Sponsored content
If you have a passion for travel, you probably know how frustrating it can be when the experience feels rushed. Part of the joy of visiting new places is forming a meaningful connection with your destination – meeting local people, getting off the beaten track, and developing a deeper appreciation for your surroundings.
But with so much of the world to explore, it can be tricky to juggle the urge to see as much as you can with the desire to really get to know a place. So, if you’d like to visit lots of new places but also want an authentic experience and inspiring journey, why not think about a tour with Jules Verne?
Established in 1978, the award-winning Jules Verne specialises in tours for people who want to gain a different and deeper understanding of the world. Created for small groups, these tours are packed with special touches, and the expert guides will take you beyond the norm, providing you with a rich, rewarding, and memorable experience.
So, if this type of holiday sounds appealing to you, where should you go? One of the great things about Jules Verne is the variety they offer – so, to get you inspired, here are eight fascinating tours where you can delve deep into the destination and really get to know a country.
1. Splendours of Southern India
Southern India is the subcontinent’s sultry, intoxicating heartland – a beautifully green contrast to the rugged peaks and vast plains of the north. Boasting captivating history and colonial heritage, compelling culture, and impossibly mouthwatering cuisine, this part of the world is best explored slowly…and Jules Verne’s 13-day Splendours of Southern India tour is the way to do it.
On this voyage, you’ll travel from Chennai in the east, formerly Madras, to Cochin on the west coast, stopping at many of the country’s most spectacular sights and cities. You’ll visit three UNESCO-listed sites, explore Periyar National Park, tour spice and rubber plantations, and spend a night on an authentic Keralan houseboat before canoeing along the tranquil backwaters.
Along the way, you’ll delve into India’s captivating history, both ancient and modern; the tour takes you to Tanjore, the old capital of the Chola Empire, as well as the ornate Hindu temples of Srirangam and Madurai. Uncover the colonial past in Cochin and Pondicherry, discover a sense of peace in Periyar’s spice plantations and forested hills, and feast on Keralan curries in coastal villages.
-
Jules Verne Splendours of Southern India*
Chennai - Pondicherry - Tanjore - Madurai - Periyar - Kumarakom - Houseboat - Cochin
India | 13 nights
2. Treasures of Sicily
Sicily has enchanted travellers for thousands of years, and if you’re keen to explore one of Italy’s loveliest islands, Jules Verne’s Treasures of Sicily tour may be for you. During this seven-night tour, you’ll visit many of Sicily’s most fascinating sights, from iconic Mount Etna to bustling Palermo…yet you’ll travel slowly and intentionally, perfectly mirroring the island’s famously unhurried pace of life.
If you’re interested in history and architecture, Sicily’s wealth of ancient sites brings the past to life in an unusually vibrant way. You can tour elaborate Greek, Roman, and Baroque buildings in Syracuse, visit 12th-century Norman temples in Palermo, admire exquisite Roman mosaics at Piazza Armerina’s Villa del Casale, and explore the grand Greek temples of Agrigento.
You’ll also have time to appreciate Sicily’s natural splendour. The majesty of Taormina, perched atop a soaring clifftop, will likely take your breath away…as will the panoramic vistas out to sea. Europe’s highest and most active volcano also awaits, and the views from Etna are equally impressive. Plus, along the way, you can savour local cuisine, enjoy wine tastings, and have plenty of opportunities to explore in your own way.
3. Mughals, Mystics, and Mountains
Given its size, diversity, affordability, and beauty, Northern Pakistan remains woefully underexplored in the main travelsphere. Blessed with a wealth of natural and historical riches, and a landscape that includes soaring mountains, alpine lakes, lush valleys, and desert forts, the region is astonishingly varied, and on Jules Verne’s Mughals, Mystics, and Mountains tour, you’ll see the best it has to offer.
This 16-night tour takes you on a journey through Pakistan’s history, from Alexander the Great to the Mughal Empire and British Raj. You’ll visit the UNESCO Lahore Fort Complex, the ancient ruins of Taxila, and uncover the mysticism of the Sufi tradition in Lahore, Pakistan’s cultural hub. In modern Islamabad, visit the magnificent Faisal Mosque, sample delicious food, and relax in a five-star hotel.
You’ll travel along the Karakoram Highway to the lost kingdom of Hunza, where you can discover this region’s unique rhythm, culture, and tradition. In Skardu, you can marvel at the soaring peaks of the Himalayas, while, in Kachura, the mirror-like turquoise lakes and cloud-wrapped mountains will leave you almost speechless. Plus, you’ll watch a polo match in the scenic High Peaks region, and have the opportunity to meet the players afterwards.
-
Jules Verne Mughals, Mystics & Mountains*
Lahore - Islamabad - Khaplu - Shigar - Skardu - Hunza Valley - Gilgit
Pakistan | 16 nights
4. Best of Basque Country
There’s something very special about Spain’s Basque Country. The local language bears no relation to any other, the culture is markedly different from the rest of Spain, and the people often don’t see themselves as Spanish at all. Much of this region remains unknown, yet on Jules Verne’s seven-night Best of Basque Country tour, you’ll delve deep into its fascinating culture and history.
You’ll spend the first four nights in historic Pamplona, touring the city and learning about the running of the bulls. From here, you’ll cross into the French portion of Basque Country, visiting glitzy Biarritz and exploring the coastline. It’s then onto the Rioja region for lunch in medieval Laguardia and wine tasting in the Marques de Riscal winery, an architectural wonder.
In San Sebastian, you can sample the famously fabulous food, lose yourself in the quaint old quarter, and relax on the sweeping La Concha beach. And, after checking into your hotel in Durango, the next few days are spent exploring the cosmopolitan city of Bilbao, the town of Guernica, and the fishing port of Bermeo, where a long, leisurely lunch of pintxos (delicious Basque-style tapas) awaits.
5. The 600-mile Nile
It’s almost impossible to overstate the cultural, historical, and geographical importance of the River Nile. Winding for more than 4,000 miles, its drainage basin covers 11 countries, yet the most significant portion of the river is undoubtedly in Egypt. On Jules Verne’s 600-mile Nile cruise, you’ll travel from serene Aswan to characterfully chaotic Cairo, passing through 4,000 years of history as you sail.
This epic 14-night cruise is perfect for anyone fascinated by ancient Egypt. You’ll visit the country’s most famous sights, as well as lesser-visited gems, passing tombs of pharaohs, temples of the Gods, and rural riverside landscapes that have barely changed since biblical times. And, in Luxor, where the Nile weaves between the atmospheric Valley of the Kings, you’ll explore the ‘world’s greatest open-air museum’.
That’s not all. You’ll tour the Ptolemaic temple of Edfu, learn about Cleopatra at the Temple of Dendera, marvel at hieroglyphs in the Abydos’ Temple Seti I, and discover the tombs of Tuna el-Gebel and Beni Hassan. Over three nights in Cairo, you’ll also visit the awe-inspiring Great Pyramids, gaze at the magnificent Sphinx, visit the walled Coptic old city, and tour the fascinating Egyptian museum.
-
Jules Verne The 600-Mile Nile*
Aswan - Kom Ombo / Edfu - Luxor - Qena / Denderah - El Balyana / Abydos / Sohag - Asyut / Amarna - Amarna / Minya - Beni Hassan / Beni Suef - Cairo
Egypt | 12 nights
6. Classical Tour of Albania
Closed off from the rest of Europe for much of the 20th century, Albania is fast making a name for itself as one of the continent’s best-kept secrets. Years of Greek, Roman, Turkic, and Slavic influence have made this part of the world totally different to anywhere else and, on Jules Verne’s Classical Tour of Albania, you’ll lift the lid on the country’s enigmatic culture, history, and character.
Over seven nights, you’ll travel through Albania’s past and present, visiting ancient cities, admiring Byzantine architecture, and staying in spectacular national parks. Highlights include exploring the forest ruins of Butrint, strolling through Gjirokastra’s stove-paved old town, touring the ancient ruins of Apollonia and Byllis, and visiting the riverside city of Berat, with its traditional Ottoman homes.
You’ll also get an appreciation of Albania’s incredible natural beauty, spending time in the dense forest and alpine meadows of Llogara National Park, and relaxing in characterful villages along the country’s dreamy coastline. The colourful buildings and wide boulevards of the capital Tirana make exploring a joy, while the imposing fortress and bustling bazaar of historic Krujë are also a delight.
-
Jules Verne Classical Tour of Albania*
Kruja - Berat - Llogara National Park - Gjirokastra - Tirana
Albania | 7 nights
7. Golden Road to Samarkand
Uzbekistan, just like Albania, has only recently become a travel hotspot, and it won’t take long for crowds to start streaming in. For now, it remains wonderfully authentic and, on Jules Verne’s Golden Road to Samarkand tour, you’ll dive right into this big, beautiful country’s astonishing history and culture, travelling to many of its most atmospheric Silk Road cities.
This 12-day adventure kicks off in the multi-ethnic metropolis of Tashkent, the ideal introduction to this diverse country. The UNESCO-listed town of Khiva is next, and you’ll have two nights to explore its minarets, mausoleums, and monuments. In Bukhara, you can lose yourself in labyrinth-like lanes, tour its vast fortress, and admire the tranquil, timeless landscape of the red Kyzylkum Desert.
You’ll spend three nights in Samarkand, perhaps the most famous city on the old Silk Road trading route. Known for its huge squares, intricately paved alleys, mosaicked façades, and domed mosques, Samarkand is a stunning mix of architectural styles. You’ll have plenty of free time to browse the spice-scented bazaar, try local arts and crafts, and sample the hearty local cuisine.
-
Jules Verne The Golden Road to Samarkand*
Tashkent - Khiva - Bukhara - Samarkand
Uzbekistan | 11 nights
8. Treasures of Transylvania
Big, beautiful, and incredibly diverse, Romania is home to rugged mountains, medieval towns, and grand gothic castles. The most famous region is Transylvania, and whether or not you’re interested in vampire legends, this historical hub is a must-visit. On Jules Verne’s Treasures of Transylvania tour, you’ll explore picturesque villages, legendary castles, sleek cities, and idyllic rural landscapes.
This nine-night journey begins in the capital Bucharest, where you’ll spend two nights in the city, touring landmarks like the colossal Palace of Parliament (the world’s second-largest administrative building), visiting museums, and experiencing the country’s modern side. Then you’ll head to northeastern Romania – to Suceava and rural Bucovina, with its iconic painted churches and monasteries.
In the historic city of Sighișoara (the birthplace of Vlad the Impaler), you’ll tour the cobbled streets as you delve deep into its 1,000-year history. Then, step back in time in Alma Vii village, with its scenic backdrop of forested meadows. The Saxon city of Brasov is next, then the mist-wrapped Bran Castle – said to be home of Dracula! – and, finally, the splendid royal residence of Peles Castle.
-
Jules Verne Treasures of Transylvania*
Bucharest - Suceava - Targu Mures - Brasov - Otopeni
Romania | 9 nights
Final thoughts…
These eight tours are all very different, but each one takes you to far more than the ‘must-see’ hotspots and popular tourist attractions. With expert guides to lead you, you’ll also visit hidden gems, uncover local secrets, and give each destination the time and space it deserves.
Jules Verne tours are designed to not only immerse you in a country’s culture, but to allow you to forge genuine connections – with your destination, guides, and fellow travellers too. After a busy day exploring, you can sit down with your group, tuck into delicious local cuisine, and share your insights and experiences.
Are you tempted by any of these tours? Or are there any other destinations you’re keen to explore? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.