Duration
3.3 HOUR
Activity Level
Moderate
Experience Details*
Discover St John’s traditions and history through tastings of its port wine and beer, and experience a ‘Screech-In!’
Start with an underground visit to Newman's Wine Vault for a traditional Port Wine tasting that dates as far back as 1679. Hear the storied past of the wine vault and how French Privateers led to its founding.
Continue your journey through the historic fishing village of Quidi Vidi, pronounced Kiddy Viddy, a small fishing village, which is still home to local fishermen that brave the Atlantic Ocean every day making a living. You’ll stop at a local pub and sample a local brew, and then continue on foot to a second pub to take part in the time honored ‘Screech-In’ ceremony. Be prepared to introduce yourself and recite the ceremony oath, swig back a shot glass of ‘Screech’……..and if you pass the ceremony you’ll be an honorary Newfoundlander!
Essential information
This excursion will operate by school bus and on foot. Participants on this tour must be aged 19 years and over. The order of this tour may vary. There are steps and uneven ground to negotiate during this tour. Total walking between the bus drop off point and venues is approximately 1km. There are also 10 stairs to get in and out of the brewery. This tour is not recommended for those with mobility issues as there is no space to accomdoate mobility aids on the bus. Flat, comfortable shoes are recommended.
ACTIVITY EXCURSIONS, You and all those in your party should be aware that, in undertaking activity excursions, you will be involved in a degree of physical exertion and/or activity such as hiking, biking, snorkelling, kayaking, diving etc. By booking the excursion you confirm that you and all those in your party are in good physical and mental condition, with no history of conditions such as seizures, dizziness, fainting, heart condition, respiratory problems or back/neck problems (by way of example only). You should also ensure that no one in your party is taking medicine that carries a warning about impairment of physical or mental abilities. If you are pregnant this type of excursion may not be appropriate for you. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are fit and well enough to take part in the activities booked and you are reminded to take care for your own safety. Because of the risks associated with activity excursions, you may be asked by the excursion provider to sign a document which may affect or limit the excursion provider’s liability. Comfortable flat walking shoes are recommended.
BEACH/WATER RELATED EXCURSIONS, For any excursion involving water, passengers are reminded to exercise particular care. Alcohol and eating a full meal should be avoided before swimming. If buoyancy aids are provided for an activity they must be worn at all times. You should bear in mind that the sea is unpredictable. Lifeguards are unlikely to be present and there may not be a flag system to indicate whether or not it is safe to go in the water. In addition, beach activities may not be supervised or accompanied and so you should take care to satisfy yourself as to the safety of the beach and/or the sea at the time of your excursion. Please exercise caution when entering the sea as the seabed and aquatic environment is capable of springing surprises and we have not inspected the beach or seabed for its safety. Children must be supervised by you at all times near water. All activities on the beach, water and in the sea are undertaken at your own risk. You’ll need to take swimwear, a towel, sunscreen and flat shoes that can be worn in the water.
SCUBA DIVING, All passengers wishing to participate in a certified dive tour must hold a PADI open water scuba certification or BSAC Ocean Diver certification. Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate divers with either a PADI Junior Open Water or a PADI Scuba Dive rating due to the depth limitations imposed by these qualifications. In line with the recommendations by the sports-diving industry, we strongly recommend that divers undertake a refresher course if they have not been diving within the last six months. You must be aged 15 or over, carry your dive certification card with you and we recommend that you carry your diving log or proof that you’ve recently completed a refresher course. If you are a certified diver, but are unable to meet our requirements we recommend taking the Discover Scuba excursion as an alternative. For Discover Scuba courses you don’t need any scuba experience but you must be 15 or over and be able to swim. You’ll also need to complete a medical/liability consent form before you go - but if you suffer from asthma, diabetes, heart problems or other medical conditions you won’t be able to take part. Please visit www.padi.com/padi/en/sd/whatsrequired.aspx for more information.