May is the perfect time to don the appropriate footwear and head for the hills to breathe in the fresh air and get walking during National Walking Month. Explore has 136 walking tours across the world to choose with Europe proving particularly popular with 12% year on year increase in sales.

Explore's Walking and Trekking Product Manager, Jude Berry commented on the latest walking and trekking trends:

“Overall, there's been growth in Explore's easy and moderate graded walks; which are designed for those who enjoy anything from a gentle stroll on the flat, to walks in the region of 15 to 20km with fairly demanding ascents. The easy graded walking tours especially appeal to those who want to spend time getting under the skin of their chosen destination as they go, not just spend their whole day hiking.”

Explore's best-selling new walking tour is the eight day Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania on Foot, an easy graded walking tour absorbing the cultural highlights of the Baltic States. The tour discovers the beautiful National Parks of the region; soaks up the atmosphere in the cities of Riga, Tallinn and Vilnius and visits the 15th century Trakai Castle. Enjoy varied landscapes of forests, sand dunes and learn to 'bog walk' in Lahemaa National Park. Tours depart in May, June, July, August and September 2015 and cost from £999 per person. This price includes return flights; seven nights' hotel accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis; transport and the services of a tour leader and driver. For more information, or to book visit www.explore.co.uk or call 01252 884723.

Following the successes of walking tours that combine food and wine; Explore have recently launched their Tuscany – Walki ng and Wine tour and is proving very popular. During this eight day easy-graded walking tour in northern Italy, the tour visits the hill-top town of Montepulciano, the villas of Lucca and explores the historic city of Florence. During the tour sample delicacies and wines from the heart of the Chianti province and spend a night in a winery. Tours depart in May, June, July, September and October 2015 and cost from £1,095 per person. This price includes flights; seven nights' hotel accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis; transport and the services of a tour leader and trek guide. For more information, or to book visit www.explore.co.uk or call 01252 884723.

Iconic treks such as the Lemosho Route of Kilimanjaro are up by more than 50% since the start of this year as well as the more difficult hikes that Explore offer in Morocco. New for 2015 is Explore's Trekking Jebel Sahro tour which offers an eight day, moderate to challenging graded walking tour in Morocco. Trek dramatic landscapes of deep gorges, experience warm Berber hospitality while staying in village houses, climb Kouaouch Ridge with views overlooking the High Atlas Mountains and admire the rock towers of Id Bab n'Ali. This price includes return flights; two nights' hotel, three nights' camping and two nights' village house accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis; most meals; transport and the services of a tour leader, cook, driver and muleteers. For more information, or to book visit www.explore.co.uk or call 01252 884723.

With the launch of Explore's new Self-Guided walking collection in October 2014, sales have surpassed expectations and Portugal has proved the most popular destination. The eight day Self-Guided Coastal Trails of Portugal provides a moderate graded walking holiday in the western Algarve. Walk the little known Rota Vicentina trail, hike between cliff top villages and visit Cabo de Sao Vicente - the most south-western point of continental Europe. There will also be time to explore the natural park of Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina and sample the local food and wine. Departures are available from April – December 2015 and cost from £365 per person. This price includes seven nights' hotel accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis; luggage transfer and transport. For more information, or to book visit www.explore.co.uk or call 01252 884723.

Jude continued, “Spring is a great time to start walking; with the warmer weather and longer days, people have more time to enjoy the great outdoors. With added initiatives such as Walk to Work Week (11th – 15th May) which helps inspire people to integrate more walks with their daily routine, now's the time to dust off your walking shoes and explore the world on two feet.”

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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