With the popularity of shorter trips on the rise, Explore has introduced several shorter trips to its programme. Building on the idea of the weekend getaway, Explore has created a number of new shorter itineraries that still pack a punch when it comes to adventure.

Iceland Highlights – 4 nights With a tour of the longest lava cave in Iceland, a boat trip off the west-coast of the country and the chance to visit an old farm estate and try fresh home-made ice-cream, this jam-packed trip shows off the best of Iceland in a long weekend. This is the perfect Icelandic getaway if you want to tick a few things off your bucket-list, including geysers, Gulfoss waterfall, Thingvellir National Park and the Blue Lagoon. This five day trip starts from £1799 per person on a twin share basis and includes return flights, four nights' accommodation, all breakfasts and an Explore tour leader.

Belarus Short Break – 4 nights Take advantage of being able to travel without a visa, as of earlier this year, and enjoy a long weekend exploring Belarus. Experience the country's Soviet history in Minsk, historic castles, rolling countryside and rural traditions - all in just five days. In the city we will view a Brazilian-Belarusian street art collaboration and have the chance for lunch in the parliament canteen. At Rosy Eco Village we'll meet families that have left the rat race for a more traditional lifestyle and sample their local produce. This five-day trip starts from £799 per person on a twin share basis and includes flights, four nights' standard hotel accommodation, some meals and an Explore tour leader.

Discover Chernobyl – 4 nights Back in 1986 the Number 4 nuclear reactor at Chernobyl exploded and since then an Exclusion Zone has been in place around the plant and nature has reclaimed the towns and vehicles left within it. On this long weekend we will spend two full days accompanied by an expert guide in Chernobyl. We will even have the opportunity to meet a self-setter - one of the few people who choose to return to their home after the accident and has been living within the outer Exclusion Zone ever since. In Ukraine's capital, Kiev, we visit the Chernobyl Museum, and the huge and beautiful monastic complex at Lavra. This five day trip starts from £699 per person on a twin share basis and includes return flights, three nights' standard hotel, one night simple hotel, some meals and an Explore tour leader.

Slovakia: In Search of Bears - 3 nights This is a short break with a difference, combining some great mountain trekking with a search for European 'big game' as we go looking for bears. Working with a local partner dedicated to conservation, we are given unique access into areas of the national park which are normally off-limits to tourists. Trekking with an expert ranger, in a group size limited to six, we maximise the amount of time on foot to increase the chances of observing bears in their natural habitat, while keeping an eye out for the wide variety of birds and mammals that populate the park. This four-day trip starts from £899 per person on a twin share basis and includes return flights, three nights' hotel accommodation, all meals and an Explore tour leader.

Cycle Belarus Short Break – 4 nights. Join us on this short break exploration of Belarus by bike. Starting in Minsk we dedicate a full day to explore the monumental Stalinist architecture of the capital by bicycle and on foot. Leaving the city behind, we discover the countryside on a cycle ride between 15th century Mir Castle and Nesvizh Castle, both UNESCO World Heritage sites. Finally we cycle through self-sufficient 'eco village' Rosy, a community project where we can learn about post-soviet transition and life in modern day Belarus, as well as trying the local delicacies they produce. This five-day trip starts from £899 per person on a twin share basis and includes return flights, four nights of bed and breakfast accommodation, bicycle hire and an Explore tour leader.  

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

Hayley Garner, PR and Marketing Assistant hayley.garner@explore.co.uk, 01252 379512 

Laura Dewar, PR Manager, Laura.dewar@explore.co.uk, 01252 379501