Discover Bulgaria, with its mix of East and West, rugged mountains and Black Sea coast; and Romania, home of crenelated castles and fabled Transylvania.  Experience a folkloric performance and a cooking class in Sofia.  Discover culturally rich Plovdiv and take in the Black Sea resort of Varna.  Witness history at five Bulgarian UNESCO sites.  In Romania, explore Bucharest, lovely Sighisoara, and legendary Bran Castle, once believed to be Count Dracula’s lair.  Encounter UNESCO’s Transylvania historic site of medieval villages.  Visit exquisite Peles Castle and Snagov Monastery, Vlad the Impaler’s reputed burial site. 

This extraordinary 18-day journey reveals the magnificence of four distinct Southern African nations, from Zimbabwe’s spectacular Victoria Falls and Botswana’s exceptional Chobe National Park to Namibia’s massive dunes and storied coast and South Africa’s beautiful Cape Town. Optional 4-day/3-night extension to the extraordinary Kruger region.

Experience Tokyo’s ancient Shinto Meiji Shrine and modern Ginza district. Visit Mt. Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, and spend the night at a ryokan, a traditional Japanese inn. Explore Takayama’s ancient streets and Kanazawa’s famed Kenrokuen Gardens. Attend a traditional Japanese tea ceremony and embark on a cycling tour through the grounds of Kyoto’s Imperial Palace. Optional Hiroshima post-tour extension.

From Istanbul, magnificent “Empress of the World,” to ancient ruins, stunning landscapes, and the dramatic Turquoise Coast where you board gulet yachts for a distinctive four-night “Blue Voyage,” Turkey offers an unparalleled 15-day small-group experience.  Discover ancient Konya and the unique Cappadocia region with an optional 5-day/4-night post-tour extension. 

Enjoy an active walking tour amid France’s idyllic landscapes of the Dordogne and Loire valleys. See the towering cliffs of La Roque Gageac and discover the medieval town of Sarlat. Marvel at the painted Lascaux Caves. Enjoy local French wine and cuisine and Loire Valley gardens. Learn about the sparkling wines of the region.

Begin in Valletta, the vibrant capital city of the island nation of Malta and one of the most concentrated historic areas in the world. Then embark Sea Cloud II for a splendid seven-night cruise circumnavigating Sicily. Explore the island’s treasures with stops in Trapani (for Segesta, and Erice or Marsala), Palermo, Giardini Naxos (for Taormina and Mt. Etna), and Syracuse. Spend a day in the Aeolian Islands, one of seven UNESCO sites visited during this cruise, as well as a specially-timed sailing to enjoy up-close views of the still-active Stromboli volcano. Pre-trip extension on Malta and Gozo, with visits to remarkable Neolithic and medieval sites.

Journey to America’s “Last Frontier,” the heart of Alaska’s beautiful and wild country, as well as to its engaging cities. Travel by deluxe railcar to Denali National Park for a three-night stay. Revel in mountain views, hike through the tundra, and visit an Iditarod sled dog kennel. A breathtaking flight brings us deep into remote Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, America’s largest national park. Explore Anchorage’s historic downtown. In picturesque Seward, take a boat ride through rugged and stunning Kenai Fjords National Park.

Cruise the storied Rhine and Mosel rivers and explore the fascinating towns, cities and legends that have sprung from these scenic waterways. On this seven-night journey aboard a first-class ship, see castles, vineyards and charming Old Towns, and choose from a selection of included excursions in Amsterdam, two ports in Germany and in Strasbourg, France.

Experience an overview of four distinct and fascinating nations – Poland, Hungary, Austria and the Czech Republic. Explore Warsaw’s Old Town and view Budapest’s scenic Danube Bend. Attend a classical music performance in Vienna and tour majestic Schönbrunn Palace. Experience Prague’s acclaimed museums and architectural treasures. Visit Germany’s capital on an optional 4-day/3-night Berlin post-tour extension. 

Cruise the five Great Lakes from Milwaukee to Toronto, visiting islands and towns rich in history and natural splendor. Delight in the Victorian character of Mackinac Island; visit Sault Ste. Marie, known to Native Americans as the “Gathering Place”; and witness the thunderous power of Niagara Falls. Optional extensions to Chicago and Toronto.