Distant Journeys Official Blog

Founded during the Western Zhou dynasty between 1041 BC and 771 BC, Pingyao is one of China’s best-preserved ancient cities. Awarded World Heritage Status in 1997, Pingyao is one of the stand-out highlights of our China tours from the UK.   Although the city’s origins date back almost 3000 years, this exquisite walled town flourished during the Ming dynasty especially (between 1368 and 1644),..

With a history that stretches back to the origins of Australia as we know it, a cultural scene drawing influences from all over the world, and natural scenery to rival anywhere else on the planet, Melbourne is definitely on the list of essential places to visit in Australia.   As one of Australia’s largest cities, there is a real variety of things to do in Melbourne. If you’re new to the city..

Over 15 years after the Lord of the Rings film trilogy came to an end, the magic of these much-loved movies is still very much alive today in New Zealand, which doubled up as Middle Earth and its many spectacular settings in the films.   If you still can’t get enough of JRR Tolkien’s fantasy world, you can step into the films and visit the places for yourself, with several Lord of the Rings m..

Sydney is one of the world’s top city destinations, and as the largest city in Australia, has plenty of iconic landmarks and amazing places to visit. A city of exceptional culture, visitors also flock to what’s become known as ‘the Harbour City’ for its unforgettable sights, shopping, excellent restaurants and the stunning natural landscapes that surround the city, ranging from sandy beaches to mo..

If you’re keen to visit Australia’s rainforests and enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience during the process, our excursion visiting Kuranda and the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway is a must-visit during your time in Tropical North Queensland. Starting from the city of Cairns, which enjoys beautiful beaches and coastline on one side and lush green rainforests on the other, your Kuranda Rainforest adve..

It’s easy to see why Queenstown in New Zealand is nicknamed the adventure capital of the world; its mountains, rivers, lakes and forests have carved out the perfect landscape for a myriad of adventure activities. If you’re wondering what to do in Queenstown during your visit, the options are endless, and for adrenaline junkies there is no better place to be. This lakeside town has something to off..

Located at the northern tip of New Zealand’s North Island, Cape Reinga is a wildly beautiful region and also a place steeped in Maori tradition: the perfect destination for experiencing the real New Zealand. It’s also extremely remote; over 100km north of the nearest small town, and the meeting point of the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean. There are a whole host of amazing things to do in Cape Re..

The capital city of China, and one of the largest and liveliest cities in the world, Beijing is a don’t-miss destination. With our Very Best of China tour, you’ll be able to enjoy four nights in this spectacular city, with tours of Beijing’s most iconic locations included, as well as plenty of time to explore this city and take in the several remarkable sights at your leisure.   But if you ha..

One of the most beautiful spots on South Island and often regarded as the adventure capital of the world, Queenstown is a destination not to be missed during your visit to New Zealand.   There are a whole host of fantastic things to do in Queenstown, from a thrilling bungee jump sure to get your heart racing to skiing the slopes of the nearby Remarkable mountains and scenic cruises on Lake Wa..

There are many reasons why Australia is such a popular destination, with visitors coming back time and time again. One of the biggest reasons is the amazing scenery the country has to offer, especially when it comes to its coastline and waterside locations. Being an island, Australia offers a diverse variety of places to visit by the water, whether you’re after sandy beaches, amazing coral reefs o..