This was an amazing trip. Varied and interesting hiking, experienced authentic southern Spain, amazing history. Hosts in all the places we stayed were excellent, accommodations were stellar! And a special mention of the hosts at Posada San Marcos (Alajar) who coordinated the transportation, were helpful and knowledgeable about the area and provided a wonderful 3 night stay at the end of the trip.
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.
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, Vallehermoso, Chipude, Playa De Santiago, Los Cristianos , Tenerife
Arrangements were all in order and hotel /restaurant choices were excellent and as described. The app works well (with the minor caveat that the details of the map disappear when you zoom in too close and when you go off track). We loved our walk on Costa Brava, because we could just focus on walking a truly gorgeous coast without any logistical worry.
Walking tours
Tour Type
Private Tour
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
18-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Southern France, Collioure, Bany
Southern France, Collioure, Banyuls, Cerbère, Llanca, Port De La Selva, Girona
They organised my trip to France to walk the GR70 Stevenson's Way, which I completed in August. I booked 9 months in advance, which I recommend to ensure availability of accommodation in some remote areas of France.
Communication with the team was excellent and the staff were very helpful.
About two weeks before departure I received a pre-trip information pack. I was pleasantly surprised by the depth and quality of the information provided which included details of accommodation, baggage transfers and a detailed day by day route guide. All this was available to print and save to my phone.
Another great feature was gpx files for use with free app. This proved surprisingly easy to use and the voice guidance and audible off-route warnings were particularly helpful.
The trip itself was extremely well organised. I enjoyed the variety of food and accommodation and experienced only one check-in problem which they quickly resolved after I called their emergency contact number.
I had a great trip and would highly recommend this company if you are planning a walking trip.
Walking tours
Tour Type
Private Tour
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
18-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
The Way of St. James, Southern F
The Way of St. James, Southern France, Le Puy-en-Velay, St Jean De Gard, Arlempdes, Pradelles, La Bastide Puy Laurent, Le Bleymard, Le Pont De Montvert, Florac, St Germain De Calberte
Great scenic walking with demanding ascents and descents but comfortably within the capability of a walker used to the Fells. The organisation was excellent and everything worked seamlessly. The hotels were all good although the quality of the restaurants in the villages was mixed with good and bad experiences from what was recommended. A great week.
Walking tours
Tour Type
Private Tour
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
18-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Cinque Terre and Liguria, Liguri
Cinque Terre and Liguria, Liguria, Bonassola, Genoa
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, Lake Bohinj, La
Ljubljana, Bled, Lake Bohinj, Lake Bled, Brod, Julian Alps, Mostnica Gorge
