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While most of us enjoy a lazy beach holiday or sophisticated city break, sometimes it’s nice to venture beyond our comfort zones. Travelling to far-flung places is a chance to rediscover the beauty and diversity of our world – and can turn out to be the adventure of a lifetime.
A once-in-a-lifetime tour isn’t just a great way to see more of the world, it can also leave you with a wealth of stories and treasured memories. And while many of these tours take you to some of the world’s most iconic sights, they also help you venture off the beaten track.
To show you just how epic some of these tours are, we’ve partnered with Cosmos, one of the UK’s leading providers of escorted tours. Cosmos holidays take the hassle out of travelling as everything is taken care of for you, from transport to sightseeing to accommodation. While you have expert guides to show you the sights, you’ll have plenty of free time to explore at your leisure, too.
Here are 10 tours that defy imagination – and to browse Cosmos’ full range of tours, head to their website below.
1. Brazil, Argentina & Chile Unveiled
South America is home to some of the world’s most beautiful and exciting cities, and, on Cosmos’ Brazil, Argentina & Chile Unveiled tour, you’ll visit three of them. This 12-day trip takes you to Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro, Argentina’s Buenos Aires, and Chile’s Santiago, where you’ll enjoy immersive guided tours and have plenty of free time to explore at your leisure.
Kick off in spectacularly scenic Rio. Travel to the summit of Corcovado Mountain via railway to soak up 360-degree views of the city and the iconic Christ the Redeemer; then, spend your leisure time sipping caipirinhas on the beach. Visit one of the world’s most dazzling wonders, Iguassu Falls, and be awed at the power and beauty of these thundering waterfalls.
In Buenos Aires, you’ll enjoy three days of exploration, visiting the main landmarks, as well as colourful neighbourhoods like La Boca and San Telmo. Why not take in a tango show, too, and visit a ranch to meet gauchos cowboys? In sophisticated Santiago, you’ll take a city tour, admire views of the snowcapped Andes, and can even visit the coastal city of Valparaiso, as well as the chic Viña del Mar resort.
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Argentina, Brazil & Chile | 12 days
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2. Tantalising Thailand
Thailand might be Asia’s primary travel destination, but this captivating country has managed to hold on to its cultural integrity. While the capital Bangkok is known for its high-rise buildings, neon lights, and vibrant street life, the typical Thai community is still a rural village – and, on this 12-day Thailand tour, you’ll see both sides of the country.
Beginning in Bangkok, you’ll visit the city’s most celebrated sights, from the gleaming Grand Palace to the Temple of the Golden Buddha, and cruise the canals in a long-tail boat. After three nights, you’ll head to the awe-inspiring Sukhothai for a day. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this 13th-century city was once Thailand’s capital.
Then, in the northern city of Chiang Mai, you can feast on mouthwatering cuisine at night markets, take a tuk tuk tour, and meet rescued elephants at Elephant Nature Park. That’s not all; you’ll also visit hill tribes, tour a tea plantation, and travel to the legendary ‘Golden Triangle’ – where Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar meet.
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Cosmos Tantalizing Thailand*
£200 off | Thailand | 12 days
Get an extra £50pp off when using code RESTLESS50.
3. Classic Japan: Land of the Rising Sun
If you’re drawn to the Far East, this 12-day Japan tour might be for you. You’ll begin in the capital, Tokyo, and end in Kyoto, Japan’s historic heart. Along the way, you’ll visit many of the country’s most fascinating sights, from snow-capped Mount Fuji to the poignant Hiroshima Peace Memorial.
You’ll have three nights in futuristic Tokyo to explore the sprawling metropolis, enjoying a guided tour and a full free day. To escape the hustle and bustle, you can visit one of the peaceful, pristine gardens. Then, you’ll head south to the beautiful Five Lakes region, where you can hop on a cable car for jaw-dropping views of Mount Fuji and the serene, mirror-like Lake Kawaguchi.
All this before boarding the famous bullet train to Osaka, Japan’s culinary capital, the next day. Here, you’ll take a sightseeing tour, visit Osaka Castle, and feast on the delicious local cuisine. You’ll also have two days in Hiroshima to learn about its historical significance, before visiting Kyoto to browse markets, enjoy a time-honoured tea ceremony, explore temples, and wander the iconic geisha district of Gion.
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Japan | 12 days
Get an extra £50pp off when using code RESTLESS50.
4. On Safari in Kenya and Tanzania
If you’re dreaming of an African adventure, few countries are as iconic as Kenya and Tanzania. Home to many of this vast continent’s most impressive sights, from Mount Kilimanjaro to the Serengeti National Park, this 11-day Kenya and Tanzania tour is unforgettable – particularly for wildlife lovers. From Nairobi, you’ll travel to the Maasai Mara National Reserve, the country’s most famous game area, for a safari.
Over two days, you’ll search for the ‘Big Five’ – lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, and buffalo – while learning about the unique ecosystem. Later, during two nights in Amboseli National Park, you can enjoy breathtaking views of Kilimanjaro and look out for elephants, zebras, buffalo, and wild dogs. And, after crossing over to Tanzania, you’ll be based at Lake Manyara, where you can spot primates, giraffes, and hippos on a game drive.
There’s plenty more to come, though. Observe lions, elephants, and flamingos in the Ngorongoro Crater, before finishing in Serengeti National Park, home to crocodiles, big cats, giraffes, and gazelles. It’s a dream-come-true for adventurous animal lovers.
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Kenya & Tanzania | 11 days
Get an extra £50pp off when using code RESTLESS50.
5. Mysteries of the Inca Empire
Peru inspires, mystifies, and awes – and on this 11-day tour, you’ll learn what makes it so intriguing. You’ll begin in the capital, Lima, exploring the city’s historic heart and modern corners, tucking into its fabulous food scene, before moving on to colonial Cusco, the ancient Incan capital. Here, you can tour the cobbled streets and delve into Andean culture before heading to the Sacred Valley.
You’ll then visit Ollantaytambo – the only place to resist Spanish attacks – and the Temple of Sacsayhuaman, where you can see some of the best examples of Inca masonry. You’ll also travel to the once-lost kingdom of Machu Picchu. Sprawled across steep slopes, set against a backdrop of soaring forest-covered peaks, this 15th-century site will take your breath away.
Another tour highlight is Titicaca, South America’s largest lake. Here, you can take a boat tour to the famous floating islands, meet indigenous communities, see how the Uros people make their homes and boats from reeds, and learn how locals integrate their Inca and Spanish pasts.
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Peru | 11 days
Get an extra £50pp off when using code RESTLESS50.
6. Highlights of Australia
Australia’s size – and far-flung location – mean many of us never take a trip Down Under, no matter how much we may want to. But on Cosmos’ 12-day Highlights of Australia tour, you’ll see the best this continent-sized country has to offer. In trendy Melbourne, you’ll tour the city’s landmarks and have plenty of free time to sightsee at your leisure.
Uluru, the prehistoric red monolith, boasts shallow caves, Aboriginal paintings, and 36 domes to explore. A highlight is watching Uluru change colours at sunset while enjoying a champagne toast. After flying to Cairns, the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef – one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World – a catamaran cruise awaits. You’ll have the chance to snorkel over the reef, take a semi-submersible boat tour, or attend a presentation by a marine biologist.
Then, after another free day exploring, you’ll fly to Sydney, Australia’s largest city, to explore its splendours over three nights. Cruise along the famous Sydney Harbour, go inside the iconic Opera House, and stroll the cobbled streets of the Rocks district. Or why not take a day trip to the beautiful Blue Mountains?
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Cosmos Highlights of Australia*
Australia | 12 days
Get an extra £50pp off when using code RESTLESS50.
7. Canadian Maritimes Adventure
The rugged coastline of Eastern Canada has long drawn visitors looking for adventure, and Cosmos’ 10-day Canadian Maritimes Adventure will reveal the very best of this special part of the world. Beginning and ending in Halifax, you’ll travel to Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island, stopping in charming fishing villages, exploring natural wonders, and admiring breathtaking vistas.
Marvel at the world’s highest tides at the Bay of Fundy, admire sandstone formations at Hopewell Rocks, and spend two days in the historic city of Saint John. Visit St. Andrews By-the-Sea for a whale-watching cruise, then travel to Prince Edward Island, where the Anne of Green Gables novels will come to life. Enjoy fresh lobster in Charlottetown, and discover the city’s many delights during a two-night stay.
On Cape Breton Island, stay in the picturesque town of Baddeck, travel along the Cabot Trail – one of the most impressive scenic drives in the world – and visit the magnificent Cape Breton Highlands National Park, where the scenery resembles the Scottish coast. Finish with a two-night stay in Halifax, from where you’ll visit the pretty fishing village of Peggy’s Cove, one of Canada’s most photographed locations.
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Canada | 10 days
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8. Highlights of Southeast Asia
If you’ve always wanted to visit Southeast Asia, why not choose a multi-country tour? Cosmos’ 17-day Southeast Asia tour visits Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos, revealing the unique history, culture, and beauty of this part of the world. After exploring the capital, Hanoi, you’ll head to Halong Bay, where you can cruise through emerald waters, past limestone islands, and visit secluded caves and islands.
The riverside town of Hoi An is next; take a walking tour, sample local delicacies, and enjoy a river cruise into the surrounding countryside. Next up is Siem Reap, in Cambodia, which is home to the magnificent Angkor ruins. After three days exploring this vast complex, you’ll fly to Laos’ ancient capital, Luang Prabang, to tour the city and travel through scenic countryside to visit cascading waterfalls.
Chiang Mai, in Thailand’s mountainous north, is next. You’ll have three days to explore, visiting elephant sanctuaries, touring temples, and sampling the city’s famous cuisine. Bangkok is the last stop, and you’ll have a full day of sightseeing to take in all the main landmarks.
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Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia & 1 more | 17 days
Get an extra £50pp off when using code RESTLESS50.
9. South Africa: From the Cape to Kruger
South Africa is an unusually diverse country. Its landscape includes rolling grasslands, rugged mountains, pristine beaches, and tree-dotted savannahs, and some of the world’s most fascinating animals are found here. On Cosmos’ 13-day South Africa tour, you can experience this country’s unique culture, spectacular scenery, and wonderful wildlife.
The highlights are safaris in Kruger National Park and Mkuze Game Reserve, where you can spot lions, leopards, giraffes, zebras, cheetahs, and hyenas. A cruise on Lake Jozini may also reveal hippos, crocodiles, and elephants. But there’s much more to South Africa than safaris. You’ll also spend three nights in Cape Town, taking a cable car ride to Table Mountain, driving along Chapman’s Peak – one of the world’s most scenic coastal roads – and spotting endangered penguins on the nearby beaches.
There’ll be plenty of opportunity to admire the varied scenery, too, as you’ll visit stalagmite-adorned caves and trek through the coastal forests of Tsitsikamma National Park. Plus, you’ll travel to the heart of Zululand to visit local villages and learn about South African culture.
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South Africa & Eswatini | 13 days
Get an extra £50pp off when using code RESTLESS50.
10. Highlights of Route 66
If you’re interested in classic Americana, few trips can be more exciting than Cosmos’ Highlights of Route 66. This epic 16-day tour across the US begins in Chicago and ends in Los Angeles. Follow Route 66 – once known as the “Main Street of America” – through eight states, visiting major cities like St Louis, Oklahoma City, Amarillo, Albuquerque, and Las Vegas.
Journey back in time to the heyday of Route 66 as you visit some of the country’s most fascinating museums. Elk City’s National Route 66 Museum, Springfield’s Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, Pontiac’s Route 66 Hall of Fame & Museum, New Mexico’s Russell’s Car Museum, and the California Route 66 Museum are all included.
But this trip isn’t just for history buffs. One highlight is a visit to the Grand Canyon, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, where you can admire breathtaking views from the canyon rim. You’ll also experience the bright lights of Las Vegas, tour legendary Los Angeles, enjoy free time in Albuquerque, and sample the deliciously diverse food of modern America.
Final thoughts…
Whatever far-flung part of the world is calling you or whatever adventures you’re dreaming of, an escorted Cosmos tour is the best way to make sure it’s a truly unforgettable experience. Not only will you see more than you would by yourself, but you can relax knowing everything is organised for you.
These 10 tours are very different, but all promise a trip packed with exhilarating experiences, special moments, and treasured memories.
To find out more about Cosmos, head over to their website.
Are you tempted by any of these tours – and if so, which ones excite you most? We’d love to hear about your travel experiences in the comments below.