If you are the type of traveller who is on business and flying in, hitting the hotel, doing the work, and then flying out, there’s a risk of missing the significance of the geography. Everywhere humans live is for a reason. Maybe not a good reason, but there’s a reason. Newfoundland was colonized by Europeans (and others) for the fish, not the weather. A lot of Canadians not living in the Atlantic provinces would have trouble answering this trivia question, “What is the eastern most point in North America?” 47 deg 31′ 25″52 deg 37′ 10″ Cape Spear! Many national […]

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One of the most prominent features in downtown St. John’s is Cabot Tower which looms high over the city atop Signal Hill. Signal Hill is a favorite spot in the city for both locals and visitors.  One can find the road that leads to the top of this hill in the eastern part of downtown near the harbourfront.  The road leading upwards is windy and steep but some people still brave it during their daily walk or run.  At the top, there is a large parking lot that allows vehicles to either park facing the ocean or facing the city.  […]

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Gros Morne National Park is located in Western Newfoundland and is the biggest national park in the province.  The park is characterized by a very diverse landscape that consists of fjords, sandy beaches, mountains, valleys, tablelands, meadows, lakes, rivers and waterfalls. This diverse landscape is great for many outdoor activities, photographic opportunities and backcountry adventure. There are a number of outfitters and tour companies that take visitors on a variety of guided tours in the park but it is also possible to explore much of the park on your own.  A main road winds through the park and it is […]

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Cape Spear is located about twenty kilometers from the city center of St. John’s, Newfoundland.  It is known for being the most easterly point in North America. Cape Spear is a National Historic Site and popular attraction in the St. John’s area and provides both a scenic and historic experience to visitors. The landscape of the area is characterized by steep cliffs and rocky coastline.  There is a trail that takes visitors along the coast.  Along this trail there are several interesting points.  The first one is a platform with a sign indicating that you are standing on the most […]

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Middle Cove Beach is located about fifteen minutes from St. John’s in the small town of Torbay.  While it is not advisable that anyone swim at Middle Cove due to the frigid and rough waters, there are plenty of other things to do at the beach. There are picnic tables overlooking the spectacular view consisting of vast Atlantic Ocean and high cliffs and a walking trail is located near the beach.  In the summer months, many people come to Middle Cove in the evenings to sit around a fire.  When the capelin are rolling, hundreds of people, equipped with nets, […]

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A twenty minute drive from St. John’s will take you to Portugal Cove where you catch the ferry to Bell Island. It is a short ride across “the tickle”. As you approach the great rock in Conception Bay you will marvel at the extreme height of the steep cliffs that encircle the island. So formidable is the island that one wonders exactly how it’s possible to get to the top. However, on arrival you will easily drive up the slope from the wharf to the tableland of the island above. Exploring the 9 by 3 kilometre rock provides all kinds […]

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There is a festival or celebration in the summer in St. John’s that will appeal to every taste and interest. Some of the annual festivals have been running for years and some are relatively new additions to the entertainment scene. We can begin with the oldest and by far the most popular with Newfoundlanders and tourists alike. The history of The Royal St. John’s Regatta confirms that it is rightly claimed as the oldest continuing sporting event in North America. In the 1700s rowing and sailing competitions were held in St. John’s harbour often over a span of three days. […]

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Tourists in Newfoundland and Labrador are always amazed at the friendliness of the locals. It is unusual to have a short conversation when asking for directions or explanations of local traditions. Chatty Newfoundlanders or Labradorians are known to “talk the handle off an iron pot”. Often, however, tourists are flummoxed by the conversations. They frequently find that they aren’t quite sure exactly what is being said to them. This is, in part, often due to the accent. Some Newfoundlanders and Labradorians speak like residents of the West Country of England and others sound like they have just arrived from Cork […]

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Fascinating archaeology, breathtaking scenery and some unique experiences of nature are in store for those taking a day trip from St. John’s to Ferryland, which is about 75 km (46.6 mi.) south. Ferryland Site of the Colony of Avalon In the little town of Ferryland is the most ambitious archaeological dig in Newfoundland. Over the years the remains of the Colony of Avalon, founded by Sir George Calvert in 1621, have gradually been unearthed and over a million artefacts revealing what was life was like in the colony have been unearthed. Some of them are on display in the Interpretive […]

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The villages of Brigus and nearby Cupids are ideal destinations for a day trip from St. John’s. Brigus Brigus is 86 km (53 mi.) from St. John’s (about an hour’s drive). Nestled in a protected harbour, Brigus is as close to the image of a perfect Newfoundland outport that you are likely to find. The streets of the sleepy village are lined with brightly coloured and well maintained old houses. Stop in at The Country Corner for gifts and fresh cod chowder with blueberry crisp, and visit other welcoming shops in town. If you want to stay the night in […]

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