Newfoundland Self-Guided Walking

Transcription

1 Newfoundland Self-Guided Walking Duration: 6 days/5 nights Start: St. John s Finish: Gander International Airport Price From: From US $2,995 pp (based on 4 people, double occupancy) Request your date for exact pricing. Designed by Dane Tredway Dane has worn many hats at Butterfield & Robinson over the years and as a trip designer, guide, researcher, photographer and archivist, his on-the-ground experience with the company spans the globe from Chile to Ireland and Myanmar. This is one of our Private Ready-to-Book trips. Think of B&R s Ready-to-Book collection of carefully crafted itineraries as prêt-à-porter from your favourite designer. These trips showcase the essential highlights of each destination, and because they are set to go, booking your private trip couldn t be easier. Please note that your final itinerary may vary slightly from this one as we continuously research and develop each trip. Inclement weather though we d like to think there won t be any may also necessitate minor alterations. All pricing in U.S. dollars Butterfield & Robinson Inc

2 Introduction Newfoundland s vast expanses of dramatic and raw nature, its rugged coastline, towering icebergs and de facto mascot, the moose, have been drawing visitors for decades that and the Newfoundlanders legendary sense of hospitality. Today though, the island is garnering a reputation for its thriving arts scene and a resurgence of the cottage industries that have flourished in this harsh landscape since the first settlers disembarked at the new found land hundreds of years ago. From the Rising Tide Theatre in Trinity to the traditional punt-builders of Fogo Island, local artists are being celebrated while others are being drawn from afar to the province s wild landscapes and rich history. The hiking has always been good, the fish plentiful and the people friendly; it s just that now the whole experience has become so much more dynamic and engaging. Day 1 St. John s Welcome to Newfoundland! You ll pick up your rental car at the airport and from there it s only a 20- minute drive downtown. Depending on your arrival time, you could head out on foot to explore St. John s, North America s Oldest City. It s a photographer s dream with colourful rows of houses, dramatic cliffs and icebergs drifting by in the distance. We can recommend a walk that will take you through the Battery District and past the iconic Cabot Tower, and the remains of an 18 th century fort. From there you ll connect with the East Coast Trail to the charming Quidi Vidi Village. We ll recommend a favourite lunch spot (also a National Historic Site) and afterwards you can explore more of the village itself there is a craft brewery that uses iceberg water for its signature beer as well as a thriving artists collective. For ambitious walkers, you can continue along the coast from here, or you could take a taxi back to your hotel to freshen up before dinner at one of Canada s best restaurants. Activity: 5.5 km (3.5 mi.) coastal city walk to Quidi Vidi Village with optional 9 km (5.5 mi.) further to Logy Bay. Hotel Ryan Mansion Ryan Mansion is situated in the city s heritage district only a few minutes walk to restaurants, shops and galleries. The details of this historic property echo the opulence of a bygone era when it was constructed, including its grand staircase, built by the same craftsmen that worked on the Titanic. Room: Suite

3 Day 2 Bonavista Peninsula This morning you ll hop in your car and head for Port Rexton, roughly a three hour drive away. Your hosts Peggy and John will meet you at Fisher s Loft where you can grab a light lunch. Recharged, you ll hit the Skerwink Trail, the crown jewel of the Bonavista Peninsula and one of Travel + Leisure magazine s top-rated hikes. The route follows the coastline along the cliff s edge, alternating between coniferous forest and open headlands. The views are breathtaking and there are plenty of opportunities to spot seabirds like cormorants and eagles, as well as whales. This evening you ll venture into nearby Trinity, a historic village dating back to the 1500s. You ll be met by a local host for a walking tour of the former trading post with its winding streets, postcardperfect heritage homes, vegetable gardens and white picket fences. For dinner we ll make you reservations at a little gem of a restaurant in a converted cottage on the waterfront. Activity: A world-class, well-groomed 5 km (3 mi.) loop of moderate terrain Meals: Breakfast Day 3 After breakfast this morning, it s a short drive to the fishing community of New Bonaventure the beginning of your first journey at sea. Our friend Bruce, a former fisherman and all-around-great-guy, will be at the helm. You ll make your way out to the island of Ireland s Eye to visit the remnants of the old outport community, a relic of the controversial resettlement policies of the 1960s. Back on the mainland you ll have the chance to walk off your sea legs by returning to New Bonaventure on foot. The local tearoom will have a special lunch prepared in a secret location. Returning to Port Rexton you have the option for another walk, or some R&R. This evening we d recommend doing an early dinner at Fisher s Loft followed by a theatrical performance at the Rising Tide Theatre. Activity: A challenging 6 km (4 mi.) backcountry trail near Bonaventure, optional 3km (2 mi.) afternoon loop Meals: Breakfast & Lunch Hotel Fisher s Loft Located in Port Rexton, this characterful collection of buildings is lovingly brought to life in authentic Newfoundland style by proprietors and hosts, Peggy and John Fisher. Its much-loved restaurant features homemade specialties. Room: Suite

4 Day 4 Fogo Island This morning you ll depart Fisher s Loft early and drive three hours to Farewell. You ll meet the ferry to Fogo Island from here. It s about an hour s ride across, a great opportunity for a casual picnic lunch. Once you arrive on Fogo it s a short drive to Lion s Den, one of the most breathtaking spots on the island. Along today s route you ll have dramatic Atlantic views while passing abandoned fishing settlements and secluded inlets, or tickles as locals know them. Afterwards it s a short drive to Fogo Island Inn, your home for the next two nights. You ll have time to settle in before heading down for dinner. Afterwards, retreat to the bar for traditional live music and chitchat. Activity: 6 km (4 mi.) looped walk with rolling terrain and breathtaking sea views Meals: Breakfast & Dinner Day 5 No visit to Fogo Island would be complete without some time spent on the ocean. This morning you ll have a half-day marine excursion to visit the impressive puffin colonies and Little Fogo Island, once a thriving outport community. There you ll take a short stroll up to St. Anne s Catholic Church, a beautifully restored heritage site consecrated in 1867 the year Canada became a country. If you re there during open season, you can jig for cod on the way back in. You ll have lunch back on dry land. That afternoon you can choose to bliss out at the hotel, take a hike to Long Studio to visit the artistin-residence or visit the textile and furniture studios where quilters and carpenters are commissioned to produce works for the Inn and the Fogo Island Shop a community enterprise. After dinner at your hotel, head to the rooftop for a heavenly wood-fired sauna and hot tub. Activity: A mostly flat 6 km (4 mi.) return to/from Joe Batt s Point via Long Studio Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Hotel Fogo Island Inn On the gorgeous rocky shoreline of the Atlantic sits the ultra-contemporary and luxurious Fogo Island Inn. Featuring 29 rooms handcrafted furniture, panoramic ocean views and windows that open out to the salty sea air. It features wood-fired hot tubs, an art gallery, library and cinema. Room: Labrador Suite

5 Day 6 After an early breakfast, you ll have time for one last outing on Fogo. You could visit Bridge Studio in Deep Bay, a sleepy seaside village with many well-preserved historic homes in the traditional saltbox style. Or, you could check out the Fisherman s Union Trading Company, a retail store dating back to 1909 when fishermen would barter cod for essentials like salt and kerosene. There s a wonderful little walk where fossils and limestone beds can be seen nearby. You ll head to Stag Harbour in time to meet your ferry to Farewell. From there it s about 1.5 hours drive to Gander Airport where you ll drop off your car and catch your flight. Meals: Breakfast

6 The Details Duration: 6 days/5 nights Start: St. John s Finish: Gander International Airport Best time to visit: June through September PRICING FROM $3,495 2 travellers, double occupancy $2,995 4 travellers, double occupancy $2,995 6 travellers, double occupancy LEVEL OF ACTIVITY Recreational This trip is rated Recreational, meaning it s appropriate for travellers who enjoy going for a good walk and can handle an incline or two. The terrain we cover is varied but mostly flat. Daily walks range in distance from 3 to 9 km (2 to 5.5 mi.) on uneven paths and trails that weave along coastline and through forest. Solid, hiking shoes or boots are recommended and a waterproof coat or jacket is a plus. WHAT S INCLUDED WHAT S NOT INCLUDED All hotel accommodation All breakfasts 2 lunches incl. private picnic setup 2 dinners Private walking tour of Trinity Private Trinity Bight boat tour Services of a private community host on Fogo Little Fogo Island boat tour Detailed daily planner, route maps, water bottle & hip pack International flights Transport in region Cancellation insurance Items of a personal nature Gratuities for local hosts

7 About our Private Trip Collection The ready-to-book trips in our Private Trip Collection offer all the hallmarks B&R s known for great hotels, unparalleled immersion and unforgettable experiences with the flexibility of going on your own schedule and with your own travel companions. Think of these trips as prêt-à-porter from your favourite designer: simply pick your dates, pack your bags, and go. How it Works 1. Get Inspired. Go to to browse our Private Trip Collection and find a flavour of adventure that suits your palate. 2. Get in Touch. Found a trip that s caught your eye? Call our Private Travel Advisors at Just give them a few details about your group and your preferred dates, and they ll spring into action. 3. Have it Tailored. Our ready-to-book Private Trips are designed to be enjoyed off-the-rack, but there is room for minor adjustments to fit the trip to your needs. Looking for something totally customized? One of our expert Private Trip Designers will take on your request and tailormake a Bespoke trip for you from scratch. 4. Pack your Prada. Once the date and the price is finalized, we ll take care of the rest, confirming hotels, finalizing events and mobilizing our expertly trained local partners. All you have to do is prepare to be transported 5. Bon Voyage! Next Steps READY TO BOOK? Contact us at or bespoke@butterfield.com with any remaining questions, or consult your travel professional. Note that a $500 deposit is required in order to reserve dates. After you ve booked, you will receive a confirmation package containing detailed information to help you prepare for your trip. Please note that your final itinerary may vary slightly from this one as we continuously research and develop each trip. Inclement weather though we d like to think there won t be any may also necessitate minor alterations. All pricing in U.S. dollars Butterfield & Robinson Inc