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Top Trips for Discovering a City Inside Out

Book your way into the backdoor of a city – discover the heart of a place as only the locals can show you.
Culture Trip Travel Team
15 Sep 2022
The streets of every city hold secrets that only the locals are wise to. Vibrant neighbourhoods on the outskirts of the skyscrapers and hole-in-the-wall local haunts overshadowed by corporate chains give you a more intimate offering of the city’s history, culture, and everyday life. Even if you know a city like the back of your hand, there’s always more to explore beneath the surface. These top trips for discovering a city inside out will give you a deep dive into the world’s coolest cities.
1 . Japan Rising: From Neon Lights to Rural Ryokans

Each year, millions of tourists visit Japan for a glimpse of its mountain-dotted landscapes and tucked-away onsens. To catch all of the region’s highlights, however, your best bet is following an expert-curated itinerary. On our Japan Rising trip, you’ll see the deer on Miyajima Island, for example, which – according to folklore – are considered sacred messengers from the gods. You’ll also experience the city lights of Osaka, Kyoto and Tokyo, watching sumo wrestlers train and learning how to make sushi.

From£3439
Next available from11 May 2023
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2 . La Vida Local in Mexico City

Get under the skin of the buzziest city in Latin America with a four-day trip to Mexico City. You’ll be in the hands of our Local Insider, who knows all the top-secret spots around town. Explore the Condesa and Roma district; visit Frida Kahlo’s house and sample Mexico’s other favourite tipple, mezcal. You’ll even spend an evening cheering on luchadores at a wrestling match. Round off your adventure with a boat ride on the canals of Xochimilco – soundtrack provided by los mariachis.

From£859
Next available from25 May 2023
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3 . The Holy Land: See Jerusalem Through the Eyes of Locals

From whipping up a Middle Eastern feast in a family home in Bethlehem to trying craft beers at Jerusalem’s Machane Yehuda Market, this seven-day trip will show you both the traditional and the modern faces of Israel. Scratch beneath the surface of the Holy City with tours led by both Israeli and Palestinian guides, and take a bicycle tour of Tel Aviv’s lively food markets, including the vibrant Carmel Market, is another treat for the tastebuds.

From£1989
Next available from27 Apr 2023
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4 . Riches and Ruins: Wine, Dine and Step Back in Time in Rural Georgia

Georgia’s capital, Tbilisi, has a rich and fascinating history. At the crossroads of Europe and Asia, it’s characterised by an eclectic mix of architectural styles and cultural influences. You’ll get under the skin of the city with our Local Insider by your side on this nine-day trip, which includes a guided walking tour of Tbilisi’s old quarter, a hearty lunch of khachapuri (traditional cheese-filled bread), and a visit to the Museum of Georgia. At the Dezerter Bazaar, Georgia’s largest food market, you’ll purchase fresh ingredients to use in a Georgian cooking class.

From£1109
Next available from4 Nov 2023
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Nick Dauk, Emma Gibbins and Grace Beard contributed to this article.

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: Epic Trips, Mini Trips and Sailing Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travellers and friends who want to explore the world together.

Epic Trips are deeply immersive 8 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and enough down time to really relax and soak it all in. Our Mini Trips are small and mighty - they squeeze all the excitement and authenticity of our longer Epic Trips into a manageable 3-5 day window. Our Sailing Trips invite you to spend a week experiencing the best of the sea and land in the Caribbean and the Mediterranean.

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.