Do you love to learn about and experience other cultures? How about trying new foods and seeing how others live in different parts of the world? Cultural immersion offers a range of powerful reasons to engage with and experience different cultures on a deeper level. Ultimately, cultural immersion delivers a priceless opportunity for individual development, compassion, and insight, adding to a more unified and harmonious world. If you are considering relocation to a new country, cultural immersion is a means to help you determine if you and the destination are a good match.

The Attraction of Culturally Immersive Travel
The best way to broaden perspectives is through culturally immersive travel. Cultural immersion exposes you to diverse worldviews, philosophies, and ways of life, increasing your awareness of human diversity and shattering stereotypes.
To see where a country is going, look at its history. Have they learned from their mistakes and become a solid nation knit with stability? Cultural immersion provides insights into the historical context that shaped a culture's values, traditions, and societal norms. Take Portugal, for example, one of the most pleasant places in Europe. The weather varies by region but is generally not hot or cold. The ocean is a playground for surfers delivering the largest waves on earth in Nazaré. The sunsets over the tide along the coast of expansive beaches are tranquility best served with a glass of port. Fresh seafood is abundant, deliciously light and well-prepared.
The 2024 Global Peace Index (the world’s leading measure of global peacefulness) ranks
Portugal seventh in the world. (Vision of Humanity, 2025) Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection ranks Portugal as the 11 th safest country to travel to in 2025. (Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection, 2024) The country's borders have remained the same since 1249, making Portugal the oldest country in the world with unchanging borders. In 1386, Portugal established the oldest diplomatic alliance still in effect in the world today, the Treaty of Windsor. The friendship between the British and the Portuguese is well over 600 years old.
What counts are the people. The Portuguese have a gentle, captivating humility—they are farmers, fishermen, and small businessmen. They love their families. You often see three generations, children, parents, and grandparents, enjoying a day together. All people are welcome.

While Portugal is a First World country with all the modernity you could ask for, it is unique not only for the charm of its history, preservation of its culture, and postcard picturesqueness but the natural humanity of the Portuguese.
Culturally Immersive Travel and Global Citizenship
Have you seen changes in your country and feel you no longer belong?
Cultural immersion contributes to a sense of global citizenship, helping you recognize your interconnectedness with people everywhere. Cultural immersion guides your appreciation of the commonalities and differences that make each culture unique.
When traveling you notice that at the core, people of different cultures want to connect, build relationships, and learn about others. We grasp how big the world is but at the same time, how similar humanity's desire for connection with each other crosses borders. Rather than ticking off the boxes of tourist attractions, allow yourself to witness daily life and interact with locals. This interaction will bring personal fulfillment and meaningful connections, profound experiences, and a sense of contentment that will enrich your life.
Cuisine is the beating heart of a culture. Food fosters connections through dining together. Traveling to try new foods is a popular and rewarding motivation for many individuals. It's how families and friends share time, often with centuries of tradition poured into recipes passed down through generations. Exploring cuisine from different cultures offers a range of experiences beyond satisfying hunger such as better understanding a culture's history, traditions, and way of life. Tasting flavors and ingredients you have never encountered before and sampling traditional foods connects you to the culinary heritage of a region, creating lasting memories, opportunities to interact with locals and realistically experience everyday life. Trying unfamiliar foods challenges comfort zones and encourages openness to new experiences and personal growth.
Where Should you go for Culturally Immersive Travel Experiences?
The answer depends on the person. What is my favorite country is to visit? That is a tough question because my favorite feels like the one where I am staying at the time. Some destinations that spring to mind from my exposure offer inspiration for culturally immersive travel experiences:

Italy
There is something about Italy. The art. The history. The culinary traditions of cities like
Florence, Venice, and Rome. Stay in a Tuscan villa, take part in wine tastings, and learn how to make authentic pasta, then sit on the terrace and watch the sun dip behind the rolling hills melding colors of red, orange, and purple over the Tuscan horizon.
You can miss the best cultural experiences if you restrict your stays to hotels in Italy. While visiting Venice, rather than get accommodations in the city, I stayed in a gorgeous, restored house turned into apartments used for vacation rentals in a small town on the outskirts. As secure as Fort Knox, the house was on a small hobby farm where chickens were raised. The room came equipped with fresh fruit, toasts, jams and croissants for breakfast. There were even a few beers stocked in the fridge to refresh newly welcomed guests. Homemade limoncello was relished under an oak tree where conversations lasted into the night. Many laughs were shared, even through the host’s broken English and my inability to understand Italian—we still talk to this day.

Greece
Explore ancient ruins in Athens, ponder polished marble statues, enjoy the vibrant nightlife on the islands, participate in local festivals, and experience traditional Greek cuisine and music. The Mediterranean diet encompasses freshness, simplicity, and healing qualities. It is also a heart-healthy diet, according to The Mayo Clinic. It's not a diet, but a lifestyle. The focus is on plants and includes traditional flavors and cooking methods of the region. The Mayo Clinic also states, "Observations from a study in the 1960s found that cardiovascular disease was linked to fewer deaths in some Mediterranean countries, such as Greece and Italy, than in the U.S. and northern Europe.” (Mayo Clinic, 2023)
There's no single definition for the diet. But most often, it's high in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, nuts and seeds, olive oil, seasoning with herbs and spices. Seafood also plays a key role in the Mediterranean diet. If you love this type of food, you will be right at home in Greece.

Mexico
Dive into the history of ancient civilizations at sites like Chichen Itza, celebrate numerous festivals, savor authentic Mexican cuisine, and explore colorful markets, two long coastlines, mountains, and colonial cities. Not to mention Maya ruins, jungles, rainforests, rivers, and lakes. The diversity of Mexico is remarkable.
Mexican people are warm and welcoming. Mexican resorts on the coasts are incredibly popular. Step outside your comfort zone and stay outside a resort. Staying at a resort will not give you the true flavor of a country. Meals are often tailored to American tastes and the surroundings are catered to what a tourist would expect to see, not the reality or what a region can provide you regarding cultural immersion.
You will often hear Mexico is not safe. Mexico has been home for three years and I have not had a dangerous encounter. I feel safer here than in my home country of Canada. Of course, there are areas you do not want to go to, but that rule of thumb goes for any country in the world. Be alert and aware of your surroundings. Behave yourself, and you will be fine.
Culturally speaking, Mexico feels familiar. From trivial details such as roads and signage to chain stores and brands on the shelves, Mexico can be a good way to dip your toe into relocating to another country.
18 Activities to Enhance your Culturally Immersive Travel Experience
Now that you have a good idea of where to go and the attraction of cultural immersion, what should you do? You can be as adventurous or relaxed as your heart desires.
1. Homestays and Local Accommodations: Stay with local families or in traditional
accommodations to experience daily life, traditions, and customs firsthand. Consider an
accommodation offering farm-to-table dining options so the food is locally sourced, fresh, and genuine.
2. Language Classes: Take language lessons to better communicate with locals and gain a deeper understanding of the culture. It's a great idea to learn numbers and food items so you can interact at markets and restaurants. Some basic sentences and how to greet people on the street will go a long way and reward you with welcoming smiles.

3. Cooking Workshops: Participate in cooking classes to learn how to prepare traditional dishes and understand the importance of cuisine in the local culture. This is a great way to taste local dishes as well and decide if you can live with the food offerings in the area or not.
4. Cultural Festivals and Events: Time your trip to coincide with local festivals, holidays, or events to witness traditional celebrations and rituals. Expect crowds at these events, lots of noise, and excitement.
5. Guided Tours by Locals: Arrange for tours led by locals who can provide insights into the history, architecture, and stories behind landmarks. City walk tours are available in many destinations and sometimes they are free. It’s a great way to get the intel from locals on restaurants and haunts you may not otherwise hear about elsewhere.
6. Visit Local Markets: Explore markets and bazaars to interact with vendors, sample local produce, and buy traditional handicrafts. Markets and shopping will give you a good idea of what the cost of living is like in a destination.
7. Attend Performances: Watch traditional dance, music, and theater performances to
appreciate the artistic expressions of the culture. Picture yourself sitting in the quaint town square decorated for the season with colorful banners and flowers adorning fences and light posts while watching the locals dance in their elaborate costumes along with traditional music—fun and relaxation tied into one.
8. Volunteering and Community Service: Engage in community service projects to connect with residents and give back to the community, enriching lives.
9. Home Dinners and Cultural Exchange: Join local families for home-cooked meals to
engage in conversations about their lives, traditions, and experiences. People are proud of their countries and want to share their heritage. You can trust they want you to enjoy their country and fall in love with a different way of life.
10. Historical Site Visits: Explore historical sites, museums, and landmarks to learn about the region's history and cultural evolution. Take guided tours whenever possible, otherwise you can end up missing the meanings and miss out on an opportunity for learning.
11. Religious and Spiritual Experiences: Participate in religious ceremonies, visit temples, churches, or mosques, and engage with spiritual leaders. Showing your respect for other religions is a way to build bridges and expand horizons.
12. Outdoor Activities and Nature Experiences: Take part in outdoor adventures like hiking, trekking, or safaris while learning about the cultural significance of the landscape. There is nothing like getting out and immersing yourself in nature. Unplug from technology and let the natural sounds of the world around you recharge your soul. Close your eyes and listen to the different birdsong. How many do you hear? Can you hear water nearby? Is a waterfall at the end of the path giving life to the forest ahead of you?
13. Stay in Rural Areas: Venture outside urban centers and resorts to experience rural life, agricultural practices, and the slower pace of local communities. Eating, shopping, and walking the streets like locals will reveal experiences you will not encounter in a city.
14. Public Transportation and Daily Commute: Use local public transportation to observe everyday life and interact with fellow commuters. Trains will take you through the countryside. Buses will take you down streets you would likely never venture down. Notice the cost of public transportation and see why it's so popular amongst locals. Life without a car is possible when a destination is well connected by public transportation.
15. Storytelling and Local Legends: Listen to local stories, legends, and myths to gain
insights into cultural beliefs and values. Take note of libraries or society groups hosting events and culture hours.
16. Participate in Workshops: Engage in workshops related to traditional crafts, music, dance, and other cultural practices. It is safe to say there are workshops for any interest every day of the week where I live in Mexico. Painting, writing, storytelling, games, music, book studies, you name it, you can find it.
17. Attend Community Gatherings: Join community gatherings, meetings, or social events to connect with residents. The more you immerse yourself in the culture, the more opportunities will present themselves and expand your culturally immersive traveler persona.
18. Join A Housesitting Network: Housesitting is a wonderful way to experience communities and areas you would not normally visit on a regular holiday. There are networks connecting people with those who need someone to watch over their homes and/or take care of pets while they are away on vacation. This is a way to truly see what it is like to live like a local. You will likely build lasting friendships with those who have entrusted you with their most cherished possessions.
Culturally Immersive Travel – Expand Your Perspective and Consider Moving Abroad
Cultural immersion is about stepping out of your comfort zone, engaging with locals, and being open to new experiences. It's important to approach these activities with respect, curiosity, and a willingness to learn and adapt to the local customs and traditions. You will expand your perspective that a better life for yourself is possible in another country. While you grow in each experience ask yourself, “Could I live here?” Don’t just visit. Live it.

Meet the expert:
Charlotte is a relocation travel coach with a goal to take you on a journey where you don't just visit—you live it. Graduating with a Travel and Tourism Honors diploma and travel coaching certification, Charlotte helps people find a freedom lifestyle potentially within self-sufficient communities. Charlotte is a Canadian residing in Mexico and is a published author with the desire to transform your life with culturally immersive travel.
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