The Yin and Yang of Travel.
The number of places on Earth where people live as they have for centuries is astonishingly small. Add another criterion—traditional communities with a thoroughly civilized, luxury hotel nearby—and the list shrinks. It’s infinitesimal, really.
Leave it to R. Crusoe to hunt down these spots, places that provide the exquisite contrast between anachronistic indigenous lifestyles and spectacular, 21st-century luxury hotels. We feature these destinations in some of our favorite journeys. Read on, and see which appeal to your sense of adventure...
Bhutan: Although the Bhutanese people live in the world’s youngest democracy, their lifestyles remain as they have been for centuries, and they embrace a national pride in the old ways of the Kingdom of Bhutan. Penetrate the countryside for a firsthand look, and stay at the magnificent Amankora hotels as you go—the Amankora Thimphu, Punakha, Paro, Gangtey (in the Phobjikha Valley), and Bumthang (in Jakar).
Peru: Who would’ve thought that ancient ways could exist in a city? They do, in Cusco, Peru, gateway to the country’s Inca past. This is the oldest continuously inhabited city in South America, and most of its population still speaks the Inca language, Quechua. Home is the Monasterio Hotel, a charming old seminary that’s earned national historic monument status (an Orient-Express property, so you imagine the level of luxe).
Burma (aka Myanmar): Scenic Inle Lake supports a small but thriving community of people with varied ethnic backgrounds. They fish, tend floating farms, weave silk, work metal, and make noodles. Not much has changed around here. Stay at the Lake View Resort, a wonderful boutique hotel right on Inle’s shores.
Morocco: Step into the souk in Fez, and you’ll swear you’ve entered a time machine. Artisans and merchants work in stalls along winding, narrow alleyways. Ceramists. Tile-makers. Rug sellers. Tin-workers. Tanners. Real estate agents hang skeleton keys on massive rings. After a day in this medieval labyrinth, return to your room at the Palais Jamai, nestled within the ramparts of the old city. This 19th-century palace has Andalusian gardens and trickling fountains outside and a profusion of flowers and carved cedar within. Perhaps a visit to the hammam is in order?
China: Welcome to Lijiang, cultural hub of the Naxi people, a small matriarchal tribe with a rich heritage. Naxis have their own Tibeto-Burman language with a unique pictographic script as well as a tradition of unique music. Women have run the markets and businesses for hundreds of years, and Naxi men pursue more creative avenues. Check in to the Banyan Tree, one of China’s loveliest hotels. Its sleek villas reflect the rich traditions of Lijiang.
Vietnam: Recently named a World Heritage site by UNESCO, Hoi An, a 16th-century trading post, drew merchants from all over the world. Here the streets, historical temples, centuries-old shopkeepers’ houses, and artisans’ quarters evoke a time when silks and brocades, ivory, fragrant oils, fine porcelain, innovative weaponry, and raw minerals were hawked by enterprising merchants and manufacturers. The sophisticated Nam Hai resort’s striking villas line the dramatic beachfront. Their architecture and interior design were inspired by the wind and water and the grandeur of the Tu Doc royal tombs.
Papua New Guinea: Some destinations are best approached by ship. When exploring Papua New Guinea—exotic, remote, way off the beaten path—the Orion and the Orion II, luxurious and small expedition cruise ships, are perfect home bases. Tourism infrastructure is nearly nonexistent in PNG, which means what you see and experience there is authentic, not created for the sake of visitors. And after a day of poking around, it’s lovely to return to your sumptuous ship, soak in a Jacuzzi, sit down to familiar (and tasty) food and drink, and process all you’ve seen.
India: Varanasi has always been the religious capital of Hinduism. When Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha) arrived here in 500 B.C., he encountered a well-developed and ancient settlement. Of primary importance to Hindus is the Ganges River, which runs through the city. Every year, millions of pilgrims flock to Varanasi to bathe in the holy waters, cleansing themselves physically, mentally, and spiritually. The Nadesar Palace hotel was the home of Maharaja Prabhu Narain Singh during his rule (1889 to 1931). Works of art from his collection decorate the walls of the palace’s 10 exceptional suites; original furnishings recreate the atmosphere of a bygone era.