If you’re like me, it takes more than a beautiful view to make a destination memorable. You also need to connect with the people who bring that place to life. But finding those meaningful connections on your own isn’t always easy, which is why many of the best luxury resorts across the globe are now partnering with local experts who can offer exclusive access and deeper connections to guests. Here are my favorite expert-led cultural tours and authentic insider access at luxury resorts across the globe.
Picture Yourself…
- Learning to make your own pair of Italian leather sandals at Rome Cavalieri.
- Harvesting honey from a stingless beehive at The Datai Langkawi in Malaysia.
- Stargazing in the desert at Four Seasons Resort Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt.
1. Alila Ventana Big Sur – Foragers Hike
California
If you’ve ever wandered through a forest and wondered whether that tempting mushroom or berry was actually safe to eat, sign up for the Forager’s Hike at Alila Ventana Big Sur, where you can explore your curiosity without catastrophic consequences. Led by a local foraging expert, this guided walk takes you through towering redwoods as you learn the fundamentals of wild-food harvesting.
Along the way, you’ll discover how to identify edible plants, spot hidden delicacies, and understand which finds are safe (and more importantly, which to avoid). It’s an engaging, hands-on introduction to the edible landscape of Big Sur that will equip you with foraging skills you can use almost anywhere.
2. Rome Cavalieri – Made in Italy By You
Rome, Italy
Anyone can browse boutiques, but if you want to truly understand the craftsmanship behind iconic Italian fashion, Rome Cavalieri‘s Made in Italy By You excursion is the way to do it. This off-the-beaten-path experience takes you into a residential Roman neighborhood to visit a traditional workshop where generations of shoemakers have honed their craft. There, local artisans will teach you the art of cobbling and help you to create your own pair of custom Italian leather sandals to bring home as an unforgettable souvenir.
3. Aman Tokyo – The Art of Laido Swordsmanship
Tokyo, Japan
Samurai, the revered warriors of premodern Japan, hold an almost mythical place in the country’s culture. To give you a deeper understanding of their traditions and way of life, Aman Tokyo offers an immersive Art of Iaido Swordsmanship experience. In a private session led by a local instructor, you’ll be introduced to the fundamentals of iaido, the traditional martial art centered on the precise, fluid act of drawing the sword. You’ll practice foundational movements, learn the meaning behind each gesture, and be guided through classic samurai etiquette.
4. Alila Kothaifaru – Coconut Reverence
Maldives
In the Maldives, the coconut tree is nicknamed the “miracle tree” for its versatility and important place in island life. At Alila Kothaifaru, you can find out why this natural resource is so important by signing up for the Coconut Reverence experience. Safeeru, the resort’s local cultural guide, showcases the tree’s many uses in island life, from food and wellness to architecture and craft.
The experience begins as you slip into a personalized sarong before watching a local climber scale a towering palm to harvest a fresh coconut. Then, you’ll learn how to weave palm fronds into decorative pieces and cook authentic Maldivian dishes that highlight coconut as the star ingredient. The experience ends with a fun mixology session where you’ll craft coconut-based cocktails to enjoy as the sun sets over the water.
5. The Oberoi Udaivilas – Miniature Painting School
Udaipur, India
Rajasthan, India’s largest state, is renowned for its intricate miniature painting tradition. This ancient art form dates back to the sixth century, when artists depicted landscapes and illustrated entire stories in incredibly small and precise forms. The Oberoi Udaivilas offers you the chance to explore this heritage with a visit to the Mewar School of Art, where local masters introduce you to the techniques behind the craft and guide you as you try your hand at painting your own piece.
Don’t worry if painting isn’t your strong suit. You can also browse for an authentic keepsake while learning about the history behind each piece. And for added indulgence, The Oberoi can arrange transportation by luxury car.
6. Pondoro Game Lodge – Black Mamba Anti-Poaching Unit Tour
Kruger National Park, South Africa
Safaris are obviously an incredible way to see wildlife, but if you want to learn more about the crucial work happening behind the scenes to protect these animals, join the Black Mamba Anti-Poaching Unit tour and get to know the people safeguarding Kruger National Park’s most vulnerable species.
Every Wednesday and Saturday, guests of the Pondoro Game Lodge can meet the Black Mambas, a pioneering, majority-women anti-poaching unit dedicated to protecting endangered wildlife. The experience includes a visit to the Nonwane research facility and an insightful presentation from the Mambas. All proceeds support their efforts, which have helped reduce poaching incursions in the park by 62 percent since their inception.
7. The Datai Langkawi – Bee a Beekeeper
Kedah, Malaysia
Harvesting a beehive may sound like a task best left to professionals, especially if you’d prefer not to come home covered in bee stings, but The Datai Langkawi in Malaysia has something unique: stingless bees. These pollinators create a unique, slightly tangy flavor of Trigona Itama honey, which is renowned for its antimicrobial qualities and taste.
During the Bee a Beekeeper experience, you’ll learn about the bees’ unique behavior, their role in the local ecosystem, and why their honey is so prized. Then comes the highlight: harvesting your own fresh honey, which you can taste immediately or bottle as a delicious, one-of-a-kind souvenir.
8. Amanruya – Etrim Artisan Experience
Bodrum, Türkiye
Türkiye is famed for its exquisite artisan-made carpets, and one of the best places to learn about this craft is in the small village of Etrim. Generations of skilled weavers have been producing intricate, hand-knotted carpets in Etrim. Amanruya, in nearby Bodrum, arranges private visits to a local master’s home, where you can watch the traditional process unfold, from spinning and dyeing the wool to weaving each detailed pattern by hand. There’s also the opportunity to purchase an authentic piece to take home. After exploring the village, you’ll sit down to a traditional Turkish meal served on a nearby farm.
9. Four Seasons Resort Sharm El Sheikh – Bedouin Dinner and Stargazing
Egypt
Head into the Egyptian desert on Four Seasons Resort Sharm El Sheikh‘s Bedouin Dinner and Stargazing tour, which begins with an unforgettable desert sunset among the dunes. As night falls, warm up by the fire and learn traditional Bedouin bread-making techniques, then sample a wide variety of Bedouin specialties at the buffet dinner. The night continues with lively entertainment, including traditional music, belly dancing, a fire show, and a whirling dervish performance. Top it all off with an evening of incredible stargazing before heading back to the resort.
