Newfoundland and Labrador
Description: Newfoundland is the island section of the province, where most visitors go, and Labrador the larger northern mainland area. Off the coast, the combination of the cold Labrador Current and the Gulf Stream on a continental shelf four times the size of the land mass creates a huge variety of marine life. Aboriginal peoples arrived thousands of years before the Europeans came 500 years ago, first as migratory workers in the fishing industry and then as settlers. This year the region is celebrating 50 years since leaving the British Commonwealth – the last Canadian province to do so.
Activities: coastal hiking trails, some of the best and most varied bird and whale-watching due to dense migratory routes, cruising, fishing, golf, ocean kayaking.
Newfoundland activities: the icebergs, and how they are used to make vodka; marine heritage tour along the Bonavista Peninsula; Terra Nova National Park; the Viking Encampment at L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site, where the 1,000th anniversary of the Viking landings are celebrated in 2000; various ecological reserves, including one at Witless Bay which has the largest Atlantic Puffin colony in North America. In St John’s visit Signal Hill and George Street, known as ‘the other side of wildlife’, where old warehouses have been converted into restaurants, pubs and coffee houses.
Tours: the George Street pub crawl, taking in Irish and Scottish bars; the Haunted Hike tour of graveyards, catacombs and coves; and the Rail to Trail routes, where old rail lines have been turned into themed hiking trails.
Accommodation: four and five-star hotels and character B&Bs, including Victorian ‘mansions’.
Sample product: Canadian Connections offers an escorted nine-day Newfoundland Adventure from £1,407 including half-board accommodation and flights. Windows on the World features a whale-watching expedition and flydrive of either 13 or 17 nights from £1,325 including flights, car, accommodation and some meals.
Comment: “UK visitors are attracted by the natural environment and historical connections. There are lots of English, Irish and Scottish influences and heritage throughout the province. We have 70,000km of coastline and the government has invested in a good road and transportation infrastructure since the old British Imperial rail system became obsolete.”
Bernadette Walsh, special projects manager, St John’s Economic Development and Tourism.
Contact: Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism. Tel: 001 709 729 6150.
Internet site: public.gov.nf.ca/tourism