Captivating Cultures

On this luxurious 22-night luxury touring holiday, you’ll be whisked away on a privately chartered jet for a grand and unique journey!

You’ll begin in the Eternal City of Rome and conclude in mesmerising Istanbul; stopping along the way in equally show stopping Montenegro, Jordan, India, and Uzbekistan. 

Staying in exquisite hotels and dining at the most elegant and authentic restaurants, you’ll also be treated to a dazzling array of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, many of which will be exclusive to your group. 

You’ll visit the Vatican before it opens, cruise the breath-taking Bay of Kotor, see iconic Petra, and gaze at the stars under Wadi Rum’s desert skies. 

India promises tours of the Palace of the Winds, game drives in search of tigers, and dawn views of the Taj Mahal from your hotel room. 
You’ll dine overlooking Uzbekistan’s beautiful city of Samarkand and explore Istanbul’s highlights before a farewell dinner to remember.

Itinerary

Day 1 – London to Rome - Anantara Palazzo Naiadi Rome Hotel

Your tour begins the moment you leave home as your private VIP driver whisks you away to the private jet terminal at London Stansted Airport. At the terminal, you’ll be greeted by your dedicated tour managers, operations director, and cabin crew who’ll take care of you for the next three weeks. Once on board the privately chartered jet, you’ll enjoy brunch during the short flight to the Eternal City. On arrival, you’ll be transferred to your beautiful hotel, located on the stunning Piazza della Repubblica. You’ll have time to freshen up before welcome drinks and dinner at the hotel.

Day 2 – Rome - Anantara Palazzo Naiadi Rome Hotel

Start the day with a Roman breakfast in the elegant restaurant. Look forward to your chosen morning activity, while enjoying your cappuccino. There’s an array of possibilities, including a tour of the city by Vespa moped, guided tours of art galleries such as the Galleria Doria Pamphilj, and Italian cookery classes. This afternoon, you’ll visit Rome's most iconic site, the Colosseum. The venue for countless gladiator battles is a fascinating place to explore and you'll enjoy a guided tour to learn all the insights. You'll then head to the Royal restaurant for drinks on the terrace overlooking the Colosseum before you head for dinner.

Day 3: Vatican City - Anantara Palazzo Naiadi Rome Hotel

It’s an early start as you head to the Vatican for an exclusive, private tour of its museums and the Sistine Chapel ahead of the official opening times. This exceptional tour will be followed by breakfast and a chance to absorb your once-in-a-lifetime experience. Late morning, you can return to the hotel for free time or join a walking tour to explore baroque Rome, including the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona, and passing the fascinating Castel Sant'Angelo. The afternoon is free and your last night in Rome will be celebrated at the stunning Casina Valadier, located in Villa Borghese with stunning views across the city. You’ll get a red-carpet welcome and dine on the finest Roman cuisine.

Day 4: Rome to Tivat - Regent Porto Montenegro, Tivat

You'll head south along the Adriatic to Montenegro. The short flight will be accompanied by a light lunch before you disembark for the beautiful town of Tivat. This coastal resort is reminiscent of 1950s Monaco, as swaying palms watch over a harbour full of lazing superyachts. You’ll check in to your luxury hotel, overlooking the marina. The afternoon is free, before dinner at the hotel.

Day 5: Bay of Kotor - Regent Porto Montenegro, Tivat

Today is for an exclusive catamaran trip on the Bay of Kotor, cruising through spectacular gorges and jade green water. Wine, soft drinks, beer, and snacks will be available on deck as you enjoy the ever-changing vistas, slowly gliding towards the pretty waterside town of Perast, where you'll have time to explore. The trip concludes with a visit to the stunning Roman Catholic church on the island of Our Lady of the Rocks and an open-air concert. Dinner tonight is included at the hotel

Day 6: Tivat - Regent Porto Montenegro, Tivat

The day is free to enjoy the hotel’s superb facilities and spa or explore the town. Your tour managers will also be on hand to accompany anyone wishing to visit nearby Budva further down the coast. This ancient walled town has excellent shops and restaurants as well as Roman ruins and incredible beaches. This evening, you'll enjoy a folklore show before dinner.

Day 7: Tivat to Aquaba to Wadi Rum - Saraya Rum Camp or Imagination Rum Camp, Wadi Rum

You'll bid farewell to Montenegro and fly onwards to Aqaba, Jordan. On arrival, you'll head to Wadi Rum, often known as the Valley of the Moon for its lunar landscape. You'll enter Wadi Rum in 4WD vehicles and take a tour of the stunning landscape which boasts a maze of monolithic rock formations. Your exploration ends when you get to sip chilled champagne whilst watching the sun slowly disappear behind the rose-hued mountains. You’ll dine at Saraya Rum Camp, in a large traditional tent, complete with carpets and chandeliers, before spending the night in the desert at a private camp. Please note: Dinner will be held at Saraya Rum Camp. Due to the size of the camps, you'll stay in one of two properties and transfers will be provided to and from dinner.

Day 8: Petra - Mövenpick Resort Petra

Following a leisurely breakfast, you’ll leave the desert and head to Jordan’s most striking location, the lost Nabatean city of Petra. After checking into your hotel located opposite the entrance to ancient Petra; you're free until you're collected this evening for an exclusive and unforgettable meal at the archaeological site of Little Petra. On arrival, you’ll be led down a candlelit path to where your Arabian banquet awaits. You'll dine out under the night sky, to the sights and sounds of local folk dancers, as beautiful lighting reveals this architectural wonder of antiquity from a truly enthralling perspective.

Day 9: Petra - Mövenpick Resort Petra

The Rose Red City of Petra lay beneath the desert sands for centuries and was only rediscovered in 1812. Following breakfast, your guides will take you on a tour including the spectacular Treasury, hewn out of solid rock around 600BC.

Day 10: Aquaba to Jaipur - The Oberoi Rajvilas, Jaipur

It's an early departure from the Rose Red City of Petra for the India's Pink City of Jaipur. You’ll drive back to Aqaba where your onward flight to India awaits, which will make a technical stop en route. You’ll arrive in Jaipur early evening, and once checked into your spectacular hotel, the rest of the night is yours to relax.

Day 11: Jaipur - The Oberoi Rajvilas, Jaipur

After breakfast, you’ll drive to the Amber Fort, a beautiful sandstone palace perched on a hilltop above the city. You’ll tour the fort, then head to the foothill lake where elephants occasionally come to bathe. This evening, you’ll enjoy a special and exclusive gala dinner at the impressive Raj Palace, once host to royalty, dignitaries, artists, and discerning travellers. After dining on a delicious meal, the evening will end with a spectacular fireworks display.

Day 12: Jaipur - The Oberoi Rajvilas, Jaipur

There's an included a yoga session at the hotel for those who’d like a meditative early morning on the terrace. You’ll then explore the City Palace, the 18th-century Jantar Mantar observatory, and admire the latticed façade of the Hawa Mahal or the Palace of the Winds. You’ll return to the hotel for a leisurely afternoon. Maybe indulge yourself at the hotel’s spa facilities before a relaxing dinner.

Day 13: Jaipur to Ranthambore - Taj Sawai Ranthambore

Following breakfast, your journey takes you into the jungles of Ranthambore National Park. On arrival at your hotel, lunch will be served. This afternoon, you can choose to either head out in search of the elusive Bengal tiger or relax by the tranquil pool or visit the spa.

Day 14: Ranthambore - Taj Sawai Ranthambore

A full day of safari. You’ll head out in search of the Bengal tiger, sloth-bear, monkeys, and lots of birdlife. You’ll return to the hotel for lunch (so those wanting a relaxing afternoon may stay), before heading out on another adventure.

Day 15: Ranthambore to Fatehpur Sikri to Agra - The Oberoi Amarvilas, Agra

No tour of India is complete without experiencing the local rail network and, early this morning, you'll board a locomotive for the three-hour journey to Bharatpur. Breakfast will be organised as a packed affair due to the early departure. On arrival, you’ll continue by coach to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Fatehpur Sikri, once the capital of the Mughal Empire. Following lunch, you’ll travel on to one of India’s most celebrated hotels.

Day 16: Agra - The Oberoi Amarvilas, Agra

All rooms have uninterrupted views of the Taj Mahal, so early risers can watch the sun rise over this iconic site. After breakfast, you’ll head out on a guided tour of the Taj Mahal to gain a greater understanding of this architectural masterpiece. This afternoon includes a tour of the imposing Agra Fort. The remainder of your day is at leisure with dinner served at the hotel.

Day 17: Delhi to Samarkand - Hilton Samarkand Regency

You'll have an early start for your five-hour transfer to Delhi and flight to Samarkand. One of Asia’s oldest cities, this jewel of Uzbekistan was a key trading post on the Silk Road. This evening, dinner will be served at your hotel in Samarkand.

Day 18: Samarkand - Hilton Samarkand Regency

You'll begin with a sightseeing tour of this ancient city; that will see you visit the Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum, Registan Square, and the mosaic-covered Ulugh Beg Madrasah. At lunch, you’ll be treated to a master class on how to cook Uzbekistan’s national dish plov. You'll return to the hotel for time to freshen up and relax. This evening, you'll head back to Registan Square for a short laser show depicting the colourful history of Samarkand. A wonderful intimate dinner will be served exclusively for you, on a rooftop terrace overlooking the square in the evening light.

Day 19: Samarkand - Hilton Samarkand Regency

Today, you'll have a choice to make. For those wanting to head a little deeper into Uzbekistan, a journey to the ancient town of Shakhrisabz awaits. You’ll wake early and travel across the mountains to Shakhrisabz, home of Uzbekistan’s national hero Amir Temur. For those wanting to stay closer to home, an afternoon at a local vineyard has been arranged to experience their collection of wines accompanied by nibbles.

Day 20: Samarkand to Istanbul - Ritz-Carlton, Istanbul

This morning, you'll begin the final leg of your adventure and head to Turkey. You’ll lunch on the plane before landing in Istanbul and checking in to your glorious hotel. This evening, your welcome dinner will be at one of the hotel’s excellent restaurants.

Day 21: Istanbul - Ritz-Carlton, Istanbul

Your exploration begins with a stroll through the Mısır Çarşısı spice bazaar and a visit to the Ali Muhiddin Haci Bekir shop, the inventor of Turkish delight. You can revitalise at the luxurious Hürrem Sultan Hamami with an invigorating Turkish bathing ritual. After some free time for lunch, you'll visit the Grand Bazaar and sample some authentic Turkish coffee. Dinner tonight will take place at the opulent Sunset Grill & Bar, which boasts spectacular views of the Bosphorus Strait and the Asian shoreline.

Day 22: Istanbul - Ritz-Carlton, Istanbul

After breakfast, you'll take a stroll through the famed Hippodrome Square and visit the iconic Blue Mosque and equally striking Hagia Sophia, one of the largest Christian shrines ever built, transformed into a mosque in the 13th century. After some free time for lunch, this afternoon you can choose from a historic roof walk of the Grand Bazaar, a calligraphy course, an Ebru painting workshop, or a guided visit to Topkapi Palace Museum, a former headquarters of the Ottoman sultans. If you’d prefer to relax at the hotel, afternoon tea can arranged. Tonight, you’ll enjoy cocktails aboard an exclusive yacht as you cruise the Bosphorus strait, before concluding your trip in style, with a sumptuous meal accompanied by live music - a superb ending to your holiday.

Day 23: Istanbul to London

It’s time to head home. A late morning departure will see your private jet land at London Stansted Airport mid-afternoon, where your private VIP vehicle will be waiting for the journey home.