The way we travel is constantly evolving. Destinations fall in and out of favour and technology makes more and more of the world accessible, but the current trend du jour is definitely all about circumventing your fellow sightseers and living like a local while on holiday. That's where we come in. Our specialist team, plus our network of local concierges (who are but a phone call away while you're travelling), know all the best places and experiences to make sure you feel like you've really got beneath the skin of the destination and seen into its soul. Here's a flavour of what we can do...
Rural Life in Argentina
Live like a gaucho while staying at Estancia Los Potreros, a 6,000 acre working cattle ranch and horse breeding farm in central Argentina. Immerse yourself in everyday estancia life; head out on horseback to herd cattle, learn gaucho skills like lassoing and take guided walks through the rolling farmland to learn about the local tradition and culture.
Isla de Providencia, Colombia
Isla de Providencia, a remote Caribbean island located nearer Nicaragua than Colombia, has remained relatively undiscovered despite the country's tourism boom. The island has retained its laidback charm and pristine landscape - think golden beaches, lush mountainous topography and extremely welcoming people, who by and large still speak local Creole English.
Fishing in West Sweden
Sing for your supper with a fjord fishing experience which sees guests head out on a local fishing boat to harvest mussels from the mile-wide mussel farms off Sweden's west coast. Then head back to a local restaurant to prepare your catch for eating. It doesn't come much fresher than that.
After Hours Tour, Vatican City
The Vatican City may be one of Rome's most popular tourist attractions but we can arrange private after hours tours with a local, PhD-level guide so you can beat the crowds and appreciate the likes of the Sistine Chapel, the Raphael Rooms and the various sculpture museums in peace.
Organic Farming, Laos
Prepare to get stuck in as you spend a day in the life of an organic rice farmer near Luang Prabang in Laos. Head out into the sparkling emerald rice paddies as you help with the production process; depending on the time of year you could be ploughing, planting, harvesting or threshing the rice using traditional techniques.
Balinese Kite Making, Indonesia
Rarely will you look into the Balinese sky and not see a kite flying, especially during the kite season from May to September. Visit the house of a legendary Balinese kite maker and learn about the science behind the shapes and how to make a kite using traditional materials before heading down to the beach and launching it into the sky.
Kirstenbosch Summer Concerts, South Africa
Nestled against the eastern slopes of Table Mountain, Cape Town's Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens play host to a series of concerts featuring music from local and international acts. Take a picnic basket and spend an afternoon relaxing in the sunshine, soaking up the beautiful scenery and listening to some great music.
Bread-Making, Morocco
Get a quite literal flavour of authentic Marrakech with this cooking experience; pick up supplies at a local produce market, well off the tourist trail, before heading to the public oven to watch the locals bake their bread. Your guide will then take you to the home of a local cooking teacher to try out bread-making for yourself.