What better way to visit a place so shaped by the sea than by ship, and who better to guide you than Canada's self professed Northern Man, Farley Mowatt, the country's most widely read author?

Farley Mowatt and Adventure Canada's Newfoundland Circumnavigation runs the gamut from outport fishing communities, to a 16th century Basque Whaling station at Labrador, wildlife viewing, and magnificent landscapes. It all adds up to an eight-day journey of outstanding variety amidst Newfoundland's unique landscape and people, all on board the 234 ft. oceanographic research vessel Professor Multanovskiy.

The journey begins around the world heritage site at L'Anse aux Meadows. It is believed that Norseman Leif Erikson founded "Vineland" here in 1000 A.D. Once ashore, passengers can explore the reconstructed sod huts and Norse ruins and examine evidence showing the Vikings landed in North America 500 years before Columbus.

A full day is set aside to explore Gros Morne National Park and the Tablelands, a 600 metre high plateau that forms one of the world's best examples of ancient rock exposed from the earth's interior. The Park is also home to moose, woodland caribou and giant Arctic hare, as well as over 30 species of wild orchids.

Cruising Newfoundland's remote south coast on day four, the Professor Multanovskiy will visit one or two south shore ports connected to the outside world by ferries only, some of which also act as bankers for the villagers. A night is spent in the sheltered harbour of St. Johns, North America's oldest city where ships have been trading for hundreds of years, and it's all ashore for a look around.

Another stop is at Trinity Harbour, a restored village bursting with history, with an afternoon visit to Bonavista, landing site of Giovanni Coboto (John Cabot in 1497). Cabot is rumoured to be the first European to "discover" Newfoundland (don't tell your Viking friends!).

The cruise makes a final stop at Botwood where the first floatplane was flown, and which became the launching point for the massive flying boats enroute to Europe in the 1920's and 30's. Botwood was also home to squadrons of military seaplanes (Catalina�s) during World War II. A local museum preserves this rather extensive military heritage.

The oceanographic research vessel Professor Multanovskiy was built in Finland in 1983 for the former Soviet Union's program of polar and oceanographic research. Refurbished in 1994 and fully refitted in 1997 for expeditionary travel. Carrying a maximum of 48 passengers, the 234 ft. vessel offers a choice of comfortable triple, twin and superior cabins and suites. Public areas include a lounge and bar, lecture room, small library, infirmary and sauna. An international master chef prepares excellent and varied cuisine.

Prices for the eight day program range from - Triple cabin, lower deck, shared facilities at $1,995 CDN $1,350 USD, to a Suite with double cabin lower berths, upper deck, private facilities at $4,495 CDN $2,995 USD per person based on double occupancy. Single cabins are available. Cruise Fares include meals, all shore excursions, and a program of lectures by noted naturalists, with leadership by and experienced expedition staff.

For more information on the 2001 Historic Newfoundland Circumnavigation cruise visit www.adventurecanada.com. For more information on Newfoundland visit www.gov.nf.ca/tourism.

**ENDS** Distributed for the Canadian Tourism Commission by Savage Communications. For more information contact: Donna Brinkhaus Canadian Tourism Commission Tel: 02 9364 3027 Emma Sturgiss Savage Communications Tel: 02 9959 3822