u/pbspry

Curious what people's experiences with National Geographic and/or Smithsonian Journeys tours have been. I've got a couple places on the globe that I'd really love to explore in depth, with a deep focus on history, archaeology, culture, food, etc., but they're places (a) I would definitely want some "professional planning" to do all the heavy lifting as there are significantly cultural/language barriers involved and (b) generally don't have friends/family who are at all interested in going to these places as they are generally viewed as "higher risk" areas to most western people (Turkmenistan/Tajikistan for example), so I'd very likely be going as a solo traveler.

Also wondering if there are better options out there - i.e. a tour company or advisor who can offer these sorts of intensive cultural tours with highly experienced experts, either for less money, or offering far more intensive itineraries or unique options no one else offers.

Thanks for any tips!

Wife and I both have been through the ringer with major and semi-major health issues the last 6 months, and I'm looking into a health-focused retreat for both of us that leans more into science-based healing/diet methods (and massage) over more "guru-focused" methods like colonics, detoxification, biohacking, crystals, spiritual stuff, etc. Having looked around a bit at the "top" recommendations it kind of feels like the bigger your budget, the more the facility leans into scientifically unproven methods/regimens and more into new age-y stuff, the latter of which neither of us are interested in. No offense to those who are, it's just not our thing.

We've looked at SHA at We Care and feel like both lean too much into those sorts of "unproven/semi-scientific" arenas for our tastes.

So I thought I'd ask here... we're not expecting "healing miracles" just a place where real health professionals focus on you from a science-based perspective, with goals including managing stress/anxiety, improving our diets/exercise regimens, excellent (healthy) food/restaurants, as well as a bit of body pampering and relaxation in a really nice atmosphere.

Thanks for any tips!