Art & history vacations

Peru’s Inca wonders beyond Machu Picchu

Former Cuzco resident Fiona shares her choice of her adopted country’s lesser-known Inca ruins, which share Machu Picchu’s geography but not its fame. She explains how to delve even deeper into the best archaeological sites of the Peruvian Incas.

8 min read

Exploring classical Greece: Five essential destinations

Explore the cradle of European culture with Greece specialist Abbey on this tour of five classical destinations, from the sun-bleached Parthenon in Athens to the sacred island of Delos, which the ancients believed to be the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis.

8 min read

Italy’s art cities: Venice, Florence and Rome

From classical Roman statues through Renaissance frescoes to modern installations, you can trace a complete history of Western art in Italy’s great cities. Specialist Kimberly talks about how to deal with the crowds as you take in these important works.

12 min read

Uncover ancient Britain beyond Stonehenge

Stonehenge is the most popular prehistoric site in Britain, but it’s not the country’s only ancient attraction. Discover the limits of Roman power at Hadrian’s Wall, a Stone Age barrow near Avebury and Bronze Age cairns featured in Outlander.

11 min read

Palaces and regal stays in India

Private butlers, priceless chandeliers, and gilded furniture: life as an Indian royal was the epitome of opulence. With many royal residences now palatial hotels, you can taste life as a maharaja or maharani. We’ve chosen the best regal experiences from Rajasthan to Varanasi.

10 min read

The King's Highway in Jordan

Traveling the Kings' Highway in Jordan means seeing 5,000 years of history. Visit sites of the Holy Land, the churches at Madaba and Mount Nebo, the castles of Kerak and Shawbak, as well as the ancient city of Petra.

5 min read

Explore the mysteries of Petra

A hidden city that’s carved into sandstone cliffs, Petra was one of the wonders of the ancient world. Jordan specialist Nick offers a guide to the history and important sites in this vast city.

9 min read

Past civilizations of Ancient Egypt

Discover the culture and history of Ancient Egypt on a tailor-made vacation. Our knowledgeable specialists can create a unique itinerary for you that suits your interests, including a few places that you might not have known about.

2 min read

UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Southeast Asia

Whether you want to spot elephants in the wild, marvel at intricate carvings on ancient temple walls, or sample locally produced coffee on the banks of the Mekong, Southeast Asia’s UNESCO sites showcase the region’s wealth of cultures and histories. Specialist Mark reveals his recommendations.

11 min read

Explore the Renaissance

Walk in Da Vinci’s footsteps, marvel at Michelangelo’s genius and see Shakespeare’s plays as he intended. Our Europe specialists suggest ways to explore the Renaissance across the continent, including both must-see destinations and lesser-known sights that you might otherwise overlook.

8 min read

The best World War II sites in Western Europe

In many ways, World War II still shapes the cities and landscapes of Western Europe. Here are a handful of the war’s most compelling sites, including the beaches at Normandy, a naval headquarters in Liverpool and a secret tunnel under Naples.

9 min read