What to expect on our Discovery Tours

Our discovery tours have been expertly designed to strike the perfect balance between sightseeing, culture, and activities. Every itinerary is carefully-curated by our knowledgeable team and you’ll have an HF Holidays Leader with you every step of the way.

Simply put, you’ll explore some of the best attractions and viewpoints a destination has to offer. Our discovery tours include full days of sightseeing, with all transport included on your holiday. This is by way of a comfortable coach shared with your fellow guests. Best of all, you’ll do little-to-no planning as we take care of everything.

At HF Holidays, we’re big on choice. We offer discovery tours in 15 destinations selected for their impressive views, crowd-pleasing attractions, and intriguing local culture. Choose from 12 destinations across the UK and 3 European locations.

While the itinerary varies from destination to destination, you can expect to start the day with a delicious breakfast before your excursions begin. Then, you’ll board a comfortable coach and hop between standout sightseeing spots, spending ample time at each location. Evening meals are included on all our discovery tours, giving you an opportunity to get to know your fellow guests.

On our UK discovery tours, you’ll be staying in one of 12 characterful country houses out of the 16 we own and manage. Full-board dining comes as standard and includes a cream tea on arrival day. You can expect well-appointed guest rooms for a great night’s sleep after a day of touring. We also have dedicated boot and drying rooms, licensed bars, relaxing public spaces, and evening entertainment on select dates. 

On our Europe discovery tours, you can look forward to comfortable en-suite accommodation in one of our hand-selected partner hotels. Most stays will be on a half-board basis and include a continental breakfast and evening meal. However, this can differ depending on the destination. Be sure to check the Trip Notes section of your chosen holiday on our website for details.

You’ll be traveling with a group of like-minded guests who are equally keen to explore exciting new locations, embrace new cultures, and experience new adventures together. All this plus an HF Holidays Leader who will be able to share their local knowledge.

All discovery tours involve active sightseeing, so you should be well-prepared for a day on your feet. You’ll need comfortable shoes, season-specific extras (sunscreen, sunglasses, hat), and a small rucksack or cross-body bag for carrying a bottle of water and other small essentials. There is no strict dress code, and most guests wear casual clothing for dinner.  

Please note, unless stated otherwise, entrance fees to attractions are not included in the holiday price on UK tours. You may wish to bring your National Trust or English Heritage membership ID as you may be eligible for free admission to some of the sites we’ll visit. For more information on additional entrance fees, please check the “Essential Information” tab on each individual discovery tour web page.

The level of walking is the main difference. Our guided walking holidays are geared for walking. This includes longer trails or varied terrain, depending on the holiday. 

Our discovery tours involve far less walking and it’s more of a group touring holiday. This makes it a wonderful option for those who don’t fancy walking long distances.