local life

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? We’ve got everything you need to know.

It feels good to do good. Using your precious holiday time to give back to a worthwhile cause feels even better. But a virtuous vacation needn’t be dull. Those in the know can unearth fascinating, horizon-broadening experiences and opportunities that are as life-changing for the travellers undertaking them as for the people and places they support.

What’s it like to travel to a community-based project in Thailand? Amelia takes us through her experience firsthand, visiting an incrediblw sustainability focused project in Phayao

Three of the fantastic ventures in our portfolio that will appeal to people looking for fun, wonder, excitement – and the lasting memories that come from connection and exchange.

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. Here’s why I think Bateshwar…

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…

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…

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…

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 lives of Indonesia’s fishermen.

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 story.

Hanoi is at a fascinating crossroads between old and new. We explore this moment in history with some of its longest standing residents.

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…

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 and magical rivers along with quiet monasteries and relaxing resorts, there is so much to explore in Himachal Pradesh that you just can’t get enough of it. Whether it’s exploring quaint hill stations of attempting the impossible through paragliding, here’s a handy guide to take you through the roller coaster that is Himachal Pradesh.

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 Suka Suka Homestay is but one example. Here he reviews his time with Aziz and family, the hosts – I hope you’ll feel inspired.

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, to the welcoming of calves and chicks, staying here lets you get an unprecedented insight into a rural way of life.

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 partner, describes what happens during Eid Ul Al’haa occurring every year after the Hajj pilgrimage.

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 a large variety of them on offer, from basic rooms in simple houses, to grander hotel-like constructions, each providing very different experiences. They’re not homestays as such, but usually run by locals who’ll provide home cooked food and various insights into the heritage of this thousand-isle country.

Along with much of the country, Vietnam’s capital city, Hanoi, has become a booming destination to travel to. But where do you go in a city with so much to offer? Well, trying some of the more unexpected delights Hanoi boasts is a sure way of coming home with some lasting memories. We’ve gathered five of the best.

Co-founders Sam and Tom recently visited the off-the-beaten-track region of Mannar, Sri Lanka with travel photographer Damon Wilder. Situated in the northwest of the country, it’s a flat, wild west kind of landscape with an overlooked culture and identity. Here Sam reviews the new holiday experiences we have in development on the island:

Content editor Philly recently explored new local island experiences in The Maldives. From tucking into delicious local dishes, to exploring important cultural sights to appreciating the everyday life of Maldivians on inhabited islands, here she reports back on her findings that have formed the basis of our new cultural holidays to this fascinating country.