Newfoundland and Labrador

Fisheries, fjords, Viking sites and seriously historic cities—if it sounds too ruggedly old-world to be North America, it’s got to be Newfoundland and Labrador. A Canadian Atlantic province off the icy shores of Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador feels a world apart from the rest of the continent. And it’s not just the offbeat time zone. Or the fact that the locals speak a distinct dialect with smatterings of French, English, Irish and North American English. Blue icebergs, spouting whales and diving puffins populate the rocky shores, while snow-capped mountains, fishing villages and historic sites fill the interior. Hike through Gros Morne National Park, ski at Marble Mountain, and kayak at Witless Bay. Delve into North America’s oldest city, St. John, and traipse through the Viking ruins of L’Anse aux Meadows National Historical Site. And don’t forget to eat some moose burgers and cod tongues—and, why not, toss back a “Screech-In” and let the friendly locals talk you into Kissing the Cod. No wonder Newfoundland and Labrador is becoming such an offbeat global hotspot. Time to discover it for yourself.