CULTURAL EXPLORATIONS
Travel is about broadening horizons and seeking out the new. It’s about immersing yourself in your locale and making discoveries that help you see the world afresh. Through Guru-guided excursions, signature dining, locally inspired wellness and traditional arts and crafts, Anantara offers up cultural encounters that give you a unique and enlightening stay in every destination.
CAMBODIA | INDONESIA | SPAIN | SRI LANKA | THAILAND | UAE | VIETNAM
SPAIN
The Costa del Sol is best known for its dazzling Mediterannean coastlines, but the hills of Andalusia are also home to historic treasures. Ronda captivates with stunning Moorish architecture; Benahavis, ‘the frying pan of Andalusia’, tantalises with Spanish gastronomy; while Marbella harbours multiple Roman archeological sites. At Anantara Villa Padierna Palace Benahavis Marbella Resort, a palazzo-style retreat inspired by the locale’s Roman connections, every day brings a new discovery.
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VIETNAMQuy Nhon, on the coastline of central Vietnam, has its own cultural trove to unlock. At Anantara Quy Nhon Villas, 11th-century Champa towers set the scene for morning yoga. Or discover vo binh dinh martial arts, unique to the province, with a private lesson by the beach. Or see Quy Nhon through the poetry of Han Mac Tu, whose words capture the evocative beauty of the city’s spectacular shores.
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UAETwo hours from Abu Dhabi, the dunes of the Rub' al Khali beckon with adventures into Bedioun culture. The world’s largest contiguous sand desert sets the scene for sunset camel treks, archery lessons, falcon and saluki shows and Bedouin-style dining under the stars. From Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara you can also launch expeditions into contemporary culture with day tours to Abu Dhabi and dune bashing through the sands.
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BALIAt Anantara Uluwatu Resort, wellness provides a glimpse of local spiritual traditions. High priestess Ibu Jero leads a journey of healing and self-reflection, with merit-making, Balinese reiki and a trip to Ubud to bathe in sacred temple waters. For more of local culture, learn tari puspanjali dance, or try your hand at batik painting or weaving coconut-leaf offerings for the gods.
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SRI LANKAWhile Sri Lanka offers the full range of jungles, beaches, mountains and wildlife, Anantara Kalutara Resort invites discovery into the works of a celebrated architect. An original vision of the late Geoffrey Bawa, the resort immerses guests in his legendary architectural style, and offers tours of Lunuganga Estate, Bawa’s personal retreat. Wander landscaped gardens, terraces and courtyards where Bawa’s ‘Tropical Modernism’ is vibrantly brought to life, then tour Colombo to see his designs amid a 2,000-year-old temple.
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CAMBODIAIn Siem Reap, explorations into Khmer culture aren’t confined within the gates of Angkor Wat. At Anantara Angkor, wellness packages are inspired by local healing traditions, blending the country’s cultural heritage with signature holistic beliefs. Programmes follow the Seven Ways of Enlightenment, with yoga, meditation, spa and fitness combined with local traditions. Make your own herbal compresses, learn lotus origami and mix your own medicinal teas as part of your wellness journey.
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THAILANDChiang Mai, Thailand’s northern capital, represents the heart of the Lanna Kingdom. From Anantara Chiang Mai Resort, explore Lanna culture through architecture, cuisine and even wellness journeys. Or investigate the Chiang Mai of today with a Streetwise Guru tour that takes you to cool cafes, boutiques and independent galleries. For the adventurous, culture waits in the mountains, with guided Chiang Dao treks to the Akha, Lisu, Karen, Lahu and Palong hill tribe villages.