Down East Tours
Down East Tours
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Multi-day Tours • Sightseeing Tours • Private Tours • Wine Tours & Tastings
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Welcome to DOWN EAST TOURS ! We offer Private Guiding Services to allow you to explore and experience the Best of Nova Scotia and the Maritimes. We will show you all the ‘must see’ sights and allow you to explore many of the Hidden Gems that others miss. Private guided tours from Halifax, Nova Scotia that are flexible and customized to allow you to enjoy local culture on the scenic routes without the crowds of the big tour buses. You’ll enjoy the ‘must see sights’ and you’ll LOVE the ‘hidden gems’ of the places we explore. Great sights, food & drink. Tours avg 5-6hr with longer day and multi-day tours available. Please contact us with any questions that you may have.
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(8 reviews)
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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5.0
9 reviews
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Mark F
6 contributions
Jun. 2022
Did a sibling vacation in Halifax and toured with Mel , on a private guided tour with Down East Tours! Absolutely amazing! Beautiful scenery and Mel fit right in with our Family! 😊 Highly recommend Down East Tours!
We couldn’t find a car rental but this was much better! Mel knows the area . We didn’t have to worry about a thing! He was very knowledgeable and knew exactly where to take us!
We will definitely be back and will definitely call on Mel!
Thank you Mel for such a wonderful experience!
He can also customize your tour! Since it was our first time we just let him take us where he thought we would enjoy! It was perfect!
I would say don’t rent a car! Call Down East Tours instead! Worry free!
We couldn’t find a car rental but this was much better! Mel knows the area . We didn’t have to worry about a thing! He was very knowledgeable and knew exactly where to take us!
We will definitely be back and will definitely call on Mel!
Thank you Mel for such a wonderful experience!
He can also customize your tour! Since it was our first time we just let him take us where he thought we would enjoy! It was perfect!
I would say don’t rent a car! Call Down East Tours instead! Worry free!
Written July 19, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Debbie E
Beavercreek, OH23 contributions
Sep. 2019
We recently were on a cruise which stopped at Halifax and opted to take a local tour with Mel. Wow, what a great time we had....Mel was amazing. He took us to local villages and scenic coves that big buses wouldn't never make it through. The Halifax explosion memorial and the Titanic gravesite were very interesting due to Mel's narrative with specific details and information. This was an outstanding tour and highly recommended to anyone who visits Halifax.
Written October 5, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Thank you so much for your comments. Such a wonderful day exploring the history of Halifax and our coastal drive experiencing the beauty of Nova Scotia. All the best !
Written October 10, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Mkgreene
Bay City, MI12 contributions
Sep. 2019 • Couples
On our Princess cruise through New England and Canada, we decided to book a private tour with Mel from Down East Tours. There were 6 of us and the vehicle was comfy enough. We chose Peggy’s Cove and the Titanic graveyard as a must see for the tour and left the rest to Mel. He didn’t disappoint. We had plenty of bathroom breaks, great scenery, good storytelling and a wonderful lunch at a great local restaurant. We avoided most of the “big bus” crush because Mel knows how to time your stops for maximum enjoyment. One of the highlights of our trip so far!
Written September 30, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Thank you so very much for the comments. Loved showing all of you the sites and hoping you return to explore more of Nova Scotia in the future. Cheers !
Written October 2, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
FloridaTraveler71
The Villages, Florida5 contributions
Sep. 2019
Mel was amazing, personable and knowledgeable; he shared history, customs and local faire. We stopped when we wanted and Mel ensured us if a fabulous visit to Peggy's Cove followed by a delightful meal at a local restaurant, The Rhubarb.
Having toured with Mel, allowed us to enjoy the area without the crowded bus of cruisers! Book with Mel and enjoy a leisurely tour!
Having toured with Mel, allowed us to enjoy the area without the crowded bus of cruisers! Book with Mel and enjoy a leisurely tour!
Written September 18, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Thank you for your review. I love showing my guests the sites away from the crowds and of course enjoy the local flavours of Nova Scotia !
Written September 19, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
James V
Salado, TX5 contributions
Jul. 2019 • Couples
My wife and I wanted to do a private tour in Halifax during our cruise stop that we could tailor to our liking. This was just what we wanted. An adventurous tour with lots of stops and sights seen without having to worry about other tourists. Mel was absolutely amazing with a great personality. He was extremely knowledgeable of the area and knew just what we would enjoy seeing. We were picked up right off the ship and dropped off at the waterfront shopping just as we requested. Mel took us to an amazing local seafood restaurant where we had a delicious lobster roll and bowl of seafood chowder. Mel takes great pride in his touring company and it shows. We saw all the sights of the area while avoiding the cruise ship tours. If you're looking to do a private tour in Halifax, this is the tour to book. I leaned a long time ago not to book excursions through the ship unless you want to see half the sights with a heard of complaining tourists. Save yourself the remorse and book this private tour, you won't regret it!
Written July 30, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Always great time having wonderful guests on tour ! It was a pleasure showing you both the sites without the crowds of ‘bus’ people. So happy that the Lighthouse also received some Love from Texas ! Thanks so much for the review and touring with me .. cheers !
Written August 2, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
MReiland
8 contributions
Jun. 2019 • Family
Easily a five star rating. We were looking for something a bit more personal than taking one of the cruise line bus tours with 1000 of your closest friends heading to Peggy's Cove. Where you go on the tour is up to you telling Mel and then he customized the experience. Initially we were thinking to go see Oak Island, but when we got there we changed our mind due to the distance and Mel didn't skip a beat. Along the way we stopped at such places as the Titanic grave sites (Mel timed it so that we were literally the only ones there, before the tours), he took us along the shore lines to see the colorful fishing boats, stopped at piers, talked to the local fisherman, ate at a local restaurant, even stopped at the house of an author for a book on Peggy from Peggy's Cove (that place was 'interesting' to say the least. Along the way Mel told us stories, most were true, some he gave us the wink that they were just funny. I think those were just to see if we were listening. Traveling with 2 young teens, they had a great time, the entire time! We talked to the rest of the people we were traveling with to see how their cruise ship booked excursions were and they all said hands down they would have loved to be on ours.
Written July 7, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Thanks for the fantastic review. I’m always willing to customize my tours and was happy to show you a piece of Nova Scotia. Also, thanks for the great photos you added ... yes ... indeed I did catch a fish that big once ;) I’m sure there is one with Matt showing off his strength too ... I’ll find it and post it ! All the best to all of you ! Cheers
Written July 8, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Passenger754607
11 contributions
May 2019 • Couples
We had a tour with Mel (booked through Tours by Locals) and it was great! He's very knowledgeable & stays informed about the city. He is very outgoing & social & got our humor so that made it even better! We visited a couple off the beaten path places that you would never see on a regular bus tour and stopped at a couple places so we could get out & read plaques & hear the stories. I particularly enjoyed going to the Titanic graveyard & learning about the history.
I would highly recommend Mel's tours. Unfortunately he's already book for Sept when we return or I would be doing another tour with him then!
Thanks Mel! ☆☆☆☆☆
I would highly recommend Mel's tours. Unfortunately he's already book for Sept when we return or I would be doing another tour with him then!
Thanks Mel! ☆☆☆☆☆
Written May 26, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Thank you for your comments and review. I had a great time showing you the various sites. Enjoy your return visit. Please email me and I can recommend another local guide. Cheers !
Written May 31, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Chelssjh
Philadelphia, PA211 contributions
Apr. 2019 • Solo
During a trip to the wine region and had the chance to visit several wineries. The tour guide was so friendly and gave really great insight into the region and even made recommendations on things to do with the rest of my time. Would definitely recommend this company!!
Written April 30, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Thank you for your review !
Written May 31, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
RockPaperTravel
Edmonton, Canada624 contributions
Apr. 2019 • Couples
Had a great tour to Annapolis valley wine region and Halifax area! We stopped at several wineries, a cheese place and on our way back into Halifax our guide Mel showed us a couple cool points and made recommendations for places to to eat and check our during the rest of our stay. We loved the heated seats and the car was very comfy. Mel was a great guide, very knowledgeable and has an obvious love for showing tourists his city.
Written April 15, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Thank you for your comments !
Written May 31, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
No questions have been asked about this experience