Reviving History: A Journey Through Historic Landmarks In 2024

Sometimes there’s nothing more enlightening then looking back. The world is full of remarkable remnants of ancient histories, the facts of which are drawn from temples and tombs, lost cities and mysterious structures. Allow us to take you on a journey through time with this set of small-group trips that take in some of the most awe-inspiring historical sites on the planet.

Ultimate Egypt

When it comes to travelling back in time, there’s only one place we can start. The remarkably well-preserved remains of Ancient Egypt have drawn visitors the world over for centuries and centuries. This much studied, much fabled civilisation is one of the most culturally and geographically significant in history – the region was later occupied by colonies of Ancient Greece and Rome – but its the unrivalled combination of age and scale that makes its monuments among the most intoxicating on Earth. Our nine-day Egyptian odyssey is full of mind-blowing historical sights. We’ll start with the obvious, exploring the Great Pyramids and Sphinx of Giza, as well as visiting the brand new Grand Egyptian Museum. You’ll tour the oldest streets of Cairo before cruising down the Nile to Luxor and Aswan, where you’ll visit the temples of Karnak and Luxor, the Valley of the Kings and Kom Ombo. You can even extend the trip with an optional added day tour to Abu Simbel, featuring four colossal statues of Ramses II.

From US$2239

Next available from 23rd May 2024

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Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Cairo, Egypt

ENDS AT

Aswan, Egypt

DURATION

9

GROUP SIZE

16

PHYSICAL RATING

Light

STYLE

Discovery

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Winter Sale

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Greek Island Odyssey

After Ancient Egypt came the Greeks and, like their historical predecessors, the legacy of this classical civilisation is immeasurable, particularly on modern Europe. There are ruins and remains sprinkled across both the mainland and archipelago of Greece, but the most vivid and spectacular symbol of this bygone era can be found at the centre of its capital city. The Acropolis was a politically and culturally vital hilltop citadel, which still towers over Athens centuries later. Its most iconic feature, and indeed the enduring symbol of Ancient Greece, is the Parthenon. There’s something transportive about getting up close to its famous columns, which is exactly how we start our island-hopping adventure in Greece, on a guided tour of the whole Acropolis complex. Our island stops include Milos, where the Venus de Milo was discovered and Naxos, where you can visit the Portara (Great Door), a marble archway of an unfinished temple from 530BCE.

From US$1939

Next available from 28th Apr 2024

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Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Athens, Greece

ENDS AT

Athens, Greece

DURATION

9

GROUP SIZE

18

PHYSICAL RATING

Light

STYLE

Discovery

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Icons of China by Train

The first bricks of the defensive walls that would eventually become one of the world’s most famous manmade structures – the Great Wall of China – are thought to have been placed around 3,000 years ago. The fortifications were a crucial military and political boundary during the formation of early Chinese empires, but it was during the 14th-century Ming era that much of the modern wall was expanded and constructed. The snaking towers, which wind up, down and across the rolling green hills of northern China, have earned mythical status for centuries since. The magic of walking along those walls still has hypnotic powers to this day, with an estimated 10m people succumbing to its trance every year. You’ll experience it for yourself on our highlights-reel tour of China, which includes guided walks across the wall at both sunset and sunrise.

From US$2849

Next available from 24th Feb 2024

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Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Beijing, China

ENDS AT

Shanghai, China

DURATION

10

GROUP SIZE

16

PHYSICAL RATING

Moderate

STYLE

Discovery

View Trip

Winter Sale

Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam

Angkor Wat is the world’s largest religious structure and, just like Machu Picchu, there’s something so fantastical about the site that it feels much older than it is. The complex is around 900 years old, having been built during the Khmer Empire in Cambodia, first as a Hindu Temple, before later being adapted into a Buddhist site. The intricately designed carvings and statues adorning every square inch of the main temple are spellbinding, while the overall silhouette feels intrinsically spiritual. The surrounding ruins of Ta Prohm and Angkor Thom, meanwhile, have been slowly reclaimed by Mother Nature, with giant tree roots and sprawling vines giving the manmade structure an added layer of atmosphere. Our visit to Angkor Wat on this border-crossing Southeast Asian trip is extra special, since you’ll be taken here at sunrise. Even the staunchest non-believer will feel something in their stomach as the whole complex is bathed in the warm glow of daybreak, the striking silhouette of the temple reflecting back on the still waters of the surrounding moat. Truly a moment, historically and spiritually profound, that you’ll never forget.

From US$2499

Next available from 25th Mar 2024

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Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Bangkok, Thailand

ENDS AT

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

DURATION

11

GROUP SIZE

16

PHYSICAL RATING

Moderate

STYLE

Discovery

View Trip

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KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.