Blue Roads Touring, Premium Small Group Tours

(updated and republished Feb 15, 2023)

Blue Roads Touring Company offers a distinctly different type of small group touring experience than most small group tours. This is one company that definitely fits the cliche “best kept secrets” because they represent the top of line quality and inclusions for prices that rival much larger coach tour group sizes (and even small group tours with much less included)

Blue Roads are small groups that are paced nicely, stay in lovely accommodations, use smaller vehicles with a maximum of 18 people.

They explore the back roads of a variety of destinations from northern Scotland, England, Wales and Ireland all the way to the South of France, Spain, Portugal and Italy. Private barge canal cruises in France, Slow Food tours in Puglia, Battlefield Tours in Normandy. In 2025 they’ve added Greece, Croatia, Slovenia, Austria, Czech Republic, Germany and Norway. This is their newest promotional video.

The accommodation, whether old country estate, exotic hotel resort or traditional villa, is carefully selected to reflect the character and charm of each Blue-Roads destination. Some properties are situated in a stunning setting or have interesting historical and architectural heritage, while others may have been chosen for their owner-hosted welcome or excellent food.

Character is not a substitute for quality, however, which is why all accommodation throughout Europe comes complete with ensuite facilities, comfortable furnishings and delicious food. You have a choice of twin, double or single rooms – and while room sizes in older buildings may vary, each room will have its own unique style and character.

Our tours unite fervent foodies. One of the things that guests love about our culinary trips is the chance to meet fellow gastronomists with a similar appetite for culture and cuisine. Like all of our holidays, a small, intimate group size – generally no more than 18 people – ensures that you get to know your fellow travellers as friends.

We believe that experiences are better when they’re shared. Sharing a table and a menu allows you to make memories and relationships that we hope will last for years to come.

Slow Down the Blue-Roads Way

We are firm believers in the Slow Food concept: that everyone should be able to access and enjoy food that is good for them, good for those who grow it, and good for the planet. Our tours allow you to soak up the passion of local producers and chefs who are proud and willing to share their traditional expertise with you.

A number of our holidays involve trips to local farms and producers where you can taste for yourself the heart and soul that goes into producing regional delicacies. Putting a local face to a regional delicacy is part of the unique charm of the culinary experiences we offer.

Learning from the Masters

When you join us on one of our tours you can expect not just a tasting experience but a gastronomic education. We are lucky enough to have found a collection of top chefs in countries all over Europe who are happy to impart culinary expertise that has been handed down through generations of authentic family cooking.

Drinking in the Sights

All Blue-Roads Tours are conducted at a comfortable, leisurely pace that allows you to soak up the atmosphere around you. ‘Fast’ is not our style, in terms of food and transport. We love winding, cobbled streets and rustic routes that lead to restaurants which ooze back-road charm. We handpick our hotels to make sure that they encapsulate the character of the place you’re exploring.

A Gateway to Culture

It is our belief that cuisine is the gateway to culture: food can be an experience that helps you to understand more about the history and atmosphere of the country you are visiting. We offer a number of culinary experiences on our tours which allow you to see and taste delicacies with cultural significance.