Marvão: medieval fortress village above the Alentejo plain ● Monsanto and Idanha-a-Velha — Portugal's deepest historical layers ● Serra da Estrela glacier plateau at 1000 m+ ● Douro Valley vineyard trails and river cruise ● Porto's Ribeira district and Dom Luís Bridge crossing ● Levada hike through UNESCO Laurissilva forest, Madeira ● Vereda do Larano coastal trail above the Atlantic

Explore medieval Transylvania with its imposing castles and fortified churches ● discover the vibrant culture and rich history of Bucharest ● wander through picturesque villages and immerse yourself in local traditions ● visit ancient fortresses and marvel at their architecture ● experience the serene landscapes and natural beauty of Moldova ● enjoy the warm hospitality and rich cultural heritage of these fascinating nations.

Rila Monastery's mountain sanctuary ● four days exploring Istanbul's Byzantine and Ottoman heritage ● Georgian supra feast with qvevri wines and polyphonic song ● overland Caucasus journey crossing into Armenia ● Geghard Monastery carved into mountain cliffs ● Khor Virap beneath Mount Ararat's biblical peaks.

Prague: one of the world's most magical cites ● Exquisite gothic and baroque Cesky Krumlov ● Bratislava, including the historic Old Town ● Budapest walking tour ● Three nights in stately Vienna

The Great Pyramids and Sphinx at Giza ● the spectacular Grand Egyptian Museum with Tutankhamun's treasures ● pre-dawn excursion to Abu Simbel's colossal rock-cut temples ● three-night Nile cruise from Aswan to Luxor sailing past Kom Ombo and Edfu ● Luxor's magnificent Karnak Temple and the Valley of the Kings explored with private guides ● camel trek to St. Simeon Monastery and felucca sail on the Nile