Guide #24883
Greetings from Halifax, and welcome to Nova Scotia! I’ve been guiding and driving private tours since 2013, and as a proud Halifax native, I love introducing visitors to the beauty, history, and flavours of our province. My tours are designed to be private, flexible, and fun—giving you access to hidden gems and scenic spots that large buses can’t reach. With 13+ years of experience and 400 tours completed on ToursByLocals alone, I bring both knowledge and personality to every trip. Whether you’re interested in iconic landmarks, local culture, great photo opportunities, or delicious seafood and wines, I’ll tailor your tour to match your interests. Tours typically run 5–8 hours, but I also offer longer options and custom multi-day adventures throughout Nova Scotia, Cape Breton, Prince Edward Island, and New Brunswick. A bit about me: I’m passionate about the outdoors, have a background in martial arts (18+ years of training and teaching self-defense), and worked in electronics engineering and document management for over two decades before returning to Nova Scotia in 2011. During the pandemic I rediscovered my love of fishing—so yes, I’ve got plenty of “big one that got away” stories to swap! I’m easygoing, enjoy a good laugh, and love sharing stories—from Nova Scotia’s rich history to my own travels around the world. Above all, I’m committed to making your time here memorable and take pride in being both Canadian and a proud Nova Scotian. For your peace of mind: • I hold a Class 4 Commercial Driver’s License, commercial insurance, and government licenses to operate in Nova Scotia, PEI, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland and Labrador • I am a Nationally Certified Tour Professional through the Tourism Council of Canada (E-merit). • I serve as Board Member of my local Business Association and am a member of the Titanic Society of Atlantic Canada and the SS Atlantic Society. • I follow all health and safety protocols; vehicles are sanitized, and I am fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Halifax

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217 reviews
Mel was fantastic from his customised transport down to the organisation and flexibility. Knowledge was vast and very interesting complete with iPad graphics for all to see. Our group had a wonderful time visiting wineries, cider places, a great Irish pub lunch, cheese tasting, some beautiful scenery and wildlife included. Mel's communication from the outset was...
Replied from the guide, Mel Z.
July 2026Thank you so much for your wonderful review. It was a pleasure spending the day with your group and customizing the tour to match your interests. I’m delighted you enjoyed the wineries, cideries, local flavours, scenery, and wildlife. I truly appreciate your kind words and recommendation, and I hope to welcome you back to Nova Scotia again in the future. Safe travels!
Mel is a great guide!! We did a long trip to Prince Edward Island and he provided a slide show on the way which displayed where we were at and what was coming up. He also used his iPad to talk about things like the Titanic and its ties to Halifax. He was very accommodating to our specific itinerary and listened closely to our likes to help shape the tour. We stopped at...
Replied from the guide, Mel Z.
July 2026Thank you, David, for the excellent review. It was a pleasure customizing the Prince Edward Island tour around your group’s interests. I’m very glad you enjoyed the day, and I truly appreciate your generous comments and recommendation. All the best !
Mel is the best--thinks of everything
Replied from the guide, Mel Z.
July 2026Great to have you all on tour ! Thank you. :)
We had a lovely day - one of the highlights of our Canadian Maritime cruise. Guide was informative, flexible and helpful.
Replied from the guide, Mel Z.
May 2026Thank you so much for your kind words. It was a pleasure spending the day with you, and I’m so glad the tour was one of the highlights of your Canadian Maritime cruise. Wishing you wonderful memories and safe travels ahead!