11 Unparalleled Experiences for History and Culture Lovers

Marni Chan

For over half a century, Lindblad Expeditions has helped inquisitive travelers explore wild, natural locations and the ancient cultures that shaped them. From iconic global destinations to hidden gems, our expertly curated journeys invite guests to step into the past to gain a new perspective on some of the world’s oldest places.

Our advanced expedition ships deliver unprecedented access, while veteran guides provide the captivating context behind these storied sites, revealing deep connections between our natural world and the human story. Whether you're walking among incredible UNESCO-recognized landmarks or encountering local traditions, cuisine, art, and architecture, these historic and cultural experiences will inspire your wanderlust and fuel your curiosity.

Witness a Performance of Whirling Dervishes in Ephesus

Sail along the rocky Turkish coast to reach the nearly 5,000-year-old city of Ephesus, where classical Greek, imperial Roman, and early Christian cultures collide. This UNESCO World Heritage site is one of the best preserved ancient cities in existence and was once home to the Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the world. Here, you’ll see Sufi dancers—members of a mystical branch of Islam—spin themselves into an ecstatic spiritual trance.

Explore Renowned Archeology on the Mythic Island of Delos

Delos, the fabled birthplace of Apollo, god of the sun, and his twin sister Artemis, goddess of the moon, is one of Greece’s cultural treasures. As you walk through the carefully excavated ancient streets of this UNESCO World Heritage site, you'll discover original Hellenistic architecture, including two highlights: the Terrace of the Lions and the Sanctuary of Apollo and Artemis. Alongside these sacred sites, you'll also find examples of ancient everyday life, from lavish Roman homes to a 4th-century Greek theater.

Related Itineraries:

Sailing the Greek Islands Aboard the Sea Cloud Fleet >
Greek Isles Odyssey: Mythology, History, and Cerulean Seas >
Crossroads of the Ancient World: Exploring Greece and Turkey >

Photo: Ralph Hammelbacher

Share in Asmat Traditions in Remote New Guinea

The lush mangrove swamps and rivers of Indonesia’s Asmat region are some of the least-explored places on Earth. In this remote corner of the world, indigenous communities still live in raised stilt villages linked by wooden boardwalks and guests aboard a Lindblad-National Geographic expedition have the rare opportunity to come ashore. Upon approach in our Zodiacs, we are often joyously welcomed by hundreds of villagers in dugout canoes and then invited to witness a sacred spirit pole raising ceremony as well as browse the Asmat’s world-renowned wood carvings.

Photo: Brett Garner

Walk Among Silla Royal Ruins in Gyeongju, South Korea

Known as “a museum without walls,” the ancient capital of Gyeongju is filled with Silla dynasty-era ruins built more than a millennia ago, during the golden age of Korean arts and culture. You'll be transported back in time as you stroll among royal burial mounds, temples, pagodas, and palaces, which collectively have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. Don't miss the famed Bulguksa Temple, a masterpiece of Silla architecture that represents the land of Buddha, or Cheomseongdae, Asia’s oldest surviving astronomical observatory.

Photo: David Vargas

Watch a Soul-Stirring Ritual Dance in the Marquesas Islands

The most remote islands in French Polynesia, The Marquesas are a secluded natural paradise. When you visit with Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic, you’ll encounter this little-known culture firsthand while tasting local food, exploring regional crafts, and witnessing a spectacular dance performance. Beneath a massive banyan tree, known as a ma’ae or ceremonial site, younger generations take part alongside their elders in this communal tradition. Through movement and music, sacred Polynesian stories unfold that transcend barriers of language and time.

Related Itinerary: Ancient Polynesia: Tuamotu and Marquesas Islands >

Photo: Gracie Boliek

Descend into Tito’s Secret Tunnels on Vis Island

Beneath the island of Vis, the farthest populated island off the Croatian mainland and a former military base of Yugoslav leader Josip Broz Tito, there is a massive subterranean complex waiting to be explored. From the end of World War II and into the ensuing Cold War, Tito hid troops and weapons in extensive underground tunnels, barracks, and bunkers throughout the island. Walk through this labyrinth, which was designed to sustain a direct 20-kiloton nuclear blast, alongside a Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic historian who will reveal more stories of the once-secret hideout.

Photo: Sue Forbes

Walk in the Footsteps of Saints and Kings on Iona

Journey to the sacred island of Iona to discover the birthplace of Christianity in Scotland. On this tranquil island off of Scotland's western coast sits a 13th-century abbey founded by the Irish abbot and missionary later known as Saint Columba. The legendary Book of Kells is also believed to have been written here, inspiring centuries of Christian pilgrims to pay homage. As the traditional resting place of Scottish Kings, numerous royals, including the real Macbeth, are buried in these hallowed grounds.

Photo: Ralph Hammelbacher

Get a Taste of Local Farm Life on the Osa Peninsula

Go ashore on the Osa Peninsula, along the southwestern edge of Costa Rica, and head inland into the jungle. There, you’ll meet the inspiring local families who are farming cocoa, heart of palm, and sugar cane in this wild, remote region. Guests will learn about sustainable farming and production techniques, while being invited to taste farm-fresh delicacies like freshly baked cocoa nibs, homemade heart of palm empanadas, and sobao, a local soft candy made from sugar cane.

Related Itinerary: Costa Rica and the Panama Canal >

Photo: Isabel Salas

Explore Cidade Velha, Cabo Verde's Oldest City

Located on the remote archipelago of Cabo Verde, Cidade Velha, the historic center of Ribeira Grande, was the first city built by the Portuguese in Africa and a key port in the trans-Atlantic slave trade. On a guided tour of this UNESCO World Heritage site, you'll pass by the Pillory monument, a testament to Cabo Verde's dark history; learn about some notable figures, like Vasco da Gama and Christopher Columbus, who sailed into this essential port of call; and gain a deeper understanding of Europe’s first colonial outpost in the tropics.

Watch a Traditional Weaving Demonstration in Sacred Vally, Peru

Head into Peru's Sacred Valley to enjoy a special afternoon at a beautiful family-owned hacienda with Peruvian weaving expert, Nilda Callañaupa. After lunch, Callañaupa will demonstrate the intricate weaving techniques and processes used to create authentic Incan textiles. Since the 14th century, highly skilled artisans have woven these vibrantly colored fabrics filled with geometric patterns and storied motifs. Callañaupa will unpack the rich history and symbolism behind the designs that grace everything from clothing and blankets to rugs and priceless works of art.

Photo: David Vargas

Discover the Singular Sounds of Iceland

Although Iceland's population is just over 375,000, it has had an outsized influence on global music. Travelers aboard our Iceland itineraries have a chance to hear some of the artists that are leading this island nation’s musical eruption during performances curated by our ethnomusicologist, Jacob Edgar. Many of the stirring songs you'll hear are inspired by Iceland's traditions, language, and its breathtaking landscapes and as you experience them firsthand you'll develop a more authentic connection to this unique land and the people who call it home.

Related Itineraries: Iceland

Photo: Jacob Edgar