QUESTIONS ABOUT OUR LOCAL TOUR
At Our Local Tour, our experts are happy to help. We can arrange every aspect of your small group tour or tailor-made holiday. However, you should be aware of how these tours and holidays operate. You also need to prepare for your trip. Here we answer some of the questions that people frequently ask us. If the info below doesn't answer your question, please contact us. A team member will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Common Questions
Planning Your Trip with Our Local Tour
If you're dreaming of a custom holiday or private tour, it's easy to get started. Simply choose a country you'd love to explore and get in touch with us. Let us know your preferred travel dates, how long you’d like to go for, and the kind of experiences you enjoy. From there, we’ll take care of the rest, carefully crafting a personalised itinerary and providing a clear cost for your trip. Everything can be tailored to suit your needs.
Can’t find a destination listed on our website? Just ask! We’ve got firsthand knowledge of a wide range of places, and not all of them are online.
For our escorted small group tours, it’s even simpler. Browse our selection of destinations, select a tour that catches your eye, review the itinerary, and choose your preferred travel date. You can contact us by phone or send a message. Online booking is coming soon for these tours.
Please note: most group tours require a minimum number of travellers to run, so hold off on booking flights until we confirm your tour is going ahead. If you’d like to add extra arrangements before or after your trip, we’re happy to help.
A deposit of £350 or 10% of the total cost (whichever is greater), plus any flight costs, secures your booking. The remaining balance is due ten weeks before departure.
Trusted Local Experts, Carefully Chosen
At Our Local Tour, we take great care in selecting our local travel partners. Most of them have built long standing relationships with our team, and we’re proud to work with people who share our passion for authentic, meaningful travel.
When we explore new destinations or consider new partnerships, we don’t rush in. Every potential local company is thoroughly vetted, and we only move forward if they meet our high standards. There’s no guarantee we’ll work with a new partner. For us, it’s not just about logistics, it’s about values.
All of our local travel experts must be locally owned and fully aligned with our ethos. That means a commitment to immersive, responsible travel and a genuine love for sharing their home with others. We look for partners who offer rich, cultural experiences and who care deeply about the places they live and the people they welcome.
By working with trusted locals, we ensure every trip is insightful, personal, and rooted in real knowledge. It’s how we deliver holidays that go beyond the ordinary and why our travellers return with stories they’ll never forget.
You might be wondering, couldn’t I book directly with a local tour operator? In some cases, yes. But many of the trusted local partners we work with only collaborate with inbound tour operators like us. They prefer not to handle direct enquiries from travellers, which is why we don’t share their contact details until after booking.
We act as their sales and marketing team, allowing them to focus on what they do best: delivering world-class, authentic travel experiences. This partnership ensures a smooth, professional service from start to finish.
Booking through Our Local Tour is often more cost-effective as well. Once you factor in exchange rates, international transfer fees, and potential language barriers, our prices are highly competitive. If you’ve received a quote from a local operator, please let us know, as we’re happy to compare it.
Additionally, every booking with us comes with 100% financial protection, providing you with peace of mind and great value for money. With Our Local Tour, you get the benefit of expert local knowledge, seamless service, and the security of booking with a trusted UK-based company.
Small Groups, Big Experiences
Most of our escorted small group tours run with a minimum of four confirmed travellers. As a small, independent travel agency, we’re committed to supporting our local teams and making travel accessible even for smaller groups.
You will be advised of the current group size at the time of booking, as well as whether the tour is currently guaranteed to operate. If the minimum group size is not met at the time of your reservation, we will notify you and advise you as soon as we have the required numbers. If it reaches ten weeks before departure and the necessary numbers to operate the group tour are not met, we will offer a range of options for you, including a refund of your deposit.
We go the extra mile to accommodate lower numbers, and in many cases, we can run a tour privately for just two people for a modest additional fee. It’s part of our commitment to flexibility and personal service.
Our tours are held to high standards, and we only work in destinations we know well. That means you’ll benefit from expert planning, trusted local guides, and excellent value for money, whether you’re travelling as part of a group or on a private adventure.
There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to our travellers, and that’s exactly how we like it. People from all walks of life, ages, and nationalities choose Our Local Tour for their holidays. What brings them together is a shared curiosity and a desire to experience the world in a more meaningful way.
Our travellers aren’t just ticking off destinations, they’re seeking connection. They want to understand the culture, meet the people, and uncover the stories that make each place unique. Many are drawn to our small group tours for the camaraderie and the chance to travel with like-minded people. Others prefer tailor-made or private tours for a more personal journey.
Some are seasoned explorers looking for something new, while others are venturing further afield for the first time. We welcome solo travellers, couples, families, and friends - in fact, anyone who values thoughtful travel and authentic experiences.
What they all have in common is a spirit of adventure and an openness to discovering the world through local eyes. If that sounds like you, you’ll fit right in.
Travelling Solo? You’re Very Welcome
You’re more than welcome to join one of our escorted small group tours as a solo traveller. In fact, many of our guests travel alone, and they often tell us how much they enjoy the shared experience and the friendships formed along the way. Our groups are a mix of solo travellers, couples, and friends, all brought together by a shared love of meaningful travel.
There is usually a small single supplement, as accommodation is typically priced per room rather than per person. However, we always keep this cost to an absolute minimum. And if we have two solo travellers of the same gender who are happy to share, we’re more than happy to pair you up, helping you avoid the extra cost altogether.
Our small group tours are ideal for solo travellers who want the security of travelling with others, the benefit of a knowledgeable local guide, and the opportunity to explore in a relaxed and sociable setting. You’ll never feel like you’re travelling alone but you’ll always have the freedom to enjoy the journey your way.
If you’re unsure which tour is right for you, just get in touch. We’re here to help you find the perfect fit.
In short, no, our tours are led entirely by local experts.
At Our Local Tour, we believe the best way to experience a destination is through the eyes of someone who calls it home. That’s why we work exclusively with knowledgeable and passionate local guides who bring their culture, traditions, and stories to life in a way that no outsider can.
Our guides aren’t just there to show you around, they’re your connection to the heart of the destination. Whether it’s sharing local customs, recommending hidden gems, or offering insights into daily life, they provide a depth of experience that makes your journey truly special.
In some locations, we also bring in specialist guides. These are specialists in a particular site, region, or subject, ensuring you get the most out of every visit. You’ll find details of these on each tour itinerary.
The only time you might spot a member of our UK-based team on a tour is if they’re enjoying a well-earned holiday themselves! Otherwise, we leave the guiding to the locals because that’s what makes our tours so authentic, insightful, and memorable.
Yes, absolutely. We specialise in crafting multi-country holidays that flow seamlessly from one destination to the next. Whether you’re dreaming of combining the cultural richness of Morocco with the landscapes of southern Spain, or exploring several countries across East Africa or Southeast Asia, we can help you build a journey that’s as diverse as it is unforgettable.
Just get in touch and let one of our travel experts know what you have in mind. Share your preferred travel dates, how long you’d like to be away, and the kinds of experiences you’re looking for. From there, we’ll work with our trusted local partners to design a bespoke itinerary that suits your style and pace.
Please note: we don’t arrange tours or accommodation in any country for fewer than five nights. This allows us to create more meaningful, well-paced experiences and ensures our local partners can deliver the high standard of service we’re known for.
Multi-country travel can be complex, but with Our Local Tour, it’s smooth, personalised, and packed with local insight. Let us take care of the details so you can focus on the adventure.
At Our Local Tour, your safety and that of our staff and local partners is our top priority. We take a proactive, informed approach to monitoring global events and making operational decisions. Our team keeps a close eye on official guidance, particularly from the British Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), and we also rely heavily on the real-time, on-the-ground knowledge of our trusted local partners.
Rather than relying solely on government advice, we combine official updates with local insights to make well-informed decisions about where and when to operate tours. This ensures that our trips are not only safe but also respectful of local conditions and communities.
We strongly recommend taking out comprehensive travel insurance at the time of booking. A good policy may offer protection against changes in government travel advisories, cancellations, or unexpected disruptions, so it’s worth checking the details with your insurance provider.
Adventure travel should be exciting, not risky. We believe in exploring the world responsibly, and we never compromise on safety. If a destination isn’t safe, we won’t go. Simple as that.
For the latest official advice, visit the FCDO travel guidance linked to above. Depending on your nationality, you may also wish to consult your own government’s travel advisory service.
Once you're happy with your itinerary or have chosen a group tour departure date, booking your holiday is simple and secure. You can pay over the phone by calling us directly, you can pay with a bank transfer, or we’ll send you a secure payment link by email, whichever suits you best.
To confirm your booking, we require a minimum deposit of £350 or 10% of the total trip cost, whichever is greater. If your itinerary includes flights, we may need full payment for those at the time of reservation. Your travel consultant will advise you on this.
The remaining balance is due ten weeks before your departure date. If you're booking within ten weeks of travel, full payment will be required at the time of confirmation.
We also offer the flexibility to pay in instalments, as long as the final balance is settled at least ten weeks before your travel date. You can pay using VISA, MasterCard, AMEX or bank transfer, depending on your preference.
For added peace of mind, Our Local Tour provides full financial protection for all payments made. You can travel with confidence knowing your money is safe and your holiday is in expert hands.
Find out more about our Financial Protection and feel free to contact us with any questions.
To give you greater flexibility and control over your travel plans, international flights are not included in the price of our holidays and tours shown. This allows you to choose your preferred airline, departure airport, and flight times, whether you're using air miles, travelling from outside the UK, or simply looking for the best deal.
If you’d like help with flights, just ask your travel consultant. Our Local Tour is ATOL licenced and has access to a wide range of great airfares. We’re happy to provide guidance on suitable arrival and departure times, recommended routes, and estimated costs. For our group tours, there may be a suggested arrival flight to help coordinate the itinerary, and we’ll let you know if that’s the case.
For tailor-made holidays and private escorted tours, you’ll have a wide range of flight options to choose from. We can assist with booking flights if needed, or you’re welcome to arrange them independently.
If you have any questions about flights or travel logistics, just get in touch. We’re here to help make your journey as smooth as possible.
Yes. Our Local Tour is a member of the Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT), which provides financial protection under its ATOL Franchise and The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018. More details can be found here - Financial Protection
Yes, we do. This is the link to our Responsible Travel Policy.
Yes, we can assist with the visa process; however, it’s important to understand that obtaining the correct travel documents is ultimately your responsibility.
You’ll need to ensure you have all the necessary visas and vaccination certificates required to enter or transit through any countries included in your itinerary. Visa requirements are outlined in the individual trip notes for each tour, but please be aware that this information can change, so it’s essential to check the latest guidance well in advance of travel.
For up-to-date visa information, we recommend visiting the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) website, where you can check what visas you’ll need. Alternatively, you can apply directly through the relevant embassy or consulate.
If your visa application requires supporting documents such as letters of invitation from our local partners, we’ll aim to provide these promptly once your booking is confirmed and full payment has been received. If you require documentation earlier than ten weeks before departure, full payment will be due at that time.
Please also note that some countries may refuse entry based on appearance, dress, or passport stamps (particularly those related to Israel). Please read the FCDO advice on your destination carefully. It’s your responsibility to ensure your passport is valid and meets the entry requirements of your chosen destination.
We strongly advise arranging comprehensive travel insurance at the time of booking, which may offer protection in the event of changes to visa or entry requirements.
If you have any questions or need help navigating the visa process, just get in touch. We’re here to support you every step of the way.