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Discover inventive new experiences and captivating stories in 2024, brought together with a dose of British flair. From exploring film settings and pioneering cultural spaces to countryside trails and relaxing wellness retreats, it’s all happening on our shores and you’re invited!

Join immersive exhibitions as the National Gallery celebrates a landmark anniversary or get a taste for chocolate as Birmingham’s Cadbury World also marks its 200th birthday. Venture off the beaten track for new coastal adventures, exploring new trails and walking routes, or take in sporting action as the world’s best compete in everything from athletics to the Premier League.

Whether it’s getting a feel for our vibrant cultural cities, embarking on a coastal adventure, or discovering locations made famous by film and TV, it’s time to experience Britain differently.

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Glen Coe, Scotland

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Spilling the tea on GB

We’re spilling the tea on the hottest experiences – and it’s not just a good old brew that we’re mad about.

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Key sporting moments in 2024

Grab your tickets, or a spot by a screen, and join the atmosphere of brilliant British sport.

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Royal Pavilion at dusk, lit up in a range of vivid colours

Day trips from London

Britain packs a punch when it comes to the eclectic range of destinations within close proximity to London.

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How to see Britain differently

From gastronomic adventures to eco-friendly stays, there’s always more to explore on Britain’s shores.

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Providing you with inspirational activities and experiences, from those in the know.

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Cultural hotspots

An unmissable destination for travellers, London is a melting pot of history, culture and green spaces.

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From palaces to cobbled alleys, and a dormant volcano, this city is a real show-stopper.

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World-class football and a music scene that brought Oasis to centre stage – there’s lots to love about Manchester.

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A quirky seaside city filled with diverse cuisine, vintage shopping and adrenaline fuelled adventure.

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From The Beatles to Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Liverpool is a UNESCO City of Music with seriously cool credentials.

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Cool creative Bristol is a must-see for art, culture and action-packed adventure.

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Step into a land of castles, world-renowned rugby and a whole host of myths and legends.

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Pushing the boundaries of art and culture and a heart that beats through its people.

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An industrial hub with a vibrant, creative heart and a whole host of quirky adventures.

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Newcastle upon Tyne

Linked by no fewer than seven bridges, it's one vibrant place to visit.

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Newcastle, England

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A hotbed for shopping and the arts, you’ll find lots to explore in Leeds.

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Packed with lively pubs, an eclectic food scene and a myriad of immersive experiences.

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Your trip to england is just around the corner.

Discover the land of Big Ben, Banksy and bangers and mash. From its bustling cities to its blooming beautiful gardens, it doesn’t disappoint.

Discover Great Britain’s northern reaches

Imagine a country where ancient castles guard mysterious lochs and emerald glens, and where the local spirit is as warm as the welcome.

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Delve into a world of dragons, renowned choirs, championship rugby, and some of the most spellbinding scenery Britain has to offer.

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Top Tour Operators and Travel Agencies in England 2024/2025

Top Tour Operators and Travel Agencies in England. Below you will find 24 of the best tour operators and travel agencies in England offering in total 224 tours and holidays through-out England. Combined they have received 438 customer reviews and an average rating of 5 out of 5 stars. The top tour activities offered in England are: Sightseeing, attractions, culture and history, Adventure and sport & Wildlife, landscapes and nature.

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24 Tour Operators in England with 438 Reviews

Brendan Vacations

Brendan Vacations

  • Address Brendan Vacations 801 E. Katella Avenue Anaheim, California 92805, California, USA
  • Response Rate 90%
  • Response Time 1 hour

Walkers' Britain

Walkers' Britain

  • Address 1B Osiers Road, London, England
  • Response Rate 83%
  • Response Time 3 hours

british tourist agency

  • Best-in-Class Top 5% of companies
  • Excellent Service Top 10% of companies
  • Superior Service Top 15% of companies

Topdeck

  • Address 109 Power Road, Chiswick, London, England
  • Response Rate 81%

Trafalgar

  • Address Picquet House, St Peter Port, Guernsey, London, England
  • Response Time 2 hours

Mckenzie Mountaineering

Mckenzie Mountaineering

  • Address Hillcrest Braes , Ullapool, Scotland
  • Response Rate 100%

Expat Explore

Expat Explore

  • Address 10 Merryweather Place, London, England

Explore

  • Address Nelson House, 55-59 Victoria Rd, Farnborough, England
  • Response Rate 96%

Collette Tours

Collette Tours

  • Address 162 Middle Street, Pawtucket, Rhode Island, USA
  • Response Rate 86%

Costsaver

  • Address 33 Kern Road, Toronto, Canada
  • Response Rate 88%

Luxury Gold

Luxury Gold

  • Response Rate 60%

Contiki

  • Address 38-51 Bedford Way, London, England

The London Bicycle Tour Company

The London Bicycle Tour Company

  • Address 74 Kennington Road, London, England

Indus Travels

Indus Travels

  • Address 233, 11951 Hammersmith Way, Richmond, Canada
  • Response Rate 97%

Scenic Luxury Cruises and Tours

Scenic Luxury Cruises and Tours

  • Address 15/56 Pitt St, Sydney, Australia
  • Response Rate 74%

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UK and Great Britain Tour Companies

Looking for an unforgettable UK and Great Britain tour? Book a fully-organized trip with the best tour companies in UK and Great Britain and let the tour operator take care of everything for you. Check out the tour details and read 194725 reviews from our customers to help you choose the perfect tour for you.

List of UK And Great Britain travel companies & tour operators with 194725 reviews

Globus

  • Excellent - 74,885 reviews for UK and Great Britain tours
Great trip, good hotels and guiding and lovely food!
Loved that I was able to see so much.

Europamundo

Europamundo

  • Good - 3,001 reviews for UK and Great Britain tours
Comfortable buses, mostly nice hotels with good Breakfast. Staff and other passengers are great and helpfyl because of my mobility issues. Felt rushed through but covered a lot with good descriptions.
Was really fun. We had the best weather.

Costsaver

  • Excellent - 872 reviews for UK and Great Britain tours
The driver, Billy, and tour director, Speedy, made the trip very interesting and informative. They were both very helpful. We were disappointed that some of the hotel didn’t really cater for the older tourist with rooms a fair distance from reception, climbing stairs and dragging our luggage.
Our driver Eduardo is excellent, safe driving and helpful. He got us safely on where we are suppose to go. on the other hand, the travel director Debra Lane is somewhat inconsiderate, making this trip "stresscation" (stress in vacation) instead of vacation, I'm sure if the other participant get's the same survey they will put the same feedback because we are all have the same complain. There are instances that she could gotten us (we that did not get the optional experience in between) to the bus already but instead decided to leave us. We are not sure why but they are already at the end of that optional experience just a matter of getting to the bus up to pick up zone then hotel and we are already in there in the vicinity where they are loading the people who took the opt experience and yet we were left behind and was ask to go to the pick up zone, not making any sense. Also at France at the end of the trip we are on the bus 2 mins away from attraction when my wife realizes that she drop her phone, the nice person is already in the phone with us letting us know that he got it. We ask the director to wait for us to get it ( this is 2 mins. away and the bus is in the good spot to park but she declined and asked us to take the cab. There is also a couple of Australian that shares the same dilemma. You might want to get a deeper survey at this trip since we know we are not alone. Again the participants already know each other at this point so we know what we don't like about this trip. Also some of the hotels are filthy, some issues with keys, lights, ac and food arrangements. We all know this is cost saver but then again we paid almost 10K (including optional experience) to get to this vacation and we expect a little more respect and consideration in regards to this vacation. If you needed more survey you can refer to "London to Rome" trip covering April 12-21, 2024 under booking # A107414.

Expat Explore Travel

Expat Explore Travel

  • Excellent - 4,260 reviews for UK and Great Britain tours
Communication is way below standard. Not enough time at most of the stops, way to much time on bus, accommodations were ok, food excellent I disliked that additional tour had to be paid in cash in that country’s currency. Not being properly informed before of that additional cost. I would have preferred to have pick extra tours and had them charged to my account before I ever began the trip. Bus driver was excellent. Your guide was ok. But the most important issue was the lack of communication from Expat Explorer Will not travel with them again
The tour was exceptional

Trafalgar

  • Excellent - 1,893 reviews for UK and Great Britain tours
Fine tour with a lot of nice people from almost all over the world. To us it was a disappointment that the optional tour in Edinburgh with Johnnie Walker experts, advertised in the program, wasn’t available.
Well organized and well executed tour.

Insight Vacations

Insight Vacations

  • Excellent - 632 reviews for UK and Great Britain tours
My first Insight Tour and it was amazing. Scenic tour of the beautiful countryside, towns, and historic sites of England, Scotland, Wales, and Republic of Ireland. Our Travel Director, Greg, was very professional, knowledgeable of the history, culture, food, music, and local 'celebrities'. Greg and our driver (Arthur - the best) worked together as a team, making our trip enjoyable, memorable, and fun. Always courteous, respectful, and conscientious of our time, safety, and well-being. Good job!
What a wonderful way to experience my first tour. This 13 day highlight of the best that Britain an Ireland have to offer was full of amazing opportunities to taste the culture and meet locals that lovel and adore their country and the history that holds. Greg our tour guide was exceptionally in his organisation, knowledge and commitment to ensuring that we enjoyed our trip. His attention to details and the extras to make the group feel welcomed and special. My personal experience on my special day was made even more heart warming by Greg's kindness and effort in make sure that I felt loved and acknowledge with an celebration at the evening meal. Arthur our driver was amazing and his experience in driving showed in the professionalism he demonstrated in through the entire 13 days. Overall i would throughly recommend this trip to anyone especially if they are blessed with Greg and Arthur.

Cosmos

  • Excellent - 19,645 reviews for UK and Great Britain tours
Good adventure through Ireland, saw all the spots you hear about. Wish there was more time at some locations, but overall very good
Not really my type of holiday travel! The stops are short and mainly at freeway truck and rest stops. The hotels were way too far from any real sites and some were small and cramped. I expected this tour to be hectic, given the countries visited and the days involved, . but IMO it could have been organized a lot better. The Tour Director and Driver were excellent but working with hands tied behind her back.The driven tours by coach just went too fast apart from road blocks or traffic jams. I appreciate that the TD kept mentioning that there are other tours by Cosmos, Globes that are lconcentrated on longer stays, however if they are at the hotels that we stayed at, then seeing the good sights are going to be a massive struggle. IMHO, even if the costs are higher for better hotels and safer areas, most would rather pay than skimp. Most of the stops overnight did not even have any decent restaurants where one could experience a decent meal of the region. Yes there were a couple of organized option dinners that involved costs, but these had to be reached via the coach. The three included meals are at the hotels which really did not have kitchens other than ones that could prepare breakfasts and the meals were simple and buffet style with one fixed item being served. As I started it may be OK for some, but definitely not my cup for tea!

MacBackpackers

MacBackpackers

  • Excellent - 2,536 reviews for UK and Great Britain tours
I was recommended this tour by a friend and am so glad I went. Neil was an amazing tour guide, who had so many stories and knew so much about Scotland. Because we were a smaller group we got options about what we wanted to do each day. The hikes were amazing and I feel like we got to see much more of the island than we would have on the three day tour. If you are considering this tour I would highly recommend.
Had an amazing time and saw some of the most beautiful sights. The hostels we stayed in were decent, most of the time feeling, or actually, having the whole building to ourselves. Our tour guide, Tim, was hilarious, informative and entertaining. He knew the area super well and presented alternatives to the itinerary that made the most of the weather, as well as how busy a location was, which was really special. If you want to see the highlands in a short amount of time, of revolution this tour to anyone.

Overland Ireland - Small Group Tours

Overland Ireland - Small Gr…

  • Excellent - 469 reviews for UK and Great Britain tours
fiendly , excellent and knowledgeable guide who drove us to see beautiful scenery.
Really good guide, accommodations, and planning. We saw and learned a lot, but did not feel rushed. Everything a holiday should be

Haggis Adventures

Haggis Adventures

  • Excellent - 1,964 reviews for UK and Great Britain tours
Tom is a great guide. Would recommend the tour.
Great tour really knowledgeable guides Steve and Brodie were fantastic Great content for the tour and would highly recommend Haggis tours

Intertrips

  • Excellent - 28 reviews for UK and Great Britain tours
Jose the tourist guide was excellent, the hotels except for the last one were very good, the landscape and scenery was amazing, very recommended

Irish Experience Tours

Irish Experience Tours

  • Excellent - 260 reviews for UK and Great Britain tours
If you're looking for an authentic and unforgettable adventure through the enchanting landscapes of Ireland, look no further than Irish Experience Tours. Our journey on their 10-day Wild Irish Tour was nothing short of spectacular. From the moment we embarked on our adventure, it was evident that we were in the hands of true Irish aficionados. Led by the exceptional tour guide, Lee, every aspect of our experience was meticulously curated to perfection. Lee's warmth, hospitality, and genuine passion for sharing the beauty of his homeland made our journey an absolute delight. A special mention must be made of Lee's thoughtful gesture in charting out our route on the map we purchased. This simple yet meaningful gesture serves as a cherished memento of a holiday well-travelled, preserving the memories of our incredible journey for years to come. We wholeheartedly recommend Irish Experience Tours to anyone seeking an authentic, immersive, and unforgettable exploration of Ireland. Thank you, Lee, and the entire team, for creating memories that will be cherished for a lifetime. I cannot wait to embark on another adventure with Irish Experience Tours in the future! Cheers Nicki & Rob
The itenary was paced very well. It gave us the opportunity to see many sites without feeling overwhelming or rushed. The guide was extremely knowledgeable and friendly. I appreciated that Anthony listened to the groups' interests, expectations, and limitations. He created a very comfortable group setting.

Intrepid Travel

Intrepid Travel

  • Excellent - 11,704 reviews for UK and Great Britain tours
Intrepid needs to tighten up this tour. Two free afternoons is too much when one has only three days on the island. Either make the tour two full days or two full days with one full day free to make plans to go to Hoy or Rousay. Give people guidance on what to do on the free day.
I recently traveled with a friend to Scotland. We included a week long tour with Intrepid, booked through Tour Radar. We paid a very healthy sum for the tour, $3,460 each. The description said the trip was appropriate for ages 15-99. It also described two nights in Portree on Isle of Skye with a private van tour on the full day on Isle of Sky. My friend and I chose this tour because of the time spent in Portree and on Isle of Skye, the small group size, and that if it was okay for ages 15-99 then I’d be fine six months post a major knee surgery. What wasn’t included in the description and what happened: -No where did it say that we’d be expected to walk/transport our luggage on foot from Points of transportation to our lodging ranging from 10-20 minutes. My 94 year old father-in-law lives with us and is able bodied, but there’s no way he could have done these distances While also carrying/pulling luggage. My 87 year old mother could not accomplish this either. I could do it with my recovering knee, but I was slower and it also used up some of the energy I needed for enjoying walking portions of the tour. I didn’t anticipate having to schlep my suitcase for 15 minutes at a time over uneven sidewalks, etc. I would have packed differently had I known or we would have looked for a different tour. -My friend and I still wonder why Fort Williams was included on the itinerary as a place to stay?
The only thing Intrepid provided was a walk to a castle that wasn’t open for visitors. The rest was on our own and there really wasn’t much happening other than a nice, little museum. We would have preferred more time on Isle of Skye. -We were notified prior to departure that our time on Isle of Skye would be at Kyleakin - not in Portree- and we’d have to arrange our own tour. Phone numbers were provided but no one on the tour had any luck booking anything prior to arriving, calls not returned, no availability, etc. So, 3-4 of our tour group spent 2 FULL hours or more on their phones while we were in Fort Williams trying to come up with some options for us. They pieced together a public bus ride to/from Kyleakin to Portree and a private taxi tour at our own expense! (After paying for it in the cost of our tour.) This should have been done by Intrepid!! Not once were we offered reimbursement. We didn’t have any time in Portree. We’d hoped to have lunch before our taxi tour, but all the restaurants were full. I found a to-go cup of tea and scone at a bike shop, then time in cue to use a bathroom. I’d looked forward to staying in Portree and had many places I had planned to walk to when not on the private van tour we were sold but didn’t get. Also, While staying in Kyleakin, the guest house did not provide a cooked breakfast, just light snacks in our rooms. Breakfast was provided, but we had to walk to/from the restaurant that was a mile each way. This used up time we could have been site seeing. Also, it would use up my knee energy for the days site-seeing. My friend went to breakfast but I skipped the walk to reserve my energy for site-seeing. Oh, and the whiskey tasting…we passed distilleries but we Were given a private lesson on tasting with our tour guide. While he did a fine job, the setting was not the same as a distillery setting. The room was bare, we used wine glasses, we were Supposed to take notes but no hard surfaces to write on, etc. Just wasn’t what any of us were expecting. I found Intrepid’s disregard for the changes and the misleading descriptions as to be very unprofessional. I use tours so that I don’t have to do all of the arranging. Why pay you if I’m going to have to do it myself? Next time I book a tour, I’ll be sure to avoid Intrepid. Many friends have asked about my trip. Unfortunately, the biggest disappointment was the tour. I’ve shared that multiple times now. I’m not the only member of the group that walked away Disappointed. We didn’t want to “blame” the tour guide, I don’t think he was responsible, he was just trying to keep us happy as he could sense how displeased we were. His answers too our questions were not satisfying at all. He seemed to be trying to cover for the company best he could.

Wild N' Happy

Wild N' Happy

  • Excellent - 180 reviews for UK and Great Britain tours
This tour was so good! We experienced more of Ireland than the itinerary indicated (because of stops we made along our journey, which I loved!), but never felt rushed. Our guide Diarmuid is such a professional - he provided us with interesting information about the places we stopped and Ireland in general, kept us on schedule with a relaxed demeanor, and is genuinely a very nice person. I've never traveled with a tour group before and this one couldn't have been any better. The Emerald Isle is so beautiful and everyone is so friendly that, even when there was a bit of rain, it was still fun. Many thanks to Mick and Diarmuid (the best!!) for making this a most memorable trip. PS the accommodations were fantastic - especially the breakfasts!
Incredible trip. Very well planned. Helpful and accommodations where spectacular. Don't worry about luggage!

Highland Experience Tours

Highland Experience Tours

  • Excellent - 210 reviews for UK and Great Britain tours
Loved it. Jamie our guide was great
Jamie was sensational

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VisitEngland announces Awards for Excellence finalists for 2024

VisitEngland has today, 8 April, announced the finalists who will go forward to compete for the tourism industry’s annual national Awards for Excellence.

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Pete Chambers from Coventry Music Museum is VisitEngland’s 2024 Tourism Superstar

VisitEngland has today, 25 March, announced Pete Chambers from the Coventry Music Museum is the winner of its Tourism Superstar 2024 competition.

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11 million Brits plan a UK holiday trip for the Easter weekend, bringing a £3.2 billion economic boost

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Week-long celebration of England’s tourism industry fast approaching

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Rum Warehouse at The Titanic Hotel Liverpool to host VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2024 on 5 June

VisitEngland has today, Tuesday 5 March, announced that this year’s VisitEngland Awards for Excellence will be held at Rum Warehouse at The Titanic Hotel Liverpool on 5 June.

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Public voting now open to find VisitEngland’s Tourism Superstar 2024

VisitEngland’s Tourism Superstar 2024 competition has launched today, Monday 19 February, with the public urged to get involved and cast their vote.

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VisitBritain explores ‘impact beyond the plenary’ at its first Association Conference in Edinburgh

VisitBritain, in partnership with MeetEngland, Meet in Wales, VisitScotland Business Events, and ABPCO (Association of British Professional Congress Organisers) explored the importance of ‘impact beyond the plenary’ at its first Association Conference at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC).

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VisitBritain CEO Patricia Yates speaking at Showcase Britain 2024.

VisitEngland announces Tourism Superstar 2024 finalists

VisitEngland has today 18 January revealed the 10 superstars to make the shortlist of its annual search to find the unsung hero of England’s tourism industry.

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VisitBritain set to host more than 120 international travel trade on educational visits across Britain

National tourism agency VisitBritain is gearing up to welcome more than 120 international travel buyers for a series of educational visits across Britain, as part of its flagship ‘Showcase Britain 2024’ trade event.

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VisitBritain publishes inbound tourism forecast for 2024

VisitBritain 2024 inbound tourism forecast - 1

Leisure Trade Events 2024/25

These events offer a valuable opportunity to connect with targeted international buyers relevant to the UK industry. The event formats are tailored to each specific market, offering you the opportunity to meet and discuss business opportunities in this market for your business or region.

North American travel trade meeting during DBNA 2023 in San Francisco

Save the date for English Tourism Week 2024

English Tourism Week will return on 15-24 March 2024 to celebrate the sector and highlight its significant contribution to the UK economy.

English Tourism Week 2024 logo

VisitBritain and British Film Commission sign Memorandum of Understanding to boost screen tourism across the UK

At FOCUS London today (6 December 2023), the British Film Commission and VisitBritain signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the intention of boosting screen tourism throughout the UK’s nations and regions.

VisitBritain CEO Patricia Yates and Adrian Wootton OBE, Chief Executive of the British Film Commission sign a Memorandum of Understanding at FOCUS London

VisitBritain to host Business Events Association Conference 2024 in Edinburgh

VisitBritain has today announced its first ever Association Conference will take place at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre on 5 to 7 February 2024.

10'000 Hours / Digital Vision / Getty Images

Global business meeting in conference venue, luggage in the background

VisitEngland launches new accessibility toolkit for tourism businesses

VisitEngland has today 30 November launched its new Accessible and Inclusive Toolkit for Tourism Businesses in England.

VisitBritain/Peter Kindersley

Guard stands on a ramps and leans out of heritage train carriage greeting woman and man using a wheelchair

Britain wins Silver for Best International Destination for business events

Britain wins Silver for Best International Destination for Meetings and Conventions at the 2023 Prevue Meetings Visionary Awards, plus a round-up of recent awards for VisitBritain

Getty Images/Flashpop

Woman making heart shape with hands at music event.

Best of destination Britain on show as VisitBritain hosts trade mission to India

British travel trade and industry suppliers are set to show why Britain is the must-go-now destination to buyers from across India as VisitBritain hosts it first trade mission to the country in more than three years.

VisitBritain/Jon Attenborough

Man and a woman enjoying food at window table

Four new destinations gain Local Visitor Economy Partnerships

Four new destinations announced as Local Visitor Economy Partnerships (LVEPs)

VisitBritain/Sam Barker

Man standing outside Ye Old Shambles Tavern

VisitBritain gearing up to host its first trade mission to China since 2019, led by Chairman Nick de Bois CBE

Destination Britain China and North East Asia, taking place from 22 to 24 November in Shanghai, is bringing together 44 industry suppliers from across Britain with 69 top buyers from China, Hong Kong, Japan and South Korea to do business.

Groups of people sitting at tables discussing business at Destination Britain China

VisitBritain kicks off next phase of campaign in France, Germany and GCC countries to boost tourism to Britain

National tourism agency VisitBritain is kicking off the next stage of its marketing campaigns in France, Germany and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries to boost tourism access Britain's nations and regions with a focus on off-peak and shoulder season travel.

VisitBritain/Kieran Duncan

Glencoe; Highland; Scotland

People standing on high point looking down at mountain view

Sustainability in Yorkshire

Our England Director Andrew Stokes visited Yorkshire to learn about sustainability initiatives in the region.

Andrew Stokes OBE

We are delighted to welcome William Burton and Beth Knight to the BTA Board

William Burton and Beth Knight have been appointed by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to the BTA Board, announced on 17 October 2023.

VisitBritain/VisitEngland

VisitBritain VisitEngland logo

Our CEO Patricia Yates highlights our work to support industry and to rebuild visitor value during UKinbound conference in Belfast

Our CEO Patricia Yates highlights VisitBritain's work at UKinbound conference

VB CEO updating delegates at UKinbound annual conference on our work to support industry

UK and Ireland to host UEFA Euro 2028 - Patricia's statement

CEO Patricia Yates' statement on the UEFA Euros Football Championship 2028 announcement.

UEFA Euro 2028 UK and Ireland bid artwork

Winners of VisitEngland’s Visitor Attraction Accolades announced

Winners of VisitEngland’s Visitor Attraction Accolades 2022-23 announced

VisitEngland Accolades banners

World Tourism Day 2023 – Statement from our CEO Patricia Yates

Rachel Adams / The Times / News Licensing

VisitBritain/VisitEngland CEO Patricia Yates photographed outside the Visit England offices

VisitBritain expands its 'Future of Events' educational series with launch of its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Pathway, in partnership with New Intent

VisitBritain has partnered with pro-social organisation New Intent to create and launch its diversity, equity and inclusion DEI Pathway, supporting the understanding and deeper implementation of DEI across workplaces and in event design.

Woman making heart shape with hands at music event.

Destination Britain North America is a wrap!

It’s a wrap for our international trade mission Destination Britain North America (DBNA), a great few days of business!

North American travel trade attending DBNA 2023

VisitBritain puts importance of business events sector in spotlight, hosting its first ‘Ambassador Reception’

VisitBritain has been putting the importance of the business events sector in the spotlight, hosting its first ‘Ambassador Reception’ to recognise city sector and academic ambassadors who continue to secure new international business events in Britain.

nick_de_bois_headshot2023_square

Latest official domestic tourism statistics published for Jan-March 2023 - Great Britain Tourism Survey

The Great Britain Tourism Survey (GBTS) results for Q1 2023 are now available.

VisitBritain/JJF arquitectos

Two feet inside a boat; punting on a river

Empowerment through Experience: My Journey as a Boardroom Apprentice with VisitBritain - Rodrigo Voss

Our VisitBritain Boardroom Apprentice 2023, Rodrigo Voss, shares his experience with the programme so far.

Rodrigo Voss

Applications open for UK Boardroom Apprentice 2024

We are delighted to return as a Host Board for UK Boardroom Apprentice 2024.

Boardroom Apprentice programme logo

VisitEngland announces winners of 2023 ROSE Award

VisitEngland has today Tuesday 5 September announced the 100 winners of this year’s ROSE Award.

VisitBritain/TAG

Visit_England_Scheme_Visit England Awards

We are delighted to welcome Lady Victoria Borwick as the new Chair of the VisitEngland Advisory Board (VEAB)

Lady Borwick has been appointed by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) as permanent Chair of the VEAB.

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Best of Britain on show to buyers across North America as VisitBritain Chairman Nick de Bois CBE leads flagship trade event to San Francisco

About 70 industry suppliers are set to show why Britain is the must-go-now destination to more than 50 top buyers from North America at VisitBritain’s Destination Britain North America trade event, led by VisitBritain Chairman Nick de Bois CBE.

A record 9.7 million Brits planning a holiday at home this August Bank Holiday, bringing a £2.7 billion economic boost

VisitEngland’s August Bank Holiday Trip Tracker survey shows that 9.7 million Brits are definitely planning an overnight holiday trip in the UK this Bank Holiday weekend, bringing an estimated £2.7 billion boost to the economy.

VisitBritain/Jess Barfield

Mother and sons standing in garden in front of a tall hedge

VisitBritain wins India Travel Award 2023

VisitBritain wins India Travel Award 2023.

India Travel Award 2023 collage

Seven new LVEPs announced

VisitEngland has today announced seven new destinations that have gained Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP) status.

Getty Images/ S0ulsurfing/ Jason Swain

Stand up paddle boarders on beach getting ready to go out into the sea at Compton Bay on the Isle of Wight

Showcasing tourism in parliament

In July 2023, we highlighted our international marketing campaigns to MPs and peers at an event sponsored by Tourism Minister, Sir John Whittingdale.

Collage showcasing tourism parliament

VisitBritain/VisitEngland announces it is opening a new hub office in Birmingham, from April 2024

“Basing our hub office in Birmingham also brings us closer to our regional stakeholders across England”, said VisitBritain/VisitEngland CEO Patricia Yates.

West Midlands Growth Company

Bridges across a canal. One bridge line with flower beds

VisitBritain upgrades 2023 inbound tourism forecast on back of stronger recovery, driven by USA

We’ve upgraded our 2023 inbound tourism forecast, read more about it here.

VisitBritain/Adam Jason

Young woman standing on terrace in front of castle

VisitEngland survey shows visits overall to attractions in 2022 still down more than a third on 2019

VisitBritain/Getty Images/Roy James Shakespeare

Young couple taking a selfie in the evening at Piccadilly Circus, London

VisitBritain kicks off football tourism campaign for FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023

VisitBritain harnesses the opportunity to promote Britain as the home of football, during the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand 2023.

An advertisement banner for football in the UK, linked to the FIFA Women's World Cup

VisitBritain/VisitEngland attend The Meetings Show

The VisitBritain Business Events team attended The Meetings Show in June 2023, joining domestic and international event buyers at the UK’s largest business-to-business trade gathering.

MeetEngland attend meeting show

VisitBritain partners with The National Lottery in campaign to boost domestic tourism

VisitBritain and The National Lottery have teamed up to launch a new promotion to encourage Brits to visit an attraction this summer, offering £25 toward trips to hundreds of top attractions across the UK.

VisitBritain/Thames Rockets

Close up of man young woman and man riding on speed boat on the Thames

VisitEngland Director Andrew Stokes receives OBE for services to tourism

VisitEngland extends its congratulations to VisitEngland Director Andrew Stokes, following today’s announcement that he has been honoured with an OBE for services to tourism in The King’s Birthday Honours List.

VisitEngland reveals Awards for Excellence 2023 winners

VisitEngland has announced the winners of its annual Awards for Excellence 2023, celebrating the tourism industry’s brightest stars.

Group shot of Gold Award winners at VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2023.

Explore ways to work with us

Arabian travel market 2024.

We are glad to meet you at Arabian Travel Market, a leading global event for the inbound and outbound travel industry in the Middle East. This even brings together a global community of travel professionals from leisure, MICE, luxury and corporate travel and provides insights on the latest industry trends and innovations.

United_Arab_Emirates

Brazil Roadshow 2024

Brazil Roadshow 2024 offers an invaluable opportunity for trade-ready businesses to meet face-to-face hand-picked buyers and agents from this market. With the guidance of our in-market experts you will get a facilitated environment to create and enhance business relationships and learn all about the market demand.

Brazil

Australia Roadshow 2024

Australia Roadshow 2024 offers UK international trade-ready businesses the unique opportunity to meet hand-picked buyers from this market, provide agents training and join numerous networking sessions. This event enables delegates to strengthen their existing relationships, learn about the market directly from our in-market team and trade, and gain valuable direct contacts to unlock new opportunities.

Australia

European Sales Mission 2024

Promote your destination during a 3-day sales mission to Dusseldorf, Frankfurt and Munich, including 3 networking events with German based business event agencies and corporates responsible for booking international events in Europe.

Germany

In July 2024, the MeetEngland team will host a trade mission to Germany to engage with meeting, incentive, conference, and event organisers from the corporate market.

A collage of nominees for Tourism Superstar 2024

International Markets Updates Webinars

Get the latest inbound data and insights from our research teams. Learn about trends and product demand from our in-market specialists.

Shutterstock / Foxy burrow

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IBTM World 2024

Promote your destination and partners at IBTM World, a leading trade show for the meetings, incentive, conferences and events sector.

Spain

Our proposed 2024/25 trade events programme

We are currently gathering expressions of interest for our proposed leisure trade events programme.

North American travel trade attending DBNA 2023

USA Co-operative Partnership Marketing Campaign 2024

An opportunity to be part of our 2024 multi-million pound international campaign.

USA

VisitEngland Webinar - Cut energy, save money and

Prepare for winter, save on energy, and embrace a low carbon future with VisitEngland's webinar for the tourism and hospitality sector. Learn from energy experts about cost-effective solutions to lower your bills and reduce emissions.

Getty Images/Image Source

Close up of a blond woman wearing a stripy top and red head scarf, having a coffee and looking down at a lap top screen, smiling.

Register for commercial partnership opportunities with us

Partner with us to reach international consumers and trade.

VisitBritain/John Finney

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Information for destination partners

Getty Images/Solstock

A senior group of friends wearing lifejackets enjoying rowing in a single boat on the River Derwent

Step up your sustainability

Save money, reduce your environmental impact, support your local community and win more customers with our sustainability guide and inspirational case studies.

VisitBritain/The Green House Hotel, Bournemouth, Grounded Enterprises

Close up of vegetable plants being planted out at the Green House Hotel, Bournemouth

Make your business inclusive

Make your business accessible to all and widen your market and tap into a £15 billion plus market.

Two women taking a selfie, Helmsley Castle in the background

VisitEngland Awards for Excellence

The VisitEngland Awards for Excellence recognise the best of England's tourism industry.

VisitBritain/DanielaLuquini

Trophies for the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2023. Warner Bros. Studio Tour - The Making of Harry Potter, Hertfordshire.

Get quality assessed

Elevate your business, attract new customers and enjoy exclusive benefits with our star ratings, accreditations or awards.

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Resources for the travel trade

Use our tools and resources to find destination knowledge, new products, images and more.

National Geographic

People clapping during the Traveller Food Festival show

Looking to actively reach the Australian travel trade? The Australia Roadshow is the perfect opportunity to gain exposure in this market.

Destination Britain India 2023

Looking to actively reach the Indian travel trade? Destination Britain India is the perfect opportunity to gain exposure in this market.

India

Showcase Britain 2024

Showcase Britain 2024 is VisitBritain’s international B2B hosted buyer programme. The programme brings a fantastic chance for UK suppliers to connect with a target of 120 hosted international leisure travel buyers.

VisitBritain/Rama Knight

A group of people walking the Prime Meridian line at Greenwich Observatory, London

Destination Britain China 2023

Looking to actively reach the Chinese and Hong Kong travel trade? Destination Britain China is the perfect opportunity to gain exposure in this market.

Groups of people sitting at tables discussing business at Destination Britain China

World Travel Market 2023

Looking to engage with VisitBritain to discover latest activities and opportunities? Come and meet with us and UKinbound exhibitors.

London, Excel

Groups of people meeting at World Travel Market

In November 2024, the MeetEngland team will be on stand at this leading events trade show in Barcelona, taking part in scheduled appointments and networking opportunities with global event planners and associations.

IMEX America 2024

The MeetEngland team will be joined by English stand partners on the official MeetEngland stand, taking part in scheduled appointments and networking opportunities with global event planners and associations at this leading business events trade show in Las Vegas.

Meet us at ATM 2024 - Arabian Travel Market

Attracting over 30,000 visitors in 2023, Arabian Travel Market is the perfect place to showcase your products and services to buyers from the Middle East, India and Africa, generate new business and build new relationships.

IMEX Frankfurt 2024

In May 2024, the MeetEngland team will be attending leading business events trade show, IMEX Frankfurt on the official MeetEngland stand, taking part in scheduled appointments and networking opportunities with global event planners and associations. 

International markets updates - webinar programme

Visitengland webinar - cut energy, save money and reduce carbon emissions.

Save money on energy this winter and ready your business for a low carbon future

VisitBritain/Getty Images

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VisitBritain Shop

Expand the distribution and sales of your tourism product, or earn commission via the affiliate scheme and travel trade discounts on over 500 British experiences available to book online.

Red Bike Tours

Old london Tour

VisitEngland Academy - business support webinars

Discover industry insights, useful advice in our live webinars, recordings and FAQs.

Getty Images/10'000 Hours

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Be part of our international campaigns and activity

Grow the profile of your business – for free – by sharing your consumer and trade news.

Louise Morris/ All Points East

A stream of confetti covering the main stage at All Points East in London

TXGB is a digital platform that brings together tourism businesses to drive sales and boost productivity by connecting the market in a new and unique way.

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Resources for business events partners

Find advice, training and support for Britain business event stakeholders and partners.

Shutterstock / Nattapoom V

Image Edinburgh

Balmoral's clock tower with Edinburgh cityscape skyline and Scott Monument background during sunset

English Tourism Week

Join our high-profile campaign to celebrate England’s vibrant visitor economy.

VisitBritain/Eureka!

Young girl with Downs Syndrome feeling textures on a board

VisitEngland’s Tourism Superstar award

VisitEngland’s annual Tourism Superstar award celebrates the dedication and passion of our industry’s employees and volunteers.

VisitEngland/Matthew Miles Video

Pete Chambers of Coventry Music Museum, Winner of Tourism Superstar 2024!

Resources for event planners

Find out what Britain can offer your international business event across each nation.

Blenheim Palace

Title TBA

Taking England to the World – trade education programme

Designed for tourism businesses in England, our free training equips you with the skills and knowledge to reach new international customers.

VisitBritain/Mark Gilligan

Person standing near lake watching a rainbow in cloudy sky.

Looking to actively reach the Brazilian travel trade? The Brazil Roadshow 2024 is the perfect opportunity to gain exposure in this market.

Business Events Association Conference 2024

Bringing together association meeting planners, professional conference organisers and decision-makers from nations and city convention bureaus.

EICC, Edinburgh

EICC, Edinburgh, Exterior

Nordics Workshop 2024

Looking to engage with Nordic trade? This workshop will be a high-impact opportunity to showcase your product, get exposure and develop your business relationships with buyers from Norway, Sweden and Denmark.

Global business meeting in conference venue, luggage in the background

Spain Roadshow 2023 - in cooperation with Tourism Ireland

Spain Roadshow 2023 – in cooperation with Tourism Ireland.

Attendees posing for a photo at a Spain Roadshow event in 2022

Business Events Growth Programme

Grants to support bid for new events, grow existing events, secure Government advocacy in key priority sectors.

Bookingline Ltd

Title TBA

Promote your destination and partners at IMEX America, one of the leading trade shows or the meetings, incentive programs, conferences and the events sector.

Promote your destination and partners at IMEX Frankfurt, one of the leading trade shows or the meetings, incentive programs, conferences and the events sector.

News and media

Read the latest press releases, updates and announcements – covering both destination and corporate news.

Tim Grist Photography / Moment Open / Getty Images

Close up image from the rear of a TV camera with an external directional microphone and XLR lead mounted on the camera. The camera operators hand on the focus hand grip with out of focus people in the background.

England Business Advice Hub

Essential information, advice and resources for tourism businesses in England – plus useful contacts, training and guidance on your legal obligations.

Female receptionist smiling at the camera working on laptop at Hotel check in

Taking England to the World - inbound tourism toolkit

Free resources to help your business reach new international customers.

VisitBritain/Getty Images/SolStock

A multi-racial family of four, a mother, father and their two little boys walking along the platform at Newcastle railway station

Destination Britain North America 2023

Looking to actively reach the North American travel trade? Destination Britain North America 2023 is the perfect opportunity to gain exposure in the USA and Canada.

VisitBritainDC2022F_0923

Research and insights

Getty Images

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Find the latest consumer and industry data and insights on domestic and inbound tourism in the UK, Britain and England. Learn about key previous trends, and explore those that are set to influence the industry in years to come.

The latest news, straight to your inbox

Register for newsletters compiled by our specialist teams – for UK businesses, the international travel trade and media professionals. Packed with news, resources, events and market intelligence.

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Stonehenge at Dusk or Dawn

"We arrived at at dawn and were allowed to go into the circle. It was a very moving and unforgettable experience".

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See London by car with your own expert driver-guide. "We saw more of London in a day than most people see in a week!".

Stately Homes, Castles & Gardens

Visit some of Britain's most beautiful Stately Homes, Castles & Gardens on a day tour or overnight tour from London

Downton Abbey

See the real sights from the award winning historical TV drama

Private views of the Crown Jewels, The British Museum, Kensington Palace etc ...

Ghost Tours

Spectral Sightings and London's Haunted History

The City of London Walk

The original site of London 2000 years ago, the City is one of the most interesting and unique areas of London.

Ancestry Research

Let our experts research your Family Tree in Britain

The Thames Path Walks

The Thames is a Medieval river, a Victorian river, a Royal river, an Industrial and Commercial river and a river for leisure, pleasure and residential living. Discover the river with your expert guide.

A Walk through the City of London

Victorian market places, medieval churches and Roman remains.

The British Museum

Over 8 million treasures from around the world. See some of the highlights on a private two hour tour or on a flexible full day London tour.

Spitfire Flights

From The Blog: Take to the skies in the legendary Spitfire from a Battle of Britain airfield

Overnight Castles

Visit Hever Castle, Windsor Castle and Hampton Court Palace and spend the night at luxurious Amberley Castle.

Normandy D-Day Tours

Omaha Beach, St Mere Eglise, Arromanches and many more. By car, train or private plane from London or Paris.

WELCOME TO BRITISH TOURS LTD.

Britain's longest- established private tour operator since 1958.

If you are looking for private London tours, and flexible tours of England, Scotland & Wales with excellent tour guides - you have come to the right place.

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Private london tour.

Flexible tours of London by private car, minibus or public transport with expert guides. British Tours since 1958.

Stonehenge Inner Circle Tour

Inner circle Stonehenge Tour at Dawn or Dusk. Your guide will collect you by private car from your London hotel.

Westminster Abbey

Visit the royal church with over 1000 years of history, setting of coronations and resting place of the Kings and Queens of England with your expert tour guide.

Tower of London

Unlock the fascinating history of the Tower of London, a place of drama and intrigue for nearly 1000 years, with your expert tour guide!

London Tours & Surroundings

London tours.

London for first timers and seasoned visitors. Special interests include Residential London, Legal London, Architecture, Kids London, Maritime Greenwich, VIP London and more

Museums & Galleries

We have expert guides for all London's Museums & Galleries including The British Museum, The National Gallery, Sir John Soane's Museum, The National Portrait Gallery and the V & A. For any others just ask!

Private London Walks

Notting Hill, The City of London, Borough and the South Bank, Political London, Rock and Roll London ... we have an expert guide for all special interests and for all languages

Visit Stonehenge with the Avebury Stone Circle, King Arthur sites, Bath, Windsor, Oxford, Salisbury or Winchester. Or visit Stonehenge on an Inner Circle Tour at Sunrise or Sunset

England Tours & Britain

Tour some of England's most historic Castles - Leeds, Hever & Windsor Castle. Also visit Hampton Court Palace, Churchill's home at Chartwell and stay the night at Luxury Amberley Castle

Gems of the South

For centuries the wealthy and aristocratic have built their great manor houses and castles South of London in Kent & Sussex, beautiful regions of orchards, copses & hop fields, splendid gardens, delightful villages and towns

Overnight Stratford Tour

The highlight of this tour is Stratford-Upon-Avon, a small Tudor market town situated along the tree fringed river Avon immortalised by William Shakespeare

Wales Tours

Visit this enchanted country of remote mountains, sparkling lakes, windswept cliffs - beautiful Snowdonia, the majestic castles of Beaumaris, Harlech & Caernarfon, lovely Bodnant Gardens and more

Paris Tours & Surroundings

London to paris day tours.

Take the high speed Eurostar from London to the Heart of Paris where you will be met by your expert, private guide for your flexible tour of Paris

Private France Tours

Overnight normandy.

Visit Mont-St-Michel, Bayeux and the Normandy D-Day sights on this two day tour

Who is your Guide?

Our guides are personable educated men and women, chosen for their knowledge, special interests, backgrounds and personality. They will collect you by car from any central London location and guide you inside places of historic importance

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Katoomba Falls, Blue Mountains, Australia

Tailor-made holidays and safaris, crafted by experts

Caccia cape in Sardinia

Where to go in 2024

Here are ten destinations that are calling out to us, from the wild spaces and intimate camps of Botswana, to the art cities and Roman ruins of Italy.

Spring 2024 Audley Traveller Cover

Our spring edition of Audley Traveller is here

Within its pages, our specialists share their latest travel tips and ideas, including three ways to explore Japan and a coastal road trip through South Africa.

Book a video appointment

Arrange a video appointment

Our specialists can help bring your trip to life, sharing maps, images and first-hand experience.

Audley 'Which? Recommended Provider' and Harpers Bazaar Readers Recommended 2023 awards

Our accreditations

We’re honoured to have been awarded Harper’s Bazaar's Reader Accreditation as well as being recognised by Which? as a Recommended Provider.

Inspire your travels

Browse our latest inspiration pages to start planning your next adventure. We arrange trips to more than 80 destinations throughout the world and across each continent.

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Rediscover South Africa

Mountain gorilla, Volcanoes National Park

Celebrating Earth Day

Cradle Mountain, Australia

Escape to Tasmania

USA San Francisco

South Africa

Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, Thailand

Suggested tours

The tours featured throughout our website are intended to give you ideas for what's possible when you travel with us. Treat them simply as inspiration, because your trip will be created individually by one of our specialists to match your tastes and budget.

The Great Barrier Reef

Ultimate luxury tour of Australia

20 days from £29,275pp

Alpine Landing with Over The Top Helicopters

Luxury New Zealand self-drive tour

17 days from £27,120pp

Ocean Endeavour

Into Canada's Northwest Passage

20 days from £21,535pp

Romon Gate, Fushimi Inari, Kyoto

Deluxe grand tour of Japan

23 days from £20,850pp

Humpback whale breaching near Seward

Ultimate Alaska wildlife safari

13 days from £19,455pp

South Georgia

Antarctica, South Georgia & the Falklands

24 days from £16,170pp

Mombo Camp, Chief's Island

Luxury Botswana safari

12 days from £16,070pp

Adelie penguins

Antarctic Peninsula fly & cruise

14 days from £15,995pp

Views to the Kaikoura Ranges

Eco-friendly South Island itinerary

20 days from £15,955pp

Holiday ideas to match your interests

Whether you want to stay in simple or luxurious accommodation, have a particular passion for wildlife, art or experiencing the great outdoors, or you're planning a trip for a special occasion, we can create an itinerary to match your interests and tastes.

Lion, Kruger,  South Africa

Safari holidays

Father and son on a cycling trip in the Alps

Family holidays

Sunset upon return to Indochina Sails Junk, Halong Bay, Vietnam

Beach holidays

Pool Water Villa, Baros Maldives, Maldive Island

Honeymoon ideas

Beach pool villa, Milaidhoo Island Maldives, Maldive Island

Luxury holidays

Driving the Dampier Peninsula, near Cape Lévêque

Self-drive holidays

'Shinkansen' bullet train passing by Mount Fuji

Rail holidays

San bushman, Makgadikgadi Pans

Cultural holidays

Moai statues, Easter Island

Off-the-beaten-track holidays

Grizzly bear, British Columbia

Wildlife holidays

Hiking in Colorado

Outdoor activity holidays

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Audley prepared an itinerary for a two-week trip to Scotland and Ireland for my family. It was a...

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From big wows to hidden gems, our tours leave you feeling that you've really explored.

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Chosen for their great knowledge of your destination and a passion to make your trip extraordinary.

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Average groups of 11; solos, couples and friends, united by a desire for authentic experiences.

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How we operate sets us apart; our flexible booking policy, our loyalty scheme & sustainable approach.

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Our UK travel agents craft quintessential English experiences showcasing the history, culture, and famous destinations in this dynamic region. 

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Travel agent Michael in Scotland

Aeneas' Travel Agency

 Based on  8  reviews

Destinations:

Verified review.

Zicasso’s tour operator was nothing short of exceptional to work with. From the early stages of planning, communication was seamless. The lovely travel planner helped plan the most magical trip. Every accommodation was out of this world, the meals were amazing, and the itinerary was outstanding. We traveled with two babies and they helped plan a wonderful, magical trip. We enjoyed Scotland so much and are looking forward to traveling there again with the same travel company! They even planned a sweet surprise for my four-year-old’s birthday that was so special for her. We were just so pleased with everything.

Travel agent Adam in France

Adam's Travel Agency

 Based on  101  reviews

The trip was wonderful. Our Zicasso tour operator was great and really responsive during the trip. I loved the app, which made everything so much easier and clearer, and having everything in one place on our phones was so nice.

Travel agent Daniel in England

Mario's Travel Agency

 Based on  482  reviews

We loved finally seeing Italy (at least parts of it) and would love to see more. The time change and jet lag were a little rough on our two kids, but they adjusted and had a great trip. The history in Rome was so impressive and we learned a lot. The guided tours were excellent. Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast were beautiful and a nice change of pace from Rome. We also loved visiting Pompeii. Of course, there was great food, wine, and lots of gelato. Though the weather is fickle, spring seems to be a great time to visit as it isn't crowded like the summer and definitely not hot. Private or small group guided tours are the way to go to smoothly see sites and be educated. It was lovely taking the train to Naples as well. The only big change I think we would make is passing on the winery near Vesuvius. It was great to check out an Italian winery, but not this one. They kept us waiting a long time for a tour and lunch. The tour was lame and short, lunch was just ok, and the wine was mediocre. However, one bright spot was that the estate made red wine vinegar, which was delicious, and we were able to buy a few bottles. Working with Zicasso’s tour company was a pleasure. Our travel agent really paid attention to what we were looking to do and our family style, and she arranged a great itinerary. The hotel choices were really nice and perfect for our needs. There were a couple of scheduling hiccups on the trip and the tour company’s responsiveness and efforts to help were fantastic.

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Travel agent Jane in England

Jane's Travel Agency

 Based on  7  reviews

Our trip, starting and ending in Edinburgh and looping through the Highlands with an emphasis on the Isle of Skye, Inverness, and Speyside, was very enjoyable, much to the credit of our travel agency. We were awed by the sheer beauty of the Highlands, the warmth and friendliness of the Scottish people, and the country's fascinating historical sites.  Our culinary experience was outstanding, with a variety of traditional dishes and contemporary cuisine prepared by world-class chefs. As could be expected, distillery visits gave us an opportunity to enjoy a range of whiskey flavors and styles. Jane, the owner of the travel agency, was accommodating in creating the ideal itinerary, finding superb lodging and dining experiences for us, and helping us through last-minute bookings due to a flight cancellation.  Our driver/guide was personable, knowledgeable, timely, and professional. He entertained us with amusing Scottish lore, local and regional information, and eagerly adjusted the itinerary as needed to suit our personal tastes and interests.

Travel agent Neil in UK office

Neil's Travel Agency

 Based on  49  reviews

The trip was wonderful and the support from the travel agency was unstinting. From the first day, they were quickly responsive and continually exceeded our expectations. We had no hiccups along the way, so we didn't need to call on them during the trip, but I am confident they would have sorted any issue that arose.  Their reputation was reinforced by our guide in Bath, who said they were a great company to work with and emphasized that anybody who "picked up the phone" would provide the high level of service we'd experienced.

Travel agent Tom in Scotland

Tom's Travel Agency

 Based on  140  reviews

We absolutely loved working with Zicasso’s travel agents. They offered some great experiences and accommodations that I would have never considered, and did it all within our budget. We can't wait to go back to Ireland or make our first trip to Scotland, and I will definitely be calling Zicasso’s company for the next trip!

Travel agent Jeff in Scotland

Jeff's Travel Agency

 Based on  53  reviews

On this amazing planet, one can find an abundance of places with spectacular scenery. Scotland is one of those. However, what you can’t find is our travel team. Had it not been for their professionalism and expertise, we would have probably buzzed along in our own car, going ooh and ah, and missing all the wonderful spots that made our trip so memorable. In the planning, Zicasso’s travel agent was always attentive and quick to respond with a suggestion or a nay or yay. Our travel agent was delightful company. She is a historian, geologist, and geographer, all rolled into one, with a great sense of humor. At one point we got stuck in an unprecedented weather event. Not to worry, our travel team was on it with an alternative, so we really didn’t miss much. But the icing on the cake is how much they care about their clients. It is obvious they love their country and want to share it with everyone. And they did, to the fullest and utmost extent!

Travel agent Anne in England office

Anne Marie's Travel Agency

 Based on  131  reviews

Our anniversary trip to Scotland and Ireland, planned by Zicasso’s travel company, was unforgettable! Our travel agent was very easy to work with! She made several adjustments to our itinerary at our request and also to address some of the vendor's changes, such as one of our flights (originally from Inverness to Dublin) and one of our "in a local home, dinner and cooking lessons" (originally in Scotland). She was cognizant of my budget constraints and suggested I do some of the driving myself to reduce the cost of private drivers. Then, during our trip, little things like a wine and cheese board in our room upon our arrival in Edinburgh were very much appreciated! Also, when things didn't go as planned (flight delay from Aberdeen to Dublin), she was available (at 2am Pacific time) to help smooth out the bumps! Even the way our trip itinerary built up to a subtle crescendo with our stay in a castle made this a trip we will never forget!

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Louise Haigh stands at a podium at the Trainline headquarters. Behind her is a Labour sign reading 'Let's get Britain's future back'.

British railways under Tories are symbol of national decline, says Labour

Party plans to nationalise network and ‘unlock the trapped potential’ of rail to drive economic growth across the country

Britain’s railways have become a “symbol of national decline” under the Conservatives, the shadow transport secretary has said, announcing Labour’s plans to nationalise the rail network within five years in government.

In a speech at Trainline headquarters on Thursday, Louise Haigh said “today’s broken model simply doesn’t work”, with train cancellations at a record high and fares having risen almost twice as fast as wages since 2010.

Jody Ford, the chief executive of the travel company, echoed Haigh’s words, saying rail had “significant power and potential” to drive economic growth into all parts of the country’s communities.

Haigh said: “Our railways are critical to making our country a better, wealthier and happier place. We can only achieve our five national missions if we unlock the trapped potential of our railways to boost growth, and opportunity and to connect all of us with each other, with work and with pleasure.”

Haigh said a Labour government would establish Great British Railways, which she described as a “single directing mind to control our railways in the passenger interest”. She joked she was not allowed to call the nationalised railway “Rail Britannia” and would not rule out an endorsement of her plan from the Conservative former transport secretary Grant Shapps.

Asked why Labour could not guarantee cheaper and more affordable train tickets under their plans, Haigh said it was Labour’s “ambition” to make fares cheaper but “simplification is our first priority” via the party’s best fare guarantee scheme.

Keir Starmer vowed to bring an end to the “Tory boom and bust” cycle for the rail industry, after visiting Hitachi’s rail manufacturing plant in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, where 700 jobs are at risk, and a further 1,400 jobs at risk across its supply chain.

The rail minister, Huw Merriman, has been accused of dismissing the job losses as “natural peaks and troughs”. Starmer said: “The workforce here at Hitachi is staring down the barrel of job losses. This was not inevitable.”

“After 14 years of chaos and uncertainty, [this Tory government] has left our rail manufacturing sector teetering on the brink,” he added.

Haigh accepted that the plan would take time, as the final private operator contract with a core term was not due to expire until 2029. “We’d expect all contracts to be brought under Great British Railways by that time,” she told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. “It will take time; there’s no overnight fixes to a very complex system. We’re not starry eyed about this.”

But a Labour government would immediately be able to create a “shadow Great British Railways [organisation] to fire the starting gun on reform” and ensure the party did not lose time or momentum. It would bring together key players including Network Rail and the Rail Delivery Group, before primary legislation was passed to formally establish GBR as an arm’s length body.

“The Conservative party has achieved the worst of all worlds for our railways, partially privatised, overly centralised, expensive, but unreliable, confusing and shamefully unaccountable,” Haigh said.

She quoted Shapps, who once said: “Unlike most privatisations, that of the railways has never become publicly accepted, because its failings have remained all too obvious … The fragmentation of the network has made it more confusing for passengers, and more difficult and expensive to perform the essentially collaborative task of running trains on time.”

Haigh also vowed to see the “workforce as an asset rather than a liability” but she refused to commit to a pay increase because she had “not seen the books” and “wouldn’t do that in an unfunded way”. But she vowed to meet the unions on day one in order to solve the strikes that she said were costing £25m a day.

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Ukraine-Russia war latest: Tajikistan issues temporary travel ban to Russia; 'well-provisioned' Ukrainian troops could see off summer offensive

The foreign office in Tajikistan advises all citizens to "temporarily refrain" from travelling to Russia - while a thinktank says Ukrainian forces will likely be able to prevent Russian advances in an expected summer offensive. Listen to our latest Sky News Daily podcast as you scroll.

Sunday 28 April 2024 12:20, UK

  • Tajikistan citizens warned not to travel to Russia
  • 'Well-provisioned' Ukrainian troops could prevent Russian advances
  • Ukrainian hotel housing 'English-speaking mercenaries' targeted
  • Russia destroys 17 drones launched by Ukraine
  • Explained : Why is Chasiv Yar the next target for Russia?
  • Your questions answered: Will Ukraine launch another spring offensive?
  • Listen to the Sky News Daily above and  tap here  to follow wherever you get your podcasts
  • Live reporting by Lauren Russell

The bodies of two people have been discovered in the Tisa River near Ukraine's border with Romania, Ukraine's state border guard reported. 

"Despite the lowering of the water level in the Tisa, it is extremely dangerous to swim across it, especially at night," a statement by the border guard said.

"Sharp stones, roots, tree debris, and the swift and cold stream can pose danger to life and health."

The identities of the individuals are yet to be released. 

Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, a total of 24 people have died trying to cross the river, according to the border guard. 

Law enforcement agencies have uncovered nearly 400 criminal networks that help individuals evade military service by helping them flee abroad, according to Andriy Demchenko, a spokesperson for the state border guard service.

Russian troops have taken over the village of Novobakhmutivka in Ukraine's Donetsk region, according to the Interfax news agency - citing Russia's defence ministry.

The village is close to the town of Ocheretyne which has become a focal point for fighting in recent days. 

Russian forces are also reported to have repelled a series of counterattacks from the Ukrainians near Chasiv Yar, Interfax reported the ministry saying.

This is another key point in the Donetsk region - lying less than 10km from the occupied city of Bakhmut - where the two sides have clashed repeatedly.

Russia's Immortal Regiment March - which takes place on Victory Day to celebrate the defeat of Nazi Germany during the Second World War - has been cancelled for the second year in a row. 

Due to take place on 9 May, the march usually sees thousands take to the streets with photographs of veterans, the UK's Ministry of Defence said. 

But this year the photographs will be displayed in cars and public locations from 1-11 May.

Victory Day parades in five Russian regions will also not go ahead due to security concerns, according to the MoD.

The regions of Bryansk, Pskov, Ryazan, Kursk and Belgorod are all in western Russia and are deemed vulnerable to Ukrainian uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) strikes.

The parade was cancelled last year due to a  UAV attack on the Kremlin .

On 7 May, a few days before the parade was scheduled to take place, the presidential inauguration of Vladimir Putin will be held in Moscow.

The MoD said the event may prompt protests.

Russian officials have this morning threatened the West with a "severe" response if frozen Russian assets are confiscated.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova added Russia would never give up territories seized from Ukraine in exchange for the return of frozen assets.

"Our motherland is not for sale," Ms Zakharova wrote on the Telegram messaging app. 

"All Russian assets must remain untouched because otherwise there will be a severe response to Western thievery. 

"Many in the West have already understood this. Alas, not everyone." 

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov added that there was lots of Western money that could be targeted in countermeasures put in place by Moscow. 

What assets have been frozen, and why sieze them now?

Today's comments from the Kremlin are the latest in a back-and-forth between Russia and the West after the US House of Representatives passed a bill allowing the Biden administration to confiscate Russian assets held in American banks and transfer them to Ukraine.

The assets - worth around $300bn - were frozen at the beginning of the war in Ukraine, as were transactions with Russia's central bank and finance ministry.

So far EU countries and the US have held off confiscating the assets for fears it could escalate tensions - or cause other countries like China and Saudi Arabia to fear for their own European assets.

Ukraine is very likely to stabilise the frontlines in the coming months, with the possibility of starting a counteroffensive later this year.

According to analysts from think tank, Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Russian forces are suffering from widespread tactical failures.

As long as the Russian military continues with these struggles, Ukrainian forces will be able to exploit them, especially with the help of military aid from the US.

If so, a counteroffensive later this year or early next could be possible, the ISW says.

A 57-year-old Russian national has been arrested in connection to the murder of two Ukrainians who died after being stabbed at a German shopping centre.

Upper Bavaria South Police said in a statement yesterday that a 36-year-old Ukrainian man died from his injuries near the Tengelmann Centre in the market town of Murnau, Bavaria.

The second Ukrainian man, 23, died in a nearby hospital later the same evening.

The suspect was arrested at his home, which police said was not far from the crime scene.

It is not clear if the suspect has been charged or not.

The foreign office in Tajikistan has advised all citizens to "temporarily refrain" from travelling to Russia.

The advisory was issued after officials expressed concerns about Tajiks being "unjustifiably" denied entry to Russia, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported.

Human rights organisations have also reported rising levels of prejudice against people from Central Asia in Russia after the shooting at a concert hall in Moscow on 22 March.

Islamist terror group Islamic State Khorasan (IS-K) claimed responsibility for the attack in which at least 130 people were killed.

All four of the accused gunmen are from Tajikistan.

Yesterday, a 12th person - also a Tajik citizen - was detained in connection with the attack.

Two Russian journalists who worked for a group founded by the late opposition politician, Alexei Navalny, have been arrested on "extremism" charges.

Konstantin Gabov and Sergey Karelin are accused of preparing material for a YouTube channel run by Navalny's Foundation for Fighting Corruption, which is outlawed by Russian authorities. 

Both denied the charges, for which they will be detained for a minimum of two months, before any trials begin. 

They face a minimum of two years in prison and a maximum of six years for alleged "participation in an extremist organisation," according to Russian courts.

On Friday, a journalist working for the Russian edition of Forbes magazine, Sergei Mingazov, was detained on charges of spreading false information about the Russian military.

The arrests are the latest in a crackdown on dissent and independent media by the Russian government. 

Mr Gabov, who was detained in Moscow, is a freelance producer who has worked for the likes of Reuters.

Mr Karelin - who has dual citizenship with Israel - has worked for a number of outlets, including The Associated Press. 

He was a cameraman for German media outlet Deutsche Welle until the Kremlin banned the outlet from operating in Russia in February 2022.

Ukrainian forces that are "well-provisioned" will likely be able to prevent Russian advances in an expected summer offensive. 

In the past, Ukrainian forces have prevented Russian forces from making tactical gains in large-scale offensive efforts, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) says.

The ISW predicts that it is unlikely any sort of summer offensive from the Russians will be significantly larger or more intense than their previous efforts.

However, the key factor is Ukraine being "well-provisioned". 

The ISW adds that Russian forces will make tactical gains in the coming weeks as Ukraine waits for military aid from the US to arrive. 

Russian forces have opportunities to make significant tactical gains in the Avdiivka area and pursue an operationally significant objective with the seizure of Chasiv Yar," the ISW says, adding that neither of these efforts is likely to develop in the near future.

Following on from our last post, Ukraine has claimed a Russian drone attack heavily damaged a hotel in the southern city of Mykolaiv.

Mykolaiv's governor Vitaly Kim said Shahed-131/136 type drones were used in the strike which "heavily damaged" the hotel building. 

"A fire broke out, which was quickly extinguished... there are no casualties," Mr Kim said. 

A heat-generating infrastructure was damaged as well as the windows of a separate hotel.

Russia's RIA state news agency, citing Russian underground fighters in the region, confirmed they had hit a shipbuilding plant and a hotel in Mykolaiv where English-speaking mercenaries fighting in Ukraine were housed.

Ukraine's air force said four other drones launched by Russia were destroyed around the capital, Kyiv, the central Vinnytsia and Kirovohrad regions, and over the western Khmelnytskyi region.

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  8. England & UK Tourism Industry Website

    National tourism agency VisitBritain is kicking off the next stage of its marketing campaigns in France, Germany and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries to boost tourism access Britain's nations and regions with a focus on off-peak and shoulder season travel.

  9. London & Private Tours of England & Britain

    Britain's longest- established private tour operator since 1958. If you are looking for private London tours, and flexible tours of England, Scotland & Wales with excellent tour guides - you have come to the right place. about us. your selected tours. Choose A Tour To Start.

  10. Visit the UK as a Standard Visitor: Overview

    Visit the UK as a Standard Visitor for tourism, business, study (courses up to 6 months), medical treatment and other activities. Find out whether you need a Standard Visitor visa, or can visit ...

  11. Tailor-Made Tours, Luxury Holidays & Safaris

    Rated 4.8 out of 5 based on 3657 reviews on. Speak to a specialist to start planning your tailor-made holiday... Call one of our experts or arrange a video appointment for ideas and advice. 01993 838 925. 01993 838 450. Make an enquiry.

  12. Adventure Holidays & Tours From The Adventure Travel Experts

    Since launching in 1981, Explore has grown to become one of the UK's best adventure travel companies, offering over 350 tours in around 100 countries. So whether you're looking for classic ' Discovery ' group tours, incredible scenery on walking holidays, cycling trips or solo holidays, or an unforgettable family tour, let us find the ...

  13. UK Travel Agents

    Our UK travel agents craft quintessential English experiences showcasing the history, culture, and famous destinations in this dynamic region. Discover cosmopolitan London and ancient Stonehenge. Hike wild Windermere fells. ... Jane, the owner of the travel agency, was accommodating in creating the ideal itinerary, finding superb lodging and ...

  14. Thomas Cook Holidays

    Thomas Cook is an online travel agent offering package holidays, hotel only, city breaks and more, to destinations all over the world. So whether you're after an All Inclusive getaway that's perfect for the family in Majorca, want a romantic weekend in Rome, or looking for the ultimate experience in Vegas, we've got you covered.. You can secure your dream holiday from as little as £39pp ...

  15. Book Flights & Holidays with Travel Center

    Travel Center UK is a British travel agent that offers cheap flights, holidays and hotel deals to various destinations around the world. Whether you want to explore the culture of China, the beaches of Maldives or the wildlife of Africa, Travel Center UK has the perfect package for you. You can also read their blog for tips and insights on different airlines and destinations. Book your dream ...

  16. ABTA

    We're ABTA. A trade association for UK travel agents, tour operators and the wider travel industry. For over 70 years we've helped our members run successful travel businesses, and provided travellers with advice, guidance and support. We work closely with our members to help raise and maintain standards and build a more sustainable travel ...

  17. Entering the UK: Overview

    UK border control - passport checks, visas for entering, customs, transiting and layovers. ... You may also need a visa to come into or travel through the UK, depending on your nationality.

  18. Trailfinders

    We are open 7 days a week in travel centres across the UK and Ireland. First & Business Class Travel 020 7084 6503. Cruise Trailfinders 020 7084 6502. Tailormade Travel Worldwide 020 7084 6500. headset_mic.

  19. FirstChoice.co.uk

    We're First Choice - the holiday company that helps you pick the trip you really want. Using our years of experience, we bring together all the options you could want in a holiday. Sun, sea and sand, or adventure, culture and nature. Wildlife or nightlife, plane or train, laidback breaks or active escapes - we've got you covered.

  20. Fury as 'out of touch' tourism agency VisitBritain BANS words including

    A TOURISM agency has issued a woke language guide that bans the use of the word "walkthrough" for being "non-inclusive". VisitBritain, which gets £54million a year from taxpayers, says ...

  21. Tour & Travel Agency in Moscow

    You cannot resist our Two Hearts of Russia (7 Days &6 Nights), Golden Moscow (4 Days &3 Nights), Sochi (3 Days & 2 Nights), Golden Ring (1 Day & 2 Days), and many more. As a leading travel agency specializing in the tour to Russia and Former Soviet Republics, we are connecting the travellers from every part of the world for more than 10 years.

  22. Lts

    About Us. Luxury Travel Solutions works with a wide number of VIP clients - well-known Russian businessmen, politicians, celebrities, sportsmen etc., providing for them the whole spectrum of services in the sphere of individual tourism and accompanying concierge-service all over the world.

  23. ISCtravel. Russia Travel Operator. Russian Visa, Accommodation, Events

    Leading travel agency throughout Russia & CIS, providing visa support, discount hotel reservations and other travel services (offices in Moscow, Russia and USA). ... We serve our travel industry partners in the most efficient way by providing superb quality service, competitive rates and a constantly expanding range of services. ...

  24. Russian Visa Online

    On our website you can quickly find and immediately order online the best variants of travel insurance, air tickets, hotel accommodation and other related services. Visa House has more than 20 years of successful work, more than 250 000 completed orders and about 2500 corporate clients.

  25. British railways under Tories are symbol of national decline, says

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  26. Ukraine-Russia war latest: Hotel 'housing English-speaking mercenaries

    The Russian defence ministry says it destroyed 17 Ukrainian drones, while Ukraine claims Shahed-131/136 type drones launched by Russia caused damage to a hotel and heat-generating infrastructure.