With our carefully chosen list of 2024’s Must-See Destinations, set out on a world tour. These transformative experiences promise unforgettable adventures that redefine your travel narrative, from breathtaking landscapes to vibrant cultures.”
2024’s Must-See Destinations
We often say that experiencing a new culture firsthand is when travel really begins. We find the true essence of a place when we take the time to learn about local customs and traditions, sample the cuisine, and visit famous historical sites and vibrant market squares. Continue reading to discover our list of the top 5 eye-opening places you 2024’s Must-See Destinations. Exodus offers cultural adventures unlike any other, from the architectural wonders of Jordan and Morocco’s historic medinas to the fascinating tombs in Egypt and the prehistoric caves in South Africa.
Explore Little Petra in Jordan
Our seven-day trip to Jordan encompasses a wealth of cultural experiences. In addition to seeing the Roman cities of Jerash and Amman, you’ll get to experience floating in the Dead Sea, go snorkeling in the Red Sea if you’d like, take a 4×4 tour of Wadi Rum, and spend two full days discovering the ancient wonder of Petra. Due to the sheer majesty of the soaring Ad Deir, one cultural site that occasionally goes unnoticed is the Siq al-Barid, also known as “Little Petra.”
Though smaller in size, the Siq al-Barid is one of the most outstanding examples of the ancient Nabataeans’ craftsmanship in the area and is only a few kilometers from Petra’s center. See some of Little Petra’s most famous sights, such as the Obelisk Tomb and the Triclinium, an old banqueting hall with intricate frescoes, if you decide to take our optional walk there. The site also shows evidence of residential areas and water channels, providing intriguing insight into the Nabataean people’s way of life.
To commemorate our 50th birthday year, we are offering a limited number of special 50th anniversary departures on our Week in Jordan trip. Thus, on specific departures, you can take advantage of a local birthday celebration, a limited-edition Exodus kitbag, and an included stargazing experience in the Wadi Rum.
Wander through the ancient medina of Fez in Morocco
Our trip from Tangier and the Rif Mountains to Marrakech provides an ideal overview of Northern Morocco. Over the course of ten days, you will travel from Casablanca to Marrakech, stopping at important cultural landmarks like the Roman ruins at Volubilis, the Caves of Hercules close to Tangier, and the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca. Additionally, there will be ample opportunity to explore some of Morocco’s liveliest cities and souks, such as a visit 2024’s Must-See Destinations to the breathtaking Blue City of Chefchaouen and a comprehensive guided city tour of Marrakech near the conclusion of the trip. Nonetheless, a tour of Fez’s historic souks is among the greatest ways to take in the country’s exquisite handicrafts and experience local culture.
Fez is a fascinating place to visit 2024’s Must-See Destinations and is well-known to many as the nation’s center of culture and religion. The intricate network of winding lanes within the medina is home to centuries-old woodcarving, brass etching, zellige (tile work), and leatherworking traditions. In order for more craftspeople to carry on these traditional craftmanship roles, a concerted effort has even been made to restore funduqs, historic inns in Fez that were formerly occupied by traveling merchants.
You will be able to personally observe the city’s unwavering dedication to traditional craftsmanship on the sixth day of your trip. We’ll take you through the souks and past neighborhood merchants offering brass, ceramics, copper, and leather goods during your full day in Fez with our city guide. The tour also includes stops at the well-known historic tanneries in Fez.
Visit the fascinating Jantar Mantar in India
Our Golden Triangle tour of India will take you along the traditional path that connects Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur. Highlights of this cultural journey include an exciting rickshaw tour of Old Delhi, witnessing the Taj Mahal rise in the morning, and touring the Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds) and Jaipur’s luxurious City Palace. However, the Jantar Mantar in Jaipur, an observatory of architectural astronomical instruments built by Maharaja Jai Singh II of Jaipur in 1728, is one of the most fascinating structures you might come across on this trip.
Jantar Mantar, which means “instrument and formula” and was constructed to measure the heavens, is made up of a number of buildings dispersed throughout Indian cities, with Jaipur housing the largest and best-preserved site. The Jantar Mantar, designated as a Unesco World Heritage Site in 2010, is an important part of India’s cultural legacy due to its historical and scientific significance. Since Maharaja Jai Singh II was an avid astronomer, the purpose of their construction was to produce precise instruments for observing celestial phenomena and to supply accurate astronomical data for the compilation of astronomical tables. The purpose of the Jantar Mantar instruments was to track celestial bodies, measure time, and ascertain other astronomical parameters. The Samrat Yantra (a giant sundial), the Jai Prakash Yantra (a hemispherical sundial), and the Ram Yantra (a group of cylindrical structures) are the important instruments to be on the lookout for.
We also offer a trip to India’s Golden Triangle with special 50th anniversary departures. You can therefore participate in a cooking class and have dinner with a royal family in Jaipur on two of our departures in 2024.
Discover the Valley of the Kings in Egypt
Taking a boat ride along the Nile River is the ideal way to uncover historical treasures, and our Nile Cruise guarantees that you will see the best-preserved monuments. During this nine-day journey, you will see important locations such as the Egyptian Museum, the Karnak and Luxor temples, Cleopatra’s Unfinished Obelisk, and the Pyramids of Giza. You will also have time to spend shopping for souvenirs in Cairo’s bustling bazaar. However, the elaborate tombs, burial chambers, and wall paintings you’ll find at the Valley of the Kings are among the locations that are sure to dazzle and make an impression.
The Valley of the Kings, located near Luxor, Egypt, on the west bank of the Nile River, stands as an archaeological wonder and a testament to the magnificence of ancient Egyptian burial customs. Renowned for its historical significance, the valley served as a royal and pharaonic burial ground during the New Kingdom era, spanning from 1550 to 1070 BCE. Your guide will lead you to a series of rock-cut tombs, each adorned with intricate hieroglyphs, vibrant paintings, and elaborate carvings depicting religious scenes and the afterlife. Two days of the trip are dedicated to exploring this architectural wonder.
Tutankhamun’s tomb is one of the most well-known tombs in the Valley of the Kings. It was found nearly intact by British archaeologist Howard Carter in 1922. Notable tombs to be on the lookout for are those of Hatshepsut, Ramses II, and Seti I. A trip to this intriguing location provides deep insight into the beliefs of the ancient Egyptians regarding the afterlife and the extent they would go to in order to guarantee their rulers a prosperous journey to eternity.
See the Cango Caves in South Africa
Our Cape Town & the Garden Route tour showcases the variety of landscapes that South Africa has to offer. It leads you through lush vineyards, deep canyons, bustling cities, and along what is arguably the world’s most breathtaking coastline. Among other cultural experiences, this 12-day trip will take you through the forests of Tsitsikamma National Park, over the drylands of Little Karoo, on game drives in Addo National Park, and to Boulders Beach, home to the resident penguin colony. The enormous stalagmites and stalactites in the Cango Caves, which are located in the Swartberg Mountains close to the town of Oudtshoorn, are, however, possibly one of the most fascinating sights you’ll see on this adventure.
The Precambrian limestone that gave rise to the Cango Caves has a geological history spanning millions of years. As a result of erosion and dissolution, the limestone has undergone unique formations over time. You’ll have the chance to take in this captivating underground spectacle as you meander through the chilly chambers and passageways accompanied by your knowledgeable local guide.
Although scientists assert that the native Khoikhoi people were probably aware of the caves, local farmer Jacobus Van Zyl made the first written mention of the caves in 1780. Given that they first opened to visitors in 1891, the Cango Caves are actually the oldest tourist destination in South Africa! We’ll take you through the two main systems of the Cango Caves, Cango I and Cango II, during our tour. Here, you can see amazing formations like the Fairyland Chamber and Cleopatra’s Needle. This is a cultural experience that shouldn’t be missed!
If this has given you the idea to plan a cultural adventure with us in 2024, Club TravelScape allows you to view more of our trips.
