intrepid travel european tours

The Scoop: What to Know About Intrepid Travel

Local experts, a focus on sustainability, and immersive small group experiences help set intrepid travel apart from other tour operators..

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Intrepid Travel helps travelers see the world in an immersive and impactful way, with a company mission to create positive change through the joy of travel. A leader in responsible travel for 35 years, Intrepid has been recognized by TourScoop as one of the best group travel operators in the world.

In 2018, it became the world’s largest travel company to achieve B Corp certification, and in 2020 it became the first tour operator with near-term science-based climate targets  through the Science Based Targets initiative. Its not-for-profit initiative,  The Intrepid Foundation , has raised more than $13 million for some 135 partners that include Greening Australia, World Bicycle Relief, Gorilla Doctors, and Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust.

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Intrepid has its own network of destination management companies in 26 countries, providing travelers with local expertise and perspective. Its small group travel tours come in a variety of styles and themes, traveling to more than 100 countries around the globe. Guests experience the well-known highlights, secret spots, and local culture in a responsible and insightful way.

TourScoop Takeaways

• Destinations: More than 1,150 small group tours offered in more than 100 countries on all seven continents
• Tour Size Average: Tours average about 10 people
• Tour Type: Small group guided tours

How to Book with Intrepid Travel

You can book a tour online through  IntrepidTravel.com , by phone at 800-970-7299, or with your preferred local travel agent.

Credibility Check

Intrepid is no stranger to industry awards and recognition, and it’s received some big accolades recently. It was named one of Time’s 100  most influential companies  in 2023 and made Fast Company’s list of the 10  most innovative corporate social responsibility initiatives  that same year. Dr. Susanne Etti, Global Environmental Impact Manager for Intrepid Travel, was also named one of National Geographic’s  Travelers of the Year  for 2024. On  TourRadar , Intrepid Travel has a rating of 4.6/5 based on more than 8,500 reviews.

Tour Destinations

Intrepid tours span the globe, with more than 1,150 small group tour options in more than 100 countries and on all seven continents. Some of its most popular tour destinations include Morocco, Vietnam, Peru, India, Egypt, Cambodia, and Australia.

Intrepid Travel offers four styles of tours for different travel styles and budgets. Its  Basix  trips feature simple accommodations like budget hotels, camping, or homestays and offer lots of free time for independent exploration. Intrepid’s  Original  tours typically feature three-star accommodations, some meals, and included activities, while  Comfort  tours offer a higher level of accommodations and inclusions. The top tour tier,  Premium , includes stays at memorable four-star-level accommodations, exclusive unique experiences, and the company’s most experienced leaders.

Within these four levels, a variety of themed tours are offered. These include  family tours ,  food tours ,  active adventure tours ,  wildlife tours ,  walking and trekking tours , and  cycling tours .

Tour Guides

Intrepid works exclusively with local tour guides. The company believes that the best people to show travelers a destination are people who actually live there. Intrepid Travel’s local leaders know the backroads and hidden gems in a destination and help tourgoers mingle with other locals.

What’s Included with an Intrepid Travel Tour

Intrepid’s tour prices include all accommodations and transport during the trip, group activities, and local tour guides throughout the tour. Other inclusions vary depending on tour type. For example, Premium tours have more activities and excursions included, while Basix trips have more optional activities for an additional cost. Every tour type except for Basix includes at least some meals.

What’s Not Included

• Flights to and from your trip 
• Transfers to and from your trip (for all tour types except Premium)
• Gratuities for local leaders
• Optional activities 

Typical Travelers

Intrepid tours are designed for and attract travelers of all ages and interests. Basix trips tend to attract younger travelers, while Premium tours draw in a more mature clientele. The company also offers a range of family adventures that bring together three to five like-minded families. The minimum age for these trips varies depending on the destination and activity level.

Communication

After you book a tour with Intrepid Travel, you will receive your final documents by email or mail about 30 days before departure; these include the itinerary and an Essential Trip Information package. Intrepid consultants are available by phone, email, or live chat to answer questions, and the company proactively informs travelers of any potential changes related to individual travel plans and bookings.

Intrepid Travel’s Loyalty Program

Anyone who’s traveled with the company becomes part of the  Intrepid Insiders  program. Members receive emails with Insiders-only previews of sales, info about new trips, and partner offers.

Sustainability Efforts

Intrepid has been carbon neutral since 2010, and it carbon offsets all trips. The company continues to look for ways to reduce its carbon emissions, such as by removing short-haul flight legs from some trips. It’s also added  carbon labels  to 500 trips (including more than 100 of its top-selling tours) that detail the emissions generated through the accommodations, transportation, food, activities, staffing, and operations that go into each trip. As a certified B Corp since 2018, Intrepid prides itself on transparency and accountability.

Health and Safety Practices

Intrepid’s Travel Alerts page offers current info on travel alerts and advisories along with entry, health, and visa requirements travelers need to know. The Safe Travels Hub offers even more health and safety info, and Intrepid has received the World Travel and Tourism Council’s Safe Travels stamp for the health and hygiene protocols it has adopted.

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Best of Italy

Health Safety +

• Take to the Tuscan countryside and cycle along the Serchio River in Lucca, working up an appetite for the region’s delicious local food and renowned wines.
• Spend a free day exploring the beautiful villages, estates and gardens dotted around Lake Como, criss-crossing the lake by ferry, and consider exploring the grounds of Bellagio's grand Villa Melzi.
• Head with your local leader to a quaint rural village in the heart of Piedmonte to sample world-class local wines from unique grapes grown only in this region – salute!
• Test yourself on the hilly trails of the Cinque Terre, stopping by the picturesque pastel colour villages of Riomaggiore, Manarola and Vernazza. If you get tired, just jump on the train for the rest of your day!
• Italy’s iconic Rome, Florence and Venice are a haven of renaissance architecture and historic sights. With plenty of time to discover at your own pace, you have the power to decide what you’d like to see.

What's this trip about?

Travel themes.

• High Adventure
• Local Immersion & Homestays

Destinations

Attractions.

• Cinque Terre
• Vatican City
• Historic sightseeing

Trip includes

• Lucca - Bicycle Tour
• Pisa - Half Day Trip to Pisa
• Cinque Terre - Day Trip, including Cinque Terre Pass
• Portofino Peninsula - Walk and Boat Ride
• Asti - Village Winery Visit & Wine Tasting
• Milan - Duomo Rooftop Visit
• Milan - Half Day Trip
• Lake Como - Ferry Pass
• Venice - Traghetto Ride
• Venice - Ciccheti Stop

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Want a tailor-made trip instead, your trip, your way, planned by an expert:.

• You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
• Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics

Dates & Availability

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Intrepid Travel .

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Intrepid Travel Reviews & Ratings

Expensive trip for what we got.

Went on this trip with my wife and my sister. First off the positives. Europe is quite different from North America. History is abundant, the Europe experience is re...

Seemed a little more expensive than previous

Seemed a little more expensive than previous trips with Intrepid, even acknowledging that we were travelling thru Europe. Overall though, very enjoyable small group ...

I have traveled 4 times with Intrepid

I have traveled 4 times with Intrepid now and have f...

the activities provided

I was disappointed with the group dynamic

I was disappointed with the group dynamic, the grou...

Other Intrepid Travel Reviews

We joined the intrepid “real italy food….

We joined the Intrepid “Real Italy Food Tour” and enjoyed it thoroughly. Our tour guide, Micol, was very knowledgeable and provided us with lots of good information....

Audrey Tavares

Central Asia Explorer

This was my third trip with Intrepid, and I'll continue to plan future trips with them. I choose Intrepid to travel to parts of the world where I don't feel comforta...

Do not book a tour with Intrepid

Do not book a tour with Intrepid. Their “policy” on deposits is unreasonable, inflexible and downright thieving. I booked a tour in India with them over seven month...

See all Other Intrepid Travel reviews

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Tour operator, intrepid travel, the intrepid travel experience.

If you’re looking for adventure, you’ve come to the right place. For the past 25 years, we’ve been taking small groups of travelers on unforgettable trips around the world. What makes them unforgettable? Take a look for yourself and discover the Intrepid experience.

Our travelers have three styles of tour to choose from: Basix, Original and Comfort. Each has a different level of inclusions and accommodation, but all have unforgettable real life experiences as part of the package. Travellers can also choose themed trips, such as Family, Sailing or Food, to suit their interests.

Our group size has an average of just ten travellers, which allows us to get off the beaten track, use local accommodation and transport, and really get to know the culture. It also ensures we are contributing to the local economy; by choosing local suppliers we were able to keep AUD 60 million in local economies in 2012. We’re also working hard to reduce our carbon footprint and were the first in our sector to introduce carbon offset trips. This, along with our many corporate sustainability activities, has meant we’re one of the travel industry’s leaders in responsible travel.

Why Intrepid?

•   Small groups - average of 10 people per trip
•   Sustainability - pioneers for the industry
•   Local leaders - authentic perspectives
•   Local transport - get close and personal
•   Local accommodation - experience real living
•   Intrepid travelers - like-minded companions 

Intrepid Travel has come a long way since its beginnings in 1989. From two university friends, a typewriter and a kitchen desk, it is now a proud member of The Intrepid Group, taking over 100,000 travelers every year.

Intrepid Travel is part of The Intrepid Group of companies, alongside leading small group adventure companies Peregrine, Urban Adventures and PEAK DMC.

Despite growing into a global business with over 1,000 staff based all over the world and over 800 different trips across every continent, we’ve remained devoted to the same grassroots values and responsible travel philosophies that we had at the very beginning.

On every trip we operate and in every interaction we have with a client, supplier or local, we live our core values everyday:

• Integrity – Doing the right thing
• Responsible – Think global, act local
• Growth – Stakeholders in our own success
• Innovation – Thriving on new ideas and embracing change
• Fun – It’s engrained into who we are and what we do
• Passion – We are inspired by the work we do and the trips we offer

Tweets by Intrepid_Travel

Associations

About Travelstride

Find your perfect trip, travel confidently, accommodation, transportation & flights, transportation & flights.

Finish point

• Hotel Leonardo
• Cannaregio 1385 Calle Della Masena

Alternate Finish point

• For trips departing on the following dates, use this finish point.
• 02 May 2024 (ZMSV240502), 09 May 2024 (ZMSV240509), 16 May 2024 (ZMSV240516), 23 May 2024 (ZMSV240523), 06 Jun 2024 (ZMSV240606), 13 Jun 2024 (ZMSV240613), 11 Jul 2024 (ZMSV240711), 08 Aug 2024 (ZMSV240808), 02 Sep 2024 (ZMSV240902), 12 Sep 2024 (ZMSV240912), 16 Sep 2024 (ZMSV240916), 26 Sep 2024 (ZMSV240926), 03 Oct 2024 (ZMSV241003), 10 Oct 2024 (ZMSV241010)
• Hotel Ca’ San Marcuola
• Cannaregio, 1763, 30121 Venezia VE, Italy
• Phone: +39 041716048

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• Save up to $700 per person
• Access members-only specials
• Personalize trip recommendations

Tour Companies

Things to do, itineraries.

APRIL SALE:   Book now and get   up to 60% off!

Italy Experience (10 destinations)

• In-depth Cultural
• Fully Guided

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Places You’ll See

• Introduction
• Day 1 Venice
• Day 2 Venice
• Day 3 La Spezia
• Day 4 La Spezia / Cinque Terre
• Day 5 Pisa - Florence
• Day 6 Florence
• Day 7 Perugia
• Day 8 Perugia / Spello
• Day 10 Rome

Want to read it later?

Download this tour’s PDF brochure and start tour planning offline

What's Included

• Accommodation
• Additional Services

Where You'll Stay

Operated by intrepid travel.

Back in 1989, two guys from Melbourne, Australia by the names of Darrell and Manch set off on an adventure to the other side of the world. They travelled to Africa and without air conditioning on their modified truck, they filled it with supplies, some beer, a bunch of aviator sunglasses, and some friends. On that trip, they came up with the idea that perhaps others may be interested in this style of travel too. Just like that, Intrepid was born. Intrepid has come a long way since then, now giving over 100,000 travelers a year the opportunity to experience small group travel across all 7 continents. They use local transport, sleep in local accommodation from Cambodian stilt houses to Moroccan riads, and employ 100% local leaders. With three different travel styles including basix, original and comfort, themes ranging from cycling trips to family holidays, and itineraries crafted with the perfect balance of must-see sights and free time, Intrepid caters to every type of traveller no matter their age, budget or travel style. The company has grown but their mission remains the same: to change the way people see the world through sustainable, experience-rich travel

Sustainability Initiatives

Reduce Carbon Emissions

Animal Welfare

Supporting Destinations

Sustainability Programs

Customer Reviews

• Overall Rating Excellent 4.2
• Itinerary Good 4.0
• Guide Good 3.7
• Transport Good 3.9
• Accommodation Good 3.7
• Food Good 3.7
• Tour Operator Intrepid Travel 4.6
• Most Recent
• Most Popular
• Highest First
• Lowest First

• A Avril B · 18th September 2019 This trip fit a lot into a short period but I’m not sure I would describe it as a comfort tour. Most of our travel was by public transport, and we did have to carry our own luggage almost always. It also required a level of fitness. Thankfully most of... Show more Trip date: April 2019 Review collected by Intrepid Travel
• A Chris V · 18th September 2019 Trip was well organized, leader was enjoyable, knowledgeable about the destinations, helpful and resourceful when necessary, and destination location time frames were spot on Trip date: April 2019 Review collected by Intrepid Travel
• A Cristina C · 18th September 2019 Good pace, excellent tour guide, friendly group members, comfortable transportation, appropriate amount of free time, good choice of locations. Trip date: April 2019 Review collected by Intrepid Travel
• A Helen R · 18th September 2019 There were definite limits to the physical capability required to fully enjoy this trip, many of those I know interested in travel would struggle with the amount of walking. Trip date: April 2019 Review collected by Intrepid Travel
• A Manette K · 18th September 2019 Very well organised. A great introduction to Italy. Takes all the stress and hard work out of travelling to an unfamiliar place. Trip date: April 2019 Review collected by Intrepid Travel
• A Marilyn M · 18th September 2019 Great tour which allows for a bit more free time but with options for more guided visits. Experience off the beaten track of famous places and also support local business Trip date: April 2019 Review collected by Intrepid Travel
• A Ruth T · 18th September 2019 Lodovicka was an excellent, well prepared guide with lots of suggestions and an amazing wealth of information. Trip date: April 2019 Review collected by Intrepid Travel

Dates & Availability

Pay-by-instalments

Take advantage of our 0% interest instalment plan on selected departures. Learn More

• Upcoming departures
• August 2024
• September 2024
• October 2024
• November 2024
• December 2024
• Monday 6 May, 2024 Wednesday 15 May, 2024 English Sold Out €3,725 See Similar Tours For These Dates
• Monday 13 May, 2024 Wednesday 22 May, 2024 English Sold Out €3,870 See Similar Tours For These Dates
• Monday 20 May, 2024 Wednesday 29 May, 2024 English Sold Out €3,870 See Similar Tours For These Dates
• Monday 27 May, 2024 Wednesday 5 Jun, 2024 English Sold Out €3,870 See Similar Tours For These Dates
• Monday 3 Jun, 2024 Wednesday 12 Jun, 2024 English Sold Out €3,725 See Similar Tours For These Dates
• Monday 10 Jun, 2024 Wednesday 19 Jun, 2024 English Sold Out €3,725 See Similar Tours For These Dates
• Monday 24 Jun, 2024 Wednesday 3 Jul, 2024 English Sold Out €3,725 See Similar Tours For These Dates
• Monday 8 Jul, 2024 Wednesday 17 Jul, 2024 English Sold Out €3,725 See Similar Tours For These Dates
• Monday 22 Jul, 2024 Wednesday 31 Jul, 2024 English Sold Out €3,580 See Similar Tours For These Dates
• Monday 29 Jul, 2024 Wednesday 7 Aug, 2024 English Sold Out €3,580 See Similar Tours For These Dates
• Monday 5 Aug, 2024 Wednesday 14 Aug, 2024 English Sold Out €3,580 See Similar Tours For These Dates
• Monday 19 Aug, 2024 Wednesday 28 Aug, 2024 English Sold Out €3,725 See Similar Tours For These Dates
• Monday 26 Aug, 2024 Wednesday 4 Sep, 2024 English Sold Out €3,725 See Similar Tours For These Dates
• Monday 2 Sep, 2024 Wednesday 11 Sep, 2024 English Sold Out €3,755 See Similar Tours For These Dates
• Monday 9 Sep, 2024 Wednesday 18 Sep, 2024 English Sold Out €3,870 See Similar Tours For These Dates
• Monday 16 Sep, 2024 Wednesday 25 Sep, 2024 English Sold Out €3,870 See Similar Tours For These Dates
• Monday 23 Sep, 2024 Wednesday 2 Oct, 2024 English Sold Out €3,870 See Similar Tours For These Dates
• Monday 30 Sep, 2024 Wednesday 9 Oct, 2024 English Sold Out €3,870 See Similar Tours For These Dates
• Monday 7 Oct, 2024 Wednesday 16 Oct, 2024 English Sold Out €3,725 See Similar Tours For These Dates
• Monday 14 Oct, 2024 Wednesday 23 Oct, 2024 English Sold Out €3,580 See Similar Tours For These Dates
• Monday 28 Oct, 2024 Wednesday 6 Nov, 2024 English Sold Out €3,580 See Similar Tours For These Dates
• Monday 11 Nov, 2024 Wednesday 20 Nov, 2024 English Sold Out €3,580 See Similar Tours For These Dates
• Friday 13 Dec, 2024 Sunday 22 Dec, 2024 English Sold Out €3,915 See Similar Tours For These Dates
• 22 Other Unavailable Departures

Frequently Asked Questions

Intrepid does not release the name of the hotels until closer to the departure date. We can tell you that the tour starts at the Kosher House Giardino Dei Melograni, so hopefully that will give you a better idea of what kind of accommodation to expect on this tour.

Intrepid uses locally run smaller hotels on all of their tours and most of these hotels are not equipped with triple rooms. However, It is possible to request triple rooms from Intrepid but they can definitely not guarantee that they would be available throughout the tour.

This tour is adults only. Some Tour Operators will allow children but the minimum for any Tour Operator on our site is 5 years old.

Yes this could be a great honeymoon option! With the group tours you get to see alot of sites, and don't have the hassle of trying to organise everything by yourselves.

Got a question about this tour?

Reach out to our travel experts.

Good to Know

• Currency € Euro Italy

As a traveller from USA, Canada, England, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa you will need an adaptor for types C, E, F, L.

• Unfortunately we cannot offer you a visa application service. Whether you need a visa or not depends on your nationality and where you wish to travel. Assuming your home country does not have a visa agreement with the country you're planning to visit, you will need to apply for a visa in advance of your scheduled departure.
• Here is an indication for which countries you might need a visa. Please contact the local embassy for help applying for visas to these places.
• For any tour departing before 29th June 2024 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after 29th June 2024, a minimum payment of €400 is required to confirm your booking with Intrepid Travel. The final payment will be automatically charged to your credit card on the designated due date. The final payment of the remaining balance is required at least 60 days prior to the departure date of your tour. TourRadar never charges you a booking fee and will charge you in the stated currency.
• Some departure dates and prices may vary and Intrepid Travel will contact you with any discrepancies before your booking is confirmed.
• The following cards are accepted for "Intrepid Travel" tours: Visa, Maestro, Mastercard, American Express or PayPal. TourRadar does NOT charge you an extra fee for using any of these payment methods.
• Insurance Unless otherwise mentioned, TourRadar does not provide travel insurance. We do however recommend purchasing it through our tried and trusted partner, World Travel Nomads .
• Accessibility Some tours are not suitable for mobility-restricted traveller, however, some operators may be able to accommodate special requests. For any enquiries, you can contact our customer support team , who are ready and waiting to help you.
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The 10 Best Group Travel Tour Companies for 2023

Caroline Morse Teel

Caroline Morse Teel is the Managing Editor for SmarterTravel Media. Follow her adventures around the world on Instagram @TravelWithCaroline.

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For those truly epic, once-in-a-lifetime destinations, you want to leave your itinerary to the experts. Whether your dream is to see the Big Five on an African Safari, trek tall mountains, explore European cities, or something even wilder, a group tour is the easiest way to do it.

However, picking the wrong group tour company is the quickest way to ruin your trip. Make sure you choose a tour company that aligns with your goals and travel styles. Do you want an intimate group tour or do you prefer to make lots of new friends in a big group? Does the price line up with what you like (luxury vs. budget)? Is the itinerary going to all the places you want to see? 

We’ve done the research and found the very best group travel tour companies for 2023 for every type of traveler.

Best Overall Group Travel: Exodus Travels

With trips on every continent, Exodus Travels covers anywhere on this planet that you could possibly want to go, from popular destinations like the Amalfi Coast to well off-the-beaten path adventures like Tajikistan. This award-winning group travel company boasts thousands of repeat customers who sign up for trips year after year (97% of past participants would recommend Exodus Travels to a friend). 

These small group tours operate with only around 12-16 people, and always feature experienced local leaders who can give you a unique insight into your destination. Exodus Travels caters to any type of travel style, including trips broken down by type of activity (think walking, cycling, multi-adventure, winter, or cultural) as well as type of traveler (family, age group, etc.). There are curated collections (coastal, “away from it all”, European wilderness, and trips of a lifetime) to inspire you, as well as self-guided options for when you want all the benefits of a group tour planner without the actual group. Looking for that special safari? Exodus Travels just partners with the African Wildlife Foundation to create carefully curated luxury adventures that go above and beyond the standard safari. 

Exodus Travels tours work for almost any budget, with options that range from affordable to premium. 

Top Trip: Explore under-the-radar Europe by foot on Exodus Travels’ Lakes & Mountains of Slovenia walking tour .

A Taste of the Sweet Life in Slovenia

Best Adventure Group Travel: World Expeditions

World Expeditions has been taking adventurous travelers to remote locations all over the world ever since its first group trek through Nepal in 1975. Today, World Expeditions offers active itineraries on every continent. Intrepid travelers can opt for trips themed around mountaineering, rafting, cycling, hiking, and more. 

World Expeditions aims to leave communities and places where they operate tours better than they found them. Trips are created using the company’s Thoughtful Travel Charter as a guideline, which emphasizes respect for the environment, sustainability, having a positive impact on local communities, protecting wildlife, and more. 

World Expeditions’ trips are capped at just 16 people to provide a good experience for participants, and there are no single supplements for solo travelers willing to share a room with someone of the same gender. 

Top Trip: Summit Africa’s tallest mountain on a fully-supported trek up Kilimanjaro on World Expeditions’ eight day trip up the beautiful Lemosho Route . 

Best Budget Group Travel: G Adventures 

For travelers on a budget, G Adventures offers cheap group tours that make dream destinations accessible to nearly anyone. (Think: sailing the Galapagos for just $1,124 , criss-crossing India’s Golden Triangle for $559 , or spending 8 days in Bali for less than $800.)

G Adventures is one of the best tour companies for solo travelers as well, as most trips don’t have a single-supplement. You can choose to share a room with another G Adventures solo traveler, or pay extra to have your own space.

G Adventures keeps costs down by opting for cheaper hotels and local meals, and making certain activities optional (for an additional cost). Pick your travel style—options range from “basic” to more luxe tours run in partnership with National Geographic. Family tours, local living tours (featuring homestays), and wellness-focused tours are also available. 

Top Trip: G Adventures’ China Express trip is a great way to see the highlights of China if you’re short on both time and budget. 

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Best Educational Group Tours: EF Go Ahead Tours

When you really want to learn about a destination, consider a group trip with EF Go Ahead Tours . EF is the world’s largest private education company, and the Go Ahead Tours arm capitalizes on the company’s relationships with local educators, historians, and tour guides to create group trips that take you deep into a destination. 

These small group tours generally cap at 38 travelers, and feature unique educational experiences. For a bucket list trip, EF Go Ahead Tour’s special event tours are particularly enticing, as they offer behind-the-scenes access to tough-to-plan trips like Oktoberfest in Munich or Cherry Blossom season in Japan. 

Intimidated by solo travel? EF Go Ahead Tours is a great option for solo travelers, since it offers designated trips for solo travelers , where everyone is traveling alone, making it less intimidating.  

Top Trip: Bring the tastes of Italy home with you on EF Go Ahead Tours’ Food & Wine: Piedmont & Tuscany tour (operated in partnership with America’s Test Kitchen), where you’ll learn how to make local dishes. 

Best Responsible Group Travel: Intrepid Travel

Looking for a responsible group travel operator that focuses on bettering the communities and destinations they visit? Intrepid Travel is the world’s largest travel B Corporation, a certification for companies doing good. 

Intrepid Travel’s tours focus on sustainability, diversity, inclusion, and sustaining communities. The company has its own charity, The Intrepid Foundation , which has donated over 7 million dollars to over 130 community organizations. 

Intrepid Travel’s small group tours attract a wide range of travelers, but they are especially great for younger travelers, as they have a large number of trips designed for people aged 18-29 . (Other trips, including family-focused trips, are geared toward any age.)

Top Trip: Experience unforgettable wildlife encounters on Intrepid Travel’s Premium Uganda & Rwanda trip which includes time with the mountain gorillas of Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. 

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Best Private Group Travel: Kensington Tours

Whether your group consists of just two people or involves taking the entire extended family, Kensington Tours will take all the hassle of planning out of the equation. This private group operator creates personalized trips and itineraries tailored to your preferences, while their experts handle all the logistics and bookings. 

Plans are entirely flexible, and can even be changed while on the trip on a whim. Need some inspiration? Browse Kensington Tours’ travel ideas , to get some ideas for your next adventure. 

Top Trip: Sail around the stunning shores of Croatia and the Dalmation Islands on a private luxury catamaran on Kensington Tours’ fully customizable tour . 

Best Polar Group Travel: Chimu Adventures

Whether you’re headed north to the Artic or south to Antarctica, Chimu Adventures has the perfect polar group trip for you. Chimu Adventures has some of the most variety for polar trips, with options to fly, cruise, or a combination of both to get to your destination.

For an ultra-unique Antarctica trip, Chimu Adventures offers cruises departing from Australia or New Zealand (most Antarctica trips depart from Argentina). Can’t stay long? Book one of Chimu Adventures’ scenic flights to Antarctica , which fly as far as the south pole in one spectacular 16-hour day.

Chimu Adventures is one of the cheapest group trips to Antarctica, with rates starting under $5,000.

Top Trip: If you’re pressed for time (or simply don’t have the stomach for the Drake Passage), Chimu Adventures’ Antarctica Fly Cruise will get you to the ends of the earth quickly and smoothly.

Program These Numbers Into Your Phones Before Traveling Internationally

Best Group Tours for Solo Travelers: For the Love of Travel

Group tours can be a great way to meet new people, but they can sometimes skew on the older age range. If you’re between 25-39 and a solo traveler looking to meet new people, you’ll love For the Love of Travel . All participants on the trips are between 25-39, and according to the company, 80 percent are solo travelers—so you’ll make friends fast. Hoping to meet someone who will be more than just a friend on your next trip? Trips include a balanced number of “gal and guy spots” to ensure an even balance of genders within groups (and of course, non-binary genders are always welcome). 

For the Love of Travel offers weeklong (or longer) international trips as well as shorter weekender trips to nearby destinations like Mexico or Denver—perfect for people without a lot of vacation time.

Top Trip: Sleep in a glass igloo under the Northern Lights, go sledding with huskies, and warm up in traditional saunas on For the Love of Travel’s Lapland tour , already booking dates for 2024.

Best Biking Tours Group Travel: DuVine Cycling

Biking through the rolling hills of Italy or across the mountain roads of Chile sounds like a dream, but the logistics seem daunting (especially if you don’t want to haul all your own stuff from point-to-point). Enter: DuVine Cycling , a luxury small group tour company that specializes in bike trips. 

With trips across Europe, Latin America, Africa, Asia, and the United States, DuVine Cycling is a cyclist’s dream. Choose from all-biking trips or mix things up with a cycle and sail bike tour or a multi-sport adventure —no matter what, everything is included, from luxury boutique accommodations to top-quality name brand bikes. 

Top Trip: DuVine’s Holland Bike Tour promises “tulips, windmills, beer, and cheese”—what more could you need?

Best Luxury Group Travel: Abercrombie & Kent

Abercrombie & Kent has been delighting discerning travelers since 1962. Today, they take travelers on unforgettable adventures across over 100 different countries and all seven continents. Although Abercrombie & Kent’s trips are pricey, they encompass once-in-a-lifetime experiences like private jet tours around the world or luxury chartered cruises .

There are trips designed for solo travelers and families , and the small group journeys max out at around 14-18 guests.

Top Trip: Swim with whale sharks in the Philippines, feed proboscis monkeys in Malaysia, and photograph wild tigers in India on Abercrombie & Kent’s Wildlife Safari: Around the World by Private Jet trip , already booking dates into 2024.

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Intrepid Travel   Reviews

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Reviews 4.3.

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Intrepid are great

Intrepid are Fantastice. We did 2 back to back trips in Central America so feel very qualified to comment. On both trips the accommodation way exceeded our expectations aside from one night on each separate trip.The hotel put us in a wrong room. We were highly impressed when on discussion with our guide the next morning he immediately got us a new room. You can only admire that level of service. The 2nd night was when all our rooms were like youth hostels. We fully understand that this was unavoidable due to the distances we travelled and the isolation. Not a biggy at all. We still had a good time! The guides" know their stuff" and genuinely have the groups well being and experiences at heart. Multiple times they both went out of their ways to help those in the group with various issues. The food and the optional extra tours were great! Do them and make the most of it all. We highly rate Intrepid and highly recommend. Thanks for the most amazing holidays. Gayle and Adrian

Date of experience : March 08, 2024

Reply from Intrepid Travel

Hi Gayle & Adrian! Thank you so much for your time and fantastic review. It is amazing to know that you both enjoyed your time travelling with us around Central America. We are happy to read that your tour leader was always helpful and that the accommodation exceeded your expectations. We are truly thankful for your kind words and can't wait to welcome you back on another Intrepid adventure!

Our Mini Sahara Tour was fabulous

Our Mini Sahara Tour was fabulous! Our guide and driver made us comfortable and they were very knowledgable. No time were we rushed and were able to see many interesting spots along the way. Our guide, Hamid Boulmane, was great!, he even arranged a birthday cake for my partner along with music and dancing. The camel-sunset ride into the desert was certainly eventful. One of the camels I was on bit me, so for revenge I ate a camel burger....delicious! a good friend went on a 7 day trip with Intrepid TraveI and highly recommended INTREPID TRAVEL and so do we.

Date of experience : January 24, 2024

Hi Sara! Thank you so much for taking the time to share your amazing comments regarding your time in Morocco. It is fantastic to learn that you had a fabulous experience, and that our tour offered you the best tour leader- Hamid. We can't wait to welcome you back on your next adventure!

Back from Everest Base Camp trek and…

Back from Everest Base Camp trek and what an incredible experience. A massive thank you to our guide Gyaljen Sherpa who made every day outstanding. The knowledge and stories of the mountains will never be forgotten and I hope to return and experience the mountains again. The trip was planned to an exceptional standard and whilst the accommodation standards are what we are used to, we soon came used to the teahouses and each one was great in its own way. The food was pretty exceptional along the way and the trekking was such fun with a great group of people. Some were hard days but the feeling of accomplishment made up for it and the views in the morning when you wake up more than made up for the cold nights and dubious toilets. Thank you Intrepid and your guide and our porters made this trip so special for us

Date of experience : April 01, 2024

Hi Lee and Nicola, thank you for your lovely review! We are thrilled to hear of your experience, and that your guide as well as your porters were a benefit to your group. We are so pleased to know of your accomplishment of 'conquering' such a trip- bravo! We know it is not easy. We hope to see you along with us in future, and thanks again for your review. Stay well.

My trip to Vietnam traveling with…

My trip to Vietnam traveling with Intrepid was amazing first time I've ever traveled alone I always felt safe,I did 2 adventure first was to Sapa for 5 days. Soso my Guide was good I enjoyed every bit of it.The Vietnam south bound tour our guide Doan was amazing always their to help. I would highly recommend the trip if you're looking for adventure culture and amazing street food to 5star get it all in one. When I do my next adventure I would definitely travel with Intrepid

Date of experience : March 02, 2024

Hi Wendy, thank you for taking the time to post a review and for your recommendation. It’s wonderful to know that being your first time travelling alone you had an amazing adventure whilst enjoying all that Vietnam has to offer. We hope to welcome you on another of our adventures soon.

India--not on my bucket list but now a favorite.

We went to India with several friends and did the Classic Rajasthan tour. India was not on our bucket list but it turned out to be one of our favorite tours. Things I really liked: small group (we were 6 of 12), our lodgings--old palaces, quaint, unique, the sights we were able to see in our short time there and best of all was our leader, Panchem. I would go to India again if it works out some time in the future.

Date of experience : February 25, 2024

Hi Jeff, thank you for taking the time to post a review. It’s wonderful to know that although not a bucket list trip, this turned out to be one of your favourite tours, that Panchem was a great Tour Leader and that you would like visit India again. India is a wonderful destination and there is so much to do and see. We hope you made some special memories of your time here, and that we can welcome you on another of our adventures soon.

An amazing experience

I was an fill-in for this trip having never had any desire to travel to India but always open for anything. This trip taught be so much about the country, the history & the people & I returned with a completely different opinion on it. I am so glad I went. There were some downs but mainly ups and although I wouldn't rush back, I think the trip was hugely interesting & worthwhile & would definitely travel with this company again.

Date of experience : February 22, 2024

Thank you for sharing your experience with us, Catherine. It sounds as if India took you by surprise and you learnt lots about this incredible country. We are pleased to hear that you found the trip interesting and worthwhile and that you would happily travel with Intrepid again.

Premium Egypt in Depth

We just came back from Premium Egypt in Depth. Family of 4. Absolutely incredible experience. Everyday was a wow. Our guide, Ahmed, was fantastic and we felt very taken care of every step of the way. Gor to see and experience everything we wanted and more. Felt completely safe. Small group is amazing way to go. Can't say enough good things, far exceeded our expectations.

Date of experience : March 01, 2024

Hello Scarlet! Thank you so much for sharing your incredible experience. It’s great to know how much you enjoyed your tour and that your leader did such a great job. Also, that you were able to experience the amazing history and culture that Egypt has to offer. We can't wait to welcome you back on your next adventure!

Splendid Cycling Trip in Vietnam

For many years, I had always wanted to go on a cycling tour in Vietnam. I finally took the leap and joined up with Intrepid for an epic adventure that far exceeded my expectations. The cycling was fantastic, the guides & support team were amazing, and my fellow travelers were a pleasure to be with. The food, the culture, the history, the people. . . Vietnam is such a special place!

Date of experience : March 14, 2024

Hi Mark, thank you for taking the time to post your review. It great to know that having finally taken the leap to cycle Vietnam, the turned out to be an epic adventure with Intrepid that exceeded your expectations. That your guide, and support teams were amazing, and fellow travellers a pleasure to be with. Vietnam really is a special place to explore and take in the culture, history and amazing food. We do hope you will find another itinerary to your liking and that we can welcome you on another of our adventures soon.

Premium Vietnam with Intrepid

Another Intrepid adventure with all the details taken care of so I can just relax and experience it. When I travel I don't have space for trying to pick the right hotel, reading miles of info so I have a great meal, knowing the best way to get from A to B depending on whether I want the scenic route or the destination is more important. Intrepid and their experienced guide made sure I got what I wanted from my travel experience with the hassles. The small group was an ideal size enough people to have some to chat with but small enough to not take forever to go anywhere.

Date of experience : February 29, 2024

Hi LC, thank you for taking the time to share your experience. It good to know that when travelling with Intrepid you feel you can just relax and enjoy the experience. We are proud of our commitment to employ local tour leaders as we believe that with their intimate knowledge of their region, culture and of course the best places to visit, they really do serve to enhance the local experience, so it pleasing to know you got what you wanted from your experience. We do hope you will find another of our itineraries to your liking and we can welcome you on another of our adventures soon.

Northern light Iceland

This was one of the most amazing experiences and we would highly recommend this to anyone. It was very cold but that is to be expected as were interested in the northern lights however it was made up for by the natural spectacular beauty of Iceland. Our tour guide Ari was knowledgeable & superb; nothing was too much trouble for him and he went out of his way to assist in every way. The pace was just right for this tour, the accommodation good, the sights surpassed expectation and the bus was comfortable.

Date of experience : February 24, 2024

We are so pleased that you enjoyed the beauty of Iceland, Belinda, with all it has to offer with it's stunning scenery. It sounds as if this trip ticked all the boxes for you with good sightseeing, accommodation and comfortable transport. We look forward to welcoming you on another trip in the not so distant future.

What makes a great trip

What makes a great trip? The itinerary, the group, and the group leader. I was so lucky to have all of these on my recent trip to Jordan. I felt 100% safe the entire time, the group was fantastic, and our leader put it over the top. Don't hesitate if you want to see this wonderful country. Intrepid made it easy and I have wonderful lifetime memories!

Hi Sue, thank you for sharing your experience and posting this wonderful review and recommendation. It’s great to know how much you enjoyed your tour and that your leader did such a great job. Also, that you were able to experience the amazing history and culture that Jordan has to offer. We look forward to welcoming you on another of our adventures soon.

An incredible company

An incredible company. I’ve been travelling with them for over 15 years. They are professional in everything they do. I won’t book my holiday with anyone else. A great Australian company.

Date of experience : April 20, 2024

Hi Gary, thank you do much for posting this review and for your loyalty to Intrepid. It’s great to know that having been travelling with us for 15 years won’t book with anyone else. We would love to hear more about your adventures with us, but I haven’t been able to locate your bookings from your post. If you could reach out to our Customer Care team, with your full name and contact information, we would love to arrange a call, to discuss your past and future travel experiences.

Family death and no customer care

Due to the death of my father I could not take my scheduled trip and wished to postpone. Intrepid would not allow this and showed no compassion nor customer care in their callous decision. I lost my trip money paid including a single supplement. My airline refunded my ticket, no questions. Note that I have travelled with them and an affiliated company, Imaginative Traveller, to Thailand, India, Cambodia, Cuba, Costa Rica and Egypt. I do not recommend them. Rescheduling two weeks in advance due to a death should not be an issue.

Date of experience : March 31, 2024

Lisa, we are so sorry for your loss and would like to send you our condolences. We do have a compassionate policy in place to support our customers, and I can see you have been liaising with our reservations team over this. Our reservations team will follow up with you to ensure you are receiving the support you need during this difficult time.

Policy of NO REFUNDS

Our problem was not with the tour we were thrown off, or the staff but with Intrepid Travel administrators. We were booted off the tour for ill-health but were refused a refund. There was little communication at the time of this no refund policy and our Travel Insurance were expected to give the refund but refused.

Date of experience : February 13, 2024

We are sorry to hear that you fell unwell whilst on tour. We are unable to locate your booking from the review, however, we trust our Customer Care team are already likely in communication with you, however if not please reach out to [email protected] with your booking number and name.

Unique and wonderful

I have travelled with Intrepid three times: Northern India, Southern India, Thailand and Laos. Each of the tours were uniquely wonderful with knowledgeable, fun and caring guides.

Date of experience : February 21, 2024

Thank you Jenny for taking the time to leave a review. We are so pleased to read that you have had a positive experience whilst travelling with us and exploring India, Thailand and Laos. We hope you will join us again on many more adventures to come.

Another fabulous Intrepid adventure. The Mountains and Mystics tour was filled with a wonderful variety of scenery, transportation, cultural insights. Pramod, our leader, ensured all went well and his calm manner was a welcome balance to the enthralling ‘noisy chaos’ of much of India.

Date of experience : March 12, 2024

We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed your Mountains and Mystics tour and that you found it to be a good variation of scenery and cultural insights. We are so pleased that your local leader was able to show you the sights with a calming influence. We look forward to welcoming you on your next Intrepid adventure, once you have chosen where that may be.

Incredible guide and local…

Incredible guide and local accommodations... the itinerary (even during Ramadan) was very well designed. Customer service totally went above and beyond. Can't wait to book another trip

Hi Jessie, thank you so much for your kind words. We are thrilled to know that you were able to explore your destination during Ramadan- we can appreciate that changes in scheduling often happen during these observances. We look forward to hosting you again when the time comes, stay well!

Once in a life time trip

We had a phenomenal, once in a life time trip to Jordan with Intrepid. The itinerary was fantastic and our guide (Mutaz) was so knowledgeable and friendly and really made the experience exceptional for us. I cannot recommend this trip enough!

Date of experience : March 23, 2024

Thank you for taking the time to leave a review, Kirsty. It sounds like an incredible trip with a tour leader who delivered an exceptional experience for you. We are delighted to hear that you would recommend this trip and we are excited to welcome you on another Intrepid adventure.

Nice trip but overpriced

Intrepid don't actually run the Patagonia Short Break - Torres Del Paine trip which I took, but coordinate the customers with the organization in Puerto Natales, Chile, which runs the day trips which comprise the "Patagonia Short Break". The day trips are all worthwhile, especially if the weather cooperates, as it did for me. The first day was somewhat rainy, but it involved mainly a bus tour of parts of the Torres del Paine National Park with plenty of stops at various scenic sites plus a tour of the milodon cave, which is well worth the visit. The second day turned out to be a beautiful one for the cruise along the Desolation Fjord with its spectacular glaciers and mountains. The third day involves a very tough hike to the base of the eponymous Torres del Paine peaks. The trip also includes four nights at a nice hotel plus a bus ticket to Argentina. This last often goes unused by the customers like myself, according to the local agency in Puerto Natales, which questioned why it is part of the trip package. It is a waste of about US$50 for the ticket to be issued, and in my opinion, should be an option, not automatically included in the trip fare. Speaking of cost, I find it hard to justify the total cost of the trip charged to customers. The activities are all worthwhile, and I don't regret the trip, but the price is definitely inflated.

Date of experience : February 19, 2024

Hi Anne, thank you for taking the time to post an honest review. We would welcome the chance to discuss your experience and suggestions in more detail. Please reach out to our Customer Care Team at [email protected] with your booking reference and one of the team will get back to you.

This company completely abandon their customers thousands of miles from home if they become ill.

This company completely abandon their customers thousands of miles from home if they become iunwell. Do not book with Intrepid! My 20 yr old son booked a trip to Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand and became seriously ill whilst in Vietnam. He was then left fighting for his life in a hospital where nobody spoke English with no means of communication except for Google Translate. If it hadn't made several phone calls to the British Embassy in Hanoi and repeatedly contacted Intrepid raising my concerns we would never have heard from them again. As a result I flew out there to be with him as Intrepid left him thousands of miles from home with no follow up. This company shows no duty of care towards it's customers and the group leader merely told him to "Be a man" before leaving for a jolly with the rest of the group (my son was also the youngest member of the group). Absolutely disgraceful company who have now tried to deny all responsibility for their actions and refused to refund any of the cost. My son had to stay in hospital for two weeks and was in serious risk of heart failure. Intrepid couldn't care less! Please please avoid them! He would never have made it back if I'd left it in their hands. Do not believe the glossy veneer and fake reviews. They don't even deserve a one star rating, I would give them zero if I could.

Dawn, we are deeply sorry to hear about your son's hospital admission and the distress this has caused. Ensuring the safety and well-being of our customers is our highest priority, and we take matters like this very seriously. We can see that our Customer Care team is already in contact with you regarding this matter.

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Vote for your favorite bike tour!

USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Awards

One of the best and greenest ways to experience the beauty of the world is by bike. Just start pedaling and the journey becomes as important as the destination. These top companies have been nominated by an expert panel for their fantastic guided and self-guided tours that take you around the globe on two wheels.  Which bike tour company would you most like to tour with? Vote for your favorite once per day until polls close on Monday, May 27 at noon ET. The 10 winning tour companies will be announced on Wednesday, June 5. Read the official  Readers' Choice rules . 

One of the best and greenest ways to experience the beauty of the world is by bike. Just start pedaling and the journey becomes as important as the destination. These top companies have been nominated by an expert panel...   Read More

Best Bike Tour Nominees

Photo courtesy of Adventure Cycling, photo from Bruce Malarky

Adventure Cycling

A dedicated advocate for all forms of biking, Adventure Cycling has compiled more than 50,000 miles of bike routes across North America since their inception in 1973. While seasoned cyclists are welcome to peruse their interactive map as they plan their next journey, the company also offers a wealth of guided tours, with regions ranging from the Florida Keys to the Pacific Northwest.

Photo courtesy of Backroads

Backroads believes in the transformative power of going at your own pace, which is why the company offers bike tours for every type of rider. Guests ride custom-built titanium bikes on itineraries in some 55 countries. In the United States, tours include everything from Death Valley or Saguaro National Park to Martha’s Vineyard or the Hudson Valley.

Photo courtesy of Bicycle Adventures

Bicycle Adventures

Bicycle Adventures’ motto is "stay curious, eat well, and pedal happy." With more than 35 years of experience in the industry, that’s just what many a guest does, whether biking the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway in Wyoming or riding through Oregon’s Columbia Gorge. Itineraries cover 11 states, along with around a dozen countries.

Photo courtesy of BikeHike Adventures

BikeHike Adventures

With curated tours across five continents, BikeHike Adventures showcases the diverse landscapes and cultures across the globe from the comfort of a bicycle. While strictly-cycling excursions can be booked across destinations like Colombia, Ireland, and Morocco, ambitious adventurers can also sign up for a multi-sport itinerary for some added hiking and kayaking.

Photo courtesy of Kruck20 // Getty Images

BikeTours.com

BikeTours.com specializes in organizing biking tour experiences in over 30 European countries. They offer both guided and self-guided tours geared towards all experience levels from leisure riders to biking enthusiasts. Riders can also enjoy family-oriented tours and a combination of biking/boating adventures.

Photo courtesy of Patrick Laughlin

Bubba's Pampered Pedalers

Bubba's Pampered Pedalers offers the ultimate bicycling vacation options. Whether taking a weeklong or cross-country tour, or simply overnighting at a hotel or bed-and-breakfast, you'll experience some of the best scenery from D.C. to Colorado or the sunny coasts of Florida. 

Photo courtesy of Carolina Tailwinds

Carolina Tailwinds

Carolina Tailwinds offers multiday, inn-to-inn bicycle tours to destinations largely around the eastern United States, with all bicycle vacations providing a nice balance between physical activity and relaxation. From flat and easy to hilly and challenging, there are bike routes to choose from for all levels of riders. Guests stay at boutique hotels and country inns, with breakfasts and most lunches and dinners included.

Photo courtesy of Ciclismo Classico

Ciclismo Classico

Ciclismo Classico is a woman-founded bike tour company that specializes in educational trips to European countries and the Northeast United States. Cyclists are fully immersed in the local art, language, music, and delicious cuisine of each unique area, aiming to meet the company's goal of providing an adventure their guests will never forget.

Photo courtesy of DuVine Cycling + Adventure Co. / Gwen Kidera

DuVine Cycling + Adventure Co.

DuVine's mission is "for every traveler to experience the world by bike." These luxury bike tours focus heavily on food and wine, and itineraries often include family-run restaurants and boutique accommodations. You’ll find tours around the globe, including domestic options in California, the Hudson Valley, Maine, and Vermont, among others.

Photo courtesy of Exodus Adventure Travels

Exodus Adventure Travels

Founded 50 years ago, Exodus Adventure Travels offers small group and self-guided cycling trips to over 100 countries. Cycling tours include leisurely exploration in places like Portugal and the Baltics, as well as more challenging routes in places like Sicily, Panama, and Sri Lanka.   

Photo courtesy of ExperiencePlus! Bicycle Tours

ExperiencePlus! Bicycle Tours

ExperiencePlus! is one of the oldest and most well-respected bike touring companies based in the United States. For more than a half-century, adventurous cyclists and active travelers have joined their guided bike tours and followed along some of the most delightful roads in the world. ExperiencePlus! provides both novice and seasoned cyclists alike with local tour leaders, thoughtful routes, and plenty of cultural immersion.

Photo courtesy of Daniele Mazierli / iStock / Getty Images Plus

Great Explorations

Built around being environmentally conscious, Great Explorations believes in leaving the environment around the biking trips the way it was found. As a boutique travel company with tours taking place across multiple continents, they create one-of-a-kind experiences that include charming hotels and unique dining experiences with cycling days that range between 25-40 miles.

Photo courtesy of Intrepid Travel

Intrepid Travel

Launched in 1989, Intrepid Travel offers more than 1,000 voyages across the globe — and cycling tours are no exception. In addition to classic biking destinations like Provence and Tuscany, the company has mastered the art of shining a spotlight on underrated regions, operating bike excursions to Sri Lanka, Slovenia, Tanzania, and a wealth of other countries.

Photo courtesy of REI Co-op / REI Adventures

REI is a household name for adventure seekers and outdoorsy tourists alike. Cycling enthusiasts will want to check out their biking adventures around some of the nation's best national parks, which range from three to six days in duration.

Photo courtesy of Summer Feet Cycling

Summer Feet Cycling

Summer Feet Cycling was founded more than two decades ago, offering bicycle tours of Maine. Today, the company continues to introduce visitors to the Pine Tree State, with additional tour offerings in Quebec, Nova Scotia, and Europe.

Photo courtesy of Barbara Hoyt

Timberline Adventures

Timberline Adventures provides guided and self-guided cycling tours throughout the United States and Canada. All guided adventures include lodging, support from a sag wagon, and most meals. Destinations include Death Valley National Park, the Northwest Passage, Aspen, and more.

Photo courtesy of U. J. Alexander / iStock / Getty Images Plus

Trek Travel

Trek Travel leads all kinds of adventure tours to all corners of the globe, but the company got its start in bicycling trips. From North America to Europe, and South America to the Asia-Pacific region, see the world with personalized care and fantastic guides for your type of cycling style. 

Photo courtesy of VBT Bicycling Vacations

VBT Bicycling Vacations

Guests traveling with VBT can choose their trip by activity level: easy, easy/moderate, moderate, or moderate/challenging. Guided and self-guided itineraries explore destinations around the globe, including the Vermont countryside, South Carolina Lowcountry, and the Sonoran Desert of Arizona.

Photo courtesy of Wilderness Voyageurs

Wilderness Voyageurs

From the arid depths of New Mexico to the lush forests of the Olympic Peninsula, Wilderness Voyageurs provides guests with an opportunity to traverse some of the most gorgeous bike paths across the lower 48. While road, gravel, and mountain bike tours are all available, the company's inn-to-inn rail trail tours offer a more relaxing perspective on the sport, combining outdoor adventure with cozy accommodations throughout the trip.

About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards

Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best .

The Experts

Brandon withrow.

Brandon Withrow is a travel journalist based in...   Read More

Brandon Withrow is a travel journalist based in Northwest Ohio, covering ecotourism, wildlife, outdoor adventures, and eco-friendly stays, as well as the secrets of underrated cities. He appears in The Daily Beast, BBC Travel, Canadian Geographic, Business Insider, The Hill, and Sierra Magazine. You can find him at  www.brandonwithrow.com ,  @bwithrow  on Twitter, and  @bgwithrow  on Instagram.

Chelle Koster Walton

Chelle Koster Walton — the Local Expert for...   Read More

Chelle Koster Walton — the Local Expert for Naples, Florida and the Caribbean — has been covering the destination for 30 years. Her top-selling  Sarasota, Sanibel Island, and Naples  guidebook (Countryman Press) is in its sixth edition. She was contributing editor for  Caribbean Travel & Life  for 12 years and has written guidebooks on the Bahamas. A veteran travel writer, Chelle has published thousands of articles for  Miami Herald, USA TODAY, Latitudes;  has written/contributed to a dozen guidebooks, and produces travel shows for the local PBS station.

Chez Chesak

‘Chez’ Chesak is Executive Director of the Outdoor...   Read More

‘Chez’ Chesak is Executive Director of the Outdoor Writers Association of America, an adventure travel writer, board member of the Society of American Travel Writers and 22-year veteran of the outdoor and travel industries. While he’s lived all over the U.S. and traveled to more than 30 countries, he has the most fun when he’s exploring with his wife Sally and two daughters. An avid outdoors person, he’s happiest on a trail, on skis, or nestled into a sleeping bag. Learn more about him and his work at www.chezconnects.com .  

Dave Stamboulis

Dave Stamboulis is a travel writer/photographer...   Read More

Dave Stamboulis is a travel writer/photographer based in Bangkok. Born in Athens, Greece and growing up in the U.S., Dave first discovered Bangkok while on a 45,000-kilometer bicycle trip and moved there for good in 2005. Dave's photos appear in publications around the world. He's the author of Odysseus' Last Stand , which received the Silver Medal for Travel Book of the Year from the Society of American Travel Writers. In addition to updating the Fodor's Guidebook to Thailand, he is the author of 500 Hidden Secrets to Bangkok, and his travel stories and photography appear in publications around the globe. 

Jamie Davis Smith

Jamie is an attorney, writer and photographer. She...   Read More

Jamie is an attorney, writer and photographer. She was born with deeply ingrained wanderlust and has visited 45 countries and counting. She often brings her children along for the adventure and is passing her love of travel on to the next generation. Jamie has written for   Insider,   Fodor's Travel ,   Yahoo ,  the Huffington Post , the  Washington Post,   Viator  and  Reviewed  among many other publications. Jamie is from Philadelphia and now lives in Washington, DC, where she takes advantage of everything the region has to offer.    Jamie can be reached at  [email protected]  and can be found on  Twitter ,  Instagram  and  TikTok .

Melanie Reffes

Melanie is an island girl at heart . Born in...   Read More

Melanie is an island girl at heart . Born in Manhattan, she now lives on the sunny island of Montreal and covers  the Caribbean for a variety of publications  including  USA TODAY 10Best, CaribbeanTravel.com and MarryCaribbean.com.  A journalist with a boatload of writer awards under her belt, Melanie's affection for the Caribbean started  young when her family vacationed in Puerto Rico.   An avid fan of spicy food,   Melanie enjoys the diversity of Montreal - especially during the warmer months -when she's not en route to the Caribbean. She  holds a Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Toronto. 

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USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.

• Preplanned tours
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• St. Petersburg

Moscow Metro

The Moscow Metro Tour is included in most guided tours’ itineraries. Opened in 1935, under Stalin’s regime, the metro was not only meant to solve transport problems, but also was hailed as “a people’s palace”. Every station you will see during your Moscow metro tour looks like a palace room. There are bright paintings, mosaics, stained glass, bronze statues… Our Moscow metro tour includes the most impressive stations best architects and designers worked at - Ploshchad Revolutsii, Mayakovskaya, Komsomolskaya, Kievskaya, Novoslobodskaya and some others.

What is the kremlin in russia?

The guide will not only help you navigate the metro, but will also provide you with fascinating background tales for the images you see and a history of each station.

And there some stories to be told during the Moscow metro tour! The deepest station - Park Pobedy - is 84 metres under the ground with the world longest escalator of 140 meters. Parts of the so-called Metro-2, a secret strategic system of underground tunnels, was used for its construction.

During the Second World War the metro itself became a strategic asset: it was turned into the city's biggest bomb-shelter and one of the stations even became a library. 217 children were born here in 1941-1942! The metro is the most effective means of transport in the capital.

There are almost 200 stations 196 at the moment and trains run every 90 seconds! The guide of your Moscow metro tour can explain to you how to buy tickets and find your way if you plan to get around by yourself.

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The wonders of Moscow metro

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Moscow Metro Tour

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Description

Moscow metro private tours.

• 2-hour tour $87:  10 Must-See Moscow Metro stations with hotel pick-up and drop-off
• 3-hour tour $137:  20 Must-See Moscow Metro stations with Russian lunch in beautifully-decorated Metro Diner + hotel pick-up and drop off. 
• Metro pass is included in the price of both tours.

Highlight of Metro Tour

• Visit 10 must-see stations of Moscow metro on 2-hr tour and 20 Metro stations on 3-hr tour, including grand Komsomolskaya station with its distinctive Baroque décor, aristocratic Mayakovskaya station with Soviet mosaics, legendary Revolution Square station with 72 bronze sculptures and more!
• Explore Museum of Moscow Metro and learn a ton of technical and historical facts;
• Listen to the secrets about the Metro-2, a secret line supposedly used by the government and KGB;
• Experience a selection of most striking features of Moscow Metro hidden from most tourists and even locals;
• Discover the underground treasure of Russian Soviet past – from mosaics to bronzes, paintings, marble arches, stained glass and even paleontological elements;
• Learn fun stories and myths about Coffee Ring, Zodiac signs of Moscow Metro and more;
• Admire Soviet-era architecture of pre- and post- World War II perious;
• Enjoy panoramic views of Sparrow Hills from Luzhniki Metro Bridge – MetroMost, the only station of Moscow Metro located over water and the highest station above ground level;
• If lucky, catch a unique «Aquarelle Train» – a wheeled picture gallery, brightly painted with images of peony, chrysanthemums, daisies, sunflowers and each car unit is unique;
• Become an expert at navigating the legendary Moscow Metro system;
• Have fun time with a very friendly local;
• + Atmospheric Metro lunch in Moscow’s the only Metro Diner (included in a 3-hr tour)

Hotel Pick-up

Metro stations:.

Komsomolskaya

Novoslobodskaya

Prospekt Mira

Belorusskaya

Mayakovskaya

Novokuznetskaya

Revolution Square

Sparrow Hills

+ for 3-hour tour

Victory Park

Slavic Boulevard

Vystavochnaya

Dostoevskaya

Elektrozavodskaya

Partizanskaya

Museum of Moscow Metro

• Drop-off  at your hotel, Novodevichy Convent, Sparrow Hills or any place you wish
• + Russian lunch  in Metro Diner with artistic metro-style interior for 3-hour tour

Fun facts from our Moscow Metro Tours:

From the very first days of its existence, the Moscow Metro was the object of civil defense, used as a bomb shelter, and designed as a defense for a possible attack on the Soviet Union.

At a depth of 50 to 120 meters lies the second, the coded system of Metro-2 of Moscow subway, which is equipped with everything you need, from food storage to the nuclear button.

According to some sources, the total length of Metro-2 reaches over 150 kilometers.

The Museum was opened on Sportivnaya metro station on November 6, 1967. It features the most interesting models of trains and stations.

Coffee Ring

The first scheme of Moscow Metro looked like a bunch of separate lines. Listen to a myth about Joseph Stalin and the main brown line of Moscow Metro.

Zodiac Metro

According to some astrologers, each of the 12 stops of the Moscow Ring Line corresponds to a particular sign of the zodiac and divides the city into astrological sector.

Astrologers believe that being in a particular zadiac sector of Moscow for a long time, you attract certain energy and events into your life.

Paleontological finds 

Red marble walls of some of the Metro stations hide in themselves petrified inhabitants of ancient seas. Try and find some!

• Every day each car in  Moscow metro passes  more than 600 km, which is the distance from Moscow to St. Petersburg.
• Moscow subway system is the  5th in the intensity  of use (after the subways of Beijing, Tokyo, Seoul and Shanghai).
• The interval in the movement of trains in rush hour is  90 seconds .

What you get:

• + A friend in Moscow.
• + Private & customized Moscow tour.
• + An exciting pastime, not just boring history lessons.
• + An authentic experience of local life.
• + Flexibility during the walking tour: changes can be made at any time to suit individual preferences.
• + Amazing deals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the very best cafes & restaurants. Discounts on weekdays (Mon-Fri).
• + A photo session amongst spectacular Moscow scenery that can be treasured for a lifetime.
• + Good value for souvenirs, taxis, and hotels.
• + Expert advice on what to do, where to go, and how to make the most of your time in Moscow.

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