10 ways to make yours a cultural trip of a lifetime

Is going on a “cultural trip” or “cultural holiday” on your bucket list?

Well it should be!

With globalisation, the world has shrunk a bit over the years (not literally…I hope), so much so that we are definitely more aware of other cultures now, more than ever.

But there’s still those stereotypes and unconscious biases floating around.

Perhaps you’re someone who usually goes on holiday to relax a bit (don’t we all) rather than seeking to discover another culture properly.

Perhaps you’re thinking, this is the year to travel, properly travel.

Maybe you want to do more “cultural trips” to expand your mind and develop your learning about the world.

Personally, when I go travelling, my main purpose is to learn about different cultures and to immerse myself in that culture. 

Having cultural awareness is something that has helped me better myself and become more open minded. 

I would highly recommend organising a cultural trip… and if you’re reading this, you’re probably thinking about it!

For me, living in the shoes of someone else of another culture is a magical experience and has helped me grow in so many ways. 

I explain more about it in my post on how travelling makes you more open-minded- here!

So, if you’re considering arranging a cultural trip, here are some tips to doing that!

If you’re reading this thinking, that’s all well and good but what exactly does a cultural trip involve, then I’ll explain…

What is a “cultural trip?”

A cultural trip is when you go travelling or on holiday for the purpose of learning about, or experiencing a certain culture. 

This could be by getting to know how the locals live, their daily routine, what they eat and understanding the social norms in that place. 

I guess this way of travel is less “touristy” and more about REALLY visiting a place for the purpose of learning.

In a way, you’re trying to step into the shoes of a local. 

Of course you’ll be doing the touristy things that have to be done while you’re at a particular destination, but it’s striking that balance between sightseeing and immersing yourself.

Is cultural intelligence a thing?

Have you ever heard of emotional intelligence?

Most people have…it’s the ability to recognise your emotions along with others and your ability to change your behaviour to adapt according to a situation. It’s having the ability to sympathise with another person depending on how they are acting emotionally.

Most people exercise emotional intelligence every day without even realising!

Cultural intelligence is something similar but relates to culture instead of emotions.

Cultural intelligence is the ability to adapt yourself in terms of your behaviour and mannerisms around people of different cultures.

So, if you know in certain cultures people greet people by shaking hands rather than kissing, you will adapt your behaviour based on who you are with.

Now, enough of the theory!

How can a cultural trip help you?

• It can help you to become a more mindful traveller
• You can build on your cultural intelligence
• You will understand your own culture better
• You will have more understanding of why people act in certain ways
• You will become more open-minded
• You will become more self-confident, compassionate and sympathetic
• You will improve your communication skills
• You will learn stuff you can’t in books 
• You will expand your knowledge on another culture

How to create a cultural trip

What distinguishes a normal holiday and a cultural holiday?

1. Go somewhere remote

If you go to a big city, you’re less likely to be able to immerse yourself in a culture, although this is not the case everywhere.

Big cities are usually more commercial and less traditional.

There are usually a lot of people from other places that live there, so the culture of the city may not necessarily reflect the culture of the country. 

Take London for example, whenever people who want to visit the UK or England choose to go to London, I’m slightly disappointed.

Although you have Buckingham Palace and other those other tremendous sights and there’s so much history there, it’s not traditional England.

For one, the fish and chips aren’t great.

Hate to break it to you.

I think everyone should visit London because it’s a brilliant city, but if you’re wanting to have a cultural holiday, then you need to visit more than just London, to experience REAL England.

There are SO many people who live there from all around the world, which makes the place so culturally diverse it’s great.

But with this, the culture of England has been lost a bit and I’d recommend travelling even an hour outside of London to experience it.

So, step off-the-beaten path and you won’t be far from finding culture.

2. Go on a budget

Budget travel is underrated.

People probably think that if you’re travelling on a budget, then you won’t have as good a time.

No way!

Travelling on a budget almost FORCES you to immerse yourself in a different culture. 

You’re having to live like a local because you don’t have loads to spend on lavish hotels.

You won’t be having the “tourist experience,” you’ll be closer to the “local experience.”

How so?

Well, instead of going to fancy restaurants you’ll be going to local markets. Instead of 5 star hotel resorts, you’ll be in apartments run by locals. 

I have always found that budget travel puts you in the mindset of a local and gets you wandering the streets looking for an off-the-main-road cafe for instance.

3. Use local amenities

Speaking of budget travel, this moves us nicely on to this point.

By using local amenities such as corner shops, cafes, canteens, markets etc, THIS is where you find culture!

I remember wandering around little India in Singapore and came across this absolutely awesome little food market where they were making homemade naan bread. There were seats outside each “stand” where you could eat and it was filled with all the local people.

I had my dinner there one day and it was just an incredible experience sitting amongst the locals, eating what they ate.

It’s experiences like these you can’t have on normal holidays and these are the ones that are most memorable. 

I urge you to go to local cafes, restaurants and markets and just go for it.

Get stuck in!

You may stick out like a sore thumb or feel super weird, but usually where the locals eat is where the BEST food is.

That stuff they give you in the hotel restaurants is not REAL traditional food.

4. Incorporate a homestay  

Homestays are a great way to get in with a local family and experience their way of life.

A homestay is where you stay with a family or in a local village for a few nights.

You usually have to book this type of thing because it’s not something you can usually organise yourself, unless of course you know someone there!

I know that if you are doing your trip as part of a tour, the likes of G adventures and Intrepid Travel arrange homestays as part of their tours.

5. Use public transport

Public transport is where you really put yourself in the shoes of a local.

Fighting for seats on the underground, racing locals to board a train… it’s all part of the experience!

This is where you can watch everyone going about their daily life and you can observe how people communicate with each other. 

By getting on public transport, this is another opportunity to be able to get into conversations with the locals and gain an insight into their world.

Whenever I go anywhere, I make sure that I’m travelling around that place like a resident would. By observing my surroundings, it helps me build a picture in my head as to the culture of a place. 

6. Learn some of the language

A few words can go a long way.

Even just a “hello” or “thank you” in their language.

If you start practicing some of the language, you’ll start attracting the attention of the natives. You may well get into some conversations with them and this is where you can get information about where the best places to visit are.

Local knowledge is vital to your cultural trip, so getting talking with people, this will help you tap into things only a local would know. 

7. Don’t stay in a hotel

When you stay in self-catered apartments or in an Airbnb which is run by a local person, you are able to properly feel like you’re living like any other resident.

Hotels are often positioned in touristy places and for me, you can’t get the full cultural experience when you’re in a hotel.

In some places, it’s necessary to stay in a hotel, like in India (and if you’re wondering why, head over to my post on mistakes to avoid in India).

When you stay in an Airbnb, often you are greeted by a local resident who knows the place inside out.

This is a great opportunity to pick their brains about the best places to eat, visit, supermarkets etc as a local person. 

Make the most of this!

Similarly, if you’re in a self-catered apartment, this gives you a great opportunity to try and cook some of the cuisine and try some food that you would never try in your own country. 

Have a wander around the supermarkets, they’ll probably sell things that you can’t get in your grocery stores!

8. Organise volunteer work 

Volunteering in a place is a great way to get to know some of the local people. By working on a common goal, you’re able to make relationships with people that you wouldn’t normally if you were on a normal holiday!

Volunteering will also give you an insight into life in that place.

There are all sorts of volunteering schemes around the world, whether it’s caring for animals, teaching in schools, building something, there is something for everyone.

Here is a comprehensive post which details some of the best international volunteering opportunities– HERE!

Sometimes it includes bed and board which gives you an opportunity to get involved with a homestay.

9. Find a cooking class

Cooking classes are a brilliant way to learn about the local cuisine.

The classes are usually run by local people and they often teach the most traditional dishes to cook. 

I did a cooking class in India and I learned so much about all the ingredients they use, certain tips and hacks to cooking Indian food and how the food was supposed to be eaten.

You can get a massive insight into a culture by understanding the cuisine. 

10. Act like a local

Acting like a local is something you can start doing once you’ve learned and observed.

If you don’t have long on you trip, then make sure you learn quick!

Pick up behaviours, phrases and how people usually go about their daily routine.

For example, in Spain, they will often have a siesta in the middle of the day and at this point, all the shops close. They usually eat their dinner late at night around 8 pm or 9 pm.

These are the sorts of things you need to pick up.

Start acting like a local by eating at their times and if in Spain, having a nap or down time in the middle of the day.

This is how you can properly understand how people live…by actually doing it yourself!

To conclude…

Planning a cultural trip is something everyone HAS to do!

Getting an insight into another culture is such an invaluable experience.

Practically every trip I’ve been on over the last 8 years or so I’ve classed as a “cultural trip.”

It’s become something of a hobby for me to go and explore a place whilst learning about the culture.

It’s funny because now, I find that I’ve adopted little idiosyncrasies of other cultures, so now I feel like my own personal culture it’s just a mix of things I’ve picked up on my travels!

“Step off the beaten path and you won’t be far from finding culture” – Travel Budget Bug

Yours,

Holly