Snug Harbors, Newfoundland
Out in the Atlantic, Canada’s unspoiled easternmost island proves the ideal venue for a self-guided tour. CapeRace offers exclusive use of three fully renovated, self-catering, three-bedroom homes along the east coast of Newfoundland, with full-sized car or van. Included is a detailed guidebook written specifically for the CapeRace tour. Explore remote areas with dramatic scenery, meet hospitable local people, enjoy local music, see whales, icebergs, seabird rookery. CapeRace Cultural Adventures: 10 days self-guided tour; $1,495 per person based on four-person occupancy. Children under 16 free. April-October.
Digging Syria
Largely untouched by tourism, Syria is a feast for archaeology buffs. This tour follows its history from the earliest cities to the Crusades. You'll visit Mari—founded around 3,000 B.C. on the banks of the Euphrates—and explore Krak des Chevaliers, one of the best examples of Crusader castles. Along the way, you'll tour ancient Palmyra, known as the Bride of the Desert, and take a ride by steam engine on the antique Hejaz Railway (famously attacked by Lawrence of Arabia) through the desert to the basalt city of Bosra. Andante Travels: "Syria—From the Hauran to the Euphrates," 11 days; $2,630 (includes airfare from London).
Savoring Tuscany
With more than 20 years of experience guiding cycling trips through Tuscany, the outfitter has tapped its local connections to craft a new style of bicycle touring that goes easy on the quadriceps and heavier on the region's Etruscan and medieval history, bella cucina, and of course, Sangiovese and Vernaccia wines. Backroads: "Tuscany & Umbria Insider, Italy," 6 days; from $3,498.
Three Faces of Buddha
From the raked rock gardens of Kyoto to the temple architecture of Laos to the traditional paintings of Bhutan, explore how Buddhism informs three different cultures in this ambitious journey inspired by a longstanding interest of the operator's founder. Highlights include an overnight in a shukubo (traditional Japanese temple lodgings) and a hike to the cliffside Tiger's Nest Monastery in Bhutan. The outfitter has knocked off $400 from last year's rate. Asia Transpacific Journeys: "The Cultures of Buddhist Asia—Japan, Laos, and Bhutan," 17 days; $9,995.
The Complete Kingdom
Intent on debunking stereotypes of both Westerners and those who live in the Mideast, company founder Rita Zawaideh has built flexibility into her Saudi Arabia itinerary for spontaneous visits and meals with friends and family. Nonetheless, it hits all the hot spots, from the capital Riyadh to the camel market in Najran to the Red Sea port of Jeddah, where you'll soak in the Arabian and Islamic architecture of the old city and shop Alawi Souq for jewelry, fabric, and incense. Caravan Serai Tours: "Kingdom of Saudi Arabia," 16 days; $6,080.
The New Voluntourism
In this increasingly popular voluntourism model of work and play, get your bearings with two weeks of volunteering at one of Swaziland's Ezulwini Valley day centers for children affected by the country's widespread HIV/AIDS epidemic. The rest of the itinerary is reserved for exploring: four days camping and game drives in South Africa's Kruger National Park; five days on the coast of Mozambique, where you can swim with whale sharks. I to I: "The Kruger to Mozambique Volunteer Adventure," 29 days; $3,145.
Living Arts of Thailand
Banana leaves and jasmine offerings are seen in Buddhist and Hindu ceremonies throughout Thailand. Learn the traditional method of making these and other crafts on this hands-on culture tour from Bangkok to Chiang Mai. Prepare a four-course Thai dinner; visit an extensive private collection of ceramics; and assist traditional Lanna-style textile weavers in the dyeing process. Cultural Crossroads: "Thailand: Unseen Culture and Nature," 12 days; from $2,994.
Celebrate Like a Local
Attend the Ladakh Hemis Festival, a celebration of the birth of guru Padmasambhava—also known as the Second Buddha—who is believed to have fought off demons to protect the local people of this remote mountain region some call "Little Tibet." Colorful ceremonies are set against a backdrop of the towering Himalayas and Tibetan Buddhist monasteries. Nights are spent camping in an apricot grove at the foot of an ancient palace. Journeys International: "Ladakh Hemis Festival, India," 9 days; $2,495.
Maya Feast
The spicy Maya turkey stew kakik and jocon with green tomato sauce and are just some of the dishes you'll taste in this gastronomical odyssey though Copan, Honduras, and Antigua, Guatemala. Sit down to a private dinner concocted by culinary rising star Jose Luis, visit a shade-grown coffee farm, and—in an Iron Chef-style twist—get behind the counter of a market stall to try your hand at making popular Guatemalan dishes. Culture Xplorers: "Epicurean Mundo Maya—Honduras and Guatemala," 8 days; $2,485.
On the Voodoo Trail
In keeping with its commitment to off-the-beaten-path adventure at value-conscious prices, this Canadian operator offers a peek into the mystical world of voodoo. Journey to villages in Burkina Faso, Benin, and Togo to witness elaborate rituals—where dancers fall into trances believed to be the spirit taking possession of their bodies—and meet with local royalty for insight into this widely misunderstood religion. G.A.P Adventures: "The Voodoo Trail—Burkina Faso, Benin, and Togo,"
16 days; $2,400. V
Caring in Cambodia
What started four years ago as a cycling trip with friends to raise money for educational projects in Cambodia has blossomed into a unique venture that raised $300,000 last year. The tour company offers short-term travelers a chance to participate in long-term development projects. After spending a few days sightseeing around Phnom Penh, guests move to the countryside to help build a rainwater collection system that will provide clean drinking water to more than 500 students. PEPY Tours: "Rural Experiential Tour," 9 days; $1,200.
All quoted prices are starting rates, per person, based on double occupancy, subject to change, and do not include airfare to the destination. Prices are accurate as of press time.