The Sweetest Travel Surprise: My Introduction to Apitourism

Beekeeping is creating sweet new travel adventures. From rooftop hives to Slovenian bee cabins, these are bee-friendly travel experiences you’ll actually want to try.

​This post may contain affiliate links, which means that if you make a purchase, we may get a small commission.

I’ll never forget the first time I stumbled upon beekeeping during my travels. It was 2013, at the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal. I was there on a press tour to learn more about one of the city’s most iconic moments—John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s “Bed-in For Peace” in 1969. But while the peace movement was in the past, the hotel was hosting a different kind of quiet revolution in the present—one that was happening on the roof.
​
Twenty-two floors up, surrounded by the hum of traffic far below, I found something completely unexpected: a rooftop garden bursting with heirloom tomatoes, fragrant herbs—and bees! The hotel had installed hives and was producing its own honey, which they used in everything from cocktails to pastries. As I later learned, this wasn’t a one-off project. In fact, many Fairmont Hotels across Canada and beyond have embraced beekeeping. And I had just gotten my first taste of apitourism.

What, exactly, is apitourism?

The Fairmont's Rooftop Veggies and Herbs.

Apitourism is all about travel experiences connected to bees and beekeeping. While it might sound like something that only happens in the countryside, I’ve seen firsthand how vibrant—and essential—urban beekeeping can be. Bees don’t need a lot of space to thrive, and city rooftops offer safe, pesticide-free zones where they can flourish.

Take Ljubljana, Slovenia, for example. When I visited in 2016, I walked along a beekeeping trail right in the heart of the city. I spotted hives tucked among community vineyards, and I learned how deeply bees are woven into Slovenian culture. Some hives there are hand-painted with bright, folk-inspired designs. Scientists say it doesn’t actually help the bees find their way home—but I like to believe otherwise. Sometimes whimsy wins.

Bee tourism is buzzing around the world

Once you start noticing bees, you see them everywhere. They’re living at some truly high-profile addresses—like the Paris Opera and the Musée d’Orsay! Rubona, Uganda, the Bunyangabu Beekeeper’s Cooperative offers candle-making workshops. And just outside Thessaloniki, Greece, there’s the Anel Honey Park, where you can sample honey, learn about bee habitats, and even try honey-infused meditation.

Closer to home, an increasing number of restaurants are keeping their own hives, either on-site or through partnerships with local farms. Some spas even incorporate honey from their hives into their treatments. It’s not just about sustainability—it’s about offering guests a connection to nature they might not expect to find in the middle of a city or resort.

If you’re curious about apitourism, you don’t need to be a beekeeper-in-training to enjoy it. Many places offer simple, low-key experiences, such as garden tours, honey tastings, craft workshops, or meet-the-bee moments. Some spots—especially farms and eco-lodges—go all in with guided hikes through pollinator-friendly areas or even “apitherapy” treatments.
​
Even if there’s no formal program, it’s worth reaching out to a hotel concierge or tourism office to ask if they’re working with local beekeepers. I’ve found that a bit of curiosity goes a long way—and people are often delighted to share their bee-related projects.

My most peaceful bee moment

One of my most memorable apitourism moments came in Ottawa with the Gees Bees Honey Company. I got to visit their farm on the outskirts of the city. I suited up in a beekeeper’s hat, toured their gorgeous pollinator garden, and stood just feet away from the hives as the bees buzzed about their business. I even tasted honey straight from the comb! It was unexpectedly serene—the gentle hum of the hive felt oddly meditative. As the owners said, “The bees don’t know there’s a pandemic. They’re just doing their thing.” That quiet focus really stayed with me.

In Slovenia, some farms take the experience even further, offering overnight stays in cozy cabins where the exterior walls double as beehives. Guests fall asleep to the soft buzz of the bees. I haven’t tried it yet—but it’s on the list.

While in Montreal, I learned something charming: During their 1969 stay at the Fairmont, Lennon and Ono were known to order simple, healthy meals—brown rice, steamed fish and vegetables, and orange juice mixed with honey. There were no rooftop hives back then, but I love that honey still played a role in that moment of history. I like to think they’d appreciate how bees have become part of the travel story now, connecting us to the land—and each other—one sweet spoonful at a time.


If you liked this post, you'll also enjoy:

Feasts and Flavours: My Favourite Lunch Spots in Montreal
Ljubljana's Beekeeping Trail
Eco-Friendly Charm in Ljubljana