St. John's - Rum and Rascals

A fun and light-hearted introduction to centuries of serious mischief and worldwide commerce. See the city’s spectacular highlights and participate in the centuries-old tradition of sampling the local spirits and flavours in a port of call.

  • A light-hearted insight into the oldest city in North America
  • Sample local spirits
  • Professional, local English-speaking guide
  • Enjoy colourful Victorian architecture

  • Season

    Spring

  • Difficulty level

    Level 2: Moderate - some mobility needed

  • Duration

    3,5 hours

  • Min. passengers

    25

  • Max. passengers

    120

  • Booking code

    A-YYT3

  • Please note

    Participants MUST be 19 years of age or older.

One of the most pleasant and most ancient traditions of travel is the sampling of local spirits and foods. For over 500 years, the streets and lookouts of old St. John's, Newfoundland have hosted the world's explorers, pirates, and princes.  Over five centuries before modern European’s arrived in the New World, the Norse or Vikings visited Newfoundland and exchanged their early meads and beers for the native’s blueberry wine. Join your Newfoundland hosts and the ghosts of history as we raise a glass on the oldest streets in North America. 

You will learn about the continent's first taverns, churches, and lookouts. You will sample Cabot Tower rum while viewing historic Cabot Tower high atop the New World's first city.  Next you will go underground and participate in a port wine tasting tradition that goes back to 1679 in old wine vaults that also double as one of Canada’s most haunted places.  You will sample local craft ales in historic Quidi Vidi - a small fishing village enclave of St. John's. The former fish plant has been converted to a modern-day microbrewery that produces craft ales unique to this part of the world. Hear about the interesting history of Quidi Vidi while viewing the rugged Atlantic seascape and listening to local tales of pirates, treasure, and marauding polar bears.  Learn about screech, iceberg vodka, and wines made from the wild subarctic berries of Newfoundland and Labrador. 

En route to and from the village you will pass by Quidi Vidi Lake, the site of the annual Royal St. John's Regatta which is the oldest continuous sporting event in North America. Your drive through the downtown will feature historic buildings that were once a part of the British garrison, Government House, several churches and the colourful Victorian wooden housing that is characteristic of St. John's architecture. 

Practical information:

  • Port: St. John's
  • Duration: 3 hours 30 mins 
  • Included: Transport, local guide
  • Language: English
  • Walking information: This tour involves a moderate amount of walking, with slopes and stairs to negotiate at Signal Hill.
  • Wheelchair accessible: No
  • Remarks: Please note that places of interest may be visited in a different order than listed above to avoid congestion. Participants MUST be 19 years of age or older. Total driving time = approx. 30 mins.