Go Local: 6 unforgettable and authentic holiday ideas

Here at Holiday Architects we’re all about giving you the opportunity to create genuine connections whilst on your travels – that’s where the magic is found. Love the idea of sitting down to break bread with local people on your holiday? HA is definitely for you. Fancy learning about traditional crafts while sitting shoulder-to-shoulder with a native in their home village? You’re one of us.

That’s why we’ve created a range of Go Local itineraries across a selection of our destinations, to give you an idea of the kind of authentic moments we can scatter into your holiday itineraries. Every single holiday we design is unique to you, and we want to make sure you return home bursting with special memories that go above and beyond the typical tourist experience. Your holiday is special, there’s no room for anything run of the mill here. Here’s a selection of our ‘Go Local’ trips to whet your appetite!

Go Local in Jordan 

You wouldn’t want to visit Jordan without stopping by iconic sights like Petra or Wadi Rum, but this Go Local in Jordan itinerary takes in these gems from a new perspective, alongside a handful of fun and exciting experiences that will get you in touch with the people that call this terracotta land home. 

In the capital of Amman and on its outskirts you can try your hand at beekeeping and honey harvesting near the spectacular ruins at Umm Qais, where passionate beekeeper Yousef will teach you all about this fascinating process over a three-hour workshop. Nearby you can also join an immersive shepherding experience, where you will learn all about how these local communities look after their sheep in the magnificent surrounding landscape, followed by a cheese-making session run by the family too. 

Finally, after you’ve spent a day marvelling at the jaw-dropping archaeological site of Petra, join a local family for their evening meal. You’ll have a guide with you to ease the conversation between yourselves and your hosts, and not only will you get to try authentic Jordanian food in a homely setting, but also learn everything you need to know about their daily life. 

Go Local in Costa Rica

Filled with a population that is always smiling, it’s no wonder that Costa Rica lends itself perfectly to an itinerary filled with authentic experiences with local people. Our Go Local in Costa Rica trip includes many of the country’s big hitters – gorgeous Arenal Volcano, lush Monteverde cloud forest, the paradise that is Manuel Antonio National Park – and in these locations there is so much to be discovered on off-beat excursions. 

Learn how to make traditional gallo pinto in a wood stove with Doña Elida, visit remote villages in lesser-known Boca Topada, plant trees in the rainforest, go on a plantation tour to learn about sugar cane production – the list goes on! You can do all of this alongside the classic wildlife tours, ziplining and sloth spotting to make a beautifully rounded and unique trip through Costa Rica, with never a dull moment. 

Go Local in Oman

The sun-drenched Middle Eastern beauty that is Oman has so much more to offer than its silky soft beaches and year-round mild temperatures (although those are most certainly a plus point!) The interior of Oman offers a glimpse into life as it has been for centuries among the Bedouin community, and our Go Local in Oman itinerary is filled with experiences that get you right up-close to what it means to be Omani. 

Up in the Hajar Mountains, two hours south of Muscat where whopping canyons dominate the landscape, there are traditional villages dotted all across the mountainside. Take a walk with a local farmer through one of our favourites, Misfat Al Abriyeen, to learn about how they cultivate this sometimes harsh landscape using techniques that have been preserved for decades (if not centuries!) Nearby you can also visit the village of Al Hamra where you’ll stroll around the living museum of Bait Al Safah, and be welcomed into an old Omani home turned cultural highlight. Here you’ll learn all about how these communities make oils from nuts or create textiles and even try on some traditional clothing yourself! (Get those cameras at the ready.) 

Further east and into the Wahiba Sands, visit nomadic families living in the rolling dunes of the desert and share an authentic Omani coffee with them – which tastes completely different to any other coffee you may have tried elsewhere – before sleeping in a tented camp under a blanket of stars. Here you can also go dune bashing with a guide, something the locals absolutely love to do and it’s easy to see why when you’re flying across the dunes in a 4×4.

Go Local in South Africa

Sure – you’re going to go to South Africa for the safari, there’s no doubt about it. But on top of all of that incredible wildlife there is so much culture to explore, and our Go Local in South Africa itinerary delves deep into the heart of all that history. 

One of the highlights of this trip is the Township tours, which (when done responsibly) are a way for travellers to understand the deep divide that remains ever-present in modern day South Africa. Uthando is a charity that does these tours right. Their project offers a range of hands-on activities – it could be anything from helping in community gardens to visiting nursing homes – that give back to the region you’re travelling in. You’ll go wherever the need is at the time! These offer so much more than just going to visit a township – instead they give you a chance to really understand the challenges that people living in these communities face every day. 

Later on your South African adventure, you can also get involved in some conservation projects that work hard to protect the wildlife that this gorgeous country is so proud of. That includes rhino or cheetah tracking, pangolin conservation, and elephant projects. A really special way to get to know these beautiful creatures living in their natural habitat. 

Go Local in Peru

Peru has a rich indigenous culture, one that’s without doubt worth exploring alongside its unforgettable scenery and iconic sights. Our Go Local in Peru itinerary combines authentic experiences that give you fascinating insights into life in this Latin American gem of a country, all whilst still visiting those bucket list-worthy spots (because you can’t not experience Machu Picchu!). This holiday idea is the perfect combination of it all. 

Picture yourself exploring the buzzing markets in the capital of Lima, discovering an abundance of wildlife as the mist rises over the Amazon rainforest, sharing a meal in the Sacred Mountains with local Incan communities, learning about century-old weaving traditions in Cusco, or staying at a homestay on a floating island (yes you read that right – floating island!) on Lake Titicaca. On top of all that, you’ll still of course get to marvel at the pure beauty of glorious Peru too. It’s a country that really does have it all. 

Go Local in Morocco

Just a short three and half hour flight from home, and yet feeling like another world entirely, Morocco is one of the most exciting destinations you can visit in quick-time from the UK. Nothing beats landing in Marrakesh and immediately being flung into the heady and exotic souks that are so distinctive to this North African treasure. A highlight of any Morocco holiday though is how absolutely delightful its people are, and our Go Local in Morocco itinerary helps you get in touch with the warm and welcoming community that call it home. 

It’s most likely that one of your first stops will be Marrakesh, and as well and wandering through the markets here, you can get crafty at a slipper-making workshop to learn all about how they create these signature shoes. All with a local guide to help you get it just right, of course. There are pottery and cooking classes to throw yourself into here too, to really sharpen up your skills the Moroccan way! Up in Fez, we have a fantastic Day in the Life of a Local Family excursion, where you’ll learn a little bit of Arabic and cook, shop, and eat with a lovely family to learn all about their way of life. 

The Atlas Mountains are without doubt one of the most untouched parts of Morocco,  and on our brilliant Go Berber excursion you’ll also be able to share a meal with the friendly locals, as well as try your hand at pottery and weaving. Moroccans love to share their traditions with visitors, so this really makes for a special experience. 

This selection of Go Local holiday ideas is designed to give you a little glimpse into what might be possible on your holidays. The starting point of every single holiday we design is an open and honest chat with you. We’ll make sure we truly understand what’s important to you, what matters, and then use our expert knowledge of our destinations to design a holiday to match. With plenty of authentic interactions, local experiences and eye-opening memory making moments thrown in for good measure. If you want to talk holidays, give us a call on 01242 253 073 or request a quick quote today.