Day 1

Travel to Munich and Flight to Halifax

We’re driving to Munich. The parking garage and bus transfer go very smoothly. Flight to Frankfurt. There, we have to go from Terminal A to Terminal C. That easily adds up to 10,000 steps. The distances are insanely long. At Terminal C, there’s also another security check. Anyway, eventually we make it to the gate and are sitting on the plane to Halifax. The flight goes by quickly, and as we fly over Newfoundland, we can even see the first icebergs. Let’s hope it stays this way.

Hampton Inn, Truro****

119

Day 2

Trip to North Sydney

Fundy Discovery Center, Truro. Tidal wave just before 9 a.m. St. Peter's Canals NHS, first shopping trip

Hotel North, North Sydney***

345

Day 3

Around Sydney

Louisbourg Fortress, Louisbourg Lighthouse, a brief visit to Sydney

Hotel North, North Sydney***

199

Day 4

By ferry to Newfoundland, drive to Stephenville

Rain and wind make for a rocky 7-hour crossing to Newfoundland. Luckily, we aren't easily affected and don't get seasick. On the way to Stephenville, we come across two moose.

Day´s Inn, Stephenville****

169

Day 5

Trip to Twillingate

Today, the only thing on the agenda is actually the drive to Twillingate, but along the way we get a call saying that our boat tour in Twillingate, which is booked for tomorrow, can’t take place because of the wind. If we make it by 1:00 p.m., we can still go today. So we hurry and arrive just in time. Once again, we’re sitting in an extremely shaky boat and spot our first iceberg.

Funky Frog, Twillingate (Airbnb)****

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Day 6

Twillingate and the trip to Salvage

First thing in the morning, a bald eagle flies right in front of our camera. An iceberg by the bridge in Twillingate. Since there’s supposed to be an iceberg in Salvage, too, we head over there.

Funky Frog, Twillingate (Airbnb)****

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Day 7

Twillingate

Rain and cold, but there are two new icebergs in town which we’re going to check out first. We look for another iceberg in Greens Cove but only find a larger break-off piece. First iceberg beer at the Stagehead Pub. Chilling at the Airbnb.

Funky Frog, Twillingate (Airbnb)****

97

Day 8

Trip to Bonavista

A quick tour of Twillingate before we have to move on. We’d been hoping for a little sun, but there are still plenty of clouds. Visiting various viewpoints in Terra Nova National Park, including a stop at the Visitor Center. Trickle Cove Sea Arch. Checking in at our Airbnb in Elliston and visiting the Puffing Viewing Site.

Blue Wales Cottage, Elliston(Airbnb)****

427

Day 9

Bonavista

It's rainy and foggy again. Coffee in Bonavista, Dungeons Provincial Park, Spilars Cove. Warming up at the Airbnb. John C. Crosbie Sealers Interpretation Center, Mathew Legacy. Chilling at the Airbnb—it's stormy outside.

Blue Wales Cottage, Elliston(Airbnb)****

66

Day 10

Trinity

Port Union, Champney’s West, Port Rexton Coffee and Brewery. Trinity Island tour—we spot a few whales near the lighthouse. In the afternoon, Bonavista Lighthouse—all the puffins are out and about.

Blue Wales Cottage, Elliston(Airbnb)****

161

Day 11

Bonavista

Today is puffin-watching day. We spend a few hours at Spillars Cove, by the lighthouse, and then again in Elliston in the evening. Another iceberg has drifted closer there as well. We’ve seen a moderate number of puffins.

Blue Wales Cottage, Elliston(Airbnb)****

64

Day 12

Trip to St.John´s

In the morning at Spilars Cove, all the puffins are back, and we get to watch them at length once again. Drive toward St. John’s. Wittles Bay boat tour with Gatheralls. We managed to get tickets on the spot.

Sandman Signature Hotel, St.John´s****

336

Day 13

St.John´s

Quidi Vidi Brewery—we get a great table with a view of the small harbor. A short tour of downtown St. John’s, including the Terry Fox Memorial, the starting point of the Trans-Canada Highway, Jellybean Row, and Signal Hill.

Sandman Signature Hotel, St.John´s****

170

Day 14

Avalon Peninsula Tour

A short tour of the Avalon Peninsula. From Whiteway (where we had a special encounter with a bald eagle) to Grates Cove. Unfortunately, the bald eagle’s nest was empty, but we saw several along the way. Bay de Verde—Iceberg and a visit to the brewery. Harbour Grace, Dildo, and the Dildo Brewery.

Sandman Signature Hotel, St.John´s****

450

Day 15

St.John´s

Petty Harbour, Cape Spear, The Battery and Fort Amherst, The Rooms, and a short walk through downtown.

Sandman Signature Hotel, St.John´s****

88

Day 16

Trip to Deer Lake

A day trip to Deer Lake. Kings Point iceberg and two icebergs at Harry's Harbor.

Best Western Horizon Hotel****

728

Day 17

Trip to St.Anthony

A day trip to St. Anthony with great stops along the way. Viewpoints in Gros Morne National Park, Caribou in Port au Choix, Thrombolites in Flower Cove, and moose just outside St. Anthony. Viking Feast.

Grenfell Heritage Hotel***

475

Day 18

St.Anthony

First, we switch our iceberg tour—which was booked for tomorrow—to this afternoon because rain is expected tomorrow. On the way to L’Anse aux Meadows, there are countless icebergs everywhere. Ranger-led tour at L’Anse aux Meadows. Boat tour with at least 8 icebergs. Absolutely incredible.

Grenfell Heritage Hotel***

184

Day 19

Trip to Rocky Harbour

Trip to Rocky Harbour. Arches PP

(Airbnb)****

439

Day 20

Rocky Harbour

Boat tour through Western Brook Pond. It's freezing on the boat, but the sun is shining. Arches Provincial Park in the sunshine.

(Airbnb)****

151

Day 21

Rocky Harbour

The Tablelands section of Gros Morne National Park. Hiking and strolling through the small coastal villages. Visitor Center.

(Airbnb)****

254

Day 22

Trip to Port aux Basques

Port aux Port Peninsula, Hidden Falls.

St.Christoper`s Hotel, Port aux Basques***

494

Day 23

Ferry to North Sydney and drive to Baddeck

Ferry back to Nova Scotia and drive to Baddeck. Check-in at our very nice Airbnb.

The Worn Doorstep (Airbnb)***

42

Day 24

Baddeck

Alexander Graham Bell NHS, drive to Cheticamp and the Cape Breton Highlands National Park Visitor Center.

The Worn Doorstep (Airbnb)***

317

Day 25

Baddeck

Cabot Trail, Skyline Trail, Beulach Ban Falls.

The Worn Doorstep (Airbnb)***

399

Day 26

Fahrt nach Halifax

Trip to Halifax. Fundal Tidal Interpretive Center, Burntcoat Head at high tide.

Hampton Inn Downtown, Halifax****

436

Day 27

Halifax

Citadel Halifax, Burntcoat Head bei Ebbe.

Hampton Inn Downtown, Halifax****

215

Day 28

Peggy's Cove and Return Flight

Walk along the Halifax waterfront, Peggy's Cove, return flight

airplane

134