Pre and Post Conference Tours Accompanying Persons Program Pre and Post Conference Tours
Bird Island Tour

Today begins with a drive down the Southern Shore to the historic Irish outport, Bay Bulls. Here we take a boat ride out to the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve Bird Islands, home to thousands of Atlantic Puffins, Murres and Kittiwakes in the spring and summer. Although it is early in the season, we will look for whales which frequent this bay in the summer months. June is the towards the end of the iceberg season in Newfoundland and Labrador, however, if any of these natural wonders are in the Bay we will certainly get a good looks at these giants.

Price Per Person: $75.00 ; includes transportation to and from Bay Bulls with guide

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Colony of Avalon

This morning we will travel to the Southern Shore of the Avalon Peninsula along the winding coastline of the beautiful Irish Loop which is dotted with small ‘outport’ communities for which Newfoundland is so famous. Lunch will be served in the seaside town of Ferryland after which you will visit the Colony of Avalon Archaeology Site, where the remains of an early 17th century settlement is well preserved. We will walk on a 17th–century street, see a 17th–century herb garden, and look at the remains of everyday life in one of the earliest European colonies in North America. The colony was founded by George Calvert, later Lord Baltimore, in 1621. Most people have no idea that permanent European settlement in North America dates so far back, and that Newfoundland played such an important role. The Ferryland settlement was "forgotten", and its remains lay undisturbed for centuries.

Price Per Person: $110.00 ; includes transportation, McCarthy’s Party guide, entrance fees and lunch

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Coastal Exploration of John Guy’s Colony

Today we will go "around the Bay" along the picturesque coastline of Conception Bay, the home of pirates of centuries ago. We will stop along the in Holyrood to search for ‘Lucky Rocks’ on the beach. We also stop for picture taking as we make our way to Brigus, one of the historic sailing ports of Conception Bay and home of the late, famous Captain Bob Bartlett who took Perry to the North Pole. Here we have the opportunity to visit Hawthorne Cottage and take ‘The Walk’ around the community. Lunch and local entertainment today is in Cupids, one of the oldest settled communities in Newfoundland. This area is celebrating its 400th anniversary in 2010 of John Guy establishing a colony in this area for the Merchant Ventures’ in Bristol England. Lunch is catered by Viola Wells of Skipper Ben’s Bed and Breakfast and the local community. After lunch we would take a walk through the museum in Cupids and visit the archaeology site where the old colony is being rediscovered. Our guide will regale you with the history culture and language of the Newfoundland people.

Price Per Person: $110.00 ; includes transportation by motor coach, McCarthy’s Party guide, all entrance fees, and lunch

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Outports and Lucky Rocks

This is a beautiful scenic tour which takes you along the Atlantic coast and includes stops at Quidi Vidi Village with its snug cove; the Oceans Sciences Research Centre in Logy bay to touch and see the marine life of the Atlantic; Middle Cove Beach with its dramatic cliffs where you can look for lucky rocks or put your feet in the ocean, and Flatrock where the hills run so smoothly into the sea that they can be used as a natural slipway. Learn about the folklore, humour and culture of the Newfoundland people along the way.

Price Per Person: $40.00 ; includes transportation, and guide

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The Far East of the Western World

Tour old St. John's with plenty of time to see such National historic sights as Cabot Tower, Signal Hill, the Anglican Cathedral of St. John the Baptist and the Basilica. Hear the legends of Dead Man's Pond, and Government House and the history surrounding the Colonial Building. This tour will orient you and give you a feel for the history, legend and lore of St. John's, the oldest community in North America. Next we are off to visit the National Park at Cape Spear, the most easterly point of land in North America. Here the lighthouse has been restored to circa 1836. Explore the bunkers built by Canadian soldiers in the side of the cliffs here during the Second World War. Now you can say you have been to the other "Far East" where you can stand with your back to the Atlantic and face every other being in North America - or turn your back on them. The choice is yours.

Price Per Person: $40.00 ; includes transportation, and guide

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Accompanying Persons Program
A “Taste of Newfoundland”

First off this morning we head to Quidi Vidi village, a Portuguese fishing village in St. John’s, where we visit the Quidi Vidi micro brewery and have a refreshing sample of their wares. From Quidi Vidi we make our way to the Jigg House on New Gower street for a wine sampling presentation from Andrew Facey, the only sommelier in Newfoundland and Labrador. Next we are off to one of the fine restaurants in downtown St. John’s for some delicious local cuisine. We finish the tour at the Newman’s Wine Vaults. According to tradition, a Newman's ship bound for London in 1679 was driven far from its planned course by pirates and foul weather. The captain of the ship sought shelter in St. John's, and as winter was closing fast upon them, it was decided to remain in the harbour until spring. The ship's cargo of wine was stored in caves, and when the ship returned to London, the flavour of the port seemed to have improved. After that discovery, Newman's sent its port to Newfoundland to mature in wine cellars there. Today we visit the old cellars and have the opportunity to taste some port. We also enjoy locally owned and produced fine chocolates by The Newfoundland Chocolate Company, many of which are flavored using local wild berries.

Price Per Person: $100.00 ; includes transportation, guide, tastings at each location, lunch w/ glass of wine, and chocolate tasting

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“Twacking” About Downtown

The term twacking describes the art of window shopping, which we will partake in, in beautiful downtown St. John’s. We will visit such shops as Newfoundland Weavery, Twisted Sister, Auntie Crae’s, The Downhome and The Heritage Shop. These uniques stores have a wide variety of goods that will peak the interest of all comers. Once we have concluded our morning twacking we will have lunch in one of St. John’s fine downtown restaurants. Don’t forget your wallets, and be sure to wear comfortable shoes!!

Price Per Person: $70.00 ; includes transportation, guide and lunch w/ glass of wine

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“The Rock” and Culture Tour

First off this afternoon the group will visit the newly designed GEO Centre. As soon as you enter the Johnson GEO Centre, you know you’re in for an “out of this world” experience. From the main lobby, you'll gaze out at the breathtaking, full-colour planets of our solar system, hanging within the three-storey high Reception Hall. It's simply spectacular. From there we visit the Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Arts Council facility. Located in the Historic Devon Row area of downtown St. Jolhn’s, the facility hosts the the finest in artisan works the province has to offer. Next we are off to the new Newfoundland and Labrador Art Gallery located in The Rooms. This facility, opened in June of 2005, overlooks St. John’s and features local artists as well as touring exhibits.

Price Per Person: $55.00 ; includes transportation, guide, and entrance fees

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Harbour Charter

Welcome Aboard! Today we will sail around St. John's Harbour, the most easterly port of call in North America. This was the first stop along the way for most ships heading to the New World. We will go through the entrance of the harbour known as "the Narrows' with three hundred foot hills towering on one side and four hundred foot cliffs on the other and marvel at how the early explorers ever found this almost enclosed harbour in the first place. Experience the feel of the Atlantic Ocean beneath you as we look for whales along the rugged coast line between St. John's and Cape Spear, the most easterly point of land in North America.

Price Per Person: $ 53.00 ; includes boat tour

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Sea Cave Exploration

Today we get on our floater jackets and survival suits for a trip along the Southern Shore. Today we travel in an exploration vessel normally used by scientists and photographers who come to the area to explore the caves and sea-stacks on this wonderful shoreline. Today it is our turn! This trip, which includes maneuvering into sea caves and through sea stacks is a spectacular event that will be remembered for years to come.

Price Per Person: $115.00 ; includes transportation and guide

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