Newfoundland or Nova Scotia - 2 weeks July 2009

Gail - My vote goes to Newfoundland. There is nothing wrong with Nova Scotia but Newfoundland is incredible. Beautiful scenery, friendly people, wildlife- whales, icebergs, vikings, history, national parks, great walking/hiking, no crowds, no traffic, very easy traveling. The toughest decision you will have is whether to focus on the east coast or west coast. I first visited Newfoundland in 2002. I have been back just about every year and am returning again this year. Through the people I have talked to, I have learned that I am not unusual in that way.

Thanks for the response Katrinasl.

I wonder about distances and time. I guess you are saying that in 2 weeks we will need to choose EITHER the Gros Morne OR L’Anse aux Meadows OR Terra Nova National Park...

We are coming from the Southern US so will need to fly somewhere and then rent and drive... I have SO MUCH to learn and feel like time is fleeting! Do you know of rental RV places or should we tent or find inns?

Its best if your visiting the lanse aux meadow area to rent a cottage.The most beautiful cottage in that area while i was visiting was Burnt Cape Cabins it overlooks the ocean and the burnt cape ecological reserve. It is also a perfect home base for traveling in the area.There's also a wonderful cafe across the street from the cabins.

As much as I like Newfoundland (will be spending nearly 3 weeks there this summer), I think that a Nova Scotia vacation would be more practical if you are thinking of this summer. There will be a greater availability of RVs and rental cars in Nova Scotia, especially if you want to travel in Western Newfoundland and fly into Deer Lake. Similarly, outside of St. John's (and even there) I have found that accommodation is booked up quickly in Newfoundland for July and August.

If you do decide on Newfoundland, two weeks would certainly give you time to visit Gros Morne Park and L'Anse aux Meadows. If you are willing to backtrack, you might even find time to visit Terra Nova Park.

Your fist step should be to look at the excellent tourism sites of each province. They have a wealth of information and suggestions:

http://www.newfoundlandlabrador.com/

http://novascotia.com/en/home/default.aspx#

Both provinces are wonderful places to visit, and I'm sure that you will enjoy your time. You do need to do some planning, however.
2.

It has been many years since I vacationed in Newfoundland which is quite beautiful (I remember Gros Morne was spectacular) and was back then quite off-the-beaten-path (may be a little less so now, although I doubt it is overrun with tourists). But I think you could see quite a lot of the province in a 2 week period.
Nova Scotia is more accessible and therefore probably busier, but I've never felt it to be overcrowded and also has some spectacularly beautiful areas - especially Cape Breton Highlands National Park which offers breathtaking scenic drives and easy to moderate nature trails and hikes. The Lighthouse Route southwest of Halifax is another popular area, although the highlights here tend to be the quaint and historic villages and towns. Still, there are some gorgeous and often uncrowded stretches of shoreline. Brier Island at the end of Digby Neck Peninsula is popular with naturalists and whale-watchers and also has some great scenery. The Parrsboro area has interesting geology and access to the Bay of Fundy tides.

I rather think time may have already eliminated NL from your list...it is difficult to find the right RV/car rental and make cottage arrangments for Western NL with 3-4 months lead. You are really pushing it and I suspect may be completely out of luck.


You might well do one week in each of East and West Coast NL and it is a great plan for that family vacation for 2010.

But for now, I would be inclined to look at Nova Scotia where two weeks would permit an agenda that was split between South Shore (Lighthouse Trail) the Annapolis, Digby and the tidal flats and then on up to Cape Breton via Halifax (which is a charming town with much to see and a lively vibe for your boys having 5 university's).

Lunenburg is a great base for the southern portion with terrific camping right up on a hill in the town. Then there is Kejimikujjik National Park and the Seaside Adjunct of same, The Oven's and many local beaches and parks all with camping.

Others on this site know more about Cape Breton camping than I do...don't miss Louisburg.

Get on to the Nova Scotia Tourism website and, though you probably don't have time to get their Doer and Dreamers Guide, you can get lists of rental, book campsites and find out about RV's

Good luck...and PLEASE don't eliminate NL from your plans, it is breathtaking...it is just not YET very touristy and therefore needs a long leadtime for the best spots.

I am still dreaming of a trip to NL and have found an rv for rent for two weeks in July - am thinking we may make a go of it... how much are fuel costs for vehicles?

After seeing the pictures and reading some of the history I just can't seem to plan to go somewhere else... Am I crazy?

You're not crazy--you should go!

You also asked about fuel prices. Be prepared for a shock, as they are higher in Newfoundland than almost anywhere else in Canada.

You can check them here (BTW we use litres in Canada so multiple the price per litre by 3.9 to get the price per US Gallon.)

http://www.gasticker.com/locations.php