In recent years a new type of tourism has become fashionable, “experiential tourism” or “experiential travel”, where the important thing is not just visit new destinations in to enjoy all its cultural and tourist offerings, but to live exciting experiences that you can then remember throughout your life.
Because just as it is easy to forget that square, temple or museum we visit in our travels, the brain has a very good memory as far as preserving experiences is concerned. And that is where experiential tourism comes into play because it allows us to test our emotions and let ourselves go by them through the coexistence with local people, the practice of some profession in the area or participating in a typical custom or rite that is not usually known by usual tourists. It means turning a normal vacation into an adventure.
The experiential tourist seeks that emotional connection throughout the entire journey, from accommodation to activities or visits to your destination, to food or transportation during your stay. A journey through all the senses: sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch and loaded with surprises that goes one step beyond conventional tourism.
Experiential tourist wish list: authenticity, empathy, and inspiration
One of the premises of any experiential tourist is to live an authentic experience, where you can connect with local people and interact with them. So that many of them no longer talk about the things they have seen on their journey but about the people they have met or the things they have done and that are not in the traditional tourist guides.
In addition, within the wish list of this type of tourists, we find empathy, that human capacity that allows us to perceive, share and understand what another being can feel. An emotional connection that is not extinguished with the passing of time, but that lasts after the trip.
Another of the objectives of these emotional travelers is the search for inspiration. In each destination, they look for new experiences, customs or activities that help them get out of their daily routine and open up a new perspective on life. Inspiring experiences that teach them something about themselves.
Live a Spanish passion
Because it is not the same to visit a destination than to feel it, there are programs like “Spanish and a Passion”, with which besides doing tourism and learning the Spanish language and culture you will be able to deepen in the subjects that you are most passionate about oenology, the neighborhoods of Madrid, the cinema of Pedro Almodóvar, flamenco, museums, and art or gastronomy.
If you are interested in learning Spanish or any other language in Madrid, do not hesitate to take a look at the courses offered by TANDEM Madrid. With them, you will not only be able to make a complete immersion in Spanish, but you will also live an authentic tourist experience and you will be integrated into the way of life of the people of Madrid.
Discovering the flavors and authentic French life
Many experiential tourists are getting more and more on a linguistic vacation, that is to say, programs where while they know the city and relate with the people of the zone they learn the language to be able to communicate with them and to have a more complete experience.
Thus, instead of using local guides, they opt for a language school where, in addition to learning French, they take part in cultural activities specifically designed to give students a 360º view of the local language and culture. For example, if you want to learn French, Montpellier is a good place to start, with language immersion programs complemented by thematic workshops: tasting of local products as internationally recognized as French cheeses, Occitan dances, wine tours, petanque games… Vivez la vie en rose!
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