnight at Shallow Bay Motel or similar***.

06  August
Today we depart Gros Morne and take the dramatic Viking Trail highway north to St. Barbe and the Labrador ferry. Enroute we visit The Arches, where the ocean has carved dramatic tunnels in the limestone rocks. The ferry ride may require an early rise but it is a holiday highlight with Whales, Seals, Icebergs, Puffins, and Pelagic Seabirds all commonly seen (100 per cent average so far). This is a local service and the schedule can be influenced by weather and other factors, but based on our previous years of experience, it is likely we will have a relaxing and memorable drive with time to watch for wildlife and to enjoy the mountains. We always spend some time outside during the 90-minute ferry ride to view the marine wildlife and to enjoy the scenery. This voyage is often included among listings of the planet’s best pelagic seabird watching trips but you don’t need to be a birder to enjoy the sights.
This evening we have the option of sampling the delicious flavors of Labrador’s berries and seafood.
Overnight at the Northern Light Inn or similar***.

07  August
Today we visit Red Bay, the 16th century’s whaling capital of the world. Less than 50 years after Columbus, this little-known part of North America had a population of over 1500 European people whereas areas like Boston and New York were still wilderness. We visit the interpretation centre, and weather permitting, we catch a boat ride to the actual dig site where we explore the trails walked by the Basques almost five centuries ago. The new world’s first written documents originated here with ships’ manifests, whalers’ wills, and other poignant remembrances of this past era being recorded and preserved. Our local leader is delighted to share this history and sense of place with you. We also visit Canada’s second tallest lighthouse at Point Amour. Another highlight is the oldest burial mound in North America, older than the pyramids. The entire Labrador Straits area is rich in Birds of Prey, Wild Flowers, and Fossils. Everyone with a camera will want to try to capture the sweeping seascapes and the dramatic colors the sea itself takes on in this wild place. Our leader will show you the coastal sites where the land-based Whale and Seal watching is amazing.
Overnight at the Northern Light Inn or similar***.

08  August
Today we travel to Blanc Sablon, Quebec and take the Labrador ferry back to Newfoundland. Along the way we get our last look at Labrador’s Whales, Seabirds, Lighthouses, and Seals.
Once we arrive in St. Barbe, Newfoundland we travel north to the UNESCO Site at L’Anse aux Meadows, the only authenticated Viking site in North America. From here we can look out at Belle Isle which is the northern extreme of the Appalachians in North America. The ground where you stand (and where the Vikings stood 10 centuries ago) is the most northerly portion of Appalachia, the backbone of this continent. Now we relive the early Middle Ages as Parks Canada with its historic enactors and recreated boats and buildings bring the story of the Norse in the New World to life. Learn about the fishing lifestyle of the region and hear local folks recall the discovery of this site and the re-discovery of humanity’s knowledge of this long forgotten epic.
If the Vikings allow it we can take the local boat trip to look at Dolphins, Whales and Wildlife off the dramatic St. Anthony coastline.
Overnight at Haven Inn or similar***.

09  August
Today, your travels take you back to Deer Lake and on to Corner Brook for the night, but before you hit the road, we spend time in St. Anthony for an hour or two to explore the region so famous as a staging point for many a northern expedition.
Here, on the island’s northern tip, Arctic explorers used its sheltered harbour to take on sled dogs and other supplies as the world raced for the North Pole! As well, St. Anthony is home to the Grenfell Mission, founded by a young English doctor, Sir Wilfred Grenfell, in 1892; a philanthropic organization that provided medical and social services to people in rural communities throughout northern Newfoundland and Labrador. It’s history and activities are memorialized at the Grenfell Interpretation Centre. Explore the storyboards and artifacts in the Centre and in Sir Wilfred’s actual home. Step back to the early days of the 20th century and enjoy the tales of dog teams, hardships, courage, and innovation that surrounded Dr. Grenfell and his mission.
Your journey back to Deer Lake and Corner Brook isn’t without continued exploration! Visit ancient burial sites, settlements, and view original artifacts, from slate spears to harpoons, at the Parks Canada’s Port aux Choix National Historic Site. Here, you’ll discover the crossroads of 6000 years of human history. The sea’s bounty drew Maritime Archaic people, the Dorset people, the Groswater people and the recent indigenous people here long before Europeans even arrived.
Overnight at The Glynmill Inn or similar****.

10  August
Transfer and depart Deer Lake Airport.