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Türkiye

To get a full refund, cancellation must be no less than 8 days before the local start time of the experience.

If traveler cancels their booking from 7 to 0 days before the local start time of the experience, no refund is provided.

This 6-hour experience offers a deep dive into Istanbul’s storied textile history, from its role in the ancient Silk Route to the vibrant, bustling trade seen in the city’s current markets. 

Your journey begins at the iconic Grand Bazaar, one of the world’s largest covered markets and a major Silk Route stop in Constantinople. A local textiles expert will guide you through the labyrinth of over 4,000 shops, focusing on Turkish fabrics, carpets, and silks, places that are impossible to find without the guidance of the expert.

You’ll step inside stores or studios that have been run by the same families for generations, explore places where collectors or designers visit, comparing techniques from past and present. You'll visit a section of an art museum that is dedicated to textiles, gaining historical insights into this craft and its evolution over the centuries. There's a break for traditional lunch and Turkish tea giving you space to reflect and discuss Istanbul’s crafty heritage.

This experience begins near the Beyazıt Tramway station close to the Grand Bazaar in the old peninsula of Istanbul.


This experience includes an exclusive, insider-led tour in Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar, steering you to renowned ateliers away from tourist tracks. Guided by textile expert Deniz, you’ll meet shopkeepers who have preserved intricate patterns and techniques for generations. Feel the softness of cashmere and silk scarves, uncover the meaning behind embroidery motifs, and discover how textiles are woven into Turkish culture and ceremonies.

From the market, you’ll step inside collectors’ homes to view rare pieces, some over a century old, and witness how antique designs continue to inspire modern creations. A visit to the Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum will reveal the fascinating contrasts between city carpets and village rugs, adding depth to your understanding of this craft. While there’s an option to purchase pieces throughout this experience, the focus is on appreciating the artistry and stories behind these textiles and engaging in meaningful conversations with experts in the industry.

Textile Tour in Istanbul through Grand Bazaar, artisan studios, and a museum of Turkish fabrics.


Grand Bazaar + traditional lunch + markets and galleries around the bazaar

The per person price of this experience assumes a minimum number of participants to cover base costs and logistics. The supplemental fee enables us to maintain quality and exclusivity for your smaller than minimum group

The Fabric of Istanbul

Guided Grand Bazaar textile tour with selected shop and gallery access, led by a textiles expert.

Visit to the Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum.

Traditional Turkish lunch at a restaurant near the bazaar.

Comfortable footwear for walking through the bazaar’s narrow, cobbled streets
A camera for capturing the vibrant textiles and historic sites
A notebook if you’d like to jot down key insights or artisans’ names for future reference
A light bag for any purchases you may make

This experience begins near the Beyazıt Tramway station close to the Grand Bazaar in the old peninsula of Istanbul. We will meet in front of Deniz Bank Beyazit Branch.


Your host is a local expert with deep connections to Istanbul’s textile traditions from an early age. With years of experience working alongside artisans and studying the history of Turkish textiles, they offer unparalleled access to exclusive galleries and vendors. Thanks to them, you’ll gain an insider’s view of Istanbul’s enduring place in global fabric production.

Discover the heart of Istanbul's commercial heritage in this private walking tour. You'll start at the Grand Bazaar, one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world. Erected in the 15th century, this expansive marketplace houses over 4,000 shops. Wander through its bustling alleys lined with traditional Turkish textiles, radiant jewelry, hand-woven carpets and rare antiques. Your guide will unravel the bazaar's centuries-old history, highlighting its pivotal role in bridging the East and West during the Ottoman Empire. 

After soaking in the Grand Bazaar's lively atmosphere, take a moment to relax with a traditional Turkish coffee at a quaint café nearby. 

You'll then continue to the Spice Market, a 17th-century site that was once part of the Yeni Mosque complex. As you step inside you can't help but smell the aromatic spices, teas and sweet delicacies. Centuries later, the market is still a bustling hub for spice traders and an essential part of Turkish culinary tradition.

This tour immerses you in the sensory world of Istanbul’s legendary markets. The Grand Bazaar’s labyrinthine alleys overflow with ceramics, lanterns, fabrics, carpets, gold, and jewelry. Here, centuries-old bargaining rituals blend with the rhythmic hum of commerce. At the Spice Market, the air is rich with saffron, cinnamon, and sumac—flavors tracing their origins along ancient trade routes from the Silk Road to the Mediterranean.

Navigating these vast, bustling markets alone can be daunting—getting lost in the maze-like streets, encountering persistent vendors, or struggling to discern authentic craftsmanship from tourist traps. Betul’s expert guidance transforms what could be an overwhelming excursion into an enjoyable, insightful, and enriching adventure. Whether you're a curious explorer or a dedicated shopper in search of the finest Turkish artisanal crafts, you'll gain insider access to the finest vendors and master the delicate art of bargaining with confidence.

Walking Tour in Istanbul: Grand Bazaar & Spice Market, Ottoman-era commerce, crafts, and spices.

The Bazaars of Istanbul

Guided exploration of the Grand Bazaar and Spice Market.

Traditional Turkish coffee and sweets.

Comfortable walking shoes are recommended, as is a camera to capture the vivid scenes of market life. Participants may also want to bring a small backpack for purchases and a bottle of water to stay hydrated during the tour.

The meeting point is Starbucks Cafe on the Divanyolu Street, which is near Sultanahmet's tram stop.

Led by Betül Başak, a professional guide with a deep-rooted passion for Istanbul’s history and markets, this tour benefits from her extensive background in archaeology and art history. Betül’s insights into the historical dynamics of these markets, coupled with her engaging storytelling, enrich the experience, making it both educational and immersive. Fluent in English and Turkish, she excels in connecting with a diverse group of participants, enhancing their understanding of Istanbul’s historical and cultural landscape. You'll be accompanied by Betül herself, or one of her equally professional associates, such as Volkan.

Italy

Explore Siracusa’s Neapolis archaeological park, featuring the Greek Theatre, Roman Amphitheatre, and the Ear of Dionysius, on a guided tour with a private guide. Stroll through the picturesque island of Ortigia, visiting its historical landmarks. Enjoy lunch at the market at a much loved local "Salumeria". In the afternoon, experience the Teatro dei Pupi Experience, which includes a show and an opportunity to meet the talented artists. This captivating cultural experience is especially cozy during the winter months. The enchanting theater showcases the art of "Pupi Siciliani," or Sicilian Marionettes, which has been an integral part of Sicilian folklore for generations. Visitors to the Teatro dei Pupi can witness skillfully crafted, intricately designed marionettes come to life in epic tales of knights, heroes, and mythical creatures, often drawing inspiration from medieval legends and stories of chivalry.

This experience starts and ends in Siracusa. After booking, Chat with Manila for exact meeting point. 



This tour is a multifaceted, immersive cultural journey through the glorious Greek past of Siracusa, the capital of Magna Graecia (Greater Greece). Starting at the Neapolis Archaeological Park with a handpicked private guide, you’ll uncover the rich history of the Greek Theatre, Roman Amphitheatre, and the Ear of Dionysius. The walk through Ortigia Island, the historical center of Siracusa, brims with architectural and cultural gems. The granita tasting experience is unique to the city too. The tour concludes with the enchanting Teatro dei Pupi, an ancient theater showcasing traditional Sicilian marionette art and storytelling. This experience combines historical exploration, architectural marvels, and traditional art forms, offering a comprehensive insight into the heart of Sicilian culture.

Walking Tour in Sicily, discovering Siracusa’s Neapolis, Ortigia and a Teatro dei Pupi show.

Start your experience of Siracusa by taking a step back in time on your guided tour of the Neapolis archaeological area, which hosts the most important ruins of the old Greek-Roman city of Siracusa, including the Greek theater and the Roman amphitheater. Afterward, be guided around the island of Ortigia with your guide who will show you the highlights of the island. In the afternoon watch the skillfully crafted Pupi in an intricately designed marionettes show. 


Storytelling in Siracusa

Guided tour and entrance to the Neapolis Archaeological Park and exploration of Ortigia Island, including key historical landmarks. 

Experience at Teatro dei Pupi with a museum visit and puppet show (tickets included). 

Lunch in the market. 

Granita tasting session.

Drive yourself to the meeting point. Bring comfortable footwear. 



This experience starts and ends in Siracusa. After booking, Chat with Manila for details of the exact meeting point. 



An expert guide, knowledgeable about Siracusa's history and culture, leads this tour. They provide insightful commentary, enhancing the exploration of archaeological sites, architectural marvels, and cultural traditions.

Morocco

Capture the essence of Essaouira on a photo walk led by Zack, a photographer who knows the city intimately. His quiet, observational approach helps you slow down, see clearly, and connect with the people and places around you. As you move through the medina’s alleys, you'll photograph daily life—craftspeople at work, shopkeepers in motion, light shifting across stone.

Essaouira is visually rich. For centuries, its economy centered on murex, a sea snail that produced a deep purple-blue dye. Today, that color still coats the boats, shutters, and doors that define the city’s palette. It's a natural setting for black and white photography—where contrast, texture, and light take the lead.

The walk includes a visit to Zack’s small, charming atelier, where his black and white prints hang beside books and journals that shaped his work. While the session focuses on black and white photography, Zack is happy to guide you if you prefer to shoot in color—using digital or film.

This experience is about learning to see differently. Zack guides you to focus on light, shape, and timing, rather than technicalities or gear. His black and white approach suits Essaouira, where the textures of stone, sea and shadow carry the story.

The route covers some of the city's most photogenic areas—archways, fishing docks, carved doors, and open courtyards. You'll capture scenes that reflect Essaouira’s past and present: street vendors, old facades, the pause before a gesture. The variety is broad—architecture, street life, seascapes—but the pace stays slow and observational.

This is also a personal process. You’ll explore what draws your eye, what holds your attention, and how photography can be used not just to record, but to understand. It’s suited to anyone with curiosity—no technical skills required. What you take home isn’t just images, but a sharper way of looking. The walk ends at a local café, where you’ll review your images and talk about what you noticed and felt.

Photography Tour in Essaouira: Capture people, culture & street life in B&W style in the medina.

Mirroring Essaouira's Soul

This shared experience accommodates a minimum of 1 and a maximum of 4 participants to make base costs and logistics work. If there are no other bookings on the day you want to book, you can choose to privatize the experience. Included are: a guided tour through Essaouira's most photogenic spots, a visit to Zack’s photography atelier, a coffee break at a local café, and personalized photography guidance to enhance your visual storytelling skills.

Bring a camera—whether digital or film—something that allows you to see and feel the moment. Comfortable clothes and walking shoes are recommended, as we’ll explore the city on foot. A bottle of water is also good to have. Most importantly, bring an open heart and a curious mind—this journey is about more than just photography.

Zack will meet you at your hotel in the heart of Essaouira. After booking, please send a message via Chat to share your hotel details.

Zakaria Mtilk, affectionately known as Zack, is a local photographer, a storyteller and a contemplative observer of life. Born and raised in Essaouira, his family has been part of the city’s fabric for generations. Zack captures life’s fleeting moments in stunning black and white shots, which he believes reveal the depth behind the everyday.  Zack sees his work as a form of storytelling and meditation, each photo a deep breath. Far from exoticism, his images document real life in Essaouira: its rhythms, its secrets, and its soul. He captures the disappearing details of the city, preserving them in frames that feel both immediate and timeless. 

Through Zack's lens, participants experience a profound connection to Essaouira’s history and its present, making each photograph a personal keepsake. More than just a photo walk, this experience is his way of giving back to his beautiful city and hometown, by sharing its authentic side with the world.

Argentina

This creative photography experience in Buenos Aires is designed for newbie photography enthusiasts, those with existing knowledge about composition, and advanced photographers seeking ways to improve their cityscape and landscape photography. The locations are a variety of rooftop settings with remarkable views of the city, many of which are not known by tourists or are even off-limits to the average sightseer. 

During the course of the route, you will take in a panoramic view of Puerto Madero, Corrientes Avenue, and its Obelisk from an exclusive rooftop perch. You will soak up 360-degree views of Florida Avenue and the beautiful domes of May Avenue from a 14-floor aerial viewpoint. You’ll spy the historically poignant Plaza de Mayo from the Cabildo balconies and gasp at the sight of Recoleta Cemetery view from two bird’s eye vantage points—one of which is restricted to the general public. At each sight, Bernardo will provide expert photography tips and share anecdotes.

This rooftop photography excursion elevates your experience in Buenos Aires to new heights! Guided by a professional photographer and artist, you will train your eye on the beauty of the city while also discovering hidden elements of both the architecture and the inner workings of the city. Most of the locations are high-altitude spots which are unknown or even closed to foreign travelers. This allows a rare access opportunity made all the more unique by your guide who will mentor you through the art of urban photography.

Bernardo will take you to locations where you will not have to compete with hoards of other travelers and selfie sticks. In each setting, you will have time to thoughtfully compose your imagery and experiment with different configurations on your camera. Away from the hustle and bustle, you can switch lenses and (in select locations) shoot with a tripod for the sharpest images. All the while, Bernardo will delight you with tidbits and tales about his city.

Photography Tour from exclusive urban and aerial viewpoints around Recoleta and Centro Buenos Aires.

Buenos Aires From Above

Photography instruction with a professional photographer, along with commentary and anecdotes on local history, architecture, and culture.

Access to exclusive, high-elevation rooftops — many normally off-limits to the public (including access tickets where required).

Private transportation where needed.

One alcoholic drink (beer or wine) and one coffee.

A DSLR or mirrorless camera is recommended. However, this experience is available to those traveling with compact, point-and-shoot, and cell phone cameras. 
Extra camera batteries.
Small tripods are recommended.
Circular polarizer filter is recommended. 
Comfortable shoes and clothes for walking.

Meet Bernardo outside the Librerías Levalle art store at the intersection of the pedestrian streets of Florida Avenue and Corrientes Avenue. You may alight at Florida Metro Station or arrive by Uber.

Bernardo Galmarini is a professional photographer from Buenos Aires, Argentina, specializing in travel and architectural photography. As a freelance photographer, his work has been published in the most prestigious newspapers, books, travel guides, and magazines worldwide including National Geographic, the Michelin Travel Guide, Lonely Planet, and The New York Post. Among his numerous accolades, he has claimed top prize in the "Luxury Travel Guide Awards" four times.

In order to share his knowledge, talent, and passion with other curious travelers, Bernardo has curated his own photography tours, workshops, and photoshoots in Buenos Aires as well as other locations around Argentina. These are designed to accommodate novice photographers new to the art as well as experienced photographers seeking ways of improvement. 

Mexico

This experience is ideal for anyone curious about the enduring Zapotec people—a culture and community whose roots in Oaxaca stretch back more than 2,500 years.

It begins at a 16th-century church built by Dominican monks, where Spanish colonial design merges with indigenous iconography. You’ll learn the history of the structure, admire the intricate hand-painted details made with natural dyes, and climb an ancient staircase to a 17th-century organ that’s still played during church services.

Next, you’ll visit the home of a local family who cultivate eggs, flowers and organic vegetables and preserve the local Zapotec dialect. Here, you’ll learn about the history of this indigenous language, with a short lesson by a professional language professor, and enjoy a home cooked meal made with ingredients from their organic farm. They’ll explain the government system of 'usos y costumbres’, whereby indigenous people are able to regulate the life of the community.

Go beyond typical museum texts and archaeological sites and discover living Zapotec culture, immersed in regional history and tradition from the perspective of indigenous locals.

Your visit to this traditional Zapotec household offers a meaningful way to connect directly with members of the original community and learn about their indigenous language. You’ll explore Oaxacan traditions and cuisine in an authentic way that respects local customs and the needs of the region.

Your guide spent 14 years teaching language and working as a translator in the U.S. Now back in his pueblo, he shares the importance of language preservation and the deep connection Oaxacans have to family, food, and land. With him, you’ll visit the church, walk through the family’s organic garden, and share a meal. They started their farm as a family project during the pandemic, and they work their land as three generations. As he is a professor during the week, this experience is only available on Sundays.

Cultural Tour in Oaxaca to explore Zapotec heritage, ancient church art, and a local farm community.

Zapotec Heritage Today

This experience is available for a minimum of 2 to a maximum of 4 people. It includes transportation from Oaxaca de Juárez to this Zapotec community and back again, a guided tour through the church, plus the entry fee, a visit to a local family home and their organic farm, a short Zapotec language lesson with a professional language teacher, and a home cooked meal created with fresh ingredients from their farm.

We recommend bringing a hat, sunscreen, comfortable walking shoes, water and your camera or phone, if you'd like to take photos.

Pick up and drop off will be at the front of the Italian Coffee Company at Lic Manuel Ruiz 300A, Reforma, 68050, Oaxaca de Juarez, Oaxaca, Mexico. Your host will be there waiting for you 15 minutes before the departure time to enable a prompt departure at the time stated on the booking. The transit time to and from the destination is included in the duration shown on the experience listing.

Ehren Seeland is a Oaxaca-based creative with a background in art and design and journalism, who travels the globe for professional and personal pursuits. A long-term resident of Oaxaca with family ties to the city, her passion for regional produce, traditional skills, and social impact makes her a fantastic host for the culturally curious and socially minded traveler.

Through all of her projects—including Hecho, a marketplace of artisan-made goods from natural materials—Ehren maintains an active focus on supporting Mexican ancestral traditions through handmade product development, including textiles, pottery, homewares, and other works. Her projects also place special emphasis on supporting women and indigenous communities.

This 3-hour cooking class teaches you how to make Argentine empanadas in the home of a local couple in Buenos Aires. Stuffed with meats, cheeses, vegetables, and more, these savory pastries are a beloved national symbol. Empanadas vary across Argentina, and you’ll want to ask Diego and Camila how the Buenos Aires style differs from those in provinces like Salta, Tucumán, or Córdoba.

There’s no more satisfying way to experience a place than by cooking and dining with locals who live it every day. This hands-on class invites you to don an apron and unleash your culinary creativity. You’ll learn how to prepare a “proper” empanada that would earn a nod from any Porteño (Buenos Aires local). From chopping onions and seasoning meat to crafting sauces and mastering both baking and frying techniques, every step is part of the fun. And where there are empanadas, there’s wine—your glass will stay full throughout. The session ends with two Argentine sweet favorites: dulce de leche and alfajores.

This experience immerses you in Argentina’s rich culinary tradition by teaching how to prepare authentic empanadas in the real home of a Porteño couple, Camila and Diego. The cozy setting sets the stage for a more intimate and hands-on experience. Rather than just watching, you’ll roll up your sleeves and dive into the process—while gaining insight into the cultural significance of each step. The class, peppered with anecdotes from your hosts, overflows with the warmth and hospitality of a local household.

Camila and Diego’s menu is inspired by decades of family recipes, making the experience feel truly personal. You’ll make traditional empanadas filled with ground beef, and a ham and cheese version. Vegetarian/vegan options are available with advance notice. As you cook, your hosts share personal anecdotes that bring the recipes—and their history—to life. Ask about folding techniques like the repulgue, a hallmark of homemade empanadas. Your hosts gladly share their culinary know-how!

Cooking Class in Buenos Aires making Argentine empanadas in a local home, with wine and dessert.

Empanadas From Scratch

Hands-on empanada cooking class with local hosts. All ingredients and cooking equipment.

Wine tastings and soft drinks. 

Recipes, stories and anecdotes. 

Comfortable clothing for cooking: an apron is provided.
Perhaps bring a notebook for noting down the recipes.

The experience takes place in Palermo Soho, Buenos Aires. The exact address is provided upon booking.

Camila and Diego carry the rich culinary traditions of Argentina, passed down through generations. Growing up in families where food was always at the heart of every gathering, they developed a deep connection to the art of cooking. For them, preparing meals—especially empanadas—is a way to keep family memories alive and share the flavors of their heritage.

Passionate about traditional Argentine cuisine, they’re excited to welcome you into their home and share the joy of cooking in an authentic, down-to-earth setting. Expect a relaxed atmosphere where you can learn, laugh, and connect with the culture in the most genuine way possible.

Spain

To get a full refund, cancellation must be no less than 91 days before the local start time of the experience.

If traveler cancels their booking from 90 to 0 days before the local start time of the experience, no refund is provided.

THIS ANNUAL EXPERIENCE IS ONLY OFFERED ON APRIL 2, 2026 - TWO TIME SLOTS WITH LIMITED SPOTS FOR EACH. 

In Spain, women have traditionally worn mantillas as a form of mourning attire while accompanying the Virgin in the Holy Week processions. This emblem of Spanish culture has featured prominently in the works of renowned artists like Francisco de Goya and has inspired the designs of the legendary Cristóbal Balenciaga. The mantilla represents a traditional symbol of Spanish femininity. As part of this Holy Thursday experience, we arrange for a local stylist to meet you at your hotel. They will expertly assist you in adorning the mantilla and comb, ensuring they are in place for this significant occasion. These woven lace veils are traditionally worn with a low bun, making professional assistance invaluable in achieving the perfect fit. This cultural tour ensures that you can fully embrace the intricate headpiece and feel like a true local participant in the Semana Santa celebrations. 

Fly to Seville or take a train from a city in Spain. The stylist will meet you at your hotel. After booking, Chat with María Reyes to confirm location. 

This Experience offers a unique and intimate immersion into Spanish culture and tradition. Wearing a mantilla is a meaningful symbol of respect that has been part of Spanish customs for centuries. The stylist's expertise in arranging the mantilla and comb in traditional fashion allows you to experience this cultural emblem as a local would, especially during the poignant Holy Week processions. The attention to detail in ensuring the mantilla is worn correctly honors the rich heritage and significance of this practice. This experience allows you to step into the shoes of a local and participate in Seville's Holy Week festivities in a special way.

Cultural Tour in Seville on Holy Thursday with mantilla styling, hair/makeup, and Semana Santa walk.

Wearing Tradition: A Mantilla

Styling and fitting of the traditional Spanish mantilla and comb by a local professional at your hotel.

The stylist will source and bring the mantilla and comb, which are yours to keep.

Cultural guidance to participate authentically in the Semana Santa (Holy Week) procession.

**Note: This exclusive experience accommodates only one individual per booking based on the time needed for styling - if you have a group of more than 1, please make separate bookings.

For this special occasion, ladies are advised to wear a knee-length black dress, black shoes or heels, and black tights to complement the mantilla and comb, while accompanying gentlemen are encouraged to wear black jacket, black pants and tie. 

The stylist will meet you at your hotel. After booking, Chat with María Reyes to confirm location. 

Your host, a Sevillano stylist, combines their deep passion for Holy Thursday's Semana Santa traditions with a keen sense of the latest fashion trends, ensuring you receive an authentic and up-to-date look. Reyes will provide more details and introduce you to the stylist closer to the event. 

A storytelling experience on a much more immersive scale. Step into the enchanting world of a Moroccan wedding, vividly brought to life through a dynamic simulation that condenses a traditional seven-night celebration into just a few hours of sumptuous joy and festivity. The experience is shaped through narrative, performance, and sensory detail to reflect the spirit of a traditional Moroccan wedding.

Hosted in the heart of the Medina, within the private walls of an exquisite riad, this experience invites you to immerse yourself in the rituals and romance of a Moroccan marriage ceremony. As part of the celebration, you'll enjoy a meticulously curated menu of Moroccan cuisine, featuring dishes that have graced these joyous occasions for centuries.

The setting, music, and detailed reenactments of wedding customs—paired with rich storytelling—will transport you to a world where every moment is a lavish celebration of love and cultural heritage.

This experience offers a rare glimpse into the intricate and colorful traditions of Moroccan weddings—something most travelers wouldn’t typically have access to. What sets it apart is the authenticity and depth of cultural immersion. From traditional music and attire to choreographed rituals, every element is designed to reflect the rich tapestry of Moroccan heritage. You’ll engage with history and celebration in a way usually reserved for locals or invitation-only guests. The private riad setting in the Marrakesh medina further enhances the exclusivity and authenticity of the experience, making it a unique blend of cultural exploration and culinary excellence.

Weddings in Morocco are not just social events—they're seen as spiritual and communal milestones, often involving entire neighborhoods in the celebration. This storytelling simulation captures that collective spirit, offering insight into the values of family, tradition, and hospitality.

Storytelling Dinner in Marrakesh or lunch: Moroccan wedding rituals, music & feast in private riad.

Once Upon A Moroccan Wedding

This exclusive, rare experience is designed for a min/max of 8 people, priced at €190 per person (with a fixed total of €1520 for the group). Fewer participants are welcome to book, but a supplemental fee will apply to meet the minimum. Included: Private access to a riad, decorated in Moroccan wedding style. A regional meal fit for a wedding, including appetizer, main course, dessert, and beverage. Performances of Moroccan music and dance. Storytelling that explains the customs and traditions.

Participants are advised to bring:
Comfortable footwear as you might be invited to dance!
A camera to capture the vibrant moments of the celebration.
An appetite for both food and cultural richness.

Details of the meeting point will be provided post-booking. Chat with Zouhair to confirm details.

Your host is a talented professional storyteller skilled in the ancient art of Moroccan narrative, who has preserved and revitalized this tradition through their performances. Together with gnawa musicians and local chefs they bring a unique perspective and depth to the experience, combining their extensive knowledge of Moroccan cuisine and storytelling to create an unforgettable experience.

Perched above Florence on the hill of San Miniato al Monte, the Porte Sante Cemetery offers one of the most striking views of the city. It is also an open-air museum, rich in artworks and fascinating stories. You’ll walk through its monumental grounds, where over 150 years of history are carved in Carrara marble, and see family chapels echoing Florence’s greatest churches.

As you move among the tombs, Claudia will share the lives of those who rest here. Some are well-known figures, like Carlo Collodi, author of Pinocchio. Others are lesser-known but had lives that deserve to be remembered, with stories that reveal the spirit of their times. The cemetery becomes a lens to explore the ideals, artistry, and aspirations of Florentine society.

You’ll end the walk inside the Basilica of San Miniato al Monte, a medieval jewel that crowns the city. One of Florence’s oldest churches, it’s a Romanesque masterpiece filled with mosaics, frescoes, and solemn beauty.

This experience blends art, history, and sweeping views in a setting that few visitors explore in depth. The Porte Sante Cemetery offers a unique atmosphere where each monument tells a story of Florentine culture and craftsmanship, inviting a deep and thoughtful exploration of the city’s rich legacy and evolving identity. Walking through the cemetery is a walk through time—where 19th- and 20th-century Florence is carved in marble and memory, from artists and architects to political figures and everyday citizens.

Claudia knows this place intimately. With years of focused research and a deep passion for funerary art, she brings history to life. Author of two books, she reveals hidden layers—obscure sculptors, private commissions, and symbolic details most guides overlook.

The experience concludes inside the Basilica of San Miniato al Monte, a Romanesque masterpiece above the city. Its stillness and grandeur offer a contemplative end, connecting Florence’s past with its enduring spirit.

Walking Tour in Florence exploring the rich history, art, and stories of the Porte Sante Cemetery.

Florence’s Silent Stories

This experience is offered to a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 8 people. What’s included: full expert guidance.

Wear comfortable shoes and dress appropriately to enter a Catholic church (cover your knees and shoulders).

You’ll meet Claudia in front of the facade of the church of San Miniato al Monte. She’ll wait for you on the bench on the left side of the facade.

Claudia Vannucci is a licensed tour guide based in Florence, where she has been sharing her knowledge and passion for over ten years. She lives and breathes her city every day, bringing its stories to life through a unique mix of historical insight and personal connection.

Alongside her work as a guide, Claudia is also an architecture historian and travel writer, with a special interest in how stories and memories are rooted in place. 

One of her deepest passions is the study of cemeteries—a subject she has researched for years and written two books about. With a curious mind and a storyteller’s spirit, Claudia delights in discussing everything from Renaissance art to Florentine cuisine, with occasional detours into the world of horror movies and true crime.

The Algarve reveals itself through art and craft, hands in the soil, stories passed between generations, and the rhythm of coastal life. This four-day itinerary begins in Aljezur, where an organic farm visit offers more than a look at local agriculture—it grounds you in the region’s values. In Monchique, traditional crafts and social impact initiatives highlight efforts to preserve cultural identity while building economic resilience. Along the coast, the Benagil Caves and salt flats of Castro Marim offer natural beauty shaped by time and use. Throughout the journey, you’ll meet artisans, farmers, and changemakers whose work ties heritage to the present. With space for reflection and unhurried connection, this is travel that leaves something behind—understanding, respect, and a deeper sense of place.

𝘈𝘵 𝘍𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘦𝘳, 𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘥𝘢𝘺 𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘢 𝘨𝘶𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦, 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘴𝘱𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧-𝘭𝘦𝘥 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘭𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯. 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴 𝘥𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘭𝘺 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘴. 𝘋𝘰𝘸𝘯𝘭𝘰𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘍𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘖𝘚 𝘢𝘱𝘱 𝘵𝘰 𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘱 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘰𝘸𝘯.

Portugal

Algarve’s Crafts, Land and Sea

4-day itinerary in Algarve merging social impact with craft, coastal beauty, and living traditions.

United States

This Milan itinerary is sleek, elegant, and curated — the perfect expression of Milanese sophistication across architecture, design, fashion, and food. It’s about Milan as it’s truly lived: designed, composed, and always in conversation with its past and future.

Milan is precision with personality—a city where modern lines meet Renaissance texture, and where fashion, architecture, and food are expressions of the same pursuit: style with substance. This three-day itinerary moves through that balance with intent, beginning in the geometry and vision of Gio Ponti’s architectural legacy. From the Pirelli Tower to lesser-known gems, the morning reveals how Milan’s skyline was shaped not just by ambition, but by design thinking.

The afternoon shifts to the Navigli District—Leonardo da Vinci’s hand in its canals, but today, the flow belongs to artists, gallery owners, and baristas. You’ll wander cobbled paths, stop for an aperitivo, and settle into a slow dinner at Osteria Conchetta, where Milanese cuisine is served without pretense but full of detail.

Day two leaves the city for the lakes. A curated visit to Lake Como weaves together water, stone, and stillness. At Villa del Balbianello and through the towns of Como and Bellagio, nature is never separate from design—it’s framed by it. This isn’t just sightseeing; it’s about atmosphere. Scale, silence, villas on cliffs. Beauty at rest.

On your final day, the focus returns to Milan with a walk through Brera. Here, art meets appetite—small galleries, curated boutiques, and a lunch scene that respects tradition while playing with it. The afternoon brings you to Castello Sforzesco and its layered museums, followed by a pause in Sempione Park—green space as counterbalance. And finally: dinner at Tartufotto, where truffle meets elegance in the heart of the city.

𝘈𝘵 𝘍𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘦𝘳, 𝘸𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘦 𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘥𝘢𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘢𝘯 𝘶𝘯𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘫𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘺 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘣𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘢 𝘨𝘶𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦, 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘴𝘱𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧-𝘭𝘦𝘥 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘭𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯. 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴 𝘥𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘭𝘺 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘴. 𝘋𝘰𝘸𝘯𝘭𝘰𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘍𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘖𝘚 𝘢𝘱𝘱 𝘵𝘰 𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘱 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘰𝘸𝘯.

Milan in Form and Flair

3-day itinerary in Milan with Gio Ponti's landmarks, Lake Como villas, Brera art, truffle-laced food

Hub cities: Rome, Naples, Palermo, Taormina, Catania
Duration: 14 days — 4 days in Rome, 2 days in Naples, 8 days in Sicily (Palermo, Erice, Marsala, Cefalù, Taormina, Catania)
Trip Highlights:
Rome: Begin your journey by exploring ancient history with visits to the Colosseum, Vatican Museums, and the Roman countryside. Savor traditional Roman cuisine and enjoy a wine masterclass.
Naples: Experience the energy of Naples with visits to Pompeii and Spaccanapoli, and indulge in authentic Neapolitan pizza.
Palermo: Discover Sicily’s rich history with a visit to the Norman Palace, Palermo Cathedral, and vibrant street markets, followed by an excursion to the medieval town of Erice.
Marsala: Enjoy the stunning coastal landscapes and visit local wineries, salt flats, and windmills.
Cefalù: Relax on the beach, explore the charming town, and visit the historic Museo Mandralisca.
Taormina and Mount Etna: Explore the Teatro Greco in Taormina, enjoy breathtaking views from Mount Etna, and conclude your trip in Catania with its striking Baroque architecture and bustling markets.
Trip Notes: Travel by train and ferry between towns for a seamless experience through Italy’s cultural and natural wonders.
𝘈𝘵 𝘍𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘦𝘳, 𝘸𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘦 𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘥𝘢𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘢𝘯 𝘶𝘯𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘫𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘺 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘣𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘢 𝘨𝘶𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦, 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘴𝘱𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧-𝘭𝘦𝘥 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘭𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯. 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴 𝘥𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘭𝘺 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘴. 𝘋𝘰𝘸𝘯𝘭𝘰𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘍𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘖𝘚 𝘢𝘱𝘱 𝘵𝘰 𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘱 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘰𝘸𝘯.

Ruins & Mediterranean Shores

14-day journey through Southern Italy & Sicily exploring history, culture, and stunning landscapes.

This Lisbon 5 day itinerary brings together local stories, layered heritage and modern creativity. Through guided encounters and self-paced discovery, you’ll walk through the city’s romantic heart, visit iconic sites like Sintra and Belém, and explore hidden corners through art, photography and Portuguese food.

DAY 1 – OLD STREETS AND EVERYDAY LIFE | Begin with Where Time Has Paused, a full-day walking tour through Baixa and Chiado guided by a local historian. You’ll explore old cafés, tiled storefronts, and elegant squares that reveal Lisbon’s bourgeois charm. A traditional lunch is included along the way, offering a moment to pause and taste the rhythm of the city. In the evening, head to O Velho Eurico for bold Portuguese food in the heart of Mouraria.

DAY 2 – ART AND SENSORY RITUALS | Begin the day at the Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga, set in a 17th-century palace overlooking the Tagus. This self-led visit offers a quiet immersion into Portuguese heritage through sacred art, decorative objects, and global exchanges from the Age of Discoveries. In the afternoon, join a guided wine experience with a local sommelier to taste and understand Portugal’s diverse wine regions and styles. As evening falls, Fado Echoes in Alfama brings you into Lisbon’s oldest quarter for a night of walking, storytelling, and live music in an intimate fado house.

DAY 3 – MONUMENTS AND TILES | Start your day in Belém with Mosteiro dos Jerónimos, a monument to Portugal’s Age of Discovery where history and architecture meet. After a break, dive into the country’s most beloved visual tradition with A City of Azulejos, a walking tour led by a tile expert through Chiado, Bairro Alto, and Alfama. You’ll trace centuries of artistry while walking in Lisbon’s historic core. End the day with a refined tasting menu at Belcanto.

DAY 4 – ART, MARKET, AND HIDDEN VIEWS | Begin with A Trail of Art Galleries, a curated Lisbon experience that introduces you to the city’s most dynamic creative spaces. Walk to Mercado de Campo de Ourique, a food market in Lisbon Portugal where locals gather over wine, lunch, and fresh produce. Later, join Lisbon’s Hidden Lens, a photography walk through alleys, miradouros, and layered cityscapes guided by a visual storyteller. Dinner at Trinca offers a relaxed and design-forward setting.

DAY 5 – MOUNTAINS AND MODERN CUISINE | Take a full-day journey into the mountains with Life in the Schist Villages, a day trip from Lisbon where you’ll visit stone hamlets, meet local artisans, and enjoy home-cooked Portuguese cuisine among forest trails and rural tradition. Return to the city for your last dinner at Prado, where modern Portuguese food is served in a minimalist, seasonal space near the cathedral.

WHERE TO STAY IN LISBON | For this Lisbon 5 day itinerary, stay in Chiado or Baixa for central access to cafés, viewpoints, and walkable routes. Alfama offers atmosphere and music in the evenings, while Campo de Ourique and Príncipe Real bring quieter rhythm and local charm. Choose based on your pace — Lisbon rewards those who walk slowly and look closely.

PLAN YOUR TRIP | At Fernwayer, we believe each day of an unforgettable journey should be anchored in a guided experience, with space for self-led exploration. You can book experiences directly from the itinerary and arrange your own hotels and restaurants. Download the Fernwayer iOS app to edit your trip and make it your own.

The Charming Soul of Lisbon

5 days in Lisbon with palaces, tiles, fado, markets and a day trip to the mountains and villages.

Rovinj invites slowness. It’s a town best explored on fork or glass in hand, with time to stop—often. This three-day itinerary offers a thoughtful pace through its stone-lined alleys, seaside kitchens, and sun-drenched vineyards, where each experience feels close to the land, and closer still to the people who live by it.

Your journey begins in Rovinj’s Old Town, a maze of worn steps and cascading homes perched above the Adriatic. Mornings are for wandering the harbor and watching the rhythms of the fishing boats; midday leads you to the local market, where seasonal produce and handmade cheeses speak to Istria’s generous soil. In the afternoon, a boat ride through Lim Fjord adds contrast—quiet water, steep cliffs, and stillness that settles in.

Day two is dedicated to flavor and touch. “A Kitchen Among Olive Trees” is more than a cooking class—it’s a full-sensory dive into Istrian culinary culture, hosted by locals with deep knowledge of land, oil, and tradition. The afternoon brings you to St. Euphemia Church, where a climb to the bell tower reveals sweeping views of sea, rooftops, and sky—a quiet reward before another intimate dinner.

The final day pulls you inland. A full-day wine experience takes you to Rovinj’s vineyards, where crisp whites and deep reds are poured beside vineyard paths and old cellars. It’s a generous and slow-moving day, designed for both learning and tasting. You’ll close with one last look at the fjord, a soft light setting over the water as you reflect on days well spent.

This is an invitation to pause, cook, sip, and look closely. Rovinj rewards travelers who resist the rush.

𝘈𝘵 𝘍𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘦𝘳, 𝘸𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘦 𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘥𝘢𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘢𝘯 𝘶𝘯𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘫𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘺 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘣𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘢 𝘨𝘶𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦, 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘴𝘱𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧-𝘭𝘦𝘥 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘭𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯. 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴 𝘥𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘭𝘺 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘴. 𝘋𝘰𝘸𝘯𝘭𝘰𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘍𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘖𝘚 𝘢𝘱𝘱 𝘵𝘰 𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘱 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘰𝘸𝘯.

Croatia

Slow Days in Rovinj

3-day itinerary in Rovinj exploring coastal streets, Istrian cuisine, olive groves, and local wines.

Istanbul is a city best experienced slowly, not rushed. It invites you to walk its streets, savor its flavors, and absorb its atmosphere without rushing through. This five-day itinerary offers an immersive exploration of Istanbul through its food, history, art, and daily life. Each day thoughtfully combines two guided experiences with ample time to explore on your own. From iconic landmarks to bustling local markets and engaging workshops, you’ll see Istanbul from different angles, including its history, creativity, and daily culture.

DAY 1 – GRAND BAZAAR, SULTANAHMET, AND GOLD LEAF ART | Begin your day with a guided breakfast tour around the Grand Bazaar, just as the city stirs to life. Taste traditional Turkish pastries and street foods while learning about local culinary traditions and merchant life. Afterward, head to Sultan Ahmet Park to admire the iconic views of Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. In the afternoon, immerse yourself in the delicate art of tezhip by joining a gold leaf workshop with a local artist.

DAY 2 – THE OLD CITY AND TURKISH WINE | Start with a walking tour through the historic center of Constantinople. You’ll visit ancient cisterns, churches, and hear stories that shaped the city. After lunch, enjoy a slower pace. In the early evening, take part in a wine tasting and learn about the different wine regions and grapes of Türkiye.

DAY 3 – CITY LEGENDS AND A RAKI NIGHT | Today’s tour focuses on myths and legends. You’ll hear about saints, sultans, rebels, and writers as you walk through neighborhoods rich in stories. The afternoon is free to explore. At night, sit down to a rakı dinner in a local tavern, where food and conversation come together in a lively setting.

DAY 4 – FOOD, BOATS, AND SHADOW PUPPETS | Spend the day discovering Istanbul through its food. Visit the Spice Bazaar, then take a ferry to the Asian side, where you’ll continue by minibus and taste dishes in local markets. In the afternoon, join a traditional Karagöz shadow puppetry workshop and learn about this centuries-old art form.

DAY 5 – SUNRISE VIEWS AND A SPICE-FILLED FAREWELL | Start your day with a sunrise photography walk along Galata Bridge. As the city begins to stir, you’ll capture fishermen, ferries, and minarets in the morning light. After the walk, enjoy a quiet coffee or light bite nearby and soak in your final hours in Istanbul. In the early afternoon, take part in a guided tasting experience focused on Turkey’s spice culture. Through blind tastings, mezze pairings, and regional wines, you’ll explore the rich flavors that shaped the country’s cuisine and close your trip on a delicious note.

WHERE TO STAY IN ISTANBUL | Stay in Karaköy or Cihangir if you want to be central and close to cafés and galleries. For walking access to the monuments, choose Sultanahmet. If you prefer a quieter, local vibe, Moda on the Asian side is a great option.

PLAN YOUR TRIP | At Fernwayer, we believe each day of an unforgettable journey should be anchored in a guided experience, with space for self-led exploration. You can book experiences directly from the itinerary and arrange your own hotels and restaurants. Download the Fernwayer iOS app to edit your trip and make it your own.

Istanbul Through the Senses

5 days in Istanbul with guided tours, unique activities to do, local markets, and art workshops.

This is a stunning itinerary — a true slow-burn, full of history, nature, food, and texture. 

Sicily stretches between earth and sky—an island of contrast and continuity, where every hill, breeze, and coastline carries the weight of story. This seven-day itinerary moves with intention across that spectrum, from mountain to monastery, vineyard to volcano, cathedral to coast. It begins in Palermo, where gold mosaics shimmer inside Monreale Cathedral and narrow streets echo with centuries of layered life.

From there, the journey leads west to Erice, where mist clings to medieval towers, then down to the Zingaro Reserve—where cliffs and coves open up to the sea. In Marsala, you’ll encounter a different kind of landscape: windmills, salt flats, and the crisp, mineral pull of local wine. These aren’t stops—they're textures in a deeper conversation with place.

Midweek, you shift eastward, through Agrigento’s ancient Greek temples and the baroque turns of Ragusa and Modica. A cooking class in the countryside offers something slower: olive oil, family knowledge, and time shared under trees. Siracusa invites further stillness, with Ortigia’s quiet beauty and Marzamemi’s soft, seaside rhythm.

The final stretch leads upward—to Mount Etna, where Sicily’s volcanic heart breathes in silence and smoke. From there, a descent into Taormina for one last night: open-air theater, coastal views, and a closing meal with the city lit behind you.

𝐴𝘵 𝘍𝑒𝘳𝑛𝘸𝑎𝘺𝑒𝘳, 𝑒𝘢𝑐𝘩 𝘥𝑎𝘺 𝘪𝑠 𝑎𝘯𝑐𝘩𝑜𝘳𝑒𝘥 𝘪𝑛 𝑎 𝑔𝘶𝑖𝘥𝑒𝘥 𝘦𝑥𝘱𝑒𝘳𝑖𝘦𝑛𝘤𝑒, 𝘸𝑖𝘵ℎ 𝑠𝘱𝑎𝘤𝑒 𝑓𝘰𝑟 𝑠𝘦𝑙𝘧-𝘭𝑒𝘥 𝘦𝑥𝘱𝑙𝘰𝑟𝘢𝑡𝘪𝑜𝘯. 𝑌𝘰𝑢 𝑐𝘢𝑛 𝑏𝘰𝑜𝘬 𝘦𝑥𝘱𝑒𝘳𝑖𝘦𝑛𝘤𝑒𝘴 𝘥𝑖𝘳𝑒𝘤𝑡𝘭𝑦 𝑓𝘳𝑜𝘮 𝘵ℎ𝘦 𝘪𝑡𝘪𝑛𝘦𝑟𝘢𝑟𝘺 𝘢𝑛𝘥 𝘢𝑟𝘳𝑎𝘯𝑔𝘦 𝘺𝑜𝘶𝑟 𝑜𝘸𝑛 ℎ𝘰𝑡𝘦𝑙𝘴 𝘢𝑛𝘥 𝘳𝑒𝘴𝑡𝘢𝑢𝘳𝑎𝘯𝑡𝘴. 𝐷𝘰𝑤𝘯𝑙𝘰𝑎𝘥 𝘵ℎ𝘦 𝘍𝑒𝘳𝑛𝘸𝑎𝘺𝑒𝘳 𝘪𝑂𝘚 𝘢𝑝𝘱 𝘵𝑜 𝑒𝘥𝑖𝘵 𝘺𝑜𝘶𝑟 𝑡𝘳𝑖𝘱 𝘢𝑛𝘥 𝘮𝑎𝘬𝑒 𝑖𝘵 𝘺𝑜𝘶𝑟 𝑜𝘸𝑛.

Sicily, Between Earth and Sky

7-day itinerary in Sicily with hilltop towns, salt wind, temple ruins, vineyard lunch, volcano views

This 3-day Marrakesh itinerary is textured, elegant, and sensory—a journey through art, craft, taste, and tradition. It offers a lens into the city’s creative pulse—not just as a visitor, but through the eyes of artists, chefs, and cultural storytellers who shape its rhythm. Expect curated encounters, intimate spaces, and a balance of guided immersion and reflective stillness.

DAY 1 – ART & DESIGN LEGACIES | Begin with Conversation with an Artist, a guided visit to Comptoir des Mines Galerie and dialogue with a local artist shaping Marrakesh’s present. In the afternoon, explore the creative legacy of the Musée Yves Saint Laurent and wander the vibrant paths of Jardin Majorelle, where color, form, and botanical design meet in quiet harmony. End the day with dinner in a traditional riad—an atmospheric welcome to the city.

DAY 2 – SACRED RHYTHMS AND FLAVORS | Start early with Order of the Golden Triangle, a meditative walk through sacred geometry and spiritual symbolism in the old city. After lunch, explore the souks through the narrative lens of Heart and Souk in Marrakesh, then immerse yourself in Moroccan hospitality at Tasting Morocco, a hands-on experience at the Amal Center. As the sky turns golden, head to a rooftop above Djemaa El-Fna, where the city’s sights and sounds rise with the call to prayer.

DAY 3 – CRAFTS & CONTEMPORARY SPACES | Begin the day with A Hub of Moroccan Makers, a guided studio tour that introduces you to local artisans and their creative process, from traditional techniques to modern design. Afterward, take a quiet walk through the gardens of La Mamounia or spend time at your own pace. In the evening, enjoy a relaxed dinner at Le Jardin, a courtyard restaurant tucked in the heart of the medina.

WHERE TO STAY IN MARRAKESH | Marrakesh offers a wide range of places to stay, but for a more immersive experience, choose a traditional riad tucked inside the Medina. These restored courtyard homes combine intimacy, beauty, and local hospitality — many just steps from the city’s main sites. For more space and calm, Gueliz and Hivernage offer boutique hotels and stylish guesthouses near gardens, cafés, and galleries. Or opt for a retreat on the city’s edge, where palm groves and desert light invite pause.

PLAN YOUR TRIP | At Fernwayer, we believe each day of an unforgettable journey should be anchored in a guided experience, with space for self-led exploration. You can book experiences directly from the itinerary and arrange your own hotels and restaurants. Download the Fernwayer iOS app to edit your trip and make it your own.

Marrakesh, Seen Through Art

3 days in Marrakesh exploring Moroccan art, creativity, cuisine, and timeless design.

Hub Cities: Venice, Bologna, Milan

Duration: 10 days — 3 days in Venice, 2 days in Bologna (via Ravenna), 5 days in Milan (via Parma)

Trip Highlights:

Venice: Begin your adventure with a blend of history, culture, and culinary experiences. Explore the light and shadows of Venice, visit the Gallerie dell’Accademia, enjoy a gondola ride after dining at Michelin-starred restaurants, and discover the charm of the Dorsoduro district.

Bologna (via Ravenna): Stop to admire the stunning Byzantine mosaics in Ravenna, then delve into Bologna’s rich culture with visits to churches, museums, and markets, enjoying traditional Bolognese cuisine along the way.

Milan (via Parma): Indulge in a Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese tasting tour in Parma before arriving in Milan. Explore the city’s architectural gems, iconic districts, and luxury shopping while experiencing local craftsmanship and gastronomy. End with a full day at Lake Como, taking in the stunning villas and landscapes.

Trip Notes: Travel by train between cities for an easy and scenic journey.

𝘈𝘵 𝘍𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘦𝘳, 𝘸𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘦 𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘥𝘢𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘢𝘯 𝘶𝘯𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘫𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘺 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘣𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘢 𝘨𝘶𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦, 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘴𝘱𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧-𝘭𝘦𝘥 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘭𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯. 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴 𝘥𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘭𝘺 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘴. 𝘋𝘰𝘸𝘯𝘭𝘰𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘍𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘖𝘚 𝘢𝘱𝘱 𝘵𝘰 𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘱 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘰𝘸𝘯.

La Serenissima to Modern Milan

10-day itinerary in Italy through Venice, Bologna, Milan, a mix of culture, cuisine, scenic beauty.

This 3-day South East Sicily itinerary is beautifully balanced — it flows from almond groves to ancient theaters, olive groves to volcanic slopes.

South East Sicily holds a rare kind of richness—where golden stone meets deep flavor, and ancient landscapes echo through everyday life. This three-day itinerary is designed to move slowly and purposefully through that corner of the island, where everything feels grounded: in sun, in story, in taste.

Day one opens in the almond groves and soft trails near Noto, where agriculture and antiquity intertwine. The afternoon invites you into the town itself, where the Baroque facades of Corso Vittorio Emanuele glow in the late light. You’ll walk among church domes and curved balconies, ending the day with gelato in hand and a quiet dinner in the countryside, surrounded by olive trees and silence.

On the second day, the rhythm shifts to the coast. Ortigia, the historic heart of Siracusa, offers a morning of light-soaked streets and briny market air. You'll taste olives grown nearby and move at the pace of a place shaped by centuries. In the late afternoon, you board a boat for a sunset sail along Ortigia’s edge—water, limestone, and shifting sky. The day closes with a table at Don Camillo, where tradition is honored, not preserved.

The final day takes you higher. Mount Etna commands the horizon and the imagination. You'll walk along its slopes, where vineyards thrive in black soil and steam rises from fissures just beneath your feet. Later, the calm of Taormina welcomes you down, offering views from its ancient Greek theater that stretch from mountain to sea. Dinner in town brings the journey full circle—flavors, views, and the quiet hum of Sicilian life.

This is Sicily in layers: cultivated, storied, and elemental. A region best experienced with open time, open senses, and a willingness to let its golden rhythm set your pace.

𝘈𝘵 𝘍𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘦𝘳, 𝘸𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘦 𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘥𝘢𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘢𝘯 𝘶𝘯𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘫𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘺 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘣𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘢 𝘨𝘶𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦, 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘴𝘱𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧-𝘭𝘦𝘥 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘭𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯. 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴 𝘥𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘭𝘺 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘴. 𝘋𝘰𝘸𝘯𝘭𝘰𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘍𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘖𝘚 𝘢𝘱𝘱 𝘵𝘰 𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘱 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘰𝘸𝘯.

Sicily’s Golden Corner

3-day itinerary in South East Sicily with Noto’s Baroque streets, Ortigia sailing, and Etna’s beauty

This 5-day Rome itinerary is immersive and story-rich — an invitation to feel the rhythm of the city through architecture, rituals and everyday beauty. Designed for those who seek meaning behind the monuments, it blends ancient grandeur with intimate encounters, placing conversation, taste, and wonder at the heart of each day. You’ll walk through empires and gardens, learn from artists and artisans, and leave with a deeper sense of Rome’s timeless layers.

DAY 1 – FOUNDATIONS AND FIRST TASTES | Begin with Rome’s most iconic ruins: the Colosseum and Roman Forum, where arches and fragments still carry echoes of empire. Pause for a cozy lunch at Naumachia, then dive into Lazio wines with a guided tasting that celebrates native grape varieties. In the late afternoon, climb Capitoline Hill, one of Rome’s most symbolic spaces, and explore the Capitoline Museums, home to powerful statues and centuries of civic history. The day blends power, poetry and palate — your Roman senses officially awakened.

DAY 2 – MASTERS AND MUSEUMS | The morning begins inside the Doria Pamphilj Palace, where masterpieces by Caravaggio and Velázquez hang in hushed rooms. Enjoy a refined lunch at Tavola Bottiglieria before heading to the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica, where artistic and spiritual power converge. As golden hour sets in, join Quintessenza: a photo walk that winds through the city’s evening light, past Renaissance façades and local food stories.

DAY 3 – FLAVORS AND STREET LIFE | Start the day with a guided food walk through the historic center, tasting espresso, pastries and pizza al taglio while hearing stories behind each bite. In the afternoon, wander through Piazza Navona and admire its Baroque fountains before continuing to the Pantheon, where ancient engineering still inspires awe. From there, follow the city’s rhythm to the Trevi Fountain and finally to the Spanish Steps, observing the light, the movement and the elegance of this iconic Roman setting. End the evening at Piccolo Buco for a wood-fired pizza.

DAY 4 – FAITH, FLAVOR, AND CRAFT | Rise early for a walk through Rome’s lesser-known churches to admire starry ceilings and sacred architecture. Enjoy lunch at Babette, where French-Italian dishes meet artful surroundings and garden calm. After lunch, step into a historic palazzo to learn the art of gelato-making — yes, you’ll taste the results. End your evening with dinner at Aroma, a Michelin-starred and framed by the Colosseum in glowing light.

DAY 5 – CLOSING SCENES AND ILLUSIONS | Explore the Baths of Caracalla with a guide who reveals how politics and ritual unfolded in Rome’s grand bathhouses. Stop for lunch at Casina Valadier, nestled above the city in Villa Borghese park. Meander through the Galleria Nazionale, a treasure of modern art inside Belle Époque walls. In the afternoon, dive into sacred geometry and illusion on a tour of Jesuit Rome. End your trip with dinner at Il Barroccio, a welcoming osteria near the Pantheon known for Roman classics in a relaxed, rustic setting.

WHERE TO STAY IN ROME | For first-time visitors, Centro Storico offers proximity to major sites and a lively rhythm. Trastevere charms with cobbled streets, local eateries, and sunset views over the Tiber. Prati is quieter and elegant, perfect for Vatican access and spacious stays. For creative travelers, Monti blends bohemian cafés with ancient streets. Choose based on your pace — central for movement, local for depth, scenic for calm.

PLAN YOUR TRIP | At Fernwayer, we believe each day of an unforgettable journey should be anchored in a guided experience, with space for self-led exploration. You can book experiences directly from the itinerary and arrange your own hotels and restaurants. Download the Fernwayer iOS app to edit your trip and make it your own.

Rome, Layer By Layer

5 days in Rome exploring architecture, historical landmarks, food walks, wines, and gelato moments.

A rhythm of sand, salt, and sky unfolds across three elemental days in the Atacama Desert. This journey takes you from grounded, hands-on moments to vast desert panoramas — from the intimacy of a ceramics workshop to the stillness of floating lagoons and the dazzling clarity of the high-altitude night. Designed for travelers drawn to light, texture, and time, it pairs immersive photography with meditative moments of pause. You’ll begin slowly, then ascend into the surreal landscapes of the altiplano before closing among geysers, wetlands, and warm springs.
DAY 1 – CLAY, FLOATING, AND STARS | The journey begins gently in the Salt Mountain Range, where you’ll be welcomed into the adobe studio of a local ceramic artist. Using a clay unique to the region, shaped by ancestral Licarantai traditions, you’ll create your own piece while learning how reverence for Pachamama lives on through craft. In the afternoon, take time on your own to visit nearby Laguna Cejar — a salt-rich lagoon where the water suspends you weightlessly in its mineral grip.
DAY 2 – FLAMINGOS AND THE ALTIPLANO | Wake early to head deep into the Chilean altiplano. This is a day of altitude and scale, where pastel lagoons stretch beneath volcanoes and flamingos lift off from mirror-still water. As you travel across remote salt flats and highland valleys, your guide helps shape the light into story through photography. There’s time to pause, to breathe thinner air, to notice shadow and color shift by the hour. After returning to town, the evening invites rest and reflection after a day spent far above sea level.
DAY 3 – GEYSERS AND WATERS | Before sunrise, set out north toward El Tatio, where steam rises from the earth in silence. As the first light filters across the geysers, capture the raw power of fire meeting water at 4,000 meters. Descend slowly through villages and wetlands, where llamas and flamingos move between grasses and mineral pools. The day ends in thermal springs tucked inside a desert canyon. Let your body ease back into warmth as your time in the Atacama comes to a close.
WHERE TO STAY IN SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA | Most travelers base themselves in San Pedro, a walkable adobe town that serves as the region’s gateway. For easy access to experiences, stay near the center where pickups and drop-offs are seamless. If you prefer quiet evenings, choose a boutique lodge just outside the plaza. Accommodations range from rustic guesthouses to high-end eco-hotels, many designed with local materials and open-air courtyards perfect for desert stargazing.
GIVE YOURSELF TIME TO ARRIVE | The desert rewards those who arrive slowly. Because much of this journey takes place at altitude, we recommend arriving in San Pedro at least one or two days before your first experience. This extra time helps you adjust to the dry air, shifting light, and elevation changes that define the Atacama. It also offers space to settle into the desert’s rhythm — walk the quiet streets, explore the artisan market, and watch the color drain from the sky in the evenings. Let the landscape meet you gradually.
PLAN YOUR TRIP | At Fernwayer, we believe each day of an unforgettable journey should be anchored in a guided experience, with space for self-led exploration. You can book experiences directly from the itinerary and arrange your own hotels and restaurants. Download the Fernwayer iOS app to edit your trip and make it your own.

Chile

Sand, Salt & Stars in Atacama

3 days in the Atacama Desert exploring clay, salt flats, flamingos, stars, geysers, and springs.

In the heart of Fes, the Chouara and Sidi Moussa tanneries stand as enduring relics of the Middle Ages, their practices largely unchanged since that era. Here, the ancient art of leather tanning transforms raw hides into beautifully supple fabrics through a strikingly colorful yet arduous process. As you navigate the narrow alleys leading to the tanneries, the air grows thick with a pungent aroma, a hallmark of this traditional craft. Things to look for:

1. The Chouara Tannery, perhaps the most famous in Fes, alongside Sidi Moussa, offers a rare glimpse into the labor-intensive process of leather production. Hundreds of workers from multiple generations of families toil from sunrise to sunset. They labor over open vats filled with a vivid mosaic of natural dyes and pigeon dung, an essential component in softening the leather. This spectacle of color and effort unfolds beneath the Moroccan sun, casting a palette that feels almost surreal against the earthy tones of the Medina.

2. Visitors are handed a sprig of mint to ward off the overwhelming smells. The sensory overload is part of the experience!

3. Guides explain the dyeing process, pointing out the use of natural ingredients like saffron, poppy flower, indigo, and henna. 

4. After dyeing, the leathers are laid out to dry on the nearby rooftops, creating an iconic and photogenic scene that defines the visual landscape of the tanneries. 

5. A visit to the tanneries is an education in the tenacity and skill of the Moroccan artisans who maintain these centuries-old techniques. Despite modern advancements, these methods have resisted change, preserved by the artisans’ dedication to their heritage. 

As you leave, the sight of the vibrant leathers, the sound of workers chanting in rhythm, and the smell of natural tannins linger, leaving a lasting impression of a craft preserved in time. Wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes as the area can be wet and slippery.

The Tanneries of Fes

Overlooking the Grand Canal, Palazzo Grassi in Venice epitomizes the fusion of historic grandeur and contemporary art. Originally built in the Venetian Classical style, this majestic palace has evolved into a premier venue for modern art exhibitions, bridging the past with the present. Key highlights:

1: Architectural Splendor on the Grand Canal: Designed by Giorgio Massari and reconstructed between 1748 and 1772, Palazzo Grassi stands out with its academic classical style amidst the predominantly Byzantine, Romanesque, and Baroque Venetian palaces. Its white marble façade and ornate interiors, including frescoes by Michelangelo Morlaiter and Francesco Zanchi, are artistic marvels in their own right​​​​.

2: A Historic Transformation: From its ownership changes to its current role, Palazzo Grassi has undergone significant transformations. After the Grassi family's tenure, it became the International Centre of Arts and Costume in 1951 and was later acquired by the Fiat Group in 1983, aiming to transform it into a visual arts exhibition hall​​.

3: Modern Art Showcase: Since being acquired by French entrepreneur François Pinault in 2005, Palazzo Grassi has been extensively remodeled by Japanese architect Tadao Ando. Reopened in 2006, it now houses the Pinault Collection, offering 5,000 m² of exhibition space for temporary modern art exhibitions​​.

4: A Beacon of Contemporary Art: Palazzo Grassi has been a significant venue for contemporary art since 2006, showcasing various temporary exhibitions from the Pinault Collection. These exhibitions have elevated the palace's status as a key destination for art enthusiasts and collectors​​.

For the latest exhibitions and ticketing information, visit Palazzo Grassi Official Website. It's recommended to check their schedule in advance as exhibitions rotate regularly, offering a fresh and dynamic experience for repeat visitors.

Photo by ARTE.it

Evolving Art: Palazzo Grassi

The Valencia Cathedral is very beautiful place to visit.
It was consecrated in 1238 by the first bishop of Valencia after the Reconquista, Pere d'Albalat.
The picture was taken by me on 🎞 film camera olimpus om 10, Kodak Ektachrome 100.

Valencia Cathedral

Georgia

China

Hainan Island

Joshua Tree National Park | United States

Forty-five minutes from Palm Springs – or a slightly longer, two hours from Los Angeles - in California’s southernmost Joshua Tree National Park, I’m waiting at the Visitor Center to buy my park pass, and it’s clear that the most commonly asked question of the rangers in this Park is - “Why is it called a Joshua Tree?"

Turns out the giant, branching yucca’s shape reminded early Mormon settlers of a story in which the Prophet Joshua reaches his hands up to the sky. “A good Joshua Tree will be really thick, with arms sticking out like they’re wearing furry sleeves.” – From The Bulletin, in a 1987 article, 7 years before the trees got themselves their own National Park. 

No two Joshua Trees are alike – for that would be too boring. Instead, they defiantly withstand the desert conditions and stretch out in weird and wonderful ways. 

Great hikes, photography, star-gazing. 

[🌵]

Weird and Wonderful

In the woven streets of Cádiz’s Old Town, which is known for its watchtowers, Torre Tavira is the tallest watchtower, and it has a camera obscura. This, combined with the tower's terrace, allows you to observe live, sweeping views of Cádiz in a way that's both intimate and expansive. Here's what you need to know for a visit that elevates both your perspective and appreciation of Cádiz’s coastal allure.
1: Nestled between the cathedral and Genoves Park, Torre Tavira invites you to climb up this 18th-century marvel, and reach the highest vantage point in the city at 45 meters above sea level, where maritime watchers once signaled ship movements​.
2: Today, Torre Tavira's allure lies in its Camera Obscura. In a darkened room, you'll witness a fascinating, real-time panorama of Cádiz projected onto a concave screen, offering a bird's-eye view of the city's daily life and architectural wonders. This 15-minute presentation is both an educational and mesmerizing experience, showcasing the city's pulse through an innovative lens.
3: After delving into the city's dynamics through the camera obscura, step out onto the tower's terrace. Here, the expanses of Cádiz unfold in all directions. The juxtaposition of ancient rooftops against the modern rhythm of life below offers a tactile sense of Cádiz’s layered history and its enduring vibrancy​.
4: With exhibitions detailing the camera obscura's function and the tower's role in 18th-century trade, each floor climbed narrates a chapter of prosperity, innovation, and cultural exchange, enriching your visit with historical context and insights​.
To fully embrace the Torre Tavira experience, allocate around an hour, including the camera obscura presentation. Early booking is advised, especially during peak periods, to secure your spot in the camera obscura sessions​. Consult the official [website](https://www.torretavira.com/en/) for tickets and hours. Afterwards, wander the nearby alleys. 
Photo: Torre Tavira

Elevated Gaze: Torre Tavira

The Uffizi Gallery in Florence is one of the world’s greatest classical art museums: a testament to the city's role as the cradle of the Renaissance. A must-see when visiting Florence, here are our top reasons:
1 - Spanning 93 halls over two floors, the Uffizi Gallery showcases a breathtaking array of masterpieces. Highlights include Botticelli's "Birth of Venus" and "Primavera", showcasing ethereal beauty and enigmatic themes. Leonardo da Vinci's early work, "Adoration of the Magi," reveals his multifaceted genius, while his "Annunciation" illustrates his pioneering approach to naturalism. Titian's "Venus of Urbino" marks a sensual departure in Renaissance art, and Giotto's "Ognissanti Madonna" represents a significant stylistic shift from Byzantine influences.

2 - In addition to its famous paintings, the Uffizi boasts significant statues and beautifully decorated ceilings. Works like Caravaggio's "The Shield With the Head of Medusa" and Artemisia Gentileschi's "Judith Beheading Holofernes" add to the gallery's diverse and impactful collection.

3 - The Uffizi often hosts special exhibitions and events, offering visitors unique experiences and insights into specific artists, periods, or artistic movements.

4 - The gallery's ambiance is shaped by its historic architecture and the stunning views of Florence it offers. Its corridors and rooms provide a journey through art history, surrounded by the beauty of Renaissance Florence.

Pre-booking a timed entry ticket is essential due to the gallery's popularity. For more information and to book tickets, visit Uffizi Gallery Tickets. Guided tours offer a deep dive into the Uffizi's rich history and artistic significance. Options range from 1.5-hour group tours to private and early entry tours, providing diverse perspectives on the gallery's treasures.
Photo by Clay Banks

Uffizi Gallery

Naples, Italy, is home to the extraordinary Sansevero Chapel, a hidden gem of Baroque art and mystery, located in the heart of the historic center. This small yet breathtaking chapel is most famous for the Veiled Christ, a marble masterpiece by Giuseppe Sanmartino that astounds visitors with its delicate, lifelike depiction of Christ covered in a translucent shroud. The chapel, commissioned by the enigmatic Prince Raimondo di Sangro, is also filled with symbolic sculptures, intricate decorations, and scientific curiosities, making it one of the most fascinating attractions in the city.

1. In the center of the chapel, the Veiled Christ stuns visitors with its remarkable realism, as the finely sculpted marble veil appears almost weightless over Christ’s lifeless body. The level of craftsmanship makes it one of the most admired sculptures in the world.

2. Along the chapel’s walls, intriguing allegorical statues represent virtues such as Modesty and Disillusionment, each intricately carved with unique artistic techniques that showcase Baroque genius.

3. Beneath the chapel, the mysterious "anatomical machines" display eerily preserved human circulatory systems, adding an unexpected scientific and alchemical element to the visit.

4. Every detail of the chapel’s interior, from its ornate ceiling frescoes to its intricate marble floor, reflects the artistic vision and esoteric interests of Prince Raimondo di Sangro, a patron of the arts and a scientist.

5. The chapel’s intimate and atmospheric setting enhances the mystical experience, drawing visitors into a world of beauty, faith, and mystery unlike anywhere else in Naples.

Visitor Tip: Book tickets in advance, as entry is limited and the chapel is one of Naples’ most sought-after cultural attractions. Photography is not allowed inside, so take time to truly absorb the details.

Photo: marcobrivio.gallery

Veiled Christ

Canada

Someone described #Churchill as “the warmest coldest tundra town”. It is a friendly, curious town. It also claims to have 300 days of northern lights. 

Basically, if you happen to be in Churchill on a clear night, prepare to wake up, dress up in layers (quickly), and be enthralled. 

Last Sunday night, when most had turned back in after what looked like an “average” aurora display, we waited and were rewarded with lovely green ribbons and curtains.

Dancing Dragons Across The Sky

Girona, Spain, is a historic city in Catalonia known for its well-preserved medieval architecture, colorful riverside houses, and ancient city walls. Blending Roman, Moorish, and Gothic influences, Girona offers a rich cultural experience, from its iconic cathedral to charming cobblestone alleys featured in films and TV shows like Game of Thrones. The city’s mix of history, vibrant food scene, and peaceful river views make it a must-visit destination for history buffs, photographers, and food lovers alike.

1. Girona Cathedral 
Famous for having the widest Gothic nave in the world, the cathedral offers stunning views of the city from its grand staircase and was featured in Game of Thrones as the Great Sept of Baelor.

2. The Old City Walls (Passeig de la Muralla)
Walk along the medieval walls for panoramic views of Girona’s rooftops, bell towers, and surrounding countryside.

3. The Jewish Quarter (El Call)
One of the best-preserved Jewish quarters in Europe, with narrow stone alleys, hidden courtyards, and the Museum of Jewish History offering insight into Girona’s multicultural past.

4. Onyar River and Colorful Houses
The brightly painted houses along the Onyar River create one of Girona’s most iconic photo spots, especially when viewed from the Eiffel Bridge, designed by Gustave Eiffel himself.

5. Arab Baths (Banys Àrabs)
Visit the 12th-century Romanesque baths, inspired by ancient Roman and Moorish bathhouses, for a peaceful glimpse into Girona’s medieval past.

Visitor Tip: Visit in spring or fall to avoid crowds and enjoy pleasant weather. For food lovers, Girona is home to El Celler de Can Roca, one of the world’s best restaurants—reservations are essential months in advance!

Photos: Biro Zoltan

Girona

Nestled in the mountains of Monchique in Portugal’s Algarve region, traditional medronho distilleries offer a unique glimpse into the production of one of Portugal’s most distinctive spirits. Medronho, a potent brandy made from the fruit of the arbutus tree (also known as the strawberry tree), has been crafted here for generations. Visiting these distilleries lets you witness firsthand the artisanal techniques behind this storied drink, rooted deeply in regional culture.

1. Traditional distilleries are often small, family-run operations where medronho is still produced using age-old methods. The process starts with hand-picked medronho berries, which are fermented and then distilled in copper stills. Seeing this process up close reveals the skill and care that go into every bottle.

2. The scent of the fermenting fruit and the warm, earthy aroma of the distillation process create an immersive experience. Each distillery has its own subtly unique approach to fermentation and aging, resulting in variations in flavor and strength.

3. Distillery tours often end with a tasting session, allowing you to sample medronho right at its source. The drink is known for its high alcohol content and intense, fruity flavor that reflects the rugged terrain of Monchique. Locals enjoy medronho as a symbol of regional pride, often sipped as a digestif.

4. Visiting these distilleries also provides insight into the rural traditions of the Algarve, where medronho production is a point of community pride and a cherished family heritage.

5. Many distilleries sell small-batch bottles of medronho, giving you the chance to bring a piece of Monchique’s artisanal craft back home.

Wear comfortable shoes for the rugged terrain and bring a camera to capture the beautiful mountain setting. Tastings are potent, so plan for a leisurely pace as you savor each sip!

Photo: Casa do Medronho

Visit Medronho Distilleries

The Chiesa di San Giorgio in Ragusa Ibla, located in the heart of the picturesque old town of Ragusa, Sicily. This stunning church is renowned for its architectural beauty and cultural significance. Key features:

The church is a masterpiece of Sicilian Baroque style, characterized by its elaborate façade, intricate stonework, and dramatic use of light and shadow. Its design reflects the grandeur and opulence of the Baroque period.

Rebuilt after the devastating earthquake of 1693, which reshaped much of Sicily's architecture, the Chiesa di San Giorgio stands as a symbol of resilience and artistic rebirth in the region.

The church's façade is a highlight, featuring detailed carvings, Corinthian columns, and a grand staircase that creates a sense of awe and majesty.

Inside, the church boasts a richly decorated interior with ornate altars, beautiful frescoes, and intricate sculptures, offering a feast for the eyes and a glimpse into the religious art of the era.

The Chiesa di San Giorgio is not just a religious site but also a cultural heart of Ragusa Ibla, hosting various religious ceremonies and cultural events that are integral to the community.

Nestled in the old town of Ragusa Ibla, the church is surrounded by charming streets, baroque palaces, and picturesque views, enhancing the visitor's experience of Sicilian culture and history.

The church's location on a hilltop offers panoramic views of the surrounding town and countryside, making it a popular spot for both its spiritual significance and scenic beauty.

Visiting the Chiesa di San Giorgio in Ragusa Ibla offers an immersive experience into the world of Sicilian Baroque architecture and the rich cultural tapestry of Sicily. It's a must-see for anyone visiting Ragusa, appealing to those interested in history, architecture, and art.

Photo by GIUSEPPE COSTANZO

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