The Most Beautiful Places in the World You Can Travel to

From glacier spotting in Iceland to desert camping in Jordan, these are the most beautiful places in the world
From glacier spotting in Iceland to desert camping in Jordan, these are the most beautiful places in the world | © Unsplash
Emma Gibbins

The mighty Himalayas, the unique Galapagos, the ancient city of Petra – whether you’re a city lover, an outdoor enthusiast, or a history buff, there’s something for you when you book one of these Culture Trip adventures.

The world is full of beautiful places to travel to, including many secluded areas that we may not even know to exist. But with so many countries to choose from, ticking off every place could take a lifetime. From tiger spotting and white rater rafting in Nepal to glacier snowmobiling and Northern Lights chasing in Iceland, our curated list of Culture Trips is sure to give you a helping hand, enabling you to visit an array of extraordinary destinations without having to worry about planning an itinerary yourself.

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Destinations Unlocked:

Let our travel expert Stefano help you find your perfect Culture trip

Looking for an expert's perspective?

Uncover my top 3 recommended places from each continent on the map.
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CentralAmerica

GORGEOUS GUATEMALA

Gorgeous Guatemala

5 days . Mini
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1. Guatemala

An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.

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CentralAmerica

BEACHY BELIZE

Beachy Belize

5 days . Mini
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2. Belize

A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.
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CentralAmerica

COLONIAL MEXICO

Colonial Mexico

5 days . Mini
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3. Mexico

An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.
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SouthAmerica

ADVENTUROUS ECUADOR

Adventurous Ecuador

8 days . Epic
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1. Ecuador

A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.

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SouthAmerica

ANCIENT PERU

Ancient Peru

9 days . Epic
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2. Peru

An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.
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Europe

SEDUCTIVE SOUTHERN ITALY

Seductive Southern Italy

10 days . Epic
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1. Italy

The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.

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Europe

EDINBURGH AND THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS BY TRAIN

Edinburgh And The Scottish Highlands By Train

7 days . Culture
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2. Scotland

Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.
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Europe

COMPLETE PORTUGAL BY TRAIN

Complete Portugal By Train

8 days . Culture
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3. Portugal

A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.
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Asia

SOULFUL SOUTH KOREA

Soulful South Korea

10 days . Epic
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1. South Korea

Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.

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Asia

THAILAND, CAMBODIA & VIETNAM

Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam

11 days . Epic
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2. Thailand

From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.
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Asia

SECRETS OF SRI LANKA BY TRAIN

Secrets Of Sri Lanka By Train

10 days . Culture
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3. Sri Lanka

A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great price
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Africa

EPIC MOROCCO

Epic Morocco

11 days . Epic
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1. Morocco

An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!

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Africa

ULTIMATE EGYPT

Ultimate Egypt

9 days . Epic
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2. Egypt

From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.
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Africa

IMMERSIVE KENYA

Immersive Kenya

8 days . Epic
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3. Kenya

An immersive blend of culture and wildlife for first time travelers to Africa. Learn about Nairobi, sample local coffee in the Aberdares and finish up with a fantastic safari stay in the Masai Mara.
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A snorkeler drifts past a pelican on a branch in the Galapagos Islands

The Galápagos Islands, for extraordinary wildlife on land and at sea

With its otherworldly landscapes and an extraordinary array of wildlife, the Galápagos Islands, without doubt, contain some of the most beautiful places to travel in the world. Giant tortoises are just one of the endemic species that live here – and you can see them roaming in the wild in the Santa Cruz highlands on our five-day adventure. You’ll also encounter an abundance of sea lions, marine iguanas and magnificent frigatebirds on San Cristóbal and have a chance to spot white-tipped reef sharks as you kayak or stand up paddleboard in the Itabaca Channel. An optional snorkeling or scuba diving trip to Kicker Rock – where eagle rays, sea turtles and Galápagos sharks are among the rich marine life – is an unforgettable experience.

From US$2499

Next available from 13th Jan 2024

Secure your spot with a low deposit

Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island

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ENDS AT

Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, San Cristobal Island

DURATION

5

GROUP SIZE

14

PHYSICAL RATING

Light

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STYLE

Discovery

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Tourists at Skogar waterfall in southwest Iceland surrounded by mossy rocks

Iceland, for glacier snowmobiling, hot springs and the Northern Lights

Full of awe-inspiring glaciers, black sand beaches and volcanic lagoons, Iceland’s landscapes are like nothing else on earth. It would be impossible to take in the full extent of its beauty in a single trip, but this five-day adventure will give you a thrilling snapshot of this majestic Nordic nation. Live out your Lord of the Rings fantasies while discovering gigantic waterfalls, cruise across a glacier on a snowmobile and soak in natural geothermal springs – while trying to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights dancing across the night sky. Add a private Jeep tour of the Golden Circle, a visit to a geothermal bakery and a trip to the Blue Lagoon to the mix and it’s an adventure you won’t want to come to an end.

From US$2889

Next available from 17th Feb 2024

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Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Reykjavik, Iceland

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ENDS AT

Reykjavik, Iceland

DURATION

5

GROUP SIZE

16

PHYSICAL RATING

Moderate

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STYLE

Discovery

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Vietnam, for sumptuous food and fascinating cities

Few countries can rival the pulsating cities, vibrant cuisine and incredible scenery of Vietnam – and our 12-day tour helps you experience it to the fullest. Starting in the vibrant capital, Hanoi, you’ll journey north to the rural district of Mai Chau. Lined with rice paddies and sandwiched between forested mountains, it’s a serene spot – overlooked by many travellers. Other notable highlights include a luxury overnight cruise to Lan Ha Bay – a quieter but similarly idyllic alternative to Ha Long Bay – a Vietnamese cooking class and street food tour in Hue and exploring the lantern-lit streets, historical landmarks and labyrinthine canals of Hoi An.

From US$1649

Next available from 5th Dec 2023

Secure your spot with a low deposit

Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Hanoi, Vietnam

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ENDS AT

Hoi An, Vietnam

DURATION

12

GROUP SIZE

18

PHYSICAL RATING

Light

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STYLE

Discovery

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Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip

meet our Local Insider

Hanna

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HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?

2 years.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?

It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.

WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?

I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!

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Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.

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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.

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