Backroads Touring Company News & Links

An intimate adventure

Wed, 23 Jan 2013 02:59:47 +0000

You'll soon find yourself with some new friends when you explore Italy in a small group, writes Chanel Parratt.

Provencal picnic in Arles

Wed, 23 Jan 2013 02:34:01 +0000

This is my room with a view of the tiled rooftops of Arles, the southern Provence city with a history that has preserved its Celtic, Greek, Roman and Medieval heritage. I was leaning out the window a little to take this, so tilt your head slightly to the right and you’ll get the picture.

You’d be balmy not to like Nice

Wed, 23 Jan 2013 02:17:35 +0000

Friday evening in Nice on the Cote d’Azur and it’s still a balmy 25 deg C. The icy Mistral ripped through the region on Thursday, snatched away the heat haze and had everyone reaching for jackets and scarves. The wind that drove Vincent Van Gogh mad. But today it’s warm again and the sky a hard sapphire, with the alps behind the famous southern French city etched in detail.

Jesus is waiting in reception

Wed, 5 Dec 2012 02:29:19 +0000

Well hello, is that Jesus standing next to the reception desk? Welcome to three-star Hotel Gounod in the heart of Saint Remy de Provence, possibly one of the quirkiest hotels in the world.

Poignant tribute to graceful princess

Wed, 5 Dec 2012 02:19:14 +0000

Fresh flowers always adorn her tomb in Monaco. Princess Grace was killed 30 years ago but she is still revered and remembered. A photographic exhibition dedicated to her life, in the historic village of Les Baux de Provence, is a poignant reminder of how much she was loved.

Van Gogh’s beautiful asylum

Wed, 5 Dec 2012 02:09:37 +0000

The Mistral drove Vincent Van Gogh mad. That demon gale turns narrow cobblestone streets into icy wind tunnels and chills your body to the marrow.

Back-Roads Red Dragon of Wales Tour

Wed, 8 Aug 2012 03:15:16 +0100

My tour with Back-Roads Touring Company exceeded my expectations, was lots of fun and exceptional value for money. We sang along to Tom Jones and Shirley Bassey, learnt a lot about Welsh history, visited amazing places and continually drove through beautiful scenic landscapes. I fell in love with Wales, and I have Back-Roads to thank! I can say therefore, with certainty, that this will not be the last tour I do with this excellent, professional company.

La Belle France

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 10:43:36 +0100

Striking the perfect balance between ‘work’ and play, Back-Roads’ La Belle France tour offers a glimpse into the French l’art de vivre.

Back to the front: War tours guide

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 06:00:28 +0000

Australians and New Zealanders have travelled to Gallipoli for decades to commemorate the WWI battles fought there, but in recent years they have been seeking out the Western Front. Paul Daley finds that organised tours are a moving history lesson.

Following in the footsteps

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 12:29:44 +0100

FOLLOWING IN THE FOOTSTEPS

All battlefields tours are special, for so many reasons. It is the connection that you can make with events that happened close to one hundred years ago that helped to shape the world we live in today.

Christmas Market Calendar 2011

Tue, 26 Jul 2011 05:57:28 +0100

Christmas can be one of the most exciting time to visit Europe – with the splendid Christmas Markets popping up in major cities and towns in most countries offering a unique opportunity to experience the festive cheer and buy traditional Christmas gifts...

Austria: A fantastic winter destination

Thu, 14 Jul 2011 04:23:11 +0100

Austria has been charming visitors and travellers for centuries. The winter months offer a unique opportunity to enjoy the traditional Christmas Markets, wind through the snow capped mountains and visit medieval towns and villages during the festive season...

Cornwall - a delightful corner of England

Mon, 4 Jul 2011 06:55:00 +0100

With its winding lanes, delicious food and idyllic seaside towns - is it really any wonder people flock to Cornwall every year?

Winter in Switzerland

Mon, 4 Jul 2011 03:55:54 +0100

Susie Oliver, Back-Roads' Product Development Manager tells us about her recent experience in Switzerland whilst researching our new Winter tour....

Clean Up Britain

Fri, 1 Jul 2011 10:48:31 +0100

Back-Roads have pledged their support to Clean Up Britain's campaign to help keep Britain tidy. Find out more about our planned activities and how you can get involved with this worthwhile campaign to protect our beautiful countryside.

Good times in Cornwall!

Thu, 9 Jun 2011 10:38:26 +0100

Group return from their tour in Cornwall...

D-Day: The Canadian Story

Wed, 25 May 2011 12:17:11 +0100

Canadian forces had been in the UK for years; they had already lost some of their best men in the ill fated Dieppe raid of 1942, and were more than keen to play their part in what was to come...

Ironbridge: Take a journey through history

Tue, 17 May 2011 11:07:21 +0100

Ironbridge is a World Heritage site and memorable visit included on Back-Roads Highlights of Britain tour.

A journey back in time......

ANZAC Day on the Battlefields in France 2011

Wed, 4 May 2011 05:48:10 +0100

A moving tale of personal discovery on Back-Roads Anzac Day Tour 2011 as Andie discovers the burial site of her great uncle on the Western Front.

Travelling La Belle France with a Back-Roads Guide

Mon, 18 Apr 2011 05:49:12 +0100

Travelling with Back-Roads through France is a unique opportunity to experience the real French culture. Andy Steele has lived in France and has been guiding with Back-Roads Touring for several years and introduces you to life in France.

What's Happening in the UK and Ireland in 2011?

Thu, 7 Apr 2011 05:05:29 +0100

There are always a great number of interesting and fascinating events across the UK each year. This is your one stop guide to some of the best.

Grab a great touring deal!

Thu, 31 Mar 2011 05:55:36 +0100

There are still great travel deals to be had with Back-Roads Touring!

Kent and Sussex - A charming slice of England

Mon, 7 Feb 2011 06:42:16 +0000

More than a just a commuter county for London - Kent is a beautiful county with a rich history, home to Tudor manor houses, stately homes and castles. We discover more of Kent's hisorical past.....

Wales - best explored along the back roads

Wed, 14 Sep 2011 10:40:16 +0100

A land of miners and farmers, poets and preachers, the little Principality of Wales punches above its weight in the realms of culture and landscape.

Meet a Back-Roads Expert

Mon, 24 Jan 2011 04:51:48 +0000

Back-Roads Touring will attend a number of events this year. Come along and speak directly with one of our experts.

During these shows you will find out all about our Europe Tours, Battlefields Tours and Garden Tours. Ther will be also chance to talk about your Tailor Made Private Travel to Europe

Anzac Day Dawn Ceremony

Mon, 10 Jan 2011 02:43:13 +0000

There is no doubt that this recently introduced commemorative service on the Western Front to commemorate the ANZAC soldiers is very much an event to attend, and so much easier to get to than the Gallipoli peninsula.

Life as a Back-Roads Battlefield guide

Thu, 23 Dec 2010 05:00:47 +0000

Working as guide for Backroads Touring has given me many privileges, but the greatest treat is to accompany a relative to the grave of a fallen soldier, one of the many from around the world that lie at peace in the immaculately maintained Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemeteries in Belgium and Northern France.

Back-Roads Touring on WTM in London

Mon, 15 Nov 2010 12:46:23 +0000

We were delighted to take part in the annual World Travel Market (WTM) in London this year.

Remembrance Day

Sun, 14 Nov 2010 12:57:56 +0000

ON THE 11TH OF NOVEMBER AT 11 O'CLOCK THE COUNTRY STOPS SILENT...

Ypres Battlefield Tour - 'Back Roads Moment'

Fri, 9 Jul 2010 10:41:52 +0100

RECENTLY I WAS ASKED TO ACT AS RELIEF DRIVER FOR ONE DAY AROUND YPRES FOR ONE OF OUR BATTLEFIELD GUIDES, MARK BANNING...

Tunnellers Memorial

Sat, 26 Jun 2010 10:25:16 +0100

You would have thought that there were enough Memorials to those who died on the Western Front, but Peter Barton feels different about it...

Falmouth Oyster Festival

Tue, 21 May 2013 05:45:46 +0100

The oyster season starts again in October and is celebrated in Falmouth at the annual Oyster Festival. Thanks to regional fishing practices in regions such as Cornwall we can continue to enjoy local varieties alongside their Pacific cousins....