Expert-led Cultural Adventures, Perfected Over 50 Years
The guidebook can stay at home. It can’t introduce you to the locals, lead you to a tucked-away lunch spot or tell a story that gets the whole table laughing.
Luckily, our local guides know exactly how to make it all happen.
Paired with expertly crafted itineraries, they take you to the headline sights and then into the real life of a destination. Explore the lively souks of Morocco, watch the Taj Mahal turn gold at sunrise, dine with the locals at a family-run trattoria in Italy or navigate the Mekong Delta in Vietnam to your homestay-guesthouse.
Behind the scenes, we’ve sorted the transport, transfers, hand-picked stays and activities. Your guide keeps each day running smoothly, handles the unexpected and always has a good local recommendation to share.
So, come curious and ready to join in. We’ll bring the know-how, good company and sense of adventure. You’ll get closer to the culture, have plenty of fun and return with stories you’ll love telling.
Uncover the once-mighty civilisations that shaped our world, embarking on expertly led tours of iconic archaeological sites, ancient cities and remarkable ruins.
Discover historic towns, iconic monuments and UNESCO World Heritage sites on a journey through art, history and tradition in some of the world’s most fascinating cultural landmarks.
Experience nature’s extraordinary power and beauty. Gaze over thundering waterfalls, marvel at erupting geysers and explore landscapes unlike anything you’ve seen before.
Join the traditions, ceremonies and celebrations that define cultures around the world. Carefully timed around the main event, these journeys give you a front-row seat for the festivities.
Follow your tastebuds across the globe. Whether you’re breaking bread with local hosts or learning recipes passed through generations, these offer immersion through food and drink.
Discover the world by rail, where spectacular scenery unfolds beyond your window. Blending iconic routes with time to discover, train travel makes the journey an adventure.
There’s a whole world out there waiting to be discovered, so every season we launch new cultural tours to make it even easier for you to explore more of it.
Want to choose your travel companions? Gather your family and friends and let us create a personalised Private Adventure packed with culture and shared experiences.
Find Your Perfect Cultural Holiday
Our Activity Levels make it easy to find a cultural holiday that suits your pace and ability. From on-foot sightseeing and museum visits to longer guided walks through historic sites and cultural landmarks, each trip is graded to help you choose with confidence. If you’re unsure where to start, consider your fitness, and how much activity you’re looking for — or speak to our experts for advice.
A scenic trip in a dedicated truck to Namibian areas not normal visited. fabulous scenery, Geology and local people with just (for me) the right amount of wildlife viewing. The group (12) got on really well and enjoyed lots of fun and experiences
Highlights of Romania is a fantastic trip for travellers who want to experience authentic culture, history, and local life. Our lovely guide, Christi, encouraged us to ask questions and to really get to know local people and their lives. What impressed me most was how many genuine connections we made throughout the journey, from meeting local artisans and learning traditional crafts to staying in welcoming family-run guesthouses.
The medieval town of Sighișoara was a real highlight. Walking through its beautifully preserved streets felt like stepping back in time. Equally memorable were visits to traditional workshops where we learned about wool spinning and even had the chance to try our hand at weaving alongside local experts.
The accommodation may not be luxurious, but it is full of character and provides wonderful opportunities to meet local hosts and enjoy home-cooked Romanian cuisine. Every guesthouse offered a warm welcome and a deeper insight into daily life in the region.
The itinerary is well paced for active travellers who enjoy immersive cultural experiences. Along the way, you’ll discover fascinating Orthodox and Saxon heritage, beautiful countryside, historic castles, and lesser-known parts of Europe that remain refreshingly untouched by mass tourism.
I would highly recommend this trip to anyone interested in history, culture, local traditions, and authentic travel experiences. Romania exceeded my expectations and left me wanting to return and explore even more of this remarkable country.
We thoroughly enjoyed our Baltic tour and would recommend it to anyone interested in history, architecture, cultural and gastronomic experiences. Although we have travelled extensively in Europe over many years, the three Baltic countries were new destinations for us and they all offer interesting and different dimensions in terms of pre-WW2 history, and post-war and occupation history as well. Beautiful medieval cities and castles are wonderful to visit, but the countryside, seaside and riverside towns were also a pleasure to explore. We were fortunate to have the guidance of an exceptional tour guide in Margarita, who made sure we all enjoyed the experience together, balancing quiet solo moments with memorable group events which were plenty of fun as well. Similarly, the local tour guides we had were all knowledgeable and entertaining as well.
Curious how our small-group cultural holidays work? You’ll find your answers here. From travelling with our expert local guides to group sizes, fitness levels and accommodation, this is everything you need to know.
What is a cultural holiday?
A cultural holiday explores a destination through its history, traditions, food and everyday life. Rather than simply visiting famous landmarks, you might explore ancient sites with a local guide, explore neighbourhood markets, join a hands-on cooking class, stay with a local family or take part in a traditional festival. Exodus cultural holidays go even deeper, with local guides revealing the stories and customs that shape each place through their insider access and hard-earned knowledge.
What makes Exodus cultural holidays different from other tours?
It’s all down to the local guides and expertly planned itineraries. Exodus cultural holidays introduce you to the people, traditions and stories behind each destination. Activities combine celebrated highlights with lesser-visited places, while expert local guides add context that can be difficult to gain when travelling independently. You travel in a small group, normally of 8–16 people, allowing for more natural encounters and a less disruptive way to explore local communities, historic sites and everyday life.
What can I expect from an Exodus small group cultural tour?
On an Exodus small-group cultural tour, expect an immersive itinerary, expert local guides and a small group of like-minded people, normally numbering 8-16. Depending on the destination, your days might include exploring archaeological sites, learning generational crafts from artisans, cooking with local chefs, visiting religious landmarks, or gazing over natural wonders. Transport, accommodation and many activities are arranged for you, though exact inclusions vary by trip. Most itineraries also provide free time or optional excursions, giving you space to explore independently.
How immersive are Exodus cultural holidays?
Exodus cultural holidays fully immerse you in the destination, rather than just let you observe it. Alongside major historic and cultural landmarks, itineraries may take you into local markets, family homes, traditional restaurants, rural villages or lesser-visited neighbourhoods. Some departures are timed around festivals, while others include cooking experiences or locally hosted stays. Your local guide will explain customs, history and everyday life, allowing you to truly immerse yourself in the destination.
What local experiences are included on an Exodus cultural holiday?
Each local experience on an Exodus cultural holiday reveals a new layer of the destination, which means they vary by itinerary. You might visit local markets, eat in family-run restaurants, stay in locally owned accommodation, meet craftspeople or spend time with families in their homes. Some cultural holidays also feature festivals, regional cooking, traditional transport or overnight stays in smaller communities. Check the individual Trip Notes for the exact experiences included.
Are food experiences included on Exodus cultural tours?
Food experiences are included on many Exodus cultural tours, although the number of included meals and activities differs between itineraries. Depending on your trip, you might cook with a local chef, explore spice plantations, taste your way through a night market or share a meal with local hosts. The emphasis is always on local cuisine, so you’ll come away with a greater understanding of the destination. Check the trip’s itinerary and inclusions to find out what’s included for your chosen trip.
Who are the guides on Exodus cultural holidays?
Exodus cultural holidays are led by experienced local guides who know their destinations from the inside. They are selected for their local expertise, enthusiasm and ability to manage a group. But their role goes well beyond logistics. Your guide will explain local history and customs, introduce you to local people along the way and adapt insights to the group’s interests.
Are Exodus cultural holidays suitable for solo travellers?
Absolutely, Exodus cultural holidays are well suited to solo travellers because you join a small, guided group rather than travelling entirely alone. Our small groups – typically 8–16 people – are a welcoming bunch from different backgrounds, all with a shared interest of cultural discovery. Your local tour leader handles the main logistics and helps the group settle in, while free time on many trips gives you some independence.
How active are Exodus cultural holidays?
Exodus cultural holidays range from easy-paced trips to more active adventures with fuller days and some more physically demanding activities, such as hiking or kayaking. Each trip is given an Activity Level from 1 (Easy) to 4 (Moderate & Challenging), based on both the activities involved and the overall pace, helping you choose a holiday that suits you. Before you book a trip, make sure to check the Activity Level and read through the itinerary to make sure you’re comfortable taking part in the activities.
How does travelling with Exodus support local communities?
At Exodus, we believe travel should help both people and nature thrive in harmony. As a certified B Corp, we take a nature-positive approach and aim to contribute to the communities in the destinations we visit.
Where possible, we stay in locally owned accommodation, eat in family-run restaurants and employ expert local guides, so your trip directly benefits local people.
