More Than Just Ragu: Why Bologna should be on your list

Our UK and Ireland Tour Leaders share their favourite legends from their tours, including a lovestruck mermaid in Cornwall and the five sisters still waiting for their suitors in the Scottish Highlands.

Sharing my solo travel experience: A story of adventure post-heartbreak

After losing her husband Norbert in a tragic accident three years ago, Marlene Manto’s life and identity changed forever. Refusing to let the grief and fear of solo travel prevent her from embarking on a bucket-list trip to England, Marlene booked our Highlights of Britain tour and had the trip of a lifetime.

Making it her mission to inspire other first-time solo travellers through her experiences, Marlene sat down with us to share some of her hesitations, fears and highlights whilst travelling with Back-Roads Touring.

Towering mountains and enchanting lochs. Dramatic castles and quaint villages. Infamous battles and gripping legends.

Since my first visit to the UK, the undeniable charm and diverse landscapes of Scotland had placed the country high on my travel bucket list. Hence, when the opportunity arose to travel with my father on Back-Roads Touring’s A Scottish Journey tour, I knew this would be an incredibly unique trip.

Starting and ending in Edinburgh, the ‘old man’ and I spent nine days exploring the mesmerising landscapes of Cairngorms National Park, Isles of Skye and Mull and Scottish Highlands. Embracing the Back-Roads Touring style of travel from the get-go, we immersed ourselves in the rich history and culture of Scotland’s ancient lands – all the while, sharing laugher-filled meals with our new-found friends and extremely knowledgeable guide and driver.

Upon conclusion of the tour, it was difficult to refine our highlights to just a few – but after a couple of drams and a natural level of compromise between father and daughter, we managed the task. Thinking of discovering bonnie Scotland for yourself? Let our top three experiences inspire you.

Undertourism: Fall for the Charms of Sleepy Malta

We’ve all heard about overtourism. It’s something that’s increasingly starting to affect the world’s most popular holiday destinations, which, depending on when you travel, can be found bursting at the seams with eager sightseers. Sometimes, this particular type of tourism tends to focus on the ‘seeing’ rather than the ‘doing’; the photographic proof of the adventure, rather than the memories made.

In response to this inauthentic style of holidaymaking, a new travel trend is emerging: undertourism. And as part of this movement, unusual, up-and-coming and off-the-beaten track destinations are embracing quality tourism over quantity of visitors; immersive local experiences over skimming the surface.

An excellent example of a destination championing the values of undertourism is Malta: a lesser-explored Mediterranean island filled with all the fascinating history, unique cultures and delectable local cuisine that you’d expect from a holiday hotspot like Italy – but in miniature, and with far fewer tourists.

Tour Leader Michele (pictured far right)

Interested to find out how this irresistible island country matches up against its more-visited neighbour? We caught up with Back-Roads Touring Tour Leader Michele to give us the lowdown on the similarities between the two destinations…

6 Delectable Foodie Discoveries in Florence

Tuscan cuisine. These two short words are enough to conjure up images of countless gastronomic creations, from pasta and pizza to gelato (not to mention many mouthwatering dishes in between). And where better to indulge in the many culinary delights of this world-famous Italian region than in captivating Florence – Tuscany’s endlessly stylish and historic capital?

Much like the city’s cobbled streets and awe-inspiring architecture, Florence’s food has changed little over the centuries; traditional recipes and cooking styles have been handed down over generations, and they’re still as pleasing to the palate as they were all those years ago. Indeed, to dine at one of Florence’s celebrated eateries is to know that everything that reaches your plate has been locally sourced, painstakingly crafted and served up with pride.

Planning on visiting Florence to experience its renowned cuisine for yourself? See if you can spot any of these local favourites on your travels…