Travel blog

Themed Group Tours You Never Knew Existed

When you think “group tour,” your mind might go straight to coaches full of matching caps and photo stops. But the new wave of themed group tours is something else entirely. There truly is one to suit every kind of interest. Food? Check! Wildlife? Check! Photography? Double check!!

2.4min read

Published 9 July 2025

Sophie Baker

You might not have thought about it, but whatever your passion, there’s a group adventure out there tailored to what you actually love. Travelling with a small group of like-minded people who share your interests adds a layer of fun and connection you don’t always get when travelling solo.

Tours are also one of the easiest ways to explore new destinations—no planning stress, no language barriers, and no missing out on hidden gems. Plus, with most group tours including transport, accommodation, a local guide, and some meals and activities, it’s great value too.

In this blog

Let’s take a look at some of the best themed tours you probably didn’t know existed - plus where to go, who to go with, and how to make it happen. Maybe 2025 could be ‘the year of the tour’ for you!

Wildlife and Nature Tours

If your dream holiday involves spotting elephants at sunrise or photographing penguins in Patagonia, a wildlife-focused tour is a no-brainer.

In Southern Africa, group tours from operators On the Go Tours combine bucket list safaris in Kruger National Park and Botswana’s Okavango Delta with trips to places like Victoria Falls or even Namibia. The best part? Most travellers on these tours are solo adventurers or couples, which makes it easy to meet new people with similar interests.

For something further afield or for those who have done countless safaris already, G Adventures runs small-group wildlife adventures to places like the Galápagos Islands, Costa Rica, and Antarctica. You’ll be led by naturalist guides and get front-row seats to some of the world’s rarest creatures - no long lens required.

Food and Wine Themed Group Tours

Forget generic buffets or chain restaurants. Some people travel almost solely for the food, so it makes sense that food-themed group tours are soaring in popularity. If you ask us, they’re one of the best ways to experience a destination’s culture, history, and community.

Tours like Intrepid’s "Real Food Adventures" take you from cooking classes in homes to street food stalls and markets in places like Vietnam, India, or Morocco. Closer to home, you can explore South African wine country or add culinary depth to your European holiday with wine tastings and gourmet meals woven into your itinerary.

Not a full-on foodie? No problem. Even standard small group tours often include local dining experiences like homestays, family meals, or market visits. Because every good adventure deserves a great meal!

Bali

Indonesia

Expert tip

Do a Bintang Bali Cyling tour starting at Kintamani for breakfast. The 24km bike ride (don't worry, it's all downhill) takes you past rice fields, local villages and temples and includes a visit to the home of a local Balinese family.

Jess Eldridge

Pop Culture and Film Themed Group Tours

From Game of Thrones in Croatia to Lord of the Rings in New Zealand, themed tours inspired by film and TV are growing fast. You’ll walk through famous filming locations, learn fun behind-the-scenes facts, and meet fellow superfans along the way.

In the UK, themed tours around London’s West End or Edinburgh’s literary landmarks are also popular—think Harry Potter, Sherlock Holmes, and Shakespeare. G Adventures’ European Highlights tours often include fun cultural extras like museum visits, concerts, and historic theatre experiences.

Art and History Tours

If museums, walking tours, and ancient ruins are your thing, look for themed tours with a strong historical or artistic angle. Options like luxury group tours to Italy, Greece, or Egypt are rich with architecture, local art, and expert-led sessions.

You’ll have a knowledgeable guide to bring the past to life, plus enough free time to wander cobbled streets or people-watch from a piazza. The bonus? Most companies offer optional add-ons like gallery visits or private museum access if you want to go deeper. And having a guide means you get extra insights into the places you’re seeing, rather than getting a surface-level look at a famous attraction.

Wellness and Yoga Tours

Combining travel with wellness is becoming one of the most popular tour trends. Think yoga retreats in Bali, guided hikes in Peru, or spa days built into slower-paced itineraries through Portugal or Thailand. After all, travel should leave you feeling energised and refreshed, not exhausted and ready for a week-long nap!

Some major tour operators have introduced group wellness tours that prioritise balance—offering daily movement, healthy meals, and mindfulness activities alongside cultural excursions and group bonding. That way, you get the best of both worlds.

Photography Tours

Whether you’re a hobbyist or a pro, travelling with a photography theme gives your journey a fresh lens. Videos and phone snaps are amazing for making memories, but it just hits different when you get that once in a lifetime shot that captures everything you loved about your trip. Plus, it means you score some amazing art for your walls at home once you’ve printed and framed it!

Guided photography tours offer expert tips from top notch photographers, access to unique shooting locations, and the chance to see the world more intentionally. Popular destinations include Iceland’s surreal landscapes, Japan’s cherry blossoms, or Namibia’s shifting desert dunes. You’ll often travel with a small group and get dedicated time in each location to capture the perfect shot. Analysing your pictures over dinner and drinks with the rest of the group is part and parcel of the experience, obviously!

Music and Festival Tours

Festivals can be overwhelming solo, but with a group, they become unforgettable. Did you know there are group tours that revolve around cultural events and festivals? There are music options where you can tour with a group to watch the biggest shows in the world. But there are also cultural events like New Year’s in Paris, St Patrick’s Day in Ireland, or themed group tours to enjoy Rio Carnival, the Edinburgh Fringe, or even the Pushkar Camel Fair in India?

These trips often include perks like backstage passes, cultural context, and a safe way to enjoy the chaos without worrying about logistics. Plus, you’re surrounded by fellow music-lovers or culture-seekers, which makes for instant bonding.

Local and Cultural Immersion Tours

For travellers looking to go beyond the surface, many tours now prioritise cultural connection over sightseeing alone or only visiting the well-trodden tourist tracks. For example, Intrepid’s "Local Living" tours include homestays, village visits, and opportunities to join in traditional activities, from olive harvesting in Italy to weaving in Peru.

These slower-paced tours are perfect for travellers who want to understand local customs, share meals with families, and learn directly from communities they visit. They’re ideal for solo travellers or couples who value deeper, more meaningful interactions.

So, What’s Included in a Themed Tour?

While each trip is different, you can usually expect:

Accommodation (with solo options or room-sharing available)
Most transport (private vehicles, trains, boats, and more)
Daily breakfast and select included meals
Guided activities and entrance fees
Expert local tour leaders (Some tour operators refer to them as the Chief Experience Officer (CEO)
Built-in free time to explore on your own

Browse group tour options for a better sense of what’s included.

Who Should Try a Themed Tour?

These trips are especially good if:

You’re a solo traveller looking to meet like-minded people
You want to focus on something you love (food, art, wildlife, etc.)
You hate planning every detail yourself
You want to learn more from local guides and experiences
You’re interested in travel with purpose, sustainability, or cultural connection
You don’t want to organise itineraries for a large group of people and would rather just pick a group tour option together instead.

Ready to Join In?

Whether you want to photograph the Sahara at sunrise, sip your way through Spanish vineyards, or walk the same streets as Shakespeare, there’s a themed group tour with your name on it.

Chat to a Flight Centre expert or explore our full range of tours to find one that fits your travel style, passion, and budget. Your next great group adventure starts here!

Time to give your passport the workout it deserves - your centre for travel knows the moves!

Sophie Baker

Road Trip & Multistop

Unique

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