Multiple Regions Beaches, Countryside, Food & Wine, Safari, Wellness
Authentic travel experiences that connect you to place
Life’s an Adventure – Japan
From Indigenous-guided journeys and regional food traditions to craft, farming and slow adventures, these experiences offer a deeper way to travel
Tracks to the coast – Tasmania, Australia
One of the world’s last remaining ABT rack-and-pinion railways, the West Coast Wilderness Railway has officially joined Cultural Attractions of Australia – a national collective celebrating the country’s most immersive cultural experiences. Hugging Tasmania’s remote west coast, the heritage line follows an 1890s copper route between Queenstown and Strahan, climbing steep mountain terrain and slicing through primeval rainforest that few visitors ever see.
Three curated experiences bring the journey into sharp focus. ‘Beyond the Line’ is a half-day steam adventure combining premium carriage service, forest dining, gold panning at Lynchford Station, and exclusive access to the Carswell Park workshop where 130-year-old locomotives are restored by hand. ‘Each End of the Line’ expands the experience over two days, tracing the full length of the railway in comfort, from Queenstown’s industrial heritage to Strahan’s coastal calm – complete with storytelling, Tasmanian produce and historic bridges along the way. For something deeper, ‘Live Like the Railway GM’ offers a rare three-day stay inside 1898’s Penghana Mansion, once home to the Mount Lyell Mining Company’s general manager. With private hosting, heritage dining and insider access, it’s a truly personal window into Tasmania’s west coast legacy.
culturalattractionsofaustralia.com
The real city on a plate – Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro
Forget fine dining fanfare – Culinary Backstreets is leading travellers straight into the kitchens and corner shops that truly define Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro. Its new full-day walks swap trend-hopping for storytelling, revealing how migration, memory and resilience shape what ends up on the plate.
In Buenos Aires, guests graze their way through historic cafes, parrillas and bakeries, tasting buttery medialunas, empanadas and grilled meats while uncovering the immigrant influences behind Argentina’s food identity. In Rio, the journey winds through the city’s oldest neighbourhoods, where Afro-Brazilian, Portuguese and Middle Eastern traditions meet in dishes like feijoada and moqueca. It is less about ticking off dishes and more about meeting the people who keep culinary heritage alive – one bite, one story at a time.
Indonesia unfiltered – Indonesia
If your idea of luxury is access, not excess, Silolona Sojourns has just opened the hatch. The phinisi yacht specialists have unveiled five new voyages through some of Indonesia’s most remote islands – places where culture is living, reefs are thriving and tourism still feels personal.
Sailing aboard the handcrafted Silolona and Si Datu Bua, guests can now book individual cabins, making these once-private expeditions accessible without losing their intimate feel. Routes range from sacred villages and ikat-weaving communities in Sumba and Alor to the marine wonderlands of Raja Ampat and Cenderawasih Bay. Along the way, travellers meet local families, witness ancient rituals and explore coastlines few outsiders reach. Days might bring village visits or reef dives, nights end with locally inspired feasts under the stars.
Behind the velvet rope – Italy
Ponant Explorations is trading crowded hotspots for couture-level access with a new Italian voyage that dives deep into the country’s craft, culture and quiet glamour. Sailing from Livorno to Venice aboard the elegant Le Boréal on the ‘Made in Italy, the Luxury Edition’ itinerary, just 184 guests will explore Florence, Capri and Venice through the lens of legendary houses including Gucci, Bottega Veneta, Brioni, Pomellato and Ginori 1735.
Think private palace receptions, behind-the-scenes atelier visits and intimate encounters with master artisans who keep centuries-old skills alive. Pre- and post-cruise extensions deepen the immersion – from the Gucci archive in Florence to vineyard tastings in Chianti and a design-led escape to Verona.
Santorini in the spotlight – Greece
On a Greek island of infinity pools and sun-bleached suites, Andronis Concept Wellness Resort offers something quietly radical – a working organic garden and henhouse carved into Santorini’s volcanic soil. Known as ‘The Harvest Haven’, this lush green pocket lets guests reconnect with the land, its rhythms and its flavours.
Each morning, chefs pluck herbs, vegetables and edible flowers just steps from the kitchen, infusing the menus at Throubi restaurant with hyper-seasonal freshness. Guests are invited to do the same – harvesting produce, wandering fragrant herb beds and feeding the resident hens before tasting their still-warm eggs at breakfast. It’s a hands-on, soul-soothing antidote to the island’s polished perfection.
London, unlocked – England
The Peninsula London is lifting the velvet rope with three new Peninsula Academy experiences – intimate, insider-led journeys that peel back the layers of the British capital’s rich cultural fabric. Designed for curious travellers with a taste for authenticity, each experience pairs rare access with The Peninsula’s signature polish.
Step inside Apsley House, the Duke of Wellington’s former residence, on a private tour led by the Keeper of the Wellington Collection. Get hands-on at Asprey with a bespoke leather and silver masterclass before indulging in afternoon tea. Or embrace the quiet with a wellness-inspired, after-hours viewing at the National Gallery, followed by a sensory massage at The Peninsula Spa.
Make no mistake – these immersive experiences offer a side of London few get to see.
Explore Indigenous culture and wild landscapes in the Kimberley
A splendidly chic lodge that unites style with sustainability, El Questro is a working cattle station at the top of the country in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. It’s a destination like no other – all deep gorges and thermal springs, mud and salt flats, rainforests and cascading waterfalls. It offers the chance to explore one of Australia’s last true frontiers. Most people come here to sleep in luxe suites or glamping tents, with the property’s 300,000 hectares opening up opportunities to hike, bike, ride, fly, drive or boat over jaw-dropping Kimberly landscapes. But now you can also take a deep dive into the region’s 65,000 years of Indigenous history thanks to the new Injiid Marlabu Calls Us tour.
You’re welcomed to country by an Indigenous guide with a smoking ceremony – wet eucalyptus leaves wafted over flames to create an addictive aroma and gentle smoke. It’s part of an ancient healing ritual, accompanied by generational stories retold in language. Traditional Ngarinyin language is a big part of this experience, and you’ll learn Indigenous words while walking through the incredible landscape – you’ll also discover bush tucker and medicine, and waterways where Aboriginal communities would feast and leave behind middens.
Walk Japan’s sacred routes with local guides
There are plenty of walking tour operators offering trips to Japan. But few take you on a cultural deep dive quite like Life’s An Adventure. The Australian-based company’s pack-free guided hikes are immersive and educational, spanning nine carefully curated itineraries that include pretty much everything – private transfers, accommodation, meals, and a guide. All you need to do is lace up your walking shoes and enjoy the scenery… and the attractions. Along your journey you may have the chance to experience a rare geisha show or a traditional kanji writing tutorial; perhaps indulge in a Japanese cooking class or a traditional tea ceremony; or cruise down a river on a pilgrim boat. Whichever itinerary you opt for – whether traditional pilgrimage monk walks or ancient trading routes – you’ll be led by a bilingual guide who will share local knowledge and plenty of stories.
Harvest healing botanicals in South Australia
Australian natural skincare brand Jurlique is known for producing some of the world’s most luxurious products, all from botanicals grown biodynamically on their South Australian estate. You’ve long been able to tour the spectacular property, but the new Handpicked Experience takes your visit to the next level. Located in the Adelaide Hills, the Jurlique HQ now invites you to get hands-on with botanical harvesting before crafting your own bespoke aromatherapy blend. Wander the fields, pick fresh flowers and herbs, and then make your own healing fragrance to take home. Take things even further by adding on a chef’s table dining experience at Jurlique’s neighbour, The Lane Vineyard, which features a seven-course menu incorporating hand-picked produce and an introduction to sustainable farming practices.
Pair it with a wellness retreat at Sequoia in the Adelaide Hills for the ultimate sensory reset
Experience Norway’s UNESCO-listed summer farm culture
If you’re looking to tick off another UNESCO experience, head to Norway to experience the seterkultur, one of the newest additions to this esteemed list. Loosely defined as ‘summer farm culture’, this is a living heritage that honours the region’s mountain farming practices, as well as the deep-rooted traditions and artisanal craftmanship that have shaped Norway for centuries. Purveyors of all things upscale yet sustainable in Scandinavia, Up Norway has launched a new series of tours that celebrate this milestone via exclusive, authentic cultural experiences. Sign up for immersive farm stays, engaging culinary experiences and journeys through rolling farmlands and Arctic meadows where you can learn how to milk cows and sample fresh cheese, perhaps, go hiking and kayaking, or discover the art of biodynamic farming.
Discover the under-the-radar pocket of Norway that’s a luxury traveller’s best kept secret
Ride the Indian Pacific with new cultural stopovers
Australia’s legendary train the Indian Pacific has been traversing the world’s longest stretch of straight railway track between the east and west coast of the country for more than 50 years. It recently extended its eastbound itinerary to a five-day journey, which means more time on board – and more new experiences on the ground. Highlights between Perth and Sydney include exploring one of Australia’s largest gold mines in Kalgoorlie, visiting the ghost town of Cook along the Nullarbor Highway, enjoying an exclusive dinner at Seppeltsfield Estate in the Barossa Valley, and unleashing your inner creative at acclaimed artist Pro Hart’s original studio in Broken Hill.
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