I thought the trip was great! We saw a lot, including puffins, waterfalls, geysers, and lots of animals. We also learned a lot about Iceland. I was lucky to have a good group too.
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.
Travel to Mongolia and experience the raw beauty and tradition of this remote region. Hidden from the world for so long, it is hard to imagine that this secluded country once created the largest land empire ever known. Unmatched geographical diversity, pristine grasslands, crumbling ruins and roaming herdsmen riding tough Mongolian horses – see it all on this journey through a land that time forgot and travellers are now discovering.
Experience the magic of Switzerland at Christmas, journeying from Lucerne to Grindelwald, and on to Geneva. Start your Swiss adventure in Lucerne, a stunning 14th-century fortress city sitting on a lakeshore and surrounded by snow-capped forests. Voyage through the frosted peaks and frozen waterfalls of the Grisons Alps to the Alpine ski resort of St. Moritz, a retreat frequented by royalty and James Bond, famously featured in The Spy Who Loved Me. Take a scenic rail journey to Andermatt and travel through the heart of the Swiss Alps in the Albula Pass tunnel, before crossing the skyscraping Landwasser Viaduct and descending through the Rhône Valley. In Geneva, you'll enjoy a sumptuous fondue dinner.
I truly enjoyed the 2 weeks that I spent in Malaysia, on Borneo at the beginning and on the Malay peninsula at the end. Accommodation was of a high quality with the possible exception being the long house for 1 night in Borneo. There were separate guides in the 2 halves of Malaysia, and both were simply excellent: Aldrin in Borneo and Ant on the peninsula. The trip was mostly at a leisurely pace which is what I like, and there was an ample amount of free time on some days, and that includes 1 total free day at the end on the island of Langkawi. This trip is a new one, and I think it's excellent. I highly recommend it.
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.
Discover the true heart and soul of Croatia with an eight-day seaside exploration of some of the Dalmatian Coast’s finest locations. Walk the walls of the Old Town of Dubrovnik, island hop between Vis and Hvar and wander the harbour of Split. Sampling regional specialties and local wine along the way, your Croatian discovery is full of nature and relaxation. See the white stone villages that dot the coast, sample local produce and learn about local history – all on the turquoise waters of the Adriatic. Get ready to explore Croatia’s sparkling highlights and live like the locals.
I honestly do not know if my words can truly describe how incredible this trip was and the exceptional, first-class service our guide, Traian, provided. We saw so many amazing castles, citadels, and fortified churches and did so much in four days that it is difficult to pick any one favorite. Peles Castle is truly the most beautiful; Bran (Dracula’s) Castle, the most eerie and intriguing; and Corvin Castle comes straight out of a fairytale. As for the citadels, I have to say that I favor Cetatea Rupea and for the churches, The Black Church, Biserica and Biertan held their own fascinating unique history of how they provided protection to their villagers. For the nights, we stay in the beautiful towns of Brasov, Sighisoara (birthplace of Vlad Dracula), and Sibiu. We enjoyed delightful outings walking the streets, seeing all the shops, the people, and enjoying the local foods. It was our wedding anniversary during our stay in Sibiu, and with the help of our guide, Traian, he secretly (unknown to my wife) arranged dinner at a wonderful restaurant for my wife and me. There was even a surprise anniversary cake with candles. Oh, and the hotels that we stayed at each night were amazingly distinctive to the town and culture. And, finally, on the last day, we traveled through the Carpathian Mountains along the famous Transfagarasan Road witnessing the beautifully breathtaking, winding, scenic route on our way back to Bucharest. We even had quite a few photo shoot opportunities of brown bears along the roadside. While I am sure that I have missed much, I just have to say that you must experience this marvelous adventure for yourselves. You will be astonished.
