Genova Tours

12/25/2022

On Christmas Eve, children in the Netherlands light candles and place them on the graves of the Canadian soldiers who died helping to liberate the Netherlands during World War II. A beautiful symbol of gratitude.

05/22/2020

WHAT WERE THE SEASONS CALLED BY THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLES…

Spring has arrived. It is one of the four seasons that we celebrate. Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. The indigenous people of this area divided their year in a similar manner but with their unique names.

The indigenous people locally were called the Mississauga. Spring to them was call seegwun, "the sap season," when frosty nights and hot sun caused the maple tree sap to flow. They made maple syrup and maple sugar just like we do today. After sugar-making, families moved to the Credit River for the spring salmon run.

About the first of May the Mississauga socialized and held their religious ceremonies. Then, breaking into smaller groups, they scattered to their planting grounds, frequently on the flats of one of the creeks or rivers flowing into Lake Ontario.

The end of summer was called neebin, the abundant season, the women harvested their corn. Many Mississauga then canoed or walked to the Credit River for the beginning of the fall salmon run or gathered large quantities of wild rice growing in the neighbouring shallow lakes and slow streams.

Late fall was called tuhgwuhgin, the fading season, they travelled in small family groups to their individual hunting grounds. Natural landmarks clearly marked each family's boundaries. They remained there throughout peboon, the season of freezing weather. When seegwun arrived, they brought their furs to the traders, and returned to the maple
sugar groves.

07/05/2019

CANADA DAY...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4JGN_lszD8

Happy Birthday Canada my home and native land. Love your native son. Bill.

06/24/2019

ON THE STREET WHERE YOU LIVE AND DRIVE...

Every Saturday morning at 8 a.m. I have coffee with a group at the Faema Coffee shop located at Christie and Dupont. I was curious how both these streets got their name and with some “googling” and book reading here is the story.

Christie Street was named after William Mellis Christie, co-founder of the Christie & Brown Cookie Company, now known simply as Mr. Christie. South at Bloor and Christie is a park named the Christie Sand Pits which were on the location until the early 1900s. The official name of the park, Willowvale Park, never caught on, and the common name for the park since its days as a sand pit, Christie Pits, was adopted as the park's official name in 1983.

Dupont Street’s story begins with Colonel Joseph Wells who purchased an Estate home called Davenport in 1821. It is on the escarpment west of Casa Loma. Wells had distinguished himself in the Napoleonic Wars and was offered a post in Upper Canada as an inspector of the militia. Unfortunately, with the close of the war, the position was abolished on his arrival and he was retired on half pay. He built a much larger home on the original site of Davenport, just west of the modern Wells Hill Avenue and planted orchards and fields on the estate.

Wells had eight sons and two daughters. The eldest son, George Dupont, was one of the first students at Upper Canada College. Ah now you see where Dupont Street got its name.

When Colonel Wells died in 1853 the Davenport property was divided into three strips that ran from Bloor Street up to St. Clair. The land was gradually developed. Three north-south streets opened at that time and were originally named George, Robert and Frederick after Wells's sons. Later they were changed to Albany, Howland and Brunswick. Also running east and west in this area is Wells Street.

Nina Street is two blocks north of Bathurst and Davenport and is named after his daughter. She was the last of the Wells family to live in Davenport and when she sold it 1913 the house was demolished and the remaining property subdivided.

06/24/2019

A VIDEO ABOUT YORKVILLE IN THE 60'S...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEr2JGXTOOo

In the 1960's Yorkville was the music scene in Canada. It was the Canadian equivalent of San Francisco's Haight Ashbury or New York's Greenwich Village. Ther...

05/12/2016

ST JACOBS, KITCHENER WATERLOO, AND THE GRAND RIVER VALLEY TOUR...USING A LUXUARY VAN...

This tour is highly personalized. Your guide is Bill Genova a storyteller and historian with intimate knowledge of this area as it exist today and able to tell you of its past. The tour can consists of one to six people made up of your private party. It is a flat rate of $800 Cdn. Tours are staged any day of the week lasting from a half day to a full day. You’ll travel the main and back roads of each area in comfort. You’ll not only visit the highlights of each area but also places that are not on the usual tourist maps. Reservations made by contacting Genova Tours at 416-367-0380 or email at [email protected].

ST JACOBS, KITCHENER WATERLOO, AND THE GRAND RIVER VALLEY Right in the heart of Southern Ontario we will tour Kitchener and its sister city Waterloo that share a common German heritage. This area is the home of the largest Oktoberfest outside of Munich. Many Mennonites live in the surrounding countryside, and horse-drawn carriages are a fairly common sight in the area. In addition we will visit the historic towns of St. Jacobs, Elmira, Elora and Fergus. We will also cross over Ontario’s only covered bridge and experience the countryside along the Grand River.

*WE DO NOT ASSEMBLE PEOPLE FOR THESE TOURS. IT IS YOUR GROUP OF 1 TO 6 PEOPLE THAT COVERS THE FLAT FATE. (WE CAN ALSO HANDLE LARGER TOURS ON REQUEST.)
FLAT RATE FOR 1 TO 6 PEOPLE $700
LEAVES AT 10 A.M. RETURNS AT 6 P.M.

RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED FOR ALL TOURS. CONTACT US BY PHONE OR EMAIL AT THE FOLLOWING;

Genova Tours
230 Rose Park Drive
Toronto, Canada, M4T1R5

416-367-0380
www.genovatours.com
[email protected]

* Wavier. It is understood that Genova Tours and Bill Genova will provide transportation required by you GRATIS to the following destinations of your tour; Niagara Falls, or St Jacobs, or Prince Edward County or Toronto. At the arrival at the site of these destinations Genova Tours and Bill Genova will act as a guide, concierge, storyteller, and historian being reimbursed for this activity regarding your tour.

Further I do hereby absolve, release and waive any and all civil or criminal liability litigation claims or demands against Genova Tours and Bill Genova, which may arise out of or be related to any injury, damage or pecuniary loss to me or any member of my family by reason of involvement in any tour activities. Genova Tours and Bill Genova reserves the right to refuse anyone entry into any tour. The act of accepting this waiver makes the individual solely responsible for his/her safety while on the tour, at the completion of the tour and at all venues throughout your tour. The act of accepting this waiver agrees that the individual, if intoxicated, will not operate a motorized vehicle after leaving any Genova Tour.

05/12/2016

PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY TOURS...USING A LUXUARY VAN...

This tour is highly personalized. Your guide is Bill Genova a storyteller and historian with intimate knowledge of this area as it exist today and able to tell you of its past. The tour can consists of one to six people made up of your private party. It is a flat rate of $800 Cdn. Tours are staged any day of the week lasting from a half day to a full day. You’ll travel the main and back roads of each area in comfort. You’ll not only visit the highlights of each area but also places that are not on the usual tourist maps. Reservations made by contacting Genova Tours at 416-367-0380 or email at [email protected].

HISTORIC PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY. Located at the east end of Lake Ontario, The County has a unique island character and 300 km of spectacular coastline for diving, swimming and bird watching; unspoiled countryside for cycle tours and nature walks, farms and dozens of roadside stands, even an exotic animal sanctuary, renowned for its sailing, fishing and giant sand dunes, The County also offers live theatre, artist studios and galleries, unique regional cuisine and a growing wineries many of which we’ll visit. The County is steeped in history and alive with vibrant communities, The County is a mecca for artists, nature lovers and anyone looking for a beautiful island adventure - for a tour, a weekend break or for life.

*WE DO NOT ASSEMBLE PEOPLE FOR THESE TOURS. IT IS YOUR GROUP OF 1 TO 6 PEOPLE THAT COVERS THE FLAT FATE. (WE CAN ALSO HANDLE LARGER TOURS ON REQUEST.)
FLAT RATE FOR 1 TO 6 PEOPLE $700
LEAVES AT 10 A.M. RETURNS AT 6 P.M.

RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED FOR ALL TOURS. CONTACT US BY PHONE OR EMAIL AT THE FOLLOWING;

Genova Tours
230 Rose Park Drive
Toronto, Canada, M4T1R5

416-367-0380
www.genovatours.com
[email protected]

* Wavier. It is understood that Genova Tours and Bill Genova will provide transportation required by you GRATIS to the following destinations of your tour; Niagara Falls, or St Jacobs, or Prince Edward County or Toronto. At the arrival at the site of these destinations Genova Tours and Bill Genova will act as a guide, concierge, storyteller, and historian being reimbursed for this activity regarding your tour.

Further I do hereby absolve, release and waive any and all civil or criminal liability litigation claims or demands against Genova Tours and Bill Genova, which may arise out of or be related to any injury, damage or pecuniary loss to me or any member of my family by reason of involvement in any tour activities. Genova Tours and Bill Genova reserves the right to refuse anyone entry into any tour. The act of accepting this waiver makes the individual solely responsible for his/her safety while on the tour, at the completion of the tour and at all venues throughout your tour. The act of accepting this waiver agrees that the individual, if intoxicated, will not operate a motorized vehicle after leaving any Genova Tour.

05/12/2016

NIAGARA FALLS AND REGION TOURS...USING A LUXUARY EXECUTIVE VAN FOR ONE TO SIX PEOPLE...

You'll hear of the history of the area one of Canada's most historic areas. We will visit the majestic Niagara Falls with opportunity to walk about along the river and through the gardens of Niagara. Then we travel down the Niagara Parkway following the Niagara River past the Whirlpool Rapids, botanical gardens, Floral Clock, Hydro Generation Plant and Queenston heights to the historic village of Niagara-on-the-Lake with its historic sites, wineries, restaurants, and Heritage shopping district. Again you will have time to walk around and take in the ambiance. In the surrounding area we will visit some of the over 88 famous wineries in the area. We will use the main roads and back roads to experience the true beauty of this area.

Also included is a gourmet lunch at the elegant Prince of Whales Hotel.

As a precaution we disinfect our van by spraying and wiping its surfaces. We also provide hand sanitizer.

COST FOR TOUR IS A FLAT RATE OF $999. WE DO NOT ASSEMBLE PEOPLE FOR THIS TOUR. IT IS YOUR GROUP OF 1 TO 6 PEOPLE. LEAVES AT 10 A.M. RETURNING AT 6 P.M. (WE CAN ALSO HANDLE LARGER GROUPS ON REQUEST).

CONTACT BILL GENOVA AT 416-367-0380 OR [email protected]

WAIVER: It is understood that Genova Tours and Bill Genova will provide transportation required by you GRATIS to the following destinations of your tour to Niagara Falls. At your arrival at the sites Genova Tours and Bill Genova will act as a historian, tour guide, and storyteller, and be reimbursed for this activity regarding your tour.

Further I do hereby absolve, release and waive any and all civil or criminal liability litigation claims or demands against Genova Tours and Bill Genova, which may arise out of or be related to any injury, damage or pecuniary loss to me or any member of my family by reason of involvement in any tour activities. Genova Tours and Bill Genova reserves the right to refuse anyone entry into any tour. The act of accepting this waiver makes the individual solely responsible for his/her safety while on the tour, at the completion of the tour and at all venues throughout your tour.
* Wavier. It is understood that Genova Tours and Bill Genova will provide transportation required by you GRATIS to the following destinations of your tour; Niagara Falls, or St Jacobs, or Prince Edward County or Toronto. At the arrival at the site of these destinations Genova Tours and Bill Genova will act as a guide, concierge, storyteller, and historian being reimbursed for this activity regarding your tour.

04/25/2016

Genova Tours specializes in personal Toronto Walking Tours for individuals and small groups. Your personal guide will be a storyteller and historian with intimate knowledge of Toronto. You’ll learn more about Toronto than a Torontonian. The difference of your visiting on your own or taking a Genova Tour is the difference between a silent film and today's films with colour and sound. We make Toronto come alive

Over 30 Toronto Walking Tours, executive van tours to Niagara, Kitchener-Waterloo, Prince Edward County and Step on Guide Services. We tour all year round. ***

More information view web site www.genovatours.com

To book a tour or obtain further information please contact Bill Genova by phoning 416-367-0380 or emailing [email protected]

Genova Tours specializes in personal Toronto Walking Tours for individuals and small groups. Your personal guide will be a storyteller and historian with intimate knowledge of Toronto.