Introduction
It’s not just the geography of Canada’s easternmost province that sets it apart. Yes, riven fjords, drifting icebergs and cragged islands stand in the way, but it’s the still-apparent Irish and British heritage that really makes the region stand out from the mainland.
A colourful heritage
St. John’s, the region’s capital and the oldest city in North America, is a vision of colonial charm, with colourful townhouses and stilted fishermen’s sheds set to views of drifting ice. Then, on the Irish Loop (the region’s premier driving route) you’ll be treated to 185 miles of quaint fishing villages, lonely lighthouses and the first permanent European settlement in North America – Ferryland.
Nature & national parks
However, there’s also plenty of natural beauty. In Gros Morn National Park, mountain peaks roll down into spectacular fjords in a series of green-dappled contours – ideal for waterfall hikes and river cruises. Then, the Baccalieu Trail offers a great alternative to the Irish Loop, focusing on rural scenery as it maps the fissured coast of Newfoundland’s north-western peninsula. However, if you’d like something extra special, Fogo Island offers the Scandinavian chic of one of the world’s finest luxury lodges. It’s all wrapped up in a truly wild setting.
