Page 142 - Travel Guide to Canada 2019
P. 142
NL
138
snowboarding, snowmobiling, snowshoe-
ing, and zip-lining (www.skimarble.com;
www.marbleziptours.com ).
LOCAL COLOUR
CONNOISSEURS
Travellers increasingly crave cultural
experiences, and the region delivers in
this regard as well. Small group excursions,
like the beach boil-ups and lighthouse
picnics hosted by Four Season Tours and
Port aux Basques Marine Excursions,
respectively, provide a unique perspective
(www.fourseasonstours.ca; www.portaux
basquesmarineexcursions.com). But folks
here are so friendly that there are also ample
opportunities for informal interactions. To
meet locals en masse, try attending an annual
L’ANSE AUX MEADOWS NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE • NL TOURISM/WAYNE BARRETT event. Many focus on food. The Cow Head
Lobster Festival and the Deer Lake Strawberry
Viking port of trade populated by faux Norse America’s Atlantic salmon rivers, a Festival are, for example, both peak-season
folk who are on hand to tell age-old tales disproportionate number of which are favourites. Others, like St. Anthony’s Iceberg
and demonstrate traditional tasks such as located in the western region. The Humber, Festival held each June, prove residents can
candle making (www.norstead.com ). which sees tens of thousands of fi sh always fi nd a reason to celebrate.
swim through during its annual run, is a Artsy alternatives—including the
OUTDOOR ENTHUSIASTS particular hot spot for trophy-sized salmon. Writers at Woody Point Literary Festival,
If it’s fresh air fun you’re after, head for the Back on dry land, warm-weather which combines scheduled and impromptu
area around Newfoundland & Labrador’s activities in the vicinity include hiking, performances (www.writersatwoodypoint.
second largest city, Corner Brook (www. mountain biking, and caving; adrenaline com ), and the Gros Morne Theatre Festival,
cornerbrook.com ). The Bay of Islands, for junkies can even combine the latter two on which breathes new life into vintage songs
starters, is a magnet for whale watchers and Cycle Solutions tours (www.cyclesolutions. and stories through its repertory lineup
boaters. Prefer fi shing? Cod, squid, and ca/tour/caving-tours ). Golfi ng at Humber (www.theatrenewfoundland.com )—off er
more can all be caught here. Of course, Valley Resort’s 18-hole championship diff erent ways to immerse in local culture.
there aren’t just lots of fi sh in the sea—they course is another option (www.humber The same is true for the engaging interpre-
fi ll other bodies of water, too. In fact, this valley.com ). In winter, meanwhile, popular tative programs sponsored by the epony-
province is home to most of North Marble Mountain promises skiing, mous national park, several of which
explore traditional outport life in a fun,
informative fashion.
Such a rich range of activities makes
Western Newfoundland almost impossible
to resist.
GETTING THERE
THIS IS YOUR Board a Marine Atlantic ferry (www.
marineatlantic.ca) from North Sydney, Nova
Scotia, to Port aux Basques at the Island’s
southwest tip (www.portauxbasques.ca).
th
This historic town, founded by 16 century
Basque fi shermen, is a fi ne place to stop
before or after the six to eight-hour crossing.
If you’re arriving via Québec or Labrador,
take the ferry between Blanc Sablon and St.
Barbe or Corner Brook instead (lmsi.
woodwardgroup.ca). If you’d rather fl y, land
at Deer Lake Regional Airport (www.deerlake
TO EXPERIENCE WARM AND airport.com). The titular town (www.
FRIENDLY HOSPITALITY, INTIMATE deerlake.ca), 35 minutes north of Corner
ACCOMMODATIONS AND SUPERB DINING. Brook and 35 minutes south of Gros Morne
Latitude: 47.589841 National Park, marks the start of the Viking
Longitude: -59.164703 t JOGP!IPUFMQBC DPN t XXX IPUFMQBC DPN 7477639 Trail, otherwise known as Route 430.
