Escorted tour operator Travelsphere has launched a collection of wine-themed itineraries for 2026. The four eight-day European tours, departing from June 2026 onwards, have been specially curated to meet growing demand for specialist interest holidays. Each itinerary features multiple wine tasting experiences, designed to showcase the best of local ingredients and vinification methods. The collection comprises: * ‘A Taste of Italy’s Veneto’, starting in Venice. Highlights include a visit to Bassano del Grappa and the Poli Grappa Distillery Museum; the White Wine Road; the Euganean Hills wine region; Padua; Bardolino; and Soave. Prices start from £2,199pp. * ‘A Toast to France – Champagne and Burgundy’, starting in Reims. Highlights include visits to Troyes; Dijon; the Burgundy region; Chablis; and Sens. Prices start from £2,399pp. * ‘Savouring Bordeaux and Dordogne’, starting in Bordeaux. Highlights include visits to Arcachon; Saint-Émilion; Perigueux; Dordogne; Bergerac; and the Lascaux Caves. Prices start from £2,399pp. * ‘Flavours of Spain’s Basque Country and La Rioja’, starting in Bilbao. Highlights include visits to Hondarribia; the French Basque Country; Pamplona; La Rioja; Haro; and San Millán de la Cogolla. Prices start from £2,299pp. Charlotte Field, marketing director at Travelsphere, said: “We believe that every journey should be savoured just like a fine wine - with flavour, history and discovery. Our new collection of wine-themed tours uncovers the essence of some of Europe’s most celebrated regions, where every vineyard tells a story and offers the opportunity to connect with local traditions and share unforgettable moments with fellow wine lovers.” All itineraries include return flights or Eurostar travel, overseas transfers, accommodation, select meals and a Travelsphere holiday director and specialist local guide.

  Travelsphere and Just You have revealed their 2026 fam trip programme will be the largest ever offered to the trade.   The escorted tour operators have five options available, split into three categories designed to accommodate agents’ level of experience in selling escorted touring.   ‘Beginner’ fam trips are for agents who have never sold a tour but want to learn more; ‘intermediate’ for those with limited sales and knowledge who want to grow their business; and ‘expert’, created for agents where touring is a core part of their work.   In addition, for 2026 a special ‘Winners’ Showcase’ will take place, consisting of agents who win prizes at conferences and events.   Every trip will feature 10 agents and a member of the Travelsphere and Just You team.   They comprise: * Beginner: Greece, from April 24-29. Agents need to apply for a place. * Beginner: Chateau Monet’s Garden, from July 24-27, in partnership with the Association of Touring & Adventure Suppliers (ATAS). * Intermediate: Uzbekistan, from March 19-27. Agents need to apply for a place. * Expert: Vietnam, from November 25 to December 2. Agents to be chosen by the Travelsphere and Just You trade team. * ‘Winners’ Showcase’: Albania, from October 12-17.   Rachel Mould, head of sales UK at Travelsphere and Just You, said: “Our 2026 fam trip programme reflects how essential travel agents are to the growth of escorted touring. By creating our largest and most diverse range of options, we’re giving agents the hands-on knowledge they need to inspire more customers to try escorted touring. Due to feedback from the trade, we have doubled our ‘beginner’ fam trips, providing an avenue for new-to-touring agents to learn more and build their knowledge.”   Claire Brighton, director at ATAS, said: "ATAS is delighted to partner with our members Travelsphere & Just You on this initiative to bring new agents to the sector. Nothing helps an agent grasp the concept of touring better than experiencing it themselves and I look forward to spending time with them on this amazing trip."   All fam trips include return flights, meals and accommodation, with every agent receiving a room of their own.   To apply for a place on the Greece or Uzbekistan fam trips, agents need to visit the following links and complete the form. Greece - https://forms.office.com/e/6LFG8qtBjb Uzbekistan - https://forms.office.com/e/JSANmwrusK

  G Touring, the operator of escorted touring brands Travelsphere and Just You, has announced that online booking is now available for its agent partners.   The system will leverage the same platform utilised by G Adventures, called Sherpa. It gives agents the ability to make and amend bookings, hold options, update guest information and manage other key elements of their bookings. It forms part of Travelsphere and Just You’s ongoing investment in trade operations and has been introduced in the lead up to peaks in response to agent feedback.   The news was revealed at an exclusive event at World Travel Market to highlight 2025’s key achievements, including that Travelsphere has seen a 17% increase in trade sales (from August 2024 to July 2025) and 15% growth in passenger numbers, while Just You is up 18% for sales and 12% for passengers. The joint UK trade team has also doubled in size to six people.   Meanwhile, October 2025 saw year-on-year growth of 40% in trade sales.   The brands launched several new initiatives this year, including its agent-led Expert Advisory Team, which meets in person to discuss ways of working and trade engagement.   In addition, a partnership between Travelsphere and the Royal Geographical Society (RGS) includes a selection of itineraries that feature expert-led insights from the RGS. Due to demand, the collection has doubled in size since launch.   Just You also introduced the ‘Max 20’ concept, which caps select escorted tours at a maximum group size of 20 people to offer a more personalised experience.   New tours have been launched, with highlights including Travelsphere’s ‘Silk Road Adventure: The Five Stans’; and Just You’s ‘Svalbard & Arctic Explorer’ itinerary, which includes a seven-night expedition cruise.   Elsewhere, G Touring’s collaboration with Planeterra continues to focus on integrating community tourism projects across its itineraries. More than half of travellers have contributed to Planeterra through a voluntary donation programme matched by the company, supporting local communities and creating lasting benefits. By the end of 2026, G Touring aims to include community-led projects in over 100 itineraries.   Furthermore, Just You exceeded its planting target as part of a Planeterra tree growing project. The operator set a goal of planting 25,000 trees, to mark its 25th anniversary. As of this month, 28,000 trees have been planted across five sites worldwide. The project included a trade incentive whereby, for every new trade booking made up to February 28, a tree was planted. It contributed more than 3,000 trees to the overall total.   Adam Kemp, managing director at G Touring, said: “It has been an incredible year for Travelsphere and Just You, with significant growth, new initiatives and itineraries, and a continued focus on our mission to showcase how travel is a force for good. Our partnerships with travel agents, suppliers and community organisations continue to drive our progress, and as we look ahead, we remain determined to deliver the very best in escorted touring. Here’s to another year of doing what we do best - creating life-changing travel experiences.”   Tom Morgan, trade sales director, said: "Providing an online booking option for our agent partners has been a key priority. We’ve listened carefully to feedback from the trade and are delighted to deliver a solution that makes it easier than ever for agents to sell and manage our tours."

  Escorted tour operator Travelsphere has unveiled a new 10-night Arctic tour and cruise as part of its 2026 programme.   The ‘Arctic Explorer - Land of the Polar Bear’ itinerary includes visits to Oslo and Longyearbyen in Svalbard, before a seven-night expedition cruise through the Svalbard archipelago onboard G Adventures’ 128-guest 'Expedition'. Prices start from £7,599pp, departing July 10 and 17.   Highlights include: * Oslo city tour, with Holmenkollen Ski Museum * A visit to the Fram Museum, which focuses on polar exploration * Overnight in Longyearbyen with a visit to Svalbard Museum * Seven nights sailing the Svalbard archipelago * Zodiac excursions led by expert expedition guides, specialising in ornithology, marine biology, glaciology and polar history * Opportunities to spot wildlife such as Arctic foxes, reindeer, whales and polar bears * Lectures and educational programmes   A flexible itinerary will be adapted to ice and weather conditions.   Stuart Perry, head of product at Travelsphere, said: “This is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure that blends culture, nature and discovery. Beginning with a land stay in Oslo, guests will dive into the heart of Nordic charm before embarking on an expedition cruise through the Svalbard archipelago. This unique journey offers front-row views of glaciers, remote fjords and the chance to witness polar bears in their natural habitat, in one of the world’s last great wildernesses.”   The itinerary includes return flights from London, overseas transfers, three-nights in four-star hotels, 26 meals, a welcome dinner, and seven nights onboard the ship full board, in addition to a Travelsphere holiday director and local and expedition guides.

  Escorted tour operator Travelsphere has added three new project visits to its ‘Travelsphere Cares’ programme, in collaboration with Planeterra.   ‘Travelsphere Cares’ is part of the operator’s overarching ‘changing lives through travel’ ethos and supports various projects globally that focus on benefiting local communities. On applicable tours, guests are encouraged to visit enterprises that highlight and preserve the heritage of the region they are visiting.   On 2026 departures of the ‘Beyond the Golden Triangle’ itinerary, guests will be able to visit the Pink City Rickshaw Company, based in Jaipur, India, which empowers women from underprivileged backgrounds by training them to become e-rickshaw drivers and tour guides.   Also in 2026, the ‘Wonders of India & the Tiger Trail’ tour will include a visit to the Sheroes’ Hangout café, established to support acid attack survivors.   In addition, ‘The Spirit of Indonesia’ tour will highlight the work of Senang Hati, in Ubud. This organisation supports differently-abled people with job skills training related to hospitality, painting, sewing and woodworking.   Charlotte Field, marketing director at Travelsphere, said: “We’re proud to expand our ‘Travelsphere Cares’ programme. These projects are a vital part of our commitment to responsible travel, ensuring that while our guests experience the wonders of the world, they can also give something back to the people and places they visit.”   Planeterra is a non-governmental organisation that aims to ensure tourism has a positive impact on communities.

  Travelsphere has added to its ‘Royal Geographical Society (RGS) Collection’ for 2026 with the launch of three tours, and also announced a new ‘Balkan Highlights' itinerary as part of its latest brochure.   The RGS collection is a selection of itineraries that feature expert-led insights, an exclusive RGS tour booklet keepsake offering destination content provided by the Society, and co-branded luggage labels. A contribution from each booking supports the Society’s ongoing research and fieldwork.   The new RGS tours comprise: * 16-day ‘Spirit of Indonesia: Java, Komoda & Bali’, starting in Jakarta and visiting Bandung, Yogyakarta, Malang, Mount Bromo, Labuan Bajo, Komodo National Park, Cunca Rami Waterfall and Bali. Prices start from £3,799pp. * 15-day ‘Wonders of India & the Tiger Trail’, starting in Mumbai and visiting Pench National Park, Kanha National Park, Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, Khajuraho, Agra and Delhi. Prices start from £3,499pp. * 14-day ‘Wonders of Peru: Machu Picchu & Amazon Adventure’, starting in Lima and visiting the Amazon Jungle, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Cuzco, Puno and Lake Titicaca. Prices start from £4,299pp.   The RGS Collection now consists of 14 itineraries in 2026, including the 18-day ‘Incredible India & Nepal: Culture, Wildlife & Ancient Wonders’ and 17-day ‘Epic Wonders of the National Parks’.   In addition, as part of its wider collection, Travelsphere has introduced a 13-day 'Balkan Highlights' tour for 2026, replacing the existing ‘Balkan Adventure’ itinerary. It will start in Split and visit Zadar, Zagreb, Belgrade, Zlatibor, Sarajevo and Mostar. Prices start from £2,999pp.   Kathy Farahat, product & operations director at Travelsphere, said: "Our 2026 brochure is full of immersive journeys, taking travellers closer to the history, culture and natural beauty of iconic destinations. In partnership with the Royal Geographical Society, guests can look forward to exploring ancient Inca wonders in Peru, seeing the majestic wildlife of India, and discovering Indonesia’s incredible islands, with meaningful and authentic encounters throughout.”

  G Touring brands Travelsphere and Just You have announced a partnership with specialist technology provider, Travel Marketing Systems (TMS).   TMS will help the escorted tour operators grow their sales and improve efficiencies via tailored digital platforms and marketing services, including: * Creating tailored marketing assets * Providing tools to generate and share promotions, including via social media and on displays such as in-store digital screens * Embedding promotions and incentives into agents’ email campaigns * Offering a central content library for the trade to access emails, social media posts, store posters, and window and TV displays   Rachel Mould, head of sales UK - Travelsphere & Just You, said: “Our partnership with TMS is all about making life easier for our agent partners - giving them the tools, content and support they need to grow their sales with us. We know agents are busier than ever, so this partnership will help cut through the admin and let them focus on what they do best: inspiring customers and driving bookings.”   Steve Rushton, founder of TMS, said: "We’re proud to partner with Travelsphere and Just You to make it easier for agents to shout about these incredible tours. Agents don’t have time to build marketing campaigns from scratch - they need great content at their fingertips, ready to go. With TMS, we’re taking the hard work out of marketing. Our platform automates the heavy lifting, from email templates and social posts to print-ready assets, enabling even the smallest business to run professional, sales-driven campaigns with ease."

  G Touring brands Travelsphere and Just You have announced changes to their joint trade-focused Facebook page.   The ‘Travelsphere and Just You Trade Team’ page will now feature more inspirational content focused on key brand principles.   Each week there will be information about Travelsphere and Just You’s community projects and how these support the operators’ mission to change people’s lives through travel.   In addition, customer reviews and selling tips will appear regularly, alongside ‘offer of the day’ posts from Monday to Fridays.   The move follows feedback from travel agents during the brands’ first Expert Advisory Team meeting earlier this year.   The 10-strong panel was set up to give agents the opportunity to share their suggestions on ways of working and how the brands can better support the trade.   A further two in-person events will be held this year, with the next taking place on September 9.   Tom Morgan, trade sales director at Travelsphere and Just You, said: “When launching our Expert Advisory Team, we were determined to make sure it provided real, tangible results that support the trade – and this change to our trade Facebook page demonstrates just that. With more engaging posts, tailored to reflect what agents want to see, we’re confident that it will help them to promote our itineraries and encourage more of their clients to take an escorted tour.”   Current members of the Facebook group and those who join before July 31 will be entered into a draw to win a £100 Amazon voucher.

      Travelsphere and Just You recently welcomed 10 travel agents on an exclusive fam trip to Malta.   The five-day itinerary was designed for agents who have never sold escorted touring, including via the two sister brands, but are keen to develop their knowledge.   During the trip, agents visited the likes of Valletta, Gozo, the Blue Grotto and Malta’s ancient capital of Mdina. They took part in various activities, such as olive oil tasting and sampling traditional Maltese cuisine, gaining an insight into how tours are structured and the key selling points.   The 10 agents were: * Jayne Hampton - Travel by Inspire * Lucy Turnbull - Dawson & Sanderson * Emily Jane Sporton - New Era Travel * Lily Tasker - Lincs Co-Op * Angela Baker - Premier Travel * Dean Slade - Book the World * Dawn Bellis - Hays Travel * Elaine Lemon - Goodyear Travel * Carolyn Ellis - Designer Travel * Kate Henry - Mirador Escapes   Kate Henry, from Mirador Escapes, said: “We visited a number of fascinating places and were given so much information by guides who are passionate about the area and what they do; it really brings the experience to life. There's also the security and convenience of having everything organised, with a holiday director on hand to help. I'm definitely going to recommend escorted touring to my customers."   Jayne Hampton, from Travel by Inspire, said: “It was a wonderful five days and the trip has given me invaluable insight into how escorted touring works. I'm taking all of my knowledge back home to share with my clients and I now feel confident in offering touring as an option.”   Rachel Mould, head of trade sales UK at Travelsphere and Just You, said: “We know that first-hand experience is vital for the trade and therefore our Malta fam trip was the perfect introduction for those who are new to selling escorted touring. From expert-led excursions to the convenience of a well-planned itinerary, the trip brought the overall concept to life, providing an understanding into the finer details of escorted touring and giving them the confidence to start their selling journey.”

  G Touring brands Travelsphere and Just You have announced the appointment of Beverley Philpotts as key account manager for the Midlands, effective from June 2.   Beverley will focus on developing relationships with the escorted tour operators’ travel agent partners.   She has worked in travel for more than 30 years and was most recently key account manager at Riviera Travel, with previous roles at Great Rail Journeys and Great Little Breaks.   In addition, Alan Jones, previously a holiday advisor at Travelsphere and Just You, has taken on the new role of business development executive, effective immediately. His key duties include supporting agent partners through training and events.   Both Beverley and Alan will report to Rachel Mould, head of trade sales. The appointments bring the Travelsphere and Just You trade team to six.   Tom Morgan, trade sales director at Travelsphere and Just You, said: “The appointments of Beverley and Alan demonstrate our commitment to growing our presence with the trade, as we seek to strengthen partnerships and drive deeper engagement. The demand for escorted touring is greater than ever before and with a stronger trade team and the benefits that will provide, we can maximise the opportunities for growth.”   Beverley Philpotts said: “I couldn’t be more excited to start this new role. My priority will be to build on existing relationships and forge new partnerships with agents across the Midlands.”   Alan Jones said: “I'm delighted to join the trade team at what is an exciting time in the touring industry. I'm looking forward to working with our agent partners to drive mutual success.”   Speaking about Beverley, Vicky Billing, head of trade & partnerships at Riviera Travel, said: “We’d like to thank Beverley for all her hard work and dedication at Riviera Travel; she’s made a real impact and will be greatly missed. While we are sorry to see her go, we know she’s heading in an exciting new direction and wish her all the very best."

Travelsphere has expanded its ‘Royal Geographical Society Collection’ (RGS) tours with two new itineraries launching for 2026. In addition, the escorted tour operator has introduced an ‘Albania Discovered - Tirana & Beyond’ itinerary, also starting in 2026. The new RGS tours: 18-day ‘Incredible India & Nepal: Culture, Wildlife & Ancient Wonders’, visiting Delhi; Agra; Lucknow; Varanasi; Kathmandu; Pokhara; Chitwan; and Nagarkot. Highlights include sightseeing at the UNESCO World Heritage site Agra Fort; a sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal; a trip to the sacred city of Varanasi; and a Jeep safari in Chitwan National Park. Prices start from £4,399pp, with departures in February and October. 21-day ‘Silk Road Adventure: The Five Stans’, visiting Kazakhstan; Kyrgyzstan; Uzbekistan; Tajikistan; and Turkmenistan. Highlights include a traditional dinner with a local Dungan family in Karakol; guided explorations of the ancient cities of Samarkand and Bukhara; a visit to the Charyn Canyon; an overnight stay at the Darvaza Gas Crater and scenic views of the Pamir Mountains. There is access to RGS-curated materials about the history of the Silk Road. Prices start from £5,749pp, with departures in April and September. The Royal Geographical Society Collection’, first announced in January, is a selection of itineraries that feature expert-led insights, an exclusive RGS tour booklet keepsake offering destination content provided by the Society, and co-branded luggage labels. A contribution from each booking will support the Society’s ongoing research and fieldwork. Other RGS tours, departing in 2025 and 2026, include: * Grand Tour of Italy - 15 days from £3,099pp * Epic Wonders of the National Parks - 17 days from £4,349pp * Grand Tour of Canada & the Rocky Mountaineer - 17 days from £6,599pp * Latin Wonders of the World - 18 days from £5,199pp * Japan - Land of the Rising Sun - 13 days from £5,299pp The eight-day ‘Albania Discovered - Tirana & Beyond’ itinerary includes visits to Apollonia; the ‘museum city’ of Gjirokastra; Sarande; Butrint, a UNESCO site; and historic villages such as Lukova, Borsh and Qeparo. Prices start from £1,399pp, with departures in March, May and September. Adam Kemp, MD at Travelsphere, said: "We have worked closely with the Royal Geographical Society to build these new tours from the ground up, ensuring that our travellers can engage with destinations through the Society’s amazing insights”. All new tours, including ‘The Royal Geographical Society Collection’, are included in the latest Travelsphere brochure featuring 2025, 2026 and selected 2027 departures.

  Travelsphere has announced a new partnership with Northamptonshire County Cricket Club (NCCC).   The escorted tour operator, which is headquartered in the nearby town of Market Harborough, will display its branding at the NCCC’s home stadium, the County Ground.   In addition, Travelsphere team members and stakeholders will enjoy hospitality across T20 fixtures and during a match sponsorship of a One Day Cup fixture. Travelsphere will also sponsor NCCC player Lewis McManus, a wicket-keeper batsman.   Adam Kemp, managing director at Travelsphere, said: “Travelsphere is proud to announce our partnership with Northamptonshire County Cricket Club. Cricket is all about passion, dedication and teamwork - values that align perfectly with our team here at Travelsphere.   “This collaboration not only celebrates our shared love for the sport but also underscores our commitment to the local area. This partnership goes beyond the field; it’s about building a stronger, more connected community. We are thrilled to support such a talented team and look forward to an incredible season ahead.”   Daniel Vernon, chief operating officer at NCCC, said: “It is fantastic to welcome Travelsphere as an official partner of NCCC. Their strong reputation in providing exceptional travel experiences aligns perfectly with our commitment to excellence. This partnership represents an exciting chapter for the club and we’re proud to be working with Travelsphere. I am looking forward to welcoming their team to the County Ground across the year and we are looking forward to working together throughout the 2025 season and beyond.”