Small Luxury Hotels of the World Offers Inspirational Experiences

Here are inspirational and eccentric ways to explore the globe this year:

• Pearl Farming: Aleenta Resort and Spa, Phuket, Thailand (pictured) - Take a romantic tour of a local Pearl Farm on a small island where you will learn about pearl cultivation, the values and care of pearls. Nightly rates at Aleenta Resort and Spa with SLH start from THB8,800 (approx. $286 USD) including breakfast and excluding tax.

• Crocodile Spotting: Bloomfield Lodge, Cairns, Australia - Take a two-hour cruise on Bloomfield River, home to a fascinating eco-system and diverse mix of native wildlife, to spot crocodiles in their natural habitat. Nightly rates at Bloomfield Lodge with SLH start from AUD855.50 (approx. $893 USD) including all meals and taxes.

• Make Your Own Beauty Products: Chateau McEly, Prague, Czech Republic - In the chateau's authentic laboratory, guests can learn about the bohemian healing qualities of local herbs and make their own natural beauty products such as balms, oils and serums to take home at the end of their stay. Nightly rates at Chateau McEly with SLH start from €136 (approx. $180 USD) including breakfast and excluding tax.

• Observe Wild Macaque Monkeys: Hoshinoya Karuizawa, Karuizawa, Japan - Take a 40-minute trek through the forest to see an unusual sight of Japanese indigenous Macaque monkeys bathing in hot springs (onsen), where they spend their days soaking in the natural waters. Nightly rates at Hoshinoya Karuizawa with SLH start from JPY30,000 (approx. $360 USD) including tax and excluding breakfast.

• Cave Diving in a Thermal Lake: Grotta Giusti Natural Spa Resort, Monsummano Terme, Italy - Alongside professional instructors, discover the "eighth wonder of the world" and explore underwater cavities while scuba diving in the natural cave's age-old thermal lake. Nightly rates at Grotta Giusti Natural Spa Resort with SLH start from €280 (approx. $370 USD) including breakfast and tax.

• Calligraphy Class: Wuzhen Clubhouse, Tongxiang City, China - Learn the profound art of Chinese calligraphy including how to handle an Asian brush, practice writing easy Chinese characters, paint simple ink and wash paintings. Nightly rates at Wuzhen Clubhouse with SLH start from CNY948 (approx. $150 USD) on a bed and breakfast basis excluding tax and service charge.

• Glassblowing Masterclass: Tomtom Suites, Istanbul, Turkey - Let off steam by learning and experimenting with the traditional practice of blowing and shaping glass, the end product will be yours to treasure. Nightly rates at Tomtom Suites with SLH start from €175 (approx. $233 USD) including breakfast and tax.

• Epicurean Indulgence: Reluctant Panther Inn & Restaurant, Vermont, USA - Discover and enjoy Vermont's local cuisine and culture at its best with guided tours and tastings to award-winning dairy farms and farmers' markets. Nightly rates at Reluctant Panther Inn & Restaurant with SLH start from $199 including breakfast and excluding tax.

All experiences can be booked directly with SLH. To book online, visit www.slh.com.