Acanela Expeditions

Turkey is full of history, from the Roman empire, to the Ottomans, to gaining its independence as its own country in 1923! One way to learn the stories of Turkey throughout its history is by visiting some of its ancient ruins, and to help you plan which ones to visit, here is a list of the best ancient ruins to visit while on an expedition to Turkey!

Does Tonga, or Kingdom of Tonga, sound exotic but somehow familiar to you? Do you know where Tonga is? Tonga has rich Polynesian culture and numerous fun spots to visit. Let’s learn about Tonga with your own eyes and step on that warm island with Acanela.

Ranked as the third biggest city in Japan, Osaka is not always people’s destination when planning a trip to Japan. Also, unlike Kyoto, Osaka is not a traditional city full of historical sites. Although it may not seem to be worthy of your time at first glance, there are tons of fun things to do in Osaka. Also, it stands out among all the other Japanese cities by its characters. People in Osaka are famous for being friendly and laid back. This city might be the best choice of your first stop in Japan and a perfect bridge between you and Japanese culture. Plan a trip with Acanela to explore this unique city.

Are you an experienced traveler? Do you think you have seen the world enough? Bhutan is one of the must-go places before you can claim to be an experienced traveler. Unlike Europe, Bhutan does not have beautiful architecture and art crafts you are familiar with, nor is it like South America containing enthusiastic cultural festivals. It’s also unlike some Asian countries having cutting-edge technologies and busy cities. However, Bhutan has one of the most unique cultures you can’t find anywhere else.

Because of its tumultuous, and sometimes violent, history, Fiji is now home to a diverse population that consists of indigenous Fijan, Indian, Chinese, and European heritages. Today, the indigenous culture of Fiji is a vibrant part of everyday life for the vast majority of the population on the islands. From festivals to the culinary arts to religion, Fiji has an incredibly rich culture. When traveling to Fiji, seeking out cultural experiences can enrich your experience immensely!

Widely considered to be the cradle of Western civilization and democracy, Greece has spread its magnificent influence through almost all corners of the globe. Greek culture has famously evolved over thousands of years, and it remains the backdrop of well-known books and movies even to this day. Greece’s revolutionary art, literature, architecture, mythology, science, and philosophy are widely studied throughout the world--I mean, who didn’t spend ninth-grade reading Homer’sThe Illiad and The Odyssey?

Early in the morning at 5:00am hundreds of monks wake up, leave the temples, and walk through the city streets collecting their morning alms (sticky rice and other simple foods) that is give to them from the local people as a part of a special alms giving ceremony. The monks walk in a single file line down the main streets that lead to the royal palace, where locals kneel by the curbside with their heads bowed and their feet tucked away - showing respect for the monks who are passing by.

Guinness World Book of Records lists Brazil’s Carnival as the world’s largest for good reason. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil hosts almost three million travelers during the five day Carnival celebration. If you haven’t been to Carnival in Rio de Janeiro yet, add it to your “to do” list right now!

Meet my friend Espional. He is from a small village in Papua New Guinea called Asaro, home of the Mudmen Tribe. Experience the Goroka Show and Sing Sing Festival in Papua New Guinea.

My journey to discover the most interesting places and people around the world has led me to the remote, Northern jungles of Papua New Guinea. This rarely visited location is known as the Sepik River, and is home to an incredible tribe known as the Crocodile Tribe. Join us on a Tour of Papua New Guinea and experience the Goroka Sing Sing Festival and Culture Show!

I love Thanksgiving, maybe even more than Christmas because it’s a time when we reflect with our friends and loved ones on what is good and bountiful in our lives. Our house is one of chaos, gluttony, stories, games, but mostly laughter and love. Oh, and LOTS of football. I began wondering if the United States was the only country to celebrate Thanksgiving. After doing some digging, I discovered Thanksgiving is a holiday that is celebrated in places all around the world!

Espional was born and raised in Papua New Guinea. A a native to the Asaro Mud Men tribe, his fondest memories of his childhood were simply spending time in his village, fishing, hunting, and going to school with his friends. “I love where I live,” he admits, “because of the many cultures and traditions that I have. I’m very proud of that.”

I’ve come to discover that, as people, we are actually all quite the same.  And as a human, I have learned to be grateful for one thing in particular—Connection. The more opportunity I have to travel, the more I have learned the importance and beauty of true connection with people.

When I arrived in Papua New Guinea, I was amazed to see such incredible people… like the Kalam Tribe!

When most people think of India, large, crowded cities come to mind. But there is so much more to this fascinating country. India has a rich blend of natural beauty, stunning architecture, complex history, and captivating culture. From majestic temples to gorgeous beaches, there’s something for everyone. Keep reading to find out the top ten places you must see in India!

Across the world, Mother’s Day is a time to celebrate the mothers in our lives. It’s a time to express gratitude and appreciation for a mother’s hard work in and outside of the family. We’re all prone to taking our mothers for granted and this day gives us a chance to show her how much she means to us! Mother’s Day has long been celebrated and can be dated back to the Greeks and Romans. In recent history, the Western view of Mother’s Day is associated with the way the United States celebrates – with cards, gifts and flowers. However, across the world, different countries celebrate on different days and have their own traditions.

While there are so many things to do and see in Peru, some of the most treasured experiences cannot be planned for. I'll never forget the time we were invited to participate in a Llama Blessing Ceremony (alpaca are commonly blessed, too) in one of the villages outside of Ollantaytambo, Sacred Valley, Peru.

Hello! My name is Kylie and this is my story traveling through Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam!  This trip was one of the most beautiful travel experiences of my life.  Southeast Asia offers a beautiful blend of culture, cuisine, and nature - and these 3 countries should not be missed.  Read my travel story below, and be inspired to take your next journey to this part of the world!

Christmas—a time for family gatherings, festive cheer, and good food. More than 160 countries in the world celebrate Christmas, each with their own unique rituals and culinary traditions. From Peru to Italy, check out how these 8 countries like to feast on this special day!

From the shores of Tangier, Morocco, it appears you can reach out and touch the sprawling hills of Andalusia—Spain’s southernmost region. A short 30-minute ferry ride across the glistening Strait of Gibraltar, where Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea meet, is all that separates these countries. The proximity between Morocco and Andalusia makes for a unique history full of shared culture and cuisine. There’s no place quite like this special corner of the world, and it’s a must-see destination for every traveler. Explore the wonder of where Europe and Africa meet.

Chao-Do in Japanese means the way of tea. Similar to martial arts and any other forms of art that’s considered a Do, to study this art, it is more than the study of tea or the ritual, Japanese tea ceremony and the art of tea has very deep philosophical meanings as well. For one to become a master of the tea ceremony, it takes years of disciplined practice, even a whole life time of true dedication and devotion to become a true master. Aside from mastering the rich knowledge of the art of tea, mastering the art of tea ceremony is also a practice of unlocking one’s inner peace or Zen if you will.

Papua New Guinea may seem small but they have a population of over 6 million people.  Now you're wondering - why should I travel to Papua New Guinea? We are here to tell you that you should be a part of this very special kind of festival - The Sing Sing Festival! 

In 2016, a lot of changes were made to travel to Cuba.  President Obama's historic trip to Cuba opened the doors to many Americans who never realized they could ever travel to that small Caribbean Island of 11 million people.  We want to talk about the top 10 travel myths about Cuba - so you are well informed when you travel to this amazing country! (Maybe with us?)