Best of both worlds: Balanced travel experiences

Mixing it up on holiday is one of our specialties. Many of our itinerary ideas offer a range of activities designed to make your trip into a memorable adventure, and some of them include remarkable contrasts all within the same vacation – think urban and rural, nature and culture, mountains and coastline.  Keep your travelling companions happy with a vacation that ticks everyone’s boxes with trips that embrace the contrast between action and relaxation, wildlife and street life or history and hedonism. Here are six of our favorite examples of holidays that embrace variety and offer the best of both worlds for some truly balanced travel experiences.

Multifaceted countries ideal for balanced travel experiences

Ecuador: For Colonial city charm and otherworldly wildlife

Enjoy the contrast between mainland Ecuador’s capital city sitting amid towering peaks and the sea-level wonders of the Galapagos on this exciting tour of the highlands and islands. Enjoy Quito’s historic core stuffed full of palaces, churches, cafés and plazas all basking at nearly 3,000 meters above sea level.

Move on to explore Otavalo’s fabulous markets, the perfect place to pick up some local handicrafts with a colorful blend of fabrics, jewelry and traditional crafts. In this region you can also discover the majesty of Cotopaxi National Park and its eponymous volcano which tops out at 5,897 snow–capped meters. 

Then for something completely different, transfer to the beautiful and fascinating Galapagos archipelago, some 1000 miles off the coast of Ecuador. It is on these fabled isles that Darwin’s inspiration was sparked, and he went on to write On the Origin of Species based on his early observations of the island wildlife. Human influence has been minimal and nature has flourished in isolation on this configuration of volcanic islands. Explore bizarre landscapes and come face to face with a fascinating array of creatures as you tor the islands aboard a comfortable cruiser.

Russia: For big city flash and rural wanderings

From the monumental scale and grandeur of the imperial capital to the rural idyll of Tula, the contrasts between rural and urban Russia couldn’t be greater. Tour the most extravagant and stylish stations of the world’s most sumptuous metro, enjoy some Muscovite cuisine and browse the fabulous array of fashions at the renowned GUM department store. Take a guided tour of the city’s major sights and hidden gems, marvel at the sheer enormity of Red Square and the beauty of St Basil’s candy colored domes in Moscow.

After a big city fix, venture into the countryside and stay a while in the fairytale town of Tula. With its 16th century Kremlin and tranquil rural setting, the town offers a whole other angle on life in Russia.

Uganda: For high mountain hiking and laidback safari

A combination of mountain trekking and classic safari is on the menu if you book this Ugandan adventure. Encounter various habitat zones and unusual wildlife during your hiking tour of the Rwenzori Mountains National Park – will you be lucky enough to see chimps, blue monkeys, colobus monkeys or l’hoest monkeys? Or perhaps you will be focused on the incredible variety of birds present here, more than 200 at the last count, 17 of which are endemic to this national park.

After all that legwork, sit back and enjoy the show on various game drives and water safaris in the Queen Elizabeth National Park and Lake Mburo National Park, home to impala, giraffe, zebra, buffalo, elephant, waterbuck, bushbuck, crocodiles and kob along with the lions that stalk them. The birdlife is also fantastic and spending time here will be much more low impact than in the mountains. Here you’ll mostly observe wildlife from safari jeeps and spend plenty of time relaxing back at the lodge.

Vietnam: For frenetic city slicking and blissed-out peddle biking

Experience the two sides of this beautiful Asian gem with this urban and rural tour of Northern Vietnam, where you can get to know the historic Old Quarter of Hanoi and the delicious street food on offer, renowned across Vietnam and beyond for its authentic and vibrant flavors.

Once you leave the buzz of Hanoi behind, explore the verdant valleys and impressive karst scenery around Ninh Binh’s rice paddies by bike and boat before taking an overnight train deeper into the mountainous. Head north for a trekking adventure around Sapa and some of the minority villages of the Black H’mong, surrounded by incredible scenery and amazing crinkle cut hillsides of rice terraces.

Peru: For Inca citadels and rainforest exploration

Uncover the vibrant history and exciting wildlife on your next holiday when you book an Incas and Amazon tour in Peru. Here, the contrast between the ancient hilltop Inca relics and the steamy rainforest is startling. Learn about the Inca empire with a comprehensive visit to the Sacred Valley where you can browse the colorful markets at Pisaq, sample the fresh empanadas and pick up some handcrafted souvenirs from the local Quechua people, then discover the Inca ruins of Ollantaytambo. Journey on through the Sacred Valley to admire the mind-blowing setting and engineering of Machu Picchu, perched high amongst the Andean peaks. 

After your Inca immersion, it’s time to swap the breathtaking Andes for the steamy Amazon. Spend time getting to know the forest and exploring the Amazon jungle with knowledgeable local guides who know the secret ways of the rainforest and its wildlife.  Travel by intersecting waterways, looking out for caiman, hoatzin and a vast variety of insects, plants, birds and animals. Stay in jungle lodges and wake to the sound of the morning chorus as you delve into this whole other world. 

South Africa: For cool Cape wineries and wilderness wildlife

From big city sights to the mellow cape winelands and the grand wilderness of the Kruger national Park, South Africa balances a wonderful array of travel experiences. Get out and about in the bright lights of Cape Town, Johannesburg or Durban and experience the buzz of South Africa’s cities bursting with fashion, culture and art. The dining and party scenes are alive and kicking in all three and there’s never a dull moment.

After a few days in the city, it might be time for a change of pace on a gentle road trip along the Garden Route. Visit some of the Cape wineries for tastings and kick back in rural hotels where you can luxuriate in long lunches and time well spent by the pool. After a taste of luxury, it’s time to switch things up again with an expedition into the vast, rugged wilderness of the Kruger National Park. Stay in a rustic lodge and hit the safari trail in search of the Big Five as you spot lions, elephants, rhino and more.

Make it happen

All our itineraries are intended as inspiration, full of useful suggestions and ideas for balanced travel experiences. Should you wish, you can customize them to suit your preferences with the help of our trusted local experts. Gain from their extensive local knowledge and discover gems all over the world for a bespoke trip like no other.