From start to finish, the trip felt thoughtfully curated rather than just ‘planned’. Routes flowed naturally through coastal roads, lush tea country, and quiet village back roads, giving a real sense of Sri Lanka’s contrasts in a relatively short time. There was a balance between time on the bike and cultural stops. Suresh chose routes that avoided the worst of the traffic and heat, favouring early starts, stops in small towns you’d never find on your own, favouring up-to-date routes. One day your riding past rice paddies and temples, the next you’re winding through ‘undulating’ tea plantations with cooler air and big views, constantly changing scenery, friendly faces at every tea stop and what incredibly tasting tea it was.
Suresh our guide set a clear standard of safety:maintained bikes, clear hand signals, calm, confident road positioning around buses, tuktuks, and the dogs. Hydration and breaks were planned at sensible pauses.
Suresh gave depth of local knowledge wherever we were and each stop became a mini-lesson in history, religion, food, wildlife: you never felt rushed away from a conversation with a local or from a viewpoint. His love for his country shone through as we too fell in love with their country.
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
Claire Wood Cycle the Back Roads of Sri Lanka
Hannah Henry Discover Marrakech & the SaharaFantastic food, gorgeous landscapes and, an overall, good time. The gite and desert camp were my favourites to wake up in.
Laura Rendon-Morgan Kerala & the Tropical SouthThis was my first time to India and I decided I wanted to start in the south because I heard it was a bit more beginner friendly and I was traveling with my daughter in her late teens for our first time just the two of us. I was blown away by the warm hospitality, the scenery, the food and how well organized this trip was. The itinerary is varied and really includes a bit of everything you need to see in Kerala and Tamil Nadu: verdant tea plantations, historical architecture and incredible access to temples, welcoming and warm connection with local people and guides, spice gardens, wildlife preserves, drifting down the backwaters in a houseboat with your own cook and captain, I still can’t believe we did and saw so much. We ate a huge meal one night with a local family and then toured a village and learned about traditional crafts with another family, we got beach and pool time and watched thunderstorms out over the Arabian Sea as we enjoyed dinner as a group. Just truly an unforgettable experience every step of the way.
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