Intrepid Travel

Highlights

• Discover Hokkaido’s rich Indigenous Ainu culture at the region’s first Ainu Museum, where you can learn about their traditions and make Ainu dumplings.
• Explore northern Japan’s natural wonders, like Hell Valley’s volcanic steam to Mt. Asahi’s peaks and the serene waters of Lake Shikotsu.
• Walk around Hirosaki Castle on a guided tour, where you’ll learn about its role in the Neputa festival, known for its giant, vibrant floats.
• Stay in two local ryokan hotels and immerse yourself in the Japanese onsen experience – relaxation in a natural hot spring – and savour a signature Kaiseki dinner.
• Witness Japan’s seasonal transformations from cherry blossoms in spring and lavender fields in summer to vibrant autumn foliage and white winter snow – every season offers its own unique colour palette.

Highlights

• Stroll through Plitvice Lakes National Park – a stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site – marvelling at luminous lakes and azure waterfalls that look like they’ve been sketched by an artist. 
• Learn about the dark history and rebuilding of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Sarajevo, then visit Mostar’s famous Old Bridge to witness a traditional bridge jumper hurl themselves into the icy waters below.
• Visit Novi Sad on the banks of the Danube River and maybe explore the Petrovaradin Fortress – one of the most important landmarks in the city with a great view over the river. Then, immerse yourself in the edgy street scene of Belgrade's Bohemian Quarter.
• Relax and unwind in seaside Split – a haven of culture, good food and gorgeous scenery. Walk along the waterfront promenade and admire the impressive ruins of Diocletian's Palace.
• Feast on Mediterranean fresh seafood, Italian-influenced antipasti and the crunchy, doughy dessert of fritule in the culinary capital of Croatia – Zagreb. Then if you like, explore the touching Museum of Broken Relationships. 

Highlights

• Spend three nights camping in Banff National Park, where you'll explore glacial lakes and scenic mountain paths, with the village of Banff nearby.
• Road trip the world-famous Icefields Parkway between Jasper and Banff National Parks, with many scenic stops at Athabasca Glacier and Athabasca Falls
• See North American bison at a mountain-fringed working buffalo ranch and learn about First Nations peoples’ history of living with this hardy species.
• The spectacular scenery of the Canadian Rockies makes for the perfect opportunity to unleash your inner Nat Geo photographer. It’s really hard to take a bad picture here.
• Explore the outdoor adventure hotspot of Whistler, where you can mix gorgeous trails and picturesque villages with hikes out to an old graffitied train wreck and a ghost town.

Highlights

• Chill out in the cultural mixed bag of Hoi An and hit up the local beach, cycle through rice paddies or get some sweet threads tailor-made. Then, pick your own ingredients for lunch during a garden-to-table experience with a local chef. 
• Who'd have thought green seas and giant mossy rocks could be so pretty? Take in the views of Lan Ha Bay by kayak as you explore the limestone islands during your visit to Cat Ba Island. 
• Cycle around the ancient temples and expansive fields in Ninh Binh – a protected UNESCO World Heritage Site. With loads of free time, you can hike to Mua Cave or take a boat down in Tam Coc to the nearby caves.  
• A homestay in rural Sambor Prei Kuk puts you right in the heart of everyday village life in Cambodia – cycle through the village for the best perspective and see locals working the rice fields or getting stuck into handicrafts. 
• See the sunrise over the incredible Angkor complex and take a guided Tuk-tuk tour of all the best sites (including Angkor Wat and jungle-covered Ta Prohm) with a company focused on employing local women in the community.   

Highlights

• Explore stunning landscapes, villages, towns and cities, immersing yourself in the culture of Split, Bled, Zadar, Rovinj and Motovun, and island hop out to Brac and Korcula.
• Hunt for your own truffles, sip on glasses of local wine, taste cured meats and cheeses iconic to their regions, indulge in the finest ocean-fresh seafood and the world’s best oysters and savour local deserts that will set your tastebuds alight.
• Dine with a local family in the village of Rakovica, experiencing a slice of life in Croatia and enjoying a home-cooked local dish.  
• Learn how to make traditional Croatian delicacies like soparnik and zrnovo makaruni, before cooking and eating your creations.
• Meet the people who create and produce regional delicacies across Slovenia and Croatia, from olive farmers to Benedictine nuns who grow fresh fruits and vegetables in their nunnery. 

Highlights

• Savour the unique flavours of the Azores, like fresh pineapple straight from a greenhouse, traditional stew cooked underground by volcanic steam and Europe’s only home-grown tea.
• Sail through the stunning waters of the Azores, visiting Lagoa das Sete Cidades, which sits in a volcanic caldera. Discover the beauty of the islands from panoramic viewpoints and spend your free afternoons exploring local museums, biking or paddleboarding.
• Travel on a ferry to Pico Island, where you’ll learn about the island’s volcanic history at Arcos do Cachorro and taste local spirits at a family-owned distillery.
• Embrace the island’s natural wonders on a hike through Horta, followed by a visit to the Capelinhos volcano. Learn about its dramatic 1957 eruption at the volcano centre.
• Wander through the charming streets of Ponta Delgada and Horta on guided tours, where you’ll discover a mix of architectural styles and local culture. Unwind with a famous G&T at Cafe Sport – a legendary sailor’s haunt.

Highlights

• Explore Central Asia – a fascinating and unique mix of ancient Silk Road culture, post-soviet culture and redefined nations living in post-independence.
• Discover the history of the Silk Road – see the much-photographed Registan in Samarkand (one of the true pinnacles of Islamic architecture), spend time in World Heritage-listed Bukhara (a 6th-century city), visit the UNESCO-protected town of Khiva and explore the sprawling ruins of Mary.
• Be treated to traditional hospitality and get a unique insight into the daily life of locals during a Kyrgyz homestay, a night in a guesthouse in Uzbekistan and the rare chance to stay with a local family in Turkmenistan.
• Marvel at the beautiful natural landscapes in this ever-changing land – see Son-Kol Lake’s flocks of sheep, goats and horses, witness the majesty of the Kyrgyzstans Mountains, visit Issy-Kul Lake, watch the ever-burning flames of ‘The Gates of Hell’ and take in the vast desert of Turkenistan.
• Rub shoulders with locals, bargain in the bazzars and sit down for a homemade plov meal – with your expert leader by the side, you’ll really get into the local insight and learn what’s common and what’s different between these three stans.

Highlights

• Take part in punting – a truly timeless, quintessentially Oxford pleasure that will see you floating along the idyllic waters of this university city, seeing the beautiful architecture and gardens from the perspective of a boat (or punt).
• Spend a day exploring arguably the most beautiful and most British countryside – the Cotswolds. Explore the sleepy villages, walk through endless fields and taste some of the best ales in the neighbourhood.
• Discover cities Cardiff in Wales and Liverpool in England with leader-led walking tours, the best way to discover the city! In Cardiff, explore Dr Who filming locations and in Liverpool, tune in to everything The Beatles.
• Walk the famous Lon Gwyrfai path in Eryri National Park (Snowdonia), and explore the rolling hills, woodlands and picturesque villages. Then, travel to the mountainous landscape of Lake District National Park, taking a relaxing walk along Lake Windermere.
• With Edinburgh Castle overlooking your every step, walk the winding streets of the Old Town and take a walking tour of the New Town Scotland’s artistic treasure – the birthplace of Harry Potter.