Newfoundland

North America's Island Wonder
including Labrador

Cruise Dates:
May 29–June 7, 2010

"New found isle," "New found launde," "Terra Nova," "Terre Neuve," however you refer to it, Newfoundland, Canada's easternmost province and the world's 15th largest island, is an often overlooked travel destination and still a largely untamed wilderness. Our journey begins from Newfoundland's historic seaport and capital, St. John's. Before embarking Clelia II, we visit the port city and travel to Cape Spear National Historic Site to see Cape Spear Lighthouse, the oldest in Newfoundland and a reminder of the island's maritime heritage, and the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve, renowned for its large colonies of birds. Clelia II visits several islands off the Newfoundland coast as well as the mainland of Labrador, all of which offer additional and compelling sites off the beaten path. We'll explore Twillingate Island, with dramatic Long Point Lighthouse; Red Bay, once the whaling capital of the world, located on the mainland of Labrador; and charming St.-Pierre on the French archipelago of St.-Pierre and Miquelon. On this voyage, uncover the fascinating history, captivating scenery, and rich wildlife of Newfoundland.

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1	USA | ST. JOHN'S, Newfoundland, Canada | EMBARK Fly to St. John's, founded in the mid-16th century, and transfer to the centrally located Fairmont Newfoundland hotel for the night. The remainder of the day is at leisure to explore this lovely capital city on your own.
Day 2	BAY BULLS for WITLESS BAY | CAPE SPEAR NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE | ST. JOHN'S In the morning, drive to Bay Bulls to board local boats for an excursion to Witless Bay Ecological Reserve, which comprises four islands. Every summer, the reserve welcomes several million seabirds who come here to breed, including the puffin, the largest colony in North America; the kittiwake; the murre; and the petrel, with the world's second largest colony of the Leach's Storm-petrel. Continue to Cape Spear National Historic Site, the most easterly point in North America. Stop at Petty Harbour, famous for its salt cod production, dramatic cliffs and magnificent coastal scenery, and visit Signal Hill, home of Cabot Tower. Embark Clelia II in St. John's and begin our circumnavigation of Newfoundland.
Day 3	BONAVISTA BAY | TERA NOVA NATIONAL PARK Clelia II cruises spectacular Bonavista Bay, where drifting icebergs as well as humpback whales, minkes, orcas, and dolphins are frequently seen during the summer months. Call at Bonavista and take an excursion to Bonavista Lighthouse, where a small museum and memorial commemorate John Cabot's landing near the site, and enjoy a view of the puffins nesting on nearby rocks. Reboard ship and sail to Terra Nova National Park to enjoy walks along one of the park's trails and a visit to the Marine Interpretation Centre.
Day 4	TWILLINGATE | FORTUNE HARBOUR Watch for icebergs this morning as we call at Twillingate, one of the Notre Dame Bay Islands, all of which are linked by a series of causeways. Our tour of Twillingate includes the dramatic Long Point Lighthouse and museum, and the Prime Berth Historic Fishing Centre, which gives an introduction to Newfoundland and Labrador's fishing culture. At Fortune Harbour, visit a mussel aquafarm and enjoy time at leisure for independent exploration.
Day 5	L'ANSE AUX MEADOWS Today we follow in the footsteps of Leif Ericson and other Vikings, the first Europeans to establish settlements in North America over 1,000 years ago. Visit the ancient community at L'Anse aux Meadows, believed to be the spot where the Vikings first landed in North America, and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We will view the ruins of eight sod dwellings that have been uncovered and identified as the Vinland referred to in the Norse Sagas.
Day 6	BATTLE HARBOUR | RED BAY, Labrador Arrive in the morning at Battle Harbour, a small island near the coast of Labrador. Founded in 1759, one of the earliest European settlements in Labrador, Battle Harbour prospered from its fishing and maritime activities, becoming Labrador's capital in 1848. As the region's fishing industry faded, so did the fortunes of this lovely town, when it was abandoned in the early 1960s. Declared a protected national historic site, the island is now under the care of the Battle Harbour Historic Trust, which has undertaken the restoration of historic buildings. Tour the island and then sail through the Strait of Belle Isle to Red Bay on the mainland of Labrador, which was established some 400 years ago by Basque settlers, and was once known as the world's whaling capital. Explore Red Bay, also a national historic site, and learn about its fishing and maritime traditions.
Day 7	BONNE BAY for GROS MORNE NATIONAL PARK, Newfoundland The unique geology of Gros Morne National Park, with rocks dating from the Precambrian, Cambrian, and Ordovician periods, affirmed the theory of plate tectonics. It was for this reason that UNESCO designated the park a World Heritage Site in 1981. Its geologic importance notwithstanding, Gros Morne contains some of the most spectacular natural scenery the world has to offer. As we cruise magnificent Bonne Bay this morning, notice the park's lush coastline in the distance, aptly named the Green Gardens. Also visit the barren Tablelands. Formed by rock from the Earth's mantle, this strange landscape results from the high mineral content of the soil which prevents vegetation.
Day 8	AT SEA
Day 9	ARGENTIA | PLACENTIA | ST. MARY'S ECOLOGICAL RESERVE, Newfoundland Overlooking a spacious bay on the Avalon Peninsula, Argentia is one of Newfoundland's finest harbors. From here, there will be a choice of two excursions. Explore nearby Placentia, a picturesque town that was once the French capital of Newfoundland, with its Castle Hill National Site, the remains of 17th- and 18th-century French and British Fortifications, the O'Reilly House Museum, and other historic buildings. Alternatively, travel to St. Mary's Ecological Reserve, one of the largest bird sanctuaries in North America, and nesting place for over 70,000 kittiwakes, razorbills, murres, and other birds.
Day 10	ST. PIERRE, St.-Pierre and Miquelon Island | DISEMBARK | USA

Program Inclusions

• 9-night cruise aboard the all-suite, 100-guest Clelia II
• Welcome and farewell cocktail receptions aboard ship
• All meals aboard ship, including house wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner
• Open bar aboard ship throughout the cruise
• Complete program of tours and excursions
• Educational program of lectures and discussions by accompanying guest lecturers
• Professional Tour Staff
• Complete pre-departure materials
• Baggage handling and transfers abroad on the designated program departure and arrival dates
• Port and embarkation taxes
• Gratuities to porters, guides and drivers