Stratford  and  St Jacobs Tour

Theatre - Shopping - Sightseeing

10-hour tour with personal guide

Our full day (10-hr) tour is just for you and a private guide in an executive sedan or coach. You are picked up at our home after breakfast by your personal tour guide and longtime resident of the area. Your tour will include

The Grand River Country

Grand River Country is an exciting travel destination that runs through the heart of Southern Ontario, and combines dynamic cities, charming villages and colourful rural landscapes set against the natural beauty of the heritage Grand River.

St Jacobs

Explore is the fascinating heritage and locale of the Mennonite community of St. Jacobs. Originally called "Jakobstettel" (little town of many Jacobs') by the Pennsylvania Dutch settlers, this village is the home to many artisans and their studios, among many other interesting attractions, including the oldest covered bridge in Ontario. The Farmer's Market is a lively indoor/outdoor food and craft market with over 400 vendors. Wave to a Mennonite family travelling in their horse-drawn buggy or visit the many antique shops of the main street.

Fergus / Elora

The picturesque Scottish limestone of these two villages illustrate the historical aspects of the region. Each has unique summer festivals with Fergus hosting the annual Highland Games attracting worldwide visitors while the Elora Music Festival has a growing reputation as a premier choral festival. During the year both villages attract many tourists to their boutiques. The Village of Elora is home to the famous Elora Gorge, an attraction for the young and old.

Historic Guelph

Guelph, a lively multicultural community of 100,000, blends a rich history and friendly city life with nearby scenic countryside. Dubbed The Royal City, Guelph is characterized by fine stone buildings, many dating back to the 19th century, including City Hall and the dramatic twin spires of Church of Our Lady which dominates the city skyline. If you wish, we can make time for a stop at McCrae House museum, the birthplace of John McCrae, best known for his World War I poem In Flanders Field. Or perhaps a drive through the beautiful campus of the University of Guelph.

Lunch is Included*

Two of Ontario's finest restaurants are located on this itinerary, and your guide will be pleased to make reservations at either:

Aberfoyle Mill was built in 1859 by a Scottish immigrant named George McLean. The delightful interior of the Aberfoyle Mill is a constant reminder of its history. The Mill originally functioned as a grist mill, powered by the pond situated at the back of the building. In 1867, the Mill won a gold medal for its oatmeal at the World's Fair in Paris. The Mill functioned until the late 1920s.

Elora Mill welcomes visitors to an environment as rich in history as it is in scenic beauty. The massive limestone walls of the mill rise dramatically from the edge of the Grand River at the Penstock Lounge, guests enjoy spectacular views of the Tooth of Time, a rocky islet perched in the heart of thundering waterfalls that has become a symbol of the heritage village of Elora.  This is one of Ontario's last remaining grist mills, and the Interior decor is a celebration of history, from exposed stone walls to accent pieces creatively fashioned from mill artifacts.

*beverage and gratuity extra

Stratford

Stratford and surrounding Perth County is filled with history, world-class theatre and natural beauty. It is an area made rich by the talents of artists and farmers, tradespeople and professionals all working together over the past 160 years to build a friendly, sophisticated and very active community in the heart of Southwestern Ontario.

Established in 1953, the Stratford Festival has become a major world theatrical event involving three stages. Originally based primarily on productions of the works of William Shakespeare, the festival also incorporates musicals, classic and contemporary dramas in its repertoire. OPTIONAL matinee performance (not included in the cost, but your driver will wait for you).

Acton

Explore one of Ontario's most popular shopping attractions; almost an acre of leather outerwear, accessories, gifts and furniture. Acton's leather heritage and the history of the Olde Hide House are forever woven together. Widely known as Canada's largest leather store, the humble beginnings of the Hide House were as a shipping and receiving warehouse for Acton's Beardmore & Co., the largest tannery in the British Empire at the turn of the century. However, Acton's history, and in particular, its role and reputation as Canada's Leathertown date back even further. In 1899, Beardmore & Company built a large brick warehouse next to the railway line. Even back then it was known as the "Hide House" because raw hides were brought in by rail and stored here to await transport by horse-drawn wagons to the tannery for processing. http://www.leathertown.com/

The cost of this adventure, with lunch included, is
$499CAD for one or two persons,
$99 for each additional person
Certainly a day you'll not forget.

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