Expand your horizons…
Ashdown Travel now specialises in modern escorted touring. Read on to discover where in the world you could be heading next courtesy of their amazing Travelsphere and Just You options
There is no shortage of holiday choices nowadays. From independent land-based breaks and the many styles of cruising – ocean and river alike – to all-inclusive beach escapes and everything in between, travellers have more options than ever before.
Yet one style of travel still doesn’t enjoy the same level of recognition as the rest: escorted touring. Ask a roomful of people what escorted touring brings to mind and at least one is likely to picture lengthy, uninspiring trips that follow the same tired tourist trails of decades past. That perception couldn’t be further from the truth.
Modern escorted touring is a dynamic and diverse part of the travel industry, offering an impressive range of holidays designed to suit a wide variety of interests and budgets. In many ways, touring remains one of travel’s best-kept secrets. Awareness is growing, but there is still significant opportunity to showcase its true value.
What sets touring apart are its distinctive benefits: expertly crafted itineraries where every detail is taken care of; exceptional access to iconic and historic sites; authentic, local experiences that bring destinations to life; and a global reach. Escorted tours are ideal for travellers who want to truly immerse themselves in a destination. Recent trends show an increasing appetite for exploration, cultural discovery and experiences that go beyond the familiar.
And touring isn’t limited by age. While it has traditionally appealed to those with more time to travel, younger generations are increasingly recognising the value and appeal of what escorted touring has to offer.
Travelsphere: Led by the heart, guided by Experts
If you want to enjoy amazing experiences and have the holiday of a lifetime every time – then look no further than Travelsphere.
Their tours include so much – from return flights and hand-picked hotels to authentic experiences, local flavours and, an expert Holiday Director to make sure you don’t miss a thing. These are just some of the reasons travellers rate Travelsphere ‘Excellent’ on Trustpilot.
They’ve been carefully creating award-winning holidays for over 60 years and on tour, they love to show travellers a delightful blend of iconic highlights and taking them beyond the guidebook to explore some hidden gems as well. They also make sure that there is free time for travellers to make their own discoveries too.
In 2025 Travelsphere launched a prestigious partnership with The Royal Geographical Society. It is underpinned by a shared commitment to purposeful travel, inspiring insight in travellers and a dedication to work with and in support of those communities and environments visited by their tours. The Royal Geographical Society have selected some of their itineraries which have significance to the Society and its near 200-year history.
In line with their legacy of pioneering spirit, purposeful travel and believing travel should mean something more – Travelsphere are very proud to have also now launched a new collection of wine tours in partnership with The Times. These thoughtfully curated itineraries will take their customers to hand-selected vineyards across France, Italy, and Spain, each with a compelling story to tell.
The joy of a Just You holiday
Travelling alone, but with kindred spirits, is an incredibly exciting and liberating experience.
As pioneers of solo travel, Just You make sure every customer experiences the joy and freedom of sharing an adventure with travellers just like them.
Their destinations and itineraries, which are specially designed for the solo traveller, are continuously updated to ensure they always inspire, surprise and delight. They pride themselves on the care and attention they put into every holiday to ensure everything runs smoothly. Their passionate and friendly team, along with the welcoming community of travellers, guarantees you’ll instantly feel part of the group.
All of their holidays include incredible experiences as you discover iconic landmarks and uncover hidden treasures. There are plenty of excursions, as well as free time to relax or explore at your own pace. You’ll always have a welcome get-together at the beginning of your trip so you can immediately start getting to know your fellow adventurers.
In addition to many meals, you’ll also get breakfast every day – plus you’ll always have a twin or double room to yourself with no supplement to pay.
If you would like to find out more about touring holidays with Travelsphere and Just You, pop into your local Ashdown Travel branch, 1 High Street, Tunbridge Wells and chat to our team for expert advice. www.ashdowntravel.co.uk
