Embrace the past and awaken a culture passion. Reviving traditions by hands-on experiences in cultural and historical tours offers an insight into the past. From learning about ancient customs, exploring ancient ruins, and experiencing the way of life of another people, your cultural and historical tour offers an eye-opening exploration of the world. Experience the world as those before you did and appreciate a deeper understanding of a culture.
1. Celebrate the Cultural Richness of the Ancient World
The ancient world was a source of great cultural richness. With each passing civilisation, arts and literature flourished, and musical cultures, customs and beliefs constantly evolved into something new and exciting.
Explore Rich Traditions
- Learn the fascinating stories behind ancient monuments that are still standing today, such as the Colosseum in Rome, the Acropolis in Athens, Stonehenge in England, and Chichen Itza in Mexico.
- Research and attend festivals that celebrate different cultures of the ancient world. There are plenty still taking place today, such as the Rio Carnival in Brazil, the Bonfire Night in Scotland, the Holi Festival in India, and the Chinese Dragon parade.
- Discover and sample the delicious cuisines associated with ancient cultures. Pick up the ingredients from your local store and try to replicate recipes from the past!
Unearth Special Practices
- Gain a better understanding of customs and beliefs from ancient societies. Try your hand at making a votive offering to an ancient Greek god, for example, or try divination using tarot cards.
- Uncover the art and literature of the past. Find manuscripts featuring epics and poems; and artefacts that embody an inspirational tale from where it originates.
- Learn about ancient religions and spiritualities and even give some of the practices a go. From making offerings to ancestral spirits, to practising yoga or meditation.
Celebrating the cultural richness of the ancient world is a great way to explore traditions foreign to our own modern day lives. Through a deep dive into the arts, literature, music, religions and customs of the past, we can gather a wealth of knowledge and feel inspired to continue our learning.
2. Revisiting Classic Cultural Rituals in an Evolving Context
Every culture has its own rituals. From weddings to funerals, ancient customs build upon each other to form a collective identity and communal memory. But what happens as society evolves and societal roles change? Does this mean we need to abandon the timeless traditions that have become part of who we are?
The answer is no. While most rituals remain untarnished by modern progress, some have had to shift their form in order to remain relevant. By , we can expand their meaning and preserve their importance.
- Celebrate new beginnings with an old style
- Continue generational stories
- Resonate with the past while looking to the future
For instance, some wedding plans no longer involve the traditional bright white gown and formal chapel ceremony. Instead thoughtful couples incorporate heirloom pieces from previous generations whilst reflecting their current values and social acceptance. Every detail of the ceremony becomes a sentiment of how far we have come and what we are passionate about today.
In moments of grief, an updated funeral ceremony might show respect for their beloved by reflecting their career, hobbies, or even their zodiac sign. This allows attendees to leave feeling like they have joined together to celebrate and honor one’s life in an intimate and meaningful way. In this way, we can continue to live out our classic cultural rituals while allowing for meaningful and relevant change to take place.
3. Embracing the Joy of Hands-On Learning
Experiencing the joy of learning should never be underestimated. Hands-on learning has the power to truly captivate students, no matter their age. The tangible nature of hands-on activities gives students an opportunity to:
- Develop skills in critical thinking. Hands-on activities challenge students to problem-solve and create new pathways for the application of knowledge.
- Grasp concepts quickly. Learning by doing enables students to understand difficult concepts more easily, particularly when it is directly related to a project or further topic.
- Unlock creativity. Through their own exploration, students are encouraged to build upon existing knowledge and find further methods of plunging their imaginations.
It is for these reasons that hands-on learning must be embraced by all. Teachers should seek to find creative ways in which students can get involved, whether it is through traditional methods such as art projects, or more modern approaches, such as coding projects. Not only is it a great way to engage, but it also gives the opportunity for students to voice their own opinions through the means of their work.
Give students the ability to discover the joy of learning through hands-on activities, and you will see the results firsthand. Such results can range from improved academic grades, to better connections to classmates, to a rejuvenated passion for learning.
4. Exploring History and Heritage with an Interactive Twist
Learn a culture’s history and heritage like never before with an interactive twist. Worldwide, there are a plethora of spots that capture a culture’s past, while also offering new and improved ways of exploring. Here are some of the top experiences that are sure to bring added levels of excitement to your travel plan:
- Experience virtual and augmented reality (AR/VR)
- Explore through interactive exhibits
- Participate in museum challenges
Virtual and augmented reality (AR/VR) is a great way to experience and engage with cultural heritage and attractions. These high-tech tools bring to life some of the world’s most treasured historic sites. For instance, viewers can explore Stonehenge and view how the stones were originally arranged. Leaving to travel to these sites is not always an option; however, AR/VR presents an intriguing way to visit them and understand them in greater detail.
Interactive exhibits are another innovative way to explore a culture’s heritage. From the use of hands-on activities to illuminated and lit-up displays, interactive exhibits have the potential to increase curious minds’ knowledge of a specific subject. These experiences bring a new perspective to learning opportunities and increase a person’s understanding of its cultural roots.
Playing a game can also provide a unique twist on learning about a culture’s heritage. Museum challenges or scavenger hunts are a fun way to explore cultural history. These activities incentivize learning about an area, while also providing an opportunity to explore and learn more. Whether you’re leading a school field trip or simply trying to see all that a museum or area offers, these activities make for a great addition to any travel plan.
5. Uncovering Long Lost Traditions in the Modern World
Contrary to popular belief, many long-lost traditions are still alive and well in the modern world. From mesmerizing melodies stitched in a capella to spells spun with wooden instruments, the cultural fabric of our world incorporates thousands of old traditions that are anything but forgotten. Here are five of the most timeless practices that have been passed through generations—sometimes undetected:
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Chanting: Ever heard a polyphonic sound emanating from a Buddhist Monastery, or an African village? Chanting is an age-old practice that has been part of numerous cultures around the world. It is believed to be a spiritual practice, though the reasons behind it are unique to each culture.
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Fire Dancing: Originating in the tribes of central Asia, fire dancing has been used to commemorate, ritualise, and honour. It’s a tradition where participants use fire as a prop to perform fascinating dances. Fire dancing has also been used to ward off evil spirits and to heal the ill.
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Circle Dancing: This is an ancient practice of folk dancing where people gather in a circle, hold hands, and move and sway to the beats of drums, creating a trance-like atmosphere. This practice has been used throughout centuries as a tool to bring people together. It’s often seen in sacred ceremonies and celebrations.
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Woodcarving: This is a traditional practice where wood is carefully and creatively shaped with the help of tools. It requires a lot of skill and knowledge and its origins can be traced back to the earliest societies. Woodcarving is seen in sculptures, masks, musical instruments, and other artefacts.
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Storytelling: For centuries, people from around the world have used stories to pass down wisdom between generations. Stories are used to teach, to explain the unexplainable, and to preserve a culture’s shared experiences. It’s one of the oldest forms of communicating and a tradition that certainly hasn’t been forgotten.
These five old customs may sound unfamiliar to many, but if you look close enough, you can still hear echoes of them in the cultural fabric of the modern world.
Whether it is Norwegian Sami culture, Mexican corridas, or Japanese tea ceremony, cultural and historical tours that engage all five senses offer us a chance to step back in time, to connect with the customs and traditions of a past era. Through a deeper understanding of and appreciation for a different culture or history, these tours remind us that beyond the boundaries of geography and generation, humanity is more closely connected than we ever imagined.