PAST TRIPS

CROATIA: OCTOBER 2 – OCTOBER 12, 2021

Croatia is renowned for its coastline with red-tiled roofed towns overlooking the Dalmatian coast interspersed with gorgeous beaches. On our last trip we toured the historic cities of Dubrovnik and Split with their Gothic and Renaissance architecture and crossed into Bosnia and Herzegovina to view some of the most beautiful springs and geological landscapes in Europe. Next, we headed inland to Plitvice Lakes National Park with picturesque lakes arranged in cascades. We stayed in treehouses designed to capture the great outdoors before heading back to the coast and Opatija, a Belle Epoque treasure. 

Our final days were spent in the capital city of Slovenia, Ljubljana, and Bled – set in the Alps on an alpine lake. We enjoyed local cuisine at each place we visited. The trip was a wonderful blend of city and outdoors and enhanced by local guides at each stop.

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SICILY: September 22 - October 3, 2022

Sicily is the jewel of the Mediterranean. The island’s coastline varies from pristine sandy beaches to pebbly coves to jagged rock cliffs. Stamped upon Sicily’s natural beauty is a mosaic of European culture. Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Normans, and others left behind a legacy of architectural marvels that trace 3000 years of history.

We begin our trip in Taormina, a hilltop city overlooking the sea with views of Mt. Etna. From here, we’ll hike on the nearby volcano, visit a local vineyard, and attend a concert at the ancient Greek theater. Our next stop is Ortigia, a small Baroque island and historical center of Syracuse. The nearby Archeological Park site will leave you awestruck; it’s home to a Greek theater and a Roman amphitheater. 

Traveling inland, we visit an artisan town famous for ceramics on our way to Agrigento.  The ruins near Agrigento—the Valley of the Temples—are the most impressive testimony of the classical culture of Sicily. Then, heading north, we take a boat cruise among the salt flats near Trapani, where the Phoenicians landed and first began harvesting salt. Finally, a visit to the medieval hilltop town of Erice reveals breathtaking views of the coastline as we wander the cobblestone streets and stop to sample local wines and pastries.

Our trip concludes with three days in Palermo. We’ll tour the royal, sacred, and secular sites of Palermo and Monreale and spend time relaxing in the waterfront city of Cefalu. In addition, we’ll do a cooking class, check out outdoor food markets, shop, and eat lots of fantastic Sicilian food.

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BOTSWANA: NOVEMBER 8 – NOVEMBER 18, 2021

Botswana is one of Africa’s most remarkable destinations for wildlife, conservation, and culture. It has the highest concentration of elephants left in Africa and one of only nine viable lion populations on the continent. Botswana is also home to one of the oldest cultures on earth - the San Bushmen. 

On this unique safari, we witnessed Botswana’s stunning wildlife in some of Africa’s best game parks.  The safari began in the Savute region of Chobe National Park. Savute’s hilly landscape is well-known for large bull elephants and excellent leopard sightings. Next, we moved south to the Khwai River Concession on the border of Moremi Game Reserve. This eastern section of the Okavango Delta protects a wide variety of habitats - rivers, lagoons, floodplains, forests and grasslands - that are home to a staggering range of birds, plants, and wildlife. The safari ended in the Kalahari Desert, an arid landscape completely in contrast to the parks further north. We visited a remote San Bushmen village and spent two nights interacting with the villagers, learning about their customs, daily lives, and the challenges of living in the harsh Kalahari Desert.

Accommodations were a mix of lodges and camping in private campsites deep in the bush. Tents were spacious with comfortable beds and a private toilet and shower. The camp staff took care of the chores and we relaxed and enjoyed an authentic bush experience.

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ASSAM INDIA TRIP: MARCH 2-13, 2023

Discover Assam while experiencing deep rooted traditions emanating from the Ahom Kingdom which ruled Assam from 1228-1826. The Ahom Kingdom established by a Tai prince from Mong Mao (present-day Yunnan Province, China), was established in the upper reaches of the Brahmaputra River Valley  based on wet rice agriculture.  
Modern day Assam maintains close ties with its tribal traditions while thriving as a major economic hub primarily in agriculture (tea and rice), weaving, oil  and tourism industries. Major tourist attractions include Sivsagar - capital of the Ahom Kingdom, Majuli Island - the world’s largest river island, and  Kaziranga National Park - host to two thirds of the world’s great one-horned rhinoceroses. 

Our unique journey begins in Upper Assam in the district of Dibrugarh, the tea capital of India. Our private river houseboat, Brahmaputra Pearl, will be our  sanctuary as we experience the beauty of Upper Assam while traveling southwest on the mighty Brahmaputra River. In between our cultural stops, we’ll  enjoy  traditional Assamese cuisine prepared by our private chef, explore river islands, relax, and enjoy the natural beauty of the Brahmaputra River Valley.

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BARCELONA: MARCH 18 – MARCH 26, 2022

A discovery of Barcelona through the prism of  Modernisme —the Catalan equivalent of the Art Nouveau movement that spread across Europe in the late 19th century. Modernisme exemplifies much of Barcelona’s architectural appeal, but it goes beyond art and aesthetics. Seeing Barcelona through the Modernisme lens provided participants a historical context that made this visit meaningful and memorable. 

We saw fantastical works by Antoni Gaudí— Parc Güell, the Sagrada Familia, Casa Milá—and more by architects, painters, and artisans instrumental in creating this stunning city designed for art lovers. There was plenty of time to sample Catalan cuisine, enjoy the waterfront, shop in neighborhood boutiques, and watch the local scene unfold in outdoor cafes and hidden terraces.

After several days in Barcelona, we headed into the countryside and explored ancient monasteries, the Penedes wine region, and Tarragona. The group left with a new appreciation of vermut, Catalunya’s unique take on vermouth.

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European Spring Fling: April 11-29, 2023

Kiki & Nancy Adventures specialize in custom private tours throughout Europe. We offer expertly handcrafted itineraries focusing on a region's authentic culture, history, beauty, and cuisine. This 18-day European Spring Fling explores several of the hottest destinations of 2023—Barcelona; Dubrovnik, Split, and Plitvice Lakes in Croatia; and Amsterdam.

We'll be there when you land in Barcelona and with you until you leave Amsterdam. We'll take care of every detail so you can relax and enjoy each day's adventure. Nancy and Kiki have gone before you and scoped out the best activities, local guides, restaurants, and hotels. You'll see Barcelona through the lens of the Modernisme movement that ties together so much of what makes it one of Europe's most popular destinations. In Croatia, we'll trace the history of the European Union's newest member over 2000 years—from Rome's dominance right up to the breakup of Yugoslavia. Croatia's sheer beauty and cultural diversity will astound you as we make our way from Dubrovnik, to Split, to Plitvice Lakes National Park, to Zagreb. We'll experience the Tulip Festival and the annual King's Day celebration in Amsterdam. In each place, we visit the most beautiful natural sites, tour important museums, taste the local food and wine, and meet the local people.

Itinerary here