August for sure. I've been there for beautiful weather in May, but everyone local explained they had never seen teh weather so good that early in the year.

St. John's is a small, hilly, city. For walkers like you, it's a convenient place.

But limited.

If you were willing to rent a car for a day or two several times, you would get a lot more out of Newfoundland.

The beaches are all on the North Atlantic ocean, which means do not even think of swimming, but some are beautiful to look at. There's still a lot of commercial fishing in Newfoundland, and you couldspend a few days just studying the men and women in the fishing business, and how their lives are tied to the sea.

My instinct is to say there's not enough to fill a month, but on the other hand, people who live there manage to keep their days full.

I follow some Newfounderlanders on Twitter, and have worked with others, and visited there a dozen times myself (but usually on fairly short business trips) and the people and personalities of Newfoundland make it a great place.

BOTTOM LINE -- go in August, but go.

BAK

I've never been but everyone I know who has LOVES St. John's and Newfoundland...including my son. Agree August would be best.

You have tagged your post as New Brunswick so I presume you are interested in St John....St John's is in Newfoundland. You had better clarify where you mean.

Hello Morningglory and Bak. Thank you, amygirl.

All right, I am confused.

All of you refer to Newfoundland in your posts, but I am asking about New Brunswick.

The home exchange listing clearly states New Brunswick. I went and checked. They write that they have a view of St John's Harbor and of the Bay of Fundy. Further on they remark that ST John is the largest city in New Brunswick. So is there another ST John that you are writing about or are we talking about the same place?

Thanks, Thanks!!

Perhaps, I confused people by using the apostrophe. It is St John in New Brunswick, NOT St John's. Did not realize the ' could make such a difference!!

The city with the apostrophe is in Newfoundland, and is a wonderful place to visit.

Over in New Brunswick, things get even more complicated.

The serious folks refer to the city as Saint John with Saint spelled out. The big river in the city is the St. John River, with ST instead of the long word.

I was born in Mocton, N.B., which some may think influences my view, but as a general rule, I think Saint John is the dullest city in the Maritimes, and I'd have trouble keeping amused for a week, let alone a month.

With a car, you can go to Fundy National Park, which, depending on your interests, is good for a day or two. Even further, Hopewell and the Hopewell Rocks (worth looking up in Google -- my grandmother was born in the tiny town.)

Even further, Moncton is good for a day, unless there's a big concert, which might make it less attractive, or more.

From Moncton, you can go to the Shediac area, and find the warmest beaches for hundreds of miles around.

But back in Saint John ... again, you can leave and go to St. George and to St Andrews, but again, this is a car trip.

Saint John has a nice public market.

I can't remember a serious series of posts here, ever, about Saint John.

Sorry I can't be more enthusiastic.

Thank you, Bak for your thoughts. Will need to reconsider if this Saint John is a good vacation spot.

Thanks very much, amygirl, for catching the error. Much appreciated.

You're welcome Annetti!! As you can see that apostrophe makes a WORLD of difference in Atlantic Canada! I cannot offer much on the pro's and cons of New Brunswick, I highly recommend trying for a home exchange in St. John's Newfoundland. I visited there for the first time this past summer and it was the best trip I have ever taken in my life (and I have been all over the world.

Have you considered Halifax, Nova Scotia? Halifax would be the more interesting place to spend a month.
From Halifax, you can drive to Cape Breton, NS for a couple of days.
And, go to PEI for a couple of days. Both easy drives.

Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland/Labrador....It's still cold in May. August is the preferred time to visit Atlantic Canada comprised of the Newfoundland/Labrador plus the 3 Maritime Provinces of NS, NB, PEI

delete "the" b/f Newfoundland/Labrador

Thank you, OceanBreeze1: Yes, we have considered Halifax; unfortunately, there are few listings on the home exchange sites and we have not been successful in hooking up with anyone from there yet.

Just have to add my 2 cents worth here. After visiting St. John's and Saint John I would consider St. John's because of the wonderful locals there among other things but I was definitely not impressed with Saint John. From reading your posts on Vancouver, Victoria and Toronto I don't think Saint John is the place for you.

Thank you, traveller69 for the confirmation. It appears unanimous that Saint John should not be considered by this Fodorite as a travel destination.

All I can say is thank you again, amygirl, for the geography lesson. It would have been very easy to have gone one place and intended another.

August...

Careful with HE lost of horror stories

Particularly with smokers

and heavy drinkers/partiers

have seen reports of many trashed homes

on the boards over the years...

Caveat Emptor... airbnb.com getting sued over this currently

Jul 27, 2011 · Reality hits Airbnb after user's home is vandalized, trashed. By Rachel King | July 27, 2011, ... Failure to comply results in criminal lawsuit with Airbnb.

www.zdnet.com/...airbnb-after-users-home-is-vandalized-trashed/53350

many scammers never wire money

qwo ???


annetti-I have spent many summers visiting St. John NB. They do (or used to have some fun summer festivals ( I believe the Fundy Bay Festival is there)
Is the house right in the city? I think its a place you would want to rent a car to see the area.
There is a wonderful nature park -
http://www.new-brunswick.net/Saint_John/inp/
Rothesay is a lovely community not far from the city with beautiful homes and is situated on the Kenebecasis River. Very nice upscale spot.
There certainly would be a lot less to do there than Toronto or Vancouver.

Oh and I made the mistake of spelling it St John which adds to the confusion between Saint John and St. Johns.

Thanks, irecommend, for the additional information. I hope you and mrirec are doing well.

Qwowadis - you lost me . . Are you trying to tell me home exchange can be risky?

Annetti - I don't thing qwovadis knows what an experience home exchanger you are!! Why don't you come back to Victoria??

Thanks, traveller69. That's not a bad idea. We have talked about it - trying to decide whether or not to return to either Victoria or Vancouver. Seriously, something worth considering.

Traveller69: I just mentioned your suggestion to N. First thing he said: "if we go back to Victoria, I want to go back to the White Heather." Funny, how that place stands out in his mind. It was very enjoyable the day we were there and they were super nice to us.

Annetti - Well you will definitely have to come back and we can meet for "tea". The food is excellent (and plentiful) there and they are extremely hospitable I just wish it was a little bit roomier.

traveller69: You are rt - the place is small and even though there were two of us, it was hard to get reservations for the time we requested. If we return to Victoria, we'll take you up on the offer and meet for tea. I had such nice responses from the Victoria people on my postings.

Have you considered Montreal for your home exchange? Or, Quebec City? Or, Ottawa?

OceanBreeze1: Thanks for the suggestions. We have spent some time in Montreal, Quebec City and Ottawa, though it has been ages. I'll run it by N.

Also, for Montreal, Quebec City or Ottawa you can expand your time frame. The month of May would be a beautiful time to visit any of those cities. Or, June, July, August, Sept or October.

Annetti,

A person posted on the travel tips and trip ideas forum asking for information about home exchanges (best websites etc.) and I thought of you. Perhaps you could provide the person some guidance (not sure if you check that forum or not).