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Explore's 2025 Big Blue Bucket List

Our Big Blue Sale is back! From the glittering blue waters of Turkey's Turquoise Coast to India's 'Blue City' of Jodhpur, find out what's hot on our Big Blue Bucket List for 2025.
Updated by: Aimee White - Travel Copywriter at Explore Worldwide
Published: 30 December 2024

Make 2025 a year to remember by booking an epic trip in our Big Blue Sale. Add a splash of color to the calendar and save up to 20% on over thousands of adventures departing between 1 April 2025 to 31 December 2025.

You can save up to 20% on thousands of selected departures, from exploring India's Blue City of Jodhpur to hiking the turquoise coastline of Turkey’s Lycian Way. But hurry - our Big Blue Sale ends 23 January 2025!

Going solo? You can save on a single room, too! Not only can you save big on our tours, but you can also snag a great deal on your own room. Get the same percentage discount on a single room supplement as you do on the tour price, making your adventure even sweeter. See the dates and prices section of the tour page to enjoy extra savings on your own room.

Read on to discover the 13 best tours in our Big Blue Sale:

1. Porto to Lisbon, Portugal

Adorning buildings across Porto, beautiful blue azulejo tiles form an iconic part of the city's make up. See them for yourself on our eight-day Portugal cycling tour, which starts in Porto and ends in Lisbon. You'll follow a coastal route for the most part, where you'll pedal beneath brilliant blue skies and along glimmering shorelines.
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Ornate blue-and-white tiled wall depicts a historical scene with people in flowing robes below clouds. Flanked by detailed stone windows and a carved wooden door. Urban setting.

2. Santorini, Greece

Discovering the iconic blue-domed roofs of Santorini’s churches should be at the top of every travel bucket list. As you arrive at Santorini by ferry on the Greek Island hopping tour, these beautiful buildings will stretch up the hill before you. Whether you’re wine tasting local tipples or indulging in fresh seafood at a local Greek taverna, be sure to take plenty of photos of this beloved island.
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White buildings with blue domes sit atop a hillside overlooking a calm sea at sunset. Stone steps, lined with potted plants and a blue gate, descend between the structures.

3. Egypt

Blue scenes await in unexpected pockets of Egypt. Explore numerous ancient temples and pyramids with their vibrant, well-preserved hieroglyphics. Next, join a river cruise down the Nile towards Luxor, where the iconic Valley of the Kings - home to 62 royal tombs, including Tutankhamun's - await further exploration.
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Ancient Egyptian mural with vivid hieroglyphs and figures, including a horizontal deity with raised arms. Depictions of daily life and mythology adorn a blue-toned background, surrounded by intricate patterns.

4. Botswana

Botswana's vast blue skyscapes serve as a stunning backdrop for day after day of game drives in search of big wildlife. Board a houseboat on the Okavango river for two nights, where you'll soak up the watery views and keep an eye out for more wildlife spottings. The trip ends at the impressive Victoria Falls, where you'll watch these awe-inspiring mighty waterfalls thunder into the abyss below. 
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Elephants walk in a line across a golden savannah with a clear blue sky above, creating a tranquil and natural scene.

5. Tokyo, Japan

If there wasn't enough to do in Tokyo by day, at night the city comes into its own with a swathe of neon lights - especially in Akihabara. This electric blue ambiance creates an enchanting atmosphere. Our Simply Japan tour kicks off in this ultra-modern capital city, before moving onto other blue-hued spots like Jigokudani Onsen and tiny Miyajima Island, famous for its 'floating' torii gate.
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Pedestrians cross a futuristic illuminated street in a vibrant cityscape, surrounded by tall buildings with neon signs displaying various texts in a bustling urban environment.

6. Jodhpur, India

Popularly known as The Blue City, Jodhpur is home to a labyrinth of blue buildings, initially painted this color to signify the homes of Brahmins (priests). On an adventure in North India, you’ll travel to the impressive fortress looming over Jodhpur, rewarding you with stunning views across the surrounding countryside. Within the city itself you’ll find no shortage of temples and markets, providing a glimpse into the history of India’s Blue City.
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Two women in vibrant red saris walk together down a narrow alleyway, surrounded by vivid blue-painted buildings under the bright daylight.

7. Marrakech, Morocco

Take your pick from blue patterned tagine bowls and rich blue Nila powder from the bustling souks of Marrakech on our Highlights of Morocco tour. This full-on tour of this vibrant North African country also takes in the sweeping Bin el Ouidane lake, and a walk along the meandering Ziz River will dazzle you with its unique bright-blue waters.
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Colorful ceramic tagines displayed in a market setting, showcasing intricate patterns and vibrant hues of blue, green, orange, and yellow, surrounded by matching plates and bowls, creating a lively and artistic scene.

8. Rome, Italy

An evening stroll along the mighty Tiber River rewards you with views of ancient structures reflected against the nightsky-blue water. Our Rome and Umbria walking tour starts in the capital city, where you'll tick off the must sees - the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Palatine Hill - before spending the afternoon as you wish. Consider visiting Santa Maria Sopra Minerva, just around the corner from the Pantheon, to be seriously wowed. The vault ceiling is painted a strikingly deep blue, with celestial detail adding to the atmosphere of this unassuming church.

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St. Peter's Basilica stands illuminated against a colorful twilight sky, reflecting off the Tiber River. In the foreground, a historic stone bridge spans the water, surrounded by lush greenery.

9. The Blue Eye, Albania

As you discover Albania’s historic sites along the Adriatic Coast you’ll stumble across the famous Syri i kaltër, also known as the Blue Eye. Nestled in Vlore County, this natural karstic spring boasts crystal clear water, allowing you to see straight to the bottom of the 164-foot deep pool. The foreboding ‘pupil’ of the pool is the dark underwater cave, and although divers have attempted to reach the bottom, none have succeeded. The surrounds of this bright blue spring are also just as beautiful, with ancient oak and sycamore trees in abundance.
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Clear turquoise river flows amidst lush green foliage and rocky banks, reflecting sunlight and surrounding trees, creating a vibrant and serene natural landscape.

10. Malta and Gozo

Enjoy two Mediterannean gems on our Malta and Gozo discovery tour, where an abundance of blue scenes dominate. Malta's Grand Harbour is peppered with painted blue fishing boats, while the smaller island of Gozo is home to unique traditional salt pans. Wherever you are, you'll find rocky coastlines, swimmable bays and plenty of fresh seafood to enjoy.

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A vividly painted boat rests at the harbor, surrounded by other colorful boats. In the background, a coastal town with church spires and clear blue skies enhances the vibrant scene.

11. Cambodia

Learn all about Cambodia culture and heritage on our Upgraded - Vietnam and Angkor trip. A short drive from the capital, Siem Reap, lies Tonle Sap. It's the largest freshwater lake in southeast Asia, and equally impressive is that the residents here live in a 'floating village' - many with blue-hued houses.
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A person sits in a wooden boat tied to poles, wearing a hat and facing a turquoise stilt house, surrounded by calm water under a clear blue sky.

12. Turquoise Coast, Turkey

For classic sparkling-turquoise-sea-meets-gold-sandy-beaches, look no further than Turkey’s Turquoise Coast. Stretching from Fethiye to Antalya, this coastline offers something for all travelers, including kayaking over sunken ruins and snorkelling amid crystal-clear waters. On our Walking Turkey's Turquoise Coast tour, you'll cover the Lycian Way and discover sparkling blue coves, small harbor towns and more gorgeous coastlines. 

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Kayakers paddle over clear, turquoise water revealing submerged ruins. Rugged rocky shores and greenery frame the serene, scenic location, enhancing the vibrant outdoor activity.

13. Nine Arch Bridge, Sri Lanka

An undoubtable highlight of our Sri Lanka in Depth tour is taking the train from Nanu Oyu to Demodara. As this strip of blue passes through green tea plantations, crossing the Nine Arch Bridge, it's a scenic (and striking) route from start to finish - much like the rest of the tour, which ticks off fishing ports, relaxing beaches and whale watching opportunities.

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A blue train travels across a historic stone viaduct, winding through lush green forested hills under soft sunlight. Several people are visible along the train's path.

Don't just travel, Explore!

Choose from Discovery, Walking, Cycling, Food tours and more with our Big Blue Sale. You can save up to 20% on on over 1500 selected departures between 1 April and 31 December 2025, as well as up to 20% discount on our single room supplements. And guess what's cooler than that? Our Big Icy Blue Sale offers more major savings on our Polar tours to the Arctic and Antarctica!

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Cyclists wearing colorful jackets and helmets stand with their bikes, engaging in conversation, amidst a desert landscape with a road visible in the distance.

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