New Europe trips for 2014

In earlier blog posts I wrote about new walking and hiking trips and new cycling trips for 2014.  For less active cultural trips, we offer some great small-group tours.  Below is our lineup of new tours in Europe for 2014.  For more new trips ideas, click on these blog posts: Americas, Asia, Off-the-beaten-track.

Northern Spain: a far cry from the sun-parched south, northern Spain's gentler climate promises lush green countryside, architecturally impressive cities and stunning coastline. Travelling by train through the region's beautiful landscapes makes for an unforgettable experience as we admire the cities of Madrid, Bilbao and Barcelona, walk the Picos de Europa and the Camino de Santiago and enjoy a relaxing day in coastal San Sebastian.

Discover Slovakia & the Czech Republic: this is a great chance to visit some of the hidden gems from the former Czechoslovakia. The cultural heritage is superb, with an array of castles, vineyards, towns and villages dating from the middle ages onwards. There is also time in the Tatra Mountains that form some of the region's natural borders, as well as being home to natural phenomena such as the Dobsinska Ice Cave.

Balkan Discoverer: the Balkan Peninsula for many is one of the last undiscovered corners of Europe. Cultural and natural variety abound here, forged over the centuries by numerous political changes and imperial influences from the Byzantine to the Ottoman. We contrast Belgrade, Skopje and Tirana with traditional towns, villages, UNESCO World Heritage Sites and places of untouched natural beauty. Each country offers a different culture, cuisine and tradition to discover, each growing as an independent nation in its own right and taking its place in the modern world. This is a rare chance to see the re-emergence of places kept off limits until relatively recently.

Discover the Baltics: this brand new itinerary explores the highlights of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania in 12 days. The countryside, national parks and coastal areas of these countries are stunning, adding a touch of wilderness to the history, art, architecture and culture of the cities and towns that we visit as we journey from Tallinn to Vilnius. With street art, sculpture, incredible architecture and fascinating historical sites, this trip will undoubtedly satisfy your cultural hunger. However, the wild and open settings and picturesque landscapes will also feed your imagination.


Classic Russia & Ukraine: discover the hidden secrets, spectacular landscapes and intriguing imperial tales of Russia and Ukraine on this unique journey through the region’s highlights and backroads. Walk in the footsteps of literary greats in staggering St Petersburg, be astounded by the opulent former palaces of the Tsars and behold magical St. Basil’s Cathedral by night. Step off the beaten trail for a Cossack experience in Petrushivka village, sample a hearty home-cooked Ukrainian dinner and work up a sweat of a different kind in a traditional Russian ‘banya’. Perplexing, abstruse and intriguing at every turn, this adventure through Russia and Ukraine is sure to thwart all expectations of this fascinating part of the world.

Athens to Istanbul: explore Greece and Turkey on this whirlwind adventure. Get lost in cities of colourful chaos and natural beauty that must be seen to be believed. With a plethora of ancient treasures to discover, see where democracy began and how life was lived when Zeus called all the shots. Bask in the Grecian sun on lazy beaches and explore ancient ruins and rituals of the past. After days filled with lively adventure, unwind in the evening with a sip of ouzo over a banquet of culinary treats. Yamas!

Armenia, Georgia & Azerbaijan: the Caucasus region of Central Asia holds a wealth of unexplored territories. Wedged between two seas, surrounded by Europe's largest mountain range and straddling two continents, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia are home to some extraordinarily beautiful scenery and incredibly hospitable people. Journey from the fascinating Old City of Baku in Azerbaijan through the quaint towns and glorious hillsides of Georgia, before finishing the adventure in Armenia's laid-back capital, Yerevan. Mixing isolated villages, populous capital cities, ancient castles, breathtaking vistas, abundant natural resources and a flashy nouveau riche, this region of Caucasia offers up a variety of surprising contrasts, fascinating sights and stunning landscapes.

In earlier blog posts I wrote about new walking and hiking trips and new cycling trips for 2014.  For less active cultural trips, we offer some great small-group tours.  For more new trips ideas, click on these blog posts: Americas, Asia, Off-the-beaten-track.