Enjoy world-class sightseeing and a relaxed exploration of the countryside. Explorer Tours are about seeing the best of the local area including the unmissable sights as well as the quieter countryside. A knowledgeable HF Holidays' leader will accompany each tour. The tour will involve active sightseeing and most days will include optional gentle walks of up to 2 miles. All transport is included however admissions will cost £20-40 a week.

Important information

• Explorer Tours are about seeing the best of the local area. We include unmissable sights as well as exploring the countryside and quieter corners.
• A knowledgeable HF Holidays’ leader will accompany each tour. On our Sorrento holiday there will also be a local guide for tours of the major Roman sites.
• All these holidays involve active sightseeing and you should expect to spend plenty of time on your feet exploring places of interest.
• On most days we include optional gentle walks of up to two miles.
• We use a variety of local transport including hired minibuses, local trains and ferries that are all included in the cost of the holiday. Admissions are NOT included-allow £20-40 per week.

Please select a holiday from the left hand menu .

Other holiday ideas

If you like these holidays you might also want to see our British Heritage holiday.

For an even greater range of sightseeing, see our guided city breaks. With a great range of destinations, expert leaders and well-located city centre hotels, there’s no better way to enjoy Europe’s most vibrant cities.

Maltese Explorer Tour

The Maltese Islands offer a wealth of historical interest ranging from megalithic temples and Roman catacombs to the fortified strongholds of the Knights of St John and the Second World War. Each day we travel to a selection of these sights including the impressive Mosta Dome and the walled city of Mdina. A walking tour and harbour cruise in Valletta, the capital of Malta, will bring the many cultural and architectural influences to life. We also spend a day on neighbouring Gozo for a grand tour of this charming green island.

	Download full 2009 itinerary here. If you require Adobe Acrobat Reader download here.

For flight details click here.

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Sorrento Explorer Tour

The Sorrento Peninsula has long been known for its world-famous heritage sites, colourful fishing villages and inland countryside of vineyards and lemon groves. The remarkable buried cities of Pompei and Herculaneum are within easy reach and a guided tour of each site will provide a fascinating insight into Roman life. We also follow the Amalfi Drive around the coast and enjoy a day on the enchanting island of Capri.

	Download full 2009 itinerary here. If you require Adobe Acrobat Reader download here.

For flight details click here.

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Lake Garda Explorer Tour

At 32 miles long, Lake Garda is the largest, and perhaps most beautiful of all the Italian lakes. Using the frequent ferries we can explore the many interesting lakeside towns including Torbole, historic Malcesine and the walled town of Sirmione. We also take a tour into the hills to visit Lago di Ledro and the peaceful village of Canale, and take the cable car to the top of Monte Baldo for a panoramic view of the lake. A highlight of our week in Italy is a day in the grand city of Verona.

	Download full 2009 itinerary here. If you require Adobe Acrobat Reader download here.

For flight details click here.

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Tuscany Explorer Tour

Discover some of Tuscany's most memorable cities and charming rolling countryside. Our tour will take us to the great Renaissance city of Florence, where we'll cross the Ponte Vecchio to the Uffizi Gallery and the Medici Palace, and to beautiful Pisa with its famous leaning tower. Nearby Barga offers a maze of medieval streets whilst Lucca is one of Italy's most perfect walled towns. We'll also tour the Garfagnana Valley to centuries old hill-villages high in the Appennines.

	Download full 2009 itinerary here. If you require Adobe Acrobat Reader download here.

For flight details click here.

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Mallorca Explorer Tour

Leave Mallorca's busy resorts behind and discover the island's beautiful scenery. Among the traditional villages on our tour are Deia, made famous by the writer Robert Graves, and Valldemosa, immortalised by Chopin's 'Winter in Majorca'. We'll also visit Lluc Monastery in the Serra de Tramuntana mountains and ride through the island's orange groves by vintage train to Palma, a vibrant Catalan city.

	Download full 2009 itinerary here. If you require Adobe Acrobat Reader download here.

For flight details click here.

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Loire Valley Explorer Tour

The Loire, and its tributaries the Cher and Indre, wind through a backdrop of lush vineyards and verdant forests, scattered with fascinating medieval towns and fabulous châteaux. During our week we travel along the Loire to historic Chaumont and Amboise with its Leonardo da Vinci museum. Treasures of the area's stunning châteaux include Villandry with its magnificent formal gardens, Azay-le-Rideau’s elegant 16th century château, the château of Usse which inspired the fairytale Sleeping Beauty and Chenonceau whose graceful arches span the River Cher.

	Download full 2009 itinerary here. If you require Adobe Acrobat Reader download here.

For flight details click here.

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Dordogne Explorer Tour

The charming town of Sarlat is a great base from which to explore the fascinating range of historic sights that line the banks of the Dordogne. Our visits will include the world-famous pre-historic cave paintings at Lascaux, the amazing troglodyte dwellings at la Roque St Christophe and the remarkable pilgrimage town of Rocamadour. We can also enjoy a boat trip along the Dordogne and discover the medieval fortresses at Beynac and Domme which perch high above the river.

	Download full 2009 itinerary here. If you require Adobe Acrobat Reader download here.

For flight details click here.

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Tirolean Explorer Tour

The Tirolean village of Mayrhofen offers stunning Alpine scenery which can be admired by taking the many cable cars to the meadows above. We'll visit the peaceful village of Zell am Ziller, ride the Penken gondola, and ascend to the spectacular Hintertux Glacier at the head of the Tux Valley. Further afield we'll travel over the Gerlos Pass to the Krimml waterfalls and cruise the length of emerald green Achensee.

	Download full 2009 itinerary here. If you require Adobe Acrobat Reader download here.

For flight details click here.

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Lake Wolfgang Explorer Tour

Breathtaking views, crystal clear lakes and beautiful alpine meadows are constant companions as you explore the unforgettable scenery of the Austrian Lake District. We’ll cruise up the lake to St Gilgen, and ascend on the Zwolferhorn gondola for superb views. A full day is spent in the cultured city of Salzburg, visiting the Mozart birthplace museum, and the charming village of Hallstadt, a World Heritage Site with its historic salt mines. We’ll also visit Bad Ischl, once the favourite town of Emperor Franz Joseph, and ride the cable-car to the top of Katrin. For a memorable end to the week, we’ll explore the lakeside village of St Wolfgang and then ride the steam-hauled rack railway to the summit of Schalfberg.

	Download full 2009 itinerary here. If you require Adobe Acrobat Reader download here.

For flight details click here.

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