A NEWSLETTER FROM Pryority Travel

Next month, my family and I head to Kenya. And there's something that keeps running through my head.  Sure, i'm excited for the game drives, the baby elephant sanctuary, and the sunrise over the Mara. But there's something else, that I can't get my mind off of…

 

The Maasai people.

 

I'm a lifelong musician, I play drums, piano, I sing (hit me up for karaoke) and I've passed it down to my kids.  That's where I'm hoping to make a connection with the Maasai.  Their ceremonial songs use no instruments. Just voice, breath, and rhythm. I've heard recordings. Now, I want to hear it standing ten feet away. I want my kids to hear it and absolutely not know what to do with it.

 

I've also spent the last few weeks building a Kenya playlist. Afrobeat, traditional recordings, ambient Mara soundscapes I found on Spotify. And I keep thinking: no matter how good my speakers are…nothing can prepare you for the real thing.

Music and sound has always been the fastest way for me to get a real sense of place. Now, smell is a close second, but hearing a song years after a trip immediately takes me back and I can remember exactly how it made me feel. For example - Walking on Broken Glass Annie Lenox…that's the leather jacket in England trip).

 

For me, all it takes is one chord I've  never heard before and I'm transported. Something in me shifts before I've even starting processing what I'm listening to.

 

Black Tomato called it this year: Sonic Sanctuaries are one of the defining luxury travel experiences of 2026. The idea is simple. Some destinations are defined not only by what you see but by what you hear. Those are the places you never really leave.

 

I think about hearing the Mara coming alive before dawn. Layers of sound I'm not sure I even have a name for yet. The birds, the grass swaying in the hot breeze, a distant cat roar, a traditional Maasai song, and Swahili spoken fast between children rushing off for their chores.

 

That's what a Sonic Sanctuary is. It's not a concert hall or a curated itinerary with a live music dinner night. It's a place that moves you to a completely different frequency. And if you listen, you'll feel something shift inside you.

Have you had a sonic sanctuary experience in your travels?  Distant club music in a bustling city, an alpine cowbell at dusk, the noise of a Parisian bistro, an ancient call to prayer, or a local parade celebrating a holiday that you're unfamiliar with.

If you've been curious what a trip designed around deep beautiful contrast looks like for your family or just for you, I'd love to talk.

P.S. When I'm back from Kenya, I'll send a field report. What it actually sounded like. I'll try to put it into words, but I'm sure planning a trip for you to see it in person will be easier ;-)

A FEW DETOURS WORTH TAKING

If you’re new here, welcome. I’m Ian, a travel advisor who helps people design trips that

feel personal, thoughtful, and easy from start to finish. I’m really glad you’re here, and I

hope you’ll stick around for destination ideas, inspiration, and stories from the road in

the weeks ahead.