Newfoundland and Labrador
The Best of Spectacular Newfoundland Coast to Coast
Program No. 13535RJ
Embark on a spectacular journey across Newfoundland and Labrador! Observe puffins and whales in their natural habitats, explore national parks, and experience Newfoundland hospitality.
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14 days
13 nights
35 meals
13B 11L 11D
1
Check-in, Registration, Welcome Dinner, Orientation
Deer Lake, NL
4
Port au Choix, Port Riche Lighthouse
Plum Point, NL
5
Ferry to Labrador, Red Bay NHS, Pointe-Amour Lighthouse
L'Anse-au-Clair, Newfoundland and Labrador
6
Ferry to Newfoundland, Flower's Cove, L'Anse aux Meadows
St. Anthony, NL
7
Grenfell, Whale Watching
Cow Head, NL
8
To Twillingate, King's Point Whale Pavilion
Twillingate, NL
9
Boat Building Museum, Twillingate Museum, Fishing Industry
Twillingate, NL
10
To Port Union, Boyd's Beothuk Site, Gander
Port Union, NL
11
Historic Port Union, Ryan Premises, Trinity
Port Union, NL
12
Marine Ecology, Puffin and Whale Watch, Witless Bay
St. John's, Newfoundland
13
Signal Hill, Cape Spear, Rooms, Quidi Vidi
St. John's, Newfoundland
14
Program Concludes
St. John's, Newfoundland
At a Glance
Immerse yourself in the charming character and rugged beauty of Newfoundland and Labrador. Jagged coastlines and picturesque peninsulas hold thousands of years of human settlement. Some of the world’s rarest land formations and most impressive marine life form an awe-inspiring backdrop for a spectacular adventure.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking up to two miles per day; some uneven terrain and stairs. Getting on/off busses, ferries and 28-foot rigid hulled inflatable zodiac boat. Riding on motorcoach between 40 and 250 miles per day (1-8 hrs). Getting in and out of one-piece cold weather flotation suit for whale watching.
Best of all, you’ll…
- See the world’s largest concentration of humpback whales and North America's largest colony of Atlantic Puffins.
- Meet a local expert at L'Anse-aux-Meadows National Historic Site, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to learn about the only authenticated Viking settlement in North America.
- Cross the Strait of Belle Isle to Labrador and explore the home of the first large-scale whale oil production in the world at Red Bay National Historic Site.
General Notes
Hotel's vary by date.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Bill Montevecchi
Bill Montevecchi is a professor of psychology, biology and ocean sciences at Memorial University of Newfoundland. His research is focused on marine birds, ocean ecology and conservation biology. Bill is the co-author of “Newfoundland Birds: Exploitation, Study and Conservation," and created "Seabirds – Oceanic Barometers" for the Ideas Series on the CBC Radio network. Bill lectures nationally and internationally about avian ecology and conservation.
Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
Bill Montevecchi
View biography
Bill Montevecchi is a professor of psychology, biology and ocean sciences at Memorial University of Newfoundland. His research is focused on marine birds, ocean ecology and conservation biology. Bill is the co-author of “Newfoundland Birds: Exploitation, Study and Conservation," and created "Seabirds – Oceanic Barometers" for the Ideas Series on the CBC Radio network. Bill lectures nationally and internationally about avian ecology and conservation.
Jean Knowles
View biography
Over the past thirty years Jean has built a reputation for excellence and friendliness, bringing the culture and natural history alive for learning travel groups. She has worked with the province's Folk Arts Society, which celebrates the unique cultural heritage of the province and helps share it with others, and with the Friends of Cape St. Mary's Ecological Reserve, a group dedicated to protecting and studying an important seabird colony. In her free time she enjoys exploring new roads, bays and coves, camera in hand.
Kevin Major
View biography
Kevin Major is a Newfoundlander by birth and has lived in Newfoundland for his whole life. He is the author of 18 books — for both young people and adults, both fiction and non-fiction — mostly set in Newfoundland. The first, “Hold Fast,” won several awards in Canada and was placed on the Hans Christian Andersen Honour List. In 1992, Kevin was given the Vicky Metcalf Award for an outstanding body of work of significance to young people.
Routes Adventures Mobile Phone
View biography
Please call the toll free line at 1-866-745-1690 during regular business hours or for non-urgent matters (Mon - Fri 8:30 - 4:30 EST). The mobile phone #1-613-331-5777 is for after hours and weekends for emergency use only. The phone is carried by a staff member.
Suggested Reading List
(15 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
The Best of Spectacular Newfoundland Coast to Coast
Program Number: 13535
The Day the World Came to Town, 9/11 In Gander, Newfoundland
When thirty-eight jetliners bound for the United States were forced to land in Gander, Newfoundland, on September 11, 2001, due to the closing of United States airspace, the citizens of this small community were called upon to come to the aid of more than six thousand displaced travelers.
North Atlantic Whale Watch, Folding Guide
A heavy duty, laminated guide to New England whales, sea birds, dolphins and seals.
Theatre of Fish, Travels Through Newfoundland and Labrador
A rollicking account of Gimlette's adventures in Newfoundland and Labrador on the trail of a great-great grandfather. It's a witty tale, soaked in fishy history, myth, lore and incident.
Vikings, The North Atlantic Saga
An extensively illustrated volume of Viking culture, history and exploration that focuses especially on voyages to North America. Published in conjunction with a Smithsonian exhibit, it features essays and 400 color photographs.
This Marvellous Terrible Place, Images of Newfoundland and Labrador
This portrait of Newfoundland, compiled by two accomplished photojournalists, combines color photographs and oral histories of the area.
The Iambics of Newfoundland, Notes From an Unknown Shore
With boundless curiosity and a deft way with words, Finch captures the people, places and wildlife of Atlantic Canada with grace and insight in this engaging series of essays, the result of his travels all over the Province.
The Atlantic Coast, A Natural History
Thurston illuminates the geology, plant and animal life and nature of the Atlantic coast from Newfoundland and Labrador through the Maritime Provinces and the Northeastern United States south to Cape Hatteras in this illustrated, engaging survey.
Sweetland
Facing the prospect of losing his land, the fierce, enigmatic Moses Sweetland recalls stories about his home, a village founded by his ancestors on a storm-battered island in Newfoundland.
Baltimore's Mansion
A memoir and history of the author's family in remote coastal Newfoundland, including his father's days as a codfish-taster.
Cod, A Biography of a Fish That Changed the World
A sparkling extended essay on the cod, looking at the importance of the fish to cuisine and history, as well as to Scandinavian, American and Canadian commerce.
Hungry Ocean, A Swordboat Captain's Journey
A formidable skipper, Greenlaw details all the excitement, boredom, weather, and characters on a first-class fishing operation off the coast of Newfoundland.
The Surgeon's Mate
The seventh book in the Aubrey-Maturin series, with American privateers in hot pursuit across Newfoundland's Grand Banks.
Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises
In the trademark, graphic Eyewitness style, this sturdy guidebook colorfully describes the world's cetaceans with numerous illustrations, range maps, fluke drawings and a few paragraphs on each species.
The Bird Artist
Memorably set in a remote coastal village in 1911, this vivid book is the tale of an odd local man who murdered the lighthouse keeper. It's as much about human character and motivation as it is about Newfoundland.
A Field Guide to North Atlantic Wildlife
A comprehensive pocket guide to commonly encountered marine mammals, seabirds and other marine life of Northeastern North America, from North Carolina to Newfoundland and the Canadian Maritimes.
Program
At a Glance
Duration
14 days
Program Begins
Deer Lake, NL
Program Concludes
St. John's, Newfoundland
Meals
35
| 13B |
11L |
11D |
Activity Level
Immerse yourself in the charming character and rugged beauty of Newfoundland and Labrador. Jagged coastlines and picturesque peninsulas hold thousands of years of human settlement. Some of the world’s rarest land formations and most impressive marine life form an awe-inspiring backdrop for a spectacular adventure.)
Best of all, you'll...
- See the world’s largest concentration of humpback whales and North America's largest colony of Atlantic Puffins.
- Meet a local expert at L'Anse-aux-Meadows National Historic Site, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to learn about the only authenticated Viking settlement in North America.
- Cross the Strait of Belle Isle to Labrador and explore the home of the first large-scale whale oil production in the world at Red Bay National Historic Site.
General Notes
Hotel's vary by date.
Featured Expert
Bill Montevecchi
Bill Montevecchi is a professor of psychology, biology and ocean sciences at Memorial University of Newfoundland. His research is focused on marine birds, ocean ecology and conservation biology. Bill is the co-author of “Newfoundland Birds: Exploitation, Study and Conservation," and created "Seabirds – Oceanic Barometers" for the Ideas Series on the CBC Radio network. Bill lectures nationally and internationally about avian ecology and conservation.
Please Note:
This expert may not be available for every date of the program
Jean Knowles
Over the past thirty years Jean has built a reputation for excellence and friendliness, bringing the culture and natural history alive for learning travel groups. She has worked with the province's Folk Arts Society, which celebrates the unique cultural heritage of the province and helps share it with others, and with the Friends of Cape St. Mary's Ecological Reserve, a group dedicated to protecting and studying an important seabird colony. In her free time she enjoys exploring new roads, bays and coves, camera in hand.
Kevin Major
Kevin Major is a Newfoundlander by birth and has lived in Newfoundland for his whole life. He is the author of 18 books — for both young people and adults, both fiction and non-fiction — mostly set in Newfoundland. The first, “Hold Fast,” won several awards in Canada and was placed on the Hans Christian Andersen Honour List. In 1992, Kevin was given the Vicky Metcalf Award for an outstanding body of work of significance to young people.
Routes Adventures Mobile Phone
Please call the toll free line at 1-866-745-1690 during regular business hours or for non-urgent matters (Mon - Fri 8:30 - 4:30 EST). The mobile phone #1-613-331-5777 is for after hours and weekends for emergency use only. The phone is carried by a staff member.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking up to two miles per day; some uneven terrain and stairs. Getting on/off busses, ferries and 28-foot rigid hulled inflatable zodiac boat. Riding on motorcoach between 40 and 250 miles per day (1-8 hrs). Getting in and out of one-piece cold weather flotation suit for whale watching.
Suggested Reading List
View Full List
(15 Books)
You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
HAVE QUESTIONS?
Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?
We can help. Give us a call, and we can answer all of your questions!
Call
800-454-5768
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
14 days
13 nights
What's Included
35 meals | 13B | 11L | 11D |
3 expert-led lectures
25 expert-led field trips
1 hands-on experience
1 performance
An experienced Group Leader
13 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Day
1
Check-in, Registration, Welcome Dinner, Orientation
Location:
Deer Lake, NL
Meals:
D
Stay:
Holiday Inn Express Deer Lake
Activity Note
Hotel check-in available from 3:00 p.m. Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously).
Afternoon:
Program Registration: 4:00-5:00 p.m. After you check in and have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table in the lobby to register with the program staff, get any updated information, and confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
Orientation. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars or settle in for the night. You may also wish to explore what the city has to offer.
Day
2
Gros Morne National Park, Discovery Centre, The Tablelands
Location:
Cow Head, NL
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Shallow Bay Motel and Cabins
Activity Note
Walking roughly 2 miles, approximately 3 hours. Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving 75 miles over 1.5 hours total riding time. Getting on/off a water taxi.
Breakfast:
Breakfast at the hotel
Morning:
This morning we set off to explore Gros Morne National Park by coach. At the Gros Morne National Park, a Parks Canada expert will give insight into the forces which shaped the landscape of this UNESCO World Heritage Site at the Discovery Centre. Gros Morne is characterized by a diverse landscape which includes barren cliffs, fjords, bogs, beaches, mountains, and forests.
Lunch:
We’ll enjoy a boxed lunch from a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
We will explore the Tablelands with a Parks expert. While walking Earth’s mantle, our expert will explain the plate tectonics and glacial formations which shaped the Tablelands as well as introduce us to the unique plants and vegetation in the region.We’ll then continue on to Cow Head. This small fishing village is situated on the Gulf of St. Lawrence in Gros Morne National Park. It represents a large sample of Newfoundland's western highlands and coastal lowlands – a landscape of mountains, fjords, deep glacial lakes, and wave-carved cliffs. Upon arrival, we’ll check in at the hotel.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
3
Lobster Cove, Western Brook Trail, Boat Trip, Theater
Location:
Cow Head, NL
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Shallow Bay Motel and Cabins
Activity Note
Walking about 2 miles each way, approximately 1.5-2 hours total; boardwalk and gravel with some slight grades. Located at dockside are a sheltered waiting area, indoor washrooms, canteen, gift shop, picnic area. Two Coast Guard approved vessels have a combined capacity of 165 people. Live interpretation of some of the geological and historical features. Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving 55 miles, approximately 1 hour total riding time.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will walk the Western Brook Pond Trail after transferring by motorcoach. Bask in the view of the land-locked fjord, waterfalls, and billion-year-old cliffs while wandering the recently revitalized trail. Once we arrive at the end of the trail, we will explore the Western Brook Pond by boat (weather permitting). A local resource person will provide onboard commentary. The “pond” is one of numerous glacially carved fjords in the Long Range Mountains, the northernmost extension of the Appalachian Mountains. Waterfalls cascade from a height of 2,000 feet, and we may even spot some of the local wildlife. The lake is home to Atlantic salmon, brook trout, and Arctic char, as well as an unusual colony of cliff-nesting gulls.
Lunch:
We will enjoy box lunches dockside at Western Brook Pond. There is a sheltered waiting area, indoor washroom facilities, canteen services and a gift shop as well as several beautiful picnic areas.
Afternoon:
We’ll depart by coach to explore other areas in the Park. Curving around a long and sweeping bay with the mountains in the background, we will see Rocky Harbour and stop at the Lobster Cove Lighthouse.
Dinner:
At the hotel
Evening:
Enjoy a performance at the Gros Morne Theatre Festival by a theatre troupe featuring Newfoundland stories, song and music, celebrating the Island's heritage and most importantly her people.
Day
4
Port au Choix, Port Riche Lighthouse
Location:
Plum Point, NL
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Plum Point Motel
Activity Note
Walking 1 mile, approximately 2.5 hours. Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving 126 miles, approximately 2.5 hours riding time.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Travel by motorcoach to the town of Port au Choix, known as the fishing capital of Western Newfoundland. On a field trip to the Port au Choix National Historic Site, we will learn how the rich waters off this coast have supported many different groups of people. The remains of four ancient cultures have been found at Port au Choix to date: Maritime Archaic Indian, Dorset and Groswater Paleoeskimo, and Recent Indians. Archaeologists searched many years for a site such as this one, which sheds new light on our understanding of native peoples in this part of the world.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
We’ll visit the lighthouse at Port Riche and have an opportunity to hunt for fossils.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
5
Ferry to Labrador, Red Bay NHS, Pointe-Amour Lighthouse
Location:
L'Anse-au-Clair, Newfoundland and Labrador
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Northern Light Inn
Activity Note
Walking 1 mile, approximately 1.5 hours. Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 130 miles throughout the day, approximately 3.5 hours total riding time. Ferry crossing is about 25 miles, approximately 2 hours.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
After traveling to St. Barbe by motorcoach, we’ll board the ferry for Labrador; keep watch for whales or icebergs which can sometimes be seen during the ferry crossing.
Lunch:
At a nearby restaurant in Red Bay.
Afternoon:
We’ll visit Red Bay National Historic Site, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for a presentation given by a Parks expert highlighting the Basque whaling industry dating back to the 1500s and the role that it played in the history of Canada. Then, at the on-site museum, we will explore artifacts and exhibits that tell the intriguing story of 16th-century Basque whalers who built the first industrial complex of the New World here. We’ll also see how the thriving industry of whale oil production lit the lamps of Europe in the late Middle Ages. Red Bay is the most complete and best-preserved example of these ports. Next, we’ll travel by motorcoach along the Labrador Coastal Drive to the Point Amour Lighthouse Provincial Historic Site. Explore the Point Amour Lighthouse Provincial Historic Site with a local expert, the tallest lighthouse in Atlantic Canada. Lighthouses play an integral part in the history and culture of Newfoundland as we will discover through a presentation at the historic site featuring a local storyteller and an afternoon social featuring Labrador tea and wildberry tarts. Afterwards, we’ll complete our transfer to L’Anse Au Clair and check into the hotel.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and ferrying in the morning.
Day
6
Ferry to Newfoundland, Flower's Cove, L'Anse aux Meadows
Location:
St. Anthony, NL
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Haven Inn
Activity Note
Walking 2 miles over 3 hours. Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving 115 miles,approximately 2.5 hours riding time. Ferry crossing is about 25 miles; approximately 2 hours.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Travel back to the island by ferry, keep watch for whales or icebergs which can sometimes be seen during the ferry crossing. Upon our return to the mainland, we'll depart for L'Anse aux Meadows, with a stop at Flower's Cove. There we'll learn about thrombolites, formed by a photosynthetic process from the calcium carbonate found in the limestone rocks which is thought to have been the first creatures on the planet to release free oxygen. This is one of two locations on the planet where thrombolites are known to exist.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
We’ll explore L'Anse-aux-Meadows National Historic Site, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the highlights of this program. At L'Anse aux Meadows, we will learn about this famous ancient Viking settlement, the first European encampment in the New World and site of Leif Erickson's Vinland. Discover the westward migration of the Vikings and understand how they lived so long ago. Stand on the same grassy plain facing the sea where the Vikings stood 1,000 years ago, then stoop to enter the reconstructed sod house that once protected them from the chill, wind and snow. We’ll experience firsthand the warm, smoky atmosphere of these efficient buildings, while costumed interpreters depict Viking life. Eight Norse sod-house foundations were unearthed by explorer Helge Ingstad and his wife, archaeologist Anne Stine Ingstad, in the 1960s.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
Following dinner, we'll travel to the town of St. Anthony. The town had its beginnings as a seasonal fishing station for French and Biscayan (Basque) fishermen in the early 1500s. This is how Jacques Cartier came upon it in 1534, when he named the protected harbor St. Anthony Haven. A permanent coastal settlement did not begin until after the Napoleonic Wars ended in 1815. During the latter decades of the 19th century, the town was a service point for Newfoundland schooners sailing between the Labrador coast and ports in Bonavista. As the largest town at the tip of the Great Northern Peninsula, it was a base camp for early European settlers.
Day
7
Grenfell, Whale Watching
Location:
Cow Head, NL
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Shallow Bay Motel and Cabins
Activity Note
Walking about 1 mile, approximately 1.5 hours. Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 210 miles, approximately 4 hours riding time with rest stops. Getting on/off a 12-passenger rigid hull inflatable zodiac boat; whale watching for 1 hour. Every participant must wear one-piece cold-weather suit. Activity is weather dependent.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
This morning , we'll visit the Grenfell Historic Properties where we will learn about the life of medical missionary Sir Wilfred Grenfell from a local historian at the Grenfell House Museum and Interpretive Centre. Get crafty at the Grenfell Handicrafts located at the Interpretive Centre. Next, we'll embark on a whale watching expedition off the coast of St. Lunaire-Griquet (weather permitting) and explore the coastal waters of Iceberg alley. Divided into smaller groups, we’ll take turns dressing in cold weather suits and climbing aboard a 28-foot offshore rigid hulled inflatable boat (RHIB) with our captain and marine ecologist to learn about the sea life off the tip of Newfoundland’s Northern Peninsula and the cultural heritage of the area. The others will visit the Dark Tickle Company, champions of the wild berry industry, where we’ll immerse ourselves in the view of bakeapple berry, partridge berry, crowberry, and squash berry in their natural environment.
Lunch:
At a nearby restaurant.
Afternoon:
We will depart for Cow Head by motorcoach with a stop in Hawke's Bay.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Day
8
To Twillingate, King's Point Whale Pavilion
Location:
Twillingate, NL
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Anchor Inn Motel
Activity Note
Walking 0.5 miles, approximately 1 hour. Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 310 miles, approximately 7 hours total riding time with rest stops.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will board the motorcoach and head across the island, with a stop in King's Point, where we'll visit the King's Point Whale Pavilion. The main attraction is a 50-foot humpback whale skeleton, the skeleton was extracted from a carcass that washed up in northeastern Newfoundland several years ago.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant in King’s Point.
Afternoon:
This afternoon, we will continue on to Twillingate, with a stop in Grand Falls, Windsor.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
9
Boat Building Museum, Twillingate Museum, Fishing Industry
Location:
Twillingate, NL
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Anchor Inn Motel
Activity Note
Walking 2 miles over 4 hours. Driving 25 miles over 1 hour.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will start the day with a trip to the Isles Wooden Boat Builder’s Museum and Workshop. Twillingate is one of the province’s oldest ports and a perfect place to learn about the Newfoundland tradition of wooden boat building. We’ll meet with a boat builder to learn about this ancient art and the part it has played in the lives of the people of the island and get an up close look at a boat being built. Next, we visit the Twillingate Museum, where we’ll glimpse into the lives of the people of Twillingate in the early 1900s. Housed in the former Anglican rectory, the museum recreates a typical household of the time, complete with a parlour for entertaining guest to a cozy kitchen with its Waterloo Stove and flowering geraniums. A museum guide will escort us to the very interesting cemetery located behind the museum, with rocky outcroppings and the ocean as a backdrop. This is the resting place of a woman who once was Newfoundland’s most famous export, the prima donna soprano Georgina Stirling, who performed under the name Marie Toulinquet.
Lunch:
We’ll enjoy lunch and an exploration at the Auk Island Winery.
Afternoon:
We’re in for a treat as meet with a local expert on traditional foods for a multi-sensory learning experience. After gathering on the shore at her family’s fishing stage — a special wooden building where cod fishing equipment was kept and cod were cleaned and sometimes processed — we’ll learn about the importance of cod in the lives of one family and the devasting effect that the moratorium has had. We’ll also learn about efforts to preserve and promote traditional Newfoundland food sources and traditions. After this inspiring talk, we will walk on a spit of land to nearby Beatrix Island for a “mug up.” We’ll enjoy nature-inspired cool or warm drinks over the fire and a sampling of traditional foods which may include cod tongue, capelin, smoked fish, fish and brewis, or salt cod. Our menu will vary and depend on what we locally source each day. Road Scholars can beachcomb, sit by the fire and watch the culinary creations by our expert, or just relax by the sea.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Day
10
To Port Union, Boyd's Beothuk Site, Gander
Location:
Port Union, NL
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Seaport Inn
Activity Note
Walking 1.5 miles, approximately 3.5 hours. Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving 210 miles, approximately 4.5 hours total riding time.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will board the motorcoach and make our way to Gander, with a stop at the Beothuk Interpretation Centre Provincial Historic Site in Boyd's Cove. Learn the haunting story of the extinct Beothuk people. Discover how these people lived in the 17th century - who they traded with and what sort of religion they practiced. Explore the physical world in which the Beothuk lived by following a traditional path through the forest used by early European settlers and possibly also by the Beothuk. Archaeological excavations have uncovered a group of house pits occupied between 1650 and 1720 AD, at a time when the now-extinct Beothuk people had had some interaction with Europeans and were making use of metal scavenged from European sites. The Beothuk people became extinct with the death of Shanawdithit, a Beothuk woman, in St. John's in 1829. The Boyd's Cove site and Notre Dame Bay area provide important information about the life and culture of this unique people. Next, we'll visit the North Atlantic Aviation Museum in Gander, where we'll have a short introduction followed by self exploration to see some of the incredible planes, photos, models, and more that tell the tale of Gander’s role in the development of trans-Atlantic aviation. Of note is the exhibit on 9/11, including a piece of the steel from the World Trade Centre and hundreds of letters from stranded passengers thanking Gander and its residents for helping them in their time of need.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
This afternoon, we will visit the Gander International Airport where a local expert will walk us through the design and construction of the building, a shining example of 1960s modernist architecture, that welcomed thousands of weary stranded passengers on September 11, 2001 when American and Canadian airspace was closed to all air traffic. This was the first building that passengers entered after disembarking from their planes. What at first appears to be an airport like any other is soon revealed to be so much more, as we hear stories of the airport staff and townspeople that worked tirelessly as the town’s population almost doubled in size overnight with travelers from around the world. Afterwards, we’ll complete our transfer to Port Union and check in to the hotel.
Dinner:
Local residents will join us in Port Union for dinner and share their stories about life in rural Newfoundland. Dinner will feature a variety of traditional Newfoundland dishes.
Evening:
Following dinner, there will be traditional music and dancing, and you may want to try your hand at playing the "ugly sticks" and spoons; and become an honorary Newfoundlander at a screech-in. An evening of fun and laughter. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Day
11
Historic Port Union, Ryan Premises, Trinity
Location:
Port Union, NL
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Seaport Inn
Activity Note
Walking 2 miles, approximately 4 hours, some uneven terrain, stops for interpretation but no seating. Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving 60 miles, approximately 1.5 hours riding time.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
A local historian will deliver a presentation on Port Union and its history. Learn how Sir William Coaker formed a union of fishermen in the early 1900s to fight against the merchant trade of St. John's. His goal was to revolutionize the fishery, placing control of the fish trade in the hands of fishermen. Sir William is noted as an activist, labor leader, visionary, businessman, publisher and politician. Next, on an expert-led visit of historic Port Union, see the buildings of the town, including the factory. Many are being restored to their original state. Local experts talk about each site and the part it played in the life and times of Port Union.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
We will then travel to Bonavista, one of the oldest settlements on the northeast coast of Newfoundland. A quaint fishing community and the largest in the province to rely solely on the inshore fishing industry. Next, we'll visit the Ryan Premises National Historic Site, and we will learn the intriguing story of the East Coast fishery. Parks Canada staff will describe the compelling story of the fishing industry in Newfoundland in the unique setting of these restored merchant’s premises. The first thing we notice is the smell of salt cod. More than a century after employees of James Ryan Ltd. began salting and storing the cod brought in by local fishermen, the tangy aroma of their work remains as strong as if the enterprise had just closed yesterday. We will then travel to Trinity to explore the town’s historic sites and landmarks. The preservation of Trinity’s cultural and built heritage has made it perhaps the most notable “heritage community” in the province. Afterwards, you’ll have free time to explore what the town has to offer on your own.
Dinner:
On own.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for checkout and transfer in the morning.
Day
12
Marine Ecology, Puffin and Whale Watch, Witless Bay
Location:
St. John's, Newfoundland
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Doubletree by Hilton St. John's Harbourview
Activity Note
The puffin and whale watching is aboard Gatherall’s Catamaran, a designed and built passenger vessel. It is more stable than conventional vessels; which means less seasickness and a more pleasant ride. Space for all passengers both outside and inside. Two washrooms and an on-board bar/canteen service. Boating about 20 miles, approximately 1.5 hours. Walking about 0.5 miles, approximately 1 hour. Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 185 miles, approximately 3 hours riding time.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We continue to travel to St. John's with a stop in Witless Bay.
Lunch:
Boxed lunch.
Afternoon:
In a private room at Town Hall in Witless Bay, our local expert will discuss seabirds and the marine ecology of Newfoundland and Labrador. Learn about the diversity of North Atlantic seabirds and the Low Arctic ocean conditions along the coasts of Newfoundland and Labrador that provide their habitat. Newfoundland is the southern limit for icebergs and many Arctic seabirds. We will also explore the interrelationships between seabirds and their ocean environment and assess the current information about the North Atlantic, the fishes in it and climate change from the point of view of the spectacular seabirds of Newfoundland and Labrador. Then, we’ll board a boat for the opportunity to spot puffins and whales (weather and season permitting). The Witless Bay Ecological Reserve is where over 1,000,000 pairs of seabirds gather to breed during the summer months. The onboard interpretive program will describe the natural and cultural heritage of Newfoundland.
Dinner:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to have what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Evening:
At leisure. The hotel is near St. John’s harbor, surrounded by shopping, restaurants, and rainbow houses.
Day
13
Signal Hill, Cape Spear, Rooms, Quidi Vidi
Location:
St. John's, Newfoundland
Meals:
B,D
Stay:
Doubletree by Hilton St. John's Harbourview
Activity Note
Walking about 2 miles, approximately 4 hours. Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 75 miles, approximately 1 hour riding time.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
This morning, we will embark on an expert-led motorcoach exploration of St. John’s, the capital of Newfoundland and Labrador. This colorful city, born of its sheltered harbor, was a busy port 40 years before the Mayflower landed at Plymouth. Although it is a small city, St. John's has a warm, vibrant spirit. Water Street is one of the oldest streets in North America. Explore Signal Hill National Historic Site and Cabot Tower where we'll enjoy a panoramic view of the city. Signal Hill was the site of St. John's harbour defenses from the 17th century to the Second World War, and where Guglielmo Marconi received the world's first transatlantic wireless signal in 1901. We will also take in the rugged coastline of Cape Spear Lighthouse National Historic Site, the most easterly point of land in North America. Next, we'll transfer to “The Rooms” for an introduction to the people and history of the province. A unique blend of art gallery, archives, and museum, its controversial design mirrors the colorful “fishing rooms” where families came together to process their catch. This is a wonderful opportunity to be exposed to local culture, craft, and natural history, as well as both the traditional and modern way of life in Newfoundland and Labrador, as it houses the largest collection of artifacts, specimens, and artwork from the First Nations, Vikings, French, and English.
Lunch:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to have what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Afternoon:
Free afternoon to explore the city of St. John's on your own.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Day
14
Program Concludes
Location:
St. John's, Newfoundland
Meals:
B
Activity Note
Hotel check-out by 11:00 a.m.
Breakfast:
At the hotel. This concludes our program.
Morning:
If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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MEALS
35 Meals
13 Breakfasts
11 Lunches
11 Dinners
LODGING
Lodgings may differ by date. Select a date to see the lodgings specific to that date.
Showing Lodging For:
- Jul 04, 2025 - Jul 17, 2025
- Jun 20, 2025 - Jul 03, 2025 (Deer Lake, NL to St. John's, Newfoundland)
- Jul 04, 2025 - Jul 17, 2025 (Deer Lake, NL to St. John's, Newfoundland)
- Jul 11, 2025 - Jul 24, 2025 (Deer Lake, NL to St. John's, Newfoundland)
- Jul 18, 2025 - Jul 31, 2025 (Deer Lake, NL to St. John's, Newfoundland)
- Aug 01, 2025 - Aug 14, 2025 (Deer Lake, NL to St. John's, Newfoundland)
- Aug 15, 2025 - Aug 28, 2025 (Deer Lake, NL to St. John's, Newfoundland)
Participant Reviews
Based on 31 Reviews
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Absolutely fascinating place to visit. We considered doing this on our own and we are so happy we chose to go with Road Scholar. We stopped at places we would have just driven by never knowing it was a perfect gem. The geology of Newfoundland and Labrador is amazing when you can look around and realize you are standing on a piece of the earth’s mantle that is on the surface rather than miles below you.
Jean was a fantastic leader who was able to fill a rainy day with great options when our hike into the National park was closed. She had a sense of humor that sparkled and we learned many Newfoundland phrases that we can put to good use at home.
Our goal was to see Puffins in the wild and very early in the trip we were able to see over 250,000 flying, eating, swimming and raising their babies on the cliffs. National Parks, UNESCO Heritage sites and fantastic people were bonuses.
— Review left October 14, 2024
Our first Road Scholar trip, and I absolutely loved it! Carolyn, our tour guide, was fantastic--knowledgeable, personable, and a great singer. She was able to provide so much information on the places we visited, traditions, history, and anecdotes. Each of the local guides and speakers were able to inform and share their knowledge in understandable and captivating ways. This was a great introduction to Road Scholar!
— Review left October 2, 2024
Some memories of Newfoundland and Labrador:A moose and her twins sauntering across the road and into the woods. The lifesaving white and red lighthouses dot the coastline. Geologically - a glacial lake, rare thrombolites and shafts of the earth’s mantle. Local history highlighted in communities large and small. Miles of stacked wood along the highways. Walking alone four miles, never gave up. Fresh vegetables on the table along with that first mooseburger,,,, Participating in a fabulous home cooked buffet dinner, prior to becoming a SCREECHER! Tasting rum for the first time! Puffins and whales, gentle, massive Newfoundland dogs, blossoming beautiful flowers everywhere.
— Review left September 8, 2024
The program was true to its description. It was well planned, well executed. Jean was a great leader: personable, organized, knowledgeable, and a fun sense of humor. My third Road Scholar trip in all and this year. I traveled a lot with my late husband. Road Scholar is meeing my needs now as a solo traveler.
— Review left September 2, 2024
Great overall view of this special place with little other tours and a quiet pace of life.
— Review left August 31, 2024
If you are new to joining Road Scholar trips, my experience at joining on my first Road Scholar trip was wonderful, especially unlike my other vacations because I did not have to be the driver, did not have to negotiate directions or find food sources. And the whole time was filling with enjoyable experiences.
— Review left August 31, 2024
My trip along the coasts of Newfoundland and Labrador exceeded my high expectations. I can unreservedly recommend Road Scholar to anyone who wants to see the world but hesitates to travel alone. I was solo on this and my previous trip, but I was not alone!
— Review left August 18, 2024
I would highly recommend this trip to learn more about the early history of our continent. Many fun topics and many surprising things you would not see if traveling on your own.
— Review left August 16, 2024
Exceptional Beauty in the Scenery and outstanding hospitality and warm welcomes from all Newfoundland and Labrador people!
— Review left August 7, 2024
This program provided an in-depth look at a little known part of the world. It offered scenery, history, education and a touch of adventure….and a LOT of codfish to eat!
— Review left August 2, 2024
A great trip with great people both local and our group. Enjoyed the behind the scenes (or private presentations) that we would of not got if we did this trip by ourselves. We enjoyed the local dialogs/interaction with guides and their effort to prepare their local jams (cloudberry and Partridgeberries), seal meat tasting and the Port Union Community Hall Screeched party. We appreciate their extra effort to welcome us and share their traditions. Over all size of 23 was perfect size which may have been smaller than available.
— Review left July 28, 2024
A great Road Scholar Trip. The trip with Dark Tickle was exciting with the breaching of the whales.
— Review left July 21, 2024
Spectacular scenery. Fascinating history and geology. Beautiful flora and fauna. Delightful, welcoming, and loving people. I'm so glad I went.
— Review left June 21, 2024
This trip was absolutely awesome -- great leader, wonderful driver, incredibly nice locals, beautiful scenery, interesting history. This program clearly ranks in the top three of the 18 Road Scholar trips I've taken so far. Definitely worth the cost.
— Review left October 16, 2023
This program is wonderfully comprehensive and provides a thorough background of the maritime region of Canada.
— Review left September 14, 2023
In just 14 days the tour captured the essence of Newfoundland and Labrador! The tour director and coach driver were outstanding and quickly tended to every issue that arose. Con (Cornelius), our bus driver, deftly avoided hitting a giant moose which darted into the road toward our coach. Some loose items such as sunglasses on a seat went flying but everyone was ok. The tour included a mix of scenery, museums, history, culture, fauna, and flora. Every participant was congenial and considerate. Just FYI, on the road internet connectivity was often spotty. If you have a Nexus card you do not need a passport to enter Canada or to fly within Canada. We flew from Toronto to St. John’s NF and were allowed to use the expedited Nexus lane. Bev
— Review left September 12, 2023
This trip is very scenic and interesting. We had the best trip leader you could ever hope to have. We learned so much about the cod fishing industry and its demise, the history of the province and its amazing geology. (You get to hike on the Earth's mantle and see fossils of the earliest life form with muscles!) The only serious complaint I have concerns the trip's timing. If you go on this trip expecting to see icebergs, whales and lots of sea birds, do not take a departure in August. Take one of the earlier ones, because on our August 18 departure, we struck out on icebergs and whales. The last iceberg in Labrador had melted a week before we got there! Our whale watching cruise was only one hour. The crew explained that we'd have seen a whale if we'd been able to stay out longer. But the group had to split up into 2 halves in order to go whale watching, due to the larger boat being unavailable at this time. We took a small zodiac boat instead, in 2 shifts. The weather that day was not great and the ride was "strenuous" and whale-less.
Some sea birds were still present in places we went, including some delightful puffins, but most of the shore birds had already begun their migration south. My main purpose in taking this trip was the nature part of it, so I was somewhat disappointed.
Also, the food at our meals was a bit disappointing. I love fish and seafood of all kinds, but it wasn't well prepared most of the time.
Overall, I would recommend this trip, but go early in the season, and don't expect wonderful cuisine!
— Review left September 2, 2023
My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed this Road Scholar program, my 31st. Five Stars! Other reviews have provided good, practical information about this trip, so I will add just a few points….. Our leader Carolyn and driver Con were a superb team, always catering to the individual needs of our group, and fine-tuning the itinerary along the way to give us a great experience. The Newfoundlanders were all friendly, warm, and welcoming, and they have a certain way about them which made this a relaxing learning experience. The variety of activities was incredible. One of note: At the lunch stop in Gander, we had a wonderful presentation by a woman who had been actively involved in the airport logistics during the 9/11 grounding of planes, when planes and people from all over the world had to be accommodated on short notice. We highly recommend this program.
— Review left August 7, 2023
Excellent trip to truly experience Newfoundland!
— Review left July 31, 2023
The NL trip is thoughtfully orchestrated taking participants from Pangea to present day Newfoundland. While each activity could stand alone as an experience, the trip weaves the island’s geology and geography with its influence on vegetation and fauna, and, in turn, with the people of Newfoundland throughout time who have been intimately dependent on the island’s resources for survival. The cultural history begins with subsistence indigenous people, through the European invaders and early fishing and whaling institutions, to current day Newfoundlanders who are adapting to their rapidly changing environment and economy. I’ll say no more, for it is your own adventure to discover.
— Review left July 29, 2023
I thought I had had my "trip of a lifetime", I found out you can have more than 1! I would definitely recommend this program. So glad I had this experience. It was wonderful.
— Review left July 29, 2023
This was an extraordinary program that far exceeded my already-high expectations. I'll never forget it. Special shout-out to coordinator/leader extraordinaire Jean Knowles and our wonderful bus driver Con!
— Review left July 28, 2023
July 24, 2023
***** Five Stars
Fantastic trip! Scenery was always interesting and sometimes breathtaking. Everyone was friendly and helpful. We saw whales, puffins, moose, caribou, and lots of icebergs. Luckily, we did not see any wildfires or have any smoke from them. The food and the hotels were good. This was a memorable trip to a very unique place.
Corinne
Class of 2019
Corydon, IN
— Review left July 24, 2023
Newfoundland is fascinating and beautiful! Come prepared with a bug net in your pocket to put over your head as it will protect you from the biting insects that are a problem some of the time. You will have a lovely carefree time then!!
— Review left July 23, 2023
The group leader and driver were outstanding on this program. There were many unique experiences that contributed to a better understanding of the people, the geography, and the importance of this area. Truly a worthwhile experience.
— Review left September 16, 2022
went in late August and did not see moose or whales. Screeching ceremony with the locals was really fun.
— Review left September 11, 2022
There is so much to see and learn about Newfoundland & Labrador - history, geology, flora & fauna, etc. It's a part of the world that we generally don't know much about, but very significant things happened there that impacted our world. There are many stops and stays, so you need to be prepared for that, but I am glad to have seen and experienced so much! Saw lots of puffins, and even a distant glimpse of an unexpected iceberg at this time of year. Highly recommend for the variety of learning and experiences in this beautiful and friendly Canadian province!
— Review left August 21, 2022
The Best of Newfoundland and Labrador is a stellar program. The educational value of the program alone makes it worthwhile. As I participated in this program, a new world opened to me. I am forever changed by this positive experience.
— Review left August 20, 2022
We feel very lucky to have had Jean Knowles as our tour guide. She was extremely knowledgeable and vey accommodating. We learned a LOT. I can’t give high marks to RS’s tour time allocation. The tour members were able to socialize and get to know one another at our meal breaks but that was pretty much it. Road Scholar tried to cram too much into our day. The one day ferry trip to Labrador contributed very little and seemed to be included just so RS could say we had been there. Really no new experiences or knowledge gained for the effort. We would have rather gotten back to our motel many days by 4 PM and spent some time in the bar with other tour members. As we age seeing everything possible is no longer a priority. Just show us the good stuff and give us more free time. Bob & Jean Kaminski
— Review left July 24, 2022
Spectcular Newfoundland and Labrador, Coast to Coast. July 2022. Exceeded my expectations. The places visited, most especially the days on the water were exceptional. Foremost, Our leader Jean and driver Con, MADE this trip so much more than traveling to a new area. Their personal insights and years of living in this area added knowledge, local lore, tales and humor not gained on one's own personal explorations of this very special area of Canada!
— Review left July 22, 2022
Just back from the Newfoundland-Labrador trip. Hats off to our group leader, Eleanor Dawson and our bus driver, Clarence, , for making a good trip a great trip!!!!
— Review left June 24, 2022
