Farm Tours
UPCOMING FARM TOURS:
2019 Farm Tour of Ireland and the UK
We depart Australia in mid July & return in mid August (2019).
And you are invited!
2019 IRELAND & UK TOUR SUMMARY:
- We'll be travelling around rural UK and Ireland during the height of the British Isles summer, when the countryside is in full bloom, outdoor agricultural events are in full swing and harvesters are still circling hedgerow-hemmed fields.
- A selection of Britain's best agricultural events and interesting farms will be visited, plus we'll be meeting a huge range of locals involved in agriculture. And not just in passing - we'll be sitting down to relaxing meals together.
- Many cultural highlights are also included - from Ireland's beautiful Dingle Peninsula to the UK's magnificent Blenheim Palace plus a day at the Highland Games, in northern Scotland.
- Plus some special surprises along the way - the itinerary has a lot of detail, but there are some surprises that aren't listed!
- En route I'll be giving one-on-one photography assistance to anyone who has queries - so you come home with your best travel photos ever! If all goes according to plan, I'll also be taking photographs with my drone, on some of the farms visited.
- Individual pre-tour advice is available for travellers considering buying a new mobile phone or camera before we head off on our adventure, as well as answering any other queries passengers have - from packing tips to travel wifi.
For many, the most memorable aspect of this tour will be enjoying the company of fellow travellers and conversing with interesting locals as we roam about. Very interesting, enjoyable and useful conversations will result from what we are going to see and who we are going to meet. These conversations will be what you remember for a lifetime; as well as what we see.
Some of the agricultural topics included on the tour:
- Primarily the beef, sheep; dairying and graingrowing industries - plus we'll be touching on some others.
- Rural organisations & journalists - we'll meet people involved in running agricultural industry organisations, very experienced rural journalists producing print and radio stories, and learn about some unique ag education schemes.
- Food retailing - we'll have the opportunity to check out a farmer's market, paddock-to-plate restaurant, butchershop, supermarket shelves etc - for niche marketing ideas, price comparisons, packaging & display information etc. And of course, we will be required to do taste testing!
If you are considering joining us on the trip, don't hesitate to tell me about anything special you'd be particularly interesting in seeing or doing. Although the itinerary has been finalised, it may be possible to tweak some details.
Apart from people with an interest in agriculture, who would enjoy this tour of the British Isles?
- Travellers who have been to the British Isles as an independent traveller or on a non-agricultural tour, who would love to return and meet and talk with a wide variety of locals who are involved in farming. IE a tour with 'heart and soul', not just a lap of busy tourist haunts. (Although we certainly will be fitting in unmissable highlights).
- Anyone new to overseas travel. I'm availabe to answer all queries and before we set off I'll be updating & distributing some useful travel tips. Some of which may well be of use to seasoned travellers also.
- Solo travellers.
- All ages, although the ability to walk reasonable distances and be up and about fairly early will ensure it is more enjoyable.
- You certainly do not have to live on a farm to enjoy this tour! Anyone who loves food will love this tour. But it is designed for people with a particular interest in agriculture and rural life.
The 2019 UK & Ireland farm tour is excellent value for money and passengers who earn a living from agriculture may be able to claim this rural tour as a tax deductible expense. However checking with your accountant is advised, as everyone's specific circumstances differ.
Fully escorted, professional tour guides, great quality accommodation.
This farm tour is unique. I've got to know many great people involved in ag in the UK & Ireland, and we'll be personally conversing with a large number - that standard tour groups and independent travellers do not encounter.
FOR MORE INFORMATION on UPCOMING TOURS:
- Contact Fiona Lake by email or phone (07) 4728 4922 if you'd like a copy of the itinerary or have any queries.
- More tour details on the 2019 UK & Ireland farm tour F.A.Q. blog post.
- Quadrant is Australia's largest farm tour company, based in Armidale (NSW). Quadrant are handling deposits and bookings.
SOME FAVOURITE STORY-TELLING IMAGES FROM PREVIOUS OVERSEAS TRIPS - FARM TOURS & PERSONAL TOURS:
United States of America
The colours of America's Grand Canyon are very similar to parts of northern Australia, but the scale is amazing. The Grand Canyon is more than 400km long and up to 30km wide. To understand the scale in this image, look at the people standing on the pale outcrop in the centre right hand side.
Like the Grand Canyon, the Statue of Liberty really needs people nearby to give it scale (you can see the crowd of people at the foot of the statue). I love the late afternoon view back towards New York City. The new One World Trade Centre stands close to where the twin World Trade Centre towers were; destroyed on 9/11/2001. Like most of my travel images, this was taken on a mobile phone (while on a boat tour).
The Hoover dam was built during the Great Depression and supplies power to Arizona, Nevada and California - and water to seven American states plus part of Mexico. Parts of this region are very arid - averaging just 100mm of rain annually. By volume (when full), Lake Mead is the largest water reservoir in the United States. To get an idea of the scale of the Hoover Dam wall, look at the car parked on the left hand side.
South-East Asia
Singapore has tolerance of the four main religions enshrined in law, covering Buddism, Hinduism, Islam & Christianity. Festivals are respected by all, such as Deepavali, the annual Hindu festival.
Viewed as the most stable business centre in the region, Singapore is the home base for many South East Asian businesses - including agricultural companies. There are many business expats in residence and a lot of spectacular modern architecture.
Despite the modernity traditional life continues in much of Singapore; and it is the contrasts between the old and the new that make it a particularly intriguing place to visit.
Transportation in much of Asia ranges from relaxingly sedate to hair-raising (ditto crossing roads on foot).
Tradition & culture or upmarket & modern - or go on a tour that combines the best of both worlds.
France
Probably the most recognisable man-made feature, worldwide - for good reason.
Fresh produce with sound provenance isn't just a recent fad in France, it's always been a way of life.
Paris is filled with visitors from all over the world from late Spring until early Autumn - but it's still possible to find places to relax, despite the crowds.
TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY
Wherever I am, I take photographs - not just with my professional equipment, with my mobile phone as well. On the tours I lead I help passengers capture photographs they're really pleased with. This assistance is at no extra charge, making these tours great value.
My natural preference is for photojournalism - photography that tells a story. These are the images that are most meaningful and valued, long-term.
...but I do take beauty for beauty's sake, as well!