With summer almost at its end, it is time to look towards the Christmas holiday season. Here is a line-up of some great tours to spend one or to weeks away from home.
When I did this trip not to long ago I was pleasantly surprise by the number of quiet trails we encountered above the villages along the Amalfi Coast. Following ancient mule tracks and footpaths you can walk for hours enjoying the serenity of olive and lemon groves, charising the splendid views along the coast. Top it off with the splendid towns, churches and heavenly food, and you a break t hat is hard to beat.
Mountains covered in rain forests and tea plantations, cascading waterfalls, rice paddies and beaches form the backdrop of this splendid two-week discovery of the nature and culture of Sri Lanka, the Pearl of the Orient.
Jaipur, with its Maharajas Palace and Amber Fort mark the start of this fast-paced tour along the highlights of Northern India. Spot tigers in Ranthambore, enjoy a boat ride along the sacred Ganges in Varanasi and be stunned by the Taj Mahal in Agra.
A haven of peace in an otherwise turbulent region, the Kingdom of Jordan boasts unexpected scenery and some great historic sites. Olive groves and spectacular ravines, the serene deserts at Wadi Rum, crusader castles and the Hidden City of Petra are all on the roster of this one-week cycling trip. Not a fan of cycling? Try A week in Jordan!
Cycling Vietnam
Arguably our most popular cycling trip, this superb trip combines some of the best cycling areas in Vietnam. Discover the beautiful coastline, the spectacular scenery, tranquil towns and vibrant cities, along with the incredible seascapes of Halong Bay.
Not a fan of cycling? Try Vintage Vietnam.
Greeks, Phoenicians, Carthaginians and Romans all left their marks on Andalucia, the southern portion of Spain. But the sophisticated Moslem culture left its most lasting influence. Cities such as Seville and Granada are rich in monuments from the those times, while timeless white villages like Olvera and Setenil offer a wealth of culture. On this trip you stay at the comfortable Cortijo Rosario allowing you to enjoy the great cultural highlights with the peace and tranquility of the Andalusian countryside.
Spectacular footpaths lead past tranquil levadas and along a spectacular coast line on the Atlantic island of Madeira. In between, enjoy some more rugged and demanding hikes in to the volcanic interior. And of course there is plenty of time to relax by the sea in the fishing village of Machico or to discover the historic importance of the old trading town of Funchal.
Enjoy leisurely days of cycling along the quiet roads of beautiful Cuba. Discover colonial towns and UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as Cienfuegos and Trinidad and explore the tropical beauty of Topes de Collantes National Park. Learn more about the revolutionairy history of this enigmatic country at the Bay of Pigs and Che Guevara's Mausoleum, before endulging in the restaurants, cafes and bars of the capital Havana. Not a fan of cycling? Try A taste of Cuba.
Travel the length of Patagonia on foot and by boat and discover some of the highlights as well some untouched parks in this spectacular mountain region. Enjoy incredible hikes and some of the most memorable mountain vistas anywhere in the world.
Diverse landscapes and a rich history are halmarks of the otherwise little known country on the tip of the Arabian peninsula. Few travelers go beyond the capital Muscat, a vibrant city with a fabulous mosque and fantastic souq. But once you do you will discover lush oases, incredible mountain scenery, welcoming people, ancient cities and the most unbelievable starry night skies you will have ever seen.
Known for its sun-drenched Mayan Rivera, the Yucatan Peninsula is perhaps less known for its amazing snorkeling and well-preserved Mayan ruins. Combine this with the eco-activities Belize offers and the quaint towns of Guatemala and you have a trip that is hard to beat.
Traditional ways live strong in Myanmar. Witness the leg-rowers of Inle Lake, the ethnic villages of the north and trishaw and carts in the streets, all watched over by betel-chewing grandmothers.Take a boat ride down the Irrawaddy, contemplate the 4000 stupas scattered across the plains at Bagan and see Shwedagon Paya and Mandalay Hill at sunset - it is all part of this 12-day journey.
This quick break combines bustling Bangkok with the tranquil waters and historic sights around Kanchanaburi and the Burma Railway. Visit the ancient Thai capital of Sukhothai and stay at a hilltribe lodge near Chiang Mai - this trip is a great discovery of the culture and history of this friendly South East Asian country.
This National Geographic Journey, operated by G-Adventures combines all the highlights of Morocco with some unusual one-in-a-kind experiences. The Imperial Cities, the desert, Atlas Mountains and kasbahs all feature on this trip. What makes this trip stand out are the inclusion of a traditional lunch that benefits rural Moroccan women and children, a thrilling 4x4 dunes tour (rather than a camel trek), a meeting with local musicians and a Berber herbalist and a hands-on cooking class led by a renowned Moroccan chef in a historic riad.