Slovenia and Montenegro have been growing in popularity so much that our Croatia DMC, Journey2Croatia launched the J2 COLLECTION, adding Journey2Slovenia and Journey2Montenegro, two countries they have been booking with increasing frequency over the last decade. Founder Ivana Tomic and her team share some of their favorite experiences in Croatia's neighboring countries.
In Slovenia:
In Montenegro:
Our Italy DMC, Imago Artis Travel's Fulvio De Bonis believes Ravenna is one of the most beautiful cities of Italy, rich in history and art. "We have this special city to thank for this extraordinary art form," he says.
The historic center of Ravenna is surrounded by magnificent pinewoods and not far from the Adriatic Sea with 35 kilometers of coastline. The city has so much to offer from street food called piadina (like a flatbread), fresh fish, and cappelletti (local pasta) to their summer music festival where you can hear music in historic palazzos, theaters, gardens and UNESCO locations in June and July. But what makes Ravenna so exquisite is that it has some of the most grand and best-preserved mosaics in the world. This particular style is known as Byzantine, with vibrant colors that due to the glass coloring technique don't fade, which is why even today the colors are simply marvelous!
Imago Artis Travel has a beautiful mosaic experience that includes visiting the famous churches with mosaics, experiencing the process of making them by visiting a contemporary mosaic studio and learning how to make one as well.
*15% commission
True Colombia Travel our Colombia DMC has been working to support the island destination of Providencia, one of the most off-the-beaten-path and beautiful destinations in Colombia.
Providencia is known for its incredibly beautiful waters that make up the 7-colored-sea and features the third largest coral reef in the world (after Australia and Belize). Largely destroyed by a freak storm (Providencia is not in the hurricane belt), the island has been reconstructed, and the land's wildlife restored. The very protective island does not permit new construction or growth, but True Colombia Travel has access to the best private villas on the island, and has been investing in the local community to support their growth. The island features some of the best snorkeling and diving in the Caribbean!
*12% commission
Adventures Africa, our Africa DMC specializing in exclusive safaris across the contintent, suggests Zambia as an under-valued safari destination.
"Zambia provides comparable wildlife viewing and safari experiences to more high-profile African destinations like Tanzania, Kenya and South Africa," says AA's Gary Nicoll. A few more reasons to pick Zambia...
The largest religious festival in the world, the Hindu festival of Kumbh Mela is a great time to visit India, according to our India DMC Worldwide Adventures India, because it offers an extraordinary showcase of India’s spiritual and cultural tapestry, as it welcomes approximately 200 million attendees from all over the world to share in dynamic and mystical rituals and celebrations. Held every 12 years, the next one will happen on Jan. 14-Feb. 26, 2025 in Prayagraj (formerly known as Allahabad).
The highlight of the festival is the main bathing ritual known as Shahi Snan, or ‘Royal Baths’. On these days, the pilgrims will wait for the grand ceremonial dip of the ‘mahants’, the leaders of the 13 akharas (Hindu monasteries). This occasion is marked by an impressive, vibrant procession where the musical sounds of horns and trumpets accompany elephants and horses marching beneath tremendous banners and flags, followed by the mahants, who are often naked, covered in ashes and draped in magnificent marigolds.
Worldwide Adventures India has crafted a bespoke itinerary, to immerse guests in sublime sunsets and sunrises on the ghats as they soak in the magic of the spiritual air and take in the faith that envelopes the atmosphere. Philosophical discussions, traditional dances, boat rides along the river, ancient temples coming alive to celebratory feasts.