Travel, Not Tourism: 5 Meaningful Local Experiences

From Barcelona to Bali and Kerala to Kyoto, some of the world’s most deservingly sought-after destinations are struggling under the weight of surging visitor numbers. More people around the world are travelling more than ever before, bringing with them tourist dollars, yes, but also litter, pollution, over-stressed infrastructure, cultural clashes and cost-of-living increases that price locals out of the housing market. It’s not a great deal for travellers, either, who contend with higher costs, denser crowds and a less authentic experience than they had hoped for.

But there is a solution, and it’s not necessarily for would-be holiday-makers to stay at home.

Since 1989, Intrepid has been organising small-group journeys to top destinations across the globe, always with an eye toward providing the best, most genuine experiences possible – not just for travellers, but also for the places they visit. Small group sizes make it possible to dine at mom-and-pop restaurants, bed down in family-run homestays and travel in a way that actually gives back to local communities. To ensure that each trip is as immersive as it is respectful, Intrepid journeys are led by locally based guides who are deeply familiar with the cultures, customs and stories behind every sight.

Here, we look at five Intrepid travel experiences designed to show you a place as it truly is.

A Labour Of Flavour

If discovering Japan’s culinary treasures is one of the purest delights for visitors to the country, learning how to make them is one of the most valuable souvenirs. By joining the Intrepid eight-day Japan Highlights itinerary, you’ll escape the bustling city and experience life on a farm in rural Kawane. First, a trip to one of the mountainous region’s tea farms will reveal how tea is picked, processed and brewed – including a chance for you to try your hand at picking leaves yourself. Then it’s off to your homestay, where you’ll be welcomed into the family and put right to work in the best possible way; your hosts will show you the traditional method of mashing hot, sticky rice outdoors to make sweet, delectable mochi for dessert.

Busting A Mountaintop Move

The ancient wonder of Machu Picchu is among the world’s most awe-inspiring sites – and its most at risk of overtourism. As part of Intrepid’s Inca Trail Express journey, however, you’ll diminish your footprint while making a positive impact on the local economy by including less-travelled areas of Peru’s Sacred Valley in your itinerary. Stop in for lunch with the Huilloc community, who will regale you with stories of daily life, teach you a bit of Quechua language and invite you to join them in a welcome dance. In Urubamba, you’ll pay a visit to AMA, a social enterprise cafe that creates jobs for single mothers looking to support their families. Sit down to a coffee and a slice of homemade organic beet cake, as you chat with the women behind the project.

Culinary Croatia

Ever since Game of Thrones rolled cameras in Dubrovnik and Split, the Croatian tourism business has been booming – which isn’t exactly good news for travellers seeking a peek at the country’s more genuine side. That’s why the Slovenia & Croatia Real Food Adventure by Intrepid whisks you away from the heavily trodden track with experiences like a local foodie interlude. You’ll head for the hills outside of Split to meet a family famed for their version of soparnik, a centuries-old Dalmatian delicacy featuring flaky pastry filled with silverbeet, onion and parsley. This family is, in fact, the region’s go-to soparnik suppliers for major events like weddings and festivals – the pinnacle of local cuisine. You’ll observe as they make the soparnik by hand, the traditional way, before getting a chance to taste it fresh from the fire.

Under Egyptian Stars

The Pyramids, the Sphinx, the storied Nile – Egypt is a dream destination for many travellers, but most aren’t up to the task of navigating this country’s famously hot and hectic streets. That’s why, on the Intrepid Egypt Adventure, all you have to do is show up ready to explore. A standout highlight of this action-packed itinerary is the opportunity to overnight aboard a traditional felucca boat. This wooden vessel with canvas sails harkens back to a different era of travel, making you feel like an explorer of old as you eat, sleep and drift down the Nile, watching daily Egyptian life unfold along the riverbanks. After a home-cooked meal and some songs from your musically inclined crew, you’ll roll out your sleeping bag on deck and settle in for a night under the stars.

From Beans To Brew

For most, Tanzania is synonymous with safari – the mystical Serengeti stretching to the horizon, slowly revealing its litany of prehistoric secrets and fascinating inhabitants. There is, of course, much time set aside for that on the Premium Tanzania trip by Intrepid, but you’ll also take a break from game drives and wildlife encounters to get a taste of the delicious local coffee industry. With your guide, you’ll spend an afternoon at a coffee plantation in the Ngorongoro Highlands, discovering how beans go from seed to sip through the process of planting, harvesting, roasting and grinding, before ultimately enjoying a perfect, freshly brewed cup of joe.

Ready to embark on a journey full of authentic experiences? Book an Intrepid trip with your AMEX card before end of February 2026, and get 10% cashback (up to GBP 100) on your travels**

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