CultureRoad Travel takes you to unique and hard-to-reach destinations. From group tours to fully tailored private trips. Our mission is simple: to show you the world as it truly is.
Who’s behind CultureRoad?
The team
Who’s behind CultureRoad?
Behind CultureRoad is a dedicated team that makes our company feel like a true family. We are a passionate and dedicated team of professionals with a shared love of travel and a commitment to providing our travellers with exceptional service and unforgettable experiences.
On top of this, we share a big fascination for hard-to-reach desintations across the world. So here we go, welcome to the CultureRoad family: maybe you’ll get to meet them soon on tour!
Check our full team here.
The start
How it all began
CultureRoad officially started in 2015, but the idea – of course – began in a bar in 2013. Two Dutch guys, Caspar and Rik, decided to travel to North Korea. Not because it was convenient, but because they wanted to see what it’s really like.
During that trip, they discovered something crucial: beyond the big political headlines, ordinary people live ordinary lives. People who laugh, listen to music, argue, cook, fall in love.
That insight became the foundation of CultureRoad: a travel company that takes travellers to countries where the story is usually told from only one angle. We show you places where the narrative is often one-sided — until you see it for yourself.
The road
Our way of travelling
We believe travel only gets interesting when you’re willing to look past the clichés. That’s why we go off the beaten track, always with respect for local cultures and always with people who know the country inside out.
So no: giant buses, no “and on your left you can see…”, no compulsory Instagram stop every 30 minutes. But yes: local experts who know not just how to get somewhere, but where to find the best tea, the best views, or the strangest folk tales. Small groups, personal attention, and above all: real connection with the place you’re in.
Why travel with us?
Rik
Founder and tour guide
Meet Rik Brinks, the founder and face of CultureRoad. A Dutchman from Utrecht, Rik’s passion for travel began in his youth, inspired by “Tintin and the World Atlas”. His love for exploring new places has only grown stronger since.
Layane
Sales and Analytics
Layane, originally from Syria, joins us from Barcelona. She brings her passion for exploring diverse cultures, her international upbringing, and her curiosity for innovative marketing strategies to CultureRoad.
Pascale
Sales Coordinator
Pascale joins us from adventurous Utrecht, handling marketing, press, bookings, and prepping travelers for tours. Between trips, she loves packing for the next adventure and discovering crazy chip flavors.
Ryan
Tour guide and Analyst
Our data analyst, tour guide, tech supporter, and positivity guru, Ryan Randell, is always here to save the day. Based in Melbourne, Australia, Ryan travels half the year, balancing work and travel perfectly. With a witty joke or expert tour-leading, Ryan is your go-to guy.
Sofie
Communication intern
Sofie joins us as an intern from the Breda University of Applied Sciences. Influenced by her Dutch-American background, she’s naturally curious about different cultures. She enjoys creating content that showcases genuine local experiences while adding a fresh and international perspective to the team.
Davide
Tour guide and photographer
Davide is one of our tour leaders and a photographer with a passion for remote regions. In winter, he swaps his home country for adventures with CultureRoad, mainly to African destinations. Always curious and with a camera in hand, he manages to turn every trip into something special.
What we think is important
Woman empowering
Women are a core part of our team and our local partners worldwide. We actively create space for women in tourism. Because we know from experience how essential that is, for our work and for our travellers. Women are a core part of our team and our local partners worldwide. We actively create space for women in tourism. Because we know from experience how essential that is, for our work and for our travellers. Women are a core part of our team and our local partners worldwide. We actively create space for women in tourism. Because we know from experience how essential that is, for our work and for our travellers.
The Ethics of Travelling
When it comes to hard-to-reach or misunderstood destinations, there are ethical questions that naturally arise. So, why should you visit these places? And how can you do it responsibly? The real question isn’t whether you can travel to these places, but why you should. And the answer? Because it can change your perspective and help shift the narrative. At CultureRoad, we understand the power of travel. We think it’s not just an opportunity to explore new places, but as a chance to engage with communities, challenge stereotypes, and make a positive impact.
Sustainability
In essence, traveling far and wide is not the best for the environment. Travelling can leave deep traces in the flora and fauna of a place. It can also impact the relationship and traditions between local people and their land. At CultureRoad, we take responsibility for addressing the effects of global travel. That’s why we’re dedicated to reducing our ecological footprint and supporting local projects. Below, you’ll find details about our sustainability initiatives–hopefully they’ll inspire you to reflect on the impact of your own journeys around the world.