THE CANADIAN MARTIMES & NEWFOUNDLAND

SHIP OFFERING THIS ITINERARY

National Geographic Explorer

National Geographic Explorer was completely redesigned and rebuilt prior to being relaunched in 2008. The ship is equipped with an ice-strengthened hull and advanced navigation equipment making it ideal for Antarctic expeditions, and offers a well-appointed interior with vast expanses of glass for an unprecedented connection to the regions explored. The Explorer accommodates guests in 81 spacious outside cabins, most with feature windows and some with balconies. Public areas include a lounge and bar, a spa, fitness centre and sauna, and a choice of dining options that offer regionally inspired cuisine.

Day 1 St John’s, Newfoundland, Canada

Explore St Johns at your own leisure. In the late afternoon embark the National Geographic Explorer.

Day 2 St Pierre

Your first landfall is St. Pierre, France’s oldest remaining overseas territory. Explore this picturesque French fishing enclave where you will visit a local island to learn the importance of the historic cod fisheries here, and explore the fascinating L’Arche Museum.

Day 3 Louisbourg & Baddeck, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia

Today you visit the reconstructed Fortress of Louisbourg, an 18th-century fort where the British and French fought. Later, visit the village of Baddeck, where Alexander Graham Bell built his summer home, now the centrepiece of a beautiful park and museum. Enjoy a guided tour of the Bell Museum and have the opportunity to see historic artifacts not otherwise available to the public.

Day 4 Îles de la Madeleine, Quebec

A cluster of wispy islands isolated in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, the Îles de la Madeleine are home to miles of dunes, grassy hills, and dazzling red sandstone cliffs. Local experts will guide us by Zodiac across this landscape of caves and sea arches, stopping along the way in colourful fishing villages as we learn about Acadian culture.

Day 5 Gulf of St Lawrence

This is a day of exploration where your expedition team will look for the best opportunities to focus on the natural history and landscapes of the region.

Day 6 Gros Morne National Park

Graced by cliffs, fjords, and a sweeping alpine plateau, Gros Morne National Park has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site for its spectacular geology. Go on a variety of walks with the naturalists along waterfalls, marine inlets, and forested trails. Learn about the forces that shaped this land and the ancient serpentine rock that illustrates the phenomenon of plate tectonics.

Day 7 L’Anse aux Meadows

In the World Heritage site of L’Anse aux Meadows, walk among 11th-century Norse ruins and reconstructed sod huts and learn the saga of the Vikings in North America–nearly 500 years before Columbus arrived.

Day 8 Eastern Newfoundland

Wild, rugged, and often accessible only by sea, Newfoundland’s east coast is dotted with tiny fishing villages tucked into coves. Explore one of these towns and have the opportunity to hike along this spectacularly rugged coastline with local guides and your ship’s naturalists.

Day 9 St John’s, Newfoundland

Sail through the harbour narrow in the early morning as we approach St. John’s, the picturesque capital city of Newfoundland and the most easterly point of North America. Visit the colourful waterfront, Signal Hill, and The Rooms Museum before you transfer to the airport for your flight home.