Saint-Malo, France

Up in the North-West of France, in the Province of Brittany, we found this awesome coastal city. Fortresses, stone walls, beaches as far as the eye can see, beautiful homes, all the boats and even a few casinos - this place has it all. This is where we spent the first day of 2017!

Just over an hour drive North of Rennes is the fortress city of Saint-Malo. Known as the "walled city', its origins date back to the 1st Century B.C. with cathedrals and chateaus dating back many centuries.

Saint-Malo Tourism!

Torbay Point, Newfoundland & Labrador

It's been a while since the last post but don't worry, we've been busy exploring and taking pictures! One of our favourite, shorter hikes, is definitely a close-to-home portion of the East Coast Trail (ECT) called Torbay Point which is actually only a section of the Cobbler's Path segment. 

In total, Cobbler's Path is 8.2km and suggested time is 3-4 hours. For this smaller section it is only about 15-30 mins depending on your pace from parking on a local road to the beautiful, scenic point. The trail first takes you through the woods all the while heading toward the ocean and this long, narrow jutting bit of land - stairs included. 

Twillingate, Newfoundland & Labrador

Everything from fresh fish & chips straight off the boat to icebergs, whales, puffins and breathtaking views. 

The beautiful, yet unassuming islands of Twillingate are well worth the drive, wherever you find yourself. 

About a 5hour drive from St. John's and 1.5hours from Gander, make a day trip at the very least to experience this beautiful tourist getaway. 

Heads-up, book those boat tours and excursions well ahead of time if you're visiting during peak season in the Summer months...this place may be small but it's incredibly busy with tourists. 

Musgrave Harbour, Newfoundland & Labrador

Roughly 4.5 hours from St. John's, we found our own kind of paradise! White sandy beaches, incredible sunsets and more icebergs than you've ever seen!

A close family friend had mentioned the Old Saltbox Company to us and their unique concept. They've taken a number of, well, old saltbox houses and made one wall entirely windows to capture the stunning beauty of their locations. Alex's birthday was coming up so it was a perfect little surprise getaway weekend for us.

Signal Hill National Historic Site, Newfoundland & Labrador

It's 1897 and construction has just ended on Cabot Tower. This commemorative building sits atop Signal Hill in St. John's, Newfoundland. It is an architectural nod to John Cabot and his crew who discovered Newfoundland some 400 years earlier. Fast forward and today it is a National Historic Site and one of the most popular tourist locations in the province.

This popular spot offers an incredible view of St. John's, North America's most easterly city, and an endless stretch of blue ocean and awaiting adventure.

Cataracts Provincial Park, Newfoundland & Labrador

Down an old dirt road, in the middle of nowhere, over pothole covered "highways" and off the side of the road...we must have taken a wrong turn somewhere along the line? Then we see the Provincial Park sign and keep going until all you can hear is the power of water smashing downward. Over one last bridge and into the gravel parking lot before we rush out to see the no doubt, incredible waterfalls creating this bellowing sound. We found it! One of the best kept secrets on the Avalon Peninsula of Newfoundland - Cataracts Provincial Park.

Bare Mountain, Newfoundland & Labrador

Just off the Avalon Peninsula of Newfoundland, you will begin to run into mountains and a completely different type of scenery. The first major pit-stop along the Trans-Canada is Clarenville - a town of over 6,000 people and nestled in the valley of surrounding peaks. Home to White Hills Ski Resort and approximately 30 minutes from Terra Nova National Park. 

Port Blandford, Newfoundland & Labrador

Like so many of the towns across Newfoundland, Port Blandford is tucked away off the Trans-Canada Highway but is always worth the stop. The town has under 1000 people and sits 2 hours from St. John's and 20 minutes from Clarenville. There are two exits from the highway that you can take - one goes through the town and the other goes directly toward one of the bridges.

Walking Bridge