New Exodus Discovery trips for 2016

Exodus Travels will offer the following new and exciting discovery trips for 2016.

Sicily Food Adventure   
From cannoli to arancini, Sicilian food is world famous, but on this tour prepare to be overwhelmed at how varied and diverse Sicily’s cuisine really is! The various civilisations that have occupied the island over millennia have not only left an unparalleled cultural heritage, but a culinary history that sets Sicily aside from mainland Italy. Sample Palermo’s fragrant street food in its vibrant markets, practice hands-on cooking with local chefs in Trapani, sip the finest wines in Marsala and Etna and indulge in mouth-watering gelatos whilst relaxing in sun-kissed Baroque piazzas. Let food lead the way in this captivating journey through culinary and cultural highlights!

Discover the Heel of Italy   
Puglia, known for its whitewashed hill towns, traditional farmland, fine cuisine and sweeping Mediterranean coastline, is Italy’s southern heel and, until recently, its best kept secret. With a focus on art, architecture, traditions and local cuisine, this trip explores the region’s highlights. From Baroque Lecce, known as the ‘Florence of the South’, we travel to the elegant white city of Ostuni and on to the mediaeval coastal town of Otranto, where winding narrow streets conceal perfect Baroque churches. Matera is also visited, a UNESCO listed town carved into bare limestone rock, where centuries-old caves are still inhabited.

Egyptian Discoverer   
Key sites visited in Cairo and Luxor, with a cruise on a 4-star boat in between. Finish the trip snorkelling on the Red Sea.

Journey to Persia
Iran is a country of dramatic contrasts. Its scenery ranges from snow-clad mountains to vast, inhospitable deserts punctuated by attractive oasis towns, and its cities and ancient sites reveal a deep and rich history. Some of the most exquisite examples of Middle Eastern design and architecture are to be found in Iran, including the magnificent ruins of Persepolis, the dazzling Islamic centres at Isfahan and Shiraz, and beautifully-crafted gardens set in desert wastes. The rich bazaars and the ancient tradition of hospitality never fail to impress in a country which sees few tourists.

Harbin Ice & Snow Festival
The Harbin Ice Festival in northeast China's Heilongjiang province is truly one of the most awe inspiring spectacles on the planet. Entire cities of snow and ice twist and carve their shapes on the landscape, whilst artists from all over the world dream big and sculpt even bigger. As well as the festival there is time to trace the remnants of China's imperial past in Beijing's Forbidden City, the Great Wall of China and in Xi'an where we explore the Terracotta Army.

Vietnam Food Adventure
A culinary journey through Vietnam reveals a deceptive simplicity to a cuisine renowned for its fresh, natural ingredients, aromatic appeal and delicate balance of flavours. From savouring the freshest seafood in Halong Bay, sitting with the locals while sampling the best of street snacks in Hoi An, cycling through the herb gardens of Tra Que village, joining a family for a night spent on the Mekong Delta, to trying your hand at mastering a variety of regional dishes, this trip ensures that you make the most of this food lovers paradise. Each day is packed with culinary-based experiences that are best rewarded with a bia-hoi (local fresh beer) and a perch on the street-side bars to absorb the fascinating culture of this gastronomical land.
As well as enjoying the culinary landscape this trip ensures that the cultural highlights of Vietnam are visited; the conservative north, the rich heritage of the imperial cities, and the vibrant life of Saigon and the Mekong Delta. We come face to face with an outgoing culture, where so much goes on in the streets: eating, washing, socialising, buying and selling or impromptu games. This intoxicating parade of Vietnamese daily life may well leave us with our strongest memories, as much as the superb landscapes, the amazing cuisine and the reminders of the distant and the more recent past.

Philippines Adventure
The Philippines is a land of over 7000 islands defined by its emerald rice terraces, smouldering volcanoes, unique Spanish-Filipino colonial architecture and white sand beaches. We start our adventure in the teeming capital of Manila before making our way to the mountains and lush countryside of North Luzon, home to hundreds of ethnic groups. After admiring the volcanic crater lake of Mt. Pinatubo and the tiered agricultural land of Banaue, we journey to the island of Palawan where we explore the underground network of rivers and caves in the Puerto Princessa N.P. We spend the end of our adventure in El Nido, amongst the enchanting lagoons with tranquil turquoise water and secluded beaches.

The Ganges: Arch Kumbh Mela
See India from a different angle, from the Himalayan foothills to the steaming banks of the Ganges and the largest delta system on the planet. Travel the world’s biggest railway system, drive on hectic city streets and see the temples strewn along the river as you meander by. All tastes are catered for here, from walking the foothills of Rishikesh, visiting Vishnu's stone footprint, searching for wildlife in Sundarbans Tiger Reserve or simply enjoying the vibrancy of this spectacular country.

Festivals & Villages of Ladakh
Snowy Himalayan peaks stand with clarity amidst crisp mountain air, whilst rivers crack and creak as they freeze to a standstill. This is Ladakh in winter time - a truly unique and magical experience. The hardy people of Tibetan stock practice ancient traditions to survive, whilst the wildlife descends into valleys in search of food. Monasteries dot almost every hilltop and become the centre of the social and religious calendar at this time. The festivals witnessed on this trip bring hundreds of people together to see the monks perform ritual masked-dances, dressed in brightly patterned brocade robes.

Northeastern Explorer
Share the pioneering spirit of the early settlers as you follow Native American trade routes and discover the New World for yourself. Learn about America's history in Philadelphia and Washington DC, visit an Amish community, and then head to the stunning Finger Lakes region with an included wine tasting evening. Soak up the French heritage of Quebec and the proud history of Boston, enjoy the rugged White Mountains National Forest and ‘Maid of the Mist’ cruise at Niagara Falls. Featuring cosmopolitan cities, small country towns and picturesque landscapes, colonial New England and French Canada offer the perfect blend of culture and experiences.

Cuba Mixed Activity
Pack your bags for an adventure of a lifetime and discover the natural beauty of a Caribbean island steeped in romance and intrigue. This new active adventure features a combination of Cuba's 'must see' sights amid a fun-packed itinerary of outdoor activities. We'll soak up the history and musical heritage of Havana and Trinidad, cycle in Vinales Valley, swim at the Bay of Pigs, hike in Topes de Collantes, and receive a warm welcome from the Cubans by staying in Casas Particulares and eating in privately-run Paladares. Variety is the name of the game - a perfect way to see the real Cuba!

West Indies Explored   
See a different side to the Caribbean; the forests, waterfalls and lakes of Dominica, the jungles and volcanoes of St. Lucia, plus an optional visit to Montserrat. Plus whale watching, optional walks of varying difficulty and snorkelling.

Discover Nicaragua ,Costa Rica & Panama
Nicaragua’s enchanting landscape is vast and relatively untouched by tourism; from the colonial city of Granada to the rising twin peaks of Ometepe Island, it’s a country waiting to welcome the world. Costa Rica's tropical climate supports a range of ecosystems including dense jungle, cloud forest, coastline and a handful of active volcanoes. The result is a paradise bursting with wildlife and tropical verdant scenery. From the Bocas del Toro Islands, a stunning archipelago with a lively Caribbean culture, to the Panama Canal, one of the world’s most impressive feats of engineering, and the vibrant capital Panama City, our last stop is Panama, under-visited but a jewel of the region.

Peru & Bolivia Explorer
The combination of culture, history and scenery of grandeur found in Peru and Bolivia makes for an incredible journey from Lima to La Paz, the worlds highest administrative capital city. The Inca Empire lays claim to the magnificent lost city of Machu Picchu and the wonderful fortresses of the Sacred Valley. Across the altiplano we take a boat trip on Lake Titicaca to our village homestay on one of its islands. Ending on a high, literally, we visit La Paz and embark upon a three day adventure to see Uyuni's salt pans, vivid lakes, geysers and cacti islands.