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

    Lin Medlin Avatar 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

    Terry Avatar Terry

    /Users/christopherlewis/Desktop/IMG_1890.JPG The great thing about these tours is that they are adventurous and also efficiently organized. We enjoyed the southern Turkey coast.

    Christopher Lewis Avatar Christopher Lewis
  • 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

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    Tony Anemone Avatar 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

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    Vivian Pyle Avatar Vivian Pyle

    Our trip to Georgia was absolutely perfect with many thanks to John Graham and his marvelous team. The trip of a lifetime

    Stephanie Cabot Avatar Stephanie Cabot
  • 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

    Joe Lowman Avatar 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

    Judith Morroy Avatar 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

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    Andy Tembon Avatar Andy Tembon
  • 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

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    Leslie Kelley Avatar 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

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    Ludwina Joseph Avatar 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

    Hennievg2 Avatar Hennievg2
  • 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

    Dennis deTray Avatar 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

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    Jonna Mackin Avatar 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

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    Steven Lipsitt Avatar Steven Lipsitt
  • 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

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    John Mark Agosta Avatar John Mark Agosta

    John is incredibly experienced, very kind and calm, and curates an excellent tour. Also, kudos to his musical ability!

    Gryffin Avatar 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

    Louis Freedberg Avatar Louis Freedberg
  • 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

    Brenda Eskenazi Avatar 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

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    Richard Osborne Avatar 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

    David Geltman Avatar David Geltman
  • 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

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    Abraham Payne Avatar Abraham Payne

    Another masterfully organized tour by John Graham and his team specially designed for the Yale University International Chorus: Diplomats of Song.

    Ray Kinoshita Avatar Ray Kinoshita

    Another masterfully organized tour by John Graham and his team specially designed for the Yale University International Chorus: Diplomats of Song.

    Ray Kinoshita Avatar Ray Kinoshita
  • 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

    media thumbnail 0media thumbnail 1media thumbnail 2
    Steven Lipsitt Avatar 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

    media thumbnail 0media thumbnail 1media thumbnail 2media thumbnail 3media thumbnail 4
    Abraham Payne Avatar 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

    David Geltman Avatar David Geltman
  • 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

    media thumbnail 0media thumbnail 1media thumbnail 2media thumbnail 3media thumbnail 4media thumbnail 5media thumbnail 6
    Richard Osborne Avatar 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

    Brenda Eskenazi Avatar 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

    Louis Freedberg Avatar Louis Freedberg

 

 


Tours

 

Duomo in Siricusa, Italy, on a JohnGrahamTours cultural trip to Sicily.

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!

 

 

 

								 								 Inside of a ancient christianity cathedral dome in Georgia with frescoes and windows letting in light

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!

 

Ruin of cathedral in ancient kingdom of Tao. This is located in Turkey, neighboring Georgia. A place where cultural tourists go to visit.

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 mountains of the Caucasus in the Svaneti region on a cultural and hiking tour organized by John Graham Tours

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 mountains of the Caucasus in the Tusheti region on a cultural and hiking tour organized by John Graham Tours

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!

 

								 Traveling through Samegrelo, Adjara, Svaneti, and Racha regions of West Georgia on this cultural extravaganza tour organized by John Graham Tours.

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!

 

								 								 John Graham Tours, Coastal Caria cruising tour to the coast of Turkiye

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!

 

								 								 								 John Graham Tours, Coastal Lycia archeology cruise tour on the coast of Turkiye

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!

 

Hikers hiking in Ethiopia highlands on cultural travel in Ethiopia

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!

 

Ethiopian monk-priest shows medieval manuscript to cultural tourists on a cultural tour in Ethiopia

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!


 

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