The Herald - The Herald Magazine
Next year, choose an intimate and authentic way to travel
FOR many people, this time of year usually brings with it the excitement and anticipation of your annual summer holiday.
While many holidays may not go ahead as planned this summer, the experts at Barrhead Travel are busy helping holidaymakers rearrange their plans for 2021 and beyond.
Insights and booking trends from the specialists at Barrhead Travel indicate that adventure and experiential travel are in demand with travellers seeking much more immersive experiences and interactions with local culture.
One particular style of travel which is proving popular with holidaymakers of all ages and tastes for next year is private touring.
Over the last few years, Barrhead Travel has reported a steady growth in demand for touring holidays, with 20% growth recorded during 2019 for touring trips across the world.
Touring includes all types of holidays and private touring is just a small part of this sector.
However, the option to enjoy a private tour is available in countries across the world – from meandering city to city down the Italian coast to taking in some of the most off-the-beaten-track spots in rural Rajasthan.
Caroline Donaldson, Product and Commercial Director at Barrhead Travel shares her own experiences and thoughts about private touring: “I’ve enjoyed a number of private tours as part of my main family holiday for several years now.
“What we love most is that it brings a whole new flexible and authentic dimension to our holiday.
“You can set off, safe in the knowledge that your route is planned with your must-do excursions pencilled in, but have the flexibility to stop and start as you please.
“From a family perspective, we can share memorable and authentic experiences together and at the same time feel relaxed knowing that we can retreat to the car as and when we’re ready.
“Group touring is a completely different concept: it’s amazing for those that want to meet new people and share memories with like-minded travellers but sometimes there are occasions where you want to experience something privately with your loved ones.
“I also find that the relationship forged between the driver and travellers is really unique as you can gain so much more local knowledge and insight.
“As a traveller, you should never underestimate the power of local recommendations – there’s a certain balance between comfort and freedom that can be enjoyed from this experience.
“Think finding the best coffee spot or locally-run restaurant that you may have never uncovered without first-hand advice.
“The comfort comes from knowing it’s been recommended but you benefit from the freedom to pick and choose to suit your tastes. Every touring company that Barrhead Travel works with will always provide a local driver – in most cases, the driver will have grown up in the area you are travelling through.
“It’s a magical experience, whiling away the hours driving between countries to sit back, relax, take in the scenery and listen to anecdotal stories and the history about the areas you are driving through.” Barrhead Travel has partnerships with private touring companies across the world who work closely with local people to curate the best experience possible for each customer. A Barrhead Travel destination specialist can help you plan every aspect of your trip: no detail is too small and the team can ensure all special requests are made, from the type of vehicle you travel in to specific stops along the way. See barrheadtravel.co.uk
This experience brings a whole new flexible and authentic dimension to your holiday
PRIVATE TOURS
A PRIVATE tour can offer all the benefits of small group touring – pre-arranged transport, a planned itinerary and the security of local guides and knowledge – but offers a more intimate experience for families, couples or groups of friends who are looking to experience something together.
Destinations such as India and
Sri Lanka offer some of the most popular private touring itineraries which, naturally, are ideal to help ease into new cultures and support with language barriers.
Both countries are vast and, rather than travelling by plane to reach each corner of a particular region, a private tour means you can comfortably transit between destinations.
This means of transport also allows you to take in the dramatic landscapes and rural countryside that passes between popular tourist spots.
You’ll be able to experience firsthand the colourful culture and genuine local warmth that these countries are famed for. Stop at a local vantagepoint for tea from a tea-plantation on route, detour to a market to pick up some locally-crafted gifts or enjoy an unplanned stop at a roadside vendor for the freshest fruit you’ve ever tasted.
All this and much more can be enjoyed when you choose to embark on a private tour.
For the latest offers, go online at barrheadtravel.co.uk