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Tours by Destination:

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BEATLERADIO

Special Group Tours

Toll Free: 1 866 725 5250

kate@specialgrouptours.com

The Special Group Tours Advantage

The Special Group Tours Advantage is our unique and intimate understanding of what you expect as an American traveling abroad. We have not only visited but have spent many years living in and loving the cultures you will experience down the back-roads, country lanes and off the beaten track. We have worked with the local suppliers, guide/companions and also as a tour guide in the UK and have ‘backpacked’ our way across Southeast Asia, East Africa and parts of Australia and Latin America. Special Group Tours offers our “insider” knowledge to you.

At Special Group Tours, it is our priority that you have the most enjoyable holiday possible. You deserve it!

Kate of Special Group Tours (black coat in front) with some members of the Back-Roads Touring Team, December 2001

More SGT Info...

SGT is owned and operated by Kate Carrigan.

Philadelphia PA born and raised, Kate has been traveling since she was 17 years old thanks to a student exchange program which took her to Germany, Spain and France for the summer. She was irreversibly bitten by the travel bug. Now, after many years and adventures on six continents, Kate wants to share these experiences with her clients.

Following much wandering, working and studying, Kate settled down in London where she took the position of Operations Manager for Back-Roads Touring Co Ltd. This position allowed her to learn every aspect of the tourism industry. It was during her years here that she developed deep roots and love of the local communities.

Family (and an expired visa) has brought Kate back home to East Coast USA where she is very proud to dedicate herself to Special Group Tours.

Special Group Tours is an official accredited agent for BRT

Back-Roads Touring Co. Ltd was founded in 1986 by Bruce Cherry, then a lecturer in Marketing, Tourism & Transport at a London university. Initially, the intention was to use the company as a teaching aid, but the demand for the tours quickly turned the company into a more formal commercial venture.

Back-Roads Touring Co. Ltd is very proud to be the first company in existence offering a program of small group scheduled tours for the independent travel market. The company was founded on the principle that small group travel is better for both the environment and for the individual traveler than is mass tourism, as delivered by the traditional fifty-seat coach tour.

Back-Roads Touring Co. Ltd tours are designed around groups of a maximum of eleven persons, who visit sites and attractions not on the main tourist route, and see the essential icons at times when larger parties are not there. The small group blends in with the environment rather than imposing on it. Uniquely, the company's vehicles are kept an anonymous white colour so as not to stand out.

Country Lane Tours is a small family business located in the heart of the Snowdonia National Park offering high quality, friendly and relaxing holiday vacations to individuals and small groups. The company is run by husband and wife team Idwal & Gwenyth Jones.

Idwal states “We’re personally involved with planning the itineraries for all groups and individual tours. We are proud of the fact that either one of us has personally met everyone who has traveled to Wales with our organization during the past ten years.”

Our prime objective, then and now, was to develop interesting itineraries which would appeal to individual travelers and small groups. There are so many ‘bland’ itineraries out there, many so obviously created from guide books by someone who’s never been to Wales. The only way forward was to be different from the rest.

IMPORTANT, PLEASE READ!        Country Lane Terms & Conditions

Welcome to Archaeotours - We are a small friendly holiday company operating in stunning West Wales. We bring you Archaeological and Historical tours, guided by qualified archaeologists.

Our tours take you to some of the archaeological gems in beautiful Pembrokeshire.  Our goal is to enable you to relax and enjoy wonderful scenery, sites, superior hospitality and succulent Welsh fare in some of our specially chosen hotels.

Our belief is that your time is precious, so let us arrange a break that will fascinate, amuse and surprise you, and leave you feeling pampered and relaxed when you go home. Go on … give the car a break…

Come with Archaeotours and start bringing the past to life.

IMPORTANT, PLEASE READ!        Archeaotours Terms & Conditions

Cambrian Routes Ltd.
"arrive as guests ~ leave as friends"

Cambrian Routes is an award winning family business, run by Peter Davies and his wife Eve.

Because they care as much about your holiday as you do their tours are not tied to tight schedules. They are specifically designed to give you that most precious of commodities, Time! TIME to visit the places that interest you; TIME to enjoy the sights and sounds; TIME to explore at a pace that suits you; TIME to meet with and chat to local people; TIME to be yourself. If you should forget to pack your watch, so much the better!

With quality, and service in mind, you and your companions will travel in a 'people carrier' which has superb all-round vision, climate control and individual reclining seats. Large enough for comfort, our vehicles are able to take you to those out of the way places not visited by larger tour buses.

Our tours are designed for small groups who want their holiday to be entertaining and enjoyable without being restrictive. Your personal chauffeur guide will ensure that your UK tour will be one to treasure.

"arrive as guests ~ leave as friends"

With over 70 years of experience, we believe Evan Evans Tours offers you the best that Britain can offer. Our Coach operator was voted "The UK's best coach operator for 2003." The coaches used are top of the range and of course are comfortable and air-conditioned.

Evan Evans Tours is the only sightseeing company to have been commended for our Discovering London tour by the London Tourist Board.

We understand that your vacation is important and time is of the essence. However, whilst some operators will try and entice you with an overloaded itinerary, at Evan Evans we strive to ensure that you spend enough time in each location to appreciate and remember the experience.

We only use professional Blue Badge Guides who are fully qualified and approved by the London Tourist Board. It's their vast knowledge and experience that really brings your tour to life.

IMPORTANT, PLEASE READ!        Evan Evans FAQ

Gate 1 Travel was founded in 1981 with a staff of two in Glenside, PA. Gate 1 still operates from Glenside, but today has a worldwide staff well into the hundreds. The goal of its president and owner, Dani Pipano, was to build a quality international travel organization offering competitive prices, and always mindful of the needs of the American traveler. His goal has been realized, and today Gate 1 is recognized as a leader in international travel from the US.

Gate 1 Travel is proud to be affiliated with the finest tourism organizations and welcomes you to contact any of these honorable institutions to learn more about Gate 1's ethical, financial and moral credentials. You are also encouraged to contact any of the government tourist offices, cruise lines, hotels and airlines represented by Gate 1 Travel.

IMPORTANT, PLEASE READ!        Gate1 Terms & Conditions

Founded in 1973, Big Five Tours & Expeditions is renowned for customized, luxury soft adventure travel to more than 44 destinations worldwide. For more than 30 years we have stood at the forefront of distinguished leisure travel. We provide the latest destination offerings while focusing on low-impact, sustainable tourism that steadfastly supports environmentally responsible lodgings and cruise boats. Our trips are luxurious, adventurous and engaging, with an emphasis on culture, history and nature.

Big Five Tours & Expeditions is a premier luxury tour company offering individualized vacations worldwide. From custom-designed private vacations to fully-escorted special interest groups, Big Five specializes in satisfying your discriminating taste for the ultimate travel experience. Travel on one of our distinctive journeys to your favorite exotic destinations that span Africa, South & Central America (including the Galapagos Islands), Asia & The Orient, South Pacific, Antarctica & The Arctic.

IMPORTANT, PLEASE READ!        Big Five FAQ                   About Big Five

With more than 130 years of experience, Holland America Line is recognized as the undisputed leader in the cruise industry's premium segment. With the introduction of the 1,918-passenger ms Noordam in early 2006, Holland America Line's fleet grows to 13 ships, offering nearly 500 cruises from more than 25 home ports. Itineraries range from two to 108 days and visit all seven continents, including new Australia/New Zealand and Asia sailings, a world cruise and popular sailings to several ports in the Caribbean, Alaska, Mexico and Europe. The ms Noordam also will offer Caribbean sailings in the winter from new homeport New York City.

Holland America Line's $225 million, fleetwide Signature of Excellence enhancements feature new programs and amenities including the Culinary Arts Center presented by Food & Wine magazine - a state-of-the-art onboard show kitchen where more than 60 celebrated guest chefs and culinary experts will provide cooking demonstrations and classes - Explorations Café powered by the New York Times, teens-only activity areas and all new cabin amenities highlighted by flat-panel TVs and plush-top Mariner's Dream Beds.

About Princess Cruises From its modest beginnings in 1965 with a single ship cruising to Mexico, Princess has grown to become one of the premiere cruise lines in the world. Today, its fleet carries more than a million passengers each year to more worldwide destinations than any other major line.

The most recognized cruise line in the world was catapulted to stardom in 1977 when Pacific Princess was cast in a starring role on a new television show called The Love Boat. The weekly series, which introduced millions of viewers to the still-new concept of a sea-going vacation, was an instant hit and both the company name and its "seawitch" logo have remained synonymous with cruising ever since.

Princess' modern fleet has grown considerably in recent years to include Caribbean Princess (2004), Coral Princess (2003), Dawn Princess (1997), Diamond Princess (2004), Island Princess (2003), Pacific Princess (1999), Regal Princess (1991), Royal Princess (1984), Golden Princess (2001), Grand Princess (1998), Sapphire Princess (2004), Star Princess (2002), Sun Princess (1995) and Tahitian Princess (1999). Two additional new ships will join Princess' fleet by 2007, making it one of the most modern fleets on the high seas.

Worldwide Destinations
Princess' philosophy of choice is also reflected in its sailing schedule. Offering voyages to more worldwide cruise destinations than any other major line, Princess has more than 150 itineraries ranging from seven to 72 days. The line sails to all seven continents and calls at nearly 260 ports around the world. Princess passengers can enhance their cruise experience through the Adventures Ashore program featuring more than 1,500 in-port excursions worldwide, and the company's expanding cruisetour offerings enable passengers to combine their cruise with a full land tour. Destinations on all seven continents include the Caribbean, Alaska, Panama Canal, Europe, Mexican Riviera, South America, Australia/New Zealand, South Pacific, Hawaii, Tahiti/French Polynesia, Asia, India, Africa, Holy Land, Canada/New England and Antarctica.

Windstar Cruises - A Unique Concept In Cruising

Sailing under the banner of its appropriate tag line "180º From Ordinary," Windstar was created in the mid-1980's with the vision to offer an alternative to the typical cruise or resort vacation. The Windstar passenger sees the world from a romantic sailing ship with luxurious accommodations, a casual yet elegant atmosphere, and exquisite service and cuisine.

The Ships In late 1986, the first commercial sailing vessel built in 60 years slipped out of a French dry-dock in Le Havre. Although the towering sails echoed a bygone era of explorers, the msy Wind Star, with its sleek lines and computerized controls, was revolutionary in concept and design.

Windstar's ships are officially motor-sail-yachts (msy), but the designation belies the vessels unique rigging. Unfurling in two minutes at the push of a button, billowing white sails reach to the sky. All functions are operated from the bridge by computer micro-chips and navigational devices. The unusual "open-bridge" operation allows guests to drop by and acquaint themselves with the veteran captains and officers who demonstrate the ship's intriguing capabilities to modern day explorers.

Carrying just 148 to 308 guests, Windstar ships exude a private-yacht-like atmosphere creating camaraderie and lasting friendships between fellow sailors. Every day aboard Windstar brings the promise of new horizons and harbors to explore.

Our tours are custom designed for those who cannot find exactly what they want from the rigid, set itineraries of the larger companies. Our feeling is that travel should be fun not a duty.

Ideal for special interest groups, history clubs, art lovers, museum supporters, language classes, wine clubs, families, couples, individuals or anyone wishing for a holiday in the style of their own choosing.

Recent Tours have included: London and Southern England, the Cote d'Azur and Provence, Ireland, Normandy and the Loire Valley, Umbria and Tuscany, the Cotswolds and Central England, South Western France and the Dordogne, Sicily, Malta, Paris and the Ile de France, the Italian Lakes and Venice, Champagne and Burgundy, Southern and South Western England, Alsace and Lorraine, Crete and mainland Greece, Prague, Vienna and Salzburg. . .

For a private tour with YOUR choice of destination and YOUR choice of pace, contact --- William Lingwood-Watts at Custom Tours Europe.