In our view, immersion is the key to a unique travel experience; that’s why you’ll often find yourself participating in cultural events and witnessing natural wonders while on an Odysseys tour. We believe personally engaging with your surroundings is one of the best ways to truly immerse yourself in your destination and create lifelong memories.
Though all Odysseys tours include small group highlights, several feature select departure dates that offer the opportunity to participate in local annual celebrations and marvel at natural phenomena unique to the region. Read on to see what special events you can experience with us in 2027.
Photo credit: CGP Gray via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)
It’s one of the most iconic American images: the rugged American cowboy tending his herd on the open range, a wide-brimmed Stetson perched atop his head, boots caked in mud, spurs jingling as he walks. And in the late 19th century, the cowboy tradition gave rise to another staple of the American West: the rodeo.
What once began as cowboys from neighboring ranches competing head-to-head for bragging rights eventually evolved into a global sport, pitting both male and female riders against one another in feats of bull riding, barrel racing, cattle roping, and more. Today, rodeo remains an eminently popular sport today – particularly west of the Mississippi River.
On our brand-new The American West small group tour, guests on most June, July, and August departures will attend the Cody Nite Rodeo in Cody, Wyoming, the town established by and named for the legendary William Frederick “Buffalo Bill” Cody. Founded in 1938, the Cody Nite Rodeo is the longest-running and only nightly rodeo show in the world, featuring classic rodeo events performed by professionals and amateurs alike.
Photo credit: Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CC BY 2.0)
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is an annual three-week-long celebration of Scottish culture. Over 220,000 visitors from around the world are drawn to Edinburgh, Scotland, every year to enjoy traditional pipe band performances and international cultural showcases.
The first Edinburgh Tattoo took place at Edinburgh Castle in 1950 and was inspired by the 1949 performance of “Something About a Soldier” – Edinburgh’s first-ever public military tattoo. The Tattoo has never been called off due to inclement weather and aside from the 2020 and 2021 performances, which were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the festival has been going strong ever since its inception.
Experience the pomp, circumstance, and spectacle of the 2027 Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo for yourself. Select July and August festival departures of our Scotland: Highlands and Islands and Journey through Britain include reserved seating at an evening performance.
Keukenhof Gardens
Nothing says “spring has sprung” quite like strolling through a sprawling garden while breathing the sweet scent of fresh flowers – and there’s no better garden to stroll through than Keukenhof in the Dutch town of Lisse. Known as the “Garden of Europe,” Keukenhof is one of the world’s largest flower gardens. It’s also home to over 7,000,000 tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths, all of which are in bloom in the spring.
Our March 25 and 27, and all April and May 2027 European Tapestry departures include a tour of Keukenhof while the flowers are in bloom. But make your reservation soon – space is selling out fast!
Please note: Throughout the springtime season, Keukenhof’s pavilions showcase stunningly beautiful flower displays. However, the blooms you’ll see depends on several factors, including the timing of your visit: From late March to early April, you'll likely see early crocuses, early tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths; from early April to early May, tulips, daffodils, muscari, fritillaria, and late-flowering hyacinths are in bloom; from early May to mid-May, late-flowering tulips, irises, and alliums help end the season on a high note.
Cherry trees in bloom along the Meguro River in Nakameguro, Tokyo.
Japan greatly treasures its cherry blossom – or sakura – season. From roughly February to May, cherry trees across the country burst with blooms, creating a spectacle of color. You’ll find dozens of cherry tree varieties around Japan, and while most produce light pink or white flowers, some cherry trees have dark pink, yellow, or even green blossoms. Many cities celebrate sakura season with festivals while families and friends gather to picnic beneath canopies of flowers.
Guests who are interested in traveling to Japan during sakura season are encouraged to reserve our Insider’s Japan tour right away for the best chance at seeing this lovely spectacle for themselves. As it is one of our most popular tours for 2027, be aware that space on Insider’s Japan is currently extremely limited; see the “Dates & Prices” section on the tour webpage or give us a call to see which dates still have availability.
If you’re after a traditional yet epic experience in 2027, then India’s premier Hindu festivals – the Nagaur Cattle Fair and Pushkar Camel Fair – are for you. This coming February and November, respectively, locals will gather in the Indian state of Rajasthan to trade cows, camels, horses, and goats – and people from all over the world will flock to the fairs to join in on the time-honored fun, with lively games, delicious local cuisine, traditional entertainment, and so much more.
Experience the 2027 Nagaur Cattle Fair for yourself on the February 8 and 9 departures of our Treasures of India small group tour. Or if you’d rather travel later in the year, guests on our November 2 and 6 departures will attend the Pushkar Camel Fair.
Every year, millions of wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle embark on the Great Migration, traveling in a continuous loop from Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park to Kenya’s Masai Mara in search of food and water. The treacherous journey covers some 1,200 miles, traversing crocodile-infested rivers and plains patrolled by prides of hungry lions.
Sub-Saharan Africa’s dry season typically ushers in the Great Migration, making July an optimal time for game viewing – though the migration occurs throughout the dry season from June through October. Our Classic Safari: Kenya & Tanzania and Tanzania Adventure tours offer ample safari time in both the Serengeti and Masai Mara. Check out each tour page for up-to-date pricing and full lists of available departure dates.
Aurora borealis at Skogafoss waterfall, Iceland
According to Icelandic folklore, many early Icelanders believed the aurora borealis to be the spirits of the deceased searching for their final resting place, while others saw it as a sign of good fortune on the horizon. One thing is certain, though – no one who sees the northern lights with their own two eyes ever forgets the experience.
An aurora occurs when charged particles from the sun collide with gases in Earth’s upper atmosphere, producing little flashes that fill the sky with vibrant light. Generally, you’re most likely to see the aurora borealis above a latitude of 60° north – which means Iceland’s position at a latitude of approximately 64° north makes it one of the best places in the world to view the legendary phenomenon.
While many factors may impact your chances of seeing the aurora borealis in Iceland, you’ll likely find the most favorable viewing conditions on a September or October departure of our Exploring Iceland small group tour.
If you’re anything like us, you likely spend much of the winter counting down the seconds until the days start getting longer – and nowhere in the Northern Hemisphere are summer days longer than in the Arctic Circle, a.k.a. “The Land of the Midnight Sun.” Occurring when the sun is visible at midnight local time, the “midnight sun” appears in the sky above parts of Canada, Alaska, and Northern Europe during the summer months, and it gets brighter the farther north you go.
During the summer solstice – which falls between June 20th and June 22nd in the Northern Hemisphere – the midnight sun is at its zenith, making May, June, and July the best months to catch it for yourself on our Norwegian Splendor, Alaska's Untamed Wilderness, and Exploring Iceland small group tours.
As the birthplace of prolific composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Salzburg, Austria, has had a close relationship with music and art for hundreds of years. Throw in the ornate Baroque architecture for which the city is known and the fact that the first opera was likely performed in Salzburg, and it becomes clear: This city serves as the perfect backdrop for the world’s premier classical music and performing arts festival. Every year, the Salzburg Festival attracts the best conductors, orchestras, singers, actors, and solo instrumentalists from all over the world to present a wide array of operas, concerts, and dramatic performances at venues around the city.
Select July and August Alpine Splendor: Switzerland and Austria departures will put you in Salzburg during this iconic music and performing arts festival.
Looking to include a little something extra on your next Odysseys tour? Reserve your special departure date on any of these tours today and create lasting travel memories. Just submit an online reservation request or call us at 1-888-370-6765 to get started.
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