Experience Europe intimately with over 1,200 small group tours (max 16 travelers) spanning the continent. Enjoy personal attention from guides, flexibility in itineraries, and deeper cultural connections, rated by more than 9,500 small group travelers.
Duration
1 day61 days
Departures
Countries
Activities
Physical Rating
Accommodations
Simple stays with essential amenities. Typically guesthouses, hostels or hotels rated below 3 stars — clean, no-frills, and great for value-conscious travelers.
Comfortable and reliable 3-star stays. Expect private rooms, en-suite bathrooms, and solid amenities — a great balance between comfort and cost.
Upscale 4-5 star hotels and lodges. Enjoy high-end service, refined comfort, and premium locations — ideal for travelers seeking extra indulgence.
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.
Sightseeing Tours
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
I loved my time in Cappadocia. The hotel was great, our guide Aykut was brilliant, the walks a little bit but not too challenging and our group lots of fun. We had two lovely drivers who couldn’t do enough for us. Thoroughly enjoyed all the “sightseeing” activities as we got a break from walking but we learnt more about the history of Türkiye and its people.
Being in Cappadocia for a week enabled us to get to know the area so well and see so much more of its wonderful geography and culture.
Sightseeing Tours
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
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
Lovely trip to a beautiful country. Wild flowers in the mountains were a particular delight.
The guide Ivica was great. Very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about everything he showed us as well as being interested to learn from the clients as well.
All in all the trip surpassed expectations.
Walking tours
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
Split, Zagreb, Plitvice Lakes Na
Split, Zagreb, Plitvice Lakes National Park, Zadar, Paklenica National Park
An excellent trip with varied walks, some of which would have been much more difficult individually.
The group dynamics were great and this was helped by the excellent attitude of the leader.
A great range of food in local restaurants and bars.
Active and outdoor
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
A wonderful trip with a great group. Nick the leader was great, extremely informative both about his country but also with his detailed briefings prior to every ride. The trip was well run and a perfect blend of culture, history and enjoyable cycling.
The cycling is reasonably challenging at times and a level of fitness and experience on roads with heavy traffic is needed. It is hilly with some stiff climbs made more so by the hot temperatures we experienced in July. The provided mountain bikes where OK but would be much improved with semi slick tires.
Accommodation and the food in particular was memorable, the later far exceeding expectations.
Bicycle tours
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
This was another thoroughly enjoyable Explore trip to a fascinating part of the world in terms of its rich history and present-day geopolitical relevance. The group we were travelling with bonded very quickly and were great company throughout the trip. Both tour leaders, Armene (Armenia) and Alex (Georgia) were excellent, communicated their knowledge and love of their respective countries with infectious enthusiasm and were genuinely lovely people. Both drivers also did a great job on sometimes less than perfect roads.
There were multiple highlights but worth special mention would be both capital cities, Yerevan and Tblisi, the basalt rock formations along the Garni River Gorge, the spine-tingling medieval choral music at Geghard Monastery, a performance of La Traviata at Yerevan Opera House that wildly exceeded expectations, the amazing 12th-C cave settlement remains at Vardzia, hiking in the spectacular Kazbegi Mountains, plus all the amazing regional food and drink we sampled throughout the trip. Georgia's reputation as a bit of a foodie heaven is entirely justified.
I would not hesitate to recommend this trip!
Walking tours
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
The experience of cycling in Albania was very interesting as far as seeing different parts of the country, interacting with Albanian people, learning about the culture and history and cycling through forests and fields and down to the beaches.
The cycling itself was quite hard in terms of the hills, but because of the bikes/gears it was very attainable. We were able to stop and rest, as necessary and always had support and encouragement from our guide and the van.
Bicycle tours
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
