Me and my sister traveled to Australia togrther. We had been talking about going to Australia for years, and when we finally found this tour, it felt like the perfect fit. It had all the major places we wanted to see Sydney, Cairns, the Great Barrier Reef.
Sydney was amazing. We loved walking around Circular Quay, seeing the Opera House and taking the ferry to Manly Beach. The harbor views are something else.
What we really liked was that the group was small. It made everything easier and more relaxed. We ended up making a few friends from Canada and we still keep in touch on WhatsApp. The guide was friendly and gave us just the right amount of information without overloading us.
The hotels were comfortable and in good locations.
For the price, I think it was really worth it. You get so much in one trip and don’t have to worry about the logistics.
I had done one trip previously – Amalfi coast hiking, fall 2023 – with EXPLORE. I was so impressed I asked my excellent guide, Pete, what else he would recommend knowing my abilities and interests. He immediately recommended the Slovenia trip, and it actually was on my list of places to visit. He had apparently set the trip up about seven years ago and was very familiar with it.
I have been in 50 countries to date - some several times- and Slovenia is now in my top five and I am already planning my return for next May.
We had a lovely small group, being the first of these hikes of the season, hailing from Canada, Spain, Australia, and the UK.
The accommodation, staff, management, and food at Art Hotel Kristal were A+ – and I especially loved and took advantage of the options of the sauna and cold plunge, Ayurvedic massages with the wonderful Bhatri, chocolate tasting with the owner, Alenka, and a fantastic wine tasting with her son, Jan. I went home with a lovely assortment of chocolates and also a wonderful bottle of wine that I will try to hold onto for a few years until it is optimal to drink.
The hikes were not difficult at all, but I found that I did feel like I got a good amount of exercise by the end of the day. I spent my free day doing a mountain bike ride. The whole area around Lake Bohinj is stunning and there are so many activities that one can partake in, as well as really yummy local restaurants close by the hotel. I loved that the hotel offered a pre-fixe three course menu for hotel guests for only €25 on the nights that were not included with the hike. An incredible bargain given the quality of the food, as with almost all of the food we had in Slovenia, it was locally sourced and delicious. I am not typically a meat eater, but I had the venison twice – locally sourced, and wild – and it was by far the best I have ever had.
I would definitely stay at this hotel when I return to the area. I would strongly encourage others to spend some time in Ljubljana – either before or after the trip. A beautiful city a two hour bus ride awaythat is just the right size and full of so much to offer. Next time I am going to see a lot more of this country – it is half the size of Switzerland, but the variety of the terrain and ecosystems is quite impressive. Also, to be noted is that English is widely spoken and children start in grade 3, learning this second language. The Slovenians couldn’t have been nicer and more helpful everywhere I went. What can I say?? Get yourself to Slovenia before it is overrun: safe, clean, and green – a beautiful country of farmers, foragers, wine makers, and beekeepers. Also note that they have some fantastic fly fishing there as well as mountain and road biking – very cycling friendly. After all, it is the country of Pogacar.
Trekking and HikingWaterfalls
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Hut
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Ljubljana, Bled, Bohinj Lake, Sa
Ljubljana, Bled, Bohinj Lake, Savica Waterfall, Lake Bled, Brod, Julian Alps
20% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
Spend 10 days exploring the best of South Australia’s Outback on a culturally rich and deliciously different small group adventure. From Adelaide, visit the opal capital of Australia, see silo art and watch stars sparkling above you in the Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park. Hear traditional stories of the Adnyamathanha people and immerse yourself in the beauty of Arkaroola – a 610 sq m wildlife sanctuary. Taste fine wines in the Clare Valley and take optional hikes through sweeping landscapes. With First Nations experiences, comfortable accommodation, a knowledgeable leader and free time to take on hikes, scenic flights or 4WD adventures – this trip to the Outback is the whole package.
Off the beaten pathAdventure
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Resort
Age Range
15-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Adelaide, Port Augusta, Coober P
Adelaide, Port Augusta, Coober Pedy, William Creek, Marree, Iga Warta, Wilpena Pound
18% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
A fantastic tour of all the best sites in Costa Rica from coast, to volcanoes, to cloud forests. The tour exactly mirrored what was described in the itinerary and the itinerary delivered lots of opportunity to view not only the tremendous wildlife on offer, but also the different landscapes and eco systems.
WildlifeBird watching
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Lodge, Hotel
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
San Jose, La Fortuna, Monteverde
San Jose, La Fortuna, Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Preserve, Arenal Volcano, Tortuguero National Park
16 days. Countless memories. This ultra-indulgent Sydney to Cairns trip is designed to give you a leisurely, expansive view of one of the world’s great coastlines, all with a small group. You’ll explore all the iconic hot spots, of course – Sydney’s famous harbour, snorkelling with sea-life at the Great Barrier Reef, the glittering sand at Whitehaven beach, and meeting koalas, platypus, crocs and more – but you’ll also get the hidden gems that only locals know about. And of course, out-of-this-world food and wine. Ready to discover the east coast?
No hidden cost on our tours. Look closely at the value for money with our amazing inclusions below!
City sightseeingCruiseBeach
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Resort
Age Range
14-90 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Cairns, Sydney and NSW, Sydney
Cairns, Sydney and NSW, Sydney, Airlie Beach, Mission Beach, Great Barrier Reef, Port Douglas, Mossman Gorge, Cape Tribulation, Newcastle, Port Macquarie, Byron Bay, Noosa, Fraser Island, Brisbane
The accommodation, the tour leader and the driver were very good. Interactions with indigenous people was a highlight as was the visits to spectacular places in Kakadu’s, Jabiru and the gorges.
The tour director was articulate and incredibly knowledgeable. He gave all tour participants access to understanding aspects of country, indigenous care of country understandable and indigenous culture and this made the tour for me, an excellent life experience.
Accomodation was in the main excellent, especially in Jabiru.
Thank you Top End Highlights.
National parks
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Hotel, Resort
Age Range
5-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Darwin, Darwin, Uluru and Northe
Darwin, Darwin, Uluru and Northern Territory, Katherine Region, Kakadu National Park
10% OFF TODAY
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Calling all nature lovers – it doesn’t get much more Australian than this 13-day adventure. Kick off along the buzzing Darling Harbour, then wander the historic laneways of The Rocks, see famous sites like the Sydney Opera House and experience the Sydney Harbour area through a First Nations lens on the Tribal Warrior Harbour Cruise. Then, venture into the heart of Australia and experience the awe of Uluru, Kings Canyon and many more significant First Nations sites in the Red Centre. Finally, bask in the natural splendour of the Great Barrier Reef and the ancient wonder of Daintree Rainforest – this trip really shows that Australia can do it all.
Walking toursNational parks
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
15-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Cairns, Sydney and NSW, Sydney
Cairns, Sydney and NSW, Sydney, Port Douglas, Blue Mountains, Alice Springs, Kings Canyon, Yulara
18% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Resort
Age Range
12-100 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Cairns, Christchurch, Blue Mount
Cairns, Christchurch, Blue Mountains, Sydney, Auckland, Hahei, Maori Village, Wellington, Cape Tribulation, Kaikoura, Hanmer Springs, Franz Josef, Queenstown, Twizel, Airlie Beach, Byron Bay, Port Macquarie
13% OFF TODAY
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Spend five days exploring Kangaroo Island’s best beaches and national parks and see towering eucalyptus trees and (of course) kangaroos around every corner. Hang out with a true-blue sheep farmer, see little penguins on an evening walk at the Penneshaw Penguin Centre and spend a day beach hopping between Emu Bay, Vivonne Bay and the secluded Stokes Bay. Discover the natural landmarks of Flinders Chase National Park, see the naturally sculpted granite Remarkable Rock and surf down sand dunes at Little Sahara. With an Intrepid leader by your side, get closer to some of the Australia's favourite places, no matter how much time you have.
Beach
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
15-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Adelaide, Kangaroo Island
Adelaide, Kangaroo Island
13% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
Weave your way from Sydney to Cairns along Australia’s breathtaking east coast on this 14-day adventure. Start by sampling some of Australia’s best wines in the Hunter Valley, get up close and cuddly with koalas in Dorrigo National Park and soak up the vibes of Byron Bay. The good times keep rolling over state lines, as Queensland offers the beautiful Whitsundays, the wilderness of the Atherton Tablelands and the sublime scenery and vast golden beaches of K’gari (formerly Fraser Island). By the time you wrap up in Cairns, you’ll have had a truly all-Australian experience.
Explorer
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
15-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Cairns, Sydney and NSW, Cessnock
Cairns, Sydney and NSW, Cessnock, Airlie Beach, Townsville, Mission Beach, Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour, Byron Bay, Brisbane, Hervey Bay
18% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
Embark on an unforgettable journey along Australia's east coast on this 8-day tour. Begin in the vibrant city of Sydney, then delve into an Aussie adventure featuring wine and cheese tasting in the Hunter Valley, wildlife encounters, Byron Bay relaxation, and the natural beauty of K'gari (Fraser Island). Experience the thrill of a 4WD tour on K'gari, indulge in Hunter Valley's delights, and connect with Australia's wildlife before ending in laid-back Brisbane.
Sightseeing Tours
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
18-80 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Brisbane, Sydney and NSW, Sydney
Brisbane, Sydney and NSW, Sydney, Newcastle, Port Macquarie, Byron Bay, Rainbow Beach, Fraser Island
