TEMPLES & SHRINES · TRAIN EXPERIENCES
The dawn slots and the capped tickets go weeks ahead. Below: the 15 to book early, what each includes and how they differ once you are inside.
Travel from Bangkok in an air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking guide such as Nice or Oil. Watch Maeklong vendors clear the tracks for a train, cruise Damnoen Saduak by boat, then visit Wat Sam Phran’s giant pink Dragon Temple. Expect a full 7.5-hour day and some walking.
“Just a fantastic day! the guid was amazing. the driver was perfect”
Spend 8 to 9 hours seeing Busan’s best-known sights with English or Chinese-speaking staff. Visit Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, ride the Haeundae Beach Train, explore Gamcheon Culture Village, and walk Songdo Skywalk. Guides such as Vincent, Mira, Juna, and Tomy are often praised for clear help and local insight.
“We had an excellent experience with Tomy Choi as our guide in Busan, South Korea. He was knowledgeable, well-organized, and genuinely passionate about the city. Tomy tailored the tour perfectly, combining must-see highlights with Read more”
Cross to Gozo with a licensed guide, visit Ggantija Temples, Victoria’s Citadella, Ta’ Pinu Basilica, and Dwejra, then ride a trackless train into Victoria. Hotel pickup, ferry fare, entry to Ggantija, and multilingual guiding are included. Lunch and the optional Dwejra boat ride cost extra.
“Wonderful day with Mark. He was very professional. One question though, it said we had the option to take a boat ride. It was never offered”
Take the early train from Athens to Kalambaka, then explore Meteora by Mercedes minibus with a local English-speaking guide. Visit three monasteries, see all six, walk to the Hermit Caves of St. Nicholas Badovas, and stop at superb viewpoints. Panos, Maria, and Joanna are among the guides praised for their warm, lively approach.
“long day, but absolutely worth it. our guide was excellent and the scenery stunning. I highly recommend.”
Travel from Osaka to Kyoto by air-conditioned bus, with an English-speaking guide handling transport between Fushimi Inari, Arashiyama, Kiyomizudera, and the Sagano Romantic Train. Expect a full day, substantial walking, assigned train seats, and optional Japanese lunch.
“Excellent tour of Mt Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi with breathtaking and panoramic views Eric the tour guide is very knowledgeable, informative and helpful. It was a great experience . We would highly recommend this tour”
Travel from Tokyo to Enoshima and Kamakura in a group of up to nine. Your bilingual driver handles the roads, while you explore Enoshima Shrine, Kamakura High School, Tsurugaoka Hachimangu, Komachi Street, and the Great Buddha on your own. Enoden fare is included, but admission fees and meals are extra.
“Pretty straight forward self guided tour. Enough information to get you going, but enough latitude to choose your own adventure!”
Take an early bullet train from Beijing to Datong with hotel transfers, then visit the 1,500-year-old Yungang Grottoes and cliffside Hanging Temple. Your Datong guide, often George or Tracy, handles local transport, entrances, commentary, and a Chinese lunch before returning by train.
“This was an excellent trip. The tours were interesting and beautiful. The lunch was amazing. We completely enjoyed ourselves. Thank you”
Travel independently by train from Thessaloniki to Kalambaka, where a small group and English-speaking guide such as Dinos or Chris take you by minibus to all six Meteora monasteries. Enter three, enjoy photo stops, and return by train the same evening.
“The guide was very kind and told us a lot about the story of the monasteries, as well as curiosities and historical events that happened in the region. I would totally recommend to take this tour if you’re coming in the nearby!”
Spend about 11.5 hours around Battambang with a local English-speaking guide, using a Giant mountain bike for countryside riding and a private tuk-tuk between sights. Visit food workshops, temples, Khmer Rouge memorials, the Bamboo Train, and Phnom Sampov’s bat caves. Mr Reed is named in guest feedback, while the operator is Battambang Tour: Mr Lychee.
“Une expérience humaine et passionnante, nous avons beaucoup appris sur les métiers de fabrication des produits artisanaux”
Travel by bullet train from Beijing to Datong, where a local guide takes you to the 1,500-year-old Hanging Temple and UNESCO-listed Yungang Grottoes. Expect private transfers, entrance fees, round-trip rail tickets, and detailed English or Chinese commentary. Guides such as Ana and Emma have been praised for clear history and careful help.
“wonderful day out, Emma my guide was amazing. told me all the history of the Grottoes and Hanging Temple. She made sure I was safe on the Hanging Temple as im not the best with heights. Lunch was probably the best meal I had on my visit to China. food was tasty and freshly made. our driver for the day was great, lovely man as was the pick up and drop off driver from the bullet train. It was a very organised tour from start to finish. Thank you for helping to create wonderful memories”
Spend 10 hours with an English-speaking guide such as David or Kim, traveling by tuk-tuk through Battambang’s villages and countryside. Ride the original bamboo train, climb Wat Banan, visit a Killing Cave, and watch thousands of bats leave Phnom Sampov at sunset. The $15 price excludes the $5 train ride and meals.
“un guide extra. un programme très bien rythmé et varié. Pas d'ennui et très belles découvertes. on ne voit pas la journée passer. la balade en tuk tuk est parfaite pour ce type de journée.”
From Bangkok, you’ll visit the Maeklong Railway Market, paddle through Damnoen Saduak’s canals, taste tropical fruit, and see Wat Sam Phran’s giant dragon. A private English-speaking guide, such as Tai, Joy, TJ, or Tia, leads the day, with a café stop and Thai iced tea to finish.
“Thank you Mr TJ for being such a great guide. The tour was excellent and I highly recommend.”
Explore Battambang by bike and tuk-tuk with local guides such as Mr Lychee or Sambath. You’ll visit villages, pagodas, Wat Banan, the Killing Cave, and Phnom Sampov, with snacks, lunch, water, and a bamboo-train ride included in the day’s plan.
“What a lovely man! He picked us up and dropped us off at the hotel. During the whole day he showed us his city and all the highlights with proud!”
Spend nine hours around Battambang with English-speaking guide Rich, visiting the bamboo train, Wat Kor, village farms, Banan Temple, Phnom Sampov, and the famous bat cave. The small group is limited to five, with hotel pickup, entrance fees, water, and cold towels included.
“No. 1 tour in Battambang including Bamboo Train! This tour covered all the key attractions in the surrounding areas too and was paced to ensure we arrived at the bat cave with plenty of time to see the bats emerge. Rich, our English speaking guide was both friendly and extremely informative and the day was our highlight in Battambang.”
Take a private car from Semarang to the hilltop Gedong Songo temples, Ambarawa Railway Museum, and Banaran coffee plantation. Your English-speaking driver, such as Agung, Bima, Budi, Wasis, or Irfan Adi, handles the road while you explore at your own pace.
“De tempeltocht was geweldig. Alhoewel geen Prambanan, waren de tempels in een mooie omgeving zeker de moeite waard. Houd je van rust en wil je geen massatoerisme, dan is deze tour zeker een aanrader. Onze chauffeur Wasis was erg prettig en zeer ervaren. Op ons verzoek heeft hij ook een extra omweg gemaakt en ons diverse tips gegeven. Als weer in Semarang komen of in de omgeving van Yoghakarta, dan graag weer Wasis”
Sunrise, sunset, on foot or by tuk-tuk.
