Explore Holidays

Albannach1876

Has anyone travelled with them? I am a single female in my 30s and love travelling. I've never taken what most people would class as normal holidays (sun,beach etc) but I've always had someone to go with before. I really want to do some more travelling off the beaten track but I'm not confident enough to go on my own (can cope with Western European cities!). I've never travelled anything other than independently though so am unsure about group travel but Explore's brochure looks interesting.

Any feedback / thoughts / opinions?

elsien

I've used them lots and can thoroughly recommend them. The groups can be quite variable in terms of age/friends/couples, but when you book you can ask about the make up of the people who have booked so far and try to find a groups with more singles/people your age if that's what you want.
The youngest people on my tours have been 14 and the oldest 82. I usually go with 70 year old mum and if we get sick of the sight of each other there's always some one else who wants to do the same things you do.
It can get a bit much on some of the busier tours - there's not so much space to get away from people, but on the free days/afternoons, you can head off on your own or not, depending on what you want. Some of it depends on the tours and how much you want to cram in. And explore group sizes are a bit more reasonable then some other companies - they tend to stick to the size groups it says in the brochure and I've found that generally these work quite well - quite often it's been smaller than they say.
If you're worried about being left on your own, the group leader usually arranges for those people who want company to meet up to go out for an evening meal, or you're free to head off on your own/with someone else if that's what you want to do. They tend to only include evening meals if there's little choice locally which gives more flexibility.
Some tours are more basic in terms of facilities than others, but their dossier descriptions are usually pretty accurate. I don't want to travel on my own, but I also tend to find that because the travel is organised you fit much more in if you can only get a couple of weeks off than you would if you travel independently. And I want to switch off when I'm on holiday - happy to let people sort out the hotels - I'd hate the idea of arriving somewhere and dragging my case around trying to find accommodation, train tickets etc.
Feel free to pm me - I've been to India, the middle east, south america, north africa with them, and not had a bad holiday.
Watch out for the extra local payments which can bump the price up a bit, but again, the idea of costs they send out with the dossier are pretty accurate. And if you value your space, some of the single rooms get booked up quite quickly so unless you don't mind sharing with someone you don't know, best to get in early.
One person I met used one of the south american trips as an icebreaker to get her used to the area, then at the end she left the tour to go travelling independently. Depends how much time you've got.
It's all a bit swings and roundabouts, but they seem to strike a reasonable balance between the different aspects of a holiday. For example, the 4 am donkey ride start in the valley of the kings was a killer, but seeing the sunrise , and getting there before any of the tour buses off the cruise ships arrived was well worth the effort.
And no I don't work for them, although a bit of commission wouldn't go amiss.

Bananabelly

Elsien has given you a great overview.
We could be twins, I am a single female in her 30's who loves travelling too! I have travelled independantly to loads of places (including most of Asia) but also done some tours.
I have been with Explore to Jordan alone, and to Russia as part of a couple. They are good, but kinda expensive (and Russia involved an awful lot of churches). I would say most common are middle aged couples, with a few single travellers and the odd couple/mother-daughter combination thrown in.
Gap is good too, I have been to Peru and Central America with them, and I find there are more single travellers, the average age would be about 30, it is a bit more social (though not one of those dating tour type things at all) and it is much cheaper. There is also a bit more choice about doing your own thing, I think.
Just depends what you're after.

Albannach1876

Thanks both for your really helpful replies. Even as a child we always travelled independently so I'm a bit concerned about the prospect of travelling with strangers that I may or may not get on with. I'm also used to being able to do my own thing! But I think the prospect of only short citybreaks otherwise is swinging my opinion! I travelled on the Trans-Mongolian Railway from Moscow to Beijing last year so a couple of days in say paris just ain't doing it!

digital1

Another company is Intrepid I have used them for 3 tours in different parts of Asia. I am in my early 30's and a single traveller - most of the groups have been in their 20/30's but you never know who will be in the group like most of these companies. I do add on some time either at the start or end of a trip on my own. I enjoy meeting new people but also love doing my own thing. I've used GAP in Africa but I would say Intrepid were the better operator - all three guides I had have been excellent in Asia. However I have heard very good things about GAP in South America. Tours are well planned but there can be long days of travelling involved. I like these companies because they take care of a lot of the planning/border crossings/hotels etc so I can relax - I work in a school and tend to travel in the summer holidays. I am on holiday too - don't want to spend my time lookng for the next place!! As others have said watch out for the local fees - this can add to the cost of the holiday somewhat.
Where are you thinking of travelling?

Bananabelly

Albannach1876 wrote: »

Thanks both for your really helpful replies. Even as a child we always travelled independently so I'm a bit concerned about the prospect of travelling with strangers that I may or may not get on with. I'm also used to being able to do my own thing! But I think the prospect of only short citybreaks otherwise is swinging my opinion! I travelled on the Trans-Mongolian Railway from Moscow to Beijing last year so a couple of days in say paris just ain't doing it!

The groups are usually 10 - 16 people, so even if there is one or two people you aren't so fond of, there are enough other people around to talk to. Most people tend to be pretty good though, I mean they all paid a fair bit of money to be there so whatever tour you go on you're sure to find some like-minded people. Explore and Gap (and I think probably Intrepid too) all let you do your own thing a fair bit, you can usually choose what activities you want to do, where you want to eat etc. The only thing that sometimes annoys me is when you're travelling independently you can stay as long as you want in one place, whereas you are stuck with their timetable if you are in a group. However, you know the timetable before you go and it is a small price to pay for not having to organise hotels, travel, etc - if you don't have heaps of time I think it is often the best way to go.

JCP

I've been with Explore a few times - generally when I've wanted to go somewhere and not been able to convince anyone else that it's a good idea.

Generally they are very good.
They've got rid of the local payments now as their customers didn't like them - certainly makes it a lot easier to budget.

It is more expensive than travelling around a country on your own - and it wouldn't be the first time that I've ripped off their itinerary and headed off on my own, but they are brilliant for countries which you may not want to hit solo.

Another company in this area is Exodus. They are much of a muchness to be honest and both well organised. Think Explore was actually set up by ex-Exodus staff, but could be wrong on this score.

Albannach1876

Thanks again everyone, that's certainly given me some more avenues to explore, so to speak!
I haven't got anywhere definite in mind yet - just need to get some ideas and dates so that I can get planning time off work etc.
I think I just need to bite the bullet and go for it or I'll end up being bored all year like I have been this year!

traveladdict8

Hi, I am also in a similar boat to you - 30's, everyone else married or with family to travel with, plus the fact that I am a teacher means that I have to travel in school holidays.

I am also looking at Explore - either their Morroco Mount Toubkal break (5 days) or Moghuls and Mystics (10 days in India). I have previously travelled with Tucan Travel to Jordan and Egypt and Exodus to Turkey. Both trips were great however the Jordan one stayed in some dodgy accomodation!!!

Let me know what you decide and hopefully others will share their views/good trips on these boards!

milliejo

we have been on 3 of the Explore Family trips & all were excellent. Although they look expensive we felt that in view of what was included they were very good value

tallmum

I travelled as a solo traveller to Cuba 2 years ago and had a fantastic time - I was in my late 40's and on my first solo holiday (post divorce - children elsewhere). The group were lovely - a total of 14, 1 couple, 2 friends, 3 work colleagues and 7 solo travellers - ranging in age from mid 20's to late 50's. Can't speak highly enough of this type of holiday.
I'm hoping to have a holiday next summer (if I can make alternative arrangements for children) with either Explore or Exodus (I've friends who've travelled with both)

Now I just need to decide where to go....so much choice:j