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Sight-Doing: Get to Know a Place Through Local Experiences
Go from observation to participation with these hands-on activities and classes that make travel all the more meaningful.
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April 07, 2026
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Travel is no longer about just seeing; it’s about engaging. One of Amex Travel's 2026 Global Travel Trends, Sight-Doing invites travelers to step off the sidelines and take part in experiences that leave lasting memories.
Whether it’s by crafting, cooking, or learning a new skill, today’s explorers are actively seeking deeper connections with the destinations they visit. As a result, they’re returning home with more than just photos and souvenirs—they feel the satisfaction of having participated in something meaningful.
In a world of fleeting experiences, sight-doing transforms the journey from passive observation into active participation. This trend taps into a growing desire for hands-on engagement, with seventy percent of travelers we surveyed1 sharing that they are more likely to book workshops or immersive activities than in years past, as highlighted in our annual report. Travel enthusiasts spanning many generations are increasingly craving encounters that feel authentic, locally rooted, and skill oriented.
From artisanal crafting to martial arts training, you can experience this trend firsthand through our curated picks below. And as you set out to sight-do, keep in mind that American Express Travel® does not charge booking fees and there are no foreign transaction fees♢ when you use your Platinum Card® abroad.
♢American Express will not charge any foreign transaction fee on the purchases you make outside of the United States with your Card. However, there may be circumstances where ATMs or merchants charge a fee on foreign transactions.
Sight-doing is all about engaging with a destination in a way that leaves a tangible mark. According to our survey, travelers are embracing workshops that produce something they can hold, wear, or display. In Dublin, you can forge your own sterling silver ring from scratch during a workshop available through GetYourGuide.com. Try your hand at different techniques from expert metalsmiths, then take home your personalized creation as a wearable memory.
In Ginza, Tokyo, swap silver for wood and make personalized chopsticks at a traditional workshop led by artisans whose families have practiced the craft for generations (bookable at GetYourGuide.com).
Swiss watch enthusiasts can assemble their own luxury timepiece at La Réserve Genève Hotel and Spa, learning the precision behind the craft under the guidance of a master watchmaker.
At the Royal Mansour Marrakech in Morocco, you can flex your creative muscles through a range of artistic workshops—from painting tiles to weaving textiles to making pottery—using local materials and time-honored methods.
If you’re feeling inspired, sight-doing can be more rewarding as a Platinum Card Member®: you can get up to $300 back in statement credits semi-annually for up to a total of $600 in statement credits per calendar year* on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection§ bookings through American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®.
§The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
Upskilling Adventures
Experiences that teach movement, performance, or culinary arts are another example of sight-doing, providing the chance to tap into a passion and learn something new, often guided by a local expert. At Six Senses Kyoto, for instance, you can train in karate with an award-winning master, connecting physical discipline with the fundamentals of Japanese martial arts traditions.
Since food is one of the most immersive ways to connect with a place, culinary activities are a popular way to discover a destination while traveling. Dive into the Chesapeake Bay’s oyster culture at The Tides Inn in Virginia, where you’ll take a boat to an aquaculture farm, learn how to shuck and prepare oysters from coastal experts, then enjoy your fresh catches paired with local wines and accompaniments.
You can even get hands-on at sea: Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ Culinary Arts Kitchen offers chef-led cooking classes—ranging from fine French cuisine and Spanish tapas to technique-driven seafood basics and global breadmaking —letting participants sharpen their culinary skills while sailing past scenic coastlines.
When you use your Platinum Card® to book with the Cruise Privileges Program* through AmexTravel.com, you’ll enjoy special benefits† on eligible sailings of 5 nights or more with 15+ participating cruise lines, including up to $300 onboard credit, and one unique amenity per stateroom. Plus, receive 2X Membership Rewards® Points on each eligible booking with your Platinum Card®.*
*Ship and stateroom exclusions apply, please see full terms and conditions.
Explore Amex Travel's 2026 Global Travel Trends
Traveling for the Lore: When the Story Shapes Your Journey
Miles on Milestones: Extending Your Travel Plans Past the Celebration
Snackpacking: Savor the Journey, One Bite at a Time
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As an American Express Card Member, make your trip unforgettable with 10% off tours and activities booked at gyg.me/amex from 03/01/26 to 08/31/26. Terms apply.
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1Survey Methodology This Morning Consult poll was conducted between December 30, 2025- January 14, 2026 among the following sample of global respondents: 2025 US Adults, 1001 Australia Adults, 1019 Canada Adults, 1005 UK Adults, 1021 Japan Adults, 1010 Mexico Adults and,1021 India Adults who all have at least a $50k+ income equivalent and typically travel at least once a year. The interviews were conducted online. Results from the full survey have a margin of error of plus or minus 2-3 percentage points. Some geographies may be weighted with fewer variables depending on local census data availability.
