Destination St. John's

Welcome to St. John’s, the easternmost city in North America. It’s the provincial capital of Newfoundland and Labrador, a lively port with great food, and music galore. Downtown is delightfully picturesque with intriguing architecture. You’ll find boutiques, coffee bars, pubs and restaurants offering local and international fare. After a meal, follow your ears to some of the many music venues. There’ll be something to suit your taste.

Get ready for epic vistas and chat with the friendly folk. Signal Hill National Historic Site provides expansive views of the city and coast, and it is topped by Cabot Tower, where Marconi received the first wireless message. You’ll learn of the earth’s geological showcase at The Johnson Geo Centre, and The Fluvarium explores the secret life of a river, the watershed and its ecosystems. This is a city of churches, too, and both the Roman Catholic and Anglican cathedrals are named for St. John the Baptist.

Be immersed in the heritage garden and learn of varied plant species that grow in The Botanical Garden at Memorial University offering insight into the flora and fauna of the entire province. Next it’s off to The Rooms, named for traditional fishing premises, and here gathered together as the museum, art gallery and archives. The very rich history and lively cultures of thousands of years are explored in exhibits and documents. On everyone’s bucket list is standing on the most easterly point in North America, at Cape Spear Lighthouse National Historic Site. The lighthouse here dates from the 1840s, and the vista is as far as the eye can see.

Today we visit Ferryland, site of an early 17th-century Colony of Avalon now being excavated by archaeologists. Then we hop a tour boat at the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve and go to meet whales and seabirds. Your entire trip is on the Avalon Peninsula- awarded “Top Coastal Destination In The World” by National Geographic.

Drive southwest of St. John’s to Cape St. Mary’s Ecological Reserve also known as “the Cape.” Newfoundland and Labrador’s major seabird colonies. It is one of the best and most accessible places in the world to see nesting seabirds. Continue to Trinity, a picturesque town rich in history, friendly people and steadfast authenticity. The town offers beautifully restored fishing rooms and saltbox houses, historic buildings, and toprated dining experiences. Nearby you’ll get a chance to hike along the coast on one of the provinces most popular trail, the Skerwink Trail – sea stacks, rocky beach overlooking the Trinity lighthouse. Or take a boat tour and see some of breathtaking coastline from a different perspective as you watch whales, birds, and icebergs.

Start your morning by visiting the oldest standing wooden church, Church of the Most Holy Trinity in Newfoundland, built in 1833, with the tower added in 1880. From here, travel to Cape Bonavista where the Italian Explorer Giovanni Caboto or John Cabot as he is locally known first discovered North America in 1497. His first words were “O buono vista!” When translated in English, this phrase means “Oh happy sight!”, which then became the town of Bonavista, the historic site of Cabot’s landing.

Make sure to visit Elliston’s visitor center and Elliston’s puffin viewing site which offers the closest view of puffins from land in North America. Enjoy a chance to walk the cliffs and stunning coastal views. Overnight in Bonavista.

Drive back to St. John’s for your orward flight.