Tour #4
Outports, Lucky Rocks, and 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 today is in Cupids, one of the oldest settled communities in Newfoundland. This area is celebrated its 400th anniversary in 2010 of John Guy establishing a colony in this area for the Merchant Ventures’ in Bristol England. 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: $125.00 includes transportation by motor coach, McCarthy’s Party guide, all entrance fees, and tax (13% HST).
Minimum 5 persons
NOTE: Lunch is on your own, but will be arranged by McCarthy’s Party.
Tour #5
Lighthouse Picnic at the Colony of Avalon
Today we head south of St. John’s on the Irish Loop. This driving route takes us along the southern shore through communities settled by Irish immigrants in the mid 18th century. Our destination today is the town of Ferryland. George Calvert, later Lord Baltimore, founded the colony 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. The site is now being excavated. Constructed of stone, the buildings have left substantial remains. Archaeologists have uncovered over a million artifacts to date – gold rings, Portuguese ceramics and other unusual objects – as well as a smithy, a stone-walled well, a sea-flushed privy and the “prettie street” described in very early accounts. We will tour the interpretation centre and the Colony of Avalon site. After touring the site the group will take the leisurely 35-minute walk to the Ferryland Lighthouse. Along the way we pass some of the remains of Lord Baltimore’s Colony, Goose Island, Isle aux Bois and in a single glance the sights of the Torhamvan shipwreck. As one of the oldest communities in North America we are retracing the steps people have walked for hundreds of years, scanning the sea for warships and privateers. The vista for us is far more peaceful and overlooks a quiet harbour, the Ferryland Museum and the Holy Trinity Church. At the lighthouse we meet Jill Curran, the proprietor of the Ferryland Lighthouse Picnics. Jill will set the group up on blankets on the hillsides overlooking the ocean and serve them individual gourmet picnic lunches. This location has been featured by MacLean’s magazine, Canada AM, and En Route magazine. After lunch we have the opportunity to take a tour of the lighthouse before we head back to Ferryland for our trip back to St. John’s.
PRICE PER PERSON: $125.00 includes transportation by motor coach, McCarthy’s Party guide, all entrance fees, and tax (13%HST).
Minimum 5 persons
NOTE: The Lighthouse Picnic is closed on Monday and Tuesday.
Lunch is on your own but will be arranged by McCarthy’s Party.
Tour #6
Sea Kayaking (8:30-14:30)
Take a peaceful trip through the world famous wildlife sanctuaries in a sea kayak. A well trained guide will give you an orientation while on shore showing you basic paddle strokes and safety procedures of your top-quality, stable, two-person kayak before you even leave the beach. You will get to explore shorelines and hidden coves accessible only by sea kayak. You will enjoy unforgettable backdrops provided by the caves, arches, waterfalls, and cliffs.
PRICE PER PERSON: $130.00 includes transportation, lunch, sea kayaking lesson (2 hours on the water) and Tax (13% HST).
Minimum 6 persons
NOTE: The ‘Tow and Go’ option is available for an additional $40.00 per person. This is a two hour paddle that features a ride back to the base camp in a speed boat. It allows participants to see more of the coastline.
To book a tour, contact Mark McCarthy at 709-579-4480 or nfldinfo@mccarthysparty.com.
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