Embark on an unforgettable Island Hopping Adventure with this 14-day tour, delving into the scenic beauty and captivating history of Iona, Mull, Skye, Orkney, and the Outer Hebrides. Explore ancient castles, UNESCO World Heritage Sites at Brodgar and Stenness, and even seek out 'Nessie' at Loch Ness. Experience an immersive journey through Scotland's islands, with countless adventures and breathtaking landscapes.
Walk part of the Coast to Coast Walk through the Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors at your own pace. Embark on the eastern half of Alfred Wainwright’s legendary Coast to Coast walk, tracing the route from the rugged Pennines through the Yorkshire Dales and across the heather-covered North York Moors to the dramatic cliffs of the North Sea.
Your hike begins near the halfway point of the trail in the Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Cross into the Yorkshire Dales National Park and climb the mystical Nine Standards Rigg. From there, you will follow the scenic River Swale past timeless villages and rolling farmland before arriving in the historic market town of Richmond. The journey continues into the North York Moors National Park, where panoramic vistas and sweeping moorland paths guide you towards the coast.
The final stretch leads to Robin Hood’s Bay, where tradition calls for dipping your boots in the North Sea and marking your achievement with a pint, a glass of champagne, or an ice cream on the beach. Along the way, you’ll enjoy the charm of classic northern England; fields of sheep, rolling hills, dry stone walls, friendly local communities, and hearty full English breakfasts. Accommodation is in cosy country hotels, welcoming guesthouses, and traditional pubs—each reflecting the warm hospitality of rural England.
For a gentler pace, our 11-day itinerary (trip code WCO) breaks up the final two long stages between Richmond and Blakey Ridge, giving you more time to savour the scenery. Scroll down to explore all our Coast to Coast walking holiday options.
Walk in the footsteps of Bavaria's eccentric King Ludwig to Neuschwanstein Castle. Also known as the Koenig Ludwig Weg or King Ludwig’s Way. The eccentric Ludwig II succeeded to the throne of the then independent kingdom of Bavaria in 1864, as a youth of 18. On 13 June 1886 he and his physician Dr Godden were found dead in the water of the Starnbergersee (Lake Starnberg); the question still remains - Did Ludwig fall or was he pushed? He was a strong swimmer and a post-mortem established that he did not drown. But no one has succeeded in unraveling the mystery. The Koenig Ludwig Weg starts at the Votivkapelle (shrine), which marks the actual spot on the lakeshore ( near the hamlet of Berg) where the bodies were found. The route ends 60 miles away near Ludwig's own fairy tale castle at Neuschwanstein. This walk, which is one of the favourite longer walks in Germany, links places particularly dear to King Ludwig who was himself a keen walker. It is not a mountain walk and much of the route is on farm tracks and country lanes, but the surroundings are delightful, with a host of splendid buildings to admire in magnificent settings and plentiful opportunities to stop for refreshments! The plains surrounding Munich give way to gentle rolling hills that become ever higher as one approaches the great wall of limestone that marks the start of the Alps proper. The route passes two of Bavaria's most scenic lakes and through charming villages of geranium bedecked chalets with typical onion shaped church spires. There are masterpieces of baroque architecture, the Andechs monastery, the wonderful cathedral of Diessen on the Ammersee Lake; the monasteries of Wessobrunn and Rottenbuch, as well as the Wies or 'Meadow' church are on the route. The highest point (988m) on the walk is the summit of Hohenpeissenberg hill, considered by many to be the finest viewpoint in Bavaria. We end our tour at King Ludwig II’s most famous architectural masterpiece- the castle Neuschwanstein and at the nearby castle Hohenschwangau, both in Allgau on the Austrian border, where Ludwig spent most of his childhood. To celebrate the 150th anniversary of King Ludwig II (in 1995), the route was extended to begin at the Votivkapelle in Berg. It is a popular walk so early booking is recommended.
A fab tour from Explore. Their tour leaders are always so passionate and enthusiastic and group sizes are not too big.
This trip allows you to experience the beauty and diversity of Albania and understand the ongoing political and economic struggles the country has been through with centuries of occupation by the likes of the Ottoman Empire, the Romans and then at the hands of Communist Communism. Albania is now able to show off its beauty and is increasing it tourism offering. A hidden gem.
This trip was very well organized. I was very satisfied well planned and communication great through out. Thanks to Andy was on hand to sort a problem. I recommend them and will be using them again soon.
Walk through the Cheviot Hills from Scotland to England en-route to Britain's very own Galapagos. The St Cuthbert’s Way is a long-distance path that was established in 1996. The route reflects the life of this 7th century monk, extending from Melrose Abbey in the Scottish borders, where he became bishop to the island of Lindisfarne just off the coast of Northumberland in northeast England, where he was buried. So the ‘Way’ links places associated with his life. It includes a variety of delightfully unspoilt countryside: the Tweed Valley (origin of the famous woollen cloth), the Eildon Hills, the Cheviot Hills (origin of one of the most famous breeds of sheep), and the Northumberland coast with its broad horizons, sandy beaches and dramatic contrasts between high and low tide. The small historic towns en route - Melrose, Kirk Yetholm and Wooler - are equally unspoilt and offer a pleasant contrast with the thinly populated countryside. There is an abundance of historical features, including ruined abbeys at Melrose and Lindisfarne, the battle site at Harestanes Moor and old castles. The standard route is intended to be walked in 4 long days, but we have made several modifications to make the day stages slightly shorter and perhaps more interesting. The tour ends on Lindisfarne, but we recommend that if you have time, you opt for the extended tour which takes you back to the mainland and the beautiful village of Bamburgh overlooked by its grand castle and further down the coast, past the magnificent ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle to near the ancient kipper producing village of Craster.
The West Highland Way fulfilled every one of my dreams about seeing the Scottish Highlands. It was wonderful that all the accommodations and luggage transfer were reserved for me ahead of time and all I had to do was just walk up! Everywhere I stayed was run/owned by such nice people and I never had a bad meal!
The hotels were well chosen and offered really good food. It's important to realize that much of the travel is not prearranged, but we were not high season so were able to book everything we needed. It would be better to arrive from Oslo than Bergen.
We had a wonderful time. We quickly realized how lucky we were when we saw the skillful organization and coordination that took place each day. Our trip included all the must see places and events. We would have struggled for a month to try and achieve seeing and doing everything, on our own.
Begin your unforgettable journey in Zagreb, Croatia’s vibrant capital, where historic architecture and lively street scenes welcome you. After a guided exploration of the city’s Upper Town, travel across the border to Slovenia, visiting the charming capital of Ljubljana with its colorful markets and unique bridges, before continuing to the picturesque alpine town of Bled, nestled beside a stunning glacial lake. Next, return to Croatia and venture underground at the Postojna Caves, marvel at the seaside charm of Opatija, and then immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Plitvice Lakes National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. From there, head south to Split for a deep dive into Roman history at Diocletian’s Palace. Your adventure continues aboard a deluxe small ship as you cruise the sparkling Adriatic Sea. Begin with Dubrovnik, the “Pearl of the Adriatic,” where ancient walls and marble streets set the scene. Cruise to idyllic islands including Mljet, Kor?ula, Hvar, and Vis—each offering a unique blend of history, nature, and culture. Highlights include oyster tasting in Ston, exploring the magical Blue Cave on Biševo (weather permitting), and discovering the timeless charm of island villages. Conclude your voyage with visits to Bra? and Trogir, sampling traditional olive oil and strolling through medieval streets before returning to Split for a final look at this coastal gem.
We enjoyed every aspect of our holiday. The accommodation was very comfortable, Christina was a wonderful host. The walking was outstanding, with great views over the Pinhao and Douro valleys.
Enjoyed the trip 100%. People services were well organized and thoughtful. The scenery was gorgeous. Only one criticism was lack of a outdoor toilets which may have lessened the disturbing litter of toilet paper occasionally spotted.
Enjoy the best of Cyprus' stunning Akamas Peninsula during the winter months. Winter in Cyprus is generally mild, especially the western part where the walks on this hiking holiday are concentrated. The walks are mostly in the Akamas Peninsula National Park and in the adjacent “Laona” plateau area, at around 600m, with its small traditional villages. some of the walks end at the coast. In late winter and early spring, from February onwards, peaking in March, the Akamas blooms with a profusion of wildflowers. You can find many types of orchids and there are indigenous species of tulip that you may discover near the coast. Bird life can also be interesting as migrants start to return to mainland Europe.
Cyprus is an island of natural beauty in a region with an abundance of ancient and modern civilisations and cultures. Its mineral wealth was well known in ancient times: the island gave its name to the element copper (Cu). Away from the cosmopolitan towns and beach resorts you will walk through large areas of natural, unspoilt countryside. Woodland, orange orchards and vineyards are interspersed with tranquil, timeless villages on this hiking holiday. The Cypriot people extend a warm and friendly welcome and their hospitality will add greatly to the enjoyment of this winter walking tour.
