The Coolest Fortresses You Can Visit With Culture Trip

From Spain to Scotland and Sri Lanka, these are the most incredible works of manmade fortification that are still standing strong today, so you can visit them with Culture Trip on our small-group adventures.

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Sigiriya rock fortress – Secrets of Sri Lanka by Train

Head deep into the heart of central Sri Lanka and you’ll discover a rather prominent column of 180m-tall (590 ft) granite rock protruding from the surrounding forests. This striking geological phenomenon would be fascinating enough on its own, but King Kashyapa had to go and turn it into a palace-fort complex back in the fifth century. The remains of said fortress remain clear to see today, as you’ll discover on day four of our Sri Lanka Rail Trip. You’ll see the giant lion statue-gate, built around halfway up the rock, as well as the ruins of a palace and ancient gardens. The views, meanwhile, of the surrounding countryside, are utterly mesmerising – maybe old Kashyapa was on to something after all.

From US$1519

Next available from 18th May 2024

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Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Colombo, Sri Lanka

ENDS AT

Colombo, Sri Lanka

DURATION

10

GROUP SIZE

12

PHYSICAL RATING

Moderate

STYLE

Discovery

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Spring Sale

Eilean Donan Castle, Dornie, United Kingdom

Eilean Donan and Edinburgh Castle – Scotland by Train

Scotland is not short of castles, and on our weeklong Rail Trip to Edinburgh and the Highlands you can choose your favourite fortress. If mystical castles that feel a million miles away from civilisation is what you’re looking for, then you’ll be transfixed by Eilean Donan, a unique tidal island castle set on the confluence of three sea lochs. It was an important stronghold dating back to the 13th century, and remains a fantastically atmospheric vision of ancient Scotland today. You’ll visit the castle on day three, while the trip ends in Edinburgh, where you’ll get a guided tour of the city’s towering castle, which stands tall atop Castle Rock in the centre of town, and remains one of the best-preserved castles you can visit anywhere in the UK.

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

Picturesque scenery in Dubrovnik, Croatia

Korcula, Ston and Dubrovnik – Coastal Croatia

Croatia might conjure up images of dreamy beaches and shimmering blue waters, but this place has been historically fortified to the hilt, as our eight-day adventure along the Dalmatian Coast proves. The trip starts in Split, where you’ll explore the heavily fortified 4th-century Diocletian’s Palace, before exploring a more modern fortress on the island of Vis, which is home to an abandoned Yugoslavian military base. Our next island, Korcula, takes things back a little with its remarkable fort town of the same name, whose medieval walls still stand tall today. Back on the mainland we’ll take you to Ston, famous for salt pans, fresh oysters and the Walls of Ston, a series of defensive stone walls dating back to the 14th century. They were once 7km (4.3mi) long and in many ways look like a European equivalent to the Great Wall of China. The trip ends in Dubrovnik, now a Game of Thrones-inspired tourist favourite, but once a heavily fortified old town – the fortifications are still clear to see today – which will have see it’s fair share of action, albeit with fewer dragons than King’s Landing.

From US$2231

Next available from 26th May 2024

Secure your spot with a low deposit

Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Split, Croatia

ENDS AT

Dubrovnik, Croatia

DURATION

8

GROUP SIZE

16

PHYSICAL RATING

Moderate

STYLE

Discovery

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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.