Sense of Place: Heritage Crafts

From Watchmaking to Weaving, the Next Wave of Experiential, Craft-Led Travel Experiences

What better way to discover a destination than through its most emblematic craft traditions—and the skillful makers keeping centuries-old wisdom alive? From carving moai statues alongside a local artisan on Easter Island (above, courtesy Nayara Hangaroa) to designing a custom tartan in the Scottish Highlands or weaving sun-dried, sustainably sourced wool on a 300-year-old loom in Mykonos, these hands-on travel experiences offer a deeper, more meaningful connection to place—one stitch, chisel, or thread at a time.

At the historic Ruckl Glassworks, a family-owned institution dating back to 1846, guests of Almanac X Alcron Prague can witness the artistry behind traditional Czech crystal. With origins dating to the 13th century, this craft has long been a favorite at European courts, and is particularly renowned for its chandeliers, glassware, and decorative objects. Guests can visit Ruckl Glassworks in the village of Nižbor, on the banks of the Berounka River just 15 miles from Prague (itself worth the half-day trip thanks to the stunning location in Křivoklátsko National Park). Here they will work with skilled craftsmen to bring intricate, personalized designs to life through mouth-blown and hand-cut techniques. For those with an interest in contemporary design, there is also the possibility of meeting Katerina Handlová, the glassworks’ innovative chief designer.

The Moai—Easter Island’s iconic monolithic stone statues—are enduring symbols of Rapa Nui heritage and resilience. At Nayara Hangaroa, guests can explore their cultural significance in a hands-on Moaia carving workshop led by a local artisan. The workshop will take place outdoors, in a lush tranquil garden of a local household. By the end of the session, guests will leave not only with a deeper connection to the culture but also a treasured keepsake, their very own (miniature) handcrafted Moai.

Discover the art of whiskey bonding with an exclusive, hands-on experience at Dromoland Castle in collaboration with JJ Corry, Ireland’s renowned independent whiskey maker. Led by CEO Louise McGuane, this intimate journey unveils the lost craft of whiskey “bonding,” a historical tradition and a specific designation for whisky that meets stringent government-reinforced standards, such as being produced by a single distillery and bottled at a certain proof. As a guest of Dromoland Castle, you’ll not only delve into this revived tradition but also craft your own custom blend—bottling and sealing it with hand-dipped wax for a personal keepsake. This one-of-a-kind experience is available only to hotel guests.

Conservation and community-uplift are the raison d’etre of andBeyond, which for more than 30 years has set the benchmark for responsible tourism in Africa, South Asia, and South America. This mission animates all aspects of the guest experience — including local shopping. The on-property retail emporiums are stocked with locally-made crafts, art, souvenirs, and home décor items, from handwoven Zulu baskets and spears at andBeyond Phinda Mountain Lodge (South Africa) to wall hangings made by a Mapuche weaver at andBeyond Vira Vira (Chile), or hand-harvested Oryx salt from an underground lake in the Kalahari Desert at andBeyond Sossusvlei Desert Lodge (Namibia). For wildlife spotting in 8x magnification, be sure to get a pair of Swarovski Optik Binoculars (available across andBeyond safari lodges); 5% of every binocular purchase will be donated to will be made to the Africa Foundation’s Community Leaders Education Fund, which supports young students from rural communities.

Participants at La Réserve Genève (part of Michel Reybier Hospitality) can immerse themselves in the fascinating world of Swiss mechanical watchmaking by partially disassembling and reassembling a hand-wound ETA 6497 movement under the guidance of a master watchmaker. The experience begins with a theoretical introduction on the operation of a watch. Then, with screwdrivers and tweezers in hand, participants assemble their own watch and gain an in-depth understanding of mechanical movement.

Kalesma Mykonos celebrates a new partnership with Mykonos-based designer Faye Chatzi, who focuses on sustainable fashion through her hand-woven shawls, caftans, bags, and wall hangings. Having collaborated with archaeologists and studied ancient weaving techniques, Chatzi is dedicated to preserving traditional crafts while finding innovative ways to adapt them for the future. (For example, in 2019 she convinced the Athens University of Agriculture to give her silkworms that would otherwise have been used as fish bait.) All of Chatzi’s designs are crafted from ethically sourced Mykonian wool, spun from sheep that roam freely on the island. The wool is washed in the Aegean Sea, sun-dried, and then hand-carded using traditional methods. In time for Kalesma’s seasonal reopening this May, Faye will roll out guest experiences using a 300-year-old loom that was gifted to her by Mykonian grandmothers, including inspiring weaving sessions, as well as the opportunity to commission a one-of-a-kind piece.

The Fife Arms encourages guests to experience the artistry and tradition of tartan-making by designing their very own tartan. This hands-on experience involves selecting colors, patterns, and elements that hold personal significance, resulting in a bespoke design that can even be registered with the Scottish Register of Tartans — making it a one-of-a-kind keepsake. For creative inspiration, look to the hotel’s own house tartans and tweeds, created by Scottish textile designer Araminta Campbell—a favorite of King Charles.