Perhaps it’s just cosmic timing that a Newfoundland, a gentle giant named Josh, won Best in Show recently at the annual Westminster Dog Show in New York City and a cost-friendly vacation to Newfoundland, Canada just came on the market. Newfoundland, it appears, is on our minds.
Both the breed of dog and native locals in the northerly territory are called “Newfies.” While the dogs are known for their health issues, friendly disposition, and obscene amounts of drool, fellow Newfoundlanders are renowned for their hospitality, not to mention a collective sense of humor that verges on politically incorrect. Whether this ebullient welcoming nature is because Newfies are so darn lonely up there on the north Atlantic and Labrador Sea or because its centuries-old traditions celebrating community are closely guarded, only a true-blood can say. (We are happy to report that Newfoundlanders don't drool nearly as much as their canine counterparts do.)
Canadian Geography 101
In case you’re rusty on your geography, easterly Newfoundland is comprised of some serious islands situated north of Nova Scotia, and is often lumped with the significant amount of land just east of upper Quebec called Labrador. (No, I’m not talking about another type of canine friend.) Its scenery is sure to seep into your soul it’s so awesome, in the truest sense of the word. And while it’s now one of the province’s significant claims to fame, a sense of the landscape can be gleaned from the 2001 movie starring Kevin Spacey titled The Shipping News, based on the haunting novel of the same name by E. Annie Proulx.
Newfoundland’s gorgeous and relentless seascapes, fabled forests and dramatic fjords are reason enough to head north, but there are other reasons to go. You’ll also discover grand ship captain’s homes, ancient Viking settlements, salty fishing villages with fun names like “Killick-Claw,” the site of North America’s first court, towns whose streets date back to the 1580s, lobster suppers to write a postcard home about, and in the Celtic-influenced capital of St. John's, you’ll find more bars per capital than anywhere else on the continent. In Newfoundland there’s also excellent whale watching, and some are even taking to the extreme (and extremely dangerous) sport of iceberg hopping. Given the popularity surrounding the floating chilly shards of snow and ice, there’s even a special hotline tracking Newfoundland’s bergs: 800/563-NFLD. Ask and one of the St. John’s barkeeps might pull a bottle of iceberg vodka (another new trend) off the top shelf.
Road trip of a lifetime
Perhaps I’m stating the obvious, but Newfoundland is far away, even for Mainers, and it’s not always easy, or affordable, to get there. Nor are accommodations as cheap as you might expect. This brings us to one of the latest and most interesting offers from Canadian specialists Maxxim Vacations (www.maxximvacations.com): an all-inclusive Newfoundland vacation priced from $1499 per person, which includes round-trip airfare on Air Canada from Boston to St. John’s, 10 nights at a nice range of accommodations (hotels, country inns and B&Bs), rental car, ferry transfers to Labrador, a boat tour, and one night at a dinner theater. And if you book and pay before Apr. 15, you get $50 off. The Newfie vacation can also be super-sized to 14 nights, and costs, from various US cities break down as follows:
:
- 10 nights--$1,499 (Singles: $899)
- 14 nights--$1,849 (Singles: $1,299 )
:
- 10 nights--$1,619 (Singles: $899)
- 14 nights--$1,959 (Singles: $1,299)
:
- 10 nights--$1,529 (Singles: $899)
- 14 nights--$1,859 (Singles: $1,299)
Atlanta:
- 10 nights--$1,629 (Singles: $899)
- 14 nights--$1,969 (Singles: $1,299)
:
- 10 nights--$1,699 (Singles: $899)
- 14 nights--$2,029 (Singles: $1,299)
We did several searches to investigate what this same trip would cost if one were to book its components independently. Maxxim’s is not only the better deal by a few hundred dollars, but it also offers travelers flexibility and a chance to bounce around and experience more personal kinds of accommodations, ones with loads of local flavor. (Not that there’s anything wrong with staying at the Econo Lodge in St. John that charges $68 per night.) Maxxim also has a nifty “Whales, Birds and Bergs” tour, as well as a historically focused trip called “Voyage of the Vikings.” For information about all these great Newfoundland travel options or to make a reservation, contact Maxxim Vacations (www.maxximvacations.com) at 800/567-6666.
Events for everyone
Want to find out a lot more about the undiscovered province of Newfoundland? Go to: www.gov.nl.ca/tourism. Among information on scenic drives and where to fish, there’s also an overflowing events calendar filled with such charming affairs as the Golden Cod and Patridge Berry festivals, as well as a hefty list of events devoted to folk music and details on how to experience Acadian celebrations that take place in May and June honoring the French-blooded locals who've been staking their claim for over 400 years.
{Editor's Note: Have you ever been to Newfoundland? Do you have a money-saving hint, tip, or anecdote that would be helpful to other travelers? We'd love to hear it and possibly reprint it in our letters to the editor column. Simply to send a letter to our editors.}
