Rural Route Tour Company

06/17/2024

😍LAST CHANCE to book our incredible Terroir to Table tour and dining experience!

If you don’t already have plans for this coming Saturday, we’ve got the perfect culture and culinary adventure for you!

Rural and urban come together in this ultimate farm-to-fork adventure. You’ll spend the day in the country where you’ll tour and taste your way through rural Ontario. Enjoy a honey and mead tasting at Ontario Honey Creations , a locally crafted pint at Mono Centre Brewing , and stunning lavender views with Prosecco in hand at Hereward Farms .

Then return to Toronto for a Chef in the House private rooftop dinner with renowned Toronto chef, Craig Harding. This chef-led dining experience incorporates ingredients from the day’s tour into a finely curated menu that includes…

Selection of Canapés
- Scallop Ceviche with Grilled Peaches and Habanero
- Chicken Liver Maritozzi with Caviar Tomato Tramezzini

Main Course
- Roasted Duck Breast with Whisky Smoked Honey Jus, Potato Pavé, Minted Fava Beans

Dessert
- Lavender Chocolate Torte with Mission Figs and Fig Mead Anglaise

Drinks
- Signature Terroir to Table Cocktail, Beer, Wine, and Non-Alcoholic Beverages

Click below for full details and to book.
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/terroir-to-table-taste-of-summer-tickets-907703023177?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

06/07/2024

POV: When you’re excited to bring your guests to an amazing rural Cidery and pull up to an extra special sign just for you!

Thanks - Can’t wait to see you next week!

05/23/2024

📣Calling all Foodies for a one-of-a-kind culinary collaboration!📣

On Saturday, June 22, Rural Route Tour Company and Chef in the House are hosting a true farm-to-fork experience that will take you on a rural food and drink journey, culminating in a private dinner with celebrated Toronto chef, Craig Harding!

Terroir to Table “Taste of Summer” is a full-day farm-to-fork experience that will take you on a specially curated Rural Route food and drink tour north of Toronto where you’ll be immersed in the stories of the land, guided through unique tastings, and meet the makers of the ingredients that you’ll enjoy as part of an engaging chef-led dinner.

An interactive day from start to finish, “Taste of Summer” includes stops at a family-run apiary for a honey and mead tasting, a pint at a local brewery, and a tour of an award-winning lavender farm before returning to Toronto. Once back, Chef in the House will host a behind-the-scenes experience where you’ll enjoy cocktails and dinner with an exclusive menu created and prepared by renowned chef, Craig Harding.

What’s Included:
- Premium transportation from downtown Toronto
- Fully guided experience with your host & local experts
- Private tour & tastings at Ontario Honey Creations
- Pint of craft beer at Mono Centre Brewing Co.
- Lavender farm tour & Prosecco at award-winning Hereward Farms
- Light lunch & snacks throughout the day
- Private rooftop reception with canapes & cocktails
- Chef-led dinner demo by chef Craig Harding (includes beer, wine & non-alcoholic beverages)
- Intimate group experience, maximum 12ppl capacity

See included link for more details and to purchase tickets!

A daylong farm-to-fork experience hosted by Rural Route Tour Co & Chef in the House, with a private chef-led dinner with Chef Craig Harding.

05/10/2024

DO NOT PANIC!! We’ve got your back.

Even though Mother’s Day is less than 48 hours away you still have time to get Mom an amazing gift – the gift of a Rural Route tour.

Let’s be real. If you don’t have something for your Mom by now, you’re getting her a Panic Present. You’re going to rush out tomorrow (or for you absolute last-minuters, Sunday morning), heart racing, trying to find something thoughtful to give your wonderful Mother.

Lucky for you our ONLINE GIFT CARDS are the perfect panic present for that special nurturing woman in your life.

Make it EASY on yourself and AWESOME for her.

Go to the link in our bio or to the Tours page on our website. Click the Gift Card option, choose your gift card design, amount, and include a heartfelt personal message. That’s it!

And because we’re super thoughtful as well, below are four AI generated, slightly tweaked notes that you can cut and paste into your gift card message.

💕Spouse to Spouse💕

💕“Happy Mother’s Day to the woman who brings so much joy and warmth into our home. Your nurturing spirit and boundless love create a haven of happiness for our family. Today, and every day, I cherish you and all that you are.”

💕“To the love of my life and an incredible mother, on this Mother’s Day, I want to express my deepest gratitude for the countless ways you enrich our lives. Your unwavering love, strength, and dedication inspire me every day.”

✨Favourite Child to Mom✨

✨“Mom, on this Mother’s Day, I want to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude for your unwavering love and support. Your strength and wisdom have been my guiding light through every twist and turn of life. Thank you for being my rock, my confidante, and my inspiration. I love you more than words can express.”

✨“To the most extraordinary mom, Happy Mother’s Day! Your unconditional love has shaped me into the person I am today, and I am forever grateful for the countless lessons you’ve taught me along the way. Your kindness, patience, and resilience inspire me to strive for greatness. Here’s to you, Mom, and all the love you so generously give.”

You’re Welcome!

04/09/2024

Loving my custom chocolate garnishes from 😍! So cute…and ready to fancy up some delicious treats.

Stay tuned!

03/28/2024

Rural Route Tour Co., operating out of York Durham Headwaters / Central Counties, is a tour company focused on helping visitors see the wonders of this region in a meaningful way.

03/23/2024

When Mother Nature decides to grace you with a Spring Snowstorm embrace it with a hot cup of Wassail by the fire!🔥

No matter the tour, I can’t help but always bring a little something extra home to enjoy my friends and family!

🇨🇦

03/18/2024

It’s been a busy start to 2024 here at Rural Route Tour Company!

I’m excited to share this great article about our Taste of Maple tour, which is currently available and running until April 7.

In addition to seasonal tours, we have a collection of public tours that are available all year round. Our tours are also great for corporate outings, so if you’re looking for something interesting and fun to do with your team or clients Rural Route is definitely worth exploring!

Thank you to for joining us on the backroads, and for this wonderful article.

Follow more backroad adventures on IG .tourco

Happy reading!

We head out on Rural Route Tour's Taste of Maple trip to Elliott Tree Farm and GoodLot Farmstead Brewing for maple syrup and beer.

01/31/2024

NEW TOUR – We’re kicking off 2024 with our sweetest experience yet – Introducing the Taste of Maple tour.

Join us for a grown-up take on the traditional sugar bush experience.

We’ll hit the road for a day of all things maple at . Learn how maple syrup is made, walk a sugar bush trail, enjoy all-you-can-eat pancakes with award-winning syrup and all the fixings, and visit the Maple Syrup Museum of Ontario. Then stop for a tasting and munchies at one of our favourite rural craft beverage producers.

Includes:
🚌 Premium transportation
🗺️ Full-day with a knowledgeable local guide
🍽️ All tours & tastings
👩‍🌾 Opportunity to meet local experts & makers
🥨 Food & snacks
👥 Small group experience
🌞 A SUPER SWEET day out!

Just like maple syrup season, this experience isn’t around for long. Public and Private tours available. See link in bio to book your tour.

12/24/2023

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and the very best for 2024!

12/10/2023

We have memory-making gift cards sure to get you on the NICE LIST with all your friends and family!

- Girlfriend Gift Exchange ✅
- Favourite Sibling ✅
- Besty ✅
- Coolest Cat Sitter Ever – Check them off the list as well! ✅

Visit our website to purchase a holiday-themed gift card, available in set and custom amounts. You’ll be giving a one-of-a-kind experience to the special people on your list AND supporting the amazing local businesses we visit on each of our tours.

12/07/2023

Say HELLO to LUNCH…and one of the best burgers you’ll ever eat!

This mouth-watering bad boy is just one of the delicious dishes on the specially curated two-course prix fixe menu that's included in the Rural Makers: Christmas Crawl tour🎄.

You'll enjoy lunch at the quaint and cozy Mono Cliffs Inn, along with stops at a local apiary, lavender farm, and cidery.

Bookable now until December 22, 2023.

12/06/2023

‘Tis the season for family!

Time to make time and memories that last for years…and ones you’ll never live down.

Like that time Mom somehow ended up with an entire pork chop stuck to the front of her sweater, or when Dad thickened the gravy with blueberry muffin mix instead of flour (he was sore about that one for years), or my personal fave, carving the “pre-stuffed” turkey only to find that it wasn’t pre-stuffed, you just forgot to take out that bag of bits!

Ah the memories!

I had a chance to make fun new memories with my family on a recent custom tour I built just for us. It was filled with lots of laughs, friendly jibes, great food, a very cuddly duck, and stories we’ll tell over and over and over again.

Enjoy the many gifts of the season my friends and all the family that comes with it!

11/22/2023

✨HOLIDAY TOUR ALERT✨ It’s time to Make Merry with our new Holiday Tours!

From now until Christmas we’ve got some great holiday tours to help you check off your gift list AND enjoy a day of shopping like no other!

Hop on board and get in the spirit with your merry tour host for a day of tastings, shopping, and exploring everything from small-town holiday lights, farm cideries, craft breweries and fruit wineries to apiaries and lavender farms.

Book a public tour online at ruralroutetourco.com or get a bunch of awesome people together for a private tour, including custom pick-up for the group.

Private tours available for groups of 8-13 people. Must be 19+.

10/26/2023

One of the best things about starting this business is that I’m constantly meeting wonderful new people. Whether I’m hosting a tour, having a call or making the rounds with a stack of rack cards, talking to people about something I love to do feeds my soul…especially on a rainy day.

I hope you all do something today that feeds yours as well!

10/11/2023

There's something about a short week that feels REALLY long. You probably deserve a nice break where you can sit back, admire the fall colours, and sip your way through the weekend.

We've got some tour spots open for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday - Have a look, then call or click to book!

09/28/2023

This week I had some time to say hi to a few tour partners. One of those hellos was at Old Flame Brewing Co. in Port Perry. A flight was tasted, some snacks were had, and on the way out I happened upon a local farmer picking up Old Flames’ spent mash to feed to his sheep - Amazing!

We had a great chat about the importance of these collaborative relationships and community.

I guess you learn something new every day when you’re out exploring Ontario’s rural routes!

09/26/2023

Fall is here, along with sunny days made for cider sipping! It’s my favourite season and the most fleetingly.

Enjoy it while it lasts at some of the sunny cider stops you’ll enjoy on our tours…like Banjo Cider, Two Blokes Cider, Heartwood Farm & Cidery and Slabtown Cider.

09/20/2023

Hi Everyone! I figured I should probably introduce myself. I’m Tamara, the owner, operator, and hostess with the mostest at Rural Route Tour Company.

Here’s a bit about me and the path that led to the creation of Rural Route. It’s a three-parter so hold tight!

Part 1 – I grew up on a rural route, a to***co farm to be specific, in southwestern Ontario. It was a great way to grow up. I had my dog, acres of fields to explore, ponds to fish in, and a welcoming family that functioned on the belief that if a light was on you had a seat at our table. There was always enough to go around - enough conversation, enough food, and more than enough laughter and heart.

In those days (the 80s), people from all over would come to my hometown looking for work in the to***co fields. Young guys from across Canada and Europe would show up and live on the farm during the harvest season. My mom would make meals in the Cook Barn, and I would listen to their accents and travel stories. I knew at an early age that someday I would do that too.

Part 2 – Fast forward to my 20s. I shoved my belongings into a backpack seeking to find the places that people didn’t really go to. My first adventure was tree planting in Northwestern Ontario, then hitchhiking and backpacking my way through New Zealand and Fiji, and the adventures continued. They look a bit different these days. I have a family and less time, but exploring the path less travelled is always at the heart of it.

Part 3 – Hospitality has also been a big part of my life. I didn’t realize it at the time, but hosting people has always been in my blood. Through university I worked in restaurants and a cruise ship. Then eventually found myself in public relations where I hosted special guests at luxury hotels, film festivals, and destinations that I worked with.

This unlikely trifecta of life experience is what has led to the creation of Rural Route - a different kind of tour company. One that welcomes and invites guests to my table (or van as it may be) where they will find exceptional hospitality in an unexpected place...and maybe a little adventure of their own!

09/07/2023

Join us on a backroad patio for a local pint, or yummy non-alcoholic thirst quencher.

Our beverage tours offer both. So whether you’re drinking a flight or fruited hop water you can count on discovering some new local faves!

08/28/2023

You never know what the day holds when you’re out and about finding great places to take your tour guests.

Sometimes you make a turn and end up with a box of the best butter tarts you’ve ever tasted.

Sometimes you and your co-pilot become creature heroes.

And sometimes you stumble across a quiet view, take a breath, and think, “I just can’t wait to share this with a van full of awesome people!”.

08/22/2023

From local honey and mead to cider, blueberry grunt and limited edition brews our tours will take you and your tastebuds to places you’ve never been before!

08/19/2023

Welcome to Rural Route Tour Company! We’re so excited to invite you to get off the beaten path and join us for a day in rural Ontario.

We offer hands-on rural tours and experiences across Ontario’s York, Durham, and Headwaters regions. These regions are home to award-winning small-batch beverage producers, farm-to-fork culinary and agricultural experiences, arts, culture, stories and lore.

Each Rural Route tour and experience has been thoughtfully curated to take you off the beaten path; away from the everyday urban hustle and traditional day trip destinations.

Experience guided tours and tastings from small-batch beverage producers; follow the footsteps of Canada’s most prolific writers and artists; enjoy pastries from a backroad bakery, and take in picturesque views of Ontario’s most scenic rural landscapes.

Check out our tours, gather up your besties, and LET’S HIT THE ROAD!

08/10/2023

08/02/2023