TESTIMONIALS

Valley Wine Tasting Custom Tour - DATE: June 2, 2025. Mel is a fabulous tour guide, he felt like a long time friend. Very accommodating, professional and friendly. I highly recommend using him as your guide anywhere in NS and PEI. Our customized tour was absolutely perfect. Thank you Mel!

Experience Peggy's Cove and Coastal Sites - DATE: March 13, 2025 - Mel gave us a wonderful trip! We loved his historical knowledge, culinary experience and personality. We had a marvelous time

Oak Island and South Shore Coastline - DATE: Oct 25, 2024 - What a wonderful experience, Mel was well versed, and answered all of our questions and gave us a surprise by visiting Oak Island, which was the highlight of our trip. Well definitely use Down East Tours the next time we are in Halifax.

Private Experience Peggy's Cove and Coastal Sites Half-day Tour - DATE: Oct 12, 2024 - Terrific tour in Halifax and Peggy’s Cove. Mel was very knowledgeable, friendly, interesting and accommodating- couldn’t ask for a better tour guide! We highly recommend him. From Trip Advisor

Oak Island and the South Shore - Oct 11, 2025 - We were lucky to get onto Mel from Down East Tours after getting off the ship as Mel had a cancellation that day & we wanted to go to Oak Island. Mel was able to tailor a guided tour for us to Oak Island & surrounding areas. He is very knowledgeable in the Halifax, Mahon Bay area & a great ambassador for the Nova Scotia area. We had the best tour & absolutely made our day. We would highly recommend Mel for any private tour. Thanks a lot Mel.

Oak Island and South Shore Coastal Tour - DATE: Oct 7, 2024 - Great day Mel. Full of information and great to get along with. Food was amazing. His van and speaker system works great so all can hear him talk. From Trip Advisor

Extended Peggy's Cove to Experience More - Oct 4, 2024 - Mel is the BEST! Excellent tour with perfect stops! We learned a lot. Mel was superb and worked with us to take us to a number of fun places, especially Peggy's Cove. He also made reservations for us at Sou'Western, where we had delicious chowder and lobster rolls! This is a no-brainer! Hire Mel now! From Trip Advisor

Experience Peggy's Cove and Coastal Sites - DATE: Oct 3, 2024 - Excellent tour! Mel was friendly and very knowledgeable. We would definitely book a tour with Mel again!!!

10 Day Customized Touring of Nova Scotia including Halifax, Cape Breton & the Cabot Trail with Whale Watching, Tidal Bore Rafting, Annapolis Valley, Lunenburg and Peggy's Cove - Sept 20 - 30, 2024 - Fabulous trip. Mel went above and beyond to ensure we experienced what we requested. Absolute wonderful trip! Would highly recommend Down East Tours. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Thank you so much Sheila and Alaina ! This was such a wonderful experience to spend with the Grandmother and Granddaughter who are special people. So many things on their 'Bucket List' including Whale Watching and Tidal Bore Rafting ! From coastlines, mountain tops, eagles, whales, camp fires and so much more... to amazing food, music and Nova Scotia hospitality ... what an experience ! - Mel Zilkowsky - Down East Tours

Experience Peggy's Cove and Coastal Sites - DATE: Sep 13, 2024 - Mel was absolutely fantastic! The best vehicle for 6 with a walker. Well paced. Great stops. Amazing stops. You can’t go wrong with Mel.

Extended Peggy's Cove to Experience More - DATE: Sep 12, 2024 - Mel was an excellent tour guide. He contacted me the day before just to confirm tour and meeting place. He got to know my interest and found some wonderful off the beaten path sites I would like. Peggy’s Cove was very nice. Mel filled me in an history of Halifax region and Nova Scotia. Much appreciated his anecdotes and sources of stories and facts.

Experience Peggy's Cove and Coastal Sites - DATE: Sep 11, 2024 - Our group of 6 people arrived at the cruise port for our 5-hour private tour with Mel. He was there on time and his van was very comfortable. Mel was friendly, knowledgeable, never rushed us and he was able to avoid crowds during many of our stops. Thank you Mel for a very memorable visit to Halifax and Peggy’s Cove!

Halifax, The Titanic & Fisherman's Cove - Customized Large Group Touring - DATE: Sep 10, 2024 - Mel and Karl were fantastic! We had 2 vehicles for 10 people. Karl took great care with our elderly parents and made sure they were included in all parts of our trip. Mel made sure we had all the history and background for the Titanic portion, the Halifax Explosion (we all loved this Memorial Park, so well thought out and presented), and finally our visit to Fisherman's Cove. So different from the overrun Peggy's Cove (we visited before). There were so few people at the Cove we felt it was all ours. Great Fish n Chips, Lobster Roll too. We would definitely recommend Mel and Karl and use them again! Thanks for a great visit.

9 Day Custom Touring of Nova Scotia - DATE: Aug 30 - Sept. 7, 2024 - One of the finest tours I have ever taken. Mel is a superb guide and a truly wonderful person. From the moment you meet him you know his main priority is you: your welfare and satisfaction. We were a group of 4 seniors, traveling very comfortably in a Dodge Van. We never knew what surprises Mel would bring us during our 9 day tour of Nova Scotia and Cape Breton. One day it was fresh picked plums and tomatoes from the wayside stands, apples or unique baked goods from the area. When weather determined a whale watch could not take place, Mel found an eagle watching boat tour instead. Mel made sure our days were filled with laughter, great sights and sounds, live music, terrific eats, and incredible memories. Down East Tours deserves every kudo imaginable, and it is due to its owner/guide Mel. - From Tripadvisor >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Thank you Lauren, Steve, Christina and Harold .... 4 years in the making for a tour that was suppose take place in Sept 2020 but so happy we kept in touch. A few changes made from the original plan but only for the Better ! So many experiences from Halifax History, Cape Breton with The Fortress Louisbourg, Boat Touring and eagle watching, local music and so many sights .... and great food with great company ... keep and eye out for a 2026 possible Newfoundland Tour ! It could happen ! -- Mel Zilkowsky - Down East Tours

Valley Wine Tasting & The Bay of Fundy - DATE: Aug 27, 2024 - Mel was a wonderful and informative guide. He had great knowledge of the area. He adapted the tour to our needs. I would recommend him highly.

Experience Peggy's Cove and Coastal Sites - DATE: Aug 26, 2024 - Peggy’s Cove was a very popular tourist spot, but still very enjoyable. Mel was knowledgeable, informative and friendly, we definitely enjoyed this tour!

Lunenburg and the South Shore - DATE: Aug 10, 2024 - We booked this private tour with Mel during a cruise in August 2024 and had a great time! Pick-up at the port was easy. Mel is very personable; the tour was informative and very accommodating. We're cruising to Halifax again in 2025 and booked another private tour with Mel - looking forward to it!

Valley Wine Tasting & The Bay of Fundy - DATE: Aug 5, 2024 - Thank you for such an informative tour. What a great way to be introduced to Nova Scotia! And thank you for the pins (and apples).

Experience Peggy's Cove and Coastal Sites - DATE: July 23,2024 - Our tour guide, Mel, was an awesome mix of informative and entertaining. Very easy to talk with and very good at entertaining questions about Halifax. Let us experience things at our own pace. If I go back to Halifax again, I would not hesitate to do another tour with him!

Experience Peggy's Cove and Coastal Sites - DATE: Jul 17, 2024 - Our tour with Mel was fabulous. Mel was very informative, polite, and courteous. The tour vehicle was very clean.

Lunenburg and Blue Rocks Kayaking - Customized Tour - DATE: Jul 14, 2024 - Mel was a knowledgeable and accommodating guide. I would recommend his tour to any family. Thanks for a great day Mel!

The Curse of Oak Island, Could It Be ?! - DATE: Jul 9, 2024 - We had an excellent tour with Mel! He is very knowledgeable and shared a lot of information with us!!

Valley Wine Tasting & The Bay of Fundy - DATE: Jul 7, 2024 - Mel designed a tour for us that met our requests perfectly. he was knowledgeable regarding the area and shared that with us. we had a great time with the wine tastings and enjoyed our tour.

Custom Lunenburg to Halifax - July 6, 2024 - The customized tour for Lunenberg and Halifax in our short stay was great Mel's knowledge is obvious and we are glad to enjoy the scenery with his detailed explanation and his hours of research shows in his pleasant tour.

Experience Peggy's Cove and Coastal Sites - Jul 4, 2024 - Mel is a wonderful tour guide. He studied his topics well and as well prepared. He explains the history behind the different areas as well as stories. He is very well prepared and well equipped. He has reference materials in the vehicle. One of the best tours in Canada.

Valley Wine Tasting & The Bay of Fundy - Jul 3, 2024 - We just returned from a wonderful day of sightseeing and wine tasting in the beautiful Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia. Our guide, Mel created exactly the experience we wanted in the exact amount of time we wanted. He is full of knowledge about the history of the region and shared some very interesting stories! Plus, he’s really personable and put everyone at ease. I’d HIGHLY recommend him!!!!

Experience Peggy's Cove and Coastal Sites - Jun 24, 2024 - Mel was fantastic! He was waiting for us when we got off the ship. He was very knowledgeable, funny, and personable. He gave us a thorough history of Halifax and everywhere we went. We had ample time to see all we wanted to see and got us back to our ship in plenty of time. We will use him again when we are in Halifax.

Lunenburg & Peggy's Cove Tour - June 22, 2024 - We thoroughly enjoyed touring with Mel. He was able to act as our tour guide when our original one bailed on us just a few days before the tour. He is a passionate history buff and was able to impart it in an entertaining manner. We would highly recommend him for touring around inside or outside of Halifax.

Experience Peggy's Cove and Coastal Sites - DATE: Jun 20, 2024 - We’re very happy with Mel. He’s personable, knowledgeable and flexible. He was on time and he suggested a great lunch place. Mel knows the history and answered a variety of our questions so we feel like we learned a lot today.

Extended Peggy's Cove to Experience More - Group of 11 - DATE: Jun 10, 2024 - Both tour guides were wonderful. Very flexible to our needs. Made sure lunch was where our daughter with allergies could eat. Did tour to insure our grandkids would not be bored!

Oak Island Customized Tour w/Salty Dog - June 9,2024 - Mel is the most amazing tour guide. From the moment we made contact, his professionalism and kindness shone through. His knowledge of Halifax and all the surrounding areas is second to none. My mother has low mobility, and Mel took on board everything I'd discussed with him about it, and my mum was at ease from the moment he met us at reception to the point of drop off at the end of our ½ day tour to Oak Island and back.

Experience Peggy's Cove and Coastal Sites - DATE: June 8, 2024 - We had an extremely enjoyable day with Mel. Pre-tour communications was excellent, resulting in some slight modifications to his standard tour to meet our specific interests. Mel took us to the "major" sights such as Titanic victims cemetery and Peggy's Cove, as well as some out-of-the-way spots to learn about the Halifax Explosion. He had an in-depth knowledge of everywhere we visited and genuinely enjoyed sharing his knowledge with us. Mel is fully deserving of his 5-star rating!

The Curse of Oak Island, Could It Be ?! - June 1,2024 - Mel is a superstar, so knowledgeable of Halifax in general as well as Oak Island. The highlight of our trip was visiting Oak Island and it didn’t disappoint! Mel also gave us commentary and tour of the Titanic burial area, so sad but very tastefully done. We had the most wonderful day with Mel, he has a fantastic sense of humour and would highly recommend him. Thanks for the best day Mel, you made my birthday so special. Many many thanks Karen & John

Extended Private Experience Peggy's Cove and Coastal Sites - May 27, 2024. - So glad we chose DownEastTours! Mel did a fantastic job explaining the history of Halifax, Fairview Lawn Cemetery and Peggy’s Cove. Mel never made us feel rushed and made sure we avoided peak times with tour bus crowds. He also took us to a great lunch spot for seafood. 100% happy with all aspects of this tour. I would highly recommend Mel for other tours too! I definitely want to come back to explore more of Nova Scotia.

Extended Day to Prince Edward Island Private Tour 12 hrs, - DATE: May 18/24 - Our full day tour from Halifax to Prince Edward Island was a true highlight of our trip to Canada. Mel Z. is an excellent guide. His knowledge of the area is extensive, and he shares it in interesting fashion and with humor. Mel is attuned to his guests' needs and preferences, and adjusts the itinerary to accommodate them. We highly recommend him as a guide.

Extended Day to Prince Edward Island - DATE: May 6, 2024 - Yesterday, we visited Prince Edward Island with tour guide Mel. The tour was customized to mostly see shorelines and scenery/ landscaping. Mel is knowledgeable, patient and kind. He truly goes above and beyond to make sure guests see what they are interested in. It was a terrific day and I would definitely contact Mel for future tours!

Peggy's Cove & Lighthouse - DATE: May 1, 2024 - Thank you so much for the wonderful tour and showing us your city. The drive to Peggy’s Cove, Lobster Rolls at Tom’s, the shops, the Titanic Cemetery and the tour of the area were just what we were looking for. You shared so much knowledge and history with us that we wouldn’t have uncovered ourselves. You were so very accommodating and just a great person to spend the day with. We really appreciate it and enjoyed it. Thank you again!!!

Private Experience Peggy's Cove and Coastal Sites Half-day Tour - May 1,2024 - Mel does a very nice job providing a personalized tour to our group of 6. He accommodated everything we wanted to do. He gave good recommendations for places to eat.

Valley Wine Tasting & The Bay of Fundy - DATE: Oct 29/23 - Great knowledge of the area and the history, availability to accommodate specific choices and activities no rushing and extra time if needed. Really enjoyed this trip

Extended Peggy's Cove to Experience More - DATE: Oct 25/23 - Wonderful day touring Halifax with Mel. He is very informative and easy to talk to and planned our day based on our needs and wants. Enjoyed some delicious fish and chips and Peggy's Cove. Would definitely book with Mel again.

Extended Lunenburg/Peggy's Cove - DATE: Oct 24/23 - We had an incredible and amazing experience with Mel. Mel was professional, personable and made sure that we had an experience of a life time. He took us to all the right spots and kept us away from the crowds and ahead of the cruise ship tour groups. We could not have asked for a better experience or guide. Thank you Mel for a great time and a wonderful day!

Experience Peggy's Cove and Coastal Sites - DATE: Oct 23/23 - Mel provided us with a great introduction to Halifax, Nova Scotia. He was organized, friendly, and very attentive to our needs. Additionally, he used technology skillfully to enhance our tour. I would highly recommend him.

Extended Peggy's Cove to Experience More - DATE: Oct 20/23 - Mel was fabulous! Lots of interesting information and stops. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.

Experience Peggy's Cove and Coastal Sites - DATE: Oct 19/23 - Great tour. Mel was superb. Peggy's cove was charming. Lunch was good. All in all a great day

Extended Peggy's Cove to Experience More - DATE: Oct 16/23 - Mel was a great tour guide! He was very accommodating with my older parents. His vehicle was clean, and couldn't have asked for anyone better to show us around! Don't hesitate to hire Mel ! They beat the lame ship tours in price and quality! Thank You Mel!

Experience Peggy's Cove and Coastal Sites - DATE: Oct 15/23 My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our tour with Mel. The vehicle was spacious and clean. Mel was very informative and friendly. He tailored the tour to our interests and gave us plenty of time to enjoy Peggy's Cove. We highly recommend booking a tour with Mel.

Extended Peggy's Cove to Experience More - DATE: Oct 14/23 - Mel gives a fantastic tour! He is extremely knowledgeable about the Halifax and surrounding area! If he doesn't know an answer to a question when it's asked, he finds out the answer and gets back to you with it in a very short amount of time! He gives a lot of fascinating details about the Great Explosion in Halifax and also about the Titanic, and presents it to you not only in an extremely interesting way, but provides visuals with an IPad!!! His tour is one of the best!!!

Experience Peggy's Cove and Coastal Sites - DATE: Oct 11/23 - Mel was extremely personable, very accommodating with our special requests, and provided just the right amount of interesting information, especially about the Titanic passenger graves. Highly recommend!

Lunenburg and the South Shore - DATE: Oct 10/23 - Excellent tour. Mel was very knowledgeable and was prepared. Will take another tour with Mel.

Experience Both Lunenburg & Peggy's Cove - DATE: Oct 7/23 - Mel has a passion for what he does. Our group of 4 enjoyed our day with him in Halifax, Lunenburg and Peggy's Cove. He was very accommodating to our needs and made great recommendations for our day. We will definitely be recommending him to all of our friends that will be traveling to his area.

Lunenburg and the South Shore - DATE: Oct 3/23 - Mel met us at our shuttle stop from our ship and we were off for a day of adventure. We went to Lunenburg, Mahone Bay for lunch, and wound up our day at the cemetery where Titanic victims are buried. Mel is very personable and made history come to life as he explained Canadian history in the area. He will try to honor any request made, and we found him to be exceptional. All of us feel like we learned a lot from our tour.

Extended Peggy's Cove to Experience More - DATE: Oct 1/23 - Mel was waiting for us soon as we exited the ship. He is most knowledgeable of Halifax history. I highly recommend Mel for a great tour of Halifax, the surrounding area and Peggy's Cove.

Experience Peggy's Cove and Coastal Sites - DATE: Sep 29/23 - Mel was a wonderful tour guide! He was very knowledgeable and kept us interested throughout the day. He also went out of his way to tailor our tour to our specific tastes. We would definitely recommend him!

Valley Wine Tasting & The Bay of Fundy - DATE: Sep 26/23 - Mel is an excellent tour guide. He is willing to take you on paths that are not just the ordinary path all tourist go to. He is a very pleasant person to be with and his van is very comfortable. As he gets to know you better during the day he is not afraid to change the schedule when he thinks of something he knows we will like to see. Our trip with Mel was the highlight of our entire trip and if we are in the Halifax area again we will certainly book with him again.

Halifax, The Titanic & Fisherman's Cove - DATE: Sep 25/23 - Mel was an outstanding tour guide. Great personal stories and back-street tours. He took us places busses can't possibly go. He took wonderful care of us - very professional, but personal. One of the highlights for us is that he understands geocaching and made sure we got the opportunity to look for several. He even joined in the fun! Our father has limited handicap, and Mel took great care of him. His PA system made it very easy to hear him. We enjoyed our day very much, and highly recommend him.

Experience Peggy's Cove and Coastal Sites - DATE: Sep 24/23 - Mel is a terrific tour guide. We did a tour around Halifax and down to Peggy's cove. Mel Had a wealth of information about the area, was extremely friendly and enjoyable conversationalist. We stopped at a great restaurant near Peggy's cove for lunch. I would highly recommend Mel.

Halifax, The Titanic & Fisherman's Cove - DATE: Sep 23/23 - Loved it!! Four of us took this private tour on the day our cruise ship was in Halifax. Mel was punctual and his car was clean and comfortable. We learned about the history of Halifax, and about the great Halifax fire of 1917. Then we went to the Titanic grave sites, all the while hearing Mel talk and tell stories. Then we went to Fisherman's Cove where we had a nice seafood lunch. Had a great 41/2 hours with Mel and highly recommend this tour.

Experience Peggy's Cove and Coastal Sites - DATE: Sep 22/23 - Fantastic tour with Mel around Halifax. I read previous reviews and was paying attention to the many facts he told us, and was ready for his pop quiz! The tour was nicely planned, and he knew all the places to stop with good views for photos.

Experience Peggy's Cove and Coastal Sites - DATE: Sep 19/23 - Mel was a fun, jokester but so full of historical knowledge and little known facts that kept our interest. He personalized our trip by stopping at McDonalds.

Experience Peggy's Cove and Coastal Sites - DATE: Sep 15/23 - Mel provided a highly informative tour. He has a wealth of detailed information on historical events and presents it in an interesting fashion. We spent an enjoyable five hours with him. I fully recommend him as a local guide.

Experience Peggy's Cove and Coastal Sites - DATE: Sep 13, 2023 We had an amazing day with Mel! It was a wonderful and very informative tour. He kept our group of 6 engaged the entire day. Really enjoyed seeing Halifax with him! We will absolutely refer Mel to anyone visiting the area!!

Experience Peggy's Cove and Coastal Sites - DATE: Sep 6/23 - Mel is an amazing tour guide! He tells fascinating stories about Halifax and the Titanic on the ride between the various sites which made the tour even more interesting. In addition to seeing the Titanic gravesite and the beauty of Peggy's Cove, we also made stops for scenic views to take some great pictures. We would definitely book Mel again when in Halifax! Wonderful tour! Thank you!

Experience Peggy's Cove and Coastal Sites - DATE: Sep 1/23 - We had a wonderful tour to Peggy's Cove with Mel. Car was comfortable and his knowledge was great!! A perfect day!!

Experience Peggy's Cove and Coastal Sites - DATE: Aug 29/23 - Mel was totally the best guide we have ever had! He shared his wealth of knowledge, his humor, and wanted to personalize our tour to make it the best day for us! Highly recommend Mel when visiting Halifax.

Valley Wine Tasting & The Bay of Fundy - DATE: Aug 24/23 - Mel allowed us to customize our tour visiting only wineries that we were interested in. He provided a detailed history of the Halifax area to us and while we had all been there before, he managed to give us insights to details we hadn't heard before. We had a great day and would highly recommend Mel as a tour guide!

Halifax, The Titanic & Fisherman's Cove - DATE: Aug 10/23 - We spent 5 very enjoyable hours with Mel. He was very informative about Halifax including interesting stories and facts about the 1917 Explosion and the cemetery where Titanic victims are buried. We would highly recommend Mel. He is very knowledgeable, friendly, and flexible. He adjusted our itinerary to meet our interests. Mel's vehicle is comfortable and clean, and he drives safely.

Extended 7 hour Peggy's Cove to Experience More - DATE: Aug 21/23 - We very much enjoyed our custom tour of Halifax, the Aspotogan Peninsula and Peggy's Cove with Mel. He was at our cruise ship early. Our first stop was the Titanic graveyard. We arrived before any other traffic! He provided a wealth of information at our stops, as well as during the car ride. The couple that joined us also had a great time. Mel was happy to customize our tour as requested to include the two Swissair Flight memorials, as we had heard the impact while on a vacation in Hubbards in 1998.

Extended Lunenburg/Peggy's Cove - DATE: Aug 16/23 - Mel was very knowledgeable, he was able to fill the time driving with a variety of Canadian, Halifax, & maritime information. He drove well & knew the road conditions avoiding closures.

Halifax, The Titanic & Fisherman's Cove - DATE: Aug 14/23 - Excellent Guide and Tour. Local knowledge a bonus as we were driven around our sites, the beach, coves and the City. Great personality and enough information to keep you attentive and interested. Highly recommended would give 10 stars if I could. Thank you.

6 Day Private Touring of Nova Scotia (Cape Breton), New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island - DATE: Jun 27 to July 2, 2023 - Mel is very highly recommended. He is very experienced and knowledgeable about the local area. Fantastic communication. He put an enormous amount of effort into tailoring this multi-day trip to suit the interests and abilities of his guests.

Valley Wine Tasting & The Bay of Fundy - DATE: Jun 25/23 Mel showed up early for our tour, professionally dressed, his van was clean and he had water bottles for us plus a cooler if it was needed. He took time to get to know us and offered us a personal experience based on our interests, level of physical activity and local 'must sees'. He was a very polite and conscientious driver as well as a fun traveling companion. We loved visiting Blomidon Winery and Wayfarers Tap Room plus the 'off the beaten path' spots where we got some great pictures. We loved it all!

Experience Peggy's Cove and Coastal Sites - DATE: Jun 24, 2023
 Mel showed up early for our tour, was professionally dressed, his van was clean and he had bottles of water and a cooler for our use. He exceeded our expectations in getting to know us and offered a tailored experience based on our interests, level of physical activity and the local must sees. We loved that he went off the beaten path at times He is a very polite and conscientious driver as well as just a great traveling companion. We loved the whole experience and would recommend him in a heartbeat.

Experience Peggy's Cove - DATE: Jun 11, 2023
 Mel Z. is an amazing & fun guide! This is our first time in Halifax, he was very welcoming, giving us pins & postcards. Aside from the popular spots, we had a wishlist that Mel was flexible to. He is a wealth of knowledge, we learned so much of the history of Halifax within the 5 hours we were together. At the end of the tour, Mel gave us a map of the waterfront to make sure we didn't get lost getting back to our cruise ship. Highly recommend if ever in Halifax! Thanks Mel! We had a wonderful time.

Valley Wine Tasting & The Bay of Fundy - 
DATE: Jun 8, 2023
. We had a great day. Mel is very knowledgeable without sounding like a canned tour guide speech. He was very good at adapting to what we liked.

The Curse of Oak Island, Could it Be !? - DATE: May 29, 2023
 My family and I thoroughly enjoyed our tour of Halifax, Nova Scotia with Mel Z. We let Mel choose the itinerary and he did not disappoint in the slightest! We visited the Titanic graveyard at Fairview Lawn Cemetery, spent time in Lunenburg and Mahone Bay, and even had a delicious seafood lunch at a local restaurant recommended by Mel. From start to finish, Mel's tour was top-notch. I think it speaks volumes for Mel that even my 17-year-old son was thoroughly engaged. I would highly recommend Mel!!

Extended Peggy's Cove to Experience More - DATE: Nov 4/22. - Mel was very considerate of our sites that we wanted to visit. He also threw in a couple we didn't expect. Would definitely recommend him highly.

Extended Peggy's Cove to Experience More - DATE: Oct 29/22 - Mel is an outstanding guide! He's thoroughly knowledgeable about the history as well as the current affairs of Halifax and Peggy's Cove. We (a group of 6) asked for any background or information he might have about the Jewish history of the area and he took the time to prepare as much as he could, even taking the trouble to bring us copies of original land grant records showing several grants made to Jews! We really appreciated that effort. You will thoroughly enjoy your tour if you book it with Mel!

Extended Peggy's Cove to Experience More - DATE: Oct 28/22 - Our guide Mel Z was excellent. Kind, humorous, knowledgeable, great driver, and all around caring. WE would go with him again.

Experience Peggy's Cove and Coastal Sites - DATE: Oct 21/22 - Fun, informative and personal! A return visit to Halifax "inspired" by Mel!

Extended Peggy's Cove to Experience More - DATE: Oct 17/22 - Time flew by! Mel was amazing and the consummate professional. Very attentive to our personal needs and flexible. So impressed with his local knowledge and took us place the Tour buses don't go. Highly recommend this service!

The Curse of Oak Island, Could It Be ?! DATE: Oct 12/22 - Really enjoyed the tour. Original tour was suppose to be to Oak Island, however, the island was closed to visitors. Mel was able to find out that it was because they (Oak Island) were taking extra precautions due to Covid. We still had an amazing time, learning about the local history, seeing the best views of our destinations and stopping by some extra places like the Titanic graveyard and ... the Oak Island Causeway. Thanks Mel for making this trip extra special!

Extended Peggy's Cove to Experience More - DATE: Oct 11/22 - We very much enjoyed the tour given by Mel. He was very knowledgeable on all the areas of the tour given.

Halifax, The Titanic & Fisherman's Cove - DATE: Oct 3/22 - Mel provided an excellent tour - he is knowledgeable, personable and a pleasure to be with. We highly recommend him for any tour of Halifax.

Valley Wine Tasting & The Bay of Fundy - DATE: Sep 16/22 - Nice choice of winery and spot for lunch. Mel is very responsive to requests to personalize the tour. Highly recommend Mel for any tours in the Halifax/Nova Scotia area. Thank you!

Experience Peggy's Cove and Coastal Sites - DATE: Aug 26/22 - Mel was a wealth of knowledge and entertaining. He took us to all of the popular sites in addition to less popular sites that were very interesting. He was very accommodating and flexible in structuring the tour. We highly recommend Mel and would use him again if returning to Halifax.

Experience Peggy's Cove and Coastal Sites - DATE: Sep 14/22 - Mel is an absolutely fantastic tour guide. He's very personable and incredibly knowledgeable about the history of Halifax and Nova Scotia, and presented it in an informative and exciting manner. He was also adept at timing visits to local sites so that we avoided the large tour busses as much as possible, and at finding interesting places off the beaten path. The Titanic cemetery and Peggy's Cove in particular were highlights. We very much enjoyed out day with Mel and would recommend him highly.

Experience Both Lunenburg & Peggy's Cove - DATE: Sep 9/22 - Fantastic! We saw so many lovely places & learned so much about the culture & history of Nova Scotia.

Experience Both Lunenburg & Peggy's Cove - DATE: Aug 29/22 - We had a great day with Mel. He was willing to adjust the schedule to accommodate us. We were able to see all the amazing sites of Halifax and still have time to look around on our own before having to board our ship. A great day!

Lunenburg and the South Shore - DATE: Aug 16/22 - We had an outstanding experience with Mel on our tour from Halifax to Lunenberg and the South Coast. He is very knowledgeable about the history of Halifax and the entire region and shared wonderful stories and insights. He's highly professional and very personable, and it was a pleasure to spend the day with him. Highly recommended!

Oak Island and Mahone Bay Boat Tour -Customized Tour - DATE: Aug 11/22 - Mel made this tour extraordinary! Even though the island was closed, he planned a fabulous boat tour around island, we ate at the Mug and Anchor and we drove across the causeway!! Mel had many great stories about the island and Halifax. He was great company and very knowledgeable. When the island opens I will definitely book another tour with Mel. Great tour, great guy, great day! He really went over and above! Best Tour Guide EVER! Thanks Mel!

Lunenburg and the South Shore - DATE: Aug 5/22 - Mel was really great, very knowledgeable, enjoyable and he tailored the tour to us. Thank you Mel, we had a great time!

Extended Peggy's Cove to Experience More - DATE: Aug 1/22 - Mel was a very gracious and informative guide. We felt we were visiting a friend & enjoying his home town and we loved it. We would highly recommend Mel as a guide as I feel sure he would be intuitive and respond positively to your interests and level of activity as he did with us. Thank you Mel for a great day.

Customized Touring of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island - Multi-day - July 12 - 28, 2022 - Mr. & Mrs. Claus and Trenette - This multi-day tour was in the works for almost three years with rescheduling many times due to Covid 19. Mel was always reachable as we planned the touring. The focus was on Oak Island and when we finally rescheduled for last time, our days on tour went from 12 to 17 days. Mel didn't skip a beat ! He made all the arrangements, including accommodations. Mel even presented us with a 50+ page itinerary booklet with daily information, maps and photos. So many highlights to mention. From the Fortress Louisburg and meeting locals upclose with lobster and snow crab to Prince Edward Island with its beautiful countryside. The highlight for us was Oak Island itself with chartered boat tour around oak island with Tony Samson. Later that day we visited New Ross Farm and spent close to 45 minutes chatting with Carmen Legg. Mel ended up treating us like family, including hosting a Family BBQ to celebrate our anniversary. The whole time was special beyond words. Such a high recommendation for any tour. GUIDE NOTE: Please see the gallery for this special tour.

Peggy's Cove & Prince Edward Island - Customized Multi-day - June 30 - July 8, 2022 - Mel designed and organized a comprehensive tour of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island for us taking into consideration our interests and desires. He drove us in his comfortable van and was charming and entertaining throughout. During the tour, he was always thoughtful and considerate of our needs, and we enjoyed our time with him very much. We would recommend him highly. GUIDE NOTE: Such a wonderful time touring with such well traveled guests. Nothing slowed them down and the smiles on their faces tell me they had a wonderful time. I have added just some of the many Tour Photos taken while on tour.

Extended Peggy's Cove to Experience More - DATE: Jun 16/22 - Awesome experience!!! Mel was so knowledgeable of the area and took us off the beaten path. Definitely would recommend a private tour with him over the crowded bus tours.

Lunenburg & Peggy's Cove Customized Tour - June 15, 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!

Experience Peggy's Cove and Coastal Sites - DATE: Jun 9/22 - Mel Z. was prompt, professional & super friendly with a sense of humor and wit that'll slice you like warm butter on a freshly steamed lobster, if you let him! Communication before the tour was quick and concise. Car was clean, had bottled water ready and his knowledge and stories, 1st rate! Personality, fugetaboutit, AWESOME. Even had parting gifts for us, are you kidding me!!?? Stop reading, book the man, have a blast.

Lunenburg and the South Shore, Halifax - DATE: Jun 4/22 - We had a great trip to Lunenburg with Mel. His local knowledge of this beautiful town made our visit most memorable. Our stops included the Ironworks micro-distillery located in a 19th. century marine blacksmith's shop and the fabulous Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic. On the way back to the hotel, Mel took us by the Halifax Public Gardens and the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site. Mel is a highly competent, knowledgeable, and friendly guide who was very accommodating to all our needs!

Experience Peggy's Cove and Coastal Sites - DATE: Jun 3/22 - Our tour to Peggy's Cove with Mel began with stops at the Fairview Lawn Cemetery (final resting place for victims of the Titanic sinking) and the Halifax Explosion Memorial Bell Tower. On the way to Peggy's Cove Mel suggested that we visit the S.S. Atlantic Interpretation Center at Terrence Bay. What a great experience we had there! Throughout the entire tour, we found him to be extremely accommodating, knowledgeable, friendly and courteous. We highly recommend Mel!!

Experience Peggy's Cove and Coastal Sites - DATE: May 30/22 - Mel did a great job for our group of 6. Especially enjoyed the little fishing villages along the way and the lunch stop for some lobster rolls. He definitely knows his stuff.

Halifax, The Titanic & Fisherman's Cove - DATE: May 10/22 - Mel was wonderful and very attentive to our custom tour. He thought of everything. We would highly recommend him for any group tour.

Valley Wine Tasting & The Bay of Fundy - DATE: Oct 7/21 - Mel was everything we hoped for and more. He worked with us before our tour to ensure it worked for us, and make all the necessary bookings. He arrived right on time, and provided us with lots of interesting info on our way to wine country - not all factual, but he confessed later LOL. He had the day organized perfectly and we had the best time. He recommended a cidery and a vineyard to us, and both were great picks. I would unhesitatingly recommend Mel to others, and would book him again. Thanks Mel!

Experience Peggy's Cove and Coastal Sites - DATE: Sep 27/21 - Mel was very knowledgeable, funny and considerate. The tour was easily adjusted to our preferences. Highly recommended!

Experience Both Lunenburg & Peggy's Cove - DATE: Sep 17/21 - Thanks Mel we really enjoyed out tour!

Extended Peggy's Cove & Lighthouse Route - DATE: Nov 13/19 - Beginning with the initial contact and continuing throughout the trip this small company provided amazing guidance and service. Our group of six adventurous women selected the Extended Peggy's Cove and Lighthouse Route. Mel our guide was outstanding and engaging and provided us with in-depth information. All of our questions were met with enthusiasm and professionalism. A fun and great way to spend the day!

Extended Peggy's Cove & Lighthouse Route - DATE: Oct 24/19 - Mel was amazing!! This was my parents 1st cruise and Halifax was the highlight of our trip cuz it was my dad's birthday... Mel volunteered to get a small personalized cake and brought it to Shaw's Landing to surprise him after lunch. His knowledge of the area as well as his engaging personality and humor made the tour fun. He also had a mic that hooked up to his audio system so everyone could hear his commentary. he truly cares about his clients experience. definitely whole heartedly recommend!!

Peggy's Cove & Lighthouse Route, Halifax - DATE: Oct 22/19 - Mel proved to be very professional and reliable. He was flexible despite not having lost sight to be back on time to the ship. Mel, thank you so much for letting us enjoy our hours in Halifax!

Peggy's Cove Customized Coastal Tour - DATE: Oct 18/19 - We spent a great day with Mel yesterday. He was filled with good humor and good information, having lived in Nova Scotia for most of his life. Our visit to the Titanic graveyard and sites of the 1917 Halifax Explosion and memorial were deeply moving. Then driving down the coastline perfectly concluded our 2-week vacation. We stopped at Acadian Maple for treats, at story time with a colorful faux-mariner and for photos along the way -- especially at Peggy's Cove. It was a wonderful day in every way.

Peggy's Cove & Lighthouse Route - DATE: Oct 16/19 - Very knowledgeable and professional. Had a great sense of humor. He got us to our tour destination and took us to some very picturesque spots along the way. Would highly recommend.

Peggy's Cove & Lighthouse Route - DATE: Oct 13/19 - Mel met us at the dock and over the next 5 hours we covered a lot of ground. We visited the 1917 Explosion Memorial, the cemetery holding the remains of over 100 passengers from the Titanic, and other interesting sites. Highlights included the beautiful leaves on the trees and the visits to two lighthouses, including Peggy's Cove. Mel gave us interesting and knowledgeable commentary wherever we went and was a pleasure to tour with. We would recommend Mel as your tour guide when you visit Halifax.

Extended Peggy's Cove & Lighthouse Route - DATE: Oct 10/19 - We very much enjoyed our tour with Mel to Peggy's Cove with stops along the way as outlined in the tour description. Prior to leaving Halifax there was a stop at the Citadel as well as the ship yard. Mel provided a very interesting narrative of the Halifax Explosion, an event about which we were previously completely unaware. At Peggy's Cove we saw all of the big busses with the cruise ship excursion passenger crowd...and were glad that we had chosen a personal tour instead.

Peggy's Cove; Customized Private Tour - DATE: Oct 7/19 - Very fun tour with Mel. He knows the area and is very flexible depending on our needs.

Peggy's Cove & Lighthouse Route - DATE: Oct 5/19 - Mel is knowledgeable, attentive, and adaptive. I had such a good time on our tour. I also appreciated his sense of humor. I will be telling everyone to book a tour with him.

Peggy's Cove & Lighthouse Route - DATE: Oct 3/19 - We had a very good tour with Mel today. My wife and o rate him a 5 out of 5 . He is very knowledgeable on the history of the region. We had mentioned that we where interested in the harbour explosion that took place in First World War. He gave us a tour of the memorial and explained the layout of it and what it represented. We truly appreciate the thought and attention that made for a good day around Halifax .

Halifax Titanic & Fisherman's Cove - DATE: Sep 28/19 - Mel is an excellent, knowledgeable, flexible and lots of fun. We had a great day - would thoroughly recommend him as a guide.

Peggy's Cove & Lighthouse Route - DATE: Sep 23/19 - Mel was a great guy. He was comfortable with himself, and exhibited a very real interest in his town and province. He does a lot of reading on his own to be well informed. He was relaxed, did not rush us, let us determine what was most important--in other words, very adaptable and enjoyable to be with.

Peggy's Cove & Lighthouse Route - DATE: Sep 19/19 - Our group thoroughly enjoyed our tour with Mel. He was very knowledgeable, easy going and accommodating. He truly made it our experience as we could stay as long or short at any stop he made. He also diverted from any problems on the road so that we would not waste any time. He also had a great sense of humour. He is a definite 5 star tour guide.

Halifax Titanic & Fisherman's Cove - DATE: Sep 16/19 - Mel was an amazing guide. He showed us the most wonderful places in Halifax and showed us out of the way hot spots. His knowledge and they way he told stories made it very entertaining. After talking with others from the ship that did other tours, I feel we had the best deal. If I go back or have friends that do I will definitely recommend a tour with him!!!

Extended Peggy's Cove & Lighthouse Route - DATE: Sep 14/19 - Mel Z provided a entertaining and knowledgeable day. Definitely worth it. We were able to see some spectacular views while learning about local culture, area history and events. We were able to tour some areas not typically visited by group tours where we took some priceless photos. If you want to stop for a bite to eat during the tour ask about Shaw's Landing. Food and service were excellent.

Lunenburg and the South Shore - DATE: Sep 13/19 - Mel is an excellent guide. He spent time explaining various sites and adjusted the schedule based on our needs. He also stopped multiple times for photos. He is highly recommended!

Peggy's Cove & Lighthouse Route - DATE: Sep 11/19 - Informative and entertaining tour. Saw some things we don't think would have possible without Mel's help.

Peggy's Cove & Lighthouse Route - DATE: Sep 9/19 - What can we say except, Mel was a fabulous guide! He kept in contact with us ahead of the tour and on the day of our tour, Mel was waiting with our name on a BLUE sign as he had said. The colored sign was easy to sot among all the white ones on the pier! Mel was professional, courteous and extremely knowledgeable of the area. While tropical Dorian had done some damage to the area, Mel took us to all areas as promised! From the Titanic graveyard to Terence Bay, Peggy's Cove. Personable tour guide!

Extended Peggy's Cove & Lighthouse Route - DATE: Sep 6/19 - We had a great day - the memorial on the Halifax explosion, the Titanic graveyard, the Swiss Air memorial, Peggy's cove , and more. What a sunset!!! Mel was able to change our tour at the last minute to avoid Hurricane Dorian and we sure appreciated his flexibility.

Peggy's Cove & Lighthouse Route - DATE: Sep 5/19 - Mel was a great tour guide. Emailed the day before to double check our arrangements and was on time for the pick up. He took into account the specific things we asked to definitely make sure we did and made them happen and took us to extra places that were great. He's informative and funny and made the day very worthwhile. He even dropped us off at a museum we wanted to go to on the way back to the ship and airdropped us pictures he had taken during the day. Highly recommend.

Peggy's Cove & Lighthouse Route - DATE: Aug 30/19 - Mel gave us an extremely enjoyable day, including some off-the-beaten-path stops that we did not expect. He is a terrific guide -- well spoken as well as a good listener. Highly recommend.

Halifax Titanic & Fisherman's Cove - DATE: Aug 21/19 - Mel was a great tour guide. He went out of his way to make our day enjoyable. I was with my family so the day was planned to keep them interested. Our first stop was at my request (visiting a synagogue) He then took us to the Titanic burial site and was able to get us into the Jewish site also. On our way to Fisherman's Cove he showed us his vast amount of knowledge of the region. His ability to communicate with my teenagers was a big bonus. The day was fantastic and I would recommend him as a guide

Lunenburg and the South Shore - DATE: Aug 16/19 - We were fortunate enough to have the opportunity of spending last Friday (08/16/19) with Mel Z as he took us around parts of Halifax, Oak Island and Lunenburg. Mel offered all sorts of pertinent information and conducted the tour in a safe and efficient manner which made our day extremely enjoyable. Mel was very accommodating and courteous throughout the day (6 hour tour) and allowed us to create our own tour (asked us what we wanted to see upon pick-up). We would give Mel Z the full 5 stars

Extended Peggy's Cove & Lighthouse Route - DATE: Aug 15/19 - Great tour and excellent guide. Mel is knowledgeable, flexible, friendly, and really funny. Highly recommend!

Peggy's Cove & Lighthouse Route - DATE: Aug 5/19 - Absolutely 5 stars from start to finish - very knowledgeable, personable, and fun to be with. Great choice for lunch. Can't recommend highly enough - should be 6 stars!

Peggy's Cove & Lighthouse Route - DATE: Aug 1/19 - Mel was awesome! He is very knowledgeable about the important historical events of the area. He went out of his way to accommodate us making sure we were comfortable and gave us more time than he was required to give. He is also funny! We loved the tour!

Peggy's Cove & Lighthouse Route - DATE: Jul 31/19 - We had a wonderful time in Halifax with Mel Z!!!! Friendly, knowledgeable and customized the tour to our requests. Definitely a five plus star experience!!!! Highly recommend!!!!

Extended Lunenburg/Peggy's Cove and the South Shore - DATE: Jul 30/19 - This was a wonderful tour that allowed us to see many different attractions in one day. Mel was a knowledgeable, friendly and humorous guide who gave us so much insight into the south shore of Nova Scotia. Highlights of the tour included Peggy's Cove and Lunenburg. Mel was very accommodating and added a stop to Oak Island at our request. There was comfortable seating for the four adults that went on the tour. Highly recommended. You'll see things that would be difficult to find on your own.

Annapolis Valley / Wine Tasting / Bay of Fundy - DATE: Jul 14/19 - What an outstanding time. This customized tour had something for everyone in our party. Mel was a great host and a lot of fun to travel with. The wines, beers and ciders were excellent and the Annapolis Valley was beautiful. Amazing to watch the tide shifts and learn bits of history about Nova Scotia and Halifax. This is our second time here and we have enjoyed it more than the first. We love the city, region food and people. Thanks Mel for a wonderful time. All 6 of us had fun!

Extended Lunenburg/Peggy's Cove and the South Shore - DATE: Jul 12/19 - We had an exceptional day with Mel at Peggy's Cove and Lunenberg. We got in late to our hotel and was supposed to have a 9am pick up, Mel was very accommodating and picked us up, at 10 so we could get a little more rest. He was very knowledgeable about the area and accommodated all our needs along the way. We had to pick up our rental car and dropped us at the airport on the way back so we wouldn't have to make an extra trip. I would highly recommend Mel

Annapolis Valley / Lunenburg / Peggy's Cove - 2 Day Customized Touring - DATE: Jul 5/19 - We had a wonderful time with Mel. His knowledge of the area allowed us to see places we wouldn't have even thought to look for on our own. His friendly personality and sense of humor made for a fun-filled, joyous adventure.

Peggy's Cove & Lighthouse Route - DATE: Jul 2/19 - Knowledgeable, likable, responsive, good driver driving good car. Good fun. You can put "very" in front of all of these. A joy.

Annapolis Valley / Wine Tasting / Bay of Fundy - DATE: Jul 1/19 - Great tour!!! Highly recommend Mel!

Extended Lunenburg/Peggy's Cove and the South Shore - DATE: Jun 30/19 - What a special day and Mel even took me to the Peggy's cove authors house and I got to meet and hear about how the story was created. I had 2 amazing days with Mel and his knowledge of the area was amazing. He managed to even tell tall tales which added to the enjoyment of the day.

.Annapolis Valley / Wine Tasting / Bay of Fundy - DATE: Jun 29/19 - Mel was enthusiastic and willing to take me off the beaten path and change things up. He took the time to make sure I was well hydrated and fed and educated me during the entire tour. I enjoyed the tour and would recommend him as a guide.

Annapolis Valley / Wine Tasting / Bay of Fundy - DATE: Jun 23/19 - Hooray! Mel brought the sun and gave us a great day viewing the Fundy low tide. We also got glimpses of the charming towns and farms outside of Halifax with a few stops for scenic photos along the way. However, beware of the dumpster detours (with a "u") and be grateful if you don't have to ride home with old windows in your laps. Mel's a fun guy (despite the corny jokes!) and showed us another great, fish n' chips day. Hope to see you again, Mel.

, Peggy's Cove & Lighthouse Route - DATE: Jun 21/19 - Despite the uncooperative weather, a very nice day of foggy photo ops to and from Peggy's Cove. Mel's one of the good guys - easy to talk to, aims to please and takes you to great lunch places! Looking forward to Sunday, Mel. Bring the sun!!

Peggy's Cove & Lighthouse Route - DATE: Jun 7/19 - Great time tour to Peggy's cove, Mel is best tour guide, he is very friendly, funny, helpful, very patient, very knowledgeable for all the history sites in Halifax. His vehicle very clean make sure every detail give customer a best comfortable experience. Thank you very much for the great tour!

Extended Lunenburg/Peggy's Cove and the South Shore - DATE: Jun 3/19 - Mel was an excellent guide, always looking out for our interests. He was flexible in modifying the itinerary due to weather conditions and never rushed us. He was very knowledgeable about the area and his love for touring made the tour special. I would recommend Mel to anyone who wants a personable guide with positive energy and professional attitude.

Halifax Titanic & Fisherman's Cove - DATE: May 22/19 - GREAT TOUR!! We did this as a cruise excursion and all 6 of us enjoyed the tour. Mel is a funny & social tour guide but also very knowledgeable of the area. I would recommend this tour in a heartbeat. The private tours can't be beat especially when you have a tour guise like Mel! ::two thumbs up::

Peggy's Cove & Lighthouse Route - DATE: May 9/19 - We had a great tour with Mel. Went to some neat out-of-the-way places and he timed our visit to Peggy's Cove to avoid the tour busses. Finished with lunch at a small spot with great food and a quick drive through some of the nice residential areas of Halifax.

Extended Peggy's Cove & Lighthouse Route - DATE: Apr 12/19 - Mel was friendly, knowledgeable and went out of his way to make us comfortable during the tour.

Extended Peggy's Cove & Lighthouse Route - DATE: Nov 6/18 - We planned a full day's exploration with Mel but didn't plan on a day-long rainstorm. Mel improvised a new plan and showed us wonderful sights in and around Halifax and out to some charming fishing villages. A memorable day, even if a wet one. (Damp) hats off to Mel!

Extended Peggy's Cove & Lighthouse Route - DATE: Oct 30/18 - Our tour of Halifax with Mel Z was wonderful. He was very informative and flexible. Some of our party had difficulty walking and he was able to accommodate us all. I would highly recommend him for your Halifax excursions. He knew exactly where to go to miss the crowds from the cruise ship and we got to see all of the sites before the ship's buses arrived. Thanks Mel - We enjoyed the lobster lunch! - Lisa and Jeff

Peggy's Cove Customized - DATE: Oct 25/18 - What an incredible day we spent with Mel! Mel made the the day so memorable and the knowledge he shared about the region was so interesting. We wanted to travel to Annapolis to visit some wineries but the 'pull' to visit the memorial for the Swiss Air crash victims was something we will never forget. The restaurant Mel selected for lunch was spectacular, He was so thoughtful . . . umbrellas to protect us and wine to share at the various breath taking views. Thank you Mel for the wonderful day!

Peggy's Cove & Lighthouse Route, Halifax - DATE: Oct 23/18 - Our tour guide, Mel was wonderful. Very knowledgeable about the history of the area. We had a last minute changes in plans, he was very accommodating in making it work. Well worth the cost. I was concerned about getting in and out of the vehicle because I have a bad knee. Contacted Mel ahead of time and he assured me he had a sturdy stool to use, it worked great. I highly recommend this tour. It was the highlight of our trip.

Peggy's Cove & Lighthouse Route - DATE: Oct 18/18 - Mel is an excellent guide thanks

Peggy's Cove & Lighthouse Route - DATE: Oct 14/18 - We just got back from our tour with Mel and he was a fantastic tour guide! He is very knowledgeable and tailored our trip to our interests...we couldn't of had a better day! Mel you ROCK! Thanks for a wonderful day and wonderful memories! From the 4 crazy Texas ladies!

Extended Day to Prince Edward Island - DATE: Oct 6/18 - Mel personalized this tour for us. It was a long day, but well worth the time. We toured PEI and thanks to Mel's vehicle we were able to see sights that no bus tour would be able to offer. We traveled over the Confederation Bridge, saw potatoes being harvested, visited Anne of Green Gables history sites, saw incredible scenery, learned many interesting facts..... and enjoyed many laughs. I would give more than 5 stars if I could!!!

Peggy's Cove & Lighthouse Route - DATE: Oct 4/18 - Mel was awesome! He went above and beyond as he took many photos of us at Peggy's Cove which he air-dropped to us later. Not only is he an fantastic tour guide, he is an accomplished photographer. We also appreciated his concern for our safety on the rocks and near the ocean.

Peggy's Cove & Lighthouse Route - DATE: Oct 4/18 - What a great day! Mel met us as we left the cruise ship and took us on a great local journey. He set up the day to avoid larger tours in key places like Peggy's Cove. We enjoyed all of his personal places to visit and lunch in a cozy harbor area. He is very knowledgeable about the area and enlightened us on all of the history of the Halifax area. Thank you for a great day!

Annapolis Valley / Wine Tasting / Bay of Fundy - DATE: Oct 1/18 - We could not have been any happier with Mel! I would highly recommend Mel, as he was knowledgeable, courteous, punctual and FUN!

Peggy's Cove & Lighthouse Route - DATE: Sep 30/18 - This was absolutely spectacular, informative, fun tour! Mel has extensive knowledge of history, geography, and great sense of humor! 100% recommended.

Peggy's Cove Customized - DATE: Sep 28/18 - Tour was fantastic, Mel did a great job of taking us to lovely little beaches and coves and avoiding the crowds. He even managed to find us quiet spots at Peggy's Cove so we could experience the ocean and the Cove away from all the big Tour buses there that day. Delicious lobster lunch as well. We highly recommend Mel and his tours. Janifer and Beth from Australia

Peggy's Cove & Lunenburg Extended - DATE: Sep 25/18 - We worked with Mel over a number of months to design a one day coastal tour of Nova Scotia. And the end result was perfect. We had a marvelous 8 hours touring in the Jeep to major towns and hidden coves with lunch at the lovely Kiwi Café in Chester (owned by a New Zealander!). Thank you Mel.

Extended Peggy's Cove & Lighthouse Route - DATE: Sep 22/18 - A fantastic day with Mel. We saw everything we wanted to see. He also showed us some out of the way locations. Highly recommend Mel for Halifax.

Lunenburg and the South Shore - DATE: Sep 21/18 - This was a great time. Mel showed us a lot of Halifax and was a very great person. Would recommend him to everyone.

Seven Day East Coast Highlight Tour - DATE: Sep 14/18 He was terrific! He took us where the normal person wouldn't go, saw lots of side roads, back roads, a great way to see the country. He truly exceeded our expectations. He was the number one man to do this for us!

Peggy's Cove & Lighthouse Route - DATE: Sep 13/18 - Mel was extremely helpful to us. My husband uses a wheelchair and Mel made it easy or us to get around. He even pumped up the wheel chair tires for us when that became necessary. He also selected a delightful restaurant for lunch.

Annapolis Valley / Wine Tasting / Bay of Fundy - DATE: Sep 12/18 - Mel provided a great tour of Annapolis Valley. The timing of our trip gave us an opportunity to see the difference between low and high tide. It was a very enjoyable time. When we come back to the area, we will schedule another tour with him.

Extended Peggy's Cove & Lighthouse Route - DATE: Sep 11/18 - Mel was the perfect tour guide! He responded quickly to questions and greeted us with a smile as soon as our cruise boat docked. He was attentive to our every need throughout the day and was a wealth of interesting facts about Halifax. My elderly dad had hurt his leg and was having some trouble getting around and Mel was so kind and helpful. He carried a chair around for my dad so that he could sit down whenever he needed to. It meant a lot to us. Thanks Mel! We enjoyed our day with you!!

Peggy's Cove & Lighthouse Route - DATE: Sep 7/18 - Great fun traveling in the Jeep and this is the way to get a local's perspective to experience stunning Halifax. We thoroughly enjoyed our day. Mel was a great guide and left us with great memories. Thank you!

Annapolis Valley / Wine Tasting / Bay of Fundy - DATE: Sep 3/18 - Such a lovely afternoon we spent in Halifax with our guide Mel! What a personable, courteous, informative & funny gentleman. He customized our tour and we saw exactly what we were interested in seeing. He also helped us with a dinner reservation and drop-off for that same evening. As we only had less than a day in Halifax, we feel we saw all of the highlights. Mel even emailed us with directions and sites to see along the way for our next day's itinerary! Thanks Mel! Highly to be recommended!

Extended Peggy's Cove & Lighthouse Route - DATE: Aug 27/18 - We hired Mel Z for a tour of Halifax. What a absolute gem! He is an excellent tour guide, both knowledgeable and experienced. Couple that with his entertaining personality - made this tour one to remember. Very flexible and accommodating. I would highly recommend him.

Annapolis Valley / Wine Tasting / Bay of Fundy - DATE: Aug 15/18 - Mel was very knowledgeable and tailored the tour to our special needs. He was very courteous and considerate and we really enjoyed our tour and the selection of places to visit was perfect.

Peggy's Cove & Lighthouse Route - DATE: Jul 30/18 - My husband and I decided to book a private tour while on a cruise ship, hoping that we would see a little more than if we took a ship tour. Mel was very personable and worked hard to give us the tour we wanted. Could not fault the day. We enjoyed every place he showed us. He had a lot of local knowledge and was very informed about all the locations he took us to. Our seafood lunch was awesome. Highly recommend.

Oak Island and South Shore Coastline Tour - DATE: Jul 10/18 - Mel was a complete gentleman and we very much enjoyed our trip to Oak Island. He was very knowledgeable and had a joke for everything. If you do take the tour stop by the Mug and Anchor for lunch, spectacular harbor views from the patio.

Peggy's Cove & Lighthouse Route - DATE: Jun 25/18 - Mel was a great tour guide. He was very knowledgeable about Peggy's Cove and it was fun riding in his Jeep. He recommended a great place for lunch called Shaw's Landing. The lobster grilled cheese and lobster bisque was awesome. He was very accommodating and friendly. His Jeep tour sure beat any bus tour we took the rest of the week! Thank you Mel!

Annapolis Valley / Wine Tasting / Bay of Fundy - DATE: Jun 26/18 - Our group of four truly enjoyed the tour of the Annapolis area with our guide Mel. He planned the tour according to our wishes taking into account his vast knowledge of the area. He was extremely knowledgeable, very cordial and had a great sense of humor. He made the day go by in a most enjoyable way. We would recommend him without any reservations. Gail & Artie

Oak Island and South Shore Coastline Tour - DATE: Jun 18/18 - Our tour was amazing! Mel and Karl accommodated all 8 in our group, ranging from ages 68 to 14. The jeeps were comfortable and fun. Both guides were informative, relaxed, and a joy to be around. They had great personalities and they worked specifically to ensure we received a personalized tour based on what we requested. Oak Island was neat to see. We would love to come back and be able to tour the dig site. Lunch was phenomenal and the Titanic burial site was a cool piece of history. Thanks again!

Extended Peggy's Cove & Lighthouse Route, - DATE: May 10/18 - This was by far the best guided tour my wife and I received. We decided to have the tour just for the two of us. Comprehensive, professional, great car, we stopped for an amazing lunch location suggested by our guide Mel and it was amazing, absolutely the best fish and chips as well as the rest of the lunch. Greatly recommend Mel. NO COMPLAINTS AT ALL, NOT EVEN A SUGGESTION. It was the best * * * * * stars absolutely.

Extended Peggy's Cove & Lighthouse Route - DATE: May 6/18 - Great tour! Mel knew all the facts, history, lore and even the tall tales of the area. A pleasant day long excursion.

Peggy's Cove & Lighthouse Route - DATE: Oct 29/17 - We had the highlight of our Silversea cruise with Mel. Great 6 hours. Mel very knowledgeable about Halifax and took us to the real Halifax wonderful stops. Highly recommend Mel when in Halifax.

Peggy's Cove & Lighthouse Route - DATE: Oct 18/17 - Mel was great

Peggy's Cove & Lighthouse Route - DATE: Oct 13/17 - Great guide, funny and personable. I would highly recommend him to anyone wanting a great tour.

Fisherman's Cove - DATE: Sep 14/17 - Thank you Mel for showing us the Halifax and Fisherman's village area. We enjoyed meeting you and spending the day with you as you showed us around Halifax and the drive to Fisherman's Village. Nice lunch in a local restaurant and time in the Fisherman's Village area felt part of the area. Thanks to your keen eye sight you were able to spot and get us up close to "Murray the Moose". Thank you and here is to many happy tours in the future.

Peggy's Cove & Lighthouse Route - DATE: Sep 13/17 - Tons of fun!! Mel and Karl "caravanned" our party of 6, three in each jeep. It was obvious from the time we stepped off the cruise ship that this was very much our personal tour with 2 very fun and happy guys!! Wonderful conversations, Mel had many stories to share and it was a blast. We saw much more than Peggy's Cove since we took fun side trips along the way helping us to understand a lot about Halifax!! Mel Rocks!!

Peggy's Cove & Lighthouse Route - DATE: Sep 11/17 - Mel met us as planned at the port building with my name on a sign. Since the day was windy and a touch overcast, he has the top on the Jeep. We discussed our plan and headed out. He did a great job of mixing regular tourist stops with out of the way, uncrowded spots, for us to visit. He called ahead for our table at a superb local spot for lunch. Mel was full of information on the area. We had a great tour and returned on time to our drop off spot. Thanks again!

Annapolis Valley / Wine Tasting / Bay of Fundy - DATE: Aug 28/17 - Mel did a great job and helped customized our experience.