Scandinavia has astonishing sightseeing for those who like nature or history. The experience was even better with Contiki. Ollie our trip manager and Tamas our drive provide a lot of historical information, curiosities and we were able to drive to some other places for sightseeing. Highly recommend it.
Being well taken care of at all times, tour agent & local guides were excellent in telling us history of Spain’s & Portugal’s castles & churches wherever we went! Hotels were satisfied, daily schedules well arranged except optional dinner was a bit over priced 😜
Very much enjoyed our cycle ride in Sardinia. The bikes and accommodation provided were of a good standard. The route and distances provided a moderate challenge which was expected. Plenty of points of interest to visit along the way including the beautiful beaches for swim breaks.
Beautiful part of the world, superb local guide with a really good understanding of how best to share the history and culture of the area. Nothing was too much trouble for him.
A great way to experience Croatia. However, we feel that some of the optional experiences should be INCLUDED (specifically the lunch at the family-owned winery) and a little more time spent in the STON area would have been nice.
Three countries, three incredible cultures! From Lisbon’s charming streets to Spain’s flamenco vibes and Morocco’s colorful souks, this trip was full of unforgettable moments!
These are full days packed with lots of information, the bus and all the people in it become family. You don’t have to be fit but there is a lot of walking. They help to get you into places where you’d otherwise have to queue up for hours. Amazing scenery
In the heart of Puglia is hidden the most important monument of the Middle Ages in Italy, a treasure of beauty and mystery to explore.
Castel del Monte was built on top of a hill where you can see a good part of the Puglia Region and the cities of the coast with a beautiful landscape.
Castel del Monte is certainly the most important building that has left the Emperor Frederick II Hohenstaufen of Swabia, full of mysteries not fully revealed.
At the base of its construction there is always the number 8.
After many years of neglect, during which the castle was stripped of furniture and decorations of marble, has become a refuge for shepherds, brigands and political refugees.
In 1876 the castle was bought and restored by the Italian state.
In 1996 it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage for the perfection of its shape and the harmonious union of cultural elements from northern Europe, the Islamic world and classical antiquity and because it represented the personality of its creator Frederick II Hohenstaufen.
The tour you will discover the exteriors and interiors of the 'castle' and describe the secrets of the historical context in which it was built.
The Golden Circle includes the greatest tourist attractions in Iceland, covering about 300 km looping from Reykjavík into central Iceland and back.
Thingvellir landmark connects all the major events in the founding of the Icelandic commonwealth. It’s also considered the best place on earth to view the North Atlantic divergent ridge.
Friðheimar farm and greenhouse will welcome you and introduce you to the Icelandic horse and locally grown tomatoes. Lunch (at your own expense) will be held in the greenhouse where you will have the possibility to purchase local products on the menu after a visit of the stables.
Kerið is a striking crater-lake filled with milky blue-green water amid stark black and deep red slopes. Geologists now believe it to be a collapsed magma chamber at the end of a volcanic eruption that occurred more than 6,000 years ago.
Another amazing stop will be done at Gullfoss Waterfall. Its impressive shape will take your breath away!
Of course, we are always prepared for an extra stop or photo ops along the way. And if we’re lucky, we’ll get to pull over to feed any Icelandic horses at the side of the road.
Group size: max. 18 guests, providing a more intimate experience, more flexibility, more free time and more spontaneous encounters than travelling in big groups.
The Dolomites are a beautiful part of the world and this trip didn't disappoint!!!
From airport pick up to drop off, I felt in safe hands.
Our hotel was perfectly placed near the centre of town and only a short distance from the bus station. Food at the hotel was delicious and we had 5 courses every night, just what you need to fuel a good hike!
Our walks gave us the opportunity to take in the stunning views of the mountains and lakes. Around every corner was another WOW!!!! We tackled a range of terrain from woodland and meadow to the rocky paths around the Tre Cime.
Nigel, our guide, was fab. He made sure we all got on and off buses, offered alternatives so people could tailor the walks to their ability and was very knowledgeable about the region & it's history. Best of all, he kept us entertained with myths & legends about dwarves, princesses and of course marmots!!!
Thanks Nigel & Explore! for a fantastic holiday!
Join us on our all-time best-selling tour and discover Iceland’s most iconic and historical attractions. It’s a classic for a reason. The Golden Circle combines history, culture and extraordinary nature and makes for an unforgettable experience.
The tour begins with an exploration of Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where the tectonic plates of North America and Eurasia split and drift apart, which literally enables you to be in two continents at once. You will see Iceland’s largest natural lake and learn the incredible story of how Iceland’s first parliament was formed.
Next, we move on to the amazing Gullfoss waterfall where you can take a short walk down a pathway and get close enough to feel the mist of glacial water on your skin. Gullfoss is a powerful waterfall with a powerful history, which you will get to learn more about from an expert guide.
Afterwards, we'll visit is Geysir geothermal area, home to the geyser that all other geysers are named after. Check out the Great Geysir, which is often called the "mother of all geysers". Next to it is Strokkur, which is the most active geyser and erupts every few minutes so you are guaranteed to see an eruption up close.
Finally, we move to Laugarvatn Fontana Geothermal Baths which is located in the center of the Golden Circle. These natural steam baths of Lake Laugarvatn have known to have healing powers and have been attracting visitors since 1929. Rejuvenate yourself in the steam room cabins, sauna, outdoor mineral baths (that have various depths, sizes and temperatures) or take a dip in the Lake itself for a relaxing end of an exciting day.
You've truly experienced the best of Iceland on this tour.
The northern nooks and regal Republic – see it all on this nine-day adventure on both sides of the Irish border. Travel through green pastures, vast lakes, striking cliff faces by day, and by night, head straight to the pub for a Guinness (or two). Visit medieval castles and ancient sites filled with folklore and marvel at the views of Ireland's rugged coastline, including the Ring of Kerry, Cliffs of Moher and the Giant's Causeway. While exploring Belfast, Dublin, Derry and Galway, don't forget to gather your travel crew for some pub grub and live music to cap off a trip that hits all the hotspots.
Honestly I really enjoyed everything. But if I had to pinpoint a favourite I think it would be how often we saw the northern lights. Due to the extreme weather conditions - a blizzard in October, we saw them almost every night which I think makes us really lucky, as I was expecting it to be much harder to see them. Additionally, I was pleasantly surprised by the adaptability of our day plans by our TM and Driver when we needed to be kept safe, and had delays to departures on some days due to snow, icy roads, and strong winds - we still managed to see everything we would have in the end and made some surprise pit stops too! I was super stoked with the glacier hike, but it would be even more incredible if it was longer. The only way I think this trip could be improved would be to have the start time earlier so the first day is actually a full day, and start the travel straight away! Why do we need to stay in Reykjavík on the first and last night? It could easily be changed to make the trip feel like you see even a tiny bit more.