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When you travel, do you focus on sightseeing, shopping and eating local? While I love all of these activities, some of my best travel memories — and most transformative experiences — involve me actually doing something.
While I’m not a thrill-seeker (no ziplining for me!), I do love to try new things when I travel. I feel empowered and enriched when I’m engaged in a hands-on, new-to-me activity. From cultural immersion and personal growth to authentic connections and environmental awareness, experiential travel delivers incredible benefits. Plus, these experiences can push you past your comfort zone in a good way.
Some unforgettable experiences occurred onsite at resorts while others took me out into the local community — and some happened right in my hometown during staycations.
Tip: Visit in the destinations’ off-peak seasons to save money.
Experience: Made Johnny Cakes and practiced waterfront yoga
Where: St. Maarten
Most affordable: May through November
During my stay at Sonesta Ocean Point Resort, the staff suggested an authentic food-focused experience — perfect even if you aren’t a culinary whiz. I joined a group tour at a local hotspot, Flemings Café, where the friendly co-owner prepared a special breakfast of salt fish, fresh fruit and Johnny Cakes — a Caribbean staple. He shared his deep knowledge of Johnny Cakes, with Calypso music as the backdrop. Afterwards, he guided us in creating our own cakes — kneading the dough just right, adding water, shaping then deep-frying the patty. We relished the freshly cooked treats, sprinkled with cinnamon, and even got the recipe to recreate at home.
My friend and I took a private yoga class at the resort, tailored to our shoulder and back issues. For this one-hour session, we met our instructor at the outdoor gazebo overlooking Maho Bay’s crystalline blue waters. Yoga was magical in this Caribbean setting. Plus, the instructor demonstrated movements we could easily incorporate into our daily routine back home.
Experience: Relaxed in a sound bath, soaked in a beer spa, swam with dolphins
Where: Orlando, Florida
Most affordable: January and early February
Though I live in Central Florida, I often take staycations to enjoy the sheer volume of experiences that attract so many travelers here. For local escapes, I focus on relaxation and extraordinary experiences.
As a guest at Lake Nona Wave Hotel, I immersed myself in a sound bath, a deeply relaxing experience involving the sounds of singing bowls, gongs and chimes. At Beer Spa Orlando, I took a different kind of bath, soaking in a bath infused with ingredients like hops, malt and yeast, believed to nourish the skin and promote relaxation. And, at Discovery Cove, I got to swim with dolphins and learn about these incredibly intelligent creatures.
Experience: Learned to kayak and snorkel
Where: Turks & Caicos
Most affordable: May through November
When I stayed at Ocean Club Resorts, guests had complimentary access to kayaks and standup paddleboards. It seemed like the perfect opportunity to try something new, The tranquil turquoise waters beckoned me to get over my fear of sharks, stingrays and the possibility of losing my contact lenses in the water. After brief instructions, I hopped in a kayak, started paddling — and absolutely loved it! Though I stayed close to the shoreline, it felt empowering to navigate through the ocean. I adopted this same “just-say-yes” philosophy when I had the chance to go snorkeling. Knowing it would provide up-close views of beautiful coral and tropical fish, I took the plunge, reveling in the stunning underwater world.
There are many places in the U.S. to learn snorkeling and to experience and explore the mystical underwater world, including in Florida and Hawaii.
Experience: Experienced a Temazcal ritual
Where: Nayarit, Mexico
Most affordable time: July through October
When I stayed at Conrad Punta de Mita, I got to experience an onsite Temazcal, a shaman-led ritual blending ancient Mexican traditions with a therapeutic steam bath. This deeply symbolic practice can be experienced at many places throughout Mexico. From the intoxicating scent of water-soaked rosemary branches to the crackling sound of fire heating the rocks, this full-sensory ceremony engages mind, body and spirit.
The shaman guided our group to write down good things to invite into our lives and negative experiences to release. We tossed our goals/worries into the fire as we stepped into the stone, igloo-shaped building (symbolizing a mother’s womb). Inside, as the temperature soared to 100+ degrees, we participated in chanting, sharing and (of course) sweating. Emerging afterward, I felt deeply connected, mindful and grateful.
Experience: Sat in on a live jazz session
Where: New Orleans, Louisiana
Most affordable time: July through August
My 27-year-old son has been playing the trumpet since middle school, and the opportunity to see live jazz — in the birthplace of jazz — really resonated with me. So, it made sense in New Orleans to stay close to the French Quarter. I chose the historic Eliza Jane Hotel, though you can find plenty of other affordable hotels, quaint bed and breakfast inns and charming vacation rentals sprinkled throughout the area.
At Preservation Hall, the iconic spot on St. Peter Street, I snagged a seat in this intimate venue, which accommodated maybe 50 people. It felt like I was sitting in a friend’s living room. On the tiny stage, the Preservation Brass gave us a taste of classic New Orleans jazz, performing crowd favorites like “When the Saints Go Marching In.” I clapped, sang along and felt transported back in time, imagining what it must have been like when jazz was in its infancy, bursting with raw, soulful energy.
The big travel lesson? While sightseeing, shopping and eating local often round out a trip itinerary, experiential travel is where the true enrichment lies. Engaging in immersive learning experiences opens up a world of possibilities, meaningful encounters and personal growth that forever changes your perspective. Talk about a souvenir from a vacation that is meaningful throughout a lifetime!!
Have any of you ever been to any of the places above? Let us know in the comments below.
