Newfoundland
Grand Tour of Newfoundland
June 21-July 1
July 15-25
September 14-24
Travac would like to take you to the most easterly edge of North America……Newfoundland!
This summer join Travac as we travel to the province where the Vikings first landed over 1000 years ago leaving their indelible mark. You’ll have a chance to visit the oldest settlement and the oldest city in North America. At the same time you will traverse this vast land with its relatively small population and meet some of its friendly inhabitants. Here you can immerse yourself in the solitude of the provinces wilderness one day and embrace its vibrant culture the next.
Your tour covers over 3300 kilometers of beautiful scenery and will take you from Newfoundland’s vibrant towns to its quaint villages and outports. You will follow stunning coastlines and take in some of the most incredible sky-scapes that you will ever see. You will visit Gros Morne National Park, UNESCO National Historic Site L’Anse aux Meadows, Trinity and Bonavista as well as many quaint and picturesque villages as you head into St. John’s.
Your first step to secure your space on this exciting adventure is to simply call Travac Tours and have one of our helpful agents reserve your spot.
When should I go?
Looking to see icebergs? June is your best bet.
July is the best month for whale and puffin sightings!
August and September offer great weather and many festivals.
Tour Itinerary
Day 1
Today you will depart Ottawa Airport for your flights to Deer Lake. Upon your arrival you will be transferred to your hotel in Gros Morne National Park. This world heritage site takes its name from Newfoundland’s second highest mountain peak
Overnight in Cow Head (Shallow Bay Motel or similar) or Rocky Harbour (Mountain Range Cottages or similar)
Day 2
Gros Morne Park is famous for its spectacular scenery. Apart from enjoying this incredible landscape by land, you will also venture off on a boat tour within the park on Bonne Bay. This will allow you an entirely different perspective on the millennia old striking landscapes. It will also give you the opportunity to enjoy the natural beauty of the region.
Overnight in Cow Head (Shallow Bay Motel or similar) or Rocky Harbour (Mountain Range Cottages or similar)
Day 3
Moving north we will visit the Port au Choix National Historic Site. Here you’ll find the crossroads of 6000 years of human history. The sea’s bounty drew Maritime Archaic Indian, Dorset and Groswater Paleoeskimo, and Recent Indian’s here long before Europeans arrived. Seals on passing iceflows were hunted by the Dorset and used for food, shelter and clothing.
Overnight in St. Anthony’s – Hotel North or Grenfell Suites (or similar)
Day 4
This morning you will make your way to the UNESCO National Historic Site, L’Anse aux Meadows. It was here in 1960 that a group of archeologists discovered the remains of what was an ancient Norse encampment that would have housed as many as 100 Vikings. While here, you will have a chance to view some of the recovered artifacts. Your guide will also go over how the encampment was discovered. Near the original encampment are several re-created sod and timber buildings depicting how life was lived 1,000 years ago.
In the afternoon, we will take a guided tour of Sir Wilfred Grenfell Mission. The Grenfell Mission provided some of the earliest permanent medical services in Labrador and northern Newfoundland. Before the mission opened its first hospital at Battle Harbour in 1893, almost no health-care resources existed in the area.
Overnight in St. Anthony’s – Hotel North or Grenfell Suites (or similar)
Day 5
This morning we will leave the northern peninsula. There will still be many opportunities to enjoy its natural beauty and you driver will make stops along our route in order to allow time for picture taking.
Overnight in Cow Head (Shallow Bay Motel or similar) or Rocky Harbour (Mountain Range Cottages or similar)
Day 6
After breakfast, we will make our way to Gander. Gander is most famous for the role that it has played in Canadian aviation history. This role extends back the 1930’s and was most prominent in World War II when over 10,000 airmen were stationed in Gander. Most of the streets in Gander are named after famous aviators, such as Amelia Earhart, Alcock and Brown, Charles Lindbergh, Eddie Rickenbacker, Marc Garneau and Chuck Yeager.
Overnight in Gander – Sinbad’s Hotel (or similar)
Day 7
Today you will make your way to visit Twillingate, one of the most picturesque outports in all of Newfoundland. Located on the northeastern shore of Newfoundland, Twillingate is affectionately known as the ‘Iceberg Capital of the World’. Twillingate was once an active fishing community and is one of the oldest ports on the island.
Overnight in Clarenville – Clarenville Inn (or similar)
Day 8
Your journey today will take you to Bonavista and Trinity. In Bonavista you will have the chance to view the cliffs and enjoy the wonderful coastal scenery. It was here that John Cabot made landfall in 1497. This is also a major center for the fishing industry in Newfoundland. From Bonavista you will continue on to Trinity. Trinity is one of the oldest communities in North America and is a gem of a village.
Overnight in Clarenville – Clarenville Inn (or similar)
Day 9
Today will take you into St. John’s, the capital of Newfoundland. A stop at Cape Spear with a tour will be made onroute.
After time for lunch (on your own) in St. John’s, we will embark on a 3 hour city tour. The city enjoys a long and vibrant history as the oldest English-founded city in North America. While the city owes a great deal to the fishing industry, it has been transformed into a modern city famed for its nightlife and its rich musical culture. Evening is free.
Overnight St. John’s – Hilton Garden Inn (or similar)
Day 10
This morning you will travel down the Avalon Peninsula to the town of Bay Bulls. From here you will make your way to Witless Bay where you will embark on a boat tour and have a chance to view thousands of Atlantic Puffins, Murres and other seabirds that make their home here in the summer.
Tonight there will be a farewell dinner.
Overnight St. John’s – Hilton Garden Inn (or similar)
Day 11
Your guide will advise you of your transfer time to the airport for your return flights back to Ottawa from St. John’s. We are sure that you will have many fond memories of your wonderful Newfoundland experience.
Itinerary and hotels subject to change.
Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Bangkok, and Phuket: April departure
Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Bangkok, and Phuket
April 7 – May 5, 2025
Tour Itinerary
Day 1
Depart Ottawa
Depart Ottawa for your first flight (overnight) to Paris. Connect in Paris for your flight to Saigon.
Day 2
Depart Paris
Depart Paris on your second flight (overnight) to Saigon.
Day 3
Arrival in Saigon
Arrival in Saigon and transfer to your hotel. Dinner at the hotel tonight (D).
Day 4
City tour of Saigon
Your morning is free to spend at your leisure. In the afternoon, depart with a local guide for a city tour. You will visit the Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, Saigon Post Office, Chinatown, Binh Tay Market, and Thien Hau Temple. Dinner at Hoa Tuc Restaurant. (B/D)
Day 5
Rice farm and Cu Chi Tunnels
Today you will visit the Cu Chi Tunnels. En route to Cu Chi you will stop at a local rice farm to discuss how it is harvested. Return to Ho Chi Minh for lunch. The remainder of your day is free to explore the city. (B/L)
Day 6
Free day
Today is a free day to explore Saigon at your leisure. Your Travac Tours Director will have suggestions on how to make the most of your time in this beautiful city.
Day 7
Da Nang
This morning you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Da Nang. Upon arrival Da Nang, a local guide will take you on a short tour of Da Nang, to historic points of interest and the Cham Museum. After lunch, you will be transferred to Hoi An and arrive in the late afternoon. (B/L)
Day 8
Hoi An
You will begin your morning with a half day walking tour of the village of Hoi An with a local guide. You will visit ancient merchants houses, a Hokkien temple, 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, and Hoi An’s colorful riverside market. After lunch, you will visit a workshop where artisans make Hoi An’s famous lanterns and have the opportunity to make one of your own. (B/D)
Day 9
Free day
Today is a free day in Hoi An. Your Travac Tours Director will have optional tour ideas. ($) (B)
Day 10
Hue
Today you will be transferred from Hoi An to Hue. You will stop en-route at the Marble Mountains stonecutters and pass over the spectacular Hai Van Mountain pass. Upon arrival in Hue, the remainder of your day will be at your leisure. (B/L)
Day 11
Hue
Today you will be transferred to the outskirts of Hue to visit the elaborate tomb of Emperor Tu Duc. Stop en-route to see incense being made. You will then visit the Khai Dinh Tomb. After lunch, you will travel to Thien Mu Pagoda, the Imperial Citadel, and finally the Dong Ba Market before heading back to the hotel. (B/D)
Day 12
Hanoi
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Hanoi. In the afternoon, you will have the opportunity to see the beautiful colors of Hanoi on a cyclo tour through the city’s old quarters. (B/D)
Day 13
Hanoi
Today you will visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Ho Chi Minh’s former home, the One Pillar Pagoda, the Temple of Literature, and the Hoa Lo Prison. The remainder of your day will be free. (B/L)
Day 14
Halong Cruise
After breakfast, you will be transferred to Halong for your cruise. Lunch and dinner are included on board. (B/L/D)
Day 15
Return to Hanoi
After brunch onboard the ship, you will be transferred back to Hanoi. The remainder of your day is free. (Brunch)
Day 16
Luang Prabang
Today you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Luang Prabang. Upon arrival, you will have a city tour to the Former Royal Palace (now the National Museum), Wat Xieng Thong, Wat Sen, Wat Visoun. End the day enjoying the sunset from the top of Mount Phou Si. Dinner at Sena restaurant. (B,D)
Day 17
Luang Prabang
Today we will board a private boat and head out to explore the mighty Mekong River and some of its villages along the way. We will cross the river to the village of Ban Xieng Mae where we’ll walk to Wat Chom Phet, a temple built by the Thai army in 1880. You need to walk up about 100 steps to visit this small-dilapidated temple from where you have an undisturbed and peaceful view over the Mekong River and Luang Prabang. Next, we will visit the ancient Royal temple of Wat Long Khoun, that was formerly used by Kings and Queens for meditation purposes. Our next stop is the village of Ban Chan, famous for its pottery making. Here we will meet the locals and learn about their daily lifestyle. We will reboard the boat and continue our cruise upstream the mysterious Pak Ou caves, two caves set in a limestone cliff facing the Mekong River crammed with thousands Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes. We then return downstream to Luang Prabang, making a stop at Wat Done Khoun temple, a unique temple situated on an island in the Mekong. We arrive back at Luang Prabang by early evening, while the sun sets behind the mountains. End the day enjoying the sunset from the top of Mount Phou Si. (B/L/D)
Day 18
Luang Prabang to Siem Reap
Today we transfer to the airport for flight to Siem Reap. After transferring to the hotel, we will have dinner with an Apsara dance show. (B,D)
Day 19
Day 20
Day 21
Siem Reap to Phnom Penh
Your morning is free to spend at your leisure. In the afternoon, transfer to airport for flight to Phnom Penh. Lunch at local restaurant. (B,L)
Day 22
Day 23
Phnom Penh
Today is free to enjoy at your leisure. Your Travac Tours Director will have ideas or optional tours for today. (B)
Day 24
Phnom Penh to Phuket
Today you will be transferred to the airport for your flights via Bangkok to Phuket. (B)
Day 25
Phuket
Today is a free day to spend at your leisure. (B)
Day 26
Phuket
Today is another free day to spend at your leisure. (B)
Day 27
Phuket to Bangkok
Today we will depart Phuket to Bangkok. Upon arrival in Bangkok, we will embark on a tour to Temple City, Grand Palace, and Klong. We will visit Reclining Buddha (Wat Pho), experience monk chanting at Wat Pho, the Grand Palace, Coronation Hall, Funeral Hall and the famous Emerald Buddha.
After lunch we will continue by long-tail boat along the canal to see a Thai houses and typical rural life and visit Temple of Dawn. (B,L)
Day 28
Bangkok to Paris
Today will will depart Bangkok for our transfer flight to Paris. Overnight in Paris. (B)
Day 29
Paris to Ottawa
Return to Ottawa. (B)
Hotel Information
Saigon: Renaissance Riverside Hotel
Hotel Address
8-15 Ton Duc Thang Street, District 1Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
700000
+84 28 3822 0033
Hoi An: Hotel Royal
Hotel Address
39 Đào Duy TừHoi An Town, Quảng Nam, Vietnam,
+84 235 3950 777
Hue: La Residence
Hotel Address
5 Le Loi Street Hue, Vietnam,
+84 234 3837 475
Hanoi: Melia Hotel
Hotel Address
44 Ly Thuong Kiet StreetHanoi, Vietnam 001235,
+84 439343343
Halong Bay: Jasmine Junk
Luang Prabang: Satri House
Hotel Address
Banwatsane, LuangprabangLuang Prabang, Laos,
+856 71 253 491
Siem Reap: Le Meridien Angkor
Hotel Address
Vithei Charles de Gaulle, Khum Svay Dang KumSiem Reap, Cambodia, 17259
+855 63 963 900
Phnom Penh: La Rose Suite
Hotel Address
4B, Street 21, Sangkat Tonle Bassac Khan ChamkarmornPhnom Penh, Cambodia 12301,
+855 23 222 254