St. John’s is a beautiful city located on the eastern tip of the Avalon Peninsula on the lovely island of Newfoundland. It is the most easterly city in all of North America. As the capital and largest city of the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador, St. John’s traces its history back to 1497, when Italian explorer John Cabot first landed on the shores of what is now Newfoundland and Labrador. Thus, St. John’s is the oldest European settlement in Canada and one of the very oldest in North America.
St. John’s quickly became a large commercial trading post for the Basques, French, Spanish, Portuguese and English who engaged in the fishery along the western side of the North Atlantic. Due to its importance in the fishery trade of the region, St. John’s was often targeted by various European countries. The city’s earliest recorded battle dates back to 1555.
Today, St. John’s is the main financial and commercial center for Newfoundland and Labrador. The colorfully painted houses on “Jelly Bean Row” are a highly popular attraction in the downtown area. Other attractions include Signal Hill and Cape Spear—the easternmost point in continental North America. As for food, Newfoundland is the only Canadian province that allows restaurants to serve wild game. The area is known for its fresh fish and the main fish served is cod. You won’t want to miss their irresistibly tasty fish and chips!
Activities are yet to be finalized, but will include a group meal (perhaps a Jiggs Dinner), a meet and greet, a bus tour and other sightseeing activities.
