This journey travels through some of southwestern Ontario’s most distinctive communities, where living traditions, historic villages, and dramatic natural landscapes come together. The day introduces visitors to the heritage of the Old Order Mennonite region, as well as the storybook towns of Elora and Fergus.
 

The tour begins in St. Jacobs, a community closely associated with the Old Order Mennonite population, whose traditional way of life—centred on simplicity and continuity—exists alongside the modern world. We visit the renowned St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market, one of the largest farmers’ markets in Canada, celebrated for its wide variety of locally produced foods, baked goods, and crafts. The market offers an opportunity to experience the region’s agricultural roots and observe everyday life in this rural area.
 

After the market visit, we explore downtown St. Jacobs, where well-preserved 19th-century buildings line King Street, the village’s main thoroughfare. The area is known for its antique shops, boutiques, craft workshops, art galleries, cafés, and restaurants. In some workshops, visitors can watch artisans at work, creating items in wood, glass, and pottery.
 

The journey continues to the village of Elora, located at the confluence of the Grand and Irvine Rivers and widely regarded as one of Ontario’s most beautiful small towns. Elond cafés, as well as the beautifully preserved 19th-century streetscape along Mill Street, which gives the village its fairytale character.
 

The tour concludes in the town of Fergus, where visitors experience the atmosphere of a historic Scottish settlement. Fergus is notable for its white limestone buildings, many constructed by early Scottish settlers, and for the dramatic limestone cliffs along the Grand River that fra offers one of the province’s most romantic and dramatic walks. A picturesque stroll along the cliff-top trails of Victoria Park leads to Lover’s Leap, a well-known overlook rising nearly 80 feet above the point where the two rivers meet. Tourists have time to enjoy Elora’s distinctive shops arame the town centre. We enjoy a stroll through Templin Gardens, one of the town’s most photographed landmarks, featuring terraced pathways, stone staircases carved into the gorge, and several viewing platforms overlooking the river.

After exploring Fergus, we return to Toronto with a rich impression of the region’s history, culture, and natural beauty.

11-12 hours

 

Price:

• Minivan (1–5 people) $1990

• Passenger van (6–13 people) $2915

• Minibus or coach — price upon request