Close your eyes and think back to one of your favourite trips. What first comes to mind?

Chances are it isn’t the hotel you stayed in, the church or temple you visited, or one of the many museums you explored. It’s a meal you still can’t fully describe to friends. A laugh shared with locals, a landscape unlike anything you’ve seen before, or a cultural experience that no other place could possibly offer.

These are the moments when a place stops being somewhere you’re simply visiting and becomes somewhere you feel part of, even if only for a short while. They’re often the memories that bring us back years later, sometimes when we least expect it.

At Craig Travel, we’ve been creating journeys for Canadian travellers since 1969, and some of the experiences we value most are the ones that bring travellers closer to the places and people they visit. Travelling deeper can mean learning from local artisans, discovering the legends behind regional traditions, tasting delicacies where they originate or simply having enough time to appreciate where you are.

Arrange flowers in the English countryside

England’s gardening culture is world-famous. From the stately manors that dot the picturesque countryside to the rural cottages adorned with eclectic and sometimes unexpected floral displays, there is plenty to admire. What if you could experience this gardening culture for yourself?

In the Cotswold town of Chipping Campden, the experience becomes hands-on as local florists share their craft during a flower arranging workshop. Learn a few tricks of the trade and create an arrangement of your own, turning a visit to the English countryside into something you can participate in rather than simply admire.

Follow the scent of spices in South India

Cardamom, pepper, cinnamon and cloves are familiar spices in many kitchens. Have you ever seen them growing?

In Kerala’s lush Cardamom Hills, spices have long been part of the cuisine and economy and have helped shape the landscape. Step into a spice garden and those familiar jars in the cupboard suddenly take on a different meaning. See how these spices grow, then watch as they are transformed into the flavours and aromas of traditional Kerala cuisine during a cooking demonstration before sitting down to lunch.

Make your own washi in Japan

In the mountain village of Gokayama, a family-run workshop continues a centuries-old papermaking craft.

Washi, traditional Japanese paper, has been made for generations using techniques that require patience, precision and remarkable skill. Learn from the artisans at work about the process and how they are keeping the tradition alive.

Then it’s your turn. Put what you’ve learned into practice as you make your own washi postcards to take home.

Dig into an Andean tradition in Peru

Pachamanca, a Quechua name meaning “earth pot,” is a centuries-old Andean cooking tradition. In Peru’s Sacred Valley, experience this ancient cooking method firsthand as meats and vegetables are carefully seasoned and cooked underground using heated stones. The trapped heat cooks the food thoroughly, creating an earthy and smoky flavour beloved by locals. Being part of the tradition offers a different perspective on Peruvian cuisine, making the meal even more enjoyable.

Put your taste buds to the test in Southern Spain

Olive oil is an essential part of life and cuisine in Andalucía, but tasting it on its own reveals just how much character can be hidden in something so ubiquitous.

During a hands-on masterclass in Granada, learn more about how olive oil is produced and what gives different oils their distinctive qualities. Is it fruity? Bitter? Does it finish with a peppery kick? Put what you’ve learned to the test before sitting down for a private lunch.

Sleep beneath the Saharan sky

Along Morocco’s southern edge, towns and roads gradually give way to the immense landscape of the Sahara and its endless dunes. A 4×4 takes you deep into the desert, where a secluded tented camp awaits. Ride a camel toward the setting sun to find the perfect spot to watch the last of the day’s light bathe the sand. Gather around the fire for traditional music under the stars before settling in for the night.

What will you remember?

Travelling deeper means experiencing something new. Sometimes it’s finding the roots of the spices you thought you knew or creating something with your own two hands. Other times, it’s simply taking the time to sit back, relax, and see, smell and hear the world from a new perspective.

What story will you bring home next?

Discover these journeys and more at craigtravel.com, or call 1-800-387-8890 to speak with one of our Sales Specialists.