Whether meeting with monks in Thimphu, Bhutan, or taking a tortilla-making masterclass in Oaxaca, Mexico, there’s no better way to experience a new destination than by getting to know the people who live there. Looking beyond the usual landmarks can often provide opportunities to venture somewhere different and discover exactly what — and who — makes these locations so special. Here are six of the best experiences for travellers craving a deeper understanding of some of the world’s most fascinating places.
Bhutan is full of monasteries and its capital Thimphu is a great place to meet local monks.
Photograph by G Adventures
1. Learn about the art of happiness in Bhutan
Dotted with monasteries, many of which cling to the perilously steep slopes of the Eastern Himalayas, landlocked Bhutan is one of Asia’s most intriguing destinations. The country measures its success not by gross domestic product (GDP) but by gross national happiness (GNH), an idea developed in the 1970s by the fourth King of Bhutan, King Jigme Singye Wangchuck. Bhutan’s delicious cuisine may have a part to play in its contentment — delicacies include ema datshi, a hearty combination of chilli peppers and cheese, and jasha maroo, a fabulously fragrant chicken stew — but there are plenty of opportunities to learn what else is driving the country’s joyful lifestyle.
Home to Bhutan’s only international airport and surrounded by forested mountain peaks, Paro is most visitors’ first stop, but for a unique insight into the country, head to the monastery-filled capital, Thimphu. Here, the local Buddhist monks are more than happy to discuss their beliefs and ways of life, as well as their secrets to happiness.
Try this experience on the National Geographic Journeys: Wonders of Bhutan tour.
2. Chat with a cheetah expert in South Africa
With its diverse landscapes, ranging from rolling grasslands to tree-dotted plains and sky-scraping mountains, South Africa entices growing numbers of travellers each year. The country is also home to an impressive range of wildlife, including the Big Five (lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants and buffalo). Those who sign up for a safari might catch a glimpse of some of the world’s most majestic creatures, but for an even more profound insight into the animal kingdom, speak to a local specialist.
In Kruger National Park, the opportunity to meet with a researcher from the Endangered Wildlife Trust’s Cheetah Range Expansion Project is guaranteed to give visitors a different perspective on the region and its inhabitants. Funded in part by National Geographic’s Big Cats Initiative, the Cheetah Range Expansion Project was founded to tackle the issue of human-cheetah conflict and to help increase genetic diversity and cheetah numbers in South Africa.
Try this experience on the National Geographic Journeys: Explore Southern Africa tour.
Learn about samurai etiquette and traditional swordplay in Kyoto, Japan.
Photograph by G Adventures
3. Hone your samurai skills in Japan
In 794, Kyoto became the capital of Japan and held this title for more than 1,000 years. The city is filled with historic sites, including 2,000 shrines and temples and 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. To explore Kyoto’s heritage a little deeper, try channelling your inner samurai — as members of Japan’s warrior class, samurai held huge power from the 1200s to the 1870s, and their swordsmanship and custom remains an important part of Japanese culture. Join a kembu master to learn the basics of samurai etiquette and the practice of traditional Japanese swordplay.
To perfect a very different type of knife skill, head to Japan’s neon-drenched current capital, Tokyo, where, at the Tsukiji Fish Market, visitors can learn how to fillet fish during a sushi-making masterclass.
Try these experiences on the National Geographic Journeys: Iconic Japan tour.
4. Try tortilla-making in Mexico
Mexico City, the nation’s capital, stands out as one of the most compelling and enriching destinations in Mexico. Reminders of the city’s importance to the Aztec empire are everywhere — including in Xochimilco, a network of central canals, where hiring a colourful boat (some of which come with their own mariachi band) is the best way to explore the historic waterways.
Further south in Oaxaca, culinary heritage is front and centre. Archaeologists have found evidence of tortilla-making dating back to 500BCE in the gastro-historic city, which today is a tangle of cobblestone streets and beautifully preserved courtyards filled with fabulous restaurants. Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay once visited Oaxaca to learn how to make mole (a richly spiced traditional sauce/marinade) and tortillas, and aspiring chefs can follow in his footsteps by joining a cookery class in a family home. While celebrating and preserving Oaxacan culture, these classes also provide support to the local community through skills training and infrastructure development.
Try this experience on the National Geographic Journeys: Discover Mexico tour.
Mexico’s culinary hub Oaxaca is the perfect place to learn how to make traditional tortillas.
Photograph by Thomas M Barwick, Getty Images
5. Dine with a local farmer in Iceland
Iceland’s geological wonders have propelled it to the top of many people’s must-see lists. Visitors come to experience the steaming volcanoes, hot springs that fill the air with sulphur-scented steam and spluttering geysers that blast plumes of boiling water skywards. Take Deildartunguhver for example — Europe’s most powerful hot spring — it’s one of the country’s most spectacular geological marvels and its water heats many buildings in western Iceland.
But this extraordinary country is also a place shaped by its people, and a great way to learn about life in some of the most far-flung corners of Iceland is by visiting a local farm. A growing number of farmers now offer guided tours of the striking areas where they live and work, typically followed by home-cooked meals designed to showcase their passion for farm-to-table cuisine.
Try this experience on the National Geographic Journeys: Explore Iceland tour.
6. Design unique fabrics with artisans in India
In the state of Rajasthan, Ranthambore National Park stands out thanks to its protected tiger habitat (one of India’s largest), ruins of a 10th-century fort and the Trinetra Ganesha Temple, dedicated to the Hindu god Ganesha. The park was once a private hunting ground for the maharajas of Jaipur. The rose-hued city has been a hub of textile production for hundreds of years and is the perfect place to delve into India’s arts and crafts scene.
Throughout Jaipur, modern-day artisans ensure skills perfected by their ancestors survive the test of time. A brilliant example is block printing — where traditional designs are transferred onto fabric — an art usually practised by men but now being embraced by a growing number of women. Travellers can create their own designs with the artisans at the Anoothi project, a community-based collective that’s helped local women earn a living while also keeping a tradition alive.
Try this experience on the National Geographic Journeys: Discover India tour.
Plan your tripNational Geographic Journeys with G Adventures offer tours to Bhutan, South Africa, Japan, Mexico, Iceland and India year-round, led by local Chief Experience Officers. These small-group tours are focused on giving back to local communities, supporting environmental sustainability, and providing deeper cultural insight through meaningful travel experiences. For more information, visit gadventures.comThis paid content article was created for G Adventures. It does not necessarily reflect the views of National Geographic, National Geographic Traveller (UK) or their editorial staffs.
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