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For over twenty-five years, Back-Roads Touring has been taking travellers on exciting journeys through Europe. With their road-less-travelled approach, and their dedication to immersive, local experiences, Back-Roads has turned the typical European holiday into an inspired occasion.
Small group touring with 18 or fewer people, boutique accommodation and culturally immersive experiences that incorporate the local food and culture are all well-known hallmarks of a Back-Roads tour.
But there’s another part to the equation that makes it all possible, and that’s the hard work and dedication of their tour leaders.
Brought together from many different professional backgrounds, tour leaders share some common traits – a passion for travel and the desire to deliver an authentic experience on every journey.
So we asked two Back-Roads tour leaders for a quick anecdote or two about their job, and what it is they love about it.
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Andy Steel
Tour leader Andy Steel shared a memory of a tour he was recently leading through Cornwall, England which illustrates just how dedicated Back-Roads is to the road-less-travelled approach.
“A member of the group asked if we could visit a small hamlet, just inland from Marazion,” explained Andy. “It turns out her ancestors came from there, 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!”
Isabelle Pareja
Food is yet another way that Back-Roads distinguishes itself.
Tour leader, Isabelle Pareja recalls a memorable lunch in Italy that she and her tour group whipped up with a local Paestum dignitary, the Baronessa Cecilia Baratti.
“The host’s charismatic personality, the freshness of the products we used, the joy of eating together and sharing an experience as a family, all made for a memorable experience,” said Isabelle.
Isabelle described what made her job so pleasurable. “I think being flexible, personable and passionate are the most important traits. I love being around people and sharing local experiences – especially those that you can’t read about in guide books.”
We couldn’t have said it better ourselves Isabelle!
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