Three Cultural Encounters to Discover
2024 is the year to explore captivating cultures and learn more about a local’s way of life. From Asia to the Arctic, experience some memorable cultural encounters with Travelmarvel.
The Hills of Sapa
In the far north of Vietnam you’ll find the busy hill town of Sapa. This is rugged terrain –Vietnam’s tallest peak, Fansipan, is close by, and countless rice terraces cascade down the slopes of the mountains that encircle Sapa. A major part of the region’s appeal is the variety of tribal groups to be encountered, each of which has its own distinct character, dress and cultural traditions.
Villagers trek down from the hills every day to Sapa’s bustling morning market, bringing with them fresh food and handmade crafts. Stalls with meat, vegetables and spices are interspersed with tables, or simply mats on the ground, which display jewellery, fine embroidery and brilliantly coloured brocade work. While much of this handiwork is aimed at visitors, this is no tourist trap – it’s a market predominantly for residents, and a crucial part of the local economy.
A walk on one of Sapa’s hill trails is a fine introduction to three of the area’s five main ethnic minorities –H’mong, with their distinctive indigo-dyed clothes; Red Dao, knownfor their elaborately embroidered attire, and Giay, renowned for their plaid headscarves. People work the fields using traditional methods and live simply in wooden houses. Mothers –or big sisters –carry children strapped to their backs. Villagers heave produce in iconic woven baskets. Everywhere, the welcome is warm. Visit Sapa, explore the morning market, and walk through nearby hillside villages on a 23-Day Natural Wonders of Vietnam & Cambodia tour.
Sweetness on Tap in Canada
The maple leaf is such an iconic symbol of Canada it became part of the national flag in 1965. Long before that, rustic “sugar shacks” –wooden cabins deep in the forest –turned the sap of the maple tree into a rich syrup that became a crucial ingredient in a surprising number of foods. These days the shacks are more modern, but you’ll still find baked beans cooked with maple syrup, maple-cured ham, maple sugar pie and much more at sugar shacks throughout North-Eastern Canada and in northern New England.
First Nations people discovered how to tap maple trees for their syrup, and taught the skill to French settlers. Traditionally, holes were drilled into trees, with the sap dripping into buckets. It was crystallised and then melted or shaved over food –turning the sap into syrup by boiling came later. And then there’s maple taffy. Warm maple syrup is poured into fresh snow, and rolled around an icy-pole stick. Learn the secrets of maple syrup and have lunch at a Quebec City sugar shack on a 16-Day Eastern Canada & New England cruise.
Arctic Blast
The Sami people of Scandinavia and their reindeer are inseparable. Living around and inside the Arctic Circle, traditionally their lives have centred around semi-nomadic reindeer herding, fishing and fur trapping. Reindeer are of major cultural and economic significance to the Sámi, who in the past would wear gakti (traditional clothing) made of reindeer leather and sinews. Now reindeer leather boots are less common, while it is still possible to find coats, jumpers and hats of reindeer leather and fur.
In Sweden, Sámi now have exclusive rights to commercial reindeer herding, ensuring the continuation of a long tradition. Båtsuoj village offers an insight into their culture. See reindeer during a tour of the village. There’s also a chance to buy Sámi souvenirs. Visit this destination on a 17-Day Arctic Circle Express tour.
Secure your place on a Travelmarvel tour in 2024 and deepen your knowledge of the world next year.
Images courtesy of Peerapas Mahamongkolsawas, Jacques Boissinot
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Natural Wonders of Vietnam and Cambodia
Hanoi to Siem Reap
23 Days
50 Meals
2 Countries
Arctic Circle Express
Stockholm to Oslo
17 Days
27 Meals
2 Countries
Eastern Canada and New England Cruise
Toronto to Boston
16 Days
31 Meals
2 Countries
Natural Wonders of Vietnam and Cambodia
Hanoi to Siem Reap
23 Days
50 Meals
2 Countries
Arctic Circle Express
Stockholm to Oslo
17 Days
27 Meals
2 Countries
Eastern Canada and New England Cruise
Toronto to Boston
16 Days
31 Meals
2 Countries