City Sight Seeing with Wine, Rum Cake and Conch Fritter Samples

The guide couldn't remember the historical speech he began to give and just gave up. We didn't have enough time at any stop. The guide was not very enthusiastic.

I'll start this review by saying it wasn't terrible, but I believe the tour title is quite misleading. This was, primarily, a glorified shopping tour. Almost all stops were places that sold products that could easily be purchased at the port without the constant pressure of a sales pitch. Overall, I'd rate this as average for the price; $75 per person seems steep for the value provided. Issues with Logistics and Guide :: Arrival: When we arrived at the meeting place, there was no formal introduction. Someone simply approached us, stated they were our guide, and told us to follow them. We had to stop him and request that he verify the Viator details to ensure we were getting into a car with the correct person. Sightseeing Stops :: Water Tower & Fort Fincastle: Both attractions were unavailable. The Water Tower was covered for renovations, and Fort Fincastle was closed. While these issues are understandable, they contributed significantly to the disappointment. Queen's Staircase (Highlight): This was the highlight of the "tour." The local guide we encountered here (who was not part of the group this was purchased from) was excellent and very knowledgeable. He took great photos and knew all the best angles. We truly enjoyed our time with him and wish we had remembered his name. Commercial Stops and Sales Pitches The Rum Cake Factory: This was nothing like a factory. We entered a retail shop with several workers immediately pitching various cake bundles. The samples were good, and we did purchase some cake, but the experience was lacking—no history of the rum cake or explanation of its local prevalence was provided. Tasty Teas: This felt very much like a "snake oil" sales pitch. We were aggressively told about the healing properties of the teas, including claims that they cure cancer and other ailments. The entire stop felt pushy. Atlantis Casino: We were allowed to walk around the Casino and the shops, which was interesting to see, but be warned: this is as far as you can go. You only see the retail areas. Bahama Barrels (Wine Tasting): This was simply a wine shop. There was no tour or history, just a quick tasting, which was disappointing. John Watling's Distillery (Recommended): This stop was enjoyable. The small tour still provided valuable history, and the staff we spoke to were nice and answered questions. Crucially, we did not feel pressured to purchase anything here. Omissions :: Conch Fritters: We did not receive the promised conch fritters. While we didn't "cry about it," it's worth noting the omission as advertised. Final Conclusion :: The premise of visiting "local vendors" gives the impression that the shops are authentic local spots, not tourist traps designed for hard sales. If the tour claims to offer "local cuisine," it should take the group to an actual local spot rather than a shop focused on pushing a sales pitch. The sightseeing was hampered by closures, and the bulk of the time was spent in commercial establishments.

Nice tour. We got to see the Island and few attractions all in one swoop. Thanks to our amazing tour guide Mr. Peter who went beyond to show us around and make sure we had a good time!