To celebrate King Charles’s coronation on 6th May, Audley Travel specialists have analysed tour data from The Royal Family to reveal which Commonwealth countries Queen Elizabeth II visited most during her reign.

King Charles will have a busy travel schedule over the coming years, but which Commonwealth countries did his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, visit most during her 70-year reign? Audley specialists have delved into the data to shine a light on her favourite destinations, and how you can follow in her regal footsteps.

Top 4 Commonwealth countries visited by Queen Elizabeth II during her reign:

• Canada - 22 visits

• Australia – 18 visits

• New Zealand – 10 visits

• Barbados – 6 visits

Canada

Canada wears the crown as the Queen’s most-visited Commonwealth country, hosting 22 official visits that spanned all provinces. This meant she experienced many of the country’s highlights, from exploring First Nations cultures through traditional ceremonies to celebrating Canada Day with a visit to Parliament Hill in Ottawa.

Like the Queen, visitors to Canada can also immerse themselves in First Nations traditions. They can also take guided walking tours around cities she’s visited like Halifax, Ottawa, Québec City, and Montréal, and embrace the outdoors in the Rockies, from hiking to white-water rafting.

Discussing what it is about Canada that may have kept drawing the Queen back, Joseph Saunders, Canada specialist at Audley, said: ‘Queen Elizabeth II may have had official duties to undertake during her visits to Canada, but it wouldn’t surprise me if the country’s melting pot of cultures and striking mix of landscapes, from mountains to prairies to wild coastlines, also played a part in Canada being a firm favourite of hers.’

Australia & New Zealand

Queen Elizabeth II journeyed across the globe to visit Australia 16 times and New Zealand 10 times between 1954 and 2011. Alongside her official engagements, she visited many of the countries’ key sights. Among those in Australia were the Great Barrier Reef, Adelaide’s Botanic Gardens, Mount Wellington in Tasmania, and the National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne.

In New Zealand, the Queen often met Māori leaders, including Māori Queen, Dame Te Atairangikaahu, in 1974. She also attended Māori ceremonies, including the anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1963. While the average visitor to New Zealand won’t quite have these experiences, they can learn Māori traditions and beliefs on private tours led by Māori guides.

Lee Felton, Australia & New Zealand specialist at Audley, said: ‘With Australia and New Zealand being so far away from the UK, the Queen usually spent at least a couple of weeks there, which is what I suggest to clients. Both countries offer such a breadth of things to see and do that it can be tempting to squeeze in as much as possible — as though you were on a royal tour yourself. However, I recommend spending longer in fewer places to really get to know the destination.’

Barbados

Barbados was visited six times by the Queen, often as a stop on wider tours of the region. Her visits often coincided with events marking the country’s independence, as well as to celebrate her Silver and Gold Jubilees.

Among the places she visited in Barbados was the Barbados Museum & Historical Society, whose galleries are housed in 19th-century military prison buildings and tell visitors about the island’s natural, social, and military history. In 1966 she also officially opened Barclays Park, a scenic picnic spot that covers a hillside on the east coast.

Samantha Bosman, Caribbean specialist at Audley, said: ‘The Queen’s visits to Barbados and other Caribbean nations were important to maintain strong ties, and the warm reception she received over the years is reflective of the welcome all visitors experience from the people there. It may be a beautiful island with relaxing white sands, but for me, it’s the chance to meet locals and experience authentic island .

To follow in the footsteps of Queen Elizabeth II and start planning your Commonwealth travel itinerary, head over to the Audley Travel website: https://www.audleytravel.com/destinations

For more information

Sam Foster

tmwi, acting on behalf of Audley Travel

outreach@tmwi.co.uk

01789 404180

Note to editors:

Audley Travel provides award-winning tailor-made holidays and private tours for discerning travellers seeking authentic experiences around the world. Their experts listen to your interests, share their advice, and then handcraft a personalised itinerary based on what you want and nothing more.

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