The Hadrian's wall trip was a perfect mix of hiking and touring the highlights of Northern England and the Lake District. Our guide Paul Cannon was very knowledgeable of the area being a native of the region. The places we stayed were inviting and comfortable.Overall the trip was all we expected and more.
It was a great cycling trip in Portugal with Explore: beautiful routes along the ocean, on bike paths, through picturesque villages and interesting forests.
Our leader David and driver Paulo were supportive and helpful. Our hotels were very comfortable and included lots of choices for breakfast. Picnic lunches were first rate and dinner recommendations excellent. I highly recommend Explore.
Embark on an immersive 7-day journey through Turkey's most captivating historical and natural wonders, starting from Kuşadası! Uncover the ancient grandeur of Ephesus and marvel at Pamukkale's dazzling white terraces and therapeutic hot springs. Travel the ancient Silk Road to Konya's Mevlana Museum before being enchanted by Cappadocia's surreal lunar landscapes, fairy chimneys, and underground cities. Your adventure culminates with a visit to Ankara's significant Anıtkabir, offering a comprehensive and unforgettable immersion into Turkey's rich heritage. This expertly guided tour concludes in vibrant Istanbul, leaving you with lasting memories of Turkey's diverse beauty.
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.
The best. It suited me. Lovely walks, lovely food, historical locations, wonderful guide. I loved the local input - visits to the farms, bakery. A visit to a working Truli house would have been a plus ( very touristy visit to Alberobello) and the last walk could have been more varied scenically. Could have stayed much longer in Matera! Altogether it was the best trip I’ve done with Explore. It helped having a lovely group too.
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We had the best time on the Greek Caique Cruise. The itinerary was fantastic and Thanos knew everything and everyone. We swam off the boat every day and when we docked in various ports Thanos was able to point us to the best places to go, organise taxis for us if necessary and in the evening recommend the best restaurants.
La Gomera is the second smallest Canary island and remains a largely undiscovered destination. It’s a stunning island with at least 50 dramatic deep cut barrancos that slice through the landscape from 1500 metres altitude down to the sea.
The island is indeed a walkers paradise offering lush vegetation, impressive landscapes, fantastic path networks and beautiful mountain villages with outstanding views. It is home to Garajonay National Park which was declared a World Heritage site by Unesco in 1986.
Our guided walking tour takes you on a spectacular journey through the island, walking from village to village with baggage transferred throughout.
We use a mix of small hotels and apartments located in lovely villages along the way and have dinner in local restaurants so you are immersed in the culture and traditions of the friendly Gomeran people.
Our fantastic North West Highlands Walking Tour takes in ascents of some of the most iconic mountains in this stunning part of the Northwest of Scotland including Suilven, Stac Pollaidh and Cul Mor. The landscape in the area is incredible, with views from the mountain tops taking in hills, sea and islands, being some of the best to be found in the whole of the UK.
The area is home to truly fascinating Geology and there is always the possibility of spotting wildlife on our walks. We also visit and hike to some of the most unspoilt and remote sandy beaches that compare with anywhere across the globe, boasting white sands and turquoise seas.
We are based in the delightful village of Ullapool which lies on the edge of beautiful Loch Broom. Here we stay the whole 7 nights in good quality B&Bs which allows us to settle into our accommodation and get acquainted with all this lovely village has to offer.
Ullapool has various bars with live folk music most nights as well as being home to art galleries, bookshops, quirky gift shops and a Saturday market selling locally made produce and crafts. The village centre also has several eating establishments which includes the unique and award-winning Seafood Shack.
Your base for this holiday is Kandersteg, one of the last surviving picture-postcard Swiss villages in the heart of the Bernese Oberland. It's incredibly pretty (with streets full of cuckoo-clock style houses) and very much unspoiled. The combination of high trails and wonderful open plateaux make it a superb cross-country ski choice for all ages and abilities.
As your trip is self guided, our ski programme is both varied and flexible. The glistening trails are beautifully marked, easy to follow and incredibly picturesque. They undulate through snowy pines by the hotel and extend up to the sunny plateaux at Oeschinensee and Sunnbuel, which are easily reached by chairlift or cable car. You are free to explore the local area at your leisure, however, if you prefer we can arrange tuition at a local ski school to get you started.
We've included unlimited free rides on the local bus network, giving you the opportunity to extend your skiing further from the hotel, which is situated on the edge of the village and offers real 'home from home' comfort levels. If you visit Kandersteg in January you can step back in time over 100 years during Belle Epoque week (Please enquire for dates), there are period costumes, sledging and bob-sleigh races and an afternoon tea dance!
Spanning coast to coast across the north of England, Hadrian’s Wall is a spectacle of emperor Hadrian’s reign in the once-Roman province of Britannia. These days, the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Wall and nearby ruins provide the trail for a seven-day exploration of pre-British history on two feet. Walking from the western outpost of Carlisle to the eastern reaches of Port Gate near Newcastle upon Tyne, you’ll spend a week following one of the richest examples of Roman history in the United Kingdom. Stop in traditional English villages, discover the well-preserved sections of the Wall and explore the surrounding countryside on a walking trip full of history and rolling landscapes.
Explore one of the most fascinating corners of the Dordogne on this varied and flexible, walking, cycling and canoeing holiday. The Perigord Noir, arguably one of the most attractive parts of the Dordogne, is named as such for its rich dark oak and chestnut forests which fill the very heart of this region. The area offers spectacular scenery with ancient chateaux perched high above the rugged cliffs overlooking the entire valley. You'll find mediaeval villages full of character and a plethora of historical sites including the Benedictine Abbaye Sainte-Marie in Souillac, founded during the 12th century and which suffered badly during the Hundred Years' War.
On foot, bike and by canoe, venture through the Perigord experiencing what this picturesque region has to offer. You have total flexibility with the choice of either walking or cycling routes when you're not canoeing. The canoeing is safe and undemanding, and we will give you a lesson in handling your canoe before you set off. Your journey starts in Rocamadour, a spectacular cliff-clinging town and home to one of France's most venerated sites, before moving on to Meyronne, on the banks of the Dordogne. From here you pick up your paddle, canoeing downstream to Souillac and on to Beynac with its hilltop castle, captured by Richard the Lionheart in 1179, finally arriving in medieval Sarlat.
From enchanting mountains to impressive beaches, natural scenery, above to the gastronomic escapade. Join our 15-day tour and discover the gems of the awe-inspiring Spanish and Portuguese heritage. Architectural exposure in Madrid opens this spectacular journey, continuing to Cantabria, Asturias and Galicia to unveil the myths and legend about the supernatural presence of elves and witches and to get a feel of the delightful local gastronomy. Spiritual visit of the Holy Virgin Mary in Fatima, wine tasting in Oporto and vivid walks around the old Lisbon city centre will take you to know the Portuguese essence of their Mediterranean way of life. Spain will conquer your heart by its rich history, and gastronomic experience in Portugal will fill this trip with the life-time memories.
