EXCURSIONES EN TIERRA

Admire the natural beauty surrounding the Bay of Fundy by visiting a coastal park full of hiking trails, lookouts and historical buildings from the years when this area was logged.

After departing from the pier, you will settle in for a relaxing drive to St. Martins, a lovely coastal village settled in 1783. It is known for its twin covered bridges, which you will view from a vantage point that allows you to capture both bridges in one spectacular shot. Continuing on, you will travel the winding Fundy Trail Parkway, passing forest lookouts, more beautiful beaches and the spectacular Bay of Fundy that rims the park.

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. You will then have free time to enjoy the attractions that interest you most. You might meander the hiking paths, cross the suspension footbridge that spans the crystal-clear Salmon River, and explore the replica sawmill.

Be sure to see Flower Pot Rock, a tall thin rock tower that the pounding sea has shaped over time. The bay’s rising tides have also created sea caves in the red sandstone, which you will see on the return to St. Martins. While totally submerged during high tide, the caves are easy to reach at low tide and make for a memorable photo any time. Following lunch at a restaurant that overlooks the caves, you will return to Saint John.

After departing from the pier, you will settle in for an extraordinarily scenic and circuituous drive through the countryside and around the northern edge of Passamaquoddy Bay. Upon reaching the town of Saint Andrews at the tip of a peninsula, you will board a Zodiac boat and zip off toward the Bay of Fundy.

Over the next few hours, you will watch for the abundant marine life that come here to feed. Although a dozen or so species of whales are found here during the summer, the most commonly sightly whales include 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. You may also spot them spy-hopping with their snouts and eyes vertically out of the water and slapping their fins on the water’s surface.

Minke whales are much smaller, ranging between 15 to 25 feet, and are easy to identify by the white strip across each flipper. Finback whales are the second largest of all whales and are generally solitary and have a distinct dorsal fin. The crew will help you identify the whales, elaborate on their behavior and answer questions.

Following this magnificent adventure, you will enjoy free time in Saint Andrews to shop and perhaps enjoy lunch on your own.

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.

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. Lobster rolls, fried clams and grilled salmon only touch on the variety of seafood and preparations. At each of the three stops, 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 three 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.

Snap selfies at the most photogenic spots in and around Saint John, many of them iconic attractions that define the city. To ensure the best possible results, a selfie expert guide will offer tips so you can capture just the right angle, lighting and composition for every shot. Your pictures will be ideal for posting on social media and sharing in other ways.

As you walk and ride through Saint John, you will pause at designated selfie stops that include:
• Carleton Martello Tower
• Reversing Falls lookout
• Beach Rocks
• People Waiting sculpture
• Old City Market
• King’s Square

HIGHLIGHTS

• Take inspiring selfies at the most photogenic attractions in Saint John.
• Follow tips from your selfie expert guide to ensure the very best pictures.
• Learn the historical significance of the locales while enjoying their dramatic settings.
• Stand in front of the Reversing Falls, a highly visual tidal phenomenon.
• Pose at the Carleton Martello Tower, an artillery site in the War of 1812.
• Browse the Old City Market, Canada’s oldest continuously operating farmers market.

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 for an interior look at the elegant Algonquin Resort, a fixture since opening in 1889. You will also pause 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.
• Visit the Algonquin Resort, perhaps the most iconic building in town.
• 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

Visit historical attractions and architectural gems that tell the story of Saint John and reflect how it has changed over time. In 1785, Saint John became Canada’s first incorporated city, and you will see the graveyard where many of those founding British loyalists are buried. You will also pause at King’s Square, an urban park created that same year and named for King George III. Place Fort La Tour was built even earlier and although only the archaeological ruins remain, it is well worth viewing. The Great Fire of 1877 destroyed much of Saint John and the rebuilding took decades, the reason there are so many architectural styles downtown. The City Market narrowly escaped that fire and its Second Empire Loyalist design offers a glimpse into the building styles of the late 1800s. Carleton Martello Tower also survived intact and played significant roles in defending Saint John until World War II.

HIGHLIGHTS

• See a number of attractions that date to 1785, when Saint John was incorporated.
• View the archaeological remains of Place Fort La Tour, which predates the incorporation.
• Gain insight into how the Great Fire of 1877 changed the face of Saint John.
• Stop at a defensive masonry tower used from the War of 1812 until World War II.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

See Saint John’s main attractions at your own pace by riding around town in a motor coach that allows you to get on and off whenever you please at the places that sound most intriguing. The vehicles make continuous loops around Saint John, following a route with numerous stops. As you approach each attraction, you will hear enlightening commentary describing it so you can decide if it is one of the three that you will have time to visit. If not, just continue on to the next attraction. If there is an entrance fee, simply present your Attraction Pass and the charge will be waived. You might hop off to browse the Jewish Historical Museum, the early 1800s Loyalist House and Place Fort La Tour. If you are feeling adventurous, ride the zip line over the Reversing Falls and visit Woodchucks Axe Throwing. Another option is to meander through the Old City Market.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Ride around Saint John in a motor coach and stop at attractions that sound appealing.
• Stay as long as you like at each attraction to enhance your understanding of it.
• Board another motor coach when you are ready and ride it to another attraction.
• Choose from a variety of well-known attractions as the motor coach loops around town.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Walk through Irving Nature Park at your own pace and enjoy the wonderfully serene setting, which is ideal for birdwatching and enjoying the provided picnic box lunch. During free time, you can meander down the boardwalk, through a towering hedge maze and along the network of trails that wind through the coastal forests and marshland. At 600 acres, Irving Nature Park is large enough to hold six different ecosystems that are home to an incredible diversity of flora and fauna. Birds in particular flock there in great numbers as the peninsular park is a staging site for migratory birds that travel between the Arctic and South America. More than 200 species of birds have been spotted there, including snow buntings that typically live in higher latitudes, colorful songbirds such as the yellow-breasted chat and whimbrels, a large brown shore bird that winters as far south as Tierra del Fuego.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Spend time walking about Irving Nature Park at your leisure.
• Stroll the boardwalk, explore the hedge maze and follow the winding trails.
• Spot all sorts of birds, as more than 200 species of them have been logged in the park.
• Pick a relaxing spot to stretch out and enjoy a picnic box lunch.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Drop by three popular venues to sample a variety of dishes made with just-caught locally sourced seafood. The menu constantly changes with the seasons and to take advantage of the ingredients that are freshest, but you can be sure that the dishes will be prepared from scratch and will be characteristic of Saint John. Because of the city’s superb location on the Bay of Fundy, an abundance of seafood is readily available. Lobster, oysters and caviar are just a few of the items that reflect the bounty of the sea. The dishes will likely be influenced by French and British cuisine as both France and England formerly colonized this area. The tastings may include fried clams, crab cakes, pan-seared cod, steamed lobster or North Atlantic salmon. The recipes may be traditional or innovative. It all depends on the venue and the chef. You might even sample dulse, a dried vitamin-rich red seaweed.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Sample a variety of fresh seafood dishes at three popular dining venues.
• Learn about the history of the dishes and why they are so characteristic of Saint John.
• Recognize the French and British influences that make the dishes so delectable.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

Less than an hour away from Saint John is the picturesque fishing village of St. Martins, a beautiful window through which to take a peek at life in New Brunswick. During the scenic drive to St. Martins, your local guide will entertain you with fascinating folklore about the village, including the thriving shipbuilding era of bygone days. Upon arrival, stop at the harbor and witness the effects of the extreme high and low tides of the Bay of Fundy. This area is a favorite with artists, with its lighthouse, lobster traps and fishing boats creating a charming scene. Stroll over the covered bridge and explore this working harbor. Visit the beach, where time and tides have carved echoing caves in the sandstone cliffs. Enjoy a walk along the beach and a light lunch of delicious seafood chowder at the beach restaurant. As you return to the pier, enjoy the scenery and reflect on your wonderful day in St. Martins.

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. Saint John exudes history, especially through military landmarks such as the Carleton Martello Tower – a small round fort that dates to the War of 1812 – and Fort Howe, which was constructed in 1777 to protect the city from American privateers. Both are National Historic Sites. For a deeper look into the past, you will visit King’s Square, an urban park laid out in 1785, and the City Market, the oldest continuously operating farmers market in Canada. The Beach Rocks that protect the shoreline and the Reversing Falls are timeless. The latter is 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.
• Behold two historical forts – one from the War of 1812, the other built even earlier.
• 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.