WE all love a short break – a mini-holiday discovering somewhere new without having to use loads of annual leave. Well, now there’s a new destination that promises great food and beer and some equally fine bucket-list experiences including whale-watching and icebergs. 5 Newfoundland, Canada, is less than a five-hour flight time from the UK Credit: Supplied 5 The destination promises some fine bucket-list experiences including icebergs Credit: Supplied 5 The panoramic views over Witless Bay Ecological Reserve are one of the best places to watch whales Credit: Supplied St John’s in Newfoundland, Canada is less than a five-hour flight time from the UK and the most easterly point of North America.
I visited on the inaugural WestJet flight from Gatwick and spent a few days sampling what the city and surrounding area have to offer — and it’s a lot. Sitting on the coast and surrounded by pine forest, St John’s is the capital of the Newfoundland and Labrador province. The city centre is compact and easy to get around on foot, yet just a short distance from rugged hills and rocky coves where the Atlantic Ocean smashes against the shore.
The countryside is wild and unspoilt. If you’re after an active break, it’s perfect for hiking, with the East Coast Trail stretching more than 200 miles — but it’s the animals and icebergs that have to be the biggest draw. I stayed at Cliff’s Edge Retreat, which commands panoramic views over Witless Bay Ecological Reserve, one.