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Francesca Williams April 15, 2026

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From snowy mountain peaks to sun-drenched coastlines, cultural cities, ancient ruins, and rich foodie traditions, Europe is one of the world’s most diverse regions. Catering to all kinds of travel styles, it’s unsurprising that so many of us love travelling here.

However, with so many possibilities, deciding where to begin can feel overwhelming – and that’s even before you start piecing together itineraries or figuring out the logistics of accommodation and transport. Because Europe is right on our doorstep, it’s also easy to overlook the possibility of taking a guided tour, but doing so could be the key to unlocking everything it has to offer, letting you focus on the experience itself rather than the planning behind it.

To shine a light on the benefits of booking a guided tour, we’ve partnered with Explore, a leading UK provider of small group holidays. With over 350 tours across 100 countries, their European holidays span everything from cultural discovery to walking and cycling.

Focused on authentic, low-impact travel led by expert local guides, Explore’s carefully planned itineraries balance once-in-a-lifetime moments with rejuvenating downtime – and because everything is organised for you, you can focus on soaking it all up. And, for those seeking extra comfort, Explore’s Upgraded tours combine immersive experiences with premium accommodation, spas, and time to explore at leisure.

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1. Beat the queue to famous landmarks

Beat the queue to famous landmarks

Famous landmarks are often one of the biggest draws when it comes to choosing where we travel. For example, cities like Rome and Athens are synonymous with sites like the Colosseum, Acropolis, and Parthenon, and many people are drawn to popular foodie regions like Provence, Porto, and Northern Spain in search of culinary experiences.

However, travelling to popular destinations can often mean large crowds, long queues, and, if you’re not careful, hours of wasted time. Yet, on a guided tour, prebooked tickets, transfers, and itineraries are all taken care of, making for a smoother, more enjoyable experience.

Explore’s carefully planned itineraries are designed to help you get the most out of every destination, which can be particularly valuable when visiting multiple cities or countries over a short time. And with expert leaders who are passionate about the places you’re visiting, local stories and hidden details bring destinations to life in ways a standard travel guide simply can’t.

2. Visit hidden gems and connect with locals

Visit hidden gems and connect with locals

True travel means experiencing a country rather than simply observing it. It’s about getting beyond popular tourist paths, and engaging with locals and lesser-known areas. However, without the right planning and contacts, these things can be easy to miss.

Explore is passionate about taking travellers closer to a country, its culture, and people – often in unscripted, spontaneous, and impossible-to-replicate ways. Alongside iconic sights, their tours are packed with hidden gems and unique experiences, like homestays, meals with locals, and moments that make you feel like you’ve truly explored.

For example, with Explore, you can visit the world’s best-preserved Roman palace on an eight-day Croatia Island Hopping tour; spend the night in a prehistoric cave on an eight-day Cycle Puglia tour; or enjoy a week-long homestay with three generations of the same family along the Amalfi Coast.

Plus, with your money going back to local businesses and communities, you’ll also be supporting the local economy of the destination you’re visiting.

  • Cycle Puglia

    Explore Cycle Puglia*

    £100 off | Italy | 8 days | Accommodation Included

    Small group adventures. Don't just travel, Explore!

    Includes taxes and fees

    From £1,795pp £1,895pp  

3. You can travel solo, while feeling at ease

You can travel solo, while feeling at ease

If you have a passion for discovering new countries and cultures, you might have considered solo travel. It can be an incredibly rewarding way to see the world – often leading to exciting adventures, life-long memories, and significant personal growth.

However, the idea of jetting off alone can feel daunting. Navigating unfamiliar food, culture, and language can be nerve-wracking, and concerns around loneliness and safety, particularly for women, can pose significant barriers, too.

No matter how beautiful or exciting a destination is, you may not be able to fully immerse yourself in it unless you feel at ease. That’s why expert-led group tours can offer a perfect middle ground, because travelling solo doesn’t have to mean travelling alone.

Guided tours provide an instant sense of safety, familiarity, and community, helping to take the stress out of solo travel while giving you the freedom to explore at your own pace. It’s why they’ve become a firm favourite among people of all ages, backgrounds, and experiences who are keen to explore more of the world but don’t necessarily have (or want!) a travel partner.

Explore’s group tours have an average group size of just 11 and are typically made up of around 60% solo travellers, as well as couples and friends, all united by an adventurous spirit and sense of fun.

Note: If you’re already booked on a particular trip, you can call Explore to learn more about the people already booked on, including age range and the ratio of solo travellers to couples.

4. Enjoy exploring with an expert guide

Enjoy exploring with an expert guide

Local tour guides do more than keep your trip running smoothly – they can significantly enhance the experience through insider tips, recommendations, and cultural insights. This can be particularly valuable if you don’t speak the language or are unfamiliar with local customs.

Explore’s tour leaders are chosen for their great knowledge, passion, and dedication to making your trip extraordinary. On hand to offer food recommendations as well as local shops and bars to get the limoncello locals are drinking, they bring fresh energy to your travels.

Plus, because they’re free to go off script, if something exciting is happening nearby, tour leaders can seize the moment, creating memories that no itinerary could have planned for.

  • Baltic Capital Cities

    Explore Baltic Capital Cities*

    £150 off | Estonia, Latvia & Lithuania | 8 days | Accommodation Included

    Small group adventures. Don't just travel, Explore!

    Includes taxes and fees

    From £1,170pp £1,320pp  

5. Choose from a range of travel styles

Choose from a range of travel styles

Holidays mean something different to everyone. Some of us crave sunshine and plenty of time to relax, unwind, and enjoy the view, while others prefer early starts, staying active, and getting to the cultural heart of a destination.

Guided tours are a fantastic way to find a holiday that suits your travel style. Many are designed with a particular theme in mind – such as history, cycling, or food – and are rated by physical intensity and accommodation style. Plus, with preplanned itineraries, you know exactly what to expect and there’s always the option to opt out of certain activities if you need some extra downtime – it’s your holiday after all.

Explore’s Classic Discovery tours are designed to help you connect with the cultural heart of a destination, spanning everything from historical and wildlife themes to culinary experiences. In Malta and Gozo, for example, you can visit the world’s oldest freestanding structures; Romania offers opulent castles and bear-watching; while Northern Spain serves up an unforgettable foodie tour of world-renowned pintxos.

For those who want to connect with their surroundings on a deeper level, walking or cycling range from leisurely routes with plenty of food and drink stops to more challenging ascents. Choose from gentle journeys along Portugal’s windswept beaches and Provence’s picture-perfect vineyards to snow-capped peaks in Albania’s undiscovered Valbona Valley and Italy’s mighty Mount Etna.

For a luxurious twist, you might be interested in Explore’s Upgraded tours. Staying in premium accommodation with spas and swimming pools, you’ll enjoy immersive activities perfectly balanced with time to relax and explore at leisure.

6. Make memories with like-minded people

Make memories with like-minded people

One of the best things about travel is the people it brings into your life. Whether it’s welcoming locals or fellow travellers, experts say we tend to be more relaxed, open-minded, and willing to form genuine connections when we’re away from home – which is why so many people return with friendships that last long after the trip ends.

Group tours can be particularly effective for fostering these connections. With community at its heart, Explore’s itineraries are designed to encourage connections among travellers through authentic, shared experiences – from group meals to cooking classes. Plus, because many of their tours are themed around certain interests, you can feel pretty confident that you’ll be travelling alongside like-minded individuals.

Final thoughts…

Whatever part of Europe you’re drawn to, a guided tour can be a great way to experience the very best of it. With passionate local guides, handled logistics, and carefully planned itineraries, the stress of travel is taken care of – leaving you free to focus on enjoying yourself and creating lasting memories.

Explore’s exciting range of European tours cater to all types of travel, from cultural discoveries to walking and cycling holidays. Their commitment to authentic, low-impact travel is defined by immersive, community-led experiences led by expert local guides that take you beneath the surface of a destination – and leave you feeling like you’ve really explored.

To find out more about Explore and browse their range of guided tours, head over to their website.

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Francesca Williams

Francesca Williams is a senior lifestyle writer at Rest Less. She joined Rest Less in early 2021 after achieving a first-class degree in History at the University of Sheffield and qualifying as an NCTJ Gold Standard Journalist. Francesca is a qualified Level 3 Personal Trainer and writes across a range of lifestyle topics, specialising in health. In her spare time, Francesca likes to keep herself busy going to the gym, dancing, spending time with friends and family, and getting involved with her local church.

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