Have breakfast in London, lunch in Newfoundland

Have breakfast in London, lunch in Newfoundland at the start of a city break

Canada is closer than you think. Five hours’ flying time makes a long weekend possible in this beautiful corner of Canada

Three types of whales are seen regularly off Newfoundland

Pull back your hotel curtains in St John’s and you may just see a giant iceberg drifting past the harbour mouth.

Such sights make Newfoundland seem a world apart from the rest of Canada… but it is surprisingly close to Britain. Hop on a plane in London at breakfast-time and you can be in St John’s just over five hours later; in time for lunch, in fact. With a 3½-hour difference – yes, quirky Newfoundland has a time zone of its own – it is easy to spend a long weekend in this beautiful corner of Canada.

St John’s is a small but vibrant city and it is easy to get around on foot. Several of the best hiking trails can be reached from the centre and most restaurants, bars and museums are a short walk away.

Icebergs off Signal Hill, where Marconi received the first transatlantic message

On an afternoon’s meander, enjoy seeing the mismatched, brightly painted homes affectionately known as Jelly Bean Row. Other streets burst with colour, too. Don’t worry about getting lost: the locals are friendly and will put you on the right path in moments.

I grew up in rural Newfoundland but have lived in St John’s for 12 years. I am hooked by its natural wonders and artistic spirit.

Nature’s best show starts in March when 10,000-year-old icebergs drift along “iceberg alley” from Greenland and the Canadian Arctic. You can get close to the ’bergs on a boat tour run from St John’s by Iceberg Quest Ocean Tours.

These cathedrals of ice command respect. Even people who have been here all their lives will pause to watch in wonder.

Newfoundlanders love their icebergs and harvest water from the smaller “growlers” to make ’berg beer and vodka – try some on your boat trip or ask a deckhand to snag a ’bergy bit to add to your drink later.

The many colours of St John’s. The locals compare the houses to jelly beans

The arrival of the icebergs signals the approach of summer. With them come whales and a huge number of seabirds. Humpbacks, minke and sperm whales feed on krill and capelin. If their antics are any indication, they love it here. They frolic, dance, jump and play, and if you are on a boat tour, you will see plenty.

Ocean Quest Adventures arranges snorkelling trips. It is surreal and humbling to watch a 30-tonne humpback whale swim just feet beneath you.

Thousands of rainbow-beaked puffins show up in late spring. Hire a car and head out to the Witless Bay ecological reserve, North America’s largest puffin colony. Take a boat trip or paddle a kayak so that you can power yourself through sea arches while watching puffins dive into the waves.

If you prefer walking to boating, take advantage of the East Coast Trail. With nearly 200 miles of paths hugging the coast, you can choose between short day hikes or longer treks and wild camping.

Many walks start on St John’s waterfront, including the North Head Trail. This winds through the colourful Battery neighbourhood overlooking the harbour entrance, called the Narrows, and then up Signal Hill to Cabot Tower, where the radio pioneer Guglielmo Marconi received the first transatlantic wireless signal. The view of the Atlantic is worth the effort, too.

A view over St John’s harbour towards the Battery and Signal Hill

Take a car from St John’s to go hiking at Cape Spear, the most easterly point of North America – Canada’s Land’s End. Scan the ocean from the Blackhead Path or opt for a seven-mile walk to Maddox Cove. Your reward: sight of the Cape Spear lighthouse set against the bright blue ocean. The next time the sea will touch land is when it hits Europe.

Another driving experience is to complete the Irish Loop. You can do it in a day but an overnight stop will give you a taste of rural Newfoundland: people who retain their forefathers’ Irish accents, quaint fishing villages, hiking trails and untouched beauty all around. Make memories with a lighthouse picnic in Ferryland — there is no finer dining table, but the word is out and reservations are recommended.

Oysters are a speciality at the Adelaide Oyster House

The culture, history and entertainment of St John’s are worth exploring in their own right. Every night of the week George Street’s bars and pubs are lively places to be.

Some of the best venues are off-street downtown, such as Erin’s Pub, where you may run into an afternoon trad session, and Fifth Ticket which has a piano bar crooner and jazz ensembles.

Newfoundlanders love visitors and love showing off their home, so there is a good chance you will be swept up by friendly locals and herded to the next watering hole.

A tour group sees the rugged beauty of Newfoundland

Be sure to leave some holiday time for wining and dining in one of St John’s top restaurants, such as the internationally acclaimed Raymonds, where most ingredients are foraged and sourced locally. Grab fish tacos at the Adelaide Oyster House, pair your seafood with curated wines at the Merchant Tavern or opt for something more traditional – fried cod tongues and scrunchions (crispy pork fat) at Ches’s Fish and Chips.

You can do a lot with a little time in St John’s. With a five-hour flight and the airport just 15 minutes from the city centre, long weekends are an attractive option.

Award-winning Air Canada flies direct from London Heathrow to St. John’s daily over the summer. Book your flight to St. John’s at aircanada.com

Book your Newfoundland & Labrador adventure with Flight Centre