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Hi!
Have started to do some more serious research into touring Newfoundland this August. Thinking of flying into Deer Lake. Staying a few nights at Norris Point. Site seeing the Gros Morne National Park. Going up to the viking trail area and staying one or two nights at L'Anse aux Meadows to see the Viking settlements. Going back to the Deer Lake airport and flying to St.John's. From there, we would do the Irish Loop as well as see Trinity and that area. ( I haven't done too much into looking at where to stay in these areas) Is it probable to tour Trinity from St. John's or is it too far? How long would anyone suggest we stay in one place? I know this is very broad but just trying to get anyone's input and suggestions. We like outdoor stuff but aren't overnight backpackers or anything. We like plays and music. Pubs and such. Like looking at galleries and stuff but aren't real art critics. We like to drive and look. We would probably stay about 2 weeks. Should we split up one week in the west part and the other in the south, or does one area warrant more time? We would fly home from St. Johns. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
Newfoundland suggestions
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Just a few quick comments:
One night should be enough for L'Anse aux Meadows, if you're only going for the Viking site. I could easily spend 3 at Gros Morne, but that would include at least a "gentle" hike.
Book rental cars WELL in advance; they can be impossible to find in July/August.
Bonavista Peninsula (Trinity & area) is a great spot, but definitely (nearly 3 hours drive one way) too far for a day trip from St. John's. I'd suggest a couple of nights at least, and look into the summer theatre festival if you like plays and music. There are some nice inns & B&Bs.
Plan a boat tour if you're going to visit the Irish loop: whales & puffins!
I'd probably suggest 5/6 days west/ 8/9 east, based on the fact that you like "music & pubs & galleries"-- I'd say the opposite if you were ardent outdoors types & backpackers.
Last, the government tourism site is great: www.newfoundlandlabrador.com
Enjoy!
You might like to read "An Innocent in Newfoundland" by David McFadden before you go (or after). He travels by car around Newfoundland - I enjoy his books - he's done the same in Ireland, Scotland and Cuba. http://www.mcclelland.com/author/results.pperl?authorid=19885
Thanks very much for the suggestions so far. Has anyone gone to the folk fest in St.John's? Would it be worth planning our St.John's nights around that? Also for a boat tour, is the Irish Loop area superior to the North area? Looking into staying at the Trickle Inn @ Onion Bay and Neddie's Harbor Inn @ Norris point. Maybe the Courtyard Marriot in St.John's and the Artisan Inn in Trinity. Any comments about any of these places or alternate suggestions? Thanks again.
The Tickle Inn at Cape Onion is a wonderful place to stay. I would reserve as soon as possible--sometimes people reserve there a year in advance.
The Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival is most definitely worthwhile. A very friendly 'vibe' and great music in a variety of genres with always some good examples of 'traditional' Nfld music.
Jerry
Thanks SallyCanuck for your recommendation on An Innocent in Newfoundland. I purchased it and a couple of other Newfoundland related books from Amazon earlier in the week and they came yesterday. I'm only a couple chapters into it, but it's pretty funny.
Laverendrye, I did e-mail Trickle Inn and they seemed to still have availability for August. How many days did you stay there, and what did you in the area?
We were there for three nights in 2000, which was the Milennium year, so there were great doings at L'Anse aux Meadows. We spent a day there and another day in St. Anthony.
However, you can easily spend a day or two relaxing at the Tickle Inn as there are great walks along the cliffs there.
We're returning for three nights again this July. As well as returning to L'Anse aux Meadows, I think we'll try to get to the Burnt Cape Ecological Reserve.
David and Barbara Adams are great hosts, and dinner there is family style with good food and conversation.
Laverendre,
Thanks! Maybe I'll book 2 nights there then and a couple at Neddies Harbor Inn. Hope you have a good time in July.
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I was in NF last September and I am returning at the end of this month. One place in Gros Morne I am planning on returning to is Trout River. The drive there was incredible. The town is on a little bay and the restaurant there called Ocenaside(or something similar) was wonderful. Trout River is at the base of the Tablelands which I found fasinating. Cant wait to get back and do some hiking. We are also planning on spending a few days on the south coast ferries visiting a few of the isolated fishing villages there.
Hope you have a wondeful time!
Dee
2 to 3 nights at the Tickle Inn is good; besides cliff walking (we saw icebergs and whales) you can easily reach St. Anthony's - Fishing Point Park, Grenfell museum, L'ance Aux Meadows, Norstead, and yes Burnt Cape Ecological Preserve. It is a great place with a huge sea cave - you can charter a boat to take you in there, plus in that area there is kayaking and you can go out on larger boats looking for ice bergs and whales. There is lots to do and evenings at the Tickle Inn are just wonderful - the meals and the ambience are memorable. It is a very special place. We stayed at the Bishop Manor b&b in Trinity. It was nice. The pageant is great as is Dockside Restaurant. There is a nice walk from New Bonaventure to Kerly's Harbour an abandoned outport. In Bonavista we stayed at the Harborview b&b..... wonderful atmosphere.... Albert is a real character and Florence mothers everyone and makes great pies!!!
The burnt cape ecological reserve is a must see.Burnt cape cabins are 4 star quality accommodations a excellent place to stay it over looks the ecological reserve and its a perfect home base for touring the tip of the northern peninsula.