6 Hands-on Travel Experiences in East Europe You Need to Know About

Creative Travel Definition

According to the Creative Tourism Network, creative travel is considered “a new generation of tourism”, that offers visitors the opportunity to “develop their creative potential through active participation in courses and learning experiences, which are characteristic of the holiday destination where they are taken”.

From volunteer travel programs and language immersion programs to cultural immersion travel experiences and real community immersion, Creative Tourism is a way of travel that really is for everyone.

Whether you travel alone, as a couple or with a family or group of friends, there are many activities around the world where that offer educational courses and workshops, creative experiences where you get to learn different art forms or even adventure activities where you interact with the local nature and people in a fun, yet authentic way.

HANDS-ON TRAVEL IN BULGARIA

Attend the Rose Festival

Join the most popular and visited festival in Bulgaria. Well-known for its production of rose oil essence, the Thracian valley hosts people from all over the world to celebrate the rose petals picking every late May and early June.

TIP BY: Me!

“I found this tour on Get Your Guide where you begin early in the day with rose-picking in the rose gardens around Karlovo or Kazanlak. This beautiful ritual has been celebrated for over a century and includes local singing and dancing performances.

Then you visit a distillery where you get detailed explanations of the local rose traditions, distillation process, and the importance of roses for the development of the area. After a warm lunch in a traditional restaurant in a nearby village, it’s time to visit some local sights, depending on the official program of the festival.

During the festival, you are on Karlovo main square, which is the scene for many local dances and performances in traditional costumes. You get the chance to learn a little bit about the Bulgarian traditional customs with a tasting and presentation known as “The Bread of the Bulgarians”: Ritual, Customs and Faith. In the evening, you return to Sofia.”

BOOK A SIMILAR ACTIVITY:

• From Sofia: Rose Festival Full-Day Tour

HANDS-ON TRAVEL IN POLAND

Take a Pierogi cooking class in Kracow

Taking a cooking class with a local is an excellent way to immerse yourself into the culture of a destination. Not only will you learn how to make a new dish in the most authentic way possible within a local home, but then you will get the reward of enjoying the fruits of your labor afterward.

TIP BY: Laura Sharples, anywheresheroams.com (< read all about her travels to Poland and beyond!)

“When I was in Krakow, Poland, I got to try my hand at making the traditional Polish food, Pierogi (also: Pirogi), and it was a truly great experience from start to finish.

To begin with, we were taken to the local farmers market where we shopped for fresh vegetables and produce, including oscypek which is a local sheep’s cheese produced by the highlanders in the Tatra Mountains. The challenge of this task was learning simple Polish expressions to enable us to haggle with the market traders.

Once we had collected all of the necessary ingredients it was time to put them all together using the traditional methods, whilst learning about the Polish culture from the local guide. Each member of the small tour group took turns practicing the preparation stages as the raw ingredients turned into Polish dumplings. Before we knew it, we were enjoying our creation which would rival others that I tried on my trip.

This tour is run by Urban Adventures and I would recommended for anyone who wants to learn something new on their trip as well as supporting local businesses.”

BOOK THIS ACTIVITY:

• Home Cooked Krakow by Urban Adventures (2021 UPDATE: this tour is no longer active)

BOOK A SIMILAR ACTIVITY:

• Warsaw: Polish Dumpling Cooking Class
• Krakow: 4-Hour Polish Food Tour

HANDS-ON TRAVEL IN RUSSIA

Visit a Sami Village in Murmansk

The Sami people are a nomadic tribe that live in parts of Sweden, Norway, Finland and Koala peninsula of Russia.

TIP BY: Penny, globetrove.com (<< read all about her visit to the Sami village)

“One of the most interesting experiences that I have had was visiting a Sami village. We visited one close to a city called Murmansk which is in the Arctic region of Russia. The experience was wonderful. We visited the tents that lived in, ate the food that was traditionally made and even drank moss tea! Yes, you heard that right! Moss tea! And it was delicious.

One of the experiences that I really fell in love with was the interaction with reindeer. We were given some greens to feed the reindeer and they were really loved it. You had to try to hide it if you did not want them to hog it all at one shot. It was fun! 

The day at the Sami village culminated with a ride of a lifetime on a snowmobile through pristine snow that was quite frankly knee deep. I know! Because I sank right into it when I tried to walk. It is definitely an experience I would recommend.”

BOOK THIS ACTIVITY:

• Sami Village, Husky Farm

HANDS-ON TRAVEL IN TURKEY

Try Ebru Paper Marbling in Istanbul

Ebru is the ancient Turkish art of paper marbling. It is done by dropping paint into a pan of water, swirling it into designs, and then gently laying paper on top to transfer the paint to paper.

TIP BY: Dani Ward, diapersinparadise.com (<< read all about visitin Istanbul with kids)

“Expert Ebru artists can create stunning works of art, with flowers being the most common theme; but even complete novices will create something that looks beautiful, just by the nature of how paint flows over water.

In Istanbul, you can take Ebru classes from masters of this ancient art. There are several options, including a fantastic art school that lies in the shadow of the Hagia Sofia. You’ll learn a new skill, and walk away with a handful of gorgeous, unique souvenirs that you made yourself.

Ebru is an approachable art form, even if you don’t consider yourself artistic. It is a perfect date activity, but the small-group format also makes it one of my top choices to do if you visit Istanbul with a toddler or baby in tow. Kids can relax and watch the mesmerizing paint swirl while parents learn an art form that you won’t find anywhere else in the world!”