Stephen's Guided Tours: escorted adventures from Napier

Kia ora, I'm Stephen Jennings, and for more than 30 years I've been helping Hawke's Bay travellers explore the world. Over that time, I've learned that the best holidays aren't just about where you go, they're about how you travel and who you share the journey with.

Escorted from Napier

Travel with someone you know and trust

Each year, I personally design and escort a few small-group tours departing from Napier. These trips bring together like-minded travellers from across Hawke's Bay, combining the fun of group travel with the comfort of knowing everything's been organised for you.

When you travel with me, you don't have to think about a thing. From the moment we leave Napier to the moment we land back home, I've got the details sorted: flights, hotels, sightseeing, and the little touches that make all the difference.

Stephen Jennings on tour in Japan, at the floating torii gate of Miyajima

Why escorted travel

Why I love escorted group travel

You can relax knowing someone's there to handle the logistics while you focus on enjoying the journey. Here's what past travellers have said they enjoy most:

1

Local departures

Start right here in Napier, easy and stress-free.

2

Expertly planned itineraries

Every trip is crafted through my network of trusted partners.

3

Small, friendly groups

Just the right size to get to know everyone.

4

Hosted from start to finish

I travel with the group to make sure everything runs smoothly.

5

Lasting friendships

Many travellers come back year after year to join the next adventure.

6

Completely worry-free

Well-known highlights blended with local experiences you might otherwise miss.

What makes them different

What makes my tours different

I know how much effort goes into planning a holiday, especially when you're trying to coordinate flights, hotels and sightseeing across multiple countries. That's why I've built these tours to be completely worry-free, each one carefully put together using trusted travel partners.

These are not big, impersonal bus tours. They're designed for people who want to travel comfortably, learn along the way, and share the journey with good company.

Coming up next

Upcoming guided tours

Each year I plan a couple of new escorted trips. Here's what's coming up next:

Departs 14 September 2027 · 27 days

Spain, Portugal & Morocco Escorted Tour 2027

Fifteen days touring Spain and Portugal, then nine nights on the Oceania Marina from Lisbon to Barcelona via Morocco. Flights from Napier included, from $22,499* per person.

See the full itinerary

Where we've been

Past adventures

Over the years I've led trips through Canada and Alaska, Spain and Portugal, Sri Lanka and more. Each one has been an adventure shared with travellers who've become friends along the way.

The Sri Lanka and Maldives escorted tour

Sri Lanka & the Maldives (2025)

Sri Lanka's Cultural Triangle, tea plantations, ancient temples and a national park, then island time in the Maldives.

Read about the trip
Budapest's parliament on the Danube

Europe & Bohemia (2023)

A 29-day journey from Amsterdam to Prague, combining river cruising with guided touring through Europe's most charming cities.

Read about the trip
Porto's waterfront at dusk

Spain, Portugal & the Douro (2018)

Thirty-two days from Barcelona's streets to a Douro River cruise aboard Uniworld's Queen Isabel.

Read about the trip
Lake Louise in the Canadian Rockies

Canada & Alaska (2012)

Canada's Rockies and Alaska's Inside Passage: glacier country, rail journeys and wildlife.

Read about the trip

Local service

Why travel with YOU Travel Napier

I've worked in travel for over three decades, and one thing that hasn't changed is the value of local service. At YOU Travel Napier, our small team genuinely cares about your experience. We're independent, locally owned, and proud to help Hawke's Bay travellers see the world with confidence.

When you travel with me, you're not just another booking. You're part of a group that's looked after from start to finish.

The next adventure

Let's chat about where I'm heading next

Whether it's Japan, Europe or somewhere new, I can walk you through what's planned and help you find the right fit.

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