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7 of the best wildlife destinations in Europe

Decades of David Attenborough documentaries have opened our eyes to our planet’s astonishing biodiversity, from the lush rainforests of the tropics to the vast penguin colonies of Antarctica. Yet with so many fantastic tour operators specialising in wildlife holidays to all corners of the globe, it’s easy to overlook the rich ecosystems and remarkable species that we have on our doorstep here in Europe.

posted on 10-Mar-2020

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5 Reasons To Book A Madagascar Escorted Tour

Best known for its lovable lemurs and bizarre baobab trees, Madagascar is often referred to as the ‘eighth continent’ on account of its incredible diversity of endemic flora and fauna. Situated off the coast of Africa, this fascinating country is culturally distinct from the mainland, shaped by the historic trading networks criss-crossing the Indian Ocean.

posted on 25-Feb-2020

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5 reasons to book an overland adventure with Vodkatrain

Vodkatrain have more than 50 years’ experience of crafting small group tours and independent journeys on the Trans-Siberian and Trans-Mongolian Railway, specialising in overland adventures for 18- to 35-year-olds. 

posted on 12-Feb-2020

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Dive into the Deep South with a music-themed tour

There are plenty of countries around the world that are inextricably linked with the music they produced: Jamaica and reggae, Italy and opera, Brazil and samba, to name just a few. But there is surely nowhere on earth that has given rise to as many world-conquering genres, platinum-selling artists and iconic record labels as America’s Deep South

posted on 29-Jan-2020

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Challenge Yourself With A Transformative Tour In 2020

We all know the feeling. The cosy Christmas adverts on TV are gone, replaced by huge shouty discounts at your local cut-price furniture outlet. The tree stands drooping in the corner, turning slowly brown amidst a carpet of needles. The recycling bin is full to bursting with bottles, wrapping paper, Amazon delivery boxes.

posted on 13-Jan-2020

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Christmas with TourHound

It’s been another busy year here at TourHound, sniffing out the world’s most exciting tours and adding a whole host of new partners to our website. As we look forward to the Christmas break and some time spent relaxing with friends and loved ones, we thought we’d catch up with our team and quiz them on their Christmas memories, traditions and dream destinations.

posted on 08-Dec-2019

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Black Friday 2019: Deal or no deal?

Black Friday is now so firmly established as part of the run-up to Christmas that it’s easy to forget how recently it took hold in the UK. At the beginning of the decade, most Brits had never even heard of Black Friday, and the day was strictly an American phenomenon.

posted on 29-Nov-2019

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Our competition winner reports back from Russia...

Russia is one of those countries where escorted touring really comes into its own. Geographically vast, stretching from the Baltic to the Pacific, and possessed of a language and a culture that can often seem impenetrable to outsiders.

posted on 19-Nov-2019

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Travelling with Discover The World

We caught up with Lauren Garner, one of the knowledgeable Product Manager’s at Discover the World about her own experiences on one of their tours. Here's what she had to say.

posted on 23-Oct-2019

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6 of the world’s top eco-friendly touring destinations

According to ABTA’s 2019 Travel Trends Report, some 45% of holidaymakers believe that the sustainability credentials of their travel provider are important when booking a trip.

posted on 01-Oct-2019

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Finland: A touring destination for all seasons

Think of Finland and you probably think of Santa’s workshop, the Northern Lights and landscapes of thickly forested fells deep with snow. Finland has a well-deserved reputation as a fantastic winter holiday destination, but savvy travellers are waking up to the fact that this beautiful Nordic country has plenty to offer all year round.

posted on 12-Sep-2019

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10 tours to tick off your bucket list in 2020

It’s that time of year when the nights begin to draw in and the golden days of summer start to take on a more autumnal hue. And with talk of yet another election here in the UK, you’re probably ready for a holiday!

posted on 5-Sep-2019

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7 Captivating cultural destinations close to home

Experiencing other cultures is one of the most compelling reasons why we travel. A cultural tour can involve sampling exotic foods, exploring archaeological sites, enjoying traditional music and dance, visiting museums and galleries, or simply learning more about how local people live their lives. 

posted on 19-Aug-2019

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Back on the map: 6 of the best Sri Lanka escorted tours

Sri Lanka’s tourism industry has had to overcome its fair share of adversity over the years, from the tsunami of 2004 to the 25-year civil war that finally ended in 2009. Earlier this year the country was rocked again by the Easter Sunday bombings, and tourism authorities reported a drop in visitor numbers of 70% in May compared to the same month last year.But there are increasing grounds for optimism, as tourist numbers bounce back more quickly than expected.

posted on 30-Jul-2019

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Tour The Seven Natural Wonders Of The World

Most people are familiar with the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the list that documents the most impressive man-made constructions of classical antiquity. Less well known are the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, compiled by US news network CNN back in 1997, which seeks to highlight just a few of the most incredible natural sights and phenomena on the planet.

posted on 15-Jul-2019

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7 Travel Trends Shaking Up The World Of Touring Holidays

The world of escorted touring has come a long way from its origins in the humble coach holiday, with an incredible diversity of travel experiences on offer.

posted on 01-Jul-2019

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Luxury tours: 5 iconic journeys to inspire you

Mention escorted tours and many people will immediately imagine cramped coaches, bland food, run-of-the-mill accommodation and dull itineraries where you’re herded around like cattle. This stereotype is being slowly skewered right across the touring sector, and nowhere is this more apparent than in the incredible range of luxury tours on offer from those companies that cater to the top end of the market.

posted on 29-May-2019

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7 Of The Best Escorted Tours For Foodies

Food is an integral part of the travel experience, whether it’s the thrill of sampling new flavours in exotic lands or the simple pleasures of dining out in a different restaurant each night. The increasing desire for authentic and memorable culinary experiences is one of the most exciting trends in travel right now, with a mouth-watering menu of food-focused tours to choose from.

posted on 29-May-2019

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5 Reasons To Choose A Small Group Tour

Small group holidays sit in the sweet spot between independent travel and traditional coach tours. On the one hand you don’t have the hassle of independent travel, with all of your logistics taken care of. At the same time, you avoid the rigid itineraries and the feeling of being herded around that you often find when travelling in a larger group.

posted on 14-May-2019

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Travel into the unknown on an Overland Tour

There is a type of holiday, still relatively unknown, that can take you into truly remote and unfamiliar corners of the globe..

posted on 18-Apr-2019

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European Coach Holidays with Ease and Comfort with Leger Holidays

On an escorted tour, you don’t just benefit from the ease of having everything taken care of for you as you discover incredible destinations, with Leger Holidays you can also enjoy luxurious, state-of-the-art coach travel, offering you the ultimate in style and comfort all the way.

posted on 17-Mar-2019

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A romantic trio: Touring the classic Italian cities of Venice, Florence & Rome

The cities of Venice, Florence and Rome encapsulate everything that is great about Italy: epoch-defining history, unparalleled artistic treasures, sublime food, and impossibly picturesque streets and waterways.

posted on 28-Jan-2019

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Take the hassle out of your holiday with a door-to-door tour

The Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu famously said that “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”. But when it comes to going on holiday, the journey often begins with anxiety and stress. Whether it’s the fear of oversleeping and missing your flight, the panic of getting stuck in traffic on the way to the airport, or the hassle of dragging your luggage on to trains, Tubes and buses, the beginning of a holiday is often far from relaxing.

posted on 14-Jan-2019

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5 reasons to visit Australia and New Zealand on an escorted tour with APT

As a new year dawns, we’re thrilled to welcome another industry-leading travel provider to the TourHound fold, with the addition of pioneering Australian tour operator APT to our website. Founded back in 1927, this family-owned firm has expanded from humble beginnings to offer tours and cruises all over the world, and APT are one of our top choices for escorted tours of their native Australia and neighbouringNew Zealand.

posted on 05-Jan-2019

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Why Central Asia Should Be On Your Travel Radar

Central Asia remains a place where adventure isn’t just possible: it’s unavoidable. The fabled Silk Road nations that divide Europe and Asia have been central to world history for millennia, but are seldom visited by Western travelers.

posted on 07-Dec-2018

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Onboard with the skipper from St Hilda Sea Adventures

When Christophe was working in the oil and gas industry, the last thing he thought he’d be doing now is skippering the fabulous St Hilda Sea Adventure’s vessels, but his love for the sea, as well as his love for the owner’s daughter Julie led him to this wonderful career change.

posted on 06-Dec-2018

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Salkantay Trek To Machu Picchu

Whilst the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu may not be the favoured choice over the ‘Bucket list’ Inca Trail, this scenic route is not for the faint hearted or for those wanting the easy option. With varying landscapes of jagged rock faces, snow-capped peaks, turquoise lakes,and dense forest, The Salkantay trek is far more than a back-up option.

posted on 04-Dec-2018

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Explore the great outdoors on an active holiday

Touring holidays are often seen as a purely sedentary activity, travelling around by coach from place to place with little in the way of physical exertion. But there are a host of active tours and adventure holidays that challenge this perception, exploring the world by bicycle, on foot or by any number of other land or water-based modes of transport.

posted on 16-Oct-2018

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Follow in the footsteps of Joanna Lumley on a Silk Road tour

The Silk Road evokes tales of camels and caravanserais, of great explorers and warriors crossing the deserts of Central Asia. Joanna Lumley is the latest traveller to venture along this ancient network of trading routes, following in the footsteps of Marco Polo and Alexander the Great for her forthcoming ITV series Joanna Lumley’s Silk Road Adventure.

posted on 24-Sep-2018

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Collette Celebrates 100 Years

I caught up with Dan the CEO of Collette to ask what drives his family to stay in the business after 100 years and why everybody should consider taking an escorted touring holiday.

posted on 04-Sep-2018

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5 Reasons Why An Escorted Tour Is The Perfect Way To Visit Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia is one of my favourite touring destinations, with something for every type of traveller. From the beaches of Thailand to the jungles of Borneo, from the bright lights of Singapore to the sleepy Cambodian countryside, this is one of the most diverse regions on the planet.

posted on 22-Aug-2018

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6 trips of a lifetime for your travel bucket list

From spectacular natural wonders and thrilling wildlife encounters to iconic rail journeys and epic treks, there are some travel experiences that should be on everyone’s bucket list.

posted on 10-Jul-2018

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The 2020 Oberammergau Passion Play

Imagine a small Bavarian village nestling in the shadows of the Alps in 1633. The Great Plague descended and many lost their lives to this mysterious illness. The villagers made a solemn vow that, if the lives of the villagers were spared the whole village would perform a play every ten years, depicting the story of Christ’s suffering, dying and resurrection. Miraculously the Plague did not claim any more lives and so true to their vows, the villagers of Oberammergau enacted their first play in 1634. The tradition, which has continued every decade since, in spite of wars and other problems, will be continued for the 42nd time in 2020.

posted on 21-Jun-2018

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8 Fantastic ways to tour the UK

In a world full of exotic and unique destinations waiting to be explored, we sometimes forget about the riches we have on our own doorstep. The UK packs in a huge amount of variety, from dramatic mountains and unspoilt beaches to bustling cities and ancient historical sites. We all have that list of places that we’ve never quite got round to visiting, and an escorted tour is a great way to see the best that our country has to offer. 

posted on 08-Jun-2018

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5 Reasons why Escorted Tour Holidays are perfect for Solo Travellers

Whether it’s couple-centric marketing, misconceptions about marital status or the dreaded single supplement, solo travellers are used to being misunderstood and taken for granted by holiday companies. Yet some five million Brits travel solo every year, as diverse and as varied in their interests as any other group of travellers.

posted on 21-May-2018

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Coach Tours: A Surprisingly Luxurious Way To Travel

The history of coach touring in the UK begins in the early 1900s, when a group of enterprising businessmen in the northwest of England began offering excursions to destinations such as Manchester and North Wales. These early pioneers, men like Herbert Shearing and James Smith, gradually broadened their horizons, with the first international tours departing for continental Europe in 1938.

posted on 26-Apr-2018

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5 Reasons To Tour Europe In Spring And Early Summer

There are so many great reasons to travel to Europe in spring and early summer, whether you’re keen to escape the long British winter, eager to see the sights before the summer crowds arrive, or simply looking to snap up a bargain.

posted on 22-Mar-2018

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Turbocharge Your Gap Year

You’ve just made one of the most exciting decisions of your life. You’re going to take some time out - a summer holiday, a gap year, a career break - and see the world. The possibilities for adventure are endless, and the world really is your oyster. Now for the hard part - you need to plan that trip.

posted on 23-Feb-2018

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Northern Lights tours: Everything you need to know

The aurora borealis has been casting its spell over the peoples of the North for centuries. The Vikings believed that the mysterious glow emanated from the shields of the Valkyries, the mythical maidens who carried fallen warriors to Valhalla. Many Inuit communities thought that the aurora was caused by the spirits of the dead, playing a football-like game with the skull of a walrus!

posted on 12-Feb-2018

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10 Common Myths About Escorted Touring Holidays

There are all sorts of misconceptions about touring holidays, often because people aren’t aware of the sheer variety of travel experiences on offer. In this article I’ll debunk 10 of the most common myths about escorted tour holidays, and share a few tips on how to find the right trip for you...

posted on 16-Jan-2018

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TourHound featured in the Daily Mail

After a successful launch event with partners and suppliers at the end of November 2017, travel journalist Fred Mawer gives TourHound a very positive review after putting the website to the test.

posted on 12-Dec-2017