Back Roads Touring is a small-group touring specialist offering cultural journeys across the UK and Europe, with a maximum of 18 passengers per departure. Their philosophy centres on getting travellers away from standard tourist trails and into the authentic heart of each destination, combining the freedom of independent travel with the reassurance of expert local knowledge.
With a strict maximum of 18 passengers, Back Roads Touring keeps its groups small enough to stay flexible and relaxed. That intimate scale means itineraries can include quieter villages, family-run restaurants and lesser-known historic sites that larger coaches simply cannot reach. Over 20% of passengers travel as solo travellers, making it a welcoming choice for those heading out alone.
Rather than international chain hotels, Back Roads Touring selects charming locally rooted places to stay: rustic rural retreats, old country estates, traditional inns and castle hotels, each chosen to reflect the character of its surroundings. Staying in places like these gives travellers a genuine sense of each region rather than a generic backdrop.
Many itineraries include at least one lunch or dinner at a local restaurant chosen specifically for its regional specialities or historical significance. Guides also seek out local markets, craft workshops and cultural events that sit well off the beaten tourist path, ensuring the food and culture of each destination are experienced first-hand.
The programme covers a wide range of destinations including Scotland, Portugal, Tuscany, the Camino route from Porto to Bilbao, and many more corners of the UK and Europe. All tours depart on guaranteed dates, and a private tailor-made service is available for groups of friends or families who prefer a bespoke itinerary.
Groups are capped at a maximum of 18 passengers. This small size allows for a more flexible, relaxed pace and opens up accommodation and dining options that are not accessible to larger tour groups.
Yes. More than 20% of Back Roads Touring passengers travel as solo travellers, and the small, sociable group format makes it straightforward to meet fellow travellers. A welcome dinner at the start of each tour helps everyone get acquainted before the journey begins.
The programme spans the UK and Europe, with tours to destinations such as Scotland, Portugal, Tuscany, the Basque Country and many other regions. Itineraries are designed to explore areas away from the main tourist circuits, focusing on local culture, food and landscape.
Back Roads Touring selects charming, locally rooted properties such as country house hotels, traditional inns, rural retreats and castle hotels. Each property is chosen to complement the character of its surrounding area rather than simply providing a convenient overnight stop.
Many itineraries include at least one lunch or dinner at a carefully selected local restaurant, chosen for its regional cuisine or historical interest. Guides often know the best spots that would be difficult to find independently, adding genuine culinary depth to each tour.
Yes. Alongside the scheduled group departures, Back Roads Touring offers a private tailor-made service for families, groups of friends or colleagues who would like a bespoke itinerary across the UK or Europe.
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