Newfoundland is rife with history, scenic beauty, and exotic culture. A holiday here promises excitement and experiences that simply can't be found anywhere else.
There’s a novel experience awaiting everywhere you go in Newfoundland. It’s a land of firsts, even for the experienced traveller. From your first glimpse of the bright red, yellow, pink and green houses clinging tenaciously to ancient cliff faces, to your first taste of traditional delicacies like fish and brewis with scrunchions, to the breathless exhilaration of dancing your first jigs and reels as the strains of time-honoured fiddle tunes fill the air, you’ll be amazed at the wonders you’ll encounter here. Breathtaking scenery, quaint customs, a colourful history and unforgettable hospitality guarantee that your visit to these exotic shores will be nothing short of extraordinary.
So Much to Do
There are so many ways to enjoy a visit to the island of Newfoundland…as many ways as there are people. For those rugged, outdoor enthusiasts who revel in hiking, camping, cycling and the like, Newfoundland offers all the comforts of nature. Untamed wilderness, snow-capped mountains and windswept barrens await you. Challenge yourself with a day of unparalleled alpine skiing, trek through hundreds of kilometres of one of the continent’s finest boreal forests or experience the thrill of landing a trophy-sized salmon from some of the best angling waters in the world.
Those who prefer less strenuous pursuits will find a plethora of events and attractions to fill their days. Newfoundland boasts 70,000 km of coastline, perfect for beachcombing or a romantic twilight stroll. Spend a day driving one of the province’s many scenic routes, visit a rural outport community to experience an old world lifestyle first hand, or deck yourself out in red ochre while exploring an authentic Beothuk village. You’ll also find an abundance of traditional arts and crafts in galleries—both public and private—all over the island, so you can take home a few distinctive treasures to remind you of your adventure.
The People Make the Place
It’s the people that make a visit to Newfoundland an experience unlike any other. There are very few places in the world where you'll find such open kindness and honesty. Newfoundlanders are a down-to-earth people, unpretentious and welcoming; as the saying goes, “there’s no price tag on the doors in Newfoundland”. Don’t be too surprised if you get an invitation to tea from someone you meet on the street or in the grocery store—if you can understand the local dialect, that is. The hospitality of this place is unmatched, and you’ll be fed ‘till you burst…it’s the custom.
A Step Back in Time
Newfoundland is Canada’s newest province and Britain’s oldest colony. It was once a country in its own right, and comes complete with a history older than Canada’s. Tour the only authentic Viking settlement in North America, have lunch in the oldest surviving settlement on the continent, and visit the landing site of John Cabot, “discoverer” of the New World. And if that’s not historic enough for you, take a walk on the oldest of rocks, the earth’s exposed mantle, in one of the rare places in the world where it has pushed to the surface. You’ll be able to view prehistoric fossils millions of years old. How’s that for a sense of the past?
At the End of the Day
The more time you spend in Newfoundland, the more you’ll discover to see and do, and at the end of each adventure-filled day, you can relax in the accommodation of your choice. Whether that be a luxury hotel suite, a rustic bed-and-breakfast, a housekeeping cabin or a sleeping bag under the stars, you’ll find every reason to be happy with your stay. There’ll always be a friendly, smiling face eager to ensure that you experience all the comforts of 'down home'.
