Tours:
Back-Roads Tours

The Back-Roads Touring Co. Ltd Difference

Back-Roads Touring Co. is a unique, European small group touring concept. They have been operating for over 22 years and are experts in providing fascinating and enjoyable small group tours throughout the UK and Europe. If you are looking to travel with like-minded individuals, but dont want to be herded in a large group, Back-Roads is the perfect touring choice and Flight Centre can get you there.

Flight Centre and Back Roads Touring Co. have teamed up because we believe travel is about experiencing new destinations, rather than just passing through them. Groups should be small and personable, where each person is treated as an individual and that meeting locals and relaxing over a delicious meal are important components of your trip. We believe that at the end of a fascinating day, you should unwind in comfortable, traditional and unique accommodation in stunning locations and wake each day to a scrumptious cooked breakfast.

Back-Roads Touring Philosophy

The Back-Roads Touring philosophy is to take you behind the tourist facade, down the back-roads through country lanes and cobbled streets and away from the tourist masses. Flight Centre believes in quality travel and we assure you, Back-Roads Touring is a quality travel experience. With more relaxing and flexible itineraries, you can really absorb your local surroundings.

Small Tour Group Benefits

Their scheduled tours have been designed to offer a good balance, where you visit well-known sites and locations as well as lesser known local gems. Your expert Driver/Guide companion will impart their specialist knowledge of the region, to take you to those special areas that only a mini-coach van can get to. You can live the history of the areas you visit, sample life in small villages and towns and have experiences not open to larger groups of travelers. There will be plenty of opportunities for you to gain a genuine insight into the local culture and taste the delicious regional cuisine. When you travel with Back-Roads and Flight Centre, you will uncover the history of ancient sites, famous film sets, royal properties, magnificent chateaux and follow in the footsteps of famous authors and artists.

Tailor Made Private Tours

If you prefer to travel with your own group of friends or family, your Flight Centre consultant can work closely with a Back-Roads Touring rep, to tailor-make your own private tour - taking you to those special places in the UK or Europe you have always wanted to visit, but on your own terms. Your private Driver/Guide will take care of the driving and navigation so you can sit back, relax and enjoy the pleasure of your own flexible tour.

Flight Centre and Back-Roads Are Here For You

Our aim is to give you the most memorable holiday you have ever had and in the process, really experience the rich and diverse cultures of the countries through which we travel.

We hope you like our touring concept. We are confident you will learn more about a country in 15 minutes on a Back-Roads tour then you can in 2 hours on the freeway in a 50 seat coach bus!

If you feel that you share our philosophy, then we invite you to join us on a tour down the back roads and promise that well never forget that this is your hard earned holiday. We will do our very best to ensure that it is the vacation of a lifetime.

WHATS INCLUDED?

All tours depart from our centrally located base, 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.

Transportation

All transportation aboard our comfortable mini-coaches and the services of a driver/guide throughout. Our driver/guides are independent contractors selected individually by Back-Roads Touring Co. Ltd according to their experience and knowledge of the itinerary to be followed. Please note, where we run a tour with two or less persons, we may contract a guide new to parts of the region. The additional flexibility that youll enjoy by having a tour to yourself will allow him/her to explore the region with you in greater depth.

Accommodation

Accommodation is in three-star or equivalent lodgings. All rooms are with private facilities (bathrooms), unless specifically informed at the time of booking your tour.

What standard of accommodation do you use?

We choose unique and traditional with character, all with en suite facilities. They are chosen based on architectural interest, position, standard of facilities and warmth of welcome and vary from 2 to 4 star. We avoid the large, impersonal chain hotels in favour of accommodation that is more suited to the Back-Roads style of travel. You will not find large coach groups in our properties!

Accommodations may include: hotels, country inns, manor houses, cozy farmhouses and quaint family owned B+Bs whilst on tour.

Please note however, that city centre accommodations, despite having a three star designation, are invariably of a lower standard than those outside of the city in every county in which we operate. It is for this reason that we try to find city hotels that are in outlying (but convenient) neighbourhoods where a better standard for the cost can be obtained.

Do they have tubs or showers?

Some rooms have tubs, some showers, some both. If you have a preference, please request this at the time of booking and well do our best to accommodate you whenever possible.

What size are the beds?

In Europe beds are generally smaller than you might find at home. Single beds, for example, are approximately three foot wide and just over six foot long. If you are a couple, worried about sharing a double-bed, then please request a twin-bedded room at the time of booking your tour. (An English double bed is about the size of an American Queen bed, 60" x 80". The American double bed is smaller).

Do we dine at the accommodations?

All breakfasts are taken in the accommodations. We have a minimum of a three-course, home cooked evening meal at many of them but on occasion, to add variety to your tour experience, we also dine out at local pubs and restaurants. When we dine out it is understandably to a budget but in the rare circumstance of a client wanting something special you are able to contribute to, and supplement, the budget. Wines and other alcoholic drinks are not included but tea/coffee is included.

Can we get a ground floor room?

Approximately 60% of the places we use will have limited ground floor accommodation available, but we will only be able to provide for one room per tour. When a ground floor room is requested but not available, we will allocate the lowest, most easily reached alternative room available.

Do accommodations have elevators (lifts)?

City centre ones do have lifts but generally the type of accommodation wed use do not. We try to avoid booking accommodations, however, where there might be too many stairs or where the stairs are steep. If you are worried about this, please read our advice below aimed at those with mobility problems.

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 permissible 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.

Most Meals Included

Back-Roads Touring Co. includes most of the evening meals, minimum three-course servings on their tours, so you can better acquaint yourself with your group. On the odd night where dinner is not included, this is to allow you the freedom of venturing out into the local town, village or city and enjoying a private meal. Your knowledgeable Guide is happy to assist with dinner recommendations, reservations and so forth should you require it.

One can also expect to enjoy cooked breakfast daily* whilst on tour. 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 substantially higher than the budget allows, participants will have an option of adding to the budget on an ad hoc basis if wanting higher priced menu items.

*In tour arrival cities, continental breakfast is sometime served. All tours on the European mainland include continental breakfast.

Can special dietary needs be accommodated?

Yes, but please notify us in advance. If you have very particular needs you may find that your choice is limited.

Sightseeing and Entrance Fees

All sightseeing and entrance fees to sights mentioned as possible visits in the itinerary, or when accompanied by driver/guide, up to a budget specified by the guide. Tour participants may be asked to pay an entrance fee for attractions and sights they may have specifically requested that be visited and are not normally included on a tour itinerary. All taxes. All tips and gratuities (except to guide/companion) to outside suppliers but youre free to supplement if the service warrants such.

No Cancellation Guarantee - once a deposit has been made, we promise that we will only cancel the tour in extreme circumstances (e.g. where local or organizational circumstances make it impossible for us to deliver our tour). Historically we have never cancelled a tour simply because we have low numbers. If you have invested your travel dreams with us, we will do our best to honour them! Where we have accepted your booking and it later becomes apparent that you might be the only person(s) on that tour, Back-Roads Touring Co. Ltd will notify you of such and give you the opportunity of changing to another departure, or for you to cancel your tour without cost.

Are your tours guaranteed departures?

We have scores of departure dates so theres certain to be one that suits your time frame. There is no doubt that summer is the best time to visit the UK and Europe, and we have filled the warmest months with a fantastic array of tours. However, we realize not everyone can get away at that time; so, if you have a jacket and a warm outlook we can get you where you want to go at any time of year. Just be aware that in the cooler months not all attractions are open and we will need to be truly flexible - that is after all, the Back-Roads Touring way! Unlike most other tour operators, once weve accepted your booking, youve paid your deposit, we promise that we wont cancel your tour unless forced to do so by circumstances beyond our control. If youve invested your dreams in us, well make them a reality. On rare occasions when there are less than 4 people booked on a tour, well give you the opportunity of canceling without cost or transferring to another Back-Roads Touring tour with more participants - its a lot more fun that way!

Do you only offer scheduled departures or can we plan a customized tour?

We are delighted to design and operate special customized tours for families, friends wanting to travel together, or any other group.

WHATS NOT INCLUDED?

Air Fares to Europe. Air travel must be booked independently and the flight details given to Back-Roads Touring. Flight Centre can assist you with all your flight and tour needs, making sure you receive the best price and route to Europe. Your Flight Centre consultant can notify Back-Roads Touring of your flight itinerary and assist with transfer arrangements.

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 are not included.

Occasional optional evening theatre/festival visits.

Incidental expenses, such as telephone bills, newspapers and room service incurred at accommodations are the responsibility of the individual client. All expenses are to be 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.

OUR GUIDES

At Back-Roads Touring Co. and Flight Centre, 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 specialties. 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.

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.

GENERAL QUESTIONS

• What is a single price referred to in the price of the tour?
  
  Unfortunately, most European accommodations charge an additional amount for single occupancy even though the room is often much smaller than the standard room. The single price refers to the amount we have to add to the standard tour price paid by persons sharing a twin or double room.
  
  
• Whats a twin room?
  
  A twin room is a room for two persons in which there will be two single beds. A double room is for two persons sharing a bed.
  
  
• Can we get triple room accommodation?
  
  Yes. However, there is limited triple availability and often a triple room contains a double bed and one single. There is little, if any, cost savings to be made in booking a triple room unless it is to save a single supplement charge.
  
  
• Can Back-Roads Touring Co. Ltd arrange additional nights accommodation in the cities of arrival and departure?
  
  Yes. Please, let us know at the time of your initial booking. We can usually extend your stay in the hotel wed be using for the main tour but this sometimes might not be possible. In this case, wed find you the most convenient substitute.
  
  
• Do Back-Roads Touring Co. provide airport transfers?
  
  They are NOT included in your tour price but yes, we are happy to arrange them for you. Due to problems with finding individuals at railway stations, were unable to guarantee transfers from railway stations and you may have to organize a taxi at your own cost to the tour departure hotel.
  
  
• What sort of vehicle do we travel in?
  
  Youll be travelling in our comfortable 16-seat Mercedes Sprinter, or 7-seat Mercedes Vitos, depending on the numbers on a tour. All seats have seatbelts and all seats are forward facing. Luggage is stored in a rear compartment. All vehicles are air-conditioned or with forced air vents.
  
  
• Im over 6 foot. Is there plenty of leg room?
  
  Yes, several of the seats have sufficient room for even the tallest passenger to stretch their legs. We also rotate places to ensure that no-one is sitting permanently in any particular seat.
  
  
• How much driving do we do?
  
  We design tours so that there is as little wasted time as possible on the bus and plenty to see while aboard. Inevitably, there are days when traveling between locations that may involve freeway driving and more mileage. Generally, a typical days driving would be anywhere between 110 and 170 miles. There are at least three major attraction stops, comfort and meal stops.
  
  It is always worth remembering that these are tours and not fixed-site holidays and this inevitably involves driving.
  
  
• How flexible are the daily itineraries? Can we request visits to special sites/sights?
  
  The tours are designed to offer some degree of flexibility. Whilst the itineraries and inclusions are pre-arranged, we are able to cater for an unscheduled stop or detour if it is possible. When practical, there will be times when well be altering the published itinerary at a group or individual request to visit sites of special importance to those on board. However, if we do vary itineraries it must be acceptable to all. We would not miss sites included on the provisional itineraries unless all parties are in agreement, or the particular site is not available on that particular day for a specific reason.
  
  
• Are the tours suitable for children?
  
  Some are, but others not so. Please check with us if considering bringing a child. If youre wanting to bring children on a customized tour thats another matter! We can design a tour that will fit the aspirations of all age-groups traveling.
  
  
• How much walking is on a tour?
  
  In cities, walking tours are offered by your guide. On European mainland tours there is considerable walking as many historic cities prohibit motorized transport and we have to park some distance out of the centre. On most tours there are opportunities for some extended walking, often from the accommodations we use.
  
  Please note: if you have a mobility problem or concern, you may not find our tours suitable. Please contact us if you have any doubts.
  
  
• Are all the entrance fees included in my tour price?
  
  We include most entrance fees (listed in the tour inclusion section). These are not the sort of tours youre expected to be getting your purses out at every turn. We may suggest certain optional evening cultural visits, or on occasion, suggest you enter special attractions. These are optional, however.
  
  
• Can I get my hair done / laundry done on tour / go to church or synagogue / post items home?
  
  Yes. There is generally sufficient free time to incorporate all such functions, though we cant guarantee such in every country. Your guide-companion will be able to advise the most convenient point and assist in making relevant arrangements.
  
  
• Is there time to shop?
  
  Of course! But we will NOT be taking you to commission stops. Our guides are not permitted to profit from your shopping.
  
  
• Who goes on a Back-Roads Touring Co. Ltd tour?
  
  Our clients, on regular departures, are generally thirty-five and above with a higher proportion being forty and above. They are mainly English-speaking and come from Canada, the USA, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Singapore and Hong Kong. We do have other nationalities join occasionally but all tour commentaries are in English.
  
  Many of our tour participants have traveled with Back-Roads Touring Co. Ltd on a previous occasion.
  
  
• What about single people?
  
  Youre more than welcome! About 30% of our clients are singles. Youll soon make friends aboard a Back-Roads Touring Co. Ltd small group tour.
  
  Questions About Making a Booking and Payments
  
  
• How do I make a booking?
  
  Booking is easy and can be made through one of our accredited Flight Centre consultants.
  
  
• What happens if I have to cancel?
  
  Please, see our cancellation policy above. We rarely have cancellations but if you do, through illness or any other reason, there would be a charge. We strongly recommend taking out travel insurance to cover any cancellations. Your Flight Centre consultant can go over your travel insurance options with you and makes sure you are covered so you can travel with peace of mind.
  
  
• Can we book our flights through Back-Roads Touring Co. Ltd?
  
  Sorry, no, Back-Roads does not have access to flight bookings, but you can book your flight and buy travel insurance (which we recommend) through your Flight Centre consultant who has access to the best available rates to all of our tour destinations.
  
  
• How much luggage can we bring with us?
  
  Luggage is restricted to one standard sized suitcase and one carry-on per person. However, please speak with your Flight Centre consultant for luggage restrictions on airlines. All luggage concerns can be discussed in detail with your Flight Centre consultant.
  
  
• How do I book a Back-Roads Touring Co. tour?
  
  Booking a Back-Roads Touring Co. Ltd tour is extremely easy!
  
  Find your favourite tour by browsing the Flight Centre website tour section or by picking up a brochure from a Flight Centre Shop. When youve found the tour you would like to endeavour on, book it with your Flight Centre consultant.
  
  Upon confirming availability, we will give you a 7-day option on that tour date. We then send you a pro-forma invoice and banking details and the booking is deemed confirmed once we have received an initial payment.
  
  A non-refundable deposit is required and the balance of payment must be made at least 60 days prior to the tour departure. Your final invoice will be sent 60 days prior to departure to request final payment. If the booking is made less than 60 days prior departure then we will send you the final invoice only and the deposit invoice will not be issued. Acknowledgement of payment is sent by e-mail. All of the above communication will be made through and handled by your Flight Centre consultant so you can just start dreaming of the back roads of Europe.
  
  

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