The Back-Roads Difference
Back-Roads Touring is an unique touring experience in the UK and Europe. We believe that you will learn more during 15 minutes on a Back-Roads tour than 2 hours on the motorway!
Experience the Back-Roads Difference:
SMALL GROUPS
All our tours are on average of fewer than 16 persons per tour.
INTERESTING ITINERARIES
Our philosophy is to get you behind the tourist façade, meeting 'locals', avoiding the tourist traps. We will of course visit those famous sites and locations, however, we think it is important to take our passengers to lesser known gems as we can access those regions of Europe that the larger tour companies just cannot reach!
FLEXIBILITY
Small groups mean we can change our daily schedule, take advantage of weather conditions, enjoy local events and your particular interest. Whilst we have set itineraries, there is always room for an unscheduled stop, an extra glass of wine with lunch or detour down the scenic route where time permits!
WELL-BALANCED SIGHTSEEING
We have planned the itineraries to offer you days of variety with something for all. Seeing both famous sights (when the crowds have left) and the not so familiar. We list those entrance fees and special events that are included in the tour price so you are not forever putting your hand in your pocket whilst on tour. There will be time for you to explore destinations at your own place and where additional entrance fees may apply.
LEISURELY PACED..MORE FREE TIME
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)
ORGANISED INDEPENDENCE
You'll not be 'herded' by your tour guide with a clipboard, instead there will be time allowed to explore on your own in major towns and cities (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.
COMFORTABLE MINI-COACH TRANSPORT
Our specially designed Mercedes Sprinters and Vitos can travel anywhere a car can, reaching places the larger coach finds impossible. Luggage is generally stored under-floor or at the back compartment in the coach and you sit high above the cars and hedgerows enjoying good all round views. All or coaches are forward facing with air-conditioning as well as featuring tinted windows.
THE SAME ACCOMMODATIONS FOR A NUMBER OF NIGHTS
No constant packing and unpacking. Wherever possible we stay in a single accommodation for multiple nights and use this as a base for our daily explorations in the local region.
INTIMATE AND INTERESTING ACCOMMODATIONS
Guesthouses, Inns, farmhouses, castles and quaint B&Bs and boutique hotels, each with its own particular charm are hand picked as your nightly accommodation. 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.
All accommodations are of a high standard and all rooms are with private facilities unless age or architecture does not permit. All rooms feature ensuite bathroom facilities. Rooms are either twin, double or single configurations, with family rooms and triple share on request. Groups are sometimes split between adjoining or adjacent properties in smaller villages.
PLEASE NOTE: the vast majority of the accommodations we use do not have traditional-style porterage (neither do they have lifts/elevators). Your guide, however, will normally be able to assist with your baggage. BUT please do note that if you bring along bags that are heavier than the normal standard airline permissable weight and size, European Health and Safety regulations apply. Under these circumstances, guides will be within their rights should they be reluctant to carry that bag.
ENTERTAINING EVENINGS
Optional theatres shows, operas and visits to country pubs can be arranged whilst on tour.
EXPERT AND KNOWLEDGEABLE GUIDES
Companion/guides, both male and female, contracted by Back-Roads Touring Co. Ltd, boast a wide range of backgrounds and abilities. Authors, college professors, adventurers, photographers, ex-service officers, sailors and even a member of the Royal Household! They are philosophers, diplomats, historians and entertainers but, above all else, they are dedicated to ensuring your comfort, safety and enjoyment. All our Battlefield guides are mambers of the Guild of Battlefield Guiding.
WONDERFUL FOOD
We include a full buffet or cooked breakfast daily at your hotel, and at least half of the evening meals whilst on the tour. We ensure that you get to experience 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! For those evenings where you will have the opportunity to dine independently, your guide can recommend local restaurants so you can really experience the best of the local cuisine.
See detailed tour itinerary for full meal inclusions. There is inevitably a budget for dinners but it is normally more than sufficient to cover a free choice of the menu. However, should the group dine in places where the costs of the meals are substantailly higher than the budget allows, particpants will have an option of adding to the budget on an ad hoc basis if wanting higher priced menu items.
GUARANTEED DEPARTURES
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, 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 on a departure, we'll advise you and give you the opportunity of cancelling the Back-Roads tour without cost or transferring to another Back-Roads tour of equal or greater value.
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 individual 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.
ALL TOURS DEPART FROM A CENTRALLY LOCATED BASE
All tours commence from a major city. Accommodation in the departure city, prior and post tour is NOT included unless specifically stated in a tour itinerary and must be reserved separately (we can assist with this).
Accommodation is in three- four star or equivalent lodgings. All rooms are with private facilities (bathrooms), unless specifically informed at the time of booking your tour.
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED?
- Air Fares to Europe. Air travel must be booked independently and the flight details given to us. It is your, or your travel agents, responsbility to let us have this information in a timely manner.
- Driver/Guide gratuity is at your discretion.
- Lunches, social drinks, items of a personal nature and entrance fees when not accompanied by our Driver/Guide.
- Occasional optional evening theatre/festival visits and entrances not detailed in the tour notes.
- Incidental expenses, such as telephone bills, newspapers and room service incurred at accommodations is the responsibility of the individual client. All expenses are to settled prior to leaving the accommodation.
- Laundry costs and any shipping charges for the return of purchases made on tour, or for the return of property lost on tour