Europe & The Middle East

EUROPE EUROPE

& THE MIDDLE EAST

From stately architecture and medieval towns to towering glaciers and desert fortresses

A classic tour of Italy

This classic introduction to Italy includes time in the sun-drenched Tuscan countryside, the historic streets of Rome, and on some of the 118 islands that make up the city of Venice, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

HIGHLIGHTS ● Explore Venice in a private watertaxi. ● Visit Florence’s Uffizi Gallery with an expert guide who will steer you away from the crowds.

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Dine in a former farmhouse nestled in the rolling Tuscan hills. Zip around Rome on the back of a Vespa, exploring the city’s unknown corners.

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Visit a local winery on the alluring Amalfi Coast for a wine-paired lunch. Stroll the ancient but well-preserved streets of Pompeii with a private guide.

Florence, home to the Uffizi Gallery

TRIP DESIGNED BY “I have had a huge interest in Italy since an early age. Not only does my family have ties to the country, I also studied Italian Renaissance art.” Eva Constanza

T H E A U D L E Y DIFFERENCE 1. From sampling welcome drinks to finding the best views – we’ve visited every hotel that we recommend. 2. We take you on a private boat to the lesser-known grottoes to avoid the crowds.

STARTING PRICE $11,250 per person, includes all accommodations, excursions, and transfers.

3 NIGHTS Venice

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Start your trip in Venice – known for its fierce sense of regional identity as well as its iconic gondolas, which have managed to turn transportation into a romantic endeavor. Enjoy a panoramic tour of the canals with your guide. Eat and drink your way around Venice on a bacaroand-cicchetti tour. Visit St. Mark’s Square and the Doge’s Palace with a private guide. Explore the islands of Murano and Burano.

2 NIGHTS Florence

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Spend two nights in Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance and the jewel of Tuscany. Explore the iconic masterpieces of the Uffizi Gallery on a walking tour with a private guide. Visit local artisans in their studios, including a leather worker, a papermaker, and a mosaic artist.

2 NIGHTS Tuscany

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Indulge in a day of wine tasting and classic vistas as you discover Tuscany’s rolling hills, terraced vineyards, dusty-green olive groves, and romantic medieval villages. Visit Gothic Siena and San Gimignano and have lunch in a Tuscan farmhouse. Sample Chianti in a winery.

4 NIGHTS Rome

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Spend time in Rome and dive into the 2,500-year history of Italy’s Eternal City. Explore the Renaissance genius on display at St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums, including the Sistine Chapel and the Raphael Rooms. Zip around the streets of Rome on a private Vespa tour. Taste local delicacies on a culinary walking tour. See the mighty Colosseum and Roman Forum on a private tour.

4 NIGHTS Positano

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For your final nights, unwind on the Amalfi Coast, which is known for its cliff-edge towns where terracotta-roofed villas seem to cascade down to the azure sea.

Pompeii, with Mount Vesuvius in the background

Enjoy views of the Amalfi Coast

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Take a cooking class in an Italian nonna’s home. Walk the Path of the Gods and take in sweeping views of the sea. Roam through the wellpreserved streets of the sprawling, ancient city of Pompeii with an expert guide. Sail to the island of Capri on a private boat trip.

WHERE TO STAY

Antica Torre di via Tornabuoni, Florence This popular boutique hotel combines a historic setting in a 13th-century tower with a convenient location in the heart of the Renaissance city.

Villa Franca, Positano Boasting a hillside location with unobstructed views over Positano, this boutique hotel has the feel of a private home. To take advantage of the view you’ll find a rooftop pool and the option for a room with a private balcony.

E X P LO R E F U R T H E R

Flavors of Southern Italy

Enjoy handmade pasta, garden-grown sauce, and local wine while exploring Sicily and Italy’s southern Puglia region.

HIGHLIGHTS ● Stroll through Bari’s historical center and eat lunch in a local’s home. ● Make bread and focaccia in an artisanal bakery. ● Visit Palermo market to try some street food with a guide. ● Take a 4x4 ride up Mount Etna, and then visit a winery to discover the volcano’s distinctive terroir for yourself. ● Tour the market in Syracuse and take part in a hands-on cooking class.

TRIP DESIGNED FOR This trip was designed for serious food and wine enthusiasts, Suzanne and Eugene. They’ve already seen the main Italian cities and were excited to visit the country again, this time focusing on the diverse culinary landscape of the south.

STARTING PRICE $6,629 per person, includes all accommodations, excursions, and transfers.

T H E A U D L E Y DIFFERENCE 1. Meals are always best when shared – and even better when you’re guided through the dish by the people who made it. We will introduce you to some of our favorite chefs, who will share their cuisine and culture with you over a glass of wine. 2. All our food tours are carefully vetted to ensure they meet our health and safety standards.

The troglodyte city of Matera

11 -DAY SAMPLE IT INERARY

2 NIGHTS Fasano area

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Stay in a cave hotel that has

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Walk the streets of Bari and enjoy lunch in a local home. Visit Locorotondo, voted one of Italy’s prettiest cities and known for its white wine. Learn to make bread and focaccia at a local bakery.

2 NIGHTS Matera

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Take a walking tour of Matera, learning about its long and compelling history before enjoying a hearty lunch in a local restaurant.

been carved out of the limestone cliffs.

1 NIGHT Palermo

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Fly to Sicily and stay in the capital for the night. Indulge in local street food on a walking tour of the market. Enjoy an introduction to Sicilian wines.

2 NIGHTS Agrigento

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Visit the Valley of the Temples with a private guide.

3 NIGHTS Syracuse

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Tour Syracuse market and take a hands-on cooking class. Explore active volcano Mount Etna by 4x4 and enjoy lunch in a local winery.

E X P LO R E F U R T H E R

Extend your time in Puglia and visit the Baroque city of Lecce or the seaside of Otranto.

Women prepare food outside their home in Bari

Ancient history and beaches of Greece

Explore one of the oldest civilizations with a visit to Athens, home to the Acropolis, and then Nafplio, a coastal town on the Peloponnese. Afterward, head to the islands of Santorini and Mykonos for quintessential Mediterranean views.

Mykonos Village

The town of Fira, Santorini

HIGHLIGHTS ● Visit the Acropolis and Acropolis Museum with a private guide. ● Enjoy a hike along the Nafplio coastline. ● Explore Delos, one of the most important archaeological sites in Greece. ● Experience Santorini with a visit to local wineries. ● Kayak over an ancient sunken city.

TRIP DESIGNED BY “I was drawn to Greece because of its combination of rich culture, architecture, and unique foods. I particularly love the differences between the islands and the mainland. When I design a trip, I like to make sure both diverse landscapes are included.” Shannon Yates

STARTING PRICE $6,999 per person, includes all accommodations, excursions, and transfers.

2 NIGHTS Athens

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Visit the Acropolis, an archaeological site, as well as the nearby museum, which explains the site’s monumental significance. Try traditional local snacks on a food walking tour.

3 NIGHTS Nafplio

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Travel by road to Nafplio, in the Peloponesse. Explore the archaeological site of Mycenae as well as a nearby winery. Paddle over an ancient sunken city on a kayaking adventure. Hike along the scenic Nafplio coastline.

12 -DAY SAMPLE IT INERARY

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take the high-speed ferry to Mykonos. Visit the sacred island of Delos with a local guide.

3 NIGHTS Santorini

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Visit Santorini wineries to taste local wines and learn about the ancient production methods used here. Meet a local farmer to better understand the country’s agrarian roots. Enjoy the Santorini sunset, for which the island is famous.

E X P LO R E F U R T H E R

Head north to visit the mythic site of Delphi and even further north to the Meteora monasteries.

The Acropolis in Athens

T H E A U D L E Y DIFFERENCE 1. We pick you up from the airport and drop you off, to ensure things run smoothly. 2. Everything on this – and every – itinerary is just a suggestion. We’ll design your trip specifically for you.

Backstreets in Croatia

Building a dream

With the launch of our new tours to Iceland, Greece, and Croatia, we go behind the scenes to uncover the effort and expertise that goes into each itinerary.

Our clients include some of the world’s most discerning travelers – so our product team takes perfectionism to the next level. Every year, they stay in countless hotels, dine in hundreds of restaurants, and trial untold numbers of excursions, from Pisco tasting in Peru to climbing the Sydney Harbor Bridge in Australia.

It’s their mission to track down the most amazing experiences on Earth. If the experience doesn’t meet their criteria, it won’t be offered on an Audley itinerary – and their search for excellence must go on.

This rigorous approach is essential when adding a new country to our portfolio – such as Greece, Iceland, and Croatia. Our product team spends months exploring the country in person, before our specialists also visit to make their own assessment. Each hotel, tour, and itinerary must be tested at least twice to ensure that no detail is overlooked. The entire process takes over a year. So, what is the secret to an unforgettable Audley trip?

“It’s all about providing those experiences that you would never find on your own,” says Suzanne, the regional product manager who developed our Greece offerings.

“We work very closely with local guides and travel companies, but we almost always adjust their experiences to add the extra-special Audley touch.”

The work never stops: even after we launch a new country, we start researching new hotels or excursions within it and further fine-tune every experience.

“It’s hard work, but it’s one of the best jobs in the world,” says Suzanne. “There’s really no end when you begin to scratch beneath the surface of a place.”

W H E R E TO N E X T ? In 2020, we will be launching more European destinations: Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Turkey.

BY THE NUMBERS 9 The number of months that Audley’s product team spent exploring our new European destinations in 2019

70 The number of restaurants each country specialist reviews during a five-week research trip

2How many times each excursion is trialed – at least – before we decide it’s suitable

Santorini, Greece – one of Audley’s newest destinations

From ideas to itineraries, launching our new Greece journeys took more than a year.

Some time ago | BECOMING EXPERTS

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Becoming a specialist requires an incredible depth of regional knowledge, and developing this begins long before a specialist starts working at Audley. Our experts have an average of a year’s experience in-country prior to joining.

10 months ago | ON THE ROAD

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Our product team spent almost two months exploring the sights of Athens, the pristine countryside of the Peloponnese peninsula, the ancient treasures of Delphi and Olympia, and the beautiful beaches of four Greek islands: Santorini, Mykonos, Hydra, and Milos. They traveled widely, testing out everything from cooking classes to five-star hotels, establishing what would – or wouldn’t – make the cut.

4 months ago | THE SECOND TEST

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Time for our specialists to explore Greece again. Each one toured the country for five weeks, experiencing all of the recommended hotels, restaurants, and excursions for themselves – and confirming everything reaches Audley’s high standards.

Today | TIME TO LAUNCH

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We’re finally ready to offer trips to Greece, but the hard work doesn’t stop here. When our clients return from their trips, we’ll take every piece of feedback into account to make sure everything is running perfectly. Before long, we are back out re-testing excursions, trying the newest restaurants, and fine-tuning the details based on your experiences.

Paris for the solo traveler

A symbol of romance, opulence, and the finer things in life, Paris is every bit as magnificent as its reputation. Indulge in an entire week of macarons, explore Parisian back streets, and marvel at the city’s stately architecture.

HIGHLIGHTS ● Join an art historian on a privately guided tour of the Louvre and Musée d’Orsay. ● Learn to make macarons in a classic Haussmann apartment. ● Climb the Eiffel Tower. ● Walk in the footsteps of Louis XIV at Versailles. ● Stroll through Claude Monet’s house and gardens at Giverny.

TRIP DESIGNED FOR This trip was designed for Sally, who fell in love with the city many years ago. This time Sally is returning for a week on her own to get to know the city even better.

S TA R T I N G P R I C E $6,300 per solo traveler, includes all accommodations, excursions, and transfers.

7 -DAY SAMPLE IT INERARY

6 NIGHTS Paris

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Let Paris seduce you. It

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takes time to appreciate this grande dame of a city, so we suggest taking a full week to explore. Amble down its tree-lined boulevards, linger over delicate pastries in its endless cafes, and enjoy the view from the Eiffel Tower. Cruise down the Seine with a glass of champagne to start your trip in style. Take a privately guided tour of the Louvre and the Musée d’Orsay to see some of the most instantly familiar paintings in Western art. Explore the islands on the Seine before enjoying a chocolate and pastry tour of the fashionable Marais neighborhood. Ascend the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe. Join a small group to visit the regal Chateau de Versailles,

and painter Claude Monet’s

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house and gardens. Join a cooking class in the heart of Paris, where you’ll learn to make macarons, the traditional French delicacy.

The Boulevard Saint-Germain

E X P LO R E F U R T H E R

Venture to Provence or Bordeaux in the south of France for wine and sunshine.

The Eiffel Tower dominates the views over Paris

Enjoy the delights of French baking

Military history tour of England and France

Visit the places where history happened. Gain a deeper understanding of World War II as you travel through England and France, from the tunnels of Dover Castle to the first French village liberated by the Allies.

HIGHLIGHTS ● Visit the Churchill War Rooms and Imperial War Museum. ● Explore Dover Castle. ● Visit two American D-Day beaches: Omaha and Utah. ● Tour Sainte-MèreÉglise, the first French town liberated by the Americans. ● Walk among the gravestones at the American Cemetery.

TRIP DESIGNED BY “My love for France started while spending a summer in Europe researching architecture for my minor in art history. Since then, I’ve traveled extensively through France to get an in-depth knowledge of la vie en France through its food, art, and wine.” Samantha Sutherland

S TA R T I N G P R I C E $8,600 per person, includes all accommodations, excursions, and transfers.

2 NIGHTS London

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Visit the Churchill War Rooms and Imperial War Museum with a private guide. Explore Westminster Abbey and the Tower of London, voyaging between the two sites by boat on the River Thames.

2 NIGHTS Rye

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Marvel at the striking White Cliffs of Dover, and delve into Dover Castle’s military tunnels and fascinating history.

Imperial War Museum

10 -DAY SAMPLE IT INERARY

Rye, East Sussex

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Learn more about the attempted invasions along England’s southern coast while visiting Battle Abbey. Explore the villages in South East England.

1 NIGHT Paris

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Take the Eurostar train from London to Paris, where you will visit Napoleon’s tomb at Les Invalides, and the Army Museum.

2 NIGHTS Bayeux

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Visit some of American D-Day landing sites, including Omaha and Utah beaches as well as the American Cemetery.

2 NIGHTS Honfleur

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Tour British and Canadian D-Day landing sites.

EXPLORE FURTHER

Visit Liverpool to learn how World War II affected the city.

The Higgins Boat Memorial, Utah Beach

T H E A U D L E Y DIFFERENCE Each trip is designed from scratch – if you want to find out more about a particular regiment, if you are looking for a specific gravesite, or if you would like to visit locations unique to your family history, please let your specialist know. Every guide can prepare ahead of time to customize each private tour for you.

Heritage trip to Scotland and Ireland

Immerse yourself in the rich history of Scotland and Ireland while discovering your family’s heritage.

Loch Lee, Angus, Scotland

HIGHLIGHTS ● Research your family history with a genealogical archivist. ● Explore the Scottish Highlands with a countryside ranger. ● Enjoy a home-hosted family lunch.

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Learn about the Titanic’s tragic history with a world-renowned expert. Head out to Loch Ness to go Nessiehunting on a private luxury boat with two gregarious local ex-policemen.

SPECIALIST TIPS

1While staying at Ballymaloe House, you can get involved in the morning’s farm activities or assist the pastry chef with breakfast preparations. 2 Let your Titanic guide in Cobh know in advance if you have any family connections to the ship,

or have any ancestors who emigrated from Cobh. He’ll search the local records to find out what he can for you.

S TA R T I N G P R I C E $3,950 per person, includes all accommodations, excursions, and transfers.

Colorful Cobh harbor in County Cork, Ireland

TRIP DESIGNED FOR

This trip was designed for Patrick and Sarah. Patrick’s father grew up in Fife in Scotland, and two of Sarah’s grandparents emigrated from Ireland in the early 1900s. Their family is hoping to learn about their ancestry in a more profound way on their trip.

2 NIGHTS Edinburgh

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Explore the flinty charms of Scotland’s capital, including cobblestone streets, the castle, and the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Take afternoon tea on an orientation bus tour to get an overview of the city. Spend some time tracing your ancestry at ScotlandsPeople Centre. Embark on a shared ‘ghosts and ghouls’ tour to uncover the city’s grisly past.

3 NIGHTS The Cairngorms

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Set off in your rental car into the Highlands, where you can immerse yourself in the wild Scottish landscape. Visit Black Watch Castle and spend time delving into your family’s genealogical records with a private archivist. Venture into the historic Rothiemurchus Estate with a countryside ranger. Try your hand at archery amid the forest. Take a private, luxury boat trip on Loch Ness.

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explore the city on foot and by bike. Whiz around the city on an electric bike with a private guide. Explore Dublin’s best eateries on a foodie walking tour. Visit EPIC, The Irish Emigration Museum and sift through your ancestral records. Enjoy an evening in the city’s oldest pub.

2 NIGHTS Cobh

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Drive to Cobh, the pretty seaside town that was the last port of call for the Titanic. Take a private walking tour with a Titanic expert.

The historic Royal Mile in Edinburgh

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Experience Irish hospitality by joining a local family in their home for lunch. Explore the Cobh Heritage Center.

2 NIGHTS County Clare

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Drive north to Ennis and explore the stark landscape of the Burren and the soaring Cliffs of Moher. Take part in a medieval banquet at Bunratty Castle.

WHERE TO STAY

Ballymaloe House Hotel, near Cobh Ballymaloe House sits nestled in a farm estate that also hosts its own prestigious cooking school. The hotel is built around the remnants of a 14thcentury Norman castle.

Princes Street Suites, Edinburgh These spacious serviced apartments, centrally located in Edinburgh, offer great value for money, especially for families requiring multiple rooms. There are excellent views from the rooftop toward the castle.

EXPLORE FURTHER

Visit Liverpool to learn how World War II affected the city.

T H E A U D L E Y DIFFERENCE We know that understanding a culture takes time; that’s why before you travel we send an educational dossier to help you be best prepared. We’ve even included a small language section in case you want to learn a bit of Gaelic before you go.

Gems of Croatia

Discover the best of Croatia by venturing to both its cities and islands. Enjoy walking tours of medieval towns, local winery visits, traditional home-cooked meals, and the dreamy Adriatic Sea.

HIGHLIGHTS ● Walk the grand city walls of Dubrovnik with a Game of Thrones makeup artist. ● Discover the Dalmatian Coast with a visit to the lesser-known Šibenik Islands. ● Spend a day with a local chef on a walking tour followed by a homecooked meal. ● Relax on the sundrenched island of Hvar. ● Taste award-winning wines on the Pelješac Peninsula.

SPECIALIST TIPS 1 The Michelin-starred restaurants Pelegrini (Šibenik) and 360° (Dubrovnik) are sold out most nights, so be sure to reserve well ahead to secure a spot. 2 For a more isolated atmosphere, ask your specialist about alternative towns and islands for a more off-the-beaten-path journey. 3 For an active experience, try a hike to the deserted town of Malo Grablje on Hvar to earn your lunch with a view.

STARTING PRICE $7,600 per person, includes all accommodations, excursions, and transfers.

10 -DAY SAMPLE IT INERARY

3 NIGHTS Split

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Arrive in Split, and head to your hotel in the heart of the 5th-century Diocletian’s Palace, the historic center of town. Enjoy a guided tour of UNESCO World Heritage Site Šibenik, followed by a boat tour of the islands. Walk Trogir’s cobbled streets, then enjoy a home-cooked meal with a chef and sommelier. Visit the waterfalls and trails of Krka National Park. Taste a variety of wines at a family-run, countryside winery. Walk or cycle the trails of Marjan Hill, with views over Split.

3 NIGHTS Hvar

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Board a ferry to the island of Hvar, with a stay overlooking the harbor of Hvar town. Visit Duboković and Tomić’s award-winning wineries. Kayak to the nearby Pakleni

Lavender fields of Hvar

Trogir, Croatia, is famous for its streetscapes and, left, its city gate

Islands for a day of

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sunshine and relaxation. Cycle through the lavender fields of UNESCO World Heritage Site Stari Grad Plain.

3 NIGHTS Dubrovnik

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Walk the imposing city walls with your personal guide. Dine on a traditional peka lunch in the Konavle Valley. Learn more of the city’s recent history at the War Photo Limited museum. Enjoy a private boat ride to the nearby Elaphiti Islands. Indulge in wine tastings on the Pelješac Peninsula, then oysters in the town of Ston.

EXPLORE FURTHER

End your trip on the pebble beaches of nearby Montenegro.

T H E A U D L E Y DIFFERENCE We offer a selection of local wineries and can match your tastes with the best options.

Plitvice Lakes, Croatia

Croatia’s colorful characters Let our local experts immerse you in the country’s rich culture and landscapes.

By Scott Harrington, Europe product manager

Croatia is known for its beaches and islands, as well as an enticing mix of rich culture and excellent food. However, it’s the people who make it unforgettable: from local guides with unrivaled knowledge to families who will welcome you into their homes to share meals and stories.

While researching Audley’s new trips in Croatia, I spent almost three months exploring the country and meeting the people who make our tailor-made itineraries extra special. Here are four of the fascinating local guides you could encounter on your travels.

1The Game of Thrones guru In Dubrovnik, Game of Thrones is a huge draw. The city was one of the key filming locations, starring as King’s Landing, the capital of the Seven Kingdoms. If you’re a fan of the show, you’ll love our guide Lucija – she

Karaka ship used in Game of Thrones

has worked as a makeup artist on Game of Thrones for years, and is a fully qualified guide and brilliant storyteller. She knows all of the actors and has been on set countless times, so her Dubrovnik city tours are packed with juicy behind-the-scenes details.

2The award-winning winemaker Croatia is a fantastic country for wine, but it’s not widely known because bottles are not usually exported – locals keep it all for themselves. There are a few

Enjoy artisan wine: one of the country’s best-kept secrets

big wineries that run formal tours, but we prefer to focus on smaller family-run businesses. Instead of having a tour with a sommelier or salesperson, meet with the owner – like Ivo, from Duboković Winery in Jelsa, Hvar. He’ll take you around the cellars, tell you all about his award-winning artisan wine, and open a few bottles for you to enjoy.

Eat lunch at a family-run farm

the most visited destinations in Croatia. However, visitors don’t usually take the time to see the countryside around it. They are missing out.

At Ranch Terra, a working local farm, you can explore on horseback before having lunch with owner Marko and his family. Over traditional roast lamb and glasses of rakija (fruit brandy), they’ll tell you all about the country’s culture, customs and colorful history.

4The celebrated chef Trogir is an ancient city, with wonderful architecture and an exciting food scene. On our private tour, you’ll visit the morning market with Robert, a local professional chef. Markets are the social hub of Croatia, and Robert knows everyone. He’ll show you what is fresh, and together you’ll pick out the ingredients for lunch. Afterward, you’ll be driven to his rustic countryside kitchen, where he’ll serve you a freshly cooked five-course meal surrounded by lush gardens and vineyards.

Iceland’s rugged landscape boasts volcanoes, waterfalls, and hot springs. Encounter Earth’s natural drama

The mighty Strokkur geyser in Iceland’s Geysir Geothermal Area

Descending into the belly of Thrihnukagigur volcano is like entering a cathedral ... through the roof. As the cable lift eases downward, the scale and beauty of the chamber slowly reveal themselves. Its jagged sides reach up like Gothic archways, while the walls swirl with crimson, indigo, and gold. The colors are naturally formed traces of the last eruption, more than 4,000 years ago, but it’s the cavern’s sheer size that will really steal your breath away – you could fit the Statue of Liberty in here, with room to spare. It takes just six minutes to reach the base, but it’s a ride you’ll never forget. Iceland’s natural beauty is no secret, but this isn’t a land for simply sitting back and admiring the view. It’s for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and touring –

and dangling inside volcanoes. You can soak in steaming hot springs, walk behind thundering waterfalls, and share a beach with icebergs and seals at Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon. It’s one of the world’s premier whale-watching locations, and a Northern Lights hotspot – and now, with our new tailor-made Iceland trips, you can experience it all for yourself. “Whether you have just a week or a month, Iceland is always incredible,” says Laura Robinson, senior product executive, who has spent the last year setting up our new tours. “If it’s a short visit, I recommend staying in the city of Reykjavík: the mighty Gullfoss waterfall, Geysir’s famous geysers, and the stunning Blue Lagoon geothermal pool are all within easy reach.”

You can explore the region – known as the Golden Circle – with a private guide

or in your own rental vehicle. “With more time to spare, I’d visit the Snæfellsnes Peninsula for whale watching and pristine beaches,” says Laura. “Or the east coast, with its remote fishing villages and tranquil fjords.”

Iceland’s roads are quiet and well maintained, making it an ideal destination for a road trip – and giving you plenty of flexibility when designing your trip. You can even do a full loop of the island, following the 828-mile Ring Road, one of the world’s wildest road trips.

“Summer is the perfect time to explore,” adds Laura. “From May to July, Iceland basks in the midnight sun, when the skies never truly darken. The lighting makes for incredible photographs, and you can drive for miles without seeing another soul – with the steaming lava fields and golden skies all to yourself.”

Family trip to Iceland

Venture to dramatic black-sand beaches, geothermal hot springs, sprawling glaciers, and thundering waterfalls – accompanied by local guides who will share their favorite spots for the entire family.

HIGHLIGHTS ● Bathe in the milky waters of Iceland’s Blue Lagoon. ● See tectonic plates, erupting geysers, and waterfalls on the Golden Circle with a local expert. ● Explore a lava cave, close to the volcano that inspired ‘Journey to the Center of the Earth’. ● Travel by Superjeep to Þórsmörk, Iceland’s wilderness interior, complete with a locally sourced picnic lunch.

The Blue Lagoon is a great place to start

8 -DAY SAMPLE IT INERARY

Icelandic horses

TRIP DESIGNED FOR This trip was designed for Doug and Caroline, who are celebrating their daughter’s graduation. Their daughter is particularly interested in geology which made Iceland, with its unique geological formations, the perfect destination.

S TA R T I N G P R I C E $6,850 per person, includes all accommodations, excursions, and transfers.

4 NIGHTS Reykjavík

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Beat the jetlag and begin your Icelandic adventure at the Blue Lagoon, located near the airport. Soak in the milky waters and indulge in a silica mud mask before heading on to Reykjavík, Iceland’s capital. Explore the Snæfellsnes Peninsula and marvel at the Snæfellsjökull, a domineering, ice-capped volcano. Then explore a lava cave and spot seals basking on the sweeping sandy beaches of Ytri Tunga.

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Go horesback riding on hardy Icelandic horses and hike in the countryside to visit geothermally heated hot springs. Venture to the Golden Circle to see the splitting of the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates at Þingvellir National Park, the home of Iceland’s Viking parliament. Feel the spray of powerful waterfalls, witness erupting geysers, and enjoy secret lagoons. Visit steaming geothermal mud pools at Krýsuvík and

Marvel at the northern lights

the astonishing turquoise lake Kleifarvatn.

3 NIGHTS South Iceland

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See black-sand beaches and the basalt sea stacks at Reynisfjara beach, walk behind Seljalandsfoss waterfall, and learn about the geology of the island at the LAVA Centre. Visit the Westman Island and try your hand at ‘sprenger’: the local tradition of climbing cliffs using rope swings. You may even spot puffins nesting. Climb aboard a Superjeep, a specially modified 4x4 designed to tackle Iceland’s rugged wilderness, and head to the magnificent Þórsmörk Nature Reserve.

EXPLORE FURTHER

Fly north to Iceland’s second city, Akureyri, and explore Lake Mývatn – a volcanic landscape where NASA astronauts trained for their Apollo missions.

Highlights of Spain and Morocco

From the mountains and markets of Morocco to the palaces and cathedrals of southern Spain, discover the photogenic landscapes and ancient cultures of these two countries.

HIGHLIGHTS ● Navigate Marrakesh’s souks and Jemaa el-Fnaa Square with an expert guide. ● Spend time at a local home with the Berber people of the High Atlas Mountains. ● Marvel at the contrast of Moorish and Christian architecture at the Alhambra Palace. ● Sample the many flavors of Seville on an evening tapas tour. ● Enjoy a flamenco performance in its birthplace, Seville.

Morocco is famed for its beautiful tilework

S TA R T I N G P R I C E $5,060 per person, includes all accommodations, excursions, and transfers.

10 -DAY SAMPLE IT INERARY

2 NIGHTS High Atlas Mountains

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Fly into Marrakesh, where you’ll be met by your private driver and then venture into the nearby High Atlas Mountains. Relax at a kasbah hotel for two nights. Visit a Berber community to share part of daily life: bake bread, visit a pottery studio, and sit down to a meal in a local family house.

Monument, Seville

2 NIGHTS Marrakesh

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Return to Marrakesh to spend two nights in a traditional riad in the heart of the bustling medina. Visit historical sites such as the Koutoubia Mosque, the Bahia Palace, and the Jewish quarter. Enjoy dinner in Jemaa el-Fnaa Square and watch it come alive with street performers and food stalls.

2 NIGHTS Granada

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Fly to southern Spain to enjoy the Moorish city of Granada. Admire the sprawling Alhambra complex against the snowcapped mountains of the Sierra Nevada. See the ornate tombs of the Catholic Monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella, who defeated the Moors in Spain.

3 NIGHTS Seville

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Travel by car from Granada to Seville, stopping along the way to visit the plunging gorge and historic bridges of Ronda. Climb the imposing Giralda Bell Tower and explore the Alcázar of Seville. Amble through the historic streets of the city and soak up the atmosphere on a sunbaked patio surrounded by orange trees. Partake in a tapas tour, enjoying a host of local haunts. Attend a flamenco performance and learn more about Andalusian culture.

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