Adventure & touring - explore , immersive & memorable

 Take one look at Iceland and it's not hard to see how it became known as the 'land of fire & ice'.

 This is a country where volcanoes smoke and hot springs steam , where glaciers crumble and icebergs float, where the island is still in the making and where the origins of the Earth itself unfold in lunar - like landscapes. 

Proud of its culture and heritage, a history of Norse folklore and a music and culinary scene to rival some of the best in the world. 

You can experience all of this on your own - but if you want to get to know its true personality , meet the people that shape its culture and explore some of the regions that don't always get the limelight, its worth considering an escorted tour . 

Travelling with an insider guide , you might be exploring the rarely visited East Fjords , where only 3% of the population live or checking out the Snaefellsnes Peninsula , where volcanoes glaciers and lava fields come together to create 'Iceland in miniature' . You might be touring the infamous golden circle, exploring the treasures of the south coast or venturing to the north to check out the country's whale watching capital, Husavik. 

Along the way , you'll take part in experiences you'll remember for years to come, from horse riding on a working farm to sailing a glacier lagoon, hiking into craters to sampling Icelandic delicacies . All the while you'll be finding out more about the history of this intriguing country, without having to worry about maps , transport , accommodation or anything else, that might distract from it's jaw-dropping views. 

A trip to the American South brings musical heritage and warm hospitality together with exceptional cuisine and fascinating culture.

From Tennessee to Texas and New Orleans to Natchez , each state has its own distinctive culture and sights to explore and an escorted tour will ensure you see the best of each. Its steeped in history , from the civil war through to the civil rights era , so travelling with a knowledgeable guide will help you uncover some of its most significant sites. 

The vast region is also famous for its music , of course , with blues , country, rock& roll and Jazz among the genres to have emerged from here, and there's a host of attractions to discover - from the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville to the Houston space centre in Texas. 

An escorted tour will help you scout out the best of them, and gain a deeper glimpse into the region along the way. Fancy visiting a thoroughbred retirement home in Kentucky to see old racing  horses, embarking on a dinner cruise along the Mississippi or catching and boiling your own crayfish, local - style ? 

You'll be able to do all this and more on a tour , with like minded people for company and an expert guide on hand for advice along the way! 

Vast , copper- coloured deserts , other worldly rock formations , snow-dusted mountains , and more national parks than you could shake a cowboy hat at - the west of the US brings together some of the country's most impressive landscapes, combining them with cosmopolitan cities, classic Old West towns and world-class culinary spots. 

From California to Nevada , Arizona to Utah and Wyoming to Washington State, there's a certainly a lot to see.

But why book a tour here? Well for starter you won't need to worry about driving long distances each day and planning out where to stay, with transport, accommodation and logistics all taken care of. 

You won't need to worry about what to do either , with hand - picked experiences bringing you the best of this extraordinary region - from wine tasting in Sonoma to white-water rafting down the Grand Canyon, chuckwagon dinners in Jackson to Navajo - cooked meals in Monument valley , hot air balloon rides over Napa to helicopter flights above Vegas and everything in between. 

You'll see all of it through the eyes of an insider , with expert guides taking you away from the crowds to discover the real heart of this wild , rugged part of the world , and exclusive , behind the scenes activties offering a glimpse into the stories , people and cultures that have shaped its fabric over the centuries - all in the compant of like - minded travellers ready for their next big adventure.

Golden sandy beaches , warm weather , bustling cities and culture filled towns - its no wonder Spain remains one of our favourite destinations year in , year out . 

From mountains , vineyards and fishing towns in the north to white - washed villages , historical cities and beach resorts in the south , Spain's regions are as varied as they come. Some even have their own language!

Yet while many of us flock to the most popular places , we might be missing out on some of the hidden gems that lie beyond those sandy beaches, That's where a guide comes in, taking you straight to the very best restaurants , hotels and local characters so make the most of every moment of your holiday. 

Do you fancy trying red wine straight from the vineyards of La Rioja? Meeting local cider makers at a family run mill? Do you want to try cooking some of Spain's most delicious dishes for yourself? or taking a guided hike through ancient laurel forests and along black sand beaches? 

These are only just some of the activities included in touring itineraries , giving you the chance to experience a different side of Spain. A guided trip will take the hassle out of organising a complicated journey , so you can spend less time studying maos and review sites and more time enjoying the authentic experiences you can only find in Spain. 

Gastronomy , history , agriculture , adventure - France isn't the type of place you can put into any one box. 

From the glitzy harbours of the Cote D'Azur to the fairytale chateaux of the Loire Valley , this multi- faceted country offers a whole patchwork of places that a single centre stay might not always do justice to. 

That's where a guided tour can come in handy , showing you another side to France's Provencal landscapes and picturesque towns , its rolling vineyards and vibrant cities , taking you under the skin of its many regions with an expert local guide who'll fill you in along the way. 

You'll enjoy a host of exclusive experiences , from perfume workshops to petanque lessons, farm visits to fine - dining experiences , and learn more about the country's history , shaped by the Romans , the Gauls , the Franks and beyond. 

It won't just be about sitting on a coach at all, whether it's a wine tasting tour through Bordeaux or an adventure - focused break in the Alps , a cycling trip through Provence or a history - filled break to Normandy , tours put the focus on immersing you in the destination , connecting you with local people and showing you the secrets of this vast , varied gem , so you can sit back , relax and enjoy the journey. 

Portugal has long been a hit with British tourists , thanks to its sunny climate and idyllic coastlines - but there's more to this country than just sand and sea. 

Whether it's the rolling hills and vineyards around Porto in the North , or the rural towns and villages of the Alentejo in the south , there's a region for all holiday types. 

It's not just about the mainland , either. The Portuguese islands of Madeira and the Azores bring verdant landscapes , dormant volcanoes and stunning hiking routes into the mix , and they're bursting with flora and fauna - from unique species of plants and UNESCO protected trees , to humpback whales and dolphins that can be spotted off the coast. 

An escorted tour is a hassle -free way to see more of the country , with planned stops often incorporating multiple regions into one trip , and optional excursions adding even more opportunities to explore the best of the country. 

On a tour , you'll get the chance to try out new experiences that you might not have even considered before. Fancy wine - tasting in the Douro Valley or on a country estate in the Alentejo? 

Experiencing a traditional fado music performance in Lisbon? How about heading out on a guided tour of the country's cathedrals , or checking out its historical sites in the company of an expert guide. 

 An escorted tour will give you the chance to do all these and more - and to see the side of Portugal you might never have discovered on your own.