Canada : Essential Newfoundland Self Drive

St John’s claims to be North America’s oldest city, and also the most easterly, and offers a unique blend of history, culture and character. A couple of nights here will enable you to meet some of the locals, soak up the atmosphere and visit nearby Quidi Vidi, a picturesque fishing village home to North America's oldest cottage. 

From St John’s you will make your way to Trinity, your base for the next 3 nights. Here, 18th century buildings, museums and galleries provide a backdrop to the Atlantic, and the setting for films and tv series such as The Shipping News and Random Passage.

During your stay in Trinity take a day to explore the Bonavista Peninsula, where the friendly locals retain the distinctive accents of their Irish ancestors. From the shore you may be lucky enough to spot whales and icebergs (until early summer). Also worth a visit are Port Rexton and the Skerwink Trail, an easy walking path over a prominent headland that provides ample opportunities to view numerous seabirds, as well as minke and humpback whales further out to sea. If you don’t see whales from the shore then don’t despair, as a whale watching excursion by boat is included at the end of your week’s holiday.