15 Day Newfoundland Tour

TOURCODE: NL1

Duration:
15 Days

Activity Level:
1

When To Go:
Jul, Aug

Countries Visited:
2

Arrive In / Depart From:
/

Max Group Size:
18

Tour Style:
Cultural

Price From:

  Overnight in: Corner Brook, Port Au Choix, Saint Anthony, L'anse Au Clair, Rocky Harbour, Grand Falls, Gander, Clarenville, Saint-Pierre, Saint-John's

Discover the country's true culture with the help of experienced local guides.

  • Small group sizes to help escape the beaten path.
  • All-inclusive with top-rated restaurants and hotels.
RESERVE YOUR SPOT
Tour Overview
Tour Overview
ASK A QUESTION

Click the icons below for more info:
Countries Visited: 2 Activity Level: 1 Tour Style: Cultural

For this Newfoundland & Labrador tour we are delighted to partner with a first-rate local operator whose knowledge and experience in the region ensures a smooth and highly personal and rewarding journey.

Join us on a thorough treatment of this unique corner of North America. Adding to the historical/cultural milieu is a three-night stay on Ste-Pierre with sightseeing on the neighbouring island of Miqueon, both an overseas department of France.

 


 

Dates & Prices
Dates & Prices

 

Prices below are per person, twin-sharing costs in US Dollars (USD). Pricing does not include airfare to/from the tour and any applicable taxes. For single supplement rates and taxes (if any), please refer to below Prices & Dates table. For general information on flights to/from the tour, click here.

 

Select a date below to reserve your spot:

 

PLEASE NOTE: The tour price, single supplement, and any extra nights are subject to a +11.8% Canadian Tax. This amount is not included in the above listed pricing.

Optional Single Supplement: $1210 USD (number of singles limited).
This tour may require a mandatory single supplement charge of $600 if you join our share program and we are unable to pair you.

 


 

Full Itinerary
Full Itinerary

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Day 1 Arrival Deer Lake / Corner Brook, Newfoundland
Today we arrive in Deer Lake (airport YDF) on Newfoundland's west coast.* Transfer to Corner Brook (45 min), Newfoundland's second largest city with a population of 30,000.

* LAND AND AIR passengers' transfers are included in their tour cost; LAND ONLY passengers are not entitled to arrival transfers (details included with your pre-trip info package).

Why we stay in Corner Brook and not Deer Lake: If you look at a map, it might seem illogical to spend this night in Corner Brook only to backtrack past Deer Lake the following day. The limited number of hotels in Deer Lake are accustomed to individual travellers booking stays directly and are not geared for groups, applying rigid booking terms that make holding space for our travellers difficult for us. Our chosen hotel in Corner Brook is a "nice" property with some charm and character and a great in-house restaurant, as opposed to a typical airport hotel one would find in Deer Lake. As always we look forward to your feedback.

Overnight in Corner Brook.

Included Meal(s): Dinner



Day 2 Corner Brook - Gros Morne National Park - Port au Choix
Today we set out by private motorcoach along the sheltered west coast of the Northern Peninsula, via Gros Morne National Park, a World Heritage Site. After a stop at the park's visitor center, we continue along the Viking Trail through the lands the Norsemen tamed and settled over 1,000 years ago, dotted with spectacular mountains and forests, rivers and lakes. We stop at Lobster Cove with its lighthouse and fascinating marine display. We also enjoy views of the famous Arches carved by eons of pounding waves.

The day ends with with a visit to the Port au Choix National Historic Site. Located on the Viking Trail, this site showcases a 4,500 year old time capsule of rare importance. While prehistoric coastlines have long since slipped beneath the encroaching ocean, the raised shoreline and alkaline soil conditions at the site have combined to preserve rich vestiges of the ancient Maritime Archaic Indian, Groswater Paleoeskimo, and Dorset Paleoeskimo First Nation cultures. Within the Visitor Centre are displayed original artifacts, interactive exhibits, a diorama of an archaeological site of a Dorset house, a topological model indicating the area's ancient beaches and a short film.

Overnight in Port au Choix.

Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner



Day 3 Port au Choix - L'Anse aux Meadows - St Anthony
The highlight of our excursion north is a visit to L'Anse aux Meadows Historic Park, the oldest European settlement in North America, and World Heritage Site. Thought to be the elusive "Vineland" of Norse legends, the L'Anse aux Meadows site features overgrown mounds (excavated in the 1960's) which turned out to be the foundations of eight sod houses of the type the Vikings built in Iceland around AD 900. Evidence of ironwork and carbon-dated bone and turf place the settlement at about AD 1000. We tour the sod-house foundations with a local guide. Next is St Anthony, home of the Grenfell Mission. We visit the Interpretation Centre and browse the unique craft center.

Overnight in St Anthony.

Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner



Day 4 St Anthony - Ferry to Blanc Sablon, Quebec - L'Anse au Clair, Labrador
Today we get a closer look at some of the earliest settlements in Canada. We ferry across the Strait of Belle Isle, known as Iceberg Alley, to the fishing village where Jacques Cartier first landed at Blanc Sablon, Quebec.

We then continue by road to Red Bay, Labrador, a community where one of the earliest industrial complexes in the New World – a Basque whaling station, which we visit – has been declared a National Historic Site. Archaeologists have discovered several shipwrecks from the period of 1550-1600 when this was the world whaling capital, supplying Europe with oil for lamps and soap. Archaeologists have also uncovered an astounding number of tools and personal effects that confirm European habitation of this coast during the 16th and 17th centuries. Many of these are now conserved in the Interpretation Centre. This is part of Labrador's famous Coastal Drive Route; modern-day explorers find a wild land dotted with a few coastal settlements inhabited mainly by the descendants of fisherman who began to settle here 200 years ago.

We finish our day back down in L'Anse au Clair, population 264, located 3 km from the Quebec/Labrador border in the Labrador Straits. This is the first established by French fishing interests in the early 1700s; the first permanent settlers were Jersey fishermen. Shortly after the Quebec-Labrador border dispute in 1825, Newfoundlanders and people from the south of England also began settling in L'Anse au Clair. The original name of the community was Anse St. Clair named after one of the first merchants to establish here whose last name was St. Clair. While here, we hope to visit the Gateway to Labrador Visitor Centre.

If skies are favourable this evening, you may see the Northern Lights.

Overnight in L'Anse au Clair.

Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner



Day 5 L'Anse au Clair, Labrador - Rocky Harbour, Newfoundland
Today we ferry back across to Newfoundland and continue to Rocky Harbour, located on the t coast in the heart of Gros Morne National Park. Finds of arrowheads in the area indicate that the Micmac once inhabited the area. Then came the fishermen from England and France, some of whom eventually stayed all year round. Today this is the largest community in Gros Morne National Park and is centrally located for touring the World Heritage Site.

It took Mother Nature 485,000,000 years to mold Gros Morne National Park into the geological and visual wonder we know today. The second largest National Park in eastern Canada, Gros Morne is a UNESCO World Heritage Site stretching across 1805 square kilometres of western Newfoundland as part of the towering Long Range Mountains.

Encircled by tiny seaside communities, and encompassing forests, freshwater fjords, bogs, barren lowlands, moose, and striking cliffs and shorelines, this area is also world-renowned for its complex geology. It was here that geologists proved the theory of plate tectonics.

Overnight in Rocky Harbour.

Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner



Day 6 Cow Head - Table Lands & Gros Morne - Grand Falls
This morning we visit the Table Lands in Gros Morne National Park, a mountain of flat-topped rock of a kind usually found only deep in the earth's mantle, is a truly awe-inspiring sight. We enjoy a scenic boat tour (weather-permitting) on which we learn the geology of the Tablelands, see the bald eagles that frequent the deep waters of the fjord, and hear the history of the small villages nestled on the shores. It is an unforgettable experience; some say the scenery is unequaled in eastern Canada.

Bidding goodbye to the "Viking Trail," we head south then east through open country dotted with lakes and patches of spruce and pine. Soon we are travelling along the Exploits River and through thick forest country to the town of Grand Falls.

In 1768, Lieutenant John Cartwright, while following the Exploits River, named the waterfall he found "Grand Falls"; however, it took until 1905 before the town of Grand Falls was established. Worried about the impending war in Europe, Alfred Harmsworth (Baron Northcliffe) began looking for an alternative source of newsprint for his family's newspaper and publishing business. During their search for a suitable location to build and operate a pulp and paper mill, he discovered Grand Falls. At that time, only employees of the mill and workers from private businesses were permitted to live in Grand Falls. Other people settled north of the railway in a shack town known as Grand Falls Station, which became Windsor, named for the English Royal Family. Today, Grand Falls-Windsor is central Newfoundland's major service and distribution centre with considerable mining and aquaculture activity in the region.

Overnight in Grand Falls.

Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner



Day 7 Grand Falls & Twillingate
This morning we stop at the Salmonid Interpretation Centre to view one of North America's largest Atlantic salmon enhancement projects.

We continue to Twillingate, one of Newfoundland's oldest seaports, first settled in 1700 and now with a population of 5,000. Twillingate's location puts it in the path of icebergs drifting south from the Arctic. We visit the Twillingate Museum, with its collection of antiques gathered from the homes in the area. There is also time to shop for the fine knitted handicrafts produced locally.

We finish our day in Gander.

Overnight in Gander.

Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner



Day 8 Gander - Salvage - Clarenville
We visit Terra Nova National Park on Bonavista Bay, with its tiny islands, rocky headlands and forested slopes; a brief stop at its visitors center. Along the "Road to the Isles" the local predilection for colourful language comes across with place names such as "Too Good Arm," "Virgin Arm," and "Crow Head." With luck, you might spot drifting icebergs and whales along the coast.

Then to Salvage, a friendly little village perched on the rocks around a picturesque harbour, perhaps the prettiest spot in Newfoundland. Fishermen's huts, silver-grey from sun and salt, stand at the end of jetties piled with lobster pots and fishing gear. Clapboard homes are dressed in a variety of colours.

We continue to Clarenville, gateway to the Discovery Trail, which extends down the Bonavista Peninsula to Trinity and Bonavista, reputed sight of the first landing of European explorer John Cabot. The trail is a panorama of scenery, historic sites, coastal towns and villages.

Overnight in Clarenville.

Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner



Day 9 Clarenville & The Discovery Trail
Today, two of Newfoundland's most famous outports, beginning with the site of John Cabot's arrival. We drive to Cape Bonavista, where Cabot is believed to have first sighted the New World on June 24, 1497. Back down the rugged Bonavista Peninsula is Trinity, which was named by the Portuguese explorer Gaspar Corte Real when he sailed into the harbour on Trinity Sunday, 1500. We stroll Trinity's narrow, tree-lined streets, enjoying the beautifully-preserved historic buildings.

Overnight in Clarenville.

Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner



Day 10 Clarenville - Ferry to Saint-Pierre, France
This morning we depart Clarenville and head south onto the beautiful Burin Peninsula via the famous "Heritage Run" route.

True to its name, the Heritage Run still rings loud with the echoes of colonial industry. The famous Grand Banks, was once a rich fishing ground and was the world's "bread & butter" for centuries. Codfish were plentiful here, attracting first the European fleets and then French and English settlers. From Placentia Bay's collection of islands and the communities that are tucked into the head of Fortune Bay, to the unsheltered vistas and haze covered French outposts of the peninsula's tip.

We travel to the village of Fortune, the departure point for our afternoon ferry to the French islands of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon (bring your passports!). These are two groups of islands with a fascinating maritime history (and their own time zone); they make up a part of France off the coast of Newfoundland. Although many people in North America believe those islands are part of Canada or some type of autonomous region, the islands are an integral part of the French Republic. A specific series of institutions and limited autonomy was indeed granted by France but the islands are and shall likely remain French. Hence, the islands have a decidedly European feel; French is the primary language, plus you'll find French food, customs, and the Euro.

During our time on Saint-Pierre we will have a city / island tour. The "Place du General de Gaulle" on the waterfront, is the heart of the town. It is the unavoidable square to mingle and tap into the "ambiance". The "Zaspiak Bat" or basque playing wall, the "Pointe aux canons" lighthouse, the salt houses, the "Pointe du Diamant" and the last not least the "Arche" museum, are all must-see spots embodying the islands' identity.

Overnight on Saint-Pierre.

Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner



Day 11 Miquelon & Langlade
This morning we depart by boat for an excursion to the island of Miquelon.

Miquelon's village, located on a stretch of land to the north of the island, houses 700 people, mostly descendants of Acadiens and Basques. The island is connected to Langlade by a 7.5-mile-long sand isthmus (called the Dune), which was the scene of many shipwrecks. Since the 19th century, these islands have become the center of the archipelago's crop and animal-based agricultural activities, in addition to an important coastal fishing spot. Scallops, lobster, goose and duck foie gras – there's an abundance of delicious specialty foods on these islands! If you’re looking for tranquility, this is a little paradise rich in plant and animal life, with endless landscapes studded with ponds, beaches and hills.

We transfer back to St-Pierre in the evening for dinner.

Overnight in Sainte-Pierre.

Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner



Day 12 Saint-Pierre & Ile Aux Marins
Saint-Pierre is a small but lively harbour town. Music bands and singer/writers are often booked in the city's bar, street performers entertain the passers-by and many summer/autumn activities play a part in giving the town its festive spirit.

This morning we will take boat to Ile Aux Marins and enjoy a guided walking tour of this picturesque museum island. On our guided walk, learn about the heyday of the Grand Banks and inshore fisheries. Visit some of the island's historical buildings (the Museum Archipelitude, the church,) see photos and artifacts from the past, and hear stories that will make this a memorable moment of your visit to Saint-Pierre et Miquelon.

We return to Saint-Pierre with the balance of the day at leisure.

Overnight in Saint-Pierre.

Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner



Day 13 Saint-Pierre, France - St John's, Newfoundland
Today we ferry back to the mainland and continue by road to St John's. This is a pretty full (and scenic) day of travel with breaks for refreshment/lunch along the way. We aim to be in St John's in the mid-late afternoon. Our route takes us northeast, up the Burin Penninsula and then east onto the Avalon Penninsula, travelling the last bit of the 7821km TransCanada Highway to it's terminus.

St. John's, the provincial capital, is the perfect combination of big-city luxury and traditional small-town charm. It is one of the oldest and most easterly cities in North America, and has become a rare destination full of character and charisma, with a contemporary, sophisticated edge. The town is quite walkable, with lots of great shopping, restaurants, historical sites and more.

Overnight in St John's.

Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner



Day 14 St John's Area Touring
Today we enjoy a city tour of the historic sites of St. John’s, including Signal Hill, Cabot Tower, and the Basilica of St. John the Baptist.

After a break for lunch downtown, we continue to Bay Bulls for one of the highlights of your trip -- a wildlife-watching boat tour on Witless Bay Ecological Reserve (weather-permitting). Witless Bay is alive with the rhythm of four million wings beating and of 40 tonne whales pulsing through clear blue water. The reserve contains North America's largest Atlantic puffin colony more than 260,000 pairs of the province's official bird nest here during the late spring and summer.

Later we visit the most easterly point in North America, Cape Spear National Historic Site; the oldest surviving lighthouse in Newfoundland is located at the most easterly point of land in North America. It has been restored to its 1839 appearance and shows how a lightkeeper and his family might have lived in the mid-19th century.

This evening we have our farewell dinner back in the city.

Overnight in St John's.

Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner



Day 15 Departure
Departure from St John's.

BON VOYAGE!

Included Meal(s): Breakfast

 


 

Trip Info
Trip Info

Inclusions
Breakfast and dinner (hotels & local restaurants) daily. All transport, accommodation, sightseeing and entrance fees for sites noted as 'visited' in the detailed itinerary. Gratuities for local guides, drivers, restaurant staff, porters (if available). Airport transfers for land & air customers and for early arriving/late departing land & air customers who book their extra hotel nights through us.

Exclusions
Airfare to/from the tour. Tour Leader gratuities, lunches, drinks, personal items (phone, laundry, etc), domestic and international air taxes (if applicable), any excursions referenced as 'optional'. Airport transfers for Land Only customers. Optional trip cancellation insurance. Our post-reservation trip notes offer further guidance on optional meal costs and shopping.

PLEASE NOTE: The land price, single supplement, and any extra nights are subject to a +11.8% Canadian Tax. This amount is not included in the listed pricing.

Seasonality and Weather
This trip is planned for mid-late summer, when weather is at it's most stable and least stormy/rainy. That said, this entire region features some of the most unpredictable and changeable conditions on Earth; one must be prepared for rapid changes in temperature -- sometimes all four seasons in one day!

Transport and Travel Conditions
We will have a private touring coach for most of our journey. We will have some full days of travel with plenty of stops for sightseeing and refreshment. Local ferry crossings are scenic and relatively short.

This tour is not strenuous per se, but one must be prepared for some early starts, long (but scenic) travelling days, and walking tours on uneven surfaces. You will also have to be independent with your luggage as porters are not generally available for ferries and airports and at hotels outside of St John's.

PLEASE NOTE - As we visit French territory on this (Ste-Pierre), non-Canadian travellers must have a valid passport for entry into France. Canadians currently don't need a passport, however we suggest that you bring it just in case requirements change at short notice.

Am I suitable for this tour? Please refer to our self-assessment form.

Accommodation
All hotels and inns used on this trip will be a mid-range standard (2-3-star), with private bath. Due to the isolated nature of some locales, and because there is not a lot of tourist traffic in some places covered, some hotels may be of a simpler standard. Our St John's hotel will be well-located and of an international standard.

Please note that porters will be available only in St John's (you will need to be independent with your baggage).

A mandatory single supplement may apply to this tour if you have selected our share program and we fail to pair you.

DAY ONE: Why we stay in Corner Brook and not Deer Lake: If you look at a map, it might seem illogical to spend this night in Corner Brook only to backtrack past Deer Lake the following day. The limited number of hotels in Deer Lake are accustomed to individual travellers booking stays directly and are not geared for groups, applying rigid booking terms that make holding space for our travellers difficult for us. Our chosen hotel in Corner Brook is a "nice" property with some charm and character and a great in-house restaurant, as opposed to a typical airport hotel one would find in Deer Lake. As always we look forward to your feedback.

Staff and Support
Full-time, locally-based expert trip leader plus local step-on guides for a day or half day at several locations. We will have one main coach driver,

Group Size
Maximum 18 plus Tour Leader

 


 

Map & Hotels
Map & Hotels

Regions visited: North America and Western Europe
Countries visited: Canada and France


*The red tour trail on the map does not represent the actual travel path.


The following is a list of sample hotels at some locations included on this tour. The hotels shown here are meant to provide a general sense of the standard of hotel we usually aim for; they are not necessarily confirmed for your chosen departure.


Glynmill Inn
3 Star Accommodation 3 Star Accommodation 3 Star Accommodation
Location: Corner Brook
Country: Canada
This property will be used for tours occurring in 2023; for 2024 please see the entry for the Quality Hotel, Corner Brook.

The Glynmill Inn, with “unparalleled ambiance in old English
... juts up through the maples in the center of Corner Brook’s majesty. Nestled in a panoramic garden, the white and green Tudor-style roof peaks will warmly invite you to come by. It seems as though the city of Corner Brook has grown around us, yet afforded us seclusion. Surrounded by trees and our own pond, the Glynmill Inn offers the intimacy of a tranquil resort.
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Quality Inn Corner Brook
3 Star Accommodation 3 Star Accommodation 3 Star Accommodation
Location: Corner Brook
Country: Canada
A room with a view! This hotel will be used for our tours in 2024; for 2023 please refer to the Glynmill Inn.
Sea Echo Motel
2 Star Accommodation 2 Star Accommodation
Location: Port Au Choix
Country: Canada
The Sea Echo Motel is a Beacon along the Viking Trail. Offers 30 rooms, 3 cabins and 10 campsites – with all the modern amenities to ensure your comfort and convenience. The ... Echo Motel complex, overlooking the picturesque Port au Choix harbour front, includes the Point Riche Restaurant (and Greco Pizza), the Sea Gull Lounge, and a gift shop. We provide banquet and conference services.
Read More
Grenfell Heritage Hotel & Suites
3 Star Accommodation 3 Star Accommodation 3 Star Accommodation
Location: Saint Anthony
Country: Canada
Grenfell Heritage Hotel & Suites is conveniently located in the heart of St. Anthony, Newfoundland. Stay with us in total comfort - while enjoying the serenity of the harbour. All of our ... suites are modern and spacious. Some suites offer fully-equipped kitchens.
Read More
Northern Light Inn
3 Star Accommodation 3 Star Accommodation 3 Star Accommodation
Location: L'anse Au Clair
Country: Canada
Located in the town of L'Anse au Clair (the Gateway to Labrador), the Northern Light Inn is an ideal base for travellers to and from the Strait of Belle Isle ferry terminal ... local airport.

As the region's only 3.5 Star hotel, the Northern Light Inn is open throughout the year to help ensure your stay in the beautiful Labrador Coastal Drive region is enjoyable and successful.

Whether you're embarking on a family vacation or travelling for business, the Northern Light Inn can meet all your needs. Our personal service and warm welcome is the very essence of our business.
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Mount Peyton Hotel
3 Star Accommodation 3 Star Accommodation 3 Star Accommodation
Location: Grand Falls
Country: Canada
Mount Peyton Resort & Conference Centre is the only full service Hotel that is perfectly located along the Trans-Canada Highway in Grand Falls-Windsor and only minutes away from the Grand Falls Windsor ... Club and the Exploits River.
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Quality Hotel in Clarenville
3 Star Accommodation 3 Star Accommodation 3 Star Accommodation
Location: Clarenville
Country: Canada
Located just minutes from the picturesque shores of Lower Shoal Harbour, the Quality Hotel is one of the best places to stay in Clarenville, NL for road trippers looking a night’s stop, ... well as business travellers. Our affordable Clarenville accommodations offer easy access to everything this quaint bayside town has to offer.
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Clarenville Inn
4 Star Accommodation 4 Star Accommodation 4 Star Accommodation 4 Star Accommodation
Location: Clarenville
Country: Canada
Service at your pace. At the intersection of comfort and convenience lies Clarenville Inn. A 4-Star family-owned full-service hotel located in the heart of Trinity Bay, where you can take full advantage ... numerous amenities and services that are guaranteed to make your stay with us a memorable one.

From guest services to tour deals, Clarenville Inn seek to provide you with the attention and luxury you deserve. Featuring impeccable accommodations and attentive staff, the hotel will guarantee you’ll have a pleasant experience here.
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Hotel Robert
Location: Saint-Pierre
Country: France
The Hotel Robert, "Hôtel du Vieux Port", is the largest hotel on the islands with 43 rooms.

Located along the ocean, it was built during the Prohibition era in the
... and has counted among its clients the famous Al Capone.

3 minutes walking from the ferry terminal, spacious and comfortable rooms.

An attentive and professional staff will meet your requirements and help you discover our islands.
Read More
Delta Hotels St. John's Conference Centre
4 Star Accommodation 4 Star Accommodation 4 Star Accommodation 4 Star Accommodation
Location: Saint-John's
Country: Canada
Delta Hotels St. John's Conference Centre offers a welcome reprieve from everyday life. The waterfront hotel is steps from some of St. John's hottest destinations, including Mile One Centre, George Street, and ... Spear Lighthouse. Our rooms are recently renovated and furnished with pillowtop mattresses, mini-refrigerators, flat-panel TVs and free Wi-Fi. Upgrade to a Club Level room for a premium experience and gain access to our private lounge with complimentary breakfast and hors d'oeuvres.
Read More

 


 

Gallery

 


 

Frequently Asked Questions
ASK A QUESTION
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
ASK A QUESTION
01. What is the maximum number of participants on a trip?
Most of our tours carry a maximum of 18 participants; some tours (ie hiking tours) top out at 16. In the event that we do not achieve our minimum complement by our 60-day deadline, we may offer group members the option of paying a "small-group surcharge" as an alternative to cancellation. If all group members agree, we will confirm the trip at existing numbers; this surcharge is refundable in the event that we ultimately achieve our regular minimum. If the small group surcharge is not accepted, we will offer a refund of your deposit or a different trip of your choice.
02. Can I extend my tour either at the beginning or end? What about stopovers?
Yes, you can extend your tour either at the beginning or the end and we can book accommodation in our tour hotel. Stopovers are often permitted, depending on air routing. Stopovers usually carry a "stopover" fee levied by the airline.
03. How do I make a reservation? How and when do I pay?
The easiest way to make a reservation is via our website; during office hours, you are also more than welcome to contact us by telephone. A non-refundable deposit is payable at the time of booking; if a reservation is made within 60 days, full payment is required. Some trips require a larger deposit. If international airline bookings require a non-refundable payment in order to secure space or the lowest available fare, we will require an increase in deposit equal to the cost of the ticket(s). Early enrolment is always encouraged as group size is limited and some trips require greater preparation time. Once we have received your deposit, we will confirm your space and send you a confirmation package containing your trip itinerary, any visa/travel permit related documents, invoice, clothing and equipment recommendations, general information on your destination(s), and forms for you to complete, sign and return to us. Your air e-tickets (if applicable), final hotel list, final trip itinerary, and instructions on how to join your tour, will be sent approximately 2-3 weeks prior to departure.
04. What about cancellations, refunds, and transfers?
Please review our cancellation policy page for details.
05. I am a single who prefers my own room. What is a single supplement?
All of our tours have a single supplement for those who want to be guaranteed their own room at each location. This supplement is a reflection of the fact that most hotels around the world do not discount the regular twin-share rate for a room by 50% for only one person occupying a room. Most hotels will give a break on the price, but usually in the range of 25-30% of the twin-share rate. This difference, multiplied by each night, amounts to the single supplement. The conventional amount can also vary from country to country and some destinations are more expensive than others for single occupancy. In order to be "single friendly," the supplements we apply are not a profit centre for us and we do our best to keep them as reasonable as possible. On most tours we limit the number of singles available, not to be punitive, but rather because many hotels allow for only a limited number of singles; some smaller hotels at remote locations also have a limited number of single rooms available. Please note that most single rooms around the world are smaller than twin-share rooms and will likely have only one bed.
06. Do you have a shared accommodation program?
Yes! If you are single traveller and are willing to share, we will do our best to pair you with a same-gender roommate. On most of our tours, if we fail to pair you, we will absorb the single supplement fee and you will default to a single room at no extra charge. At some destinations, however, where single rooms are not significantly discounted, or not at all, we may apply a "mandatory" single in the event that we cannot find you a share partner. This is usually 50% of the usual supplement, but can be as much as 100%. If applicable, this proviso will be noted on each tour page on this website, on your invoice, and in our tour date/price book (available for download under "Resources").

 

What People are Saying
Phyllis M.
Toronto, ON - CA
Great tour. I enjoyed all the sightseeing. It was well planned and appreciated the flexibility on some days considering the weather forecast. Our tour leader was perhaps the best tour director, used his teaching expertise,a master storyteller and very attentive to detail. Meals always met my expectations. Local guides were well informed.
Naida T.
Long Beach, CA - US
This was a very good trip to out-of-the-way places. The variety of history and outdoors walking was good. Our tour leader was excellent. St John's was the highlight. Also totally enjoyed St Pierre-Michelon. The small town museums were wonderful.
Roy V.
Mount Holly, NC - US
Great tour. We enjoyed the geology, unique sites such as oldest grave in North America, and St Pierre et Miquelon was fabulous. The coach was very comfortable. Our tour leader was excellent and our local guide in St. John's was very knowledgeable and witty.
Cecelia M.
Ancaster, ON - CA
Great tour. We most enjoyed the visit to St. Pierre & Miquelon. The transportation was excellent with lots of room for everyone. All the room accommodations were great. Our tour leader was very knowledgeable.
Marjorie H.
White Rock, BC - 1
We enjoyed everything. Our day excursions whether cultural or walking, were all excellent. We were most impressed with all of the local, provincial and federal information centres visited - the knowledgeability of the staff, the design of the buildings and the variety of artifacts on display. The best restaurants and accommodations were used. It was a wonderful two weeks, days and days of experiences to dwell on. The group was compatible and it all went too quickly. Wonderful, great holiday.
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30 days from Ljubljana to Skopje
Our Adriatic, Albania & Macedonia Tour begins in Slovenia, past glacial lakes, lush green…
TOUR CODE: ML3
29 days from Valleta to Venice
On our Malta & Italy tour, for the better part of a month, we immerse ourselves in the…
TOUR CODE: TM2
28 days from Tunis to Rome
This Tunisia, Malta & Italy Tour gives us a good perspective of the considerable expanse…
TOUR CODE: ES5
26 days from Santiago de Compostela to Casablanca
Both Spain and Morocco serve as perfect examples as to why flying to the other side of…
TOUR CODE: GR18
26 days from Athens (ATH) to Chania (CHQ)
This is our ultimate, highlight-packed treatment of two of our favourite parts of this…
TOUR CODE: PS3
25 days from Lisbon to Sevilla
On this Portugal & Spain tour we see how referring to history as existing in a series of…
TOUR CODE: ES6
24 days from Madrid to Marrakech
One look at the mountains framing the sky or the lakes that mirror any beauty that…
TOUR CODE: IT2
24 days from Palermo to Venice
What do you get if you mix the incredible cultural riches of Italy's north with the laid…
TOUR CODE: AG3
23 days from Algiers to Malta
On our Algeria, Tunisia & Malta tour, the entire country of Algeria makes for a…
TOUR CODE: JHMA
22 days from Ponta Delgada to Praia
A group of islands jutting out into the Atlantic Ocean, our Macaronesia explores a group…
Countries Visited: 2

Canada; France.
Activity Level: 1

No particular physical activity is involved other than town/city walks and short walks to dinners and sites of interest, some of which are large.
Tour Style: Cultural

These three- and four-star hotel-based, "soft adventure" trips concentrate on the culture, history, and natural attributes of our destination. Though there are no strenuous activities built into these tours, you need to be prepared for some full days with some early starts, plenty of walking on uneven surfaces through villages, cities and archaeological sites, and not a lot of "down time." Independence, reasonable fitness, and an ability to be steady on one's feet are critical in order for you to get the most out of these programs.
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