Our province is a vacationer's paradise.
We cannot help being impacted by the things that take our breath away.
From Port aux Basques in the west to St. John's in the east, from St. Anthony in the north to Grand Bank in the south, from Nain in northern Labrador to Forteau in southern Labrador, our sensibilities are enlivened by a harmonious blend of sights and sounds and tastes.
Unfortunately, such stark beauty may be our best-kept secret.
When thinking about holiday time, we often go to great lengths to make plans to leave the province and wander the world in search of the ideal vacation spot, when the very best is already in our backyard.
I'm referring to the party that's going on in Cupids right now. It's no mean celebration. Indeed, it's the biggest cultural event in Newfoundland and Labrador in 2010.
As the birthplace of English Canada, the town extends back to 1610, when John Guy and his merry adventurers landed in a place to be known as Cupers Cove. Their initial settlement is now a site of national historic significance.
More than 135,000 artifacts have been uncovered since the original plantation site was discovered in 1995.
But this is only a small part of the broader appeal.
There are more than 200 celebratory events throughout the Northeast Avalon, sandwiched between the Royal Visit in November 2009 and the Cupids Cove Soiree on Aug. 17-22. Many of the events are already past, but many others are yet to come.
There's something for everyone.
There are festivals, concerts and celebrations. History enthusiasts will be no less enthralled than film buffs. Concert goers will complement tea aficionados.
People of all ages, from hither and yon, have been converging on, and are continuing to converge on, the town to take part in a fine ol' time.
Exchanging an out-of-province vacation for one in historic Cupids will pay rich dividends.
Break out the champagne. It's time to celebrate.
Burton K. Janes, summer reporter
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