Spain

Timanfaya Volcanic Tour

This half-day tour is Lanzarote in a nutshell. You'll call in at El Golfo lagoon, journey through Timanfaya National Park and visit the Salinas de Janubio. We'll even throw in a wine tasting session to round off the tour.First up, you'll visit the waters of El Golfo - it's emerald waters have starred in many a Hollywood film over the years. But that's just an appetiser for the main event – the visit to Timanfaya National Park. Famed for its moonlike landscape is dotted with lava fields and black rocks, you'll see the ‘Fire Mountain', to name but a few.We'll continue the tour with a stop in La Geria for a sip of some local wine before we reach Salinas de Janubio, the largest salt flats in the Canaries. Snap a few selfies with the miles of cotton-white salt mounds as your guide fills you in on the history of this all-important island resource. You'll even get a chance to try some, too.

Full day Majorca Tour with Port de Soller and Lluc Monastery

There's something really special about this trip to northern Majorca – the way in which you go sightseeing is part of the adventure. That's because you'll travel by coach, train, tram and boat during our exclusive excursion through Soller, Port de Soller and Sa Calobra.

Valldemossa, Son Marroig and Soller tour with historic train ride

History meets scenery on this Tramuntana Mountains tour. You'll visit the honey-stone village of Valldemossa, explore handsome Soller town and enjoy the views on a vintage train ride through mountains and valleys. Xisco, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘The train is the pride of the people of Soller. Because their town was so hard to reach behind the mountains, they built the railway with their own money a century ago so they could be connected to Palma and export their famous oranges.'Kick off in Valldemossa, a cluster of stone houses tumbling from a ridge in the heart of the Tramuntana Mountains. You can either explore the village under your own steam or join a guided tour to learn more about its history and culture. Xisco adds, ‘My favourite street in Valldemossa is Carrer Rectoria, a narrow alley is lined with potted plants. Saint Catalina Thomas was born here, and her house is now a chapel.' Then it's on to Son Marroig for a guide tour of the ravishing Renaissance-style estate overlooking the sea.Next, we'll head to Soller, a busy town built by wealthy citrus fruit merchants. You'll have free time to explore, potter around the shops, pop into a church or two, or soak up the sun in an outdoor café. The day rolls to a close with a journey back in time on a wooden train inaugurated in 1912 and still in full working order today. This scenic ride weaves through the Sierra de Tramontanta to Son Reus, where you'll join the transfer back to base.

Mahon Harbour, Binibeca and Xoroi Cave tour

You'll discover Menorca by land and sea, and inside out, on this full day tour. Activities include a Mahon harbour boat trip and visits to the whitewashed Binibeca and Xoroi Cave. Nicola, one of our expert local guides, says "legend has it that the Xoroi cave was once the refuge of a man named Xoroi, who was shipwrecked during a storm and found shelter in the cave. The lore continues with tales of him falling in love with a local girl, leading to a romantic yet tragic story that adds an air of mystique to this stunning location."The fun kicks off with a boat trip around Mahon harbour. At five kilometres long, it's one of the world's largest natural harbours. It's fringed by historic buildings, fortifications and dotted with islands. Back on dry land, there's a tour of Mahon town followed by some free time. Nicola adds "reminders of the century-long British rule are still visible to this day – you can see sash and bow windows, door latches and handles just as you would in the UK." Then, discover the sugar-cube village of Binibeca and its whitewashed homes.Just a little further east along the coast, you'll find the Cova d'en Xoroi, a bar uniquely set within a cave on a cliff face. Here, you can sip on a refreshing drink while soaking in the breathtaking sea views from what is undoubtedly Menorca's coolest bar.

Tour of Teguise and LagOmar with a local guide

Two very different Lanzarote experiences share equal billing in this half-day excursion. You'll get to spend time mixing with locals in Teguise's Sunday market – the biggest outdoor bazaar in the Canaries – and lapping up the Hollywood stardust of the mythical LagOmar.

Mahon Harbour Boat Tour with Mahon Market and Gin Distillery

What better way to spend a few hours than discovering and savouring the delights of Mahon, Menorca's history-steeped capital? On this morning tour, you'll enjoy a harbour boat trip, have free time to explore the old town on market day and visit a historic distillery. Nicola, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘If you scratch beneath the surface, you'll find the British influence in many older buildings such as sash windows, panelled doors, lunettes and more. A uniquely Menorquin touch is the ruby-red paint on these houses.'First up is a glass-bottom boat trip in Mahon harbour – the second largest in the world. Glide between fortified islets and admire the opulent villas lining the waterfront on either side. Some date from the 18th century, when Menorca was a British colony. Next, it's on to the old Xoriguer gin distillery. Menorca's favourite tipple has been made here, using the same recipe, since 1736 – yet another symbol of the island's British heritage.There's also free time to wander around Mahon under your own steam, admiring its Georgian town houses, baroque churches, palm-lined squares and narrow, cobbled streets. Head to the centrally located Plaza del Carme, where there's a market of vendors hawking everything from cured meats to fresh fruit under the cloisters of a 17th-century convent. The local square-shaped cheese is highly regarded throughout Spain.

Lanzarote tour with Timanfaya National Park and El Golfo

This grand tour of Lanzarote leaves no stone unturned. ‘You'll unearth the secrets of this volcanic island through the eyes of someone who has made it their home,' says Daria, one of our expert guides. Discover the island's spectacular green north and the volcanic south, visiting Timanfaya National Park, Jameos del Agua caves and a winery.

Lanzarote Volcano Tour with BBQ

Lanzarote's volcanic scenery comes into its own at Timanfaya National Park. This corner of the island is all peaks and craters straight from a sci-fi movie set. And it's all even more dramatic at sunset. So on this evening trip, you're in for a treat.

Palma tours with Cathedral and Valldemossa options

Take your pick from a variety of ways to visit Majorca's atmospheric capital, Palma. Explore the city at your own pace with our simple, hassle-free transport only option. Or, perhaps you would like to add a visit to the waterfront cathedral. To make the most of your day, you can pair a guided cathedral experience with a trip to the hilltop town of Valldemossa, too. Hugo, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘Palma Cathedral is astonishing. The apse's rose window alone contains more than 1,100 pieces of stained-glass – and was designed to align with the façade's rose window twice a year, on 2/2 and 11/11, to create the figure of 8.'How the day unfolds depends on the option you've selected. With our Palma free time ticket, you'll have a few hours to use as you choose. Shop in the city's chic boutiques and high street fashion stores, check out plazas lined with terrace cafés, or enjoy the plentiful supply of art galleries and museums. Add the sightseeing bus option if you want to roam free without the leg work.If you've opted for the Palma and Cathedral entrance ticket, you'll get to explore this vast Gothic masterpiece under your own steam. And if you're after the premium option, you'll get a guided tour of the cathedral, plus a visit to Valldemossa – an achingly pretty village strewn on a hill less than 30-minutes' drive from Palma. Hugo says, ‘Valldemossa is the essence of rural Majorca. Honey-hued stone houses with green shutters cluster around the belfry. Make sure to try the local potato cake, ‘coca', dipped in hot chocolate.'

Full-day Gran Canaria tour with Teror, Tejeda and typical lunch

Villages, viewpoints and volcanic rocks dot Gran Canaria's jagged spine. This tour weaves its way through some of the island's most dramatic landscapes, stopping along the way to visit gems such as Teror, Tejeda and Fataga. David, one of our local guides, says, ‘The legend of the apparition of the Virgin Mary in Teror still intrigues me. It was in 1481, amid the Castilian conquest of Gran Canaria, and it helped change the island's destiny.'And Teror is where your adventure begins. Strolling past the balconied townhouses of Calle Real de la Plaza towards the mountain-framed basilica of Our Lady of the Pine is one of the defining Gran Canaria experiences. A scenic mountain drive away is Tejeda, which is a bit of a looker itself – red-roofed, whitewashed houses sprinkled on the slope of a valley. David adds, ‘Every time there's a list of Spain's prettiest villages, Tejeda is near the top. Its setting is unbeatable.' There's also a pit stop at Las Tirajanas viewpoint to admire a vast volcanic caldera, as we make our way to Fataga to eat. A lunch made from locally sourced ingredients will be served in a family-owned restaurant. After a little amble through the town, we'll visit a nearby aloe vera plantation to get the lowdown on its medicinal properties. Generations of islanders have used extracts from the plant for skin burns.

Jandia dolphin-watching cruise in Fuerteventura

Bring a splash of excitement to your holiday with this two-hour cruise, where you'll be on the lookout for some of the ocean's most playful residents – dolphins. The calm, warm waters surrounding Fuerteventura are a dolphin's dream, rich with food and full of life, making it the perfect spot to see them darting through the waves and putting on a natural show.Catch the breezes on deck and keep your eyes peeled for the first hint of movement – you'll often just see a fleeting shadow or flash of dorsal fin before a playful pod surges into view. Then, with a bit of luck, you'll be treated to an incredible show as they leap, plunge and race through the water alongside you.You may even spot baby dolphins swimming close to their mothers, and if you're really lucky, pilot whales too. And when your eyes aren't tracking the waters, you'll have the Jandia coastline to gaze out over while you sit back with a drink and relax.

Valencia visit with panoramic bus and guided walking tours

Valencia isn't just culture – it's also an enticing place to dine out and hit the shops. On this full day tour, you'll have the chance to see the sights on a panoramic bus ride, then get the lowdown on a guided walking tour of the heart of the city. Martí, one of our local guides, says, ‘Valencia has really come out of the shadows in recent decades, and now stands shoulder to shoulder with Barcelona and Madrid in terms of art, culture and cuisine. Our old town, one of the largest in Europe, is packed with sights, with the Silk Exchange shining brightest of all.' You'll start off with a panoramic bus tour for an overview of the city and an explanation of some of the major sights. Once you leave the bus, you'll set off on a guided walking tour around the city. Your expert local guide will show you around, sharing local insight into the history and explaining some of the highlights. When the tour is over, you'll have free time to explore further, grab a bite to eat or browse the shops.The streets around Calle Colon, a modern boulevard, boast all kinds of stores – from global high street brands to luxury goods shops as well as the latest in technology. There are also smaller, original boutiques selling haute couture clothing. Martí adds, ‘If all that shopping tires you out, pop over to the art nouveau Colon Market. It's evolved into an epicurean food hall and is a go-to, not just for the nibbles but for the design of the building itself. It's a good spot to take a break at one of the cafés.'