NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR, "CITY OF LEGENDS"

BY CLAY LARROY

After working and studying hard all year long families across the United States will be taking long awaited vacations. Family vacations and travel can be the most rewarding experience. Families that take vacations together build memories that will last a lifetime. Family vacations are so important, as it gives us a way to connect with each other in a stress free relaxed environment. When you need to plan a trip contact me!

See & Do

See

·        Visit Gander and its International Airport, once the re-fueling stop for nearly all international flights from Europe to North America

·        Historic Signal Hill fort and walking trail (watch the sun come up over the ocean) in St. John's

·        Whale-watching boat tours

·        Iceberg boat tours at Twillingate, northwest of Gander. Much better viewing than from Avalon Peninsula

·        The Battery - the oldest part of St. John's

·        Cape Spear (the most easterly point of North America and very windy too!)

·        The East Coast Trail (stunningly beautiful rugged hiking trail - hike and camp for days along cliffs and through forests)

·        Bell Island

·        The downtown row houses and natural harbor of St. John's

·        Puffins, whales, caribou, moose, eagles, otter, and other wildlife all over the province

·        The many small communities along the Labrador coast

·        Fishing stages, wharves, and the remnants of the province's long history of fishing

·        Visit St. Lawrence and see the site of the shipwrecked USS Truxtun and USS Pollux

·        Go 'Around the Bay', a term Newfoundlanders use to talk about travelling around the numerous out port communities. Often this is limited to those on the Avalon Peninsula in the area between Conception Bay and St. John’s. Points of interest, historical and aesthetic, along the way: Bay Bulls, Roaches Line, Brigus, Cupids, Bay Roberts, Harbour Grace (the original capitol of the island), Carbonear, Victoria - Note: the new highway now runs around the townships, making access to Bay Roberts and even as far as Carbonear faster and easier, but you will miss out on some interesting scenery and historical places by taking the highway.

·        After you go 'Around the Bay', and end up in Carbonear or Victoria, spend the night at a local inn. Get up the next day go "Around the Belt", a term Newfoundlanders use to describe travelling down the shore, up north around the tip of the peninsula, down the other side, and across the Heart's Content Barrens. Points of interest along the way: Spout Cove, Bradley's Cove, Western Bay, Northern Bay, Flambro Head, Lower Island Cove, Caplin Cove, Bay de Verde, Grate's Cove, Daniel's Cove, Winterton, Heart's Content

·        Visit L'anse aux Meadows[21] National Historic Site of Canada on the tip of the Great Northern Peninsula on the island, site of the only confirmed Viking settlement in North America and believed to be the landfall site of Leif Eriksson as related in the Vinland sagas. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

·        Visit the Basque Whaling Site [22] in Red Bay, Labrador.

·        Visit Battle Harbor [23] National Historic Site, Labrador, the historical hub of the Labrador salt fish industry.

Do

·        Hike the East Coast Trail. [24] Lots of opportunity for day hikes and backpacking.

·        Hike in Gros Morne National Park

·        Enjoy Terra Nova National Park

·        Visit Western Brook Pond, a land locked fjord

·        Hike the TransCanada Trail [25] in Newfoundland & Labrador, following the old CN Rail line through the province

·        Downhill ski at Marble Mountain [26]

·        Crosscountry ski at Blow-Me-Down

·        Visit Cape Spear, the most easterly point in North America. [27]

·        Get a photo underneath the sign marking entry to the out port town of Dildo.

·        Take a driving tour of the other colorfully named out ports like Joe Batt's Arm, Leading Tickles, Little Burnt Bay, and others.

·        Take a ferry to visit the Southern Communities of the province not accessible by road

·        Snowmobile in Stephenville, Newfoundland's main hub for this activity

·        Eat a meal of Fish n' Chips at any Ches's location in the greater St. John's area.

·        Have dinner at the Irving Station diner at Clarenville. It's actually some of the best family dining in the province and the view of the ocean from the windows in the dining area is spectacular.

·        Go to Sunday brunch at the Battery Hotel in St. John's, then walk off the calories with a walking hike around the Signal Hill trail, a rugged, terraced path that leads through the old Battery village and around Signal Hill, up to Cabot tower and back to the Battery Hotel, giving a panoramic view of both the Atlantic Ocean, St. John's harbor, and the city itself.

·        If visiting in August, go to the Royal St. John's Regatta at Quidi Vidi Lake in the city, the oldest sporting event in North America (160 years and counting). It is traditionally held on the first Wednesday in August or the first good weather day after. On this day, most of St. John's shuts down, and an average crowd of 50,000 people go to see the races and partake of the many concession stands.

·        If visiting in mid-July, don't forget to party in Grand Falls - Windsor at the Exploits Valley Salmon Festival, an annual festival including a salmon dinner, a Newfie Night dance, and the Splash Concert.

·        Bike the Viking Trail: [28] A place of austere, unspoiled beauty in the far east of the western world.

·        Travel Newfoundland and tour with Cape Race Cultural Adventures, Newfoundland & Labrador, ☎ +1 709-531-6660, [1]. A boutique tour operator specializing in experiential travel offering an outdoorsy soft adventure meaningful travel packages that bring Newfoundland’s rich history, performing arts and the pristine wilderness together to create an "Eco-Culture Experience"  

·        Take part in the Elliston Food Hike - a 5km annual walk where top Canadian chefs cook for you at various intervals [29]

·        Wooden Boat Museum of Newfoundland and Labrador, Winterton, ☎ 709-583-2044/2070, [2]. 10AM-5PM. Archives, conserves, and exhibits local wooden boat history and its contribution to the province's economy and way of life. $7.  

REFERENCE SITES:

http://wikitravel.org/en/Newfoundland_and_Labrador

The opportunity to go up to Canada and play was just a blessing for me and my family. 

Darren Flutie 

Experience life travel with those you love!