Adventures into Culture
There’s no better way to connect with a place than through a cultural adventure or two. Storytelling under desert skies. Temple forays through ancient Angkor. Architectural wanderings in Galle or Hoi An. By diving into different ways of life we gain a deeper understanding of the world and its people.
At Anantara, there’s a cultural trip for every type of traveller. Walking with elephants in northern Thailand, or hiking mist-wreathed mountains to remote hill tribes. Feeling the beru-beru drumbeat in the Maldives, or sailing into the sunset on a wooden dhoni. Whether its art in Sri Lanka or falconry in Abu Dhabi, culture is the window to a destination’s soul.
United Arab Emirates
In the shimmering Arabian dunes you’ll find traditions that have survived millennia – those of the nomadic Bedouin, who have roamed the Middle East and North Africa for around 10,000 years. Oft romanticised, this ancient way of life is best experienced in the deserts where it began.
The red sands of Rub’ Al Khali – the Empty Quarter – set a magical scene for camel trekking, falconry and archery. And at night, the starry skies provide cultural experiences of a different kind, with moonlit walks, Bedouin-style dining and traditional stories by the campfire.
Where to stay: Qasr al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara is the perfect launch point for meanderings into the world’s largest sand desert. Guided walks, treks and rides unravel the mysteries of the storied Rub’ Al Khali.
The Maldives
The depthless blues of the Maldives are home to a culture often overshadowed by the nation’s natural wonders. First inhabited by the Sinhalese, then a trade-route stopover for Arab seafarers, this idyllic archipelago boasts a richly layered culture, with Sri Lankan, Indian, Arab and even African roots.
To experience this island nation’s way of life, hop on a wooden dhoni boat for traditional fishing. Get into the rhythms of Maldivian music and dance with a boduberu performance, complete with drummers, dancers and singers. Taste the culinary influences of India in spicy curries and flatbreads, and enjoy a healthy dose of fish and coconut – Dhivehi cuisine’s star ingredients.
Where to stay: Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas in the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll puts you in a marine wonderland. Experience local culture through cuisine, free-diving, dhoni sailing and the daily sunset lighting ritual with boduberu drums and traditional songs.
Thailand
Thailand's cultural treasures offer much to be discovered. Ethnic villages tucked into the far reaches of the country’s north. Coffee plantations that fuel the happening café scene of Chiang Mai. Elephant sanctuaries offering refuge to Thailand’s beloved national animal.
Then there are the secrets of authentic Thai cuisine. Visit the morning markets to pick up fresh local produce, then perfect the techniques for making som tum papaya salad, or tom kha gai coconut soup. Get kicking with real Muay Thai lessons from a local expert, then reward tired muscles the time-tested way with a traditional Thai massage.
Where to stay: Anantara Chiang Mai Resort on the Ping River provides a serene base for exploring the city, markets and cafés, or embarking on mountain explorations. Onsite activities like Muay Thai lessons and Spice Spoons cooking classes provide easy forays into culture. Further north, Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort is a luxurious base nestled by the Myanmar border where elephants roam free in their natural habitat.
Sri Lanka
Lush tea fields in the hills, ancient Buddhist heritage in the centre, surfing around the edges – the emerald isle of Sri Lanka offers a wealth of cultural discoveries. On the southeast coast, the fort city of Galle provides a glimpse of the nation’s colonial history, alongside contemporary local art and fashion, furnishings and décor, and delicious Sri Lankan dining.
As a former trading port, Galle provides a snapshot of Sri Lanka’s European influences. Take a walk through different eras starting at the UNESCO-listed Dutch Fort, built by the Portuguese in 1588, explore the ramparts, see the Japanese Peace Pagoda and the iron lighthouse. Don’t forget to browse the city’s boutiques for saris, sarongs, local tea and spices.
Where to stay: Anantara Kalutara Resort runs a Galle City Tour that explores the ancient citadel and pays a visit to original merchant families. The resort itself is a cultural experience, designed by legendary local architect Geoffrey Bawa, with design tributes to Tropical Modernism throughout every breezy space.
Vietnam
From slender Vietnam’s mountainous north to its breezy tropical south, you’ll find a diversity of cultural influences, but none as perfectly preserved as those of Hoi An. Crisscrossed by canals and cobblestone lanes, Old Town Hoi An paints a picture of a prosperous trading port, complete with merchant shop houses, Chinese temples, ancient stone bridges and even golden beaches.
Wander the oldest streets in the city, cross the famous Japanese Bridge, shop for leather, silk or silver, and stop for a ca phe trung – the city’s specialty egg coffee. For ancient culture, visit My Son Sanctuary and its Champa Kingdom ruins, an hour’s drive from the city. Then cool off on Hoi An’s beaches, where traditional bamboo bucket boats still bring in the day’s catch.
Where to stay: Anantara Hoi An Resort, within walking distance of the UNESCO-listed Old Town, sidles up alongside the Thu Bon River. Do day-trips into Hanoi’s historic alleyways, then return for dinner in the gardens or a romantic cruise along the river.
Cambodia
The jungles of Cambodia are home to extraordinary remnants of history, with Angkor temples scattered all the way past the country’s northern border, depicting a kingdom more vast and mighty than any other city at the time. History doesn’t get much more immersive than at its centrepiece, Angkor Wat, where Hindu mythology is etched in stone walls.
After scouring Angkor Wat for cultural clues, explore the chambers of nearby Ta Phrom and see the faces of Bayon Temple up close. Visit the lesser-known Banteay Srei, outside the main cluster of temples. And get a glimpse of local life with a cycling tour through the countryside, past rice fields and shady coconut groves.
Where to stay: Anantara Angkor Resort is the closest luxury hotel to the Angkor Temple Complex, and a peaceful base for cultural explorations around Siem Reap. Tour the temples, see the countryside, and enjoy restorative spa journeys that tap into local and Ayurvedic healing traditions.