What We Do

Marching in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, one of Political Tour's destinations. Copyright Eric Lafforgue.

Political Tours is a revolutionary concept for travellers passionate about politics and current affairs.

We offer group tours, and tailor-made itineraries in destinations around the globe.

Whether you work in politics, business or just have an avid interest in the world today, we believe we can find something to suit your needs. Call or email us now and we can talk you through any of our tours and give free guidance on destinations not listed on our site.

Crucially, our tours are independent. We don’t take sides in any of the disputes we might touch on.

We have three kinds of tours:

Group Tours, which you can see posted throughout the website, provide exciting and thorough introductions to some of most interesting areas of foreign policy in the world today. Numbers are kept deliberately small and range from 6 to 16 people.

Tailor-Made Tours can be arranged for groups, institutions or businesses that have a specific interest, or who want to delve into a subject in greater depth. See our tailor-made section for case studies. Political Tours’ recent clients include university groups, NGOs, journalists and politicians.

Bespoke Tours can be arranged for smaller groups of travellers who may not want to join a group tour, but would like to be led by our expert guides on an amazing and highly stimulating journey.

View our tour pages for further details about our destinations. You can book a tour by using an online booking form or call us directly on (+44) 0843 289 2349.

How We Do It

We put great emphasis on trying to understand issues at a grassroots level. Participants come face-to-face with local communities. We meet villagers, sit down with families in communities,  and meet with local leaders.

Between meetings and visits, analysts, diplomats, and journalists provide excellent analysis. Participants also get to meet the politicians and international officials in the countries concerned. Tour members can pose their own questions and make up their own minds.

Our aims are serious but we also want people to have fun. Learning is combined with good hotels and dining as well as visits to cultural and historical sites. And you may well be surprised by the social life in some of the most far flung places, from a Pizza Restaurant in Pyongyang to dance clubs in Pristina and the bars of Addis Ababa filled with sounds of Asmari singers.

All our travel arrangements are covered by the UK’s package tour regulations and are financially guaranteed.

About Us

Political Tours was created by former New York Times Balkans Correspondent, Nicholas Wood, with the aim of giving people practical and first-hand insight into some of the most critical regions in the world. The company is supported in the UK by a team with over 40 years experience in the tour operating industry. Our itineraries and services are created with the help of leading analysts and correspondents in each of the destinations concerned.

For further information on how the company came about read “Bridging The Information Gap,” in our news section.

If you would like to speak directly to Nicholas Wood or any of the tour experts for the regions concerned please contact us by the telephone number above or by email.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Essential Information

As a tour company that specialises in politics and international affairs we have some specific conditions, notably concerning risk and insurance. Some of these conditions are outlined below. It is essential however to also read our full Booking Terms and Conditions before you book.

If you have any queries about them please call us on 0843 289 2349 or from outside the UK on +44 843 289 2349.

How to Book and Pay

There are two steps to booking a tour:

1) Booking and Deposit

In order to confirm your chosen tour a deposit of £250.00 per person is required. On occasions this sum may be higher, but we will inform you at the time of booking if this is the case.

Once we have received your deposit we will send notification that we have confirmed your booking. All our tours require a minimum number of participants for a tour to go ahead. If we do not meet this figure we may cancel a tour and will return your deposit.

2) Payment in Full

Full payment must be paid 8 weeks before departure. We will then send you further details of the tour.

If we do not receive all payments due in full and on time, we are entitled to assume that you wish to cancel your booking. In this case, we will be entitled to retain your deposit. Please read the “Cancellation Charges” section for further details.

Payment may be made by cheque through the post, by transfer to our bank account or by credit / debit card over the telephone. There is a charge of up to 3% for credit card bookings.

We also require that you provide us with details of your travel insurance before your departure as defined by our Booking Terms and Conditions.

Land Only Tour Operator

Political Tours is a land only tour operator. Our tour costs do not include flights and clients need to make their own travel plans to and from our destinations. We can provide customers with the details of routes, flights, and agents with whom you may wish to make a booking.

Insurance and Hazards Inherent in our Tours

On occasion, as is in the nature of the itineraries we offer, the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office, (whose advice is the standard for the British travel insurance industry), may advise against all but essential travel in areas that we cover or pass through on our tours. In the event of such advice being applicable to the tours of our clients we will require clients to take out additional insurance. We will inform clients where itineraries are affected and will advise of the necessity to have additional policies in place. Clients will not be able to attend applicable tours in the affected areas without meeting such insurance requirements. Failure to meet our insurance requirements may result in the cancellation your booking and application of the cancellation charges shown below (see Cancellation Charges).

All insurance policies taken out by our clients must also include comprehensive medical insurance including cover for the cost of evacuation and repatriation from the remote destinations included in your tour in the event of illness or accidents in addition to other medical requirements.

Please see the essential information section of the tour you are booking as well as our booking terms and conditions for further details.

Health and Safety Standards

It is in the nature of some of the destinations and areas we cover that standards of health and safety will not be the same as in the UK and may often be lower. Please check the Foreign and Commonwealth Office travel website at www.fco.gov.uk/travel or call 0845 850 2829 to help you make informed decisions about your safety abroad.

Pre-existing Medical Conditions and Disabilities

Please inform us of any pre-existing medical conditions or disabilities that could affect your holiday. Please ensure that you travel with sufficient supplies of medication. When flying always pack enough medication in your hand luggage to tide you over should flights be delayed or your hold luggage goes missing.

Your Booking With Us is Insured

In accordance with “The Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations1992” all passengers booking with Political Tours Ltd are fully protected for the initial deposit and subsequently the balance of all monies paid to us, including repatriation if required, arising from cancellation or curtailment of your travel arrangements due to the insolvency of Political Tours Ltd.

There is no requirement for Financial Protection of day trips, and none is provided.  This insurance is only valid for packages booked that DO NOT include flights.

Consumer aware: Your booking is insured by IPP Ltd and its panel of insurers. - This insurance is only valid for passengers who book and pay directly with/to Political Tours Ltd.  For further information please go to www.ipplondon.co.uk

This Insurance has been arranged by International Passenger Protection Limited and underwritten by Insurers who are members of the Association of British Insurers & Lloyds Syndicates.

Cancellation Charges

Should you need to cancel your tour once it has been confirmed, clients, or the party leader in the case of a group of people traveling together, must immediately notify us in writing.

Notice of your cancellation will only be effective when we receive it in writing at our offices.  In the event of cancellation, the following cancellation charges will be payable:

Period before departure within which

written notification of cancellation is

received by us Cancellation charge per person

Up to 56 days                                                             The Deposit

55 to 28 days 50%

27 to 15 days 75%

14 days or less 100%

Where the cancellation charge is shown as a percentage, this is calculated on the basis of the total cost payable per person cancelling excluding amendment charges.  Any insurance premiums paid by you and amendment charges are not refundable in the event of cancellation.