Authentic travel experiences that give back

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.

Authentic travel experiences that give back

 

Trekking Bali's Hidden Rice Terraces

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.

A Community Projects Tour, Cuba

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.

Otentik Discovery, Mauritius

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. 

A Bangkok City Safari

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.

 A Healthy Cooking Class at an Organic Farm in Vietnam

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.

Two ways to experience paradise: Jade Mountain and Anse Chastanet

29 September 2025

Jade Mountain and Anse Chastanet are two exceptional resorts located on St Lucia’s dramatic southwestern coast. Set within a 600-acre estate, these sister properties share a stunning location but offer distinctly different experiences. Whether you’re seeking serene luxury or a connection to nature, these resorts provide two unique ways to immerse yourself in the beauty of St Lucia.

Shangri-La Le Touessrok: A Mauritian icon reimagined

29 September 2025

For those who seek the pinnacle of island luxury, Mauritius consistently delivers. It’s a destination that pairs natural beauty with exceptional hospitality. At the heart of this offering is Shangri-La Le Touessrok, a resort that has long been a benchmark for sophistication on the island’s east coast. After a recent and comprehensive renovation in 2025, this celebrated resort is ready to welcome guests to a completely refreshed and elevated experience. The transformation, which took place from June to October 2025, has touched every aspect of the resort. All restaurants and bars have been redesigned, and the 185 rooms, suites, and villas have been updated with new indoor and outdoor furniture, elegant colour schemes, and refined decor. This thoughtful reimagining of a Mauritian icon is designed to offer an even more seamless and luxurious stay.

The soul of Spanish luxury: a new chapter for Hospes Hotels

29 September 2025

True luxury is a delicate balance of history, impeccable service, and a design that feels both timeless and contemporary. This is the very essence of Hospes Hotels. Each property is a carefully preserved piece of Spanish heritage, thoughtfully updated to offer a modern and deeply comfortable experience. This dedication to architectural and cultural preservation is what defines the Hospes experience. Two iconic properties, in Granada and Valencia, now stand as outstanding examples of this commitment, following recent full renovations. Every detail has been reimagined to strengthen each hotel’s unique connection to its city. Alongside these, another property in Mallorca invites guests to experience Spanish hospitality by the sea, year-round.