While it can be fun to explore on your own, sometimes a tour can be a welcome change. But if the thought of being on a cramped coach with 50 other people and subject to a strictly timed schedule doesn’t appeal, what are the options? Why not consider a small group tour with Rabbie’s Tours?
About Rabbie’s Tours
Rabbie’s Tours started in 1993 with owner Robin Worsnop and his old sherpa van. He wanted to create smaller, quirky tours that were ethical and that would appeal to independent travellers. They would be an alternative to the standard group travel experience. For a while he experimented with larger coach tours but he found several problems. Big coaches and small country lanes don’t pair well. It was harder to support local cafes with a large group. And he learned that a lot of people want to enjoy some peace and tranquility without a large crowd tramping along with them.
So small group tours have become Rabbie’s speciality. And along the way they’ve collected an impressive number of awards, including the 2018 TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Award, the 2018 British Travel Award Gold for Best Medium Sized Escorted Tour Company, the 2016 Scottish Silver Thistle Award, and the 2015 Queen’s Award for Enterprise.
Rabbie’s Tours all use minibuses with a maximum of 16 people. Tours range from 1 to 17 days and can be tailored to your interests. They can include accommodation or, if you prefer, you can make your own hotel arrangements. Furthermore, all tours depart from one or more of the following city centres – Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, Aberdeen, Manchester, London and Dublin. This makes it easy to get to the starting point by public transport.
Destinations
Rabbie’s operates tours across England, Scotland, and Ireland. Key tour locations include the Isle of Skye, Loch Lomond, Loch Ness, the Scottish Highlands, the Scottish Borders, Bath, the Lake District, the Cliffs of Moher and the Dingle Peninsula. A fan of whisky? Try a whisky tour, anywhere from a quick daytrip to seventeen days. Like the Outlander series? There are a bunch of tour options for that too. Or how about a quick escape from London to the Cotswolds? Or a week exploring the wonders of the Northern Ireland coast?
Benefits of a Small Group Tour
There are plenty of benefits to taking a small group tour, aside from the size of the party (as stated above, never more than 16). You’ll be riding in a luxury mini-coach that can easily make its way around those windy rural roads without sacrificing comfort. The tours have no minimum required number and departures are guaranteed, even if it’s just you and your friendly guide.
Speaking of guides, Rabbie’s takes pride in the company’s selection of local experts. Each driver guide has been with Rabbie’s for a number of years and can entertain you with their knowledge of an area’s history, food, legends, and more.
Have you ever been on a tour where you have 30 minutes at each stop, and you often find yourself wishing you had just a bit more time at that one location? With Rabbie’s that is not a problem. You make your trip your own. They provide the timetable; and along the way you can choose where you want to eat, sleep and which attractions you want to see. So, if you want to stop off and feed a highland cow or maybe linger longer in the castle courtyard with a glass of wine, you can.
Earlier we mentioned Robin Worsnop’s desire to provide ethical tours. Rabbie’s supports the local communities that they visit so no large chain restaurant and hotel. Instead, you’ll get to visit the locally owned spots that you might otherwise miss. And for every ton of carbon used, the company donates £10 to environmental and community projects.
Finally, Rabbie’s stands by its commitment to providing you with the best possible tour experience. They offer a money back guarantee if you feel that the trip has been lacking and it’s been their fault.
So if you find yourself staying in one of Britain’s larger cities but wishing you could get out further afield for a day, Rabbie’s Tours can probably help. And if you want to get out and about in the wilds of Scotland for a couple of weeks, they can help with that too. Check out their website for tours and departure dates.
Updates for 2020/2021
Rabbie’s has announced some exciting new tours for 2020 and 2021. In addition to those already mentioned, the following are now taking bookings:
- 3 new tours from Edinburgh – one to the oldest brewery in the country, one focussed on craft beers, and one that spends 5 days in the Hebrides.
- 3 new daytrips from Manchester to the Lake District, the Peak District, and Wales.
- 1 new daytrip from London to Winchester and the Bombay Saphhire Gin distillery.
- 1 new tour from Dublin – 3 days exploring the Wild Atlantic Way.
- Also available – new tours to Europe, including France, Spain, Italy, Portugal, and Switzerland.
Please note that this has not been sponsored by or paid for by Rabbie’s Tours. Clicking on the affiliate links will not cost you anything but will earn me a few pennies in commission should you book a trip.