The Best Alternative Destinations in Asia to Visit in 2023

The small country of Georgia, in the South Caucasus between Eastern Europe and Western Asia, used to be a fairly unknown travel destination — a favourite of backpackers looking to get off the beaten track. However, it’s attracted mainstream attention in the past decade, thanks to its rolling vineyards, rich culture, burgeoning club scene and picturesque villages. Culture Trip’s tour is a nine-day trip that takes in everything from the Unesco World Heritage sites at Mtskheta, to ancient winemaking traditions and sulphur baths in Tbilisi.

Sri Lanka is known as the Pearl of the Indian Ocean for good reason — not only does it boast incredible natural beauty and the greatest biodiversity in Asia, but one of its main exports, alongside tea and cinnamon, is precious gemstones. From a locally guided tour of Colombo to a cooking lesson and trip to an authentic village market, Culture Trip’s 12-day tour promises to offer a glimpse of real Sri Lankan culture. Looking to combine Asian travel with adventure? The tour also includes whitewater rafting and abseiling in Kitulgala.