About Us
About The Company
Where the Past Meets the Present
Diane Lane, a proud St. Augustine native, is the visionary owner and founder of Ancient City Tours and A Ghostly Encounter—two locally rooted companies recognized for excellence in creating unforgettable experiences in St. Augustine, Florida. Founded in 1998, Ancient City Tours has grown into the premier receptive tour operator in the Ancient City, serving individuals, couples, groups, and schools with seamless, stress-free planning and access made possible through deep relationships with the community and area attractions. Complementing that expertise, A Ghostly Encounter is the company’s specialized ghost tour and paranormal investigation experience, bringing the city’s legends to life with immersive storytelling and professional care.
Awards & Recognition
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A Ghostly Encounter — multiple major honors, including Official Community Choice Awards recognition and wins, plus notable travel review distinctions.
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Ancient City Tours — Official Community Choice Awards finalist and Best of Florida finalist recognitions (2024–2025).
Accreditation & Partnerships
BBB Accredited
Trusted partners — WeTravel and Tauck
Our Mission
Our mission her at Ancient City Tours and A Ghostly Encounter is to create unforgettable, stress-free and budget-friendly experiences in St. Augustine. We do this through expert-guided history tours, immersive ghost tours, and personalized itineraries that celebrate the city's rich past, local charm and unique stories.
Signature St. Augustine Tours
Golf Cart History Tour
Walking Ghost Tour
​Walking History Tour
Golf Cart Night of Lights Tour (Nov–Jan)
Golf Cart Ghost Tour
Customized Tours tailored to your interests (history, architecture, and more)
Featured Experiences
Discover some of our most popular experiences, thoughtfully designed to help families, students, groups, and travelers explore the rich history, culture, and unforgettable moments of St. Augustine.
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Locally rooted leadership
Diane Lane is a proud St. Augustine native, which the business and the tours have authentic and genuine insight.
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Two Unique Experiences
Ancient City Tours creates tailored, stress-free experiences for history tours, ghost tours and paranormal tours that are budget-friendly for individuals, couples, groups and schools.
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Community Connection
Our deep relationships with local attractions & the community help create smoother with more meaningful experiences.
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Expert Guides
Our guides are led by trained, and licensed guides who bring professionalism and care to your tour.
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Established Reputation
Ancient City Tours has been serving guests since 1998 and is recognized as a premier receptive tour operator.
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Strong credibility
Awards, recognitions, BBB accreditation, and partnerships with WeTravel and Tauck to name a few reinforced trust and quality. Our partnerships with WeTravel and Tauck strengthen our reach and service.
Wide Range of Unique Offerings
Our educational tours, history tours, ghost tours, paranormal experience, golf cart tours, special events and special seasonal tours, such as Nights of Lights makes Ancient City Tours and A Ghostly Encounter the go to tour company to plane your visit to St. Augustine.
Why Choose Us
Why Choose Ancient City Tours
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Locally Owned Since 1998
Serving visitors with authentic local knowledge for over two decades.
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Safety First
Professional planning and guest safety remain our highest priority.
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Licensed Professional Guides
Friendly experts who make history engaging, educational, and memorable.
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Family Friendly
Experiences designed for guests of all ages.
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Customized Experiences
Every tour is designed around your group's interests and schedule.
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Award Winning Service
Recognized by Community Choice Awards, Best of Florida, & BBB Accredited.