More and more of us are seeking holidays that give us a truly authentic experience of our destination, in doing so directly benefitting local communities. The following are just some of the ways you can access these kind of experiences; ask your Travel Counsellor about the whole array of others that we can offer.
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Part of the fee you pay for this extraordinary experience goes to local farmers. As well as seeing some of Bali’s famous fields that cascade down the hillsides, growing everything from rice to tomatoes, and discovering the ancient subak irrigation system that enables them to function as their own unique ecosystem, you’ll see a  subak  agricultural temple not usually visited by tourists and tour a local food market. The guide is English-speaking but local, meaning you’ll get a true insight into this fascinating practice. Visitors come away with a traditional handcrafted gift: an udeng (square headcloth) for men and a sash for women.
Introducing visitors to local cultures and encouraging them to interact with local life, this Havana tour looks at the way locals have often used art as a way to express both their hopes and their frustrations and also as a way of improving their local communities and breathing life into neighbourhoods. Again, an English-speaking but local guide will help you really get under the skin of this city and the theme.
This free app curated by the island’s Attitude group is an interactive way of getting off the beaten track and seeing the destination with fresh eyes, with options including a walking street food tour of the vibrant capital Port Louis with its food market and colourful Chinatown. Along the way you’ll sample the likes of alouda (a traditional drink of basil seeds and agar agar), roti rolls, and Chinese cakes and sweets while meeting the locals who make and sell them.
The app will also help you discover some of the island’s loveliest but least-known landscapes on foot, by bike or by moped. Other Otentik experiences include having dinner with a local family, helping out in the kitchen before sampling fantastic home cooking.Â
Carbon friendly, socially beneficial and fostering cultural interaction, this tour takes you in search of Bangkok’s highlights while travelling like a local, by public boat, skytrain and tuk-tuks. You’ll discover the Grand Palace, iconic Wat Pho temple and Lumpini Park, stopping in the latter to watch monks’ alms bowls being produced by artisans and to explore Jim Thompson House, which delves into the history of the American silk merchant.
The full-day tour takes you beyond the crowded streets for a closer look at the traditions and lifestyles of Thai people, from school kids to business people as they commute to school or work. You’ll also glean an up-close look at the ways of life of locals living alongside the canals, in houses precariously balanced on stilts.
Benefiting locals, culturally interactive and carbon-friendly, this experience takes you to an eco-friendly farm (part of a green agriculture project to educate local farmers) just outside Hoi An to pick the ingredients for your private cooking class. The passionate team will tell you how the farm protects the local soil, before your lesson in making five aromatic, nutritionally balanced dishes, grinding rice flour, creating rice paper with copper vessels and creating your own organic juice recipe. Once you’re done, you’ll sit down to feast on your delicious, authentic local cuisine.
To book your holiday including one of these authentic local experiences, or for inspiration for other destinations, call your Travel Counsellor today.
A safari is one of those holidays many people dream about for years. The first lion sighting, an elephant appearing beside the road, sundowners as the sun drops behind the bush. But as our Head Office colleague Heather discovered during a recent trip to South Africa, the most memorable safari experiences are often the ones you could never have planned.
Singapore may be compact, but its calendar is packed with celebrations that can transform an already memorable city break into something even more special. Throughout the year, its neighbourhoods are illuminated by festival lights, the Marina Bay skyline becomes the backdrop for fireworks and motor racing, and streets fill with parades, markets, music, and food. Many events reflect Singapore’s multicultural identity, giving visitors the chance to experience Chinese, Malay, Indian, and international traditions within the same city. You don’t necessarily need to plan your entire holiday around one event, either. Time your visit well, and Singapore’s annual celebrations can add colour, flavour, and a real sense of occasion to the attractions, restaurants, and neighbourhoods already on your itinerary.
There's something wonderfully unifying about a great beer festival. Whether you're a seasoned taster or simply someone who appreciates a well-poured pint in fine company, these events bring together the best brews, the warmest crowds, and traditions worth crossing continents for. We've rounded up five of the finest beer festivals on the planet, each with its own character and each deserving of a spot on your bucket list. Grab a glass, and let's raise a toast to the world's most memorable beer celebrations.
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