Explore the Scottish Highlands on Insight’s Country Roads of Scotland
New York, N.Y.– Nov. 2, 2021: Travelers seeking to explore popular destinations without the crowds can journey on Insight Vacations’ unique collection of Country Roads itineraries, which have quickly become among the premium tour operator’s best-selling itineraries for 2022.
Insight’s Country Roads tours go off the well-trodden tourist path, visiting hidden gems where guests will meet amazing locals and enjoy farm-to-table dining. They are also the perfect choice for travelers who have already seen the iconic tourist sites in a destination.
“Our Country Roads itineraries offer an immersive focus on a particular country or region, getting away from large crowds and providing authentic local experiences,” said Guy Young, president of Insight Vacations. “The demand for these trips has been incredible, and bookings are far outpacing pre-pandemic levels.”
The top trips for Insight’s 2022 Country Road tours include Scotland, Switzerland, Belgium, Italy, and Portugal, and all feature unique and immersive experiences in the countryside. In Switzerland, guests will visit a family-run winery, Domaine Wannaz, to sample their wares and enjoy a farm-to-table fare while gazing out over stunning views of Lake Geneva. In Scotland, travelers will relish in an exclusive afternoon tea at Blair Castle in Perthshire, which has been the historic home of the Atholl family for over seven centuries.
These itineraries include classic group sizes, Small Groups with a maximum of 24 guests and an industry-first Well-being Director on trips with 20 or more guests, who will provide assistance on health protocols, sanitization and PCR testing requirements. Several itineraries also include new MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences with our not-for-profit partner, TreadRight, that are designed to uplift local communities and ensure Insight’s travels are used as a force for good while supporting the United Nations’ Global Goals.
Read highlights from Insight’s most-popular Country Roads itineraries below:
Country Roads of Scotland – Explore Scotland’s Highlands, Islands and Culture Capitals on This 9-Day grand Gaelic tour. Join local experts as you pass Britain’s northernmost point at John O’Groats and board a ferry to the Orkney Islands. Enjoy a quieter pace of life on these tranquil isles as you explore the 5000-year-old village of Skara Brae and the mysterious Ring of Brodgar. In Wick, taste whisky at the Old Pulteney Distillery or visit the fascinating Heritage Museum on an Insight Choice. After exploring the charming, cobbled streets of St. Andrews, take afternoon tea at Blair Castle—the historic home of the Atholl family for over seven centuries. In Glencoe, participate in a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER Experience, meeting a ranger to learn about conservation of the Valley of Glencoe and the important work of reintroducing lost indigenous species to its flora and fauna.
Country Roads of Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands – From Canals to Clogs, see Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands on an 11-day tour. In Luxembourg, indulge in a farm-to-table feast at the horse-stables-turned-restaurant L’Écurie du Parc, then stroll past the 12th-Century Clervaux Castle after dinner. Climb to the top of the star-shaped Mardasson Monument for a birds-eye view of the fields where the World War II’s Battle of the Bulge was fought. Cruise through Amsterdam’s canal district, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, sailing past 16th-Century merchant houses and the iconic Magere Brug. Later, join a local expert at the Rijksmuseum, where you can view Rembrandt’s ‘Night Watch’, or visit the Floriade Horticultural Expo, and see a shoemaker whittle wood into traditional clogs.
Country Roads of Switzerland – See Switzerland in all its natural splendor during this 2-week guided tour whisking you from snow-capped mountain peaks to floral valleys. Outside Lucerne, zip to the top of Mount Stanserhorn, its peak so high that you can see France and Germany. While there, choose to join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience and listen to a conservation talk by a Swiss ranger, to learn about local wildlife and flora. Take in beautiful Bern and its Cathedrals with a local expert followed by a stop in Gruyères. A Unique Insight Experience, explore the stunning town of Bellinzona with a local expert with insights into the three marvelous castles there. Glide along the Glacier Express, a glass-topped train that will carry you through the Oberalp Valley and to Grindelwad, an idyllic alpine village set to the backdrop of winding rivers and towering waterfalls. In St. Moritz, a mountain railways pass will allow you to traverse the alpine village’s cable cars, funiculars, and chairlifts. Then, taste the freshest cuisine in Switzerland during an intimate farm-to-table dinner experience, including cheese.
Country Roads of Italy – Journey across the Italian peninsula in this 16-day guided tour that stretches from the sapphire waters of the Amalfi Coast to the calming canals of Venice. A Unique Insight Experience, step outside Rome to Vatican City, where you’ll be treated to a behind-the-scenes viewing of the winding Bramante Staircase. Before reaching Sorrento, stop at Castel Gandolfo to ride an electric train past its papal gardens, marveling at the mosaic flower beds. Sail to the rock isle of Capri, where you can climb nearly 2,000 feet by an open-top taxi for unrivaled views of the Tyrrhenian Sea. A MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience in Perugia, learn the art of loom-weaving from a local expert and how it offers employment opportunities for local women. Explore Siena with Insight Choice, choosing to visit the medieval Cathedral or sample panforte, a traditional Tuscan dessert. While exploring Radda in Chianti, enjoy a wine tasting, learning what to look for in a quality vino rosso. And in Venice, cruise along the canals and to Burano, an idyllic, colorful island in the Venetian Lagoon where you’ll indulge in local specialties.
About Insight Vacations:
As a global leader in premium guided vacations, Insight Vacations has been crafting magical journeys that embody the “Art of Traveling in Style” for over 40 years. Through meticulous planning, detailed preparation and boundless passion, Insight’s collection of award-winning itineraries showcase the most outstanding destinations and curated experiences in Europe and North America. Guided by a highly-skilled Travel Director, guests can look forward to traveling in smaller groups, savoring authentic dining and enjoying a range of immersive Insight Experiences. To find out more, please visit insightvacations.com.
About The Travel Corporation:
The Travel Corporation (TTC) is a highly successful family-owned and passionately run international group of 42 award-winning brands, celebrating our first 100th Anniversary in 2020. Our exceptional portfolio of brands spans across 70 countries and offers an extensive selection of international travel and tourism companies, encompassing a variety of guided travel experiences, independent holiday packages, boutique river cruising, luxury hotels and safaris. We are committed to consistently delivering outstanding service, experiences and value to each and every one of our guests and we do so through continuous innovation. For more information, please visit TTC.com or follow us on Twitter and Instagram while using our hashtags #TravelWithTTC and #MakeTravelMatter
About The TreadRight Foundation:
TreadRight is a joint not-for-profit initiative established by The Travel Corporation’s (TTC) family of brands. TreadRight sets the direction on sustainability for 42 award-winning brands, in addition to overseeing our TreadRight Foundation. The organization’s singular mission is to #MakeTravelMatter through brand operations, and by providing support to community-based projects worldwide that safeguard the planet, people and wildlife. To date, the foundation has supported 55+ sustainable tourism projects in 280+ communities worldwide, based on priorities set by the TreadRight Steering Committee. Past project partners include WWF, Conservation International, WildAid and The National Trust in the UK, while current initiatives include WE.org, Manitobah Mukluks Storyboot School, Wilderness Foundation Africa and Wildlife SOS. TreadRight also works with inspiring ambassadors who have a passion for sustainable travel, to support its voice within the sustainable travel community. These ambassadors include Céline Cousteau (‘Planet’ Ambassador), Sarain Fox (‘People’ Ambassador), Ami Vitale (‘Wildlife’ Ambassador) and Costas Christ. To learn more about past and current work at TreadRight, please visit TreadRight.org and follow TreadRight on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter using our hashtag #MakeTravelMatter. We will make travel matter – for our planet, for people and for wildlife. We have taken the pledge, now we invite you to join us.