Our most memorable travel experiences are typically those that leave us with a sense of wonder and connection. Whether you’re discovering emerging creative hubs or ticking off bucket-list cultural experiences, these are the most memorable, immersive and cultural experiences around the world.
Malaysia is often described as a multicultural melting pot, and nowhere is this more evident than in its cuisine: a fusion of ingredients and techniques that includes indigenous, Malay, Chinese, Indian, Portuguese, and colonial influences. Kuching is the capital of Malaysia’s Sarawak province, and the city’s reputation as a culinary wonderland has led to it being recognised as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy.
Whether you’re slurping a steaming bowl of noodle soup (Sarawak Laksa) at a street vendor or treating yourself to a fine-dining experience at an award-winning restaurant, you’ll find endless opportunities to indulge your taste buds. Our favourite way to marinate (metaphorically) in local cuisine is to attend a local cooking school – in Kuching, you can learn how to recreate iconic dishes like laksa and steamed crab.
Mongolia’s capital city is home to a vibrant craft and folk-art scene that’s built on centuries of tradition. Local artisans create beautifully hand-crafted works of art, drawing on expertise that has been handed down over many generations and ranging from leatherwork and metal craft to felting and embroidery. The National Museum of Mongolia is a great place to start your journey of exploration, with exhibits that cover centuries of history, culture and art.
You can browse for intricately tooled leather goods, woven cashmere shawls and handcrafted jewellery among the rows of stalls at Naran Tuul Market (Black Market), or spend a day learning centuries-old techniques of woodcarving and painting at a craft workshop.
Twelve small islands are sprinkled across Japan’s Seto Inland Sea which separates the main islands of Honshu, Kyushu and Shikoku. The serene island landscapes offer a completely different pace of life to Japan’s big cities, and their natural beauty is enhanced by the collection of world-class art and architecture that has led to them being recognised globally as the ‘art islands of Japan’.
The best-known island in the group is Naoshima, which is renowned for its world-class museums of contemporary art, as well as its open-air art installations such as the immense, polka-dotted pumpkin sculptures by Japanese art icon, Yayoi Kusama. Naoshima and the neighbouring islands of Teshima, and Inujima host the Setouchi Art Triennale: a stunning celebration of visual art that takes place every three years, drawing around one million art lovers from all over the globe.
India’s largest city is known as the nation’s financial capital, but it’s also the beating heart of its vibrant film industry, and your visit to the sprawling metropolis would be incomplete without a chance to experience the colourful magic of Bollywood for yourself.
Join a guided studio tour and you’ll be treated to a behind-the-scenes peek of the larger-than-life productions for which Bollywood is famous. You could also learn some new moves at a Bollywood-inspired dance class, watch a Bollywood-inspired live show at one of the city’s elegant theatres, or browse the local markets for a spectacular silk sari or kurta.
Every summer, the 1700-odd residents of the tiny village of Hay-on-Wye find themselves sharing their picturesque part of Wales with tens of thousands of book lovers who come to experience the world-famous Hay Festival. The festival is considered one of the world’s great literary fairs, but it’s not just about books – the 10-day programme of author talks, panel discussions, debates and performances is designed to bring together a collection of the world’s great thinkers and writers, drawn from the worlds of art, literature, science, politics, music and comedy.
In recent years, the success of the festival has outgrown the stunning setting of Bannau Brycheiniog (formerly known as the Brecon Beacons). You can also attend one of the sister festivals and forums, which are held in locations as diverse as Kenya, Colombia and Texas.
Lyon’s spectacular festival of lights (Fête des Lumières) originated in 1643, when residents placed lit candles in their windows as a gesture of thanks to the Virgin Mary, who they believed had spared the city from the worst effects of a plague. The tradition, which coincides with the Feast of Immaculate Conception on 8th December each year, has grown into one of the world’s great spectacles, with immense light installations that turn the city’s parks, squares and buildings into a glittering open-air gallery over four magical nights.
It’s a fun, family-friendly experience that is best enjoyed with a steaming cup of hot chocolate from a street vendor. Dress warmly and join the crowds that flock to the pedestrianised city centre to marvel at the spectacle and enjoy the carnival atmosphere.
You don’t have to spend long in the city of Austin to understand why the Texas state capital is considered the ‘live music capital of the world’. There are hundreds of live music venues throughout the city, offering something for every taste in music, from country and blues to hip hop and electronic.
Head to legendary 6th Street, which is closed to traffic from Thursday to Saturday each week to allow music lovers plenty of space to enjoy the immaculate vibes at famous clubs like Maggie Mae’s and the Driskill Hotel. The city also hosts a number of world-class music showcases, including Austin City Limits Music Festival, Blues on the Green, and the iconic South by Southwest (SXSW) Festival.
From high-tech, interactive light festivals to centuries-old celebrations of local culture, these are our seven wonders of the creative world. If you dream of experiencing any of these fabulous, immersive experiences for yourself, talk to your Personal Travel Manager.
TravelManagers respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands where we work and gather, and those we visit.
