In recent years, a network of boutique cruises have reshaped how India’ soul can be seen and observed. These take you past villages, heritage structures, wildlife and dramatic nature landscapes – in a sense, the lesser seen India. Assam-Bengal Navigation’s cruises are considered a great gateway into the Northeast that begins in Guwahati (Assam) sailing past the Kaziranga National Park and scores of other storied heritage spots. The 3-night Ganga cruise between Kolkata and Mayapur aboard the MV Bengal Ganga takes you past colonial era ghats and into rural Bengal. Cordelia Cruises help you navigate between Chennai and Pondicherry on the East, and between Mumbai and Goa and Mumbai and Lakshadweep on the western coast.

The doors to Mohara Dole’s home in Colombo are open for travellers to cook along with her, a diverse range of Sri Lankan dishes.

Traditionally a tea-drinking nation, ever since Baba Budan the sufi saint smuggled in 7 seeds of coffee and planted them on the hills of Chikmagalur, India accorded a warm embrace to the quintessential drink. Coorg has come to be the strongest and most popular symbol of Coffee in India. The Western Ghat range of mountains are home to the sweeter Arabica coffee. Coorg shot into fame thanks to a heady mix of coffee and the brilliantly evocative Kodava culture – cuisines, costume, coffee estates. Though monsoons are heavy here, the season is sure to create a lasting memory when the aroma of coffee fills the air during this time.

Tamil Nadu’s Chettinad heritage spans hundreds of years of opulent lifestyles lived by the ‘Nattukotai Chettiars’ (a mercantile community trading in gems along a cluster of 76 villages) in the 18th Century. This dusty region in southern Tamilnadu is replete with mansions that were built during their heyday reflect their taste for international aesthetics – be it Burma teak or Italian marble. Wander through the villages, stay the night at an authentic heritage home; follow it up with visits to the market and buy antiques. Of course, don’t forget to let your tongue taste a Chettinad curry – chicken, mutton or vegetarian!

Even as lodges provide excellent accommodation, what makes Botswana all the more exciting is Camping trips. Here there is no option to go back to a ‘room’ and relax – you are with fellow travellers and your guide. Immerse as much as you can in raw nature, build friendships that could last a lifetime.

Snorkel at Amilla’s famed Blue Hole. Swim amongst fishes of all kinds. You are most likely to see large schools of snappers, yellowback fusillers and rainbow runners. As immersive as it gets.

Kerala is also the land of traditional Ayurveda, the most natural way of healing using all things herbal. If the word ‘immerse’ needed an apt example, it would the act of surrendering to the hands of trained masseuses under the watchful monitoring of qualified doctors (yes, Ayurveda is a science), when they apply oils to patients (yes, Ayurveda treats a wide range of health issues). As oils do their work with the help of rhythmic movements that make them go through the pores of the body, simply close your eyes – you’re immersing yourself in the world of natural healing.

An important ‘different’ place to visit is ‘Old Dubai’ – the Al Fahidi Historical District. One of the oldest neighbourhoods in Dubai dating back to the 19th Century, unexpected sights await to catch you by surprise – like narrow alleyways, wind towers, art galleries and small family-run restaurants or tea houses. The highlight here is Al Bastakiya’s Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding where traditional Arabic lunches are served – an eye opener into Emirati culture and customs.

At Moremi National Park, get onto exciting game drives aboard 4X4 vehicles in the company of well-informed guides from local communities. Keep your lenses ready at all times for that perfect ‘kodak moment’.

The most lively of Italian cities, Naples is in itself a heady mix of history, classical art, frenzied markets and culinary adventures. By ‘drama’tic, we mean: experience Naples nice and slow, and allow yourself to immerse in the hustle and bustle of everything Naples. Ogle at street art, taste sweet ricotta pastries, admire the view of the distant mountains from the Lungomare seafront, and explore subterranean catacombs. If you still have time left, join the locals at passegiatta on Via Chiaia.