100 Discoveries: Culinary Journeys

When we travel, food is more than just fuel. It tells stories, builds connections, and opens a window onto local culture. Through 100 Discoveries, we take you to the heart of your destination through its cuisine, with experiences designed to bring flavours, traditions, and agricultural heritage to life. You could learn the secrets of regional dishes alongside expert chefs, get your hands dirty on an organic farm, or savour a traditional meal in a stunning natural setting. Whatever your age, palate, or interests, 100 Discoveries goes beyond sightseeing to offer an authentic taste of local life.

Discover a few of the gastronomic experiences in store when you stay with us below. Or explore 100 Discoveries through the spirit of our brands: Banyan Tree, Angsana, Cassia, Dhawa, Folio, Garrya, and Homm. Curated, authentic experiences designed to foster connection await you in each.

Get hands-on

One of the best ways to get to know a cuisine is to learn how to make it yourself. At Banyan Tree Bangkok in Thailand, step into the kitchen with an expert chef who will help you create a selection of tempting dishes. This isn’t just a cooking session; it’s also a chance to discover the history and traditions that shape Thai cuisine, with each dish offering a taste of a different region.

Handcrafted and celebrated for its exceptional quality, Longjing tea is one of China’s most renowned brews. Stay at Banyan Tree Hangzhou and you can visit Longjing Tea Village, joining local farmers as they guide you through picking fresh leaves and teach you the art of stir-drying. Beyond exploring the art of tea-making – and getting to taste the results – you will connect with the local community while supporting livelihoods and traditions.

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Koh Samui is known as Thailand’s “coconut island”, thanks to its thriving coconut industry. Discover the abundant ways coconuts are used on a Coconut Culture Tour with Homm Chura Samui, visiting a museum and a farm before getting in on the action yourself. You will crack coconut shells, press fresh coconut milk, and simmer your own virgin coconut oil using traditional methods. It’s a rewarding, interactive way to connect with the island’s heritage.

Explore the backstory

There’s something special about meeting the people who grow and craft what ends up on your plate — or in your glass. In Mexico’s Valle de Guadalupe, Pictograma Winery shines a light on the region’s agricultural roots, with the Grenache grape taking centre stage. Arrange a tour with Banyan Tree Veya Valle de Guadalupe, and you will visit the winery’s immersive spaces with a knowledgeable guide, tracing the journey from vine to cellar. The final stop is the tasting room, where makers will teach you about the Valle’s rich winemaking heritage, and you can savour the delicious results.

Sustainability is part of daily life at Angsana Bintan in Indonesia. Spend time with conservationists at the resort’s eco farm and see this ethos in action, from low-impact crops to organic fertiliser made from kitchen scraps to solar-powered aquaponics. You are welcome to immerse yourself in simple tasks alongside local farm workers before sitting down to a meal made with fresh produce grown on site.

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Step back in time at Mexico’s Banyan Tree Mayakoba with an immersive dinner at Haab. Rooted in Mayan tradition, your meal showcases traditional Yucatán dishes paired with regional wines and spirits, while all around you, performers bring ancient myths and traditions to life through music, dance, and storytelling. You will experience the evening alongside a friendly host, who can answer all your questions about this incredible civilisation.

Learn the story behind your meal at Homm Bliss South Beach Patong, Thailand, and South Korea’s Cassia Sokcho. On their immersive tours, you will visit local fish markets, chat with fishermen, and try produce fresh from the ocean.

Explore more cultural connections that can be experienced through 100 Discoveries.

Savour the setting

Sometimes, dining is as much about place as it is about food. At China’s Banyan Tree Yangcheng Lake, you can experience the water aboard a classic black-awning rowing boat, taking in the sights and sounds that make this wild region unique. The highlight of this experience is a delicious afternoon tea infused with local ingredients and flavours, which you will enjoy while the world drifts by at a languid pace.

A hands-on experience with local boatmen at Angsana Hangzhou, China, offers both action and relaxation. Try your hand at fishing and gathering fresh vegetables before sitting down to a lunch made with the day’s catch. It’s a simple, authentic taste of the region, with the lush waterways of Xixi Wetland National Park as a dramatic backdrop.

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In Emirati culture, coffee is a gesture of welcome, respect, and connection. At Banyan Tree Dubai, our Bayt al-Qahwa experience invites you to enjoy this ritual in elegant surroundings. Sip gahwa (coffee) infused with cardamom and saffron, or try Karak tea laced with rose or saffron, paired with sweet dates. The scent of incense and the rhythm of storytelling add to the atmosphere, giving you a memorable glimpse into a tradition that has shaped Emirati life for centuries.

Head to our stories to find out more about our culinary experiences – from foraging and zero-waste dining at an eco village in Bali to immersive cooking and heritage farming experiences in southeast Mexico .