Welcome to our site which will allow you to discover more about our company as well as providing access to detailed information (including downloadable detailed brochures and booking forms) on our upcoming worldwide escapes.
At on-tour, group travel is not only our speciality - it is our only business. Founded in 2000, we have always prided ourselves in offering unique, quality programs to such diverse and intriguing areas as South America, East Africa, India, South East Asia & and Europe. We explore these fascinating destinations and cultures through expert and qualified local guides in a convivial group of your peers highlighting the cultural, ecological, and even sometimes gastronomical, aspects of the region. And we’re constantly on the look out for new destination experiences…
We offer a small number of uniquely designed tours each year with experienced group leaders that we have partnered with on several occasions since our company's inception. And, in order to be able to offer a completely tailored experience for our clients, we have built relationships, and deal directly, with local travel partners in all of our specifically chosen travel destinations which are as follows -
Ecuador (Galapagos Islands, Amazon, Quito & the Andes
Chile & Argentina (inc. Patagonia cruises)
Brazil (Amazon, Pantanal, Rio & Salvador)
Vietnam, Cambodia & Laos
Northen India & Nepal
United Arab Emirates
Kenya, Tanzania & Zanzibar
Spain & Portugal
Many of our programs are only available on a private basis to specific groups that have chosen us to look after all of their tailored travel arrangements. Those tours that are available to the general public are listed in detail below.
However, if you wish to travel in a"closed" group of an association, club or just family and friends, we are pleased to organize private group programs to any of our existing destinations listed above - simply contact us at the e-mail address below. As you will see from our numerous testimonials below.we pride ourselves on having many satisfied, and repeat, clients in areas that can be challenging to organise yourself or through travel companies that simply do not have the expertize in these specific destinations. At on-tour, we have traveled extensively to all of the countries that we offer and bring a wealth of information, experience and knowledge to ensure that every trip that you plan with us will be an unforgettable one.
At on-tour.ca we believe that everyone has the right to live their dreams and escape their day to day existence.
So, why not make that dream a reality and go on-tour…
Oct 13 – 29, 2012 (16 days / 15 nights) - Register by May 31, 2012 and save $200/person ($6,295 & taxes)
Hosted by Dr. Peter, & Mary Bloch, Oakville
Cooking classes by Fernando Garcia – Executive Chef, Piiatto Restaurant, Mississauga
From its Roman relics to Muslim palaces, baroque cathedrals to Modernista constructions, Spain is a treasure chest of artistic and architectural marvels across a matchless cultural palette. It’s landscape is a mixture of rugged mountain ranges, fabulous beaches and historic medieval towns dotted across it’s rolling interior. Marvel at the sites and witness the zest for life of the vibrant local people as you visit many of it’s most famous centers.
Spain’s neighbor onthe Iberian Peninsula, Portugal, is one of Europe’s true unspoilt gems. This land of traditional villages and vibrant cities has a charming countryside steeped in history and boasting a wide assortment of World Heritage sites - natural and cultural wonders that offer a window into this once great seafaring nation.
Combine all this with visits to local wineries as you sample the region’s finest assets, it’s superior wine collections, as well as experiencing many of the different gastronomical flavors of the local provinces – including hands-on cooking classes in regional specialties with Fernando Garcia, Executive Chef, Piatto Restaurant, Mississauga. A rich tapestry of experiences that will leave you hungry, and thirsty, for more….
Tour highlights
Explore the history and culture of Barcelona, Zaragoza, San Sebastian, Burgos, Madrid, Toledo, Lisbon and Porto
Visit spectacular local vineyards, including wine and port tasting
Cruise along the Douro Valley – the oldest demarcated wine region in the world
Experience hands on cooking classes led by Chef Fernado Garcia (Piatto, Mississauga)
Savour finest local cuisine (15 breakfasts, 8 lunches, 6 dinners including wine with meals)
4* and 5* hotel accommodation
Our co-hosts -
Dr Peter Bloch (Family Physician, Oakville) lived in Chile for 20 years, having started medical school there, but completed his training at Western. He has been a Family Physician in Oakville since 1976 and he and his wife, Mary, are avid world travellers, having partnered with on-tour.ca to host several extremely successful and fully subscribed cultural, gastronomical and ecological tours since 2005 including Chile, Argentina, Vietnam & Cambodia, Ecuador & The Galapagos, Northern India, Kenya & Tanzania, Brazil and.... our inaugural gourmet tour of Spain in September 2011.
This is what Dr. Bloch had to say about the September 2011 Spain program –
“Spain greatly surpassed my expectations, offering wonderful gastronomic experiences, lavished with outstanding wines and extremely hospitable people with a culture and history that is as rich as deep. Fernando Garcia, through his many connections, was able to allow us access to exclusive vineyards, where we were submerged in to the local cuisine and regaled with their finest wines”.
Fernando Garcia (Executive Chef,Piatto Restaurant, Mississauga). Born in Spain, and educated at one of the finest cooking schools in Laussanne, Switzerland, Fernando was the Executive Chef at fine dining establishments in California and Vancouver before joining Piatto’s in 2000. In his spare time, he is also involved in a successful wine importing company (www.bwwines.com ) assuring a highly educated knowledge of many of the finest wines in the world (including, of course, those from Spain..) He still retains a keen passion for, and connection to, his homeland and is looking forward to showing you his country and sharing his expertise in the many different types of Spanish wine and cuisine as you explore some of the most famous bodegas of the area and learn how to prepare the local delicacies in a series of hands on cooking classes in exquisite local settings.
Download detailed brochure and booking form by clicking on the links below (pdf files)
South East Asia - Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos (Feb 15 – Mar 2, 2013)
Brazil (Mar 9 – 24, 2013)
To be notified as soon as detailed brochure information about any of our programs becomes available, pleased e-mail us at info@on-tour.ca
“An extremely enjoyable week. Spectacular whalewatching!” Dagnija Kalnins, Port Credit - Los Cabos, Mexico, 2003
“Great hotel facilities, excellent service – an extremely enjoyable, and educational, week” Doug Wooster, Toronto – Chile, 2005
“Great company, well organized and interesting tours, educational lectures and great food (and wine….!) Fantastic trip!” Ray Martin, Toronto – Argentina, 2006
“Thanks for planning such an amazing trip. Our congenial group enjoyed so many rich experiences together and collected memories to last a lifetime. Each day was an adventure! Andrea Maurice – Vietnam / Cambodia, 2007
“The organization and accommodation were both excellent. We were always looked after with consideration and provided with a wide variety of interesting activities and experiences. The guides were most helpful and informative. A wonderful tour!” Michael Dales - Ecuador & The Galapagos, 2009
“Wonderful people! Wonderful places!” Phil McGuire - Peru, 2009
“I do not have words to express my appreciation and admiration for the hospitality and service provided by your company and your partners on the ground in India” Sudhir Pandya – India, 2009
“Amazing tour & experience. Great planning and organization” Rebecca Bodok, Toronto – India, 2009
“I would like to thank you very much for a wonderful trip. The Galapagos experience and the snorkeling was memorable. I especially loved the Amazon rainforest/jungle experience. That was the highlight of my trip. I loved every second of it. The overnight (Achuar village) experience was the absolute best. Your company's planning of the trip was personal and perfect. Your choice of guide was impeccable. Carlos was the best guide we have ever had in our travelling experience. The group bonded and I would travel again with them. My wife and I have done quite a bit of travelling in the past few years, and your expertise and personal touch made the trip worry-free, professional, interesting, knowledgeable, and extremely unique. We will definitely travel with you again. In fact, we are already saving money for our next trip with you.” Rick Black, Ancaster - Ecuador & The Galapagos, 2009
“Best we have ever had” Ted Erb, Kitchener - Ecuador & The Galapagos, 2009
“We had a wonderful holiday! It was amazing-- I just loved it! Our guide was kind, very helpful and knowledgeable and made sure our safari experience was the very best. Can't wait to see my pictures” Marnie Rice, Midland – Kenya, Tanzania & Zanzibar, 2010
"We thoroughly enjoyed the recent trip to East Africa. All lodges were excellent. The event was a huge success. A lifetime highlight” John Bright - Kenya,Tanzania & Zanzibar, 2010
“The guides throughout the trip were superb, well informed with excellent local knowledge and willing to discuss any topic! A fantastic tour!” Linda Stirk, Toronto - Ecuador & The Galapagos (and Peru), 2010
“In addition to exploring the fantastic sights of Northern India, our group visited unique places such as the SOS Children’s village in Jaipur and the Mother Teresa charity Mission in Agra” . Serge Puksa, Hamilton - Northern India, 2011
“We found this tour to be a wonderful adventure… even more than we had anticipated. The planning and attention to detail on the ground ensured we had a comprehensive introduction to the many wonders of Ecuador. I will definitely consider participating in another program and will be certain to share details with my colleagues” Alison Kelford, Oakville - Ecuador & the Galapagos, 2011
The trip surpassed all my expectations. The country itself was far more interesting than I thought and the tour itself was very well organized. The wineries were a treat and our travelling companions were lots of fun. I would be happy to do another trip! Steven Traplin, Guelph – Spain Gourmet tour, 2011
We have had an excellent trip. Accommodation and food were first rate. We were greatly impressed by the excellent organization and professionalism of all the locations we visited. Our guides, coach driver and boat drivers were exceptional. Thanks for a great experience in Ecuador! John Maase, Brockville - Ecuador & the Galapagos, 2011
Our guide was excellent, enthusiastic and knowledgeable. Cooking classes were good and the hotels were excellent. Barbara Flanagan, Charlottetown – Vietnam, Laos & Cambodia, 2012
For additional information on any of our programs, or if you would like to arrange you own private group with us, please contact us through any of the channels below
on-tour 20 Princeton Road Toronto Ontario M8X 2E2 Canada
