Travellers will discover the warm hospitality of Newfoundland and Labrador with new experiences based on the Broadway Musical Come From Away. Live music is always being played, and a combination of English, Irish, French and Indigenous heritage creates more varieties of English spoken than anywhere else in the world. Located at the northeastern edge of North America, the province is home to 10,000-year-old icebergs, the largest migrating population of humpback whales, and 35 million seabirds – making it the seabird capital of North America.
Based on the success of Come From Away, this off-the-beaten-path destination offers true “live like a local” activities for every traveller looking for a warm welcome and immersive experience.
What is Come From Away about?
The friendly faces of the locals, who are known for their music, storytelling, and culinary traditions, are the same people who welcomed nearly 7,000 stranded passengers into their homes when 38 planes were grounded in Gander, Newfoundland and Labrador, during 9/11. The epic musical tells the story of these stranded passengers and the locals who welcomed them.
Meet the Flynns
The new Meet the Flynn’s experience invites guests to visit the home of Derm and Dianne Flynn to drink tea and listen to their story of the day that the airplanes landed in Gander. Derm Flynn was the mayor of nearby Appleton during 9/11 and is one of the characters portrayed in the musical. The Flynns also take guests to visit the Appleton Peace Monument and Park, where a piece of steel from the World Trade Center sits today. The experience is available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays throughout 2019, starting at $49 CAD per person.
Visit Fogo Island Inn
Fogo Island Inn, a coastal 29-guestroom property with floor-to-ceiling windows, is offering a Come From Away itinerary which includes a half-day island orientation led by a community host, a tour of Gander, all meals at the Inn’s award-winning dining room, and two-night stay (extensions available). The award-winning Inn is known for its contemporary luxury, offering guided geology hikes, open boat iceberg viewing, foraging expeditions, and more. The itinerary is available in 2019 starting at $4,080 CAD for two people.
Take a Come From Away Tour of Gander, Newfoundland & Labrador
Maxxim Vacations’ six-night Come From Away itinerary offers a tour of Gander, a visit to the North Atlantic Aviation Museum, and an interpretive tour of the Prime Berth Fishing Heritage Center. The trip includes six nights at a country bed & breakfast in the Gander area and car rental, so travellers can explore more of Newfoundland and Labrador by driving along the coast. The experience is offered throughout 2019 starting at $1,139 CAD.
Visitors can also take a one-day tour by Beyond Words that showcases many of the key locals, places, and events during 9/11 in Gander. The itinerary includes a tour of the Gander airport, the Townhall, and more. The tour is available June through August 2019 starting at $39 CAD.
Make an Ugly Stick
Travellers can create their own ugly stick, just like the ugly sticks featured in the Come From Away, with Coastal Cottages on the Baccalieu Trail. An ugly stick is a traditional Newfoundland and Labrador musical instrument fashioned out of household and tool shed items, including mops, bottle caps, tin cans, and other noisemakers. A drumstick is used to strike the ugly stick as the musician lifts and drops it in a rhythmic fashion. The musical instrument is used to entertain guests and locals at community events, social gatherings, and kitchen parties. This experience is available throughout the year by booking in advance, a minimum number of participants and other fees may apply.
To plan a trip and more information on Newfoundland and Labrador, visit www.newfoundlandlabrador.com.
