Big rectangular stones balanced at the gate fro the Blaundos archeological site in Turkey
A box filled with handmade wooden and nail bread stamps used to decorate loaves of typical Uzbek bread.
Unique Adventures of a Lifetime Await

Textile and Cultural Tours

Ready for a Behind the Scenes Adventure?

Behind the Scenes Adventures specializes in taking small group tours of friendly folks to destinations where the local people wear traditional dress, make their own textiles, celebrate at exciting festivals, and live among superb archaeology and architecture.

Turkey: Textiles and Ancient Sites

Go off the beaten path in Turkey to see typical textiles and little-known UNESCO archeological sites such as Mount Nemrut and Gobekli Tepe, as well as Cappadocia…

Textiles & Arts: Uzbekistan & Kyrgyzstan

This 24-night tour of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan begins in the exciting city of Tashkent, and ends in Bishkek, capital of Kyrgyzstan. Along your journey, visit exquisite blue-tiled madrasas and museums,…

Highlights of Turkey: Textiles Tour

Go off the beaten path in Turkey to see the little-known UNESCO archeological and historical sites such as Blaundos and Safranbolu, as well as the classics of Istanbul and Cappadocia…

Textiles & Arts Tour of Morocco

On this 16-night tour of Morocco, discover the country’s authentic textiles, arts, architecture, culture, and cuisine. Between visits to popular sites like Marrakech and Fes, you’ll also spend time in…

Textiles and Arts Tour of Bhutan

This 18-night tour reflects authentic Bhutan. We’ll visit weavers and textile villages with distinctive style and motifs. We’ll attend a local festival called a tshechu where costumed monks act out…

Textiles and the Taj Mahal: Western India

See the Taj Mahal! Travel to the fabulous textile-producing states of Gujarat and Rajasthan to meet textile artists. Print and dye your own pieces in their workshops as you learn…

If you love going “behind the scenes” to meet people and experience exotic destinations, then join us for your next adventure!

Taste savory local cuisine, see flamboyant festivals and gorgeous natural scenery, and visit remote villages where people make exquisite textiles.

Peru was the trip of a lifetime, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the effort and energy you put into each and every day. My expectations for the tour were sky-high, and they were exceeded by at least 100%. I’m planning to do it again, and am working on getting some other people to come with me.

Susan W. Ontario, Canada

I have done five trips with Cynthia so far, and loved every one… Everything has been meticulously organized and to a high standard. This includes both food and accommodation. The unique, boutique hotels which comprise much of the accommodation are wonderful, and the local guides have been of the highest quality.

GHANA Jo Hope her batik project Jo H. Australia
Group shares a laugh with Bouchra, friend who came to the hotel to show us how she makes sfifa or djellaba trim.

Behind the Scenes Adventures

Travelers will go “behind the scenes” for fascinating encounters that are not available to the ordinary tourist. To ensure a fabulous experience, we concentrate on destinations we know and love best – Bhutan, Morocco, Thailand (and Cambodia and Laos in one trip), Turkey, Uzbekistan, and India. Every trip is planned around textiles and excursions to exciting festivals and world-class historical monuments! To add to your knowledge and broaden your experiences, renowned textile experts and English-speaking guide-translators accompany the groups.

Adinkra cloth printing workshop in Ghana.

Articles & Stories

Uzbek and Kyrgyz Food

On BTSA tours, we will learn about Uzbek cuisine as well as typical foods of Kyrgyzstan. We’ll eat delicious, fresh food everywhere, and learn about the…

Suzani Embroidery from Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan is famous for intricate embroidery. The word “suzani” means needlework, but the word is typically used for wall-hangings. Nowadays Uzbek women adorn jackets, pillow covers…