Audley Travel 'accelerates' European product expansion

"Clients can be confident Audley’s destination specialists have spent significant time in these countries, staying in the hotels and experiencing the tours first hand – the same attention to detail given to all of Audley’s trips and experiences around the world," the operator said.

Highlights include cycling through the Croatian vineyards of Lumbarda and sampling a local dry white wine called grk; perfume making in Paris with a local expert; and a private guided wildlife photography session on Scotland’s Rothiemurchus Estate.

Head of product Vicky Hawker said: “It has always been our intention to launch these destinations, and the unexpected events of this year have inspired us to bring these launches forward so we can offer a wider range of Audley experiences closer to home and in a way that clients feel comfortable.

"That may be taking trains instead of planes, hiking in the mountains instead of walking through big cities, or planning a self-drive trip."

Audley has also introduced a new flexible cancellation promise for seven of its short-haul destinations.

Any trip booked by the end of September to Croatia, Greece, Scotland, Italy, Portugal, Spain or Turkey for travel in 2020 can be cancelled up to seven days before departure, for any reason, in exchange for a full refund.

European tailor-made trips lead in from £1,850pp for a six-day trip to Scotland.