Tour begins and ends in St. John’s, NL, Canada
Pre-Tour - Tuesday & Wednesday, May 16-17, 2023 – St. John’s
Welcome to The Rock! Make your way to the Delta Hotel for late afternoon check-in and begin your solo exploration of St. John's, Newfoundland.
Day 1 - Thursday, May 18, 2023 - St. John’s
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast in your hotel before heading out to explore the city of St. John’s! Tonight, meet your Tour Hosts and fellow travellers at our Group Welcome Dinner (restaurant TBA). (B/D)
Day 2 – Friday, May 19, 2023 - St John’s, Signal Hill & Quidi Vidi Village
Each day you will be treated to a full breakfast at your hotel before heading for the day’s adventure. Today you begin your tour with a short journey to Cape Spear to see the iconic lighthouse (a lighthouse has operated at Cape Spear since September 1836). Next, travel the 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. Discover the story of how British and French soldiers battled fiercely to control this strategic location. Continue your day of 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 a local quilt shop before heading back to the hotel. After dinner (on your own), enjoy a special Trunk Show from a local Guild. (B)
Day 3 – Saturday, May 20, 2023 – 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 Arts & Culture Centre. Enjoy a panoramic city tour (with a local guide) 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 4 – Sunday, May 21, 2023 – 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 at Sailor’s Gallery Restaurant. Shop for authentic Newfoundland products in the unique Bid Goods Store before returning to the hotel later this afternoon. Enjoy your free evening. (B/L)
Day 5 – Monday, May 22, 2022 – 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. A visit to this winery allows you to step back into a slice of Newfoundland history. Originally Markland Cottage Hospital (built in 1935), this site was designated in 2007 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 the hotel and a presentation and Trunk Show by local quilt guilds. (B/L/D)
Day 6 – Tuesday, May 23, 2022 – Trinity, Bonavista & Random Passage
Today enjoy a panoramic tour of Trinity, including time to explore unique shops and galleries and cafes. Continue through Bonavista with tours of Ryan Premise (National Historic Site) and Cape Bonavista Lighthouse. End your day with a full tour of Random Passage before enjoying a full Jigg’s Dinner with all the traditional dishes! Overnight in Clarenville. (B/D)
Day 67 – Wednesday, May 24, 2022 - Gander
After checking-out of your hotel, travel to Gander through Gambo, keeping your eyes peeled for icebergs! After lunch (on your own). experience the Come From Away Gander & North Atlantic Aviation Museum, learning 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 Gander hotel for a two-night stay. Tonight, enjoy a group dinner in the hotel, and special presentation by one of Newfoundland’s most famous quilters! (B/D)
Day 8 – Thursday, May 25, 2022 – Twillingate
This morning travel to Twillingate, famous for the stunningly rugged coastline, historical, picturesque streets and lush countryside roads. In the waters off the coast, look for whales, dolphins, harp seals, seabird and icebergs. Spend the morning taking in the Prime Berth Fishery and Historic Center, Twillingate Museum and Crafts Shop and the Long Point Light House. Enjoy a special group lunch before returning to Gander where the rest of the afternoon and evening is yours at leisure. (B/L)
Day 9 – Friday, May 26, 2022 – St. John’s
After checking-out of your hotel, travel to Clarenville for a panoramic tour of the area. Stop at a local quilt shop and then enjoy authentic Newfoundland hospitality for a luncheon like no other! Cold Plate and Kitchen Party! Travel to St. John’s and check-in for your final two-night stay. (B/L)
Day 10 – Saturday, May 27, 2022 – St. John’s
Today is yours to enjoy as you wish. Explore the city of St. John’s on your own and enjoy the day at leisure. Tonight, enjoy a very special Group Farewell Dinner at Bridie Molloy’s including a traditional Screeching-In Ceremony!
Day 11 – Sunday, May 28, 2022 – 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 Delta Hotel for late afternoon check-in and begin your solo exploration of St. John's, Newfoundland.
Day 1 - Thursday, May 18, 2023 - St. John’s
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast in your hotel before heading out to explore the city of St. John’s! Tonight, meet your Tour Hosts and fellow travellers at our Group Welcome Dinner (restaurant TBA). (B/D)
Day 2 – Friday, May 19, 2023 - St John’s, Signal Hill & Quidi Vidi Village
Each day you will be treated to a full breakfast at your hotel before heading for the day’s adventure. Today you begin your tour with a short journey to Cape Spear to see the iconic lighthouse (a lighthouse has operated at Cape Spear since September 1836). Next, travel the 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. Discover the story of how British and French soldiers battled fiercely to control this strategic location. Continue your day of 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 a local quilt shop before heading back to the hotel. After dinner (on your own), enjoy a special Trunk Show from a local Guild. (B)
Day 3 – Saturday, May 20, 2023 – 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 Arts & Culture Centre. Enjoy a panoramic city tour (with a local guide) 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 4 – Sunday, May 21, 2023 – 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 at Sailor’s Gallery Restaurant. Shop for authentic Newfoundland products in the unique Bid Goods Store before returning to the hotel later this afternoon. Enjoy your free evening. (B/L)
Day 5 – Monday, May 22, 2022 – 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. A visit to this winery allows you to step back into a slice of Newfoundland history. Originally Markland Cottage Hospital (built in 1935), this site was designated in 2007 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 the hotel and a presentation and Trunk Show by local quilt guilds. (B/L/D)
Day 6 – Tuesday, May 23, 2022 – Trinity, Bonavista & Random Passage
Today enjoy a panoramic tour of Trinity, including time to explore unique shops and galleries and cafes. Continue through Bonavista with tours of Ryan Premise (National Historic Site) and Cape Bonavista Lighthouse. End your day with a full tour of Random Passage before enjoying a full Jigg’s Dinner with all the traditional dishes! Overnight in Clarenville. (B/D)
Day 67 – Wednesday, May 24, 2022 - Gander
After checking-out of your hotel, travel to Gander through Gambo, keeping your eyes peeled for icebergs! After lunch (on your own). experience the Come From Away Gander & North Atlantic Aviation Museum, learning 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 Gander hotel for a two-night stay. Tonight, enjoy a group dinner in the hotel, and special presentation by one of Newfoundland’s most famous quilters! (B/D)
Day 8 – Thursday, May 25, 2022 – Twillingate
This morning travel to Twillingate, famous for the stunningly rugged coastline, historical, picturesque streets and lush countryside roads. In the waters off the coast, look for whales, dolphins, harp seals, seabird and icebergs. Spend the morning taking in the Prime Berth Fishery and Historic Center, Twillingate Museum and Crafts Shop and the Long Point Light House. Enjoy a special group lunch before returning to Gander where the rest of the afternoon and evening is yours at leisure. (B/L)
Day 9 – Friday, May 26, 2022 – St. John’s
After checking-out of your hotel, travel to Clarenville for a panoramic tour of the area. Stop at a local quilt shop and then enjoy authentic Newfoundland hospitality for a luncheon like no other! Cold Plate and Kitchen Party! Travel to St. John’s and check-in for your final two-night stay. (B/L)
Day 10 – Saturday, May 27, 2022 – St. John’s
Today is yours to enjoy as you wish. Explore the city of St. John’s on your own and enjoy the day at leisure. Tonight, enjoy a very special Group Farewell Dinner at Bridie Molloy’s including a traditional Screeching-In Ceremony!
Day 11 – Sunday, May 28, 2022 – 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.
