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Throughout human history, travel has been seen as one of life’s greatest pleasures. In the Georgian and Victorian times, young aristocrats developed their worldliness and sophistication by travelling through Europe and immersing themselves in different cultures. But today, the idea of a ‘grand tour’ involves so much more.
If you’re keen to step off the beaten path, you might like to think about a grand tour with Cox & Kings. The world’s longest-running travel company is known for providing high-quality escorted tours that take you to some of the most captivating corners of the world. From Cambodia and Vietnam to Egypt and Jordan, locations are diverse and far-flung, and you can explore multiple destinations in a single journey.
Organised by experts and led by local guides, these grand tours offer a seamless, stress-free experience and are driven by a deep curiosity and desire for adventure. Whether you’re travelling solo or in a group, or exploring by air, rail, road, or river, these epic voyages will allow you to connect with different cultures, explore untamed wildernesses, and see another side of our wonderful world.
Plus, if you book by 15th May 2025, you can save £250 per person on all long-haul group tours, and £150 per person on all group tours in Europe. So, which grand tours might be right for you?
Here are 10 enriching grand tours of beautiful countries.
1. Grand Tour of India
A kaleidoscope of colours, cultures, cuisines, and religions, India is a country like no other. Its astonishingly diverse landscapes, traditions, and beliefs, will set your spirit – and memories – on fire long after you’ve left. Cox & Kings’ 17-day Grand Tour of India ticks off all the most spectacular sights, from the iconic Taj Mahal and Golden Temple of Amritsar to the tranquil, mirror-like lakes of Udaipur.
You’ll also tour the ‘Pink City’ of Jaipur, the ‘Blue City’ of Jodhpur, and tour Old and New Delhi. Lose yourself in the hidden alleys of hallowed Varanasi, stay in a mansion in Rajasthan, and visit traditional villages like Rohet. In Ranthambore, search for the elusive Bengal tiger, learn about the importance of the Ganges River, and feast on mouthwatering food, tasting many different regional cuisines and dishes.
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Cox & Kings The Grand Tour of India*
Amritsar - Wagah - Varanasi via Delhi - Varanasi - Delhi - Old & New Delhi - Agra - Fatehpur Silkri - Rathambore - Ranthambore and 5 more
India | 16 nights | Flights, Accommodation & Transfers Included
Save up to £250pp on small group tours.
2. Grand Tour of South America
Vast and versatile, South America is dazzling in its diversity. This huge continent boasts awe-inspiring mountain peaks, colourful colonial towns, gleaming glaciers, roaring waterfalls, mystical ruins, and sprawling, sophisticated cities. Its natural, cultural, and historical wonders are so plentiful that exploring independently can seem impossible…which is why it’s one of the best places for an escorted tour.
Cox & Kings’ 17-day Grand Tour of South America takes you to four enthralling countries: Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, and Brazil. Travel from the soaring Andes and mystical Machu Picchu to ancient Lake Titicaca and thundering Iguazú Falls. Explore cities like Lima, Cusco, La Paz, Buenos Aires, and Rio de Janeiro, delving deep into each country’s culture and history, and appreciating their staggering natural beauty.
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Cox & Kings Grand Tour of South America*
Lima - Cuzco - Sacred Valley - Machu Picchu - Train journey to Puno - Lake Titicaca - Uros Iruitos - La Paz - Buenos Aires - Iguazú and 2 more
Argentina, Brazil, Peru & 1 more | 15 nights | Accommodation Included
Save up to £250pp on small group tours.
3. Journey through the Baltic States
Grand tours were traditionally focused on Europe, and our own continent is just as diverse as those on more remote corners of the globe. If you’d like to discover a different side to Europe, why not join Cox & Kings’ Journey through the Baltic States tour? Home to crumbling castles, mysterious forests, and magical lakes, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania are countries that seem to have fallen straight from the pages of fairy tales.
On this eight-day tour, you’ll visit each country’s capital – Tallinn, Rīga, and Vilnius. United by history and geography, each nation has its own distinct identity, and you’ll learn all about their rich cultures as you explore these characterful cities. Visit picturesque old towns dotted with gothic churches and bohemian neighbourhoods, tour medieval castles and churches, and explore beautiful forests and wild wetlands.
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Cox & Kings Journey through the Baltic States*
Tallinn - Castles - Pärnu - Riga - Latvia - Rundale Palace - The Hill of Crosses - Vilnius
Estonia, Latvia & Lithuania | 7 nights | Flights, Accommodation & Transfers Included
Save up to £250pp on small group tours.
4. In the Footsteps of the Great Migration
If you’re a wildlife enthusiast, there’s a good chance you’re intrigued by the Great Migration. Viewed as one of nature’s greatest spectacles, witnessing the annual journey of millions of wildebeest, antelope, and zebra from the Serengeti to the Masai Mara is a true once-in-a-lifetime experience. But Cox & Kings’ 13-day In the Footsteps of the Great Migration tour offers much more than immersive wildlife viewing.
During this voyage, you’ll enjoy safaris in some of Africa’s greatest national parks. Keep your eyes peeled for tree-climbing lions in Tarangire, elusive leopards in Lerai Forest, and hippos wading in the UNESCO-listed Ngorongoro Crater. Later, at Lake Naivasha and the Great Rift Valley, you can settle into the local culture, sampling speciality teas, visiting museums, and learning about conservation.
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Amboseli National Park - Tarangire National Park - Ngorongoro Highlands - Ngorongoro Crater - Serengeti National Park - the Masai Mara - Masai Mara - Lake Naivasha - the UK
Kenya & Tanzania | 11 nights | Flights, Accommodation & Transfers Included
Save up to £250pp on small group tours.
5. Grand Tour of Indochina
Southeast Asia is a land of extremes and contradictions, where sprawling metropolises have sprung up from tranquil, traditional towns, and soaring skyscrapers sit beside ancient temples. Two of the most intriguing countries are Cambodia and Vietnam, and on Cox & Kings’ Grand Tour of Indochina, you’ll spend 17 days exploring their respective histories, landscapes, cultures, and cuisines.
In Vietnam, tour the capital Hanoi, feast on street food in Ho Chi Minh City, relax in riverside Hoi An, and dine in a restored royal home. Plus, cruise the scenic Mekong Delta and Lan Ha Bay – a far less touristy alternative to Ha Long Bay. And, in Cambodia, explore the historic capital Phnom Penh, visit vibrant Siem Reap, tour the magnificent Angkor temples, and enjoy a magical sunset boat ride on Angkor Thom moat.
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Cox & Kings Grand Tour of Indochina*
Hanoi - Cruise on Lan Ha Bay - Danang - Hoi An - Hue - Ho Chi Minh City - Mekong Delta - Phnom Penh - Siem Reap - Angkor Temples and 3 more
Vietnam, Cambodia & Laos | 14 nights | Flights, Accommodation & Transfers Included
Save up to £250pp on small group tours.
6. The Legendary Silk Road by Rail: Almaty to Tashkent
Home to towering mountains, blue-domed cities, compelling cultures, and some of the world’s greatest civilisations, Central Asia remains astonishingly underexplored. If you’d like to venture off the beaten path to discover the secrets of some of the world’s most beautiful-yet-underrated countries, Cox & Kings’ Legendary Silk Road by Rail: Almaty to Tashkent tour is a wonderful way to do it.
Over 15 days, you’ll explore four contrasting countries: Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. Travelling by rail, on the iconic Orient Silk Road Express, you’ll cross windswept deserts as you follow the route of the ancient Silk Road. Admire the architecture of Samarkand, visit bustling bazaars, explore local cultures, sample the delicious cuisine, and enjoy an intimate dining experience with a local Uzbek family.
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Almaty - Issyk - Kul Lake - Bishkek - Samarkand - Shahrisabz - Dushanbe - Bukhara - Khiva - Tashkent
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan & Uzbekistan | 14 nights | Flights, Accommodation & Transfers Included
Save up to £250pp on small group tours.
7. Splendours of Central America
Boasting steamy rainforests, cerulean seas, smoking volcanoes, colonial towns, and magical Mayan ruins, Central America is a paradise for the adventurous. If you’d like to discover the culture, history, and beauty of this stunning region, Cox & Kings’ Splendours of Central America tour may be for you. Over 19 days, you’ll visit Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala.
Be awed by Costa Rica’s biodiversity as you explore Monteverde, trekking through cloud forests, spotting wildlife, and visiting butterfly gardens. Enjoy a boat ride on Lake Nicaragua, cruise through the Panama Canal, and tour colourful, characterful cities like Granada and Antigua Guatemala. Plus, visit Mayan ruins like Tikal and Copán, learn about indigenous cultures, and hike over lava-spewing volcanoes.
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Cox & Kings Splendours of Central America*
Panama City - Panama Canal - San José - Monteverde - Granada - San Salvador - Route of the Flowers - Copán - Livingston - Flores and 4 more
Panama, Costa Rica, Honduras & 4 more | 17 nights | Flights, Accommodation & Transfers Included
Save up to £250pp on small group tours.
8. Splendours of South America
If you’re more drawn to Patagonia than Peru, Cox & Kings’ Splendours of South America is worth a look. Over 18 days, you’ll explore the highlights of Brazil, Chile, and Argentina, ticking off some of the continent’s most dazzling natural wonders. Exciting cities are also on the agenda, and you’ll have several days to tour sophisticated Santiago and the vibrant and colourful neighbourhoods of Buenos Aires.
Home to glimmering glaciers, turquoise lakes, and jagged peaks, Patagonia is like no other place, and on this tour, you’ll visit the region’s most breathtaking sights, from Perito Moreno Glacier to Torres del Paine National Park. After witnessing the majesty of Iguazú Falls, you’ll finish in Rio de Janeiro, where you can relax on Copacabana beach, visit Christ the Redeemer, and ride a cable car up Sugar Loaf Mountain.
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Cox & Kings Splendours of South America*
Santiago - Punta Arenas - Patagonia - Torres del Paine - El Calafate - Perito Moreno Glacier - Buenos Aires - Iguazú / Iguaçu - Rio Janeiro - Rio de Janeiro and 1 more
Argentina, Brazil & Chile | 15 nights | Flights, Accommodation & Transfers Included
Save up to £250pp on small group tours.
9. Egypt & Jordan: from the Nile to Petra
If you’re fascinated by ancient history, there’s a good chance Egypt is calling you. Home to the last of the Seven Ancient Wonders – the Great Pyramid of Giza – it’s a land steeped in myths and legends, where the past is felt as powerfully as the present. But, on Cox & Kings’ 12-day Egypt & Jordan: from the Nile to Petra tour, it’s just one of two captivating countries – and cultures – you’ll explore.
As well as touring Egypt’s most impressive sites, from the Pyramids and Luxor to the awe-inspiring Nile temples, you’ll also visit Jordan. Tour the liberal capital, Amman, before exploring the classical site of Jerash and biblical Mount Nebo. Be awed by the splendour of the ancient rose-red city of Petra, and finish your trip with a Wadi Rum 4×4 desert excursion, and a relaxing stay on the shores of the Dead Sea.
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Cox & Kings Egypt & Jordan: From the Nile to Petra*
Cairo - Aswan - Kom Ombo - Edfu - Luxor - Amman - Jerash - Madaba - Mount Nebo - Petra and 2 more
Egypt & Jordan | 11 nights | Flights, Accommodation & Transfers Included
Save up to £250pp on small group tours.
10. Across the Southern Caucasus
Like Central Asia, the Caucasus region has long been overlooked by tourists – but people are waking up to its beauty, history, and culture. Cox & Kings’ Across the Southern Caucasus tour takes an unforgettable 15-day journey across two continents. Begin in the oil-rich Muslim nation of Azerbaijan, before heading to culture-rich, diverse Georgia, and ending in Armenia, one of the world’s oldest Christian countries.
In Azerbaijan, visit beautiful palaces and historic temples, admire 20,000-year-old rock carvings, and sample the local cuisine. Travel through Georgia and its eclectic capital, Tbilisi, tour grand monasteries, and sample local wine and brandy. Dive into Armenian culture as you explore its ancient capital, Yerevan, as well as mountain villages, enjoying folk music performances and learning to make arishta pasta.
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Cox & Kings Across the Southern Caucasus*
Baku - Gobustan - Absheron - Shemahka - Kish - Sheki - Telavi - Sighnaghi - Tbilisi - Gori and 12 more
Armenia, Azerbaijan & Georgia | 14 nights | Flights, Accommodation & Transfers Included
Save up to £250pp on small group tours.
Final thoughts…
Traditional grand tours were about immersing yourself in different cultures and gaining new perspectives. “This world is a great book, and none study it as much as the traveller,” wrote Richard Lassels, the 17th-century champion of the Grand Tour. “They that never stir from home read only one page.”
Times might have changed, but travel remains one of the most exciting – and enriching – things a person can do. And, if you’re interested in stepping off the tourist trail, discovering unexpected places, and finding authentic new experiences, a grand tour with Cox & Kings might be the right way for you to see more of the world.
Known for their extraordinary heritage and adventurous spirit, Cox & Kings provide award-winning escorted tours for curious, discerning guests. Destinations are as diverse as they are exciting, and whether you’re dreaming of exploring the furthest corners of South America or Southeast Asia, these grand tours will open your eyes to the many wonders of our world.
But whether you’re after a grand tour or a getaway, Cox & Kings can help you plan your perfect holiday. If you have a query you’d like one of their experts to help with, you can make an enquiry here and they’ll be happy to assist you.
Are you drawn to any of these grand tours? Or perhaps you’d recommend one of these destinations to others? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.
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