Escorted tour holiday ideas around the world

Offering a chance to travel with like-minded companions and benefit from an expert guide, escorted tours are an ideal way to explore the world.

Be it on a journey through the wonders of Australia, a trek to the top of Kilimanjaro or a trip on the Baltic Express opportunities about with a host of tour operators in some of the most exciting locations.

Here travelbite.co.uk takes a look at the very best escorted tour holiday ideas around the world.

Canada

The Canadian Rockies are home to breathtak¬ing mountain scenery, fascinating historical sites, magnificent national parks, and some of the friendliest people on the planet. Journeys of Distinction's exclusive 19-day fully escorted 'Grand Canadian Rockies' tour provides ample time to savour the landscapes.

There's plenty of city sightseeing in Calgary, Vancouver and Victoria plus days spent in Banff, Yoho and Jasper National Parks. Marvel at serenely beautiful Lake Louise and Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies (3,954 metres), relax on a boat trip across Maligne Lake to Spirit Island and enjoy a ride on the Banff gondola where each vista tells a different story.

Prices start from £3,775 per person including 18-nights' accommodation with full breakfasts, some lunches and dinners, return flights (from London Heathrow), luxury coach travel with experienced guides, a tour manager from UK departure airport and a full programme of excursions.

Tanzania

Climbing Africa's premier peak is a classic fitness challenge, and guests are now following in famous footsteps - with Take That star Gary Barlow recently leading Chris Moyles and other celebrities up Kilimanjaro for Comic Relief.

Explore's 12-day tour climbs through farmlands, plantations, icefields and shrub forest, with views over the Great Rift Valley. Eventually, Uhuru Peak summit (5,895m) looms.

The ascent averages 400metres a day and requires very good fitness. Departures are from June-September cost £2,069 per person, including flights (Heathrow - regional connections available), all transportation, nine nights' full-board (two hotel, seven camping) and all guiding.

Australia

Prepare for a dose of culture, incredible scenery and diverse wildlife along with all things Oz on this 23-day 'Wonders of Australia' tour. The locally escorted trip takes in some of Australia's most vibrant cities including Perth, Cairns, Melbourne and Sydney and their associated iconic landmarks such as the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Marvel at some of the country's most outstanding natural wonders - Ayers Rock, the Great Barrier Reef and the Blue Mountains, plus stopover in Bangkok and Singapore and discover two of Asia's most dynamic cities. The tour costs from £3,095 per person - with Go Touring.
- and includes 22-nights' B&B, return flights from London Heathrow), internal flights (as detailed in the itinerary), all transfers, excursions, a tour manager and English speaking guides in Asia.

France

Explore the medieval streets and historic quaysides of beautiful Bayonne, and sample sumptuous tapas delights in San Sebastian on this seven-night escorted holiday.

Elegant Biarritz and picturesque St-Jean-de-Luz also feature, and other gems include the medieval walled town of Hondarribia founded in 1203 and a trip by cogwheel train to La Rhune, high in the Pyrenees.

VFB Holidays offers the trip for a price of £845 per person, which includes seven nights' accommodation with breakfast, return flights (London Luton), transfers, four dinners and one lunch (including wine), excursions, entrance fees and the services of VFB tour manager abroad.

Chile

Wilderness Journeys offers an inspirational break to one of the truly wild places of the world with its Patagonia trekking trip, 'The Last Frontier'; new for 2009.

Hike through elemental wilderness in an undiscovered part of Chilean Patagonia, pick your way through forests, mountains and glaciers in the San Rafael National Park, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, and relax in the comfort of luxury campsites in striking locations.

The 14-day trip costs £1,895 per person including 11 nights' hotel, lodge and private camp accommodation, most meals, internal flights, in-country transportation, park fees and the services of a guide.

Departures October 2009 to May 2010.

Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia

Incorporating tram and train routes unknown to most, this 17-day escorted tour is an excellent way to explore the untouched and breathtaking Baltic States of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia.

The itinerary takes in top-notch cuisine, pristine beaches, stunning scenery, fascinating cities, including Vilnius, Riga and Tallinn, historic architecture and more. The pound will go further in the Baltics and a road coach travels with the train, so there's no need to worry about looking after luggage.

The price of £2,315 per person includes return flights (Gatwick/Heathrow), rail travel, hotel accommodation with breakfast, transfers and some excursions. Departs May 28th, with more information at Fest Travel.

Easter Island

The Traveller is the UK's Easter Island specialist. Its 13-day tour is guided by Jo Anne Van Tilburg, director of the Easter Island Statue Project and a world-leading expert on the island.

Learn from Jo Anne how Rapa Nui, such a remote outpost in the South Pacific, was settled in 300-400 AD, how it came to be covered in more than 1,000 stone moai statues and how the ancient Birdman competition worked.

Departing November 13th, prices are from £3,395 per person include flights (Heathrow), all taxes, transfers, two nights' B&B in Santiago and eight nights' full board on Easter Island (all in three of four star hotels) and all guiding.

Malta

Make Malta-easier with cultural touring from £1,545 per person with Kirker Holidays.

Savour the historic treasure trove that is Malta and its neighbour Gozo on a seven-night tour, exploring not only the islands' past but also the plans to preserve this precious heritage for future generations. Based in five-star splendour at the Hotel Corinthia Palace, visit Malta's capital, Valletta, the beautiful 'Silent City' of Mdina, two private palaces and the ancient necropolis of Hypogeum.

Then, cross the strait to Gozo and gaze in awe at the prehistoric temples of Ggantija - once believed to have been built by a race of giant Cyclopes. Departing May 7th and October 7th, 'The Heritage & History of Malta & Gozo' costs £1,545 per person (two sharing) including return flights (London Heathrow), seven nights' accommodation, some meals, entrance fees/gratuities and the services of a tour lecturer/local guide.

Iceland

Explore Iceland in a 4WD with an expert driver/guide who'll put the vehicle through its paces - coach tour lovers need not apply. Small groups are the best way to see Iceland for the first time as it's packed full of fascinating places to visit and incredible sightseeing opportunities and this itinerary has a focus on local geology and history.

There is also an excellent chance to see the Northern Lights, when the forecast and conditions are good; evening trips out to special vantage points may also be arranged.

The four-night, five-day 'Iceland with an Expert' costs from £883 per person, departs April 12th. Based on two sharing, this includes return flights Stansted (regional departures available) - local airport transfers, four nights' accommodation with breakfast and three dinners.

Head over to Discover the World for more information.

India

Sail between coconut forests, velvety valleys and lotus-filled lagoons on Explore's 13-day tour of the Keralan Backwaters. Alight to visit a wildlife reserve in the highlands, pass pepper and rubber plantations, then journey to Kochi harbour - where fishing nets sway in the wind and Kamatkhali dancers gyrate like mystical demons.

Finish with some beach time at Kovalam. Departing March 24th, the tour costs £1,355 per person and includes flights (Heathrow - regional connections available), all transportation, 11 nights' accommodation (one on a houseboat), 11 meals and guiding.

Chris O'Toole