"There is no better place to buy the King of Stones than South Africa, and Explore traveller Colin Beale had a glittering surprise in store for his partner, Angela Dear, on their recent Cape Escape tour: a visit to a local diamond workshop. Within an hour, Angela's chosen ring and stone were ready, and it wasn't long before her fellow travellers noticed her new sparkler."

At the dinner on the final evening, after thanks were given to Chris and Robbie, the tour leader and driver, Angela and Colin were toasted to their new commitment to each other.

Surprising things happen on Explore holidays!

Cape Escape

"The Turquoise Coast was a great tour for experiencing the true culture of Turkey - particularly at Elmali (which translates roughly as 'Appletown'!). The old-fashioned blacksmith, the market with its sea of spices, fruits, Lokum (Turkish Delight) and nuts - the whole village was ablaze with colour, sounds and scents. We found the people so gentle, hospitable and kind; even the local children we had in tow - just lively and friendly. It was here that we all took Turkey to our hearts."

Diana and Dennis Lyne
Turquoise Coast

Also on the Lycian Coast… our congratulations go to Linda and Andrew Brightwell. A photo taken on their gület seatrek won the Sunday Times' weekly Travel 'Smug Shots' competition and earned them a magnum of champagne. The photo also graces (if that's the right word to use about mud) the pages of the travel supplement on Sunday 11 June 2006.

Blue Cruise

Interesting to hear from Explore traveller Margaret Hancox and about HOST, an organisation of which she is a Trustee. HOST seeks to encourage global understanding by arranging for international students to spend a short time (a weekend or Christmas) with British families and offering them a chance to get to know the 'real' country and its people, away from the tourist routes.

Stargazers in our fold won't need reminding that the recent total eclipse (29 March) was one of the most spectacular on record. Thank you for the many pictures and stories we've received from customers on our Special Eclipse Tours, particularly to Steve Holmes, who enjoyed the Eclipse on Libyan soil, and the Ghana Gang - Alison, Chris, Debbie, Jake, Richard and Heather. Have a look at these:

www.steveholmes.net/spacepics