2020 Quilt Shop & Textile Tour of Newfoundland, Canada
Itinerary
Tour begins and ends in St. John's, NL, Canada
Itinerary
Tour begins and ends in St. John's, NL, Canada
Pre-Tour - Wednesday, September 9, 2020 – St. John’s
Welcome to The Rock! Make your way to the hotel for late afternoon check-in for your 3-night stay. Tonight, meet and greet your fellow travelers at the Group Welcome Dinner. (D)
Day 1 – Thursday, September 10, 2020 - St John’s, Signal Hill & Quidi Vidi Village
Each day you will be treated to a full breakfast at your hotel before the day’s adventure. Today enjoy a short journey up to Signal Hill, through the Battery area and tiny jellybean colored houses to the iconic Cabot Tower. Enjoy breathtaking views of the city of St. John’s and the North Atlantic. Continue your exploration to the small village of Quidi Vidi and a tour of The Brewery. This small fishing village is home to local artisans who create and sell their crafts. After lunch (on your own) visit your first two quilt shops before heading back to the hotel. Enjoy a free evening exploring downtown St. John’s. (B)
Day 2 – Friday, September 11, 2020 – St. John’s
Today travel the short distance to The Rooms, Newfoundland and Labrador’s largest public cultural space. Here history, heritage and artistic expression come together in a museum-like setting where you’ll find collections, exhibits and programs that tell stories and interpret the natural world through art, artifacts, archaeology, architecture and archival records. Enjoy lunch (on your own) in the café before heading to the quilt shop. Enjoy a panoramic city tour of the historical city of St. John’s, the oldest and most easterly city in North America before returning to the hotel for the evening. Tonight continue your exploration of St. John's. (B)
Day 3 – Saturday, September 12, 2020 – Whale & Wild Birds Ocean Tour
This morning travel to Bay Bull’s to cruise the Atlantic aboard a Transport Canada Certified, custom built, stable passenger vessel. Breathe in the fresh ocean air and feel the chill as you sail past 10,000 year-old icebergs. Enjoy a spectacular performance by Humpback whales as they frolic, breach and pectoral fin slap right before your eyes! Show times and routines vary with Mother Nature. Enjoy the aerial show of Atlantic Puffins, Bald Eagles and seabirds as they dive for food and soar overhead. Return to dry land for a group lunch. There will be time to shop for authentic Newfoundland products before returning to the hotel later this afternoon. Enjoy your free evening. (B/L)
Day 4 – Sunday, September 13, 2020 – Dildo & Clarenville
This morning check-out of your hotel and travel to Dildo (apparently, British explorer Captain Cook and his surveyor Michael Lane who mapped the area, had a keen sense of humor!). Tour Dildo Brewery and Museum and enjoy a group lunch. Travel the short distance to Markland Cottage Winery and tour this family based winery, dedicated to producing premium berry wines and spirits. In 2007 this site was designated as a heritage site for its historical, aesthetic and environmental attributes. Later, travel to Clarenville and check in to your hotel for a two-night stay. Tonight, enjoy a group dinner at a local restaurant. (B/L/D)
Day 5 – Monday, September 14, 2020 – Trinity, Bonavista & Random Passage
Today enjoy a panoramic tour of Trinity, including time to explore the unique shops, galleries and cafes. Continue through Bonavista with tours of Ryan Premise (a National Historic Site) and Cape Bonavista Lighthouse. End your day with a full tour of Random Passage before enjoying a Jigg’s Dinner with all the traditional dishes! Overnight in Clarenville. (B/D)
Day 6 – Tuesday, September 15, 2010 - Gander
After checking-out of your hotel, travel to Gambo to take in a small quilt shop. Continue the short distance to Gander in time for lunch (on your own). This afternoon, experience the Come From Away Gander & North Atlantic Aviation Museum, learn about Gander’s role as an important strategic base during WWII, how the town earned the nickname “Crossroads of the World” and hear the story of Gander’s unexpected role in the days following 9/11. Later, check-in to your local hotel for a two-night stay. Tonight, enjoy a group dinner and special presentation by one of Newfoundland’s most famous quilters! (B/D)
Day 7 – Wednesday, September 16, 2020 – Twillingate
This morning visit Twillingate, famous for it's rugged coastline, picturesque streets and lush country roads. In the waters off the coast, look for whales, dolphins, harp seals, seabird and icebergs. Spend the morning visiting the Prime Berth Fishery and Historic Center, the Long Point Light House and other interesting venues in Twillingate. Enjoy a special group lunch before returning to your hotel where the rest of the afternoon and evening is yours to enjoy. (B/L)
Day 8 – Thursday, September 17, 2020 – St. John’s
After checking-out of your hotel, travel to Clarenville and enjoy a panoramic tour of the area. Stop at another quilt shop and enjoy lunch (on your own) in a local café. Continue on to Landing Cove, population 7 – INCLUDING a Quilt Shop! Tonight, check-into your hotel in St. John's for your final two-night stay. (B)
Day 9 – Friday, September 18, 2020 – St. John’s
Today is yours to explore the city of St. John’s on your own and have a day of leisure. Tonight, enjoy a special Group Farewell Dinner at Bridie Molloy’s and the traditional Screeching-In Ceremony!
Day 10 – Saturday, September 19, 2020 – Departure
Group coach transfer to St. John’s airport for flights home.
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
Please note: Depending on weather conditions and circumstances beyond our control, the itinerary is subject to change. We make every effort to adhere to the itinerary as listed, but your flexibility if alternative choices are made to enhance the schedule, is appreciated.
*The exact time and location of the official tour start will be announced closer to travel time. If you choose to arrive into St. John’s ahead of the tour start (highly recommended), Celtic Quilt Tours would be happy to assist you with hotel accommodation for a pre-tour stay.
Welcome to The Rock! Make your way to the hotel for late afternoon check-in for your 3-night stay. Tonight, meet and greet your fellow travelers at the Group Welcome Dinner. (D)
Day 1 – Thursday, September 10, 2020 - St John’s, Signal Hill & Quidi Vidi Village
Each day you will be treated to a full breakfast at your hotel before the day’s adventure. Today enjoy a short journey up to Signal Hill, through the Battery area and tiny jellybean colored houses to the iconic Cabot Tower. Enjoy breathtaking views of the city of St. John’s and the North Atlantic. Continue your exploration to the small village of Quidi Vidi and a tour of The Brewery. This small fishing village is home to local artisans who create and sell their crafts. After lunch (on your own) visit your first two quilt shops before heading back to the hotel. Enjoy a free evening exploring downtown St. John’s. (B)
Day 2 – Friday, September 11, 2020 – St. John’s
Today travel the short distance to The Rooms, Newfoundland and Labrador’s largest public cultural space. Here history, heritage and artistic expression come together in a museum-like setting where you’ll find collections, exhibits and programs that tell stories and interpret the natural world through art, artifacts, archaeology, architecture and archival records. Enjoy lunch (on your own) in the café before heading to the quilt shop. Enjoy a panoramic city tour of the historical city of St. John’s, the oldest and most easterly city in North America before returning to the hotel for the evening. Tonight continue your exploration of St. John's. (B)
Day 3 – Saturday, September 12, 2020 – Whale & Wild Birds Ocean Tour
This morning travel to Bay Bull’s to cruise the Atlantic aboard a Transport Canada Certified, custom built, stable passenger vessel. Breathe in the fresh ocean air and feel the chill as you sail past 10,000 year-old icebergs. Enjoy a spectacular performance by Humpback whales as they frolic, breach and pectoral fin slap right before your eyes! Show times and routines vary with Mother Nature. Enjoy the aerial show of Atlantic Puffins, Bald Eagles and seabirds as they dive for food and soar overhead. Return to dry land for a group lunch. There will be time to shop for authentic Newfoundland products before returning to the hotel later this afternoon. Enjoy your free evening. (B/L)
Day 4 – Sunday, September 13, 2020 – Dildo & Clarenville
This morning check-out of your hotel and travel to Dildo (apparently, British explorer Captain Cook and his surveyor Michael Lane who mapped the area, had a keen sense of humor!). Tour Dildo Brewery and Museum and enjoy a group lunch. Travel the short distance to Markland Cottage Winery and tour this family based winery, dedicated to producing premium berry wines and spirits. In 2007 this site was designated as a heritage site for its historical, aesthetic and environmental attributes. Later, travel to Clarenville and check in to your hotel for a two-night stay. Tonight, enjoy a group dinner at a local restaurant. (B/L/D)
Day 5 – Monday, September 14, 2020 – Trinity, Bonavista & Random Passage
Today enjoy a panoramic tour of Trinity, including time to explore the unique shops, galleries and cafes. Continue through Bonavista with tours of Ryan Premise (a National Historic Site) and Cape Bonavista Lighthouse. End your day with a full tour of Random Passage before enjoying a Jigg’s Dinner with all the traditional dishes! Overnight in Clarenville. (B/D)
Day 6 – Tuesday, September 15, 2010 - Gander
After checking-out of your hotel, travel to Gambo to take in a small quilt shop. Continue the short distance to Gander in time for lunch (on your own). This afternoon, experience the Come From Away Gander & North Atlantic Aviation Museum, learn about Gander’s role as an important strategic base during WWII, how the town earned the nickname “Crossroads of the World” and hear the story of Gander’s unexpected role in the days following 9/11. Later, check-in to your local hotel for a two-night stay. Tonight, enjoy a group dinner and special presentation by one of Newfoundland’s most famous quilters! (B/D)
Day 7 – Wednesday, September 16, 2020 – Twillingate
This morning visit Twillingate, famous for it's rugged coastline, picturesque streets and lush country roads. In the waters off the coast, look for whales, dolphins, harp seals, seabird and icebergs. Spend the morning visiting the Prime Berth Fishery and Historic Center, the Long Point Light House and other interesting venues in Twillingate. Enjoy a special group lunch before returning to your hotel where the rest of the afternoon and evening is yours to enjoy. (B/L)
Day 8 – Thursday, September 17, 2020 – St. John’s
After checking-out of your hotel, travel to Clarenville and enjoy a panoramic tour of the area. Stop at another quilt shop and enjoy lunch (on your own) in a local café. Continue on to Landing Cove, population 7 – INCLUDING a Quilt Shop! Tonight, check-into your hotel in St. John's for your final two-night stay. (B)
Day 9 – Friday, September 18, 2020 – St. John’s
Today is yours to explore the city of St. John’s on your own and have a day of leisure. Tonight, enjoy a special Group Farewell Dinner at Bridie Molloy’s and the traditional Screeching-In Ceremony!
Day 10 – Saturday, September 19, 2020 – Departure
Group coach transfer to St. John’s airport for flights home.
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
Please note: Depending on weather conditions and circumstances beyond our control, the itinerary is subject to change. We make every effort to adhere to the itinerary as listed, but your flexibility if alternative choices are made to enhance the schedule, is appreciated.
*The exact time and location of the official tour start will be announced closer to travel time. If you choose to arrive into St. John’s ahead of the tour start (highly recommended), Celtic Quilt Tours would be happy to assist you with hotel accommodation for a pre-tour stay.
