Great Explorations is a boutique tour operator specializing in providing biking & hiking trips
07/17/2025
Looking for your next cycling escape? Join us in Mallorca, where coastal roads, mountain climbs, and sun-drenched villages make every ride unforgettable.
Whether you're coming solo, with a partner, or with friends, this guided tour brings together great people, incredible food, and breathtaking scenery. We're offering a special departure this fall where solo travellers enjoy a special discount, so if you’ve been dreaming of riding through this renowned cycling destination, now’s the time to join us.
07/10/2025
Winding through quiet country roads, coastal villages, and historic beaches, this journey blends the best of France into one unforgettable ride. Stay in boutique inns, enjoy gourmet cuisine, and let our expert guides bring Normandy’s history and culture to life.
07/07/2025
Pedal through ancient temples, quiet mountain roads, and timeless villages on a journey from Kyoto to sacred Koyasan. Discover this wonderful region of Japan - rich in culture, full of heart, and best explored on two wheels.
06/25/2025
Cycle through Catalonia’s rich past and rugged beauty - quiet roads through medieval hill towns, valleys of vineyards, and dramatic Mediterranean coastlines await.
06/23/2025
Cycle past castles, caves, and quiet country roads - Dordogne is France at its most timeless. Good wine, good company, and even better views.
06/20/2025
Explore France’s Loire Valley at a relaxed pace - on two wheels. This region is known for its peaceful countryside, Renaissance châteaux, and river-side villages. You’ll bike quiet backroads, visit places like Château de Chenonceau, and stop in small towns where the rhythm of life is still shaped by local markets and café culture.
06/18/2025
Croatia has long been a favourite destination for travellers - just hear from our clients.
"With vigorous climbs and exhilarating descents, island(s) touring by bicycle in southern Croatia has been a real delight. Great Explorations had put together a well-thought-out package that explores the unique beauty of each island with its natural wonders, its medieval castles and towns, and great accommodations and restaurants." - Kennely H.
Rolling through storybook villages, sipping wine at the source, and ending each day with incredible cuisine and even better company - Alsace is a wonderful region of France to experience by bike.
Saddle up and join us on our Alsace Biking Luxe trip from September 7-13, 2025. 🚴🌳
If you're looking for a last-minute summer escape, look no further than Switzerland 🇨🇭 With its peaceful pastures, fresh alpine air, and postcard worthy landscapes, this is an ideal destination to relax and recharge 🌿
Grab your fellow travellers and join us on one of our upcoming departures:
Cycling from the cosmopolitan city of Amsterdam to the charming village of Bruges, you will experience the best of this region. Brimming with historic castles, beautiful gardens, winding canals and traditional cuisine, the Netherlands and Belgium are the perfect pairing for your next cycling vacation.
Join our Amsterdam to Bruges Biking Classic departure on September 02-09! 🚴♀️
👉 Secure your sport here: https://shorturl.at/Z12LC
05/14/2025
Imagine hiking and biking through Switzerland’s most stunning alpine landscapes, where every trail leads to picturesque mountain villages, crystal-clear lakes, and cozy inns that welcome you at the end of each day. Summer is the perfect time to visit and we still have departures with space:
Switzerland Multi-Sport Luxe on Aug 11-17
Switzerland Hiking Luxe on Aug 20-27
05/11/2025
Alentejo is a quiet region with wild cliffs and untouched beaches, white villages and cork-tree forests, vineyards and olive groves. The cycling is superb, with rolling hills leading to family-run wineries and rustic taverns where food and wine are a way of life.
Join us on Sep 15-21, 2025, and experience the very best of Portugal from the saddle.
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We are a boutique travel company with a simple philosophy,” says Robbin McKinney, Great Explorations president and owner. “We love to be innovative -we want every trip to be one-of-a-kind and to create experiences that people couldn’t easily encounter on their own. Our optional unique events and activities allow travelers to explore at the pace and style that best suits them.”
Compare our trips with others and you’ll note the important differences:
Flexibility
We design our trips with maximum flexibility in mind, so that you can experience a region at a pace that best suits you. Our cycling days average 25-40 miles (walking routes 4-8 miles), with optional routes for those who prefer longer distances. For those who enjoy additional time to try other activities, or relax by the pool, we plan layover days to allow you this option.
Smaller Group Size
Our trips average 12-16 travelers, a number that gives us access to the best in service, hotels and restaurants. We attract spirited individuals of all ages, with a congenial mix of singles, couples and occasionally families.
Memorable Hotels
We believe in pampering ourselves while on vacation and choose hotels that are one-of-a-kind finds, combining the authentic charm and modern comforts that make for memorable lodging. Whether in a country inn on the Canadian Gulf Islands or a luxurious parador in Spain, you will enjoy the comforts, service and hospitality of hotels that reflect the nuances of the area you’re visiting.
Gastronomic Delights
Whether in a Michelin starred restaurant in France, or at a local trattoria in Tuscany, the choice of what to order is yours. The food on our trips reflects the specialties of the region in which we’re traveling, with fresh, local ingredients and imaginative cooking.
Our Guides
Simply put, our guides are extraordinary people; they speak the local language, understand the customs and culture and know how to ensure that you have that ‘vacation of a lifetime’.
