Bring the World Home: The Rise of the Interiors-Inspired Vacation

For interior design enthusiasts, travel is no longer just about seeing the world, it’s about bringing it home. This summer, TravelLocal invites design lovers to curate their own global gallery, one handcrafted treasure at a time.

Imagine stepping onto a handwoven Moroccan rug, draping bold block prints from India across your table, or hanging a vivid Uzbek Suzani, stitched by hand, on your wall. These aren’t just souvenirs; they’re stories, each piece a living testament to centuries of craftsmanship and culture.

TravelLocal’s bespoke trips connect travelers with the artisans behind the world’s most beautiful handicrafts. These immersive experiences go beyond the typical tourist trail, offering the opportunity to attend hands-on workshops where you can source truly unique pieces that embody the soul of each destination.

Forget fridge magnets, today’s discerning travelers are seeking more: objects that carry meaning, history, and the unmistakable touch of the maker. Whether it’s a hand-dyed Turkish kilim, a block-printed quilt from Rajasthan, or a handwoven Ghanaian basket, each piece reflects a legacy of skill and tradition.

If you’ve ever admired the layered, globally-inspired elegance of brands like The Citizenry, TravelLocal shows you how to get the look, straight from the source:

In the cultural heartlands of Tashkent, Bukhara, and Samarkand, immerse yourself in Uzbekistan’s rich artisan heritage. With the guidance of local experts, explore traditional embroidery ateliers where you can purchase exquisite hand-stitched textiles, once considered royal gifts, directly from the skilled women who create them. Feruza, TravelLocal's local expert in Uzbekistan, shares her insider tips: “I always recommend my travelers stop by Happy Bird at the Caravan Saray, where they’ll find beautifully hand-embroidered dresses made by local women. Another favorite is the atelier near the Bibi Khanum Mosque in Samarkand, where everything is stitched by hand right before your eyes, it's a wonderful way to witness the artistry in action.” Among the most cherished pieces is the Suzani, a richly detailed textile traditionally crafted for weddings or passed down as family heirlooms. These pieces can range from $30 to $30,000, depending on their age, craftsmanship, and provenance. Beyond textiles, Uzbekistan is also renowned for its distinctive ceramics. Each piece is a testament to centuries-old glazing techniques and intricate patterns. One of the best places to shop is Registan Square, home to small workshops selling authentic, locally made pottery. In Rishtan, located in the Fergana Valley, you’ll find ceramics famed for their signature turquoise-blue glaze, still crafted using natural dyes and locally sourced clay, just as they have been for generations.

Journey into the High Atlas to meet women’s cooperatives keeping ancient weaving traditions alive. Learn about natural dyes, geometric symbolism, and the stories woven into every Berber rug. Beyond rugs, you’ll discover a world of artisanal treasures: hand-stitched leather poufs in earthy tones, palm-leaf trays that blend beauty with utility and hand-painted ceramics from Fès. You might also find brass lanterns, their intricate cutouts casting magical shadows at night, or inlaid mirrors framed in wood, bone, or metal, each reflecting Morocco’s rich design heritage. These crafts, rooted in tradition and made by hand, offer more than decoration, they bring the spirit of Morocco into your home.

In Bolgatanga, experience the joy of creation at two hands-on workshops: basket weaving and beadwork, where local women pass down their skills through generations. The region is renowned for its vibrant Bolga baskets, handwoven from elephant grass and dyed in bright, earthy tones, each one unique in pattern and shape. You'll also find beautifully crafted bead jewelry, often made from recycled glass, clay, or seeds, reflecting Ghana’s deep connection to nature and symbolism. Beyond baskets and beads, Ghana offers a rich array of souvenirs: kente cloth from the Ashanti region, wood carvings from the Aburi hills, brass Adinkra symbols, and colorful calabash art. These crafts aren’t just keepsakes, they tell the story of a culture where artistry, tradition, and community are tightly woven together.

Immerse yourself in Guatemala’s rich artisan traditions with a natural dyeing and weaving one-hour workshop led by Mayan artisans, where you’ll try age-old backstrap loom techniques. While a short session won’t allow time to create a full textile masterpiece, you’ll still craft a small souvenir and enjoy a meaningful cultural exchange with local weavers. For those deeply interested, it’s possible to spend an entire afternoon, or even several days, learning from Mayan communities and diving deeper into their weaving traditions. These handmade textiles are powerful symbols of Mayan heritage, each piece unique, with colors and patterns that reflect deep cultural meaning and regional identity. Beyond textiles, Guatemala offers a wealth of handcrafted treasures: hand-embroidered huipiles, intricately woven table runners, ceremonial wooden masks, and delicate jade jewelry, still carved by hand in Antigua, where visitors can even try their hand at the craft. 

Immerse yourself in Okinawa’s vibrant markets and workshops, where skilled artisans keep centuries-old traditions alive. Discover yachimun pottery, prized for its earthy textures and bold glazes; admire Ryukyu glass, shaped from recycled materials into swirling, sunlit forms; and explore exquisite textiles like bashofu, woven from banana fiber, and bingata, a resist-dyed fabric bursting with tropical color. Alongside these enduring traditions, modern Japanese artistry also flourishes. Manga, once considered pop culture, is now celebrated as a collectible and nostalgic craft, with illustrated books and prints becoming meaningful keepsakes. For a souvenir that captures the essence of Japanese aesthetics, TravelLocal’s local expert Mina recommends handmade kintsugi pottery: “These ceramics are repaired with gold and reflect the beauty of imperfection.” In this art form, broken pieces are not discarded, but lovingly restored, an elegant reminder that flaws can be part of the story, and even something to cherish.

Across India, a world of handmade treasures invites discovery, from intricately embroidered textiles in Gujarat to Jaipur’s signature blue pottery and Kashmir’s fine pashmina shawls. In the artisan hubs of Bagru and Sanganer near Jaipur, generations of block printers bring fabric to life with carved wooden blocks and vibrant natural dyes. Visitors can watch these skilled makers at work, or even join in, printing their own design in a hands-on workshop. Among the most cherished finds is the razai, a traditional hand-block printed quilt. TravelLocal’s local expert in India, Hema, shares: "India is full of treasures, but one that stays with you is a hand-block printed quilt from Rajasthan. Soft, breathable, and hand-stitched with love, these quilts, called 'razais', carry the warmth of tradition and the care of the artisans who make them". Each piece tells a story, not just of craftsmanship, but of connection, culture, and the enduring beauty of tradition.

Dive into Panamanian culture with a hands-on workshop crafting the Diablico Sucio mask, a bold and vibrant symbol of local folklore, traditionally worn during Carnival to represent the playful battle between good and evil. For something equally striking but more portable, don’t miss the chance to bring home a mola, a vibrant, hand-stitched textile art created by the Guna women of the San Blas Islands. “Each piece is unique and tells a story through its layers of fabric and intricate designs,” says Amelie Terán, TravelLocal’s local expert based in Panama. Whether framed as wall art or used to accent your home décor, a mola is more than just a souvenir, it’s a window into the soul of Panama’s indigenous heritage. Together, these handcrafted treasures offer an authentic and meaningful way to connect with the country’s deep artistic traditions.

Bring home more than just memories with unique, handcrafted treasures from the heart of Turkey. In the hilltop town of Uçhisar, discover the centuries-old art of Turkish carpet weaving, passed down through local families who still create intricate silk and wool masterpieces by hand. Watch artisans at work and browse richly woven designs in their showrooms. In nearby Ortahisar, the rare Zultanite gemstone shimmers with color-shifting magic. Ethically mined and often paired with elegant Turkish onyx, these stones capture the essence of Anatolia’s natural beauty and craftsmanship. For a touch of ancient tradition, visit Avanos, where artisans shape the region’s distinctive red clay into vibrant pottery and Hittite-inspired jugs. 

The secret to these unforgettable experiences? A guide who knows the local scene inside out. TravelLocal works exclusively with trusted in-country experts who open doors to artists, collectives, and cultural spaces rarely seen by tourists. They’ll take you beyond the surface, to side streets, mountain villages, family-run workshops, and community spaces where artisans continue the work of generations.

Whether you’re eager to meet local makers, uncover hidden treasures, or get hands-on in a workshop, TravelLocal crafts journeys just for you. Work with local experts to tailor a trip to fit your style and interests. Then relax, knowing each part of your journey helps preserve cultural heritage while giving you a unique story to share when you get home.

Ready to collect your next conversation piece? Visit www.travellocal.com and explore the world’s most beautiful artisan-led journeys.