Day 1: Arrive in Deer Lake, Gros Morne National Park: Tablelands
Fly to Deer Lake, on the west side of the province, and from there, the adventure begins! Travel a short distance to Corner Brook where a fun musical evening and dinner will welcome you to Newfoundland.
Stay: Glynmill Inn, Corner Brook, NL (1 night)
Meals: D
Day 2: Gros Morne National Park: Tablelands & Bonne Bay Cruise
The wilds of Gros Morne National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, await your exploration today. Learn about the unique geology of the Tablelands during a guided tour, and experience the view of the park from the water during a cruise of Bonne Bay, where stunning views are complemented with informative commentary. Travel to the settlement of Cow Head for the night. After dinner, enjoy a performance by a talented local group.
Stay: Shallow Bay Motel, Cow Head, NL (1 night)
Meals: B, L, D
Day 3: The Great Northern Peninsula, Port au Choix National Historic Site
Enjoy a leisurely start to your day as you travel the Great Northern Peninsula, the longest peninsula in Newfoundland. Your journey takes you along the coast with the opportunity to stop and capture some photos of the dramatic rock formations known as “The Arches”. In the afternoon, stop at the octagonal-shaped Point Riche Lighthouse, before visiting Port au Choix National Historic Site. This archaeological site tells the stories of various Indigenous groups and features original artifacts including a life-size Dorset dwelling. Learn about the importance of seals with a hands-on seal skin demonstration.
Stay: Plum Point Motel, Plum Point, NL (2 nights)
Meals:
B, L, D
Day 4: Grenfell House, Norstead Viking Village
Travel to St. Anthony, home to Sir Wilfred Grenfell’s Medical Interpretation Centre.
Discover the legacy of this local doctor and how he advocated for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador by establishing hospitals, schools, and orphanages. In the afternoon, discover what Viking life was like with a visit to Norstead Viking Village, a recreated port of trade. Experience Viking culture by participating in Norse games; learn about boat building, one-needle knitting, wool spinning, and weaving, and even try axe throwing. You can also step aboard Snorri, a replica of the Viking ship that retraced Erickson's course from Greenland to the Meadows.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 5: Ferry to Labrador, Red Bay Basque Whaling Station
Today’s schedule is based on the ferry but will probably be an early one! Cruise to Labrador, and continue to the Red Bay National Historic Site. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to three Basque whaling galleons and four small chalupas used to capture whales. Overnight on Labrador and enjoy an included group dinner.
Stay:
Northern Lights Inn, L’Anse au Clair, NL (1 night)
Meals: B, L, D
Day 6: Ferry back to Newfoundland
This will be a more leisurely day with the ferry ride to return to the island of Newfoundland. On your journey, you may encounter icebergs, seabirds and humpback or fin whales. Your guide will provide tips on how to spot these amazing mammals – have your camera ready!
Stay:
Ocean View Motel, Rocky Harbour, NL (July 12, Aug. 6 departures, 1 night)
Glynmill Inn, Corner Brook, NL (Aug. 29 departure, 1 night)
Meals: B, D
Day 7: Insectarium, Kings Point Pottery, Gander, Come from Away Hero Meet & Greet
After breakfast, visit the Newfoundland Insectarium featuring insects and arachnids from all over the world. Then it’s on to King’s Point for lunch, a visit to King’s Point Pottery, and the Whale Pavilion. Continue to Gander, a city famous for its warm hospitality during the tragic 9/11 crisis. Did you know this town of less than 12,000 people took in almost 6,000 guests while all the planes were grounded? Get a first-hand account of the event from one of the local heroes and character inspiration for the play Come from Away!
Stay: Comfort Inn, Gander, NL (1 night)
Meals: B, L, D
Day 8: Prime Berth Fishery & Shed Party
Today’s travels take you to Twillingate to visit Prime Berth Twillingate Fishery & Heritage Centre, a private interpretative fishing centre and craft studio created by David Boyd as a tribute to his family’s generations of fishermen. Tour through seven different buildings including a 100+ year old fish store and net loft, touch two different Sei whale skeletons, learn how to split cod, and more! Grab your ugly stick and master this iconic Newfoundland instrument during a shed party. This long-standing tradition will have you dancing, singing, and laughing. On your way to Clarenville, stop at the Gander Airport, then travel through picturesque villages to arrive in Clarenville.
Stay:
Quality Inn, Clarenville, NL (2 nights)
Meals:
B, L, D
Day 9: Bonavista, Elliston's Root Cellars, Trinity
Enjoy a day trip to colourful Bonavista to visit the iconic Cape Bonavista Lighthouse
or stroll along the coastal pathways. Visit Dungeon Provincial Park, where you’ll find spectacular examples of the North Atlantic Ocean’s wave action and erosive power due to the ancient sedimentary rocks’ composition and thousands of years of continuous coastal erosion leaving the incredible feature you will see today. Stop in Elliston, the root cellar capital of the world! Discover how these traditional storage systems work on a guided tour. End the tour at the John C. Crosbie Sealers Interpretation Centre
for a self guided tour. This museum is dedicated to Newfoundland’s sealing history and is a memorial for the lives lost during two devasting sealing accidents. Before returning to the hotel, there will be time to explore Trinity, a beautiful, quintessential Newfoundland town, with historic sites, colourful buildings with white picket fences, artisan shops, and stunning coastal views.
Meals:
B, L
Day 10: Cape Spear, St. John's City Tour
After breakfast, stand at the most easterly point in North America, Cape Spear! While here, discover the Cape Spear Lighthouse, the oldest in the province. Continue along the Avalon Peninsula to Newfoundland’s capital city, St. John’s. After lunch, enjoy a guided tour of St. John’s. Learn about one of the oldest cities in North America, be greeted by colourful jellybean row houses, and visit the harbour. After checking in to your downtown hotel, enjoy an evening of independent exploring. Check out George Street, St. John’s entertainment district featuring pubs, restaurants, and bars filled with unforgettable memories ready to be made.
Stay:
Delta Hotel, St. John’s, NL (2 nights)
Meals:
B
Day 11 - Whale-Watching Tour, Choice of Museum: The Rooms or Geo Centre
Today, take a memorable cruise out of Bay Bulls en route to Witless Bay Ecological Reserve. This protected area is home to over 500,000 Atlantic Puffins and North America's largest humpback whale population. Keep your eyes open for a friendly whale wave! In the afternoon, choose between The Rooms, a museum devoted to the colourful history and creative spirit of the Indigenous people of Newfoundland or Johnson Geo Centre,
a museum dedicated to the Earth’s story. Afterwards, meet back up with the group and enjoy a farewell dinner.
Meals:
B, D
Day 12: Return Flight Home
After breakfast, it's time to say goodbye to your new favourite destination. Arrive at the airport for an afternoon flight and enjoy the journey home.
Meals:
B
