Our experts can tailor an unforgettable escape for you
Hawa Mahal - Jaipur, Rajasthan
Borobudur Temple - Java, Indonesia
Jemaa el-Fnaa Medina - Marrakech
Acropolis - Athens
Machu Picchu - Peru
Luxury Cultural & Historical Holidays | Private Tours
We believe that a destination comes alive when you hear about its history and experience its culture in all its richness and authenticity. Without history, everything is just scenery. We tailor-make luxury historical and cultural holidays and can provide you with engaging private guided experiences and behind the scenes bespoke tours to explore and understand the sites and monuments of history’s greatest civilizations. From remote sites of antiquity, imposing medieval towns and castles, exploring age-old communities unchanged by time to private tours of Unesco world heritage sites – below are just a few examples of the popular cultural and historical holidays we can craft for you, which will showcase these unique destinations in a new perspective. In Asia: Hike to the iconic Tiger’s Nest monastery in Bhutan, rise at dawn in Luang Prabang in Laos to see the mendicant monks gathering alms in the streets, hot air balloon over the Sagar Pagodas in Inle Lake, Myanmar, take a sunset tour of the magnificent temples of Angkor Wat in Siem Reap, Cambodia, discover the floating markets in the ancient Unesco town of Hoi An, Vietnam, admire the rich history & majestic architecture of some of the over 100 forts in the princely state of Rajasthan, enjoy a private performance by a Geisha in the Gion district of Kyoto, take a private guided tour of the ancient Buddhist temples of Borobudur in Java, visit the Terracotta Army Mausoleum of the first Emperor of China in Xi’an. In the Middle East: Explore the iconic sights of the Nile as far as Luxor and the Valley of the Kings, take a behind the scenes tour of Petra – the famous archaeological site in Jordan, walk thru the back lanes of the exotic Medina in Marrakesh. In South America: Enjoy a local family’s hospitality for a homemade lunch on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. In Africa: Join a tribal immersion program and learn about the Masaai traditions in Kenya. In Europe: join a private tour of the Uffizi Gallery in Florence or the best hidden art galleries in Paris, learn about the glittering Byzantine, Ottoman and Christian architecture of the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque and the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, admire the ancient citadel of Acropolis in Athens. We work only with the most highly reputed local luxury tour operators who come with an insider’s knowledge and provide the best experiences for discerning clients. Take a look at our curated collection of luxury hotels, lodges & resorts in the best cultural & historical destinations below and get in touch with our luxury travel designers to begin planning your dream cultural holiday today.
Mahua Kothi or homestead is named after the Mahua tree which is prized and revered in the region. 12 standalone luxury cottages blend into a 45 acre private forest on the periphery of the national park. The guest area overlooks a large grassland where monkeys and birds in vivid colours are a regular feature. The mud cottages or ‘Kutiyas’ are built in the local style of architecture. A bean shaped pool screened by a bamboo thicket and shaded by Mahua trees i ...
Kālesma is a chic luxury lifestyle boutique resort set in the hilltops of Ornos Bay, designed to look like a traditional Mykonian village. Just 10-minutes from Mykonos Town, the airport and the port, it’s an ideal base for exploring the island’s eateries, shops, & beach clubs. The hotel offers 25 sleek suites & 2 spacious villas, all with stunning sea views of the Aegean Sea. The interiors are light-filled & minimalist, with natural woods, beamed ceilings & a neutral color palette. Each suite features a deep soaking tub with sea views & doors that open up to a private terrace with a heat ...
Set on the banks of the holy River Ganges on the most famous of Varanasi’s 87 ghats is Brijrama Palace, an opulent fort hotel that is perfect for those that want to be close to the heart and soul of this deeply spiritual city. Built in the 18th century by the Royal House of Nagpur, the palace has been lovingly restored. Murals, hand-painted ceilings and beautiful carvings revealed during the restoration have brought it back to life, ensuring the building is in keeping with this most atmospheric of cities. The hotel is approached by boat, immediately giving you the sense you are entering s ...
Majestically located above the Atlantic Ocean, flanked by the magnificent Twelve Apostles and Table Mountain, discover a unique five-star experience close to the vibrant heart of the city. Our luxury boutique hotel offers beautifully appointed rooms, dramatic ocean views, delicious dining adventures, and an award-winning Spa, all delivered with the generous hospitality characteristic of Red Carnation Hotels. Step out onto the flora and fynbos-framed trails to e ...
Big Cave Camp reposes atop an enormous granite whaleback, with inspirational views across the famous Matobo National Park. Sophisticated African architecture incorporates colossal boulders into a luxuriously appointed thatched lodge positioned amidst ancient Khoisan rock art. Retire at a day's end to the natural rock-pool and sundeck, the Leopard's Lair lounge and bar, a cave-style boma for pre-dinner drinks or the popular lodge library. The eight thatched A-frame cottages, each with en-suite bathroom and private balcony, resonate African creative flair. Find solitude within an intimate retrea ...
The award-winning five star InterContinental Sydney Double Bay is Sydney’s exclusive bayside retreat located in the leafy exclusive Eastern Suburbs village of Double Bay. InterContinental Double Bay is a modern and stylish retreat only 200 metres from the beach and Double Bay Marina and five km from the CBD. Retreat to this boutique bayside hotel and relax in one of our 140 light-filled spacious guestrooms and suites, with private balconies, courtyard garden views overlooking the bay or exclusive village. Contemporary rooms feature vistas of the bay, Double Bay village, or the French provi ...
Shawa Luangwa Camp is situated on the eastern bank of the Luangwa River on a site hand-picked by Jacob Shawa, the Head Professional Guide at camp. Jacob fell in love with the Zambian wilderness many years ago and has been deeply connected to it ever since. From this beautiful location, you can cross the river on a pontoon or boat and explore the prime game-viewing areas of the South Luangwa National Park or alternatively the game rich Nsefu Sector. Elegance and comfort combine with the quiet intimacy of a classic African bush camp in five Shawa Luxury Tents. The tents have been raised above th ...
Kwessi Dunes is located deep in Namibia’s striking NamibRand Nature Reserve, a vast desert wilderness of over 200,000 hectares. With its rolling desert plains and backdrop of craggy mountains and iconic red dunes, this is a place where time seems to stand still and the space is never-ending. Here, it’s not about chasing big game but rather soaking up the beauty of the colourful landscape, admiring the antelope that scatter the sand, and gazing at the stars the light up the night sky. At Kwessi Dunes, you’ll find 12 cool and comfortable (and air-conditioned) chalets all with canvas walls ...
Nestled on Lombok's most pristine beach a mere 40-minute flight from Bali, The Legian Sire, Lombok is a boutique suite and villa resort with stunning views of the famous Gili Islands. Exuding barefoot luxury, all suites boast 1,200-square-feet overlooking the ocean, and the resort features 55- and 75-foot infinity pools. The Club by The Legian Sire offers highly personalized butler service and a strong sense of exclusivity, with carefully appointed pool villas, eight beachfront villas, and a beach house with direct access to the white sandy beach. A holistic philosophy of bespoke spa treatment ...
São Lourenço do Barrocal is a farmscape hotel and retreat, in the foothills of Monsaraz, Portugal, amidst ancient holm oaks, olive groves and vineyards of a 19th century, 780-hectare family estate in the stunning Alentejo region of Portugal. Bordering Alqueva lake, the estate spans olive groves, vineyards and meadows, as well as the remarkable stone formations from which it takes its name. Inside a Dark Sky Reserve, it is one of the best places in the world to watch the stars and sky at night. It is a remarkable place to embrace nature, no matter what time of the day, offering trails for ...
