Gane & Marshall

Unforgettable journeys,
tailor-made for you.

Cultural Holidays

Discovering the history, language and identity of a place and its people is one of the most rewarding aspects of travel. Cultural holidays are a way of delving into a country's past, but equally, they are about immersing yourself in its present; about getting a feel for the rhythm and pace of daily life in the places you visit.

Ethiopia - Historic Route & Tigray

It is difficult to pick a favourite place but I think Gheralta and the remote rock hewn churches just take it.

Nicola

Featured itineraries

Ancient Villages & Mountains of Anhui

Journey into Eastern China’s least-developed province, Anhui, to discover ancient Huizhou villages and stunning mountain scenery. This 10-day part-guided tour can be booked as a standalone holiday or as an extension to a broader overview of China’s east coast, with Anhui’s dramatic scenery and slower pace of life providing a welcome antidote to the hustle and bustle of China’s megalopolises.

Destination

  • China

Experience

  • Cultural Holidays
  • Walking and Climbing

Prices from £2145 pp

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Ethiopia's Historic Route (with Tigray and Simiens)

This 2-week itinerary offers a comprehensive overview of Ethiopia's Historic Route - including Axum, Gondar, Lalibela, Lake Tana and Addis Ababa - as well as remote Tigray and the Simien Mountains.

Destination

  • Ethiopia

Experience

  • Cultural Holidays
  • Walking and Climbing

Prices from £3095 pp

Read more

Into the Maasai Lands

Explore the Maasai Lands of Tanzania, East Africa, visiting remote Maasai communities, seeing wildlife within and outside the national parks, and ending with a tour of Ngorongoro Crater.

Destination

  • Tanzania

Experience

  • Safari and Wildlife Holidays
  • Walking and Climbing
  • Cultural Holidays

Prices from £2880 pp

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A Taste of Thailand

Discover Thailand's rich culinary history in this ten-day exploration of the country's food and culture. Sample street food in Bangkok, learn to make iconic dishes including pad Thai and khanom krok, and discover the famous floating and railway markets of Samut Songkhram.

Destination

  • Thailand

Experience

  • Cultural Holidays

Prices from £1998 pp

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Ancient Kingdoms of Sri Lanka

Trace the history of Sri Lanka through its ancient and modern capitals on this 10-night historical tour. Discover the origins of Sinhalese culture in ancient Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and Sigiriya, before venturing to Kandy, Sri Lanka’s colonial-era capital. The tour ends with a visit to the highland town of Nuwara Eliya in Sri Lanka’s tea region and a stay in a rainforest eco-lodge.

Destination

  • Sri Lanka

Experience

  • Cultural Holidays

Prices from £1850 pp

Read more

Ancient Villages & Mountains of Anhui

Journey into Eastern China’s least-developed province, Anhui, to discover ancient Huizhou villages and stunning mountain scenery. This 10-day part-guided tour can be booked as a standalone holiday or as an extension to a broader overview of China’s east coast, with Anhui’s dramatic scenery and slower pace of life providing a welcome antidote to the hustle and bustle of China’s megalopolises.

Destination

  • China

Experience

  • Cultural Holidays
  • Walking and Climbing

Prices from £2145 pp

Read more

Angkor and the Southern Coast

Discover the fascinating temples and history of Siem Reap and Battambang, the former heartlands of the Angkor Empire, before journeying to Cambodia's beautiful Southern Coast for an extended beach break.

Destination

  • Cambodia

Experience

  • Beach Holidays
  • Cultural Holidays
  • Honeymoons and Weddings

Prices from £1995 pp

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China's Eastern Seaboard

Encompassing the provinces of Zhejiang, Shandong and Jiangsu, China’s Eastern Seaboard extends for 1,200 miles between the mouths of the Yangtze and Yellow rivers. This is the country’s most developed and populous region, containing several of its most spectacular cities, including Shanghai, Hangzhou and Nanjing. Yet it is also a region rich in history and, away from the urban centres, great natural beauty.

Destination

  • China

Experience

  • Cultural Holidays

Prices from £2175 pp

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Complete Myanmar

This comprehensive three week tour takes in the very best of Myanmar, from the beautiful central coast to northernmost Putao on the border with Tibet.

Destination

  • Myanmar

Experience

  • Family Travel
  • Walking and Climbing
  • Cultural Holidays

Prices from £2985 pp

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Deserts, Mountains and Beaches of Oman

Discover the scenic splendour and contrasting scenery of northern Oman's desert and mountain environments. Focusing on the Al Hajar Mountains and Wahiba Sands, this programme can be booked as a sightseeing tour, with an emphasis on scenic drives and easy walking, or as a more in-depth trekking itinerary, with scope for longer walks. The itinerary also incorporates the green turtle nesting grounds at Ras Al Jinz, and can be extended to include a longer beach component.

Destination

  • Oman

Experience

  • Walking and Climbing
  • Family Travel
  • Cultural Holidays

Prices from £2095 pp

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Ethiopia's Historic Route (with Tigray and Simiens)

This 2-week itinerary offers a comprehensive overview of Ethiopia's Historic Route - including Axum, Gondar, Lalibela, Lake Tana and Addis Ababa - as well as remote Tigray and the Simien Mountains.

Destination

  • Ethiopia

Experience

  • Cultural Holidays
  • Walking and Climbing

Prices from £3095 pp

Read more

Guangxi and Hunan

Explore the spectacular karst landscapes of Guangxi province before venturing north to the remote and often-overlooked province of Hunan on this guided 9-day tour of south-western China. Taking advantage of a new highway between Longsheng and Fenghuang Ancient Town, you'll visit parts of China far removed from the standard tourist circuit.

Destination

  • China

Experience

  • Cultural Holidays
  • Walking and Climbing

Prices from £2185 pp

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Highlights of Oman

This 10-day overview of Oman covers the country's scenic and cultural highlights. Starting in Muscat, you'll journey south to historic Nizwa, which will provide a base for excursions into the Al Hajar Mountains and the Wahiba Sands. Returning to Muscat via the coastal town of Sur, you then fly south to the regional capital of Salalah, from where you spend 3 days exploring the Dhofar region.

Destination

  • Oman

Experience

  • Cultural Holidays
  • Family Travel

Prices from £2309 pp

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Ethiopia's Historic Route

Discover Axum, Lalibela, Lake Tana, Bahir Dar and Gondar on this guided 10-day tour of Ethiopia's Historic Route. This sightseeing programme can also be extended to include walking in the Simien & Bale Mountains, remote Tigray, or the Rift Valley Lakes.

Destination

  • Ethiopia

Experience

  • Cultural Holidays

Prices from £2770 pp

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Historic Thailand

Discover Thailand's long and rich history, from 13th-century Sukhothai, royal seat of the first Siamese dynasty, through old Ayutthaya, Thailand's great historic capital, to modern-day Bangkok.

Destination

  • Thailand

Experience

  • Cultural Holidays
  • Family Travel

Prices from £2385 pp

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Hokkaido Hotspots

Discover Japan's wild north, famed for its stunning national parks, dramatic coastline and endless mountains, on this 12-day overview of Hokkaido Island.

Destination

  • Japan

Experience

  • Walking and Climbing
  • Cultural Holidays
  • Family Travel

Prices from £2995 pp

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Honshu Highlights

Discover Japan’s cultural heartlands on this 8-day overview of central Honshu. Your tour starts amid the neon cityscapes of Tokyo, where you’ll spend three days exploring the city and its surrounds, before being whisked away by bullet train to historic Kyoto.

Destination

  • Japan

Experience

  • Family Travel
  • Cultural Holidays

Prices from £1890 pp

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India and Bhutan Highlights

Track rhino in Kaziranga National Park, delve into the bustle of modern-day Delhi and Mumbai, and discover two of southern Asia's greatest archaeological wonders - the Taj Mahal and Paro Taktsang Monastery - on this 11-day journey through India and Bhutan.

Destination

  • India

Experience

  • Cultural Holidays
  • Honeymoons and Weddings

Prices from £2575 pp

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Jewels of Southern India

Life moves at an altogether more languid pace in India’s tropical south. This unhurried itinerary will allow you to discover the best that the region has to offer, from the stunning temples and palaces of Mysore to the tranquil backwaters of Kerala.

Destination

  • India

Experience

  • Cultural Holidays
  • Honeymoons and Weddings
  • Beach Holidays

Prices from £1985 pp

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Jewels of Sri Lanka

Experience the best of Sinhalese culture and hospitality on this 11-day overview of Sri Lanka. Starting with the ancient ruins of Polonnaruwa and ending in the modern-day capital of Colombo, you’ll travel the length and breadth of Sri Lanka on a journey through the island’s history.

Destination

  • Sri Lanka

Experience

  • Cultural Holidays
  • Train Journeys
  • Family Travel

Prices from £1985 pp

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Journey to the North of Sri Lanka

Explore Sri Lanka’s cultural triangle, including such well known sights as Sigiriya and Polonnaruwa, before venturing north to the old Portuguese port city of Trincomalee and the Tamil capital of Jaffna, which was off limits for so many years. Although tourism is new to this area, the people are welcoming and the culture fascinating. A train journey returning to Colombo completes this 10-day itinerary.

Destination

  • Sri Lanka

Experience

  • Cultural Holidays

Price on application

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Khmer Heritage

6-day tour visiting the present-day capital, Phnom Penh, and ancient Siem Reap, gateway to Angkor Wat. Covering the historical highlights of Cambodia, this itinerary can be booked as an extension to a longer tour of South East Asia, or as a standalone programme.

Destination

  • Cambodia

Experience

  • Cultural Holidays

Prices from £690 pp

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Koyasan Temple Retreat

Enjoy a break from Japan’s hectic city life on this overnight escape to the Buddhist mountain refuge and UNESCO world heritage site of Koyasan.

Destination

  • Japan

Experience

  • Cultural Holidays

Prices from £295 pp

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Classic Japan

Explore highland villages, ancient walking trails and spectacular Shinto shrines on this comprehensive two-week overview of central Honshu and Shikoku Island.

Destination

  • Japan

Experience

  • Cultural Holidays
  • Honeymoons and Weddings

Prices from £3345 pp

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Walled City of Harar

This short tour of the walled city of Harar can be booked as an extension to a longer Ethiopia itinerary, such as our escorted Historic Route tours or our Simien trekking expeditions. We recommend at least two nights in Harar, though longer stays are also possible.

Destination

  • Ethiopia

Experience

  • Cultural Holidays

Prices from £890 pp

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Undiscovered Cambodia

14-day tour visiting Cambodia’s remote northeast, including Kratie, Ratanakiri, Mondulkiri, Kompong Thom, before ending in Siem Reap, gateway to Angkor Wat.

Destination

  • Cambodia

Experience

  • Cultural Holidays

Prices from £1455 pp

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Southern Highlights of Vietnam

Discover Southern Vietnam's many contrasts, from the bustle of urban Saigon and the Mekong Delta, to the natural splendour of Cat Tien National Park and the cool climes of highland Da Lat.

Destination

  • Vietnam

Experience

  • Cruise Holidays
  • Cultural Holidays

Prices from £1487 pp

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Northern Highlights of Vietnam

Discover northern Vietnam on foot, by bike, by train and by boat on this 12-day itinerary that focuses on the region's natural and cultural highlights. Go hill-walking in Sapa, take the sleeper train between Hanoi and Lao Cai, and cruise Ha Long Bay. Other regions visited include beautiful Cuc Phuong National Park and the Duong Lam & Ky Son ancient villages.

Destination

  • Vietnam

Experience

  • Cultural Holidays

Prices from £1495 pp

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The Japanese Alps

Discover the samurai culture of Matsumoto, the rural folk traditions of Takayama, and the Edo-era heritage of Tsumago on this ten-day journey into the Japanese Alps. This itinerary can be extended to include mountain trekking in Kamikochi.

Destination

  • Japan

Experience

  • Cultural Holidays
  • Honeymoons and Weddings
  • Walking and Climbing

Prices from £2740 pp

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The Best of Western Australia

Experience the best that Western Australia has to offer, from the lively urban centres of Fremantle and Perth to the beautiful Margaret River Wine Valley and the stunning Coral Coast. This 5-day self-drive holiday can also be extended to include a guided walking tour of the south-western coast.

Destination

  • Australia

Experience

  • Self-drive Holidays
  • Cultural Holidays
  • Honeymoons and Weddings

Prices from £1140 pp

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The Ancient Tea-Horse Trail

Journey along the legendary tea-horse trail, an ancient trading route connecting West China with Tibet and India, on this 16-day guided tour of Yunnan province. Beginning in Kunming, the capital of Yunnan province, you’ll travel north to the Tibetan Plateau via the ancient settlements of Dali, Shaxi, Lijiang and Zhongdian, visiting remote villages and taking in stunning mountain scenery along the way.

Destination

  • China

Experience

  • Walking and Climbing
  • Cultural Holidays
  • Honeymoons and Weddings

Prices from £4225 pp

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Southern Stars - Tasmania, Melbourne and Sydney

Explore the best of Southern Australia, including the lively coastal cities of Melbourne and Sydney, the historic attractions of Tasmania, and the natural splendour of the Grampians and the Great Ocean Road. Accommodation throughout is in boutique hotels and beautiful country retreats.

Destination

  • Australia

Experience

  • Family Travel
  • Cultural Holidays
  • Self-drive Holidays

Prices from £3050 pp

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North Island Contrasts

Experience the best of New Zealand's North Island on this 13-day self-drive tour. Beginning in Auckland, New Zealand's largest city and cultural capital, you'll visit Waiheke Island, with its famous boutique wineries; the beautiful Bay of Islands; Rotorua, the Maori heartlands and a region of great scenic beauty; the stylish Art Deco city of Napier; stunning Tongariro National Park, and much, much more.

Destination

  • New Zealand

Experience

  • Self-drive Holidays
  • Cultural Holidays
  • Family Travel

Prices from £1580 pp

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Madagascar East and West

From the Pangalanes Canal to the Kirindy Forest Reserve, explore the contrasting sights and sounds of Madagascar’s eastern and western coastlines on this 13-day journey beginning and ending in Tana.

Destination

  • Madagascar

Experience

  • Family Travel
  • Cultural Holidays
  • Safari and Wildlife Holidays

Prices from £3250 pp

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Ancient Capitals of Japan

Delve into Japan’s rich and engaging history on this 9-day traversal of the country’s ancient and modern capitals, taking in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Nara and Kamakura.

Destination

  • Japan

Experience

  • Cultural Holidays
  • Honeymoons and Weddings

Prices from £2670 pp

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Simien Mountains Full Trek with Historic Route

Our full Simien Mountains trek takes you to remote parts of the Ethiopian Highlands, including Ras Dejen, Arkwasyie, Lamo and Mulet. This guided trekking tour also includes as standard some aspects of the Historic Route, and can be extended to include the Rift Valley Lakes, Omo Valley, or Bale Mountains.

Destination

  • Ethiopia

Experience

  • Walking and Climbing
  • Cultural Holidays

Prices from £2970 pp

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Simien Mountains Trek with Historic Route

Our standard Simien Mountains trek takes you to the summit of Ras Deshen, Ethiopia's tallest peak, via Geech and Ambiko. The tour also includes as standard some aspects of the Historic Route, including Gondar and Lalibela, and can be extended to feature more.

Destination

  • Ethiopia

Experience

  • Walking and Climbing
  • Cultural Holidays

Prices from £2480 pp

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Scenic Laos

Spend a night in a tree house in the Bokeo Nature Reserve, trek the Luang Nam Tha hills, and meet the tribes of Muang La, on this 12-day overview of northern Laos that starts and ends in Luang Prabang.

Destination

  • Laos

Experience

  • Cultural Holidays
  • Family Travel
  • Walking and Climbing
  • Safari and Wildlife Holidays

Prices from £2530 pp

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Yangon to Mandalay

Starting and ending in Yangon, this classic circuit route takes you to the historic temples of Bagan, beautiful Inle Lake, and vibrant, bustling Mandalay.

Destination

  • Myanmar

Experience

  • Cultural Holidays
  • Honeymoons and Weddings

Prices from £1725 pp

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Bagan to Katha - Upper Irrawaddy Cruise

This unique 11-day river cruise will see you explore the Upper Irrawaddy River between Mandalay and Katha. Departing from the ancient city of Bagan, near Mandalay, your cruise will take you along the Irrawaddy River and into remote Kachin state, before ending in Katha, a quiet colonial-era town and the former home of George Orwell.

Destination

  • Myanmar

Experience

  • Cruise Holidays
  • Cultural Holidays

Prices from £2770 pp

Special Offer

No single supplement & children travel free on select Pandaw River Cruises

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Mandalay to Homalin River Cruise

Follow the Chindwin River into the heart of Burmese Nagaland on this unique 8-day river cruise. Departing from Monywa, near Mandalay, your cruise will take you along the Upper Chindwin to Homalin, the capital of Nagaland, on the border with India. En-route, you’ll find time to stop and explore remote villages, religious sites from the Konbaung-era, and old colonial towns.

Destination

  • Myanmar

Experience

  • Cruise Holidays
  • Cultural Holidays
  • Honeymoons and Weddings

Prices from £2290 pp

Special Offer

No single supplement & children travel free on select Pandaw River Cruises

Read more

The Remote North of Vietnam

Escape the beaten path on this journey into Vietnam's northern highlands. Trek and bike to isolated hamlets in Mai Chau, learn about Vietnam's colonial-era history and independence struggle in Dien Bien Phu & Son La, and discover some of the country's most splendid scenery in the hills around Sapa. This 13-day itinerary starts and ends in Hanoi, and includes an overnight cruise on Ha Long Bay.

Destination

  • Vietnam

Experience

  • Cultural Holidays
  • Walking and Climbing

Prices from £1950 pp

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The Red Centre & Top of Australia

Venture into Australia's Red Centre and its northernmost wilderness parks on this 12-day tour. You'll visit the geological marvel, and Aboriginal landmark, that is Uluru; travel on the Ghan train to Australia's geographic centre at Alice Springs; and explore the country's largest National Park, rough and rugged Kakadu.

Destination

  • Australia

Experience

  • Family Travel
  • Cultural Holidays
  • Train Journeys

Prices from £2590 pp

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Highlights of Peru

Explore Peru’s scenic and historical wonders on this 13-day highlights tour, taking in the cosmopolitan cities of Cusco and Lima, the Sacred Valley of the Incas & the lost city of Machu Picchu, and the vast Lake Titicaca.

Destination

  • Peru

Experience

  • Cultural Holidays
  • Walking and Climbing

Prices from £1695 pp

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Highlights of Ecuador

Discover colonial cities and traditional towns, spectacular mountainous landscapes and search for exotic wildlife in the Amazon – this action-packed 13-day tour visits all of Ecuador’s highlights.

Destination

  • Ecuador

Experience

  • Cultural Holidays

Prices from £3450 pp

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Into the Maasai Lands

Explore the Maasai Lands of Tanzania, East Africa, visiting remote Maasai communities, seeing wildlife within and outside the national parks, and ending with a tour of Ngorongoro Crater.

Destination

  • Tanzania

Experience

  • Safari and Wildlife Holidays
  • Walking and Climbing
  • Cultural Holidays

Prices from £2880 pp

Read more

Highlights of Bolivia

Explore the scenic and cultural highlights of Bolvia on this 11-day overview. Starting in Santa Cruz, in Bolivia’s tropical lowlands, you’ll journey over the Andes to the altiplano and on to the world’s highest capital city, La Paz.

Destination

  • Bolivia

Experience

  • Cultural Holidays
  • Family Travel

Prices from £2650 pp

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North India Highlights

Explore the history and culture of North India through its most famous monuments and cities on this 11-day itinerary. Starting in New Delhi, you'll discover Agra & the Taj Mahal, Varanasi, Sarnath and Jaipur, before ending with a visit to Ranthambore, India's most renowned tiger park.

Destination

  • India

Experience

  • Cultural Holidays

Prices from £2750 pp

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Complete Vietnam

Comprehensive 15-day itinerary covering North, South and Central Vietnam, visiting the northern and southern capitals of Hanoi and Saigon, the imperial capital Hue, the world heritage town of Hoi An, beautiful Ha Long Bay, the beach at Nha Trang, and the Mekong Delta.

Destination

  • Vietnam

Experience

  • Cultural Holidays

Prices from £1689 pp

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Essential Laos

Discover Vientiane, the capital of Laos, and the world heritage town of Luang Prabang in 7 days. This short itinerary is suitable as a standalone option or as an extension to a broader overview of South East Asia.

Destination

  • Laos

Experience

  • Cultural Holidays
  • Honeymoons and Weddings

Prices from £1135 pp

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Discover Pico Island

Pico Island is representative of everything that makes the Azores archipelago so appealing: dramatic landscapes shaped by volcanic activity, wonderful food and wine, fascinating marine life, and lots of scope for adventure! On this 7-night privately guided itinerary you’ll enjoy the best that Pico has to offer, as you explore its famous vineyards, experience whale-watching from its coast and surrounding waters, and climb to the summit of its highest peak, the eponymous Mt Pico.

Destination

  • The Azores

Experience

  • Cultural Holidays
  • Safari and Wildlife Holidays
  • Walking and Climbing
  • Family Travel

Prices from £1420 pp

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Castles of Ireland

From green pastures to sheer cliffs and commanding stone castles, Ireland’s historical and natural landscapes converge to create a wonderfully atmospheric whole. This 8-day self-drive will see you cross the country from east to west, exploring diverse regions along the way, including the Dingle peninsula, Connemara, and the Burren. You’ll also learn much about Ireland’s history as you explore its medieval castles and abbeys, and discover towns & cities including Dublin, Galway and Limerick.

Destination

  • Ireland

Experience

  • Cultural Holidays
  • Self-drive Holidays

Prices from £1585 pp

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Ise-Shima and Kumano

Easily accessible from Nagoya and Osaka, the Ise-Shima Peninsula provides an exciting detour from Japan’s tourism hotspots. This often-overlooked region houses some of the country’s oldest Shinto shrines, while also offering beautiful coastal scenery to explore and a number of culinary delights! Our 4-day journey into Ise-Shima can be easily integrated into a longer tour of Japan. (Photo of Ise Jingu courtesy of Jingushicho).

Destination

  • Japan

Experience

  • Cultural Holidays

Prices from £720 pp

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Light Mobile Walking and Driven Safari

Thank you to you all for a job extremely well done, we will definitely be back.

Tanya & Kieran