Why can’t it be the destination and the journey?

Getting here can be an adventure in itself. Thousands of kilometres of sea-carved coastlines trace the outline of the island of Newfoundland; a place that, at least according to the Flat Earth Society, is literally on the edge of the world. Its counterpart, Labrador, is covered with thick boreal forests and arctic tundra, dotted with off-the-beaten-path communities that are real gems. And if you’re the kind of person who wants to get here quick, plant your feet on the ground, and start breathing it all in, it's time to spread your wings and fly. With many flight options to St. John’s, Gander, Deer Lake, Wabush and Goose Bay, Air Canada is your best choice to soar into Newfoundland and Labrador. Here are some travel tips to make the most of your trip.

First of all, if you're flying into the capital city, let's make sure you end up in the right neck of the woods. An apostrophe and an extra ‘s’ can make a big difference when your destination is St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador and not Saint John, New Brunswick. You'll want to turn on spellcheck when you're booking your flight so you end up in YYT, not YSJ. And you're going to want to book early to get your choice of flights, accommodations, and car rentals.

There's an age-old saying about the weather in Newfoundland in particular; if you don't like it, wait a minute. Useful to keep in mind when you're packing your bags. You're going to want comfortable, waterproof shoes, and extra socks for those hiking trails. A warm fleece, and a raincoat or shell are not going to go astray, either.

When people think of islands, they often think small-scale; the kind of land you can drive across in a day. That's not us. Newfoundland and Labrador encompasses over 400,000 square kilometres of land. Driving from St. John's to Gros Morne on the west coast is over 9 hours alone. Continue on to L'Anse aux Meadows on the Great Northern Peninsula and you’ll have travelled for 12 hours. And if you visit the vast territory of Labrador, you'll soon find out why it's called the Big Land. If you want to see it all, and there is lots to see, you're going to want to factor in travel time.

When it comes to getting the most out of any trip, the devil is in the details. You’re going to want to customize your travel, and if you’re flying with Air Canada, their Travel Essentials one-stop shop can make all the difference. Treat yourself to a Preferred Seat or an upgrade to a higher cabin class, book your hotels in advance, explore the vast outdoors with great rates on car rentals and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with having travel insurance!

And while you’re in the air, check out Newfoundland and Labrador's Find Yourself channel on Air Canada's in-flight entertainment system. The stories are a colourful window into the place you're about to visit.

On the flight home, they'll remind you to return.