Political Tours has built up a loyal following over the past few years with its bespoke day tours service. This was designed for travellers wanting an introduction to a particular country or issue wherever they happen to be in the world.
We can set you up with a journalist or analyst in most places, so if you cannot find a group tour that suits your travel plans or you have limited time this is an alternative option.
We have the expertise to accommodate your interests and enable you to get an overview or delve into a subject in-depth. You can also gain access to a place in a way which you would not ordinarily be able to do.
Business Trips
Business travellers frequently use our service, spending a day with a local expert who can quickly take you under the skin of the country, when visiting in a limited time. The focus can vary from an economic, political or social perspective depending on your interests and aims.
Post-graduate students have also done bespoke tours as individuals or in small groups looking at specific issues in a region.
Our day tour and bespoke service has been highly successful and we have had numerous bespoke tours from cities as diverse as Mumbai to Pristina.
Our Director, Nicholas Wood, will speak with you about your specific interest or needs and arrange a tour or short holiday lead by one of our travel experts. Nicholas has been selected as one of Condé Nast Traveller’s Top Travel Specialists for the past three years.
Here is what our customers say…
Reviews and comments
Day Tour In St. Petersburg
One of Political Tours regular customers frequently combines Opera with Politics! This action packed day tour earlier this year was led by Leonid Ragozin, our Russian expert. Leonid also does bespoke day tours for us in Kiev and Moscow, as well as leading group tours to Ukraine and the Baltics.
“A fantastic day. Of the four people I met, one was good (the oligarch), one was very good (the politician) and two were absolutely brilliant (the academic and one who said that she was not an activist but merely an expert). It’s always easier when there is no need for an interpreter – the latter two – but the conversations just flowed really well with plenty of insight and comment. And it was great to spend time with Leonid again: he is friendly, knowledgeable, fun – and knows when to be a facilitator and when to pile in with his own questions.”
Bespoke Tours of Georgia
KH has travelled with Political Tours frequently and often tops or tails one of the group tours with a bespoke tour nearby. He spent a few days in Georgia after our tour in the Baltics this summer looking at relations with Russia, before travelling back to Australia.
“Thank you so much for organising the trip to Georgia. Dimi is an absolutely amazing man who has had such a varied career. I was able to meet his extensive range of contacts including Natalia, who is an amazingly well informed extrovert and I now feel that I know much more about Georgia. Dimi would be able to conduct any tour and make arrangements to meet anyone you would like to meet in Georgia, as he seems to have connections throughout the Georgian political scene. Georgia is a very friendly and open place and concerns regarding Russia are very real. Dimi took me to the movable border with South Ossetia and this certainly was a most interesting experience as was the trip to the border with Chechnya. I cannot think of a more interesting place for a full enjoyable tour.”
RL and family wanted an introduction to the region’s politics and economy whilst travelling in Georgia. They had a specific interest in finance and the media. Political Tours’ Georgia expert accompanied them for one day in Tbilisi where they met with the editor of a leading newspaper, toured a TV studio, and met with two former ministers and the head of a leading commercial bank.
“We had a fantastic time. The group organized by Ketevan was diverse and fascinating, not least Ketevan herself. Huge credit to her both for being a fantastic companion all day and for having the credibility and resourcefulness to organize a schedule of such quality. We got a great insight into the Georgia of today and tomorrow.”
Day Tour in Johannesburg
University students, Jess G and her friend, had 18 hours between flights on their way to do volunteer aid work in Zambia. They wanted to get under the skin of Johannesburg.
“We had only one full day in Johannesburg. We not only wanted to learn about the history of Johannesburg but also current issues facing South Africa especially for young people. We were also interested in the street art scene. Nicholas catered to all these interests in a way we could never have organised ourselves or even through an ordinary tour group. It was one of the most interesting days I have had travelling. If you want this kind of tailored, jam packed, edgy and extremely interesting Political Tour, I highly recommend getting in contact with Nicholas Wood.”
Day Tour in Cairo
On a recent trip to Egypt, Kathie M wanted to learn more about the Egyptian revolution. Political Tours created a day tour that incorporated meetings with the people as diverse as the Muslim Brotherhood, the youth movements involved in the Tahrir square protests, and a visit to a local neighbourhood to understand the dynamics that led to the revolution. Her tour guide for the day works with the New Yorker and other leading western newspapers and magazines.
“It was a great day with Hassan. It made what would have been an otherwise insular trip something pretty special. Meeting a family in their home was probably the highlight. I am definitely interested in this kind of travel again, so you may be hearing from me next year!”
Meetings in Rome
Emma G had a fairly packed schedule in Italy, and wanted key meetings in Rome to get an insiders political insight.
“Nicholas Wood organised several dinners for us during our travel in Rome. At very short notice he was able to assemble a leading political figure and eminent journalists for us to meet with. We have travelled through over 120 countries looking for highly respected people with local knowledge of business and politics and we were amazed by the people that Political Tours have close connections with. I would highly recommend Nicholas Wood and his Political Tours to all travellers keen to get a unique insight into the history and politics of any nation.”
Bespoke tour of Jerusalem and the West Bank
Meeting with Efraim Zuroff, Efrat resident and Director of the Simon Wiesenthal Centre in Jerusalem, was a highlight for Valerie C and her teenage sons, when they spent two days with Political Tours gaining first-hand insight into the diverse issues in Jerusalem and the West Bank.
“We’ve just returned to the hotel and I wanted to quickly write to say how interesting and worthwhile the last couple of days have been for us. Orlando was a fantastic guide who also related well to the boys. Although the boys never felt propelled to asking questions as the environment and situation here is all new material for them they have certainly walked away with a hands on initial understanding of the country and it’s issues -simply hard to miss from the naked eye as well!
I have walked away with a far greater understanding of the complexities of this region and will certainly now continue to explore more of it. Thank you very much for putting this together for us.”
Please email info@politicaltours.com if you want Political Tours to organise a day tour for you. Or just call us on +44 843 289 2349.
What we offer
We are able to set up briefings and arrange tour guides in numerous destinations in addition to the countries mentioned on our website. Below is a list of some of the sample itineraries we have available from various regions, each year we travel to new places and are continually exploring new cities and themes. Please email us on info@politicaltours.com if you would like further details on these, or to discuss any other destination around the world.
