With Lockdown relaxing in the UK, many of us will be wanting to plan our next vacation- I certainly am!

If you do not yet feel comfortable travelling abroad or if money if an issue, you could look at planning a short staycation, or even a few day trips, in your home country.

Unless you just like to spend the whole of your vacation lying on the beach, or by a pool, you might enjoy the benefits of a guided tour or activity. Don’t get me wrong, I love to spend some time chilling by the sea or pool, with a nice book, but I also love to spend some time exploring the area I’m in, socialising with other tourists or locals and trying some new experiences whilst I’m there.

Whether you’re into history & culture, food & drink, nature & adventure , sporting activities, film & music or sightseeing, a guided tour is a great option. You will be shown around by an expert who will give you an idea of the history of the place you’re visiting. They may also be able to recommend some hidden gems for you to visit!

Even though I’ve lived in the UK for most of my life, there is so much it that I haven’t seen and that I would be fascinated to learn more about! They’re are quite a few places here and all over the world, that are now on my bucket list!

In 2019, I had a four day break in Valencia, the home of paella, with my friend, Martine. As it was our first time there, we decided to take a guided walking tour of the city so that we could become familiar with it and make the most of the time we were there. The company we used was Free Tour Valencia and you are free to decide how much you would like to donate. It was definitely worth it! We learned so much abut the history & culture of Valencia. We also discovered some great beaches and some hidden gems for food & drink. Our lovely guide also introduced us to Agua de Valencia, a delicious local cocktail!

After our tour, we actually felt like locals as we could find our way round and make plans for the rest of our time after there! I’d highly recommend this type of tour on your first day of your vacation. Local hotels often offer tours or you book before you go, to guarantee a place and also, to skip the queues!

Whatever your interests are, or wherever you are planning on going, you can find a guided tour or activity to suit you:

Historical, Cultural & Art Tours

Belfast: The Titanic Experience with SS NomadicVisit

Learn the story of the legendary ocean liner and her fateful journey across the Atlantic, at the Belfast Titanic Experience, the world’s largest exhibit dedicated to the Titanic. Journey through 9 galleries at the site of the ship’s construction. Learn the story of the world’s most famous ocean liner, from her conception to tragic sinking. Admire the ornate furnishings, and learn about life on board for passengers and crew. Relive the drama of her tragic end, and see the wreck at her resting place on the ocean floor. Voyage to the bottom of the North Atlantic in the Ocean Exploration Centre, with live links to contemporary undersea explorations Cost: From £19.50

Rome: St Peter’s Basilica Dome to Underground Grottoes Tour

Meet your guide in St. Peter’s Square then start the tour by climbing your way to the top of the Basilica’s Dome. Enjoy an exclusive look at the Dome’s impressive mosaics then head further up to the top balcony. From here, marvel at panoramic views across the city, spot the Colosseum, the Pantheon, and other iconic landmarks. Descend directly into the Basilica and avoid the long entry queue. Inside, admire its impressive interior and discover why it took 150 years to build. Gaze at the colorful marble, golden ceilings, and intricate mosaics that surround you. Learn about the renowned works of Renaissance and Neoclassic artists that are housed here. Choose between a small group or private tour. Cost: From £37.35pp

Milan: Leonardo’s Vineyard Ticket with Guided Tour Option

I visited this lovely place in 2019, with my friend, Jane. It absolutely was stunning. As you explore the Vineyard, immerse yourself in the lifestyle of Leonardo da Vinci, iconic for many artworks including the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper. Leonardo’s Vineyard was gifted to him in 1498 by Ludovico Sforza, a former Duke of Milan, who assigned him with the task of creating The Last Supper. The Vineyard soon became one of Leonardo’s most admired possessions. With a long list of winemakers in his family, he enjoyed growing his own grapes and creating his own wines for many years to follow. You can rediscover this hidden gem either on an Italian or English guided tour, led by a knowledgeable local guide. If you prefer to explore at your leisure, you can opt for an entry ticket and audio guide Cost: From £10.16pp

Acropolis: Guided Walking Tour with Entrance Ticket

Visit the Athens Acropolis and explore the fascinating world of Ancient Greece on a 1.5-hour walking tour. Discover the UNESCO-listed archaeological site with a licensed guide. Visit the Theatre of Dionysus, a 5th-century amphitheater that is often cited as the birthplace of the performing arts. Hear about its history and imagine it filled with the theatergoers of Ancient Greece. Stop at the Dionysus Sanctuary, dedicated to the Greek god of wine and fertility. Pause to take photos of these fascinating ruins, and learn their history from your guide. Cost: From £38.23 pp

Film & TV Location Tours

Seville: Alcázar Guided Tour with Priority Entrance (Lawrence of Arabia & Games of Thrones film locations)

Explore Seville’s Alcázar on a guided tour of one of the oldest functioning palaces in Europe. See why this palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, how it blends different architectural types, and why it became the setting for Lawrence of Arabia and Game of Thrones. Choose from either a small-group or private tour to suit the experience you’re looking for. Choose from a small-group or private guided experience Cost: From £29.67pp

Harry Potter Warner Brother Studio Tour & Transfers

Take the bus from central London for this magical full-day tour of the Warner Brothers Studio. Go behind the scenes of the Harry Potter film sets to explore the enchanting props and costumes, and walk in the footsteps of your favorite characters. After arriving at the Studios, you’ll have about 4 hours to explore all the sets, props, and studio gift shop. Get your photo taken at your favorite filming locations such as the impressive Great Hall, Dumbledore’s office, and the Gryffindor common room. Walk down the cobble-stoned Diagon Alley and picture the local witches and wizards as you pass Ollivander’s, Flourish and Blotts, and Eeylops Owl Emporium.Visitors can now visit Platform 9 ¾ and ride the Hogwarts Express! Explore a perfect recreation of the platform and the train itself.Cost: From £89.10 pp

Notting Hill Rom-Com Walking Tour

Explore London via the location sites of some of its most famous rom-com movies on a 2-hour guided walking tour. Feast your eyes on the settings of romantic comedies such as “Notting Hill,” “Love Actually,” and more. A film expert will take you to the neighborhood where some of the most iconic cinematic moments were shot, providing behind-the-scenes information on Hugh Grant’s “Notting Hill” and many other memorable movie scenes. Cost: From £15pp

From Cornwall: Private Poldark Tour with Pickup

Private group day tour of filming locations featured in the BBC drama Poldark. Step into the world of Ross Poldark and visit some of the breath-taking places featured on the show in this Poldark tour of Cornwall, with your local expert driver/guide. Visit over 5 key locations from the series and take the opportunity to get out and explore each of these locations on foot. If you loved Poldark, you’ll love this! Cost: From £590 per group of 4 people

Warner Bros. Studios Hollywood Tour

Get ready to touch, tour, and explore the iconic 110-acre back lot that brought “Argo” and “Batman” to the big screen! From “Gravity” to “Friends,” the Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood takes you behind the camera for a revealing look at your favorite TV shows and movies. Re-enact a scene from “Friends” on the iconic “Central Perk” set. Design your own Batmobile and movie costumes. Climb aboard Harry Potter’s broomstick for a photo opportunity using the same green screen technology used in movie productions. Become Hobbit-sized at the forced perspective special effect table and see the actual sets from The Big Bang Theory. Sit in Sheldon’s spot in apartment 4A, recreate his iconic knock in the infamous broken elevator lobby and see the CalTech cafeteria. Cost: From £49.86pp

Tours for Music Lovers

London: Rock Music Sightseeing Tour with Abbey Road Visit

Walk in the footsteps of iconic rock legends on this afternoon tour through London. Led by a passionate guide, visit the Vault, pose for photos on the world-famous Abbey Road crossing, see the former home of musical icons including Freddie Mercury, learn about the fateful 27 Club, of which icons including Amy Winehouse and Kurt Cobain are members and admire one-of-a-kind musical memorabilia at the Hard Rock Cafe. Cost: From £39pp

New York: Radio City Stage Door Tour Ticket

On this guided tour you will explore Radio City Music Hall, nicknamed the Showplace of the Nation, to discover the home of the Grammys and MTV Music Awards. Radio City Music Hall is an iconic part of American pop culture, and this tour pays tribute to the legends that have appeared on its stage. Explore the venue’s extravagant Art Deco interior, and view the celebrity guest book to see the signatures of all the greats that have walked through Radio City’s doors. Follow in the footsteps of A-listers such as Bon Jovi, Steve Harvey & Janet Jackson and go behind the scenes, through the Stage Door.  On this 75-minute tour you will learn all the secrets of the Great Stage and you will also have the chance to meet a world-famous Rockette dancer! Cost: From £22.36 pp

David Bowie in Berlin: 3-hour Tour with Historian

Head back to the days of the Cold War on a tour of the Berlin of the 1970s that inspired David Bowie’s classic albums Low, Heroes, and Lodger. See where the artist shared an apartment with Iggy Pop, the clubs the frequented, and the legendary Hansa studios where Bowie recorded his music. Your tour takes in a variety of sites, including Bahnhof Zoo, the former Dschungel Club, KaDeWe, Potsdamer Platz, Hansa Studios, the Berlin Wall, Topographie of Terror, Bowie’s former home, and the Neues Ufer Café. Cost: From £61.31 pp

Tours for Food & Drink Lovers

San Sebastian: Gourmet Pintxo Tour

Immerse yourself in the charming and wonderful Parte Vieja (Old Town) of San Sebastián and taste the best pintxos in town selected by culinary experts. Enjoy 4 pintxos chosen by experts. Eat each pintxo paired with a different wine and benefit from a local expert as your pintxo guide Choose between a private or a shared tour. The activity starts at the Alameda del Boulevard. You can choose to take part at around lunchtime (12:00 PM) or dinner time 7:00 PM). Enjoy a flexible 2-hour tour (or however long you prefer) and visit traditional places to try delicious pintxos. Cost: From £57.59pp

Borough Market and Gin Distillery Small Group Tour

On this fantastic walking tour, discover London’s thriving artisan food and drink market and taste some of London’s finest gin. Gain insight into the local culture on this alternative tour as you visit the historic Borough Market, the oldest and largest food market in London dating back to 1014. Enjoy the sights and smells of the market as you walk around; its maze of passageways hide a sprawling cornucopia of everything from traditional British produce to international culinary delights. Go behind the scenes and discover how the Beefeater distillery produces gin, examine the difference between styles of gin, and hear how the various herbs used in the distilling process impact the overall flavour. Includes personal audio headset to hear the professional tour guide’s commentary Cost: From£49pp

London: 2 Hour Historic Pub Tour

Discover London’s oldest drinking establishments on a 2-hour guided walk along the winding streets and back alleys of the historic city center. Visit the site where Dylan Thomas drunkenly misplaced his manuscripts. Learn how Victorians fed their gin cravings. Stand in the secret alleyway where one of England’s most notorious poets faced a duel! This tour promises drama, intrigue, and a good dose of history before you relax in one of Charles Dickens’ regular watering holes, enjoying a complimentary half pint. Cost: From £25 pp

Tours for Sports Lovers

London Kia Oval Cricket Ground Tour

Take a tour of the world-famous Kia Oval, home to Surrey Cricket Club since 1845 and an England test match home since 1880. A wonderful day out for any sports fan, you will experience a 90-minute guided tour of this iconic ground, recognized worldwide for its sporting history and unique ownership by the Duchy of Cornwall, HRH Prince Charles. This tour allows guests a peek behind the scenes of the inner workings of the impressive Ground and a deeper insight into how players train and prepare for each match. Followed up with tea or coffee in the Members Pavilion overlooking the pitch, this is a great sport-centric day out to share. Cost: From£15pp

Camp Nou Experience: FC Barcelona Museum and Tour

Retrace the footsteps of FC Barcelona’s legendary players, including Kubala, Cruyff, Maradona, Guardiola, and Ronaldinho. Experience the Barça passion on this 1.5 hour tour that’s perfect for football fans! I’m not a big football fan but I must admit, I loved this place! We came here when my kids were little and we all became big Barcelona fans- still have the football shirts! Visit the FC Barcelona Museum with its large-format interactive walls, new showcases, and a wide collection of objects that reveal the history of FC Barcelona. Then take a tour of the stadium itself, followed by a visit to the television studio. Cost: From £22.01 pp

Activities & Sightseeing

Miami 60 minute Airplane Flight Tour

Cross the skies in an exclusive and exciting flight for you and your loved ones. Fly over the beautiful city of Miami and its wonderful touristic places from a bird’s eye view. Embark on an incredible journey over Miami and Miami Beach. During your 60-minute flight tour, with commentary by the pilot, you’ll see many of the area’s top attractions. Marvel at the spectacular islands of celebrity homes. Cost: From £136.88 pp

From Long Beach or San Pedro: Hollywood and Los Angeles Tour

Enjoy a full-day small-group sightseeing tour of some of the most iconic sights in Hollywood and Los Angeles. During the tour, you’ll visit Downtown Los Angeles, Los Angeles Colosseum, Hollywood Walk of Fame, Hollywood Sign, Griffith Park Observatory, Sunset Plaza, Beverly Hills, Rodeo Drive, Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica Beach, and Venice Beach. There will be free time at each of the stops and you’ll be able to get out of the tour van to take pictures, shop, and explore. For lunch, there will be an hour-long stop at Mel’s Diner on Sunset Boulevard, a popular 1950s-style diner. Benefit from convenient hotel pickup and drop-off Cost: From £88.35pp

Tenerife: Snorkeling Trip in the Turtle Area

Marvel at the marine life of the Canary Islands, on a snorkeling adventure, off the south coast of Tenerife. Treat the family to an adventure suitable for adults and children.Enjoy a speedboat ride along the coast of Tenerife and snorkel with turtles in clear blue ocean water. Benefit from the services of a guide who will give you advice on where you can see marine species, including colorful fish, dolphins, whales, turtles, rays and an octopus or two! Cost: From £29.73 pp

Day Trips

Welcome to Paris Day Trip from London via Train

Embark on a day trip to Paris, from London, by high-speed train. Once in Paris your expert guide will take you on a panoramic tour of the city visiting major sites including the Opera House, Champs-Elysees, and the Arc de Triomphe. This is followed by a 1-hour river cruise on the Seine that boasts wonderful sights of famous landmarks such as Notre Dame cathedral. Finish the guided part of your tour at the Eiffel Tower, then enjoy free time to visit your favorite sights on your own, or grab a delicious bite to eat at a local café. Your knowledgeable guide is more than happy to give you tips on what to see and do as you venture out solo. In the early evening you will re-join the group, and head back to Gard du Nord for your return journey to London. Cost: From £217 pp

Private Taj Mahal and Agra Local Heritage Day Tour

Take a day to visit the Taj Mahal and the Agra Fort. Explore the Old Agra city by rickshaw and explore its local heritage through food, music, and markets. Wake up early for a 6:30 AM pickup from your hotel in Delhi, Gurugram, or Noida, and drive the 3 hours to Agra city by, air-conditioned car. On arrival, you’ll meet your private tour guide and head to the Taj Mahal, a magnificent mausoleum built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan for his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Spend around 2 hours exploring this 42-acre complex before visiting Agra Fort. After lunch, you’ll take a 1.5-hour city tour of Old Agra by rickshaw, during which you’ll see the Jama Masjid (one of the largest mosques in India) and the local markets. Stop to watch a traditional live music show played on various traditional instruments, like the table, sitar, and harmonium. Cost: From £55.96 pp

Lake Como with Bellagio and Lugano Day Trip from Milan

Eliminate the need to choose between Lake Como, Lake Lugano and Bellagio. Enjoy a pleasant cruise around Lake Como, surrounded by the magnificent Italian Alps, rich gardens, and fabulous villas. Visit the beautiful town of Bellagio, known as “The Pearl of Lake Como.” Shop for chocolate and other specialty items in the charming lakeside town of Lugano. Lake Como is a famous holiday destination for stars and celebrities, and during the cruise your guide will point out George Clooney’s villa, plus villas that once hosted Star Wars and James Bond movie sets. After that, the bus will take you back to Milan’s city center in time for dinner. Cost: From £92.74 pp

Immersive Tours & Experiences

Melbourne Immersive Art Gallery Experience

I visited ArtVo with my cousin, Michelle, when I was in Melbourne, in February 2020. It was great fun! Discover over 80 3D, reality-defying artworks all featuring you. Grab your camera or smart phone and bring your family or friends along to become a work of art. Experience the works for yourself as you are photographed within them. Each individual artwork has been hand painted by talented artists. Follow the prompts on the ground directing you where to stand and which orientation to have your phone, and check out an example photo to ensure you get the best shot of the larger-than-life murals. ArtVo Melbourne is open seven days a week and always has a trick up its sleeve! Cost: From £14.87pp

New Orleans: Houmas House Plantation Tour

A guided mansion tour, led by costumed guides, walks you through it’s 250-year history. Visiting the Houmas House Estate is more than just a house tour. It’s a fully immersive experience educating guests on the architecture, the culture, and the agriculture of this Louisiana Plantation and how the Mississippi River shaped the southern United States. Here you will get a glimpse into the life on a sugarcane plantation in the 1800s. For movie lovers, Houmas House was the location for the 1964 psychological thriller “Hush, Hush, Sweet Charlotte” starring Betty Davis and Olivia de Havilland. It was deemed the scariest movie of its time! It was also the setting for a few scenes in the 2019 award-winning movie “The Green Book”. Those are just a few of the many movies and TV shows filmed at Houmas House. Cost: From £18.89pp

London: Jack The Ripper Interactive Guided Walking Tour

Hit the streets of East End London on an interactive Jack the Ripper walking tour. Head back to 1888 with your expert Ripperologist guide as you try to solve the still unsolved murders on this immersive small-group experience. Find out about the victims, suspects, and life in Whitechapel, an impoverished neighborhood at the time. Your guide will even share gems about Victorian London, including the cultural context for enduring figures such as Sherlock Holmes.  Assess photographic evidence and hear true stories about the investigation to suss out the suspects. Even use your own suspect cards to ‘investigate’ the alleged perpetrators. Was Jack the Ripper ever close to being caught? Why did he choose Whitechapel? Where was any evidence discovered? Find all this out and more with your Ripperologist guide. Cost: From £14 pp

You could spend a lot of time searching for tours on-line but I love using Get your Guide, a platform that gathers the best activities across the globe, all in one place. Don’t waste a moment. Memories aren’t made while standing in line. Book ahead and skip the queues at the world’s biggest attractions!

For more Walking tours of London, check out Wonders of London. Apart from a small admin fee of around £1.99, the tour is free but donations for tour guides are welcome.

I hope you found this post useful. Please feel free to share your thoughts, or any tour tips you may have, in the comments section below. If you’d like to have updates on all upcoming blog posts, you can sign up for my newsletter here