Page 138 - Travel Guide to Canada 2019
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Gros Morne in western Newfoundland, with the number of tales being matched
Special Events Terra Nova in eastern Newfoundland and only by the number of enthusiastic tellers.
the Torngat Mountains on Labrador’s Music is handed down as well, so old tunes
MAY
northernmost tip—are all stand-outs in from Europe sound as fresh as they did
• TRAILS, TALES AND TUNES FESTIVAL,
their own right. Collectively, they off er when they were fi rst carried across the
NORRIS POINT
activities ranging from snowshoeing and Atlantic, especially when performed by
JUNE
mountain climbing to hiking, biking and popular bands like The Irish Descendants.
• THE ICEBERG FESTIVAL, ST. ANTHONY
botanical treks, along with kids’ programs Traditional infl uences are equally apparent
JUNE – SEPTEMBER and campfi re events for all ages. These in the visual arts because the motifs that
• GROS MORNE THEATRE FESTIVAL, COW HEAD
parks, however, don’t hold a monopoly on knitters, quilters and other craftspeople
• SEASONS IN THE BIGHT THEATRE FESTIVAL,
outdoor fun. used for generations have been adapted by
TRINITY
Take the Humber River area. Known today’s cutting-edge artisans.
JULY
• FISH, FUN & FOLK FESTIVAL, TWILLINGATE primarily as a skiing and snowboarding
• MIAWPUKEK POWWOW, CONNE RIVER destination, it promises warm-weather
• NORTH WEST RIVER BEACH FESTIVAL pursuits like hiking, golfi ng and caving, Quick Fact
AUGUST too. On-the-water options in the province THE PROVINCE IS ISOLATED ENOUGH
• BRIGUS BLUEBERRY FESTIVAL include world-class salmon fi shing, TO WARRANT ITS OWN TIME ZONE
• FESTIVAL OF FLIGHT, GANDER kayaking and whitewater rafting. Increasingly, (NST, 1.5 HOURS AHEAD OF EST).
• GREAT LABRADOR CANOE RACE, scuba divers and snorkellers are donning
HAPPY VALLEY-GOOSE BAY
dry suits for a peek at what lies beneath as
• MUDDY HOLE SCUFF ’N SCOFF,
MUSGRAVE HARBOUR well. If you would rather see the sights MUST SEE, MUST DO
• NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR FOLK from a boat deck, whale and birdwatching Start your day by watching the sunrise at
FESTIVAL, ST. JOHN’S
trips are widely available, but that’s just the Cape Spear Lighthouse. Dawn breaks at this
• ROYAL ST. JOHN’S REGATTA
tip of the proverbial iceberg. June through easternmost point before anywhere else on
OCTOBER
early July, berg chasing is so popular that the continent (www.parkscanada.gc.ca/
• FOGO ISLAND PARTRIDGEBERRY
the tourism board maintains a website to capespear).
HARVEST FESTIVAL
DECEMBER track the movement of these mountains of
• NORTH AMERICA’S FIRST NEW YEAR, ice (www.icebergfi nder.com ). Get a bird’s-eye view of gannets at Cape St.
ST. JOHN’S Mary’s Ecological Reserve or pretty Atlantic
HERITAGE AND CULTURE puffi ns at Witless Bay Ecological Reserve
www.newfoundlandlabrador.com/ The past is proudly displayed at dozens of (www.fl r.gov.nl.ca/natural_areas/wer/fi nd.
things-to-do/festivals-and-events
historical attractions and more than 100 html).
museums. Some are modest operations;
four national parks, including Akami- others, such as The Rooms—St. John’s Twillingate is the place for vacationers
u
Uapishk -KakKasuak-Mealy Mountains provincial museum, gallery and archives wanting to go with the fl oe. This old-school
National Park Reserve—the country’s complex—are state-of-the-art. Yet the true outport on Notre Dame Bay calls itself
newest and Atlantic Canada’s largest— beauty of Newfoundland & Labrador’s strong “The Iceberg Capital of the World” (www.
which is working towards developing culture is evident everywhere. History and visittwillingate.com).
visitor activities. The remaining three— folklore, for instance, are passed on orally
A series of architecturally advanced studios
turned tiny Fogo Island into a big art-and-
TWILLINGATE • NL TOURISM/HANS PFAFF
design destination. Now a stunning inn
provides fi ve-star lodgings (www.town
off ogoisland.ca).
Norstead, a recreated Viking village near
L’Anse aux Meadows, features costumed
interpreters, authentic-looking structures,
and a full-scale replica of a period ship
(www.norstead.com).
SCENIC DRIVES
Moose alert! Newfoundland’s 120,000
moose can be a major hazard for motorists.
So be especially careful when driving
highways at dusk and dawn.
The Viking Trail, 526 km (327 mi.) on
Newfoundland’s west coast, paves the way
to a pair of World Heritage sites—L’Anse aux
