Walking through ancient ruins, sailing along the Aegean, and exploring Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar—every day was an adventure! Highly recommend this trip for history lovers!
It may be an under-the-radar-travel destination, but when it comes to dazzling landscapes and fascinating culture, Albania is every bit as magnificent as its more popular neighbours. Spend nine days getting to know this Balkan gem with a local leader, travelling from bustling cities to remote reaches. Drink coffee with locals in Tirana, hike along off-grid rivers in the country’s north, stay in welcoming guesthouses and beachside hotels, and spend the night on a sustainable farm. You’ll learn about local crafts with artists, birdwatch as you eat breakfast in a spectacular national park, and learn about Albania’s culture and history from those who know it best.
AdventureExplorer
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Guest House, Hotel
Age Range
15-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Tirana, Shala River, Karavasta L
Tirana, Shala River, Karavasta Lagoon, Bay Of Vlora
Another spectacular trip with Explore. I highly recommend this company. As a solo female traveller they have never let me down. Explore is 100 % reliable.
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, Resort
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Tirana, Kruje, Valbona Valley Na
Tirana, Kruje, Valbona Valley National Park, Shkoder, Durres, Lake Ohrid, Pristina, Peja, Prizren, Rahovec
The trip was fantastic. The walk took us along stunning coastal walks and mountain trails. The ancient history was fascinating with ancient towns and settlements easily accessible as we walked.
The Turking people were wonderful, warm and friendly and the food was so tasty.
Our guide Nebil was well organised and had a fantastic grasp of the ancient history of the area and of life in Turkey. He went the extra mile to make our trip one I will never forget.
Walking tours
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Guest House
Age Range
16-79 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Lycian Way, Fethiye, Faralya, Ge
Lycian Way, Fethiye, Faralya, Gey, Sidyma, Patara Beach, Kas, Aperlae, Dalaman
Much like baklava, Greece is layered with history so rich that the only way to do it justice is with a knowledgeable local leader. Travelling from Athens to the Meteora Mountains and back along the coast, you’ll learn how Meteora’s hanging monasteries protected modern Hellenic culture from invading Turks, uncover the stories of the Oracle of Delphi and explore the site of the first Olympics. With Exclusive Experiences – like visiting beekeepers to discover the secrets of Greek honey – and a Feature Stay in a traditional stone mansion, this well-rounded adventure brings Greece’s past and present to life.
BeachChill out
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Excellent moderately graded trip in terms of the walks.
Accommodation was very comfortable to excellent. Meals were excellent. The overnight stay in the mountains was a particular highlight. The guides were excellent in terms of their skills, knowledge and to manage unexpected complication such as an early season snow fall. Highly recommended.
Walking tours
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Hut
Age Range
18-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Split, Zagreb, Plitvice, Starigr
Split, Zagreb, Plitvice, Starigrad-Paklenica, Ramici, Zadar
Even without its bloodcurdling myths of Dracula, werewolves, haunted castles and curses, Romania is the perfect atmospheric place to spend an eight-day trip in October. You’ll be introduced to the beauty of ancient Bucharest, the haunting mythology of Sighisoara and the nostalgic atmosphere ot Bran Castle (aka Dracula’s castle) in Brasov. Take a daytrip to the Hoia Forest, steeped in legend and ghost stories and dress up for a party after sundown with your fellow travellers. For a spine-tingling adventure this spooky season, don’t look past Transylvania... mwahahaha.
Festivals and events
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
This trip was fast paced, very active and jam packed but stunningly beautiful! I am not sure what i was expecting from Crete but it wasn't this, this was even better! We got to swim in crystal clear waters, hike the famous Samaria Gorge, as well as visit archaeological sites, it had a bit of everything.
Trekking and HikingBeach
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
This ten-day, private, guided tour takes you to some of the most beautiful castles of Transylvania and offers you a relaxing holiday in this enchanting land. Your journey starts from Bucharest, the capital city. From there you will head for Sibiu, the former cultural capital of Europe. See the magnificent Alba Carolina, a citadel decked in white, followed by a one-night-stay in Haller Castle. See the big fortified church in Biertan and visit Sighisoara, the only medieval citadel in Europe that is still inhabited, along with Peles and Bran castles
Learn more about the myths and legends surrounding these fairy tale castles and fortresses. Wander down the streets of medieval cities and take in the beautiful landscape of Romania along the way. For more details, scroll down to the itinerary section below.
This action-packed eight-day tour of Turkey offers an ideal overview to this diverse and beautiful country. You do not need to worry about flights, overland transport or hotel bookings, as all logistics are taken care of. Sit back and relax as you visit some of the most impressive sites in the country, including bustling cities, ancient ruins, natural wonders, and more.
Included in this itinerary are historic destinations like Ephesus and Hierapolis as well as famous natural landmarks like Pamukkale and Cappadocia.
The flights from and to Istanbul that we generally use are listed below:
From Istanbul: The flight leaves at around 07:00 to 07:30 am and arrives in Izmir between 08:00 and 08:30 am.
From Cappadocia: The flight leaves between 7:00 pm and 9:30 pm and arrives in Istanbul between 9:30 pm and 11:00 pm.
(Note: The schedule may vary as per flight availability)
The hotels were great and well located. The hiking was challenging. The navigation worked well most of the time. Andros was a beautiful place and well worth visiting.
Recommend staying in Rafina the first night and taking the ferry the following morning. Otherwise it is a very long travel day.
Beautiful hilltop towns, green landscapes awash with vineyards and olive groves, truffles, wine and fascinating culture - these are just some of the highlights of the Istrian countryside. Istria is full of superb villages and medieval towns, all located on picturesque hilltops. Discover on foot lush valleys, rolling vineyards, forests and olive groves, together with the history and culture of a region unlike any other in Croatia. You'll visit Groznjan with its artistic vibes, Hum which is officially the smallest town in the world, Buzet which is the truffle capital of Croatia, and the charming cobblestone town of Motovun. Follow a section of the Parezana trail and hike to the summit of Istria's highest mountain. On this week long tour you're sure to experience the absolute best of Istria, staying in charming local hotels and guesthouses.
