Itโs a rare experience – stepping into a hotel that makes you pause, look around, take a breath and go โwowโ. Here are seven – lucky you.
local life
Insights into local life tend to play a big part in ETG trips to South and Southeast Asia.ย From experience, we believe that looking beyond the must-see sights allows a much deeper connection with the destination you visit. We find that experiencing everyday life in a country often helps creates the conditions for memorable and random encounters. Our travellers frequently tell us that these moments become highlights of their holidays and very personal memories.
This archive dives into experiences and stories based on our time getting under the skin of a destination.ย We also tackle the impact of over-tourism on local life and prominent issues specific to that destination, as well as the the benefits of local-led community tourism.
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Sri LankaSustainable TravelThe ETG Take On TravelTravel Inspiration
The Ultimate Guide to Walking the Pekoe Trail: A Sri Lanka Adventure
The Ultimate Guide to walking the Pekoe Trail, the first continuous point-to-point walking trail in Sri Lanka. Discover Sri Lanka by foot, immersing yourself in 300 km of stunning scenery …
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Uncover the secrets of Halmahera, Indonesia’s untouched gem. Dive, explore, and experience the allure of this Spice Island’s hidden paradise.
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Meet the flower ladies of Hanoi. In Northern Vietnam, the love for flowers goes back generations. Our immersive tours really help you to peel back the layers of Hanoi to …
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Latest Travel News and Views from AsiaThe ETG Take On TravelVietnam
Cycling in Vietnam: A Slow Travel Story
by Holly NewingYouโll no doubt hesitate on the side of the road for quite some time before an old lady eventually notices your struggle. Taking hold of your arm tightly, youโll have …
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The fascinating traditions upheld in Laotian culture are vastly different to those in western society. Want to experience a fascinating insight into this unique culture? Weโve got everything you need …
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What’s it like to travel to a community-based project in Thailand? Amelia takes us through her experience first-hand, visiting an incredible sustainability focused project in Phayao
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Three of the fantastic ventures in our portfolio that will appeal to people looking for fun, wonder, excitement โ and the lasting memories that come from connection and exchange.
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Having travelled recently from Varanasi to Chambal Safari Lodge, where I visited the nearby Bateshwar temples, I was struck by the comparison between the two experiences.ย Here’s why I think Bateshwar …
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When you think of The Maldives the image that comes to mind is usually luxury resorts nestled on white-sand beaches overlooking clear blue oceans. Although this is true, and a …
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On a recent research trip to India, ETG was lucky enough to meet with Isa Heini. After working as a nurse for 13 years in her native Switzerland, Isa visited …
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Coming off the back of a whirlwind few days in Kolkata city, my trip to Odisha in east India started through fatigued eyes and on achy legs. Landing at night …
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Bali is famous for its seaside barbecues. But would you ever stop to consider how that succulent red snapper ended up on your plate? Discover what goes on in the …
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Hanoi is at a fascinating crossroads between old and new. We explore this moment in history with some of its longest standing residents.
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Latest Travel News and Views from AsiaThe Maldives
Culture in the Maldives: new flight route to Gan Island
If you thought that a visit to the Maldives meant sacrificing local culture, think again. Gan Island, the most southerly point in The Maldives, has recently become considerably more accessible …
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Deep, plunging valleys and looming mountain ranges that are breathtaking and heart-stopping all the same, Himachal Pradesh is a heavenly abode that none can forget once visited. Treacherous trekking routes …
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Co-founder of Experience Travel Group, Tom Armstrong, discovered the hidden riches of Malaysia. On an in-depth research trip, he found some fantastic experiences you could include in your holiday, the …
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Guest PostsVietnamYour Travel Story
A rather late Gap Year: Kelly’s travels to Vietnam
by Guest Post & Amelia CurranOur in-country partner Kelly uprooted from her native Yorkshire to develop and deliver our Vietnam experiences with travel loving locals. Here she shares her story and insider insights into life …
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The Muslim celebration of Eid is one of the most important religious occasions in the Islamic calendar and is a time of festivity in The Maldives. Here Ruth, our in-country …
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Guesthouses in The Maldives are the latest accommodation style to arrive in the country and they allow visitors to stay on local islands, gaining insight into Dhivehi culture. There are …
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Travel expert Matt has researched new experiences in the eastern states of Myanmar (Burma), largely untouched by tourism. From discovering Kayan tribes in remote villages, to absorbing the stunning terraced …
If youโre visiting Vietnam, itโs imperative to visit one of their iconic floating markets. Discover all there is to know about these traditional merchants in our blog.
Seminyak? Kuta? Legion? Forget about it, some parts of the island are so unexplored…so much so there is even the Bali we didn’t notice…
When Phonsy, my ETG guide in Luang Prabang, mentioned he was going to a traditional lao wedding the following night I didn’t think for one minute that Iโd be invited. …
The twin volcanic island Sultanates of Ternate and Tidore in the North Maluku Islands, Indonesia, have been enemies for as long as anyone can remember. Discover their unique and fascinating …
Before travelling to Myanmar, you may wonder what your guide will be like. To give you an idea of who to expect, we asked a few questions of our very …
Kevin, owner of Jim’s Farm, between Dambulla and Kandy shares stories about his life on the property. From the annual cultivation and harvest of coconuts, spices, pepper, cinnamon and mangoes, …