Touring Showcase - MASTER COPY

Rail

If you're longing to see more of the world, but have no idea where to start, then an escorted tour might just be the answer. But what actually is an escorted tour? Think of it like a holiday where all the planning is done for you: you'll travel with a guide from place to place on a pre-planned itinerary, with excursions, accommodation, transfers, and sometimes even your international flights all taken care of. But who typically goes on them? Everyone! Escorted tours aren't exclusively for the older generation, or for young backpackers: there really is something for everyone. If it wasn't clear already, we're big fans at Travelzoo—so we've put together an expert guide to talk you through all the different types, and help you navigate the big, wide world of touring. The Travel Weekly Hotlist published in association with Travelzoo honours the best suppliers in the touring and adventure sector and will feature five awards voted for by Travelzoo members. Winners will be announced on the 12th June.

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Solo

Rail

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Expertly-crafted itineraries

Booking a rail holiday can be confusing, especially if it's all new territory. Booking with an award-winning, luxury tour operator like Imagine Cruising means all the admin and planning has been done for you, so all you have to do is climb onboard and take your seats as you’re whisked away. Imagine also offers a collection of expertly curated itineraries on some of the world’s most iconic locomotives. From the timeless luxury of the Venice-Simplon-Orient-Express or the Belmond Andean Explorer, to the exotic splendour of India's Himalayan Queen or South Africa's Rovos Rail. As well as transfers (where applicable) and flights, all itineraries are combined with hotel stays and escorted tours to offer a one-of-a-kind holiday experience.

Off-train experiences

Luxury rail journeys offer one of the most captivating ways to discover the world. They offer the opportunity to bask in the slow meditative nature of the journey and soak up every moment. Marvel at the vivid electric-blue lakes nestled at the feet of the Canadian Rockies onboard Rocky Mountaineer, admire the breathtaking snow-capped peaks of the Swiss Alps from the Bernina Red Train, or follow in the footsteps of legendary adventurers across the vast desert landscapes of the Australian Outback on the Indian Pacific. There's something about travelling by train that evokes a sense of nostalgia. It takes you back to a bygone era of travel; of dining cars, opulent carriages, luggage porters, cosy havens of rest, and white-gloved bellmen. Travelling by plane may be quicker, but taking your time to really appreciate the journey can be just as enriching as what awaits when you get there.

Take the scenic route

Of course, there's so much waiting for you outside the train too: break up the journey and enrich the adventure with various excursions en route. The Indian Pacific goes between Perth and Sydney, and has some incredible experiences along the way: think wine tasting in the Barossa Valley, star-gazing in the Australian outback, or riding a cable car over the Blue Mountains. Watch the sun rise over the bright blue waters of Lake Titicaca (the highest lake in the world) or discover over 500 fascinating paintings in the Sumbay Caves on a trip aboard the Andean Explorer. If you're travelling through South Africa with Rovos Rail, you can visit the Kimberley Mine Museum or the historic village of Matjiesfontein, with its collection of vintage cars and railway carriages.

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ROAD TRIPs

Local guides lead the way

On a solo touring holiday, there's no need to worry about where you're going next, or sorting out how to get there. Touring companies like Just You offer the expert advice of a Holiday Director who'll be on hand throughout the trip to take care of everything and help bring the destination to life with their wealth of local knowledge. So you can leave the admin to them, and focus on having the time of your life with newfound friends. You'll also get to meet locals at the places you visit, and find out more about daily life in the destination. Watch mozzarella being made on a local family farm on an escorted tour to Sorrento, visit a Himba tribe in Namibia, or learn the art of weaving from a community of women in Peru. It's all about immersing yourself in the local culture and experiencing more than just the guidebook highlights.

Book with the experts

Just You create tailor-made tours that are specifically designed for solo travellers. And the proof is in the pudding: they've been awarded Best Singles Holiday Company at the British Travel Awards for five years in a row. Everything is designed with solo travellers in mind—you're guaranteed a room of your own, and when you arrive at your destination, you'll get a welcome drink or dinner to break the ice and get you mingling with your group. You can also connect with others via their Community Board, if you have any queries about upcoming trips, or just want to get some tips on a destination. Plus, breakfast is always included, and for all long-haul trips, you'll get airport lounge access to start your holiday in style. But don't just take our word for it—read about other traveller's solo adventures here.

The iconic Route 66

If you prefer to take the adventure into your own hands, then maybe a great American road trip is the tour for you. American Holidays offer fly-drive packages on a variety of routes—all your accommodation, flights, luggage, and car hire is sorted for you, and included in the price. Of course, we can't talk about great American road trips without mentioning Route 66. The legendary route starts in the Windy City of Chicago, home of blues bars and deep-dish pizza. After passing through St Louis and Springfield, you'll arrive in Oklahoma City, where you can snap some photos at old Route 66 motels, gas stations, and historic buildings. Next is the treasure trove of Albuquerque, New Mexico, where you can learn about the state's Spanish colonial past before continuing on to Nevada. Indulge under the bright lights of Sin City, and see the awe-inspiring Grand Canyon, then finish the trip in style in glamorous Los Angeles.

California dreaming

A trip down the California coast combines the bright lights of big cities with laid-back surf vibes and awe-inspiring national parks. Start off in San Francisco, where you can marvel at the Golden Gate Bridge, explore the charming Fisherman's Wharf, and take the ferry over to Alcatraz. Then, it's time to hit the open road and feel the wind in your hair as you cruise down the Pacific Coast Highway. Stop off at the majestic Yosemite National Park, where you can check out the giant sequoias, rushing waterfalls, and postcard-perfect landscapes. It's then onto the coastal towns of Monterey and San Simeon, with their sandy beaches and rugged coastlines. Round off the adventure with California's arguably most famous destination—Los Angeles. Go celeb-spotting in Beverly Hills and the Hollywood Walk of Fame, splurge on Rodeo Drive, or hike up to the Griffith Observatory for panoramic city views.

The rhythms of the South

A road trip through the Deep South can only mean one thing: great tunes. Start off in Nashville, the home of American country music. Catch a show at the Grand Ole Opry, visit the Country Music Hall of Fame, and check out the next big thing in the honky-tonks along Broadway. Once you've tapped your toes in your cowboy boots, it's time to head down to Memphis. The city's best known for being the birthplace of the blues, and of course, Elvis Presley's hometown. Tuck into delicious barbecue food and fried chicken, stroll around Graceland, then catch some incredible musicians performing along Beale Street—we recommend the legendary BB King's Blues Club. Finally, stop off in New Orleans, where every night is Mardi Gras. Try a signature hurricane cocktail, go in search of alligators in the bayou, then top it all off with a night of jazz along Bourbon Street.

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Road trips

The Travelzoo guide to:

Join like-minded travellers

Touring holidays offer a perfect getaway for solo travellers. If you're a little apprehensive about travelling on your own, then joining a group is a great way to see more of the world with that extra level of security. You'll also be travelling with like-minded people, who could lead to becoming life-long friends. Jan, who recently went on an escorted tour to Jordan with touring company Just You, said "you can quickly make friends and get to know a little bit about everyone on the tour. It's a ready made group to join in with, and there is also time to go off and do things on your own if you wish. I always think that the balance is very good, and those that are slightly shy will be drawn into the social side of things."

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Long haul

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Explore the world for less

Taking the road less travelled doesn't necessarily mean breaking the bank. Exoticca offer extraodinary travel experiences at never-before-seen prices. They also regularly run discounts and sales all year round, with up to 50% off select itineraries. Groups of friends can also save with Exoticca's group travel programme. Groups of 10 friends can get either a free spot for one person, or 10% off per person for the trip. You can also give the gift of travel with their referral programme — if you invite a friend to book with Exoticca, you can earn £100 in travel credit when they make their first booking, and your friend will also save £100.

No-hassle travel

Embarking on an itinerary that spans multiple destinations (and sometimes multiple countries) sounds exhausting though, right? Not when you book through a tour operator. Companies like Exoticca take a 'planned by experts, guided by locals' approach: everything is highly curated and hand-picked by their team of travel experts. All itineraries have been tried and tested by their team before going on sale—even the hotels have been vetted. Intuitive and easy-to-use, their website offers a seamless booking process, allowing you to get instant quotes and complete your booking all at the click of a button. The majority of their tours include transfers, flights, accommodation, and multiple excursions, leaving you to focus on soaking up the adventure. Whilst you're travelling, you can use their Traveler's App with real-time updates about the day ahead, and a direct line to their 24/7 care team.

A treasure trove to discover

An escorted tour is the perfect way to explore destinations you might never have considered before. There's no need to spend hours researching the best places to go, what to do, and where to stay, as the itinerary is created for you. See more of Asia on a guided tour of Japan, traverse the Silk Road to the mosques and minarets of Uzbekistan, or see China's awe-inspiring Great Wall. If South America's your bag, then you could join a group tour to the valleys of Peru, sip mezcal in the colourful streets of Guatemala, or cross hanging bridges in the rainforests of Costa Rica. Spot the Big Five on a safari through Kruger, see the fossilised trees of Soussevlei in Namibia, or explore the desert kasbahs of Morocco on an Africa tour. The world is your oyster, and a tour can take you there.

Escorted tours aren't always just about visiting the sites—there are tours for all kinds of interests. If you prefer to keep active whilst away, you could join a walking tour through the striking Italian Dolomites or the fairytale Alpine towns of Austria, or take in views across the Atlantic Ocean as you hike Madeira's levada trails. Cycling tours are also a popular option: feel the breeze in your hair as you pedal through pretty European cities or the volcanic landscapes of Lanzarote. And then there's the foodie tours: if your idea of a holiday involves good food and wine, then these are the tours for you. And the best part is, you don't have to go far. Learn how to make pasta and pizza from scratch in the hills of Tuscany, wander through olive groves on Greek islands, or meet local families in the Balkans who can teach you about traditional charcuterie. Nothing brings people together like good food, and a guided tour can facilitate just that.

Tours for all interests

From the glittering lochs of the Scottish Highlands to the seaside towns of Cornwall, there's so much beauty right here in the UK to discover. If travelling abroad isn't for you, or if you don't fancy long drives, then an escorted tour is an ideal solution. Explore cliff top castles, buzzing cities, and picture-perfect villages without the faff of driving yourself around or booking accommodation. Many escorted tours include all transfers, accommodation, and a ready-made itinerary with plenty of excursions. You could explore the home of musical legends like the Beatles and Oasis; visit natural wonders like magical Stonehenge or the otherworldly Giant's Causeway; or take in the sweeping vistas of the Lake District or Snowdonia National Park.

Reimagine the staycation

Short-haul tours offer the opportunity to see a different side to popular holiday destinations. Go beyond the beach resorts of Antalya to the fairy caves of Cannakule, the bazaars of Istanbul, and the ruins of Ephesus on a tour of Turkey. If you're a fan of Lisbon and Porto, you could check out more of Portugal's beautiful coastline by exploring the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Sintra, or the surfer's paradise of Nazare. Even Spain, a destination that's ever-popular with Brits, is ripe for exploration: leave Barcelona and Benidorm behind, and instead explore pretty Cordoba, hike the Camino de Santiago, or taste local rioja in Logroño. An escorted tour can take you to places you'd never dreamed of, even ones that are just a couple of hours away.

See places like never before

Short haul

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Waldsassen: two people, nun, walking/ pilgrimage on the Jerusalem Way / Gert Krautbauer