What can an escorted tour teach you?
Learning keeps us young, and what better way to do so than amongst some of the world’s most fascinating places?
While holidays are a time to relax and explore, there’s no harm in picking up a few things along the way. It’s easier than ever to do so on an escorted tour. With arranged excursions and the added confidence of a tour manager, you’ll be perfectly placed to step out of your comfort zone in comfort.
Whether you’re a keen cook looking for your next favourite recipe or a wildlife enthusiast in search of animal encounters, learning while abroad is rarely a dull affair. Here are just a few of the fascinating things an escorted tour can teach you.
What can you learn from an escorted tour?
1. How to prepare traditional Japanese tea
Though it’s little more than a home comfort in the UK, the humble cup of tea takes on even greater significance in Japan. Traditional tea ceremonies, rooted in Buddhist philosophy, offer the ideal introduction to time-honoured Japanese customs and the harmony and balance that underpin Japanese culture. The ritualistic preparation of the matcha is less about the drink itself and more about finding a moment of tranquillity and ‘zen’ amongst the bustle of everyday life.
With knowledgeable guides on hand to walk you through every movement, tea ceremonies are amongst the most memorable experiences Japan has to offer. For the most authentic experience, enjoy traditional wagashi (Japanese confectionery) with your tea, and perhaps try your hand at making them yourself.
Our recommended tour – Japan Unveiled
2. How to cook traditional Vietnamese dishes
Vietnamese culture is famed for its hospitality, and many locals take great pride in introducing their traditions to visitors. To that end, few things embody Vietnamese culture quite like food. Vietnam, like many other nations in Southeast Asia, have a strong Daoist heritage and their many aspects of everyday life in the country are rooted in a central focus on balance and harmony.
Food is no exception to this rule, and many of the local delicacies you’ll encounter attempt to balance five fundamental flavours – sweet, salty, spicy, sour, and bitter. One of the best ways to connect with Vietnamese culture is by learning more about the preparation and finer details of classic dishes. Whether you’re exploring Hanoi or sailing across Ha Long Bay, there’s also no shortage of willing teachers who are often more than happy to share their culinary expertise.
Our recommended tour – Classic Vietnam, Cambodia & Laos
3. How to track animals in the wild
Though the South African wilderness is impressive enough on an open-air game drive, it’s not until you get up close with the finer details of the bush that you can fully appreciate its wonders. From animal tracks and tell-tale signs of nocturnal species to the unique floral species that would go missed as you drive by, taking it all in on foot is one of the best ways to make the most of your safari adventure.
What better way, then, to do so than with an expert tracker? With years of specialised knowledge in interpreting the sounds, sights and scents of the bushveld, rangers are well equipped to help give you a real insight into the lives of Africa’s most impressive creatures. Many reserves and lodges offer guided bush walks that’ll ensure you don’t miss a single detail and provide lasting memories of your animal-spotting escape.
Our recommended tour – On Safari in South Africa – Mabula’s Kingfisher Villa – Premier Collection
4. How to get the perfect shot on safari
It’s no surprise that for many safari-goers, capturing the perfect picture of the wild bushveld is high on the holiday wish-list. Though there’s plenty of natural beauty to be found across the African continent, Botswana frequently tops the list when it comes to the sights that are worth photographing thanks to its rich biodiversity. With the country’s finest reserves arranged along the banks of the Chobe River, it’s no surprise that the region is a popular choice for safari-goers, and some of the best experiences come from local photo safaris.
Under the guidance of a local expert, these excursions introduce the tools and techniques that are needed to do the reserve’s landscapes justice. Whether you’re an amateur photographer or simply want to capture the dramatic vistas of the Botswanan wilderness for yourself, photo safaris are sure to help you see the world from a new perspective. Better yet, you’ll take away snapshots that go far beyond the average holiday pictures!
Our recommended tour – On Safari in Botswana – Premier Collection
5. How to spin traditional Indian pottery
Traditional crafts are a window into the heritage of the cultures that produce them and India has one of the world's oldest surviving industries when it comes to pottery. Each region carries its own distinct style, from the red clay water pots of Rajasthan to the delicate, blue-tinted works of Jaipur, and these delicate ceramics offer an intriguing insight into the history and traditions of the subcontinent.
With that in mind, watching local craftsmen at work and perhaps trying your hand at spinning the clay is a truly unique way to build deeper connections with the local culture. With years of experience and techniques which have been passed down across generations, these demonstrations are a way to see centuries of Indian history brought to life.
Our recommended tour – India’s Rajasthan – Forts & Maharajas – Premier Collection
6. How to weave like a Peruvian artisan
In the Andes, traditional handicrafts are still a common part of everyday life and are one of the most important exports for many local communities. It’s not just the commerce it generates, however, that makes these textiles so important to small Peruvian towns. Deeply rooted in the region’s Incan heritage, weaving is one of the oldest and most culturally significant art forms in Peru, with each choice of colour or pattern carrying different meanings.
Watching a demonstration, or trying a few stitches yourself, offers an insight into Andean life that no museum exhibit can quite replicate. In the Sacred Valley and beyond, these encounters are often spontaneous and truly intimate, with artisans who are as curious about their visitors as visitors are about them.
Our recommended tour – Peru – Land of the Incas
Learn something new abroad with Newmarket Holidays
If you’re feeling inspired to step out of your comfort zone or are looking for more information on our featured itineraries, give one of our friendly holiday planners a call today. If your heart lies elsewhere, we’ve got a wide range of escorted tours, spanning six continents, and you can browse them all on our dedicated destinations page.
