Adventure travel specialist, Explore, has launched 12 new trips in its 2017/18 Family Adventures collection with a launch offer of up to 10% discount on all new family holidays booked by 5 October 2016*. The first 50 families to book will also receive a free GoPro to capture special family moments.

New and exciting destinations for families to choose from this year include Namibia, Mexico and Oman. Whether spotting wildlife in Etosha National Park, cruising through the mangrove forests in Mexico or camping out in Wahiba Sands, discover a unique experience on all of Explore's family trips.

Explore's new Family Oman Adventure spends seven days exploring this unique country. Families will take a camel ride across Wahiba Sands, following in the footsteps of the nomadic Bedouin and meet the local people of Qahid before spending the night in a desert camp on the edge of the Great Sand Sea.

Venture into the Yucatan Peninsula on Explore's Mexico Adventure trip. Visit the archaeological site of Calakmul, cruise through mangrove forest watching flamingos, cool off by taking a dip in sinkholes and kayak on the crystal clear Bacalar Lagoon.

For wildlife lovers, the new Namibian Adventure is a 15 day trip exploring the dramatic scenery and biodiversity in Namibia. Spot elephant, black rhino, lion and giraffe gathered at waterholes in Etosha National Park and kayak along the coastline of the German colony town of Swakopmund.

Explore has also designed trips specifically aimed at families with younger children in mind. With a more relaxed pace, children aged four and up can enjoy tailored activities such as snorkelling, kayaking and learning to make pizza, with time at the end of the day to swim in the pool and relax in the handpicked family run hotels.

Explore's eight day Young Family Sicily Adventure is based in the family run hotel in Letojanni. Travel by cable car and 4x4 up Mount Etna, learn to cook pizza at an organic farm and take a speed boat to the Blue Cave with time to snorkel in Giardini-Naxos Bay.

The new Young Family Tuscany Adventure spends eight days in the heart of the Garfagnana Valley. Families will kayak on Lake Vaglito, re-enact a medieval battle at Verrucole Castle and explore the cobbled streets and Renaissance walls of Lucca.

Ashley Toft, Managing Director of Explore commented, “We're really excited about our new family trips and we're confident that there is something for every family. There's now more variety, tailored itineraries for those with young children and unusual destinations and experiences to entertain families with older teenagers who may be leaving school or heading off to university. There are also lots of fun activities thrown in for good measure - from biking around Bagan temples in Burma to climbing to the top of the world's highest sand dune in Namibia. These trips have been designed with both parents and children in mind to ensure a truly memorable family holiday.”

For more information, or to book visit www.explore.co.uk or call 01252 884 723.

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For more media information, interview requests or images, please contact:

Lisa Tyrrell, PR Manager Lisa.Tyrrell@explore.co.uk, 01252 379499
Olivia Lewis, PR Executive Olivia.Lewis@explore.co.uk, 01252 379506

*Terms and conditions can be found here.

Full list and details of all new trips in the family collection:

Explore's new Family Oman Adventure spends seven days discovering the diverse landscapes of Oman. Visit a turtle reserve on the beach of Ras Al Hadd, take a camel ride across Wahiba Sands and spend the night in a desert camp. Discover the impressive Jebel Shams 'Grand Canyon' and enjoy a boat trip for a chance to spot dolphins. Trips depart in February and April 2017 and cost from £1,699 per adult and £1,579 per child (minimum age five). This price includes return flights, four nights' hotel and two nights' camping accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis, six other meals, transport and the services of an Explore Leader, driver and local guides.

Explore's new 13 day Yellowstone Adventure takes in the spectacular scenery of some of the most beautiful national parks in America. Watch geysers erupt in Yellowstone National Park, meander along the shores of the glacial lakes in Grand Teton and experience the ultimate adrenalin rush white water rafting. Trips depart in July and August 2017 and cost from £2,359 per adult and £2,199 per child (minimum age 10). This price includes return flights, six nights' camping, two nights' hotel and three nights' cabin accommodation, most meals, transport and the services of an Explore Leader, driver and activity guides.

Explore's new Mexico Adventure spends 15 days in the Yucatan Peninsula, which was once part of the Maya civilisation. Discover the archaeological site of Chichen Itza, one of the new Seven Wonders of the World; cruise through mangrove forest watching flamingos and cool off by taking a dip in the crystal clear cenotes. Enjoy swimming and snorkelling in Bacalar and try your hand at making a hammock. Trips depart in July and August 2017 and cost from £2,685 per adult and £2,499 per child (minimum age 10). This price includes return flights, 11 nights' hotel and two nights' jungle lodge on a bed and breakfast basis, transport and the services of an Explore Leader, driver and local guides.

Explore's new Venice and Lake Garda Adventure trip spends eight days in northern Italy in the idyllic setting of Lake Ledro. Take a cable car to Monte Baldo for spectacular views over the Italian Alps, kayak along the shores of Lake Garda and try out canyoning – sliding and abseiling down gorges and waterfalls. Explore the waterways in Venice and create your very own Venetian mask. Trips depart in July and August 2017 and cost from £1,489 per adult and £1,375 per child (minimum age 12). This price includes return flights, seven nights' hotel accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis, transport and the services of an Explore Leader, driver and activity guide.

Explore's new Namibian Adventure is a 15 day trip exploring the dramatic scenery and varied wildlife in Namibia. Track elephant, rhino and lion in Etosha National Park, kayak in Walvis Bay and climb to the top of the world's highest sand dune in Sossusvlei. Explore the desert with a local expert, spotting lizards and see Omaruru rock paintings. Trips depart in April, July, August and December 2017 and cost from £2,599 per adult and £2,435 per child (minimum age 12). This price includes return flights, six nights' lodge, two nights' chalet, two nights' guest house and two nights' hotel accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis, some meals, transport and the services of an Explore Leader, driver and local guides.

Explore's new Thailand and Burma Adventure is an exciting journey from northern Thailand to Burma. Try out a cooking class in the bustling walled old town of Chiang Mai and visit an elephant sanctuary to help bathe and feed the animals. Cruise on Inle Lake in a canoe, cycle around the temples of Bagan and shop for souvenirs at the famous Scott Market in Rangoon. Trips depart in April, July and August 2017 and cost from £2,499 per adult and £2,329 per child (minimum age 10). This price includes return flights, nine nights' hotel and one night lodge accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis, some meals, transport and the services of an Explore Leader, driver and local guides.

Explore's six day Family Romania Winter Adventure heads into the heart of the Transylvanian Alps. Learn winter survival skills and how to track wildlife with help from an expert guide, sledge through the winter landscapes and try out ice skating in the city of Bucharest. Visit Bran Castle, better known as the setting for Bran Stoker's Dracula and stay overnight in the Ice Hotel, which is only accessible by cable car. Trips depart in February 2017 and costs from £720 per adult and £699 per child (minimum age four). This price includes return flights, five nights' accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis, transport and the services of an Explore Leader.

Explore's Family Finland Summer Adventure offers an eight day adventure in the north-eastern region of the country. Explore the charming capital of Helsinki, experience white water rafting in the Oulanka National Park and watch brown bears from a specially designed hide. There will be time to visit a reindeer farm and try out fishing on a nearby lake. Trips depart in July and August 2017 and cost from £1,489 per adult and £1,344 per child (minimum age five). This price includes return flights, seven nights' accommodation, most meals, transport and the services of an Explore Leader and driver.

Explore's Family Finland Winter Adventure is a five day short break experiencing a range of winter activities in north-eastern Finland. Enjoy husky sledding, a snowmobile ride and try out ice-fishing on one of Finland's many lakes. Build an igloo in the snowy landscapes; try out downhill skiing and go in search of the Northern Lights. Trips depart in February and April 2017 and cost from £1,199 per adult and £1,175 per child (minimum age eight). This price includes return flights, four nights' hotel accommodation, most meals, transport and the services of an Explore Leader, driver and activity guide.

Explore's new eight day Family Cycle Tuscany Adventure is an easy graded cycling trip from Pisa to Vinci. Ride along the Arno River cycle paths taking in the beautiful Tuscan landscapes, stop off in Florence to discover the historic sights on a treasure hunt around the city, followed by a gelato making and tasting session. Also included is pasta making lesson at the traditional agriturismo accommodation and a rafting trip on the Serchio River. Trips depart in July and August 2017 and costs from £1,279 per adult and £1,179 (minimum age eight). This price includes return flights, five nights' hotel and two nights' agriturismo accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis, bike hire, transport and the services of an Explore Leader.

Explore's eight day Young Family Sicily Adventure is based in the family run hotel in Letojanni. Travel by cable car and 4x4 up Mount Etna, learn to cook pizza at an organic farm and take a speed boat to the Blue Cave with time to snorkel in Giardini-Naxos Bay. There will also be a day spent on the slides at Etna Land Water Park. Trips depart in July and August 2017 and cost from £1,165 per adult and £1,075 per child (minimum age four). This price includes return flights, seven nights' hotel accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis, seven other meals, transport and the services of an Explore Leader, driver and activity guides.

Explore's eight day Young Family Tuscany Adventure is a trip based in the heart of the Garfagnana Valley. Stay in a beautifully restored Tuscan farm house with time to relax by the pool, kayak on a Lake Vaglito and explore the cobbled streets and the Renaissance walls of Lucca. Discover Verrucole Castle and re-enact a medieval battle as well as walk on the slopes of the Apennines in Orecchiella National Park. Trips depart in May, July and August 2017 and costs from £1,299 per adult and £1,195 per child (minimum age four). This price includes return flights, seven nights' agriturismo accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis, nine other meals, transport and the services of an Explore Leader, driver and local guide.