Tours:
Coach and Bus Tours

SPLIT, KORCULA, MONTENEGRO & DUBROVNIK - Join Back-Roads for this exciting journey of discovery through Southern Croatia – one of Europe’s hottest new destinations. Take in the highlights of this fascinating country brimming with history, dotted with islands, and blessed with over five thousand kilometres of coastline lapped by the warm waters of the Adriatic Sea. Visit UNESCO listed towns, explore the natural beauty of Krka National Park, stay two nights on a Dalmatian island, cross over the border into Montenegro and taste authentic local Croatian cuisine.   Tour inclusions: 6 nights in charming accommodation Back Roads tour guide companion Driver & mini-coach transportation throughout European breakfast daily 3 x evening meals Walking tour of Split Wine tastings and tapas at Bibich Winery Ferry from Split - Korcula - Ston Oyster tasting in Ston Folklore performance   Included Entrance Fees: Diocletian’s Palace Salona Ruins Krka National Park Trsteno's arboretum Dubrovnik cable car ...more »

YPRES SALIENT, ARTOIS, THE SOMME & VILLERS-BRETONNEUX: ANZAC Day Dawn Ceremony 25 April 2013 - The Australian War Memorial in Villers-Bretonneux commemorates the battle on the 24th/25th April 1918, when Australian and Commonwealth Soldiers liberated the town. In front of it lie the graves of over 770 Australian soldiers, as well as those of other Commonwealth soldiers and since 2008 it has been the site of the special ANZAC Day dawn service. Experience this unique event on our 6 Day ANZAC tour departing 24 April and join fellow countrymen and local townspeople to remember those who fought during the Great War at one of its most poignant sites.   Tour Inclusions: 4 nights’ accommodation in Ypres and Amiens Specialist Battlefield guide/driver companion Mini-coach transportation throughout European breakfast daily 3 x evening meals Commemorative gift   Included Entrance Fees : Hooghe Crater Trenches Hooghe Museum Ypres Wellington Tunnels Victoria School Museum ...more »

YPRES SALIENT, THE SOMME, VILLERS-BRETONNEUX , FROMELLES & VIMY RIDGE - This three day introductory tour allows visitors to see the major areas of British and Commonwealth involvement across the Western Front. All the major Commonwealth countries; Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and India, as well as Britain, played major roles in ensuring ultimate victory and the tour is flexible enough to ensure that visitors from all countries will see the memorials to their countries fallen, as well as gaining a greater understanding of the overall conduct and strategy of the war.   Tour Inclusions: 2 nights charming accommodation Specialist Battlefield driver/guide companion Mini-coach transportation throughout Continental breakfast daily 1 evening meal All entrances fees ...more »

Back-Roads Touring has been running successful garden tours for many years and once again our Chelsea Flower Show Tours in May will take pride of place. The highlight of the gardening year, the Chelsea Flower Show is the centrepiece of our garden-themed touring programme. Be surprised by award-winning gardens, learn new gardening tips and admire the resplendent flower displays in the hall. Our tours include some of England’s most iconic gardens, an escorted day at the Chelsea Flower Show and an exploration into the homes and gardens of London, Kent and Hampshire. Take inspiration from the gardens, learn of their history from our passionate Back-Roads guides and enjoy this truly unique and fascinating tour.   Tour Inclusions: 10 nights in charming accommodation Driver/guide companion Mini-coach transportation throughout Full English breakfast daily 5 x evening meals All entrance fees to gardens and stately homes included in the itinerary Please note: Every year we put on several mini-coaches for this event. In order to keep with the Back Road ethos of small group touring, each mini-coach will follow a different itinerary. Whilst all of the gardens and stately home listed above will be visited, the days in which they are visited and the order of the visits will vary from what has been published.   Please note: In the event we are unable to visit a garden due to unforeseen changes in opening hours or bad weather, we will substitute an alternative garden of equal interest. ...more »

Back-Roads Touring has been running successful garden tours for many years and once again our Chelsea Flower Show Tours in May will take pride of place. The highlight of the gardening year, the Chelsea Flower Show is the centrepiece of our garden-themed touring programme. Be surprised by award-winning gardens, learn new gardening tips and admire the resplendent flower displays in the hall. Our tours include some of England’s most iconic gardens, an escorted day at the Chelsea Flower Show and an exploration into the homes and gardens of London, Kent and Hampshire. Take inspiration from the gardens, learn of their history from our passionate Back-Roads guides and enjoy this truly unique and fascinating tour.   Tour Inclusions: 6 nights in charming accommodation Driver/guide companion Mini-coach transportation throughout Full English breakfast daily 3 x evening meals All entrance fees to gardens and stately homes included in the itinerary Please note: Every year we put on several mini-coaches for this event. In order to keep with the Back Road ethos of small group touring, each mini-coach will follow a different itinerary. Whilst all of the gardens and stately home listed above will be visited, the days in which they are visited and the order of the visits will vary from what has been published.   Please also note: In the event we are unable to visit a garden due to unforeseen changes in opening hours or bad weather, we will substitute an alternative garden of equal interest. ...more »

PORTSMOUTH, ISLE OF WIGHT, NEW FOREST & DORSET - Traditionally only ever recognised for its full English breakfast, fish and chips and the Sunday roast, British cuisine is gaining international esteem as world class innovative chefs put a modern twist on traditional dishes and flavours. The result is a complete turnaround in the global perception of the food of this age-old country. On this tour you will have the opportunity to taste many of the flavours of southern England including local cheeses and breads, locally caught fish, homemade clotted cream ice cream, traditional fine ales, cider and wine.   Tour Inclusions: 5 nights charming hotel accommodation Driver/guide companion Mercedes mini-coach transportation throughout Full English breakfast daily 3 x local evening meals 4 x lunches Traditional ale & wine tasting Isle of Wight ferry The ‘Jubilee’ narrow boat experience   Entrance Fees Included: Portsmouth’s Historic Dockyard Osborne House Carisbrooke Castle Buckler’s Hard ...more »

ISTANBUL, CANAKKALE & THE BATTLEFIELDS OF THE GALLIPOLI PENINSULA - On the 25th April 1915 Australian and New Zealand soldiers were a part of the British invasion force to capture the strategically important Dardanelles region of Turkey. The courage shown by these men and the equally courageous Turkish defenders is now legendary. The central focus of this once-in-a-lifetime tour is of course the moving dawn service on ANZAC Day, where we remember all those young men who fought and died for their country. As well as exploring many of the Gallipoli Peninsula’s most famous sites, accompanied by an Australian battlefield expert, this tour will also give you an opportunity to explore Istanbul, which has an eclectic cityscape of Byzantine churches, Ottoman palaces, beautiful mosques and the time-honoured markets of the Spice and Grand Bazaars.   Please note: Our ANZACs at Gallipoli tour travels to an area of Turkey where infrastructure is, in places, limited. A good deal of walking is usually involved, often over rough terrain. In wet weather, tracks and paths in the battlefield areas of the Gallipoli Peninsula can become slippery and caution should be exercised. To get from the ANZAC Cove Dawn Ceremony up to the Australian memorial service at Lone Pine involves a walk of approximately 2 kilometres uphill. In the case of the New Zealand ceremony at Chunuk Bair, the walk is over 4 kilometres uphill. We strongly recommend that only people with good levels of mobility and fitness consider this tour.   Tour Inclusions: 8 nights quality accommodation Local, English-speaking Turkish guide Australian Gallipoli Battlefields expert & tour leader Mini-coach transportation throughout Breakfast daily 4 x evening meals 2 x lunches Included Entrance Fees: Hippodrome of Constantinople Blue Mosque Hagia Sofia Topkapi Palace and Harem Apartments Basilica Cistern Bosphorus Cruise Ruins of Troy Cimenlik Fort Naval Museum Ulu Cami Green Mosque, Bursa ...more »

KILLARNEY, KINSALE & KILKENNY - Ireland is renowned for its warm welcome and Irish craic. This tour is an ideal introduction to a diverse land dominated by wild, breath-taking vistas and vivacious people. Meet local characters in ancient pubs, try Irish cuisine, drink in the pub featured in Ballykissangel, learn about the local whiskies and revel in the ambience of towns and villages away from the tourist crowds.   Tour Inclusions: 6 nights in charming accommodation Driver/guide companion Mini-coach transportation throughout Irish breakfast daily 3 x evening meals Kinsale Heritage Walk Irish whiskey tour and tasting Irish entertainment   Entrance Fees Included: Irish National Stud The Skellig Experience Muckross House Garnish Island and ferry Midleton Distillery Kilmainham Gaol ...more »

PALERMO, VALLEY OF THE TEMPLES, SYRACUSE & MOUNT ETNA - A part of Italy, Sicily is a unique island with a distinct character. Alongside fine Greek temples, Arab-inspired gardens and superb Norman architecture you will find magnificent scenery and of course great food and wine. Explore the Island’s history with local guides, discover Sicily’s ancient salt reserves, see the fascinating Baroque town of Noto, enjoy olive oil and chocolate tastings and dine on local Sicilian food.   Tour Inclusions: 7 nights in charming accommodation Back Roads tour companion Driver and mini-coach transportation throughout Local guides in Palermo, Valley of the Temples, Villa del Casale and Syracuse European breakfast daily 3 x evening meals, 2 x lunches Marsala wine and chocolate tasting   Entrance fees as listed: Cappella Palatina, Palermo Cathedral of Monreale Salt Pan at Trapani Valley of the Temples, Agrigento Villa del Casale, Piazza Armerina ...more »

NAPLES, CAPRI & THE AMALFI COAST - The Bay of Naples was once a great centre of classical Roman civilisation - today, we are offered a glimpse into this lost world at the excavated remains of Pompeii. This tour will also visit the white marble Greek temples at Paestum and the island of Capri; you will travel along dramatic stretches of the Amalfi Coast and have the opportunity to taste local delicacies including buffalo mozzarella and limoncello.   Tour Inclusions: 6 nights in charming accommodation Back Roads tour companion Driver & mini-coach transportation throughout Local guides in Naples, Pompeii, Ravello and Paestum European breakfast daily 3 x evening meals, 1 x lunch Ferry to the Island of Capri & return to Positano Wine, Mozzarella & olive oil tasting Limoncello tasting   Entrance fees included: Naples Museum Cappella Sansevero Royal Palace of Caserta Pompeii Capri Funicular Villa Rufolo, Ravello Villa Cimbrone, Ravello Paestum ...more »