Newfoundland & Labrador

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“There have been many places I have traveled in the last 13 years as I have worked for R&J Tours that I have enjoyed tremendously. Newfoundland/Labrador just made it near the top of my list! This Island province of Canada truly displays the “Greatness of God through the beauty of His creation.” Whether it’s the fjords along the coast, the springtime flowers, the icebergs floating past or the whales swimming just off shore, creation is shouting out its praise! However, one cannot forget the wonderful people and the lifestyle they live as well. People who are hearty souls dealing with harsh winters. People, namely the Vikings, who were the first Europeans to set foot on North America and made Newfoundland that first stop. People whose heritage is part of the fishing industry that first brought settlers to Newfoundland. People who are excited about their island and want to share it with you. I want to invite you on a journey that will touch all of your senses. It’s a journey for those who love the outdoors. It’s a journey for those who want to get away from the crowds. It’s a journey for those who want to travel where not many of their neighbors have gone before. It’s a destination where living simply and enjoying the beauty of your surroundings make it a most memorable journey!” 

Perry Wieland, R&J Tour Director/Tour Planner 

Day 1 – Home to Deer Lake, NL 

Our journey begins today as we travel to the most easterly province of Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador. Meeting our R&J Tour Director at the airport, we’ll begin this exciting and beautiful tour together. Our flight will be very early in the morning as there are limited options into the little Regional Airport of Deer Lake, NL where we’ll meet our Newfoundland Tour Guide and Driver who will be with us for the next 12 days. A short, yet beautiful, drive takes us to our hotel in Corner Brook where we will spend our first night in anticipation of what lies ahead. We’ll enjoy a welcome dinner together this evening. 

Included Meals: Dinner 

Hotel: Glynmill Inn 

Day 2 – Deer Lake to Port au Choix, NL 

After a marvelous breakfast our journey continues through Gros Morne National Park – to be enjoyed later on during our tour – to the fishing community of Port au Choix. For over 5,500 years, this small peninsula on Newfoundland’s Great Northern Peninsula has been the crossroads of various native North American and European cultures. The area’s rich marine resources, and to a lesser extent the forests, wild game and abundant berries, have drawn these people to the shores of Port au Choix. We’ll learn about these people during our visit at the Port au Choix National Historic Site. Then we’ll check into our accommodations at Port Aux Choix for the night and enjoy an included dinner. 

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner 

Hotel: Sea Echo Motel 

Day 3 – Port au Choix to L’Anse-au-Clair, Labrador 

Today we continue up the coast and board the ferry from St. Barbe to cross the Strait of Belle Isle to Labrador. Keep a lookout during the ferry crossing for icebergs and whales…both are known to frequent this Strait during this time of the year! We’ll visit the once busy port of Red Bay National Historic Site (now a UNESCO World Heritage Site). Right and bowhead whales, once plentiful in the waters of coastal Labrador, attracted whalers from the Basque country (northern Spain and southern France) during the 16th century. A thriving industry based on the production of whale oil for export to Europe developed along the Labrador coast during the mid to late 1500s. We’ll spend the night in Labrador. 

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner 

Hotel: Northern Light Inn 

Day 4 – L’Anse-au-Clair to St. Anthony, NL 

After breakfast we travel a short distance to board the ferry and return to Newfoundland and travel to L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site, the first cultural discovery in the world to receive recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978. Hear of the Vikings who walked here over a thousand years ago. The reconstruction of three Norse buildings is the focal point of this archaeological site, the earliest known European settlement in the New World. Exhibits highlight the Viking lifestyle, artifacts, and the archaeological discovery of the site. After checking into our overnight accommodations in St. Anthony, an evening of food and fun is planned at the Great Viking Feast at Leifsburdir, located high on a cliff overlooking the ocean where we may see whales or icebergs. 

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner 

Hotel: Grenfell Hotel & Suites 

Day 5 – St. Anthony to Cow Head, NL 

Enjoy a morning whale watching boat tour on the scenic coastal waters off St. Anthony – Iceberg Alley. This area has the largest concentration of icebergs in Newfoundland and is one of the best locations in North America for whale watching. It is also inhabited by some of nature’s most fascinating sea caves and bird life – bald eagles, black guillemots and arctic terns. We will be captivated during a live interpretive program about the area’s marine wildlife and unique culture. At the Grenfell Historic Properties, we’ll learn about the famous medical missionary, Sir Wilfred Grenfell, before traveling to Rocky Harbour in Gros Morne National Park where we will spend the next two nights. 

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner 

Hotel: Shallow Bay Motel (2 Nights) 

Day 6 – Gros Morne National Park & Local Touring 

Today discover why Gros Morne National Park will truly be one of the highlights of your tour! Situated on the west coast of the island, the park provides a rare example of the process of continental drift, where deep ocean crust and the rocks of the earth’s mantle lie exposed. Most recent glacial action has resulted in some spectacular scenery, with coastal lowland, alpine plateau, fjords, glacial valleys, sheer cliffs, waterfalls and many pristine lakes. We’ll explore many of the facilities the park has to offer and marvel at the beautiful scenery. We’ll enjoy a scenic boat tour as we learn the geology of the Tablelands, see the bald eagles that frequent the deep waters of the fjord, and hear the history of the small villages nestled on the shores. It is an unforgettable experience; some say the scenery is unequaled in eastern Canada! 

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 

Day 7 – Cow Head to Gander, NL 

Have your camera at the ready as our time in Gros Morne National Park draws to a close. We’ll visit the Lobster Cove Lighthouse, which has marked the marine approach to Rocky Harbour and the entrance of Bonne Bay since 1897. The lighthouse is still run by the Canadian Coast Guard. It is now automated, but the lightkeeper’s house is open as a park interpretive exhibit. This is a great picture stop along the bay! Later we’ll travel through central Newfoundland and on to Gander for a two night stay. Our final stop of the day is the North Atlantic Aviation Museum to see how aviation has played a crucial role in the development of Gander and its role on 9/11 as airplanes were diverted to this tiny airport. We’ll check into our hotel before enjoying an evening meal. 

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner 

Hotel: Quality hotel & Suites (2 Nights) 

Day 8 – Twillingate Touring, NL 

A very scenic drive along the rocky coast of Notre Dame Bay leads to the beautiful outport of Twillingate. Twillingate embodies everything so many Newfoundland and Labrador outports (a community where the sea was their only “road”) are famous for: stunning coastline, historical, picturesque streets, culturally-rich entertainment, and peaceful country roads. It is one of Newfoundland’s oldest seaports and during the 1800’s was the most active and prosperous community in northern Newfoundland. At the tip of the island, we’ll visit Long Point Lighthouse, which overlooks Twillingate Harbour and is perched 300 feet above the sea. The views here are spectacular! Before returning to Gander for the evening, we’ll explore both the Twillingate Museum, located in the former Anglican Rectory, that shares the history of this unique village as well as the Prime Berth Fishing Museum, providing a unique opportunity to learn more about the fishing of this area. Fishing is what brought people to Newfoundland and the story is fascinating! 

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner 

Day 9 – Gander to Clarenville, NL 

Today we head out on the Trans-Canada Highway to visit Terra Nova National Park, the most easterly of Canada’s beautiful national parks. Its abundant natural resources, such as fish and sea mammals, have attracted people to the Terra Nova area for at least 5,000 years. Prehistoric peoples and European settlers depended on the rich resources of the sea and land, as do many people in the region today. Keep your camera close at hand for wildlife along the way! Learn about the hard life of light keepers at Cape Bonavista Lighthouse Provincial Historic Site. This afternoon we’ll stroll through the lanes of the charming town of Trinity and see several historic buildings, including a typical 20th century rural merchant’s house and a counting house. Then we’ll check into our hotel and enjoy another great meal together this evening. 

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner 

Hotel: Clarenville Inn 

Day 10 – Clarenville to St. John’s, NL 

Arrive in the capital city of St. John’s, Canada’s oldest and most distinctive city, for a two-night stay. Rising spectacularly from the water’s edge, St. John’s combines a modern city with small town hospitality. St. John’s is full of history and life. During a city tour, we’ll see the quaint side streets of a thousand colours, the Victorian architecture of the downtown area, the busy modern waterfront, the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, Confederation building, charming Quidi Vidi village, and the panoramic view from Signal Hill National Historic Site. 

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner 

Hotel: Delta St. Johns (2 Nights) 

Day 11 – St. John’s Area Touring 

This morning we travel to Bay Bulls for one of the highlights of our trip, a boat tour to the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve. Witless Bay is alive with the rhythm of four million wings beating and of 40 tonne whales pulsing through clear blue water. The reserve contains North America’s largest Atlantic puffin colony as more than 260,000 pairs of the province’s official bird nest here during the late spring and summer. All of your senses will be delighted during an educational and entertaining boat tour. Later we’ll visit the most easterly point in North America, Cape Spear National Historic Site; the oldest surviving lighthouse in Newfoundland is located at the most easterly point of land in North America. The remainder of the day is free to explore on your own. Tonight our group will enjoy a lobster dinner together as we get ready to say farewell to Newfoundland. 

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner 

Day 12 – St. John’s, NL to Home 

After breakfast today we depart for the St. John’s International Airport where we will say farewell to our Newfoundland Tour Guide & Driver and return home with many fond memories of your time in Newfoundland & Labrador. 

Included Meals: Breakfast