Celebrate the winter solstice at Peru’s Inti Raymi Festival, visit Hanoi’s Old Quarter or discover the secrets of Petra’s rose-red city on one of our exciting cultural trips on our Summer of Adventure. As the daylight hours linger for longer and the sun shines down on magnificent landscapes and ancient sites, you’ll have more time to explore these fabulous destinations. What’s more, on our summer adventures in 2022, you’ll receive up to £300 off selected departures between May to August.
Vietnam Adventure
Discover the cultural treasures of the north and south of Vietnam as you delve deeper into imperial cities, the flavoursome cuisine and historic towns such as Hoi An. All year round Vietnam is filled with delights and each season brings a new and wonderful experience. While June may be the country’s rainy season and monsoons are in full flow, don’t let that deter you from enjoying our Vietnam Adventure trip as this is when the beaches on the central coast are at their balmiest, and there are still plenty of dry hours during the day. Also, there tend to be fewer visitors travelling to Vietnam in June.
In September the days start to become drier and this is a great time to explore the Mekong Delta by boat and crawl through the Cu Chi war tunnels. The Mekong River is fringed by sweet-smelling orchards and you’ll get to meet the locals and visit cottage industries that produce coconut candy and rice paper. September is also one of the best months to sail along the emerald waters of Halong Bay and soak up the amazing limestone karst scenery.
Bosnia & Beyond
All year round the Balkans boast beautiful scenes of ancient forests and dramatic peaks that tumble down to the Adriatic Coast. Between July and August temperatures can reach 30ºC but tend to drop higher up in the mountains. This makes for more comfortable sightseeing on our Bosnia & Beyond trip when we head up into the Ostrog Mountains to the shrine of St Vasilije, and the alpine mountains at Zabljak.
Blending cultures from Europe and the Near East; Bosnia, Herzegovina and Montenegro offer a heady concoction of diverse architecture, religion and local traditions, from the old city walls of Dubrovnik and the ancient Bosnian capital of Sarajevo to the intoxicating Bay of Kotor. One of the highlights of this tour is a trip to Durmitor National Park where turquoise alpine lakes and deep canyons lie below the gaze of rugged peaks. In June the landscape is strewn with colourful, indigenous wildflowers created by the alpine and Mediterranean microclimates. There’s also a wide variety of fauna to be spotted here, including wolves, wild cats, brown bears, owls and eagles. You’ll even witness the traditional migration of the sheep as they make their way to the pastures.
A Week in Jordan
Brimming with desert landscapes, World Heritage Sites and fascinating antiquities, Jordan is a magnificent country of culture and history. Our Week in Jordan introduces you to ancient Jerash, the mysteries of Petra, and the biblical Mt Nebo. During the summer season, the temperatures can reach up to 40°C inland but owing to the dry heat, it doesn’t feel uncomfortable. In July, in the height of the summer, there are up to 13 hours of sunlight each day, meaning you have more time to explore the sites. This is also when many of the festivals are held in Jordan, including the world-famous Jerash Festival for Culture and Art, which takes place within the Roman ruins.
As we will spend a night in a traditional Bedouin camp at Wadi Rum, learning about the culture and enjoying a Zarb dinner, it’s best to visit in the summer months as the desert can get very cold at night. You’ll also get to witness the awe-inspiring, star-studded skies. With barely any rainfall, fewer tourists and being typically cooler than in July and August, June is the best summer month to explore Petra. You’ll have two full days to explore the extensive tunnels and tombs of this archaeological wonder.
Essential Peru – Inti Raymi Festival
A trip to Peru wouldn’t be complete without experiencing The Festival of the Sun. Known as Inti Raymi Festival, this vibrant event is a cultural highlight held in Cuzco in June of each year, featuring colourful processions and traditional dances. June is also the start of the dry season in Peru and the clear skies allow for outstanding views from the Andean Highlands, the Vilcabamba mountain range and on an optional flight over the Nazca Lines.
The endless June sunshine combined with the Inti Raymi Festival makes for an extra special experience and exciting atmosphere at Machu Picchu. Nestled high up in the Andes mountains and peering out from behind an eerie mist, this ancient Incan empire is arguably one of the most extraordinary archaeological sites in the world.
Treasures of Sicily
Bursting with Mediterranean summer fruits, soft golden sands and pastel-hued hillside towns and villages, Sicily abounds with natural beauty and cultural treasures. While temperatures can reach a sweltering 40°C in August, attracting the more serious heliophiles, June and July are more suitable for travellers wanting to soak up the culture and go hiking in the hills. A trip to Taormina lets you delve into Sicily’s past at the Greek theatre, where you’ll enjoy exceptional views of Mt Etna and the coast. The Taormina Film Fest takes place in June and there are screenings held inside the ancient ruins of the amphitheatre.
As well as exploring the heavenly beaches at Zingaro Nature Reserve and the UNESCO listed sites of Syracuse, Selinunte and Agrigento, one of the best reasons to embark on our Treasures of Sicily tour in summer is to savour the deliciously fresh produce. From the succulent oranges and tomatoes, and local seafood that’s caught daily off the coast, to the oversized grapes that create the famous Sicilian wines, it’s no wonder the island is world-renowned for its food and drink.
If these cultural adventures have made you want to plan ahead for an incredible trip of your own, take a look at our Summer of Adventure collection here, and save up to £300 off your next holiday.
