EXCURSIONES EN TIERRA

OVERVIEW

Admire the natural beauty surrounding the Bay of Fundy by visiting a coastal park full of hiking trails, lookouts, and historical buildings. Your first stop will be St. Martins, a seaside village known for its twin covered bridges, which you will view from a vantage point that allows you to capture both spans in one spectacular shot. You will then travel the winding Fundy Trail Parkway, passing forest lookouts, beautiful beaches, and the spectacular Bay of Fundy. At the Big Salmon Interpretive Centre, you will watch an enlightening video about the park’s history and the modest lodge that newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst built nearby. During free time, you might meander the hiking paths, cross the suspension footbridge over the Salmon River, and explore the replica sawmill. Be sure to see Flowerpot Rock, a tall thin rock tower that the pounding sea has shaped over time.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy an immensely scenic coastal drive to St. Martins, a village settled in 1783.
• Pause to photograph the village’s two covered bridges.
• Drive the Fundy Trail Parkway, which meanders through forests and along pristine beaches.
• Hike a nature trail and browse the exhibits at an interpretive centre.
• Behold the power of the sea by visiting caves that the waves have carved out of sandstone cliffs.
• Enjoy lunch at a restaurant that overlooks the sea caves.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Cruise through the Bay of Fundy in a Zodiac boat and look for whales feasting on krill, squid and schools of fish. An extraordinarily scenic drive through the countryside will bring you to the town of Saint Andrews, where you will board a Zodiac and zip off toward the Bay of Fundy. Over the next few hours, you will watch for the abundant marine life that inhabits these waters such as seals, porpoises and whales, including humpbacks, minkes and finbacks. Humpbacks have huge appetites and are named for the way they arch their backs out of the water before diving to feed. Minke whales are much smaller and easy to identify by the white strip across each flipper. Finback whales are the second largest of all whales and have a distinct dorsal fin. Following this exhilarating adventure, you will enjoy free time in Saint Andrews to shop and perhaps enjoy lunch on your own.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Look for various species of whales and other marine life in the Bay of Fundy.
• Learn the distinguishing characteristics of the whales that you may spot.
• Zip through the bay’s tidal waters in a speedy but stable Zodiac boat.
• Explore the town of Saint Andrews independently following the whale-watching adventure.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

If you want to see and do it all in one day, this is the tour for you! Combining the best of the region’s rich history and heritage with natural beauty, this tour features the Top 10 things to see and do in Saint John and the Bay of Fundy. Discover favorites of locals and visitors alike, including Reversing Falls Rapids, a fishing village with a working harbor, the Bay of Fundy beach and sea caves of St. Martins, scenic vistas of the shoreline, charming, covered bridges and chatting with local vendors at the Saint John City Market. Hear about the rich military history as your tour takes you past key sites such as the Carleton Martello Tower and Fort Howe, see parts of North America’s first Geopark, named Stonehammer, take in the Victorian architecture of the historic district and enjoy a taste of Moosehead Beer at an Irish Pub.

HIGHLIGHTS

• See the Top 10 sights of Saint John & the Bay of Fundy.
• View the Sea Caves at St. Martins, carved by the highest tides in the world.
• Enjoy a sample of local Moosehead Beer at an Irish Pub.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Walk through downtown Saint John sampling a selection of seafood at various venues as the guide offers enlightening commentary on the fishing industry, the local cuisine and the city’s fascinating history. Being on the Bay of Fundy, Saint John is known for excellent seafood of every imaginable type. At each stop, you will taste a signature dish made from scratch using locally sourced seafood. The exact dishes will depend on the season and the available ingredients. It will be apparent that some of the preparations reflect a French or British influence, as France first colonized this area and England followed in the mid-1700s. Chances are, many of the ingredients for the dishes will have been purchased that morning from the City Market, which dates to the 1870s.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Sample a variety of fresh seafood dishes at popular dining establishments.
• Recognize the French and British influences that make the dishes so delectable.
• Walk from venue to venue as the guide describes the local cuisine and history.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Look for whales and other wildlife while cruising the Bay of Fundy, a nutrient-rich body of water teeming with marine animals. Before heading to sea, you will spend free time shopping, dining or just browsing in St. Andrews, an idyllic resort town that has been designated a National Historic Site. During the hours that follow, you will watch the abundant marine life that inhabits the bay such as seals, porpoises, and whales – including humpbacks, finbacks and minkes – the most sighted whale species. Humpbacks have huge appetites and are named for the way they arch their backs out of the water before diving to feed. Finbacks are the second largest of all whales and are generally solitary. Your whale-watching excursion will not only be exhilarating, but also fund the adoption of a North Atlantic right whale, one of the world’s most endangered large whales. You will receive a certificate that includes the adopted whale’s name.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Look for various species of whales and other marine life in the Bay of Fundy.
• Learn the distinguishing characteristics of the whales that you may spot.
• Take comfort in knowing that whales are sighted more than 90% of the time.
• Keep an eye out for seabirds and eagles, as well.
• Explore the town of Saint Andrews independently.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Discover Saint John’s most compelling attractions and venture up the coast to the fishing village of St. Martins, another classic seaside community. The sightseeing begins at Fallsview Park, where you may witness the Reversing Falls Rapids, a natural phenomenon that forces the Saint John River to flow backwards until the tide goes out hours later. A meandering and immensely scenic drive will then take you to St. Martins, a quaint fishing village known for its Victorian architecture, lighthouses and covered bridges. Another highlight is the Sea Caves, which relentless waves have carved out of the red-sand cliffs. After seeing the caves and enjoying the beach, you will stop at a restaurant for a bowl of seafood chowder and then return to Saint John to enjoy free time browsing the Old City Market. Constructed in 1876, it has the distinction of being Canada’s oldest continuously operating farmers market and offers a huge assortment of merchandise.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Watch as the Saint John River reverses its flow if tidal conditions are favorable.
• Enjoy a coastal drive to the charming fishing village of St. Martins.
• Stroll the beach and explore the caverns at the Sea Caves near St. Martins.
• Browse the stands in Canada’s oldest continuously operating farmer’s market.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Indulge in a tasting of whiskies and appetizers that perfectly complement their flavors at the Hopscotch Whisky Bar, a local favorite. A short walk will bring you to this historical venue in the Trinity Royal district, which was rebuilt in the late 19th-century following the Great Saint John Fire of 1877. Shortly after entering the intimate and atmospheric bar, you will retire to the Tartan Room, where a whisky ambassador will conduct the tasting and enlighten you on the finer points of Scottish Highland whiskies and the heritage of Scottish whisky-making. Each of the five half-ounce pours will be thoughtfully paired with an appetizer. They include potato pavé with garlic aioli, a seafood croquette, a meaty cocktail oyster, a steak and mushroom tart and shortbread with whisky chocolate. Whether you are a whisky connoisseur or a newcomer to the world of whisky, this tasting will enhance you appreciation for this iconic Scottish spirit.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Sample five different Scottish whiskies at a bar in the historical Trinity Royal district.
• Appreciate how the thoughtfully paired appetizers complement the whiskies.
• Learn about the whisky-making process and the finer points of Scottish whiskies.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Recognize the lasting influence of the British while taking an enlightening walk-through uptown Saint John, much of which had to be rebuilt following the Great Fire of 1877. As you meander through the Trinity Royal Preservation Area, you will see a collection of Victorian architecture that is among the finest in Canada. Most of the buildings were constructed within 10 years of the devastating fire, leaving the area with a wonderful uniformity of style that captures the beauty of this time period. Be sure to notice the streets names, most of which are British or royal in nature. To enhance your understanding of uptown’s architecture, you will tour the interior of the Trinity Anglican Church, which British Loyalists founded. You will have plenty to reflect on while partaking of a Canadian twist on a traditional afternoon tea, the quintessential British tradition. The venue will be the Union Club, an exclusive Victorian showplace in the heart of the preservation district.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Walk through uptown’s preservation area while the guide describes its British heritage.
• Gain an understanding of how the area was totally rebuilt following the Great Fire of 1877.
• Notice the late Victorian architectural elements such as wrought iron and gargoyles.
• Browse the Trinity Anglican Church, a landmark that British Loyalists founded.
• Partake of High Tea in the members-only Union Club, a highlight of the preservation area.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Browse the bayside town of Saint Andrews on your own and with a knowledgeable guide that will describe the defining architecture of this National Historic Site. After an extraordinarily scenic and circuitous drive through the countryside and around the northern edge of Passamaquoddy Bay, you will reach Saint Andrews, which still bears many of the characteristics of an 18th-century British colonial town. While driving through the historical district, be sure to notice the original grid layout of the streets and the abundant classically inspired architecture. During free time, you can explore further independently and browse the delightful shops, if you wish. Later, you will stop at the Reversing Falls, a natural phenomenon created when the Bay of Fundy’s mighty waters rise 14 feet higher than the Saint John River, reversing its flow.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Spend free time in the town of Saint Andrews, a National Historic Site.
• Admire the various architectural styles while driving through the historical district.
• Explore the charming streets and historic landmarks of Saint Andrews.
• Watch the Saint John River flow backwards, if the tidal conditions are right.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Experience the ultimate thrill by racing through one of Canada’s most bizarre natural phenomena on a high-powered jet boat. After suiting up with safety gear and a raincoat, you will head for the Reversing Falls Rapids, a natural wonder that the Bay of Fundy’s tide causes as it rises more than 28 feet in the day. When the tide is low, the river empties into the bay. As the tide rises, the volume of seawater increases so quickly that it reverses the river waters flow, pushing it upstream. The result is a maelstrom of powerful rapids and whirlpools unlike anything you have ever seen or experienced. It will be exhilarating to zip through the thick of it in the jet boat with the water swirling about and the waves crashing over the bow. The captain will describe the phenomenon, which is unique to the Bay of Fundy.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Ride into the Reversing Fall Rapids on a high-powered jet boat.
• Experience the thrill of seeing this natural phenomenon up close.
• Hear fascinating commentary that explains how the Reversing Fall Rapids are produced.
• Look for marine life such as porpoises and harbor seals.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

See how hard cider is crafted from hand-picked New Brunswick apples and sample a flight of these tasty gluten-free vegan beverages. You will take a traditional cable ferry across the Saint John River to reach Yip Cider, a purpose-built facility run by the third generation of a legendary cider-maker simply known as Yip. All the apples are grown at the nearby Mackay Orchard and then fermented, matured, filtered and bottled at Yip Cider. After viewing the step-by-step process, you will sample a selection of ciders that best display the variety of flavors. You may be served the crisp flagship original blend, a dry cider with citrus notes made with golden russet apples and a light cider with a splash of raspberry. As you will discover, hard ciders can be as complex as many wines. Following the tasting, feel free to take in the views of the Saint John River from the outdoor patio.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Sample a flight of hard ciders at a family-run cidery overlooking the Saint John River.
• See how the ciders are hand-crafted to bring out their distinctive flavors.
• Enjoy a roundtrip ride across the Saint John River on a traditional cable ferry.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Gain a historical perspective of Saint John and behold its natural wonders and come away with a remarkably complete understanding of why the city is so attractive. First enjoy a scenic drive around Saint John, you might pass by charming historic neighborhoods lined with beautifully preserved 19th-century architecture, bustling waterfront districts, and stunning viewpoints overlooking the Bay of Fundy. Immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of the City Market, the oldest continuously operating farmers market in Canada, its unique roof, resembling an inverted ship’s hull, pays homage to Saint John’s shipbuilding legacy, enjoy free time to explore its local offerings. The Reversing Falls are timeless, a natural phenomenon that forces the Saint John River to flow backwards when tidal conditions are favorable. Explorer Samuel de Champlain named the river for John the Baptist in 1604.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy a leisurely walk and drive through Saint John, Canada’s first incorporated city.
• Take a scenic drive around Saint John, soaking in its stunning coastal and urban views.
• Spend free time browsing the oldest farmers market in Canada.
• Witness the natural phenomenon of the Reversing Falls if the tide is peaking.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.