Travel the WORLD while “STUCK” in Newfoundland

42
Travel the World from Newfoundland, Canada

So with the world locked down it’s highly unlikely that Newfoundlanders will be able to travel outside of the province this summer. If we didn’t know better we’d think you orchestrated this whole global pandemic just to keep Newfoundland all to yourselves.

Here, you get to experience so many of the world’s wonders all in one place and without the hassle of traveling!

So what are you missing this summer being “stuck” in Newfoundland? We say NOTHING because Newfoundland’s got you covered!

Here’s our list of the world’s most popular destinations you can give the cold shoulder because you can experience them right here at home…

1. No Way, New Zealand!

New Zealand vs Newfoundland (Hobbits vs Vikings)
New Zealand (Hobbit houses pictured) vs Newfoundland (L’Anse Aux Meadows pictured)

If you’re Lord of the Rings obsessed like Larry, maybe you’d want to visit New Zealand to see the movie-set of grass-roofed hobbit habitats. But why visit the holes of frolicking imaginary characters when you can visit an original settlement village of actual VIKINGS from over 1000 years ago in L’Anse Aux Meadows on the Northern Peninsula. Outside of Greenland this is the only Viking Settlement in ALL North America! That’s a huge deal! Sorry Frodo, why don’t you cry into your second breakfast.

2. Goodbye, Grand Canyon!

Grand Canyon vs Newfoundland (Gros Morne)
Grand Canyon vs Newfoundland (Gros Morne National Park pictured)

The Grand Canyon in The States may be twice as deep as Gros Morne National Park at 1 mile, but at just 70 Million years of age, it’s a BABY compared to Gros Morne, a World Heritage Site at 1.2 BILLION years! Bye gurl BYE! You’re looking a little dry these days GC. Maybe use a little moisturiser. We’ll take a hike through a lush green Jurassic Park…I mean Gros Morne, any day.

3. I Don’t Think So, Iceland!

Iceland vs Newfoundland (Northern lights)
Iceland vs Newfoundland (Northern lights)

The Northern Lights A.K.A Aurora Borealis, is a world wonder natural phenomenon that lights the sky in dramatic florescent colours at night. But it only happens amongst the most northern landscapes in the world including Iceland, Finland, Greenland, Alaska and also across Newfoundland and Labrador! Like stargazing on steroids, it’s a glorious show worthy of a world stage, and not everyone gets a ticket, but you do!

4. Take a Hike, Hollywood!

Los Angeles vs Newfoundland
Los Angeles (Hollywood pictured) vs Newfoundland (Dildo pictured. Credit: Geoffrey Whiteway)

Could it even have been more perfect timing to have built up Dildo as Hollywood’s sister city at the end of last year? If you want the low down on why Jimmy Kimmel wanted to become the Mayor of one of our star attractions, have a read here. Or read all about Newfoundland’s record breaking movie history here. And if someone sees Jason Momoa still around here shooting all his movies and TV shows, how about we just keep him to ourselves this summer. He’ll feel right at home!

5. Catch Ya Later, Costa Rica!

Costa Rica vs Newfoundland (Zip-lining)
Costa Rica (Aventura Canopy Tours pictured) vs Newfoundland (Marble Zipline Tours pictured)

Costa Rica in Central America is known to have some of the most epic Zip Lining Tours in the world. But when you’re flying over rivers, trees and mountains would you even really notice you’re not in a tropical rain forest? Probably not because you have WAY bigger things to worry about! If adrenaline’s your thing check out Marble Zip Tours in Corner Brook that’s said to be maybe the most thrilling zip line tracks in Eastern Canada.

6. Swapping Sweden!

Sweden vs Newfoundland (Fishing Villages)
Sweden ((West Sweden pictured) vs Newfoundland (Joe Batt’s Arm, Fogo Island pictured)

Sweden is known for many things including it’s characteristically ruggedly scenic and architecturally appealing seaside ports and fishing villages. Wait a minute, does this sound familiar? Well it should once you swap in one of hundreds of our own coastal towns like Joe Batt’s Arm on Fogo Island that’s further equipped with a simplistic 5-Star Nordic inspired resort, the Fogo Island Inn. And hell, to many visiting from away and even some from the island, ya may as well pretend locals are speaking Swedish anyway they can be that hard to understand.

7. Hasta La Vista, Australia!

Australia vs Newfoundland
Sydney Australia beaches vs Newfoundland (Sandbanks Provincial Park picture)

Australia is definitely beach central, but hey we’ve got sandy paradises in Newfoundland too with some legitimately better than many in Oz! If you visit Sandbanks Provincial Park, Northern Bay Sands, Salmon Cove or Lumsden Beach you can get both the beachy sun and breeze AND have a much better chance of avoiding the crowds and social distancing this summer. There are far fewer animals waiting to kill you, plus, Newfoundland gets longer days than Sydney! 1.5 hours more daylight in summer and in July, 6 more hours of sun each day! So enjoy a late evening on the sands.

8. I’m Busy, Ireland!

Ireland vs Newfoundland (Cliffs)
Ireland (Cliffs of Moher pictured) vs Newfoundland (Chambers Cove pictured Credit: www.TravisParsons.com @TravisParsonsPhotography)

Ireland and Newfoundland have long been compared for their countless similarities including their green and rugged island landscapes, Irish heritage, culture, accents, love of music and more. Even one of Ireland’s most famous landforms, the Cliffs of Moher could be directly compared to the coastline of Chambers Cove and we’ve got many more. In a pinch, there’s really no reason to feel the need to “return to the motherland”. We already have our own little Ireland, right here at home.

9. Get Lost, Greenland!

Greenland vs Newfoundland
Greenland vs Newfoundland (Ferryland pictured)

Icebergs are an absolutely stunning site to be held even just from the coastline and there are very few places in the world where this natural monstrosity and beauty can be witnessed. Among them included Greenland, Alaska, Iceland, Argentina and Newfoundland! Every year Newfoundland sees up to over 1,000 bergs float by our coast via Iceberg Alley, at times even bringing polar bears to our shores. (We always keep fresh berg ice in our freezer for drinks!) And unlike Greenland, we have yet to deal with icebergs that require emergency evacuations of whole towns, yikes! Our icebergs may have sunk the Titanic, but hey if that floats (Or Sinks?) your boat, we’ve got a museum exhibit for that.

10. So Long, South Africa!

South Africa vs Newfoundland
South Africa (Elephant pictured) vs Newfoundland (Moose pictured)

Do we really need to travel to South Africa this year for a safari to see wildlife in their natural habitat? South Africa may have wild plains full of elephants, leopards, rhinos, hippos, etc etc Pffft. But in Newfoundland we have epic marshlands and forests of moose, eagles, caribou, lynx, coyote, bears, fox, puffins, whales, seals and some years even polar bears! Hell sometimes you don’t even need to go past your backyard for a diverse Newfoundland Safari!

11. Italy, It’s Not Me, It’s You!

Italy vs Newfoundland (Coloured Houses)
Italy (Burano pictured) vs Newfoundland (St. John’s pictured)

There’s a shortlist of the most colourful cities in the world and amongst the top is the Island of Burano in Venice, Italy with it’s brightly coloured houses. But St. John’s is also a fierce competitor for top of the list with entire streets of bright rainbow painted jellybean row houses all over the city!

12. Fat Chance, Chernobyl!

Chernobyl vs Newfoundland
Chernobyl, Ukraine vs Newfoundland (Trinity Loop Pictured)

Chernobyl, Ukraine is infamous for a nuclear power plant disaster in 1986 and became a post-apocalyptic wasteland that has dangerously started to become a popular Instagram photo spot. But Newfoundland is rife with grim abandoned towns without the fear of radiation! Newfoundland has more than 300 ghost villages due to resettlement that have been bleakly reclaimed by nature for up to almost 70 years. We even have the now famous deserted Trinity Loop Amusement Park, where our happy childhood memories have been turned into a dystopian nightmare!! Yay!!!

So what have we learned here?

The moral of the story is you’re isolated in one of the most beautiful, privileged and diverse places in the world and don’t let yourself forget that!

So stay the hell home in Newfoundland! Enjoy everything our stunning province has to offer and have an amazingly world class summer all to yourselves. But do us a favour and let us back in again by Christmas at least please!

So for now…Stay safe. Take care. And have fun!

For more travel stories, adventures and advice, follow us on:

Gays Around the Bay

YouTube – Subscribe Here

Instagram – @GaysAroundTheBay

Email – Submit your email in the subscription box

Until next time guys!

Chris and Larry

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

42 COMMENTS

  1. While it’s not NL , as a side trip , and many do not know this , we have France a short boat ride away ! St Pierre and Miquelon. I
    I loved this post and was due to come home in August .. but .. well you know the rest of the story … it made me more homesick. . I regret that I didn’t know how special it is and we were, until I moved away
    Enjoy your time !

  2. Had a great visit last year, 2019. Many interesting sites in and around St. John’s like the colourful buildings on Water Street, The Rooms Museum, Quidi Vidi to fish for cod, watching the Atlantic Puffin birds in Elliston, lots of seafood restaurants that also served the best chowder, and friendly people. We were there at the wrong season for the ice bergs but the host at one of our bed and breakfasts shared his photos of incredible ice bergs. That was my second visit to NFL and would do it again as there is so much to see. Stayed at the Holiday Express and were pleased with the accommodation and service.

  3. And of course who needs Sea World when you have Wally the whale putting off a show several times daily in Holyrood!! Not to mention the schools of herring flicking about and seals sunning themselves!!

  4. Chris, I think we are second or third cousins, my grandma was a Doyle/Bennett from NFL. I hope to visit Holyrood with my family once all the virus problems abate. I am an ER physician in San Diego.

  6. We did the 12 day McCarthy Party bus tour in 2018 and it was an amazing round the world trip experience, one we will never forget, it’s like seeing another world. Time to plan another visit.

    • Omg it would so cool to experience Newfoundland for the very first time on a cross island roadtrip. Must have been great! We still have so much more to see and explore. Hope you guys can come back again some time when this is all over 🙂

  7. Visited two years ago and was just looking at my photos yesterday. I wish every Canadian had the chance to travel to NFLD, it’s AMAZING!!!

    • Hi Amy, It’s definitely a gem amidst so many amazing Canadian landscapes! Glad you had the chance to come and visit and enjoyed it so much 🙂

  9. I have been in NewFound Land and it is beautiful ,the people are very nice , also have a grandson living there going to university and he is doing great.

  10. Hey guys. Just watched your segment on NTV. Your idea is absoloutly brilliant! Best of luck in all you do. Thanks for showing the world what we have, and showing people here at home what we take for granted!!!

    • Thanks so much Peter! Glad you liked it. It’s definitely a time now that we all need to be reminded to take nothing for granted. And at least we all still have so much 🙂

  11. This is so true, NL the prettiest of all towns. I have often said WHY do people fly so far for vacation when they haven’t seen the beauty of their own country. (NEWFOUNDLANd & LABRADOR). You have put this together in a beautiful way to see the difference in countries & provinces. Marvellous job. I think everyone should read & see all you have put into this. THANKS

    • Thanks so much Sadie glad you enjoyed it! We certainly enjoyed writing it and reminder ourselves of how great Newfoundland is :).

  12. These options made me smile. No problem staying home this year. This is a beautiful province and we should be spending our money here. Think about all that airfare we can save. Buys lots of fish and chips.

    • Yes this is definitely a summer to take a breather and just enjoy a relaxing summer at home after all that’s happened this year haha. And enjoy all the Ches’s!!! 🙂

  14. Amazing and so true. We are so fortunate to live here. This summer we will be touring our great island.

  15. Beautiful comparisons. We probably all know these places, but when compared to their “sister” sites, it makes one feel privileged to live in this beautiful place. TY, guys, for this. Mayne it will open eyes at a time when it will be, as you say, impossible to travel outside of the province this year.

    • Yes it’s good to be reminded of just how big Newfoundland compares against other major spots. Helps to put into perspective a bit easier. Glad you enjoyed it Bev and enjoy Newfoundland this summer!

  16. Yes,we have it all in one of the most beautiful provinces.We would love to share with you all as we are the most generous and friendliest province but this year it’s off limits because of the virus and we want it all to ourselves.See you all next year !!!

  19. What a beautiful awesome contrast you’ve done here I love it and I will be sharing it and hopefully my friends share it too and that we will enjoy Newfoundland culture and environment to the fullest over the next few months Kudos from Skippers View Vacation Home and Cottage Point Leamington Newfoundland.

  21. I’ve travelled a lot in the last twenty years US cities and cruises. I saw and enjoyed everywhere I’ve visited. I’ve travelled quite a bit of Newfoundland but lately I discovered I missed a lot after watching all the shows on Adventures Unknown. It was one of the best and most informative series I’ve ever had the opportunity to watch. I saw out of this world beauty and places no other Country in my humble opinion could ever offer anyone. This is not to say in all my travels I didn’t admire beauty and all but Nature has given our Island of Newfoundland Many different. Types of beauty landscapes Shorelines Waters of both calm and rough Colours and above all many kind and caring people.

    • There is literally so many hidden corners in Newfoundland it’s so hard to keep track of them all. Glad you’ve come back for multiple trips and may return to keep uncovering new spots. Enjoy it! 🙂

Comments are closed.