Whether you're travelling to North, Central or South America, there are so many experiences to be uncovered it can be difficult to know where to start.
To complement the release of Trafalgar's 2016 The Americas programme, the global leader in guided holidays is sharing its insider knowledge and has unveiled its 10 best travel experiences in The Americas for next year.
1. BBQ cook-off on Route 66
Meet the USA's national barbecue champions, the Randles and the Mellows, for a Be My Guest experience on Route 66. Enjoy dinner in the historic Forest Park, home to the 1904 World Fair, where your host and “Pit Master” Jim Randle details the family's path to barbecue prominence.
Learn about the different BBQ styles of Carolina, St. Louis, Memphis and Texas before getting tips on what goes into creating a great BBQ sauce. Split into teams and create your own BBQ sauce using your newfound knowledge and have a complete USA-style cook-off with your fellow travellers. This exclusive experience is available on Trafalgar's 15-day Route 66 guided holiday priced from R48 950 per person (with savings of up to R5070 per person available).
2. Discover the “Salad bowl of the World”
In Salinas Valley, also known as the “Salad Bowl of the World”, join a Local Specialist on an agricultural education tour to discover what makes Monterey County the number one vegetable growing region in the world.
Enjoy a Californian wine pairing as part of a Be My Guest dinner at a restaurant where your host, a local chef and author, shares with you a bounty of locally-sourced, seasonal foods and creates the ultimate farm-to-table experience. Experience this culinary adventure on the eight-day Northern California guided holiday priced from R32 200 per person (with savings of up to R3270 per person available)
3. Meet a “Mountie” in Canada
It's no secret that Canada has some of the best natural landmarks in the world. Just as beautiful in summer as it is in winter, Canada is the perfect destination to visit year-round. See it through the eyes of local resident as you discover the wildlife and iconic scenery of Banff with a “Mountie”.
Sharing expert knowledge from their time in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police force, you'll be shown the real Canada like a local. Meet a “Mountie” on Trafalgar's new 13-day Iconic Rockies and Western Canada guided holiday priced from R45 600 per person (with savings of up to R5770 per person available).
4. Enjoy a private performance with music legend Johnny Cash's son
Go beyond the usual music tours in Nashville and gain a Cultural Insight into the life and music of Johnny Cash during a private performance with Johnny and June Carter's son, John Carter Cash.
John entertains Trafalgar guests with his own original music, as well as a few numbers made famous by his legendary family. Chat with John and ask any questions about his father, their family and the influence music has had on him. Experience this on Trafalgar's 10-day Tastes & Sounds of the South guided holiday priced from R35 500 per person with savings of up to R4070 per person available.
5. Dine with Mexico's celebrated chef, Don Miguel
Don Miguel is a Merida native who fell in love with the ancient traditions of Yucatan cuisine at a young age in his family kitchen. When Don began his career in earnest, he committed himself to using local products, maintaining traditional recipes and processes and serving a familiar yet modern version of his beloved Yucatan dishes.
Well-known through Merida as an advocate for the conservation of traditional customs and cooking processes of the Mayans, Don invites you inside the Chaya Maya Mansion for an exclusive Be My Guest dinner. Experience Don's wonderful flavours on Trafalgar's eight-day Treasures of the Yucatan guided holiday priced from R20 800 per person (with savings of up to R2340 per person available).
6. Meet local Peruvian artisans
In Peru's Sacred Valley, gain a Cultural Insight into the centuries-old methods of Peruvian weaving including the spinning and dyeing of traditional Andean textiles. Connect with local artisans and learn about their natural dyeing techniques, passed down from generation-to-generation by native weavers from different areas.
These local ladies will chat to you about their love for Peruvian weaving and give you an insight into the traditional way of dressing in Peru. Meet local artisans on Trafalgar's eight-day Highlights of Peru guided holiday priced from R30 600 per person (with savings of up to R3012 per person available).
7. Stay in Yellowstone's first superior hotel
Relax and unwind in Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel in Wyoming and soak up the incredible views of Yellowstone's hot limestone springs. Built in 1937, this Authentic Accommodation was the first elegant hotel built within the National Park and its pristine lodge location shows-off the natural wonders of Yellowstone alongside its plentiful wildlife.
The hotel name derives from the Mammoth Hot Springs Terrace, a popular step-like geological feature nearby. Enjoy an overnight stay at Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel on Trafalgar's new eight-day Secrets and Winter Wonders of Yellowstone Hidden Journey priced from R51 200 per person (with savings of up to R5120 per person available).
8. Meet a local Hawaiian family in the Maui countryside
Hawaii's tropical weather and abundance of rainforests and lush greenery make it the perfect destination to produce fresh fruit and vegetables year-round. Travel deep within Maui's countryside and visit a local farm to learn about the sustainable agriculture on the island. Join the farmers' family with an invitation for an exclusive Be My Guest lunch, and be treated to delicious Hawaiian specialities made with only the freshest, local ingredients. See Hawaii from the inside on Trafalgar's nine-day Best of Hawaii guided holiday priced from R40 100 per person (with savings of up to R4732 per person available).
9. Sleep in a historic American property
Its insider moments like sleeping in the setting of historic events at Boston's elegant Omni Parker House that really turn holiday experiences into lifelong memories. Dating back to 1855, the property was where John F. Kennedy prosed to Jackie O in the summer of 1953 and announced his bid for congress in 1946.
The hotel was also the workplace for Malcolm X and Vietnam's Ho Chi Minh and renowned for inventing the Boston cream pie in its kitchen. Stay in this Authentic Accommodation on Trafalgar's 14-day East Coast USA & Canada guided holiday priced from R49 200 per person (with savings of up to R5250 per person available).
10. Have dinner with a cowboy
Head into Big Sky Country where you'll meet a resident cowboy for a western-style cookout. Venture to a private campsite to meet your host Happy Pappy, who will personally greet you and serve up one of his favourite all-American dishes. Pappy will regale you with history and tales of his life in the saddle before breaking into a western song.
Find yourself in a cowboy hat as Pappy leads you all to the campfire. This cowboy isn't armed with six shooters, but an old guitar. Songs next to the campfire conjure images of old wagon trains rolling west and the lonesome melodies of harmonicas in the dusk. Experience this on Trafalgar's 10 Western Frontiers guided holiday priced from R33 900 per person (with savings of up to R3480 per person available).
For more information on Trafalgar, please contact your ASATA travel agent, call (011) 280 8440 or visit www.trafalgar.com and follow us on Twitter at @TrafalgarSA and Facebook.
Adapted from a press release for IOL