This distinctive stone is quarried and used in the construction of the golden-coloured local buildings and gives the stone-built villages of the Cotswolds a beautiful and quintissentially 'English' look.
This 8-night walking holiday takes you through some of the finest North Cotswold villages with shorter walking days, allowing the maximum time to explore the villages and walk at a relaxed pace. Your route includes visits to some of the best-known towns and villages in the region including Broadway, Chipping Campden and Guiting Power as well as the Saxon capital of Winchcombe and the nearby Sudeley Castle, the last resting place of Henry VIII's sixth wife, Katherine Parr. Enjoy the rolling Cotswolds countryside, riverside walks and some stunning horticultural gems in the gardens of National Trust manor houses, such as Kiftsgate or Hidcote.
This is the 10th Explore holiday, we have covered places like Peru, Chile, Bolivia, Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Vietnam, Cambodia, Cuba, India and this just covers 5 holidays.
These are not for everyone, as some are very full on, but the two Balkan trips were easy, although some of this group had not read the itinerary properly and this was a bit too much for them!
The Cuba and South America were what I call, sanitised back packing, as sleeping out in the open and you can have very early starts, around 4 am and late finishes.
However, you really see the place and interact with the local people. This is why we love Explore tours.
If you want total comfort and not really interact, then Saga or like is for you, as you do have to rough it on some trips.
One trip in particular was India, two days going up the Ganges on a wooded raft, inches from the water and sleeping on the bank at night with the snakes and wild dogs, just an amazing experience, and you know you are alive!
Another was in the jungle of Cuba, no tent, just under the stars, but I did get attacked by the smallest ants in the night, but still a fantastic experience, one I won’t forget!
Our tour guides have all been very good, but on this trip, Constantin went beyond the norm.
The only criticism on this trip was no local experts and Constantin had to do it all, which makes it very difficult for him to become an expert in every area, town etc.
Sightseeing Tours
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Guest House, Hotel, Villa
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Bucharest, Sofia, Black Sea Regi
Bucharest, Sofia, Black Sea Region, Kaliakra, Transylvania, Sibiu, Belgrade
Travelling at your own pace, you'll combine the elegance of eternal favourites like Ravello, Positano and Sorrento with discoveries most travellers never make such as farmers harvesting olives, fishermen crouched over brightly painted boats mending their nets and the bird's eye view of the entire peninsula from the Path of the Gods above Positano.
From Ravello, whose exotic formal gardens at Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone seem to float ethereally between sea and sky, your route takes you first to Positano's chic pastel houses and enticing pebble beach. It's then on to Marina del Cantone, and the hidden shingle coves few visitors ever find. Finally you reach cliff-top Sorrento. With balcony views over Vesuvius, it's a great base to visit Pompeii or Herculaneum by train, or Capri or Ischia by boat.
Trekking and HikingHoneymoon
Tour Type
Private Tour
Accommodation
Hotel, Villa, Resort
Age Range
13-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Amalfi Coast & Campania, Sorrent
Amalfi Coast & Campania, Sorrento, Amalfi, Positano, Marina Del Cantone
A gorgeous corner of France to explore at walking pace. Many of the paths were timeless and the views spectacular. All luggage and personal transfers worked smoothly.
Walking tours
Tour Type
Private Tour
Accommodation
Hotel, Guest House, Hut
Age Range
18-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Provence, Isle Sur La Sorgue, Go
Provence, Isle Sur La Sorgue, Gordes, Bonnieux, Buoux
Tantalize your taste buds on this private guided Setúbal region wine trip from Lisbon. You will stop in different regional cellars, tasting the region´s different wines. Besides that, you also will taste fine traditional locally produced products, and marvel at the spectacular mountain scenery.
On this full-day tour, you can choose one of two options for your tour:
Visit 3 wineries* with 10 wine tastings and enjoy a selection of traditional local cheese, chorizo, and bread.
Visit 2 wineries* with 7 wine tastings followed by a full lunch (entrees, main dish (fish or meat), dessert, and beverage (wine or other) in a small traditional family-owned restaurant in the Palmela village.
We will travel first to Azeitão, an area that is well known for its wines and cheese. You will visit some of the Setúbal Region wine cellars and taste their wines and other produces. You will be shown a full overview of the region´s wine production methods and styles.
Note that our choice of wineries for the day will depend on their availabilities and weather conditions (as some are more outdoors).
*Our partner wineries include:
José Maria da Fonseca;
Quinta do Alcube;
Setúbal Regional´s “Mother House”;
Adega Cooperativa de Palmela.
At the internationally renowned wine cellars of José Maria da Fonseca you will learn about the winery’s history, since 1834, and sample some of its wines. This is one of the oldest family-owned cellar of Portugal, being presently at the 7th generation, and counting. Note that this winery will be always in our selection for the day.
Another is Quinta de Alcube, also a family-owned wine cellar, that is over a century old (since 1913). While visiting this small traditional winery, you can taste their selection of wines and discover more about the “agricultural side” of winemaking.
All of the 14 wine regions of Portugal have a regional “Mother House”. Here we have all the 24 wineries of the Setúbal region united in one winery. You will be able to see and taste, what the different wineries produce, their different terroir, styles and types.
For a more “industrial” experience, the Adega Cooperativa de Palmela Winery is the place to be. Especially during harvest season, you will be able to immerse in how the different wines are produced.
Finally, and in addition to all these tastings, you will be able to marvel at the views of the Arrábida Natural Park mountain range and know a bit of its history.
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!
Hiking southern Iceland is an exciting, and demanding trip. beautiful, other worldly landscape. one of my top 3 tours. a person taking this trip should be fit/strong walker. Would not recommend for the average senior (over 65).
Trekking and Hiking
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
12-100 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Reykjavik, South Iceland, Vik, H
Reykjavik, South Iceland, Vik, Hofn, Kirkjubaejarklaustur
The Kerry Way walk was a great challenge due to intense rain and wind on almost every section of our walk. However, the organisation with the locations of the B& Bs, transfer of luggage each day plus notes for each section made the whole trip easier.