Short Breaks

Whether you need a visa to travel depends on which country you are from and which country you are travelling to. Travel requirements can change at short notice, so it’s a good idea to double-check the latest information and advice before you go.

It’s each traveller’s responsibility to make sure you have everything you need to travel to and from your destination. You can find information on visa and entry requirements in the visa section of your Essential Trip Information.

Absolutely. All passengers travelling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their Short Break. Your leader will record your travel insurance details on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of healthcare around the world, travel insurance is an essential part of every journey.

We require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation, but minimum coverage may differ from trip to trip, so make sure you check the Travel Insurance section in your Essential Trip Information. You will not be permitted to join the group until your leader has sighted your insurance policy number and the insurance company's 24-hour emergency contact number, and these details will be recorded on the first day of your trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is an essential part of every journey.

For travellers who reside within the European Union, Switzerland or the USA, the requirement to purchase travel insurance cannot be compulsory. However, the purchase of travel insurance is still highly recommended, and travellers from these regions who decline travel insurance when travelling outside their home region must sign a Travel Insurance Waiver Form, recognising personal responsibility for emergency medical and repatriation costs should they arise.

Learn more about travel insurance

The main difference is the presence of an Intrepid local leader.

A fully guided Short Break is a group trip led by an expert Intrepid local leader for the full itinerary. This means more support, local insights and a deeper dive into the culture with all logistics handled to get the most out of your experience.

In contrast, an Independent Short Break is a partially guided trip with no dedicated leader throughout. You’ll have some included activities and local guides along the way and still have some things organised – like accommodation and guided activities – but you’ll have more time to explore on your own.

Both options are short getaways focused on exploring a key city, an iconic destination, or experiencing a region on a walking and trekking trip – it just depends on how much guidance and group time you’re after.

While we can’t tell you who your leader is before your departure, we can tell you they’ll be awesome. All of our leaders are locally based experts who know their region inside out. They’re not just guides – they're your friendly connection to grassroots experiences, local culture and communities, and hidden highlights. Plus, they’ll help you navigate everything from language barriers to public transportation – you'll be in good hands!

Our Short Break trips start early in the morning on day one to maximise your time, so we strongly recommend booking pre-accommodation for the night before. Activities typically end later in the day on the last day – please refer to your itinerary or speak with your booking agent about the right flight times in and out.  

Accommodation varies depending on which trip you choose. Some trips focus on comfort with character, while others feature simpler, tourist-class hotels (2-3 stars) that keep travellers connected to a region’s people and culture while benefiting the local community. 

One some itineraries, you’ll enjoy a memorable stay – like a charming, family-owned stone hotel with a garden courtyard in Guatemala – for an extra touch.  

Or if you’re joining one of our walking and trekking trips, the focus shifts to immersion and adventure. That might mean staying in a cosy local guesthouse in Scotland, camping along the Inca Trail or unwinding in a rustic mountain lodge in Yosemite.  

We will try our very hardest to accommodate all dietary requirements but in some places, it can be hard to guarantee. Let us know your requirements at the time of booking so we can pass the information along to our local team. 

While vegetarian options are usually available, the variety can depend on the destination. It can be hard to guarantee that dishes are 100% allergen-free, so we encourage you to take the same precautions you would at home.  

Your leader or local guide will be there for assistance and to help with recommendations – and even with the language barrier – to make things as smooth as possible.