Newfoundland and Labrador may not be the edge of the world, but it sure seems like it: wind-whipped grass, murky fog and rocky cliffs plunging into the wild sea. It's a place where we walk a little slower than usual, making sure there's solid ground under each footstep.
Those who call Newfoundland and Labrador home, on the other hand, can take solid ground or leave it. Mostly they've left it—heading off into the void on fishing boats. As a result, a nautical spirit pervades almost everything in the province. Picturesque fishing villages huddle on remote shores, museums convey the province's long seafaring history, and steaming dishes of seafood are served with strong, dark rum. This is a place custom-made for those who love the water and the lore of the sea.
Newfoundland and Labrador can also be a study in contrasts: You can savor swanky cocktails a few steps away from where fish merchants plied their trade for centuries. In some outports, innkeepers provide luxurious accommodations while staying true to the traditional allure of their environment.
