Start your tour in the entertainment capital of the world. Explore Hollywood, the beautiful beaches of San Diego, Santa Barbara, and Santa Monica. Relax and enjoy the desert landscape of Arizona and explore the stunning red rock formations of Sedona. Experience the vibrant nightlife, world-famous casinos, and unique entertainment options on the Las Vegas Strip. Witness the breathtaking beauty of the Grand Canyon to fully appreciate its majesty. See the towering granite cliffs, waterfalls, and ancient sequoias of Yosemite and gaze upon the iconic Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco
Excellent trip and very good guide in AJ.
Only negative was hotel in Florence. Good location (change from original hotel) but was tired and cleanliness could have been better. Very cramped solo room 🙁
Highlights were Pienza and Castellina in Chianti. Great hotels, beautiful walks and really good food and wine. 😀
Explore the rugged reaches of the South Island on this six-day trip with Intrepid, beginning and ending in Queenstown. Make your way to the shores of the South Island’s biggest lake and sail the silent waters of glacier-carved Fiordland National Park with an unforgettable cruise on Milford Sound. Cross to the sometimes forgotten corner of Otago – the rugged cliffs of the Catlins – to hike to coastal caves, then span the gap to untouched Stewart Island to explore the wilderness, listening out for the call of the kiwi. Crafted to give the right amount of active adventure and time to relax, this is the perfect southern getaway.
The guys transporting us were really punctual, courteous, and kept us safe. Lino in Pompeii was fantastic! Nicola & Micaela were so hospitable and some of the best food I had in my 3 weeks in Italy was at Sant’ Alfonso Agriturismo. Everybody was top-notch on this trip, however, Vincenzo was the most exceptional Tour Leader and really made the experience unforgettable! He was personable, funny, and incredibly knowledgeable on all topics (with impeccable English)! He made the tour educational, entertaining, and memorable. He went above and beyond by assisting tour group members even on his own personal time. He helped individuals with post-tour travel plans, catching the right trains, and directing them on how to mail postcards to the USA. When the group expressed interest in doing an activity together on our free day, Vincenzo orchestrated a last-minute tour of a cheese making facility and a limoncello factory. He even spent his down time taking a few of us to a restaurant in Sorrento that was less touristy and popular among the locals. We were so grateful for this experience and for the cultural humility he espoused. It was evident that solo hiking and the resulting self evaluation have garnered him much wisdom and have tailored him to be an inspiring mentor. It was special to see him in his element as he prepared us for and led us on a hike on the Amalfi Coast. When someone is doing what they love, it always shows and is a gift to others involved. By the end of the trip he felt like an old friend! We will miss his storytelling and charisma!
Say kon'nichiwa to the land of sushi, samurai & sake! In a country where the ancient and the modern collide in truly mesmerising style, you’ll make your way from Osaka to Tokyo, taking in temples, teppanyaki, geishas and gardens, plus miniature deer along the way.
Get a greater glimpse of Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and the surrounding cities with this 9-day small-group tour of the United Arab Emirates! Your journey will begin in Dubai, the famous futuristic city known for its world-famous architecture, distinctive skyscrapers, and gigantic shopping malls. Discover the Atlantis hotel by the Palm Jumeirah and board a water taxi across the Dubai Creek. From there you will head on a spectacular safari through the desert of Dubai, riding through the sand dunes, followed by a traditional BBQ dinner in the Arabian desert. From there you will travel to Abu Dhabi, the capital city of the United Arab Emirates. Visit Ferrari Park and see the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, one of the largest mosques in the world. Next, you will explore Al Ain, one of the oldest cities in the UAE situated in the Hajjar Mountains. See the Jahili Fort, one of the largest castles in Al Ain, and visit Qasr AL Muwaiji to learn about the history of the region. Bask in the beauty of the Hili Gardens and explore Sharjah, recognized as the Pearl of the Gulf. Later, you will head on a breathtaking cruise in the Musandam Peninsula, the northernmost part of Oman, seeing fascinating fjords and fantastic landscapes with the opportunity to spot dolphins. Finally, you will make your way back to Dubai, where your small-group tour of the United Arab Emirates will come to an end!
Embark on an enriching 8-day journey, exploring Turkey's most iconic historical and natural wonders! Your adventure begins in Istanbul with its magnificent Old City, featuring the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, plus an optional Bosphorus cruise. Fly to Kuşadası to uncover the ancient grandeur of Ephesus and marvel at Pamukkale's dazzling white terraces and therapeutic hot springs. Journey along the Silk Road through Konya to experience Sufi mysticism before being captivated by Cappadocia's surreal lunar landscapes and underground cities. This expertly guided tour concludes after visiting Ankara's significant Anıtkabir, offering a comprehensive and unforgettable immersion into Turkey's rich heritage.
There was an interesting mix of people from various countries. Our guides were excellent - Ivana is kind, co operative and taking care of each minute details. As for passenger there was one lady from Argentina Ms ANDREA MUNOZ who was unpleasant to co passengers. She would not straighten her seat at all and this caused great discomfort as the coach was almost full and there were no empty seats to use. Anita for the Spanish market was friendly and helpful too.
As for the tour, the Jama Postojna Cave was breathtaking and awesome and also Plitvice National Park was a wonderful surprise. Rest of the cities were good.
Maybe a couple of days more in the program would have been idyllic as it got very hectic and tiring and border crossings took most of the time and hence rest of the program has to be rushed.
But it was a wonderful experience and most of the co passengers were very happy.
We are happy with everything from picking us up from the airport, booking the hotels, food service, taking us to the sites and introducing them, and finally taking us to the airport.
Thank you!
Discover Mexico’s vibrant culture and stunning landscapes with an unforgettable adventure starting in Mexico City. This immersive journey takes you to iconic landmarks like Teotihuacan’s pyramids, Oaxaca’s rich heritage, and breathtaking waterfalls in Palenque. You'll enjoy authentic culinary delights, explore historic cities, and experience Mexico’s diverse ecosystems firsthand. Perfect for culture enthusiasts and nature lovers, this tour offers unparalleled experiences, from ancient ruins to local traditions, delivering a comprehensive and captivating exploration of Mexico’s most celebrated highlights.
Vietnam is home to many highlights and wonders spread throughout the vast length of the diverse country.
This unbeatably priced tour gives you 5 days to explore what Hanoi and Halong, two of the best spots in the country, have to offer. Experience both the hustle and bustle of Hanoi and the calm and tranquility of the world-famous UNESCO Halong Bay with its emerald waters.
In Hanoi, take a one-of-a-kind tour by cyclo and see a traditional water-puppet show. See the best sites of the city including Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum, the Presidential Palace, Ho Chi Minh's house on stilts, the One Pillar Pagoda, the Museum of Ethnology and the Temple of Literature.
In Halong Bay, enjoy a boat cruise and spend a day and a half exploring the stunning seascape and natural rock formations from the decks of a traditional Vietnamese boat.
This was a fabulous trip with a great tour leader. The last tour of the season turned out to be a very good option; it was pretty cold at times, but we had lots of sunshine and you don't want it to be too warm when walking!
Those considering doing it should be aware that the "optional"tour to Monument Valley is the only way you're going to see it and if you don't you'll be sitting in the van in a car park for 2 and a half hours waiting for everyone else! I guess it's presented as an option in case the tour is not available.
I'd also say that the guidelines re. meal prices need updating, they're just not realistic.
But overall, I'd highly recommend this trip and you'll be lucky if you have David as your leader.
Another excellent trip with Explore. Fascinating itinerary which helped us discover many parts of both Togo and Benin. The tour leaders, Oscar and Edmund were both excellent and gave us a great insight into these fascinating countries. Some hotels were better than others, but that is to be expected in more remote regions.
