Page 137 - Travel Guide to Canada 2019

NL
AD, then proceeded to build shelters out of
the earth and craft iron from the bog-ore it
yielded. Their settlement was so shrouded
in time that its very existence was dis-
missed as a myth until 1960, when Helge
Ingstad and his archaeologist wife, Anne,
uncovered what was left of it. Today it
features atmospheric sod huts, faux
Vikings, and an artefact-fi lled visitor’s
centre (www.parkscanada.gc.ca/meadows ). The tourism spotlight was unexpectedly
ETCHED BY THE ELEMENTS
While exploring the province’s coastal
waters in summer, you might observe
whales like the ones that lured the Basque
fi sherman all those centuries ago, or see
supersized icebergs that predate the
Vikings. The land itself, moreover, is
positively primeval. Just witness another
World Heritage site, popular Gros Morne
National Park, where you can fl oat on a
freshwater fj ord sculpted by retreating
glaciers during the last ice age and admire
geological anomalies formed hundreds of
millions of years ago when tectonic
upheavals thrust the earth’s crust upward
(www.parkscanada.gc.ca/grosmorne). and classic Crayola-coloured houses blend
Tellingly, the extraordinary animal fossils
discovered at the province’s most recently
inscribed UNESCO Site, the 5.7-sq.-km
(2.2-sq.-mi.) Mistaken Point Ecological
Reserve, date back further still. With a
discerning eye and a knowledgeable guide,
you can spot 20 diff erent species embedded
right on the surface of the wave-washed
rocks. Representing the oldest complex
multi-cellular life forms ever found, they
are more than half a billion years old (www.
fl r.gov.nl.ca/natural_areas/wer/r_mpe/ ). Corner Brook, the province’s second
Such ancient attractions—together with
others that are offi cially protected, privately
operated or provided by Mother Nature—
are tangible reminders of Newfoundland &
Labrador’s timeless appeal.
WHAT’S NEW?
St. John’s International Airport off ers a
broader range of services now that the fi rst
phase of a multi-year terminal expansion has
been completed (www.stjohnsairport.com).
Last year, L’Anse aux Meadows National
Historic Site added the Test of Tykir, an
escape room experience based on Norse
mythology (www.parkscanada.gc.ca/
meadows).
Recently designated as Newfoundland and
Labrador’s fi rst Dark Sky Preserve, Terra
Nova National Park promises bright sights
133
for stargazers (www.parkscanada.gc.ca/
terranova).
The Dildo Brewing Company & Museum—
in Canada’s most naughtily named
town—is just one of 20-odd new or
in-development craft beer makers (www.
facebook.com/dildobrewingmuseum).
turned on Labrador last year when National
Geographic ranked it among the “Places You
Need to Visit” (www.nationalgeographic.com/
travel/features/best-trips-destinations-2018).
This year’s edition of the Bonavista Biennale
art festival brings contemporary arts to the
outports, with works on view in two dozen Newfoundland
locations from August 17 to September 15
(www.bonavistabiennale.com). Circumnavigation
CITY LIGHTS October 2019 & June 2020
St. John’s—which has earned a spot on Aboard the 198–passenger
National Geographic’s list of “Top 10 Ocean Endeavour
Oceanfront Cities”—is a compelling mix of
old and new. Designated heritage venues
with contemporary offi ce buildings in this
upbeat seaport. Boutiques, galleries and
restaurants, many of which give tradition a
modern twist, are plentiful here. So are Explore Newfoundland at its
bars: jumping George Street reputedly has most authentic: by sea! Daily
more per square metre than any street in excursions explore the island’s
North America! The province’s largest urban hidden treasures. Hiking is
centre also boasts its broadest selection of excellent. Photography, superb.
accommodations, including business class Wildlife and scenery, striking.
and boutique hotels, historic inns and
quaint B&Bs (www.stjohns.ca). The hospitality, sublime.
Join our team of local
city, makes a convenient base for sports
and nature-loving day trippers. Sitting in musicians, artists, naturalists,
the shadow of the Blow Me Down Mountains, scientists, and scholars. Every
it puts visitors within easy reach of both day is an adventure ashore,
Marble Mountain and Humber Valley. An and every night is a potential
average annual 5-m (16-ft.) snowfall draws kitchen party on this twelve-day,
an international contingent of downhill
and cross-country skiers to the former each small-ship voyage aboard the
winter, while the latter is a favourite locale Ocean Endeavour.
for anglers and golfers. Sailing or kayaking
on the boater-friendly Bay of Islands is a CALL FOR DETAILS
1.800.363.7566
memorable summertime alternative (www.
cornerbrook.com).
adventurecanada.com
THE GREAT OUTDOORS
This province boasts a 29,000-km
(18,020-mi.) coast and land that encom-
passes everything from daunting moun-
tains and dense boreal forests to starkly 14 Front Street South, Mississauga, ON, L5H 2C4 Canada.
beautiful barrens. So, naturally, it has TICO Reg# 4001400
much in store. For starters, it is home to