Culture Trip's Top Five Destinations For 2024

As 2023 begins its turn onto the final straight, we look forward to what 2024 has in store for our curious Culture Trippers, keen to experience something new.

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Koutoubia mosque standing tall over Marrakech, with the snow-capped Atlas Mountains in the distance

Chefchaouen, Marrakech and the Atlas Mountains – Epic Morocco

If something new is what you’re after then the list of options goes on in Morocco. The gateway to North Africa is a thrillingly unique destination, with a remarkably diverse array of both natural landscapes and urban areas. If we have to narrow it down to three, we’ll go for the surreal blue town of Chefchaouen, sitting pretty in the Rif Mountains, the bustling city of Marrakech and the towering Atlas Mountains. From the street performers of Jemaa el-Fnaa to the quaint Berber Villages of the High Atlas and magical Islamic architecture embellished with blue, this nation always has something to offer. Our extensive 11-day tour of the country includes a day trip to Chefchaouen, hiking and a Berber lunch in the Atlas Mountain and two days exploring the foodie delights of Marrakech. That’s not all, either, you’d also get to explore Casablanca, Fes and the Sahara – including a luxury desert camping experience, capped off with a serene sunrise camel ride.

From US$2343

Next available from 12th Apr 2025

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Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Casablanca, Morocco

ENDS AT

Marrakech, Morocco

DURATION

11

GROUP SIZE

16

PHYSICAL RATING

Moderate

STYLE

Discovery

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Spring Sale

Jacobite steam train crosses the Glenfinnan Viaduct, as seen in Harry Potter

Scottish Highlands – Scotland by Train

We firmly believe that Scotland rivals any country in Europe when it comes to natural beauty. The landscapes here are rugged and at times brutal – certainly in the winter – but within that brutality lies a majestic beauty. Be that from the soothing sight of a glassy loch, reflecting the image of surrounding hilltops, or the sense of magic tangible within seemingly untouched Highland woodlands. That’s not to mention the striking coastal beauty of the Hebrides, full of epic islands and wild beaches. The best way to bask in the beauty of the Scottish Highlands is without doubt from the comfort of a train carriage, gently carving through the craggy countryside. That’s how you’ll get to experience it on our weeklong Rail Trip, which features multiple locomotive experiences, including the Caledonian sleeper from London to Fort William and the iconic Jacobite steam train, across Glenfinnan Viaduct and all the way west to Mallaig. In the process you’ll stop off on the Isle of Skye and in the Cairngorms, while two pretty cities in the form of Inverness and Edinburgh provide a little bit of urban bliss.

From US$2728

Next available from 27th May 2024

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Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

London, England

ENDS AT

Edinburgh, Scotland

DURATION

7

GROUP SIZE

18

PHYSICAL RATING

Moderate

STYLE

Discovery

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Spring Sale

View from a flowery field as the Shinkansen (Bullet Train) zooms past Mount Fuji in the Japanese countryside

Kyoto – Japan by Train: The Grand Tour

Japan, as a destination, is pretty evergeen. The history is fascinating, the modernity spellbinding and the natural beauty unending. That said, no major tourist destination took longer to open up post-pandemic than the Land of the Rising Sun, and the backlog of interest meant that visiting Japan in 2023 was logistically tricky and very expensive. We expect things to get back to normal a bit next year, so if you’ve been waiting on a big adventure in the Far East – perhaps your dream vacation was taken from you in 2020 – then this might just be the year to do it. Our 12-day Rail Trip utilises the incredible Bullet Train network to cover a vast swathe of the country, starting with Osaka, Hiroshima and Miyajima Island. The trip ends in Tokyo, shortly after excursions to the Japanese Alps, Hakone and Lake Ashi, but nothing tops Kyoto when it comes to quaint, classic Japan. This city might just be the prettiest on Earth, and you’ll get to explore its ancient streets midway through our tour. Wander through the nearby Arashiyama bamboo forest, visit the city’s most iconic sights on a gentle walking tour and experience Kyoto by night with a guided geisha district tour.

From US$4045

Next available from 2nd Sep 2024

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Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Osaka, Japan

ENDS AT

Tokyo, Japan

DURATION

12

GROUP SIZE

16

PHYSICAL RATING

Moderate

STYLE

Discovery

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Spring Sale

Mekong River – Incredible Thailand and Laos by Train

The Mekong connects the heartlands of eastern China to the southern reaches of Vietnam, carving through much of Southeast Asia in the process. That makes it one of the most epically beautiful river routes on the planet and, for our money, you’ll struggle to find a more mesmerising stretch than the Laos leg. That’s where you’ll find the remarkable sacred caves of Pak Ou and, nestled within the surrounding jungle, the famous Kuang Si Falls. It’s also where you’ll discover the charming city of Luang Prabang and, a little further off the beaten path, the rural village of Ban Baw, which specialises in the production of rice whisky. You’ll visit all of the above on our Thailand and Laos Rail Trip, which includes an unforgettable river cruise down the Mekong itself.

From US$2311

Next available from 11th May 2024

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Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Bangkok, Thailand

ENDS AT

Bangkok, Thailand

DURATION

14

GROUP SIZE

16

PHYSICAL RATING

Light

STYLE

Discovery

View Trip

Spring Sale

A tourist walks towards a pyramid and the Sphinx in Egypt

Giza – Ultimate Egypt

Egypt has never strayed far from the bucket-list conversation, not for centuries, but there has been a sense of stuffiness associated with the land of the Pharaohs in recent times. Boring and unoriginal, we get it, but travel tends to come round in cycles and we think that Egypt will be re-energised as a destination with the imminent opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum. Situated close by to the Pyramids and the Sphinx, this will only increase the already-insane richness of sightseeing fun found in Giza. You’ll get to visit this holy trinity of Ancient Egypt on our eight-day tour, which goes from Cairo and Giza and down the Nile to Luxor and Aswan, with a luxury river cruise, kayaking experience and multiple other slices of ancient history included.

From US$2048

Next available from 26th Sep 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

View Trip

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.