2026 marks our 30-year anniversary of providing incredible worldwide holidays. From our very first tour to Lake Garda to our long-haul adventures in China, we’ve created unforgettable memories and lasting stories with our amazing customers along the way. We asked our team what makes a Travel Department holiday truly special, and their answer spans everything from carefully crafted experiences to our expert local guides. Here’s why our guided group holidays have continued to inspire travellers for 30 years.
Why Travel Department holidays
Our guides bring each destination to life
Having a knowledgeable guide on your holiday enhances the experience in countless ways. They provide insider insights, share fascinating stories about the destinations, and help you navigate each place with ease. Beyond practical support, a guide brings the culture and history to life, ensuring every moment is richer, more engaging, and truly memorable.
“We are proud to work with excellent local guides, including Dodi in Egypt, Anu and Manish in India, Meltem in Turkey, Jack in China, Paula in Portugal, and Jimmy in Vietnam. They have all been with Travel Department for many years and receive outstanding reviews as true ambassadors for their countries, sharing their expert knowledge and passion.” - Leah, Long-haul Product Executive
“The guides, they are so knowledgeable. They give you great tips and information that you can only get from a local. They really make the holidays special!” - Eve, Graphic Designer
Great camaraderie with like-minded people
Travelling with like-minded people adds a wonderful social element to the holiday experience, providing opportunities to connect over shared interests, swap stories, and take part in activities together in an incredible destination. It’s also a great choice for those travelling solo, as you can still enjoy the independence of exploring on your own while benefiting from the companionship of a friendly group.
“We've had many people come back from holidays with new friendships and decide to continue travelling together on our holidays year after year. We even had some fall in love on our trips, and it is amazing to have provided them with a tour through which they connected, and have them come back and travel with us, only together now, time and time again.” - Dea, Product Executive
“At Travel Department we care about our customers. We take care of everything. We want our customers to meet like-minded travellers and have an experience that lasts a lifetime.” - Grace, Customer Service & Safety Manager
Choice of incredible destinations
We offer a broad range of tours to many countries around the world, covering bustling cities, historic landmarks, and stunning natural landscapes. Each destination has been carefully selected to provide unique experiences, allowing you to explore, discover, and immerse yourself in the culture, sights, and flavours of every location.
“One of the best things about going on a guided holiday, I think, it’s the fact that you can completely immerse yourself into the destinations. You get such a local feel. You really get to experience the culture as well if you're going on a guided holiday.” - Gemma, Trade Sales Manager (Scotland)
“There’s such an incredible choice and there’s so many places I want to go to! Having such a wide variety is great because it means there’s something to suit every interest.” - Gina, Content Marketing and Social Media Executive
Our holidays are all organised for you
Flights, accommodation, transfers, guided excursions, and select meals are all included. Every aspect is carefully planned so you can simply enjoy the experience.
“The holiday is all organised for you, so you can simply enjoy the experience. Hotels, transport, guides, and activities are all carefully checked for safety and reliability, making the whole trip smooth and stress-free.” - James, CEO
“For many, time is precious, and guided holidays take the stress and worry out of planning. Arriving in a foreign country can be daunting, with dodgy taxis or trying to figure out how to get a metro ticket, but with a guided holiday, all of that is taken care of for you.” - Leah, Long-haul Product Executive
Well designed tour itineraries
Choosing a Travel Department guided tour saves you time. We plan your itinerary in detail, so you don’t have to worry about navigating, booking tickets, or fitting everything in. You can simply arrive, relax, and enjoy each day to the fullest. Our local operators understand the logistics, seasons, cultural norms, and potential risks that aren’t always obvious online, ensuring you get the best possible experience.
Amazing travel experiences
Over the years, we’ve provided our customers with truly memorable travel experiences, including taking a boat trip along the Amalfi Coast, chasing the Northern Lights in Iceland, walking along the Great Wall of China, and spotting the Big Five on safari in South Africa.
“We provide access to experiences that aren’t always easy to book on your own, giving you the reassurance and the opportunity to enjoy truly unforgettable moments and create memories that will last a lifetime.” - James, CEO
Always adapting to create better guided holidays
For over 30 years, we’ve been committed to continually improving our holidays. Our dedication to innovation and attention to detail has helped us grow and maintain the trust of our travellers, ensuring every trip is better than the last.
“We are constantly researching new ideas so there is no shortage of wonderful holidays available to suit all tastes, budgets and durations.” - Lucy, Senior Product Executive
Supporting local communities and businesses
We make a conscious effort to choose local hotels, restaurants, and suppliers wherever possible. By doing so, we help support communities and local economies while also offering our travellers a more authentic and immersive experience. Staying in locally owned accommodations and engaging with local services allows you to connect with the culture and meet local people.
“Working with local suppliers means our guides are always experts on our destinations.” - Aran, Product Executive
Committed to sustainable travel
We believe in responsible travel and are continually working to improve our sustainability practices. Learn more about our approach to sustainable travel and how we’re making a positive impact around the world.
“One of our chosen charities we work with is the Kariega Foundation, who also gives back to the local community through its foundation, which supports conservation, education, and community upliftment projects. It offers a truly unique opportunity to experience the Big Five in a natural and unspoilt setting while contributing to meaningful local initiatives.” - Leah, Long-haul Product Executive
Peace of mind on every guided holiday
For 30 years, we’ve been guiding travellers to destinations around the world. As a fully licensed and bonded company, you can travel with complete confidence, knowing that if any issues arise, such as cancelled flights or medical emergencies, we’ll be there to support you every step of the way.
“We’re a reputable and reliable company, booking a holiday with us is stress free. We organise everything, we do the planning, and you sit back and enjoy the holiday.” - Caroline, Sales & Customer Centre Manager
Fantastic value with our guided holidays
Once again, everything is included, and many people choose to travel with us rather than organise their own trip, as it is usually more cost-effective and as we can secure competitive rates and access better deals.
“With a variety of inclusions, from meals to entrances, our holidays offer great value and take the stress out of planning.” - Lucy, Senior Product Executive
“We often include extra elements in the price that many other companies do not. These special touches can range from internal flights to unique local experiences, such as tasting egg coffee in Vietnam, taking an iconic flight over the Great Barrier Reef, or enjoying a relaxing cup of tea in India with the Taj Mahal as a backdrop.” - Leah, Long-haul Product Executive
Experience a Travel Department holiday
With 30 years of experience, we are an award-winning company with many loyal, repeat customers. Our guided holidays combine carefully planned itineraries, unique local experiences, and the chance to meet like-minded people, all with expert support to make exploring the world easy and enjoyable.
