For many people new to travel, the goal in each new destination is to visit the “must-see” iconic landmarks.And who can blame them? Visiting Rome for the first time without seeing the Colosseum or the Sistine Chapel seems almost unthinkable. And in the majority of cases, these “must-see” attractions have earned their popularity because they are indeed well worth visiting.

As travelers see more of the world, though, their goals frequently change, and the dream of the seasoned traveler is often to slow down, immerse one’s self in the destination’s culture, and live like a local… to go “off the beaten path,” enjoy the region’s cuisine in authentic restaurants, and interact with the area’s residents. This type of immersive journey, where the dream is to really experience the destination, has even earned its own travel industry catch phrase – “experiential travel.”

However, realizing the dream of experiential travel is easier said than done. That small town in France where you’ve planned a week’s stay may actually be industrialized, economically depressed, and totally devoid of any Old World charm. Ordering authentic dishes off a Cambodian menu can easily result in a surprise – or a mystery – on your dinner plate. Likewise, your attempts to chat up locals in a Croatian village can be an exercise in frustration when you’re hampered by a language barrier.Although the travel industry itself has been helpful in attaching a name to experiential travel, to date it hasn’t come up with many ways to consistently or reliably deliver it.

However, that’s beginning to change. For example, Tauck, the 85-year-old leader in upscale travel, recently announced the launch of their new Tauck Culturious brand of guided experiential journeys. Tauck has long incorporated experiential components into its itineraries, and the new Culturious trips (from “culturally curious”) go even further to deliver an authentic, in-depth immersion into each destination they visit.

Designed for active, “boomer generation” travelers, Culturious trips are regionally focused so guests can spend less time traveling within a destination and more time actually experiencing it. Modest group sizes (just 16 travelers) provide camaraderie, but are still small enough to use van-like coaches that can easily navigate narrow cobbled streets in rural villages. And Culturious trips are led by local guides with insider knowledge of each destination, and feature visits with local experts on varying topics that add depth and perspective.

Each Culturious journey also balances generous free time for independent exploration with a variety of active hands-on experiences. Culturious guests exploring Provence, for example, can kayak on the Sorgue River, explore an outdoor market and purchase local specialties for a picnic lunch, and try their hand at the traditional Provencal game of boules. They’ll also discuss French politics with an area resident, taste Rhone wines with a professional sommelier, and learn about local artists Cezanne and Van Gogh before attempting to capture the local landscape themselves with pastels and paper.

For more information on Tauck’s Culturious packages, contact your local AAA travel professional.