Travel Forum / Destinations / USA and Canada / October 2005

Thanks, Frank.  We are looking at late June to mid-July.  I'm not sure
we'll have any more time in NS this time since we are going to visit the
south coast of Newfoundland and that looks like it could take 7+ days
with the way the coast boats are scheduled.

My wife and I took a similar trip in 1991 -- we spent ~ 8 days in NS and 7
days in NF.  I agree with Frank re the Cabot Trail and Ft. Louisbourg!.
(The daily show at the Gaelic College in St. Ann's is interesting too, if
you are not used to seeing bagpipes!)  In Halifax, pick a B&B downtown so
you don't need to use your car -- much better to walk along the waterfront,
to the public gardens or to the citadel, instead of driving.  We stayed at
the Waverley Inn (http://www.waverleyinn.com/) and that worked out well.
(Don't know how these places have changed in 14 years but still look pretty
good on the internet!)

As for the "Rock", we took the ferry to Argentia, NF (the east end).  Plan a
few days in Saint John's -- a bustling port town with great restaurants and
colorful painted Victorian homes.  Check out Signal Hill, Cape Spear, etc.
We stayed at the Rose's B&B -- really a great location and comfortable place
to stay (my wife's all time fav B&B!): http://www.therosesbandb.com/

Great whale watching and icebergs in Twillingate.  Not many choices to stay
14 years ago, maybe more today.  The drive across NF is full of picturesque
little fishing villages, and wildlife.  And Gros Morne Park is beautiful.
Save a few days to hike up Gros Morne Mtn. (spectacular views), check out
the fjords, tablerock, etc.  We stayed in Rocky Harbour -- book early
because there were very few places to stay -- none were very fancy.  It is
an interesting drive down the western coast to Port aux Basques where we
took the return ferry to NS (a couple hours shorter than the cruise to
Argentia).  It is approx 500mi from Saint John's to Port aux Basques, so you
will be doing some driving.

Have fun!

Chip