Culinary Culture HistoryCuba

Explore Cuba!

This island nation is much more than forbidden cigars and rum. Meet the people, explore the island, learn the history with Caravan-Serai Tours.

Cuba has opened up to US tourists visiting on approved tours, and Caravan-Serai Tours is your destination specialist to help you plan your exploration of this long forbidden island.

Cuba is an island full of life. The people, the music, the arts, the food, the passion! Experience it all on a tour exploring this island nation that is eager to welcome visitors. We offer set departure tours throughout the year, just click on the buttons below for itineraries, dates, and prices.

If you have a special interest group that would like to visit Cuba, such as a medical association, music or culinary group, high school students, teachers, etc, we can create a special program to focus on those interests. Meetings, concerts, studio visits, school or university visits can be arranged as part of the program. Just call us with your ideas and we can work together to put together the perfect program.

Our tours include transportation in Cuba, most meals, a highly qualified English speaking guide, any entrance fees to sights on the itinerary, and accommodations. At this time, there are commercial airlines with regularly scheduled flights into Havana. Please note that the visa, departure taxes, and he required medical insurance are not included in the price of the tour, but may be included with your airline ticket – be sure to confirm prior to travel.

We make your Cuba dreams come true!

Cuba Tours

Caravan-Serai Tours offers both group and private legal travel to Cuba. Caravan-Serai Tours is an authorized sponsor of Cuba travel in accordance with the US Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) section 31 C.F.R. § 515.572(a)(1). If you would like to join a regularly scheduled departure, or would like us to create a Cuba experience for your school, church, or other group, just give us a call.

Prices starting at

From $2199

Western Cuba Tour

Culinary Cultural History

8 Days

Contact Us

Use this form to contact us regarding travel to Cuba or any of our destinations. You can also call us at 206-545-7300.

Adventure Culinary Culture HistoryLebanon

Viva Lebanon!

A small country with an indomitable spirit

Lebanon packs a lot of history, culture, adventure and more into a small space. History that goes back thousands of years, including numerous conquests, each empire leaving a distinct mark on this tiny nation. In the past it was referred to as the Paris of the Mediterranean, and even after a shattering conflict, Beirut is again a shining, bustling seaside city. Most of Lebanon’s major sites are within a day’s drive to visit and return to Beirut, and you can be up in the mountains at the snow line and within a few hours be swimming at the beach. The terrain is as varied and diverse and the people of Lebanon, who will show show you what joie de vivre (joy of living) really means!

Lebanon Tours

Lebanon can be visited on its own or easily combined with another country such as Jordan or Egypt. If you also want to visit Israel on the same trip, there are some things to take into consideration when planning, so be sure to contact us for the latest updates.

From $Call

Lebanon - 5 Day Tour

Cultural History

5 Days

Contact Us

Use this form to contact us regarding travel to Lebanon or any of our destinations. You can also call us at 206-545-7300.

Adventure Culinary Culture HistoryTurkey

Prices starting at

From $3425

Amazing Turkey

Cultural History

13 Days

Yachting in Turkey

Adventure Cultural

Turkey offers plenty of options for travelers. We have group tours, and we can book independent tours. Interested in cooking and/or wine? Try a culinary tour of this fascinating country. Enjoy outdoor activities like hiking, skiing, sailing? Turkey can accommodate you! Whatever your interest, call us and we can create the ideal tour of Turkey. Or, join us on one of our groups, and see the historical, cultural, and natural highlights of this extremely diverse destination!

Adventure Culinary Culture Faith HistoryGeorgia

Republic of Georgia

Tamada the Toastmaster, King Tamara, Qvevri Wine, its bread is listed as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Treasure! Come visit Georgia with Caravan-Serai Tours

Georgia sits at the junction of east and west, located on the east coast of the Black sea in the south Caucasus. It shares borders with Russia in the north and Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan in the south. Mountains and valleys, wide basins, health spas with mineral waters, caves and waterfalls are combined in this land of varied landscapes and striking beauty. The capital, Tbilisi, stands on the banks of the river Mtkvari, and is a blend of modern and historic architecture, bridges spanning the river, hilltop cathedrals, and an old city with remnants of the days the Soviet Union controlled the country. With its warm climate, stone houses built around vine-draped courtyards, and winding streets, the city has a lively, almost Mediterranean feel to it.

Georgia has benefited from the advantages of a comparatively mild climate, a fertile soil, natural resources, a diversity of flora and fauna, which were very advantageous to its earliest inhabitants, dating back to the early Paleolithic era.

The inhabitants of Georgia have often fought to maintain their independence and national identity over the centuries. In struggling with outside influences from Achaemenid and Sassanian Persia, Greek and Roman, Persian and Arabs, Seljuk, Ottoman and Russia , Georgia managed to preserve its unique identity and culture.

The name of the Georgian nation derived from the indigenous proto – Georgian tribes Karts, who emerged in the eastern part of Georgia along the river Mtkvari, in the 8th – 7th C BC. People of this land are called Kart-veli and the land Sa- kartvelo. Greek travelers and colonists had seen the people working on the land with developed agriculture and viniculture and had called inhabitants of the area Georgians, from the Greek word geos (earth).

Discover this gem in the crossroads of east and west with Caravan-Serai Tours. Visit Georgia on a stand-alone tour, or combine it with a visit to one or more of its neighbors. We offer a regular departure Caucasus Tour, and we can coordinate independent, private tours for you.

Georgia Tours

Georgia has so much to offer visitors. Enjoy the natural beauty of this mountainous and verdant country, revel in the lively nightlife of Tbilisi, enjoy wines made in a 9,000 year old traditional process, dine on savory and sweet foods fresh from the farmers market to your table and more. Enjoy cultural and culinary, adventures, hike or ski in the mountains, and enjoy the beaches of the Black Sea. No matter what your interests are, you will find something in Georgia to excite you.

From $Call

Caucasus Food and Wine Tour

Culinary Cultural History

18 Days

From $Call

Wine Tour of Georgia

9 Days

From $Call

Azerbaijan-Georgia Tour

Culinary Cultural History

Contact Us

Use this form to contact us regarding travel to Georgia or any of our destinations. You can also call us at 206-545-7300.

Adventure Culinary Culture HistoryIran

Iran Welcomes You!

Explore the wonders of Iran

Home to one of the world’s oldest civilizations, Iran will leave you sated with culture and history. The warmth of her people, the beauty of Iran’s natural world, and the magnificence of the monuments will make you wonder why you waited so long to succumb to her allure.

Caravan-Serai Tours has been leading groups to Iran since 1999. Our staff have all visited Iran, and we know the ins and outs of travel there for Americans. Iran is an amazing destination, not to be missed! We offer group and private custom tours. If you are interested in a custom tour, just give us a call.

Iran Tours

Travel to Iran for Americans is possible and just takes a little planning. Caravan-Serai Tours has been taking clients to Iran for over 20 years. Join one of our set group departures or let us create a private tour just for you or your group. Whether you are interested in seeing the highlights and getting an overview of Iranian history in a week, or want a more in-depth look at the culture, history, cuisine, and encounters with Iranians of all walks of life over a month, we can arrange it for you.

Please keep in mind that the visa process takes time, so we must be able to apply for it about 90 days before you plan to travel. The visa process for Americans is a 2-step process: first applying for the authorization (usually the most time-consuming part of the process!) and second is getting the visa stamp in your passport. If you are not traveling with an American passport, you may be able to get your visa on arrival but will still require authorization. Just contact us with any questions about travel to Iran and we are happy to answer them.

September 2023

From $5500

Escorted Iran Tour

Culinary Cultural History

18 Days

Amazing Tour!

From $Call

Iran - Susa Tour

Cultural History

5 out of 5

3 Reviews

16 Days

From $3175

8 Day Iran Tour

Cultural History

8 Days

What to wear in Iran

This can seem a bit intimidating for women travelers, but in reality, it’s easy to find clothing that will be appropriate for wear in Iran. Women are wearing loose, comfortable pants with tops that go below their hips, and at least 3/4 length sleeves, and scarves. Men can wear short sleeved shirts but no tank tops or shorts.

Adventure Culinary Culture HistoryMorocco

Magical Morocco

Morocco Tours

Morocco is a magical place! We now have dates for our regular departures to Morocco. Please check with airlines for any restrictions on traveling with them. The CDC is currently recommending you be fully vaccinated at least 2 weeks prior to travel and follow all requirements while in Morocco, including mask wearing and social distancing. Also, anyone, vaccinated or not, traveling to the US must be tested when you arrive. Please check the CDC’s website frequently to be sure you are up to date on all the requirements regarding travel and Covid-19.

Call

From $Call

Magical Morocco Art and Cooking Tour

Culinary Cultural History

5 out of 5

1 Reviews

11 Days

Prices starting at

From $1150

Imperial Cities of Morocco

Cultural History

7 Days

Prices starting at

From $975

Oasis, Dunes and Desert

Adventure Cultural History

8 Days

Prices starting at

From $1675

Grand Tour of Morocco

Cultural History

10 Days

The Kingdom of Morocco lies just 14km from Europe, sits on the northwest edge of Africa and resides as a leading Arab nation. Both the Atlantic and the Mediterranean coasts bind Morocco, this is in addition to the beautiful mountain regions of the High Atlas, Anti-Atlas and the Rif Mountains. All these aspects make Morocco an ideal destination, besides being only seven hours direct from New York City.

Most Moroccans are Sunni Muslims of Arab, Berber, or mixed Arab-Berber descent. The Arabs invaded Morocco in the 7th and 11th centuries and established their culture there. Morocco is also home to a Jewish community that numbers about 7,000.

Most Moroccans live west of the Atlas Mountains, a range that separates the mid coast form the Sahara Desert. Casablanca is the center of commerce and industry and the leading port; Rabat is the capital; Tangier is the gateway to Morocco from Spain and also a major port; “Arab” Fez is the cultural and religious center; and “Berber” Marrakech is a major tourist center.

Morocco’s location and resources led to early competition among European powers on the African continent beginning with successful Portuguese efforts to control the Atlantic coast in the 15th century. France showed a strong interest in Morocco as early as 1830. Following recognition by the United Kingdom in 1904 of France’s “sphere of influence” in Morocco, policing of Morocco fell upon France and Spain jointly. The Treaty of Fez (1912) made Morocco a protectorate of France. By the same treaty, Spain assumed the role of protecting power over the northern and southern (Saharan) zones.

The Kingdom of Morocco recovered its political independence from France on March 2, 1956. By agreements with Spain in 1956 and 1958, Moroccan control over certain Spanish-ruled areas was restored. A constitution providing for representative government under a strong monarchy was approved by referendum on December 7, 1962.

Since Morocco attained independence, its foreign policy has been sympathetic to the West. Long-term goals are to strengthen its influence in the Arab world and Africa and to maintain its close relations with Europe and the United States. Morocco continues to play a significant role in the search for peace in the Middle East, participating in the multilateral phase of the peace talks and urging Arab moderation in the bilateral phase. Morocco also has close relations with Saudi Arabia and the Persian Gulf states, which have provided Morocco with substantial amounts of financial assistance.

Moroccans are proud to have recognized the Government of the United States in 1777. Formal U.S. relations with Morocco date from 1787, when the two nations negotiated a Treaty of Peace and Friendship. Renegotiated in 1836, it is still in force, constituting the longest unbroken treaty relationship in U.S. history.

Posts on Morocco

Contact Us

Use this form to contact us regarding travel to Morocco or any of our destinations. You can also call us at 206-545-7300.

Adventure Culinary Culture HistoryAzerbaijan

Azerbaijan: Land of Fire

A small country with a unique landscape, history, modern and ancient cities, central to the silk route from the east.

Azerbaijan is a former Soviet Republic located on the western shores of the Caspian Sea, tucked in between the sea and the Caucasus Mountains. It is bordered by Russia, Georgia, Armenia, and Iran, and has been part of the Russian and Persian Empires. It is a small country made wealthy by oil, amazing and unique architecture, a vibrant old city and shining modern city in Baku, rolling green hills, traditions, and a beautiful landscape of mountains and the sea. Visit Azerbaijan for the history, the vibrant nightlife, the natural beauty, and of course, to meet the people.

Caravan-Serai has a variety of tours available for you to explore the best that Azerbaijan has to offer. Multi-country tours, culinary, wine, highlights, and more. We can do custom tours, bird watching tours, group and private tours.

Azerbaijan Tours

Caravan-Serai Tours offers both set departures and private/custom tours to Azerbaijan. Click on the tiles below for more information. The tours without dates and prices are sample itineraries and can be customized. Just give us a call or use the Contact Us link to send us a message with your questions.

From $Call

Caucasus Food and Wine Tour

Culinary Cultural History

18 Days

From $Call

5 Days in Azerbaijan

Culinary Cultural History

5 Days

From $Call

Azerbaijan-Georgia Tour

Culinary Cultural History

Starting at

From $6700

Cultural Central Asia and Azerbaijan

Cultural History

23 Days

Contact Us

Use this form to contact us regarding travel to Azerbaijan or any of our destinations. You can also call us at 206-545-7300.

Adventure Culinary Culture HistoryArmenia

Ancient Land of Armenia

Home to the oldest winery in the world, numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites and a listing on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage for its bread!

Armenia is a small country with a very big history, having been a crossroads of the world’s greatest empires throughout its history. Armenia, part of the former Soviet Union until 1991, lies on the Silk Road, and was the first country to adopt Christianity in about 300AD. The Romans, Greeks, Byzantines, Persians, Ottomans, and Russians have all had an influence on this small country.

Its rich cultural and architectural heritage combines elements from different traditions. The Armenian language is part of the Indo-European family, but its alphabet is unique.

The whole country of Armenia is like an open-air museum. It’s rich in stone structures, temples and churches created throughout the ages. The stone carvings on the rock formations of the Geghama Mountains, situated near Lake Sevan, serve as evidence of early civilization, and are the reflection of the early mythological thought, lifestyle, hunting practices, astronomical knowledge and other features of local prehistory. In the Ararat Valley, you will find the remnants of the Medzamour Bronze and Iron Age settlements – symbols of early urban civilization in Armenia.

The Armenians trace their history to the Sixth Century B.C. Throughout history, Armenia has been a battlefield for many invaders, contending empires, and a bridge for many cultures and civilizations. During the past 2,700 years, Armenia was conquered by the Persians, Alexander the Great, Rome, Byzantium, the Ottoman Turks and Russia. Invaders such as Arabs, Seljuks, Mongols, Tatars and Safavids also crossed Armenia.

In addition to our set group departures, Caravan-Serai Tours can also craft an independent tour. Visit our sample itineraries or the group departure itineraries for ideas, and give us a call.

Armenia Tours

We offer set departure group tours and custom private tours to Armenia. If you would like a quote on a custom tour, give us a call or use the contact form below.