Cultural Travel Trumps Tourist Trips

A sabbatical centered around cultural travel allows you to experience a different way of living, a shift in your everyday rhythm. Stepping into a new (to you) culture delivers the dose of fresh perspective that makes a sabbatical break so valuable.

Stay in the Neighborhood

The recommended approach to cultural travel is to spend at least one week in one place within the country you want to visit. That way, you can weave yourself into the local fabric of your neighborhood instead of ripping through it as a sight-seeing tourist.

Your experience is richer as you engage with people on a personal (vs. passing through) level. My experience is far from extensive, but I chose the "slow travel" route when visiting Thailand and Austria.

Most recently, home base for a week was the second floor of a three-story Alpine village home in Kuchl, outside of Salzburg.

The following week was spent in Favoriten, the densely-populated 10th district of Vienna. We were comfortably situated in a remodeled apartment at the top of a 19th century building, owned by Freddie, children's shoes shopkeeper, 10 paces away.

In both settings, we were in the thick of a residential neighborhood, having exchanges with the grocery clerks or bakery counter person, hanging out and observing at the corner park, using public transportation with the locals—getting a taste of everyday life. And it was not at the expense of visiting the famed places we that we were interested in.

Vacation Rentals by Owner or Home Exchange?

For a sabbatical-length stay, the best “neighborhood vibe” accommodation is a vacation rental. You can arrange these through an agency, or for the best price, directly with the owner.

But home exchanges are the super-saving way to go as you'll be trading places instead of money. Of course, most owners will be looking for a swap of one to three weeks, not six, but that arrangement may fit into your broader sabbatical plans.

Although a reported quarter million home exchanges occur annually, if it's a new concept to you, visit Home for Exchange and click on the Support link near the top of the page to read through the Top Questions. Note the additional "Support Topics" listed on the right. (And find their Contact Us link above that.)

Other Cultural Travel Options

An international volunteer experience is a type of cultural travel addressed on its own page.

For a cultural immersion experience, combine a homestay with foreign language study abroad.

If you're uncomfortable with independent travel, ask your travel agent about vendors which offer slower-paced (walking tour, anyone?) cultural travel experiences in small groups using local guides and including features such as home visits. It's not the same thing, but it's refreshing departure from hectic, large-herd, hotel-hopping tours.

What Next?

Start planning—or at least dreaming—about your cultural travel plans.

1. Draw up your short list of destinations. Then start a search using a global directory of vacation rental homes, condos, cottages, and villas available for rent by owner.

2. Join a home exchange network. Sooner is better because it takes months to find the right match and get to know your prospective exchange partners via email, photos and phone calls.



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