The Best Eight-Day Trips to Take Around the World

The views of Hvar harbour from the Spanish Fort are some of the best on the island
The views of Hvar harbour from the Spanish Fort are some of the best on the island
Gethin Morgan

Content and CRM Executive

Just over a week is the perfect amount of time to explore a country. You’re not left on the plane home with a half-ticked bucket list, but you also don’t have to blow all your holiday days in one go. Book these eight-day adventures to discover faraway deserts, dense jungles and island paradises galore.

From driving through Jordan’s red rock desert to tucking into street food in Cartagena, or snorkelling around secret coves in Croatia, these Culture Trip adventures guarantee a longer getaway filled with unforgettable, immersive experiences.

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The picturesque Oia village at sunrise with blue domes and views of the sea

Greece, for a taste of Athens and island-hopping in the Cyclades

Why visit one Greek island when you can hop between a few? We’ll start on the mainland as we explore the old and new in Athens, from the ancient Acropolis to the city’s vibrant nightlife. Our first hop lands on the under-explored island of Milos, for cute cobblestone villages and untouched white-sand beaches. Then it’s on to Naxos, with its rolling hills dotted with olive groves and oak trees, where we’ll take a three-course cooking masterclass at a local family’s home. Last but definitely not least, we’ll arrive in Santorini, for some of the finest sunsets you will ever see, amid those iconic whitewashed houses and blue-domed churches.

From US$1939

Next available from 28th Apr 2024

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Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Athens, Greece

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ENDS AT

Athens, Greece

DURATION

9

GROUP SIZE

18

PHYSICAL RATING

Light

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STYLE

Discovery

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A woman swings from a tall treehouse swing with mountain views at La Casa del Arbol (The Tree House) in Baños

Ecuador, for hiking and white-water rafting in the jungle

Dense rainforests, active volcanoes and emerald lakes are only some of the natural wonders you can expect to find on this tour around Ecuador. You’ll be strolling through the colonial capital, Quito, hiking around the Limpiopungo glacial lagoon – the high, snow-capped Cotopaxi stratovolcano towering over you – swinging freely in the air from a mountaintop treehouse at the End of the World in Baños, and white-water rafting on the Jatunyacu river. A soothing soak in the hot springs of Papallacta village serves as the perfect ending to this equatorial escapade.

From US$2199

Next available from 6th Apr 2024

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Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Quito, Ecuador

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ENDS AT

Quito, Ecuador

DURATION

8

GROUP SIZE

16

PHYSICAL RATING

Moderate

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STYLE

Discovery

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Stiniva beach, on Vis island, has a green waters, a small stretch of sand and two cliffs acting as a gateway to the sea

Croatia, for a sun-filled escape along the Dalmatian Coast

Eight days in Croatia are barely enough to get to know this beautiful country, yet this trip around the Dalmatian Coast is guaranteed to introduce you to all the highlights of the country’s island-speckled riviera. Marvel at baroque and medieval buildings in Split, wander through Venetian courtyards on Vis and swim in secluded bays on Korčula. If foodie delights are what you’re after, you will love sampling white wine in the coastal village of Lumbarda and gulping down fresh oysters in Ston – just before taking a walking tour around the fortified Old Town of Dubrovnik.

From US$2169

Next available from 28th Apr 2024

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Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Split, Croatia

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ENDS AT

Dubrovnik, Croatia

DURATION

8

GROUP SIZE

16

PHYSICAL RATING

Moderate

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STYLE

Discovery

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Guests sitting in pool between thermally heated waterfalls in Tabacon Hot Springs resort, Costa Rica

Costa Rica, to spot sloths and soak in volcanic hot springs

This Central American paradise will turn eight days into a lifetime of adventure if you join our immersive tour. We’ll start by exploring the volcanic region surrounding fiery Arenal, where we’ll soak in geothermal hot springs and taste volcanic coffee, as well as go splashing in waterfalls and sloth-spotting in the area’s luscious jungle. Then it’s up into the mountains to explore the cloud forests – we’ll spot pumas and howler monkeys on a nighttime hike, learn to cook Costa Rican style and go white water rafting on Tenorio River. Finally, you’ll hit the beach and chill in the Pacific surf town of Tamarindo, where yoga classes and surf lessons are on the cards.

From US$2199

Next available from 6th Apr 2024

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Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

San Jose, Costa Rica

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ENDS AT

Tamarindo, Provincia De Guanacaste

DURATION

8

GROUP SIZE

16

PHYSICAL RATING

Moderate

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STYLE

Discovery

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A woman in sunglasses enjoys an Italian aperitif and an Aperol spritz.

Sicily, for street food in Palermo and a Mount Etna adventure

The fiery island at the toe-end of Italy’s boot needs a good week to explore properly, and our Spectacular Sicily trip takes in everything, from Palermo to the Aeolian Islands, Etna and the beautiful baroque towns of Noto, Ragusa and Modica. We start with a street food tour and cooking class in Palermo, before hiking in the Madonie Mountains and visiting the coastal city of Cefalu. Then it’s off to the islands of Lipari and Vulcano – the aptly named latter is full of soothing volcanic hot springs. Next is Taormina, as seen in season two of The White Lotus, and the fertile slopes of Mount Etna, which you’ll hike and dine on at a local farm. Finally it’s onto the ancient city of Syracuse and the Unesco World Heritage Val di Noto region, dotted with storied old baroque towns, before ending the trip with an Aperol Spritz or two in Catania.

From US$2924

Next available from 20th Apr 2024

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Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Palermo, Italy

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ENDS AT

Siracusa, Sicily

DURATION

10

GROUP SIZE

14

PHYSICAL RATING

Light

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STYLE

Discovery

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This is an updated version of an article originally written by Konstantina Pyrnokoki.

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Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

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