A mountain local for just over a year, Angie Kemp is a delight to have join our community. Angie has a wealth of knowledge of the travel industry and now represents Back-Roads Touring Company, a wonderful organisation that has developed small group itineraries exploring Europe. Angie also promotes sister company Top Deck touring company which specialises in youth tours – I actually took one of these when I was in my early twenties travelling overland from Kathmandu to London. What an experience! Angie has just returned from Europe so I have asked her to write a few words.

Savouring regional Italy through a comfortable stroll down the Back-Roads
A relaxed pace that enables guests to truly immerse and indulge in cultures and experiences; flexible itineraries incorporating quiet back roads and stylish, locally run accommodation choices where you’re made to feel like family.
Just a few points of difference that make a European escape with Back-Roads Touring so special.
Recently, I was lucky enough to discover the wonders of Italy through our Italian Indulgence tour, taking in 13 days of sights, sounds and tastes as we traversed Rome to Venice.
It was the perfect tour not just for a first-timer to this special part of the world but also those keen to marvel at it again through a different lens – or those who may have only had a brief stopover before hungry for a more in-depth experience.
Highlights were plentiful – typified by Villa Pitiana in spectacular rural Tuscany, where we had plenty of time to stroll the magnificent grounds or take a 15-minute meander to the small, quaint village of Donnini. On the second afternoon, we were treated to a cooking class where we made, and dined on, amazing focaccias, biscotti and fresh tagliatelle with a delicious home-made sauce.
Another example of the experiences to wow us all was the overnight visit to Lake Maggiore, where we had the luxury of a full day to take a sedate cruise out to the Borromean islands – such a truly beautiful area, we had ample time to enjoy the historical palaces, stunning gardens and enjoyed a spot of shopping. Finished off with another delicious lunch, this time on fresh local seafood.
Our tour leader Anna-Lisa was born in southern Italy and with a decade of experience in the industry, typified the local knowledge and passion that makes our tours so memorable.
Back-Roads tours include not just group dinners but options to choose our own adventure. And when it comes to resting up, our hotels are charming boutique options overflowing with character - we don’t do chain hotels. Music to the ears of those such as my good friend, an international flight attendant for too many years only knew where he was staying by looking at the hotel name on the complimentary stationery.
Where you stay, where you eat, how you travel and how you interact with the locals all makes such a difference when it comes to properly showcasing what a region is like.
Back-Roads Touring has a proud track record of stylish small-group touring in the UK and throughout Europe, with an intimate group spirit assured through a maximum of 18 guests per tour. Travel in style (we use a Mercedes Sprinter) as your luxurious coach navigates narrow roads – drinking in the views from large windows, in a reclining seat with footrest, phone charger ports and plenty of overhead storage.
Back-Roads is so far from that highly structured, rushed tours with hours on end on the road.
We don’t do early starts, our itineraries run at a relaxed pace. It feels like travelling with a flexible group of friends, happy to let you explore or meet up at your own pace.
An Italian indulgence was just the first taste of what needs to be so many more European escapes!
Angie Kemp
TRAVELLING PLACES 07 5545 1600
travel@travellingplaces.com.au