There are many reasons to travel, but some of the most common (and obvious), are to see the world and enjoy new sights, absorb and learn from various cultures, and of course, to eat great food (which is somewhat tied into that last point, but still).
The truth is that all of those elements are combined. But what if you want to head abroad to really soak in a culture and understand it? Well, you’re taking the right approach, because while travel guides, blogs, documentaries and more can teach you a great deal, sometimes you just have to go there to truly understand. It’s sort of like the difference between reading parenting manuals and having a child with your partner – one can give you a great outline, but the other will give you an experience that cannot be compared or replicated.
So, how might you perfect that full-bodied cultural vacation? Let’s consider that, below:
Consider Appropriate Accommodation
Where you stay can shape your entire experience, so think carefully about your accommodation. That doesn’t mean you have to book someone’s spare room to be more authentic, but it’s nice to balance convenience where you want to explore, and something in line with the area. A historic B&B can be nice, or a fantastic iconic venue like the Strazcenter could offer a real “Wow moment,” but replicated every day you stay there. Of course, a homestay or boutique guesthouse can also be fun depending on your tastes too.
Head During A Festive, Celebratory Period
It’s fun to head during a time of celebration, especially if it’s unique to the area. Festivals are full of history, customs, and rituals that have been passed down for hundreds, and yes sometimes even thousands of years. A good example of a great festival is carnival in Venice. You’ll hear music and go dancing to special foods and traditional dress, you’ll get a sense of what truly matters to the people there. You’ll also be able to meet locals. Just make sure to view the travel guide to the event, book in advance if you need to, and if you can, take a friend to stay safe instead of going it alone your first time.
Learn The Art & History
No cultural journey is truly and fully complete without enjoying or viewing some of the art and history of the place you’re visiting. That will differ depending on where you are of course, but ancient ruins, historical museums, or local galleries can all be good places to start. Don’t worry if it’s “touristy,” that often means it has something significant to see. Art, such as street art, sculpture and official works often reflects the values, struggles, and joys of a people, and it can help give some more context to history and other events in the life of a nation.
With this advice, we hope you can more easily enjoy a cultural vacation. You get to decide on how you tackle it, but hit these markers and you’ll have put yourself in the right direction.
