All trends point to people wanting to get more out of their travels. Living in the shadow of the coronavirus for more than 712 days (but who’s counting?) has left us all hungry for more than just vacation memories. Like maybe an understanding of what an NFT is and why you should care, or perfecting your own sauce recipe.

Erik Warner, hotelier and director of Eagle Point Hotel Partners, the host of the NFT weekend at the Sound View Hotel in Greenport, New York, says they hope to provide the communities where they own properties with a stream of shared experiences rooted in culture. and creativity. “This upcoming weekend is not just about NFT education, but a time to create meaningful connections and memories alongside a diverse group of people who bring special skills, stories and perspectives to the conversation,” he says. Here are some properties looking to enhance guests’ connections to culture and community.

Learn about NFTs, Sound View HotelGreenport, New York

While you can’t use a smartphone without reading a dozen stories about non-fungible tokens, most people still can’t explain exactly what they are. Get some clarity on the Sound View Hotel’s Weekend NF NFT, March 25-27, where leading publishers and artists like Brendan Fernandes and gurus of the eco-sustainability movement like TARFORM founder and CEO Taras Kravtchouk will try to explain it all. Yes, there will be panels, promising tangible examples, and expert opinions, to encourage open exchange and education about the metaverse and NFTs. But there will also be hands-on workshops to get you out of your head, including a polar bear dive, a cocktail-making class, art and poetry sessions.

Wield a molcajete to make sauce, Velas Resorts in Mexico

Velas Resorts has long focused on exposing guests to Mexican traditions, and a new workshop promises to work your biceps while turning you into a salsa master. At resort collection properties in Los Cabos, Riviera Maya, Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit, guests can learn about different sauces and use a molcajete, a Mexican mortar made from volcanic rock, to create them. The hard and rough surface of the ancient kitchen tool ensures that users get the strongest flavors from the spices and ingredients being prepared. Or seek out something more dainty at the company’s Casa Velas, an adults-only boutique hotel in Puerto Vallarta, which has introduced a workshop for guests to create fans — traditional fans made of paper, cloth or lace.

Become a bird watcher at Mohonk Mountain House

Birding is pandemic-proof: Learn the basics at a spring nature and birding weekend May 13-15 at Mohonk Mountain House in New York. The weekend will feature environmental educators for hikes, bird walks, workshops and an exploration of the natural world as you wake up on top of the resort’s mountain. The event will be led by Environmental Scientist Kurt Weiskotten, Certified Wildlife Biologist Mike Losito, Entomologist Wayne Gall, Former Audio Curator Greg Budney, and Associate Professor Heather Huson as they take guests through a series of activities. birding and nature tours that include bird walks, a snake exhibit, nature drawing session and more.

Collect self-care strategies in austin miraval

by Miraval What we are reading series offers the opportunity for guests to meet the resort’s favorite writers, through book signings and author-led workshops. This June, the resort will host an author immersion with board-certified psychiatrist and mental health writer Dr. Gregory Scott Brown to discuss his new book, “The Self-Healing Mind,” which will help guests gain a deeper understanding of what affects mental health. . Dr. Gregory Scott Brown will share an accessible, holistic approach to self-care and wellness-enhancing tools through exclusive lectures.

Explore the vibrant culinary culture of Thailand, Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort

Dive into the food of Thailand with Anantara’s Spice Spoons program. Head out early with the chef, visit the local market for fresh produce, stop for coffee with the locals, and visit a farm for a gourmet breakfast picnic. Bring your reward back to the resort, stop by the vegetable and herb garden to pick a few more things, then learn how to prepare selected dishes in the cooking classroom with step-by-step instructions. Finally enjoy your creations for lunch.

Take a behind the scenes look at cowboy boot design, Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek

Immediately after (pun intended) a series of collaborations between the hotel and voyeur crosbya women-led cowboy boot brand founded by Lizzie Means Duplantis and Sarah Means, Rosewood Mansion will host a bootmaking masterclass on March 24, 2022. Following Miron Crosby’s recent presentation of the mansion boot – an eye-catching, limited-edition western boot created to celebrate The Mansion’s 40th anniversary in 2020: the Dallas duo will return to their design inspiration to teach guests the secrets and skills of contemporary bootmaking cowboy boots.

aromatherapy for children, Grand Velas Los Cabos

Create kid-friendly scents that can be combined and used for a wide variety of purposes in this healthy kids aromatherapy workshop. Combinations can be created to help children relax at bedtime, as well as many other beneficial features to help children go about their daily lives. This workshop is part of the property’s ‘Spa Atelier’ concept, which complements the spa’s treatments and philosophy with educational workshops for guests, inspired by local Mexican culture and based on the principles of ancient Ayurvedic medicine.