Notre Dame Bay Close-up
Twillingate, Change Islands and Fogo
When: July 16 to 23, 2016 - 8 days, 8 nights
Cost: $3495, $645 single supplement
Max participants: 6
Leaders: Professional photographer, author and biologist Dennis Minty with his partner Antje Springmann
About the Tour
Come travel Newfoundland’s Road to the Isles. The stars are Twillingate, Change Islands and Fogo which lie among dozens of islands in Notre Dame Bay. Here the Labrador current, the famous Iceberg Alley, embraces the northeast coast of Newfoundland carrying with it magnificent ice castles that have traveled to these shores from the high Arctic. Change Islands and Fogo remain accessible only by ferry and thus retain the indelible mark of simpler times. They embody the historic and cultural essence of Notre Dame Bay. Boat builders, fisher folk and crafters are the heart of the communities here. Fishing stages, flakes, and even the greatly endangered Newfoundland ponies are plentiful and make for endless photographic inspiration. These islands are true treasures where the distinctive character and charm of Newfoundland is alive and well. Rocky, rugged and windswept, the land- and seascapes have an elemental quality that helped forge the people whose spirits are quick to incite laughter sure to warm your soul. Join Dennis Minty and Antje Springmann on this photographic feast of a tour, the islands of Notre Dame Bay.
This is a tour for photographers of all levels, their companions and the artistically-minded. Your particular needs and interests are addressed in a multi-dimensional tour that mixes experiential learning with one-on-one coaching in an inspiring setting.
Twillingate is Dennis Minty’s birthplace and he has deep roots here. He and Antje will open doors to places and experiences undiscovered by the casual tourist. So pack your camera and join us to explore the photographic gem that is Newfoundland’s Notre Dame Bay, an unforgettable experience that will leave you inspired and more adept at capturing the natural world with your camera.
Itinerary
Day 1-3 Twillingate
Your trip begins in Gander, made famous by the hospitality it showed to thousands of stranded travelers on 9/11. Here you will meet your guides. Our drive to Twillingate on the Road to the Isles will give us a first glimpse of Notre Dame Bay. Our home base is directly in the picturesque town of Twillingate and its historic harbor, which still hold an important place in the Newfoundland fishery. From here we explore not only the town but many delightful hidden coves and tiny communities nearby. We will have the opportunity to experience the rugged scenery on pleasant coastal hikes and spend some time on the water getting a close up view of nearby icebergs.
Day 4 Change Islands
A short drive and ferry ride takes us to Change Islands, thought to be so called because early settlers once occupied one island in the summer and moved to another for the winter. We overnight in a stately and beautifully restored fish merchant’s house dating to the early 1900s. Directly from our accommodations we can take leisurely strolls to explore the little community. You will also be introduced to the Newfoundland pony, a rare breed in Canada when we visit the sanctuary where local people are working hard to maintain this strong, resilient yet critically endangered pony that was central to life and survival in outport Newfoundland.
Day 5-7 Fogo
Another ferry ride takes us to the larger island of Fogo. The people of Fogo are well-known for their independent spirit and their pride in preserving traditional way of life. It has one of Newfoundland’s most thriving wooden boat building traditions where the little boats called punts are still made by hand. Fogo is dotted with numerous picturesque communities for us to explore and we plan to see them all. This is also a great place for rambling so we will take advantage of the coastal trails and aim to come across the plentiful caribou that roam the island.
Day 8 Return to Gander
Today the ferry takes us from Fogo to Farewell and the road back to Gander. Along the way we take time to visit and explore sights like the ancient Beothuk settlement in Boyd’s Cove and a visit to the Spirit Garden erected there by Newfoundland’s First Nations in honour of the now extinct Beothuk people, the original inhabitants of the island. We end our trip in Gander and celebrate with a farewell dinner before parting the next morning.
Prices include:
• All accommodations
• All meals
• Ground transportation
• Your instructor/guide(s)
• All park/tour fees
Prices do not include:
• Flights to and from St. John’s
• Laundry, phone calls, items of a personal nature
• Alcoholic beverages
• Travel/medical insurance
Fitness level: Easy to moderate. Includes hikes on mostly prepared trails in hilly terrain. Footing can be uneven.
Please note: Itinerary is subject to change due to weather and other unforeseeable factors
