August 9-20, 2020

Gros Morne National Park

Boat tour on Western Brook Pond

Lobster Cove Head Lighthouse

L’Anse aux MeadowsNational Historic Site

Dark Tickle Company

Prime Berth TwillingateFishery & Heritage Center

North Atlantic Aviation Museum

Terra Nova National Park

Whale & bird watching boat tours

LabradorNewfoundland &

Photo credit - Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism

Photo credit - Barrett & MacKay Photo | Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism

Photo credit - Dru Kennedy Photography | Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism

Photo credit - Barrett & MacKay Photo | Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism

DAY 1 SUNDAY, AUGUST 9 CORNER BROOK Today we depart from our designated pick-up locations and transfer to the airport for our flight to Deer Lake, Newfoundland. We will be met by our guide and motorcoach upon arrival in Deer Lake and make the short drive to our hotel in Corner Brook. The remainder of the day is yours to settle in and have dinner on your own.

Note: The airport location and airline will be confirmed no sooner than 9 months before departure. Friends Club trips typically fly out of Chicago, Des Moines, or Cedar Rapids.

DAY 2 MONDAY, AUGUST 10 COW HEAD (BLD) After breakfast this morning, we’ll explore Corner Brook, the largest community in Western Newfoundland and the second largest city in the province. This area was first surveyed and mapped in 1767 by renowned explorer Captain James Cook, and we will have the opportunity to visit the Captain Cook Monument and admire the surrounding views. This afternoon will have us departing for Gros Morne National Park to explore the other-wordly Tablelands, which are one of the few places where the earth’s mantle is revealed. Shaped by glaciers less than 15,000 years ago, few plants grow in the toxic soil today. A National Park Interpreter will join our group for an easy hike to teach us more about this barren landscape. Next we will travel the road between Woody Point and Trout River where mountains will tower over us in a vibrant contrast of color. One side is lush green while the other is a brilliant amber color—all seemingly divided by the yellow line of the highway. It is truly a spectacular sight to see! Our motorcoach will continue on to the town of Cow Head where we will overnight and enjoy dinner as a group.

DAY 3 TUESDAY, AUGUST 11 COW HEAD (BLD) We will spend another day exploring Gros Morne National Park. Recent glacial action has resulted in diverse and spectacular scenery in this UNESCO World Heritage Site, including coastal lowlands, alpine plateaus, fjords, glacial valleys, sheer cliffs, waterfalls, and many pristine lakes. We’ll marvel at the beautiful scenery and enjoy an easy 45-minute walk to Western Brook Pond for a boat tour on this landlocked fjord (weather permitting). Carved by glaciers and home to plenty of waterfalls and wildlife, this is sure to be one of the highlights of our tour.

DAY 4 WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12 PORT AU CHOIX (BLD) Our day begins with breakfast before we visit Lobster Cove Head Lighthouse. The lighthouse has marked the marine approach to Rocky Harbour and the entrance of Bonne Bay since 1897. The light is still run by the Canadian Coast Guard, and though it is now automated, the light keeper's house is open as a park interpretive exhibit. We’ll say goodbye to Gros Morne National Park as we begin the journey north along the coast to Port au Choix. For over 5,500 years, this small peninsula on Newfoundland's Great Northern Peninsula has been the crossroads of various native North American and European cultures, drawing people in with the area's rich marine resources, forests, wild game, and abundant berries. We’ll get an in-depth look at the history of the Archaic Indians at the Port au Choix National Historic Site before we settle into our overnight accommodations and freshen up for dinner.

DAY 5 THURSDAY, AUGUST 13 L’ANSE AU CLAIR (BD) This morning, we will board the ferry and cross the Strait of Belle Isle to the coast of Labrador. A geographical part of the province of Quebec, Labrador is a vast wilderness area with an abundance of history dating back over 9,000 years. We’ll travel north from Blanc Sablon via the scenic Labrador Coastal Drive toward the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Red Bay, stopping at Point Amour to view the historic 109-foot-tall lighthouse along the way. Red Bay is the site of one of the earliest industrial complexes in the New World—a Basque whaling station. Now a UNESCO National Historic Site, Red Bay was the whaling capital of the world in 1550 and supplied Europe with vast amounts of oil and soap. We’ll have a chance to visit the interpretive center before we head to our hotel in L’Anse au Clair and gather for dinner together.

DAY 6 FRIDAY, AUGUST 14 ST. ANTHONY (BD) We’ll say goodbye to Labrador as we ferry back to Newfoundland and continue our journey up the Great Northern Peninsula to St. Anthony. This town offers incredible views of the ocean, whales, icebergs, moose, and puffins. The L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site is nearby with remains of a Viking settlement that are the earliest evidence of Europeans in the New World. The encampment has been reconstructed with exhibits highlighting the Viking lifestyle, original artifacts, and the archaeological discovery of the site. After a guided tour of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, there will be time to explore and meet the costumed Viking interpreters. We’ll also visit the reconstructed Viking trade port of Norstead before dinner this evening.

Norstead Long Point Lighthouse

Photo credit - Newfoundland and Labrador TourismPhoto credit - Dru Kennedy Photography

Cape Spear St. John’s

DAY 7 SATURDAY, AUGUST 15 GANDER (BL) Following breakfast, we will visit The Dark Tickle Company where wild and unique Newfoundland and Labrador berries are picked by hand and used to make jams, sauces, vinegars, teas, drinks, and chocolates. We’ll take a guided walk on the boardwalk to learn about the berries growing in the bog and watch through the windowed production area as the wild berries are turned into various products. The Dark Tickle also offers one of Newfoundland's leading art and gift boutiques where we can do a little shopping. We will then depart St. Anthony and travel to Gander, one of the largest cities in central Newfoundland. Our guide will entertain us with informative commentary as we make our way down the Viking Trail Route, where there will be plenty of opportunities for scenic stops along the journey. We’ll visit Arches Provincial Park along the western coastline of Newfoundland and take some time to explore the natural rock formations shaped by the power of the ocean tides. Upon arrival in Gander, the remainder of the day is yours to explore and have dinner on your own.

DAY 8 SUNDAY, AUGUST 16 GANDER (BL) Begin the day with breakfast before we take a scenic drive to Twillingate, one of the most picturesque outports in all of Newfoundland and Labrador. Located on the edge of Iceberg Alley, Twillingate is affectionately known as the “Iceberg Capital of the World.” We’ll learn about Newfoundland and Labrador's fishing heritage during a visit to the Prime Berth Twillingate Fishery & Heritage Center. The center boasts a traditional fisherman's wharf, fishing exhibits, and a fully reconstructed whale skeleton! A quick stop at Long Point Lighthouse will offer panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean from 300 feet above sea level before we’re off to Auk Island Winery. The winery has made a name for itself by producing wines made from iceberg water and Newfoundland berries and fruits. After a full day, we will return to our hotel for an evening at leisure.

DAY 9 MONDAY, AUGUST 17 ST. JOHN’S (BLD) Gander is a town rich in aviation history. We will visit the North Atlantic Aviation Museum this morning to learn about Gander’s part in the development of transatlantic aviation, its history as a strategic base during WWII, and its unexpected role in the days following 9/11. From Gander, we’ll enjoy a scenic drive through Terra Nova National Park, Canada's most eastern national park where boreal forest meets the rugged coastline. A visit to the Terra Nova Marine Interpretation Centre will excite our senses, satisfy our curiosities about North Atlantic marine creatures, and teach us the importance of environmental conservation. This afternoon, we will arrive in Newfoundland's capital St. John's, an eccentric, colorful city which dates back to 1519 and is one of the oldest European settlements in North America. With a free afternoon, take advantage of our hotel’s central location to explore, shop, and enjoy the local food and entertainment. We will then gather together this evening for dinner.

DAY 10 TUESDAY, AUGUST 18 ST. JOHN’S (BL) Today we take a beautiful and historic coastal drive along the famed Irish Loop on the Avalon Peninsula. We’ll explore the incredible history that dots the peninsula, from the land of the very first settlers to the point where Amelia Earhart departed on her journey to become the first women to fly across the Atlantic. A visit to Mistaken Point Ecological Reserve is also on the agenda. This UNESCO World Heritage site is where fossils from prehistoric sea life dating back over 500 million years are showcased and protected. We’ll then head out to sea in search of whales, puffins, and other marine life on a whale watching cruise. Upon our return to St. John's, the evening is at your leisure.

DAY 11 WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19 ST. JOHN’S (BD) This morning, we will embark on a bird watching boat tour on Witless Bay Ecological Reserve, which is alive with the rhythm of four million wings beating and forty-ton whales pulsing through the clear blue water. We will make our way to Cape Spear, the oldest surviving lighthouse in Newfoundland located at the most eastern point of land in North America. It has been restored to its 1839 appearance and shows how a light keeper and his family might have lived in the mid-19th century. The afternoon is yours to explore on your own before we enjoy a farewell dinner as a group at a local restaurant.

DAY 12 THURSDAY, AUGUST 20 HOME (B) After breakfast, we’ll transfer to the airport for our flight home.

Photo credit - Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism Photo credit - Barrett & MacKay Photo | Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism

Not included in the price of this tour: meals/beverages other than those listed on the itinerary, beverages other than tea or coffee with included meals, items of a personal nature/souvenirs, phone calls and faxes from hotels, passport fees, current baggage fees at the airport as assessed by the airline, and any service not listed in the above inclusions.

Inclusions

Tablelands

DOCUMENTATION: If you don't have a passport, call our office and we'll tell you how to apply for one. Holders of non-U.S. passports have Each U.S. citizen must have a passport valid through February 20, 2021, to participate.different entry requirements. Please NOTE: Due to airline security measures, your passport name must match your airline ticket name and your tour reservation name or you may be denied aircraft boarding.

BASIC SECONDARY TRAVEL PROTECTION PLAN INCLUDED: Hills Bank is including a Travel Protection Plan in your tour pricing. Travel Protection means passengers are covered when unforeseen medical circumstances arise which may force you to cancel or interrupt your vacation. Coverage is as follows: Accidental Death and Dismemberment ($25,000), Emergency Medical Expense/Emergency Assistance (Emergency Accident and Sickness Medical Expense - $50,000 / Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation - $250,000), Trip Cancellation (Trip Cost), Trip Interruption (150% of Trip Cost), Missed Connection ($750), Travel Delay $750 (up to $150 per day), Baggage and Personal Effects ($2,500), Baggage Delay ($250). A brochure with full details is available. To review full plan details online, go to: www.tripmate.com/wpF450D. Star Destinations, Inc. (SDI) is not an insurer and does not have any liability for any coverage amounts. As a travel retailer, SDI is not qualified or authorized to answer technical questions about the benefits, exclusions, or conditions of any of the insurance coverages in the plan or to evaluate the adequacy of your existing insurance coverage. If you have any questions about this coverage, contact Trip Mate at 1-800-888-7292. Purchasing a travel protection plan is not required in order to purchase any other products or services offered by SDI.

CANCELLATION: Full refund of all monies is made if cancellation is received in writing to Hills Bank prior to final payment. A 100% fee is charged if the cancellation occurs between final payment and departure. If the reason for cancellation is due to a medical or other reason that is covered by Travel Protection, you may be eligible for reimbursement for such fees from your Travel Protection Plan provider.

TRAVELERS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS: You must advise Star Destinations, Inc. (SDI) at the time of registration of any disability requiring special attention. SDI will make reasonable efforts to accommodate the special needs of travelers. The Americans with Disabilities Act is applicable only in the U.S. and accommodations outside the U.S. may be more limited. Travelers requiring assistance are required to be accompanied by a companion who is capable of and totally responsible for providing the assistance. Neither SDI personnel nor its suppliers may lift or physically assist with traveler's special needs including but not limited to walking, dining, or other routine activities. Travelers thinking they may need assistance should call SDI to determine what accommodations may reasonably be provided. Arrangements at an additional cost are the financial responsibility of the traveler.

TERMS & CONDITIONS: Star Destinations, Inc. (SDI) acts as an agent for and makes arrangements with airlines, hotels, railroads, bus lines, cruise lines, adventure companies and other independent parties to provide you with the travel services and accommodations. Although great care is taken in choosing suppliers, we are unable to directly control them and therefore cannot be held responsible or liable for their acts or omissions. The travel services are subject to the conditions imposed by these suppliers and their liability may be limited by their tariffs, conditions of carriage, and international conventions and agreements. Should for any reason beyond our control, the hotel or establishment described in the attached itinerary may not be available, SDI and its agents reserve the right to lodge travelers in another hotel of similar or superior category. SDI cannot assume responsibility for any claims, losses, damages, costs or expenses arising out of injury, accident or death, damage, loss or delay of baggage or other property, or delay, inconvenience, loss of enjoyment, upset, disappointment, distress or frustration, whether physical or mental, resulting from a) mechanical breakdowns, dangers inherent to the sea, fire, theft, civil disturbances, strikes, government actions, weather and other factors and causes beyond our control. b) passenger's failure to follow instructions of SDI or its representatives. c) any other cause beyond the control of SDI. In addition, SDI reserves the right to vary the Tour Price advertised or printed to cover any increase in air fare, fuel price, Government taxes and charges, exchange rate fluctuations, or other Tour related tariffs and costs subject to price guarantee. If you request a variation or change to your booking, SDI may choose to accept or reject that request at its sole discretion. If SDI accepts your request, you must pay the variation fee and any costs associated with it.

• Round Trip Airport Transfers

• Round Trip Air to Deer Lake & Return From St. John’s

• Private Motorcoach Transportation

• 11 Nights’ Accommodations

• 25 Meals (11 Breakfasts, 7 Lunches, 7 Dinners)

• Admission to Attractions as Stated on Itinerary

• Professional Tour Manager

• Porter Service of One Bag Per Person at Hotels

• Taxes and Gratuities for Included Services

• Travel Protection Plan

$5,789 per person, Double Occupancy$6,839 per person, Single Occupancy

A $500 deposit per person is required with your registration form.

FINAL PAYMENT IS DUE: APRIL 1, 2020

Tour Pricing

Ac�vity Levels1. Light: Relaxed pace; minimal/easy standing/walking; must be able to physically get on/off the motorcoach.2. Moderate: Intermi�ent standing/walking; some stairs and uneven surfaces due to nature of a�rac�ons.3. Ac�ve: Moderate to heavy standing/walking; some stairs, inclines, and uneven surfaces due to nature of a�rac�ons.4. Energe�c: Well-paced walking/physical ac�vity; various terrains, uneven surfaces, and hilly ground; best enjoyed by mobile travelers.

LIGHT Custom designed tour by

For further information or questions, please call: (319) 358-2230 or (319) 358-2278

or email: FriendsClub@HillsBank.com

Travel protection is included in your trip cost (per person: Double - $358; Single - $458)

Photo credit - Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism