Jonathan Hodgson: Tour Leader

04/28/2026

A little something brewing behind the scenes… 👀

With my Northern England tour in September 2027 nearly full (thank you!), I’ve been working on what comes next—and this one feels like a natural follow-on.

For the first time ever, I’m developing a Wales tour for Adventures Abroad—and it’s shaping up to be a fantastic addition.

The plan is to explore the capital Cardiff, venture into the landscapes of the Brecon Beacons National Park, follow the dramatic coastline of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, and head north into the peaks of Snowdonia National Park—with a few scenic rambles (and the occasional well-earned pub stop) along the way.

From there, we’ll continue to Liverpool before catching the ferry across to the Isle of Man for an in-depth look at this fascinating and often-overlooked destination.

It’s still very much in development, but the goal is to have it ready and open for bookings by the end of May.

If Wales has been on your radar… this could be the perfect excuse.
Stay tuned 👍

04/16/2026

Kombanwa from Japan! As this is a time-limited situation, I thought I would put it out there that Antarctica is a possibility to join me for this November on a special new Air & Cruise package. But it will be dependent on bookings before April 30th. What am I talking about? Follow the link to Adventures Abroad here: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CVjCo27v5/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Thanks for taking a look!

❄️ ANTARCTICA — WITHOUT THE DRAKE PASSAGE
✈️ Air-Cruise Expedition | Limited-Time Savings
👉 https://www.adventures-abroad.com/antarctica-air-cruise

There are trips… and then there’s Antarctica.

This innovative air-cruise gets you there the smart way — flying over the Drake Passage so you can spend more time where it counts: among icebergs, wildlife, and some of the most extraordinary landscapes on Earth.

Once there, it’s all about the experience — Zodiac landings, penguin colonies, glacier-lined bays, and the kind of ever-changing scenery that keeps you glued to the deck (or your camera).

We’re currently seeing rare discounted pricing on select departures — something that doesn’t come along often for Antarctica.

An experienced Adventures Abroad Senior Tour Leader will accompany each departure once a minimum of 10 AA travellers is reached:
• November: Led by Jonathan Hodgson
• February: Led by an equally seasoned AA Tour Leader
And for those joining in November, Jonathan will also be on hand with a few practical photography tips along the way — helpful for making the most of those once-in-a-lifetime moments (no fancy gear required).

Antarctica has a habit of moving quickly from “someday” to “why didn’t I do this sooner?”

This might be the nudge.

04/11/2026

UPDATE! We are soooooo close to guaranteeing this tour! We only need an extra couple of people and we will be able to lock in this fantastic adventure to France and the Channel Islands. Spaces now VERY limited!

Explore Brittany's standing stones, Loire châteaux, D-Day beaches, and the unique culture of Jersey, Guernsey, Sark & Herm. 14-day small group tour from Nantes to the Channel Islands.

04/11/2026

Greetings from Japan everyone! It’s now confirmed - we have the adjustments in place and are now offering a January 2027 departure of my Sri Lanka & Maldives tour. Interested? Have a wee look here: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DdPRY5t3P/?mibextid=wwXIfr

04/02/2026

🌏 NEW TOUR ANNOUNCEMENT – FEBRUARY 17, 2027
Singapore & Peninsular Malaysia
12 Days | Max Group Size: 18
https://www.adventures-abroad.com/tour/singapore-malaysia-highlands-penang/JHML

I’m very pleased to introduce a brand-new journey that I’ll be leading in February 2027 — and one that pairs perfectly with my Philippines tour departing March 1st (now fully booked).

If you’re already joining me in the Philippines in March, this is a natural way to turn one long-haul flight into a much bigger Southeast Asian experience. (When you’re already halfway around the world, you may as well go the full Penang.)

This 12-day journey explores the cultural crossroads of the Malay Peninsula — where Chinese, Malay, Indian, and colonial influences don’t just meet… they mingle.

We begin in Singapore, where a hawker dinner offers a true taste of the region, before heading north through Malaysia:
* Kuala Lumpur — history and modern Malaysia side by side
* Cameron Highlands — tea estates and cool mountain air (beautifully steeped)
* Ipoh — colonial charm, cave temples, and standout cuisine
* George Town (Penang) — a UNESCO-listed blend of cultures and architecture
* Langkawi — mangroves, karst scenery, and a relaxed tropical finale

What I like most about this tour is how the story builds — day by day, place by place — until the region’s rich mix really comes into focus (and occasionally spices things up).
We’ll also enjoy well-located, comfortable hotels throughout — always appreciated after full days of exploration.

If you’re already on the Philippines tour, this is your ideal lead-in.
If not, it stands beautifully on its own.
Either way — I’d love to have you along.

04/01/2026

Greetings from the road! I have just left South Korea (pictured: Silla Dynasty tombs in Gyeongju during cherry blossom eruption). Now in Tokyo and about to start a Japan-by-Rail tour!

I wanted to announce that there are a couple of more tours in the works for 2027 and they will soon be available in the Adventures Abroad website (maybe in… 2 weeks?).

I have revamped the Sri Lanka & Maldives tour I recently ran in January and February just past. This will be offered again soon for January 2027.

A tour of Singapore and peninsular Malaysia is coming together for the second half of February in 2027. The Cameron Highlands and Langkawi Island are a couple of the highlights along with some upscale properties to relax in comfort at the end of the day.

And there is a chance I may be putting together a Scotland tour (my old stomping grounds) post-northern England tour in September 2027. The idea is to sniff out some of the hidden gems of the Inner Hebridean islands and a few secret locales. Shhhhhh.

Chat soon, everyone.

03/19/2026

🚨 NEW TOUR ANNOUNCEMENT — England’s North (September 7, 2027) 🚨

I’m very pleased to introduce a brand-new tour that I’ll be personally leading in 2027 — and this one is a little special for me.

The north of England is where part of my family story begins. The Hodgson side of my family traces its roots back to County Durham, and this journey will take us right through that landscape — Roman frontiers, Norman cathedrals, windswept coasts, and the industrial cities that helped shape the modern world.

So in a way, this tour is a bit of a homecoming.

Rather than beginning in London like most England tours, we start in Manchester, the powerhouse of the Industrial Revolution, and work our way north and east through some of the most fascinating — and often overlooked — parts of England.

Along the way we’ll experience:

• The Roman frontier at Hadrian’s Wall and the extraordinary site of Vindolanda
• The magnificent Durham Cathedral — widely considered the finest Norman interior in England
• Crossing the tidal causeway to Holy Island (Lindisfarne)
• Three relaxed nights in the beautiful Lake District
• York’s medieval walls, Viking past, and soaring Minster
• The dramatic abbey and 199 steps at Whitby
• And a fitting finale on the Liverpool waterfront, including a classic Mersey ferry crossing

📅 September 7, 2027
👥 Max group size: 18 travellers

This will be a one-time special departure, and I would love to have some familiar faces along for the ride.

If you enjoy history layered over two thousand years, dramatic northern landscapes, and exploring places that most visitors to England never quite reach — come join me.

🔗 Tour details here:
https://www.adventures-abroad.com/tour/englands-north-jonathan-hodgson/JHNE

03/06/2026

Updates on 2027 Tour Plans!

I've just recently returned to Canada after 2 super fun journeys to Sri Lanka & Maldives to start the year. While I have been back, we have been putting together plans for what tours I will be offering for next year and I wanted to share what is currently "in the works" (please note that MOST of these upcoming tours are NOT on the website yet, but we hope to have them there soon).

January 2027 - Sri Lanka & Maldives (tweaked itinerary compared to the tours I just ran this past January and February)

February 2027 - Singapore & Peninsular Malaysia

March 2027 - Philippines (this one IS on the website already, but is already full - waiting list only!)

May 2027 - France & the Channel Islands (this one is also on the Adventures Abroad website and is still taking bookings): https://www.adventures-abroad.com/tour/france-channel-islands-neolithic-normandy/JHFC

September 2027 - Northern England (Manchester - York - Durham - Lake District - Liverpool and more!)

I wanted to put this out there as I have been getting some enquiries on what I am offering for 2027 and this will give a general outline for those who like to plan ahead.

**What other destinations are YOU interested in? I'm always looking for ideas and 2028 appears to be wide-open at the moment! 😉

02/02/2026

Update! There are only TWO spots left for this departure. Act fast if you wish to join!!

🇵🇭 Philippines, revisited — March 2027

A few years ago I led an Adventures Abroad tour through the Philippines, and it’s a journey that’s stayed with me. Since then, I’ve wanted to go back and quietly rethink the route—adjust the pacing, add a few things, and smooth out others—based on what worked well and what could work even better.

So in March 2027, I’ll be returning to the Philippines to lead a single, refreshed departure that reflects that experience. Same spirit as before, but with a clearer narrative and a few thoughtful refinements along the way.

The route moves naturally through the country:
• Manila & Intramuros, where Spanish colonial history is still very much present
• Bataan Peninsula and Corregidor Island, with their World War II memorials and layered stories
• Up into the Cordillera Mountains, to the Ifugao rice terraces near Banaue—an extraordinary, hand-shaped landscape that long predates colonial rule
• Across to Cebu and the Visayas, where Spanish influence first took hold and rural life still sets the rhythm
• Time on and around Pamilacan Island, known for its marine life
• And finally Palawan, including the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River and its protected karst and forest environment

It’s a small group (maximum 18) and a tour designed for people who enjoy understanding how places fit together—how geography, history, and culture inform one another—without rushing through any of it.

I’m looking forward to returning, and to sharing a version of the Philippines that’s been shaped by time, experience, and a bit of reflection.

Details are here if you’d like a closer look: https://www.adventures-abroad.com/tour/philippines-highlands-islands-jhph/JHPH

01/28/2026

🇫🇷🇯🇪🇬🇬 NEW TOUR! France & The Channel Islands
Departing May 22nd, 2027 - 14 Days

I’m excited to be leading a brand new France & the Channel Islands tour — a journey that drifts west and north through some of France’s most atmospheric regions before hopping offshore to island life… with excellent food along the way.

We begin in Nantes, perfectly placed for exploring one of Europe’s great Neolithic landscapes (because nothing sets the tone like 5,000-year-old stone engineering). From there we ease into the Loire Valley, where châteaux, regional wines, and a reassuring number of good lunches start to appear.

From the Loire, we head into Normandy and Brittany, where history piles up dramatically — and sometimes literally — at places like Mont-Saint-Michel, rising from the tidal flats like it’s showing off (which it is). Add medieval towns, rugged coastline, and some very serious butter-based cooking, and things are going rather well.

Then we slip offshore to the Channel Islands: Jersey, Guernsey, and gloriously car-free Sark and Herm. Expect harbour towns, cliff-top walks, ancient sites, wartime occupation stories, and island life that moves at a refreshingly human pace — plus seafood that has travelled impressively short distances.

This is very much a linger, explore, eat well, repeat kind of journey.
Small group, big stories, and food worth remembering.
I’ll be along to lead it, connect the dots, and help with the important decisions — historical context and dessert choices.

👉 Full tour details here: https://www.adventures-abroad.com/tour/france-channel-islands-neolithic-normandy/JHFC

Explore Brittany's standing stones, Loire châteaux, D-Day beaches, and the unique culture of Jersey, Guernsey, Sark & Herm. 14-day small group tour from Nantes to the Channel Islands.