Ready to (Re)Connect? These 7 Trips Help You Make Connections — With Locals or Your Loved Ones

Travel is even more rewarding when you connect to the world in a way that goes beyond just moving through it. The trips that best bond us often have an inspiring human connection that becomes the basis for enduring vacation memories — whether that’s experiencing something new and wonderful with the people you’re traveling with or connecting with locals in the place you’re visiting in an inspiring way.

From catching a wave with local surfers along the coastline of Ghana in West Africa to watching the glow of a rocket launching into outer space from Florida’s Cape Canaveral, these trip ideas have human bonding and natural connections woven right into the fabric of exploring.

As always, check for travel guidelines and closures before planning your trip.

Catch a Wave Across Africa

Sampling a new sport while traveling can make for fun connections — both with your adventure partner as well as with the local instructor showing you the ropes of a new-to-you skill, like surfing.

If you’ve always wanted to feel the thrill of catching a wave, Africa is loaded with unexpected beach destinations for giving surfing a go.

In Morocco, the beachfront Taghazout Bay Marriott Resort puts you front and center for world-class waves in a true North African surf town, with plenty of beginner breaks in the mix, too.

In Ghana, learn to surf near Accra at Mr. Bright’s Surf School, with lessons for beginners and instruction for more-advanced wave riders at hollow beach breaks along the coast.

And South Africa’s wave-rich coastline extends from Durban to Cape Town, where hanging 10 with the locals might be followed by an invite to a braai — the South African equivalent of a backyard barbecue.

Marvel at Space Innovation and Nature’s Delights Along Florida’s Space Coast

East of Orlando — extending from Titusville and Cape Canaveral in the north down to Cocoa Beach, Melbourne and Sebastian Inlet in the south — Florida’s Space Coast serves up human- and nature-induced wonders from its beaches to its skies.

Bond over the wonder of a rocket launch with your loved ones and other space exploration fanatics with a perch at the rooftop Space Bar at the Courtyard Titusville Kennedy Space Center, located just across the Indian River from Kennedy Space Center and the launch pads at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

Nature looms large and wondrous along this stretch of coast, too, whether you’re heading out to look for nesting sea turtles during summertime along the beaches of Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge (North America’s epicenter for nesting green sea turtles from May through August) or kayaking with friends and family during paddling tours along the Indian River Lagoon.

During summer months on the lagoon and into fall, too, you might even spot bioluminescence shimmering in the waters here — an experience best shared.

Ice Skate Alongside Locals Maximizing Winter’s Wonders in Quebec

Quebec’s wild ice-skating ponds, lakes and trails are made for people who know how to embrace the true pleasures of winter.

And you can really share the season’s joy with the locals living in this spectacular region of Canada by lacing up a pair of ice skates and gliding out among them.

The nine-mile route in the Domaine de la Forêt Perdue winds along an icy trail beneath towering pine trees. There are warming huts along the way where you can stop to sip something toasty from your thermos alongside rosy-cheeked locals.

In Montreal, the frozen outdoor pond at Parc La Fontaine in the Plateau Mont-Royal neighborhood has an onsite rental shop and is a favorite place to glide. From Quebec City to Trois-Rivières, you’ll find countless more places to skate like a Quebecer throughout the province.

Flow with a Sea of Humanity During Carnival in the Caribbean

A vacation in the Caribbean sets the stage for sunshine, beach time and laid-back relaxing with friends.

But when you plan your getaway during one of the annual Carnival celebrations that play out across the region’s islands (as well as in countries like Colombia and Belize), you can find yourself flowing along a human river down streets that vibrate with uninhibited good vibes, nonstop music and a sea of feathered headdresses and jeweled costumes.

Trinidad and Tobago’s two-day Carnival, held in the lead-up to Ash Wednesday, is the biggest and most famous in the Caribbean.

But islands like Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Puerto Rico, the Cayman Islands (and many others) hold their own distinct versions of the cultural event at varying dates throughout the year, too.

Come as you are and experience the best of the place you’re visiting with the people who know how to celebrate it.

Go Deeper into the Cultural Side of Bora Bora

Honeymooners with Bora Bora on their radar for newlywed bonding in overwater bungalows can share the love of this incredible corner of French Polynesia with the locals who know it best.

During outings with Bora Bora Cultural Lagoon Tours, local Nariihau Taruoura guides you to his family motu (island) aboard a traditional Polynesian pirogue (canoe).

He might bring you to visit a traditional house called a fare to try your hand at making a flower garland or take you into the garden to learn about the motu’s traditional plants before snorkeling among rays and reef sharks back in Bora Bora’s famous lagoon.

You’ll leave this place most people only associate with screensavers and big resorts with an understanding of Bora Bora’s hidden wonders and the people who call the famous destination home.

Bask in Europe’s Sauna and Thermal Bathing Culture

Stripping down to next to nothing (or sometimes nothing at all, depending on local customs) in steamy surroundings is a surefire way to feel the appeal of Europe’s widespread sauna and public bathing culture.

And it’s an experience best shared with friends and family you’re most comfortable with (or alongside locals who’ve been partaking in the communal bathing experience all their lives).

Whether you’re sauna-hopping in one of Germany’s famous bathhouses, like the Claudius Therme in Cologne, or slinking from hot oceanside geothermal pools to a cold plunge pool in Iceland’s lovely Sky Lagoon, it’s all about wellness and learning to feel comfortable in your own skin.

Other European wellness hot spots to put on your radar include Helsinki, where you can try a traditional smoke sauna at Löyly Helsinki, and Budapest, famous for its natural hot springs baths like the ones at Széchenyi (the city’s largest) and at art nouveau beauty Gellért Spa.

Snorkel Among Gentle Giants with a Favorite Travel Friend in Oman

From the souks of Jerusalem and Cairo to the desert dunes of Dubai and the date palm oases of Abu Dhabi, the Middle East brims with fabulous destinations to bond with a travel partner of the platonic or romantic variety.

But for a singular nature experience sure to have you connecting underwater in these parts, plan a summertime trip to Oman.

From July to late September, the world’s largest fish gravitate to the waters of the Daymaniyat Islands off the coast of Muscat. Slip into the water with Aura Divers to snorkel alongside them for one of the marine world’s most awe-inspiring encounters that you and your snorkel/travel buddy will be reminiscing about long after you towel off.