2018
S M A L L G RO U P T O U R S S C E N I C B A C K R O A D S , AV O I D I N G M O T O R W AY S • C U L I N A RY D I S C O V E R I E S A U T H E N T I C L O C A L E X P E R I E N C E S • L E I S U R E LY P A C E D I T I N E R A R I E S H A N D – P I C K E D B O U T I Q U E A C C O M M O D AT I O N • S M A L L G R O U P S O F U P T O 1 8
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WITH THE EXPERTS IN SMALL GROUP TOURING
WELCOME
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Picture a touring holiday which delves that
bit deeper. One that doesn’t simply drop by top sights and major cities – but invites you to see a destination through the eyes of the people who know it best: the locals who call it home. Where journeys are made for absorbing never-to-beforgotten views, not darting from A to B. And each day ends in a cherry-picked boutique retreat loaded with local charm. At Back-Roads Touring, we’ve spent over 25 years creating these kinds of small group tours. We know that the best kind of adventure is one that introduces you to immersive experiences and sights that last a lifetime – then gives you the time and space to explore. The key ingredient? Experienced guides who can turn an exciting getaway into something truly extraordinary. Telling you the stories and secrets behind stately homes as you wander the corridors. Showing you the perfect position to see the sun set over a city skyline. And pointing you towards the exact patch of coastline where you can try oysters, straight off the boat. All the while, you can be confident that your Back-Roads tour is being run responsibly and with sustainable tourism in mind. In fact, our commitment to green practises has earnt us a Silver Green Tourism rating. Turn the page to explore our inspiring tours of the UK and Europe – and discover the Back-Roads Difference.
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CONTENTS
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Contents Back-Roads Touring Where We Go
United Kingdom 06
The Back-Roads Difference 08 Authentic Local Experiences
10
Culinary Discoveries 12 Hand-picked Boutique Accommodation 14 Our Tour Leaders
16
Travelling in Style
18
Save With Us
20
The Back-Roads App
21
Perfect Combinations 22 Tailor-Made Tours
24
Spain, Portugal & Morocco
Battle of Britain 9 DAYS
28
Madeira Highlights 7 DAYS
62
Heart of England 5 DAYS
30
Discover Portugal 7 DAYS
64
Chelsea Flower Show 32 7 DAYS The Garden of England 5 DAYS
66
34
Iberian Inspiration 11 DAYS
68
Cornwall Food Tour 5 DAYS
36
Majestic Morocco 11 DAYS
70
Corners of Cornwall 7 DAYS
38
The Wonders of Wales 40 8 DAYS
Italy & Malta
A Scottish Journey 8 DAYS
Sail the Bay of Naples 74 8 DAYS
Orkney & The Highlands 4 DAYS
42
44
Highlights of Britain 10 DAYS
46
Royal Tour of Britain 9 DAYS
48
Historic Eastern England 8 DAYS
50
London to Paris via the Channel Islands 11 DAYS
52
Corners of Southern Ireland 6 DAYS The Emerald Isle 12 DAYS
Enchanting Southern Italy 7 DAYS
76
Slow Food Tour of Puglia 6 DAYS
78
Tuscan Treats 7 DAYS
80
The Lakes & Mountains of Italy & Switzerland 82 8 DAYS Italian Indulgence 12 DAYS The Splendours of Sicily 7 DAYS
Ireland
p.70
Highlights of Northern Spain 8 DAYS
Malta Highlights 7 DAYS
84
86 88
56 58
p.116
France Paris to Nice through Vineyards & Mountains 92 9 DAYS La Belle France 9 DAYS
94
A Taste of Bordeaux 9 DAYS
96
Provence & The French Riviera 9 DAYS
98
Battlefields WW1 Battlefields 5 DAYS
102
ANZACs on the Western Front 5 DAYS
104
D-Day Battles of France 5 DAYS
105
Canals Champagne & Great War Cruise 7 DAYS
108
Burgundy Cruise 7 DAYS
110
Loire Valley Cruise 7 DAYS
112
Croatia Croatia & The Dalmatian Coast 8 DAYS
116
Croatian Islands Sailing 8 DAYS
118
Northern Italy, Slovenia & Croatia 120 7 DAYS
p.80
Central & Eastern Europe Mountains, Valleys & Lakes of Switzerland 124 9 DAYS Explore Eastern Europe 9 DAYS
126
Germany & Austria Highlights 13 DAYS
128
Iceland, Scandinavia, Russia & the Baltics Iceland Highlights 5 DAYS Norway: Fjords & Glaciers 8 DAYS
132
134
Impressions of Russia 136 10 DAYS The Baltics Highlights 138 13 DAYS
Arabian Peninsula Dubai Stopover 3 DAYS
141
FAQs
142
T&Cs
143
ICELAND
WHERE WE GO
06 REYKJAVIK
IRELAND Rolling green fields, rugged clifftops and a perpetual fun-loving spirit encapsulates the beautiful informality that
SCOTLAND
is Ireland. Small in size but huge on charm, Scotland will steal your heart with its postcard-worthy landscapes, superb cuisine
INVERNESS
and down-to-earth locals.
SCOTLAND EDINBURGH
ENGLAND
DUBLIN
IRELAND
Through old English pubs, charming countryside and hidden rural roads, you’ll explore ol’ Blighty and meet
ENGLAND WALES CARDIFF
PORTUGAL
BELGIUM LILLE
some colourful characters along the way.
LONDON
From its breathtaking coastline, quaint villages and
PARIS
medieval castles, Portugal is a winning combination. Dive
FRANCE
into the history and unique experiences on offer.
BORDEAUX PROVENCE
BILBAO
SPAIN PORTO
PORTUGAL
MADRID
LISBON
MADEIRA FUNCHAL
MOROCCO
CASABLANCA
BARCELONA
WHERE WE GO
07
Where We Go FINLAND
NORWAY
HELSINKI OSLO
ST PETERSBURG
TALLINN
ESTONIA
RUSSIA
LATVIA RIGA
LITHUANIA VILNIUS
MOSCOW
POLAND BERLIN
GERMANY
WARSAW
PRAGUE
CZECH REPUBLIC
SLOVAKIA
VIENNA
ZURICH
SWITZERLAND ITALY NICE
AUSTRIA
SLOVENIA
BUDAPEST
HUNGARY
CROATIA
VENICE
TROGIR FLORENCE
DUBROVNIK
MONTENEGRO
ROME NAPLES
BARI
PALERMO
CATANIA
MALTA
ST JULIAN'S
ITALY
SPAIN
A feast for the eyes (and
Steeped in history and
appetite) Italy’s grand capitals
dressed with colour,
and robust countryside offer
personality and flair,
cultural experiences and
Spain will impress with its
memorable cuisines with a
mouthwatering cuisine and
side of ancient history.
favourable climate.
THE BACK-ROADS DIFFERENCE
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The Back-Roads Difference Small groups of up to 18
Scenic back roads, avoiding motorways
Leisurely paced itineraries
With tour sizes of up to
Winding country lanes. Coastal
Forget sunrise starts and
18 people (20 for French
beauty spots. Breathtaking
long days hopping on and
barge tours), our Tour
mountain passes. With
off the bus. We rarely leave
Leaders can ensure a more
premium mini-coaches that
before 8.30am and give
personalised experience.
take us along scenic roads
each stop the attention it
Smaller group sizes also
beyond the reach of large
deserves – keeping long
mean we can guarantee our
vehicles, the journey is as
drives to a minimum and
tours will run once we have
much a part of the adventure
giving you plenty of time to
just four guests booked.
as the destination.
explore at your own pace.
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THE BACK-ROADS DIFFERENCE
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Culinary discoveries
Hand-picked boutique accommodation
Authentic local experiences
One of the most enjoyable
Whether it’s a classic
Truly getting to know a
ways to experience a
country inn or an elegant
destination means stepping
different culture is to
château, each day’s journey
off the typical tourist trail.
sample the cuisine. From
ends in a hotel with plenty
From hidden-gem attractions
visits to local producers to
of character. We opt for
to local favourites, we take
food and wine tastings and
accommodation that
time to seek out authentic
even cooking classes, you’ll
reflects the personality of
experiences that take you to
have plenty of opportunities
the local area, and fits right
the heart of each
to discover new flavours.
in with its surroundings.
spectacular region.
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AUTHENTIC LOCAL EXPERIENCES
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TOP 6
AUTHENTIC LOCAL EXPERIENCES Join a mask decorating course in Venice Home to a thriving art scene, Venice will wow you with its colourful displays of traditional Venetian masks. Immerse yourself in the local culture by participating in a traditional mask decorating course, where after an entertaining talk surrounding the history of the craft, we create individual masterpieces with the help of our local guide. TOUR: Northern Italy, Slovenia & Croatia, The Lakes & Mountains of Italy and Switzerland
Learn the art of alphorn making Head to Eggiwil for the inside story on a curious Alpine instrument whose call echoes around the valleys: the alphorn. A local artisan shows us how these vast horns are made – and you even have a chance to try coaxing a sound out of one yourself! TOUR: Mountains, Valleys & Lakes of Switzerland
Kiss the iconic Blarney Stone Legend has it that if you kiss the Blarney Stone, you’ll never be lost for words again. Find out for yourself and ascend to the top of the Blarney Castle tower to visit the Stone of Eloquence built into the castle’s battlements. While the powers of the Stone may be questionable, the experience is not to be missed. TOUR: The Emerald Isle
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ESCAPE THE WELL TRODDEN PATH AND GET TO THE HEART OF EACH DESTINATION YOU VISIT BY STEPPING INTO THE SHOES OF THOSE WHO KNOW THE REGION BEST – THE LOCALS.
Discover the royal history of Britain Britain is a land of rich and compelling history, where tradition plays an important part in defining the nation’s modern-day culture. Become an expert in the British monarchy with an educational visit to Balmoral Castle, Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle (sure to be an unforgettable experience fit for a royal!). TOUR: Royal Tour of Britain
Take to the sky in a Dragon Rapide aircraft The elegant Dragon Rapide is one of Britain’s best loved pre-war aircrafts. Embark on a journey through history with a nostalgic sightseeing flight in one of the few fully restored Dragon Rapides that still operate today. Each of the eight seats offers a generous window and is perfect for viewing the spectacular landscape below. TOUR: Battle of Britain
Visit the majestic Secret Lagoon Located in the midst of endless lava fields in Iceland, we visit the Secret Lagoon – a calming geothermally heated lagoon that offers the perfect temperature to relax and keep warm despite the brisk temperatures outside. Arguably the most authentic and traditional example of an Icelandic bath, the Secret Lagoon will take your breath away. TOUR: Iceland Highlights
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LOCAL EXPERIENCES
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CULINARY DISCOVERIES
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TOP 6
CULINARY DISCOVERIES ENRICH YOUR ADVENTURE ABROAD BY DELVING INTO SOME OF THE TASTIEST CULINARY EXPERIENCES ON OFFER ACROSS EUROPE.
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CULINARY DISCOVERIES
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Taste the flavours of Cornwall in England
Local wine and food tasting in Malta
Join the hunt for the elusive truffle in France
Take a journey through the
In Malta, the ingredients are
After an entertaining
scenic countryside of Cornwall
as fresh as the landscape is
introduction to Edouard and his
and sample the local delicacies
stunning, so expect divine
wife, Carole at their Pechalifour
of the region. Watch a Cornish
creations straight from the
residence, we join Edouard
pasty making demonstration,
harvest to your plate. To
and his dog to sniff out the
indulge in a glass of wine
complete the culinary experience,
highly prized, aromatic truffle
at a local vineyard and visit
we’ll explore the grounds of
treasures hiding in the ground.
hand-picked restaurants
Meridiana Wine Estate and
At the end of this unique
offering local fare, including a
indulge in local cheese and
foodie experience, a glass of
charming restaurant owned by
biscuits and a special tasting of
wine and a taste of the truffles
Rick Stein.
two of the property's finest drops.
is our reward.
TOUR: Cornwall Food Tour
TOUR: Malta Discovery
TOUR: Taste of Bordeaux
Take part in a cooking class in Tuscany
Enjoy cheese fondue in Switzerland
Savour the taste of the Jamón ibérico in Spain
Here in picturesque Tuscany,
Indulge in a tasting of cheese
Sierra de Aracena is famous
we have the chance to uncover
fondue, a traditional Swiss
for one particular delicacy:
the secrets of a traditional
delicacy that is crafted with
Jamón Ibérico. Our tour
Tuscan chef with an interactive
a carefully selected blend of
of the Ibericos Vazquez
cooking class at a gorgeous
traditional local cheeses, a touch
farm brings to life artisan
villa. Try your hand at creating
of kirsch and a generous glug
production, from spotting the
a variety of authentic Tuscan
of white wine. Served as a main
black Iberian pigs roaming
delicacies before sitting down
dish and accompanied with
in the meadows to seeing
for a well-deserved rest to
delightfully crusty bread, second
the curing process in the
taste the fruits of your labour
servings are always encouraged.
factory and finally, tasting the
for lunch.
TOUR: Mountains, Valleys &
delicious end product.
TOUR: Tuscan Treats
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Lakes of Switzerland
TOUR: Iberian Inspiration
HAND-PICKED BOUTIQUE ACCOMMODATION
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HAND-PICKED BOUTIQUE ACCOMMODATION FANCY A BOUTIQUE STAY LOADED WITH CHARACTER AND LOCAL CHARM? FOR THOSE THAT VALUE A LITTLE BIT OF ‘ME TIME’, THESE ACCOMMODATIONS ARE SURE TO DO THE TRICK.
Petwood Hall Hotel Home to the legendary ‘Dambusters’ squadron and complete with memorabilia, the Petwood Hall Hotel is rich in aviation history and boasts modern comforts, guaranteed to ensure a cosy stay. With elegant hand-carved staircases, immaculately kept gardens and a generous open fireplace, you will be instantly taken by the old world style of the property. TOUR: Battle of Britain
Riad Ksar Ighnda, Ouarzazate Dramatically positioned on the edge of the desert, the Riad Ksar Ighnda Hotel makes for an elegant retreat. Presenting an authentic yet modern style, this property features decoration from local artisans and offers mouthwatering traditional cuisine. Before the sun goes down, explore the hotel's spa facilities in your own time. TOUR: Majestic Morocco
Walaker Hotel, Norway This family-run hotel in the idyllic Norwegian countryside is within easy reach of stunning fjords, mountains and glaciers that will take your breath away. Over 370 years old, it claims the title of Norway’s oldest hotel and has been in the same family for nine generations. The unique nostalgic yet comfortable style will leave a lasting impression. TOUR: Norway; Fjords & Glaciers
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Croatian Sail motor yacht Owned by the Vukovic family who have navigated the Dalmatian coast for over 100 years, this spacious motor yacht can accommodate up to 16 guests with ease. Featuring eight cabins, private en-suite facilities and air-conditioning, this is paradise with a traditional Mediterranean twist. TOUR: Croatian Islands Sailing
Fattoria degli Usignoli Take a historical journey to this charming hotel, set in the heart of Reggello and overlooking the impressive Valdarno and Chianti landscapes. Built by the
Winchester Royal Hotel Tucked away in the heart of Winchester, this hotel is home to the only walled garden in the city. In a town that prides itself on character and tradition, this is a hotel that matches its surroundings perfectly. During your stay, be sure to explore local gems nearby such as the Winchester Cathedral, Marwell Zoo and Paultons Park. TOUR: Cornwall Food Tour
*The specific accommodation shown on this page may change from time to time but the alternative option will still be of a similar standard.
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monks of Vallombrosa, this hotel is perfect for travellers in search of history and Italian charm. Blending local hospitality with a touch of luxury, your stay at the Hotel Fattoria degli Usignoli will be nothing short of divine. TOUR: Tuscan Treats
OUR TOUR LEADERS
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Our Tour Leaders DEDICATED TO DELIVERING A TRULY AUTHENTIC EXPERIENCE, OUR EXPERT TOUR
LEADERS BOAST A VAST COLLECTION OF UNIQUE PERSONAL STORIES THAT MARRY PERFECTLY WITH THEIR KNOWLEDGE AND PASSION.
Edward Ashe As an actor, you must find tour leading quite similar to performing. What’s the secret to putting on the best walking tour? The issue with a walking tour is to keep the tour both fresh in terms of its content and in the way you deliver it, whilst ensuring that your audience is still engaged and following your theme. These are the same challenges that stage actors face. Just as an actor bored with his part is boring to watch, there is nothing more disappointing from the point of view of a tourist than a tour guide who has a lacklustre and routine style.
Isabelle Pareja I love being around people and sharing local experiences – especially those that you can’t read about in guide books. What was the best meal you’ve ever eaten on one of your tours? The lunch that we make together with the Baronessa
Helen Pointer
I draw and paint all over the world as I am When I'm not leading a Back-Roads tour,
Cecilia Baratti in Paestum.
a guest speaker and artist onboard world cruises. I know, it's a
For the host’s charismatic
tough assignment but someone has to do it!
personality, the freshness of the product we use,
How do you incorporate your artistry into your tour
the joy of eating together
leading?
and sharing an experience
When I'm approaching the end of a tour, I offer a portrait on
as a family make it so
the back of a souvenir leaflet that I give to everyone at the
memorable.
farewell dinner.
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OUR TOUR LEADERS
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Andy Steel What were you in a former life? A detective. I worked in the UK and throughout Europe dealing with all areas of crime – including murder, drugs, robbery, terrorism and money laundering. It was tremendously challenging but hugely satisfying. I'm really delighted to be here and to be able to tell the tale.
How does being a Back-Roads Tour Leader compare to being a police detective? Obviously completely different but, strangely, with many similarities. My life has always revolved around talking to people from all backgrounds and finding out what makes them tick.
As a Tour Leader I love firing people's imagination, taking them to some very special places and introducing them to some wonderful people. Who is the most interesting person you’ve met on your tours? On a Back-Roads tour in Cornwall, a member of the group asked if we could visit a small hamlet, just inland from Marazion, where her ancestors came from before emigrating to Australia. We found the graves of her relatives in the overgrown churchyard and before entering the church, we met the Churchwarden who happened to be the lady's distant relative. Extraordinary.
Erik Jelinek What’s the greatest lesson you’ve learned from the road? A smile opens almost
David Lombardi How does one make the career change from being a guard for the Queen to a Back-Roads Tour Leader? I had just retired from 30 years in the police force and was not ready to wear slippers and do the gardening. I saw a recruitment advert from Back-Roads in a police retirement magazine looking for guides, so I applied and got the job! With a history degree and a love for visiting battle sites, I was the perfect candidate to conduct the Battlefield tours and have done so successfully for the past two seasons.
How does your past job contribute to your role as Back-Roads Tour Leader?
every door. It's a universal message that gets you through most tricky situations and sometimes creates
unexpected, magical moments. My tours have certainly taught me never to judge people by appearances. I had an older
I feel my previous career taught me how to talk to people from all walks of life and to see
lady on one tour (late 70s)
things from their perspective. I’m comfortable making difficult decisions and overseeing
and when I asked her at
challenging situations. As an Inspector, I was often managing critical incidents such as
dinner what she did for fun,
firearms incidents, mass public disorder and royal security, so managing a group of easy
she told me she did box-car
going Back-Roads passengers is easy in comparison. I have been told by several Back-
racing (and then proceeded
Roads guests that they feel very safe with me.
to show me pictures of her in a car with a crash helmet).
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TRAVELLING IN STYLE
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Travelling in Style Cast thoughts of long journeys spent zipping up and down
view. With the flexibility to go anywhere a car can, we take the
motorways from your mind. A Back-Roads tour promises a
smaller roads through beautiful scenery and get right to the
more leisurely style that gives you the freedom of travelling in
heart of tiny villages and buzzing cities.
your own vehicle – but with none of the hassle. Along the way, your Tour Leader can offer intriguing insights On the vast majority of tours we travel by Mercedes or
about the views we see over the onboard PA system. And,
Mercedes Vito mini-coaches, equipped with comfortable
with long drives kept to a minimum, you’ll have plenty of time
seats, air-conditioning and large windows for enjoying the
to stretch your legs and explore sites for yourself.
ON THE WATER In France, we cruise the canals on boutique barge hotels, while in Croatia and the Dalmatian coast, we set sail on motorised yachts. When exploring the waterways of Italy, we travel on boutique gulet boats with traditional features.
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What our guests say At Back-Roads, many of our guests are thrilled to share their unique and memorable tour experiences.
“I have been on 4 of their tours now and as a single traveller find them fantastic, great fun and perfect for meeting a lot of great people – some of whom have become great friends.” - Valda Johnson. “Back-Roads is one of the best companies to travel with. Their France tours are amazing.” - Sharon McNeill.
“I have done quite a few trips with this company and loved them all. I saw things that I would not have seen if I had chosen anyone else. It's the only way to see the country of your choice.” - Jackie Bowler. “My family and I traveled to Ireland in 2015. It was our first experience travelling internationally and we
wanted to do it right. Being introverts, we wanted a small group. It was a wonderful experience. Our guide was very knowledgeable and worked with the group to make sure all of our needs were met. The lodging was some of the best we have ever experienced and the food was delicious. If contacted, I would recommend Back Roads whole heartily." - Betsy Lassiter Stewart.
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TRAVELLING IN STYLE
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SAVE WITH US
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Save With Us If you have previously booked with Back-Roads Touring OR if you are booking more than one tour at the same time, the first night of your holiday is on Back-Roads. We will arrange the accommodation for the day before your tour starts, in the location of where your tour starts, to allow for a relaxing beginning to your holiday. If you have previously booked with Back-Roads Touring AND are booking more than one tour with us at the same time, we will also arrange a complimentary transfer from your arrival airport to the first nights’ accommodation on your first tour that you depart on. *If necessary, Back-Roads will provide alternative transport to the designated starting hotel if this accommodation is not available and an alternative hotel is used.
TRAVELLED WITH US BEFORE?
BOOKING MORE THAN ONE TOUR WITH US?
TRAVELLED WITH US BEFORE AND BOOKING MORE THAN ONE TOUR?
Receive a complimentary pre-tour hotel with your booking.
Receive a complimentary pre-tour hotel with your booking.
Receive a complimentary pre-tour hotel & airport transfer.
*In the starting location of the first tour booked. *Cannot be used in conjunction with the 10% Early Bird Offer.
*In the starting location of the first tour booked. *Cannot be used in conjunction with the 10% Early Bird Offer.
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SAVE WITH US
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10% OFF EARLY BIRD OFFER 14 June 2017 – 31 August 2017
5% OFF
EARLY BIRD OFFER 1 September 2017 – 15 January 2018
GUARANTEED DEPARTURES With 50% of all our 2018 tour dates guaranteed, you can book with confidence.
The Back-Roads App Check-in for your tour with the new Back-Roads App MANAGE YOUR BOOK INGS • CHECK YOUR ITINERARY • VIEW TOUR MAPS C H AT W I T H O T H E R G U E S T S O N YO U R TOUR • KEEP TR ACK OF YOUR BUDGET U S E T H E C U R R E N C Y C O N V E R T E R • L E AV E FEEDBACK • SHARE YOUR PHOTOS ON YO U R FACEBO OK PROFILE • CHECK THE TIME AROUND THE WORLD
Apple and the Apple logo are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc. Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google Inc.
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PERFECT COMBINATIONS
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Perfect Combinations (CREATE YOUR ULTIMATE TOUR)
A popular option for keen explorers, our itineraries and departure dates are designed to connect together – allowing you to see even more of Europe on the adventure of a lifetime. Combine tours in the same country or region, or add a short tour to your main trip for the ultimate extended getaway.
SPAIN 1
PORTO
1 2
1 2
DOURO VALLEY
+ 7 Day Discover Portugal
p.64
P R I C E S F R O M $ 9 , 4 9 8 P P (flights not included)
COIMBRA
MADRID PORTUGAL
1
SPAIN
1
CORDOBA
2
1
2
2
11
NORTHERN IRELAND
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
22
SCOTLAND
LONDONDERRY
22
11
1
BAEZA
2
1
RONDA
BALLYFARNON
TOLEDO
ESTREMOZ
SEVILLE
GRANADA
BALLATER
EDINBURGH
ENGLAND 7 Days Corners of Cornwall
p.38
+ 12 Day The Emerald Isle
p.58
+ 9 Day Royal Tour of Britain
p.48
P R I C E S F R O M $ 1 3 , 7 9 7 P P (flights not included)
BELFAST
DUBLIN
2
KILKENNY 1 1
DINGLE
p.68
ALVADOS
LISBON
GALWAY
11 Day Iberian Inspiration
22
YORK
ENGLAND
22
BLARNEY
LEAMINGTON SPA
1
DARTMOOR
2
2 FOWEY FALMOUTH
1
1
2
LONDON
HAWKCHURCH
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PERFECT COMBINATIONS
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* EXCLUSIVE * With our brand new Asia tours launching for 2018, you will have the opportunity to maximise your overseas experience by
ASIA
combining your European tour with an unforgettable Asia escape!
IRELAND SCOTLAND
p.56
+ 10 Day Highlights of Britain
p.46
P R I C E S F R O M $ 6 , 8 9 8 P P (flights not included)
EDINBURGH
11
6 Day Corners of Southern Ireland
SCOTTISH BOARDERS
2 2
LAKE DISTRICT
IRELAND
1 TRALEE
ENNIS
2
DUBLIN
1
1
2
22 YORK
DENBIGHSHIRE ENGLAND
WALES
KILKENNY
COTSWOLDS
2
LONDON
KINSALE
ITALY WENGEN
12 Day Italian Indulgence
ZURICH
SWITZERLAND
+ 8 Day The Lakes & Mountains of
2
1
Italy and Switzerland
CELERINA
P R I C E S F R O M $ 1 1 , 6 9 8 P P (flights not included)
TIRANO LAKE MAGGIORE
1
2
1
2
TRENTO CHERASCO
1
SANTA MARGHERITA
p.84
FRANCIACORTA
2
VENICE
SIRMIONE
ITALY
1
LUCCA
2
2
TUSCANY
1
PERUGIA
ROME
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p.82
TAILOR-MADE
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Family adventures and time shared with friends. Voyages to discover diverse cultures, or to trace your own history. Our Tailor-Made Tours across the UK and Europe can be anything you want them to be.
Tours that fit you perfectly You tell us when and where you want to go. We make it happen. Personal service and professional delivery Get in-the-know travel advice from our welltravelled team. You set the pace Your days can be as leisurely or action-packed as you wish. Travel as a private group We can arrange tours for 2 - 18 people. Tours shaped around your interests From wine tasting and cookery to gardening or history tours. Take the scenic route Travel roads that reveal the true beauty of a country. Unique, boutique hotels Stay in comfortable, local accommodation with true character. Turn your dreams into plans If there’s a region you want to explore or sites you’d like to visit, we’d love to hear from you. To get a quote for your dream tour, simply fill in our online form and we’ll get straight back to you.
Go to tailoryourtours.com for more details. backroadstouring.com
TAILOR-MADE
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UNITED KINGDOM
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Edinburgh, Scotland
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UNITED KINGDOM
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U N I T E D K I N G D O M
Discover an influential nation steeped in rich history and grand traditions as you explore each corner of the United Kingdom. Journey from metropolitan London to majestic Stonehenge; from the stunning coastline to the verdant countryside; from storybook castles to enchanting gardens. Learn of the past and marvel at the region’s natural beauty, all while indulging in the scrumptious, home-style flavours the United Kingdom is deservedly known for.
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UNITED KINGDOM
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Spitfire N E W
T O U R
Battle of Britain London | Cambridge | Duxford | Winchester 9
DAYS
THE BACK-ROADS DIFFERENCE
•• •• ••
•
8
NIGHTS
•
UP
TO
15
GUESTS
DAY 2 CAMBRIDGE –
spectacle of the RAF
DAY 5 WOODHALL SPA –
COTON – WOODHALL SPA
Coningsby before we
COSFORD – WROXALL
This morning, we pay our
continue to East Kirkby
Today we visit RAF Cosford
respects to fallen veterans
Aviation Heritage Centre
where we have the chance
Fly over Cambridge in one
by visiting the American
– home of the legendary
to take a close look at the
of the few fully restored
Cemetery and Memorial in
Lancaster Bomber. In the
original bombers before
original Dragon Rapide
Coton before travelling to
afternoon, we visit the
continuing to the National
aircrafts
the Imperial War Museum in
Thorp Camp Visitor Centre
Memorial Arboretum. In the
Take a seat in an authentic
Duxford. After, we continue
and in the evening, settle
evening, we move to our
Spitfire aircraft
to the American Air Museum
in for dinner at a local
hotel in Warwickshire where
Climb inside an original
and observe dramatic
restaurant. (B,D)
you can spend the evening
WWI tank at the
displays of original aircrafts.
Bovington Tank Museum
For the aviation fanatics,
DAY 4 WOODHALL SPA
today will be sure to create
– SCAMPTON – CANWICK –
DAY 6 WROXALL –
memories to last a lifetime
LINCOLN – WOODHALL SPA
BLETCHLEY – WINCHESTER
as we go airborne with an
Capturing the attention of
As the birthplace of modern
included Dragon Rapide
history buffs, we visit the
information technology, we
flight over Cambridge.
RAF Scampton, the base of
visit Bletchley Park. With
Next, we drive to Petwood
the Red Arrows, along with
our appetites satisfied,
Hall, home to the legendary
the Heritage Centre before
we take a tour of the
Dambusters. (B)
heading to the notable
Swiss Garden and the
Memorial Spire and the Wall
Shuttleworth Collection at
DAY 3 WOODHALL SPA
of Names, as well as the
Brooklands – one of the
– CONINGSBY – SPILSBY –
Chadwick Centre. Later, we
most prestigious in the
DAY 1 LONDON – CAMBRIDGE Today we visit the Churchill Museum and War Cabinet Rooms, conquer the impressive Imperial War Museum in London and arrive in the remarkable town of Cambridge for a walking tour. After a rich day of sightseeing, we take time for dinner together. (D)
at your leisure. (B)
TATTERSHALL –
visit Lincoln’s Cathedral and
world, before continuing to
WOODHALL SPA
Castle before we indulge in
Winchester. (B)
Brace yourself for the
dinner at the hotel. (B,D)
backroadstouring.com
•• •• •• •• •• ••
Bletchley Park
8 nights in boutique accommodation Experienced Back-Roads Tour Leader/Driver
UNITED KINGDOM
29
INCLUSIONS
Premium mini-coach transportation Daily European-style breakfast (B), 4 evening meals (D) Dragon Rapide flight over Cambridge Entrance included to: Churchill Museum & War Cabinet Rooms, National
HMS Victory
Memorial Arboretum,
Imperial War Museum
Brooklands and Swiss Garden, Imperial War
DAY 7 WINCHESTER –
DAY 8 WINCHESTER –
DAY 9 WINCHESTER -
WEYMOUTH – WAREHAM
PORTSMOUTH – GOSPORT
LONDON
– WINCHESTER
– WINCHESTER
On our last day of the tour,
With years of significant
Today, we direct our
we drive back to London.
events that have shaped
attention to Portsmouth
But before we say farewell,
the historic story of Britain,
and visit the HMS Victory,
there’s still time for one last
we still have many sights
best known as Lord Nelson’s
historic encounter at the
to explore. Today, we head
flagship at the Battle of
RAF Museum, home to over
to the Dorset coastline to
Trafalgar in 1805. After,
100 aircraft. Climb inside
observe the Fleet Lagoon
we continue to the D-Day
the Spitfire MK16 and take
and the Weymouth Black
Museum and meet a RAF
the pilot’s seat for one last
Down before continuing
veteran to share their
historic hurrah before we
to the Bovington Tank
experience during the British
go our separate ways this
Museum. Afterwards, we
legion. With one last stop
afternoon. (B)
embark on a guided tour
at the Submarine Museum
with access to a MKIV WWI
at Gosport, we return to
tank that you can climb
Winchester. (B,D)
Museum London, American Cemetery & Memorial, Imperial War Museum Duxford, American Air Museum, RAF Coningsby, Bovington Tank Museum, D-Day Museum, East Kirkby Aviation Centre, RAF Scampton & Heritage Centre, Chadwick Centre, Lincoln Cathedral & Castle, RAF Cosford For tour exclusions please see our FAQs on p.143
TOUR CODE: BOB
inside. (B)
P R I C E S F R O M $ 5 , 0 9 9 PP LINCOLN
COSFORD
WROXALL
1
BIGGLES -WADE BLETCHLEY WINCHESTER
3
WEYMOUTH
Tour Start Point
Overnight Stop
3
WOODHALL SPA
ENGLAND
1
CAMBRIDGE
LONDON
PORTSMOUTH
Day Stop
This tour can be combined with The Emerald Isle page 58,
Corners of Southern Ireland page 56 and/or The Wonders of Wales page 40.
2018
DEPARTS
TWN /DBL
SGL
MAY
21 G
$5,099
$5,759
JUN
04 18
$5,099
$5,759
JUL
16
$5,099
$5,759
AUG
13
$5,099
$5,759
SEP
17 G
$5,099
$5,759
OCT
01
$5,099
$5,759
G = Guaranteed Departure
Contact your travel consultant or the Back-Roads team to request pre and post accommodation plus transfers.
UNITED KINGDOM
30 30
The Cotswolds
Heart of England Oxford | Bath | Longleat | Avebury 5
DAYS
•
4
NIGHTS
•
UP
TO
18
GUESTS
Take in the architecture,
wife Anne Hathaway’s
Harry Potter series – and
THE BACK-ROADS DIFFERENCE
become inspired by the
pretty thatched cottage – a
learn all about the unique
flawless grounds of each
stroll through the blooming
architecture. We finish
•• •• ••
college and enjoy the
gardens here, with their
today in Bath, a UNESCO
Pay a visit to the
town. Next, we venture
traditional shrubs and
World Heritage city with
childhood home and final
through quintessential
beds of wild flowers is a
true ‘wow’ factor, where we
resting place of William
English countryside to
must. There’s even time
make ourselves at home for
Shakespeare in Stratford-
meet with the Cotswolds.
to explore more Cotswold
our final two nights. (B,L)
upon-Avon
This charming area is a
hamlets as we wind our
Go behind the scenes at
patchwork of green hills
way back to our hotel for
DAY 4 BATH
one of England’s great
and farmland, peppered
an evening of free time and
Every beautifully preserved
stately homes: Longleat
with centuries-old villages
leisure. (B)
building we pass in
House
of caramel-hued cottages.
Enjoy an afternoon of high
Tonight, we end the day
DAY 3 COTSWOLDS –
morning walking tour, we
tea in Castle Combe
with a delicious welcome
LACOCK – BATH
get up close and personal
dinner. (D)
It’s time to indulge
to Roman life in the
our taste buds with an
breathtaking Roman Baths.
DAY 2 COTSWOLDS –
afternoon of high tea
After that, the afternoon
STRATFORD-UPON-AVON
before we meet with
is yours. You could enjoy a
– COTSWOLDS
costume drama dreams at
bit of ‘me time’ at Thermae
Riverside Stratford-upon-
Lacock – a showstopper of
Bath Spa, Britain’s only
Avon – where the life
a village that often doubles
thermal spa where you
and times of William
as a film set. We step inside
can bathe in mineral-rich
Shakespeare take centre
the magnificent abbey –
waters and scan the skyline
stage on day two. See the
whose peaceful cloisters
from the rooftop pool. If
playwright’s Tudor timbered
took a starring turn as the
you are looking to explore
childhood home and his
Hogwarts hallways in the
on foot, discover Bath’s
DAY 1 LONDON – OXFORD – COTSWOLDS After meeting in London, we begin our journey to Oxford and take a step back in time to discover the poets, professors, scientists and sporting heroes that have graced the streets of this historic town.
Bath tells a story. With a
backroadstouring.com
•• •• •• •• •• •• ••
Avebury stone circle
Longleat House
Stratford-upon-Avon
4 nights in boutique accommodation Experienced Back-Roads Driver & Tour Leader
UNITED KINGDOM
31
INCLUSIONS
Premium mini-coach transportation Daily Full English breakfasts, (B) 2 evening meals (B) A guided walking tour of Oxford 1 traditional afternoon high tea Entrance included to: Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, Shakespeare's Birthplace, Lacock
proud independent side
with creative interiors.
tremendous final stop on
and wander past stylish
Afterwards, our journey
our tour. That just leaves a
boutiques and celebrated
continues to Avebury, an
leisurely drive back to the
coffee shops. For our last
immense stone circle set
bright lights of London,
dinner together, it’s time to
within an ancient landscape
where we say goodbye. (B)
swap stories and look back
of enigmatic monuments,
with fond memories of our
tombs and roads that were
English journey. (B,D)
first walked millennia ago.
Abbey, Roman Baths, No.1 Royal Crescent, Longleat House and Avebury Stone Circle. For tour exclusions please see our FAQs on p.143
TOUR CODE: HOE
P R I C E S F R O M $ 2 , 4 4 9 PP
While Stonehenge attracts DAY 5 BATH – LONGLEAT
tourists from around the
– AVEBURY – LONDON
world and does not permit
The best way to follow
close access, at Avebury
up a day in Bath is with
we have the opportunity
a morning at Longleat.
to walk freely among
This English stately
the standing stones.
home, the current seat
Steeped in mystery, these
of the Marquess of Bath,
prehistoric stone circles are
blends classic architecture
a fascinating sight – and a
STRATFORD-UPON-AVON
2
COTSWOLDS
LACOCK BATH
2
AVEBURY
LONGLEAT
Tour Start Point
Overnight Stop
ENGLAND
2018
DEPARTS DEPARTS TWN /DBL
APR
16
23 G
$2,449
$3,049
MAY
07 G 18 25
14 G 21 G 28 G
$2,499
$3,099
JUN
04 G 18 G
11 G 25
$2,499
$3,099
JUL
02 16
09 G 30
$2,499
$3,099
AUG
06 20
13 27 G
$2,499
$3,099
SEP
03 G 17 26 01
10 24
$2,499
$3,099
08
$2,449
$3,049
OCT
SGL
G = Guaranteed Departure
Contact your travel consultant or the Back-Roads team to request pre and post accommodation plus transfers.
OXFORD
LONDON
Day Stop
This tour can be combined with Corners of Cornwall page 38,
The Emerald Isle page 58 and/or The Wonders of Wales page 40.
UNITED KINGDOM
32 32
Chelsea Flower Show
Chelsea Flower Show London | Tunbridge Wells | Windsor 7
DAYS
•
6
NIGHTS
•
UP
TO
18
GUESTS
Ightham Mote dates back
British gardening royalty,
THE BACK-ROADS DIFFERENCE
DAY 4 WINDSOR –
over 700 years, and can
Christopher Lloyd and
THE SAVILL GARDEN –
only be reached by crossing
explore the gardens that
WINDSOR
••
an ancient stone bridge that
were his pride and joy. (B)
Rise and shine as we have
••
Get access to fabulous
stretches over its very own
show gardens at the Royal
moat. Our next iconic stop
DAY 3 TUNBRIDGE
us. And what better way to
Horticultural Society (RHS)
transports us to Scotney
WELLS – HEVER CASTLE
spend it than discovering
Chelsea Flower Show
Castle before we end
– RHS GARDEN WISLEY –
Windsor’s regal highlights?
Pick up tips for your own
our action-packed day in
WINDSOR
We come back together to
garden as we tour the
Tunbridge Wells, where we
Today, we venture to Hever
visit The Savill Garden in
historic manor houses
enjoy a welcome dinner. (D)
Castle with its award-
Windsor Great Park. Look
winning gardens where we
out for an array of rare
and beautiful grounds of
••
the whole day ahead of
South East England
DAY 2 TUNBRIDGE
discover the castle that
plants from around the
Enjoy overnight stays in
WELLS – SISSINGHURST
was the childhood home of
world as we walk through
historic royal towns such
CASTLE – GREAT DIXTER
Anne Boleyn, Henry VIII’s
its themed gardens that
as Tunbridge Wells and
– TUNBRIDGE WELLS
second Queen. Then it’s
showcase the beauty of the
Windsor
This morning our road
time to enjoy the afternoon
seasons. (B)
turns east to Sissinghurst
among the tranquil
Castle Gardens, renowned
surrounds of RHS Garden
DAY 5 WINDSOR –
for its romantic design and
Wisley. Take in the sounds
WADDESDON MANOR –
colourful rose arrangements.
of water flowing through
CLIVEDEN – LONDON
Next, we swap architectural
the rock garden, or relax in
This morning, we swap
layouts for a naturalistic
the Alpine meadow, before
English country houses
approach to planting at
we continue on to Windsor.
for an elegant French
Great Dixter. We tour
(B,D)
château at Waddesdon
DAY 1 LONDON – IGHTHAM MOTE – SCOTNEY CASTLE – TUNBRIDGE WELLS Our tour of England’s green and pleasant land begins at one of the most unique manor houses in the region.
the old, timber-framed
Manor. Next, we marvel
house that was home to
at the grand designs at
backroadstouring.com
•• •• •• •• ••
Windsor Castle
6 nights in boutique accommodation Experienced Back-Roads Driver/Tour Leader
UNITED KINGDOM
33
INCLUSIONS
Comfortable mini-coach transportation Daily Full English breakfasts (B), 3 evening meals (D) Entrance included to: Ightham Mote, Scotney Castle, Sissinghurst Castle Gardens, Hever Castle, RHS Garden
Kew Gardens
Wisley, Savill Garden,
Scotney Castle
Waddesdon Manor, Great Dixter, Cliveden &
Cliveden. With colourful
to conjure up a slice of
visit the Kew Royal Botanic
gardens for every season
anywhere from Provence
Gardens. The palm house,
and glorious views over the
to Japan, to urban patches
a jaw-dropping example
River Thames, this truly is
with remarkable water
of Victorian engineering, is
something special. Then it’s
features, this is the place
sure to add a final flourish
time to travel to London,
to see the very best of
to that holiday photo
and look forward to the
contemporary garden
album. (B)
excitement of the last days
design. To round off the
to come. (B)
day, we sit down together for a farewell dinner. (B,D)
DAY 6 LONDON – CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW
DAY 7 LONDON – KEW
– LONDON
GARDENS – LONDON
The highlight of our
Our last day dawns, but
adventure, the RHS
there are still one or two
Chelsea Flower Show is
natural treasures to explore
yours to enjoy for a full day.
before we say goodbye.
From gardens designed
For a finishing touch, we
CLIVEDEN
2
RHS GARDEN WISLEY
IGHTHAM MOTE
2
TUNBRIDGE WELLS GREAT DIXTER
Tour Start Point
Overnight Stop
P R I C E S F R O M $ 3 , 9 9 9 PP 2018
DEPARTS
TWN /DBL
SGL
MAY
19 19 20 20 21 23 24 25
$3,999
$5,399
G G G G G G
Contact your travel consultant or the Back-Roads team to request pre and post accommodation plus transfers.
LONDON
CHELSEA THE SAVILL FLOWER GARDEN SHOW
TOUR CODE: CFS
Please note: there are a number of dates where more than one departure will be running at the same time but each group stays in different hotels and visits the Chelsea Flower Show on different days. There are also departures where the itinerary is reversed.
ENGLAND
2
For tour exclusions please see our FAQs on p.143
G = Guaranteed Departure
WADDESON MANOR
WINDSOR
Kew Gardens.
Day Stop
This tour can be combined with Highlights of Britain page 46,
A Scottish Journey page 42 and/or The Emerald Isle page 58.
UNITED KINGDOM
34 34
Rye
The Garden of England Canterbury | Rye | Dover | Sissinghurst 5
DAYS
•
4
NIGHTS
•
UP
TO
15
GUESTS
gives us a glimpse into
quaint shops, and you can
THE BACK-ROADS DIFFERENCE
DAY 3 CANTERBURY –
his private home. This
trace the fishermen’s catch
TENTERDEN – BODIAM
red stone manor is a time
from the pebble beach
CASTLE – RYE
•• •• ••
capsule of 1930s family
to the harbour market. To
We’re back to the golden
Stroll through iconic
life, letting you into the
quench our thirst after all
age of British transport
castles – from Hever,
Churchills’ library, sitting
that salty sea air, we head
today as we board the
Dover and Bodiam
room and study. Then it’s
to Shepherd Neame in
Tenterden Steam Railway to
Wind through beautiful
onwards to Hever Castle,
Faversham where we’re
Bodiam, chugging through
countryside aboard a
the fairytale childhood
treated to a tour and the
idyllic rural scenery in a
traditional steam train
home of Anne Boleyn
chance to sample the
classic carriage. When we
Sample celebrated beers
before she became Henry
award-winning beers made
reach Bodiam, we’re deep
at Shepherd Neame,
VIII’s ill-fated second wife.
at Britain’s oldest brewery.
in storybook territory.
Britain’s oldest brewery
Ornamental English rose
After sufficient time to
With soaring towers, iron-
gardens and the lake that’s
enjoy the local produce, it’s
studded wooden portcullis
ruled by regal swans are
time to divert our attention
and a surrounding moat,
superb for strolling around.
to the magnificent
Bodiam Castle is every inch
Tonight, we sit down to
Canterbury Cathedral.
the archetypal castle style.
enjoy a welcome dinner
In this UNESCO World
Climb spiral staircases, step
together. (D)
Heritage Site – the oldest
onto the great hall dais and
DAY 1 LONDON – CHARTWELL HOUSE – HEVER CASTLE – CANTERBURY Today we’re on the trail of statesmen and Tudors as we depart London and travel to Chartwell House. Many of us will know the public face of Sir Winston Churchill, but a chance to see inside Chartwell
working church in England
look up to spot the murder
DAY 2 CANTERBURY
– we discover medieval
holes as you pass through
– WHITSTABLE –
ruins, the oak-roofed
the gatehouse. Our third
CANTERBURY
monks’ Chapter House and
and final destination of
After breakfast, we take a
a staggering gothic nave
the day is Rye, a charm-
circular route to Whitstable.
before free time to explore
filled market town in 1066
Here, quirky alleyways are
on our own. (B)
country where we visit the
home to snug pubs and
Rye Heritage Centre. Then,
backroadstouring.com
•• •• •• •• •• •• ••
Bodiam Castle
Canterbury Cathedral
4 nights in boutique accommodation Experienced Back-Roads Driver & Tour Leader
UNITED KINGDOM
35
INCLUSIONS
Premium mini-coach transportation English breakfasts daily (B), 2 evening meals (D) Beer tasting in Faversham Kent & East Sussex Railway ticket Entrance included to: Chartwell, Hever Castle and Gardens,
Echinacea flowers in the gardens of Chartwell House
Canterbury Cathedral, Bodiam Castle, Dover
the evening is yours to
tell centuries of historical
then we continue to
enjoy. (B)
tales, far-reaching views
Sissinghurst, where poet
from the Great Tower and
and writer Vita Sackville-
DAY 4 RYE – DOVER –
dark medieval tunnels with
West’s famous gardens are
RYE
covert cannons every few
a picture of beauty. It’s our
Today we dedicate time
paces. The afternoon sees
last stop before our tour
to Rye, strolling along
us back in Rye, where free
ends back in the capital of
cobbled lanes lined with
time allows for the chance
England. (B)
timber-clad houses, while
to see more of the town
swooning over the charms
before our farewell dinner
that inspired writers and
together. (B,D) DAY 5 RYE –
the shoreline, we arrive
SISSINGHURST –
at Dover Castle and the
LONDON
gateway to the English
This morning we travel
coast. This fortress boasts
onwards to Battle, to visit
evocative interiors that
the historic Monastery
Monastery in Battle For tour exclusions please see our FAQs on p.143
2018
DEPARTS DEPARTS TWN /DBL
SGL
APR
09
$2,649
$3,099
MAY
07 G 21 G
14 28
$2,649
$3,099
JUN
04 G 18 G
11 25
$2,649
$3,099
JUL
02 23
16 G 30
$2,649
$3,099
AUG
20
27
$2,649
$3,099
SEP
03 17
10
$2,649
$3,099
G = Guaranteed Departure
WHITSABLE FAVERSHAM
2
Contact your travel consultant or the Back-Roads team to request pre and post accommodation plus transfers.
CANTERBURY
CHARTWELL HOUSE
SISSINGHURST
TENTERDEN DOVER
BODIAM
ENGLAND
Tour Start Point
Heritage Centre and the
P R I C E S F R O M $ 2 , 6 4 9 PP
LONDON
HEVER CASTLE
Castle Garden, Rye
TOUR CODE: KUX
artists from Henry James to Paul Nash. Tracing
Castle, Sissinghurst
2 Overnight Stop
RYE
Day Stop
This tour can be combined with Wonders of Wales page 40,
A Scottish Journey page 42 and/or Corners of Cornwall page 38.
UNITED KINGDOM
36 36
St Agnes N E W
T O U R
Cornwall Food Tour Truro | St Agnes | Winchester 5
DAYS
•
4
NIGHTS
•
UP
TO
15
GUESTS
Glastonbury Abbey. Later,
Cornish pasty making
free time to explore the
THE BACK-ROADS DIFFERENCE
take a moment to enjoy
demonstration. After
valley with over four miles
the scenery at Tiverton
satisfying our appetite, we
of footpaths featuring a
•• •• ••
Canal before we reach our
travel to Newquay for a
colourful array of magnolias
Cooking demonstration at
accommodation set in a
sea safari to observe the
and spectacular trees.
renowned local restaurant,
valley of manicured lawns
native seals and dolphins in
Finally, round off the day
Fat Hen
and enchanting gardens
their natural environment.
with a well-deserved feast
Enjoy a delicious lunch at
near St Agnes. Tonight, we
After an eventful day, this
at a local pub. (B,L,D)
Rick Stein's restaurant in
come together and share
evening sees us tuck into
Winchester
our first meal and get to
dinner at a local restaurant
DAY 4 ST AGNES –
Indulge in cheese and
know each other. (D)
that overlooks the bay
TOTNES – WINCHESTER
before driving the short
Rise and shine, feast on
wine with a tasting at the Sharpham Vineyard in
DAY 2 ST AGNES – TRURO
distance back to our hotel.
breakfast and enjoy free
Totnes
– ST AGNES
(B,D)
time in the morning while preparing for a delightful
After breakfast, we start with a visit to a traditional
DAY 3 ST AGNES –
day ahead. Our first
DAY 1 LONDON –
and authentic Cider Farm,
PENZANCE – ST AGNES
stop today involves an
GLASTONBURY –
nestled in the heart of
This trip is all about food,
encounter with an iconic
ST AGNES
Cornwall. Wander through
and today is no exception.
duo; a cheese and wine
Prepare your tastebuds for
the orchards and learn
Roll up your sleeves to flex
tasting at a local estate.
a culinary adventure – with
about the process of
your culinary skills with a
After a stroll through the
a Cornwall twist. Meet
crafting award-winning
cooking demonstration
vineyards, take a moment
with the group and your
cider at this family-run
and class in Penzance
to enjoy the beauty of the
knowledgeable Back-Roads
farm. Later, the foodie
along with champagne
area. To end the day, we
Tour Leader before leaving
experience continues
and canapés on arrival.
venture to the charming
the capital of England as
as we meet with a local
Our next stop arrives at
area of Winchester for an
we travel to the majestic
bakery and watch a
the Trebah Garden with
afternoon of free time and
backroadstouring.com
•• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• ••
Rick Stein’s Restaurant
Wine Tasting
Vineyards, St Agnes
dinner at a local restaurant.
a high, we make way to
(B,D)
Rick Stein’s restaurant in Winchester and sit down
4 nights in boutique accommodation Experienced Back-Roads Tour Leader/Driver
UNITED KINGDOM
37
INCLUSIONS
Premium mini-coach transportation English breakfast daily (B), 4 evening meals (D) 1 lunch at Rick Stein’s restaurant in Winchester A visit to a Cornish cider farm Cornish pasty demonstration Cooking demonstration and lunch in Penzance Local wine and cheese tasting Entrance included to: Trebah Gardens, Winchester Cathedral,
DAY 5 WINCHESTER –
for a memorable lunch
LONDON
before we end in London.
With a strong and historic
Our tour might be over,
past filled with Saxon
however if time allows feel
kings, take in the history
free to continue exploring
of this unique town before
London before returning
meeting for a guided tour
home. (B,L)
Glastonbury Abbey For tour exclusions please see our FAQs on p.143
TOUR CODE: CFT
P R I C E S F R O M $ 2 , 6 9 9 PP
of the iconic Winchester Cathedral. Marvel at the detailed architecture steeped in years of history and be sure you have your camera on standby to capture every moment
2018
DEPARTS
TWN /DBL
SGL
MAY
14 21 G
$2,699
$3,799
JUN
04 18 25
$2,699
$3,799
JUL
16
$2,699
$3,799
SEP
03
$2,699
$3,799
on film. To end the trip on
G = Guaranteed Departure
Contact your travel consultant or the Back-Roads team to request pre and post accommodation plus transfers.
ENGLAND
ST AGNES
TIVERTON
3
PENZANCE
Tour Start Point
GLASTONBURY
1
TOTNES
LONDON
WINCHESTER
FALMOUTH
Overnight Stop
Day Stop
This tour can be combined with The Emerald Isle page 58,
Corners of Southern Ireland page 56 and/or The Wonders of Wales page 40.
UNITED KINGDOM
38 38
St Ives
Corners of Cornwall Dartmoor | Falmouth | Fowey 7
DAYS
•
6
NIGHTS
•
UP
TO
18
GUESTS
and peaceful Vicar’s Close.
seafood and international
THE BACK-ROADS DIFFERENCE
DAY 4 FALMOUTH –
From Wells, our path takes
favourites such as Atlantic
TREGOTHNAN – FOWEY
us from the quaint country
Crab. Then it's time to take
There’s a treat for the
•• •• ••
lanes of Somerset to the
it easy as we travel further
green-fingered as we set
Savour lunch at Rick
heather and gorse-clad tors
west to Falmouth, where
off to explore Tregothnan
Stein’s signature ‘The
of Dartmoor National Park.
our day ends. (B,L)
– Cornwall’s largest estate
Seafood Restaurant’ in
Before the day is out, enjoy a
Padstow
welcome dinner together. (D)
and the historic seat of DAY 3 FALMOUTH –
the Boscawen family. A
ST MICHAEL'S MOUNT –
member of the gardening
Cornwall’s largest private
DAY 2 DARTMOOR
ST IVES – FALMOUTH
team gives us a private
estate on a private guided
NATIONAL PARK –
After a hearty breakfast,
tour of the grounds and the
tour
PADSTOW – FALMOUTH
we drive to St Michael’s
tea plantation, where we
Enjoy a two-night stay in
Today we leave Dartmoor
Mount, a tidal island just off
learn all about tea grown
Falmouth, a historic port
for the sheer cliffs of
the coast from Penzance.
in England. We then make
town set on one of the
Cornwall’s northern coast –
Stepping ashore in the
our way to Fowey, a historic
world’s largest natural
a gourmet feast set firmly in
buzzing village, we witness
town that hugs the steep
harbours
our sights. For an appetiser,
life through the eyes of the
banks of the Fowey estuary,
there’s a stroll around Port
islanders and explore the
before settling into our
Isaac, the fishing village
medieval castle, brimming
hotel and enjoying dinner.
made famous by television
with treasures and stories
(B,D)
series, Doc Martin. Next, it’s
from the past. Next, we visit
onwards to the main course:
one of England’s prettiest
DAY 5 FOWEY
From London, we set off on
a leisurely lunch at ‘The
towns, St Ives before we end
We have no set plans
our adventure where our first
Seafood Restaurant’ – Rick
our day in Falmouth where
today, leaving you free
stop is the tiny market city of
Stein’s flagship restaurant in
you can enjoy your evening
to explore Fowey at your
Wells, known for its Gothic
Padstow. Pick from a menu
at leisure. (B)
leisure. (B)
cathedral with a quirky clock
of fresh-off-the-boat Cornish
Get the inside story on
DAY 1 LONDON – WELLS – DARTMOOR NATIONAL PARK
backroadstouring.com
39
•• •• •• •• •• ••
St Michael's Mount
UNITED KINGDOM
INCLUSIONS
6 nights in boutique accommodation Experienced Back Roads Driver & Tour Leader Premium mini-coach transportation Daily full English breakfast (B) 4 evening meals (D) 1 lunch at Rick Stein’s Seafood Restaurant (L) Entrance included to: St Michael’s Mount, Salisbury Cathedral entrance donation, private guided
Salisbury Cathedral
tour of Tregothnan
Port Isaac
Estate, Harbour Heritage Museum, Wells Cathedral,
DAY 6 FOWEY – LYME
for a farewell dinner
REGIS – HAWKCHURCH
together. (B,D)
Polperro Heritage Centre For tour exclusions please see our FAQs on p.143
Leaving Fowey, we make our way along the south
DAY 7 HAWKCHURCH –
Cornish coast, with a stop
SALISBURY – LONDON
at Polperro fishing village
The adventure isn’t over
before we leave the county
just yet. Our last scenic
behind us. After visiting
jaunt takes us along
magnificent Buckfast
the Old Roman road to
Abbey in south Devon, our road takes us via the green hills and golden
and rolling downs. From
sandstone cliffs of Dorset,
a town steeped in history
before continuing to Lyme
to a modern metropolis,
Regis where we walk in the
we arrive back in London,
footsteps of Jane Austen’s
where our tour ends. (B)
TOUR CODE: CC
P R I C E S F R O M $ 3 , 4 9 9 PP 2018
DEPARTS DEPARTS TWN /DBL
SGL
Salisbury, set in an ancient
MAR
18
$3,499
$3,899
landscape of grass plains
APR
22 G
$3,599
$4,099
06 10 16 20 24 30
$3,599
$4,099
G G
G G G G G
$3,599
$4,099
MAY
heroines. Tonight we hang up our hats in Hawkchurch
ENGLAND
ST MICHAELS MOUNT
DARTMOOR
2
1
2 FOWEY FALMOUTH
Tour Start Point
Overnight Stop
1
SALISBURY
29 G
LONDON
This tour can be combined with The Wonders of Wales page 40, Royal Tour of Britain page 48 and/or The Emerald Isle page 58
G G
G G
G G G
03 07 G 13 17 G 21 G 27
06 10 14 20 24 28
JUL
04 G 11 G 18 G 25
08 G 15 22 G 29 G
$3,599
$4,099
AUG
01 08 12 19 24 29
G G G G
05 10 15 22 26 30
$3,599
$4,099
G G G G
SEP
02 G 06 12 16 G 20 26 G 30
05 09 13 19 23 27
G G G G G G
$3,599
$4,099
OCT
03 G
07
$3,599
$4,099
HAWKCHURCH
Day Stop
02 09 13 17 23 27 31
JUN
WELLS PADSTOW
15 25
10 G 17
G
14
G = Guaranteed Departure
UNITED KINGDOM
40 40
Pembrokeshire
The Wonders of Wales Brecon Beacons | Conwy | Snowdonia 8
DAYS
•
7
NIGHTS
•
UP
TO
18
GUESTS
scenery for one day, we reach THE BACK-ROADS DIFFERENCE
DAY 3 BRECON BEACONS
DAY 4 CONWY
the Brecon Beacons National
- LLANGOLLEN - CONWY
After an eventful few days,
Park and our beautiful base
Our journey takes us
today is all about you with
•• ••
for the next two nights. (D)
further north along
free time to explore
the border regions of
Conwy. (B)
Indulge in a traditional afternoon tea served in
DAY 2 BRECON BEACONS
mid Wales. We reach
glorious surrounds
– WYE VALLEY – BRECON
Pontcysyllte Aqueduct,
DAY 5 CONWY–
Enjoy a private tour of the
BEACONS
the longest and highest
CAERNARFON CASTLE
first Welsh book shop with
Centuries of history have left
structure of its kind and a
– NANT GWRTHEYRN
the shop’s owner
their mark on this remarkable
UNESCO World Heritage
– CONWY
landscape. First, we visit
Site. Later, we enjoy an
We turn west today and
the Big Pit National Coal
afternoon tea together. By
make for the Llanberis Slate
DAY 1 CARDIFF – BRECON
Museum before we travel
evening, we’ll have taken
Mine, Caernarfon Castle,
BEACONS
through the spellbinding
in staggering architecture
once a royal palace built
We set off from our meeting
scenery that winds through
and stately homes, so
for Edward I before we
point in search of the Wales
the Wye Valley before we
it’s only right we add
head to Nant Gwrtheyrn,
of old before gaining our
come to the hauntingly
traditional Welsh culture to
home to the fascinating
first glimpse in the National
beautiful ruins of Tintern
the mix. Tonight a Welsh
Welsh Language Heritage
History Museum of Wales
Abbey, followed by a wine
male voice choir treats
Centre located in a former
at St Fagans followed by a
tasting nearby. Out of the
us to a performance in
quarrying village. We don’t
stop via Caerleon to visit the
valley we find ourselves at
Llandudno. Then it’s on to
just stretch our legs when
Roman Fortress and Baths.
an award-winning vineyard,
our Conwy hotel, where
we get here, we flex our
After a fascinating visit, we
which brings us to the end of
we stay for the next three
language skills with a lesson
point our compasses north
a busy day. (B)
nights. (B)
in tongue-twisting Welsh
and take a route through the
pronunciation. Practise your
dramatic Welsh Valleys. If
new-found skills at dinner
that isn’t enough remarkable
tonight. (B,D)
backroadstouring.com
Brecon Beacons
Conwy Castle
Welsh male voice choir
DAY 6 CONWY – DEVIL'S
DAY 7 TREGARON –
west coast to meet with
BRIDGE – TREGARON
PEMBROKESHIRE
the Lovespoon Workshop
Rise and shine, we’ve got a
On the cards for today
in Kilgetty. After our visit,
handful of sights to tick off
offers a visit to a Welsh
there’s time to pick up some
today. Our first stop whisks
gold centre, a visit to the
final souvenirs before we
us away to the home of
Cenarth Coracle Centre and
return to Cardiff and say
famous Welsh poet, Hedd
stop at the majestic Castell
farewell to the group. (B)
Wyn and onwards to the
Henllys before we land in
Devil's Bridge – a world
Pembrokeshire – an elegant
famous attraction and home
country estate. Don your
to stunning waterfalls and
best outfit as we meet one
a steam train experience.
last time for dinner together.
Later, enjoy a private tour
(B,D)
•• •• •• •• •••• •• •• ••
7 nights in boutique accommodation Experienced Rack-Roads Driver & Tour Leader
UNITED KINGDOM
41
INCLUSIONS
Premium mini-coach transportation Full Welsh breakfast daily (B), 4 evening meals (D) 1 Afternoon tea A Welsh wine tasting experience Visit the first Welsh bookshop Enjoy a performance by a Welsh Choir and language taster session Entrance included to: Cawd Explorer pass, St Fagans Museum, Big Pit Museum, Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, Llanberis Slate Mine, Caernarfon Castle, Nant Gwrtheyrn, Hedd Wyn home, Cenarth Coracle Centre, Rhiannon Welsh Gold Centre, Castell Henllys, Lovespoon workshop
For tour exclusions please see our FAQs on p.143
of the first Welsh book shop and meet the owner. After
DAY 8 PEMBROKESHIRE –
an exciting day, enjoy dinner
KILGETTY – CARDIFF
in Tregaron together. (B,D)
We finish our adventure
TOUR CODE: RDW
P R I C E S F R O M $ 3 , 9 1 9 PP
by voyaging along the
COUNTRY
CAERNARFON CASTLE
DESTINATION
3
CONWY
NANT GWRTHEYRN
LLANGOLLEN
SNOWDONIA NATIONAL PARK ENGLAND TREGARON
1 WALES
PEMBROKESHIRE
1
KILGETTY
2
BRECON BEACONS TINTERN CARDIFF
Tour Start Point
Overnight Stop
Day Stop
This tour can be combined with Corners of Cornwall page 38, Highlights of Britain page 46 and/or A Scottish Journey page 42.
2018
DEPARTS DEPARTS TWN /DBL
SGL
APR
21
$3,919
$4,329
MAY
05 G 19 G
12 26
$4,099
$4,499
JUN
02 G 16 G
09 G 22
$4,099
$4,499
JUL
07
16
$4,099
$4,499
AUG
04 G 18
11 25 G
$4,099
$4,499
SEP
01 15 29
08 22
$4,099
$4,499
G = Guaranteed Departure
Contact your travel consultant or the Back-Roads team to request pre and post accommodation plus transfers.
UNITED KINGDOM
42 42
Isle of Skye
A Scottish Journey Inverness | Isle of Skye | Mull | Iona 8
DAYS
•
7
NIGHTS
•
UP
TO
18
GUESTS
Scotland’s oldest university.
then the rest of the day is at
THE BACK-ROADS DIFFERENCE
DAY 5 ISLE OF SKYE
To end our day, we meet
your leisure to enjoy. (B)
Sensational landscapes, rare
•• •• ••
delicious welcome dinner
DAY 4 INVERNESS –
firing history – Skye delivers
together. (D)
LOCH NESS – PLOCKTON
on every level. This is North
Enjoy a private tour of
wildlife and imagination-
with Ballater and enjoy a
– ISLE OF SKYE
Highland scenery on a
enigmatic castles
DAY 2 BALLATER –
We can’t come here and
grand scale and we immerse
Enjoy an insightful whisky
CAWDOR CASTLE –
not dip our toes in the Loch
ourselves in its unique
talk and tasting
CULLODEN – INVERNESS
Ness legend. While we may
geology, including the
Become an islander
Our day begins in a dramatic
not spy the eponymous
extraordinary Quiraing, Kilt
with two nights on the
fashion as we travel on
‘Loch Ness Monster’, we will
Rock and Old Man of Storr.
stunning Isle of Skye and
through the awe-inspiring
discover the staggering sight
Of course, no visit would be
the striking Isle of Mull
scenery and arrive at the
of a deep, mirror-like loch.
complete without a dram of
Cawdor Castle. After an
Our pre-lunch entertainment
island-made whisky, which we
insightful morning, we visit
offers a visit to Plockton,
sip during a whisky talk and
Clava Cairns and observe
where painted cottages
tasting at the hotel. (B,D)
the historic tombs and the
are clustered around a little
Culloden Visitor Centre
harbour. With our appetites
DAY 6 ISLE OF SKYE –
before reaching our final
for the outdoors whetted,
FORT WILLIAM – ISLE OF
destination, Inverness. (B,D)
we sit down to a seafood
MULL
lunch in Kyle of Lochalsh,
Continuing our journey
DAY 3 INVERNESS
Wester Ross. Today’s final
through soul-stirring Scottish
We’ve had an exciting start
drive is to the Isle of Skye,
scenery, we visit Fort William
to the week! This morning
where we’ll be for two
– a magnet for outdoor
we embark on a walking tour
nights. (B,L)
enthusiasts. Next, there’s just
some of Scotland’s most
DAY 1 EDINBURGH – ST ANDREWS – BALLATER Old seafaring villages, mysterious ruins and a royal love story introduce us to Scotland. We begin by travelling through towering mountains and East Neuk fishing villages before we arrive in St Andrews, a tiny town with a big reputation for world-class golf and
around Inverness with your
a short ferry ride to the Isle
Back-Roads Tour Leader,
of Mull. (B)
backroadstouring.com
•• •• •• •••• •••• ••
Iona
7 nights in boutique accommodation Experienced Back-Roads Driver & Tour Leader
UNITED KINGDOM
43
INCLUSIONS
Premium mini-coach transportation Ferry crossings Full Scottish breakfast daily (B) 1 seafood lunch (L) 4 evening meals (D) Entrance included to: St Andrews University, Cawdor Castle, Clava
Isle of Mull
Cairns, Culloden, Iona
Seafood lunch
Abbey & Nunnery, Macquaries Mausoleum,
DAY 7 ISLE OF MULL –
grand staterooms and empty
brings us to the magnificent
ISLE OF IONA – ISLE OF
dungeons. This craggy
hilltop castle. As one of
MULL
fortress, clinging to a coastal
Scotland’s most impressive
The best way to see the
cliff is the oldest inhabited
and important monuments,
Hebrides is by island
castle on the island. We then
it’s the perfect end to our
hopping, and today we do
return to the warm welcome
tour before we arrive back in
just that. From Mull’s little
of our hotel and share a final
Edinburgh. (B)
village of Fionnphort we
group dinner together. (B,D)
Duart Castle and Stirling Castle For tour exclusions please see our FAQs on p.143
TOUR CODE: SHF
P R I C E S F R O M $ 4 , 4 9 9 PP
sail to Iona, a gem of an island with exquisite natural
DAY 8 ISLE OF MULL –
2018
STIRLING – EDINBURGH
DEPARTS DEPARTS TWN /DBL
SGL
beauty. It’s a serene spot for a wander, which takes us to
Taking to the sea once again
MAR
18
$4,499
$5,199
Iona Abbey and Nunnery.
we return to the mainland.
APR
03
$4,599
$5,249
When we return to Mull
It’s been a tour delving
we’ll have our history hats
deep in Scotland’s heritage,
on and visit the Macquaries
so it’s only right we finish
Museums and peek inside
with a stop via Stirling. A
the Duart Castle which offers
walk through the old town
INVERNESS
ISLE OF SKYE
2
2
PLOCKTON
22
CAWDOR CASTLE
LOCH NESS
1
FORT WILLIAM
ISLE OF MULL
2
MAY
01 10 15 20 G 27 G
06 13 17 24 31
G G G G
$4,699
$5,299
JUN
03 10 G 17 G 24 G
07 14 G 21 G 28 G
$4,699
$5,299
JUL
01 G 12 G 19 26 G
08 15 G 22 G 29 G
$4,699
$5,299
AUG
05 G 12 19 G 26 G
09 G 16 G 23 G 30
$4,699
$5,299
SEP
02 06 13 16 25 30
04 09 16 23 27
$4,699
$5,299
OCT
07
$4,599
$5,249
BALLATER
SCOTLAND ST ANDREWS
ISLE OF IONA
12
STIRLING
G G G G
G G G G
EDINBURGH
Tour Start Point
Overnight Stop
Day Stop
By ferry
This tour can be combined with Corners of Southern Ireland page 56, The Emerald Isle page 58 and/or Battle of Britain page 28.
G = Guaranteed Departure
Contact your travel consultant or the Back-Roads team to request pre and post accommodation plus transfers.
UNITED KINGDOM
44 44
Ring of Brodgar
Orkney & The Highlands Inverness | Wick | Kirkwall 4
DAYS
•
3
NIGHTS
•
UP
TO
18
GUESTS
staggering vistas and wide
today with a journey to the
will do the trick. Enjoy a
THE BACK-ROADS DIFFERENCE
valleys, to Strathpeffer – a
distant past. Home to a
sample of Scotland’s finest
stylish Victorian spa town.
strong and proud history,
whiskies at the Highland
•• •• ••
With free time to explore,
we walk in the footsteps
Park Distillery before the
Stay two nights on the
we leave land behind and
of ancient islanders at the
afternoon takes us to
Orkney Islands, home to
sail to Orkney on a short
mysterious Maeshowe
Scapa Flow, with its famous
some of the most ancient
ferry journey – complete
tomb, Skara Brae Neolithic
Italian chapel and a photo
sites in Europe
with scenic views. Kirkwall,
village and the mystical
opportunity at the WWII
Explore Orkney at a
first settled by the Vikings,
Ring of Brodgar. Marvel at
ship wreckages. To round
leisurely pace, taking in
is our home for the next two
the astounding structures,
off the day, it’s then time
countless archaeological
nights. Discover the magic
taking in the history and
to board the ferry to the
treasures
of the area with a night free
significance of each sight.
mainland, where we enjoy a
Travel beautiful coastal
to explore, making the most
Next comes Iron Age Broch
farewell dinner together in
and countryside roads
of your time off Scotland’s
of Gurness and, if the
Wick and reminisce on our
through the Highlands
north coast and uncover
tides are on our side, an
tour together. (B,D)
the fascinating, relaxing
atmospheric walk to Brough
and welcoming side to this
of Birsay island. (B)
DAY 1 INVERNESS –
CASTLE – INVERNESS
archipelago. (D)
STRATHPEFFER – ORKNEY
DAY 4 WICK – DUNROBIN
DAY 3 ORKNEY – WICK
Rise and shine, making
Our journey through the
DAY 2 ORKNEY
From the St Magnus
time for one final breakfast
misty crags and heather
Majestic landscapes, scenic
Cathedral to the Bishop’s
together before we
clad moors begins today
roads and imagination-firing
Palace, there are plenty of
continue our journey back
in Inverness. Meet with
history – Orkney delivers
Norse sites to see on our
through to Inverness. It’s
the group and prepare for
on every level. A small
doorstep in Kirkwall. If a
been a tour delving deep
an unforgettable journey
area that’s big on charm,
mid-morning coffee fails
in Scotland’s heritage, so
as our road heads north,
a day spent in historic
to awaken your senses,
it’s only right we finish with
between soaring peaks,
Orkney is on the cards for
a morning distillery tour
a stop via Dunrobin Castle.
backroadstouring.com
•• •• •• •• •••• ••
St Magnus Cathedral
3 nights in boutique accommodation Experienced Back-Roads Driver & Tour Leader
UNITED KINGDOM
45
INCLUSIONS
Premium mini-coach transportation Full Scottish breakfast daily (B), 2 evening meals (D) Ferry crossings Whisky tasting Entrance included to: Maeshowe Tomb, Ring of Brodgar, Skara Brae,
Dunrobin Castle
Brough of Birsay, Earl’s
WWII ship wreckage, Scapa Flow
Palace Kirkwall, Bishop’s Palace Kirkwall, Highland
Here, we make time to
impressive region, as we
visit the impressive white
round up our tour back in
towers and formal gardens
Inverness, the perfect end
of this stately home, with
to our tour. (B)
Park Distillery and Dunrobin Castle. For tour exclusions please see our FAQs on p.143
ample time to take in the TOUR CODE: ORK
grand history and beauty.
P R I C E S F R O M $ 2 , 3 9 9 PP
Then, it’s finally time to travel back to Inverness, along a meandering coastal
2018
DEPARTS
TWN /DBL
SGL
APR
10
$2,399
$2,499
MAY
01 08 22 G
$2,399
$2,499
JUN
12 G 19
$2,399
$2,499
scenery. And with that, it’s
JUL
24
$2,399
$2,499
time to say goodbye to this
AUG
14
$2,399
$2,499
SEP
04 G 18
$2,399
$2,499
road and over the Dornoch and Cromarty Firths, with unforgettable views at every turn, focussing our camera lenses on the postcard-worthy good views and soul-stirring Scottish
COUNTRY
2
DESTINATION
ORKNEY
G = Guaranteed Departure
Contact your travel consultant or the Back-Roads team to request pre and post accommodation plus transfers.
1
WICK
DUNROBIN CASTLE
STRATHPEFFER SCOTLAND INVERNESS Tour Start Point
Overnight Stop
Day Stop
By ferry
This tour can be combined with The Emerald Isle page 58,
Battle of Britain page 28 and/or Corners of Southern Ireland page 56.
UNITED KINGDOM
46 46
Beatrix Potter’s Hilltop Farm
Highlights of Britain Cotswolds | York | Lake District 10
DAYS
•
9
NIGHTS
•
UP
TO
18
GUESTS
we have a guided walking
Wales. En route, we stop
paying homage to some
THE BACK-ROADS DIFFERENCE
tour. Then it’s off to the
to explore the UNESCO
of Britain’s literary greats
Cotswolds where we visit
World Heritage-listed
at the Brontë Parsonage at
•• •• ••
an 18th century woollen
Ironbridge Gorge before
Haworth, we continue to
Discover Britain’s literary
mill to learn about an
we reach Denbighshire for
York. (B)
greats at the Brontë
industry steeped in
an included dinner. (B,D)
Parsonage, Beatrix Potter’s
regional heritage. Tonight’s
Hill Top Farm and William
dinner is at the world
DAY 4 DENBIGHSHIRE –
Wordsworth's home
famous Pudding Club. (D)
SNOWDONIA NATIONAL
Leader will introduce the
PARK – DENBIGHSHIRE
old town of York, before
Indulge your sweet tooth
DAY 6 YORK This morning your Tour
and become a dessert
DAY 2 COTSWOLDS –
It’s time to soak up the
leaving you free to
connoisseur at the world
STRATFORD-UPON-AVON
splendour of North Wales’
explore. (B)
famous Pudding Club
– COTSWOLDS
Snowdonia National Park,
Explore the scenic back
Enjoy this morning at your
an area of outstanding
DAY 7 YORK – CASTLE
roads of some of Britain’s
own leisure before a visit
natural beauty and take
HOWARD – LAKE DISTRICT
most spectacular regions,
to Stratford-Upon-Avon; a
part in a Welsh cooking
Experience the glory days
including the Cotswolds,
medieval market town. (B)
demonstration. Tonight,
of the English country
meet back at the hotel for a
estate at the Castle
delicious dinner. (B,D)
Howard. Our path then
Snowdonia National Park, the Yorkshire Dales and
DAY 3 COTSWOLDS
the Lake District
– IRONBRIDGE –
DAY 1 LONDON – OXFORD – COTSWOLDS We leave the capital behind for the ‘dreaming spires’ of Oxford, where
takes us through the
DENBIGHSHIRE
DAY 5 DENBIGHSHIRE
Yorkshire Dales National
This morning we follow
– CHESTER – HAWORTH
Park, where we pass
the crusades of saints and
– YORK
rivers, tiny villages and
kings as we tour Worcester
A walking tour of Chester
centuries-old stone walls.
Cathedral. Our road then
takes us along streets lined
The spectacular conclusion
turns towards the rugged,
with striking black and
to the day’s journey is the
ancient landscapes of
white Tudor buildings. After
Lake District. (B,D)
backroadstouring.com
•• •• •• •• •• •••• ••
Become a dessert connoisseur
Scottish Borders
Ambleside, Lake District
9 nights in boutique accommodation Experienced Back-Roads Driver & Tour Leader Premium mini-coach
UNITED KINGDOM
47
INCLUSIONS
transportation Full English breakfast daily (B), 5 evening meals (D) Welsh cookery demonstration and lunch (L) Walking tour of Oxford Cruise on Lake Windermere Entrance included to: Brontë Parsonage, Castle Howard, Beatrix
DAY 8 LAKE DISTRICT
DAY 9 LAKE DISTRICT –
Our first stop on the shores
SCOTTISH BORDERS
of Lake Windermere is
Today we visit Birdoswald
Beatrix Potter’s Hill Top
Roman Fort before arriving
Farm, where she wrote
at the Scottish Borders. A
many of her beloved
traditional Scottish dinner
children’s stories and
of Haggis and a piper
we also visit Hawkshead
demonstration provides us
Grammar School.
with a grand ending to our
Then we drop by Dove
final night. (B,D)
Potter’s Hilltop Farm, Dove Cottage & Hawkshead Grammar School, Abbotsford House, Rosslyn Chapel. For tour exclusions please see our FAQs on p.143
TOUR CODE: LED
P R I C E S F R O M $ 4 , 2 9 9 PP
Cottage, once home to William Wordsworth. The
DAY 10 SCOTTISH
afternoon sees us take
BORDERS – ROSSLYN
to the water on a lake
CHAPEL – EDINBURGH
cruise, before returning to
2018
DEPARTS DEPARTS TWN /DBL
SGL
We visit Abbotsford House
MAR
18
$4,299
$4,999
our accommodation for a
and Rosslyn Chapel before
APR
relaxing evening. (B)
reaching Edinburgh where MAY
our tour ends. (B)
EDINBURGH ABBOTSFORD
SCOTLAND
11
22 YORK
HAWORTH
WALES
2
DENBIGHSHIRE
IRONBRIDGE
2
OXFORD
Tour Start Point
Overnight Stop
$4,399
$5,099
01 08 15 20 24 29
06 13 17 22 27 31
G G G G G G
$4,499
$5,199
ENGLAND
LONDON
Corners of Southern Ireland page 56.
G
05 12 G 19 G 26 G
$4,499
$5,199
JUL
01 10 22 31
G G G G
08 G 15 G 29 G
$4,499
$5,199
AUG
05 G 12 19 G 26
07 14 G 21 28 G
$4,499
$5,199
SEP
02 G 06 11 G 16 20 25 G
04 09 G 13 18 G 23 30
$4,499
$5,199
OCT
07 18
14
$4,399
$5,099
Day Stop
This tour can be combined with The Emerald Isle page 58 and/or
G G G
03 7 G 17 G 24
STRATFORD-UPON-AVON
COTSWOLDS
26 G
JUN
SCOTTISH BORDERS
LAKE DISTRICT 2 2
CHESTER SNOWDONIA
22 G
29 G
G = Guaranteed Departure
UNITED KINGDOM
48 48
Royal Yacht Britannia N E W
T O U R
Royal Tour of Britain Edinburgh | York | Oxford | London 9
DAYS
•
8
NIGHTS
•
UP
TO
15
GUESTS
continue to Loch Muick in
Spend the remainder of the
with free time to explore as
THE BACK-ROADS DIFFERENCE
Ballater – the picnic site of
afternoon at leisure. (B)
you wish before we meet for
•• •• ••
dinner in the evening. (B,D)
Queen Victoria and where some of the Royal family still
DAY 3 BALLATER –
See Balmoral Castle, the
frequent. In the evening, we
EDINBURGH
DAY 5 YORK – FOSSGATE
summer residence of the
sit down for dinner and a
After breakfast, we embark
– YORK
Queen
enjoy an included bagpipe
on a tour of Edinburgh Castle
Today, we begin with a city
Visit Kensington Palace,
performance before retiring
and Royal Mile walk. In the
tour of York where you can
the home of Queen
for the night. (D)
afternoon, we head to the
discover the York Minster and
Royal Yacht Britannia – which
Tower. Later, the afternoon
Victoria & Princess Diana Visit the Royal Yacht
DAY 2 BALLATER –
was used by the Royal family
is yours to explore this
Britannia, the former
BALMORAL – BALLATER
until it was de-commissioned
gorgeous city. (B)
royal yacht of the British
Sensational architecture and
and later transfer back to
monarch
breath-taking scenic views
our hotel. In the evening,
DAY 6 YORK –
set the tone for today as we
we enjoy an evening meal
STRATFORD-UPON-AVON –
enter the Balmoral Castle,
together. (B,D)
SHIPSTON ON STOUR –
DAY 1 EDINBURGH – ST ANDREWS – BALLATER Home to endless natural beauty, history and cobbled streets begging to be discovered, Scotland will not disappoint. Our first stop includes a visit to St Andrews University and free time to stroll around the university’s golf course before we
LEAMINGTON SPA
the summer residence of the Queen, Crathie Church
DAY 4 EDINBURGH –
Our first stop today is
and the Crathie Graveyard.
ROSSLYN – YORK
one for the literary buffs
Next, we journey to
Turning our attention away
with a visit to Stratford-
Braemar Castle for more
from stunning Edinburgh, we
Upon-Avon; the birthplace
jaw-dropping beauty. In
travel to the Rosslyn Chapel
of William Shakespeare.
the afternoon, walk around
(featured in the film The Da
Before the day is out, we
the site of the Highland
Vinci Code) before going to
depart for our hotel and
Games and after, head to
York in the afternoon. With
indulge in dinner in a local
Lochnagar Distillery for a
no set agenda, it’s your turn
restaurant. (B,D)
dram of whisky if you wish.
to write the itinerary today
backroadstouring.com
Shakespeare's Birthplace Stratford-upon-Avon
•• •• •• •• ••
8 nights in boutique accommodation Experienced Back-Roads Driver/Tour Leader
UNITED KINGDOM
49
INCLUSIONS
Premium mini-coach transportation Breakfast daily (B), 5 evening meals (D) Entrance included to: St Andrews University & Golf course, Balmoral Castle, Crathie Church, Crathie Graveyard, Edinburgh Castle & Royal
Windsor Castle
Mile Walk, Royal Yacht
Balmoral Castle
Britannia, Rosslyn Chapel, Buckingham Palace, St
DAY 7 LEAMINGTON SPA –
more. Then, take a tour of
Palace. En route back to
OXFORD – LONDON
Kensington Palace and visit
London, we pass by Eton
With your eyes set on Oxford
the Princess Diana Memorial
College and say farewell in
today, enjoy a tour of the
Fountain and Albert
the afternoon. (B)
surrounding colleges where
memorial. In the evening,
members of the Royal family
we meet for our farewell
studied before driving to
dinner at Goring, a Michelin-
London. (B)
starred restaurant adorned
House, Braemae Castle, Lochnagar distillery, Kensington Palace, York Minster, Princess Diana & Albert Memorial, Windsor Castle and Hampton Court. For tour exclusions please see our FAQs on p.143
with Swarovski chandeliers – DAY 8 LONDON
James's Palace & Clarence
frequented by royalty. (B,D)
A trip to England wouldn’t
TOUR CODE: RTB
be complete without a
DAY 9 LONDON –
sightseeing day in London.
WINDSOR – HAMPTON
We start with a tour of
COURT – LONDON
Buckingham Palace, before
Before we say goodbye,
passing by St. James’s
we have one final tour of
Palace, Clarence House,
Windsor Castle before
the Banqueting House and
exploring Hampton Court
SCOTLAND
2 1
P R I C E S F R O M $ 5 , 1 9 9 PP
BALLATER ST ANDREWS EDINBURGH
2
LEAMINGTON SPA STRATFORD-UPON-AVON
Tour Start Point
Overnight Stop
1
DEPARTS
TWN /DBL
SGL
MAY
05 19 G
$5,199
$5,959
JUN
02 16
$5,199
$5,959
JUL
07
$5,199
$5,959
AUG
11
$5,199
$5,959
SEP
08 G 22
$5,199
$5,959
G = Guaranteed Departure
ROSSLYN CHAPEL
ENGLAND
2018
YORK
OXFORD
2
LONDON
Day Stop
This tour can be combined with The Emerald Isle page 58,
The Wonders of Wales page 40 and/or Corners of Cornwall page 38.
Please note: When the Royal Family are in residence at Balmoral Castle (usually in Aug and Sept), it will not be possible to enter the castle although you can still see the building from the gates. Also, Buckingham Palace is open to the public usually from 5 Aug to 24 Sept (when the Queen is in Balmoral). Any departures that are not during this period will have a tour of the Royal Mews instead. A tour of Braemar Castle is included. Please note: Dates above are accurate at the time of printing the brochure and may alter for 2018.
UNITED KINGDOM
50 50
Lincoln
Historic Eastern England Alnwick | Lincoln | Cambridge 8
DAYS
•
7
NIGHTS
•
UP
TO
18
GUESTS
of Northumberland and spot
DAY 3 NORTH YORK
featured in the film, Pride
THE BACK-ROADS DIFFERENCE
the sets used in episodes
MOORS – RIPLEY – PEAK
and Prejudice. We also visit
of Downton Abbey. On the
DISTRICT
the world famous Blue John
•• •• ••
menu for tonight: a delicious
Capturing hearts and minds
Cavern, a series of caves
welcome dinner together. (D)
of writers and artists for
in the Peak District, before
Call in at Sandringham Estate, the private retreat
centuries, it’s our turn to
returning to our hotel later
of Her Majesty The Queen
DAY 2 ALNWICK –
discover the dramatic Ripley
on. (B,D)
Experience a behind-the-
DURHAM – WHITBY –
Castle – an iconic country
scenes tour at Newmarket
NORTH YORK MOORS
house. To complete a day of
DAY 5 PEAK DISTRICT –
National Stud
The Normans made
historic sightseeing, we end at
LINCOLN
Enjoy a delicious creamery
their mark on this part of
the stunning Peak District. (B)
We say farewell to the
cheese tasting
England, and possibly the
DAY 1 EDINBURGH – LINDISFARNE – ALNWICK Meeting in the iconic city of Edinburgh, we cross into England and meet with hideaway villages on this grand tour. First stop: Lindisfarne to discover the dramatic ruins. To end the day, we carry on to Alnwick Castle where we’ll be welcomed into the majestic home of the Duke
picturesque Peak District
finest example of this is in
DAY 4 PEAK DISTRICT
and journey onwards to the
Durham. Today we’ll step
– CHATSWORTH HOUSE –
historic town of Lincoln and
inside the Cathedral, a
PEAK DISTRICT
visit the Lincoln Cathedral
magnificent architectural
Driving through the Peak
and Castle. Pay close
monument now designated
District with some of
attention as your Tour
a UNESCO World Heritage
England’s finest scenery
Leader guides you through
Site. Our route carries us to
rippling out around us is
the town and make the most
our destination, Whitby and
a real joy. We stretch our
of free time afterwards. (B)
onwards to Captain Cook’s
legs on a morning stroll at
Museum. Tonight, rest your
Chatsworth House, infused
DAY 6 LINCOLN –
head in the charming North
with Elizabethan history and
SANDRINGHAM ESTATE
York Moors district and
contemporary culture. See
– CAMBRIDGE
enjoy dinner with your fellow
the stunning architecture
Start the day with a visit to a
travellers. (B,D)
said to have inspired Jane
local creamery for a cheese
Austen and the rooms that
tasting and guided tour to
backroadstouring.com
•• •• •• •• ••••
North Yorkshire Moors
7 nights accommodation in boutique hotels Experienced Back-Roads Driver & Tour Leader
UNITED KINGDOM
51
INCLUSIONS
Premium mini-coach transportation Full English breakfast daily (B), 4 evening meals (D) Punting in Cambridge Entrance included to: Alnwick Castle and Gardens, Durham Cathedral, Captain Cook
Lindifarne
Memorial Museum, Blue
Newmarket National Stud
John Cavern, Cropwell Bishop Creamery, Ripley
educate the group on the
Library and the Bridge of
we may see stallions in the
history of stilton cheese. After
Sighs. Your afternoon in the
paddocks and, occasionally,
our appetite is satisfied, we
city is all yours until we meet
foals in the nursery. We’ll
have a date with royalty as we
again for our final evening
see in the end of our tour
pay a visit to the Sandringham
dinner. Step inside colleges
in London, where we say
Estate. The private residence
and chapels, museums and
farewell. (B)
of Her Majesty The Queen is
galleries – or simply indulge
a magnificent stately house
in a little retail therapy. (B,D)
Castle, Chatsworth House, Sandringham Estate and Newmarket National Stud. For tour exclusions please see our FAQs on p.143
TOUR CODE: EDL
P R I C E S F R O M $ 4 , 2 5 9 PP
with picturesque gardens and even a museum. Our final
DAY 8 CAMBRIDGE –
stop of the day takes us to the
NEWMARKET – LONDON
iconic town of Cambridge. (B)
There’s time for one more
2018
DEPARTS DEPARTS TWN /DBL
SGL
we delve into England’s
MAR
28
$4,259
$5,219
Admire the beautiful ‘Backs’
sporting heritage at
APR
04
18
$4,299
$5,259
of Cambridge University,
Newmarket National
MAY
$5,299
Stud. At this working
buildings such as The Wren
thoroughbred stud farm
06 G 13 20
$4,349
spotting world-famous
02 G 09 G 16 24
JUN
06 G 22 G
13 27
$4,349
$5,299
JUL
11 G
18 G
$4,349
$5,299
AUG
08 22
15 G 29
$4,349
$5,299
SEP
05 19 G
12
$4,349
$5,299
OCT
03 G
$4,299
$5,259
behind-the-scenes tour so DAY 7 CAMBRIDGE
EDINBURGH
1 1
SCOTLAND
ALNWICK
DURHAM
1
RIPLEY
WHITBY
NORTH YORK MOORS
G = Guaranteed Departure
2
PEAK DISTRICT
1
LINCOLN SANDRINGHAM
CHATSWORTH HOUSE ENGLAND
2 2
CAMBRIDGE
LONDON
Tour Start Point
Overnight Stop
Day Stop
This tour can be combined with WWI Battlefield Weekend Summer page 102, Corners of Cornwall page 38 and/or The Emerald Isle page 58.
Contact your travel consultant or the Back-Roads team to request pre and post accommodation plus transfers.
UNITED KINGDOM
52 52
St Malo
London to Paris via the Channel Islands Dorset | Guernsey | Sark | Jersey | St Malo 11
DAYS
THE BACK-ROADS DIFFERENCE
•• •• ••
•
10
NIGHTS
•
UP
TO
15
GUESTS
DAY 2 DORSET –
DAY 4 GUERNSEY
DAY 6 JERSEY
GUERNSEY
First on the agenda today is
Jersey isn’t just about
It’s off the coach and all
a stop at Little Chapel – built
exquisite sea-and-sand
aboard the morning ferry to
entirely out of sea shells
views. At La Hougue Bie
Spend a day on Sark, the
Guernsey. At St Peter Port,
before a visit to the German
we discover one of Western
iconic 'dark sky island' and
enjoy free time to roam
Occupation Museum reveals
Europe’s best-preserved
visit a chapel made of sea
before we meet to explore
an extensive collection of
Neolithic sites, with
shells
the Sausmarez Manor
rare artefacts steeped in
prehistoric mounds and a
Explore the only part
where we’re treated to a
history. After an eventful
museum packed with ancient
of the British Isles to be
private tour of this grand
day filled with history and
treasures. Then it’s onwards
occupied during WWII
establishment. (B)
knowledge, the evening is
to Mont Orgueil Castle,
yours to enjoy at your own
which has stood watch over
pace. (B)
Jersey for over 600 years
Enjoy a morning at Mont St Michel, one of France’s
DAY 3 GUERNSEY – SARK
most iconic sites
– GUERNSEY
DAY 1 LONDON – WINCHESTER – DORSET From London we journey to the Winchester Cathedral before we meet with the sublime Isle of Purbeck, via Corfe Castle. Later, enjoy a welcome dinner together. (D)
before retiring in Jersey for
We’re off to a flying start this
DAY 5 GUERNSEY –
morning as we ferry over to
JERSEY
Sark. Getting about involves
Our morning in Guernsey is
DAY 7 JERSEY – ST MALO
a stroll or the ‘toast-rack’ – a
a relaxed one as we ready
Walter Raleigh’s stronghold
tractor-drawn bus – or you
ourselves to depart for our
and Charles II’s refuge –
could simply hire a bicycle.
next island adventure in
Elizabeth Castle has played a
The day is all yours until
Jersey. We get acquainted
huge role in Jersey’s history.
our return ferry back to
with St Aubin – a fishing
Today we can see its wartime
Guernsey and our sit-down
harbour with buckets of
bunkers and the causeway
dinner together. (B,D)
charm before returning to
that permits entrance at low
Jersey for dinner. (B,D)
tide. Later, we swap Britain
the night. (B)
for France and sail to the old walled city of St Malo. (B)
backroadstouring.com
•• •• •• •• •• ••
Mont Orgueil Castle
Cathedral of Chartres
10 nights in boutique accommodation Experienced Back-Roads Tour Leader/Driver
UNITED KINGDOM
53
INCLUSIONS
Premium mini-coach transportation Daily European-style breakfasts (B), 5 evening meals (D) Ferries to Guernsey, Sark, Jersey, Isle of Purbeck and St Malo Entrance included to: Winchester Cathedral, Sausmarez Manor,
Mont St Michel
German Occupation Museum, Elizabeth Castle, La Hougue Bie,
DAY 8 ST MALO
Dinan by ourselves before
heads in Laval, we indulge
St Malo’s labyrinthine
coming back together for
in a delicious farewell group
streets are best covered on
a taste of classic French
dinner. (B,D)
Mont St Michel, Château
a walking tour – and that’s
cuisine at a traditional
how we begin today. Marvel
restaurant. (B,D)
DAY 11 LAVAL –
Fougères, Corfe Castle
Mont Orgueil Castle, de St Malo, Château de and Chartres Cathedral
CHARTRES – PARIS
at Château de St Malo, once owned by the Dukes
DAY 10 ST MALO –
We end our tour with a
of Brittany and now a town
FOUGÈRES – SAINTE
trip to the Cathedral of
museum, and enjoy the rest
SUZANNE – LAVAL
Chartres – a UNESCO World
of the day as you wish. (B)
As one of Europe’s biggest
Heritage site and one of the
fortresses, Château de
most beautifully preserved
DAY 9 ST MALO – MONT
Fougères captivates at first
examples of Gothic
ST MICHEL – DINAN –
sight and we learn about its
architecture. It’s a fitting
ST MALO
ups and downs this morning.
finale to our travels, which
It’s time to wind our way
The afternoon takes us to
come to a close in Paris. (B)
along Normandy’s coast to
Sainte Suzanne, one of
the rocky islet of Mont St
France’s most beautiful
Michel. We then explore
villages. Before we rest our
ENGLAND
LONDON
DORSET
1
WINCHESTER POOLE
For tour exclusions please see our FAQs on p.143
TOUR CODE: CHI
P R I C E S F R O M $ 6 , 0 9 9 PP 2018
DEPARTS DEPARTS TWN /DBL
SGL
APR
11
25
$6,099
$8,149
MAY
02 16
09 G 30 G
$6,399
$8,399
JUN
06 G
20
$6,399
$8,399
JUL
04 G
11
$6,399
$8,399
AUG
01 G 22 G
15 G
$6,399
$8,399
SEP
05 19
12 26
$6,399
$8,399
OCT
03
$6,099
$8,149
G = Guaranteed Departure
GUERNSEY
Contact your travel consultant or the Back-Roads team to request pre and post accommodation plus transfers.
3
ST MALO
3
DINAN
Tour Start Point
FRANCE
2
JERSEY
PARIS
MONT ST MICHEL
1
Overnight Stop
LAVAL
CHARTRES
Day Stop
By ferry
This tour can be combined with Corners of Cornwall page 38 and/or Historic Eastern England page 50.
IRELAND
54
Giant's Causeway, Northern Island
backroadstouring.com
IRELAND
55
CI R O E U LN AT NR DY N A M E
Imagine uncovering rugged stone castles nestled in fields of emerald green; tapping your foot to the sound of pipes and fiddles in a cosy, crowded pub; or tasting a nip of whiskey that trails liquid fire down the back of your throat – this is Ireland in all its glory (and it’s never looked so good). Discover both the proud heritage and the spectacular landscape of the Emerald Isle as you explore the whole island from Derry to Dingle, or soak up the unique atmosphere of the Republic of Ireland’s southern counties. A small country with a large reputation, you are sure to be charmed by the beauty and character of Ireland.
backroadstouring.com
IRELAND
56 56
Kinsale
Corners of Southern Ireland Ennis | Tralee | Kinsale | Kilkenny 6
DAYS
•
5
NIGHTS
•
UP
TO
18
GUESTS
horses and the chance to
puffin. Next, we head to
founded by Sir William
THE BACK-ROADS DIFFERENCE
explore the fascinating
Tralee – gateway to the
Petty in 1670. Our first
museum. Next up is
panoramic Ring of Kerry. (B)
stop of the day is Molly
••
Portumna Castle, a semi-
•• ••
Gallivan’s cottage. At first
Visit Molly Gallivan's
fortified house in County
DAY 3 TRALEE – RING OF
glance it seems to be
Cottage and learn the
Galway, before our journey
KERRY – TRALEE
a rustic farmhouse in a
story of a widow who
transports us to Ennis,
Welcome to the beguiling
rural spot, frozen in time.
supported her children by
where we tuck into our first
Ring of Kerry – a town that
But there’s more to it.
brewing illicit whiskey
hearty dinner together. (D)
boasts edge-of-the-world
More than 200 years ago,
seascapes, rippling green
this enterprising widow
See the staggering Cliffs of Moher
DAY 2 ENNIS – CLIFFS OF
lands, ancient forts and
supported her seven
Explore rural Irish towns
MOHER – TRALEE
welcoming villages that rub
children by brewing illicit
and authentic village
Ennis’ character-filled
shoulders with mysterious
whiskey – and her home
culture, away from tourist
avenues are built for
ruins. View Staigue fort, a
was in fact a clandestine
crowds
meandering, but a walking
partly ruined stone ringfort
pub. Our next stop takes
tour really brings to life
that is thought to have
us to the medieval town
the enthralling tales of
been built between 300
of Kinsale. Sea-and-sand
rebellions and riots, myths
and 400 AD. At the Skellig
views, cosy pubs and
and mysteries that swirl
Experience we glimpse
brightly-hued houses make
We begin the tour in Dublin
around these medieval
the lives of early Christian
this a picturesque port of
and journey to the stunning
lanes. When we move on
monks that broke bread
call – and our final stop
countryside of County
to the Cliffs of Moher, your
here. (B,D)
today. (B)
Kildare where we stop at
imagination will really run
the Irish National Stud.
wild. The keen-eyed among
Here, we’re treated to a
DAY 4 TRALEE –
DAY 5 KINSALE –
us – or perhaps just those
private tour, an exclusive
KENMARE – KINSALE
MIDLETON – KILKENNY
who packed binoculars –
We’re at the mouth of
The cobbled streets that
jockey’s-eye-view of the
may even spot a resident
Kenmare Bay, in the town
curve around this pretty
DAY 1 DUBLIN – KILDARE – ENNIS
backroadstouring.com
57
•• •• •• •••• •• ••
Ennis
IRELAND
INCLUSIONS
5 nights in boutique accommodation Experienced Back-Roads Driver & Tour Leader Premium mini-coach transportation Local guide in Kinsale Daily Full Irish breakfast (B), 3 evening meals (D) Irish whiskey tour and tasting Entrance included to: Irish National Stud, Portumna Castle, The
Kilkenny
Skellig Experience,
Cliffs of Moher
Molly Gallivan’s Cottage, Midleton Distillery and Kilkenny Castle
bay are just begging to be
cultural fix as we absorb
is Avoca village, where we
explored, so we spend the
the medieval charm of
pay homage to an Irish
morning on a walking tour
Kilkenny before indulging
institution – Ballykissangel.
of Kinsale. Our whirlwind
in a final feast – fit for a
Pull up a stool in Fitzgerald’s
tour takes in its must-see
king. (B,D)
Pub, made famous in the
TOUR CODE: DUB
BBC TV series. Then pick
P R I C E S F R O M $ 2 , 5 9 9 PP
sights, before we depart for the coast. It was the
DAY 6 KILKENNY –
up one final memento of
departure point for the last
DUBLIN
your travels at the Woollen
123 passengers to board
Before heading back to
Mills. (B)
the Titanic and you’ll notice
Dublin, we make time to
poignant markers of this
stroll around charismatic
around the town. It’s also
Kilkenny. Keep your camera
home to the Old Midleton
poised as our coach
Distillery, where we see
climbs heather-clad hills
how this iconic whiskey
and crosses fairytale glens
is crafted – and sample
that carpet the Wicklow
its smooth character for
Mountains. At the heart
ourselves. We get a final
of that dramatic scenery
DEPARTS DEPARTS TWN /DBL
SGL
MAR
19
26
$2,599
$2,999
16
23 G
$2,599
$2,999
30 G
DUBLIN
KILDARE
1
2018
APR
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
CLIFFS OF MOHER
For tour exclusions please see our FAQs on p.143
AVOCA
ENNIS
MAY
07 G 14 G 24
10 21 G 28 G
$2,699
$3,199
JUN
04 G 14 25 G
11 G 18 G
$2,699
$3,199
JUL
02 16 G
09 30 G
$2,699
$3,199
AUG
06 G 16 27
13 G 20 G 30
$2,699
$3,199
SEP
06 13 G 20
10 G 17 G 24 G
$2,699
$3,199
OCT
01
$2,599
$2,999
G = Guaranteed Departure
2
1 TRALEE
RINGS OF KERRY KENMARE
Tour Start Point
KILKENNY
Overnight Stop
1
MIDDLETON KINSALE
Day Stop
This tour can be combined with Highlights of Britain page 46,
Battle of Britain page 28 and/or Corners of Cornwall page 38.
Contact your travel consultant or the Back-Roads team to request pre and post accommodation plus transfers.
IRELAND
58 58
Tipperary
The Emerald Isle Belfast | Galway | Dingle | Kilkenny 12
DAYS
THE BACK-ROADS DIFFERENCE
•• ••
•
11
NIGHTS
•
UP
TO
18
GUESTS
DAY 2 BELFAST
city walls of Londonderry and
unique insight into Ireland’s
– LONDONDERRY
then continue the journey to
past. As the day draws to
You don’t have to delve
the Isle of Doagh where we’ll
a close, we’ll complete our
deep into Northern Ireland’s
learn of the local population’s
journey with a walking tour
Discover Northern
past to see the influences
experience of the devastating
through the harbour city of
Ireland's dramatic history
on contemporary culture.
Irish Famine. (B)
Galway. (B)
in an escorted Black Cab
This morning begins with an
tour of Belfast’s unique
escorted Black Cab tour of
DAY 4 LONDONDERRY –
DAY 6 GALWAY
street art and political
Belfast’s unique street art –
BALLYFARNON
Today is yours to enjoy as you
murals
its political murals, followed
More fascinating history is on
wish in buzzing, bohemian
Marvel at the mysterious
by a visit to the Titanic
the cards today at the Ulster-
Galway. (B)
Giant’s Causeway
Museum where we discover
American Folk Park, where we
the personal stories that
learn why two million people
DAY 7 GALWAY – THE
surround this fateful ship.
sailed from Ulster to embark
BURREN – DINGLE
We continue to Ballyscullion
on a fresh life in the New
We meet with the picturesque
Park, a historic private
World and make time for a
area of Caherconnell and
country house, where lunch
pottery demonstration. The
witness local sheepdog
will be waiting for us. Later,
day ends in Ballyfarnon where
trials in action. We continue
we explore Ireland’s natural
we regroup for an evening
across the Burren and round
geological wonder – the
meal together. (B,D)
off the day with a visit to the
DAY 1 DUBLIN – BELFAST From Dublin, we venture to the prehistoric site of Newgrange and visit the Battle of Boyne for an exciting preview of what to expect over the days to come. Tonight, we arrive in Belfast and enjoy a delicious meal together. (D)
magnificent Cliffs of Moher,
Giant’s Causeway – before arriving in Londonderry. (B,L)
DAY 5 BALLYFARNON –
rising high above the Atlantic.
CONNEMARA – GALWAY
(B,D)
DAY 3 LONDONDERRY
The morning sees us in
– NORTH IRISH COAST
Westport before visiting the
DAY 8 DINGLE PENINSULA
– LONDONDERRY
award-winning Connemara
We’ll begin in south-west
Today, stroll along the old
Heritage Centre to gain a
Ireland’s jewel in the crown
backroadstouring.com
59
•• •• •• •• ••••
Giants Causeway
IRELAND
INCLUSIONS
11 nights in boutique accommodation Experienced Back-Roads Driver & Tour Leader Premium mini-coach transportation Full Irish breakfast daily (B), 1 lunch (L), 5 evening meals (D) Black Cab tour of Belfast Entrance included to: Battle of the Boyne site, Titanic Museum, Giant’s Causeway, Ulster
Pottery Demonstration
American Folk Park,
Kylemore Abbey in Connemara, Country Galway
Cliffs of Moher, Charles Fort, Connemara
– the Dingle Peninsula before
will be blessed with the gift
DAY 11 BLARNEY –
stopping off at the Blasket
of eloquence. Tonight, make
TIPPERARY – KILKENNY
Islands Centre. The afternoon
the most of your new found
As we approach the final few
gives us plenty of free time
eloquence over dinner at the
chapters of our tour we find
to delve deeper and explore
hotel. (B,D)
ourselves at rural Tipperary
Heritage Centre, Swiss Cottage, Huntington Castle For tour exclusions please see our FAQs on p.143
and Swiss Cottage to then
Dingle. (B) DAY 9 DINGLE – KENMARE
DAY 10 BLARNEY –
carry on through to Kilkenny,
TOUR CODE: IRL
P R I C E S F R O M $ 5 , 0 9 9 PP
KINSALE – BLARNEY
Ireland’s ‘most perfect’
– BLARNEY
The port and fishing town of
medieval city. (B,D)
Peaks and lakes are on the
Kinsale is where we’ll start our
cards today. Time to take in
walking tour through history
DAY 12 KILKENNY –
2018
SGL
the views across the stunning
and a stop at Charles Fort
AVOCA – DUBLIN
DEPARTS DEPARTS TWN /DBL
MAR
05
$5,099
$6,099
Killarney Lakes and onwards
before returning to Blarney
Our last day sees us reach
APR
09
16
$5,199
$6,199
to Kenmare before the
for the evening. (B)
the ‘fair city’ of Dublin
19 30
23 G
adventure continues with
with a stop via Avoca and
a visit to the iconic Blarney
Huntingdon Castle where our
Castle. Legend has it, if you
tour ends. (B)
MAY
03 10 17 24 31
G G G G G
07 14 G 21 G 28 G
$5,299
$6,299
JUN
04 11 18 25
G G G G
07 14 21 28
G G G G
$5,299
$6,299
JUL
02 09 16 30
G G G G
05 12 26 G
$5,299
$6,299
AUG
02 G 09 16 23 G 30
06 13 G 20 27 G
$5,299
$6,299
SEP
03 10 G 17 G 24
06 G 13 G 20 27
$5,299
$6,299
OCT
01 07
04 08
$5,199
$6,199
kiss the Blarney Stone you NORTH IRISH COAST
22
LONDONDERRY
11 BALLYFARNON
GALWAY
NORTHERN IRELAND
11 REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
22
THE BURREN 1 1
DINGLE
Tour Start Point
Overnight Stop
DUBLIN AVOCA
KILKENNY TIPPERARY
22
KENMERE
BELFAST
22
BLARNEY KINSALE
Day Stop
This tour can be combined with Highlights of Britain page 46,
Cornwall Food Tour page 36 and/or A Scottish Journey page 42.
G = Guaranteed Departure
Contact your travel consultant or the Back-Roads team to request pre and post accommodation plus transfers.
SPAIN, PORTUGAL & MOROCCO
60
Barcelona, Spain
backroadstouring.com
SPAIN, PORTUGAL & MOROCCO
61
C OS U P A N IT NR Y E A L P O N R A T M U G & M O R O C C O
Dramatically diverse, intensely passionate and known for some of the world’s most flavoursome cuisine, the kaleidoscopic journey through Spain, Portugal and Morocco promises to be nothing short of incredible. Immerse yourself in a land where the language is as fluid as the sangria in your wine glass and one short drive will see you entering a new and exotic culture. Traverse legendary mountain passes, marvel at ancient Kasbahs, bask on picture-perfect beaches and plunge into the rhythm of daily life – this alluring region is set to inspire.
backroadstouring.com
SPAIN, PORTUGAL & MOROCCO
62 62
Santana thatched roofed houses N E W
T O U R
Madeira Highlights Funchal | Porto | Santana 7
DAYS
•
6
NIGHTS
•
UP
TO
18
GUESTS
and Winston Churchill,
DAY 3 FUNCHAL – PORTO
transport, we swap wheels
THE BACK-ROADS DIFFERENCE
both said to have regularly
MONIZ – CABO GIRÃO –
for water with a relaxing
visited this unique island
FUNCHAL
boat cruise on a replica
•• •• ••
and discover the highlights
Prepare your eyes for
of Christopher Columbus
Enjoy a scenic boat
of Madeira. Meet the group
the beauty of the Eira do
boat Nau Santa Maria
cruise around Funchal
today in Funchal and settle
Serrado viewing site to
before retiring for the
Bay aboard a replica of
into your hotel before
admire the stunning views
night. (B,L)
Christopher Columbus
meeting for a welcome
before we visit the nearby
Nau Santa Maria
dinner with the group. (D)
volcanic caves formed
DAY 5 FUNCHAL –
thousands of years ago. We
QUEIMADAS – SANTANA
Take a tour of Quinta do Furão Hotel Estate and
DAY 2 FUNCHAL – MONTE
then drive to Porto Moniz
This morning we travel in
Vineyards and indulge in
– BOTANICAL GARDENS –
and visit the natural water
Jeeps to Pico do Areeiro
wine tasting
FUNCHAL
pools made up of volcanic
viewing site to snap some
Roll up your sleeves and
Time to put on your
rock. Then, we take a short
memorable photographs
take part in a cooking
explorer's hat and prepare
journey to Cabo Girão
before proceeding to
class at Quinta do Furão
for a full day of sightseeing.
before we end for the day
Ribeiro Frio trout nurseries
Hotel
Tick off the Mercado dos
back in Funchal. (B)
and Waling Levada dos Balcões viewing site.
Lavradores before we reach DAY 1 FUNCHAL Just a stone's throw away from Portugal, this island is home to rugged cliffs, flawless beaches and a food scene to rival any city across the world. Walk in the footsteps of Charlie Chaplin
Bordal for an insightful tour
DAY 4 FUNCHAL – FAJÃ
After, walk along the water
of a traditional embroidery
DOS PADRES – FUNCHAL
canals and through the
factory. This afternoon,
From Funchal, we journey
famous Laurisilva Forest in
we’re reaching new heights
to Camara de Lobos to
Levada dos Balcões before
to catch a cable car from
observe the fishermen in
we sit down for a lovely
Funchal to Monte where we
action before we drive to
picnic lunch in Queimadas.
visit the Botanical Gardens
Fajã dos Padres and enjoy
In the afternoon, we drive
for a dose of stunning
time for lunch. Swapping
to Sanatana for a view
greenery. (B)
our traditional mode of
of thatched roof houses
backroadstouring.com
•• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• ••
Funchal
Wine Tasting
Porto Moniz
and later visit a vineyard
DAY 7 SANTANA –
for wine tasting before
PORTO DA CRUZ –
indulging in dinner at the
PICO DO FACHO –
hotel. (B,L,D)
FUNCHAL On the last day of the tour,
DAY 6 SANTANA
we head to Porto da Cruz
Roll up your sleeves
for a visit to the Engenho
and prepare for an
old factory. Next, we drive
enlightening cooking class
to Pico do Facho Belvedere
at Quinta do Furão Hotel.
and the stunning viewing
The rest of the day is yours
sites before ending our tour
to explore before sitting
in Funchal. (B)
passengers. (B,L,D)
PORTO MONIZ
2
SANTANA PORTO DA CRUZ
QUEIMADAS
4
Day Stop
Premium mini-coach transportation Daily European-style breakfasts (B), 2 lunches (L), 3 evening meals (D) A tour of an embroidery factory in Bordal Cable car ride from Funchal to Monte Botanical Gardens visit in Monte Visit to Volcanic Caves in São Vicente A scenic boat cruise around Funchal Bay Wine tasting at Quinta do Furão Hotel Estate and Vineyards Cooking class and lunch at Quinta do Furão Hotel
2018
DEPARTS
TWN /DBL
SGL
MAY
11 25 G
$3,599
$4,299
JUN
15
$3,599
$4,299
JUL
20
$3,599
$4,299
AUG
17
SEP
14 G 21
$3,599
$4,299
G = Guaranteed Departure
PICO DO FACHO
Overnight Stop
Driver & Tour Leader
P R I C E S F R O M $ 3 , 5 9 9 PP
hotel with your fellow
Tour Start Point
Experienced Back-Roads
TOUR CODE: MAD
and folklore show at the
FAJÃ DOS PADRES
accommodation
For tour exclusions please see our FAQs on p.143
down for a farewell dinner
MADEIRA
6 nights in boutique
SPAIN, PORTUGAL & MOROCCO
63
INCLUSIONS
MONTE FUNCHAL
By sail
This tour can be combined with Discover Portugal page 64.
Contact your travel consultant or the Back-Roads team to request pre and post accommodation plus transfers.
SPAIN, PORTUGAL & MOROCCO
64 64
Porto
Discover Portugal Lisbon | Coimbra | Douro Valley | Porto 7
DAYS
•
6
NIGHTS
•
UP
TO
18
GUESTS
opportunity to paint your
DAY 3 LISBON – NAZARÉ
travel even further back in
THE BACK-ROADS DIFFERENCE
own tile. Tonight, there’s an
– ALVADOS
time to Coimbra – home
evening welcome dinner
Our first stop today is the
to a historic university and
•• •• ••
waiting in a local restaurant,
romantic village of Obidos.
included entrance to St.
Cruise the Douro River in
accompanied by the
After walking around the
Michael Chapel. (B,D)
a traditional-styled, but
mournful laments of Fado
charming fishing town
electric powered rabelo
singers. (D)
of Nazaré by ourselves,
DAY 5 COIMBRA –
we regroup to enjoy an
LAMEGO – DOURO
boat Explore the magnificent
DAY 2 LISBON – SINTRA –
included cooking class and
VALLEY
Coimbra University Library
CASCAIS – LISBON
sumptuous dinner. (B,D)
Remote. Majestic. Wild. It
Visit the magnificent
This morning we drive
UNESCO World
to the picturesque Sintra
DAY 4 ALVADOS – FÁTIMA
Valley – the region devoted
Heritage-listed Jeronimos
– dotted with turreted
– COIMBRA
to port wine. On the way to
Monastery in Lisbon and
palaces, grand villas and
Do you believe in miracles?
the Douro Valley we make
the Shrine of our Lady of
plenty of ‘wow’ factor.
Either way, you’ll be
time to visit Lamego, a small
Fatima in Batalha
We’ll visit the famous
intrigued by the world-
town located on the shores
Pena Palace, extravagantly
famous Shrine of Our Lady
of the Balsemão River that
furnished in late Victorian
of Fátima. It’s claimed that
is famous for its architecture
style, complete with oil
in 1917, the Virgin Mary
and hilltop views. After
paintings and priceless
appeared “more brilliant
lunch, we will visit a local
porcelain. We then continue
than the sun” before three
winery to experience the
to the busy fishing port of
young shepherd children.
regional tipples, while still
Cascais, enjoying the scenic
After visiting Fatima we go
finding time in the afternoon
views and rugged coastline
to a local olive oil co-op
to take a scenic boat trip
on the way. (B)
to learn the secrets of oil
along the Douro River on an
production. After seeing
electric rabelo boat (if you
the spot for ourselves, we
wish). Raise a toast to this
DAY 1 LISBON Meet with the group before we delve into a full day tour of Lisbon. With an included visit to the Tile Painting Museum, watch and learn as local artisans showcase the authentic colours of Portugal plus get the
must mean we’re in Douro
backroadstouring.com
The Palace of Pena, Sintra
•• •• •• •• •• ••••
6 nights in boutique accommodation Experienced Back-Roads Driver & Tour Leader Premium mini-coach transportation Local guides in Sintra, Cascais, Lisbon & Porto
SPAIN, PORTUGAL & MOROCCO
65
INCLUSIONS
European breakfast daily (B), 4 evening meals (D) Wine and port tasting Entrance included to: Jeronimo’s Monastery, Belem Tower, Pena
Coimbra
Palace, Shrine of Our
Lisbon
Lady of Fatima, Porto Cathedral, Guimaraes
wonderful valley and rest
in all its Romanesque
the imposing Sanctuary of
overnight. (B)
splendour. Tonight, we will
Bom Jesus do Monte, an
enjoy a farewell dinner and
important pilgrimage site
DAY 6 DOURO VALLEY –
reminisce on our fabulous
since 1811, before our tour
PORTO
tour. (B, D)
ends on return to Porto. (B)
Castle, Coimbra University and Bom Jesus do Monte For tour exclusions please see our FAQs on p.143
This morning, we visit a local vineyard for a morning
DAY 7 PORTO –
of wine tasting. The day
GUIMARÃES – PORTO
continues with a drive to
All hail to the birthplace
Porto, Portugal’s second
of Portugal’s first king.
largest city. After getting
Historic Guimãraes is
our fill of medieval lanes, churches and small squares,
TOUR CODE: PORT
P R I C E S F R O M $ 4 , 0 9 9 PP 2018
DEPARTS DEPARTS TWN /DBL
SGL
often referred to as ‘the
FEB
26
$4,099
$4,899
cradle city’ – boasting an
MAR
19
$4,099
$4,899
we’ll tick off some important
imposing medieval castle,
APR
19
$4,150
$4,999
landmarks along the riverside
churches and the lovely
16 30 G
promenade, including the
cobbled street, Rua de Santa
MAY
Church and Porto Cathedral
the Old Town, we drive to
10 17 28 G
$4,999
Maria. After stopping by
07 14 G 21
$4,150
Bolsa Palace, San Francisco
JUN
04 G 18 G
11 G 25
$4,150
$4,999
JUL
09
$4,150
$4,999
AUG
06
$4,150
$4,999
$4,150
$4,999
$4,150
$4,999
PORTO
1
GUIMARÃES
1 1 NAZARÉ
1 SINTRA CASCAIS
Tour Start Point
2
DOURO VALLEY
OCT
COIMBRA
FÀTIMA ALVADOS
LISBON
Overnight Stop
SEP
PORTUGAL
Day Stop
This tour can be combined with Iberian Inspiration page 68.
03 G
10 G
13 20
17 G 24
01
08 G
15
22
G = Guaranteed Departure
Contact your travel consultant or the Back-Roads team to request pre and post accommodation plus transfers.
SPAIN, PORTUGAL & MOROCCO
66 66
Catalonia
Highlights of Northern Spain Catalonia | Navarre | The Basque Country 8
DAYS
•
7
NIGHTS
•
UP
TO
18
GUESTS
behind, we arrive at El
DAY 3 EL PORT DE LA
ramparts and climb towers,
THE BACK-ROADS DIFFERENCE
Puerto de la Selva and
SELVA – BESALU – RIPOLL
we learn about the dukes
make a stop via Girona.
– CARDONA
of Cardona – known as
••
A welcome dinner in
Today we climb from the
the ‘kings without crowns’
Enjoy free time in
this secluded town is
shores of the Costa Brava
because of their wealth and
Cadaques, a fishing
the perfect way to make
to the northern mountains.
power. (B)
town where Salvador
ourselves at home for our
Besalu, a medieval
Dali formed his surrealist
two-night stay. (D)
village with Romanesque
DAY 5 CARDONA – JACA
vision, and discover the
•• ••
architecture, makes an
It’s back on the road through
artist’s workshop, library
DAY 2 EL PORT DE LA
intriguing gateway to this
the mountain passes of the
and gardens.
SELVA – CADAQUÉS – EL
rural region. We continue
Spanish Pyrenees. Soul-
Experience Michelin-
PORT DE LA SELVA
upwards, stopping at Ripoll
stirring views wait around
starred cuisine with a
Morning takes a turn for
before arriving in Cardona.
every turn. Next, we reach
farewell dinner at an
the surreal as we visit
(B)
Jaca, known as the ‘Pearl of
inventive restaurant in the
the Salvador Dalí house-
Basque Country
museum in Port Lligat. A
DAY 4 CARDONA
Visit the salt mines in
labyrinthine home built
Cardona has our full
Cardona
using fishermen’s cabins,
attention today. First up
DAY 6 JACA – OLITE –
it’s fascinating to peer into
is the remarkable Salt
PAMPLONA – LAGUARDIA
the Pyrenees’ and spend the night here. (B,D)
the artist’s workshop and
Mountain, where we take an
What better place to begin
DAY 1 BARCELONA –
library, and wander through
underground tour of one of
our exploration of this
GIRONA – EL PUERTO DE
the gardens. Next up is
the world’s most important
historic region than Olite,
LA SELVA
free time in Cadaques. This
salt mines. Then it’s back
the medieval town that was
Our Spanish odyssey
elegant, arty town is ideal
to the surface for free time
once the seat of the Navarre
begins with a tour of
for a leisurely stroll before
in the town centre, whose
court. Seek out hidden
Barcelona’s highlights.
we return to El Port de la
origins trace back to the
walkways and courtyards
Leaving the city buzz
Selva. (B)
11th century. As we wander
before we drive to
backroadstouring.com
•• •• •• •• ••
Colorful basque houses at Bilbao
7 nights in boutique accommodation Experienced Back-Roads Driver & Tour Leader Premium mini-coach transportation European breakfast daily (B), 3 evening meals (D)
SPAIN, PORTUGAL & MOROCCO
67
INCLUSIONS
Entrance included to: Salvador Dali House, Salt Mountain Cultural Park, Parador de Cardona, Olite Castle.
Authentic cuisine
For tour exclusions please see our FAQs on p.143
Cardona
Pamplona. Then, we follow
DAY 8 LAGUARDIA –
the road to Laguardia. (B)
GETARIA – BILBAO
TOUR CODE: BAR
P R I C E S F R O M $ 4 , 6 8 5 PP
Our first stop is the village DAY 7 LAGUARDIA – LA
of Getaria where we learn
RIOJA – LAGUARDIA
more about a favourite
While in La Rioja, we pay
2018
DEPARTS DEPARTS TWN /DBL
SGL
fixture of tapas menus at
MAR
21
$4,685
$5,775
homage to the region’s
an artisan producer. We
APR
18
$4,685
$5,775
winemaking heritage in
continue our drive until we
MAY
sampling local wines.
comes to an end. (B)
09 23 30 G
$5,775
reach Bilbao where our tour
02 G 16 G 26
$4,685
the best way possible:
JUN
06 G 20
13 27 G
$4,685
$5,775
JUL
25
$4,685
$5,775
AUG
29
$4,685
$5,775
SEP
05 14 26 G
$4,685
$5,775
starred restaurant, renowned
OCT
03
$4,685
$5,775
for its creative recipes. (B,D)
G = Guaranteed Departure
We’re lucky enough to visit a distinguished winery, accompanied by authentic pintxo snacks. Then it’s back to Laguardia where we dine for dinner at a Michelin-
Contact your travel consultant or the Back-Roads team to request pre and post accommodation plus transfers.
BILBAO
GETARIA
LAGUARDIA LA RIOJA
2
PAMPLONA OLITE
1
JACA
RIPOLL SPAIN
CARDONA
2
BESALU
2
EL PORT DE LA SELVA
GIRONA BARCELONA
Tour Start Point
12 G 19
Overnight Stop
Day Stop
This tour can be combined with Iberian Inspiration page 68.
SPAIN, PORTUGAL & MOROCCO
68 68
Toledo
Iberian Inspiration Toledo | Cordoba | Granada | Ronda | Aracena 11
DAYS
THE BACK-ROADS DIFFERENCE
•• •• ••
•
10
NIGHTS
•
UP
TO
18
GUESTS
DAY 2 TOLEDO –
DAY 4 CÓRDOBA – UBEDA
DAY 6 GRANADA
VALDEPEÑAS – CÓRDOBA
– BAEZA
Intricately carved archways.
Our road continues south
Today we pay court to two
Lavish interiors featuring
across the vast plains of La
great women of Andalucía.
colourful tiles. Vibrant
Experience the historic
Mancha, where Cervantes’s
The towns of Ubeda and
gardens. The Alhambra, a
charm of Córdoba,
Don Quixote jousted with
Baeza, called ‘Queen’ and
breathtaking Moorish palace
Granada, Baeza and
windmills. We pause in
‘Lady’ respectively by poet
perched on a hilltop outside
Estremoz and Ronda from
Valdepeñas to visit a local
Antonio Machado, are
Granada, must be seen to
old-town boutique hotels
bodega for wine and tapas,
replete with spectacular
be believed. Afternoon finds
Watch black Iberian pigs
before continuing on to
Renaissance palaces. This
us back in the city centre,
roam in the Sierra de
Córdoba – our home for the
morning we pause to taste
where you’re free to discover
Aracena and taste famous
next two nights. (B,L)
Spanish olive oil at its source
the city – just be sure to take
in a peaceful olive grove,
in the stunning cathedral. (B)
Jamón ibérico Spend the night in Seville
DAY 3 CÓRDOBA
before settling into our
and enjoy a traditional
This morning we go back to
hotel. Dinner tonight is a
DAY 7 GRANADA – RONDA
Flamenco show
the days of Islamic Iberia in
group affair. (B,D)
From Granada our path turns east, passing through
Córdoba’s old town. Today you’re free to explore at
DAY 5 BAEZA - JAÉN -
rural countryside to Ronda.
your own pace. Seek out
With a dramatic setting on
After meeting in Madrid,
GRANADA
hidden squares and local
Our first stop today is Jaen
the edge of a deep canyon,
we begin our journey to
cafés, pamper yourself at
Cathedral, with its towers
this historic town boasts
Toledo where centuries
a traditional hammam or
set against a backdrop of
breathtaking views. (B)
of history come alive.
simply marvel at the city’s
rolling hills. After free time,
Afterwards, we sit down
eye-catching architecture. A
we continue on to Granada.
to a welcome dinner
DAY 8 RONDA – JEREZ
highlight is the monumental
With two nights here, we
in a traditional Spanish
– ARCOS – GRAZALEMA –
Mezquita – a UNESCO
have plenty of time to
restaurant. (D)
SEVILLE
protected mosque. (B)
unravel its secrets. (B)
Today we drive to Jerez to
DAY 1 MADRID – TOLEDO
backroadstouring.com
Picos de Aroche National Park
Seville
Ronda
•• •• •••• •• •• •• ••••
10 nights in boutique accommodation Experienced Back-Roads Driver & Tour Leader Local guide in Granada Premium mini-coach transportation European breakfast daily
SPAIN, PORTUGAL & MOROCCO
69
INCLUSIONS
(B), 3 evening meals (D) Tapas lunch with wine tasting Olive oil and Ibérico ham tasting Flamenco show Entrance included to: Santa Maria la Blanca, San Juan de los
visit a local winery with a
DAY 10 SEVILLE –
DAY 11 ESTREMOZ –
private gallery followed by a
SIERRA DE ARACENA
ÉVORA – LISBON
tapas lunch and wine tasting.
– ESTREMOZ
We set our sights for
Later, we visit Seville where
The city rooftops disappear
Portugal today, first
tonight we enjoy a traditional
as we head into the great
travelling to Vila Viçosa and
flamenco show. (B)
outdoors. Our first stop is at
then on to Evora before
Reyes, Mezquita, Jaén Cathedral, Alhambra, Gruta de la Maravillas, Vila Viçosa. For tour exclusions please see our FAQs on p.143
Gruta de las Maravillas, a cave
our road winds into Lisbon
DAY 9 SEVILLE
in the town center of Aracena,
where we say farewell. (B)
After breakfast, it’s time to
before we drive to Ibéricos,
explore Seville at your own
a pig farm in the Sierra de
leisure. You could search
Aracena and Picos de Aroche
out Roman ruins, Moorish
National Park. After working
2018
SGL
mosaics and classical
up an appetite, we sample
DEPARTS DEPARTS TWN /DBL
FEB
15
$5,399
$6,399
squares. Or take yourself
the famous Jamón Ibérico,
MAR
08
18
$5,399
$6,399
on a tapas tour, hopping
before making a visit to Castle
from bar to bar, sampling
Vila Vicosa. We continue to
APR
$6,499
Estremoz to end the day.
08 G 19 26 G
$5,499
Andalucían specialities in
05 G 12 22
each. (B)
(B,D)
MAY
03 10 17 31
G G G G
06 13 24 G
$5,599
$6,599
JUN
07 14 21 28
G G G G
10 17 24
$5,599
$6,599
JUL
12
26
$5,599
$6,599
AUG
23 G
$5,599
$6,599
SEP
02 08 G 20 27 G
06 G 13 G 23 29 G
$5,599
$6,599
OCT
04 G 18
11 G
$5,499
$6,499
NOV
01
$5,399
$6,399
COUNTRY
DESTINATION
PORTUGAL LISBON
1
SPAIN
ESTREMOZ
SIERRA DE ARACENA SEVILLE
TOLEDO
CÓRDOBA
2
2
RONDA
Tour Start Point
Overnight Stop
MADRID
1
TOUR CODE: SPA
P R I C E S F R O M $ 5 , 3 9 9 PP
VALDEPEÑAS
1
BAEZA
1 2
GRANADA
Day Stop
This tour can be combined with Discover Portugal page 64, Italian Indulgence page 84 and/or Majestic Morocco page 70.
G = Guaranteed Departure
Contact your travel consultant or the Back-Roads team to request pre and post accommodation plus transfers.
SPAIN, PORTUGAL & MOROCCO
70 70
Marrakech market
Majestic Morocco Fes | Marrakech | Essaouira | Casablanca 11
DAYS
•
10
NIGHTS
•
UP
TO
18
GUESTS
relax with a welcome dinner
DAY 4 FES – MIDELT –
pit stop, we reach the equally
THE BACK-ROADS DIFFERENCE
at our riad. (D)
ERFOUD – MERZOUGA
staggering Dades Gorge.
We make our way to Ifrane in
By the time dinner is served,
•• •• ••
DAY 2 FES – MEKNES –
the Middle Atlas mountains,
we’ll have incredible photos
Learn a colourful couscous
MOULAY IDRISS – FES
driving past lakes, waterfalls
to compare. (B,L,D)
recipe on a traditional
Today, we make way to the
and cedar forests. After lunch
Moroccan homestay in
UNESCO World Heritage-
it’s time to cross the Atlas
DAY 6 DADES GORGE –
Moulay Idriss
listed Meknes, where streets
Mountains to Erfoud – the
OUARZAZATE
Become a Berber
zigzag from the medina.
Gate of the Sahara Desert.
Taking the Route of a
overnight and sleep in
Outside, in the olive grove-
We swap mini-coach for
Thousand Kasbahs, we drive
a luxury Sahara Desert
dotted countryside is the
four-wheel drive, diving into
to a local village and meet a
camp
town of Moulay Idriss. Here,
the desert. Beneath a starlit
Berber family. Our road then
Channel your inner
we join a traditional cooking
sky we sample an authentic
takes us onwards to El Kelaa
Humphrey Bogart and
class, where vegetable-
Berber feast and watch
des Mgouna where fields
Ingrid Bergman with
studded couscous is on the
a time-honoured dance
are carpeted with roses.
dinner and drinks in
menu. (B,L)
display. (B,L,D)
Reaching Ouarzazate, we rest
Casablanca’s Rick’s Café
DAY 1 CASABLANCA – RABAT – FES In Rabat we see the elaborate marble Mausoleum of Mohammed V and nearby Hassan Tower that’s similarly spectacular. When we arrive in Fes, we
for the night. (B,D) DAY 3 FES
DAY 5 MERZOUGA –
Sightseeing in Fes comes
TODRA GORGE – DADES
DAY 7 OUARZAZATE
courtesy of a medina walking
GORGE
– AIT BENHADDOU –
tour including a visit to
Ever thought you’d watch
MARRAKECH
Kairaouine Mosque and the
the sun rise and set over
En route to Marrakech,
Mausoleum of Moulay Idriss.
desert dunes? We know the
we can’t help but visit
Another Moroccan must-
perfect spot. The first stop
the fortified village of Ait
see is a carpet cooperative,
of today: the Todra Gorge, a
Benhaddou which is a
where Fes’ artistic heritage is
towering ochre ravine in the
UNESCO World Heritage
woven into vivid rugs. (B,L)
High Atlas. After a lunchtime
Site. The landscape then
backroadstouring.com
Moroccan Vegetable Couscous
Rabat
Sahara Desert
coast. We linger here for
to the local markets. (B)
turns tawny as we take the
a time, but we do have a
Tizi n’Tichka mountain pass. By early afternoon we’ll
DAY 9 MARRAKECH –
very special reservation
have reached the hustle and
ESSAOUIRA
tonight – at Rick’s Café in
bustle of Marrakech. (B,D)
Mirage-like Essaouira is a
Casablanca. Over dinner and
fortified port town that rises
drinks you’ll almost be able
DAY 8 MARRAKECH
up beside the water, fringed
to hear the sound of Sam’s
Today we go roving in
with palms. After lunch, we
piano and the rousing lines
Marrakech. It’s a captivating
meet with a local argan oil-
of La Marseillaise within this
collision of fragrant spices,
cooperative and learn the
lantern-lit, living film set.
rainbow-coloured wares
secrets of the ‘liquid gold’.
(B,L,D)
and all things exotic. A
(B, L)
•• •• •• •• •• •••• •••• ••••
sightseeing tour including
DAY 10 ESSAOUIRA –
a visit to a Koran School,
OUALIDIA – CASABLANCA
day, we take in the enormous
Jemaa el Fnaa, the Medina
Sticking to the water, we
Hassan II Mosque, with its
and Bahia Palace, Yves Saint
travel to Oualidia that’s
200-metre high minaret.
Laurent Gardens and a trip
set on a sublime stretch of
Then, we say goodbye. (B)
QUALIDIA MARRAKECH ESSAOUIRA
1
2
1
FES MIDELT
DADES GORGE
QUARZAZATE
1
MERZOUGA
MOROCCO
Tour Start Point
Overnight Stop
Tour Leader & Driver Local guides in Fes, Meknes and Marrakech Premium mini-coach transportation Daily breakfasts (B), 6 lunches (L), 6 evening meals (D) Moroccan cooking class Traditional tea ceremony Berber dance show Visit an argan oil cooperative Visit a carpet cooperative Entrance included to: Mausoleum Kairaouine Mosque and University, Moulay Idriss, Jemaa el Fnaa, Koran School, Yves Saint Laurent Garden, Bahia Palace and Hassan II Mosque.
For tour exclusions please see our FAQs on p.143 TOUR CODE: MRC
In Casablanca for one final
3
1
Experienced Back-Roads
of Mohammed V,
P R I C E S F R O M $ 4 , 7 9 9 PP 2018
DEPARTS
TWN /DBL
SGL
MAR
20
$4,799
$5,799
APR
17
$4,799
$5,799
MAY
01 G 15 G 22 29 G
$4,799
$5,799
JUN
05
$4,799
$5,799
SEP
14 18 G 25
$4,799
$5,799
OCT
02 09
$4,799
$5,799
RABAT
1
accommodation
DAY 11 CASABLANCA
local guide leads us on a
CASABLANCA
10 nights in boutique
Day Stop
This tour can be combined with Iberian Inspiration page 68.
SPAIN, PORTUGAL & MOROCCO
71
INCLUSIONS
G = Guaranteed Departure
Contact your travel consultant or the Back-Roads team to request pre and post accommodation plus transfers.
ITALY & MALTA
72
Indoor market, Florence
backroadstouring.com
ITALY & MALTA
73
I T A L Y & M A L T A
Boasting layers of undisturbed history, architectural elegance and landscapes that must be seen to be believed, Italy and Malta serve as destinations where dreams are made. Embark on a journey of historical significance as you meander through Italy, where fashionable capitals meet humble mountain villages, and the Mediterranean Sea is dotted with luxury superyachts. If island life is calling, the majestic archipelago of Malta will dazzle you with its prehistoric temples, hidden coves and thrilling dive spots. A rightfully popular holiday region, the hardest part will be returning home.
backroadstouring.com
ITALY & MALTA
74 74
Gulet Boat N E W
T O U R
Sail the Bay of Naples Sorrento | Ventotene | Ponza 8
DAYS
•
7
NIGHTS
•
UP
TO
12
GUESTS
the evening for a welcome
has to offer, such as the
THE BACK-ROADS DIFFERENCE
DAY 5 ISLAND OF ISCHIA
dinner. (D)
Amphitheatre of Pozzuoli
– VENTOTENE
and Terme di Baia before
Spend the morning today
•• •• ••
DAY 2 MARINA DI STABIA
you have some time to
navigating to the island of
Sail through some of
– SORRENTO – MARINA DI
spend lunch at your own
Ventotene with your Tour
Italy’s most beautiful and
STABIA – POZZUOLI
leisure. In the afternoon, we
Leader before having time
historic islands
What better way to start the
continue strolling through
to stroll across the island
Enjoy a walking tour of
day than with a walking tour
the city before returning
at your own pace. Explore
Sorrento
of Sorrento after a delightful
to our boat and cruising to
the remains of the Roman
Explore the Amphitheatre
breakfast on board. Perched
Procida while enjoying our
Empire and take some
of Pozzuoli and Terme di
atop steep cliffs overlooking
dinner. (B,D)
stunning photographs of
Baia in Pozzuoli
the busy marinas, the city
DAY 1 NAPLES – MARINA DI STABIA After our transfer from Naples, we begin the tour in the Marina Di Stabia harbour near Sorrento where we board our boat – a traditional gulet boat crafted from mahogany and iroko. Boasting a generous sundeck, it’s time to enjoy welcome cocktails on the deck before we sit down in
the famous lighthouse.
is known for stunning sea
DAY 4 PROCIDA –
In the evening, we climb
views and numerous cafés
ISLAND OF ISCHIA
back aboard for a delightful
lining the streets. We return
In the morning we visit
dinner. (B,D)
to our boat mid-day where
the beautiful island of
we enjoy lunch and head
Ischia today to explore the
DAY 6 VENTOTENE –
off towards the harbour of
Aragonese Castle which
PONZA
Pozzuoli. We tuck into a
stands on a volcanic rocky
We cruise to the incredible
lovely dinner in the evening
islet that connects to the
Ponza this morning where
before turning in for the
larger island. Make the most
you will have the day to
night. (B,L,D)
of free time before we return
yourself to explore the
to the boat in the afternoon.
island as you wish. You can
DAY 3 POZZUOLI –
In the evening, we enjoy
stroll through the Giardino
PROCIDA
dinner on board before
Botanico Ponziano botanical
Today we take in all of the
turning in for the night. (B,D)
garden or just spend the
impressive sights Pozzuoli
day on one of the island’s
backroadstouring.com
•• •• •• •• ••
On board
7 nights on board a boutique gulet boat Experienced Back-Roads
ITALY & MALTA
75
INCLUSIONS
Tour Leader/Driver Premium mini-coach transportation European breakfast daily (B), 2 lunches (L), 3 daily evening meals (D) Entrance included to: Cuma, Aragonese Castle, Amphitheater of Pozzuoli & Terme di Baia
Dining on deck
For tour exclusions please see our FAQs on p.143
Local seafood
incredible beaches. In the
DAY 8 MARINA DI STABIA
evening, we return to the
– NAPLES
boat and enjoy a lovely
Enjoy your last breakfast
dinner aboard. (B,D)
aboard with your fellow
TOUR CODE: CSO
P R I C E S F R O M $ 6 , 1 9 9 PP
travellers before the tour
2018
DEPARTS
CABIN
DAY 7 PONZA – MARINA
comes to an end as we
MAY
21
$6,199
DI STABIA
transfer back to Naples.
JUN
04 18
$6,199
Di Stabia and revel in the
SEP
17
$6,199
incredible views along the
G = Guaranteed Departure
Today we sail back to Marina
way. Enjoy a light lunch
The gulet boat has 6 air-conditioned cabins all with en-
on board as you soak up
suite facilities. There is a spacious dining area to enjoy
the sun and watch the
your meals each day. The crew members will look after
Mediterranean scenery roll
you and the chef will prepare traditional meals using fresh
by. In the evening, we tuck into our final dinner together on board. (B,L,D)
ingredients. There is canoeing and fishing equipment to use, as well as a TV, DVD, CD and MP3 player and a choice of games for your entertainment.
ITALY
PONZA
1
POZZUOLI
VENTOTENE
1
ISLAND OF ISCHIA
1
1
NAPLES
1
PROCIDA
2
MARINA DI STABIA
SORRENTO
Tour Start Point
Overnight Stop
Day Stop
This tour can be combined with Enchanting Southern Italy page 76, Italian Indulgence page 84 and/or Tuscan Treats page 80.
By sail
Contact your travel consultant or the Back-Roads team to request pre and post accommodation plus transfers.
ITALY & MALTA
76 76
Capri
Enchanting Southern Italy Naples | Capri | The Amalfi Coast 7
DAYS
•
6
NIGHTS
•
UP
TO
18
GUESTS
the labyrinthine streets of the
little-known treasure waiting
limoncello, lemon salad and
THE BACK-ROADS DIFFERENCE
historic centre in search of the
to be discovered. We return
of course, lemon gelato. (B,D)
Cappella Sansevero, home to
to Tenuta Seliano to a kitchen
•• ••
the Veiled Christ – one of the
piled high with local produce,
DAY 4 MINORI – AMALFI –
Take part in a traditional
finest sculptures in the world.
such as mozzarella and ricotta,
POSITANO – MINORI
Campania cooking lesson
The afternoon transports us
fruits and vegetables, buffalo
After a hearty breakfast, our
on a working country
back in time with a visit to
meat and fresh pasta. It’s time
first stop to the Amalfi will
estate, using fresh farm
the archaeological wonder,
to learn the art of traditional
be nothing short of wow-
produce
Pompeii. We then travel
Campania cooking – our hard
inducing. After a short walking
Tour the age-old marble
to Paestum where we dine
work rewarded when we get
tour with ample time to take
temples in UNESCO
tonight. (D)
to eat what we’ve prepared
in the surrounding beauty, we
at lunch with the family. Our
venture onwards to the oh-so
World Heritage-listed
••
Paestum
DAY 2 PAESTUM – MINORI
hunger well satisfied, we
blissful town of Positano. To
Limoncello tasting in a
This morning we have an
continue on to Minori. (B,L)
continue the artisan theme
lemon grove near sleepy
appointment at Tenuta
Minori, a hidden treasure
Seliano – an authentic farm-
DAY 3 MINORI – RAVELLO
ceramic specialist, where we
of the Amalfi Coast
inn (or agriturismo) – where
– MINORI
are invited to join a ceramic
we visit the buffaloes and
Enjoy the morning to explore
colouring session. After a
watch owner Cecilia Bellelli
Minori on a guided walking
delightful and insightful day,
Baratta make light, fresh
tour, before we continue on
it's time to rest in Minori for
mozzarella. Our trip off the
to Ravello for a guided tour.
the night. (B)
tourist trail continues with
To refresh our palates, our
a visit to UNESCO World
next stop involves a citrus
DAY 5 MINORI – CAPRI –
heritage-listed Paestum.
twist with a visit to a lemon
MINORI
With crumbling marble
farmhouse. After learning
The high life beckons today
temples against a mountain
of the cultivation process,
as we sail to the island
backdrop, this village is a
dive into a tasting spread of
of Capri, off the Sorrento
DAY 1 NAPLES – POMPEII – PAESTUM Bright, buzzing and echoing with tales from millennia of history, Naples is your springboard for exploring Southern Italy. We start with our local guide leading us into
of the tour, we meet with a
backroadstouring.com
77
Pompeii
Vietri sul Mare hand-painted ceramics
Back to the kitchen with a Baronessa
Peninsula. Lapped by the
Today we add more pearls
the Royal Palace of Caserta,
inky blue waters of the
to our collection with visits
built in the 18th century and
Tyrrhenian Sea, Capri has
to Maiori and Cetara. After
the last great creation of
been a popular resort since
a morning of exploring, we
the Italian Baroque. From
the days of Ancient Rome.
drive to Vietri sul Mare. Here,
the royal to the rustic – our
Enjoy a ride on the charming
craftspeople create hand-
next stop is a farmhouse in
funicular railway from the
painted, vividly coloured
Sant’Agata dei Goti where
port, which whisks us through
ceramics. Back in Minori,
we taste Falanghina wines
bright, fragrant lemon
enjoy free time before we
produced from black grapes
groves. Then there’s time to
meet for our final dinner.
grown in the Campania
see and be seen among the
(B,D)
regions. Then there’s time for a last, leisurely Italian lunch
exclusive boutiques, cafés and restaurants of Capri
DAY 7 MINORI –
before we return to Naples,
town, before returning to
PALACE OF CASERTA
where our adventure ends.
Minori in late afternoon. (B)
– SANT’AGATA DEI GOTI
(B,L)
•• •• •• •• •• •• •••• •• •••• ••
We bid the Amalfi Coast a
VIETRI – CETARA – MINORI
fond farewell and drive to
SANT'AGATA DEI GOTI ITALY
NAPLES POMPEII POSITANO CAPRI
5
MINORI
Day Stop
Premium mini-coach transportation Ferry to the Island of Capri Experienced Back-Roads Driver & Tour Leader Local guides in Naples, Pompeii, Ravello and Paestum European breakfast daily (B), 2 lunches (L), 3 evening meals (D) Italian cooking class Ceramic class and demonstration Mozzarella & olive oil tasting Limoncello tasting Wine tasting Entrance included to: Cappella Sansevero, Rufolo, Villa Cimbrone, Capri Funicular and Royal Palace of Caserta
For tour exclusions please see our FAQs on p.143
TOUR CODE: RAM
P R I C E S F R O M $ 3 , 8 9 9 PP 2018
DEPARTS DEPARTS TWN /DBL
SGL
APR
22
29
$3,899
$4,459
MAY
13 G
27
$3,899
$4,459
JUN
03 G
10
$3,899
$4,459
AUG
26 G
30
$3,899
$4,459
SEP
02 16 G 27
09 G 23 30 G
$3,899
$4,459
OCT
07
$3,899
$4,459
Contact your travel consultant or the Back-Roads team to request pre and post accommodation plus transfers.
AMALFI
PAESTUM
Overnight Stop
accommodation
G = Guaranteed Departure
1
Tour Start Point
6 nights in boutique
Pompeii, Paestum, Villa
– NAPLES DAY 6 MINORI – MAIORI –
ITALY & MALTA
INCLUSIONS
By ferry
This tour can be combined with Italian Indulgence page 84,
Slow Food Tour of Puglia page 78 and/or Sail The Bay of Naples page 74.
ITALY & MALTA
78 78
Alberobello
Slow Food Tour of Puglia Alberobello | Lecce | Gallipoli 6
DAYS
5
NIGHTS
•
UP
TO
18
GUESTS
it’s time to relax into our
that, we return to Martina
DAY 4 LECCE – OTRANTO
welcome dinner at a local
Franca to rest easy for the
– DEPRESSA – GALLIPOLI
pub. (L,D)
night. (B)
Emerald lake. Turquoise
Taste artisan cheeses
DAY 2 MARTINA FRANCA
DAY 3 MARTINA FRANCA
The pretty-as-a-postcard
at Caseificio Famiglia
– CASTELLANA CAVES
– OSTUNI – MASSERIA
harbour town of Otranto
Olanda
– ALBEROBELLO –
FERRI – LECCE
is where we swap town
Stop for lunch amid 18th
MARTINA FRANCA
With its jumble of icing-
and country for a seaside
century tenuta in a hilltop
Our culinary journey this
sugar buildings, pretty
sojourn. When we stop at
masseria
morning offers a short
Ostuni wholeheartedly lives
the beautiful bay of Porto
Step inside the cellar of
drive before we meet with
up to its nickname: the
Badisco, be sure to search
Castel di Salve to discover
a local olive grove and
White Village. And it’s here
for the freshly caught sea
wines crafted from Puglia’s
oil mill to uncover the
that we begin day three of
urchins – a not-to-be-
indigenous grapes
secrets of the process, of
our tour. This pretty hamlet
missed treat. We wash
course sampling the local
is huddled in quintessential
them down with a selection
fare. Next, in Alberobello
Puglia countryside, so it’s
of wines at Castel di Salve,
there’s the chance to
only right that lunch today
famous for its Santi Medici
marvel at the prehistoric
is in a rural masseria – a
Bianco, Santi Medici Rosé,
cone-topped trulli dotted
country estate. After lunch,
Armecolo, Cento Su Cento
across the landscape. After
we drive on to Lecce – our
Primitivo. Then it’s onwards
lunch, we head below
home for the night – where
to the historic fishing port
ground to the spellbinding
we’ll enjoy a walk with a
of Gallipoli where the sun
Castellana Caves. Look up
local guide and taste some
sets on day four of our trip.
to see stalactites and down
local products. (B,L)
(B)
THE BACK-ROADS DIFFERENCE
•• •• ••
•
seas. Pink-hued hills.
DAY 1 BARI – MATERA –
MARTINA FRANCA Our first stop entails a drive to Andria followed by our first taste of Puglia food culture: smooth burrata and silky mozzarella cheeses. After lunch, it’s on to Matera to enjoy a tour with a local guide. As dusk sets in,
to find fossils that are hidden throughout these fairy-tale grottos. After
backroadstouring.com
•• •• •• •• •• •• •• ••
Sea urchins
Wine Tasting
Polignano A Mare
5 nights in boutique accommodation Experienced Back-Roads Driver & Tour Leader Local guides in Matera and Lecce Premium mini-coach transportation European breakfast daily (B), 2 lunches (L), 2 evening meals (D) 2 wine tastings & 1 olive tasting Mozzarella & burrata tasting Entrance included to: Sassi di Matera, Castellana Caves and
DAY 5 GALLIPOLI –
and an area renowned
inside Santa Maria di
NARDÒ – MANDURIA -
for exquisite red wines,
Cerrate, we’ll discover
GALLIPOLI
and it’s only right that we
a monastery with roots
When in Gallipoli, we
pay a visit to Manduria’s
deep in Puglia’s rich
do as the fishermen do.
Museo della Civiltà del
food culture. Leaving the
That means an early start
Vino Primitivo for a guided
monastery behind, we
down at the fish markets
tasting – and pay homage
climb the coastal road up
TOUR CODE: PUG
where stalls are piled high
to the celebrated Primitivo
to Polignano a Mare – the
with a dazzling array of
grape. (B,D)
‘Pearl of the Adriatic’
P R I C E S F R O M $ 3 , 6 9 9 PP
L’Abbazia di Santa Maria di Cerrate For tour exclusions please see our FAQs on p.143
and our final stop. And
seafood. Here, we’ll taste raw shrimp and shellfish,
DAY 6 GALLIPOLI –
with that, it’s time to say
straight off the boat. Then
POLIGNANO A MARE
goodbye to this exquisite
we woo ourselves away
– BARI
from the water with a trip
Within its peaceful
to the old town of Nardo.
honey-stone cloisters and
It’s a treasure trove of
Romanesque architecture
some of Puglia’s finest
are thousands of years
Baroque architecture
of history. When we step
2018
DEPARTS
TWN /DBL
SGL
region, as we round up our
MAY
08
$3,699
$4,359
tour back in Bari. (B)
JUN
05 G 12 G 19
$3,699
$4,359
SEP
04 G 11
$3,699
$4,359
G = Guaranteed Departure
Contact your travel consultant or the Back-Roads team to request pre and post accommodation plus transfers. BARI ITALY
POLIGNANO A MARE
2
MARTINA FRANCA
GALLIPOLI
Tour Start Point
Overnight Stop
1
LECCE
2
Day Stop
This tour can be combined with Tuscan Treats page 80 and/or Italian Indulgence page 84.
ITALY & MALTA
79
INCLUSIONS
ITALY & MALTA
80 80
Lucca
Tuscan Treats Lucca | Volterra | Pienza | Tuscany 7
DAYS
•
6
NIGHTS
•
UP
TO
18
GUESTS
layer of fascinating history
DAY 3 LUCCA – PISA –
you have San Gimignano
THE BACK-ROADS DIFFERENCE
and fine architecture as we
VOLTERRA
where we make time to visit
go beyond its city walls.
Infamous and impossible to
Gelateria Dondoli, home
•• •• ••
Tonight, we come together
miss, Pisa’s Leaning Tower
to a master gelato maker
Take in UNESCO World
for the first of our delicious
is a staggering sight – and
and carry on to Fattoria San
Heritage sites – from the
dinners at a local osteria. (D)
our first point of call today.
Donato for an indulgent
Afterwards, we travel on
wine tasting, complete with
Cinque Terre to Siena Unlock the secrets of
DAY 2 LUCCA – CINQUE
to Volterra where you have
bruschetta and local meats.
Tuscan cuisine with wine
TERRE – LUCCA
the chance to explore the
After taking in the city’s
tastings and an exclusive
Rocky coastline. Romantic,
town at your own leisure.
head-turning historic centre,
cookery class
sugared almond-coloured
Perched on a plateau, this
we continue to Pienza with a
Stay in a country house in
villages. It’s time to take
magnificent and mysterious
stop via Siena. Tonight, the
the Tuscan Hills
the road less travelled
medieval walled town is our
evening is all yours. (B)
along the more remote
home for the night – but
parts of the Italian Riviera’s
before bed beckons, there’s
DAY 5 PIENZA – TUSCANY
DAY 1 FLORENCE – LUCCA
sublime shoreline. Our
plenty of time for you to
Its timeless charm and
Your introduction to Italy
route brings us to the
discover its charismatic
enchanting rural backdrop
involves an in-depth guided
Cinque Terre, a UNESCO
character. (B)
make Pienza a serene spot
walking tour of Florence.
World Heritage Site and a
But, before we get too
tour highlight. We explore
DAY 4 VOLTERRA – SAN
on foot with your Tour
comfortable in Florence,
villages dotted along this
Leader, before we continue
it’s off to leafy Lucca –
GIMIGNANO – SIENA –
secluded stretch and marvel
PIENZA
our journey to sample
where cobbled streets and
at the breathtaking scenery
A magnificent piazza.
handcrafted pecorino
red-roofed buildings make
surrounding us. After time
Meandering stepped
cheese and world-class wine.
up the first stop on our
spent discovering this
streets. Throw in beautifully
Driving onwards through the
journey. When we reach
beautiful area, we return to
preserved architecture and
Chianti countryside, another
Lucca, unwrap layer upon
Lucca in time for dinner. (B)
a sensational location, and
gem awaits – a Tuscan
to spend this morning
backroadstouring.com
•• •• •••• •• •••• •••• ••
Cooking Class
Cinque Terre
San-Gimignano
country house that we’ll
DAY 7 TUSCANY –
call home for the next two
FLORENCE
nights. (B,D)
While we have to say morning and we reach the final day of our trip, there’s
invitation to the kitchen
one more treat in store: a
awaits, where we roll up our
stop-off at an oil mill for a
sleeves and don aprons. The
guided tour, olive oil tasting
villa’s chef treats us to an
and light lunch. All in all,
exclusive lesson in making
it’s a fitting end to our tour
Tuscan delicacies, sharing all
that has celebrated the
the secrets, and then we sit
natural beauty and culinary
down to savour the fruits of
traditions of Tuscany, and
our labours for lunch. (B,L,D)
that ends back in romantic Florence. (B,L)
ITALY
2
FLORENCE
1
2 1
TUSCANY
PIENZA
PETERSBURG
Tour Start Point
Overnight Stop
Local guide in Florence Premium mini-coach transportation European breakfast daily (B), 2 lunches (L), 3 evening meals (D) Wine tastings Tuscan cooking class Olive oil tasting Pecorino cheese & wine tasting Entrance included to: Cinque Terre Card,
TOUR CODE: TT
P R I C E S F R O M $ 2 , 9 9 9 PP 2018
DEPARTS DEPARTS TWN /DBL
SGL
FEB
23
$2,999
$3,499
MAR
16
$3,099
$3,599
APR
13 G 27 G
20 G
$3,099
$3,599
MAY
09 G 23 G 30
16 G 25
$3,099
$3,599
JUN
01 G 15 G
08 G 22
$3,099
$3,599
JUL
06 20 G
13
$3,099
$3,599
AUG
03 G 17 G 31
10 24
$3,099
$3,599
SEP
05 G 10 14 G 28 G
07 G 12 19
$3,099
$3,599
OCT
05 G
10 G
$3,099
$3,599
CINQUE TERRE
VOLTERRA
Driver & Tour Leader
For tour exclusions please see our FAQs on p.143
Rise and shine as your
SIENA
Experienced Back-Roads
Pisa, Cathedral of Siena
DAY 6 TUSCANY
PISA
accommodation
Baptistery of St John in
goodbye to our villa this
LUCCA
6 nights in boutique
ITALY & MALTA
81
INCLUSIONS
Day Stop
This tour can be combined with Sail the Bay of Naples page 74 and/or Slow Food Tour of Puglia page 78.
G = Guaranteed Departure
Contact your travel consultant or the Back-Roads team to request pre and post accommodation plus transfers.
ITALY & MALTA
82 82
Interlaken
Lakes & Mountains of Italy & Switzerland Venice | Sirmione | Franciacorta | Celerina | Wengen 8
DAYS
•
7
NIGHTS
•
UP
TO
18
GUESTS
souvenir, we travel onwards
DAY 3 SIRMIONE –
includes a visit to a local
THE BACK-ROADS DIFFERENCE
to Sirmione where we
BRESCIA – SULZANO –
farmhouse and wine cellar
spend the night and meet
ISEO – FRANCIACORTA
visit, before we launch into
•• ••
for dinner together. (D)
Our first stop today
an authentic cooking class
welcomes us to Brescia
to learn the traditions of
••
Learn the traditions of Italian regional cuisine
DAY 2 SIRMIONE –
for a guided tour of this
regional cuisine. With our
with a cooking class
BORGHETTO – SIRMIONE
magnificent city – home
appetites satisfied, we
Experience two of the
This morning we rise
to various UNESCO World
continue to the Mosnel Villa
great alpine railway
early for a guided tour of
Heritage Sites. Our road
for today’s final round of
journeys: The Bernina
Sirmione before continuing
then carries us to the Port
wine tasting. (B,L)
Express and the Glacier
onwards to a local
of Sulzano for a private
Express
farmhouse for an authentic
boat tour including a
DAY 5 FRANCIACORTA –
Participate in a traditional
lunch filled with a variety
stop at the picturesque
TIRANO – CELERINA
mask decorating class in
of cheeses, artisan bread
fishing village of Peschiera
Our path turns away from
Venice
and local vegetables.
Maraglio on Monte Isola.
Franciacorta and onwards
After lunch, we reach
Continuing through Iseo,
to Tirano – where a
the breathtaking town of
we move onwards to
highlight of our trip awaits.
Borghetto for a walking
Franciacorta where we
It’s here that we board the
tour with your Tour Leader.
spend the night and share
Bernina Express to embark
After an eventful few hours,
an evening meal together.
on one of the world’s
we return to Sirmione to
(B,D)
iconic railway journeys. Our
DAY 1 VENICE – SIRMIONE The gateway to our adventure, we will become acquainted with Venice’s maze-like backstreets on a guided walking tour before we launch into a ‘hands on’ traditional mask making experience. After ample time to craft your own
train climbs steadily into
enjoy a free night at your own pace. (B,L)
DAY 4 FRANCIACORTA
the mountains, passing
Rolling hills, charming
through tunnels where
vineyards and medieval
views of soaring peaks
villages are on the cards
and awe-inspiring glaciers
for today. Our first stop
await on the other side.
backroadstouring.com
•• •• •• •• •• ••
Train from Tirano
Cooking class
7 nights in boutique accommodation Experienced Back-Roads
ITALY & MALTA
83
INCLUSIONS
Driver & Tour Leader Premium mini-coach transportation The Bernina Express & the Glacier Express through the Swiss Alps European breakfast daily (B), 2 lunches (L), 4 evening meals (D) Local guides in Venice, Borghetto, Sirmione, Franciacorta, Brescia
Lucerne
Our final stop is Celerina,
DAY 7 WENGEN –
craftsmen at work, and
where we’re welcomed to
INTERLAKEN – WENGEN
pay a visit to the museum
Switzerland with a warming
After breakfast, we
and exhibitions to marvel
group dinner. (B,D)
embark on a journey to
at the incredible artistry.
a weaving workshop and
Next, we visit Lucerne,
DAY 6 CELERINA –
travel to Interlaken on a
whose medieval old town
ANDERMATT – WENGEN
paddlesteamer cruise.
and lakeside setting
After feasting on a hearty
Later, we return for our final
enchanted everyone from
breakfast with a Swiss twist,
dinner together. (B,D)
Goethe to Queen Victoria and a chance to satisfy
it’s all aboard the train to Andermatt from St Moritz
DAY 8 WENGEN –
your sweet tooth with a
for the Glacier Express
HERGISWIL – LUCERNE
chocolate tasting at Max
train – an experience unlike
– ZURICH
Chocolatier. Finally, we
anywhere else in the world.
On our last day together,
reach Zurich, where we say
(B)
from Wengen we pay a
goodbye amid the elegant
visit to Glasi Hergiswil –
buildings, grand squares
the only glass works in
and artisan houses of this
Switzerland. Watch the
heart-stealing city. (B)
•• •• •• •• •• •• ••
& Iseo 2 wine tastings, 1 cheese tasting Participate in a traditional mask decorating class in Venice Chocolate tasting in Switzerland Traditional cooking class in Italy Paddle steamer cruise on Lake Brienz Guided boat tour through Sirmione & Lake Iseo Entrance included to: Ballenberg Open-Air Museum, Loggia San Marco & Glasi Hergiswill
For tour exclusions please see our FAQs on p.143
TOUR CODE: TUZ
P R I C E S F R O M $ 6 , 1 9 9 PP
ZURICH
SWITZERLAND LUCERNE WENGEN
2
ANDERMATT
1
CELERINA TIRANO
2
2
ITALY
Tour Start Point
Overnight Stop
FRANCIACORTA VENICE
SIRMIONE
Day Stop
By train
This tour can be combined with Italian Indulgence page 84.
2018
DEPARTS
TWN /DBL
SGL
MAY
15 29
$6,199
$7,299
JUN
19 G 26 G
$6,199
$7,299
AUG
07
$6,199
$7,299
SEP
04 11 G
$6,199
$7,299
G = Guaranteed Departure
Contact your travel consultant or the Back-Roads team to request pre and post accommodation plus transfers.
ITALY & MALTA
84 84
Florence
Italian Indulgence Tuscany | Florence | The Lakes 12
DAYS
•
11
NIGHTS
•
UP
TO
18
GUESTS
fabulous architecture. After THE BACK-ROADS DIFFERENCE
DAY 5 LUCCA – PISA –
DAY 7 SANTA
exploring the old centre,
LUCCA
MARGHERITA LIGURE
we venture to our villa in
We come up close and
– BAROLO – ASTI –
•• •• ••
the world-renowned Chianti
personal to an Italian icon
CHERASCO
region. (B,D).
today, with a visit to the
Our compass points north
Cook up an Italian feast in a Tuscan Villa
famous Leaning Tower of
and we travel inland to
Hunt for truffles in
DAY 3 TUSCANY
Pisa. Afternoon sees us back
Piedmont, a region of rich
Piedmont
Our host lets us in on a few
in Lucca, where you have the
red wines and luxurious
Enjoy an afternoon of
secrets of Italian cooking
rest of the day and night to
cuisine. Our first stop is
wine tasting in Tirano
today, as we prepare
explore at your own pace. (B)
Grinzane Cavour Castle, before driving near the
ourselves a classic rustic DAY 1 ROME – ASSISI – PERUGIA
Tuscan lunch. Later, the
DAY 6 LUCCA – CAMOGLI
village of Barolo. A treat is in
afternoon is free to relax.
– SAN FRUTTUOSO –
store for the sweet-toothed
(B,L,D)
PORTOFINO – SANTA
among us at a distillery near
MARGHERITA LIGURE
Asti, where we sip regional
They say all roads lead to Rome, but after we meet,
DAY 4 TUSCANY –
It’s time to experience the
liquors, complemented by
our route whisks us away
FLORENCE – LUCCA
glitz and glamour of the
hand-made nougat. Finally,
to awe-inspiring Assisi, the
We turn our attention to
Italian Riviera. Have your
we will end our busy day
birthplace of St Francis.
Florence – birthplace of the
camera ready as we tick
with a sumptuous slow-food
Tonight, we come together
Renaissance and home to
off Camogli, San Fruttuoso
dinner in Cherasco. (B,D)
for a delicious dinner in
the world’s most treasured
and the glittering village of
Perugia. (D)
masterpieces. A local guide
Portofino, before settling
DAY 8 CHERASCO – LAKE
brings the city alive as we
in Santa Margherita Ligure.
ORTA – LAKE MAGGIORE
stroll through the streets on
Enjoy an evening at your own
This morning we join a truffle
TUSCANY
a walking tour. As afternoon
pace – strolling along the
hunt with a local farmer,
Introducing Siena: a gorgeous
melts into dusk, we continue
beachfront, lined with pastel-
and then it’s time to head
Gothic city bursting with
on to Lucca. (B)
painted houses. (B)
for the hills, pristine lakes
DAY 2 PERUGIA – SIENA –
backroadstouring.com
•• •• •••• •• •• •••• ••••
Lake Molveno
Portofino
Local market, Florence
and soaring mountains of
DAY 10 LAKE MAGGIORE –
of the Brenta Dolomites.
northern Italy. Lake Maggiore
LECCO – TIRANO
We continue to Trento for a
marks the magnificent final
Bidding farewell to Lake
walking tour and meet in the
stop of the day’s journey. (B)
Maggiore, we discover
evening for a farewell dinner.
the sights of Lecco before
(B,D)
DAY 9 LAKE MAGGIORE
we reach Tirano for a wine
Leaving dry land behind us
tasting session. After an
DAY 12 TRENTO –
for the day, we set sail for
indulgent afternoon, we
VERONA – VENICE
the Borromean Islands. We
return to our hotel and
Fair Verona beckons today,
wander the terraces of the
meet for dinner at a local
with its impressive Roman
ornate Baroque Garden on
restaurant to continue the
ruins and romantic hotspots.
Isola Bella and discover the
culinary adventure. (B,D)
Then it’s onwards to the show-stopping finale: the
pretty harbour of Isola dei Pescatori. The rest of the day
DAY 11 TIRANO – LAKE
floating city of Venice where
is free for you to relax. (B)
MOLVENO – TRENTO
we bid farewell. (B)
This morning we turn our
TIRANO LAKE MAGGIORE CHERASCO
1
SANTA MARGHERITA
2
1
LECCO ITALY
1 LUCCA
1
TRENTO
PORTOFINO
2
2
1
PERUGIA
ROME
Tour Start Point
Overnight Stop
The Lakes & Mountains of Italy and Switzerland page 82.
Local guide in Florence Premium mini-coach transportation European breakfast daily (B), 1 lunch (L), 6 evening meals (D) Tuscan cooking class and lunch Truffle hunt in Piedmont 1 wine tasting 1 liquor tasting Entrance included to: San Fruttuoso Abbey,
Castle. For tour exclusions please see our FAQs on p.143
TOUR CODE: ITA
P R I C E S F R O M $ 5 , 7 9 9 PP 2018
DEPARTS DEPARTS TWN /DBL
SGL
FEB
27
$5,799
$6,899
MAR
20
$5,799
$6,899
APR
05 19 G 24 G
12 G 23 26 G
$5,849
$6,999
MAY
01 06 10 15 20 24 29
G G G G G G G
03 08 13 17 22 27
$5,999
$7,199
JUN
01 10 17 28
G G G G
06 G 14 24 G
$5,999
$7,199
JUL
01 G 08 19 G 26 G
05 G 15 G 22 G
$5,999
$7,199
AUG
02 G 12 30 G
09 G 23
$5,999
$7,199
SEP
02 06 11 16 20 25
$5,999
$7,199
G
04 G 09 13 18 G 23 27 G
OCT
01 G 11
07 G 18
$5,849
$6,999
Day Stop
This tour can be combined with Iberian Inspiration page 68 and/or
Driver & Tour Leader
Pisa and Grinzane Cavour
FLORENCE TUSCANY
Experienced Back-Roads
Baptistery of St John in
VENICE
VERONA
accommodation
Isola Madre & Isola Bella,
attention to the majestic Lake Molveno at the foot
11 nights in boutique
ITALY & MALTA
85
INCLUSIONS
G G G G
G G G G
G = Guaranteed Departure
ITALY & MALTA
86 86
Taormina
The Splendours of Sicily Palermo | Ragusa | Syracuse | Taormina 7
DAYS
•
6
NIGHTS
•
UP
TO
18
GUESTS
that will astound. Next, we
DAY 3 MARSALA –
Muxaro. Sample your
THE BACK-ROADS DIFFERENCE
visit Corleone to learn more
AGRIGENTO
way through the morning
about the area and later,
After breakfast, we leave
with cheese, olive bread,
••
we enjoy a welcome dinner
Marsala and carry onwards
peppers and a local treat –
together. (D)
to our next destination.
the sweet honey cake. To
•• ••
Experience a local cheese tasting in Sant’Angelo
Making a stop at the
end the day, we meet for
Muraxo with panoramic
DAY 2 PALERMO – ERICE –
Kolymbetra Garden, we
another satisfying dinner in
views
TRAPANI – MARSALA
will wander through the
Agrigento. (B,D)
Hear about the rise of the
This morning, we bid farewell
ruins of the Valley of
mafia in Corleone, the
to Palermo and set our eyes
Temples and find peace in
DAY 5 AGRIGENTO
town made famous from
onwards to the medieval
the tranquil surrounds of
– PIAZZA ARMERINA –
The Godfather film
town of Erice. When you’re
the lush plantlife. After an
MODICA – RAGUSA
Climb the iconic Mount
not marvelling at the
enlightening day, we make
Our first stop is Piazza
Etna by coach
impressive views of the valley
our way back to the hotel
Armerina, where we visit the
and ocean (if the weather
to savour a delicious dinner
one-of-a-kind Villa Romana
is clear), hunt down Sicily's
together with the company
del Casale, containing one
most famous almond cake
of your fellow travellers in
of the largest collections
shop, which calls Erice home.
Agrigento. (B,D)
of Roman mosaics in the
DAY 1 PALERMO – CORLEONE – PALERMO We meet in Sicily’s capital, Palermo, and dive straight into its warren of streets with a local guide.This morning is dedicated to the Norman Palace, a wonder of Palermo and the Palatine Chapel – with walls coated in glimmering paintings
world. Next, we follow in
Next up is Trapani, where we meet with a family member
DAY 4 AGRIGENTO –
the footsteps of Inspector
and owner of the ‘Museo del
SANT’ANGELO MUXARO
Montalbano in Sicily one
Sale’, or ‘Salt Flat Museum’
– AGRIGENTO
of the filming locations for
to discover the history and
We have one thing in mind
the cult detective series in
traditions of salt production.
today: delicious food.
Modica. Our trail takes us
After, it’s time for a local wine
Start the day with a food
onwards to Ragusa with the
tasting before resting our
tasting tour with a local
rest of the day to wander
heads in Marsala. (B,D)
guide through Sant’Angelo
the town at your own pace.
backroadstouring.com
•• •• •• •• •• ••••
Mount Etna
Ancient theatre of Taormina
6 nights in boutique accommodation Experienced Back-Roads
ITALY & MALTA
87
INCLUSIONS
Driver & Tour Leader Premium mini-coach transportation European breakfast daily (B), 5 evening meals (D) Local guides in Palermo, Corleone, Syracuse & Taormina Cheese tasting Entrance included to: Norman Palace, Palatine Chapel,
Palazzo dei Normanni Royal Palace in Palermo
Valley of the Temples, Kolymbetra Garden, Villa
You could seek out a local
piazzas, bustling markets
13th century Cathedral of
trattoria to try some Sicilian
and beautiful sea views.
San Nicola and the splendid
specialities. (B)
Later we turn to Catania
Greek Theatre. (B)
Salt Museum and Villa Romana del Casale. For tour exclusions please see our FAQs on p.143
and share a farewell dinner. DAY 6 RAGUSA – NOTO –
Spaccaforno, Trapani
(B,D)
SYRACUSE – CATANIA Seaside Syracuse, which
DAY 7 CATANIA – MOUNT
rivalled Athens as the most
ETNA – TAORMINA –
important city of ancient
CATANIA
Greece, is our stomping
Now it’s time to take an up
ground today. Our local
close look at Mount Etna,
2018
DEPARTS DEPARTS TWN /DBL
SGL
guide leads us to the
a slumbering giant that
FEB
10
$3,699
$4,489
temples and sacred caves
towers over the surrounding
MAR
03 G
$3,699
$4,489
of the archaeological park.
landscape. After a lava-
APR
$3,699
$4,489
fuelled morning, we stop
14 28 G
18
The best way to enjoy it is to happily get lost in
at Taormina and enjoy a
MAY
19 30
$4,489
guided tour of some of the
12 G 26 G
$3,699
its winding streets, which open out on baroque
city’s greats including the
JUN
02 G 16
09 G 23
$3,699
$4,489
SEP
01 G 15 G 29 G
08 G 19
$3,699
$4,489
OCT
06
$3,699
$4,489
TRAPANI MARSALA
TOUR CODE: SIC
P R I C E S F R O M $ 3 , 6 9 9 PP
PALERMO
1
1
G = Guaranteed Departure
CORLEONE SANT'ANGELO MUXARO AGRIGENTO
2
MOUNT ETNA
PIAZZA ARMERINA SICILY
RAGUSA
Tour Start Point
Overnight Stop
1
TAORMINA
1
CATANIA
SIRACUSA NOTO
Day Stop
This tour can be combined with Malta Highlights page 88 and/or Italian indulgence page 84.
Contact your travel consultant or the Back-Roads team to request pre and post accommodation plus transfers.
ITALY & MALTA
88 88
Valletta N E W
T O U R
Malta Highlights Valletta | Vittoriosa | Mdina | Gozo 7
DAYS
•
6
NIGHTS
•
UP
TO
18
GUESTS
rooms, you won’t be short
and treasure trove for
THE BACK-ROADS DIFFERENCE
DAY 4 ST JULIAN’S –
of entertainment today. For
photographers. (B)
QRENDI – CIRKEWWA –
•• ••
sleeves for a pizza making
DAY 3 ST JULIAN’S –
The road today carries us
Try your hand at making
class on the waterfront
MOSTA – RABAT – MDINA
to the Hagar Qim temples,
your own pizza at a
before sitting down to
– ST JULIAN’S
from where we have a short
traditional pizzeria in
enjoy your creation. In the
We begin with a visit to
walk to Tal-Hamrija Tower.
Valletta
evening, we return to the
the stunning Mosta Church
We drive through the village
Embark on a 90-minute
hotel where the evening is
before continuing to the
of Birzebbuga towards the
harbour cruise around
yours to explore. (L,D)
Dingli Cliffs for a short
Blue Grotto where we have
two of the most beautiful
••
XAGHRA
lunch, it’s time to roll up your
photo stop before visiting
an included short boat
harbours in Europe
DAY 2 ST JULIAN’S –
the Buskett Gardens. Next,
trip. We then travel to the
Savour local cheese and
VITTORIOSA – SENGLEA –
we have a guided tour
ferry point at Cirkewwa via
wine at a local estate
SLIEMA – ST JULIAN’S
through the old capital
a photo stop at Popeye’s
Shifting our focus back in
Mdina, also known as the
Village before a short
time, we look towards the
silent city. On the menu for
speedboat transfer to Gozo
DAY 1 ST JULIAN’S –
iconic cities of Vittoriosa
this afternoon: an indulgent
and a chance to explore the
VALLETTA – ST JULIAN’S
and Senglea. With time
wine tasting accompanied
unique caves. We proceed
A guided tour through
to visit the Gardjola
by local cheese and biscuits
to the "Dreams of Horses
Malta’s bustling capital
Gardens and a stop at
at the Meridiana Wine
Farm" where we have the
will help you to find your
the quaint fishing village
Estate. Tonight's dinner is
opportunity to interact with
bearings and get acquainted
of Marsaxlokk, today will
a group affair, as we gather
these beautiful animals. (B)
with this picturesque city.
be full of visual rewards.
for a traditional folklore
With a visit to the Upper
After an eventful morning,
show at a local restaurant.
DAY 5 XAGHRA – GHARB –
Barracca Gardens, St.
we take time to relax on
(B,D)
VICTORIA – XAGHRA
John’s Co-Cathedral and
a harbour cruise around
We visit the Megalithic
Grandmaster’s Palace state
the natural ports – a haven
Temples of Ggantija
backroadstouring.com
•• •• •• •• •• •••• ••••
Pizza
Marsaxlokk
Fresh squid, Marsaxlokk market
6 nights in boutique accommodation Experienced Back-Roads
ITALY & MALTA
89
INCLUSIONS
Driver & Tour Leader Premium mini-coach transportation Daily European-style breakfasts (B), 2 lunches (L), 3 evening meals (D) Visit to Inquisitor’s Palace and the Senglea Gardens 90-minute harbour cruise Wine and cheese tasting Blue Grotto boat trip Entrance fees to: St John's Co-Cathedral, Grandmaster's Palace,
followed by Ta' Pinu Church
disappoint. First, we take a
and the Old Citadelle in
stroll to Fungus Rock and
Victoria. Next, we have a
continue on to the Saltpans
local treat this afternoon
of Xwejni Bay. We then try
when we visit the Ta’
out local ftiras at the famous
Rikkardu Farm for a hands
Mekren Bakery while looking
on experience making
over Ramla Bay. Our last
cheese before driving back
night together includes
to our hotel via a photo stop
dinner at a local restaurant.
at Sannat. (B)
(B,L,D)
DAY 6 XAGHRA –
DAY 7 XAGHRA –
SAN LAWRENCE –
ST JULIAN’S
MARSALFORN – XAGHRA
After one last breakfast
As we near the end of
together, we catch a ferry
our journey, we still have
back to Malta and transfer
a handful of sights to be
back to the hotel where we
explored and today will not
end the tour. (B)
GOZO
Mosta Dome, Temples Haqar Qim, Dreams of Horses Farm visit, Megalithic Temples & Old Citadelle in Victoria For tour exclusions please see our FAQs on p.143
TOUR CODE: MAL
P R I C E S F R O M $ 3 , 8 9 9 PP
CIRKEWWA
MOSTA
RABAT DINGLI CLIFFS
Overnight Stop
Day Stop
TWN /DBL
SGL
MAY
07 28 G
$3,899
$4,499
JUN
04 18
$3,899
$4,499
SEP
10 17 24 G
$3,899
$4,499
Contact your travel consultant or the Back-Roads team to request pre and post accommodation plus transfers.
XAGHRA
Tour Start Point
DEPARTS
G = Guaranteed Departure
VICTORIA
3
2018
3
ST JULIAN’S
MDINA
VALLETTA VITTORIOSA
MALTA QRENDI
MARSAXLOKK
By ferry
This tour can be combined with The Splendours of Sicily page 86.
FRANCE
90
Carcassone
backroadstouring.com
FRANCE
91
F R A N C E
It’s no surprise that France is on the top of every traveller's wish list. Lavender-carpeted fields and hilltop monasteries are married with historic castles and sweeping vineyards, while the country’s capital sparkles under the light of a certain famous tower. Flit between cobblestoned streets and chic cafés, cruise along the country’s scenic canals, explore memorable World War II sites and discover stunning Mediterranean vistas while sampling homegrown delicacies and crisp, iconic wines. This is life, the ‘French’ way – and it’s time to indulge.
backroadstouring.com
FRANCE
92 92
Champagne
Paris to Nice through Vineyards & Mountains Champagne | Burgundy | The Alps | Provence 9
DAYS
•
8
NIGHTS
•
UP
TO
15
GUESTS
makes a magnificent opening
DAY 3 AY – TONNERRE –
that accompanies authentic,
THE BACK-ROADS DIFFERENCE
act for our adventure. Next
CHABLIS – FLAVIGNY SUR
hearty dishes. (B,D)
comes a visit to Reims and a
OZERAIN – BEAUNE
••
visit to the cathedral, where
Now to swap fizz for the dry
DAY 5 LYON
Taste your way through
treasured reminders of its
white wines of Chablis. We
Today, you’re free to explore
famed wine-growing
medieval heritages stand
continue on to Flavigny-sur-
Lyon at your own pace.
regions such as
beside elegant buildings. (D)
Ozerain nestled securely
Saunter along the riverside
on a hilltop overlooking
or simply take a seat in one
Champagne, Chablis and
•• ••
Burgundy
DAY 2 AY – CHAMPAGNE –
the surrounding valleys.
of the many restaurants to
Soak up the peace of
HAUTVILLERS – AY
Afternoon brings us to
discover why Lyon claims the
Grande Chartreuse
Today is devoted to
Beaune, where you have the
title of ‘gourmet capital of
Monastery, set in a remote
discovering Champagne and
evening free to explore this
France’. (B)
valley of the French Alps
its liquid riches. Epernay is
attractive city known for its
– and sip the monks’
arguably its epicentre, so
gothic grandeur. (B)
famous green liquor
we pause here to stroll up
Explore grand Château
Avenue de Champagne,
DAY 4 BEAUNE – LYON
stop past the Palais Ideal
de Vaux-le-Vicomte, the
lined with many famous
Walled Beaune, the beating
Du Facteur Cheval and the
inspiration for the Palace
merchants houses and
heart of the Burgundy
Resistance Memorial at
of Versailles
cellars. After, we take time
wine region and visit the
Vaisseaux before reaching
to visit the tasting cellar
Hospices of Beaune. Before
our destination of Chambéry
at Caveau de Jaillance.
we continue to Lyon, we
tonight deep in the junction
Our road back to Ay takes
stop via Château de Julienas
of two Alpine valleys. (B,D)
us through the beautiful
and later a warm welcome
Montagne de Reims area,
comes courtesy of a meal in a
DAY 7 CHAMBÉRY – SAINT
known for its Pinot Noir. (B)
traditional Bouchon Lyonnais
PIERRE DE CHARTREUSE –
– a type of bistro known for a
CHAMBÉRY
convivial, relaxed atmosphere
Deep in a green valley
DAY 1 PARIS – CHÂTEAU DE VAUX-LE-VICOMTE – REIMS – AY From Paris, we travel to our first stop – the lavish Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte which
DAY 6 LYON – CHAMBÉRY Leaving Lyon behind us, we
backroadstouring.com
93
•• •• •• •• ••••
The Alps
FRANCE
INCLUSIONS
8 nights in boutique accommodation Experienced Back-Roads Tour Leader/Driver Premium mini-coach transportation European breakfast daily (B), 1 picnic lunch (L), 4 evening meals (D) 3 wine tastings Entrance included to: Château de Vauxle-Vicomte, Reims Cathedral, Hospices of
Vaux-le-Vicomte
Beaune, Musée de la
Dijon
Grande Chartreuse and Citadel of Sisteron, tomb
between towering peaks,
slopes giving way to rugged
DAY 9 FORCALQUIER –
we find Grande Chartreuse
hills and wildflower meadows
ENTREVAUX – NICE
Monastery. Stroll to the
as we travel to Sisteron,
Our closing day takes
monastery and enjoy a picnic
stopping for a wine tasting
us deeper into exquisite
lunch amidst the stunning
and the Sisteron Citadel.
Provençal countryside
scenery before driving on
Finally, we reach Forcalquier,
Entrevaux, a medieval
to the monks’ distillery in
where we settle in for a
town set between rolling
Voiron. Here, they make the
farewell dinner and final
green countryside and a
famous Chartreuse liqueur
overnight stay at a charming
deep blue sky. Nice, elite
– a recipe dating back to
18th century farmhouse.
resort and shining capital
the 18th century and we’re
(B,D)
of the French Riviera, soon
treated to a taste before
beckons. It’s here that
returning to Chambéry. (B)
our tour ends, among the golden beaches and clear
DAY 8 CHAMBÉRY –
waters of the Côte d’Azur.
SISTERON – FORCALQUIER
(B)
of Dom Perignon, visit to Resistance Museum and Château de Julienas For tour exclusions please see our FAQs on p.143
TOUR CODE: CBA
P R I C E S F R O M $ 4 , 6 2 9 PP 2018
DEPARTS
TWN /DBL
SGL
MAY
17 31 G
$4,629
$5,799
JUN
14 21
$4,629
$5,799
JUL
05 G 12
$4,629
$5,799
AUG
23 30 G
$4,629
$5,799
SEP
06 G 20 G
$4,629
$5,799
OCT
04
$4,629
$5,799
Our road turns towards Provence today, with Alpine
2
PARIS
AY
G = Guaranteed Departure
CHABLIS FLAVIGNY SUR OZERAIN
FRANCE BEAUNE
LYON
1 1 2
2
SISTERTON FORCALQUIER
Tour Start Point
Overnight Stop
1
CHAMBÉRY
ENTREVAUX NICE
Day Stop
This tour can be combined with La Belle France page 94.
Contact your travel consultant or the Back-Roads team to request pre and post accommodation plus transfers.
FRANCE
94 94
Château de Villandry
La Belle France Normandy | Brittany | The Loire Valley 9
DAYS
•
8
NIGHTS
•
UP
TO
15
GUESTS
image with us all the way
DAY 3 TROUVILLE –
tidal causeway to wander
THE BACK-ROADS DIFFERENCE
to Trouville. With a harbour
NORMANDY BEACHES –
the buzzing island village.
lined with a parade of tall,
CREPON
To top off a charm-filled day,
•• •• ••
brightly painted merchant’s
We turn our attentions to
we spend this evening in
Walk down the medieval
houses, it’s one of the most
the windswept shoreline
Dinan. (B)
Rue du Jerzual in Dinan
beautifully preserved old
of the Normandy Beaches,
Visit Beuvron-en-Auge,
ports in Normandy – and
where we stand at the sites
DAY 5 DINAN
voted one of the most
our home for the next two
of the D-Day Landings of
With a whole day to yourself
beautiful villages in the
nights. (D)
1944. Afterwards, there’s
in Dinan, you can really get
the opportunity to pay
under the skin of this Gallic gem. (B)
country Sleep in the storybook
DAY 2 TROUVILLE –
a poignant visit to the
surrounds of a grand
NORMANDY – TROUVILLE
American War Cemetery at
French château
On the menu today is a
Colleville-sur-Mer. When bed
DAY 6 DINAN – ANGERS –
journey on the road less
beckons, we find ourselves
CHINON
travelled to Livarot where
in a countryside hotel not far
We’re deep into fairytale
we have free time to relax.
from the coast. (B,D)
territory when we travel
DAY 1 PARIS – TROUVILLE Our first impressions of France are formed in Giverny, Normandy at the home of one of the world’s most celebrated artists – Claude Monet. The vivid colours in every room paint a picture of his life and the gardens outside are brimming with every shade of flower. We carry that
towards the Loire Valley, a
We will track the Route du Cidre towards Beuvron-
DAY 4 CREPON – BAYEUX
landscape whose skyline is
en-Auge, voted one of the
– MONT ST MICHEL –
peppered with the turrets
most beautiful villages in all
DINAN
of castles. Our first port
of France. From cool, crisp
Time to unfold another
of call is Angers, once the
ciders to heady, amber-hued
layer of Normandy history
medieval stronghold of
calvados, it’s here that we
this morning with a trip to
the Plantagenet kings and
pause to taste the fruits of
see the remarkable Bayeux
later, we move on to Chinon
the region’s orchards – a
Tapestry. That afternoon,
where dinner at a local
delicious end to our day. (B)
we drive on to enchanting
restaurant awaits. (B,D)
Mont St Michel, crossing the
backroadstouring.com
95
•• •• •• •• •• •• ••
Bayeux
Mont St Michel
Chinon
FRANCE
INCLUSIONS
8 nights in boutique accommodation Experienced Back-Roads Tour Leader/Driver Premium mini-coach transportation Daily European-style breakfasts (B), 3 evening meals (D) Cider and calvados sampling A garden tour of Château de la Bourdaisière Entrance included to: Monet’s House and Garden at Giverny, Château d’Angers, Bayeux Tapestry, Mont
DAY 7 CHINON –
stroll through manicured
believed to be one of the
CHÂTEAU DE VILLANDRY
gardens and explore the
finest examples of Gothic
– CHINON
fascinating museum. While
architecture in France and a
Our first château of the tour
at our own château, deep in
beautiful image to take back
is the last of Loire’s greats:
the heart of the Loire Valley,
to Paris where we say “au
Château de Villandry. Taking
we turn into lords and ladies
revoir”. (B)
in so much beauty is thirsty
of the manor with a night
work, so on our way back to
spent in stately surrounds
Chinon we enjoy a detour at
– but not before a guided
TOUR CODE: FRA
a regional winery and linger
tour of the gardens and an
over a glass or two. (B)
indulgent farewell dinner.
P R I C E S F R O M $ 4 , 3 9 9 PP
St Michel, Château de Villandry, Château de Chartres and Château de Chenonceau. For tour exclusions please see our FAQs on p.143
(B,D) DAY 8 CHINON – CHÂTEAU DE
DAY 9 MONTLOUIS-SUR-
CHENONCEAU –
LOIRE – CHARTRES – PARIS
MONTLOUIS-SUR-LOIRE
A fitting finale to our tour
Château de Chenonceau
is a visit to the celebrated
gives us the opportunity to
cathedral of Chartres,
NORMANDY BEACHES BAYEUX
CREPON
1
2
PARIS
SGL
APR
10
17
$4,399
$4,899
MAY
08 22 G
15
$4,399
$4,899
JUN
05 19 G
12 G 26
$4,399
$4,899
JUL
03 17 31
10 24
$4,399
$4,899
AUG
07 G 21 G
14 G 28
$4,399
$4,899
SEP
04 18 28
11 25 G
$4,399
$4,899
OCT
02 16
09
$4,399
$4,899
2 FRANCE CHARTRES
ANGERS
1 CHINON
Overnight Stop
2
G = Guaranteed Departure
Contact your travel consultant or the Back-Roads team to request pre and post accommodation plus transfers.
CHÂTEAU DE VILLANDRY
Tour Start Point
DEPARTS DEPARTS TWN /DBL
TROUVILLE
MONT ST MICHEL DINAN
2018
MONTLOUIS-SUR-LOIRE
Day Stop
This tour can be combined with Paris to Nice through Vineyards & Mountains page 92, A Taste of Bordeaux page 96 and/or Provence & The French Riviera page 98.
FRANCE
96 96
Vineyard, Bordeaux
A Taste of Bordeaux Midi-Pyrénées | Sarlat | Saint-Émilion 9
DAYS
•
8
NIGHTS
•
UP
TO
15
GUESTS
highest sand dune – we
our camera lenses on this
sparkling Blanquette. Fully
THE BACK-ROADS DIFFERENCE
get our first taste of coastal
town’s postcard-worthy good
refreshed, our final stop of
cuisine with fresh oysters
looks. We travel onwards
the day is Carcassonne. (B,D)
•• ••
and a glass of local wine
through the peaceful Midi-
Taste fresh oysters, local
from one of the port’s
Pyrénées region, pausing en
DAY 5 CARCASSONNE
sparkling wine and world-
traditional cabins. To round
route at the spiritual town
Today is free to discover
famous Bordeaux reds
off our first day, we gather
of Lourdes that’s been a
Carcassonne chivalric secrets
Sleep beneath turrets and
together in Biarritz for a
pilgrimage point for many
at your own pace. (B)
towers with two nights in
welcome dinner. (D)
years. In keeping with the
the romantic walled city of
••
spirit of our surroundings,
DAY 6 CARCASSONNE –
Carcassonne
DAY 2 BIARRITZ –
we settle down for the night
ALBI – SARLAT
Join the hunt for black
BAYONNE – BIARRITZ
into comfortably rustic
A small town that’s big
truffles at a traditional
Time now to indulge our
accommodation before
on charm, historic Albi is
truffle farm
cultural sides in Bayonne, just
tucking into dinner. (B,D)
this morning’s first stop with an included visit to
a short drive from Biarritz – a DAY 1 BORDEAUX – ARCACHON BAY – BIARRITZ In a region of outstanding natural beauty, where better to begin our sojourn through South West France than in Atlantic Oceanfringed Arcachon Bay? After stopping to see the Great Dune of Pilat – Europe’s
true cultural art and history
DAY 4 MIDI-PYRÉNÉES
the cathedral and town
hub. This charming fortified
– CATHARE COUNTRY –
museum. By the time we
city is brimming with heritage
CARCASSONNE
get to Sarlat and check in to
sites for you to peruse at
On the trail of knights, we
our hotel for the night, we’ll
your own pace before we
continue our own crusade
have entered the Dordogne
return to Biarritz together. (B)
through the Midi-Pyrénées
region. (B)
and its picture-perfect DAY 3 BIARRITZ
Bastides. Onwards through
DAY 7 SARLAT – BEYNAC-
– LOURDES – MIDI-
Cathar country, we reach a
ET-CAZENAC – SARLAT
PYRÉNÉES
sociable hour for a glass of
The itinerary today includes a
We turn to the east and
wine with a local producer
stroll through stunning Sarlat
briefly on to Pau, focussing
of this region’s speciality – a
and a delightful visit to the
backroadstouring.com
97
•• •• •• •• •••• ••••
Carcassone
FRANCE
INCLUSIONS
8 nights in boutique accommodation Experienced Back-Roads Driver/Tour Leader Premium mini-coach transportation European breakfast daily (B), 4 evening meals (D) 2 wine tastings Oyster tasting Truffle farm experience Entrance included to: Albi Cathedral, Lascaux Caves and Château de
Bordeaux
Beynac.
Loudes
For tour exclusions please see our FAQs on p.143
riverside town of Beynac-et-
Local guides will give us an
Cazenac and its châteaux.
exclusive lesson in seeking
Returning back to Sarlat,
out these rare delicacies.
enjoy the night at your own
That brings us to Sarlat to
pace. (B)
enjoy our last meal together.
TOUR CODE: BORD
P R I C E S F R O M $ 4 , 6 2 9 PP
(B,D)
2018
DEPARTS DEPARTS TWN /DBL
SGL
VALLEY – SARLAT
DAY 9 SARLAT – SAINT-
APR
18
$4,629
$5,799
Our travels across the
ÉMILION – BORDEAUX
MAY
23 G
$4,629
$5,799
area take in the prehistoric
This is the epicentre of
painted Lascaux Caves and
Bordeaux’s world-renowned
JUN
13 G
27
$4,629
$5,799
the pretty Les Eyzies village,
‘heavy reds’ and our chance
JUL
18 G
$4,629
$5,799
curled up in the heart of the
to sample some of the
04 G 25
Vezere Valley. The route we
region’s best wines – saying a
AUG
08
22 G
$4,629
$5,799
take follows the ‘Royal Road’,
final “santé” before it’s back
SEP
$5,799
to Bordeaux. We make time
12 G 26
$4,629
winding between craggy
05 G 19
rocks and flowing river until
for Saint-Émilion before we
OCT
03
10
$4,629
$5,799
we get to a local truffle farm.
end in Bordeaux (B)
DAY 8 SARLAT – VÉZÈRE
09 30
G = Guaranteed Departure
Contact your travel consultant or the Back-Roads team to request pre and post accommodation plus transfers. BORDEAUX ARACHON BAY
3
FRANCE
SARLAT
BIARRITZ
2 LOURDES
1
CATHARE COUNTRY
Tour Start Point
ALBI
MIDI-PYRÉNÉES
Overnight Stop
2
CARCASSONE
Day Stop
This tour can be combined with Iberian Inspiration page 68 and/or La Belle France page 94.
FRANCE
98 98
Aix-en-Provence
Provence & The French Riviera Aix-en-Provence | Avignon | Cannes | Arles 9
DAYS
THE BACK-ROADS DIFFERENCE
•• •• ••
•
8
NIGHTS
•
UP
TO
15
GUESTS
DAY 2 VENCE – CANNES –
DAY 3 VENCE – AIX-EN-
DAY 5 SAINT-RÉMY-DE
GRASSE – VENCE
PROVENCE
PROVENCE – ORANGE
This morning we make our
Dotted with gravity-defying
– SAINTE-CÉCILE-LES-
way to the sublime village
mountain villages and reach-
VIGNES – SAINT-RÉMY-DE-
Take the back roads from
of Saint-Paul-de-Vence.
for-your-camera scenery, we
PROVENCE
the elegant resort of
Then it’s time to channel
travel to Aix-en-Provence.
Our first stop today is
Cannes to quaint towns
your inner film star as we
When we reach the town of
the magnificent Roman
such as Saint-Rémy-de
arrive in Cannes – famous
Aix, we dive into a network
Theatre in Orange. This
Provence
for its glamorous festival,
of narrow streets lined with
UNESCO World Heritage
Have a Provençal lunch
glitzy hotels and utterly
spectacular architecture and
Site is extraordinarily well
and accompanying wines
chic boutiques. Wooing us
centuries-old monuments.
preserved, especially its
in a private vineyard
away from the shoreline is
We even get time to pay a
striking arch. By this point,
Visit the Roman theatre of
Grasse, a hillside town north
visit to Hôtel de Caumont, an
we’ll be ready for a flavour of
Orange
of Cannes that’s famous
elegant château filled with
this area’s culinary heritage
for creating world-class
history and beauty. (B)
too. So we make our way
DAY 1 NICE – ANTIBES – VENCE The French Riviera has it all, and on this tour we’ll soak up its history, glamour and natural beauty. Our first stop: Antibes to view the old port. Then, we swap Antibes for Vence, with its colourful canvas of medieval streets and market stalls.
to Sainte-Cécile-les-Vignes
perfumes. Here, we’ll make a stop at the Fragonard
DAY 4 AIX-EN-PROVENCE
where a private vineyard,
Museum to treat our senses
– THE LUBERON – SAINT-
delicious wines and a
to some beautiful perfumes,
RÉMY-DE-PROVENCE
Provençal lunch await. (B,L)
before rounding off the day
After a delicious breakfast,
in Vence with a guided tour
we head off to Saint-Rémy-de
DAY 6 SAINT-RÉMY-DE
of the light-filled Chapelle du
Provence with a small detour
PROVENCE – AVIGNON –
Rosaire. (B)
via the Gordes, pausing
PONT DU GARD – ARLES
in picturesque villages
Roman engineering. Catholic
throughout the day. (B,D)
architecture. It must mean we’re en route to Avignon. We pay a visit to the iconic
backroadstouring.com
99
•• •• •• ••
Arles
FRANCE
INCLUSIONS
8 nights in boutique accommodation Experienced Back-Roads Tour Leader/Driver Premium mini-coach transportation Daily European breakfast (B), 1 provencal lunch with wine tasting (L), 4
•• •• Saint Paul deVence
evening meals (D) Visit of Pottery Manufactory Entrances included: Fragonard Museum, The Chapelle du Rosaire
Valensole
de Vence, Hôtel de Caumont, Sénanque
Pont du Gard, an impressive
years of history and culture
jewel in this region’s crown.
two-tiered Roman aqueduct
to uncover here. (B)
It’s so spectacular that we
back in time. Onwards to
DAY 8 ARLES – LES BAUX-
to truly appreciate it, and
Avignon to visit the Palace
DE PROVENCE – GORGES
settle down to a final dinner
of the Popes, which towers
DU VERDON
together. (B,D)
over the historic centre. By
We make for the mountains
the time we reach Arles, in
today and venture into the
DAY 9 GORGES DU
the heart of the Camargue
‘Little Alps’. First up, is the
VERDON – CASTELLANE
region, we’ll be ready for a
Huguenot stronghold of Les
– NICE
delicious dinner at a local
Baux-de Provence where we
Our tour’s last stop sees us
restaurant. (B,D)
marvel at the extraordinary
in the cobbles of Castellane.
Carrières de Lumières
Look out for the dazzlingly
DAY 7 ARLES
and continue to Valensole
high Chapelle Notre-Dame
Whatever you feel like
for an aromatic lavender
du Roc. After that, we return
doing in Arles, the whole
experience. Finally, we arrive
to Nice where we bid one
day is at your disposal.
at the sensational Gorges
another “au revoir”. (B)
There are thousands of
du Verdon – for many, the
AVIGNON
2
ORANGE
SAINT-RÉMY -DE-PROVENCE LUBERON
1
AIX-EN -PROVENCE
Tour Start Point
of Orange, Pont du Gard,
Overnight Stop
Palace of Popes and Pont Bénezet, Carrières des Lumières. For tour exclusions please see our FAQs on p.143
TOUR CODE: PFR
FRANCE
PONT DU GARD
2
museum, Roman Theatre
stay in the area overnight
that carries us on a journey
ARLES
Abbey, lavender
GORGES DU VERDON
P R I C E S F R O M $ 5 , 0 5 9 PP 2018
DEPARTS
TWN /DBL
SGL
MAY
11 25 G
$5,059
$6,459
JUN
08 G 15
$5,059
$6,459
JUL
13
$5,059
$6,459
AUG
17
$5,059
$6,459
SEP
07 G 14 G 21
$5,059
$6,459
OCT
12
$5,059
$6,459
G = Guaranteed Departure
1 VENCE
Contact your travel consultant or the Back-Roads team to request pre and post accommodation plus transfers.
2 NICE
GRASSE CANNES
Day Stop
This tour can be combined with La Belle France page 94 and/or Highlights of Northern Spain page 66.
BATTLEFIELDS
100
Perth Cemetery (China Wall),Ypres
backroadstouring.com
100
YEARS SINCE THE END OF THE WW1
B A T T L E F I E L D S
Allow yourself to be transported back in time and explore the major areas of British, American and Commonwealth involvement across the Western Front. These tours commemorate the efforts of all the major Commonwealth countries including Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and India along with Great Britain and America during this significant period in history. Take the opportunity to visit memorials of your country’s fallen, retrace the steps of your own heritage and gain some insight into the overall strategy of the war that made an indelible mark on the world.
backroadstouring.com
BATTLEFIELDS
101
BATTLEFIELDS
102 102
Ypres
WW1 Battlefields The Somme | Vimy Ridge | Ypres 5
DAYS
•
4
NIGHTS
•
UP
TO
15
GUESTS
the memorials to each
Amiens for our overnight
endeavours during four
THE BACK-ROADS DIFFERENCE
country’s fallen as well
stay. After an insightful
long years of conflict.
as gaining a greater
and history-fuelled day,
There is much to see
•• •• ••
understanding of the
rest easy tonight and enjoy
around Ypres, including
Take time to pay your
overall conduct and
time at your own leisure.
John McCrae’s Dressing
respects at relatives'
strategy of the war, this
(B)
Station at Essex Farm
graves
guided tour offers an
Tour Vimy Ridge trenches
unforgettable experience.
DAY 3 AMIENS –
Cemetery at Langemarck,
and tunnels
(D)
VILLERS-BRETONNEUX
Vancouver Corner and the
– YPRES
Hooge Crater trenches
DAY 2 LILLE – THE
We leave Amiens and
museum. As a fitting end
SOMME – AMIENS
travel to the Australian
to the day, you will be
DAY 1 LILLE
We commence our first
National War Memorial
invited to attend the daily
Arrive in Lille then meet
day by exploring the
& Cemetery at Villers-
playing of the Last Post
your Tour Leader for
region of the Somme.
Bretonneux. Later, we
under the Menin Gate
an included welcome
Synonymous with great
make time to visit the
Memorial. (B,D)
dinner. Over the following
losses on the first day of
Canadian Memorial Park
days, we will visit the
battle, 1st July 1916, we
on Vimy Ridge before we
DAY 5 YPRES –
major areas of British
will visit Newfoundland
reach Ypres. (B)
FROMELLES – LILLE
and Commonwealth
Memorial Park, where the
involvement across the
original trench lines have
DAY 4 YPRES – YPRES
time to prepare for a full
Western Front including
been preserved, the Ulster
SALIENT – MENIN GATE
day ahead. We spend
Canada, Australia, New
Tower and Pozières. We
– YPRES
today exploring Hill 60
Zealand, South Africa
will complete our first day
The beautiful city of Ypres
and the area around
and India together with
at the Thiepval Memorial
was totally destroyed
Fromelles, Pheasant
America. With a unique
to the Missing of the
during the war, and sits
Wood Cemetery, VC
opportunity to see
Somme before heading to
in the epicentre of British
Corner and the Australian
Hear the Last Post at Ypres
Cemetery, the German
After breakfast today, it’s
backroadstouring.com
•• •• •• •• ••
The Somme
4 nights in boutique accommodation Experienced Back-Roads
BATTLEFIELDS
103
INCLUSIONS
Tour Leader/Driver Premium mini-coach transportation Daily European-style breakfasts (B), 2 evening meals (D) Entrance included to: Ulster Tower Memorial & Visitor Centre, Canadian Memorial Park, Newfoundland
Lille
Park, Memorial to the
Amiens
Missing, Victoria School & Adelaide Cemetery, John McCrae's Dressing
Memorial Park. We visit
Station at Essex Farm,
the recent exhibition to
German Cemetery at
commemorate the finding
Langemarck, Vancouver
of 250 previously unknown
Corner, Commonwealth
set of remains in 2009 and
Cemetery, Last Post
their now marked burial
Ceremony, Fromelles
place at Pheasant Wood
(Pheasant Wood) Military
Cemetery. Later, we end
Cemetery, V.C. Corner
in Lille and say farewell to
Australian Cemetery and
the group. (B)
Memorial For tour exclusions please see our FAQs on p.143
TOUR CODE: BFW
P R I C E S F R O M $ 1 , 6 9 9 PP 2018
YPRES
2
1
LILLE
SOMME AMIENS
1 VILLERS BRETONNEUX
Tour Start Point
Overnight Stop
Day Stop
APR
20
25 G
$1,399
$1,699
11
19 G
$1,399
$1,699
JUN
04 G 20
12 28
$1,399
$1,699
JUL
06 G 22
14 G 30
$1,399
$1,699
AUG
07 23
15 31
$1,399
$1,699
SEP
08 24 G
16 G
$1,399
$1,699
OCT
02
10
$1,399
$1,699
NOV
09
$1,399
$1,699
G = Guaranteed Departure
By ferry
This tour can be combined with ANZACs on the Western Front page 104 and/or La Belle France page 94.
SGL
MAY
27 G
BELGIUM
FRANCE
DEPARTS DEPARTS TWN /DBL
Contact your travel consultant or the Back-Roads team to request pre and post accommodation plus transfers.
104 104 BATTLEFIELDS
INCLUSIONS
•• •• •• •• ••
4 nights in boutique accommodation A knowledgeable Back-Roads Driver/ Tour Leader Premium mini-coach transportation European breakfast daily (B), 3 evening meals (D) Entrance included to: Hooge Crater Trenches, Wellington Tunnels, Messines Ridge, Polygon Wood, Hooge Crater Trenches & Museum, Hill 60, Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) Military Cemetery, Wellington Tunnels, Digger Memorial,
Ypres
ANZACs on the Western Front Lille | Ypres | Bretonneux
Victoria School
5
Museum.
DAYS
•
4
NIGHTS
TOUR CODE: ANZ
P R I C E S F R O M $ 1 , 6 9 9 PP 2018
DEPARTS DEPARTS TWN /DBL
SGL
APR
16
$1,699
$1,999
MAY
15 G
$1,699
$1,999
31 G JUN
23 G
08 24
16
JUL
02 G 18 G
10 G 26
$1,699
$1,999
AUG
03 19
11 G 27
$1,699
$1,999
SEP
04 20
12 G 28 G
$1,699
$1,999
OCT
06
$1,699
$1,999
THE BACK-ROADS DIFFERENCE
•• •• ••
Take time to pay your respects at
UP
TO
15
GUESTS
DAY 1 LILLE
Fromelles before stopping
Today, meet with the
at the Digger Memorial.
group. (D)
(B,D)
DAY 2 LILLE – YPRES
DAY 4 AMIENS – THE
Visit the Gravenstafel
relatives' graves
SOMME – AMIENS
Ridge and Tyne Cot
Our journey includes the
Tour Vimy Ridge
Military Cemetery and
Pozières and Mouquet
trenches and
listen to the Last Post. (B)
Farm and a visit to the
tunnels
Thiepval Memorial to the
Hear the Last Post at Ypres
DAY 3 YPRES – AMIENS
Missing of the Somme.
Today we spend time at
(B,D) DAY 5 AMIENS – VILLERSBRETONNEUX – LILLE
YPRES $1,699
1
$1,999
FRANCE
G = Guaranteed Departure
SOMME
TOUR CODE: ANZD
P R I C E S F R O M $ 1 , 9 9 9 PP 2018
DEPARTS DEPARTS TWN /DBL
SGL
APR
22 G
$2,835
23 G
•
$2,239
G = Guaranteed Departure
Extra day with Dawn Ceremony Service. Please see our website for details.
1
Today takes us to VillersBELGIUM
LILLE
Bretonneux and the National War Memorial. The focus today is on the final year of the war. Later, we end in Lille. (B)
AMIENS
2 VILLERS BRETONNEUX
Tour Start Point
Overnight Stop
* please contact Back-Roads immediately after booking to confirm
Day Stop
Thisbackroadstouring.com tour can be combined with WW1 Battlefields page 102 and/or La Belle France page 94.
105
•• •• •• •• •• ••
BATTLEFIELDS
INCLUSIONS
2 nights in boutique accommodation 2 nights on an overnight ferry Experienced Back-Roads Tour Leader/Driver Premium mini-coach transportation Daily European-style breakfasts (B), 2 evening meals (D) Entrance included to: Pegasus Bridge Museum, Juno Beach Museum, Utah Beach
Normandy American Cemetery
Museum, the Bayeux
D-Day Battles of France Normandy Beaches | Bayeux 5
DAYS
•
4
NIGHTS
•
UP
TO
15
Memorial Museum and Tapestry, Bovington Tank Museum, D-Day Museum & Southwick House For tour exclusions please see our FAQs on p.143
GUESTS TOUR CODE: DD
THE BACK-ROADS DIFFERENCE
•• ••
DAY 1 LONDON –
Today we visit Merville
SOUTHSEA –
Battery, the Pegasus
OVERNIGHT FERRY
Bridge and more.
Meet in London and travel
Stand at lesser-known
to Southwick House and
military locations of
DAY 3 BAYEUX –
the D-Day Museum before
Normandy’s military
NORMANDY BEACHES
catching an overnight ferry
history
– BAYEUX
to France. (D)
The Utah Beach Museum
See history told
gives a full explanation of
through needlework and visit the Bayeux Tapestry
DAY 2 CAEN –
America’s role in the battle.
NORMANDY BEACHES
(B)
– BAYEUX DAY 4 BAYEUX – NORMANDY BEACHES LONDON
ENGLAND
– OVERNIGHT FERRY We visit the Bayeux
PORTSMOUTH
BOVINGTON
Memorial Museum and the Longues-sur-Mer battery before catching an
1
overnight ferry. (B,D)
1
DAY 5 BOVINGTON –
CHERBOURG
LONDON BAYEAUX
2
NORMANDY BEACHES
Tour Start Point
FRANCE CAEN
Overnight Stop
Visit the Bovington Tank Museum and end in London. (B)
Day Stop
By ferry
This tour can be combined with Historic Eastern England page 50 backroadstouring.com and/or Corners of Cornwall page 38.
P R I C E S F R O M $ 2 , 5 9 9 PP 2018
DEPARTS
TWN /DBL
SGL
APR
19
$2,599
$3,199
MAY
17
$2,599
$3,199
JUN
21 G
$2,599
$3,199
JUL
19
$2,599
$3,199
SEP
06 G 13
$2,599
$3,199
OCT
11
$2,599
$3,199
G = Guaranteed Departure
Contact your travel consultant or the Back-Roads team to request pre and post accommodation plus transfers.
CANALS
106
Chateauneuf in Burgundy, France from the Dijon canal
backroadstouring.com
CANALS
107
C A N A L S O F
F R A N C E
There is something incredibly special about life aboard a floating hotel barge. The canals of France provide idyllic cruising routes through countryside that is culture-rich and captivating, making for a truly special way of experiencing France in its abundance. Gently cruising through provincial towns, quaint villages and a rustic landscape brimming with rural charm, you will have the chance to stop and explore the region’s stories and delicacies as you go – all while enjoying the modern comforts of a premium barge and accompanied by a highly trained and professional crew.
backroadstouring.com
CANALS
108 108
©ltabatha.net Raymonde N E W
T O U R
Champagne and Great War Cruise A cruise from Epernay to Paris 7
DAYS
THE BACK-ROADS DIFFERENCE
•• •• ••
•
6
NIGHTS
•
UP
TO
20
GUESTS
raise a glass together with
After breakfast, we take
DAY 4 CHÂTEAU THIERRY
a welcome cocktail and
off on an excursion along
– SAINT-JEAN-LES-DEUX-
dinner. (D)
the famous Champagne
JUMEAUX
Tourist Route as we partake
Back on dry land, start
Take a tour of the
DAY 2 EPERNAY –
in a guided tour of the
the day with a visit to the
Aisne-Marne American
DORMANS
village of Hautvillers – once
Aisne-Marne Cemetery
Cemetery
After breakfast, a languid
home to Dom Perignon, a
and Belleau Wood where
Join a guided tour of the
morning stretches ahead
famous French Benedictine
Marines fought one of the
Battlefields of the Marne
as we sail through exquisite
monk who made important
first US actions of the Great
and the Museum of the
French scenery. Marvel at
contributions to the
War before returning on
Great War
the gorgeous surrounds
production and quality of
board and cruising towards
Embark on an out-of-the-
on this morning’s tour of
champagne as we know
Saint-Jean-Les-Deux-
ordinary visit to Paris and
Verdun, including a visit to
it today. This picturesque
Jumeaux, passing by Drache
a tour of Les Invalides
Fort Douaumont and the
village is located in the
and Champigny as we cruise
Tranchée des Baïonnettes.
Montagne de Reims
through the vineyard-dotted
We’ll return on board in
Regional Natural Park and
landscapes. Tonight, watch
the afternoon and continue
is best explored on foot.
the sun dip below the canals
cruising towards Dormans
We'll continue our visit to
and take the evening at your
where we remain overnight.
a prominent champagne
own pace. (B,L,D)
(B,L,D)
house, with an incredible
DAY 1 PARIS – EPERNAY Become acquainted with the grandeur of Paris and soak up the iconic scenery in the capital before we leave together via minicoach to Epernay, where we board our private barge in the afternoon. After settling into your cabin, meet with your fellow shipmates and
tasting included. After our DAY 3 DORMANS –
DAY 5 SAINT-JEAN-LES-
tour, we’ll return on board
DEUX-JUMEAUX – LAGNY-
CHÂTEAU THIERRY
and start cruising towards
SUR-MARNE
Awe-inspiring architecture,
Château Thierry which we’ll
Cruise towards Meaux
glorious gardens and
reach in the evening. (B,L,D)
this morning and, in the
world-class beverages – it
afternoon, join a guided
all comes together today.
tour of the Battlefields of the
backroadstouring.com
109
Village of Flowers, Champagne Touristic Route
•• •• •• ••
CANALS
INCLUSIONS
6 nights on board a boutique hotel barge Experienced Back-Roads Driver & Tour Leader Premium mini-coach transportation Daily European-style breakfast (B), daily lunches (L), daily evening meals including farewell
••
gala dinner (D) Selected drinks during the cruise including water, wine, beer, fruit
Verdun graveyard , Cimetiere-erdun© T.W. Van Urk
•• •• ••
Montagne de Reims
Marne and the Museum of
of the most impressive cities
the Great War. The circuit
in the world. One of the
of the Battlefields of the
major highlights of today's
Marne takes us through
escapes includes a visit to
the most important combat
Les Invalides, which retraces
areas while the ship cruises
history from 1871 to 1945,
towards Lagny-sur-Marne
including the two World
where we will return on
Wars. Back on the water, we
board. (B,L,D)
sit down for an evening gala
Bicycles available on board Belleau and the AisneMarne American Cemetery The Battlefields of the Marne and the Museums of the Great War
For tour exclusions please see our FAQs on p.143
TOUR CODE: PC
dinner tonight and spend DAY 6 LAGNY-SUR-MARNE
juice and coffee
P R I C E S F R O M $ 4 , 9 9 9 PP
the night in port. (B,L,D)
– PARIS Today, our eyes are set
DAY 7 PARIS
towards Paris as we near the
Enjoy your last hearty
2018
DEPARTS
SGL
end of our journey. Upon
buffet breakfast on board
TWN /DBL
JUL
07
$4,999
$6,665
arrival in the afternoon, our
this morning before
AUG
04
$4,999
$6,665
journey takes us on a final
disembarking the boat and
G = Guaranteed Departure
walking tour of Paris – one
ending the tour in Paris. (B)
Contact your travel consultant or the Back-Roads team to request pre and post accommodation plus transfers.
DESTINATION
FRANCE
SAINT-JEANLES-DEUX-JUMEAUX PARIS
Tour Start Point
1
1
1
LAGNYSUR-MARNE
Overnight Stop
DORMANS
1 CHÂTEAU THIERRY
1
1
EPERNAY
Day Stop
This tour can be combined with La Belle France page 94 and/or London to Paris via the Channel Islands page 52.
CANALS
110 110
Saint-Jean-de-Losne
Burgundy Cruise A cruise along le Canal de Bourgogne 7
DAYS
THE BACK-ROADS DIFFERENCE
•• •• ••
•
6
NIGHTS
•
UP
TO
20
GUESTS
DAY 2 DIJON – PETIT
DAY 3 PETIT OUGES –
our afternoon destination
OUGES
SAINT-JEAN-DE-LOSNE
where we share a meal at a
Back on dry land, this
Simply sit back in luxurious
local restaurant. (B,L,D)
morning we enjoy a leisurely
surrounds and take in some
Cruise on a floating
drive through a rural idyll,
of France’s most sublime
DAY 5 DOLE – RANCHOT
boutique hotel along a
where row upon row of
wine country, relishing lunch
Before setting sail once
peaceful, vineyard-fringed
vines, punctuated by honey-
in between. We arrive in
more, we take some time
canal
stone villages, will have
Saint-Jean-de-Losne late in
to explore Dole and its
Get a taste of Burgundy’s
us thinking we’ve slipped
the afternoon – which allows
charming town centre.
wine-making heritage
inside a romantic landscape
time to take a walk or ride
Lunch brings us back to
at Château du Clos de
painting. This is Burgundy.
along the bike path before
our barge, then it’s off to
Vougeot
And when in Burgundy,
dinner at a local restaurant.
Ranchot. But you don’t
Discover the citadel of
it’s only right that we visit
(B,L,D)
have to cruise the whole
Besançon, a UNESCO
a historical icon of wine
World Heritage Site
production. On our barge
DAY 4 SAINT-JEAN-DE-
for our exclusive use, you
once more, we depart for
LOSNE – DOLE
could swap the decks for
Petit Ouges. On this tour,
Waking on the water, we
dry land and ride alongside
travelling to our destination
leave our barge moored
the canal on the bike path.
is just as wonderful as
alongside the riverboats
Once you’ve worked up an
arriving, especially with
lining the banks of Saint-
appetite, dinner tonight will
the green and pleasant
Jean-de-Losne to saunter
be served on board. (B,L,D)
landscape of the Saône
around its pretty streets.
Valley rippling around us.
We soon discover it's
DAY 6 RANCHOT –
As we go, we’ll enjoy both
boating heritage and
BESANÇON
lunch and dinner on board.
characteristic Saône Valley
There’s a leisurely morning
(B,L,D)
buildings. Back on the
in store first as we cruise
barge as we cruise to Dole,
further along the Canal de
DAY 1 PARIS – DIJON Travelling from Paris, we greet Dijon where we step on to our private barge with the crew waiting to welcome us. While it’s all hands on deck for them, there’s a cocktail and delicious dinner to make us feel at home. And with that, our cruise is underway. (D)
way. With bicycles on board
backroadstouring.com
•• •• •• •••• •• •• •••• •• •••• ••
Clos Blanc De Vougeot Castle
Burgundy Canal
On board
Bourgogne. After lunch, we depart for Besançon via coach to explore the area at a leisurely pace. Later, we’ll tour the Royal Saltworks, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, before celebrating our final evening on the water
6 nights on board MS Jeanine, a boutique hotel
CANALS
111
INCLUSIONS
barge Experienced Back-Roads Driver & Tour Leader Premium mini-coach transportation Local guide in Dijon Daily European-style breakfast (B) 5 lunches (L), 6 evening meals including farewell gala dinner (D) Selected drinks during the cruise (water, wine, beer, coffee) Selected local taxes Bicycles available to hire Return transfer from Paris to Dijon Tour of Royal Saltworks Trail of the Chat Perché tour Entrance included to: Citadel of Besancon and Palace of Fontainebleau
with a gala evening dinner.
For tour exclusions please see our FAQs on p.143
(B,L,D) DAY 7 BESANÇON – PALACE OF
TOUR CODE: BD
P R I C E S F R O M $ 4 , 6 9 9 PP
FONTAINEBLEAU – PARIS After a hearty breakfast, we bid farewell to our barge and look forward to our drive to Paris. (B) PARIS
DESTINATION
2018
DEPARTS
TWN /DBL
SGL
AUG
23
$4,699
$6,099
OCT
18 G
$4,699
$6,099
G = Guaranteed Departure
DIJON
Contact your travel consultant or the Back-Roads team to request pre and post accommodation plus transfers.
1
PETIT OUGES
1
SAINT JEAN DE LOSNE
1
1
1
1
BESANÇON
RANCHOT
DOLE
FRANCE
Tour Start Point
Overnight Stop
Day Stop
This tour can be combined with La Belle France page 94, WWI Battlefield Weekend Summer page 102 and/or London to Paris via the Channel Islands page 52.
CANALS
112 112
Briare ©Ewa Mazur N E W
T O U R
Loire Valley Cruise A cruise in the heart of France 7
DAYS
•
6
NIGHTS
•
UP
TO
20
GUESTS
and dinner on board. In
along the river towards
THE BACK-ROADS DIFFERENCE
DAY 4 CHAPELLE
the evening, embark on
Marseilles-lès-Aubigny.
MONTLINARD –
a romantic tour of Nevers
(B,L,D)
MENETREOL-SOUS-
••
before spending the evening as you wish with
DAY 3 MARSEILLES-LES-
Rise and shine, waking up
Aqueduct, one of
free time galore. (L,D)
AUBIGNY – CHAPELLE
on the water to another
MONTLINARD
day cruising through
the most prestigious
•• ••
SANCERRE
Marvel at the Briare
waterways in France
DAY 2 NEVERS –
A visit to the Fontmorigny
stunning scenery. Today,
Stroll through well-
MARSEILLES-LES-
Abbey will be the
we begin with a tour of La
preserved historic sites of
AUBIGNY
impressive start to your day
Charité-sur-Loire and the
this exceptional traditional
Take in the gorgeous
today before continuing
priory, one of the most
region of France
surrounds of the region
with a visit to Apremont-sur-
important restoration sites
Enjoy included drinks
with this morning’s guided
Allier and its floral garden,
in Burgundy for the past
and onboard meals as
tour of Nevers, including
known to be one of the
15 years. Afterwards, we
well as a Gala dinner and
a visit to the iconic Ducal
most awe-inspiring villages
visit a farm deep in the
welcome cocktails
Palace. Stroll through the
in France. Afterwards,
countryside where we’ll
remarkably preserved
we’ll return on board
experience the rustic calm
old quarter, with its half-
and continue towards
and authenticity that can be
timbered houses and
Chapelle Montlinard and
found only in France. In the
picturesque streets, before
an outstanding view of
evening, we cruise towards
reaching the Nevers
the Val de Loire Natural
Ménétréol-sous-Sancerre
Cathedral, a national
Reserve. The evening is
and remain here for the
monument of France. After
yours to discover the unique
night. (B,L,D)
a brief visit to the Nevers
abundance of nature,
Blue Gold pottery district,
culture and heritage of the
enjoy a local produce
area as we remain in port
tasting before we continue
overnight. (B,L,D)
DAY 1 PARIS – NEVERS Travelling from Paris, we board our private barge in the humble town of Nevers in the afternoon. After comfortably settling into your cabin, meet your crew and fellow travellers with welcome cocktails
backroadstouring.com
113
•• •• •• •• •••• ••
Deborah
Cabin
CANALS
INCLUSIONS
6 nights on board a boutique hotel barge Experienced Back-Roads Driver & Tour Leader Premium mini-coach transportation European breakfast daily (B) Daily lunch (L) Daily evening meals including farewell gala dinner (D) Selected drinks during the cruise including wine, beer, fruit juice and
On board bar
DAY 5 MENETREOL-SOUS-
visit to Sancerre, a historic
DAY 7 BRIARE – PARIS
SANCERRE – LÉRÉ
Berry region overlooking
After enjoying the last
Take a tour of Pouilly-sur-
the Loire Valley. Afterwards,
hearty buffet breakfast
Loire this morning and visit
we’ll visit an authentic goat
on board, prepare to
the impressive Tour de
farm and take part in the
disembark around 9am and
Pouilly-Fumé – a wine center
tasting of its trademark
travel by mini-coach back to
located in a beautiful setting.
cheeses along with the local
Paris where the tour comes
We’ll visit the extensive
Sancerre wine. We’ll spend
to an end. (B)
vineyards, the wine cellar
the afternoon cruising to
and enjoy a delectable wine
Briare and through the
tasting. Back on water, we
Briare Aqueduct - one
continue towards Léré and
of the longest navigable
spend the evening at our
aqueducts in the world
leisure. (B,L,D)
before attending a gala
•• •• ••
coffee Bicycles available on board Transfer from Paris to Nevers and Briare to Paris Tour of Nevers, Fontmorigny Abbey, Apremont-sur-Allier, La
••
Charite-sur-Loire Visit wine tourism centre at Tour de PouillyFume and goat farm at Sancerre
For tour exclusions please see our FAQs on p.143
evening dinner on board. DAY 6 LÉRÉ – BRIARE
(B,L,D)
TOUR CODE: LOR
P R I C E S F R O M $ 4 , 2 9 9 PP
We have an exciting day ahead of us today with a
DESTINATION
PARIS
2018
DEPARTS
TWN /DBL
SGL
MAY
17
$4,299
$5,399
JUL
12
$4,299
$5,399
G = Guaranteed Departure
Contact your travel consultant or the Back-Roads team to request pre and post accommodation plus transfers.
FRANCE BRIARE
1
LÉRÉ MENETREOL-SOUS-SANCERRE
1
1
CHAPELLE MONTLINARD
MARSEILLES-LES-AUBIGNY
Tour Start Point
Overnight Stop
1 1 1
NEVERS
Day Stop
This tour can be combined with La Belle France page 94, WWI Battlefield Weekend Summer page 102 and/or London to Paris via the Channel Islands page 52.
CROATIA
114
Dubrovnik
backroadstouring.com
CROATIA
115
C R O A T I A
Playing host to some of the world’s longest and arguably most picturesque coastlines in Europe, Croatia has well and truly earned its place as a favourable destination for sunseeking holidaymakers. Set sail across the azure seas of the Mediterranean, discover cliff-top fortresses and Riviera-style villages and tuck into freshly caught delicacies as you explore the countless hidden gem islands that dot the landscape. With sun-drenched beaches, watersports, world-class restaurants and a vibrant nightlife on offer, Croatia is sure to steal your heart.
backroadstouring.com
CROATIA
116 116
Krka National Park
Croatia & The Dalmatian Coast Split | Korcula | Kotor | Dubrovnik 8
DAYS
•
7
NIGHTS
•
UP
TO
15
GUESTS
the azure Adriatic where our
tapas while learning the
THE BACK-ROADS DIFFERENCE
DAY 4 KORCULA
trail takes us into the white
history of winemaking in the
Wake in your own time,
walls of Diocletian’s Palace, a
region. We round off our day
knowing the whole day is
•• •• ••
vast fortress filled with years
with free time to relax back
to spend just as you wish.
Stay two nights in the
of history. We also take in
in Trogir. (B)
Lounge at a nearby beach,
enchanting, UNESCO
the Grgur Ninski Statue and
World Heritage-listed city
must-see sites, including the
DAY 3 TROGIR – KORCULA
know the local cuisine. If
of Trogir
cathedral and the Bell Tower
Today we leave the mainland
exploration is on the cards,
Explore historic Kotor in
of St Domnius, before taking
behind, catching the ferry
hop aboard a taxi boat to
Montenegro, during a
a seat at a family-owned
from Split to Korcula, our
Vrnik, a gem of an island
one-night stay
tavern for an authentic
home for the next two
popular with locals and in-
Stop off at the renowned
meal – and warm Croatian
nights. This spellbinding
the-know travellers. (B)
Bibich Winery for a wine
welcome. (D)
island brings together tranquil coves with twisted
DAY 2 TROGIR – KRKA
DAY 5 KORCULA –
exceptional tapas
olive groves, rolling
PELJESAC PENINSULA –
Feast on a delicious meal
NATIONAL PARK – TROGIR
vineyards and timeless
KOTOR
at a local agritourism farm
This morning sees us
fishing villages. Reputed to
Bidding farewell to
in Dubrovnik
seeking the crystalline lakes
be the birthplace of Marco
Korcula, we sail to the
and energetic rivers of
Polo, it’s hard to see why he
nearby Peljesac Peninsula
Krka National Park. Then
would’ve wanted to leave.
– a hotspot for winemaking
it’s onwards to a hidden
After checking into our
since the days of the Roman
treasure of the Bibich Winery
hotel, we get our bearings
Empire. Savour the fruits of
for an afternoon of pure
with a walk through the old
this ancient tradition on a
indulgence. At this small,
town and before the day
tour of a local winery, before
family-owned establishment
is over, it’s time to enjoy a
we briefly leave Croatia
we’ll be treated to local
dinner and a local cooking
for a night in Montenegro.
wines paired with gourmet
class. (B,D)
With steep mountainsides
tasting accompanied by
••
or find a cafe to get to
DAY 1 TROGIR – SPLIT – TROGIR Your adventure begins in fitting style in Trogir. After touring the town centre we journey to Split, a UNESCO World Heritage city beside
backroadstouring.com
117
Dubrovnik
Kotor
Wine tasting
plunging into deep,
a boat out into the Bay of
Cathedral of Our Lady and
turquoise waters, Kotor Bay
Kotor to the gorgeous island
the Old Port. If the weather
is a soul-stirring sight. And
of Our Lady of the Rocks.
is on our side, take the
at the centre lies UNESCO
While here, we explore the
opportunity to climb Mount
World Heritage-listed Kotor
intriguing Byzantine-style
Srd by cable car to see the
town, seemingly untouched
church, before heading back
late afternoon sun turn the
by time. (B, D)
to dry land. (B)
rooftops golden before our
•• •• •• •• •• •• •••• •• ••
DAY 7 DUBROVNIK
DUBROVNIK
With a full day in Dubrovnik,
DAY 8 DUBROVNIK
This morning we delve into
we make time to explore this
– ELAPHITE ISLANDS –
Kotor’s history, wandering
beautiful city together as our
DUBROVNIK
through cobbled streets
journey soon draws to an
Our last day sees us visiting
and exploring the cathedral
end. A guided tour takes us
the Elaphite archipelago
of Saint Tryphon and the
into the old town, where we
before returning to
picture-perfect harbour.
see top-draw sites including
Dubrovnik, where our tour
After stopping off in
the Franciscan Monastery,
ends. (B,L)
charming Perast, we board
Sponza Palace, the
7 nights in boutique accommodation Experienced Back-Roads Driver & Tour Leader Local guides in Split, Trogir, Perast, Kotor, Korcula and Dubrovnik Premium mini-coach transportation Ferry crossings from Split to Korcula, Korcula to Orebic European breakfast daily (B), 1 lunch (L), 4 evening meals (D) 2 wine tastings Local cooking class Boat excursion to Our Lady of the Rocks and Elaphiti Islands Entrance included to: Diocletian’s Palace, Krka National Park, Jewish Temple, Franciscan Monastery and cable car
final dinner together. (B,D) DAY 6 KOTOR –
CROATIA
INCLUSIONS
in Dubrovnik. For tour exclusions please see our FAQs on p.143
TOUR CODE: CRO
P R I C E S F R O M $ 3 , 8 9 9 PP 2018
DEPARTS DEPARTS TWN /DBL
SGL
MAY
13 G
27
$4,099
$4,799
JUN
10
17
$4,099
$4,799
24 G
CROATIA KRKA NATIONAL PARK
TROGIR
2
2
PELJESAC PENINSULA
ELAPHITE ISLANDS
2
DUBROVNIK
Overnight Stop
01 15
08 G
$4,099
$4,799
AUG
12 26
19 G
$4,099
$4,799
SEP
02 G 23
16 30
$4,099
$4,799
OCT
07
14
$3,899
$4,599
SPLIT
KORCULA
Tour Start Point
JUL
Day Stop
G = Guaranteed Departure
MONTENEGRO
1
KOTOR
By ferry
This tour can be combined with Flavours of Italy & Northern Croatia page 120 and/or Croatian Islands Sailing page 118.
Contact your travel consultant or the Back-Roads team to request pre and post accommodation plus transfers.
CROATIA
118 118
Split
Croatian Islands Sailing Sail through Central Dalmatia 8
DAYS
THE BACK-ROADS DIFFERENCE
•• •• ••
•
7
NIGHTS
•
UP
TO
16
GUESTS
DAY 2 ROGOZNICA
DAY 3 ŠIBENIK – KORNATI
medieval basilica and local
– KRKA WATERFALLS –
– TELAŠĆICA
villas. After a visit to the Nin
ŠIBENIK
Enjoy breakfast onboard
Saltworks followed by a local
This morning we cruise
as we cruise to towards
wine tasting, the evening is
Visit a local farm and
towards Skradin where we
the Kornati National Park,
yours to explore. (B,L)
discover more about the
visit the Krka National Park
stopping at the Illyrian
horticulture in the region
and enjoy the opportunity
Fortress and the Christian
DAY 5 ZADAR – ZLARIN
Sample local wine at the
to see the cascading
Church of St. Mary. After
Another day in Dalmatia
the famous Bibich winery
waterfalls. With time for a
lunch, our journey carries us
paradise carries us to
followed by a delicious
dip, this experience is truly
to Telašćica where the island
the island of Zlarin in the
tapas lunch
unforgettable. After building
is surrounded by impressive
Šibenik archipelago with the
Explore the lesser known
an appetite, it’s time for lunch
rock formations, jagged cliffs
afternoon free to explore.
areas of the Dalmatian
at the famous Bibich Winery,
and a natural salt lake. Our
Famous for its coral reefs,
coast
complete with wine tasting
evening meal will be a group
handcrafted jewellery and
and a light tapas lunch. In
affair to round off the day.
local restaurants around
the late afternoon, we sail
(B,L,D)
the harbour, this island is a
DAY 1 SPLIT –
treasure trove of delights.
towards the historic city of Šibenik, located in the heart
DAY 4 TELAŠĆICA –
Meeting in Split, we depart
of the Adriatic coast. Before
ZADAR
for one of Dalmatia’s prettiest
the day is out, we make
Leaving Telascica behind
DAY 6 ZLARIN – TROGIR
towns, Rogoznica. Here, we’ll
time for a guided tour of
us, together we sail towards
We spend the morning in
visit a local farm to learn
this historical town, visiting
Zadar for a guided tour of
relax mode, swimming and
more of the Mediterranean
the nearby palace and the
the town and a chance to
snorkelling in the tranquil
horticulture before making
Laurent Church for a taste of
discover the rich history of
bays before we arrive in
our way back on board our
baroque architecture. (B,L)
the town, evident in the
our next port of call, Trogir,
vessel for a welcome dinner
architecture and design of
one of Croatia’s oldest and
together. (L,D)
the decadent city walls, the
most celebrated cities. Here,
ROGOZNICA
(B,L)
backroadstouring.com
•• •• ••••
Krka National Park
7 nights accommodation on board a motor yacht
CROATIA
119
INCLUSIONS
Experienced Back-Roads Tour Leader Local captain and crew Daily European-style breakfasts (B), 7 lunches (L), 3 evening meals, including a Captain’s
Trogir
•• •••• ••••
Vjeko
we enjoy a guided tour of
being performed here. To
the city. Look forward to a
complete the day, we end
feast of churches, palaces,
with an olive oil tasting at
museums, fortresses and
a local olive grove to taste
towers. (B,L)
different types of olive oils in
Dinner (D) Bath towels, beach towels and linen All local taxes Olive oil tasting Wine tasting Entrance included to: Krka Waterfalls, Kornati National Park, Telašćica National Park, Nin Saltworks, Bibich Winery
For tour exclusions please see our FAQs on p.143
the warm sun. Later, we meet DAY 7 TROGIR – SPLIT
for a farewell dinner. (B,L,D)
TOUR CODE: SAIL
P R I C E S F R O M $ 4 , 0 5 9 PP
As we near the end of our tour, we cruise back to
DAY 8 SPLIT
Split for our final port of
After a hearty breakfast on
call. With a guided tour,
board, it’s time to say our
2018
DEPARTS
discover an abundance of
goodbyes as our tour finishes
LOWER MAIN DECK DECK
JUN
$4,459
this morning. (B)
16 G
$4,059
Roman architecture and
AUG
25 G
$4,059
$4,459
SEP
08
$4,059
$4,459
visit Diocletian's palace. It’s easy to sense the rich
G = Guaranteed Departure
history behind this island
Contact your travel consultant or the Back-Roads team to request pre and post accommodation plus transfers.
of olive groves, vineyards, and ceremonies that are still
ZADAR
TELAŠĆICA
1
CROATIA
1
ŠIBENIK ZLARIN
1
1
TROGIR
1
1
1
SPLIT
ROGOZNICA
Tour Start Point
Overnight Stop
Day Stop
By sail
This tour can be combined with Croatia & The Dalmatian Coast page 116.
CROATIA
120 120
Rovinj
Northern Italy, Slovenia & Croatia Venice | Ljubljana | Opatija | Split 7
DAYS
•
6
NIGHTS
•
UP
TO
15
GUESTS
course. Here, we create
DAY 3 LJUBLJANA –
of this sleepy coastal village.
THE BACK-ROADS DIFFERENCE
individual masterpieces with
OPATIJA
Wander the labyrinth of
the help of our local guide.
This morning, we make
cobbled streets before
•• •• ••
With free time to explore
time for a walking tour of
we meet with unique art
Sample specialities of
before the sun dips below
Ljubljana before we carry
galleries and the Basilica of
Croatia’s Peninsula, the
the horizon, we meet for
on to Opatija for a local
St. Euphemia. (B)
Buzut truffle
dinner at a local trattoria in
wine tasting session. This
Explore the beauty of
Mestre. (D)
mouthwatering experience
DAY 5 OPATIJA – PLITVICE
allows the chance for you
LAKES
UNESCO World Heritage-
DAY 2 MESTRE – LAKE
to taste wines of the region.
Today we discover one of
listed park
BLED – LJUBLJANA
This afternoon, we continue
Croatia’s most astounding
Enjoy a traditional mask
As we leave Venice this
our exploration of Opatija
natural sites: the cascading
decorating experience in
morning it’s time to look
on a walking tour before we
lakes of the UNESCO World
Venice
onwards to the next country,
retire for the night. (B)
Heritage-listed Plitvice
Plitvice National Park, a
National Park. Walking trails
Slovenia. We visit Lake Bled DAY 1 MESTRE – VENICE – MESTRE Discover the beauty of the world’s most famous floating island – Venice. To start, we meet and embark on a walking tour, ticking off the major sites before we launch into our first local experience together – participating in a traditional mask decorating
and enjoy a boat ride to
DAY 4 OPATIJA –
hug the lakes, allowing us to
a small island on the lake
MOTOVUN – ROVINJ –
journey on foot and watch
to visit The Church of the
OPATIJA
as the water transforms from
Assumption. Afterwards,
Prepare your tastebuds for
emerald green to azure blue.
enjoy free time on the lake
an exclusive truffle tasting
To give this beautiful region
followed by a visit to Lake
in Motovun this morning as
the justice of a full day’s
Bled Castle. Evening brings
we meet with a local family
exploration, tonight we stay
us to Ljubljana to enjoy time
and sample one of Istrian’s
in a nearby town. (B,D)
to yourself. (B)
tastiest treasures. Our next stop is Rovinj, where we stroll along historic streets, soaking up the atmosphere
backroadstouring.com
121
•• •• •• •• •• •• •••• •••• ••
Motovun
Venice
Plitvice Lakes Park
CROATIA
INCLUSIONS
6 nights in boutique accommodation Experienced Back-Roads Driver & Tour Leader Premium mini-coach transportation Daily European-style breakfast (B), 2 lunches (L), 2 evening meals (D) Mask decorating experience in Venice Local guides in Venice & Lake Bled Truffle tasting Wine tasting Chocolate tasting Croatian cooking class Entrance included to: St
DAY 6 PLITVICE LAKES –
DAY 7 SPLIT
SMILJAN – SPLIT
To make the most out of our
After satisfying our appetite
day, we meet after breakfast
over breakfast, we continue
to embark on a walking
north to the town of Smiljan,
tour of Split and to explore
the birthplace of Nikola
Diocletian’s Palace. Split is
Tesla – a famous inventor.
known for its thriving cafe
As we continue south we
culture, with countless coffee
enter central Dalmatia where
spots, bars and restaurants
our local host treats us to a
welcoming guests long
TOUR CODE: ZAG
homemade lunch filled with
into the evening. Soak it
Croatian specialties. Before
all up before we meet for
the sun goes down, we
a farewell cooking class
P R I C E S F R O M $ 4 , 3 9 9 PP
reach Split where the night is
together just outside Split,
2018
DEPARTS
SGL
yours to enjoy. (B,L)
making it the perfect spot
TWN /DBL
MAY
05 19
$4,399
$5,199
JUN
09 G
$4,399
$5,199
Mark's Basilica, Plitvice Lakes, Nikola Tesla house, Bled Castle, Bled Island & Diocletian's Palace
For tour exclusions please see our FAQs on p.143
for a final, farewell lunch. (B,L)
16
1
MESTRE
VENICE
1
LJUBLJANA
2
OPATIJA
SMILJAN
1
CROATIA
PLITVICE LAKES
1
Tour Start Point
Overnight Stop
11
$4,399
$5,199
SEP
08 G 15 22
$4,399
$5,199
G = Guaranteed Departure
LAKE BLED SLOVENIA
ITALY
AUG
SPLIT
Day Stop
This tour can be combined with Croatia & The Dalmatian Coast page 116.
Contact your travel consultant or the Back-Roads team to request pre and post accommodation plus transfers.
CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE
122
Neuschwanstein, Germany
backroadstouring.com
CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE
123
C E N T R A L A N D E A S T E R N E U R O P E Though vastly different in culture and landscapes, the countries that make up Central Europe are collectively some of the most impressive in the world. Shedding its scarred past, the region’s charming towns and unspoiled nature is more accessible than ever. From the snow-capped Bavarian Alps in Germany to the sparkling blue lakes in Austria; the Alpine valleys of Switzerland to the medieval cities of the Czech Republic, the region – and its hearty, local fare – is just begging to be explored.
backroadstouring.com
CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE
124 124
Train to the top of Mount Rigi
Mountains, Valleys & Lakes of Switzerland Chur | Lucerne | Mount Rigi | Mount Schilthorn 9
DAYS
•
8
NIGHTS
•
UP
TO
18
GUESTS
St Gallen, Vaduz and
Lucerne, setting ashore in
before we reach Bern. With
THE BACK-ROADS DIFFERENCE
eventually arriving in
Weggis, our base for two
time for a guided walking
Chur where we feast on a
nights. (B,D)
tour and beer tasting, soak
•• •• ••
welcome dinner together.
Uncover Switzerland’s
(D)
up the picture-perfect DAY 4 WEGGIS –
scenery. (B,D)
EINSIEDELN – MOUNT
best-kept secrets, including Chur
DAY 2 CHUR
RIGI – WEGGIS
DAY 6 BERN
Discover the art of crafting
After a hearty breakfast, we
After breakfast, prepare for
Safe to say, Bern will not
Swiss chocolate
launch into a walking tour
round two in the form of a
disappoint. With a free
Learn the art of alphorn
of Chur, and then the rest
cheese fondue tasting at
day to explore, be sure
making in Eggiwil
of the day is yours to enjoy
a local farm in Einsiedeln
to wander the cobbled
at your own pace in one of
before carrying onwards to
centre and visit the
Switzerland's oldest cities. (B)
climb Mount Rigi aboard
excellent museums. Soak
the cog railway – Europe’s
up the tranquil ambience
DAY 3 CHUR – LUCERNE –
first ever mountain line.
as we walk the perfectly
Meet the group this
WEGGIS
Then it’s back down to
preserved medieval streets
morning at one of the
A day of indulgence awaits
Weggis, where you’ll have
of its UNESCO protected
most impressive cities in
in Lucerne, where we have
the evening to yourself.
Old Town. Hear tales from
the world, Zurich – but
an appointment to keep
(B,L)
the city’s 800-year history
not for too long, as we
with a local chocolatier
travel to Schaffhauser
where it’s time to uncover
DAY 5 WEGGIS – EGGIWIL
cathedral, Clock Tower
Blauburgunderland for
the secrets of Swiss
– BERN
and see the 13th century
a private tour and wine
chocolate making, learning
Saying farewell to Weggis,
gate. (B)
tasting (a sample of the
its origins and indulging in
we travel to Eggiwil to meet
activities to follow in
a sample or two. Later we
a local alphorn maker to
the next few days). Our
swap our mini-coach for a
share the secrets to craft
road carries onwards to
scenic boat ride across Lake
the traditional instrument
DAY 1 ZURICH – ST GALLEN – VADUZ – CHUR
as we explore the Gothic
backroadstouring.com
Interlaken
Wine tasting
Schilthorn
DAY 7 BERN – THUN –
DAY 8 MURREN –
DAY 9 MURREN – ZURICH
INTERLAKEN – MURREN
SCHILTHORN – MURREN
Turning away from Murren,
With our path taking us
Our Swiss adventure
we drive straight to Zurich,
away from Bern, today
wouldn’t be complete
visiting the Botanical
we travel to visit the Thun
without the awe-inspiring
Gardens and lunch before
Castle and continue to
views from above. Prepare
our adventure ends. (B,L)
the Trummelbach Falls –
your eyes today for some
a magnificent cave-like
of the most intoxicatingly
environment surrounded
beautiful views at the top
by a series of waterfalls.
of Schilthorn Mountain.
After splashing through the
Travelling back down to
waterfalls, we will reach new
Murren, we feast on our
heights onboard a cable car
last dinner together before
ride to Murren where we rest
our journey ends tomorrow.
for the next two nights. (B)
(B,D)
•• •• •• •• •• •••• •••• •• ••
8 nights in boutique accommodation Experienced Back-Roads Driver & Tour Leader Premium mini-coach transportation Cog railway to Mount Rigi, cable-car to
CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE
125
INCLUSIONS
Schilthorn European breakfast daily (B), 2 lunches (L), 4 evening meals (D) Wine & beer tasting Chocolate tasting Cheese fondue tasting Boat to Weggis Local guides in St Gallen and Bern Entrance included to: St Gallen Old Library, Thun Castle, Trummelbach Falls, Botanical Garden
For tour exclusions please see our FAQs on p.143
TOUR CODE: SMV
P R I C E S F R O M $ 5 , 8 9 9 PP 2018
DEPARTS
TWN /DBL
SGL
MAY
08 22 G
$5,899
$7,299
JUN
05
$5,899
$7,299
19
ZURICH
BERN
MOUNT RIGI
LUCERNE
2
2
SWITZERLAND VADUZ LIECHTENSTEIN
WEGGIS
2
CHUR
INTERLAKEN
Tour Start Point
MURREN
Overnight Stop
Day Stop
$5,899
$7,299
AUG
21
$5,899
$7,299
SEP
04 G 18
$5,899
$7,299
OCT
02
$5,899
$7,299
G = Guaranteed Departure
THUN
2
03 17 G
ST GALLEN
EGGIWIL
SCHILTHORN
JUL
By ferry
This tour can be combined with Corners of Cornwall page 38 and/or The Emerald Isle page 58.
Contact your travel consultant or the Back-Roads team to request pre and post accommodation plus transfers.
CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE
126 126
Prague
Explore Eastern Europe Budapest | Krakow | Prague 9
DAYS
THE BACK-ROADS DIFFERENCE
•• •• ••
•
8
NIGHTS
•
UP
TO
18
GUESTS
DAY 2 BUDAPEST –
chandelier-lit chambers and
DAY 5 KRAKOW –
HOLLOKO – BANSKA
chapels, all carved from
AUSCHWITZ – OLOMOUC
BYSTRICA
salt. Its perfectly preserved
We pay a visit to the
Leaving Budapest behind
centre harks back to its
Auschwitz-Birkenau
Pay a visit to the former
us, we make way to
medieval glory day and is
concentration camp today,
Auschwitz-Birkenau
Holloko, a UNESCO World
sure to impress. (B)
a sobering reminder of
concentration camp
Heritage Site. Here, we
Make authentic Polish
meet with locals and enjoy a
DAY 4 KRAKOW
the Nazis. Later, we reach
pierogi dumplings at a
performance by the Holloko
Today we give Krakow our
Olomouc where we spend
cookery class in historic
Women's Choir dressed in
full attention. Making the
the night. (B)
Krakow
their traditional regional
most of our time in this
Enjoy an evening filled
garments, accompanied by
historic city, we meet in the
DAY 6 OLOMOUC –
with a traditional Baroque
an authentic lunch. Later, we
morning for a guided city
LITOMYŠL – GOLČŮV
performance
reach Banska Bystrica where
tour, visiting the essential
JENÍKOV
the evening is of your own
sights including the Wawel
This morning, we make
entertainment. (B,L)
Royal Castle and Cathedral.
time for an exploration of
Then, the rest of the day is
Olomouc, before moving
DAY 3 BANSKA BYSTRICA
yours to explore. Tonight,
on to the town of Litomyšl
– WIELICZKA – KRAKOW
you will be treated to a
to visit one of the biggest
Waving farewell to Banska
pierogi-making class, where
Renaissance castles in the
Bystrica, our road carries us
we learn how to cook these
Czech Republic. Next up, we
to visit the Wieliczka Salt
classic Polish dumplings.
drive to the grand Chateau
Mines – one of the oldest in
(B,D)
Hostačov in Golčův Jeníkov.
DAY 1 BUDAPEST With so much to see, there is no time to waste. We will make tracks on a guided city tour of Budapest. Then, the afternoon is all yours to discover the historical capital before we meet for our first meal together. (D)
atrocities committed by
the world – before we reach
Here, we enjoy a wine
Krakow. Dating back to the
tasting session and delicious
13th century, this historic
dinner. (B,D)
mine also houses enchanting
backroadstouring.com
•• •• •• •• •••• •• •• •• ••
Slovakia
Pierogi Dumplings
Hungarian Parliment, Budapest
DAY 7 GOLČŮV JENÍKOV
you see it. After a guided
This morning you’re free to
tour of the majestic city to
enjoy the surrounds of the
get your bearings, enjoy free
chateau or take a walk to the
time before we sit down for
nearby village. On the cards
a farewell dinner with beer
for tonight’s entertainment
tasting. (B,D)
8 nights in boutique accommodation Experienced Back-Roads Driver & Tour Leader Premium mini-coach transportation European breakfast daily (B), 1 lunch (L), 5 evening
CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE
127
INCLUSIONS
meals (D) Pierogi-making class Beer & wine tastings Local guides in Budapest, Krakow and Prague Performance by the Hollókő Women's Choir Baroque evening performance Entrance included to: Wawel Royal Castle and Cathedral, Litomyšl Castle and Karlštejn Castle, Wieliczka Salt Mines, former
includes an evening of
concentration camp
traditional Baroque style
DAY 9 PRAGUE –
dancing accompanied by
KARLŠTEJN – PRAGUE
a 6-piece orchestra and
Our final day takes us to the
dinner. (B,D)
countryside town, Karlštejn
Auschwitz-Birkenau For tour exclusions please see our FAQs on p.143
to explore one of the most DAY 8 GOLČŮV JENÍKOV –
beautiful castles. After a
PRAGUE
short drive back to Prague,
With cathedral spires,
our journey ends in the
cobbled streets and timeless
afternoon. (B)
TOUR CODE: EE
P R I C E S F R O M $ 5 , 3 9 9 PP
market squares, Prague
2018
DEPARTS
TWN /DBL
SGL
captivates from the moment
MAY
09 23 G
$5,399
$6,699
JUN
06
$5,399
$6,699
POLAND PRAGUE
1
KARLSTEJN
AUSCHWITZ
LITOMYSL
2 GOLCUV JENIKOV
CZECH REPUBLIC
20 G
2
KRAKÓW WIELICZKA
1 OLOMOUC
SLOVAKIA
1
BANSKA BYSTRICA
HOLLOKO
1
BUDAPEST Tour Start Point
Overnight Stop
HUNGARY
Day Stop
This tour can be combined with Germany and Austria Highlights page 128 and/or The Baltics Highlights page 138.
JUL
11 G 18
$5,399
$6,699
AUG
22 G
$5,399
$6,699
SEP
05 19
$5,399
$6,699
G = Guaranteed Departure
Contact your travel consultant or the Back-Roads team to request pre and post accommodation plus transfers.
CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE
128 128
Rothenburg
Germany and Austria Highlights Rothenburg | Munich | Vienna 13
DAYS
THE BACK-ROADS DIFFERENCE
•• •• ••
•
12
NIGHTS
•
UP
TO
18
GUESTS
DAY 2 WERNIGERODE –
buildings that survived both
DAY 7 FUSSEN – WIES –
KYFFHAUSER – ERFURT –
world wars. (B)
OBERAMMERGAU – ETTAL – INNSBRUCK – HALL
COBURG We drive to the Kyffhauser
DAY 5 AUGSBURG –
Travelling to Wies, visit the
Visit a traditional
Memorial this morning for
MUNICH – FUSSEN
famous Rococo pilgrimage
ecological farm in Munich
a magnificent view before
Begin the day with a
church before departing for
and taste local products
continuing to the medieval
walking tour of Munich
Oberammergau, a stunning
Take the road less
town of Erfurt. In the
visiting at a local ecological
Bavarian village with fairy-
travelled along the
evening, enjoy the night in
farm where we taste local
tale-like painted houses.
German Alpine Road
beautiful Coburg. (B)
ecological products such as
After lunch, we visit the
Raise a glass and enjoy a
cheese, ham, and salami.
impressive Ettal monastery
wine and local produce
DAY 3 COBURG
The afternoon brings a
before arriving in Innsbruck
tasting in Wachau
– WURZBURG –
scenic drive to Fussen
for a free afternoon. In the
ROTHENBURG
where the evening is yours
evening, we transfer to Hall
After spending the morning in
to explore. (B)
and end the day with a
DAY 1 BERLIN – BRANDENBURG AN DER HAVEL – MAGDEBURG – WERNIGERODE
Wurzburg where we visit the
DAY 6 FUSSEN –
famous Residence Palace at
NEUSCHWANSTEIN –
DAY 8 HALL – KRIMML –
the Staatlicher Hofkeller. (B)
FUSSEN
SALZBURG
Departing Berlin, we begin the tour in Brandenburg where we visit the famous Gothic Cathedral before continuing to Magdeburg. (D)
delicious dinner. (B,D)
Veste Coburg, we proceed to
We spend today in the
A glorious view awaits at
DAY 4 ROTHENBURG
dream-like retreat of
the Krimml Waterfalls this
– DINKELSBUHL –
Neuschwanstein Castle,
morning before we make
AUGSBURG
designed for King Ludwig II
the heart-stealing journey
Time to admire picture-
in 1886. (B)
along the Gerlos Alpine Road
perfect castles and medieval
towards Salzburg. (B)
towns before stopping in Dinkelsbuhl featuring
backroadstouring.com
•• •• •• •• •••• ••
Apple Strudel demostration
Neuschwanstein Castle
12 nights in boutique accommodation Experienced Back-Roads Driver & Tour Leader Premium mini-coach transportation Daily European-style breakfast (B), 5 evening
CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE
129
INCLUSIONS
meals (D) Wine tasting Apple strudel demonstration Entrance included to: Würzburg Residence, Augsburg Town Hall,
Krimml Waterfalls
Neuschwanstein Castle, Hallein Salt Mine, Melk
DAY 9 SALZBURG
Hallstatter See, along with
DAY 12 SANKT GALLEN –
After a morning tour of
the picturesque village of
MELK – DURNSTEIN
the city, the day is yours to
Hallstatt. In the afternoon,
Take a guided tour of Melk
enjoy Salzburg – a thrill for
travel to Sankt Gallen and
Abbey this morning before
music lovers as we glimpse
enjoy dinner in a real castle.
arriving in Spitz where we’ll
inside Mozart’s birthplace,
(B,D)
enjoy a tasting of local
Abbey, Schönbrunn Palace, Veste Coburg and Krimml Waterfalls For tour exclusions please see our FAQs on p.143
TOUR CODE: GRV
wines. (B,D)
the imposing Hohensalzburg Castle sitting high above the
DAY 11 SANKT GALLEN
city. (B)
– BAD ISCHL – SANKT
DAY 13 DURNSTEIN –
P R I C E S F R O M $ 6 , 1 9 9 PP
GALLEN
VIENNA
DAY 10 SALZBURG –
We spend today at Bad
Our first stop in Vienna will
2018
DEPARTS
SGL
HALLEIN – WOLFGANGSEE
TWN /DBL
Ischl where the architecture
be a tour of the impressive
MAY
08
$6,199
$7,129
– HALLSTATT – SANKT
is influenced by the
baroque Schonbrunn Palace.
GALLEN
JUN
05 G
$6,199
$7,129
Wilhelminian period, making
Before we end, be sure to
Visit Hallein’s old salt mines
the most of free time to
sample the Viennese apple
AUG
07
$6,199
$7,129
this morning before visiting
explore the Emperor’s
strudel – the perfect way to
SEP
$7,129
mansion, old churches and
end this tour. (B)
04 18
$6,199
two of Austria’s most stunning lakes – Wolfgangsee and
historic fountains. (B,D)
1
WERNIGERODE
KYFFHAUSER GERMANY
1
WURZBURG ROTHENBURG
1
AUGSBURG
FUSSEN
2
HALL
Tour Start Point
Overnight Stop
ERFURT COBURG
DINKELSBUHL
1
MUNICH DURNSTEIN
1
SALZBURG KRIMML
2
2
G = Guaranteed Departure
Contact your travel consultant or the Back-Roads team to request pre and post accommodation plus transfers.
BERLIN
MAGDEBURG
26
AUSTRIA
1
VIENNA
SANKT GALLEN
Day Stop
This tour can be combined with Explore Eastern Europe page 126.
ICELAND, SCANDINAVIA, RUSSIA & THE BALTICS
130
Godafoss Waterfall, Iceland
backroadstouring.com
ICELAND, SCANDINAVIA, RUSSIA & THE BALTICS
131
I C E L A N D S C A N D I N A V I A R U S S I A T H E
&
B A L T I C S
Fairytale settings and landscapes full of legends. That is what you can expect from your journey through the north of Europe as you set foot into a region full of glorious contrasts. Spectacular fjords, towering waterfalls and majestic snow-topped mountains will wow the adventurers at heart, while centuries-old palaces and Nordic castles will satisfy the culturally curious. Switch gears as you move through metropolitan hubs, where uniquely designed architecture, historic churches and impressive parliament buildings are waiting to be discovered.
backroadstouring.com
ICELAND, SCANDINAVIA, RUSSIA & THE BALTICS
132 132
Stokksnes headland N E W
T O U R
Iceland Highlights Skogar | Gullfoss | Langjokull | Reykjavik 5
DAYS
•
4
NIGHTS
•
UP
TO
18
GUESTS
treat on this Icelandic
farm. Next, we pay a visit
Park – the epitome of heart-
THE BACK-ROADS DIFFERENCE
adventure. A once in-a-
to the Icelandic Association
stopping beauty. In the
lifetime destination for
for Search and Rescue
afternoon, we drive to west
•• •• ••
most, you are about to
and discover about the
Iceland to our hotel before
Gain insight into the life
be spoilt with unmissable
exceptional knowledge of
retiring for the night. (B,D)
on an Icelandic farm as
sights and natural beauty
the local rescue team. After
local Vorsabær farmers
unlike anywhere else in the
an informative session, we
DAY 4 STÓRARJÓDUR
invite you on a tour
world. Departing from the
make time for a visit to the
– REYKHOLT –
of purebred Icelandic
capital, we start the day
Secret Lagoon – a natural
LANGJÖKULL GLACIER –
livestock including horses,
with a scenic drive to the
hot spring and later, enjoy
STÓRARJÓDUR
goats and sheep
Seljalandsfoss Waterfall
dinner at a local restaurant
After breakfast, we drive to
Swim in the waters of the
before travelling onwards
together. (B,D)
Víðgelmir Lava Cave, the
Secret Lagoon
to the awe-inspiring Skógar
Embark on a Viking
Waterfall. After a full day
DAY 3 FLÚDIR –
before driving to the
sushi boat tour from
of sightseeing, we settle
GULLFOSS – THINGVELLIR
village of Reykholt and the
Stykkisholmur harbor
into our hotel and enjoy a
– STÓRARJÓDUR
nearby Deildartunguhver
to learn about the sea
welcome dinner together.
On the cards for today
hot springs. After, indulge
and bird life, and try the
(D)
involves a scenic journey
your tastebuds with a beer
across the impressive
tasting at Steðji Brewery
delicious fresh scallops
longest lava cave in Iceland
and sea urchins straight
DAY 2 FLÚDIR – SKEIÐD
Golden Circle, ticking off
before we transfer to
from the ocean
OG GNÚPVERJAHREPPUR
the Gullfoss Waterfall and
Langjökull glacier and climb
– FLÚDIR
the Geysir hot spring area.
aboard a customised 4WD
After a delicious breakfast,
Next, we make a stop at a
vehicle to experience the
we head to Vorsabær where
cow farm in Efstidalur and
infamous ice tunnel and
you will be able to meet
taste home-made ice cream
surrounding caves. After
with the locals and learn
before continuing through
an activity filled day, we
about life on an Icelandic
the Thingvellir National
meet with our hotel where
DAY 1 REYKJAVIK – SELJALANDSFOSS – SKÓGAR – FLÚDIR Prepare for a visual
backroadstouring.com
Seljalandsfoss waterfall
•• •• •• •• •• ••
4 nights in boutique accommodation Experienced Back-Roads Driver & Tour Leader Premium mini-coach transportation European breakfast daily (B), 4 evening meals (D) Swim in the Secret Lagoon Visit to Seljalandsfoss and Skógar Waterfalls
ICELAND, SCANDINAVIA, RUSSIA & THE BALTICS
133
INCLUSIONS
and Eyjafjallajökull Erupts
Secret Blue Lagoon
•• •• ••
Reykjavik
we settle down for farewell dinner. (B,D) DAY 5 STÓRARJÓDUR
Museum Viking sushi boat tour from Stykkisholmur Harbor Tour of the Thingvellir National Park Visit to the ice caves and ice tunnel at Langjökull glacier
– SNÆFELLSNES PENINSULA – REYKJAVIK
For tour exclusions please see
Today is your last day of
our FAQs on p.143
the tour, but also one of the most memorable. We have
TOUR CODE: ICE
an exciting day ahead of us
P R I C E S F R O M $ 5 , 2 2 9 PP
as we drive to Stykkisholmur Village where we embark on a Viking sushi boat tour to learn about the local environment. In the afternoon, we return to the charming capital, Reykjavik where we end the tour. (B)
2018
DEPARTS
TWN /DBL
SGL
FEB
21
$5,549
$6,629
MAR
21 G
$5,549
$6,629
APR
18
$5,549
$6,629
MAY
16 G
$5,949
$7,029
JUN
20
$5,949
$7,029
JUL
18
$5,949
$7,029
AUG
15
$5,949
$7,029
SEP
26
$5,949
$7,029
OCT
17
$5,549
$6,629
G = Guaranteed Departure
SNAEFELLSNES PENINSULA
ICELAND STÓRARJÓDUR
2
THINGVELLIR REYKJAVIK
LANGJÖKULL GLACIER GULLFOSS
SKEIDA OG GNUPVERJAHREPPUR
2
SELJALANDSFOSS
Tour Start Point
Overnight Stop
FLÚDIR
SKOGAR
Day Stop
This tour can be combined with Orkney & The Highlands page 44 and/or A Scottish Journey page 42.
ICELAND, SCANDINAVIA, RUSSIA & THE BALTICS
134 134
Norwegian Fjords
Norway: Fjords & Glaciers Grotli | Geiranger | Flam | Bergen 8
DAYS
•
7
NIGHTS
•
UP
TO
18
GUESTS
dessert will be a guided
filled with jaw-dropping
challenges. Our day ends at
THE BACK-ROADS DIFFERENCE
tour of Maihaugen Open-air
scenery. Weather permitting,
Solvorn where tonights meal
Museum – a sublime place
we begin at Dalsnibba
is a group affair. (B,D)
•• •• ••
to discover Norwegian life,
Summit, Europe’s highest
Take a train journey like no
then and now. Tonight, rest
fjord that promises as-far-as-
DAY 5 SOLVORN –
other on the Flam Railway
up and feast on a delicious
the-eye-can-see views across
GUDVANGEN – FLAM
Visit Lom Stave Church,
welcome dinner at a local
UNESCO World Heritage-
– MYRDAL – VOSS –
one of the largest still left
restaurant for our first meal
listed Geirangerfjord. After
BERGEN
in Norway
together. (D)
lunch, we take a closer look,
Swapping our wheels for
cruising to the middle of the
the water, we embark on a
Visit a floating salmon farm in the middle of a
DAY 2 LILLEHAMMER –
fjord to see the captivating
boat cruise to Flam. Then,
Fjord
LOM – GROTLI
Seven Sisters, Bridal Veil
we have a once-in-a-lifetime
From Lillehammer, we travel
and Suitor waterfalls. By the
experience in store. We
to Lom where we meet with
end of the day, we’ll have
embark on the Flam Railway,
DAY 1 OSLO –
one of Norway’s largest
sensational photos to share
one of the planet’s steepest
LILLEHAMMER
stave churches accompanied
and compare. (B,L,D)
and most spectacular train
Cosmopolitan style meets
by flawless natural scenery.
natural beauty in Oslo, our
Later, we reach Grotli and
DAY 4 GROTLI –
film-set-worthy scenery. At
starting point, but before
enjoy a dinner together.
FJAERLAND – SOLVORN
Myrdal, we switch to the
we get too comfortable, it’s
(B,D)
Our adventure continues in
scenic train that takes us to
Fjaerland, a village on the
Voss and our day ends in Bergen. (B)
time to direct your eyes to
lines that runs through
our first stop: Lillehammer.
DAY 3 GROTLI –
sublime Fjaerlandsfjord. The
In 1994 the world’s winter
GEIRANGER – HELLESYLT
award-winning Norwegian
athletes gathered to bobsled
– GROTLI
Glacier Museum is next, with
DAY 6 BERGEN –
and slalom their way across
After a delicious breakfast
a fascinating insight into this
OYGARGEN – BERGEN
this snow-dusted town.
fit for a King, it’s time to
region – from the ice age
On the menu today presents
Lunch is up to you, but
prepare for an eventful day
to today’s climate change
the opportunity to embark
backroadstouring.com
•• •• •• •• •• •••• ••
Folgfonna Glacier
Bergen
Oslo
7 nights in boutique accommodation Experienced Back-Roads Driver & Tour Leader Local guides in Oslo and Bergen Premium mini-coach transportation Fjord cruise in Geiranger and Gudvangen Flam Railway European breakfast
ICELAND, SCANDINAVIA, RUSSIA & THE BALTICS
135
INCLUSIONS
daily (B), 2 lunches (L), 5 evening meals (D) Entrance included to: Viking Ship Museum, Maihaugen Open Air
on a food tour of Bergen,
we come together for our
followed by a visit to the
last meal. (B,L,D)
Museum, Lom Church, Dalsnibba (weather permitting), Norwegian
Oygarden Aquaculture
Glacier Museum,
centre, visiting a Norwegian
DAY 8 OSLO
fish farm. Then, we return
After breakfast, we still have
back to Bergen for a night at
time for an in-depth tour
your own leisure. (B)
of Oslo including a visit to
Øygarden Aquaculture Centre, Olympic ski lift For tour exclusions please see our FAQs on p.143
the Viking Ship Museum DAY 7 BERGEN – OSLO
before our tour ends around
Today, we rise early to
midday. (B)
TOUR CODE: NOR
reach Oslo where our tour
P R I C E S F R O M $ 7 , 1 9 9 PP
comes full circle – but it’s not over yet. Take time to wander through Norway's
2018
DEPARTS
TWN /DBL
SGL
architectural gems scattered
JUN
06
$7,199
$8,299
through the city. Preparing
JUL
04 G
$7,199
$8,299
for our farewells tomorrow,
AUG
15
$7,199
$8,299
capital and uncover the
G = Guaranteed Departure
Contact your travel consultant or the Back-Roads team to request pre and post accommodation plus transfers.
GROTLI
2
FJAERLAND
1
SOLVORN
FLAM RAILWAY BERGEN
LOM
2 NORWAY
Tour Start Point
Overnight Stop
Day Stop
1 1
LILLEHAMMER
OSLO
By train
This tour can be combined with Highlights of Britain page 46 and/or The Wonders of Wales page 40.
ICELAND, SCANDINAVIA, RUSSIA & THE BALTICS
136 136
Moscow Red Square
Impressions of Russia St Petersburg | Pushkin | Peterhof | Moscow 10
DAYS
•
9
NIGHTS
•
UP
TO
18
GUESTS
the Peter and Paul Fortress
many of Russia’s masters.
After exploring the unique
THE BACK-ROADS DIFFERENCE
and the Aurora battleship
After building a healthy
Vitoslav Litsy open-air
– a symbol of the October
appetite, we have lunch
museum of wooden
•• •• ••
1917 revolution. To round
and a Pelmeni cooking class
architecture, we pay a visit to
Explore fascinating
off the day, we view The
experience. (B,L)
the Kremlin. (B)
monuments of Russia’s
Hermitage’s remarkable
imperial and communist
collection of artefacts before
DAY 3 ST PETERSBURG –
DAY 5 ST PETERSBURG –
past
our welcome dinner. (D)
PETERHOF –
MOSCOW
ST PETERSBURG
Our path turns towards
a Russian doll under the
DAY 2 ST PETERSBURG –
Today we drive to Peterhof,
Russia’s majestic capital,
guidance of a master
PUSHKIN –
a regal complex of gardens,
Moscow, with an early
craftsman
ST PETERSBURG
fountains and palaces that
morning start with a train
Enjoy a traditional folk
With powder blue walls and
earns it the nickname ‘the
journey. Our afternoon is
show in Suzdal
golden-topped windows,
Russian Versailles’. Later
spent sampling vodka and
Catherine Palace in Tsarskoe
we enjoy an early dinner
visiting local markets before
Selo is a sight to behold
followed by the ‘Feel yourself
dinner at a local restaurant.
– and that’s before we
Russian’ folk show. This
(B,L,D)
even step inside. When we
celebration of cossack culture
do, we discover treasures
is a bright mix of costumes,
DAY 6 MOSCOW
including the Amber Room,
dance and music. (B, D)
Our day begins with a guided
Try your hand at painting
DAY 1 ST PETERSBURG St Petersburg marks our grand entrance to Russia. A panoramic tour introduces its highlights, from Nevsky Prospekt and the Church of the Saviour to Spilled Lavish palaces, colourful cathedrals and tranquil monasteries. We delve into legendary tales with visits to
tour of the Red Square, the
whose walls of precious amber are as enthralling
DAY 4 ST PETERSBURG –
beating heart of the city.
as its mysterious history.
VELIKY NOVGOROD –
While here, we tour the
Later, we go back to St
ST PETERSBURG
Kremlin, which stands beside
Petersburg, we peer inside
We leave St Petersburg
neighbours including St
St Isaac’s cathedral, taking in
briefly for Russia’s ancient
Basil’s cathedral, with its eye-
outstanding religious art from
capital, Veliky Novgorod.
catching collection of onion
backroadstouring.com
St Petersburg
Peterhof
Matreshka
•• •• •• •• •• •• •••• ••
9 nights in boutique accommodation Experienced Back-Roads Driver & Tour Leader Premium mini-coach transportation European breakfast daily (B), 3 lunches (L), 4 evening meals (D) Vodka and Pastilla tastings Russian toy 'Matreshka'
ICELAND, SCANDINAVIA, RUSSIA & THE BALTICS
137
INCLUSIONS
workshop Local cooking class Local folk show experience Entrance included to: Peter and Paul's Fortress,
domes coated in colourful
DAY 8 MOSCOW –
DAY 9 SUZDAL – VLADIMIR
mosaics. The rest of the day is
SERGIEV POSAD – SUZDAL
– MOSCOW
spent exploring Moscow. (B)
We spend today among the
This morning sees us explore
tranquil surrounds of Sergiev
the magical town of Suzdal,
DAY 7 MOSCOW –
Posad, one of Russia’s
passing through the old
KOLOMNA – MOSCOW
most sacred religious sites.
Kremlin. Next, we reach
Kolomna, which dates back
After viewing the revered
Vladimir – one of the most
to the 12th century, is on
Trinity, an icon painted over
ancient Russian towns before
the cards today. We tour
600 years ago, we join the
returning to Moscow for our
the old town then treat our
monks for lunch. Next, with
last evening together. (B)
Cathedral, St. Savior's
sweet tooth by discovering
the guidance of a master
pastila. First we learn about
craftsman, try your hand
DAY 10 MOSCOW
Kremlin, Museum of
the heritage of this ancient
at painting your very own
After breakfast, we say
sweet at the museum, before
Russian doll to take home.
farewell to our fellow
visiting a historic manor
Later, we arrive in Suzdal
travellers. (B)
house to sample some
followed by a farewell dinner
over tea. Later, we return to
and folk show. (B,L,D)
Aurora Battleship, State Hermitage, Catherine' s Palace, Peterhof Palace and Park, Novgorod Kremlin, Vodka museum, Izmailovo Kremlin territory, Armory Chamber, St. Basil's Cathedral, Kolomna Pastila, Trinity Sergiev Monastery, Suzdal Kremlin, Vladimir Assumption Cathedral For tour exclusions please see our FAQs on p.143
Moscow. (B)
TOUR CODE: RUS
ST PETERSBURG
P R I C E S F R O M $ 5 , 5 9 9 PP
4
VELIKIY NOVGOROD
SERGIEV POSAD RUSSIA MOSCOW
4
1
SUZDAL
KOLOMNA
Tour Start Point
Overnight Stop
Day Stop
By train
This tour can be combined with The Baltics Highlights page 138.
2018
DEPARTS
TWN /DBL
SGL
MAY
20
$5,599
$6,669
AUG
05 G 12 26
$5,599
$6,669
SEP
30
$5,599
$6,669
G = Guaranteed Departure
Contact your travel consultant or the Back-Roads team to request pre and post accommodation plus transfers.
ICELAND, SCANDINAVIA, RUSSIA & THE BALTICS
138 138
Vilnius N E W
T O U R
The Baltic Highlights Vilnius | Riga | Tallinn | St Petersburg 13
DAYS
•
12
NIGHTS
•
UP
TO
15
GUESTS
occurred in years gone. Next,
DAY 4 VILNIUS – TRAKAI –
is no time to waste so we
THE BACK-ROADS DIFFERENCE
we move onwards to Kadzidlo
ANYKSCIAI
embark on a walking tour
to experience our first
Onwards from Vilnius, we
through Riga while sampling
••
traditional dish. (L,D)
make tracks to Trakai for a
local delicacies. (B)
•• ••
Savour the taste of
pasty tasting of the Kibinai – a
local beer in Lithuania,
DAY 2 AUGUSTOW –
Caraimes traditional pastry.
DAY 7 RIGA – LIGATNE –
accompanied by lunch
DRUSKININKAI – VILNIUS
Before we reach Anyksciai, we
PARNU
and a traditional folklore
After breakfast, we leave for
cross the Laju Takas treetop
Departing Riga, we make
show
Druskininkai and watch local
path before we reach our final
time to visit an old Soviet
Take a step back in history
artisan bakers create the
destination where the evening
bunker in Ligatne along with a
with a visit to an old Soviet
traditional Polish - Lithuanian
is yours to enjoy. (B,L)
delicious visit to a winery and
bunker in Latvia
tree cake, the sakotis. Before
Try your hand at mastering
driving to Vilnius we stop
DAY 5 ANYKSCIAI – BIRZAI
Then, we end in Parnu for a
the art of marzipan
via Gruto Park and later, we
– RUNDALE PALACE – RIGA
relaxed evening. (B)
painting in Tallinn
discover the allure of Vilnius.
If a morning coffee fails
(B,L)
to awaken your senses, a
DAY 8 PARNU – TALLINN
morning brewery tour will do
Dreamy churches, zigzag
a tasting of local berry wine.
DAY 1 WARSAW –
DAY 3 VILNIUS
the trick. We travel to Birzai to
streets and ancient castles
TREBLINKA – KADZIDLO –
A walking tour of Vilnius is
sample local beers and learn
are on the cards today. But
AUGUSTOW
just what the doctor ordered
of the old traditions here.
first, a walking tour of Parnu
Our journey through the
to get acquainted with the
After lunch we drive to the
to ensure the beauty of this
glittering Baltic region starts
baroque beauty that the
impressive Rundale Palace
town is enjoyed before we
today in Warsaw before
town has to offer. Then, we
before reaching Riga tonight.
reach Tallinn. Upon arrival
swiftly moving onwards to
make time to visit the Amber
(B,L,D)
in the capital, we meet for
our first stop: the former
Museum to learn of the
concentration camp Treblinka
formation and harvesting of
DAY 6 RIGA
the day and feast on a local
to learn of the events that
Baltic amber. (B,D)
With so much to see, there
dinner together. (B,D)
our second walking tour of
backroadstouring.com
Tallinn
Riga
Pushkin
DAY 9 TALLINN
of Finland, Helsinki. In the
DAY 12 ST PETERSBURG
A small but impressive
afternoon we make time for
– PETERHOF – PUSHKIN –
town, you will not be
a sightseeing tour before
HELSINKI
disappointed. This morning
catching an overnight ferry to
This morning we drive to
we partake in a marzipan
St. Petersburg. (B,D)
Peterhof, a regal complex of gardens and fountains.Then,
painting workshop, visit the
•• •• •• •• •• •• •••• ••••
12 nights in boutique accommodation Experienced Back-Roads Driver & Tour Leader Premium mini-coach transportation European breakfast daily (B), 4 lunches (L) 7 evening meals (D) 1 wine tasting, 1 beer tasting Ferry to Helsinki and St Petersburg Traditional folk shows Marzipan painting workshop Amber workshop Local guides in Vilnius, Riga, Parnu, Tallinn, Helsinki, Pushkin, Rundale Palace, Kadriorg
••
Palace & St Petersburg Entrance included to: Nazi Concentration
Estonian Maritime Museum
DAY 11 ST PETERSBURG
we continue to Pushkin to
and stop at the Kadriorg
With breakfast at sea, we
wander the Catherine Palace
Palace. After an activity-filled
reach St. Petersburg and
before we climb aboard
day, take it easy this evening
drive to the awe-inspiring
our last overnight ferry to
with a free night. (B)
Hermitage Museum – a
Helsinki. (B,D)
Ligatne Soviet Bunker, Museum, Kadriorg
camp, Gruto Parkas, Amber Museum, Laju Takas, Rundale Palace, Estonian Maritime
decadent display of wealth DAY 10 TALLINN
before we travel through
DAY 13 HELSINKI
– HELSINKI – ST
the city with a guided tour.
We end in Helsinki and say
PETERSBURG
Our evening meal offers a
farewell to each other. (B)
We bid farewell to Tallinn
traditional folklore show that
as we climb aboard a short
will be sure to entertain. (B,D)
Palace, Peterhof Garden, Catherine Palace, Treblinka Museum, Sakotis Museum, Trakai Castle, Riga Cathedral,
ferry to the eclectic capital
Tallinn Dome and The State Hermitage
FINLAND
1
HELSINKI
1
1
2 TALLINN 2
ESTONIA
RIGA
LATVIA
1 1
BIRZAI
1 1 2
11
ST PETERSBURG RUSSIA
Tour Start Point
Overnight Stop
For tour exclusions please see our FAQs on p.143
TOUR CODE: BE
P R I C E S F R O M $ 5 , 7 9 9 PP
ANYKSCIAI VILNIUS
KADZIDLO WARSAW
Museum.
LIGATNE
2
AUGUSTOW
11
PARNU
22
LITHUANIA
POLAND
ICELAND, SCANDINAVIA, RUSSIA & THE BALTICS
139
INCLUSIONS
TREBLINKA
Day Stop
This tour can be combined with Explore Eastern Europe page 126.
2018
DEPARTS
TWN /DBL
SGL
MAY
14 23 G
$5,799
$7,199
AUG
02
$5,799
$7,199
SEP
17 G
$5,799
$7,199
OCT
01
$5,799
$7,199
G = Guaranteed Departure
Contact your travel consultant or the Back-Roads team to request pre and post accommodation plus transfers.
A R A B I A N P E N I N S U L A
Delve into the intoxicating world of the Arabian Peninsula, where vast stretches of desert meet verdant oases, quaint fishing villages and state-of-the-art cities. Made up of countries including Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, this culturally rich area offers the perfect mix of adventure, comfort and tradition, and serves as the perfect stopover location for experience-seeking travellers. Explore Dubai – the largest city in the United Arab Emirates and a thriving hub of glittering skyscrapers, luxury shopping malls and man-made beaches. With an ultramodern aesthetic, steeped in Islamic tradition, Dubai gives true meaning to the term ‘cultural melting pot’.
••
Marvel at some of the world's most impressive landmarks in Dubai on a
••
guided driving tour
141 ARABIAN PENINSULA
THE BACK-ROADS DIFFERENCE
Cruise through the desert with a desert dune safari and
••
traditional dinner Hop aboard a traditional abra (water taxi) crossing the Dubai Creek to visit Deira
INCLUSIONS
Dune Safari N E W
T O U R
Dubai Stopover Dubai 3
DAYS
•
2
NIGHTS
DAY 1 DUBAI/ABU DHABI
DAY 2 DOWNTOWN
DAY 3 DOWNTOWN
INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
DUBAI – DUBAI DESERT
DUBAI – DUBAI/ABU
– DOWNTOWN DUBAI
It’s a full day ahead so make
DHABI INTERNATIONAL
Upon arrival into one of the
sure each of the incredible
AIRPORT
most vibrant and exciting
icons of Dubai are given
Your private transport will
cities in the world, a private
ample time to explore and
take you to the airport to
transfer will take you from
enjoy. (D)
meet with your departure flight.
the airport to your hotel in Dubai. Unpack your bags, check into your room and enjoy this stopover break in Dubai.
•• •• •• •• •• •••• •• •• ••
2 nights in boutique accommodation Experienced Back-Roads Driver/ Tour Leader Premium mini-coach transportation Private safari 4x4 vehicle 1 Arabic-style threecourse buffet dinner (D) Driving tour of Dubai Crossing the Dubai Creek in an abra, a traditional water taxi Tour of spice and gold souks Sundowner Dune Dinner Safari A camel ride in the Dubai Desert
For tour exclusions please see our FAQs on p.143
TOUR CODE: DSO DUBAI CITY TOUR
P R I C E S F R O M $ 1 , 4 2 9 PP
2 DUNE SAFARI AND BEDOUIN DINNER
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Tour Start Point
Overnight Stop
Day Stop
This tour can be combined with any tour within the programme. backroadstouring.com
DAILY DEPARTURES This tour is designed to offer maximum flexibility for your stopover on the way to and from Europe. This is not classed as a Back-Roads small group tour but is a set itinerary with daily departures. Minimum of 2 passengers on a booking. Contact your travel consultant or the Back-Roads team to request pre and post accommodation.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
142
Frequently Asked Questions WHAT IS THE TYPICAL AGE OF A BACK-ROADS TOURING CLIENT? There tends to be a fairly wide range of ages, but broadly speaking our clients are in the 50+ age group. WHAT LEVEL OF MOBILITY DO I NEED ON A BACK-ROADS TOUR? You need to be fit enough to get on and off the vehicle on a regular basis, walk to attractions, around towns and villages, walk up and down stairs in some of the hotels and use a shower over the bath. We frequently use traditional style hotels and many will not have lifts or ground-floor rooms. If you are in any doubt as to whether our tours are suitable for you, please check with us. I HAVE SOME HEALTH ISSUES. WILL THIS BE A PROBLEM? If your health problem is managed without the need for additional care, or special facilities, and does not present a risk to any other passengers, we should be able to accept you on a Back-Roads Tour. It is always best to check if you are unsure. We draw your attention to clause 30 in the Terms and Conditions on the inside back cover of this brochure. If there are any medical conditions that we need to be aware of please complete our self assessment form at time of booking. ARE YOU ABLE TO CATER FOR MY DIETARY RESTRICTIONS? We will do our best to satisfy your dietary needs. Please ensure that any restrictions are made clear to us at the time of booking so we can pass the information on to our hotels. WHAT MEALS ARE INCLUDED? Breakfast (B) is included daily. We also include some lunches and dinners, either in the hotel or in a local restaurant. These are noted by L (lunch), or D (dinner) in the itineraries. You will have some free evenings to try the local cuisine independently. One thing to remember, dinner times in Europe are likely to be later than you
might be used to: 7.30pm at the earliest and often later in France and Italy. AM I EXPECTED TO LEAVE GRATUITIES? It is common in the UK and Europe to leave a small gratuity in restaurants and cafés if you have received good service (typically 12% on top of the bill). Tipping your driver and / or tour leader is entirely at your discretion, and is not mandatory. WHAT GRADE OF HOTEL DO BACK-ROADS USE? We generally use a 3-star / 4-star standard of accommodation ranging from country inns to town centre hotels and the occasional castle! Rather than going by the official grading (based solely on facilities rather than the standard), we base our choices on quality. In all properties the rooms have en suite bathrooms. WHAT KIND OF ROOM SHOULD I BOOK? When booking we need to know whether you want a twin room (two single-sized beds in a room) or a double room (one standard-sized bed for two people). Please tell us at the time of booking what your choice is as the room types are not interchangeable. I AM A SINGLE TRAVELLER. IS IT POSSIBLE TO SHARE A ROOM? We do not ‘match up’ single travellers, but you are welcome to travel with a friend, or join the group as a single traveller with sole use of your own room. Single rooms in European hotels can have one single bed, although in some hotels single travellers will have a double room for their own use. Our single supplement is very reasonable, and much less than the total cost of 2 people sharing a room. WHAT ELSE SHOULD I KNOW ABOUT THE HOTELS? Many of the traditional properties we use are in historic buildings which have been converted to hotels from the original function, rather than purpose built
hotels. Often the rooms are different shapes and sizes and may be smaller than you might be used to in newer chain hotels. Some hotels do not have lifts. In many cases this is due to regulations concerning ‘listed’ or protected buildings, but this will be more than offset by the charm and unique character and history which can be uncovered in these locations. DO YOU INCLUDE ENTRANCE FEES TO ATTRACTIONS? Unlike many tour companies who charge everything as extras, we include a selection of entrances in the price. Those inclusions are clearly stated in the brochure and on our website. Any other entrance fees will be at your own expense. HOW MUCH LUGGAGE CAN I BRING? 1 x suitcase. Max 20kg. Length plus Width plus Height must equal 158cm. 1 x hang bag / small back pack. ARE BACK-ROADS TOURS SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN? Our tours are designed principally for adults, but we will consider accepting children aged 12 or over on request. Please note that triple and family rooms are not always available and we do not offer child rates. HOW FLEXIBLE ARE BACK-ROADS TOURING’S ITINERARIES? There are certain visits included in our itineraries which are fixed and included in the price. However, outside of these, there is some flexibility to adapt the itinerary according to such things as the weather, special events and group wishes. One of the beauties of small group touring is that we can be much more relaxed and flexible in our approach. If you have a specific request which is not on the itinerary, we will do our best to accommodate it, but this will depend on the agreement of your fellow travellers and the judgment of the tour leader. ARE BACK-ROADS TOURS ALWAYS GUARANTEED TO RUN?
As a general rule we will run our tours with a minimum of four people*, at which point we will usually guarantee the departure. Guaranteed tours are identified on our website, and with a G by the departure date in the brochure as we are guaranteeing a number of dates from brochure launch. Your travel agent will be able to advise you of the ongoing status. If we are forced to cancel a tour, you will be advised at least 6 weeks in advance. You will then have a choice of a full refund of the amount paid for the tour, or an alternative tour. CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHAT A DRIVER/TOUR LEADER IS? There are certain tours that have a driver/tour leader. Our driver/tour leaders have all passed a stringent government test which allows them to drive our vehicles and conduct tours. The intimate nature of our groups means that he/she becomes your travelling companion rather than just a tour leader, which makes for a much more rewarding experience. On some tours we will often use a driver in addition to a tour leader as this makes for better operation of the tour in these particular areas. DO I NEED TO TAKE OUT TRAVEL INSURANCE FOR MY TRIP? You must always ensure you are fully insured when travelling overseas, and we require all Back-Roads Touring participants to have suitable and adequate cover. We will ask for your insurance details at the beginning of the tour and hold them securely. Please check that your insurance cover includes cancellation fees in the event you are forced to cancel your tour prior to departure or leave the tour during operation due to unforeseen circumstances. DO YOU HAVE A POLICY ON SMOKING? Virtually all countries in Europe have now implemented a total smoking ban in public places, and the local laws must be followed. It goes without saying that no
smoking is allowed on our vehicles. WILL I NEED A VISA? It is your responsibility to obtain any visas which might be necessary to enable you to visit and holiday in Europe. Make sure to check with your travel agent or local consular office as to any visa requirements for the countries you are visiting. You will need a visa to enter Russia. HOW MUCH SPENDING MONEY SHOULD I BRING? Although Back-Roads includes many meals and entrance fees within the price of the tour, you will need to bring spending money for any other meals, drinks and activities. As a guide we would recommend £70 or €90 (or equivalent) per person per day. WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED IN A BACK-ROADS TOURING TOUR? Unless otherwise specified in the listed inclusions, airfares are not included in the tour price. • Driver/tour leader gratuity is at your discretion. • Lunches (unless otherwise stated), social drinks, meals on free nights, items of a personal nature and entrance fees when not listed in the schedule of inclusions. • Occasional optional evening theatre/festival visits and entrances not detailed in the tour inclusions. • Incidental expenses, such as room service incurred at hotels. 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. WHAT DISCOUNTS ARE AVAILABLE? If you book before the 31st August 2017 you will be entitled to an early bird discount of 10%. Other discounts can be available from this date onwards and it is best to contact the Back-Roads office or your local travel agent for more information.
backroadstouring.com
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
143
Terms and Conditions Your contract will be with Back-Roads as tour operator, unless you have booked a Locally Operated Tour, in which case your contract for tour services will be with the operator specified above and will be subject to that operator's terms and conditions, in addition to the booking conditions set out below. For any Locally Operated Tour, the operator will be identified on your itinerary or travel documents and their respective terms and conditions will be available directly on their websites or by contacting them. Should we book a flight on your behalf it will be subject to the conditions of the respective airline, including but not limited to deposit/full payment and cancellation terms. Please read these booking conditions carefully. You must not make any booking unless you understand and agree with these booking conditions. Bookings can be made through your local travel agent or directly with Back-Roads and must be secured with a deposit of the amount shown above. A contract between you and us (or between you and the relevant operator of a Locally Operated Tour) will exist as soon as (i); we issue an invoice in response to your request for a booking and (ii); your deposit is paid to us or your travel agent. If your booking is made through a travel agent, we will address all correspondence to that agent. PRICE & PAYMENT The deposit is non-refundable unless we cancel your tour. The balance of your tour must be paid no later than 42 days prior to your tour departure date. If you do not pay within this period we may cancel your booking and your deposit will be forfeited. Full payment is required if you make a booking within 42 days of the departure date. If your booking is a special offer we may require full payment (including any pre and post accommodation and sundry service charges) by such earlier time as specified in the offer. Tour discounts apply to the tour price only and do not apply to any included flights, pre & post accommodation or transfers. Applicable and valid discounts can be combined to a maximum discount of 10% off the tour price. Multi-tour and returning customer benefits cannot be used in conjunction with any other discount prior to September 2017. Prices quoted in our brochures are calculated on costs and exchange rates as at the Brochure Validity Date. These prices may increase or decrease. We may alter prices and other particulars contained in our brochures and on our website at any time. Before you make a booking we will provide you with details of the current price of your chosen tour. TRAVEL DOCUMENTS Please ensure you carefully read your invoice, tickets and all other documents we send to you as soon as you receive them and contact us or your travel agent immediately if any information appears to be incorrect. We will not accept any liability if you fail to notify us of any inaccuracy in any document within 14 days of us sending them to you or the travel agent. You are responsible for ensuring that you have the correct and valid travel documents including passports, visas and vaccination certificates. We strongly recommend that you verify current documentation requirements with your travel agent or us. Please note requirements change and you must check with your consulate for the most up to date information, including but not limited to visa requirements for the countries visited on your tour. Passports must have an expiry date of at least six months after completion of the tour. IF YOU CHANGE OR CANCEL YOUR BOOKING If you want to change or cancel any aspect of your booking including but not limited to a change to a tour of shorter duration or different departure date you must notify us in writing. We will do our best to accommodate your requested change but it may not always be possible. All change/ cancellation fees must be paid within seven days of the invoice date or on the date of departure, whichever is the sooner. If you are prevented from traveling as a result of illness, death of an immediate family member, jury service, or other reason beyond your control which we consider significant, we may agree to your booking being transferred to another person who satisfies all the conditions applicable to the tour, subject to you and the other person accepting liability for full payment of the tour cost and any additional costs arising from the transfer and provided that you give us not less than 21 days' written notice of the proposed transfer. CANCELLATION OR MODIFICATION BY US Every effort will be made to operate all tours as advertised but it must be remembered that our tours are planned up to eighteen months in advance. We may therefore, at our discretion, modify or cancel any tour, accommodation or arrangement at any time. We will notify you as soon as possible of any changes and
they will form part of our contract with you. In the case of any material modification or cancellation, we will, if possible, provide you with three alternatives: (1) a tour of an equivalent or closely similar standard and price, if available; or (2) a tour of a lower standard together with a refund of the difference in price; or (3) cancellation with a full refund of all monies paid. A material modification is one that has a serious impact on your tour and includes a change of departure date, departure point or airport, or change of departure time of more than twelve hours, which would cause substantial inconvenience to you. A change of accommodation, or transport method/style is not a material modification. We may alter or substitute the type or size of vehicle, or method/style of transport mentioned in the brochure, depending on the number of passengers carried, which can vary from tour to tour. Normally the maximum group size is 18 passengers. Back-Roads may require a minimum number of participants for certain tours. In the event that insufficient bookings have been made as at 42 days prior to departure, we may cancel the scheduled tour, whereupon all money paid by you for your Back-Roads tour will be refunded and no further compensation will be paid. In such circumstances, you agree to release Back-Roads from any further obligations which would have been enforceable had the tour not been cancelled. OUR LIABILITY TO YOU FOR BACK-ROADS OPERATED TOURS Save where the provisions of Force Majeure apply, if the tour does not materially comply with the description in the brochure, Back-Roads may compensate you to a maximum value equal to the price of the tour. Back-Roads will only be liable to pay the maximum amount of compensation where there has been a total failure of consideration for your payment. Back-Roads will not be liable where any failure in the performance or provision of your tour is due to: (a) your acts or omissions or the acts or omissions of another member in your group (b) any third party not connected with the provision of your travel arrangements (c) unusual or unforeseeable circumstances beyond our control, the consequences of which could not have been avoided even if all due care had been exercised or (d) an event which we or a travel service provider, even with all due care, could not foresee or forestall (including but not limited to Force Majeure and unavoidable technical problems with transport and similar events). Our liability will in all cases be limited in accordance with and/or in an identical manner to any applicable international conventions, including but not limited to the Geneva Convention in respect of carriage by road, the Montreal Convention in respect of travel by air, the Athens Convention in respect of travel by sea, the Berne Convention in respect of travel by rail and the Paris Convention in respect of the provision of accommodation which set time limits for notifications/claims and limit the amount of compensation that can be claimed for death, injury, delay to passengers/guests and loss, damage and delay to luggage. We will not be responsible for any loss or damage sustained by you as a result of a contravention of any law or regulation of any of the countries visited while on the tour. OUR LIABILITY TO YOU FOR LOCALLY OPERATED TOURS If your tour is a Locally Operated Tour as listed above our obligation to you is to (and you expressly authorise us to) make tour bookings on your behalf with reasonable skill and care and to arrange a contract between you and the relevant operator. We exercise care in the selection of reputable local operators but we have no control over, or liability for, the services provided by third parties. All bookings are made on your behalf subject to the terms and conditions, including conditions of carriage and limitations of liability, imposed by the local operator. Your legal rights in connection with such tours are against the local operator and are not against us, except to the extent a problem is caused by fault on our part. SEATBELTS You must wear a seatbelt at all times whilst you are in any vehicle. Neither Back-Roads nor any local operator will be liable for any injury, death or claim howsoever arising from any accident if you have failed to comply with this requirement. FLEXIBILITY DURING TOUR Every effort will be made to operate all tours featured in this brochure but there may be a necessity to vary the itinerary from that stated in the brochure, and delays may occur for a variety of reasons beyond our control. The need for a flexible attitude
BACK-ROADS' DETAILS
Top Deck Tours Pty Ltd trading as Back-Roads Touring Co., ABN 30 107 934, 199 Grey Street, South Brisbane, QLD 4101 Australia
LOCALLY OPERATED TOURS
to this type of travel is important. All decisions relating to a tour itinerary will be taken by the Tour Leader, as appointed by us in the interest of the group as a whole. Please note that due to public holidays some sights or activities may not be available on a particular tour. No refund will be made for services made available by Back-Roads but which for whatever reason are not used by you once the tour has departed.
travel on your tour. Your insurance protection must include cover for cancellation, medical and repatriation expenses, personal injury and accident, death, and loss of personal baggage and money and personal liability insurance. Evidence of such insurances must be produced to Back-Roads on request and normally on day one of your tour. Insurance cover offered by credit card companies or reciprocal medical cover agreements are often not comprehensive.
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES AND EXCURSIONS
If you make a claim against Back-Roads you agree to assign to us or our insurers any rights to take action against any third party supplier/tour operator or any other person or party that may have been wholly or partly responsible for the claim or who Back-Roads reasonably considers should be a party to the action. You must co-operate fully with Back-Roads should Back-Roads or its insurers wish to enforce those rights which have been assigned to Back-Roads. If you make a claim against us which is covered by your insurance policy, you agree to pursue the claim through your insurer either in addition to, or in substitution for, your claim against us (if any). We agree to indemnify you in respect of reasonable expenses incurred in successfully pursuing such a claim and acknowledge that any settlement made by the insurer shall not prejudice your rights against us.
Back-Roads and its employees, agents and contractors make no representation or warranty in relation to implied or explicit suggestions or recommendations of services, activities and events not highlighted as included in a tour. You are responsible for all risks associated with the transportation to/from, and your participation in, or visitation to, any place, activity or excursion not listed as an inclusion. During your tour you may be offered the chance to purchase various optional excursions and activities. Back-Roads does not own, operate or control any of the companies or individuals which provide the optional activities or excursions. Some of the optional activities and excursions may be inherently dangerous and risky. If you want to take part in such optional activities or excursions you must be fit enough to do so and must follow all reasonable instructions. The standards of health and safety which will be adopted by the company or the individual providing the optional activity or excursion will be those of the country where the optional activity or excursion takes place. Please note that these standards may not be the same as you would find in your home country. If you wish to book any optional excursion or activity, you may do so subject to the operator’s terms and conditions. Your contract will be with the operator of the activity or excursion and will be governed by local law. Back-Roads acts only as their agent. Back-Roads’ Tour Leader will have further details and additional information can be found on our website. Back-Roads accepts no liability for any act or omission of any operator or operator’s employees, agents or sub-contractors. EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY – FORCE MAJEURE We do not accept liability for any loss, damage or expense resulting from war or terrorist activities threatened or actual, civil unrest, industrial action threatened or actual, weather conditions, fire, flood, drought, closures, unforeseen alterations to public transport schedules, rescheduling of aircraft or boats, epidemic or outbreaks of illness or any other event outside our control which either delays or extends or reduces the tour, or compels a change in the tour arrangements after departure (“Force Majeure”). DIETARY, HEALTH AND SPECIAL REQUIREMENT You must clearly state all your dietary requirements at the time of booking. We cannot guarantee that special dietary requirements can be met and we cannot take responsibility for any such requirements not being fulfilled. Walking is a fundamental part of our tours. If you have a medical condition or require special arrangements that may affect your tour, we ask that you inform us in writing at the time of booking. We may ask you to complete a medical assessment form to assist us. If we cannot reasonably accommodate your particular needs we may decline the booking or ask for you to be accompanied by a person who is able to provide full assistance to you throughout your tour. Please be aware that your fellow travellers may be of a diverse age range and from various nationalities. YOUR LIABILITY TO US You will not be permitted to embark or continue on the tour if your mental or physical condition is, in the reasonable opinion of any representative of Back-Roads, such as to render you incapable of caring for yourself, or where you become objectionable to other passengers, or you become a hazard to yourself or other passengers. We will not be responsible for expenses resulting in you being precluded from completing the tour for any reason, nor will we refund you any part of your tour cost. In all cases we will notify you of the reasons why we have taken this action. We will have no obligation to arrange for your return to the point of the tour departure if your condition manifests itself after the tour departure. Further, if the tour involves travel by air, the captain of your aircraft can refuse to allow you to fly on the aircraft if he believes that you could be dangerous or disruptive to other passengers on the flight.
COMPLAINTS In the event of any dissatisfaction with the accommodation or any other service provided by Back-Roads, you must report it immediately to the Tour Leader so that action can be taken to remedy the problem. Failure to immediately notify the Tour Leader of any problem may result in your claim for compensation from us being denied or reduced. Any complaint made to Back-Roads following the conclusion of the tour should be made in writing within 28 days of completion of the tour. In the event that you do not notify us in writing within 28 days, Back-Roads’ ability to investigate the complaint may be prejudiced. In the UK, we can also offer you ABTA’s scheme for the resolution of disputes which is approved by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute. If we can’t resolve your complaint, go to www.abta.com to use ABTA’s simple procedure. Further information on the Code and ABTA’s assistance in resolving disputes can be found on www.abta.com. DATA PROTECTION We are committed to protecting your personal information and agree to process your personal information in accordance with our Privacy Notice, which is available online at backroadstouring.com/about-us/privacy-policy.php. In order to make your booking and ensure that your travel arrangements run smoothly, we need to use the information you provide and pass it on to other relevant suppliers who are responsible for parts of your travel arrangements. In many cases this will include transferring your data to overseas recipients (including to recipients outside of the European Union). In making this booking, your consent to this information being passed on to the relevant persons is deemed to be given unless you object and advise Back-Roads of your objection at the time of booking. The information may also be provided to public authorities such as customs or immigration if required by them, or as required by law. This consent applies to any sensitive information that you give to us such as details of any disabilities or dietary/religious requirements. SMOKING Back-Roads enforces a non-smoking policy on our coaches (although we make frequent stops for breaks) and in most of our accommodation. LUGGAGE There are strict weight limits for coaches when fully loaded. You are only entitled to have one piece of main luggage of standard size (see the pre-departure information or our website for size limits) and not weighing more than 20kg. In addition you may bring a daypack. PUBLISHING CONSENT You acknowledge and agree that future Back-Roads advertising and publicity material may include statements made by passengers, or their photographs, and you consent to such use of your comments or photographic/video likeness.
You indemnify us against all third-party actions taken against us for loss or damage caused by you or arising from your participation on the tour. INSURANCE & CLAIMS You must take out comprehensive travel insurance before you
CHANGE AND CANCELLATION FEES
Days before departure
Change and Cancellation Fee (% of tour price)
Pre/post accommodation
Transfers
All tours are operated by Back-Roads except the following: "Croatian Islands Sailing", "Northern Italy, Slovenia and Croatia" and "Croatia & The Dalmatian Coast" each operated by Katarina Line d.o.o.; "Iceland Highlights" operated by Exploring Iceland ehf; "The Baltic Highlights" operated by Baltic Blues UAB; "Majestic Morocco" operated by Dar Zarbia DWC-LLC; "Dubai Stop Over" operated by Arabian Adventures; "Impressions of Russia" operated by BSI Group; "Explore Eastern Europe" operated by Codan Agentura S.R.O.
Over 42
$75 (changes)
Nil
Nil
DEPOSIT
$200 per person, payable at the time of booking
42-29
50%
Nil
Nil
FLIGHT CHANGE AND CANCELLATION FEE
$75, plus any airline charges (which could be up to the full value of the ticket)
28-0
100%
100%
100%
GOVERNING LAW AND JURISDICTION
These booking conditions are governed by the laws of Queensland, Australia. Any dispute in relation to these booking conditions shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Queensland.
BROCHURE VALIDITY DATE
Prices quoted in our brochures are calculated on costs and exchange rates at 17 July 2017
backroadstouring.com
Deposit (cancellations)
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• CRUISE & SAIL •
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Contact Us Call us 24/7 on 0800 223 369 • info@backroadstouring.co.nz www.backroadstouring.com • 4/199 Grey St, South Brisbane QLD 4101, Australia or visit your Professional Travel Agent
backroadstouringco Back-Roads Touring Topdeck Tours Pty Ltd. ABN 30 107 934 841