Follow an enticing trail of delicious tapas, avant-garde art, architectural triumphs and dramatic history on this 15-day tour through Spain and Portugal. Travel the scenic route from Madrid, relaxing on the beach in Algarve, sipping wine in Porto, enjoying the rolling green hills of Granada and being charmed by Andalusian Seville. Admire the masterpieces of Picasso, Dali and Gaudi, experience the passion of flamenco, taste some of the best port in the world and embrace the culture of these two spirited countries with a local leader to show you the way.
City sightseeing
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Guest House
Age Range
15-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Madrid, Barcelona, Porto, Santia
Madrid, Barcelona, Porto, Santiago De Compostela, Granada, Seville, Algarve, Lisbon
20% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
La Gomera is a stunning island with an amazing variety of landscapes and stunning views. Our experience felt very authentic and we enjoyed the local hospitality. The hiking was enjoyable but tough. I would certainly rate some of the ascents and descents as challenging rather than moderate. The terrain is often rocky but it is the areas with small stones, particularly on the downhill that can lead one to be on their feet one minute and on the ground the next! It can be very slippery with all the loose gravel and stones and needs solid concentration! In spite of this we enjoyed the trip very much and would heartily recommend visiting La Gomera.
Walking tours
Tour Type
Private Tour
Accommodation
Hotel, Guest House, Villa
Age Range
18-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
San Sebastian, Santiago De Compo
San Sebastian, Santiago De Compostela, Tenerife, San Sebastián de La Gomera, Hermigua, Vallehermoso, Chipude, Laguna De Santiago
This was the absolute best trip ever. Ive traveled many times. I have to say this was one of the best experiences and adventures of all. Our skipper, Rita was simply amazing. The best! Wonderful skipper, skilled sailor, knowledgeable, so friendly, helpful, genuinely caring of her boat mates. Shes a dream to sail with! If anyone sails, Id highly recommend requesting her.
Sailing, yachting and motor boating
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Nature, history and culture collide across Bosnia and Herzegovina on this round-trip seven-day exploration from Sarajevo. Recently touched by upheaval, the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina are eager to share their history and customs with you – through good food and local stories. Spot wild horses in the mountains, step inside a preserved bunker that remained a national secret for decades and go hiking to the mountain village of Lukomir. Then, tuck into home-made cheeses, pies and boreks, meet Sarajevo’s only female coppersmith and explore the historic and off-the-beaten-path town of Jajce.
AdventureCity sightseeing
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Beautiful weather and scenery in a part of Europe that gets easily overlooked. Lots of uphill cycling but you do get the long downhills as compensation. The guides Dhimitri and Juli were great - always helpful and Juli (also the driver) scuttling back and forth to ensure everyone was OK and had enough water. Would recommend this trip and the local provider Cycle Albania.
Bicycle tours
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Guest House
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Tirana, Zabljak, Rudinice, Niksi
Tirana, Zabljak, Rudinice, Niksic, Bay Of Kotor, Shkodra, Shkoder, Lake Ohrid, Debar, Lake Mavrovo, Tetovo, Brezovica National Park, Prizren, Berane, Kolasin
Walking the Magna Via Francigena was challenging - many steep hills, mud and rain. They organised everything else so that all we had to do was walk, making the walk much easier. The scenery was stunning.
Sail through the gorgeous Greek Islands on a ten-day seafaring adventure around the Cyclades. Setting off from Santorini, you’ll cruise the Aegean Sea in search of ancient towns, secluded coves and holiday hotspots like Mykonos and Paxos. Throw in some freshly caught seafood, local wines and a laidback way of life, and you’re set to drift and roll to the patterns of the ocean. Cool off with regular swims in turquoise seas and get the lay of the land from a local leader who’s got all the people in the right places.
Sailing, yachting and motor boating
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Yacht Cabin
Age Range
15-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Santorini, Amorgos, Small Cyclad
Santorini, Amorgos, Small Cyclades, Naxos, Syros, Mykonos, Sifnos, Folegandros
The trip was very well planned and executed. We really enjoyed hotels that the local travel specialist chose for us. The driver was very knowledgeable, kind and professional, we always felt safe with him. Highlights were numerous, but Sahara probably stands out as an exceptional experience.
From couscous to camels, mint tea to tanneries, you’ll get a taste of Morocco’s best bits on this 12-day adventure through mountains, gorges, desert and Amazigh villages. Kick-start in the French-infused port city of Casablanca, hang out with a local family on a homestay in Moulay Idriss, navigate the mother of all medinas in the cultural capital of Fes, wind your way up through Tizi n’Tichka and the High Atlas Mountains, before riding camels along the sand dunes during sunset and setting up camp under the Saharan stars. From the colourful and chaotic Marrakech markets to the blue washed city of Chefchaouen – this adventure through Morocco hits all the essentials.
Adventure
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Home-stay, Guest House
Age Range
18-35 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Marrakech, Casablanca, Moulay Id
Marrakech, Casablanca, Moulay Idriss, Fez, Midelt, Merzouga Desert Camp, Dades Valley, Ait Benhaddou
15% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
The Dordogne trip was outstanding - beautiful scenery, quaint and comfortable hotels, excellent food and days longs enough to feel the benefit of walking but not so long to make you too exhausted to enjoy arriving. Added bonus was our ability to enjoy a “coupe” everywhere we landed.
Walking tours
Tour Type
Private Tour
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
18-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Dordogne, Cressensac-Sarrazac, M
Dordogne, Cressensac-Sarrazac, Meyssac, Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne, Carennac, Loubressac, Rocamadour, Paris
The tour was very well thought out and organised. We had a full programme of seeing temples, tombs and the way Egyptian people lived. There was never a spare moment.
Adventure
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
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
Malta may be one of the world’s smallest countries, but it’s big on ancient history, natural beauty and vibrant culture. Uncover the highlights and hidden treasures of Malta and Gozo on this seven-day adventure with an expert leader to help you see the country through the eyes of a local. Discover what makes Valletta so special during an in-depth walking tour, go back in time at the ancient site of Hagar Qim and learn about a local trade at the Xwejni Salt Pans. Ferry across to neighbouring Gozo and hike along the coastline, then kayak across the water to Comino Island. One thing’s for sure – big things come in small packages.
Cultural, religious and historic sites
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
