Europe

Crete’s natural beauty is equalled only by the richness of its history. The island is the birthplace of the first advanced society on European soil, the Minoans, who ruled over much of the Aegean some 4,000 years ago. You’ll find vestiges of this mysterious civilisation all over Crete, including the famous “Palace of Knossos” and the legend of the labyrinth of King Minos and the slaying of the Minotaur by Theseus to save the kings daughter, Ariadne. At the crossroads of three continents, Crete has been coveted and occupied by consecutive invaders.

With scenery to rival Switzerland, a growing reputation for cheese and wine and a surprising number of UNESCO World Heritage sites, it’s little wonder adventurous travellers are increasingly turning to Eastern Europe. Dine in century-old restaurants, wander along cobblestone streets and explore medieval castles – including the one said to have inspired the gothic horror novel Dracula in Transylvania – on our small group tours to Bulgaria and Romania. All without the crowds, or high cost, of Western Europe.

At the crossroads of Asia and Eastern Europe, between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea, the Caucasus is a unique travel destination. Few tourists visit this fascinating region but those who do are struck by its beauty, culture and history. On this trip, you’ll pass snow-capped mountains, glaciers and gorges, dine with local families, and explore rock-hewn villages, mosques, and UNESCO-listed monasteries. Now is the time to visit this fascinating region as it emerges as a destination for more adventurous travellers.

The Balkans is a sprawling peninsula which derives its name from the Turkish word meaning ‘a chain of wooded mountains’. Those mountains are the Balkans, a place where farming first reached Europe way back in the Neolithic era. To the west is the Adriatic Sea, with the Mediterranean Sea to the south and the Black Sea to the east. It is perhaps easier to think of the Balkan States as “South-eastern Europe”. Wholly or partially on the peninsula, the region is made up of many fascinating countries. Our tour includes seven of them – Macedonia, Albania, Montenegro, Croatia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Slovenia and Serbia.

Sicily is billed as perhaps the world’s first true cosmopolitan, multi-racial society. Asians, Africans and Europeans have all ruled this island at various stages. Forget your impression left by The Godfather… Sicily is a friendly, vibrant, bustling island fringed with golden orchards, lush forests and the unforgettable soaring Mount Etna. If you love food, history and quaint villages, you cannot help but fall in love with Sicily – the Mediterranean’s largest island.

At the crossroads of Asia and Eastern Europe, between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea, the Caucasus is a unique travel destination. Few tourists visit this fascinating region but those who do are struck by its beauty, culture and history. On this trip, you’ll pass snow-capped mountains, glaciers and gorges, dine with local families, and explore rock-hewn villages, mosques, and UNESCO-listed monasteries. Now is the time to visit this fascinating region as it emerges as a destination for more adventurous travellers.

Discover these three wonderful Mediterranean Islands, Corsica, Sardinia and Malta… all with a unique point of difference. Sardinia remains part of Italy but has fiercely retained its own proud culture and unique influences; then there is the laid back, very rustic French governed Corsica, and lastly English speaking Malta, an independent nation which was once a British colony. Each of the islands are relatively small and easy to get around, and all have wonderful food and wine and ancient history, medieval villages, stunning landscapes and that envious relaxed lifestyle.

Türkiye has a wonderful ancient cultural heritage. The Byzantine Empire was the Eastern Roman Empire of the Middle Ages (with no exact dates being identifiable). Today, we distinguish the Byzantines from the Romans via its Greek influence and Christianity. The country was once the centre of the Ottoman Empire (1299 – 1923), which, during its prime, covered three continents, including much of South Eastern Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. Its capital, Constantinople (now Istanbul), was the centre of commerce and politics between the East and West for hundreds of years.

Perched at the top of Europe, the Nordic nations of Finland, Sweden, and Norway are a quirky mix of cultures that live amidst some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world. These countries are known to be at the forefront of modern thinking, yet they hold fierce to their cultures and simple ways of life. Their remote location and sparse population make this trio an irresistible destination for travellers seeking tranquillity, tradition and the wild outdoors.

Discover these three wonderful Mediterranean Islands, Corsica, Sardinia and Malta… all with a unique point of difference. Sardinia remains part of Italy but has fiercely retained its own proud culture and unique influences; then there is the laid back, very rustic French governed Corsica, and lastly English speaking Malta, an independent nation which was once a British colony. Each of the islands are relatively small and easy to get around, and all have wonderful food and wine and ancient history, medieval villages, stunning landscapes and that envious relaxed lifestyle.

Iceland's spectacular natural landscapes showcase the ancient geothermal forces that have been at work for thousands of years. Iceland is known for its volcanoes, glaciers, lava fields, waterfalls, and hot springs. The island's interior is a cold and uninhabitable combination of sand, mountains, and lava fields. From humble Nordic origins it has become one of Europe’s leading eco-paradises, boasting the largest national park in the European Union - Vatnajökull, where you’ll discover pristine streams full of salmon, glacier trails, five-gaited Icelandic horses, and bubbling pools of mud and sulphur.

Discover these three wonderful Mediterranean Islands, Corsica, Sardinia and Malta… all with a unique point of difference. Sardinia remains part of Italy but has fiercely retained its own proud culture and unique influences; then there is the laid back, very rustic French governed Corsica, and lastly English speaking Malta, an independent nation which was once a British colony. Each of the islands are relatively small and easy to get around, and all have wonderful food and wine and ancient history, medieval villages, stunning landscapes and that envious relaxed lifestyle.

At the crossroads of Asia and Eastern Europe, between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea, the Caucasus is a unique travel destination. Few tourists visit this fascinating region but those who do are struck by its beauty, culture and history. On this trip, you’ll pass snow-capped mountains, glaciers and gorges, dine with local families, and explore rock-hewn villages, mosques, and UNESCO-listed monasteries. Now is the time to visit this fascinating region as it emerges as a destination for more adventurous travellers.