Lodges & Escapes (Option 2) 13 Night Self Drive Itinerary

Included

• Document Pack Includes: Travel Wallet, Full Itinerary, Vouchers, Driving Directions, Maps & Supporting Literature
• 13 Nights Accommodation
• Midsize Car Rental for Duration (unlimited Kms)
• St. John's City Tour
• Bay Bulls Nature Cruise
• Trinity Whale Watching Cruise
• Western Brook Pond Boat Cruise

Day 1 - St. John's

Arrive St. John's and pick up your 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 - highlights include Quidi Vidi Village, Government House and Signal Hill to name a few! Other sightseeing suggestions include visiting the new Johnson's GEO Centre, Botanical Gardens, Newman Wine Vaults or maybe taking a gentle stroll along sections of the Grand Concourse, which comprises of 40 km (25 miles) of spectacular trails and walkways within St. John's, taking in the sights of Signal Hill, Quidi Vidi Lake and Rennies River. The Dinner Theatre in St. John's comes highly recommended - experience an evening of hilarious wit, musical talent, character interaction and sumptuous food! Overnight St. John's.

Day 3 - St. John's

Depart St. John's early along the Irish Loop to the scenic Avalon Peninsula, home to over 5500 woodland caribou. Enroute visit Cape Spear - the most easterly point in North America. Continue on to Bay Bulls and 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. Continue along the south shore to Ferryland to visit the fascinating Colony of Avalon Archeological site. If time permits continue to the western shore of the Avalon Peninsula to Cape St. Mary's and visit the Cape St. Mary's Ecological Reserve Seabird Sanctuary - the Interpretive Centre overlooks Bird Rock - one of the largest nesting sites for gannets in North America. Return back to St. John's. Overnight St. John's.

Day 4 - St. John's/Swift Current

Depart St. John's along the scenic Conception Bay coastal drive, on a clear day you will be able to see the still active Bell Island Lighthouse. Continue onto the charming town of Brigus, once residence of the world famous northern explorer Captain Bob Bartlett. Visit Hawthorne Cottage, Ye Olde Stone Barn Museum and the Tunnel whilst in Brigus. Continue on the Trans Canada Highway to the Goobies turn off, then head for Swift Current. Swift Current is nestled in Pipers Hole River Valley at the headwaters of Placentia Bay. Overnight Swift Current.

Day 5 - Swift Current

A full day to explore this scenic area, enjoy a leisurely stroll - there is a 6 km trail system nearby that meanders along the shores of the Pipers Hole River. Specialised activities onsite or nearby include: hiking, fishing, golf and canoeing. Overnight Swift Current.

Day 6 - Swift Current/Trinity

Depart Swift Current and rejoin the Trans Canada Highway west take the route via the Bonavista Peninsula and onto the cultural capital of Newfoundland - Trinity. Trinity is renown for its unique historical architecture including the Ryan Store, Hiscock House and the Blacksmith Museum. Trinity also hosts the New Founde Lande Trinity Pageant, a humorous look at Newfoundland & Labrador history. Overnight Trinity.

Day 7 - Trinity

This morning enjoy a whale-watching cruise of Trinity Bay. Afternoon at leisure to explore further. The Bonavista Bay is an area of extreme natural beauty and where the movie 'The Shipping News' and the widely acclaimed TV series 'Random Passage' were filmed. 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 forbearers in a typical fishing community in the early 1800's. If time permits continue on and drive the remainder of the Bonavista Peninsula. Take time to visit Cape Bonavista Lighthouse, historic Ryan Premises, Mockbeggar Plantation and the new Matthew Legacy to name a few! Overnight Trinity.

Day 8 - Trinity/Notre Dame Bay

Depart Trinity and take a leisurely drive through Terra Nova National Park, a beautiful example of typical Newfoundland landscape, sheltered bays, rugged ocean coastline and rolling forested hills. Keep an eye out for ospreys, eagles, lynx and moose. If time permits also visit 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 onto Notre Dame Bay. On arrival take time to relax and enjoy your tranquil surroundings. Activities onsite include canoeing, cycling and hiking. Overnight Notre Dame Bay.

Day 9 - Notre Dame Bay

Today enjoy a full day of exploring - suggestions include driving the Road to the Isles route to explore the many coves, inlets and fishing villages dotted along the coastline, or perhaps take a nature cruise from nearby Twillingate - in season expect to see majestic Icebergs as Twillingate is one of the best places in Newfoundland to view Icebergs as it is located in the heart of Iceberg Alley. Whilst visiting Twillingate be sure to also visit Long Point Lighthouse. Overnight Notre Dame Bay.

Day 10 - 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, continue on 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 kilometre park offers beauty and adventure that are unsurpassed by any in the world. Take time to fully explore this outstanding area of Newfoundland. Visit the impressive Discovery Centre in Woody Point and also take the boat cruise of Trout River Pond - an excellent way to see the spectacular Tablelands. Gros Morne is a hikers paradise catering to all abilities, with over 19 hiking trails to choose from covering over 100 kms throughout the park. Overnight Gros Morne National Park.

Day 11 - Gros Morne National Park

This morning enjoy the spectacular Western Brook Pond Fjord Boat Tour - the only way, other than by helicopter to see the spectacular Western Brook Gorge. Enjoy a 40 minute boardwalk stroll to the dock before enjoying a leisurely cruise into the gorge - be at one with nature and geology as you see the dramatic ravine-like sides of this inland fjord tower over 600 metres above you. The gorge is a haven for wildlife such as moose, eagles and the odd bear! Overnight Gros Morne National Park.

Day 12 - Gros Morne National Park/Main Brook

Depart Gros Morne National Park and drive north continuing along the Viking trail - you will notice the landscape changing as you pass through the communities of Daniels Harbour and Hawkes Bay. Be sure to visit Port au Choix - the National Historic Site and view artifacts of the maritime archaic people who occupied the area over 3700 years ago. Continue on to Main Brook. Overnight Main Brook.

Day 13 - Main Brook

Use main Brook as your base for exploring the region. Take time 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. Or perhaps enjoy a nature cruise of the area. Drive to the town of St. Anthony and 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. Return back to Main Brook. Overnight Main Brook.

Day 14 - Main Brook/Deer Lake

Depart Main Brook and drive back down the Viking Trail to Deer Lake Airport where you will drop off your rental car, ready for your onward journey.**

** Alternative option - Drop vehicle at St. Anthony Airport and fly back to St. John's. (Price available on request)

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