The Newfoundland Herald has been out and about this summer talking to some amazing folks in the tourism industry, but some of the best conversations we’ve had have been with the tourists themselves. 

Hands down, people say that this province – and our people and hospitality– are proof we are most certainly one of a kind.

Ocean Delight Properties ~ Heart’s Delight, NL

Laurelyn Berry, owner at Ocean Delight Properties, proudly shows off her property. With four cottages – adorably named Cranberry, Cloudberry, Blueberry and Partridgeberry –  on the ocean’s edge in scenic Whiteway, and four more – the Loon, the Puffin, the Gannet and the Osprey – just a five minutes drive away in a secluded cove in Heart’s Delight-Islington, Ocean Delight cottages are breathtaking, even if only in their setting.

But that’s just the start. Each cottage has been lovingly designed and are unique in their layout, and each – while comfortable and designed to offer all the needed conveniences for a stay – are so much more. There’s also an element of elegance and romance in each and every cottage. 

On the day we visit Berry she had been walking her two senior dogs, and one had gotten into the water. There was garden work to be completed and furry family members to tend to, yet she stood before us as elegant and as poised as a movie star. Berry was able to give The Herald a tour of almost every cottage in both locations, and while they were all stunning and spectacular inside and out, it was the view at each – created to make it appear as if your cottage is the only one on the edge of the world – that took our breath away. 

Later, we were able to stay at The Gannet and “romantic” is the only word to describe both the vibe and the setting. 

“I’m a romantic at heart and I like things to be functional yes, but also to relax and inspire. Simple can be romantic, and that’s what Ocean Delight is,” she said. As the sun began to set, we moved from our private deck area to our private garden and then, with time to spare, we took our nightcaps and wandered down to a newly created gazebo area closer to the sea and sat and took in all the beauty and wonder. 

For bookings and more visit  oceandelightcottages.net/ODC2

Bay Chalets ~ Placentia, NL

Located in the Placentia area, Bay Chalets offers some unique options when it comes to a stay-over. 

The Cliff House is luxury personified. It’s a hot tub on the edge of the ocean and a magnificently manicured garden – waterfall included – stay. But that’s just the outside! Inside, with so many hand-crafted “bomb proof” creations by the owners, this place is worth the stay simply to experience its finery. 

Cochrane House Chalet boasts a large wrap-around deck and an incredible ocean view. Pet friendly, it’s openness and comfort encourages “settling in” instantly. Margie’s Place by the Pond is unique. With a kitchen and main floor area that is so beautiful it begs to be lived in and the design of the house – a former parish priest residence – is jaw-dropping. The newly renovated master used to be the maid’s residence. Soaker tub, luxurious shower and a bedroom to inspire, the master is a masterpiece. But take a wander through the premises and you’ll see hints of the past everywhere. 

During our stay, I swear there were ghosts exploring the place as we slept, though they were of the most friendly kind and a stay at Margie’s Place is friendly and welcoming, just like property owners Joanne Cochrane-Knight  and Jamel Knight.  

The couple both have a flair for design, and Jamel is a talented wood-worker and has created many incredible one-of-a-kind pieces. From tables to bar-tops, these vacation home rentals are unique. 

“We just wanted to make an environment that was friendly for people to really enjoy themselves. ‘Bomb proof’ is what I call what we’ve created, but yet everything is so one-of-a-kind and beautiful,” she said. 

They take so much pride in what they do. “We start early mornings and we go until it’s done for us. A five star review is so important, not because we want the numbers, but because we want our guests to be happy,” she said. “We take it very personally when something doesn’t go right because we have put so much time and energy and effort and money and  mostly love into everything we do.”

For more see baychalets.ca 

Frozen in Time Winery & Ironberry ~Markland, NL

Located in Markland, Frozen in Time is a place one must see to believe – a phrase I used over and over while being given a tour of the store and restaurant area of the premises by manager Liz Collins. 

A proud family based business dedicated to producing premium berry wines and spirits using quality, clean ingredients, minimal processing and no added sulphites, Collins explained that there’s also quite the history in the building we were standing in. 

“Visiting our winery is like taking a step back into a slice of Newfoundland history,” she said. 

The Markland Cottage Hospital was built in 1935 and was one of 19 cottage hospitals built in Newfoundland and Labrador to serve rural communities. The overnight stay rental above the winery is spectacular in its preserving of that history. The architecture, windows, space and setting is again one that must be seen and experienced to be believed. But it’s the people that really make each place special. Collins glows as she showcases all the renovations lovingly done to the premises. Owner Marek Krol is passionate about the place, Collins explained. Even though Newfoundland isn’t his home by birth, he’s felt an instant connection to the place from the start, something he shared with The Herald when we spoke. Twenty years after immigrating to Toronto from his native Poland in 1988, Krol saw the benefits of establishing a business in Newfoundland and Labrador after one visit. “It was the people. The people from Poland are friendly, and Newfoundlanders give off that same feeling.. And many of the places I’ve seen in Newfoundland, it looks like home… It’s the closest I’ve felt to home since I left Poland,” he explained warmly. 

Krol said he purchased the winery (formerly Rodrigues Winery) because he “had faith in the people and in the place.” 

“The province of Newfoundland has so many opportunities for the people to do something beautiful and different. We all are a team there and we have a vision to put trails, lit by night, where people can come and sample food and fine wine and stay in the woods in a natural setting. The people of Newfoundland love the woods, and we have so much of it to offer at the winery,” he said. 

The pride in his staff and in the products they produce is uplifting. 

“We lift ourselves up. We are proud to show the world the possibilities. We have something special with our products and the future looks bright,” he shared. 

With flavoured maple syrup – a unique product in Canada great on its own or for cooking – their Ironberry line which produces powders made from berries: blueberries, cranberries and sea buckthorn, a berry that contains more than 190 different nutrients, as well as protein and fatty acids;  they have it all. 

Krol added that one teaspoon of Ironberry powder is equivalent to eating around a half a cup of berries. And the taste? Amazing! 

The pub area of Frozen in Time fills as we hang out with the fun and friendly staff. We’re there to eat  and taste the wines of course – but also to have a laugh with those working. It’s karaoke night and the place is on wheels with locals and come from aways alike. 

Come Home 2022 has been a joyful one for all. And the bonus?

“Our products are so pure, there’s no hangover. No chemicals. 

It’s all organic,” Krol said. And yes, tasting great is fabulous of course, and all the wines and liqueurs are incredible, but knowing that in the morning the only regret might be one’s karaoke performance is a great feeling too! 

For more visit  frozenintimeltd.com

Dildo Dory Grill

Laura March-Crocker  has her hands full on the day we visit. With sea food chowder and cod au gratin and fish cakes on the menu, it’s a kitchen day for this chief and business owner. 

The main courses – from fish and chips to chicken burgers – are all amazing, but of course when you are in Dildo it’s all about the people and the scenery. Captain Dildo is a great draw, of course. “Everyone that comes through, you’ll see them take their camera out for a picture,” she said with a smile.   

But with all the love and passion March-Crocker puts into every bite, it’s little wonder they draw a crowd. “We love it when someone enjoys themselves. I love to cook for a crowd, and you certainly get to do that here,” she laughed. 

March-Crocker says “that’s the way it is here. Dildo just makes everybody happy.” And that it does! 

For more visit  dildodorygrill.com/index.html or follow them on Facebook

Doctor’s House Inn & Spa ~Green’s Harbour, nl | Part two

Jerry Byrne might be an engineer, but he’s also quite an entertainer. On the day we visit the Doctor’s House Inn & Spa, owner Byrne is on wheels.  

We tour the delightful property. There’s the barn that used to house Dr. Body (the original owner of the glorious  estate) and his family and their many Newfoundland Ponies. It’s so quaintly beautiful. The main floor of this historic building on this phenomenal property is a general store in season while the upstairs is a quiet and relaxing retreat with a view. 

There’s paths, secret gardens, stone walkways, and the outside wedding garden. The restaurant is a massive barn-like building that – once you are seated inside – looks like the bottom of a dory.   There’s so much to see and one doesn’t have to be an overnight guest either! The dining room (make a reservation – the food and the service is  exceptional) is open for all, and the sunsets are free! 

We feed the resident African Boer Goats before moving on to visit Joseph and Clara – the only two Newfoundland Heritage Rams in the province. Then, the stars of the 30-room property – Newfoundland Ponies! Monty steals the spotlight, however, as he’s actually a magical colour-changing horse!  The story is so delightful that, if ever given a chance, let Byrne tell it himself! It involves artist and Newfoundland Pony enthusiast Clifford George.  

“That’s Monty,” Byrne said, sharing some oats for all to take a turn with feeding. “He’s known as a ‘radical changer.” Excuse me? Byrne laughed, launching into the yarn. 

“(George) started telling me that Monty changes colour. He goes from black to white to brown to all colours in between. I thought he was pulling my leg, but then I was like, ‘yes b’y. why not?’ And you know what?  He was right. You never know, do you?” Byrne commented with a laugh. 

We continue; 140 acres and 2,000 feet of it are ocean front.  Byrne has stories. From chickens that turn into roosters to how the first wedding came to be against all odds – it was like the Doctor’s House Inn & Spa was meant to be and Byrne was meant to be exactly where he is – playing host on the most glorious and historic property. “I love it here in all seasons. Yes, it’s beautiful now, but come out here after a storm in the winter. Norman Rockwell himself couldn’t capture the beauty.” 

For more on the Doctor’s House Inn & Spa, visit The Herald online, or check them out at doctorshousenl.ca 

Dunrovin Cabins, RV Sites, Restaurant, Gas Bar & Convenience

The carved wooden statues invite you in, if only for curiosity sake. Cowboys. A bear. Moose. Even a skipper stands proud on the entrance to Dunrovin. Wendy Penney and her husband Deon, who was born in Lethbridge, own Dunrovin but it just might be 11 year-old Lexie, their daughter, who runs the place, Wendy jokes.    It’s obvious that operating Dunrovin is a family affair, and it’s a place where everyone has a role.  

  “We took over August 2020, right in the middle of the pandemic and it keeps us all busy,” she said while taking a break from office work. 

There’s six cabins and 32 serviced sites for RVs and every site sits picture perfect. It’s almost like visiting a Lego-block-built campground, where every tree sits perfectly manicured. All greenery appears to have been planted on the exact same spot on each and every campsite, and all trees look to be identical. 

The care and planning and love that goes into this place is evident. The beach area is serene yet inviting. There’s two playgrounds, a sandy area for walking or playing and plenty of space to just sit and enjoy the view or just listen to the frogs as the sun sets.  Make no mistake, Wendy says, Dunrovin has been quite the undertaking. “This place has a lot of history and the maintenance requires a lot of hard work,” she says. There are many seasonal campers and passers-through too.  Meeting and greeting them all is one of the joys of the job, she shared. 

“They come from everywhere. Come Home Year has been busy, but then we always seem to be busy. “

The best part of the entire thing? “Making people happy.” 

The downside? Having enough hands to deal with what has to be done. Penney looks out the window as tourists snap pictures of their wooden statues. 

“It’s a tourist attraction. You look out pretty much any time of the day and you’ll see people stood up and pictures being taken.

“Aspen by the Sea Cottages, located not far down the road, are also owned by the family, another reason why everyone’s involvement is so important – especially their 11 year-old. They put in a new payment system and their daughter had it down in no time, even figuring out “the glitches,” Penney said proudly.  

With 20-plus staff on during the summer, Dunrovin is a busy spot. We ask about the name. Where did it come from? “The guy that originally built this place in 1975 worked very hard. When he was done he sat down and said, ‘I got the name done figured out.  I’m going to stay here. I’m done rovin’ – and that became the name. Dunrovin.”  

For more visit Dunrovin Cabins, RV Sites & Convenience And Gas on Facebook

Long Point Lighthouse – Twillingate, NL

Long Point Lighthouse is one of the most photographed – and videoed –landmarks on the Northeast Coast of Newfoundland. Located at Crow Head, it’s more than 300 feet above sea level, making it a great lookout point where thousands of visitors every year enjoy the panoramic view of the Atlantic Ocean with the added excitement of the possibility of viewing icebergs, whales, seals and sea birds.

Operational year-round, we meet Thelma, who used to own and operate Iceberg Alley Bed & Breakfast before passing over the reins. 

The fog horn blows on the day we visit, making the magnificent scene even more authentic.  Thelma, after filling our head with some delightful tales involving the late Geoff Stirling who visited the area – and her family –often, suggests  Ethan, a student tour-guide, take over. He leads us up into the top of the lighthouse. 

Ethan snaps pictures of us high above the land and points out some interesting facts about the region. The tour continues on the main level and is no less breathtaking. Period pieces, displays of pictures from ‘back in the day’ and a whole lot of Twillingate history is on display for all to absorb. Boats. Bedrooms. 

The kitchen table is set as if it’s ready for skipper to come in for a cup of tea. An operational lighthouse ran by the Canadian Coast Guard, the building was complete in 1876. On the wall boasts a list of lighthouse keepers – 14 since it first opened. We thank Ethan and embrace Thelma – they have been so incredibly entertaining and informative making this stop a highlight of our trip.

For more visit twillingate.com

Frozen in Time Winery & Ironberry ~ Markland

Owner from that first peak around the corner once you enter the main doorway. There’s updates galore inside the building that used to be known as Rodrigues Winery in Whitbourne.

The wines themselves – with labels worth admiring – are amazing. Cloudberry. Blackcurrant. Blueberry. Strawberry and so many more. But there’s so much more to Frozen in Time than wine. There’s their made in-house vodka too, as well as some tasty after dinner liquors like green apple.  There’s a nutraceutical  line  called Ironberry (a pharmaceutical alternative which can offer physiological benefits) and the most amazing display of flavoured maple syrups one can imagine.  

“We are a proud, family based business dedicated to producing premium berry wines and spirits using quality, clean ingredients, minimal processing and no added sulphites,” their website claims. It continues, “We are passionate about maintaining the essence of the berries and fruits to create our unique products. Our objective is not to follow the status quo, but to lead, innovate and inspire.”

Well, they’ve certainly done that, and one must experience it all first hand. On the day we visit,  fresh from a few hours spent floating down the local river with Wind at Your Back Lazy River, my crew head up to the house rental – our beds for the night –located above the winery.

The history of the building – a former cottage hospital – is evident in the stunning architecture and we’re presented with the most amazing charcuterie board ever seen.  We meet our tour guide and Frozen in Time’s vintner Dwayne Day, who has his own interesting history with this place.  He started working for the company as a young lad – long before he was  even legal drinking age, he said laughing. Over the years Day has moved up in the organization he shared, as he began a tour of the facility. 

“The wine process can take up to three and a half weeks per batch of wine, and we use about 1,800 pounds of berries per batch. That will give us about 330-350 cases of wine  with 12  bottles in each case.”

 Two staff, on an average day, can do 310-330 cases, he shared. Blueberry wine is their biggest seller, he added, leading us through the facility.

Frozen in Time is open seven days a week during the busy summer season from nine in the morning until ten at night. Besides wine tasting (and maple syrup tastings) there’s the AirBnB and a restaurant which serves everything from wings and nachos to those incredibly designed charcuterie boards. 

We ask Day what the best part of his job is. Standing amid glorious case after glorious case of wine, he smiled.  

“I love how blown away people are when they come here and they see the product lines available. I love it when people taste the products and then say how much they enjoyed it. My favorite wine right now, I would have to say, is probably the cranberry and the strawberry. I like them both really about the same.”

He smiled, then offered, “but the vodka. That’s my favourite. It’s really smooth. You’ll know when you taste it,” Day teased before heading back to work. 

 Next week: wine tasting at Frozen in Time, plus,  we learn about their nutraceutical line. For more visit frozenintimeltd.com 

As an artist, Michelle Rowe knows beauty when she sees it, generously sharing that beauty with others at The Cove B&B and in her art studio as well, Ocean View Gallery and Gift Store located in the town of Carbonear. 

Rowe, who was born and raised in the Carbonear area, shared that she never even knew “The Cove” existed, it was that well hidden and secluded. 

“We were thinking about an old saltbox somewhere on the water and we were just kind of driving through (Freshwater) and I saw a for sale sign on the road and we went, ‘Oh, I can’t believe this is here,’” she said.

She’s long gravitated towards the ocean, she said, and the second she saw the property – perched on the edge of the ocean overlooking Carbonear Island – she was hooked.  “It was immediate for me. I instantly fell in love,” she said. 

An artist’s dream

It’s easy to understand why. Most every window overlooks the ocean, and those that don’t have an ocean view showcases instead the serenity and the peacefulness of the garden or the history of the century year-old property.

As a painter, inspiration is often found in nature, and The Cove is an artist’s dream cone true. 

“I live, breathe and sleep art. I’ve been teaching art as a career now for 15 solid years and painting longer than that, but now there’s a freshness to what I create since owning the property,” she shared.

On the day we visit, Rowe decides to teach this writer to paint – something she says “anyone” can do. 

From hanging dried salt fish and icebergs to old fishing store doors and more, if you have seen it around this province of Newfoundland, she has probably painted it. On this day, it’s fishermen mending nets against a brilliant sky that we are painting. Beginning with a blank canvas, with every paintbrush stroke, the painting takes shape. 

 ‘It’s only paint’

“I think if you have the right person to guide you through a painting, it will take all the worry away. Yeah. There are things that I can do for you to make things much easier, but I think more than anything, I’m just a motivational speaker. And I’m there to say, ‘Try this or do this,’ and to remind each student that it is only paint.” 

With Come Home Year 2022 in full swing, what’s she looking forward to most? Making connections with people again, she said. “Over the years, we’ve always had people come through the doors. During the winter months, it’s very much community oriented, but during the summer months it’s always about visitors and the experience of getting around the bay to explore and we’ve always been about providing something for them to take away with them, whether it’s through the gift store or if they get to create their own piece. Either way, they get to know you a little bit and you get to know them. It’s not just a painting relationship. It’s an experience,” she said. 

With all the beauty of the area and with the view from The Cove, we surmise that she will never run out of inspiration. Rowe smiled.

“I will never be bored in my lifetime. There’s not enough lifetimes out there for me to create everything that I’ve had the honour of seeing or experiencing.”

Her main inspiration comes from this province’s unique outport history. 

“If I see a piece of wood sticking out of the ground, I’m like, ‘Oh, what was that?’ I’ll do the research and I’ll find out what it was. If I see an old house with a curtain blowing out a broken window I go, ‘Oh, somebody lived there.’ I’ve gone through abandoned homesteads, I’ve walked through people’s gardens and there you can see the pits and the raspberry bushes and the remains of a vegetable garden. And there’s an outhouse out back and there’s an old twine loft there. There was life then. It’s just so sad that it’s gone and I just want to hold on to it and give it life again.”  

Come Home Year 2022!

There’s much going on in the arts world this Come Home Year, she added. From artist showcases to live painting events where spectators can watch the magic happen in real time.

“You’re painting outside and you’re not going by a photo. You’re looking at the colors as they are changing every few seconds. The clouds are moving and the lighting’s changing and you have to think differently and your paintings are more expressive and much more free,” she said.

Rowe hopes this year of Come Home celebration is an inspiration to everyone. 

“I have a real passion for this province, and so many others do as well, and I’m privileged that I get to capture the beauty and share my version of that with others.”

For more, visit The Cove at The Cove Vacation Rental, Carbonear on Facebook or michellesfineart.weebly.com or Michelle’s Fine Art on Facebook

From B.C. fires and Alberta floods to tornadoes in Ontario and ol’ blow hard hurricanes like Larry ‘round here, Canada has had it’s share of problematic weather. 

Residential schools, the freedom convoy, gas prices, and the fact that our Prime Minister has tested positive for COVID twice in the last six months – just as we’re about to kick off Come Home Year 2022 – is enough to make even the most positive among us pop a top and swig mightily before hiding out until the calendar turns yet another page. But then look what we’d all be missing out on if we did? At least if your living in the 709, anyway. 

We all call home

The finest Drag Queens this side of the Atlantic will be taking over the bandstand stage on George Street for the first time in history as they strut their finery for all in what aims to be one epic lip sync battle, true testament to how far we’ve advanced as a society when it comes to loving and accepting and celebrating one and all in this world we call home. 

Come Home Queer in Broad Cove aims to be the spot to be this July as towns in Conception Bay North give a whole new and wondrous meaning to Come Home Year 2022. There was a time not too very long ago when anyone who was perceived as being ‘different’ had to hall arse out of our outports for paved pastures in big cities up along. No more, and that’s a mighty grand thing. I’ve had the pleasure of doing some early staycationing around pockets of this island, and all I’ve experienced so far is positivity, love, and a roll out the welcome mat greeting. 

I stayed with Michael and Karen at SeaGlass B&B in New Perlican and not only did they share their home, their grub and their magnificent view with us, but their skill at stain glass as well. 

Side-by-side, Michael walked us through the creating of a sparkling star fish and a glittering sail boat, sharing tidbits of all the other wondrous sights that should be taken in while in the area. I met the gals from Just Like Sisters (they are cousins who look like they could be twins) Bakery & Sweet Shop, I climbed aboard the Irish Mist with Dennis and Paula at the Dildo Boathouse Inn and chowed down on the finest chowder along side some enthusiastic come from aways. I dined later that evening with Pauline and the gals while having a laugh at Route 66 Diner & Pub. Michelle Rowe put our weary heads down for a night, tucking us into her tucked-away piece of heaven on edge of the ocean called The Cove overlooking Cabonear Island. 

If that wasn’t enough, Michelle generously shared her painting prowess and taught two skill-less but wannabe painting wonders how to create paintbrush renditions of silhouetted fishermen mending their nets at sunrise. 

Where we stand

Tyler at Lobster Pods in South River, Jerry at  The Doctor’s House Inn & Spa and Todd at George House in Dildo – gracious hosts all who can’t wait to share their own little piece of Canadian heaven with the rest of the waiting world. 

While I might be feeling a little overly romantically optimistic after staying with some incredibly generous people in some majestic and incredible places around the island, I still think it’s fair to say that, at least in our little pocket of this country of ours, this is still the best place in the world to be, a place worthy of standing on guard for. 

My oh my, Oh Canada! Based on the view from where we stand, you sure are one beauty of a country to call home.

Pam Pardy, The Herald’s Managing Editor, can be reached by emailing pghent@nfldherald.com

Route 66 Diner & pub

Pauline Yetman can bring the energy level up multiple notches with just a smile. Her diner and pub, Route 66 in Carbonear, is the spot where everybody knows your name. 

In fact, Ray Johnson of Buddy Wasisname & the Other Fellers has his table all marked out. Johnson teaches accordion at the diner and he and his wife hang out and listen to a few tunes themselves before the teaching starts. Of course, Johnson can’t help but join in on a tune before he does so, to the delight of those gathered. “The special thing about this place is that you don’t want to leave. I guarantee a great experience. The food and atmosphere is amazing, but the people make the real difference,” Yetman began as Route 66 buzzed.

Abigale Follett and Melissa Whalen, who tag team the kitchen this evening, share her enthusiasm. “I started here when I was 16 and worked my way up and everyone here was so generous and kind and helpful. It’s just like a family feel,” Follett, who is now 19, said.

Whalen, who says perfecting everyone’s steak is her super power, agrees. 

“You work well with people you trust and like and this place has a great feel. Everyone gets it the moment they walk in,” Whalen said. Yetman beams. 

“There’s something totally different and it brings everyone in and keeps them coming back. From the pictures to the car booth, it’s just a fun place to visit,” Yetman added.

Route 66’s nostalgia is part of the charm. “I have customers drop in things from their travels or things from home. They know I’ll have the respect for the items to make sure next generation enjoys it. They know I’m going to value it.”

Another thing that makes people happy is music. “Music elevates the experience, and I’m all about making people happy!”

Just Like Sisters Bakery & Sweet Shop

Maxine Belbin and Beverly King are cousins who just happen to look just like sisters, and after decades of hearing it said, they decided to name their bakery and sweet shop – located in Heart’s Content – just that!

From cookies to the most delectable tasting turtles ever, these two have delicious on speed dial when it comes to calming the cravings of any sweet tooth. 

“We started just doing homemade chocolates at Christmas for gifts but then last April we started our business,” said Belbin.

The two shared that they love spreading the joy by sharing their sweets! 

“We’re having fun. We both love what we do and the name, Just Like Sisters, makes everyone smile,” said King. One bite of their adorable chocolate turtle makes that smile all the more wide!

For more visit justlikesisters.com 

SeaGlass B&B and Studio

When Karen Smith and Michael Laduke got married in Newfoundland in 2012, it was Laduke’s first time this far east. “Karen was from here, so she always talked about her love of Newfoundland and while I wouldn’t say I fell in love instantly, by the fifth time we returned to visit, I was hooked,” he said. 

The two self-taught stain glass artists finally fulfilled their dream and purchased a home smack dab on the ocean in New Perlican, creating the most majestic bed & breakfast and stain glass studio in the most picturesque setting imaginable. 

Laduke shared that he was ready for a fresh start, and leaving Quebec for Newfoundland offered that opportunity for adventure. 

“I remember coming to Newfoundland to visit and thinking, ‘Oh my God, this place is amazing,’ and then asking myself, ‘Why not move here? Let’s just go on an adventure. Let’s just try something new.’ And we did,” he said. 

SeaGlass B&B is a quaint two room bed and breakfast that, as Karen likes to proudly say, “feels a little like staying over a night at nan’s.”

From the furnishings to the decor, there’s a rustic yet classic and comforting feel, like receiving a warm embrace from ‘nan.’ The bedrooms have a little touch of both Laduke’s and Smith’s heritage and neither mind sharing stories of where the furnishings – and the room’s names – came from.

Smith, who happens to be a brilliant and talented photographer, generously shares her skills around the B&B’s walls. 

With a tiered deck to die for, offering a breathtaking view of both New Perlican and the vast harbour, there’s snap shot inspiration for all to be found at every turn. 

Speaking of inspiration, the stain glass studio is a spectacular spot filled with jaw-dropping splendour. From whale tail stain glass necklaces to seagulls that sparkle, there’s treasures galore in store!  The bonus? Laduke offers classes to anyone willing to sit at the old general store counter and take in his patient tutelage. 

From leaning how to select, then cut and safely ‘snap’ the glass, to soldering and grinding the creations, Laduke can make a stain glass artist out of anyone!   Laduke smiles. “I find my inspiration from my wife’s photography and because of where we live, it’s all nautical. Most of what I create has got to do with the sea and the mystical part of it – like the mermaids and whales,” he said.

With five years in business, including the two tough ‘COVID’ years, Smith says they are both excited for this tourism season. “We offer the charm of an old fashioned bed and breakfast. Home made muffins with rhubarb we grew and picked ourselves. The chance to sit and talk with others at a charming kitchen table overlooking the ocean before you head out for the day after having a great night’s rest. It’s like spending the night at nan’s and we hope to share that experience with others.” 

For more visit seaglassbb.ca 

Glamping is a new fad sweeping the globe for outdoor enthusiasts that want a little bit extra, one that is taking over the province of Newfoundland and Labrador

Travel restrictions in Newfoundland have prevented people from vacationing. Some have looked to vacation from home in the form of “glamping.”

Glamping is a new trend that mixes glamour with camping. Generally, glamp sites are set up as an above-ground platform with a tent over the top of it. These sites include necessities like a bed and a stove with cookware. There are several glamping sites set up around the province, such as at Humber River or Gros Morne National Park. 

Ashley Hann is the owner and operator of the Humber River Off Grid Tours. Hann was one of the first to set up glamping tents for the public over five years ago.

“When I went camping as a kid, you had a little tent that you stuck in the ground and slept there,” said Hann. “With glamping, you can go camping without the hassle, without the packing, and just come in and go camping. All you have to bring is yourself and your food.”

Hann was first encouraged to open a glamping site by friends that she had met in the tourism industry, who shared she was living in a great location for tourism. “At the time, glamping was very new to the province, so I wanted to try that,” Hann said. “When I started, there were only one or two sites on the island. Now, they are popping up everywhere.”

With such a level of comfort added, is it possible that glamping takes away from the traditional camping experience? The traditional experience of camping is having to work with what you have. With such luxuries at the camper’s disposal, the experience no longer feels like “roughing it.”

TA Loeffler is a professor of outdoor recreation and education at Memorial University and a well experienced adventurer. “I spend as much time outside as possible,” said Loeffler. “Some years I probably camp about 150 nights!”

Loeffler is no stranger to the concept of glamping, and she thinks it is a completely authentic experience.

‘Eye of the beholder’

“I would say that camping is in the eye of the beholder,” Loeffler said. “You can still hear nature and see nature. If glamping helps to get someone outside in nature and enjoying a time away from home, I’m all for it.”

Don Clarke, a director of sales and communications at Outfitters, has noticed a rise is business in his store. “Business has been very steady. With the start of COVID, it just made the opportunity for new people to get outdoors and camp increase. Outdoor activities are social distancing and isolation at their finest,” shared Clarke, adding, “At its core, you’re getting outside and disconnecting from your everyday life. You’re still reconnecting with nature and your environment.”

With two glamping tents set up and a rise in popularity, Hann is excited for the future. “It’s the exact same thing as camping, you just have more comfort,” Hann said. “You’re still roasting s’mores, you’re still in the wilderness, and you’re still getting all the scenery of the outdoors. It’s just in a more comfortable space.”

Find Yourself

Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism’s marketing campaign 2020, ‘Find Yourself,’ earned prominent industry accolades not just locally but abroad as well. In fact  ‘Find Yourself’ was recognized as one of the most successful tourism campaigns in the country in almost 15 years  of promoting our Canadian tourism offerings to the world. Whether it’s the dancing dialect, the colourful clothes flapping on a cliff-side clothesline or the much celebrated Iceberg Alley images, the dollars just make sense when it comes to attracting come from aways or encouraging past liyvers to come home for a spell.

The tourism industry generates over $1.14 billion in visitor spending each year, and is responsible for over 20,000 jobs, representing 2,800 businesses thoughout Newfoundland and Labrador. That’s big business and a huge benefit for those who live here, but the real winners are the tourists themselves.  

The stories are many when it comes to locals performing random acts of kindness, in fact The Globe and Mail captured one story in an article they ran in 2018, calling our kind ways an ‘epidemic.’

‘Take mine!’

While walking on a trail near Signal Hill one visiting family from Ottawa who couldn’t secure a car rental ran into Alma. “Our teenagers hurried ahead, and as we lagged, admiring the scenery, two women in sunglasses and summer hiking gear stopped. They’d heard us discussing different routes; they asked if we’d like suggestions. They looked to be in their 40s, one blonde and one brunette, full of energy and both enthusiastic to share their local expertise. We listened eagerly, taking mental notes, until the pleasant blonde lady asked, ‘You have a car, right?’

I explained that they were out of cars at the car rental, so we’d decided on taking cabs to the different hikes.

‘Oh no,’ she said, ‘you need a car.’ And then, as casually as if offering a squirt of sunblock, she said: ‘Take mine!’

Dumbfounded, my husband and I just smiled in disbelief,” the article read. 

As hard as such stories are to believe at times, they are not ‘one of’ experiences.  From playing tour guide for strangers to opening up homes and the rough grub pantry cupboard with a ‘take some with ya, sure. You might get hungry for a feed of moose on the road,’ Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are the most hospitable of hosts. 

So take it all in this summer. Eat the moose out of the mason jar. Sleep in the patch-work quilt bed in the master while buddy and his missus bunk in the camper in the yard because ‘it’s best kind, b’y.’ Sail in skipper’s boat, even if you just met him on the wharf. Jig a cod if invited out for a jaunt in a dory. Dance a jig with whomever offers an arm. And yes, take the car keys. Come on home out of it – wherever ‘it’ happens to be in the world – and infect yourself with our province’s epidemic of often awkward, yet brilliantly beautiful, kindness.

Pam Pardy, The Herald’s Managing Editor, can be reached by emailing pghent@nfldherald.com

To celebrate the best this province has to offer, The Herald created a Bucket List of things to do, see and experience during the kick off to Come Home Year 2022.

A who’s who of the best in the hospitality business were honoured at this year’s Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador’s annual award ceremony.

Sullivan’s Songhouse received the Cultural Tourism Award and Kathi Stacey received the Tourism Achievement Award. Both of these awards are sponsored by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation.

Located on the Southern Shore of the Avalon Peninsula, Sullivan’s Songhouse welcomes people into a traditional biscuit-box house, twice a week, to celebrate the rich tradition of storytelling and song. Just like a traditional kitchen party, host Sean Sullivan, accompanied by friends and fellow musicians, encourages visitors to participate and ‘give a song,’ if they are inclined.

Other notable recipients this year include Kilmory Resort, Grates Cove Studio, Perchance Theatre, Rugged Edge, E.C. Boone Limited, George House Heritage Bed and Breakfast, Fishing for Success and Ann Simmons of Wildland Tours.

Here’s the NL Herald’s top picks to kick off your vacation/staycation Come Home Year 2022.

Come Home Year 2022 Top Picks

Perchance Theatre, Cupids: Enjoy Shakespeare and other classical theatre performed in an outdoor Elizabethan-style theatre in beautiful Cupids. 

Discover the Power of One performances. Some are funny, some are romantic, some are thrilling, and some are instructional but all have captured the imagination of people who have gone before and continue to be passed down through time.

George House Heritage B&B: A great reason to visit Dildo! Built in 1885, the Lloyd George House of Dildo is a landmark in the community and a great place to rest your head while enjoying the view and a fresh breakfast prepared by the delightful Todd Warren. Plus, it’s a  short walk to The Dildo Brewing Company & Museum, and what’s not to love about that? 

Some other area suggestions? Visit Yes B’y Indian Kitchen of Dildo for some home-style Indian food take-out to enjoy while exploring or travel back in time this summer to the days of the wooden boats and make and break engines with Dildo Cove Heritage Experience & Motorboat Excursions.

 Grates Cove Studios: A spectacular choice for homebase! Immerse yourself in spectacular ocean vistas and the beautiful windswept landscape. Plus, enjoy great meals and conversation with the friendly owners, Courtney and Terrence! Ask about their seaweed bath and explore their seaweed-based skincare line too! 

Kilmory Resort: Your dreams are answered when it comes to finding the perfect getaway! Nestled in the Piper’s Hole River Valley on the river estuary, leading to the headwaters of Placentia Bay, this legendary chalet vacations offer the perfect staycation solution.

Fishing for Success: If you’ve ever wanted to get in touch with our fishery heritage, now is your chance to participate in the historic handline fishery! 

Learn to row, knit a net, rind a stick, handline for cod, fillet your fish and cook up your catch, right in Petty Harbour!

Wildland Tours: Go wild this summer and adventure into the great NL outdoors while creating personable and fun memories. 

Listen to centuries-old stories, music and sample traditional dishes in the best setting possible.

Seaglass B&B and Studio: Located in New Perlican, this traditional-style, 2 bedroom Bed and Breakfast possesses modern comforts and original charm. 

Make your stay even more unique by creating your own stained glass piece to take home as a souvenir! Located on the d’Iberville walking trail, experience spectacular ocean views or collect sea glass at Vitter’s Cove Beach.

Dildo Boathouse Inn: The inn has a great family history worth exploring! The building was once a boatyard and is now a newly renovated elegant seven room inn. 

Centrally located for touring the Avalon Peninsula, make sure you ask about taking in a  culinary boat tour too. As the owners like to say; do it all once, then repeat! 

Marine Park, Pouch Cove: Located in beautiful Pouch Cove, Marine Park offers campers a great place to enjoy activities like hiking or relaxing on the 25-acre lake with a sandy beach. Boasting the only Yogi Bear Jellystone Park in the province, it’s worth a visit just for the kid and family-based activities alone! 

 Golden Sands Resort: A historic and beautiful summer resort located in Burin. Under new ownership, Golden Sands boasts 23 Cabins, 130 Campsites and a mile of sandy beach to relax on and enjoy. 

A great spot to spend a few days, and don’t forget to check out the on-site food and the list of activities happening at the resort too. 

The Riseover: Every vacation or staycation needs a place to fuel up and the Riseover is the perfect solution. Visit the olde english style pub nestled along the shores of beautiful Brigus. 

Woody Island Resort: Revisit the past while visiting this resettled community. Woody Island offers spectacular scenery, comfortable accommodations, scenic boat tours, sea kayaking and bird and whale watching. 

Don’t forget: traditional-style meals are included! Plus, prepare to be entertained. Any mummers ‘loud in? Oh yes! 

Newfoundland Chocolate Company: Add chocolate to any day with a visit to NL Chocolate. Known for their bars of goodness with the best wrappers ever, NL Chocolate has so much more!

From great coffee to gelato made fresh daily with local ingredients, add a stop in at their Torbay Road (or any other) location to your day trip plans.

Don’t forget to ask about a feed of ‘fish & chips’ while there. It’s a tip you will thank us for! 

Riverfront Chalet: Located in central Newfoundland, they offer 4.5 star chalets and a vacation home with year-round service and optional adventure packages. Rafting or relaxing, this is a great spot to start or end any vacation or staycation. 

Castle Hill National Historic Site, Placentia: Visit the stone fort standing sentinel over a picturesque seaside town, and explore a chapter of NL history. 

Located in the town of Placentia, don’t forget to explore the history of the area, including taking a few snaps of the lift bridge. 

Lumsden Beach: Called the best beach in NL, why not find out for yourself? Take a blanket, and a book, and stay for the afternoon or the day. 

The Rooms Café: Enjoy a meal, and the view, and explore The Rooms when done. The café emphasizes NFLD’s food heritage, focusing on traditional fare with an eclectic twist. A great spot to refuel the senses and the body. 

Costal Cottages: Located in the beautiful community of Blackhead, Conception Bay North – right on the Baccalieu Trail, this is a great resting spot for all after or before a day of taking in the local sights. 

The Doctor’s House Inn: This award-winning ocean front inn and spa offers fine dining in their “Secret Garden” Restaurant.

A popular wedding and event venue, explore their 100 acres overlooking beautiful Trinity Bay.

Humber River Tours: Off the grid experiences deeply rooted in tradition are what’s offered at Humber Valley Tours. 

Individual or group tours available with iconic local guides offering day, multi-day, and flexible itineraries. Whether it’s whale watching, kayaking or iceberg chasing you’d like to do, Humber Valley Tours offer guided adventure for all.