Behind the tourist façade, meeting 'locals', avoiding the tourist traps. Please note Back-Roads Touring Co. Ltd tours are designed for the reasonably active and involve some walking (especially on Continental tours). Some itineraries may not suit those with mobility problems. Please consult us directly if in any doubt. If you want some initial 'sightseeing fun', visit our Competition Page.

FLEXIBILITY

OUR GUIDES

Small groups mean we can change our daily schedule, take advantage of weather conditions, enjoy local events and your particular interest. Each evening the group discusses the following day's alternatives and there is scope for choice.

At Back-Roads Touring we understand that the difference between a tour and an experience is the quality, enthusiasm and knowledge of the guide. And the smaller group size means that your guide becomes a real companion on your travels.

Our well-educated guide/companions, both male and female, have a wide range of backgrounds, interests and specialities. They might be teachers or professors, photographers, botanists, zoologists, ex-service officers, hoteliers, accountants, engineers or historians. What they all have in common is a commitment to delivering a unique and memorable experience.

And our Battlefield guides all have a passion for their subject - many have a military background and all are members of their professional body The Guild of Battlefield Guides.

All are skilled mini-coach drivers, having passed the stringent government tests necessary to drive our specially-registered vehicles and lead Back-Roads tours.
 

Days of variety with something for all. Seeing both famous sights (when the crowds have left) and the not so familiar. Entrance fees (when with your guide) are included in the tour price. Please note that the detailed itineraries printed in these web pages should be read as guidelines, sites listed should be regarded as those possible, not that all will be seen. You will be part of determining which are seen on a daily basis as we mould the tour to suit participants.

No six a.m. morning calls, no rush to be at predetermined places, no fifteen-minute stops at places of interest, and definitely no 'commission' shopping stops. Please note that there are occasional and unavoidable longer drives on the longer tours when driving between major accommodation bases. Inevitably, when travelling in company some will have different ideas of what is the ideal length of time to spend at specific sites.

'What is this life, if full of care, We have no time to stand and stare'. (W H Davies)

You'll not be 'herded' and there'll be time to explore on your own in major towns (with our help, of course). On most tours there are opportunities for individuals to make alternative arrangements such as half day walks or visits to family or friends.

Our specially designed 16-seater Mercedes Sprinters or 8-seater Mercedes Vitos can travel anywhere a car can, reaching places the larger coach finds impossible. Luggage is generally stored under-floor and you sit high above the cars and hedgerows enjoying good all round views. All coaches have air-conditioning.

We'll occasionally hire in larger coaches to accomodate the group, however, will not ever travel in groups greater than 16, unless a private tour or charter request is for a larger group. In these instances we will operate with a driver and guide.

No constant packing and unpacking. Wherever possible we stay in a single accommodation for more than one night during the tour and use this as a base for our daily explorations.

Inns, farmhouses, castles, smaller hotels and quaint B&Bs, each with its own particular charm. Back-Roads Touring Co. Ltd accommodations are chosen for their location, their architectural interest, the welcome and skills of their hosts and their intimate size and comfort.

All accommodations are of a high standard in convenient central locations, or stunning rural settings and all rooms feature private ensuite facilities with either a shower and/or bath. Rooms can be requested as a single, double or twin share basis, with requests accepted for triple share rooms. Groups are sometimes split between adjoining or adjacent properties in smaller villages.

The very best of local cuisine, sampling regional favourites whenever possible. We dine at restaurants, pubs or at our accommodations. We even find a spot for the occasional picnic! Traditional English, Irish and continental breakfasts (as appropriate), and a quality two-course evening meals on most nights as a minimum are included in your tour price except where listed on individual itineraries. In the tour itinerary, meals are indicated as:  B - Breakfast, D - Dinner.

You'll see that we have scores of departure dates so there is sure to be one that suits your time frame. Unlike most other tour operators, once we've accepted your booking and you've paid your deposit,  as long as there are a minimum of four passengers booked on the tour we promise that we'll not cancel your tour unless forced to do so by extreme cicrumstances beyond our control. If you've invested your dreams in us, we'll try to make them a reality. On rare occasions when there are less than four passengers confirmed on the tour we'll advise you at least six weeks prior to departure and give you the opportunity of cancelling the Back-Roads tour without cost or transferring to another Back-Roads tour where there may be more participants.

WHAT YOU SEE

IS WHAT YOU GET

REAL VALUE

Many tour companies advertise a low initial price to attract you. Once on the tour, you find your purse or wallet is constantly open as you pay for additional options and extras. Our tours are designed to be as inclusive as possible. See Tour Inclusions. While we avoid making direct cost comparisons with other coach tour companies (we're simply too different for it to be meaningful) what we do know is that our tours represent outstanding value for money.