Beyond the Guidebook: Cultural Events That Define a Destination 

Venice & Verona Carnivals

Step into Italy’s most spectacular celebrations, where history and pageantry meet pure joy.

• In Venice, the Carnival transforms the floating city into a living theatre of masks and music. Stroll through glittering piazzas and winding canals as costumed performers fill the streets. It’s a feast for the senses and a moment where you can become part of the story yourself.

• Heading to Verona next, centuries-old Bacanal del Gnoco brings locals and visitors together for one of Europe’s oldest carnivals. Watch as “Papa de’ Gnocco” leads the lively parade through medieval squares and join the city in its beloved tradition of homemade gnocchi, laughter, and community.

This tour not only offers a deep dive into Italy's rich cultural heritage but also immerses you in the unique and festive spirit of its most iconic carnivals. This isn’t just sightseeing; it’s celebration at its most authentic. 

 

India’s Holi Festival & Splendours of Rajasthan

Few celebrations capture the soul of a country quite like Holi — a day when India bursts into technicolour joy.

• In Jaipur, the Pink City becomes a living kaleidoscope. Streets hum with laughter, drums echo through courtyards, and clouds of powdered dye fill the air. You’ll watch locals dance, sing, and splash one another in a joyous riot of colour — each hue carrying its own meaning: red for love, yellow for warmth, green for new beginnings, and blue for the divine.

• You’ll toss bright powders, share smiles with strangers, and feel the pulse of India’s spirit all around you. Between Delhi’s historic chaos, the romance of Agra’s Taj Mahal, and the calm of Udaipur’s lakes, this journey builds to a crescendo at Holi, celebrating connection, renewal, and pure joy.

Tromsø, Norway – Gateway to the Arctic

There’s winter, and then there’s Arctic magic. In Tromsø, winter feels alive with crisp air, snow crunching underfoot, and the faint shimmer of the Northern Lights painting the night sky.

• Known as the Gateway to the Arctic, this journey offers a rare glimpse into a way of life shaped by nature and tradition. You’ll meet the Sami people, the Indigenous custodians of the north, whose culture we honour through story, song, and shared meals around a crackling fire. Taste Bidos stew, learn about reindeer herding, and listen to haunting joik chants — echoes of a heritage that’s endured for centuries.

• By day, adventure takes centre stage: husky sledding across frozen landscapes, snowshoeing through mountain trails, and cruising Arctic fjords where fishing traditions still thrive. And when night falls, all eyes turn skyward. If luck’s on our side, we’ll witness the Aurora Borealis dance above the mountains, painting a curtain of colour that leaves even the most seasoned travellers speechless.

Thailand & the Yi Peng Lantern Festival

If ever there was a moment that feels like pure magic, it’s the night the skies above Chiang Mai fill with light.

• Each November, during the Yi Peng Lantern Festival, thousands of glowing lanterns drift upwards with their golden reflections shimmering across rivers and temples. For locals, it’s a symbol of renewal: letting go of the past and sending wishes for the year ahead. For travellers, it’s a rare chance to step inside a living tradition and feel its emotion firsthand. 

• This 13-day journey through Thailand unfolds like a story from the Blue and White Temples of Chiang Rai to the ancient ruins of Ayutthaya and the turquoise shores of Phuket. But it’s in Chiang Mai, surrounded by candlelight, chanting, and community, that everything comes together. As your lantern rises into the night, you’ll feel the quiet unity that connects everyone in that shared moment.

Epic Brazil & Rio Carnival

Few celebrations embody pure joy like Rio Carnival — a vibrant mix of colour, music, and movement that sweeps through the streets of Rio de Janeiro each year.

• Here, life beats to a samba rhythm. You’ll watch the spectacle from the Sambadrome, where dancers, drummers, and glittering floats tell stories of culture and community with every step. The air hums with energy, the crowd sings as one, and you can’t help but move along, it’s contagious in the best way.

• Beyond the festivities, Brazil’s natural and cultural wonders take centre stage. Wander the sands of Copacabana and Ipanema, soar up Sugarloaf Mountain, and stand beneath the outstretched arms of Christ the Redeemer. Then slow the tempo in Paraty, a colonial gem of cobbled lanes, art studios, and rainforest horizons. Finally, feel the sheer power of Iguazu Falls, where thunderous cascades mark the border between Brazil and Argentina.

This isn’t just a trip. It’s a whole vibe. A journey that celebrates rhythm, resilience, and the shared joy of being alive.

Culture and Cuisine in Cyprus

Cyprus is a feast for the senses. Every meal tells a story, and every village welcomes you like family.

• This eight-day adventure in Paphos invites you to savour the island’s rich blend of culture, history, and Mediterranean flavour. You’ll explore UNESCO-listed mosaics, wander through Roman ruins, and stand before the medieval Paphos Castle, where sea breezes carry whispers of the island’s past.

• The real magic unfolds in the villages, where time slows, and the simple pleasures shine brightest. In Pissouri, you’ll roll up your sleeves for a hands-on Cypriot cooking class, learning the art of meze and tasting your creations over laughter and local wine. In Omodos, cobbled streets lead to cosy tavernas and hillside vineyards where you’ll sip some of Cyprus’s best vintages.

Between guided discoveries and relaxed free days, there’s space to soak in the sunshine, chat with locals, and connect with fellow travellers over shared plates and stories.

South Korea