Cultural Strenuous Tours &amp; Trips

premier

4.6/5 Excellent

Small Group Tour

Why we love them

They explore a place beyond the typical tourist traps and offer exciting activities that bring the “wow factor” intrepid travelers want.

Lodging level

Premium - 4 star

Physical level

Strenuous

Trip pace

Full schedule

Visits

Berat, Elba, Gjirokaster, Kruja, Tirana

Highlights

Travel through Albania while discovering its fascinating history and culture
Discover Butrint, one of the greatest archaeological sites in the Balkans
Stroll along UNESCO-Listed towns and visit hilltop castles

Themes

Cultural, Hiking & Walking

What travelers are saying

"Lovely friendly and efficient staff Very knowledgeable and helpful"

By VBT Bicycling Vacations

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-19%$1,980

11 days From$1,610

Health Safety +

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New Zealand: The South Island

premier

4.6/5 Excellent

Group Tour

Why we love them

Their unique emphasis on immersive cultural experiences combined with active exploration with personalized cycling experiences.

Lodging level

Premium - 4 star

Physical level

Strenuous

Trip pace

Full schedule

Visits

Auckland, Christchurch, Queenstown

Highlights

Prepare to be dazzled by the staggering beauty of the South Island’s glittering lakes, lush forests, fertile farmlands, and alpine peaks.
Hike up a valley carved by the retreating ice of Franz Josef Glacier.
Spend a day at a wilderness resort, enjoying kayaking, canoeing, hiking—and perhaps strolling to a colony of glowworms.
Experience life on a working ranch and savor a home-cooked meal during a visit to a sheep and cattle station.
Sample local vintages during a wine tasting at a local estate.

Themes

Culinary & Wine, Cultural, Cycling & Biking, Hiking & Walking, Nature & Wildlife, Rafting, Kayaking, Canoeing

What travelers are saying

"This trip is unbelievably fantastic. Two of the best rides of my life, were on this tour. The guides were very good and this was just the start, when we met them, at the hotel in Cortina. Cortina was the site of the 1956 Olympics, and is a small pretty village. Nothing was open the two nights we were there, so probably bad timing. Hotel was a typical ski village hotel, good Italian/German food, and very comfortable. Second day of biking was up an old railroad spur that is now a ski trail about 15-20 K up to a mountain pass called Cimabanche Pass, which is beautiful. We rode up in a snow storm, then rain, then finally clear skies. This was the number two best ride of my life. Starting out from the hotel in Cortina, up the old spur, through single track bike trails, past babbling brooks, up to this fabulous mountain pass. This is now where the fun starts. Mostly downhill on paved roads very little traffic, at good speeds, through the most spectacular valleys you would ever see on a bike ride. Breathtaking. It had to end back at the hotel for a big dinner. The best ride of my life was the last biking day out of Merano. We were bused up 1500 K, about 85-90 miles to Lake Resia, high up in the Dolomites, then rode around the lake, down, back to Merano. High mountain peaks, many valleys,small towns, many grape growing farms, scenery, the best, and cool brisk weather. This was truly a great bike tour, one I will never forget. The trip is rated easy, but maybe easy/moderate is closer. The Hotel in Merano is excellent, middle of old town, modern, has a thermal bath, rooms were very good. The town of Merano is a must see if in the area, small, beneath the high mountains of the Dolomites, good restaurants, lots of tourists."

By VBT Bicycling Vacations

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9 days From$5,045

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Spain: Andalusia, Córdoba & Granada

premier

4.8/5 Excellent

Group Tour

Why we love them

Their unique emphasis on immersive cultural experiences combined with active exploration with personalized cycling experiences.

Lodging level

Premium - 4 star

Physical level

Strenuous

Trip pace

Full schedule

Visits

Amsterdam, Andalucia, Córdoba, Granada

Highlights

Embark on a guided tour of Cordoba featuring a visit to the amazing Mezquita.
Ride through olive groves and vineyards along the Ruta del Vino Wine Road.
Sangria!
Spin downhill past castles, Roman ruins, and mountain villages toward enchanting Granada.
Explore the Alhambra Palace—one of Spain’s biggest attractions and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Themes

Cultural, Cycling & Biking, Nature & Wildlife, Photography

What travelers are saying

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7 days From$3,345

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Turkey in Depth

premier

4.8/5 Excellent

Small Group Tour

Why we love them

They explore a place beyond the typical tourist traps and offer exciting activities that bring the “wow factor” intrepid travelers want.

Lodging level

Premium - 4 star

Physical level

Strenuous

Visits

Acropolis, Ankara, Antalya, Aphrodisias, Blue Mosque, Cappadocia, Ephesus, Goreme, Hagia Sophia, Istanbul, Konya, Pamukkale, Pergamum, Selcuk, Troy

Highlights

Explore Turkey's highlights on this comprehensive two week trip
Visit famous Greco-Roman sites, enjoy vibrant cities and relax on the stunning coastline
Discover Cappadocia's unusual landscape, underground cities and rock-cut churches

Themes

Cultural, Hiking & Walking

What travelers are saying

"Lovely friendly and efficient staff Very knowledgeable and helpful"

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-19%$2,226

15 days From$1,810

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Family Vietnam In Depth

premier

5/5 Excellent

Small Group Tour

Why we love them

They explore a place beyond the typical tourist traps and offer exciting activities that bring the “wow factor” intrepid travelers want.

Lodging level

Premium - 4 star

Physical level

Strenuous

Visits

Cu Chi Tunnels, Halong Bay , Ha Long Bay, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Hoi An , Hue, Mai Chau, Mekong Delta, Ninh Binh, Perfume River, Saigon

Highlights

15-day family adventure delving deep into the countryside and cities of magical Vietnam
Bike alongside the rice paddies of Mai Chau before taking the Reunification Express sleeper train
Cruise Halong Bay on our junk boat and try out sea kayaking in this stunning location

Themes

Cultural, Hiking & Walking

What travelers are saying

"Lovely friendly and efficient staff Very knowledgeable and helpful"

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-19%$3,198

15 days From$2,600

Health Safety +

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Japan Sapporo Snow Festival

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5/5 Excellent

Small Group Tour

Why we love them

They explore a place beyond the typical tourist traps and offer exciting activities that bring the “wow factor” intrepid travelers want.

Lodging level

Premium - 4 star

Physical level

Strenuous

Visits

Fes, Kyoto, Nara, Tokyo

Highlights

Discover Japan in the heart of winter and visit the Sapporo Snow Festival
Visit Japan's northernmost island of Hokkaido
Enjoy the highlights of modern Tokyo and iconic Kyoto in low season without the crowds

Themes

Cultural, Education / Learning, Hiking & Walking

What travelers are saying

"Lovely friendly and efficient staff Very knowledgeable and helpful"

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-19%$6,863

11 days From$5,580

Health Safety +

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Pakistan's Karakoram Highway

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4.5/5 Excellent

Small Group Tour

Why we love them

They explore a place beyond the typical tourist traps and offer exciting activities that bring the “wow factor” intrepid travelers want.

Lodging level

Premium - 4 star

Physical level

Strenuous

Visits

Bar, Nara, Tibet

Highlights

This walking holiday is a great introduction to the pleasures of Himalayan teahouse trekking
Relax after the moderate grade 4-day trek in the friendly lakeside town of Pokhara
Look out for a wide variety of animal species and the rare one-horned rhino in Chitwan National Park

Themes

Cultural, Hiking & Walking

What travelers are saying

"Lovely friendly and efficient staff Very knowledgeable and helpful"

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-19%$5,289

14 days From$4,300

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Serengeti Wildlife Experience

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4.8/5 Excellent

Small Group Tour

Why we love them

They explore a place beyond the typical tourist traps and offer exciting activities that bring the “wow factor” intrepid travelers want.

Lodging level

Premium - 4 star

Physical level

Strenuous

Visits

Arusha, Ngorongoro Crater, Olduvai Gorge, Rift Valley, Serengeti National Park, Tarangire National Park, Zanzibar

Highlights

Landscapes, lakes & craters of the Great Rift Valley
Incredible game-viewing in world-famous reserves
Comfortable camps in the heart of the parks

Themes

Cultural, Hiking & Walking

What travelers are saying

"Lovely friendly and efficient staff Very knowledgeable and helpful"