Backpacker Tours - Budget UK and European Tours

Hello -

We've survived Christmas and are all ready to go for the ultimate New Years Party - Hogmanay! Around 1000 brave souls will be setting off tomorrow morning and afternoon for Edinburgh - I wonder how many will be able to make it into work on January 3rd?

Even though it's the holiday season as there is no rest for the wicked - we've been in the office sorting out even more party tours for 2006. We've updated the web site and are now accepting bookings for Ladies Day at Royal Ascot, The Grand National and Anzac Day Tours - remember for all of tours that are priced over 100 GBP - a 50 GBP per person deposit will hold your place and full payment is not due until 6 weeks before departure.

I'll leave you today with a link quite possibly the most frightening thing to ever happen in Hip Hop music and the itinerary for our Ladies Day At Royal Ascot tour.

Royal Ascot Ladies Day - June 22nd 2006
2006: ROYAL ASCOT MOVES HOME!!The world's most glamorous race meeting is set to return to Ascot with the multi-million redevelopment of the course almost complete. A new era in racing will begin in June with the Royal meeting confirmed as the opening date of what promises to be the best racing facility the world has seen. And you can be apart of it all on our fantastic day tour to Royal Ascot for Ladies Day on June 22.

We provide luxury return coach transport from London. Bubbly on journey to racecourse. Buffet lunch upon arrival with more bubbly and choice of wines. Entrance to the Silver Ring Enclosure and on our return journey we offer a free wine and cheese party.

Whats Included
* Return luxury coach transport to Royal Ascot from London * Bubbly provided on journey to racecourse * Buffet lunch upon arrival, more bubbly plus choice of wines * Entrance provided to the Silver Ring enclosure * join our special wine and cheese party back on board for the return trip * Exclusive post races party in central London *

Departures? 22nd June 2006

Prices? Only £75 GBP per person

Hello all it's the last day in the office and we've already started drinking so that's about it until after Christmas from all of us here.... However as there is no rest for the wicked some of us will be back here (feeling worse for wear - no doubt) on the December 27th and we will be working up until New Years Eve however most of the crew will be on the buses with our 800 + Hogmanay clients - everything is set so it's going to be another mental one! If your board between now and new years eve give us a call we may be able to get you a last minute package.

We've had a great year this year - taken more people to more destinations and partied harder then ever before - we have some great plans for 2006 and there will be some announcements in the New Year - hopefully we will see you at some point next year.

Well the pub is beckoning so I'll leave you with a link to Simon Sez Santa which is an excellent laugh.

Take care, party hard and stay safe this Christmas.

Michael

Christmas is almost here and around 95% of tours are fully booked - we can still however get you a tour in Ireland for New Years click here for details.

If you ever fancy a quick break to Europe we offer weekend breaks to both Paris (via Eurostar) and Amsterdam (by coach) both packages are around 150 GBP per person and include transport, tours, breakfasts and hotel accommodation.

It's our Christmas Party for the office 'bods' tomorrow and everyone is looking forward to going out and having a few beers - don't expect much of blog on Thursday as we may have problems finding the keyboards of our computers.

I'll leave you tonight with a link to a website that allows you to email yourself in the future - trust me it's worth it for just reading the public entries.

Take care,

Michael


Paris Weekender Via Eurostar
Weekend in Paris by Eurostar - From £149 per person One of the most beautiful cities in the world, Paris contains a wealth of culture, heritage and history which captivates any visitor.
Our Paris 3 day weekend tours will now operate by Eurostar, allowing you extra time in this beautiful City.

The City is justifiably known as the most romantic City in the world.
Come and sample the unique atmosphere of Paris, window shop along the Champs Elysees, ascend the Eiffel Tower for the most breath taking views or visit the many other attractions such as Place de la Concorde, Notre Dame, Latin quater and Sacre Coeur. Join us for this wonderful weekend. Please note that all times are local.

Day One
Meet your tour manager outside the Eurostar check in desk at Waterloo International at 07.15. Depart by Eurostar from Waterloo and travel to Paris Gare du Nord. Arrive at Gare de Nord at approximately 11.47. A coach will then meet us to commence our City sightseeing tour. A chance to see all the major sights, photo opportunities where possible. Tour finishes at our hotel, check in and the remainder of the evening is free.

Day Two
A free day to enjoy the sights and attractions until 18.00hrs Meet the Tour Manager at 18.00 at a pre arranged point for our optional Paris by night tour. (Price not included) The tour includes a City tour by night, a river cruise on the Seine and a chance to view Paris by night from the Montparnasse tower.

Day Three
Another free day to enjoy Paris. Baggage may be left at the hotel, these will betransferredd to Gare du Nord with the Tour Manger for collection at 20.15hrs.Meet your tour manger at the Eurostar check in at Gare du Nord to collect bags. Depart Gare de Nord Paris for our return journey to Waterloo International.Arrive in Waterloo International approximately 22.57


Whats Included
Return Eurostar travel * 2 nights 2 star B&B hotel accommodation - all rooms en-suite * Guided sightseeing tour of Paris
Departures?
Every Friday from Waterloo International station
Prices?
149 - 159 GBP per person

Hello all -

Well that's Hogmanay almost all fully booked - a got few spots left and we might be able to get you on if call the office today.

The next big event for us at Backpacker tours is St Patrick's Day in Dublin - this year we've got the following options available -

4 Day Coach Tour
199 GBP per person
16th - 19th March 2006

4 Day Flight Tour
295 GBP per person
16th - 19th March 2006

Accommodation Only
165 GBP per person
16th - 19th March 2006

In Dublin your accommodation for the St Patrick's Day Tour is at Avalon House Hostel. We are lucky enough to have use of this Hostel which is the best Hostel in Dublin, and regarded in the top 5 in Europe. Avalon House facilities are excellent including 24 hour security, security lockers, bureau de change, no curfew, hot showers, email and internet access and best of all is less than a 5 min walk from Temple Bar, Grafton Street, and Dublin's City Centre.

No trip to Dublin is complete without visiting the Home of Guinness - St James Gate. As part of your St Patrick's Day tour we include an afternoon at the famous brewery including admission, a guided tour, and free Guinness!

As an alternative to the Guinness Brewery tour, you can choose to take a day trip to Northern Ireland and the city of Belfast. The return transport is included in your tour price. Once in Belfast you may like to take the famous Black Taxi tour of the city or simply explore the city at your leisure.

Included in your tour price Backpacker tours organises a huge WELCOME PARTY in a local bar for our first night in Dublin - a great way to kick off the tour. Also included in your tour price is a COMMEMORATIVE ST PATRICK'S DAY 2006 T-SHIRT.

Thats about it for today I'll leave you with a link that contains everything that man could possibly need.

Well we survived another weekend - hope all of you had good one! New experience this weekend was ....... a round of golf at the world famous Belfry course - 2nd only to St Andrews in Scotland. Not being much of golfer myself I must admit it was a different experience - however the buzz was in playing (rather badly) the same holes that Faldo, Ballesteros and Woods have in the past.

With Christmas rapdily approaching - most of you in London will probably know that 99% of London is closed on Christmas Day and that's where are sister website Bestvaluetours can help.

We offer a range of Christmas day tours - so if your stuck in London you can still get out of the house.

Well another cold day with grey sky's - at least we had a summer to remember - floods at Glastonbury and swimming in the puddles afterwards is just one of things that we did - the other top event was Le Tomatotina a 1st for us here at Backpackertours (and I must admit we are on the jaded side) this was one event that was completely out of control. You would think that after all the years and events from the love parade in Berlin to snowboarding in the alps with couple of African safari's and trips to south America in between we though we had seen it all - not so this completely spun us out!

Next years schedule isn't quite ready to go yet (we are still waiting on flights to be confirmed) - however I've posted below last years four day flight package as soon everythings set we will post it on our special events pages.

Until tomorrow I'll leave you with a link that will make you wish that a new series of survivor was being filmed at the minute.

Day 1 Our tour group meets at Stansted Airport bright and early where you will be greeted by your tour leader and the rest of your traveling companions. Upon arrival in Valencia we will make our way directly to our excellent city centre hotel where we will be accommodated throughout our stay.After check-in the group is invited to get together for a drink in the hotel before we head out to sample the famous Valencia nightlife.

Day 2 Today you have the entire day free to get out and explore the fabulous city of Valencia whether it be in the old town or out at the fabulous beaches. In the evening you have the chance to travel out to one of Valencia's surrounding villages and partake in an all night grape and wine festival. This event is one of the highlights of the tour and an amazing experience. The group leaves at 9pm and returns at 4am back to Valencia in order to prepare for La Tomatina.If you choose to stay in Valencia for the night we have a local bar organised for a pre-tomatina party!

Day 3 La Tomatina Festival: Today is the reason we are here in Spain so after an early start we will transfer to Bunol for the world famous 'La Tomatina' tomato fight! The preparations start in the early morning and by midday it's time for the festivities to start. The tomato fight lasts for one hour and is an experience you will never forget. (see the festival details)After the tomato fight has concluded we spend a few hours in Bunol cleaning ourselves off before transferring by charter coach back to our hotel in Valencia. After a long shower we will join together at a local bar to compare stories from this amazing day.

Day 4 A slow start to the day today as we continue the long process of removing every last piece of tomato from ourselves!Today you have free time to explore more of Valencia or perhaps head out to the beach. Check-out of our Hotel is midday but the Hotel will securely store our luggage until the evening flight. After you days activities, the group will join together at 4pm and head out to the airport for the return flight to London. Upon arrival in London it is time to bid farewell to our travelling companions as our tour concludes.

Scheduled Return Flights from London Stansted to Valencia (Air Berlin) 3 Nights Quality Hotel Accommodation in Valencia City Centre World Famous 'La Tomatina' Festival Transfers from Valencia to Bunol for 'La Tomatina' Souvenir 'La Tomatina' T-Shirt

Hello - if you are looking to go to Edinburgh for Hogmanany you better be quick as we are down to our last 10 rooms of so at the Ibis Hotel

If after a big hectic weekend (some of us in the office were out clubbing [and I don't mean seals]in London from 11 PM Friday until 6 AM Saturday and still managed to make to the pub for Saturday lunchtime drinks) some of you out there might be feeling a touch run down, tired, bored of the grey sky etc - only one thing for it - looking forward to next summer!

We are just getting ready to release all of our packages for Running of the Bulls 2006 in Pamplona, Spain - thats right all the sun and sangeria (or San Miguel if you prefer) mixed with insane days of non-stop parties, traditional sporting contests and a seemingly endless celebration of local music and culture. Not to mention the Running of the Bulls itself - Jack Osborne managed it last year - are you up for it?

This year promises to be the best yet and we will be offering more options then ever - we've got 5, 6, 8 and day coach/camping package all departing from and returning to London - we've also got one way specials for those of you who wish to wander around Europe for a it afterwards. Already going to be in Europe and want to party with best the crew in town - no problem we also do accommodation only packages. Less time but got a bit of extra cash? Can't face the coach journey? We will also have both flight/camping tours and flight/hotel tours available.

All details will be on the website towards the end of the week - you can see last years details by clicking here - I'll post the new link to 2006 Pamplona tours as soon as the page is ready for public viewing (who knew that this web site building could be such a messy business). The most popular tour's itinerary is at the bottom of this blog.

No matter how bad your week is most of you can probably look forward to the weekend - not me unfortunately - it's the other half's annual Christmas Party - as she works for one these big huge monster corporations - it's a dinner suit, posh hotel, nice meal etc type of thing which doesn't really fit in too well with our lifestyle so spare me thought when you are in your favourite pub on Saturday night. I'll leave you with a link to an online game I recently found to do with pubs.

Michael

Sunday 2nd July 2006: Coaches leave London at 1pm and make the journey throughout France and overnight to Spain. BYO drinks or purchase on the ferry to start the trip in the right style! Ensure you bring passports, sleeping bags and all other essentials for the week.

Monday 3rd July 2006: Arrival at El Molino campsite is around 11am. After checking into your accommodation you have the day free to lounge by the pool and settle in. An afternoon Meal is provided before a huge party night! Welcome to Spain …Welcome to San Fermin!!

Tuesday July 4th & Wednesday July 5th 2006:On one of these days you will visit the beautiful San Sebastian to spend time at the beach or in one of the many tapas bars. On the other day you will go into Pamps itself and get orientated. You will have time to shop for your running whites, champagne, eggs, and flour for the opening ceremony! You also have the chance to take a walk down the bull running route and plan your run! Back to El Molino each evening for party nights as all other tours arrive in Spain.

Thursday July 6th 2006: Opening Ceremony!. Today is the biggest day of the Pamplona festival and after breakfast we head into town for the 12pm start. Shuttles run back to El Molino throughout the afternoon and evening finishing after the 11pm end of day fireworks.

Friday 7th July 2006: Early wake up for the first bull run of 2006. We take you into town and back to camp after the running for breakfast. Shuttles run to and from Pamps throughout the day and evening before a final party night at El Molino. Tonight provides the perfect opportunity to head into Pamplona for the fireworks display or to catch a bull fight.

Saturday 8th July 2006: This is our last day in Spain and a very full one with an early start for the bull run and then back to the camp for brunch. In the afternoon there is last chance for sangrias by the pool before the trip home. Departure from Spain is 6pm.

Sunday 9th July 2006: All good things must come to an end and today the Pamps tour is all over! Expected arrival back in London is 6pm for the end of our tour.


Price: 255 GBP per person

Tour includes -

RETURN LUXURY COACH TRANSPORT INCLUDING FERRY CROSSINGS
QUALITY ACCOMMODATION (CHOICE OF DORMS OR PRE ERECTED QUALITY DOME TENTS)
OPENING CEREMONY & FIRST TWO BULL RUNS OF SAN FERMIN
SAN SEBASTIAN BEACH DAY EXCURSION
ORIENTATION DAY IN PAMPLONA BEFORE FESTIVAL
FREE SHUTTLE TRANSFERS FROM CAMP TO PAMPS TO CAMP
BACKPACKER BULL RUNNERS T-SHIRT
PAMPLONA BULL RUNNERS BANDANNA
BREAKFAST EVERY DAY – AFTERNOON/EVENING ARRIVAL MEAL EL MOLINO – THE BEST AND CLOSEST CAMP TO PAMPLONA – SWIMMING POOL, RESTAURANT, SHOP, BARS,LONDON DJs, SECURITY, RIVERSIDE LOCATION + much more!

We have survived another big weekend here at Backpackertours and things are getting busy! We have almost sold out for all of our Hogmanay in Edinburgh tours and accommodation packages. The same goes for Christmas in either Scotland or Ireland - click here to check out whats left! London on Christmas day is notorious for being quiet with 98% of pubs, restaurants and shops closed for the entire day - if you are stuck in London on Christmas day our sister website still has spaces on day tours available including Christmas Lunch on the Thames which has always been popular - click here for details.

Next big event on the horizon - is St Patrick's Day in Dublin.

This year we are offerring 3 different options -

4 Day Coach Tour from London

4 Day Flight Tour from London

and

Accommodation Only in Dublin

The 4 Day Coach tour is always the most popular - the itinerary is below and we have already started taking bookings - a 50 GBP per person deposit will hold your places and full payment is not due until 6 weeks before departure.

4 Day St Patricks Day Coach Tour - 16th March - 19th March 2006
Thursday 16th MarchEarly morning departure from Goldhawk Road, Stamford Brook for the drive to the ferry port at Holyhead, North Wales. Irish Ferries ‘Isle of Inishmore’ takes 3.5 hours and has an excellent authentic Irish bar on board! Arrival at our Dublin accommodation is early evening, in plenty of time to explore the great nightlife, which is just a short walk away from our accommodation. Tonight we have a huge Welcome Party organised in a local bar to start the tour as we mean to continue!!

Friday 17th March
St Patrick's Day! Enjoy the colour and spectacle of the day as the St Patrick’s parade snakes it’s way through the streets of Dublin, or just sit in one of the friendly pubs and get into the Guinness with a bunch of locals! This is the biggest day of the tour and you are free to enjoy it as you wish. We’ll provide maps and information on the festival programme and concerts so you can take in whatever appeals to your tastes.

Saturday 18th March
We have two great included options for you today. The first option is a group session at the famous Guinness Brewery for the afternoon where included in your tour price is the admission, the guided tour of the brewery and some complimentary Guinness!!

Alternatively you can choose to take a day trip to Northern Ireland and spend the day in Belfast. The return transport is included in your tour price. Once in Belfast you may like to take the famous Black Taxi tour of town of simply explore the city at your leisure.

Of course if you prefer, you are free to do your own thing throughout the day. You may like to take in a local tour of Dublin, or pass the time with a spot of shopping down Grafton Street. This evening we will head out to the Temple Bar area to sample more of the famous Dublin nightlife and hospitality.

Sunday 19th March
An early start for the ferry home! If you’re very keen, there’s the bar on the ferry, otherwise we pass time on the coaches on the way home with some videos and music. ETA back in London is 8:30 pm for the end of tour......

Whats Included
Return coach transport * Ferry crossing * 3 nights accommodation in central Dublin hostel * St Patrick's Day Parade and Celebrations * Continental breakfast * Guiness brewery tour including free Guiness * Day trip to Belfast * Commemorative St Patrick's Day 2006 T-shirt
Departures?16th March 2006 from Central London