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Top trips inspired by BBC's Race Across the World series 6

Recreate the adventure with our small group tours.
Helen Pettitt profile photoWritten by: Helen Pettitt, Digital Content Manager at Explore
Published on: 20 May 2026
 

If you’ve been glued to Race Across the World (RATW) Series 6, you’ll know this isn’t just a travel show- it’s a masterclass in immersive, slow travel. This year’s route takes contestants on a 12,000km journey from Palermo in Sicily all the way to remote northern Mongolia, passing through ItalyGreece, Türkiye, Georgia and some of the 'Stans' along the way.

While you might not want to replicate the race’s tight budgets and high-stress navigation, you can follow in the footsteps of the route with our curated adventures to the featured destinations.

Inspired by the adventures you've seen on the show? Here are our top trips to recreate your own Race Across the World journey.

Sicily

Sicily was the starting point of the race in this series, which meant the teams were in a rush to get off the island! But don't race through Sicily as they did; this Mediterranean gem is worth exploring in depth. Spend a week here on our Classical Sicily tour and our expert tour leader will show you all the must-see highlights, as well as some hidden gems akin to the experiences the RATW teams stumble upon. On your circumnavigation of the island, stay off the tourist trail in Piazza Armerina, a charming market town set amid rolling countryside, and enjoy delicious cuisine in a family-run restaurant, surrounded by the relaxed atmosphere of Sicilian local life.

Classical Sicily tour

Italy

From Sicily, teams needed to pass through mainland Italy to continue on to Greece. Follow in the footsteps of Mark and Margo with a visit to Puglia, the 'heel' of Italy, and stay in one of Alberobello's famous trullis. These unique round houses line the pretty streets of this quaint town, with their pointy tiled roofs piercing the skyline. Join our Puglia highlights tour and that won't be the only unusual accommodation you'll stay in - we also visit the iconic stone-carved city of Matera and stay in a hotel converted from these remarkable Sassi cave dwellings.

Highlights of Puglia

Greece

While many travellers hone in on Santorini or Athens, the Peloponnese region feels much closer to the spirit of the show - less polished, more authentic, and full of surprises. Here, you’ll travel through a landscape steeped in mythology and history. Walk in the footsteps of ancient athletes at Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games, explore the remarkably preserved theatre at Epidavros and wander through the charming seaside town of Nafplio.

Peloponnese explorer

Or, head to the Ionian island of Corfu for one of Greece's most rewarding walking routes, where trails wind through ancient olive groves and cypress forests. Unlike the high-energy race environment, Corfu invites you to slow your pace and engage your senses - listening to cicadas, tasting local olive oil and watching daily life unfold. Take on the North or South trails or combine into one soul-soothing two-week holiday.

Pictured: Explore tour leader Spiros in Corfu, who recently won our inaugural Impact Award in our tour leader awards.

"Being in nature for most of the time made me feel part of it and responsible for its protection, and I like to share this with my groups. Most of the day we spend talking about our connection and dependence on the natural environment, using examples we find during the walks in Corfu's nature." - Spiros, Explore tour leader

Corfu trips

Türkiye

Katie and Harrison took a risky detour to visit Cappadocia, but they definitely weren't wrong to do so; this otherworldly landscape of 'fairy chimneys' and hot air balloons is just as awe-inspiring as they discovered during their brief visit. Explore more of this stunning area on our Walking in Cappadocia tour, where daily walks will see you exploring underground cities, cave towns and rock-cut churches.

Whilst in Türkiye, Puja and Roshni took their own risky but worthwhile detour to volunteer at a turtle sanctuary on Iztuzu beach. Discover this area on our Upgraded Turkey adventure, where you can take a boat trip to look out for loggerhead turtles and kingfishers, finishing up with a refreshing dip in the sea.

Turkey tours

Georgia

Discover authentic hospitality, incredible local cuisine and jaw-dropping landscapes on our Georgia food and drink tour. Track a route from Tbilisi, the cosmopolitan capital of Georgia with its vibrant streets, to the towering Caucasus Mountains, tasting your way through one of the world's oldest wine cultures. Get involved in foodie masterclasses to learn how traditional dishes are made and sample locally-produced treats. The khachapuri is a particular favourite of ours (what's not to love about cheesy bread?!).

A Taste of Georgia tour

Silk Road Secrets - Watch our digital event

Discover more about the Silk Road in our digital event recording. In it, our Product experts explain the history of the region and go into detail about some of our tours to Georgia, Armenia and Uzbekistan. Watch the recording

Kazakhstan

A train across the vast Kazakh steppe captures the spirit of long-distance travel, just like the RATW teams discovered on their lengthy rail adventures. Experience an overnight journey across the steppe for yourself as part of an epic adventure visiting not one, not two, but three of the 'Stans'. Whilst in Kazakhstan, explore the fascinating cities of Almaty, with its beautiful Russian Orthodox-style Ascension Cathedral, and Turkestan, an integral part of the Silk Road with its historical architecture dating back to the 4th century.

Learn more about our 'three Stans' tour in our Spotlight on Asia digital event.

Three Stans of the Silk Road

Uzbekistan

Molly was keen to visit the cities of Uzbekistan, and we can't blame her. Discover the ancient cities of Bukhara and Khiva, where intricate mosaics, minarets and desert backdrops feel straight out of a storybook, on our Silk Road of Uzbekistan trip. Plus, explore the 'Blue City' of Samarkand, with its grand turquoise tiled madrassas.

If you like a touch of grandeur in your accommodation too, our Upgraded Treasures of Uzbekistan tour includes stays in hand-picked premium hotels. In Bukhara, stay in a boutique hotel hidden within the narrow alleys of the historical centre, perfectly located for wandering the city.

Uzbekistan tours

Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan stood out to many of the teams as a surprising destination with breathtaking mountain vistas and unspoilt wilderness, quite different to its neighbouring 'Stans'. And what better way to explore a stunning landscape than on foot? Join our Walking in Kyrgyzstan tour and you'll enjoy authentic accommodation in guesthouses, homestays and yurts, meet eagle hunters and witness this ancient skill in action, and hike to valleys, gorges and waterfalls.

Walking in Kyrgyzstan

Mongolia

As the teams discovered, Mongolia is a vast country with wild, remote and open plains. Traverse vast steppes, meet nomadic families and stay in a traditional ger on our Mongolia Explorer trip. Marvel at camels in the wide-open desert, as Margo did, and set your eyes on the enormous Genghis Khan equestrian statue. This unique destination truly embodies freedom and adventure that can only be experienced in person. As you can probably expect, this tour is full-on with lots of travelling due to the sheer size of Mongolia, but each part of the carefully curated itinerary is as rewarding as the last.

For something extra-special, opt for one of our Naadam Festival departures and witness a generations-old local event, with formal games including wrestling, horse-riding and archery.

Mongolia Explorer

Want to know more about our Mongolia Explorer trip? Watch our Product team talk about the trip in detail in our recent digital event.

Don't just travel, Explore!

If, like the teams, you want to tick off multiple destinations in one epic trip, it may be possible to combine two or more of our tours. Check the departure dates to see if they could go back-to-back, or give our friendly experts a call and they can check for you.

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