Throughout the modern age of tourism, tour operators have built most tours around Rome, Florence and Venice, and there are good reasons for that. Those three cities have thousands of years of rich culture and history packed into tight clusters. The Big Three were independent city states of major importance for many centuries before Italy was established as a nation in 1861. Each has its own independent history and culture. As three separate nations historically, they still have separate, individual characters.
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Be dazzled by the Crown Jewels at Edinburgh Castle, explore the grandeur of the Scottish Renaissance at Stirling Castle, or get a glimpse of prehistoric life at the village of Skara Brae on the Orkney Islands. There’s so much to explore! Here are just 24 great experiences our partners at CIE Tours can give you in Scotland in 2024...
Topics: New, Europe, Food + Culture, Custom Travel
Photo: Michael S. Nolan
Few destinations are more iconic than the Galápagos Islands, where Lindblad Expeditions brought the very first group of citizen explorers more than 50 years ago.
Genovesa Island
A horseshoe-shaped island due to the collapsed caldera, Genovesa is situated in the northeastern waters of the archipelago. Isolated and uninhabited, this small and remarkably pristine island is filled to the brim with wildlife—on land, in the sky, and under the water. Probably best known for its enormous bird colonies, it’s one of the few islands where visitors can see the red‑footed boobies en masse which has earned it the name “Bird Island." But below the water’s surface is just as magical.
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Learn about the history and legends you will discover while visiting Bruges with our preferred partners at AmaWaterways.
Bruges, Belgium is a city steeped in history, with roots tracing back to the medieval period. This enchanting UNESCO World Heritage site brims with history: its horse-drawn carriages traversing cobblestone streets; its peaceful, winding canals; and its array of well-preserved medieval architecture. Join us on a tour of just a few of the landmarks you will get to see first-hand on our full-day excursion to this intriguing city on AmaWaterways' Tulip Time and Best of Holland & Belgium itineraries, including the Basilica of the Holy Blood, Blind Donkey Alley, and the Church of Our Lady, each of which holds unique stories waiting to be uncovered.
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Overlooking Turkey’s Icarian Sea are the dazzling remains of a city once so glorious it was fought over endlessly. Ephesus was founded by Greeks, expanded by Romans, invaded by Persians, Ottomans, Goths and Lydians, and hosts the soul of the Virgin Mary. Now it’s also revered by tourists. That’s because this UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the best-preserved Greco-Roman cities on the planet.
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