The Province of Newfoundland and Labrador is one of the treasures to be found right here in Canada. You will find landscapes as stunning, history as fascinating, and culture as engaging as anywhere in Canada. The magnificent scenery includes three National Parks and three UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
You can visit the only known place in North America where Vikings settled as well as the spot where John Cabot’s first landed on this continent.
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And the people of Newfoundland and Labrador are famous for their kind hearts, warm hospitality and unique culture. Newfoundland and Labrador has its own regional accent and language, its own music and dance - even its own dogs!
To put things in perspective, Newfoundland and Labrador is a little smaller than California, slightly bigger than Japan, and twice the size of the entire United Kingdom. The island of Newfoundland covers 111,390 square kilometres and it is the 16th biggest island in the world. With the addition of the vast territory of Labrador, the province covers a total area of 405,212 square kilometres. There is a lot to see and do, and a large distance to cover as you explore this special Province.
Geologically speaking, Newfoundland and Labrador has some of the oldest rocks anywhere on the planet. The Johnson GEO CENTRE, carved out of the prehistoric rock of Signal Hill in St. John's, is a great place to begin your geological journey and start to learn more. For a fascinating lesson on plate tectonics, and a chance to step on rocks from the earth's mantle, visit the Tablelands in Gros Morne National Park.
Wild and untamed, Gros Morne National Park’s breathtaking landscape encompasses 1,805 square kilometres. There are two distinctly different landscapes – the coastal lowland along the edge of the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the impressive Long Range Mountains. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987, the rocks within the Park tell a fascinating story of disappearing oceans and developing continents.
The first and only known site established by Vikings in North America, L’Anse aux Meadows is an archaeological site located on the northernmost tip of Newfoundland. Ancient artifacts discovered here, that had previously only been found in Iceland and Greenland, included bronze cloak pins, stone oil maps, spindle whorls, iron boat nails, small whetstones and a bone needle. Today, L’Anse aux Meadows is a protected UNESCO World Heritage site and travellers can step back in time thousands of years by stepping inside the three reconstructed Norse buildings.
Newfoundland and Labrador’s third UNESCO World Heritage Site is the historic Basque Whaling Station in Red Bay, Labrador. This newly designated UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to three Basque whaling galleons and four small chalupas used to capture whales. The Basques arrived along the coast of Labrador in the early 1500’s looking for cod, and when they discovered the abundance of whales they decided to harvest the whales for their oil. It was a very valuable product and whale oil from Red Bay was used to light the cities of Europe throughout the 1500’s.
Newfoundland and Labrador is as much about its resilient and likeable people as it is about its historical and natural wonders. Life in remote fishing villages was hard and lonely – and the people responded with a real sense of community but also with the humour, music, dance and party spirit for which they are famous. The historic, slightly eccentric city of St John’s is a great place to immerse yourself in the music, cuisine and fun loving side of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Everyone who comes to Newfoundland and Labrador wants to taste Screech. Screech rum is a centuries old liquor that the Jamaicans traded to the Newfoundlanders in return for salt fish. This legendary, albeit stimulating drink (at 40% alcohol content) tastes slightly sweet, with hints of oak, vanilla and ripe fruit. It is at a traditional Screech-In ceremony where, invigorated by this bracing beverage, you will indeed kiss a cod!
Bearing in mind the large distances, and the scenery that is not to be missed, a motor coach tour is the ideal way to explore. If you travel with DeNure Tours you will also benefit from expertise built up over 55 years in business, together with 25 years of running tours to Newfoundland and Labrador. DeNure has great relationships with Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism as well as supporting businesses such as hotels, attractions and the like. The perfectly pitched tours that they offer today are the result of this intimate knowledge of the Province.
DeNureTours brings you closer to the natural and historic wonders of Newfoundland and Labrador on their 12-day sightseeing vacation in Newfoundland and Labrador. From the comfort of a deluxe motor coach, watch the rugged countryside unfold as you travel through the province, stopping at many of The Rock’s most famous destinations. Designed with seniors in mind, this tour offers a mix of easy walking and informative guided tours.
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History buffs will enjoy tours in St. Anthony and the Norstead Viking Village. In St. Anthony, learn more about the impact of Sir Wilfred Grenfell. In the 1900’s, this influential man built the province’s first hospital, created the first co-op lumber mill and established the first non-denominational school. Discover what Viking life was like when you visit the Norstead Viking Village, a living history museum depicting a Viking trading port.
A visit to Newfoundland wouldn’t be complete without time in the cultural heart of The Rock, St. John’s. Called “The City of Legends,” St. John’s is built along a rock face. A guided tour includes Signal Hill, and a look at the very colourful residences about town. You can expect a warm reception from everyone and enjoy delicious seafood.
Nature lovers will appreciate the many photo opportunities presented in Newfoundland and Labrador. A catamaran cruise out of Bay Bulls to the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve gives you the thrilling opportunity to see millions of seabirds (like the 500,000 Atlantic puffins that come to shore to nest and raise their young) and humpback whales. The Reserve is also home to the largest humpback whale population in North America. In the wilds of Gros Morne National Park, learn about the unique Tablelands during a guided tour. Experience a view of the park from the water on a boat trip of Bonne Bay, where stunning views are accented by informative commentary.
The summer departures of this tour are ideal for whale watching and even possible iceberg sightings! Here is the detail of the itinerary – it is a perfect tour to discover all the “must see” sights of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Newfoundland & Labrador: 12 day tour
Day 1 – Fly to Newfoundland:
Fly to Deer Lake, then travel a short distance to Corner Brook for the night. A fun musical evening and dinner welcome you to Newfoundland.
Hotel: Glynmill Inn – Corner Book
Welcome Dinner
Day 2 – Gros Morne National Park including Tablelands:
The wilds of Gros Morne National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site await your exploration today. Learn about the unique Tablelands during a guided tour. Experience a view of the park from the water on a boat trip of Bonne Bay, where stunning views are accented by informative commentary. Travel to the settlement of Cow Head for the night. After dinner, enjoy a performance by the talented local group, Theatre Newfoundland & Labrador.
Hotel: Shallow Bay Motel – Cow Head
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 – Great Northern Peninsula:
Enjoy a leisurely paced start to the day as we journey up the Great Northern Peninsula. Your coastal route offers an opportunity to stop and take photos of the untamed landscape. See dramatic rock formations at ‘The Arches’ and visit Port au Choix, a national historic site where the remains of four ancient cultures have been found.
Hotel: Plum Point Hotel – Plum Point
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 – L’Anse aux Meadows:
The town of St. Anthony is home to Sir Wilfred Grenfell’s medical mission. Visit the first – and only – authenticated Viking site in North America at L’Anse aux Meadows. It was here that Leif Eriksson led his explorers. Explore the three reconstructed Norse buildings, focal points of this significant archaeological site.
Hotel: Plum Point Hotel – Plum Point
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 – Ferry to Labrador:
Travel to the ferry terminal in St. Barbe to board the MV Apollo for a cruise to Labrador. Journey on to Red Bay to enjoy a tour of the Red Bay Basque Whaling Station. This newly designated UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to three Basque whaling galleons and four small chalupas used to capture whales.
Hotel: Northern Light Inn – L’Anse au Clair
Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6 – Ferry to Newfoundland:
Board the ferry to return to the island of Newfoundland. On your journey, you may encounter icebergs, seabirds and humpback or fin whales. Your guide will provide tips on how to spot these amazing mammals – have your camera ready!
Hotel: Ocean View Motel OR Fisherman’s Landing Inn – Rocky Harbour
Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7 – Grand Falls:
After breakfast, travel to Reidville and visit the Newfoundland Insectarium. Then it’s on to Kings Point Pottery and The Whale Pavilion and Museum.
Hotel: Mount Peyton Hotel – Grand Falls OR Comfort Inn – Gander
Breakfast
Day 8 – Coastal Drive:
Venture off the Trans-Canada Highway to tour through picturesque coastal villages. A stop at Prime Berth Twillingate Fishery & Heritage Centre allows you to explore this family-run interpretive fishing centre and craft studio.
Hotel: St. Jude Hotel – Clarenville
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9 – Bonavista:
A day-trip to lovely Bonavista offers time to explore the town’s famous lighthouse or to stroll along the picturesque coastal pathways. Learn about the history of Newfoundland’s cod fisheries at Ryan Premises.
Hotel: St. Jude Hotel – Clarenville
Breakfast, Lunch
Day 10 – St. John’s:
Experience all that St. John’s has to offer with a guided city tour. Relax with a free evening to explore the city’s unique shopping, dining and historical attractions.
Hotel: Delta Hotel – St. John’s
Breakfast
Day 11 – Whale-watching excursion:
Enjoy a catamaran cruise out of Bay Bulls with many photo opportunities en route to the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve, home to 500,000 Atlantic Puffins and the largest humpback whale population in North America. Join your fellow travellers this evening for a goodbye dinner and your last chance for some Newfoundland entertainment.
Hotel: Delta Hotel – St. John’s
Breakfast, Dinner
Day 12 – Fly home:
Transfer to the airport in St. John’s for your return flight home.
Breakfast