See Croatia’s Dalmatian coast on an eight-day Premium adventure from Split to Dubrovnik. Laze at hidden island beaches and soak in the sunshine, while medieval towns and fishing hamlets make for an incredible backdrops. Get in with the locals on the beautiful island of Korcula, where you’ll be treated to Exclusive Experiences, local tastings, history lessons, panoramic views and loads of free time to soak up the natural beauty at your own pace. Take a sunset cruise off the coast of Dubrovnik, visit Game of Thrones filming locations, take a sustainable Urban Adventure around Split and toast to a trip well-travelled over some local wine. Bursting with culinary delights and cultural wonders – Croatia’s bountiful coast has it all.
Art and architectureChill out
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
Dubrovnik, Split, Lastovo Island
Dubrovnik, Split, Lastovo Island, Korcula Island
22% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
Paris, visiting historic places only seen by me in movies, beautiful countryside and castles. Tour manager so accommodating and knowledgeable, willing to assist with ideas or contacts for excursions during free time. Buses very clean. Of the 6 tours we have taken in Europe, this tour is the most memorable. N
Cultural, religious and historic sites
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Hotel, Lodge
Age Range
1-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Paris, Nice, Versailles, Caen, S
Paris, Nice, Versailles, Caen, Saint-malo, Loire Valley
9% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
Journey from the historic town of Bruges to the Belgian capital city, Brussels, along countryside roads and bike paths. During this week long cycle holiday, follow the Flemish Masters to the most beautiful towns in Belgium and admire their artworks in the Old Masters Museum in Brussels, St. Bavo Cathedral in Ghent, KMKSA (Royal Museum of Fine Arts) and Rubens House in Antwerp, St. John’s Church in Mechelen and Groeninge Museum in Bruges. In between towns, there will be ample opportunity to explore the special pockets of this enchanting country. Much of the mainly flat route is alongside a river, past fields and through woods. At the end of the cycling day, stay in comfortable hotels and explore charming cities where local specialities such as beer, mussels and chocolate are waiting to be sampled
For travelers interested in discovering the key highlights of Turkey in less than a week, this is the tour for you. Included in this itinerary is a comprehensive exploration of Cappadocia (including both its northern and southern parts) as well as trips to the ruins of Ephesus and the ethereal travertines of Pamukkale.
Book this itinerary for an unforgettable holiday in Turkey and leave it to us to plan your accommodation, transportation and other services. The flights from and to Istanbul that we generally use are listed below. Please note that this is subject to availability and may vary depending on weather and other factors.
From Istanbul: The flight leaves between 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 10:00 pm and arrives in Istanbul between 9:00 pm and 11:50 pm.
Discover the heart of Turkey on our captivating 9-day "Turkey Classics" tour! Begin in Istanbul, exploring its iconic Old City gems like the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and Topkapi Palace, plus a scenic Bosphorus cruise between continents. Marvel at Cappadocia's unique lunar landscape, fairy chimneys, and ancient underground cities, with an optional folklore evening. Journey along the Silk Road to Konya and its Mevlana Museum, then witness Pamukkale's dazzling white travertines and the ruins of Hierapolis. Your adventure culminates in Ephesus, exploring its grand Library of Celsus, the Temple of Artemis site, and enjoying a wine tasting in Şirince. This expertly guided tour is perfect for experiencing Turkey's most celebrated historical and natural wonders.
Start off the week in the Troodos Mountains and the stone-built village of Kakopetria, with its narrow, cobbled streets and the nearby 11th century painted church, Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis, one of ten that make up a UNESCO World Heritage Site of Painted Churches in the Troodos Region. Enjoy fabulous views across the Solea and Marathasa valleys to the sea as well as the northern slope of Mount Olympus - the highest point in Cyprus and home to both a long-range British radar installation and a ski resort in winter.
The next part of your trip heads towards the Northwest and Droushia with walks across the Laona Plateau with its picturesque stone-built villages. There's also the possibility of visiting a local winery. Enjoy fabulous panoramic views as you head towards the coast at delightful Lara Beach and the dramatic Avakas Gorge Nature trail. As your luggage is transported to your final hotel, you'll walk from Droushia to the Baths of Aphrodite cave, enjoying spectacular views of Cyprus's Northwest coast with the whole of Chrysochous Bay laid out before you, from the northwest tip of the island at Cape Arnaoutis, all the way to Pomos village in the northeast. You'll also walk stretches of the Smigies, Adonis and Aphrodite Trails with stunning views from the Moutti tis Sotiras peak and enjoy a walk along the North coast, visiting some of the best beaches and coves including Fontana Amoroza, the Blue Lagoon, Manolis Beach and more.
Trekking and Hiking
Tour Type
Private Tour
Accommodation
Hotel, Resort
Age Range
12-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Nicosia, Akamas, Kakopetria, Mar
Nicosia, Akamas, Kakopetria, Marathasa Valley, Droushia, Agios Georgios Tis Pegeias, Baths Of Aphrodite, Akamas Peninsula
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
Beautiful, an incredible learning experience, great meeting new friends, fun to try new food, and comfortable transportation and accommodations.
None of this could have been as special without our gracious, patient and friendly guide Theodora Finidou. She is wonderful! Perfect for the job!
We saw 16 cities that had a lot of history and beauty. Loved the archeological sites of Ephesus and the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia. Our tour director had outstanding knowledge of Turkey and provided continuous commentary over 2 weeks. I would highly recommend this vacation.
AdventureCity sightseeing
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Hotel, Resort
Age Range
5-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Istanbul, Kusadasi, Canakkale, B
Istanbul, Kusadasi, Canakkale, Bursa, Ankara, Cappadocia, Konya, Antalya, Pamukkale
11% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
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.
Where next?
Active and outdoor
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
You'll ride on a mixture of cycle paths and side roads with little traffic, passing through traditional Bavarian villages to reach the first of many lakes along your route, Lake Ammersee where you can enjoy a boat trip on a paddle steamer. Your first few days will take you uphill to the foothills of the Bavarian Alps to King Ludwig's fairytale castles. The return to Augsburg, takes you along the river Lech, and along parts of one of the oldest tourist routes in the world, the Romantic Road, mainly on flat terrain.
Bicycle tours
Tour Type
Private Tour
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
13-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Bavaria, Augsburg, Lake Worthsee
Bavaria, Augsburg, Lake Worthsee, Murnau Am Staffelsee, Füssen, Schongau, Vilgertshofen
