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Tours by Destination:

London City Day Tours

Wales Tours

Ireland Tours

Scotland Tours

England Tours from London

England Tours from Manchester

Continental Europe Tours

Tours by Theme:

Garden Tours

Chelsea Flower Show Tour

 Literary Tours

Art & Wine Lovers Tours

Rock & Roll Tours

Battlefield Tours

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Custom-Design Tours

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Independent City Packages

Self-Drive

Walking Tours

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Africa

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BEATLERADIO

Special Group Tours

Toll Free: 1 866 725 5250

kate@specialgrouptours.com

Why Our Tours

The Things that Count

SMALL GROUPS An average of fewer than 11 persons per tour (ultimate maximum being 15 guests.)

INTERESTING ITINERARIES Behind the tourist façade, meeting 'locals', avoiding the tourist traps. Please note our tours are designed for the reasonably active and involve some walking (especially on Continental tours). Some itineraries may not suit those with mobility problems. Please consult us if in any doubt.

FLEXIBILITY Small groups mean we can change our daily schedule, taking advantage of weather conditions, local events and your particular interest. Each evening the group discusses the following days alternatives and there is scope for choice.

WELL-BALANCED SIGHTSEEING Days of variety with something for all. Seeing both the famous sights (when the crowds have left) and the not so familiar. Entrance fees, when with your guide, are included in the tour price. Please note, the detailed itineraries printed in these web pages should be read as guidelines to allow for flexibility.

LEISURELY PACED No 6AM 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, there are occasional and unavoidable longer drives on the longer tours when we're driving between major accommodation bases. Inevitably, when traveling in company, everyone will have different ideas of what is the ideal length of time to spend at specific sites.

'What is life but full of care if we have no time to stand and stare'.

ORGANISED INDEPENDENCE ™ You'll not be 'herded' and there'll be time to explore on your own in major towns (with our help, of course). On most tours there are opportunities for individuals to take alternative arrangements such as half day walks or make visits to family or friends.

COMFORTABLE MINI-COACH TRANSPORT Our specially designed Renaults can travel anywhere a car can, reaching places the larger coach finds impossible. Luggage is generally stored under-floor and you sit high above the cars and hedgerows, enjoying good all round views.

We'll occasionally use six-seater multiple-purpose vehicles where the number of tour participants is five or below and 16 seat Sprinters are our largest vehicles. See more on the Mini-Coaches page.

THE SAME ACCOMMODATIONS FOR A NUMBER OF NIGHTS No constant packing and unpacking. Wherever possible we stay in a single accommodation for several nights and use this as a base for our daily explorations.

INTIMATE AND INTERESTING ACCOMMODATIONS Inns, farmhouses, castles and quaint B&Bs, each with its own particular charm. Our 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 (the majority a three star, crown or similar rating) and all rooms are with private facilities unless age or architecture does not permit such. Where there is sharing of facilities, it is never with more than one other room. Rooms are normally doubles or twin share. Limited single accommodation is available. Groups are sometimes split between adjoining or adjacent properties in smaller villages. Visit Our Accommodations page for a few photos.

ENTERTAINING EVENINGS Optional theatres, visits to country pubs, lectures and fun!

EDUCATED AND ENTERTAINING TOUR DIRECTORS Our guide/companions, both male and female, 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.

Guide/Companion Jenny Paris and her tour mascot, Shawn the Sheep enjoying a flight on the London Eye

WONDERFUL FOOD The very best of local cuisine, sampling regional favourites whenever possible. We dine at restaurants, pubs and at accommodations. We even find a spot for the occasional picnic! Traditional English, Welsh, Scottish, Irish and continental breakfasts (as appropriate), and two-three course evening meal are included in your tour price except where listed on individual itineraries.

GUARANTEED DEPARTURES You'll see that we have scores of departure dates so there is sure to be one that suits your time frame. If you've invested your dreams in us, we'll try to make them a reality.

Back-Roads Touring Co Ltd Promise
“Each of our mini-tours have regular, fixed departure dates. These are guaranteed departures. Once we have accepted your deposit, we promise to run the tour however many other people book on to that particular date.”

Please note, however, with uncertainty being the order of the day, all companies cannot absolutely guarantee all departures. If they find that a tour is particularly low-loaded, and they think that there being so few might not be appreciated by tour participants, they will give you the option to change tours or cancel at no cost. They must reserve the right to cancel where the number of tour participants makes a particular tour uneconomic to run. You will be notified as soon as possible if this is a possibility to discuss alternative options. It does not happen very often.

WHAT YOU SEE IS WHAT YOU GET Many tour companies advertise a low initial price to attract you. Once you're 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 Tour Inclusions for full information.

THE BEST ADVERTISING IS WORD OF MOUTH We get an enormous sense of satisfaction when we receive a letter, call or an email from our clients stating what a fantastic vacation they have had with us! This is a huge part of why we do what we do!

If you would like to read what some of our past clients have said about us and our tours, please see our Testimonials page.