Asian shores of Istanbul have always been filled with residential areas, wooden houses, Sultan's summer residences and fisherman's villages. Today's tour will take you to 3 of the oldest and well known of these districts along the Asian shores of the city. Your tour will start by crossing from Europe to Asia. Once on the Asian side, you will start an orientation drive along the shores where you will see the beauties of the European side from a distance. Your drive will end at the nostalgic neighbourhood of Kuzguncuk. Here you will see the old houses of the city that stand witness to the interesting mixture of Jews, Greeks, Armenians and Turks living harmoniously side by side in this amazing city. You will see a synagogue, mosque and a church sharing the same garden next to each other and walk along centuries old streets. From here you will get on the vehicle to continue your panoramic drive passing through the old Military School where Ataturk, the founder of Turkey once studied to arrive at the tranquil village of Cengelkoy where many people know one another and have lived together for many years. You will gather your breath and have refreshments under the 700 year old plane tree in the village's famous local cafe by the water before moving on to Kanlica. Once a small fisherman's village well known for its yoghurt now it is a local district of the city favored by locals for their days out. After exploring this charming waterfront area and tasting the famous yoghurt served with caster sugar on top, return to the pier.

Mingle with local Latvians by traveling on the train and public buses to several waterfront districts, where you will meander about the attractions. Drive by public transport (bus or train) to Vecaki, a district on the Gulf of Riga known for its beaches. While there, the guide will enhance your understanding of the capital’s turbulent history by elaborating on the nearby fortifications that date to the Napoleonic Wars. You will then board a public bus and enjoy a genuine slice of daily Latvian life on the way to the Vecmilgravis district. The guide will point out buildings constructed during the time that the Soviets occupied Latvia. Like several neighboring Baltic countries, Latvia gained its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. The most historical building is the White Church. Built near the water during the late 18th century, the wooden Lutheran church features a tower that local fishermen have long used as a lighthouse of sorts to help them navigate. Get an authentic feel for Latvian life by riding the train and/or bus with the locals. Explore the beach-rimmed district of Vecaki, a resort area where the residents relax. Gain an understanding of life under Soviet rule before Latvia became independent in 1991. During your walk, you’ll stop at a local cafe for refreshments.

HIGHLIGHTS:
• Get an authentic feel for Latvian life by riding the train and bus with the locals.
• Explore the beach-rimmed district of Vecaki, a resort area where the residents relax.
• Gain an understanding of life under Soviet rule before Latvia became independent in 1991.

Visit a rural farm and tour the fields with the owners, who will be quite willing to discuss how farming and life has changed since Latvia’s independence from the Soviet Union. During the Soviet era, collective farming was practiced, in which government-owned farms banded together to grow crops. When Latvia gained its independence in 1991, farms could be privately owned again. The farm that you will visit grows an abundance of raspberries and strawberries, as the conditions in this part of Latvia are quite favorable for both crops. Growing berries became even more widespread following the Soviet era because the farmers could directly reap the benefits. You may have the opportunity to pick some berries (if available) in the fields and enjoy homemade seasonal pie while lingering over a cup of tea with the owners of the farm. Feel free to ask them about their lives before and after Soviet rule. It is sure to be an eye-opening experience. Gain an understanding of how farming has changed since Soviet rule ended in 1991. Tour a berry farm with the owners and learn more about its challenges and development. Enjoy some berries (if available) and homemade seasonal pie and a cup of tea with the owners as they discuss post-Soviet rural life.

HIGHLIGHTS:
• Gain an understanding of how farming has changed since Soviet rule ended in 1991.
• our a berry farm with the owners and pick your own raspberries and strawberries.
• Enjoy the berries and a cup of tea with the owners as they discuss post-Soviet rural life.

OVERVIEW

Come visit the Albufera Natural Park and learn about its importance and how specialists work on the conservation and the biodiversity of species in the area. Although you may have visited La Albufera on previous occasions, this time, we are going to discover La Gola de El Pujol, a very particular area inside the park and the most popular gully. The historical route of the Gola del Pujol is a short walk of about 40 minutes over 700 metres and 8 stops, which runs parallel to the Gola del Pujol, a gorge that joins the Albufera lake with the sea. The path, fitted out with non-slip wood, leads from the gates in front of the famous jetty - one of the most photographed spots in Valencia - to the Estany del Pujol, an artificial pond that has existed since 1970 and has now been converted into a protected spot for the birds that visit the area - it is of vital importance for many species - and bathing in this area is prohibited. You’ll walk under the shade of pinewoods and discover many endemic species of plants and insects. On the shore of the lagoon there is a jetty and a very interesting viewpoint, which provides a panoramic view of the Albufera.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Follow a specialized guide through the national park in a discovery of biodiversity and conservation.
• Gain insight into how the land was transformed from rice fields into freshwater wetlands.
• Cruise through the reserve in a boat and observe the abundant water birds.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Immerse yourself in the rich history of intriguing Portimão with an enlightening visit to a museum and a guided walk through its quaint Old Town, where you’ll discover intriguing landmarks that survived the ravages of the 1755 earthquake that leveled Lisbon. Meander through narrow streets and find the stalwart Church of Nossa Senhora da Conceição, which still retains its original 15th-century Gothic doorway, buttresses and gargoyles. Note the equally magnificent later additions, including signature 17th-century azulejo tiles and a regal statue of Saint Peter the Apostle that is lavishly adorned with ivory and wood crucifixes.

You’ll explore the Convento do Colégio dos Jesuítas and the mausoleum of Diogo Gonçalves, a nobleman who funded the church’s construction a century before the quake, and revel in some free time to shop or further examine the city’s churches. Delve into a wealth of exhibits at the Museu de Portimão, housed in a former fish-canning factory on the picturesque Arade River, and learn how early settlements in the area were altered by Roman and Islamic occupations. You’ll long remember the treasures to be found in Portimão’s endlessly captivating Old Town.

Meet a Nordic assistant designer and discover how she upcycles discarded waste materials to create green fashions. The venue for this enlightening experience will be the Telliskivi Creative City, a former industrial complex that has been converted into the largest creative center in Estonia, which is also a member of the UN Fashion and Lifestyle Network. Of all the studios and galleries, the one that Reet Aus owns may be the most inspiring. She is committed to ending the fashion industry’s throwaway culture by creating clothing with excess textiles that would otherwise end up in a landfill. By upcycling or turning old garments into higher-quality sustainable ones, she helps to reduce Estonia’s carbon footprint. You will find a similar environmentally conscious atmosphere at the photography museum Fotografiska. After browsing the exhibits, you will enjoy lunch at a zero-waste restaurant, where the dishes are as creative as the photography. Views of Tallinn’s World Heritage site, Old Town, will enhance the dining experience.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Meet an assistant designer that upcycles discarded textiles to create sustainable fashions.
• See stylish high-quality clothing made with materials once earmarked for the landfill.
• Browse a photography museum and dine in its zero-waste restaurant.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Explore the west coast of Tenerife, a gorgeous landscape of remote villages and banana plantations. Have privilege views over the fertile Orotava valley from the Humbold viewpoint. Over time, sugarcane, grapes and bananas became the dominant crops, and they are still harvested using traditional techniques. Understand how the crops are cultivated visiting an old hacienda where you can learn firsthand how bananas are grown, a tour in an authentic banana plantation where you can see different varieties of bananas and learn the process before sampling the locally grown bananas and banana liqueur. On the way back to pier, visit an ancient garden hosting the largest orchid collection on the Island and stop at La Garañona Viewpoint, local´s favorite spot to take in the beauty of the sea and surrounding.

HIGHLIGHTS:
• Gain an understanding of how crops are harvested using traditional methods.
• Learn firsthand how bananas are grown and see different varieties in an authentic plantation.
• Visit an ancient garden hosting the largest orchid collection on the Island .
• Sample several varieties of bananas and banana liqueur, which attest to the fruit’s diversity.

Enjoy the serenity of several natural settings, including the Big City Park in Tivat, where you will plant a tree that will benefit the Earth for years to come. The urban park is a green oasis full of indigenous and exotic plants that include eucalyptuses, magnolias, Chilean firs and unusual herbs. By planting a small tree on the grounds, you will add to the botanical diversity and perhaps most important help the environment, as trees absorb harmful carbon dioxide and release oxygen into the air. A bit of free time in Porto Montenegro will follow, after which you will wander through Solila Reserve on the Bay of Tivat. Although salt was once produced in the pools along the shore, birdwatching is now the main activity in the protected wildlife reserve. Keep an eye out for auks, ibises and curlews. A leisurely and informative walk through Old Town Kotor will perfectly complement the experience.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Plant a tree in a park known for its botanical diversity.
• Meander about a protected bayside reserve that supports abundant birdlife.
• Enjoy free time in architecturally important Porto Montenegro and Old Town Kotor.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Meander through a fragrant herb garden in a 19th-century farm and then savor a delightful lunch of traditional Slovenian dishes. As an introduction to the country’s limestone karst region, you will pause to take in the sweeping views from a castle that overlooks the Gulf of Trieste. The culinary experience unfolds at a charming local family homestead, where a husband and wife grow and prepare herbs and dishes themselves. You'll discover the herbs they cultivate for culinary and medicinal purposes, such as sage, fennel, and balm mint. The karst terrain also nurtures the growth of fragrant lavender, adding to the region's aromatic allure. As you will discover during the lunch that follows, many of the herbs have been used in the dishes. To complement the meal, you will be served Teran wine, a dark-ruby wine sometimes called King of the Karst.

You’ll journey to the ancient place of Mayan pilgrimage known today as Chacchoben, also known as "The Place of Red Corn". At the pier, you’ll be greeted by a bilingual guide who will direct you to an air-conditioned bus. Onboard the bus your guide will brief you on the interesting history and unique attributes of this sacred Mayan site. Upon arrival at Chacchoben you’ll be surrounded by jungle. Your guide will escort you through the ruins, giving you a complete explanation of the sacred temples and other structures seen there. See original red paint on the stucco walls of one of the pyramids and the temple where a mural was found showing the astronomical positions of the planet Venus. You’ll have time to climb the Gran Basamento taking you above tree level. Here archaeologists found ceremonial offerings dating to around 1000 B.C. Your guide will also explain about the wildlife and medicinal plants that are used by the modern-day descendants of the ancient Mayan people. During the tour, you will reach a structure known as the Gran Basamento, which is not a pyramid, but an elevated platform.

Enjoy a combination of Slovenia’s best known sites the capital city of Ljubljana and Lake Bled. Both are a wonderful gateway to Slovenian heritage. After a guided tour, you’ll have free time to explore on your own. Following your approximate two hour drive to the Alpine town of Lake Bled, you’ll have different options to enjoy from a walk around the picturesque lake to visiting a medieval castle visit, all during your free time and at your own expense. After World War II, this was one of the most appealing state residences and drew many people who were attracted by the beauty of this town. Today new pilgrims have been discovering this tranquil and lovely place.

After a guided walk through Ljubljana, a medium sized European city, you’ll have time to explore your own pace. It offers all the friendliness of a small town and at the same time has everything that a capital should. This city of culture boasts one of the oldest philharmonic halls in the world. Every year it hosts more than 10,000 cultural events ranging from prestigious concerts, theater performances and fine art exhibitions.

View the landmarks of Hiroshima, some commemorating the atomic bomb blast here in 1945 and others reflecting the city’s celebration of peace. At the poignant Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, you will behold the ruins of some of the few concrete buildings left after the atomic bomb was dropped. One of them, the Atomic Bomb Dome, has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site and has become a symbol of Hiroshima. You will also browse the Peace Memorial Museum whose exhibits show Hiroshima before and after the bombing and personal artifacts from the victims that humanize the devastating event. The museum encourages visitors to make a vow for universal peace. While the mood there is somber, serenity is the overarching theme at Shukkei-en Garden. Besides being a wonderful respite from the hubbub of the city, the garden is a visual delight, as plants are always in bloom. Although the atomic bomb destroyed the garden, it has been fully restored.