Sample the Best Tea in the World With Culture Trip
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Who doesn’t love a spot of tea? Whether it’s a fancy high tea or a soul-warming morning brew, a good cup (or glass) of tea always makes things better. From luscious plantations and sacred ceremonies in Asia, to the rich tea culture of the Middle East, here’s how you can taste some of the best tea on Earth with Culture Trip.
Sample black tea at a local factory – A Taste of Taiwan by Train
While black tea is often associated with China and India, it’s actually the East Asian island of Taiwan that arguably produces the finest dark varieties on the planet. You’ll get to decide that for yourself on our nine-day Rail Trip, which goes to Sun Moon Lake on day three. You’ll cycle around and boat on the lake, but if you’re reading this we suspect the highlight of your day will be our visit to Ho Ho Cha Tea Factory, where you’ll get to try your hand at tea rolling and learn about the region’s rich tea plantations before sitting down for a soul-soothing tasting session.
From US$1522
Next available from 30th Dec 2023
Secure your spot with a low deposit
Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Taipei, Taiwan
ENDS AT
Taipei, Taiwan
DURATION
9
GROUP SIZE
16
PHYSICAL RATING
Moderate
STYLE
Discovery
Maghrebi mint tea in the desert – Epic Morocco
Sipping on a refreshing mint tea has been a classic part of Moroccan culture for centuries, so any trip to this North African nation is sure to include a fair few cups of the green stuff. Our Epic Morocco trip takes in Casablanca, Fes, the Atlas Mountains, Sahara desert and Marrakech and, chances are, you’ll be drinking tea all over. Your highlight might involve staring into the fresh mint leaves in your cup while sitting around a campfire in the Sahara, or perhaps it’ll be our stop-off in a traditional tea house en route to Marrakech. Either way, expect your thirst to remain thoroughly quenched in Morocco.
From US$1897
Next available from 7th Oct 2023
Secure your spot with a low deposit
Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Casablanca, Morocco
ENDS AT
Marrakech, Morocco
DURATION
11
GROUP SIZE
16
PHYSICAL RATING
Moderate
STYLE
Discovery
Learn about Ceylon tea – Secrets of Sri Lanka
The rolling hills of central Sri Lanka are famously thriving with luscious tea plantations, growing mostly black tea leaves, as well as green and white. Ceylon tea is not only a huge economic driver for the country, but it also plays a huge role in the people’s culture, heritage, and identity. You’ll learn all about these fascinating facets of Sri Lankan tea on our 12-day trip, which includes a tour of Uva Halpewatte tea factory near Ella, which is widely regarded as one of the largest, and best, tea producers in Sri Lanka.
From US$
Next available from 1st Jan 1970
Secure your spot with a low deposit
Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Colombo, Sri Lanka
ENDS AT
Kosgoda, Sri Lanka
DURATION
12
GROUP SIZE
14
PHYSICAL RATING
Moderate
STYLE
Discovery
Sip çay in the Grand Bazaar – Majestic Turkey
Many people associate Turkey with coffee first and foremost, but spend some time in Istanbul and you’ll quickly realise that tea, or çay, is the most commonly sipped beverage in town. Most establishments offer a variety of flavours but classic çay is a smooth black tea grown on the eastern Black Sea coast. Tea here is brewed in a dual teapot, creating a stronger flavour, which is why it’s always served in aesthetically pleasing ‘thin-waist’ glasses. Our 12-day Turkish odyssey starts in Istanbul and, on the very first day, we’ll stop for a glass of çay in the Grand Bazaar itself during an extensive tour of the city. From there, you’ll no doubt be ordering tea with breakfast, lunch and even dinner for the remainder of your time in Turkey.
From US$1678
Next available from 13th Oct 2023
Secure your spot with a low deposit
Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Istanbul, Turkey
ENDS AT
Antalya, Turkey
DURATION
12
GROUP SIZE
18
PHYSICAL RATING
Moderate
STYLE
Discovery
Experience a royal tea ceremony – Vibrant Vietnam
Like many Asian countries, the whole ritual of making, pouring and drinking tea is a rather sacred experience in Vietnam. A tea ceremony is even a crucial part of a wedding here, with tradition declaring that the groom uses the occasion to ask the bride’s family for her hand in marriage. The Nguyễn dynasty placed great importance on tea ceremonies, and our 12-day Vietnam trip includes a visit to the city of Hue, the capital throughout the Nguyễn reign. Where better to experience an authentic royal tea ceremony? Drink in the pomp of it all as you sip on a delicious cup of locally grown green tea.
From US$1204
Next available from 5th Dec 2023
Secure your spot with a low deposit
Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Hanoi, Vietnam
ENDS AT
Hoi An, Vietnam
DURATION
12
GROUP SIZE
18
PHYSICAL RATING
Light
STYLE
Discovery
Tea break at an iconic Cairo cafe – Ultimate Egypt
Tea, or shai, is the national drink of Egypt despite the fact that the country doesn’t actually produce any leaves itself. This is because its geographic position, on the cusp of Africa and Asia, does place it perfectly to import countless varieties from a wide range of producers, including Kenya and Sri Lanka. Drinking tea is inseparable from Egyptian culture, as locals drink it morning, noon and night, with every meal and in every social situation. Whether it’s how to start the day or how to wind down while smoking hookah, shai is ever-present here. Sugar and fresh mint is often added to elevate the flavour, but generally the import culture here means a wide variety of options on most menus. You’ll no doubt sink many a glass of shai throughout our nine-day trip from Cairo to Aswan, but we’ll be surprised if your enduring memory of tea in Egypt isn’t the glass you’ll enjoy at the famous Feshawi cafe in the heart of Cairo.
From US$2116
Next available from 11th Jan 2024
Secure your spot with a low deposit
Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Cairo, Egypt
ENDS AT
Aswan, Egypt
DURATION
9
GROUP SIZE
16
PHYSICAL RATING
Light
STYLE
Discovery
Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip
meet our Local Insider
Hanna
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!
Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.
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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