Canada Newfoundland And Labrador with rail

This tour is a combination of a round trip train to Halifax and a motorcoach tour of Newfoundland & Labrador. Like never before, the new “Easterly Class provides an instructive introduction to Atlantic Canada. This first-class, overnight journey between Montreal and Halifax offers maritime learning, touring, dining and relaxing in a deluxe on-board environment that's as generous and sociable as Maritimers themselves.”

The motorcoach portion of the tour features the best of “the Far East of the Western World”. Travel from the northernmost tip of the island of Newfoundland to the most easterly point in North America through national parks – including Gros Morne, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Learn of ancient peoples – the Maritime Archaic, Vikings, and Basques – as you travel to coastal fishing communities to meet the friendly and hospitable people of today. Boat tours provide the opportunity to see whales, thousands of seabirds, and, depending on the time of the year, icebergs! Sample local food and drink to become an honorary “Newfoundlander”!

DAY 1, Thursday: Depart Toronto/Montreal - Halifax
It’s a lunch time departure from Toronto and an early evening departure from Montreal on VIA Rail’s new Easterly Class service. “Make your train trip to the Maritimes a tourist experience in itself. By combining the many comforts of train travel and the thrill of discovery, the new Easterly class offers more than a ticket to the Maritimes: through the guidance and companionship of a Learning Coordinator, it will show you the way to the region’s past and traditions. In a setting reminiscent of the legendary transcontinental trains, the Learning Coordinator will provide the cultural backdrop to the rolling Maritimes seascapes through informative, yet entertaining presentations carefully intertwined with the passing scenery, while setting the course to create an interactive environment open and inviting to everyone. When you travel in Easterly class, you are given access to the very best VIA Rail has to offer: cozy accommodations and delicious meals. Refreshments remain available to you at any time, and you have exclusive access to their amazing touring cars, complete with panoramic dome and comfortable seating.” (Dinner)

DAY 2, Friday: Arrive Halifax
Travel through New Brunswick for arrival in Halifax in the late afternoon. Your vacation begins at a hotel that is ideally located in the downtown core where you will spend the night. This evening meet your fellow travelers and Tour Director at a welcome reception. (Breakfast, Lunch)

DAY 3, Saturday: Halifax – Port-aux-Basques
Travel via Truro and Antigonish to cross over the Canso Causeway to Cape Breton Island. At North Sydney, board a Marine Atlantic ferry for a relaxing crossing to Port aux Basques, your port of entry on the island of Newfoundland. (Breakfast, Lunch)

DAY 4, Sunday: Port-aux-Basques – Port au Choix
Drive through the Codroy Valley and on to Corner Brook, the largest city on the west coast, for a brief tour. Your journey continues through Gros Morne National Park – to be enjoyed later on during your tour – to the fishing community of Port au Choix. While there, visit Port au Choix National Historic Site, before checking in to your accommodations for the night. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

DAY 5, Monday: Port au Choix – L’Anse au Clair
Board the ferry from St. Barbe to cross the Strait of Belle Isle to Labrador. Continue to Red Bay National Historic Site where the Basques had a whaling station in the 16th century. Spend the night in Labrador. (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 6, Tuesday: L’Anse au Clair – St. Anthony
Return to Newfoundland and travel to L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site, the first cultural discovery in the world to receive recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hear of the Vikings who walked here over a thousand years ago. This evening attend The Great Viking Feast at Leifsburdir. (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 7, Wednesday: St. Anthony – Cow Head
Enjoy a morning whale watching boat tour in St. Anthony (weather permitting)* before travelling to Cow Head for a two-night stay. (Breakfast, Dinner)
*June and early July are the best time to see Titanic-size icebergs!

DAY 8, Thursday: Gros Morne local touring
Discover why Gros Morne National Park is truly one of the highlights of your tour. Visit the Broom Point fishing exhibit and Lobster Cove Lighthouse. Enjoy a scenic boat tour (weather permitting) as you learn the geology of the Tablelands, see the whales and bald eagles that frequent the deep waters of the fjord, and hear the history of the small villages nestled on the shores. It is an unforgettable experience; some say the scenery is unequaled in eastern Canada. (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 9, Friday: Cow Head - Gander
Have your camera at the ready as your time in Gros Morne National Park draws to a close. Later travel through central Newfoundland and visit the Mary March Regional Museum in Grand Falls–Windsor before arriving in Gander where you spend two nights. (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 10, Saturday: Twillingate touring
A scenic drive along the rocky coast of Notre Dame Bay leads to the beautiful outport of Twillingate. At the tip of the island, visit Long Point Lighthouse and the local co-op. Return to Gander to visit the North Atlantic Aviation Museum before returning to your hotel. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

DAY 11, Sunday: Gander – St. John’s
Head out on the Trans-Canada Highway to visit Terra Nova National Park, the most easterly of Canada’s beautiful national parks. Keep your camera close at hand for wildlife along the way. Arrive in the capital city of St. John’s and enjoy an intriguing tour of this old seaport. See the Victorian architecture of the downtown area, the busy modern waterfront, the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, Confederation Building, and the panoramic view from Signal Hill. Arrive at your St. John’s hotel for a one night stay. (Breakfast)

DAY 12, Monday: St. John’s touring – Marine Atlantic Ferry
This morning enjoy some free time to explore on your own. In the afternoon drive to Bay Bulls for one of the highlights of your trip …a boat tour to the Witless Bay bird sanctuary (weather permitting). Later visit the most easterly point in North America, Cape Spear National Historic Site before returning to St. John’s for a farewell dinner. After dinner travel to Argentia for an overnight ferry crossing to North Sydney, Nova Scotia. Cabins are included. (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 13, Tuesday: North Sydney – Halifax
Your ferry arrives in Nova Scotia in the early afternoon. Your tour continues along the shores of Bras d’Or to the mainland. The last night is at a downtown Halifax hotel. (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 14, Wednesday: Halifax – Montreal/Toronto
Although you begin your journey homeward today, VIA Rails’ Easterly Class service allows you to continue enjoying the best of Atlantic Canada just a little bit longer! (Lunch, Dinner)

DAY 15, Thursday: Arrive Montreal/Toronto
Your tour ends on arrival in Montreal at approximately 08:30 or connect to Toronto where your tour ends at approximately 15:30. (Continental Breakfast)

Optional Activities

      Ask us about including one or more of the following optional activities to your tour:

      Keith's Brewery Tour
      Halifax Harbour Cruise
      Gray Line Sightseeing Tours
      Halifax Citadel National Historic Site
      Maritime Museum of the Atlantic
      Art Gallery of Nova Scotia
      Pier 21
      Sea Kayaking
      Golf in Cape Breton or Prince Edward Island
      Dinner Theatre

DEPARTURE DATES
June to September

PRICES
Prices from $3,815 US per person based on double occupancy land only