Scenic Wonders of Newfoundland and Labrador

The colorful row houses of St. John’s add character to North America’s oldest English city, the jumping off point to your memorable journey through Canada’s easternmost provinces. You have the day to settle in from your travels before joining your Travel Director and fellow travelers this evening for a dinner. Then join a local celebrity for live entertainment and a traditional Newfoundland "Screech-in" ceremony that will make you an honorary Newfoundlander.

Start the day with sweeping views from Signal Hill National Historic Site, where Guglielmo Marconi received the first transatlantic wireless message. Join your Travel Director for an orientation tour of St. John’s, taking in the colorful row houses and lively harbor before enjoying lunch at leisure. If you're keen to get out on the water, choose an Optional Experience cruise of Witless Bay Ecological Reserve. Depending on the season, you might spot puffins, humpbacks or minke whales. Later, visit Cape Spear National Historic Site, the easternmost point in North America, and take in its dramatic cliffs and lighthouse that has stood watch for generations.

The first stop this morning is Cupids, the second oldest English settlement in North America, rich in architecture and archaeological sites. Then depart to the Town of Brigus, known for its old-style architecture and historic significance as a strategic location for local fishermen. As you explore on your own and take in the English, Irish and Welsh heritage, the journey leads to Brigus tunnel where a stunning view of the wharf awaits. As the day comes to an end, depart for Clarenville and enjoy the night at leisure.

Admire the rugged beauty of the Bonavista Peninsula as you embark on a tour of the Lighthouse on Cape Bonavista. This mid-19th century lighthouse, still climbable today, used a seal oil-fuelled light to warn ships of the challenging coastline. See if you can spot whales, icebergs and puffins (seasonal) like the lighthouse keepers of yesteryear once did. Continue to the historic Newfoundland town of Trinity to meet a Local Specialist for a walking tour before returning to Clarenville.

Join a Local Specialist this morning for a guided walk in Terra Nova National Park where you’ll explore sheltered inlets, headlands and forests – a beautiful brush with rugged landscapes. Continue to Gander to learn about the significant role this Newfoundland community played during the 9/11 disaster when thousands of air passengers were rerouted to the town moments after the terrorist attack.

Your first stop is the Whale Pavilion in King’s Point, where you’ll come face-to-face with a 50-foot whale skeleton, a striking reminder of Newfoundland’s deep connection to the sea. Follow your Local Specialist on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience along the Tablelands Trail in Gros Morne National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. See where the Earth’s mantle is exposed, offering a rare glimpse into our planet’s geological past. This evening, enjoy a Be My Guest experience at The Fish Sheds, a traditional fishing shed-turned-dining space, decorated with artifacts from the industry. Hosts Becky and Alex welcome you to their outdoor table overlooking Bonne Bay, where you’ll sit down to a three-course meal made from fresh, local ingredients. They’ll share personal stories of Newfoundland’s food culture, traditions and their deep love for the natural environment.

Explore Gros Morne National Park your way with an Optional Experience. Choose between a cruise on Bonne Bay aboard the EMM-CAT, where live commentary reveals the bay’s geological wonders, cultural history and wildlife, or a tour of Western Brook Pond to see glacier-carved land-locked fjords, waterfalls and pristine scenery. Later, visit Lobster Cove Head Lighthouse to learn about the heritage of the park.