Tour holidays

If you want guidance for a city break or to navigate a new travel frontier, escorted tours take the hassle out of planning your trip

Tours at a glance

One of the most low-fuss ways to travel, guided tours offer the chance to explore landmark destinations and travel icons all over the world, including the Great Wall of China, the Rocky Mountains, South Africa, Niagara Falls and the Grand Canyon.

Have a think about how you’d like to spend your holiday. Questions to consider: do you want to be guided? Would you like to have time for optional activities and some roaming off-schedule? Is there a certain theme that appeals, such as food, wildlife or culture? And, of course, how long do you want to go for?

For more remote destinations such as the Galapagos Islands, Patagonia and Antarctica, it’s almost always easier (and often cheaper) to book a group tour rather than travelling independently. Look for a company that uses expert guides with extensive local knowledge — leave the responsibility of organising the day-to-day details to them, so you can relax and enjoy the ride. Whether you’re spotting wild elephants in Sri Lanka or road-tripping around North America, a good local guide can transform your experience of a destination.

We’ve joined forces with Tourhub to bring our readers a huge section of escorted tours from trusted travel partners. Expect everything from group adventure tours in Costa Rica to trips that are perfect for solo travellers in Jordan.

Main photo: Group of giraffes in the Serengeti National Park (Getty Images)

Get planning

24 of the best China tours
A trip to China provides a fascinating insight into millennia of history and startling modernity — here are the best China tours to take you there
Best things to do in Japan
From taking part in a traditional tea ceremony to gazing at cherry blossom trees, these are the essential things to do when you visit Japan
Best South Africa tours
South Africa is a country of big landscapes, big wines and the big five. Here’s how to see it
Best stops on the Silk Road
They were founded when the Silk Road was at the peak of its power and prosperity, but these ancient cities have stood the test of time
25 of the best trips of a lifetime
From spotting the northern lights to seeing Holland's tulips in full bloom, these are the very best trips to take...
The ultimate travel bucket list
Epic, incredible, and utterly unmissable: that's how we'd describe this travel bucket list. How many places have you been to?
11 of the best group tours for solo travellers
Join a tour as a solo traveller and you could soon be hiking through Canada’s national parks, spotting sloths in Costa Rica or exploring the Taj Mahal
Germany, Bavaria, Toelzer Land, Group of people hiking, mountains in background, side view
Why should I book a group tour? Seven brilliant reasons
With great guides, good company and the best itineraries to choose from, group tours will whisk you right to the heart of your destination

Tour escapes

These offers are brought to you by Times Travel
Available from: March 19th 2024
Japan Uncovered Tour
18 days from
£7490pp
Save up to £200 per couple
Available from: December 30th 2023
Available from: January 7th 2024
Available from: February 1st 2024
Save £200 per couple
Available from: January 12th 2024
Available from: January 2nd 2024
Save up to £200 per couple
Available from: December 8th 2023
Available from: January 19th 2024
Available from: March 24th 2024
Japan by Rail
from
£9890pp
Save up to £300 per couple
Available from: March 17th 2024
Available from: February 3rd 2024