In 1960, Fred DeNure left a partnership he had with a cousin, RJ Trailways to pursue an operation of his own. Fred was awarded the contract to provide bussing to local schools in the Kawartha Lakes, with a fleet that would grow to more than 70 school busses. At this time, DeNure Tours was formed, offering its first multi-day sightseeing tour to Atlantic Canada.

Florida has long been nicknamed Canada's 11th province and in 1965, DeNure began operating coach tours to Florida. DeNure’s ‘Sunshine Holidays’ escorted Canadians by motorcoach down to the sunny south for an escape from the cold winters. In 1981, the Daytona “Sunshine Express” program debuts, shuttling guests from the cold Canadian winters to long-stay vacations in Daytona Beach, Florida. This program becomes so popular that just a few short years, it was expanded to weekly departures to Florida, later laying roots in Destin, St.Pete Beach and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

In 1966 Fred, Dorothy and their three children embarked on a 6-week tour of the southern USA in a converted school bus, resulting in many new itineraries designed. In 1967 with a handful of itineraries, DeNure Tours introduced its first brochure that included journeys to Florida, California, Newfoundland and Atlantic Canada. Many of the tours in Eastern Canada included a visit to Expo 67. In 1972 the school bus division was sold to concentrate solely on sightseeing, offering popular destinations in both Canada and USA, including a new tour to Alaska.

If you’ve ever had the chance to meet or travel with Harry Simmons, then I’m sure you’ll join DeNure Tours in wishing him well as he enters retirement this month.

Harry has been with DeNure Tours for almost 30 years and during that time, he created and organized delightful holiday experiences throughout Britain and Europe. During his travels with DeNure guests, he has shared the unique spectacle of the Edinburgh Tattoo, acquainted them with Germany’s famous Rhine, and raised a glass of local wine as he introduced the beauty of the Italian coastline.

But even more importantly, Harry maintained a quick wit, shared an endless knowledge of history and literature, and was meticulous in ensuring that the tours exceeded our guests’ expectations.

Harry often said that there were three steps to a memorable holiday: planning the trip, taking it, and re-living the vacation through the stories, friendships and memories that were made. I know Harry has featured prominently in many of these great memories, and he will be missed by staff and passengers alike.

A new division is established to concentrate exclusively on active hiking tours.

For over 60 years, DeNure Tours has operated buses. Primarily our buses and motorcoaches were used to operate our tours, with the occasional charter. Now, we are expanding our services. DeNure Charters is an official division of DeNure Tours, "providing safe, reliable bus transportation for events or adventures."