The Van Gogh museum is unique as we are able to dive in the complex mind of a painter in a time of great change. Through the different steps in his career, in Holland, Paris, Arles or Saint Remi we see a dramatic evolution of an artist in constant search for himself and for the world. And this in a carreer that lasted only 9 years. The only advantage about only selling one painting in his whole career is his legacy: An astonishing collection of 200 works that enables us to meet the most puzzling painter of his time.
We will have 2 hours to explore the entire collection. Mostly in small groups there will be space for questions and as the artist still remains a mystery, discussion. More than only a tour about an artist, it is a tour about what it means to be an artist and what approach artists have towards the world that surrounds them.
Discover the highlights of Taiwan on this 11-day adventure. After eating your way through Taipei’s famous street food, travel to Yilan to meet an Indigenous community, learn about their way of life and share a home-cooked lunch. Then, explore the pagodas and trails of the serene Sun Moon Lake in the Central Mountain Range before travelling to Chiayi to visit a tea farm and meet nuns at a Buddhist monastery. With a scenic train ride through Alishan’s tropical forests, clam picking at a traditional fishing village and a local leader to show you around, this is an action-packed, immersive introduction to Taiwan.
Home to sumo wrestling, sake, geishas, karaoke and onsens, Japan’s got a lot going for it. And on this nine-day trip to some of its most acclaimed cities, you’ll get to see the country at its best. Take in the neon nightlife of Tokyo, reflect during a visit to Hiroshima, discover thousands of years of culture and history in Kyoto and finish in the eclectic Osaka. And have you heard about the food? World-class sushi, ravishing ramen, delectable donburi – you certainly won’t be going hungry. With your local leader to point you in all the right directions and plenty of time to explore at your own pace, experience the culture and charm of the Land of the Rising Sun.
Get your Turkish delights on a 15-day adventure from Istanbul. This trip is a mix of ancient ruins and modern cities, Islamic history and Ottoman influence, inland discoveries and coastal cruising – and everything in between! Discover Gallipoli on a guided tour that will teach you about its significance during the First World War, unlock the secrets of the ancient city of Ephesus, admire Oludeniz’s Blue Lagoon from high up on the Lycian Way and swim in the Mediterranean on a traditional gulet cruise from Kas. From the winding laneways of Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar to the bizarre landscapes of Cappadocia, you'll discover the local’s side to Turkey.
With its crystal-clear emerald lakes, picture-perfect castle and fairytale island at the foothills of the Alps, Bled is the perfect spot to base your eight-day active adventure in Slovenia. Hike lush trails on Mt Vogel in Triglav National Park, go cycling next to the Radovljica River and hold on to your helmets on an exhilarating white water rafting trip on the Soka River with expert guides. Walk the Vintgar Gorge boardwalk, discover the secrets of Ljubljana and see the little village of Ribcev Laz. Along with all this adrenaline, there’s plenty of free time to discover bled at your own pace – kayaking or ziplining, anyone?
"We wanted to share our appreciation to this tour company for a wonderful trip. Not only was the original plan just great, Nicu was also able to help us save our trip when we experienced a hiccup with travel. I can honestly say that there was not one negative that we experienced on the tour. All the accommodations were indeed 4-star and we enjoyed our stay at each. The planned visits were all exceptional and really did a great job of giving us a true picture of all that Romania has to offer. Between the history and the art and architecture and natural beauty we felt it was a very complete itinerary. Lastly, our guide Gelu did everything he could to ensure we enjoyed our trip and left us with an even greater appreciation for Romania. He was extremely knowledgeable and provided great insight at all the planned stops. In addition, he has worked to cultivate some additional contacts around the country and shared with us some additional sights and tidbits not on the original itinerary.
Thank you for a once in a lifetime experience."
Experience the peaceful Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan on this trip of a lifetime and get the chance to discover Bhutanese lifestyle, landscapes and culture. Book this guided tour and travel to some of the most important places in the country.
Start your trip with a sightseeing tour of Thimphu, the political and economic center of Bhutan and a living gallery of traditional Bhutanese culture, before heading for Punakha. See panoramic views of the Himalayas from the Dochula Pass on the way to Punakha and take a short hike through a scenic forest while travelling to Chimi La Khang, commonly known as the Fertility Temple.
Travel all the way to the Pelela Pass and enjoy amazing views of the Himalayas, including Mount Jhomulhari (7,314m). Hike up a cliff face to reach the well-known Taktshang Monastery, also called Tiger’s Nest. Discover Bhutanese history and culture during your visit to monasteries and while exploring some of the most important museums of the country, including the National Museum of Bhutan in Paro.
Get the opportunity to interact with the locals throughout the tour. For more details about this 7-day tour, please read the itinerary.
My friend introduced me to this tour operator. After speaking with Kiara, we had a suitable itinerary. Our mission was straightforward: book a round-way ticket to Vietnam and enjoy the trip. They coordinated really efficiently and provided competent services. There are no mistakes on the tour, which I enjoyed. All of the hotels were in central locations, making it easy for us to walk about or find local restaurants. The daily trips were scheduled on time, and transportation was comfortable. We traveled from the north to the south of Vietnam. Visiting many famous and beautiful sights, including Hanoi, Halong Bay, Pu Luong, the Golden Bridge, Ho Chi Minh, and the Mekong Delta. This was indeed a fantastic tour.
Discover the wonders of Greece on this 9-day journey from Athens to Santorini. Explore ancient Athens and visit landmarks like the Acropolis and the Temple of Olympian Zeus. Travel north to the sanctuary of Delphi and the soaring rock-top monasteries of Meteora. Then island-hop to Mykonos, known for its whitewashed streets and iconic windmills, before arriving in Santorini, famed for its volcanic views and cliffside villages.
This tour operator organized a cultural, spiritual and community immersion for me, my husband, my adult daughter and her boyfriend for 16 days in late February/early March of 2023. It was the most exciting trip I’ve taken. This is saying a lot considering I have spent a lifetime of travel, both personal and professional, focusing on Latin America.
Everything ran smoothly, even with chaotic settings and complex logistics. A big part of this was by providing us with amazing guides, starting with Jahel Amaru, who met us at the La Paz airport to whisk us across the altiplano to Oruro for its truly spectacular Carnival. Jahel is knowledgeable, patient, down-to-earth, smart patient, funny, and an extremely enjoyable person to spend time with. She guided us through the hectic Oruro Carnaval during its culminating weekend - with boundless energy and contagious enthusiasm. We had the time of our lives cheering on the colorful characters as they paraded and danced thanks to Jahel knowing exactly where to go, when, and providing invaluable context.
Community tourism (where visitors are connected with everyday Bolivians to learn about their lives) - has started to blossom in Bolivia, and this company is one of its pioneers. We got to experience it in Potosi, where we had another excellent guide, Marlene Quispe. She took us through Cerro Rico mine, which was the world’s leading supplier of silver. Marlene has close ties to mining: her brothers, parents and even she has worked there. As we ventured deeper into the earth, we learned from her about the mining process and cooperatives involved with it. She also introduced us to one of the mine's “tios” (“uncles” who are believed to protect miners), to whom she made an offering as she explained his importance.
Marlene took us to the Quechua community of Phuto Phuto, one of several in the rural district Cabanias that welcomes visitors as part of its community tourism program. Families take turns showing visitors their homes and traditions, including cooking huts with steaming pots, whose contents you later share for lunch. Marlene and one of the family members we met then led us on a beautiful hike to a spot where they invited us to participate in a ritual offering to Pacha Mama (Mother Earth). It was an incredible day I will always remember.
Another wonderful community tourism experience was in the majestic Cordillera Real (Central Andean range), where we appreciated both the nature and culture of the region by staying near the town of Tuni with the multi-generational Quispe family (not related to Marlene). Family members share with guests Aymara traditions like placing fishing nets, spinning yarn, making quinoa flour, and shearing alpaca fleece. Patriarch Jaime is a charismatic host and a certified mountain guide who along with his adult son Denys, also a certified mountain guide, have expertise leading visitors of different ages and abilities. We loved staying with them!
There are a few other places that stood out on our trip:
Hostal Las Olas in Copacabana on the shore of Lake Titicaca with gorgeous, artistic “cabins” and lovely views
Templo del Retiro Espiritual Cruz Andina (the Andean Cross Spiritual Retreat Center), in Tiwanaku steps from the ruins and owned by spiritual and cultural guide Rosse Mary Vargas Vilela. It’s filled with cats and crystals and offers delicious vegetarian meals. This is not a stop for everyone, but worth visiting or staying in if you are interested in mindfulness, ancient healing, and/or new age spirituality.
