A lot to see on this whirlwind tour,stunning scenery in Kyrgyzstan, busy Almaty in Kazakhstan and a lot of mosques,minarets and mausoleums.
The included lunches and dinners were very good apart from the dinner and breakfast at the yurt which was very basic and tasteless,room for improvement.
The eagle hunting demonstration is excellent something I won’t forget. The yurt stay was basic but acceptable,a bit chilly at night in June,the next morning there’s a 6km walk down to the red rocks,a very easy walk and very beautiful.
The border crossing on foot into Kazakhstan was straightforward as it’s so quiet unlike the border crossing into Uzbekistan which was pretty chaotic.
The Charyn Canyon was amazing,easy walk down to the picnic spot,you can either walk back or buy a ticket for a ride back up in a soviet truck.
Both sleeper trains were 4 berth quite tight on space for luggage,first sleeper does have food and drink available.
Uzbekistan was stunning but overwhelming with the amount of mosques,minarets and mausoleum’s visited in 4 regions,personally I wouldn’t have been bothered if Khiva had been missed off the itinerary a bit of a tourist trap.
European Cultural Tours
Europe Cultural Holidays
Europe has a fascinating history and is home to some of the most architecturally impressive cities on the planet. Choosing where to go and what to see can be overwhelming when there’s so much choice, which is why we offer a wide range of Europe cultural tours that highlight the most interesting and beautiful places you need to experience.
From walking trips in Italy to discovering the gems of Dubrovnik, our Europe culture tours are packed with once-in-a-lifetime experiences. We also have amazing exploration trips in central and Eastern Europe, where you can go to the best diving hotspots in Turkey or enjoy a city tour of Russia.
Stretching along the vibrant coastline of southern Italy, the Amalfi Coast is a mesmerising destination renowned for its dramatic cliffs, colourful villages and crystal-clear waters. Explore characterful towns like Amalfi, Positano and Ravello and admire the magnificent views of the Mediterranean. Sicily is another of Italy’s cultural gems, combining ancient Greek ruins with Baroque towns.
Often overlooked on Europe culture tours, Albania is a hidden treasure waiting to be discovered. The country showcases a blend of Ottoman, Roman and Greek influences, along with breathtaking landscapes. Explore ancient cities like Butrint, an archaeological site that depicts the rise and fall of past civilisations, and explore the vibrant capital city, Tirana, known for its mix of Ottoman, socialist and modern architecture.
The Baltics are equally as enthralling with the medieval old towns of Tallinn, Riga and Vilnius, where cobblestone streets and Gothic spires exude a medieval charm. Soak up stunning coastal views, visit enchanting castles and immerse yourself in the cultural heritage of these Baltic gems.
Europe Culture Trips
Expert insight: Europe Cultural Trips
“As cheaper flights have opened up the farthest-flung corners of the world, it’s become easy to forget (or dismiss) what we have in our own backyard. But Europe is packed with the very ingredients we travel the globe for: romance, adventure, contrast, drama. My trip to Romania with Exodus involved only a three-hour flight, but it introduced me to landscapes and cultures I thought had long disappeared, as well as one of the most thrilling animal encounters I’ve ever had: watching a dozen brown bears from a hide deep in the Carpathian mountains. Now there’s a backyard worth exploring.”
Dan Linstead, Wanderlust Editor, travelled to Romania with Exodus
Susan Watson The Silk Road
Yves Hoekman The Silk RoadThis trip exceeded my expectations in many ways! There is so much to see and enjoy on this tour. It is a tale of two halves: the first half, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, focus more on the stunning scenery and nature. The beauty of Kyrgyzstan was a revelation to me. And the Eagle-hunting workshop was an absolute highlight for everyone in the group. I did also enjoy the ‘brutalist beauty’ of Bishkek (expect your first day to be a long day, as you land in the morning and do a city tour in the afternoon – I basically skipped a night’s sleep, but it was worth it!). A personal highlight for me was the walk from the yurt camp (most of the group cited the overnight stay in a yurt as their highlight) to the red rocks – absolutely stunning. The Grand Canyon in Kazakhstan was also a great experience. The second half of the trip, Uzbekistan, is more cultural: you will see many impressive mausoleums, madrasas and mosques. Samarkand especially blew me away! Khiva is also very beautiful but seems a bit more geared towards tourists – it was definitely more expensive than other parts of Uzbekistan, although still cheap. In Tashkent we also visited a market and some metro stations, which was a little different and a very interesting interlude. There is just so much to see and do. Some might find the many mausoleums a bit repetitive towards the end, but I found they all had something different to offer and it truly is a unique opportunity to visit these beautiful places before it gets to overcrowded with tourists (especially Uzbekistan is geared towards receiving more tourists and is getting more coverage in the international press as an up and coming tourist destination!).
Lauren Daniels Highlights of the Amalfi CoastWow, what an absolutely incredible trip to the Amalfi Coast! From start to finish, for a first time traveller it was truly amazing and has left me with so many fantastic memories.
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