See Picturesque Peggy’s Cove Before Traveling to Newfoundland to Discover its Viking Heritage
HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA – Even if you’ve never been to Atlantic Canada before, it may seem as though you had. That could be, because its showpiece community, Peggy’s Cove, may be the most photographed fishing village in Canada—and the most-sought subject for the brushes and canvas of artists. Just check out the calendar department of your local greeting-card store.
NOTE FROM EDITOR: See Peggy’s Cove and other Nova Scotia and Newfoundland videos in the travel section of this website!
Although you’ll fly into Halifax to join this tour, it is well worthwhile to schedule your arrival to provide enough time to visit nearby Peggy’s Cove via a convenient Gray Line bus tour. Or perhaps you are more interested in spending a littl e time at Lunenburg, settled by Germans in 1753 and designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The nine-day escorted “Newfoundland Explorer Tour” is offered by The Great Canadian Travel Company, one of Canada’s most respected travel companies. With more than 25 years’ experience, the company has earned a solid reputation as the travel specialist to many of Atlantic Canada’s most unique destinations.
After an enjoyable side trip to Peggy’s Cove and/or Lunenburg and a night’s rest and relaxation at a lovely downtown hotel, you’ll transfer to Halifax International Airport for your flight to Newfoundland. Arriving at Deer Lake, you’ll travel to Cow Head for a two-night stay.
You’ll quickly discover why Gros Morne National Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) is a genuine highlight of your tour, with visits to the Broom Point fishing exhibit and Lobster Cove Lighthouse. You’ll enjoy a scenic boat tour (weather permitting) as you l earn the geology of the Tablelands, see bald eagles that frequent the deep waters of the fjord and learn the history of small villages nestled on the shore.
Next stop is Mary March Regional Museum in Grand Falls-Windsor en route to Gander, where you will spend two nights. During your stay, a scenic drive along the rocky coast of Notre Dame Bay leads to the beautiful outport of Twillingate. At the tip of the island visit Long Point Lighthouse and the local co-op. Return to Gander to visit the North Atlantic Aviation Museum before returning to your hotel.
Head out on the Trans-Canada Highway to visit Terra Nova National Park, the most easterly of Canada’s beautiful national parks. Awaiting at the Cape Bonavista Lighthouse Provincial Historic site is an afternoon stroll along the lanes of the charming town of Trinity, where you’ll see several historic buildings including a typical early 20th century rural merchant’s house and a counting house.
Afte r an overnight stay at the Clarenville hotel, day seven of the tour is an active and busy day. In Brigus, visit Hawthorne Cottage National Historic Site and learn about the adventures of world famous explorer Captain Bob Bartlett. Then, continuing on to Bay Bulls, you’ll find more candidates for your “highlight reel,” including a boat tour to the Witless Bay bird sanctuary (weather permitting), and a visit to the most easterly point in North America, Cape Spear National Historic Site.
St. John’s, the provincial capital, is an intriguing old seaport and the closing day of your tour begins with a look at the Victorian architecture of the downtown area. Visit the city’s busy modern waterfront as well as the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist and Government House, the latter dating from 1829 (about the same time as the White House was built). You’ll enjoy a panoramic view from Signal Hill where in 1901 Marconi received the first transatlantic radio signal. At Signal Hill, you’ll witness the pageantry of red-coated soldiers of the Royal Newfoundland Companies marching to fife and drums and firing muskets and cannons.
There are multiple departure dates in 2010 from mid-June to early September. Cost of this nine-day/eight-night program is $2439 Canadian (approximately US$2350) per person (based on double occupancy). The single supplement is $560 Canadian (app. US$540). Included are: visits to Gros Morne National Park, Lobster Cove Lighthouse, scenic boat tour in Gros Morne, Mary March Regional Museum, North Atlantic Aviation Museum, Twillingate, Long Point Lighthouse, Terra Nova National Park, Bonavista and Trinity, guided tour of St. John’s, Signal Hill National Historic Site, Cape Spear National Historic Site, sea-bird-watching boat tour and “Screech In” ceremony. Accommodations and meals are included as indicated in the itinerary, as is transfer by air from Halifax to Deer Lake.
Reservati ons and additional information available from The Great Canadian Travel Company, 800-661-3830, www.greatcanadiantravel.com. The URL for the Newfoundland Explorer program is http://www.greatcanadiantravel.com/tours/canada-usa/eastern-canada/escorted-tours/newfoundland-explorer-tour
March 11, 2010
Posted in: Canada