14 Night Self Drive Itinerary – Isle of Dreams ….. Newfoundland

Included

• Document Pack Includes: Travel Wallet, Full Itinerary, Vouchers, Driving Directions, Maps & Supporting Literature
• 14 Nights Accommodation
• Midsize Car Rental for Duration (unlimited kms, CDW insurance, airport fees, one additional driver & taxes)
• St. John’s City Tour
• Bay Bulls Nature Cruise
• Ferryland Lighthouse Picnic
• Western Brook Pond Boat Cruise

Day 1 – St. John’s

Arrive St. John’s and pick up our rental car and explore the oldest city in North America. This historical, vibrant city has many attractions with the added bonus of a wide selection of restaurants from fine dining to traditional Newfoundland fayre. St. John’s has the highest concentration of pubs per capital on the continent and a visit to the infamous George Street is a must! Overnight St. John’s.

Day 2 – St. John’s

This morning enjoy a city tour of St. John’s – this is a great orientation of St. John’s, as well as the most Easterly point in North America. You will visit the National Historic site of Cape Spear and will enjoy a beautiful view on top of Signal Hill.  Other stops include Quidi Vidi Village, Government House, the Roman Catholic Cathedral and an orientation of the shops and restaurants of downtown St. John’s.   In the afternoon depart St. John’s along the Irish Loop to the scenic Avalon Peninsula, home to over 5500 woodland caribou. Continue on to Ferryland Head Lighthouse where you will enjoy a gourmet picnic. Continue on to Bay Bulls where you will enjoy a cruise around the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve, a protective sanctuary for kittiwakes, murres, puffins and other seabirds. The waters off Bay Bulls are home to the world’s largest population of humpback whales. Return back to St. John’s. Overnight St. John’s.

Day 3 – St John’s/Brigus/Trinity Area

Depart St. John’s and take the scenic coastal loop along Conception Bay to the charming village of Brigus – residence of the world famous northern explorer Captain Bob Bartlett. Be sure to visit Hawthorne Cottage, Ye Olde Stone Barn Museum and The Tunnel whilst in Brigus. Depart Brigus continuing along the scenic Conception Bay Route via Heart’s Content and Heart’s Delight. Continue on to Trinity – The cultural architectural capital of Newfoundland. Places to visit in Trinity include the Ryan Store, Hiscock House and the Blacksmith Museum to name a few! Continue on to Port Rexton. Overnight Trinity.

Day4 – Trinity Area

Today explore this beautiful region further. This area has been used for the filming of the movie “Shipping News” starring Dame Judi Dench and Kevin Spacey and also for the TV mini series drama “Random Passage”. Visit the nearby Cape Random film set constructed in 2000, the site offers visitors the opportunity to step back in time and imagine the life of our fore bearers in a typical fishing community in the early 1800′s. Continue on and drive the remainder of the Bonavista Peninsula. Take time to visit Cape Bonavista Lighthouse, historic Ryan Premises and Mockbeggar Plantation to name a few! Return back to Port Rexton. Overnight Trinity.

Day 5 -Trinity/Notre Dame Bay

Depart Trinity and take a leisurely drive west visiting the spectacular ‘Road to the Beaches’ area. Places to visit include Salvage – voted one of Canada’s top ten prettiest towns, Eastport or perhaps one of the many superb beaches in the area.  Continue you journey through the Central Region and continue to the picturesque region of Notre Dame Bay. Relax and enjoy your tranquil surroundings.  Activities onsite include canoeing, cycling and hiking.  Overnight Notre Dame Bay.

Day 6 – Notre Dame Bay

Continue west and enjoy a full day of exploring – suggestions include driving the “Road to the Isles” or “Road to the Shore” route to explore the many coves, inlets and fishing villages dotted along the coastline.  Visit the fishing community of Twillingate, be sure to visit Long Point Lighthouse as well as the fascinating Prime Berth Twillingate Fishing Museum. Other suggestions include; visiting the communities of Change Island & Fogo Island (both accessed by local ferry).  Continue to Notre Dame Bay.  Overnight Notre Dame Bay.

Day 7 – Notre Dame Bay/Gros Morne National Park

Today leave behind the Central Region of Newfoundland and head west through a vast expanse of lush forest and contrasting scenery towards Deer Lake, drive north along the Viking Trail (Route 430) to Gros Morne National Park – designated an UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987 for it’s impressive geological features, the 1805 sq km park offers beauty and adventure that are unsurpassed by any in the world.   Visit the impressive Discovery Centre in Woody Point and if time permits visit the community of Trout River and take a Zodiac Cruise to get a magnificent view of the Tablelands.  Gros Morne is a hiker’s paradise catering to all abilities, with over 19 hiking trails to choose from covering over 100 kms throughout the park.  (Hikers trail guide available at Discovery & Visitor Centre’s).  Any energy left? Perhaps try Sea Kayaking.  Excursions are available for beginners to experts. Continue on to Norris Point.  Overnight Gros Morne National Park.

Day 8 Gros Morne National Park

Today take time to fully explore this outstanding area of Newfoundland.  This morning explore the community of Norris Point and then drive to Rocky Harbour where you can visit the Lobster Cove Head Lighthouse.   In the afternoon you will take a cruise on the spectacular Western Brook Pond Fjord Boat Tour – the only way, other than by helicopter to see the spectacular Western Brook Gorge. Enjoy a 45 minute boardwalk stroll to the dock before enjoying a leisurely cruise into the gorge – be at one with nature as you see the dramatic ravine-like sides of this inland fjord tower over 600 metres above you.  While in the area, visit the shipwreck remains of the “SS Ethie, Shallow Bay Beach, and “the Arches”.  Continue back to Norris Point.  Overnight Gros Morne National Park.

Day 9 – Gros Morne National Park/Main Brook

Depart Gros Morne National Park driving north along the great Northern Peninsula, Enroute take time to visit Port au Choix National Historic Site and view artifacts of the Maritime Archaic people who occupied the region over 3700 years ago.  Continue on to Main Brook.  On arrival relax and capture the extreme beauty and tranquility of your natural surroundings.  Enjoy spectacular views from the Lodge which overlooks South West Pond. Activities available for the more adventurous include hiking, fishing, canoeing, and kayaking.  Overnight Main Brook.

Day 10 – Main Brook

This morning depart Main Brook and drive to St. Anthony.  Visit the Grenfell Historic Properties and learn of the impact that Sir Wilfred Grenfell had on the social, medical and economic climate of the early 1900s during his worldwide mission. The historic properties tell the story of the evolution of Northern Newfoundland and Labrador and the people of the region over the last 100 years.  Continue on to visit both L’Anse aux Meadows – the only authenticated Viking settlement site in North America and Norstead Viking Village – a fascinating re-enactment of how Vikings lived over 1000 years ago. If time permits, visit Dark Tickle Eco Museum, Burnt Cape Ecological Reserve or Pistolet Bay Provincial Park. Continue to Main Brook.  Overnight Main Brook.

Day 11 – Humber Valley Resort

Today take a leisurely drive back down the Viking Trail and on to the scenic Humber Valley Resort – a haven for outdoor enthusiasts.  A whole host of activities are available nearby ranging from hiking, kayaking, zip-lining, caving and cycling. This evening why not enjoy a round of golf or two at the award winning 18 hole championship River Course or perhaps some pampering at the onsite Pevonia Spa.  Overnight Humber Valley Resort.

Day 12 – Humber Valley Resort

This morning why not explore the area further.  Spend the day in Newfoundland’s second city located on the south shore of the Humber Arm.  Places to visit within Corner Brook are the City Museum, the Newfie Bullet Historic Train and the Captain James Cook Monument.  Further afield visit the spectacular Bay of Islands, sit of the former Frenchman’s Head Lighthouse and the picturesque communities of Bottle Cove and Lark Harbour.  Overnight Humber Valley.

Day 13 – Humber Valley/Central

Depart the scenic Exploits Valley region and take a leisurely drive to Gambo.  Birthplace of Joey Smallwood, the first premier of the province when Newfoundland joined Canada in 1949, after leading the successful political battle for Confederation.  There are several commemorative pieces that recall his life and work, including a statue and a museum.   Overnight Gambo.

Day 14 – Central/Gambo

Depart the scenic Exploits Valley region and take a leisurely drive to Gambo.  Birthplace of Joey Smallwood, the first premier of the province when Newfoundland joined Canada in 1949, after leading the successful political battle for Confederation.  There are several commemorative pieces that recall his life and work, including a statue and a museum.   Overnight Gambo.

Day 15 – Gambo/St. John’s Airport

Depart Gambo and drive through Terra Nova National Park, a beautiful example of typical Newfoundland landscape.  Terra Nova National Park is known as the ‘Fingers of the Sea’ as it protects remnants of the ancient Appalachian Mountains.  Rocky headlands provide shelter from the awesome power of the open ocean.  The landscape of the park varies from rugged cliffs & sheltered inlets of the coastal region to rolling forested hills, bogs and ponds of the inland. Continue on to St. John’s where you will drop off your rental car and get ready for your onward journey.

Not included:

• Flights (Price available on request)
• Travel Insurance (Price available on request)
• Meals (unless stated)
• National Park Entrance Fees
• Car Rental Extras (Gas, PAC Top up Insurance, GPS, One Way Drop Fee – If applicable and taxes on extras)
• Car parking fees
• Gratuities
• Harmonized Sales Tax at 13%
• Any additional items not stated

Single, Triple, Quad & Child rates available on request.

Quotation subject to availability of accommodations at time of reservation

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