From the pearls of the Adriatic to the palaces of Rajasthan, there are some wondrous sights waiting to be discovered on an escorted tour, says ANDREW EAMES

THERE  are times when even the most savvy of seasoned travellers would prefer to put themselves in the hands of the experts. Striking out and exploring the world has never been easier but there are still certain destinations where the language is unfathomable, the paperwork tricky and logistics a challenge.

Even when that's not the case, putting responsibility for arrangements in the hands of others and having a guide at hand every step of the way to help interpret what you see make for a wonderfully relaxing break. But escorted tours are also about companionship and shared experiences, making new friends as you discover ancient wonders.

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Here's 10 of the best for the coming months:

PEARLS OF THE ADRIATIC

Slovenia has mountains and lakes, Croatia coves and islands and the two complementary nations have gone through an eventful history (mostly) arm in arm. This itinerary has insights into both, with its first base in Ljubljana, the cultured capital of Slovenia, and its second on St Andrew's Island off the Croatian coast of Istria, with strong influences from the ancient Venetian empire. There are day trips to caves and also Venice, a short cruise across the Adriatic.

Travelsphere (0870 240 2426/www.travelsphere.co.uk) offers a nine-day Pearls of the Adriatic tour from £774pp (two sharing), including various half-board accommodation in Croatia and Slovenia, return flights from Gatwick to Ljubljana and coach travel.

ZEAL DOWN UNDER

When you go to the other side of the world, you may as well see as much as you can. Go Touring has a 22-day adventure that takes in New Zealand's North and South Islands and includes a stop in Singapore on the way. There's the chance to see whales, ride jet boats, cross mountain passes, meet Maoris and all in some of the most spectacular scenery found anywhere in the world.

Go Touring (01704 883011/ www.gotouring.uk.com) offers a 22-day tour of New Zealand from £2,445pp (two sharing), including return flights from Heathrow, various hotel accommodation in Singapore, Christchurch, Queenstown and Wellington and some meals.

ON TRACK IN SWITZERLAND

In the genesis of world railways, someone forgot to tell the Swiss that trains don't go up mountains. The nation is full of ditsy little bahns, including Europe's oldest cog-wheel railway, which climb mountains with unflappable ease.

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Great Rail Journeys (01904 521936/www.greatrail.com) offers a five-day Little Trains of Switzerland tour from £925pp (two sharing), including four nights half board at the Grand Hotel Europe in Lucerne, a journey on the cog-wheel to Rigi Kulm, and return Eurostar from London St Pancras.

UNBELIEVABLE UMBRIA

The Etruscans certainly knew about good living. Settling in the hilltops of Italy's Umbria and developing cultured cities such as Perugia, Assisi and Verona, they set about building a great civilisation. Elements of Etruscan architecture, art and customs are still widely spread through a region that is also known for its exceptionally fine wine and food.

Consort Travel (0844 844 0470/www.consorttravel.com) offers a 13-day Discover Umbria tour from £639pp (two sharing), including seven nights half board at the Hotel Villa Elda in Umbria, return coach and ferry travel.

TREASURES OF TURKEY

Once the centre of the Ottoman empire, this nation that is poised intriguingly between Europe and Asia is proving particularly popular this year, being just outside the euro zone. Here's a chance to uncover some of its treasures on a wide-ranging trip that starts and finishes in Istanbul and takes in the capital Ankara, as well as the extraordinary landscapes of Cappadocia, the whirling dervishes of Konya and the sparkling Lycian coast.

Milestones (0845 678 5656/www.milestonestours.com) offers a 15-day Treasures of Turkey tour from £1,325pp (two sharing), including half-board accommodation in Istanbul, Cappadocia, Bursa and Ankara, transfers and return flights from Heathrow.

TRANSYLVANIA IN TRANSIT

Transylvania is one of those places that everyone has heard of but few can place on a map. In reality it is a storybook upland region of Romania, with bears in the woods and wolves in the hills and an almost medieval lifestyle. It also has fabulous painted churches, craggy castles (including the supposed home of Dracula) and a very colourful history.

Sunvil (020 8568 4499/www.sunvil.co.uk) offers an eight-day Grand Tour of Transylvania from £1,332pp (two sharing), including full-board accommodation in Brasov and Viscri and return British Airways flights from Heathrow to Bucharest.

LIBYAN DELIGHTS

The classical ruins of Libya are one of the wonders of the world.

The imperial might of the Roman empire found expression here in the city of Leptis Magna and settlements such as Apollonia and Ptolemais. Historical happenstance and a benevolent climate have combined to preserve the ruins in a condition virtually unmatched anywhere else. But you do need an expert to interpret their significance.

Andante Travels (01722 713800/www.andantetravels.co.uk) offers a nine-day tour from £1,995pp (two sharing), including various full-board accommodation in Tripoli and Benghazi, return British Airways flights from Heathrow to Tripoli and all domestic flights.

EASTERN PROMISE

Japan is one of the world's most fascinating and culturally divergent countries and also one where simple logistics such as travel, eating and sleeping can be very hard to manage, making it ideal territory for an escorted tour.

Explore cities, islands, mountains, temples and Unesco World Heritage sites, as well as the target for the first atomic bomb, Hiroshima.

Archers Direct (0871 423 8425/www.archersdirect.co.uk) offers a 13-day Journey Through Japan tour from £2,450pp (two sharing), including various B&B accommodation in Tokyo, Toyama and Kyoto, return flights from Heathrow and all transfers.

LAND OF THE RAJPUTS

Rajasthan is the most scenically and culturally spectacular of the Indian states.
Forts spring out of deserts, palaces sit shimmering on islands and moustaches curl under turbans. Places such as Jaipur, Jodhpur and Udaipur are all potent names with stunning architecture.

And then, of course, there's Agra's iconic Taj Mahal, the Mughal mausoleum that launched a thousand curry houses.

Voyages Jules Verne (0845 166 7008/www.vjv.co.uk) offers a 16-night Royal Cities of Rajasthan tour from £1,195pp (two sharing), including various B&B accommodation in Delhi and Agra and return Heathrow flights.

IN THE BLACK

Emperor Justinian's achievements are showcased in Istanbul, Lenin recommended the spas in Sochi and Stalin met world leaders in Yalta. The Black Sea is at the heart of world history but it is tricky to travel around on land. By ship it's a different matter, on an odyssey that combines Minoan palaces and communist monuments.

Voyages of Discovery (01444 462150/www.voyagesofdiscovery.co.uk) offers a 15-day cruise of the Black Sea, Turkey and the Greek Isles from £1,499pp (two sharing), including return flights from Gatwick and all meals.