...only the exquisite, rare, and exceptional...
About our Company
Welcome… to John Graham Tours! We offer a variety of curated cultural and hiking tours mostly for private groups. Currently we operate out of Georgia, but also lead tours in Armenia, Turkey, Ethiopia, Sicily, and the Greek islands. As a people-focused operation, we are thrilled to develop strong relationships with our tour participants, and welcome many returning travelers via our Tamada Club! For new folks, please take a look at our tour offerings below... if one sparks your interest, please write to request one of our 20-page color brochures: admin@johngrahamtours.com We look forward to traveling with you in the near future!
New York Times Travel
Music and Ancient History in the Caucasus
"The idea was to take a trip with my 22-year-old daughter, Liza, an adventure worthy of a college graduation present.... These remnants of ancient Georgian culture were what drew us to join John Graham, an American musicologist and tour leader, on a journey that began in the Black Sea city of Batumi, circling through the Turkish cities of Kars, Yusufeli and Ardanuc, before ending in Tbilisi.
"John himself, whom I had met in Paris when he was touring with a choir of Georgian singers, provided the other lure. An academic expert in Georgian polyphonic chant, with a doctorate from Princeton, he had promised us music along the trip, and he delivered.... Read the article.
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My wife and I took a trip with John Graham in 2014 to Georgia and part of Eastern Turkey with Georgian ruins. We had a fantastic experience, including meeting another... read more couple who would become great friends. We took another trip with John in 2015 back to other parts of Georgia and Armenia. Again, the trip was delightful, deeply eduational and quite unlike any other travel we had ever experienced. With fond memories of these prior trips, my wife and I again traveled with John on his October 2025 trip to Coastal Caria. Wow! The experience more than lived up to our extremely high expectations. Our fellow travelers were a remarkably fascinating, charming and learned group. The food and wine were delicious. The Hotel John slected in Fethiye was enchanting, with magical cats loitering about the public places. A particular pleasure were the following 7 days after Fethiye. We spent them on a Turkish "Gullet," named "The Aegean Clipper," motoring along the coast. My wife and I had been on cruise ships before, but traveling on this much smaller boat with many fewer people made for an entirely different, and I thought far more engaging cruising experience. As we went, we stopped to explore fascinating ruins and sights. Among others sights, in Bodrum we visited a unique underwater musuem that brought shipwrecks to life, all housed in the towers of an old crusader castle. John seems to have a particular genius for arranging these trips, and managing every detail to maximize the traveler's enjoyment. He combines the talents of an inspiring college professor--he has a PhD from Princeton and had a fellowship at Yale--with those of a seasoned guide. For an adventure that I believe you will remember with pleasure for the rest of your life, sign up for or get on a waiting list for one of these trips.
Lin Medlin
I had a wonderful time on the Coastal Caria Archeological tour. Everything was very well planned, the accommodations on the boat were great and the food was outstanding. I learned... read more a lot and thoroughly enjoyed the entire experience. John is an amazing host and I cannot wait to travel with him again.
Terry
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This is our third time on a tour led by John Graham, and each trip was superlative! This archeological cruise to Turkey's Aegean coast was really wonderful - the organization,... read more the sights, the crew, the accomodations, the food (so good that I gained 5 pounds!). Knowledgeable, attentive to the needs of his guests, fun and interesting to be around, John is the perfect tour guide. If you are interested in exploring and learning about beautiful places that are off the beaten track, you will love traveling with John.
Tony Anemone
My husband and I have just returned from the Coastal Caria tour. We had been on two trips with John several years ago in Georgia and were excited to... read more take this trip in Turkey with him. This was a very different type of journey for us -- a wonderful combination of fascinating ancient sites, glorious scenery, and plenty of time for relaxation on the comfortable "Aegean Clipper." John is an inspired tour leader, open to adventure and itinerary changes as opportunities arise. He does a beautiful job of making everyone at ease and letting people know what to expect. His tours attract wonderful people and this group was terrific -- every day brought fascinating discussions. The hotels at either end of the trip were charming and unusual, and all the meals were wonderful. This part of Turkey is a terrific place to visit -- highly recommend!!
Vivian Pyle
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John Graham Tours "Castles of Caria" was a fantastic experience in every way. Traveling to various Turkish islands plus three Greek islands on a 139' Gulet for a week... read more with John, 15 passengers from around the US, and five crew, including an owner captain and a skilled chef, was quite enjoyable and educational. The passengers and crew quickly became a cohesive group as we enjoyed delicious meals and stimulating conversation three times a day around a large round table on a covered afterdeck, daily swims in the clear turquoise Adriatic, and engaging lectures from John about the Caria, Greek, Byzantine, and Crusader cultures and sites we were visiting when our boat made daily stops, often at sites difficult or impossible to reach by land. John is a gifted teacher and a thoughtful and organized tour leader. The fact this tour sold out in just a few days and that everyone was a veteran of previous John Graham tours speaks volumes about their quality. No small group educational tours I know of exceed John Graham Tours in enjoyment and intellectual quality.
Joe Lowman
I recently joined the "Golden Fleece" tour of Georgia with John Graham Tours which was organized around cultural, historical and archeological aspects of the country, and included visits to museums,... read more churches, and mountain villages. As a vegan and a music lover, I was pleasantly surprised with the healthy and high quality of vegan food options, and with the excellent musicians who often performed for us during our meals. Local wines were plentiful and were often superior to those of other well-known wine producing countries. John and Mari are both exceptional tour guides. I highly recommend this tour.
Judith Morroy
I had the opportunity of taking part in the West Georgia’s Cultural tour through Ancient Colchis and Highland Svaneti organized by John Graham Tours. This tour focuses on exploring the... read more rich cultural heritage of West Georgia, including historical sites, museums, medieval churches with frescoes, monasteries and ancient landmarks including UNESCO World Heritage sites, fortresses, and architectural landmarks such as the Vardzia cave complex. The tour leader, John Graham, was knowledgeable, and going on tour with him was like going on tour with a good friend. John was ably assisted by Mari, who did an outstanding job. John and Mari were always available for any issues that arose. The tour was well-organized and smoothly executed. I travelled with a group on a comfortable, well-maintained bus with a driver who was excellent. I stayed in comfortable accommodations and dined in restaurants that prepared most of the Georgia’s traditional cuisine. The journey into the highlands of Svaneti was a highlight of my tour. The scenery was jaw-dropping, rugged, remote and unbelievably beautiful. The concert at the hotel with local singers and dancers was joyful and intimate, giving me a close view of part of Georgia culture. The singing and dancing felt like being welcomed into someone’s home. Visiting the Svaneti museum with manuscripts from many centuries ago, and ancient churches with frescoes from a thousand years ago was exciting. The icing on the cake was watching the film “Dede” that gave me a glimpse into a proud culture of West Georgia. I will recommend this tour for travelers who love history, culture and soul-stirring sceneries.
Andy Tembon
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If you would like to visit ancient holistic medicine temples, theaters which have seated thousands of people for thousands of years, castles and fortifications built by Crusaders, churches, mosques, shipwrecks... read more and marketplaces millennia old, all on day-trips from a three-masted Turkish gulet, this is a trip you must make. We joined John on his first Castles of Caria tour because the ancient Aegean coasts can best be explored by water, not buses. Day after day mind-blowing history lessons from knowledgable local guides, interwoven with meals prepared and served by an attentive crew, briefings to set a context for upcoming sites, with multiple stops in secluded coves for diving, swimming, or simply floating in turquoise waters. Amazing experience following the wake of Greek, Persian, Roman, and Ottoman invasions and settlements, medieval knights, British archaeologists/plunderers, and now inhabited by charming people proud to share their heritage with respectful small groups of like-minded adventurers. I have never returned from a trip so full of awe, yet more relaxed than when we set out.
Leslie Kelley
The tour was well conceived and carefully put together to include historical, archaeological, cultural, and religious sites as well as a rare opportunity to hear Georgian polyphony, folk, and more... read more mainstream music on multiple occasions. I haven’t heard of other tours that do that. In his detailed explanations, John Graham does an amazing job of combining the macro, the micro and the more personal to provide a fresh take and more rounded view to visitors. Bravo!
Ludwina Joseph
John Graham leads incredible cultural tours of Georgia and other countries. This past trip has been a cultural experience that few travellers would get - even on organized tours. John... read more has numerous contacts with musicians, so we were often entertained with impromptu folklore performances. The food is exceptional and Georgia is a stunningly beautiful country
Hennievg2
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John and his team (Mari) are exceptional. John brings an encyclopedic knowledge of Georgia to his tours. His selection of hotels and restaurants is first rate. My wife and I... read more strongly encourage others to follow in our footsteps.
Dennis deTray
John Graham Tours has a fabulous new archeology cruise called “The Castles of Caria” to the Greek islands of Kos, Symi, and Rhodes, and returning by way of the... read more Turkish coast to Halicarnassus (Bodrum). Our group of 15 was delighted to be sailing on a historic 100-ft Gulet. Upon boarding, we immediately experienced the gracious hospitality from captain and crew that we enjoyed the whole trip. Meals were always delicious, healthy and generous. We swam in turquoise waters,often with no one but our group,and anchored in famous harbors to walk through ancient ruins or shop in island towns. Most of all, we experienced the special fellowship a boat can foster. We also had free time to read or just be alone with our thoughts. Accommodations were comfortable with many communal spaces and decks to visit or view stars.John Graham tours offer John’s deep background lectures on the area we’re visiting. I can truly say the area is gorgeous, fascinating and I enjoyed every single day!
Jonna Mackin
I cannot say enough good things about John's leadership of our choral/cultural tour of Georgia and Armenia. From his careful and thoughtful preparation, collaborating with us in every way, answering... read more questions thoroughly; through his knowledgeable, flexible, good-humored organization of the day-to-day events and activities, shepherding a group of diverse individuals with varying needs and interests; to his nuanced and responsive interactions with all our participants, John was the ideal host/partner/tour leader. His intimate and detailed knowledge of the history, people, and places we visited, and his connections to concert halls, universities, embassies, and choral ensembles, made each city visit a special occasion, deeply satisfying, memorable. We'll be back!
Steven Lipsitt
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I joined John's tour, with my adult kids, that he arranged for our alumni chorus, in Georgia and Armenia. It was sensational. The execution was flawless, the locations and... read more venues were extensive, and the indepth cultural and historic exposure was enlightening. We met up with local groups and audiences, and thanks to John's bilingual skills were enthusiastically received everywhere. The cities we visited are lively and thriving, and not yet overrun with foreign tourists. We felt secure and welcomed everywhere we went. The tour lot fit a lot into 10 days, and will be remembered fondly.
John Mark Agosta
John is incredibly experienced, very kind and calm, and curates an excellent tour. Also, kudos to his musical ability!
Gryffin
Our choral tour through Georgia and Armenia was extraordinary on every level. Can't recommend highly enough. John's in-depth knowledge imparted in an accessible and engaging way, gracious manner,... read more fluency in Georgian, deep relationships with local luminaries, and mastery of detail made this an unforgettable experience. He was somehow able to shepherd our substantial and diverse group from place to place without any hitches -- including seemingly blocked roads -- was a miracle in itself.
Louis Freedberg
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John is unbelievable knowledgeable about Georgian history, music, and culture. To have this high level of guiding in someone who is a native english speaker and totally fluent in Georgian... read more is truly unique. I would have given more stars if I could.
Brenda Eskenazi
Our musical and cultural tour of Georgia and Armenia with John Graham was thoroughly enjoyable and impressive, from top to bottom and beginning to end. Thanks to John’s perfect combination... read more of deep knowledge, logistical-organizational acumen and people skills, I was both intellectually enlightened and spiritually energized by our unforgettable tour. Although I had been to that part of the world before, I was struck by the fact that, through John’s and his associates’ skill and planning (but not over-planning), I could more effectively fit more into (and get more out of) the trip in the time available compared to previous visits, while still having opportunities for the spontaneous and serendipitous events that make travel particularly memorable. I look forward to my next tour with John and his team!
Richard Osborne
Our group had a fantastic experience with John on our recent choral tour to Armenia and Georgia. His decades of experience living and singing in Georgia gave added depth and... read more insight to our tour. He was also extremely well organized and managed many individual requests for transfers and accommodations without a hitch. I would go on another John Graham tour in a heartbeat.
David Geltman
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I cannot recommend John enough! John is a kind, engaging, and extremely knowledgable tour guide whose passion for the region shines through and truly elevates the tour experience. He is... read more not only a tour guide, but an expert in his field. If you have a question, he has an answer. The itinerary he planned was detailed, thoughtful and extremely smooth throughout the entire trip. From delicious meals with some of the most amazing views to singing in centuries old monasteries, John knows how to craft a trip that provides guests with so many once in a lifetime opportunities and experiences. If you're planning to visit Georgia and the Caucuses, working with John is the first step to ensuring an unforgettable trip! Thank you John for your hospitality!
Abraham Payne
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I cannot say enough good things about John's leadership of our choral/cultural tour of Georgia and Armenia. From his careful and thoughtful preparation, collaborating with us in every way, answering... read more questions thoroughly; through his knowledgeable, flexible, good-humored organization of the day-to-day events and activities, shepherding a group of diverse individuals with varying needs and interests; to his nuanced and responsive interactions with all our participants, John was the ideal host/partner/tour leader. His intimate and detailed knowledge of the history, people, and places we visited, and his connections to concert halls, universities, embassies, and choral ensembles, made each city visit a special occasion, deeply satisfying, memorable. We'll be back!
Steven Lipsitt
I cannot recommend John enough! John is a kind, engaging, and extremely knowledgable tour guide whose passion for the region shines through and truly elevates the tour experience. He is... read more not only a tour guide, but an expert in his field. If you have a question, he has an answer. The itinerary he planned was detailed, thoughtful and extremely smooth throughout the entire trip. From delicious meals with some of the most amazing views to singing in centuries old monasteries, John knows how to craft a trip that provides guests with so many once in a lifetime opportunities and experiences. If you're planning to visit Georgia and the Caucuses, working with John is the first step to ensuring an unforgettable trip! Thank you John for your hospitality!
Abraham Payne
Our group had a fantastic experience with John on our recent choral tour to Armenia and Georgia. His decades of experience living and singing in Georgia gave added depth and... read more insight to our tour. He was also extremely well organized and managed many individual requests for transfers and accommodations without a hitch. I would go on another John Graham tour in a heartbeat.
David Geltman
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Our musical and cultural tour of Georgia and Armenia with John Graham was thoroughly enjoyable and impressive, from top to bottom and beginning to end. Thanks to John’s perfect combination... read more of deep knowledge, logistical-organizational acumen and people skills, I was both intellectually enlightened and spiritually energized by our unforgettable tour. Although I had been to that part of the world before, I was struck by the fact that, through John’s and his associates’ skill and planning (but not over-planning), I could more effectively fit more into (and get more out of) the trip in the time available compared to previous visits, while still having opportunities for the spontaneous and serendipitous events that make travel particularly memorable. I look forward to my next tour with John and his team!
Richard Osborne
John is unbelievable knowledgeable about Georgian history, music, and culture. To have this high level of guiding in someone who is a native english speaker and totally fluent in Georgian... read more is truly unique. I would have given more stars if I could.
Brenda Eskenazi
Our choral tour through Georgia and Armenia was extraordinary on every level. Can't recommend highly enough. John's in-depth knowledge imparted in an accessible and engaging way, gracious manner,... read more fluency in Georgian, deep relationships with local luminaries, and mastery of detail made this an unforgettable experience. He was somehow able to shepherd our substantial and diverse group from place to place without any hitches -- including seemingly blocked roads -- was a miracle in itself.
Louis Freedberg
Wonders of Sicily: Cultural Tour
March 23rd - April 2nd, 2026
April 4th - 14th, 2026
March-April, 2027
Travel Program… Join us in a discovery of the world's most culturally vibrant island. From incredible Greek and Roman temples, to jewels of medieval and baroque architecture, every day is full of wonder. The cuisine and wine is top class, and our team of guides are ready to curate an incredible culinary experience. Join us for this extraordinary adventure! Read more here!
Georgia & Armenia: Caucasus Cultural Tour
Come see UNESCO heritage sites, meet artists and musicians, vintners and cooks, with lectures on history
May 8-20, 2026
April-May, 2027
Travel Program… One of our most popular tour programs, the Georgia & Armenia cultural tour gives a broad introduction to the most important UNESCO heritage sites as well as the wealth of artistic culture that flourishes in both countries today. While lectures focus on the history of these countries as early emerging states caught between competing empires to West (Rome and Byzantium) and the East (Persia and Selkjuk Turks), our day to day experience will be an interaction with musicians, artists, cooks, clerics, and environmentalists. Our tour begins in Tbilisi, Georgia, then continues into Armenia before returning to Tbilisi... Read more here!
Cathedrals of Tao
A Cultural Tour through the historic kingdom of Tao-Klarjeti (Georgia & Turkey)
May, 2027
May, 2029
Travel Program… This unique tour program, featured in the New York Times (June 20th, 2017 issue), focuses on the most important Christian sites in the historic 9th-10th century kingdom of Tao-Klarjeti, the location of a great renaissance of medieval manuscript writing, chant composition, and architectural innovation. Our tour itinerary is organized around visiting these "lost" cathedrals, which had fallen into ruin after 400 years of neglect under the Ottoman Empire. But our experience will be infused with traditional music of both Turkey and Georgia, the delicious fusion cuisine and wine of the border regions, and of course a healthy conversation about historical and modern political realities. This tour is perfect for adept travelers interested in a deeper cultural immersion experience. Read more...
Walking in the Caucasus - West Georgia
A Hiking Tour through the mountains of West Georgia (Svaneti region)
Aug. 28th - Sept. 9th, 2026
Aug. 27th - Sept. 8th, 2027
Travel Program… We begin and end the tour in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia (airport designation TBS) and a beautiful city that featured prominently on trade routes from Asia to Europe. The focus of this unique itinerary will be walking trails in the High Caucasus mountains. We will not be roughing it, however, as jeeps will carry our luggage to the end point, and we will stay in cozy hotels where a cool beer, a hot shower, and comfortable bed awaits. JohnGrahamTours specializes in the culture of Georgia: therefore, in addition to our walking schedule, there will be an emphasis on visiting medieval churches to see original frescoes, meeting local families to learn about their lives and customs, and experiences with the music and dance of the local people. Read more!
Walking in the Caucasus - East Georgia
A Hiking Tour through the mountains of East Georgia (Tusheti, Khevsureti, Kazbegi)
By Private Group Request
TBA, 2026
Travel Program… We begin and end the tour in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia (airport designation TBS) and a beautiful city that featured prominently on trade routes from Asia to Europe. The focus of this unique itinerary will be walking trails in the High Caucasus mountains of East Georgia including the Tusheti National Park, as well as the Khevsureti and Kazbegi protected highlands. We will not be roughing it, however, as jeeps will carry our luggage, and we will stay in cozy 3-star hotels where a cool beer, a hot shower, and comfortable bed awaits. JohnGrahamTours specializes in the culture of Georgia: therefore, in addition to our walking schedule, there will be an emphasis on meeting local families to learn about their lives and customs, and experiences with the music and dance of the local people. The middle of the tour features two nights resting at a 4-star winery resort hotel with a swimming pool in the Kakheti viticulture region. Read more!
Golden Fleece cultural tour - West Georgia
A Cultural Tour through ancient Colchis, also exploring the highlands of Racha and Svaneti
Sept-Oct, 2026 (by private group request)
Sept-Oct, 2027
Travel Program… The focus of this unique cultural program will be to visit and understand the impact of the bronze-era kingdom of Colchis, and its dependency on the mountain tribes for mineral resources. After traveling to the Black sea coastal region of Georgia (ancient Colchis), we will pay particular focus to travel through the unique cultural and geographical highland region of Svaneti. The region features a unique language, its own folklore, folk music, and cuisine. The villages are punctuated with thousand-year-old defensive towers, and each town has several Christian chapels with original frescoes dating to the 10th-12th century period.... Read more!
Coastal Caria: Archeology Cruise
A cruising tour along the Carian coast of southwest Turkiye (Bodrum to Fethiye)
Sept. 25th - Oct. 4th, 2026
Sept, 2027
Travel Program... Our tour begins with two nights in Bodrum, visiting the historic castle and museum of underwater archeology. On Day 3, we embark on a private gulet charter - a traditional wooden sailing ship - for our real adventure: a cruise along the famous “Turquoise coast” of the Carian coast! Our guests absolutely love the natural beauty of this stunning coastline, with its steep arid hillsides plunging into clear blue water. Our trip takes us past several ancient Carian cities and fortifications that were later Hellenized and Romanized in classical antiquity. Among these the highlights are surely the double-harbor city of Knidos, the fortress walls of Loryma, the city of Kaunos, and the ruins of Lydae. Some of these sites have never been excavated by archeologists and many remain accessible only from the sea. Read more!
Coastal Lycia: Archeology Cruise
A cruising tour along the Carian and Lycian coast of southwest Turkiye (Fethiye to Fethiye)
Oct. 3rd - 12th, 2026
Sept-Oct, 2027
Travel Program... Our tour begins with one night in Fethiye in the southwestern corner of Turkiye. On Day 2, we embark on a private gulet charter - a traditional wooden sailing ship - for our real adventure: a 7-day cruise along the famous “Turquoise coast” of the Lycian coast! Our guests absolutely love the natural beauty of this stunning coastline, with its steep arid hillsides plunging into clear blue water. Our trip takes us past several ancient cities and fortifications that were later Hellenized and Romanized in classical antiquity. Among these the highlights are surely the ancient cities of Patara, Xanthos, Telmessos, Tlos, and Myra, and the Byzantine sites at Myra and Gemiler island associated with St. Nicholas. We also explore lesser known ruins like the sunken city at Kekova island, the small harbor towns of Andriake and Aperlai, and more. Some of these sites have never been excavated by archeologists and many remain accessible only from the sea. Read more!
Ethiopia: Hiking Tour
Journey with us through the Simien mountain National Park and other exotic locations!
November-December - (by private group request)
Travel Program… This thrilling adventure through the ancient Christian regions of Ethiopia's northern highlands features a series of short and long hikes through the national parks, along ridges, around lakes and dry river beds. We will have professional guides, support vehicles, packed picnic lunches, and all the necessaries to make this a highly enjoyable trip. Accommodation is in best available hotels and exclusive lodges in the national parks. Travel will involve four short domestic flights to bypass driving long distances over rough roads. Our centers of interest will be Gondar, the Simien National Park, Lalibela, and Gheralta, with forays to Lake Tana (head of the Blue Nile River). The UNESCO heritage churches at Lalibela will be a cultural highlight of this itinerary, as well as the desert churches of Gheralta. We will see plenty of wildlife at Lake Tana and in the Simien mountains! Read more here!
Ethiopia: Genna Cultural Tour
January 4th-16th, 2027
January 4th-16th, 2028
Travel Program… This thrilling adventure through the ancient Christian regions of Ethiopia's northern highlands features a relaxed schedule, plenty of delicious food, top-notch guides, visits to the most important sites, and lots of interaction with local people. We will also seek out unique musicians to feed our interest in local culture through music, cuisine, and religion. Travel will involve several short domestic flights to bypass driving long distances over rough roads. Our centers of interest will be Addis, Lalibela, Gondar, and Gheralta, with forays to Lake Tana (head of the Blue Nile River), the gorgeous Simien National Park highlands with its unique herds of friendly Gelada herbivore baboons, and remote rock-hewn churches in the Gheralta region. The UNESCO heritage churches at Lalibela will feature heavily in this itinerary, as we visit this sacred city during its most important yearly festival: the feast of the Nativity (Jan. 7th on their old Christian calendar). Join us for this extraordinary adventure! Read more here!
Intriguing Destinations | Blog
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