Best of Newfoundland and Labrador | August 15th, 2023

$4795 $4595 per person

⭐⭐⭐⭐+

*Prices are CAD per person, based on 2 people sharing and reflects early booking discount (land only)

Single Supplement: $995

Group Size Limited to 28 Guests

After two very successful group departures in 2021 and 2022, we have decided to continuing offer this same great trip in 2023!

*Members are welcome to invite Family and/or Friends to travel with them on this group departure at the same rate.

Want to add a pre night(s) in St. John’s?

1 Pre Night: $179 CAD

2 Pre Nights: $319 CAD

All rates above are per person, based on double occupancy. They include airport meet and greet, arrival transfer, accommodation and breakfast. 15% HST is additional.

August 15th to 26th, 2023

Join this fully escorted tour of Newfoundland and Labrador operated by McCarthy’s Party

Since 1982, McCarthy’s Party has specialized in delivering tours of Newfoundland and Labrador. Committed to providing you with an authentic experience, they offer you total immersion – Newfoundland and Labrador style. Their guides grew up in the province and are the best source for information on the culture, history, music and language that make this area so unique. They know off the beaten path locations where their groups see the spectacular scenery and wildlife of Newfoundland. Your local guide will provide you with an authentic Newfoundland experience that will be both educational and thoroughly enjoyable.

We will be limiting this group departure to 28 guests. We will be utilizing a 50 seat motorcoach to maintain social distancing during all land components including sightseeing and transfers.

Highlights:

Historic Tour of St. Johns, including Signal Hill, Quidi Vidi and Cape Spear
Whale/Puffin Watching Cruise (weather permitting)
Visit the historic village of Trinity, one of North America’s Oldest Communities
Visit Cape Bonavista, landing site of John Cabot in 1497
Seaside Lunch in Terranova National Park
Sightseeing in Gros Morne Park
Boat Tour in Bonne Bay (weather permitting)
Tour to L’Anse Aux Meadows
Entrance Fees to National Historic Sites

What’s Included:

11 nights accommodation with private bath and/or shower
Baggage handling at the hotels of 1 piece per person
24 Meals: 11 Breakfasts, 10 Lunches, 3 Dinners
Transportation throughout / arrival and departure transfers at scheduled times
Full Time Tour Manager and Local English-speaking guides
All sightseeing as per itinerary
Tipping for Tour Manager, Driver and Local Guides

Not Included:

Domestic airfare – Trip Merchant is happy to assist you with booking the airfare from your preferred Canadian air gateway
15% HST
Cancellation and out of Province Medical Insurance

Terms and Conditions:

$400 per person deposit (+15% HST) (if you cancel prior to March 15, 2023, deposit converts to a future travel credit that can be applied towards any Trip Merchant group departure up to 2 years beyond your original date of travel) – *Deposits are 100% non-refundable if you cancel after March 15th, 2023

Final Balance: Due May 19th, 2023 (*100% non-refundable after final payment)

*Should Government travel restrictions due to Covid be in place in your home Province that prevents you getting to Newfoundland after non-refundable payments have been made. A future travel credit in the original amount paid will be provided and valid for up to 2 years beyond the date of original travel.

Call for assistance: 1-800-481-9739 ext 3

Mention Group Booking Number: MPNL03

Reservation Form

12 Days/11 Nights

24 Meals

Group Departures

Guided Tours

North & Central America

Destination

Canada
Arrival City

St. John's, Newfoundland
Departure City

Deer Lake, Newfoundland
Activity Level

This tour includes moderate physical activity. The itinerary blends some longer days with shorter days and more leisure time. Walking tours, as well as walking slightly longer distances, up stairs, or on uneven walking surfaces should be expected.
Passenger Limit

28 Guests

Tuesday, August 15th: St. John's, NL

Arrive in St. John’s, Newfoundland where you will be greeted by your “Local” tour guide who will provide a warm welcome, baggage service and an expert and entertaining interpretation on the short drive to your downtown hotel. Early arrivals will appreciate an opportunity to explore the many boutiques, galleries and historic attractions found within easy walking distance of the hotel. Tonight we will enjoy a welcome reception, meet your fellow travelers and learn more about the adventure ahead.

Accommodation: Delta Hotel, St. John's

Delta Hotels St. John's Conference Centre offers a welcome reprieve from everyday life. Our waterfront hotel is steps from some of St. John's hottest destinations, including Mile One Centre, George Street, and Cape Spear Lighthouse. Our rooms are recently renovated and furnished with pillowtop mattresses, mini-refrigerators, flat-panel TVs and free Wi-Fi.

Meals Provided: No Meals | Welcome Reception

Wednesday, August 16th: St. John's City Sightseeing, Signal Hill, Quidi Vidi, Cape Spear

We’ll start our day with a tour of historic St. John’s – aptly known as the City of Legends. We’ll make stops at Signal Hill, Quidi Vidi and the Southside before making our way to Cape Spear, the most Eastern point of land in North America.

Enjoy a delightful lunch in a harbourside stage before we head out on the water to watch for a variety of whale species as well as the multitude of Puffins at the Witless Bay Seabird sanctuary.

Relax with an evening meal in the hotel with its gorgeous harbour views or head out on the town where a short walk will reward us with a wide variety of dining opportunities, shops and beautiful photo opportunities.

Accommodation: Delta Hotel, St. John's

Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch

Thursday, August 17th: Clarenville

(Photo Credit: Dennis Minty | Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism)

This morning we’ll head out on a “journey around the bay” where your guide will breathe life into this region’s exciting history of French invasions, Pirate conquests, and Arctic adventures. Here John Guy established North America’s first colony in Cupids, Bob Bartlett began his conquest for the North Pole and Dieberville rampaged throughout the last decade of the 17th century with his armies of French soldiers and Abernackie Indians. This was the home of pirate Peter Easton, its where WW2 German U-boats sank 3 iron ore boats at their moorings and where ‘Flying Boats’ refuelled on their first transatlantic crossings. These are resilient, coastal communities whose beautiful homes and architectural structures depict an era of wealth and intrigue that is as fascinating as the natural beauty and the many wonderful photographic opportunities we’ll witness throughout the day.

Accommodation: Eriksen Premises, Trinity

Built in the late 1800’s and given as a dowry from the Pittman family to Mr. Albert Eriksen, a Norwegian whaling Engineer, upon marriage to their daughter, Frances, the Eriksen Premises operated for almost a century as a general store. The Eriksens also called the Premises home and operated a tearoom in the current dining room for a number of years. In 1950’s, the Batson family purchased the property and continued operation of the general store until the late 1970’s. After that time, the building lay in disrepair until purchased by Christine Whelan in the early 1990’s and was restored to house a country inn. Today, the Eriksen Premises has 7 tastefully appointed guest rooms, a casual fine dining restaurant and a gift store featuring Newfoundland produced gifts, preserves, crafts, jewelry, artwork & literature.

Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Friday, August 18th: Clarenville, Trinity, Cape Bonavista

This morning we travel to the historic village of Trinity, one of the oldest communities in North America, the gem of the Island.

(Photo Credit: Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism)

Then its out to Cape Bonavista for a chance to walk the cliffs and enjoy the spectacular coastal scenery. This afternoon we spend in Bonavista, the landfall of John Cabot in 1497. Here we visit the Ryan Premises and have an opportunity to learn about inshore fishing techniques that have allowed this town to thrive for hundreds of years.

Accommodation: Eriksen Premises, Trinity

Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch

Saturday, August 19th: Gander/Twillingate

(Photo Credit: Parks Canada | Dale Wilson | Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism)

We’ll wind our way around the beautiful coastline of Terra Nova National Park this morning with stops at the Marine Interpretation Center as well as the historic fishing village of Salvage.

(Photo Credit: Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism)

Following a delightful seaside lunch we’ll continue our westward journey to visit the town of Gander, with its aviation museum and the architecturally significant Airport that once greeted guests from all over during an era when it was known as the ‘Crossroads of the World’.

Accommodation: Sinbad’s Hotel, Gander

Located in the heart of downtown Gander, Sinbad’s Hotel & Suites situates you in the center of the action. Just seconds away from shopping and restaurants and minutes away from local attractions, Sinbad’s offers accommodations to suit your every need. Sinbad’s offers 107 spacious, air-conditioned rooms and suites. All rooms feature free Wi-Fi, irons, ironing boards, hairdryer and in-room coffee makers.

Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Sunday, August 20th: Gander/Twillingate

(Photo Credit: Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism)

This morning we head ‘Down North’ on the “Road to the Isles”, before travelling across "Tickles and Runs" to spend time on beautiful Twillingate Island. We’ll start the morning with a visit to the Beothuck Centre in Boyd’s Cove where we learn about the native groups that once occupied Newfoundland.

(Photo Credit: Barrett and Mackay and Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism)

Then its off to one of Newfoundland's oldest and most interesting fishing communities where we’ll visit the lighthouse at Crow Head, the Auk Island Winery for a sample of their wares and spend some time shopping or browsing the many interesting historic properties for which the area is so famous.

Accommodation: Sinbad’s Hotel, Gander

Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch

Monday, August 21st: Rocky Harbour/Cow Head. Grand Falls-Windsor, King's Point

(Photo Credit: Barrett and Mackay and Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism)

This morning we take a leisurely trip to the central Newfoundland logging town of Grand Falls-Windsor. Here we visit the Exploits River to watch the Atlantic Salmon make their way up one of the fishways on this massive river system. Later we’ll continue to the beautiful town of King’s Point for a lovely seaside lunch with plenty of time to visit the whaling interpretation and a local pottery studio before we continue to Gros Morne National Park for the next two nights.

(Photo Credit: Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism)

Accommodation: Shallow Bay Motel, Cow Head

Cow Head, a small fishing village on the shore of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, is the home of Shallow Bay Motel. Cow Head is located in Gros Morne National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Park represents a 1,805 square kms sample of Newfoundland’s western highlands and coastal lowlands, a landscape of mountains, fiords, valleys, deep glacial lakes, coastal bogs, and wave carved cliffs. Come visit and see for yourself magnificent Western Brook Fiord, the Long Range Mountains, The Arches, the Broom Point Fishing Exhibit! Shallow Bay Motel, Cow Head, is the halfway point between Port-aux-Basques and the Viking Site at L’anse au Meadows and Grenfell Historic Properties at St. Anthony. 92 units | licensed Family Restaurant | Pub | Fitness Centre | Sauna | Gift Shop | Laundromat | Heated pool and Hot tub overlooking the ocean

Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch

Tuesday August 22nd: Rocky Harbour/Cow Head. Gros Morne National Park

Today we spend in Gros Morne National Park UNESCO World Heritage Site. This morning we travel by boat in the sheltered arms of Bonne Bay to view its spectacular scenery, including the Tableland Mountains, one of the features that earned the park its UNESCO World Heritage status and its nickname 'Galapagos of Plate Tectonics'. You will have the opportunity here to become an honorary Newfoundlander by participating in a local “Screech-In.” This afternoon we visit the Discovery Centre and to learn more about this extraordinary park.

Accommodation: Shallow Bay Motel, Cow Head

Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch

Wednesday, August 23rd: St. Anthony. Viking Trail, Port au Choix Park

(Photo Credit: Finn Beals and Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism)

This morning we will travel along the ‘Viking Trail’ to experience some of the most spectacular coastline in North America on. We will enjoy many wonderful stops including the National Historic Park at Port au Choix, which interprets the intriguing history and lifestyle of the Maritime Archaic people who lived here over 3000 years ago. Then it is on to St. Anthony..

Accommodation: Hotel North, St. Anthony

Located in the heart of St. Anthony, Newfoundland - guests have convenient access to an adjacent shopping mall, major grocery store, pharmacy and Tim Hortons coffee shop. We are located directly on St. Anthony Harbour.

Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch

Thursday, August 24th: St. Anthony. L'Anse aux Meadows

Photo Credit: Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism

Today we spend time in St. Anthony, the home of the famous medical missionary, Sir Wilfred Grenfell, who brought modern medicine to northern Newfoundland and the remote communities of coastal Labrador. The highlight of this day is our visit to the UNESCO World Heritage site at L'Anse aux Meadows, home of Lief the Lucky and the Norse people who settled this area as early as the year 1000 A.D.

Accommodation: Hotel North, St. Anthony

Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch

Friday, August 25th: Rocky Harbour/Deer Lake

(Photo Credit: Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism)

Today we will make our way back down the Great Northern Peninsula to explore the rugged coastline with stops to visit The Arches and enjoy an interpretation of the many unique and wonderful geological formations for which Newfoundland is so famous. This evening we share our farewell dinner.

(Photo Credit: Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism)

Accommodation: Holiday Inn Express, Deer Lake

Conveniently located 8 km from Deer Lake Regional Airport. Deer Lake is located at the gateway of the historic Viking Trail & 30 minutes from Gros Morne National Park.

Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Saturday, August 26th: Deer Lake to Airport: Departure Day

All good things must come to an end and so we bid a fond farewell to our newest yet oldest Province. As you fly homeward it will be with many delightful memories of an authentic Newfoundland experience that will be recalled for years to come.

Meals Provided: Breakfast