We’ve taken a million tours, but none of them have been like the one we did with Rural Route Tour Co. That’s because this tour company has intimate partnerships with breweries, cideries, farms, and local providers that give you unprecedented access to a different way of doing (and seeing) things. And, with a charismatic leader at the helm, the sky is the limit for this new kind of tour company.
When you love something with every ounce of your being, it’s natural to want to share that love with others. And the wonderful thing is that, it turns out that kind of passion is infectious.
We’ve all been on tours in the past where the leader of the tour seems, at best, disinterested, and you feel like you’re just going through the motions. That is not what you’ll find with Rural Route Tour Co., and that’s because the moment that you step into Tamara’s van, you can see that she operates these tours with a deep-seeded passion that cannot be falsified.
Talking with Tamara about how Rural Route Tour Co. came to be, I couldn’t help shake the feeling that she knew launching something like this wouldn’t be easy, but she also knew that it would be worth it. And, to be clear, you can see she’s not doing this for her. She wants her tour groups to see the Central Counties region with new eyes, and to have experience and curiosity at the forefront of it all.
“What excites me is showing people that we have so much to enjoy in our own backyards,” she told me.
“If a guest leaves a tour feeling well taken care of, a bit lighter, happier, and with a deeper sense of wonder than they did when they first got in the van – that’s a beautiful thing to me.”
How Rural Route Tour Co. Came to Be
It’s easy to forget that all the breweries, restaurants, accommodations and attractions we visit across this province all started with a dream of an individual or group of individuals who knew in their hearts they could share an experience with others that could resonate in a meaningful way.
Having taken a tour, and spoken to Tamara about what tours she has on offer, you can see that, at its core, Rural Route Tour Co. is all about providing people with a deeper connection to the places they are visiting. The roads of rural Ontario, you come to realize, lead to a treasure trove of stories, and she aims to be the guide in facilitating that discovery.
“I was working in destination marketing and development in the Central Counties region, the area where my tours take place, and thought that people really need to know about this beautiful part of Ontario. It’s filled with amazing food and beverage producers, history, culture, and scenery. I had also spent time working in luxury hotels in Toronto and saw a gap in the market for a more experiential type of tour – something that gives guests a deeper experience than a typical sightseeing tour. Finally, I grew up on a farm in Southwestern Ontario and love being in the countryside. All these things led to Rural Route Tour Company.
I took all my favourite pieces from these experiences and combined them with my love of travel and storytelling to make something that I enjoy doing and that genuinely makes me happy.”
That happiness to be doing this, that sense of purpose — it’s palpable, and it makes being a part of the tour feel like privilege. Like you’re getting access to experiences in this region that you could not get in the same way anywhere else.
The relationships she’s developed with these businesses and communities you visit ensure that you’re welcomed like family. “It’s the collaboration between partners that make the tours so unique and special. We all work together,” Stefek notes.
What Tours Are on Offer?
Public tours typically depart from Toronto‘s Distillery District or from 44 York Streer (or, generally speaking, from downtown Toronto), but there are some additional pick-up options for select tours. When you look at the list of tours, you’ll note that there are different seasonal tours on offer, in additional to the core tours.
Custom and private tours are also an option, which may be enticing if you’re looking to plan something for a special occasion or perhaps for a corporate group. If you’ve got specific questions, you can always shoot an email on over to [email protected].
We’ll take a look at what’s on now, but do note that the tour offerings are ever changing. That being said, this will give you some insight into how their tours are run, and how intimately connected these tours are to memorable local experiences in York Durham Headwaters.
The Backroads, Barrels & Brews Tour
This tour, lasting 7.5-8 hours, is all about appreciating local beer, wine, and cider crafted by some of Ontario’s finest small-batch producers.
It includes three stops, tours and tasting, with some food along the way, and does include an alcohol free option (craft sodas, soft ciders, hops waters) if you’re so inclined.
Stops include “Adamo Estate Winery, one craft brewery and one other amazing local beverage producer. Destinations vary based on day of the week and availability. Breweries and cideries include Sonnen Hill Brewery, Caledon Hills Brewing Company, Mono Centre Brewing Co., Goodlot Farmstead Brewing Co., Heartwood Farm & Cidery, Ontario Honey Creations.”
The Taste of Maple Tour
This is an example of a seasonal tour from Rural Route, and this is also the tour that Bri and I had the privilege of being a part of. This tour will be running until early to mid April.
You kick things off at the absolutely magical Elliott Tree Farm. We were welcomed by Derek Elliott, a man with charisma enough to fill a room. I remember thinking that if I ever were to be stuck in a snowstorm or extended bout of rain, I’d love it to be alongside Derek, so I could hear his stories for hours at a time. He’s one of those people that you cannot help but smile around.
“Our maple experience? We consider it to be the best in the GTA,” he noted. Then, playfully, he shared that, “if you want Montana’s, it’s down the road. If you want to eat in a horse barn, I’m your guy.”
We had a delicious, homemade pancake breakfast with all the fixings, took a guided tour through the sugar bush, visited a sugar shack, tasted raw sap, then warmed ourselves up at the Heritage Barn and Maple Syrup Museum of Ontario.
From here, you will head to either Goodlot Farmstead Brewing or Heartwood Farm Cidery. On this day, we headed to Goodlot. We sipped on delicious flights of beer, enjoyed some charcuterie boards which focused on the local, and heard from their leadership team, who happily informed us that they’re focused on the organic, doing things the right way, and “trying to find the taste of Ontario.”
I really enjoy their beer but it’s their “Yonder IPA,” “Philsner,” and “Mellow Gold” that steal my heart in particular. I have no qualms about saying that Goodlot is on my Mount Rushmore right now for breweries in Ontario. They do things the right way, not unlike Rural Route Tour Co., and it’s hard not to love that.
The Sideroad Sippers Tour
Firstly, can we acknowledge how fun the name for this tour is?
This tour focuses on exploring Durham Region’s beautiful countryside and hamlets through its craft beverage scene.
It runs roughly 7.5-8 hours (10am – 5:30pm, depending on traffic conditions, and as with other tours which visit establishments that serve alcoholic beverages, there are excellent craft non-alcoholic beverages on offer.
The tour includes a visit to “The Second Wedge Brewery, Banjo Cider, and a third stop at one of our local favourites based on the season. (Stops may be substituted with Two Blokes Cider, Old Flame Brewery, Slabtown Cider, Applewood Farm and Winery or Ocala Winery based on season and availability).”
You’ll have tastings and flights at each of the locations (typically 8-11 samples per tour), plus local food at select stops!
The Libations and Lakesides Tour
Craft beverages, and exploration of the quaint lakeside town of Port Perry. Where do I sign?
You’ll enjoy some local libations and snacks at two rural beverage producers before grabbing lunch and exploring the shops of this lovely little town.
Stops include “The Second Wedge Brewery, Two Blokes Cider, and 2 hours in the charming town of Port Perry. (Stops may be substituted with Applewood Farm and Winery, Old Flame Brewing Co., Banjo Cider, Ocala Winery or Slabtown Cider based on season and availability).”
Tours typically take place on weekends, and you can take a look at availability here.
The Secrets of Durham: HERstory & History Tour
We’ve written a lot in the past about Lucy Maud Montgomery, so seeing this tour brings us nothing but happiness.
This tour is focused on history and community, and includes a private tour of the Leaksdale Manse, to go along with some tea and fresh-bakes scones. Then, it’s on to the Uxbridge Historical Centre, and the unique and stunning Thomas Foster Memorial and Cemetary.
You’ll wrap up the tour with a visit to a local beverage producer, and enjoy a flight.
If you’ve got further questions about the tours, you may want to head to Rural Route Tour Co.’s FAQ page.
The Van
Yes, I’m doing a little section on the van, because I’ve seen firsthand how carefully Tamara custom designed it to ensure it fit the needs of her guests.
“I custom designed my van with guest comfort top-of-mind. It can accommodate 14 guests with plenty of headroom for our taller guests.There are USB ports and cup holders for each row, as well as a cooler and space in the back for guest purchases. Guests comment on the van all the time!
From the moment I got my driver’s licence I’ve loved driving, especially in the country. I definitely have a crush on my van! It’s beautiful inside and out. It makes guests feel comfortable and special, and it makes me proud to stand beside as I welcome guests onboard for a tour.”
It’s More Than Your Typical Tour
Driving up to Elliott Tree farm, I asked Tamara why she felt, in the end, a tour company like this, needed to be up and running in Ontario.
“I’m a country girl at heart. Through work I got to know many of the communities, small-batch beverage producers, and agri-tourism businesses in Central Counties and just knew that this area was special and someplace that people would enjoy experiencing,” she said.
She wants Rural Route Tour Co. to be a welcome reprieve to the tiring challenges of everyday life. “An escape from everyday life,” as she said.
At the core of it all, there’s one simple goal. A goal that Tamara summed up beautifully.
“My tours are meant to give people a deeper connection to the place they are visiting. Whether we’re on a culinary tour or culture and heritage tour, I want people to walk away feeling more connected to what they experienced and carry that with them.”
We want to humbly thank York Durham Headwaters for hosting us as media. All opinions are completely my own.
Christopher Mitchell is the Cofounder of Ultimate Ontario. He’s visited over 80 countries, and has lived on 4 continents, but now has his eyes set squarely on exploring this incredible province, and helping others do the same.