This was an excellent trip! We enjoyed living on the gulet, Admiral, and biking mountainous roads along the coast. The scenery was spectacular, our guide was excellent ( managing the logistics and safety of the bike riding and talking about Turkish history and the sites), and the food was amazing! Our trip was in mid October so the weather was very comfortable.
Bicycle toursCruiseAdventure
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Guest House
Age Range
18-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Marmaris, Fethiye, Knidos, Ciftl
Marmaris, Fethiye, Knidos, Ciftlik, Dalyan, Sarsala Bay
Ready to unravel the Balkans’ rich tapestry? The "All About Balkans (4 Star Hotels)" tour invites families and young adults to a 12-day odyssey through Bulgaria, Macedonia, Serbia, Croatia, Albania, Montenegro, and Greece. From Sofia’s vibrant streets to the timeless wonders of Athens, you’ll explore Skopje, Belgrade, Sarajevo, and the serene Adriatic coast. Highlights include the floating monasteries of Meteora and the legendary Acropolis. Enjoy comfortable 4-star accommodations and expertly guided sightseeing, all at an easy pace suited for families. The USP? This tour brings the region’s intertwined histories and diverse civilizations to life, creating travel memories for all ages.
Sightseeing Tours
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
18-75 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Athens, Sofia, Delphi, Belgrade
Athens, Sofia, Delphi, Belgrade, Sarajevo, Trebinje, Budva, Ohrid, Skopje, Thessaloniki
Embark on a sweeping exploration of Turkey’s captivating history and landscapes with the "All About Turkey (5 & 4 Star Hotels)" tour package. Over 19 days, young adults and families alike can discover Istanbul’s vibrant energy, cruise along the Bosphorus, and visit legendary sites such as Gallipoli, Troy, Pergamum, and Ephesus. The journey continues with a magical 7-day gulet cruise on the Mediterranean, soaking in sun-drenched bays and lively ports. Experience the healing waters of Pamukkale and soar above Cappadocia’s fairy chimneys in a hot air balloon. The tour’s unique selling point is its seamless combination of cultural discovery, luxurious accommodations, and a memorable Mediterranean cruise—making it one of Turkey’s most comprehensive and enjoyable travel experiences.
Cultural, religious and historic sites
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Hotel, Resort
Age Range
18-75 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Istanbul, Kas, Demre, Kalkan, Fe
Istanbul, Kas, Demre, Kalkan, Fethiye, Pamukkale, Cappadocia, Gallipoli Peninsula, Kusadasi, Oludeniz, St. Nicholas Island
We’re both in our 60s and loved the concept of seeing iconic cities in one tour. Highlights for us were Cape Town and Agra, very well organized with knowledgeable guides. The early morning flights and long transfers were tiring, and there wasn’t much time to unpack before moving again. That said, we met lovely people and learned so much. We just wish we had more time in Singapore. They handled logistics impressively for such a big tour. Would recommend for flexible, energetic travelers.
Cultural, religious and historic sites
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Lodge, Resort, Tent
Age Range
8-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Beijing, Dubai, Cairo, Toronto
Beijing, Dubai, Cairo, Toronto, Athens, Cape Town, Kruger National Park, Singapore, New Delhi
Itinerary is good except that it would be good to have one more day at Istanbul.
Tour guide and the driver are helpful , knowledgeable and the tour guide Suat is delightful to deal with.
AdventureWalking tours
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
18-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Istanbul, Cappadocia, Gallipoli
Istanbul, Cappadocia, Gallipoli Peninsula, Selçuk, Ephesus, Fethiye, Kas, Kekova, Antalya
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, Lake Bohinj, La
Ljubljana, Bled, Lake Bohinj, Lake Bled, Brod, Julian Alps, Mostnica Gorge
