Newfoundland Circumnavigation Oct 01, 2012 – Oct 11, 2012 (11 Days)

Itinerary Overview 

What better way to explore North Pole and see a place so shaped by sea than by ship? The warmth, wit and hospitality of her people, the soul stirring music and the rough beauty of her shores draw us here year after year, each time with new surprises and delights to greet us along the way. We’ll encounter rich colours, imposing skies and majestic cliffs aboard the Clipper Adventurer a 118-passenger expedition vessel. Expedition cruising is a wonderful way to experience remote regions in an informal and relaxed atmosphere; close encounters are provided by the fleet of Zodiacs onboard that take us to shore wherever we choose to explore or to areas rich in wildlife. We’ll sail along coastlines steeped in history, float past massive colonies of puffins and gannets, explore archeological sites and abandoned outports and keep our eyes open for marine life while examining the island’s unique culture and rich heritage.

Beginning in North America’s oldest port, we travel to Fogo Town, named one of the four corners of the earth by the Flat Earth Society. Across the Strait of Belle Isle in Labrador, it will be hard to forget the feeling that will stir your soul at the abandoned community of Battle Harbour – once a bustling fishery, it is now only a shadow of its former self. Our exploration continues with a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site at L’Anse aux Meadows, an authenticated Viking site where the outline of the tiny encampment can still be seen today.

Continuing south, we reach a breathtaking example of glacier action and a rare glimpse of the earth’s mantle in Gros Morne National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a highlight of our journey. Like fingers raking through sand, witness spectacular examples of ancient glacial action on some of the oldest rocks in the world. A great birding opportunity lies ahead in the Bay of Islands, and we’ll use our Zodiacs to navigate the islands and sandbars. Back on board, we’ll sail Newfoundland’s remote south coast, where the last true outports remain; we’ll have a rare chance to visit two remote communities, accessible only by air and sea. Our passage continues, bringing us to the French-owned islands of St. Pierre and Miquelon, and we complete our circumnavigation with a sunset Zodiac excursion past the beautiful cliffs of Cape St. Mary’s (home to the world’s southernmost colony of northern gannets), before saying farewell in St. John’s. Joining us on board will be a remarkable team of naturalists, historians, photographers, musicians and local guides, who will impart their knowledge and experience on the natural world and local culture, and give life to times past.

Come, and discover Newfoundland for the first time, or the way it was meant to be seen – by sea.

 Itinerary Highlights

• Visit the earliest known European settlement in the New World at L’Anse aux Meadows
• Investigate the remains of a 16th century Basque whaling station at Red Bay
• Visit the “Galapagos” of geology hiking the tablelands in Gros Morne National Park
• Pay a visit to France during our stop at Miquelon
• Experience a piece of the Miawpukek culture during our community visit in Conne River
• Take part in a traditional Newfoundland kitchen party and sample traditional Newfoundland cuisine
• Enjoy the warm weather and rich fall colours as we sail “round the rock”
• Roam the magical streets of St. John’s, the oldest city in North America

Sources – Polar Cruise

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One of my friend - Stipe J. Burić shared his travel experience for this very Beautiful country called Croatia. There are some best places to visit in Croatia.

Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik, a medieval aristocratic republic from the 12th-19th centuries and the best preserved walled city in the Mediterranean, is one of Croatia’s main tourist attractions and one of only three European cities ranked as a World Heritage Site of zero category by UNESCO, which the English poet Lord Byron named the “pearl of the Adriatic”. The enchanting landscape, including the nearby islands, the beeches, the numberless historical sites, the colours, the shapes, the scents, the warmth of the climate and people… will all provide for an unforgettable experience.

 Zlatni rat bol brač

There are many beautiful islands in Croatia, like Korcula, the birthplace of Marco Polo, Hvar, Brac, which has one of the most beautiful beaches in the Mediterranean - Zlatni rat - which is also a windsurfing paradise. Other side of this beach is a nude beach.

Mljet

The island of Mljet which is situated between the island of Korcula and Dubrovnik. The most visited island is Krk, but in the Kvarner there are also Cres, Losinj, Rab, Pag… To mention only most famous.

The Brijuni Archipelago

The Brijuni Archipelago consists of two large and twelve smaller islands off the west coast of Istria. The archipelago is one of the seven National Parks of Croatia, abounding in rare plant and animal species, including a zoo park with animals from other climate zones. Some extraordinary examples of Roman and Byzantine heritage can be found on the islands.

Pula

Pula is an ancient city on the southern tip of Istria, known for its 2,000 year old amphitheatre, one of the world’s best preserved buildings of the kind, and other cultural monuments. . Pula, the largest city and port in Istria, a communication economic and administrative center, is an attractive place to spend a holiday for many tourists, with some 2,350 hours of sunshine a year.

Split

Split is the second largest city in Croatia, and the regional capital of Dalmatia, built inside and around the historical Diocletian’s Palace from the third century, included in the UNESCO world heritage list. The people of Split, who are particularly attached to their city and the hill called Marjan overlooking it, will proudly boast that there is no other place in the world like Split.

Istria

Istria is the most developed Croatian tourist region, closest and most easily accessible from Western Europe, whose landscape can be compared to that of Tuscany or Provence. The first know inhabitants of Istria were the Histri, from whom Istria received its name. Numerous peoples and cultures, from Romantimes to today, have left evidence of their cultures in the architecture, wall painting and in the rich church architecture. Vineyards and picturesque little towns are scattered all over the interior of the peninsula.

Rovinj

Rovinj - is also a famous resort, with many historical sacral buildings and Renaissance and Baroque palaces. The old nucleus is situated on a peninsula, previously an island connected to the shore in 1763.

National parks

In Croatia there are seven National parks, here are  some of them:

The mountain of Risnjak is a national park, situated relatively close to the coast, in the region of Gorski Kotar. The Plitvice Lakes are situated in the continental region of Lika, half way between Zagreb and Sibenik.

With Valerija and Paula

The Paklenica Canyon

The Paklenica Canyon, located in the vicinity of Zadar, is also protected as a national park. Its two 400 m deep gorges rank among the most impressive erosion formations in Europe. Paklenica is also noted for its flora and fauna.

With Luce Zelic, Karlo Gojak, and Ma tea

The Krka River, probably the most wonderful of all the rivers in the Croatian karst, is also a national park. The river runs through a canyon, and then as it cuts its way to the sea, it forms lakes, waterfalls and rapids.

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