Press
CapeRace selected as Finalist for National Geographic International Geotourism Competition
January 25th, 2011
(WASHINGTON, DC) Public voting begins today on the Changemakers.com website for the winners of the Ashoka’s Changemakers Places on the Edge: Saving Coastal and Freshwater Destinations collaborative competition. Three winners will be elected from among the 12 competition finalists selected by expert judges for being the most innovative solutions for coastal, waterway, and island destinations that protect the environment and strengthen the heritage and livelihoods of local residents.
Click here to see the full release>>
Click here to see the competition entry>>
Ten Great Trips You Probably Never Heard Of: The Wall Street Journal
May 15th, 2010
As the economy shows signs of life, more people are pulling their bags out of closets and returning to the road.
With that in mind, we decided to canvass travel companies across the country to get some fresh ideas about how and where to resume your journeys. In the end, we found 10 great trips that, ideally, you've never heard of. Some are to places that, due to logistics or politics, may have been inaccessible before. Others involve unique ways to experience destinations you may already know—for example, by camping (rather than cruising) in the Galapagos, or biking north of the Arctic Circle.
While many of these trips are designed for small groups, some can be adapted for private travel. If you lack the time or resources to design your own trip, most of the companies behind these tours will create a customized itinerary for you.
Read about CapeRace in the Wall Street Journal>>
Top 50 Tours of a Lifetime: National Geographic Traveler Magazine
May 15th, 2010
A Self-guided tour along the Atlantic coast of Canada's easternmost island takes in three homestays, a clutch of welcoming pubs, and endless wild maritime views.
"When we started this annual roundup three years ago, we sought to bring readers 50 of the worlds most transformative travel experiences guided by outfitters that promised to leave no trace--granola-bar wrappers or ugly American stereotypes--in their wake. Using our criteria of authenticity, seasoned expertise, sustainability, unprecedented access, and local connections, we've chosen journeys that tap into transformative power..." Read More>>
Canadian Home & Country Magazine Profiles the EJ Sooley House
May 10th, 2010
The Sooleys settled in Heart’s Delight in the 1860s, and since then new generations have kept the family’s traditions and heritage alive.
Newfoundland has legendary status in Canada: that far-flung outpost at the eastern end of our country harbours a rich history, stark landscapes, and arguably, the strongest sense of regional pride. It’s no wonder, then, that the Sooley family, whose roots go deep in this province, can’thelp but return year after year to a little Newfoundland town aptly named Heart’s Delight. An hour and 15 minutes from St. John’s, this tiny ‘outport’ has been home to Sooleys since the 1860s, when John Bishop Sooley, great-great-grandfather to siblings—and the current owners—Ken and Sharon, bought five acres overlooking Trinity Bay on the north Atlantic.
Read the Story on the EJ Sooley House>>
Canadian Home & Country Magazine Profiles Hipditch House
May 09th, 2010
"CapeRace’s 10-day touring program around the Newfoundland features stays in homes owned by the Sooley family, providing a unique way to travel and explore the region. Hipditch House, located on the slopes of Signal Hill in the Battery District, St. John's oldest, most picturesque neighbourhood, offers visitors a chance to walk the ancient winding streets overlooking the North Atlantic’s shipping lines"... Canadian Home & Country profiles Hipditch House in St. John's. Read More>>
Canada’s New-found land: Exotic, Unexpected, Unpretentious & Undiscovered
May 09th, 2010
The Canadian Tourism Commission's Michelle Pentz-Glave takes a CapeRace Trip
It was Lloyd on the phone — Lloyd Russell, our new buddy in the town of Bonavista, NL. Having already arranged a jam session in our kitchen, Russell offered us seats on a friend’s fishing boat; we’d missed lobster season by a week, but there were plenty of squid in the sea. (“When ye pulls up da squid, see, dey quirt ya in da eye…”). And dinner? Russell knew a good place where the chef pulls her ingredients out of a nearby root cellar. And what about the coppery-coloured smoked capelin that my husband had bravely brought home from Foodland? Just wrap ‘em up in a bit of foil and tuck ‘em in the “hoven.”
Read More about Michelle's CapeRace Trip>>
Gone Local; Newfoundland on a Back Porch Pass
May 09th, 2010
The Rock boasts more culture than most visitors can absorb--unless they are embedded.
The Review: Coming away from Home
May 09th, 2010
On a trip from rowdy St. John’s to historic Bonavista, travel writer Colleen Seto learns why Newfoundlanders are always happy to come home
Newfoundland ain’t for the faint of heart. With its often harsh weather and rugged terrain, “the Rock” can seem downright inhospitable. And yet, Newfoundland is home to the most welcoming, spirited and generous people one is ever likely to meet. The island itself holds such an appeal that both those who “come from away” – CFAs – and native islanders living elsewhere yearn to return to this enigmatic place. Never have I fallen so truly, madly and deeply in love with a land so hard and so fast. Much of the draw of Newfoundland lies in discovering its infinite offerings, whether they are the local characters, the landscapes, the music, the art or the wildlife. This is why Ken Sooley, an IT account executive turned tour operator, started CapeRace Cultural Adventures. As a way of getting back to his Newfoundland roots, Ken has devised unusual eco-cultural tours for visitors to explore Canada’s youngest province in authentic “choose-your-own-adventure” formats. Tours are unscripted and rely on participants to drive the action. So be forewarned. Adventure is the name of the game here. If you want scheduled activities or five-star hotels, this is not the trip for you. But if you have a natural curiosity, a carefree attitude and a propensity for fun, then giddy-up! As soon as I set foot on the Rock, I was warmly greeted...
The Globe & Mail: Getting Real in Newfoundland
May 09th, 2010
"Forget pampering. A growing number of travelers are on the hunt for 'deep authenticity,' flocking to destinations like Newfoundland to get away from such trappings. The only problem: When you can't understand the locals — or crack their inner circles. But one tour company may have a solution. Call it a concierge service with a twist..." James Glave describes describes his experience on a CapeRace trip Read More
CapeRace Cultural Adventures & National Geographic Partner on Geotourism
May 09th, 2010
CapeRace Cultural Adventures Accepts Geotourism stewardship council seat for Newfoundland Geotourism Initiative-- ST. JOHN'S, NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR
CapeRace™ Cultural Adventures and the National Geographic Society are entering the initial stages of discussions with provincial and municipal governments as well as private and not for profit agencies to develop a new Geotourism program for eastern Newfoundland. When approved, the program includes a sweeping community outreach effort to identify and manage critical cultural and natural tourism assets that make up the tourism resource base of Newfoundland tourism industry. Very few destinations possess the coveted combination of untouched natural wonders and wide-ranging unique cultural attractions and recent interest in Newfoundland as a travel destination could put this fragile economic resource base at risk. The National Geographic's Map's Division Geotourism program includes...
CapeRace Chosen by Ashok Changemakers for best Geotourism Challenge Video
May 08th, 2010
The 2009 Geotourism Challenge attracted hundreds of outstanding businesses, ideas, and projects. As the competition nears its close, we wanted to spotlight the best geotourism video submissions. From photography excursions in Oregon, to river rafting in India, the following solutions did a fantastic job documenting their smart ideas with expert footage.
CapeRace Awards
May 08th, 2010
The Eco-Culture Experience has been recognized on seven occasions since 2008.
Designated, Canadian Tourism Commission "Signature Experiences Collection">> 2011
Finalist, National Geographic/Ashoka ChangeMakers "Geotourism Challenge 2010" Read Press>>
Winner "Innovator of the Year Award", 2009, Newfoundland & Labrador Tourism Culture & Recreation Read Press >>
Finalist, "National Tourism Excellence Award", Deloitte Innovator of the Year 2009 Read Press>>
Winner "2009 Tour of A Lifetime", June 2009, National Geographic Read Press >>
Winner "TourDust Scholarship Award", 2009 TourDust Read Press >>
Nominated "Cultural Tourism Award, December 2008, Canadian HEritage
Tourdust Scholarship Winners Announced!
May 08th, 2010
Three exciting local tour operators in Mongolia, Canada and India who deliver ground-breaking adventure holidays and cultural tours that immerse the traveller in the local place enhance the local community. The scholarship is a part of the Geotourism Challenge 09 and the winners were chosen for their passion for their place and activity and their success in putting on fantastic experiences whilst supporting local communities. They receive financial support and mentorship to grow their businesses internationally.
The UK Observer: A Place Apart
May 08th, 2010
"Fresh and wild, beautiful, friendly, and completely offbeat. Why Newfoundland is North America's best kept secret...."Joanne O'Connor experiences both on an innovative holiday which aims to immerse visitors in the local community..."
If you've been to Newfoundland, the chances are that it was by mistake. This vast lump of rock just off the east coast of Canada is the closest bit of North America to Europe, so transatlantic flights which need to make an emergency landing are often diverted here. When US airspace was closed on 11 September 2001, 39 planes carrying some 6,000 passengers were forced to land at Gander Airport in the east of the island. Residents from the local area took the stranded passengers into their homes and fed and clothed them, and stories of the kindnesses offered and friendships formed, quickly started to emerge. This level of hospitality will come as no surprise to anyone who has spent time in Newfoundland. No sooner have we arrived at our little wooden cottage in the village of Heart's Delight than there's a knock at the door. It's our neighbour, Elizabeth. She introduces herself as the cousin of the cottage's owner. Read More>>
Canadian Journalist wins prestigious award for story about CapeRace trip
May 08th, 2010
Peter Wilson was the worthy winner of the GoMedia 2009 Travel Journalism Award. His story on the pleasures of journeying around Newfoundland and Labrador drew this admiring comment from judge Ed Robertson, lead singer and songwriter of the Barenaked Ladies and star of TV show “Ed’s Up”: “All great travel stories should make you want to go to the place they’re written about. Facts and figures can be researched, but a good travel story will give you a flavour for the destination. The Rock was already one of my favourite places, and Peter’s story made me want to return!”
Read Peter's Story about CapeRace>>
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Canadian Living Magazine; Going Down the Road
May 05th, 2010
"The mystique of staying in different Newfoundland homes appealed to me... we began the circuit at chic Hipditch House in St. John's Battery neighbourhood where we were wowed by it's big harbour views, and moved on to a 1930's outport house in Heart's Delight, before we bedded down at our last stop, a 19th century fisherman's home in Bonavista. It was exactly the unscripted experience we were looking for when we signed on with CapeRace Cultural Adventures... "
Canadian adventures make their mark in National Geographic Traveler mag’s Tours of a Lifetime.
May 03rd, 2010
Three authentic experiences in Alberta, Nunavut and Newfoundland and Labrador highlight parts of the country previously off travellers’ radar. Sometimes you need a good guide. Just think how far would Sir Edmund Hillary have reached without Sherpa Tenzing Norgay? So credit where it’s due to three Canadian tours—in Alberta, Newfoundland and Labrador and Nunavut—that have made the acclaimed 2009 Tours of a Lifetime list in the current issue of National Geographic Traveler magazine.
It’s another example of the Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC)’s Canada tourism brand—“Canada. Keep exploring”—getting picked up by mainstream media. These tours also tie in closely with CTC’s web tool, the Explorer Quotient (EQ). The EQ is a self-directed quiz that defines traveller into types, matching personal preferences to, for example, the “Free Spirit” and “Cultural Explorer.”
The magazine’s list of cultural tours included one by Canadian company CapeRace Cultural Adventures. Visit Snug Harbors, NL, to explore its dramatic scenery, connect with friendly locals, take in local music and be bowled over by glimpses of whales and icebergs.
Earth Day Kick-off of CapeRace Cultural Adventure’s Website Promotes Environmental Responsibility
April 23rd, 2010
ST. JOHN'S, NEWFOUNDLAND--Marketwire - April 22, 2010
CapeRace™ Cultural Adventures celebrates Earth Day 2010 with the expansion of its experiential Eco-Culture Experience packages. Bringing to life for people of all ages the notion of taking "The Road Less Travelled," CapeRace offers unique self-guided tours designed to initiate real connections with local communities that result in "true to self" social experiences. Set in Canada's most easterly exotic island of Newfoundland, CapeRace's remote locations are explored in a socially and environmentally responsible way, imploring National Geographic's Geo-Tourism principals. The launch of its new social media-rich website along with a donation to Earth Day efforts of $100 per trip booked furthers CapeRace's mission toward more responsible and sustainable travel.
National Post: Finding Serendipity on Newfoundland Shore
April 22nd, 2010
ST. JOHN'S -- Pondering a map that has community names such as Witless Bay, Chance Cove and Mistaken Point, visitors here must experience some trepidation navigating a rental car around this island.
But getting lost and getting found again is the aim here. Creator of this serendipitous flow that provides travellers with a key that fits three authentic historic homes located in spectacular coastal locations, a rental car, a map and a custom traveller's guide is Ken Sooley, a former IT entrepreneur and Ontario resident whose family roots go way back into Newfoundland's past and with cousins, friends and in-laws scattered across outport communities up and down Newfoundland's eastern shore. Read More>>
Pure Canada Magazine: Newfound Friends
February 02nd, 2010
"This place receives people in its own style with a friendliness that takes some getting used to for someone visiting ..." Read More>>