9 top cultural trips

The lesser-visited Caucasus region is set to grow in popularity over the coming years, so get your foot in the door before the crowds start to arrive. Discover ornate synagogues, 18th-century mosques and medieval churches in the Georgian city of Tbilisi, and lose yourself in the UNESCO-listed maze of narrow alleyways in Baku, Azerbaijan. The mighty snow-dusted peaks of Mount Ararat dominate the skyline of Yerevan in Armenia, and the Hellenistic temple of Garni stands strong in the rocky landscape of the Garni Gorge. 

Step back in time and immerse yourself in the rustic charm of Uzbekistan. Gain first-hand insights into the local culture as you delve into eclectic bazaars, barter with traders and sip traditional kok-chai in a local tea house. The cobalt-blue tiles and ornate aquamarine mosaics of Samarkand’s Registan square glisten in the bright sunlight, and the turreted walls of Khiva’s Old Citadel resemble the backdrop of an ‘Arabian Nights’ film set. 

Saddle-up for a journey on two wheels along the west coast of Portugal. Explore wild coastlines, tranquil coves and quaint fishing villages on our Lisbon to Faro Cycling tour. Cultural highlights include the buttercup-yellow trams and ornate architecture of Lisbon, the wind-swept golden beaches of Vicentine Coast Natural Park and the traditional market town of Aljezur set in a hidden ‘untouched’ region of the Algarve.

Travel far from the madding crowd and discover to Romania, Serbia and Bulgaria. From the legendary vampire myths of Castle Bran and ornate stained-glass decor of Peles Castle in Bucharest to the riverside ‘white city‘ of Belgrade and the brightly coloured frescoes of Rila Monastery in Sofia, these lesser-visited Balkan countries have plenty of hidden cultural gems to discover. 

Get to know the cultures of Spain and Portugal through wine tasting and countryside walks on this 12-day tour. As you walk Guaderrama National Park keep an eye out for the unusual granite rock formations and Griffon Vulture before settling into the historic city of Segovia. With impressive 16th-century Gothic architecture, we recommend walking to the hilltop for spectacular views of turrets, rivers and towers.