How we started

Robin Worsnop started our tour company in 1993. All he had was an old sherpa van and a few people telling him it would never work.

Robin likes to think he started the company because he ‘saw a gap in the market’, ‘wanted to create an ethical way to travel’, and ‘knew what independent travellers wanted’. But we know the truth. He simply wanted to spend his time travelling around gorgeous places, discovering his homeland, and enjoying a dram with friendly faces from around the globe. He could have carried on doing this forever. But there was a gap in the market, he had created an ethical way to travel, and he showed people a really, really good time.

So, people started to talk about Robin’s quirky tours. Robin had to hire more people, buy more mini-coaches, start working with spreadsheets, and concentrate on building the company so more people could live his dream.

Now we have award-winning small-group tours departing from all over the UK & Europe.

Sadly, Robin is too busy to see all these beautiful places as much as our guides. But he’s happy others are now seeing the places he loved in the way he loved seeing them. Throughout his journey, Robin has been guided by his vision to make the world a better place through travel.

A white Mercedes van branded with Rabbie's Tours driving on a snowy road with hills in the background.

Why we only travel in small groups

We’re going to be honest with you. A long time ago we tried larger coaches. In theory, it would have been good for our bank accounts. But in the end, we stopped using them because of three simple reasons.

Firstly, we received worse customer feedback. It turned out you guys preferred mini-coaches and didn’t appreciate trampling over a peaceful forest with 20, 30 or 40 other people.

Secondly, we found it harder to give back to the local communities. It’s not as easy to stop at that local bakery when you need to bring 30 other friends with you.

And thirdly, the big buses made it hard to go down the small roads that lead to your favourite hidden-away local treasures.

So, we went back to our 16-seat mini-coaches. And we won’t ever go back to big ones. Because we’re never going to value anything more than your enjoyment, our environment, and the world’s best kept secrets.

A tour bus driving along a scenic coastal road with mountains and ocean in the background, showcasing UK's natural beauty.

Choosing responsible travel

Responsible travel is so much more for us than a box-ticking exercise. We truly want to make the world a better place through travel. That includes doing as much as we can to help preserve the places we visit for future generations to enjoy.

To put these thoughts into action, we have initiatives to help make our vision a reality. By committing to small mini-coaches, donating our carbon tax and volunteering through our ‘We Care About There’ project, we’re making a commitment for change.

A Rabbie’s Tours guide smiles while talking to guests in a scenic UK landscape, with mountains and greenery in the background.