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Italy

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.

Visit the medieval town of Erice with a guide and top off your day with a self-guided visit to Trapani.

Begin your journey through time with a visit to Erice, a medieval town nestled atop a hill, offering breathtaking panoramas of Trapani and the western coast of Sicily. You can choose to ascend and descend from Erice using the cable car.

While exploring Erice, indulge your senses at Pasticceria Grammatico, where the rich, ancient aromas and flavors come alive under the mastery of 81-year-old Mrs. Maria. This pastry shop and café provide a taste of tradition that has been lovingly preserved through the ages.

Additionally, you will visit a traditional weaving workshop in Erice, where Mrs. Francesca continues the legacy of her mother, meticulously preserving the ancient craft.

Meet in Trapani, a 75-minute drive from Palermo, to take the cable car up to Erice, or meet directly in Erice. After finalizing booking, chat with Manila to confirm the exact meeting point. 

Mornings are the best time to witness Erice in all its mysterious allure, with the castle peeking out from underneath the mist. Your guide will share stories and anecdotes, fostering a deeper connection to the local culture. Travelers have the opportunity to interact with local artisans and business owners, gaining firsthand insights into centuries-old craftsmanship. This multifaceted expedition connects you to the soul of Sicily, offering insights into the region's history, crafts, and flavors. Another side to Erice you wouldn't have seen as a regular visitor.

History Tour in Erice, Sicily, uncovering medieval heritage, local crafts and traditional pastries.

We will meet in Trapani at the cable car station, and ascend to the medieval hilltop town of Erice, where time seems to stand still. Be captivated by stunning panoramic views of Trapani and the Western Sicilian coast from this historical vantage point. In Erice, you’ll sample Maria Grammatico's famed convent pastries, a testament to the town's artisanal heritage. Next comes a visit to a local weaving workshop, immersing yourself in a centuries-old craft that continues to thrive in this picturesque setting. Finish the day with a self-guided walk in Trapani and we'll share a suggestion for a couscous lunch restaurant.

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

Medieval Mists of Erice

This experience accommodates a minimum of two people. What's included: Cable car tickets to and from Erice, pastry sampling, and behind-the-scenes access to a weaving workshop in Erice. 

Drive yourself to the meeting point. Bring comfortable footwear.

After completing the booking, Chat with Manila to confirm the meeting point. Meet in Trapani, a 75-minute drive from Palermo, to take the cable car up to Erice, or meet directly in Erice. After finalizing booking, chat with Manila to confirm the exact meeting point. 

A knowledgeable, certified local guide will accompany you throughout the tour.

Morocco

This is a deep dive into the heart of the souks of Marrakesh's UNESCO-listed medina, where you will meet the artisans who are still practicing age-old, traditional crafts, from metalwork to leather slipper making, weaving, wood carving, and more.

Mohamed will lead you across the famous Djemaa El Fna square, where captivating performers—storytellers, musicians, snake charmers, and merchants—entertain locals and visitors alike.

From there, venture into a maze of narrow lanes lined with shops overflowing with textiles, pottery, jewelry, and more. Depending on your interests, Mohamed will introduce you to lesser-known streets dedicated to specific crafts, allowing you to meet artisans and observe their skills firsthand.

For photography enthusiasts, he'll guide you to the most picturesque corners, where light filters through and architectural wonders await. This immersive experience is perfect for those interested in culture expressed through authentic, handmade crafts.

If you are staying in the medina (the old city of Marrakech) we will meet you at your riad. For travellers staying outwith the medina we will meet you in front of the Post Office.

With Mohamed’s deep local connections, you will have the rare opportunity to meet the people who are the keepers of artisanal techniques which are awe-inspiring to observe. The medina of Marrakesh itself offers a fascinating insight into life as it has been lived here over many centuries.

This is a photographer's dream, as you are guided to areas in the labyrinth of streets where the light gleams through and the displays of wares make for stunning images: mountains of richly colored spices, rugs hanging from rooftops, and tiny shops filled with glittering metal lamps.

Mohamed tailors the journey to your interests, whether it's uncovering secret gardens, exploring ancient wooden doorways, or capturing stunning images in labyrinthine streets. You can be assured of an immersive experience, giving you the chance to know the real Marrakesh beyond typical tourist paths.

Cultural Tour in Marrakech: Explore UNESCO-listed Medina, meet artisans & photograph souk crafts.

You will meet your guide Mohamed and after greetings and introductions Mohamed will lead you across the world famous square of Marrakech, the D'jema El Fna. Here you will witness the performers who everyday entertain locals and visitors alike; storytellers, musicians, snake charmers and merchants.
From the square you will enter the maze of narrow lanes, lined on all sides with shops filled to overflowing with textiles, leather goods, pottery, jewellery, baskets, carved wood and so much more. Depending on your specific area of interest, Mohamed will introduce you to the lesser known streets of the souks, those designated to specific crafts, allowing you to meet and communicate with the artisans and witness at first hand the skills employed to craft their wares.
For photographers Mohamed will help you locate the most picturesque corners, where the light filters through, and there are intriguing architectural features such as ancient wooden doorways and secret gardens.

A Thousand and One Crafts

Guided walking tour of Marrakesh’s UNESCO-listed medina.

Access to artisan shops or workshops specializing in traditional crafts.

Cultural insights into the medina’s history and living traditions, amd opportunities for photography.

Stop for traditional mint tea and local Moroccan snacks during the tour.

This is a walking tour, bring comfortable walking shoes and a sense of adventure!

Mohamed will meet at your riad if you are staying in the medina. For travellers staying outside the medina, we will meet you in front of the Post Office on the big square, Jemaa El Fna, 322 Saada, 4B Mhamid, Marrakech, 40000. 

Mohamed is a fully licensed guide whose depth of experience, knowledge, and personal connections make each tour unique and unforgettable. As a highly experienced guide sought after by National Geographic journalists and photographers, Mohamed's personal friendships with performers in Djemaa El Fna and artisan makers in the souks open doors rarely accessible to visitors.

Mohamed speaks fluent English and can also communicate in French and Spanish. He makes an excellent interpreter when meeting with local people whom you would like to engage but who don't speak English or your native language.

Türkiye

This experience takes you through the North side of Cappadocia covering the region’s most iconic sites. You’ll start at the Göreme National Park taking in the views of the surreal volcanic landscape where mammoths once roamed. Then enjoy a short walk among the fairy chimneys and the pigeon houses admiring the manmade wall paintings. After a traditional lunch, you’ll stop in Avanos, a town with a rich pottery-making tradition dating back to the Hittites, a civilization that settled in Turkey around 2000 BC. You’ll witness the artisans at work and sample regional wines before continuing towards the Imagination Valley (Devrent), where naturally sculpted rocks take on intriguing shapes that resemble animals and other figures. The day concludes at Paşabağ (Monks Valley), where hermits once carved their homes into giant fairy chimneys. It’s a fascinating blend of geology, history, and art, packed into a full day of discovery.

This experience stands out by combining Cappadocia’s surreal landscapes with authentic cultural encounters. As you pass through Göreme National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, you’ll discover ancient cave dwellings and rock-hewn churches adorned with centuries-old frescoes. In Imagination Valley, you’ll put your creativity to the test by tracing the figures hidden in the surreal rock formations, much like past generations have interpreted these natural shapes.

Led by Yusuf, a professional guide with deep geological knowledge and strong ties to the local artisan community, this journey takes you beyond typical sightseeing to uncover the region's creative soul. In Avanos, you’ll witness a live ceramics demonstration and engage with local potters, learning about their craft’s centuries-old traditions. The day also includes a traditional regional lunch and a wine-tasting session in a stone-carved wine cellar, where you can sample wines crafted from local grape varieties. 

Enjoy a leisurely walk through the surreal landscapes populated by fairy chimneys and historic pigeon houses.


Explore a house carved directly into a fairy chimney, showcasing Cappadocia's unique architectural heritage.

Stroll among iconic fairy chimneys and ancient pigeon houses.

Fairy Chimneys Walk

Explore Imagination Valley, famous for its naturally sculpted rocks that resemble fascinating shapes.

Use your imagination to interpret the unique shapes formed by the valley.

Capture the surreal landscapes of Imagination Valley.

Imagination Valley

Visit Paşabağ, also known as Monks Valley, where you can see the extraordinary fairy chimneys where hermits once carved their secluded homes.

Experience the serenity and spiritual history of this unique site, learning about the ascetic life of ancient hermits.

Discover the hermit seclusions in fairy chimneys.

Paşabağ (Monks Valley)

Ascend Uçhisar Castle to experience the breathtaking panoramic views atop Cappadocia's highest point. Marvel at the volcanic landscapes that define this region.

Discover traditional pigeon houses adorned with intricate wall paintings, offering a unique glimpse into local heritage and art.

Explore the highest point in Cappadocia with panoramic views.

Uçhisar Castle

Visit Avanos to witness the town’s renowned pottery-making tradition, dating back to the Hittites around 2000 BC.

Engage with local artisans for a hands-on pottery session, learning the age-old techniques firsthand.

Experience pottery making in historic Avanos.

Avanos Pottery Demonstration

Sample a traditional Cappadocian lunch at a local eatery, experiencing authentic regional flavors.

Enjoy dishes cooked using ancient techniques that have been passed down through generations.

Savor a traditional meal in a local setting.

Traditional Lunch

Unwind with a guided wine-tasting session in Avanos, Cappadocia’s winemaking hub. Step into a stone-carved wine cellar, where you’ll sample a selection of locally produced wines made from indigenous grape varieties unique to the region.

Cappadocia’s volcanic soil and high-altitude climate create exceptional growing conditions, giving its wines a distinctive character. Unlike mass-produced wines, these are crafted using centuries-old techniques, preserving the heritage of Anatolian winemaking. 

Sip locally crafted Turkish wines in a charming stone-carved cellar.

Wine Tasting

Day Trip in North Cappadocia: Göreme, fairy chimneys, pottery in Avanos, and Imagination Valley.

Fairy Chimneys of the North

Licensed, professional guide throughout.

Private transportation in an air conditioned vehicle with pick-up and drop-off at your hotel. A bottle of water per person is provided in the vehicle.

Entrance fees to all listed sites. 

Ceramic workshop visit. 

Wine tasting session.

Traditional lunch at a local restaurant.

Children under 6 years old can join the tour free of charge.

Comfortable, slip-resistant shoes for walking on rocky terrain
Sunglasses and a hat for sun protection
Weather-appropriate clothing (check the forecast beforehand)
A camera or phone to capture the stunning scenery
Some cash for personal expenses or souvenirs
Fully charged portable devices

This experience is located in the heart of Cappadocia starting at Göreme. Guests will be picked up from their hotels. After booking, please provide us with your hotel details via Chat.

Your host is a licensed tour guide with a profound knowledge of Cappadocia’s geology, history, and culture. With over a decade of experience, they bring the region to life through captivating stories and insights that deepen your connection to each site. Trained in history and archaeology, they add unique layers of understanding to each stop, transforming the experience into an enriching journey. 

This experience begins inside San Bernardino alle Ossa, a church like no other in Milan. It holds one of the city’s most unsettling spaces: an ossuary chapel lined floor to ceiling with human bones, creating a space suspended between devotion and disquiet. Created in the 12th century to house the remains from the nearby hospital’s overflowing cemetery, it still evokes questions about death, ritual and memory.

From here, the walk unfolds through the surrounding streets near the Università Statale—an area layered with centuries of medicine, mysticism and intellectual life. You’ll move between old hospital courtyards, academic buildings and silent corners.

Erica shares the background of the ossuary, the district’s layered past, and the thin boundary between science and superstition. Emanuele guides your eye helping you notice the strange harmony of details that define this part of Milan—scholarly and occult, clinical and haunted, forever suspended between two ways of knowing.

This walking tour invites you to engage with a space that challenges perceptions of life and death, faith and reason, all within the heartbeat of the city of Milan. The juxtaposition of beautiful ornate Baroque design and the stark reality of human remains creates a thought-provoking tension.

The experience isn’t about mystery tourism or ghostly storytelling. It’s about interpreting a space that sits at the intersection of faith and ritual (the chapel, the ossuary, the idea of devotion and mortality), art and architecture (Baroque design, ornament, geometry, proportion), intellect and emotion (guided by a historian and a photographer). 

You'll explore both the physical space and the complex cultural layers that have shaped it across centuries. The district’s rich history of medical practice, superstition, and intellectual pursuit comes alive through Erica’s deep historical knowledge and nuanced storytelling and Emanuele’s artist’s vision and eye for detail.

Walking Tour in Milan: explore San Bernardino Ossuary Chapel & the city’s mystical-medical history.

Faith & Form in a Milan Chapel

Full guidance from Erica and Emanuele throughout the two-hour walking tour. 

 Coffee break.

 Photo tips from Emanuele along the way. 

Selection of photos taken by Emanuele during the experience.

You’ll meet Emanuele and Erica in front of the church of San Bernardino alle Ossa.

Emanuele Dello Strologo is a photographer based between Genoa and Milan. His eye has been shaped by over a decade of work in reportage, portraiture, and black-and-white photography, with past collaborations including Corbis and Getty Images. He’s always observing, camera in hand, drawn to fleeting scenes of everyday life.

Erica De Ponti is a licensed guide with over 20 years of experience and a deep love for old-time Milan. She has written essays for photographic books on the subject, teaches art history at the Università della Terza Età, and works as both an editor and press officer. Her approach blends historical insight with a sharp sense for stories worth telling.

Discover a culinary adventure at Ourika Organic Kitchen in the breathtaking Atlas Mountains. Led by Amanda, a seasoned chef with a deep love for Moroccan cuisine, the cooking school offers immersive classes where you'll perfect savory tagines and vibrant salads with fresh, locally-sourced ingredients. 

Arrive at the kitchen and start your day with a warm welcome over tea under the shade of a walnut tree. Participants engage in hands-on cooking: chopping fresh vegetables, mixing marinades, and baking bread using traditional methods. Cooking over charcoal enhances the authentic flavors. 

After the cooking is complete, relax in the serene beauty of Ouirgane, and enjoy the delicious lunch you helped create against a stunning landscape. With the kitchen’s farm-to-table, organic, and sustainable practices, you are guaranteed a delicious and ethical dining experience.

This experience is located in Ouirgane, just 1 hour and 15 minutes from central Marrakesh. Please arrange transportation through your hotel after booking this experience.

Set in the Moroccan countryside, this experience blends culinary skills with cultural insights, set against the picturesque Atlas Mountains countryside. The engaging hospitality starts with the welcome as you learn about the rich history of Moroccan cuisine. 

The hands-on cooking includes using traditional methods and fresh, local ingredients, ensuring that each dish is authentic and flavorful. With its interactive and engaging format, the experience draws guests into actively participating from ingredient preparation to final plating, exploring Moroccan culinary heritage through stories, tasting and experimenting with spices. Talking with Amanda and her team as you prepare the lunch will be a special highlight. 

Whether you're a culinary expert or a newcomer, this promises a unique adventure that delights your palate and enriches your spirit. 

Cooking Class in Atlas Mountains near Marrakesh: Learn Moroccan cuisine with a professional chef.

Arrive at Ourika Organic Kitchen in Ouirgane and start your day with a warm welcome over tea under the shade of a walnut tree. Get to know your hosts and learn about the rich history of Moroccan cuisine. Next, dive into hands-on preparation: chop fresh vegetables for vibrant salads, mix marinades for the flavorful tagine, and bake traditional bread in the outdoor oven. All meals are prepared using the traditional Moroccan method of cooking over charcoal, enhancing the authentic flavors. After the cooking is complete, take time to relax and enjoy the delicious lunch you've helped create. This immersive experience blends culinary skills with cultural insights, making for a memorable and satisfying day.

What's Cooking in the Atlas?

Hands-on Moroccan cooking class led by chef Amanda in the Atlas Mountains.

Use of fresh, locally sourced, organic ingredients from the kitchen garden.

Welcome tea under a walnut tree and herbal teas grown onsite.

Traditional bread baking and charcoal cooking methods.

Three-course lunch you help prepare, enjoyed in a scenic mountain setting.

Filtered water provided throughout the experience.

Comfortable clothes and footwear, and a healthy appetite.

Arrange transportation via your hotel after booking, as this will be the most convenient and direct option. If you are unable to arrange this via your hotel, chat with Amanda after booking, and we can arrange it for an extra charge through a separate payment link.

At the entrance of  our farm This experience is located in Ouirgane, just 1 hour and 15 minutes from central Marrakesh. Please arrange transportation through your hotel after booking this experience.

Amanda, a New Zealander who has called Morocco home for 22 years, brings a wealth of expertise to Ourika Organic Kitchen. With 35 years in the culinary world, she blends her global experience with an in-depth understanding of Moroccan cuisine. Her passion for traditional Moroccan cooking is evident in her hands-on classes, where she expertly guides guests in creating authentic dishes like flavorful tagines and vibrant salads. Amanda's unique perspective, refined through years of living in Morocco, enriches her teaching with valuable insights into local ingredients and culinary techniques. Her commitment to sustainability and farm-to-table practices reflects her dedication to both exceptional cuisine and environmental stewardship. Amanda’s engaging approach and cultural insights make her an outstanding guide for a memorable and immersive culinary experience at Ourika Organic Kitchen.

Chile

This 3-hour photography experience takes place on the periphery of Valparaíso in the Playa Ancha district. Upon meeting your host in a storied cafe, you'll warm up over coffee while shooting textured interiors and panoramic vistas from the roof terrace. David will then weave you past pastel-hued mansions from the 19th century and neighborhood bakeries, sharing photography tips and anecdotes.

A leisurely gander brings you to Paseo 21 de Mayo—one of Valparaíso's most enthralling viewpoints. It's wise to carry cash should you wish to purchase a souvenir from the street vendors who you'll liaise with through Daniel. The route then passes through narrow streets adorned with murals and "playful" photo spots where you have a choice of sampling a completo (Chilean hot dog) or empanada and an ice cream with humble origins and a curious legacy. The experience ends at the oldest mansion on Cerro Artillería—a photographic treasure trove—where you may opt to stick around for lunch or a Pisco Sour.

Not only does this experience expose a neighborhood where few tourists tread, but your host will train your eye on hidden details. David will demonstrate how to capture the essence of these dollhouse facades—some of which retain their original glory, others stand in disheveled beauty. Using a DSLR camera or your smartphone, you'll experiment with colors and textures.

Curated as a sensory exchange, you'll tune into the sounds of the port, the persistent sea breeze, the holler of ice cream vendors, and the rattle of wooden doors. You'll inhale the scent of fresh bread while snapping local bakeries. In his intimate atelier, you’ll observe the artisan, Osvaldo, sculpting trinkets from Chilean lapis lazuli.

The experience fuses photography, food, and connection. With David at your side, you'll chat with artisans, taste beloved street eats, and dip into pop culture. Rather than aimless pointing and clicking, every photo captured is a chapter telling the story of your time in Valparaíso.

Photography Walk through Playa Ancha in Valparaíso, Chile with colorful hillside & local landmarks.

Framing Playa Ancha

Guided 3-hour photography walk in Playa Ancha.
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Hot beverage and alfajor at the first café.

Completo or empanada at the second café.

Mid-experience ice cream.

Bring a DSLR or mirrorless camera (additional lenses are welcome) or your smartphone. Tripods are not required.
Sunglasses, sunhat, and sunscreen are essential in summer/recommended in winter.
Comfortable clothing and sturdy footwear for uneven surfaces and some steep inclines.
Bottled water. 
Please bear in mind that heavy fogs from the Humboldt Current are common in Valparaíso. The experience will continue if fog is present; David will teach you how to work around these conditions. 

Meet David in the Loft Waddington Cafe in Valparaíso, Chile. Uber and Cabify services are widely available in Valparaíso. 

Growing up amid the windswept dunes of Concón and the bohemian streets of Valparaíso kindled David's appreciation for photography, nature, and art. He graduated from the University of Playa Ancha and went on to work as a Software Engineer, while flexing his skills behind the lens. 

As a self-taught photographer, David has honed his talent working with both landscapes and portraiture. He has an experimental style and a keen eye for spotting easily-missed details He has a special ability to see the potential in the simple aspects of local reality and culture, and always seeks to capture them in an original way through his photography. He works with a Canon DSLR, using 50mm and 18-55mm lenses for regular shots and a 300mm lens to capture distant subjects with clarity and depth.

David draws upon his extensive archive of travel photography experiences while mentoring those visiting Valparaíso on how to capture the beauty of a city and why you should look beyond what's at eye level.

Portugal

Experience an unforgettable journey through the vibrant flavors and rich culinary heritage of the Sesimbra region with our exclusive Market-to-Table private experience. This immersive culinary adventure is designed for discerning food enthusiasts and culture seekers eager to dive deep into the authentic essence of Portuguese cuisine. 

After a scenic drive, we'll begin at the renowned Livramento Market, where you'll assist in selecting the freshest local ingredients. Following the market, we'll proceed to a charming local home, where these ingredients will be transformed into a sumptuous Portuguese meal by a local chef. While the cooking unfolds, enjoy breathtaking views of Sesimbra village, complemented by your choice of local beer, wine, or cocktails. 

This experience is a celebration of local ingredients, culture, and the unparalleled passion for food that characterizes Portuguese culinary traditions.

We'll pick you up in the location you provide and back. You'll be driven in a comfortable and safe car. 

Our Market-to-Table experience begins in the historic Livramento Market, a landmark since 1930. Celebrated for its striking tile murals depicting the region's agricultural history, the market serves as both a culinary and cultural hub. You’ll explore stalls laden with Setúbal's finest produce, including the renowned local cheese, Queijo de Azeitão, and fresh seafood that's a staple of Portuguese cuisine. Accompany our expert chef, a native of Setúbal with deep roots in local traditions, as he guides you through selecting the best ingredients. 

The experience culminates in a private home, where you're welcomed not just as a treasured guest but as a long-time friend. as you join in helping prepare the traditional dishes. This setting allows for a genuine cultural exchange with insights into local customs and culinary techniques. Each dish prepared is a narrative of the region, making this an immersive journey into the heart of Setúbal’s culinary and cultural landscape.

Day Trip from Lisbon to find Setúbal's culinary soul in a vibrant Market-to-Table with a local chef.

After pickup at the address provided, we'll drive to Livramento Market (one of the best markets in the world) where we'll buy the ingredients to cook lunch. Then we'll drive to the house where magic will happen. While you wait for lunch to be ready you'll have a scenic view of Sesimbra village while drinking a beer, glass of wine or cocktail.
Lunch will be local, authentic, fresh and high quality cooked by a local chef.

Culinary Soul of Setúbal

Portuguese cooking session led by a local chef.

Guided ingredient selection at Livramento Market.

All cooking ingredients sourced fresh from the market.

Choice of local beer, wine, or cocktail.

Gourmet lunch featuring the day’s freshest catches and harvests.

Scenic views of Sesimbra village from the cooking location.

Round trip transportation from Lisbon.

Comfortable footwear and clothing, a camera to capture the vibrant market scenes, and an appetite for discovery and delightful tastes.

We will pick you up from your Lisbon hotel. After booking, share hotel location with Rui via Fernwayer chat.


Led by a passionate local chef and cultural aficionado, this experience offers an intimate glimpse into the heart of Portuguese cuisine. Our host, born and raised in the Sesimbra region, combines deep culinary expertise with a love for his homeland, offering guests a truly authentic and heartfelt culinary journey.

This nighttime photography experience invites you to explore Rome as the city shifts from the blue hour into full evening light. You begin near the Colosseum, capturing its form from elevated viewpoints where Roman pines and shrubs frame the monument in unexpected ways. As daylight fades, the mix of deep blues and warm architectural tones creates a vivid palette that defines the opening part of the walk.

As traffic builds, you experiment with long exposures, shaping light trails that cut across the foreground and give energy to the scene. You continue through a quiet side street where the Colosseum reappears between lampposts, their reflections softening the cobblestones and adding depth to each shot.

The final stretch moves toward the Imperial Forums, the illuminated Markets of Trajan, and Michelangelo’s Piazza del Campidoglio, before reaching the Caffarelli Terrace. From here, the skyline opens toward St Peter’s, offering one of the most striking night views in the city.

Nightfall alters Rome in very particular ways: façades become planes of warm stone, shadows deepen the architecture, and traffic draws lines of light against Rome’s nightscape. The city feels closer, atmospheric, more cinematic.

As a professional photographer born and raised in Rome, Emanuele’s eye has been shaped by a lifetime of watching how the city behaves at night — how space behaves once the light shifts: how to recognize a perspective before pressing the shutter, how to balance exposure to preserve detail, and how to adjust settings so the final image reflects the atmosphere you’re standing in. His guidance reveals how subtle shifts influence depth and balance, and how color harmonies shape the mood of a scene.

You don’t need to think of yourself as a photographer to appreciate this. The experience is equally about learning to see Rome at night — its quiet, its texture, its glow — through the eyes of someone who has spent his life studying its light.

Photo Walk in Rome exploring the Colosseum, Imperial Forums and night views from the Capitoline.

Roma Nocturna

Private night photo tour guided by an architect-photographer-artist.

Photograpy techniques to capture the picutres in every kind of light condition.

A few behind the scenes pictures as a memento.

If you don’t have your own, Emanuele can lend you his tripod.

The itinerary and timing may change based on the participants’ photography preferences and the moon’s position. If the moon is visible, Emanuele will still suggest a good spot to photograph it.

Comfortable walking shoes, your camera, and a light jacket or shawl for the cooler evening hours. A rain jacket if needed.

You’ll meet Emanuele at Largo Gaetano Agnesi, right in front of the Colosseo metro station.

This Rome-based guide, with a background in architecture, found a new calling in photography in 2012, turning it into a new career and lifelong passion. With a deep understanding of Rome, Emanuele offers tours showcasing the city's hidden gems and iconic landmarks through unique, unseen perspectives. He finds joy in sharing the beauty of Rome with others, always delivering a consistent and enriching experience. You can depend on Emanuele to expertly weave together Rome's stories, forms, and proportions, offering a visionary glimpse into the city's soul.

This full-day expedition from Lisbon to Mafra, Ericeira and Sobreiro takes you through Portugal’s rich history, architectural beauty and vibrant coastal life. 

You will start at the awe-inspiring Mafra Royal Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its monumental Baroque architecture, and the biggest building in Portugal. Commissioned by King Dom João V in the 18th century during Portugal’s Golden Age of wealth from Brazil, this vast complex includes a Royal Palace, a grand Basilica, a convent for 300 friars, and one of the world’s most stunning library, home to over 35,000 rare books. 

Next, in the surrounding village of Sobreiro, you’ll step back in time at José Franco’s Traditional Town, a captivating display of regional life through life-sized buildings and animated ceramic miniatures. 

The tour concludes in Ericeira on the Atlantic seaside, a picturesque fishing village turned world-renowned surf destination famous for the blue and whitewashed houses and gastronomy. 

We will start in Lisbon from your accommodation (chat with Tiago after booking to provide details). A private car from Lisbon to Mafra, then to Ericeira and back, is included.

This tour is about the powerful emotional connection between Portugal’s history, art and coastal culture. 

Mafra Royal Complex is a testament to Portugal's grandiose past, a symbol of sumptuous artistic and architectural scale combined with royal ambition. As you walk through the opulent halls, feel the weight of history beneath your feet. You’ll marvel at the Italian Baroque statues, six historical pipe organs, and two carillons composed of nearly 100 bells. You’ll have a rare sensory experience, a profound sense of awe and reverence.

Ericeira, designated a World Surfing Reserve, still has a historic center filled with traditional architecture, fishing activities, great viewpoints and stunning beaches. It’s possible to watch fishermen in their boats bringing in the daily catch of fresh fish that goes directly to the central market or to restaurants.

Tiago narrates this tour with vivid descriptions and unique insights, engaging you in this region rich history, culture and traditions

The Mafra Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is the most important Baroque structure (and the largest building) in Portugal. It was commissioned by King Dom João V in the 18th century, funded by the wealth coming from Brazil. The complex is organized around central interior courtyards, where the Basilica, Convent, and Palace meet and intersect. This architectural complex represents one of the artistic, architectural, and cultural highlights of Portugal.

The Mafra Palace-Basilica-Convent is unique for its scale, sumptuousness, and quality of architecture and decoration. Some highlights include the Infirmary, the Throne Hall, and the Library, which holds about 35,000 rare books. The Basilica is adorned with a unique collection of Italian Baroque statues (the largest outside Italy), six historical pipe organs, and two carillons composed of nearly 100 bells.

The building is also a very important landmark in Portuguese history. It originally reflected the wealth and power of King João V but also represents the lives of several other kings who spent time there, in the surrounding gardens or the nearby royal hunting park. King Manuel II spent his last night in Portugal in one of its rooms before leaving the kingdom forever after the fall of the monarchy in 1910, departing from the nearby Ericeira village beach.

Explore Portugal’s largest Baroque marvel, Mafra Palace-Basilica-Convent, rich in history and art.

The Majestic Heart of Mafra

The Cerco Garden stands on one of the flanks of the Convent-Palace. Initially designed and inspired by Versailles, only a small part of the garden was completed. Despite this, it remains a very pleasant space, featuring a century-old irrigation noria, reflective water mirrors, a vegetable medicinal garden once used by monks, and a leafy park surrounding it.

Cerco Garden serves as the perfect transition between the vast, walled former Royal Hunting area, known as Tapada Real, and the monumental Convent-Palace. It beautifully combines nature, agriculture, and gardening. The forest and gardens span over eight hectares, offering shady corners, waterfalls, and even a unique vegetable garden—Horta dos Frades—where plants were once used to produce medicinal products during the Convent’s time.

Explore Cerco Garden, a serene blend of nature, history, and medicinal horticulture at Mafra.

The Hidden Garden of Cerco

This is an optional part of the tour, based on time and interest. 

Close to Mafra, José Franco's "Traditional Village" is a clay-built, miniature representation of traditional life in the region. Sculptor José Franco (1920–2009) dedicated his life to the art of modeling clay, creating a village that perfectly captures the essence of regional life. This life-sized village includes typical buildings and activities, such as a windmill, butcher's shop, water mill, blacksmith's forge, threshing floor, tavern, and carpenter’s workshop, all reflecting the architecture and trades of the past.

This fascinating creation showcases a world where traditional crafts, trades, and furniture that have long disappeared from the region come back to life through detailed clay models, offering visitors a window into a way of life that no longer exists.

Discover a clay village, a life-size tribute that preserves traditional crafts and regional life.

Clay Village of José Franco

Before exploring the historical center of Ericeira, we’ll enjoy lunch at a traditional restaurant, renowned for its fresh fish and seafood. Among the various excellent lunch options, we will aim to lunch as close to the ocean view as possible, allowing for a restful and comforting meal before the afternoon walk. 

The Atlantic-inspired dishes will be complemented by regional wines, offering a true taste of the local flavors.

In addition to its seafood specialties, Ericeira is also known for its delectable pastries. The most famous of these is the “Ouriço” (Sea Urchin), named after the town’s origin, providing a sweet finish to the meal.

Enjoy fresh seafood and regional wine at an oceanfront restaurant in Ericeira.

Oceanfront Feast in Ericeira 

Exploring the historic center of Ericeira is like stepping back in time. You’ll wander through narrow, labyrinthine streets and small squares, where blue and whitewashed houses, traditional Portuguese tiles, and cobblestone paths create a picturesque atmosphere. As you stroll, the salty ocean breeze reminds you of the town’s deep connection to the sea.

Ericeira’s maritime heritage is visible in landmarks such as the centuries-old Fortress, the bustling Fish Market, and the historic Town Hall. You’ll also encounter religious buildings that tell stories of the town’s cultural past. As you explore, hidden viewpoints appear between streets, offering breathtaking panoramas of the famous surfing beaches and the vast, shimmering Atlantic Ocean stretching out to the horizon. These spots not only capture the beauty of Ericeira but also the pulse of daily life, where fishing boats still come and go, preserving a centuries-old tradition.

Discover Ericeira’s historic center, its streets, coastal views, and a rich maritime heritage. 

Streets and Shores of Ericeira

Travel in comfort and safety from Ericeira to your accommodation hotel in Lisbon. 

Before leaving Ericeira, we’ll make a stop at the Ribeira D'Ilhas Beach viewpoint, famous as the location for the International World Surf Championship. If we’re lucky, we might catch some surfers riding the waves and, perhaps, even witness a stunning sunset. Afterward, we’ll return to Lisbon by car.

Travel from Ericeira to Lisbon by car after an immersive day. 

Ericeira - Lisbon

Travel in comfort and safety from your accommodation hotel in Lisbon to Mafra.

Lisbon - Mafra

Day Trip from Lisbon to the UNESCO-listed Palace of Mafra and Ericeira, a charming fishing village.

1. Lisbon-Mafra: 09:00- 09:45 AM
2. Mafra Palace, Convent and Basilica (09:45 AM – 11:45 PM)
3. Cerco Garden (11:45 PM – 12:15 PM)
4. José Franco Museum, Sobreiro (12:25 PM – 12:45 PM), Optional
5. Lunch in a Typical Restaurant, Ericeira (1:15 PM – 2:45 PM)
6. Ericeira (2:45 PM – 4:45 PM)
7. Ericeira-Lisbon (5:00 PM-6:00 PM)

Waves of Gold and Surf

Guided visit to the Mafra Royal Complex, including the Palace, Basilica, Convent, and Library.

Visit to José Franco’s Traditional Town in Sobreiro.

Free time to explore the coastal village of Ericeira.

Lunch featuring regional cuisine.

Pastry-tasting experience with local specialties.

Transportation from your hotel in Lisbon to Mafra, Sobreiro, and Ericeira.

Comfortable walking shoes, camera, and a spirit of exploration!

Born and raised in Lisbon, Tiago Neiva has an extensive background in architecture, and a master's degree in the Teaching of Visual Arts. His expertise includes the art and architecture of al-Andalus and the confluence of Arab, Jewish, and Christian medieval cultures. Tiago's guided tours are known for their depth and insight, covering aspects like architectural heritage, cultural and social context, and vivid and engaging descriptions.

This experience invites you to explore Venice like an urban game — to slow down, follow your instincts, and let curiosity guide your steps. Each walk becomes a quest: you notice odd signs, trace secret patterns, and uncover stories hidden in corners and cracks of Venice.

There’s no fixed route. Instead, you’ll receive creative missions that transform wandering into play. Each one nudges you to look closer, interpret what you see, and collect your own version of Venice — made of fragments, gestures, and impressions. It’s a blend of observation, intuition, and imagination that turns walking into a deeper relationship with the city.

Along the way, you’ll come across unusual places, notice spontaneous art, and discover curious bits urban furniture and traces of biodiversity blooming between cracks and walls. Rather than ticking off sights, Kimberly helps you connect with Venice as a living system — uncovering stories, building meaning, and seeing familiar places through a different lens.

Flânerie is the art of wandering with intention — a way of exploring that embraces slowness, curiosity, and the pleasure of getting lost. Kimberly, who has long worked with psychogeography and urban exploration, brings this tradition into the present through a playful method: creative missions and open-ended prompts spark curiosity and lateral thinking, turning you into a co-author of the experience.

You’re invited to observe signs, sounds, and traces of biodiversity that emerge at the edges of perception. Exploration turns into a multisensory, imaginative act. Rather than classical tourism, this is a relational encounter, weaving together places, stories, and people in ongoing dialogue.

Participants use simple tools provided by Kimberly — game kits, notebooks, small objects — to engage with the landscape in tangible, surprising ways. It’s about building an active relationship with Venice, imagined as a giant game board.

Urban Game in Venice with creative missions to explore the city through a different perspective.

The Venetian Flâneur

Immersive urban game designed for an intentional exploration of Venice. 

Game kit to be completed during the experience, including paper-based activities, pencil or pen, notebook, and a small keepsake. 

Two stops to enjoy an espresso and taste a cicchetto.

** Note: Additional tools provided to complete the activities — along with the clipboard used as a writing surface — must be returned at the end of the experience. 

Comfortable walking shoes, a bottle of water or reusable flask, a passion for learning, a curious eye, and a willingness to play along. Travel journals, cameras, and — for the more creative — colors and materials of your choice are always welcome.

In case of rain, bring an umbrella. If high water (acqua alta) occurs in Venice, check the tide forecast, use the walkways provided by the city, and, if needed, wear rubber boots.

You’ll meet Kimberly in front of Venezia Santa Lucia Train Station, a strategic location easily accessible by train, car, or water transport.

After booking, contact Kimberly via Chat and share the name of your accommodation. This will help her provide useful directions to the meeting point and, if needed, adjust the start time.

Kimberly McKean is an art director, creative adventurer, and passionate urban explorer. She is dedicated to atypical tourism — a form of travel that steps off the beaten path and beyond popular destinations to offer original, personalized experiences rooted in authentic place discovery.

In her experiences, she invites participants to slow down, follow their intuition, and transform each walk into a personal journey — blending flânerie, psychogeography, and creative missions.

During her explorations, she guides travelers in tuning into the soundscape, noticing curious details like urban furniture, observing spontaneous art and traces of biodiversity hidden in cracks, walls, and forgotten corners.

Her walks are an invitation to play, invent, interact, and read the city as an atlas of stories and possibilities. For her, tourism is not consumption but connection: a serious kind of play that encourages us to observe, interpret, and reinvent places with new eyes.

Mexico City unfolds in layers, where murals and markets, pyramids and plazas reveal both its ancient roots and its dynamic present. This three-day journey blends guided encounters with artists, historians, and food experts, while leaving space to take in the rhythm of the neighborhoods. It is designed for travelers who want to understand the city through its art, flavors, and living culture, not just to see its landmarks.
DAY 1 – MURALS AND MEXICAN FLAVORS | Begin your journey with a guided tour of Mexico City’s revolutionary murals, where each wall tells the story of politics, identity, and art in motion. The works of Rivera, Orozco, and Siqueiros set the stage for a day immersed in color and meaning. After a pause in the afternoon, step into a hands-on food workshop where you learn the process of making tortillas, taste tacos hot off the griddle, and sip mezcal while hearing about its traditions. It is a full day that balances art with flavor, giving you a first taste of Mexico City’s creative pulse.
DAY 2 – FRIDA, DIEGO AND UNAM | Spend the day in Coyoacán with a guided cultural tour devoted to Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera. Visit their iconic houses and museums, and walk through the leafy streets that shaped their art and daily lives. In the late afternoon, continue to the campus of UNAM, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With a local photographer as guide, you will discover the vast murals that adorn its buildings, and capture the mix of modernist architecture, student life, and quiet corners that make this campus a city of its own. The day moves from intimate artistic legacies to monumental spaces of learning.
DAY 3 – TEOTIHUACAN AND POLANQUITO | The final day takes you out of the city on a guided day trip to Teotihuacan, where the pyramids of the Sun and Moon rise against the horizon. Walking alongside a historian, you will uncover the stories of this ancient site and imagine the scale of life in the first great city of the Americas. Returning to Mexico City, the evening is a celebration of modern flavors in Polanco. A guided food tour introduces you to elegant streets, neighborhood history, and a sequence of dishes that bring the day to a satisfying close. It is the perfect balance of past and present, ending the journey with both wonder and warmth.
WHERE TO STAY IN MEXICO CITY | Centro Histórico offers a classic stay close to the Zócalo and major landmarks, surrounded by history at every turn. Roma and Condesa bring a creative rhythm with leafy streets, cafés, and nightlife that feel distinctly local. Polanco is refined and central, with museums, dining, and parks at your doorstep. Each neighborhood offers its own atmosphere, all well connected for exploring the city.
PLAN YOUR TRIP WITH FERNWAYER | We believe each day of an unforgettable journey should be anchored in a guided experience, with space for self-led exploration in between. 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.

Mexico

Mexico City Roots and Stories

3 days in Mexico City reveal murals, Frida and Diego, Teotihuacan, and food tours across the city.

United States

A luminous journey across water and stone, this five-day itinerary invites you to slow down and savor Venice through the lens of art, history, and quiet beauty. Blending guided tours with self-led explorations, it’s designed for the traveler who seeks meaning in details — reflections on the canals, the hush of palazzos, the rhythm of walking, and the stories behind each façade. From golden mornings in Dorsoduro to early light in Burano, this itinerary balances movement and stillness, guiding you through the city’s most evocative moments.

DAY 1 – PIAZZA AND PALACES | The journey begins with a private photoshoot guided by a local photographer, capturing your silhouette against the soft light of bridges and canals. In the afternoon, you’ll step into Piazza San Marco and explore the Basilica at your own pace before heading to the Doge’s Palace for a self-led visit through grand chambers and secret passages. The city’s layered history sets the tone for a slow, immersive arrival.

DAY 2 – ART AND WATERLINES | You’ll start the day with a guided walking tour of Dorsoduro, a neighborhood where artists’ studios and gondola yards share quiet lanes with shaded piazzas. In the afternoon, a self-led visit to the Gallerie dell’Accademia invites contemplation among Venetian masters. As the sun dips low, a guided boat tour leads you into the lagoon, where the colors of the city shift and settle into still water and sky.

DAY 3 – HIDDEN ISLANDS | The morning opens with a guided boat tour to far reaches of the lagoon, where wild gardens, quiet docks, and local stories unfold beyond the well-trodden paths. After returning to Venice, the afternoon brings a visit to Ca’ d’Oro, whose lacy Gothic façade still hints at its gilded past. This is a day shaped by contrasts: untouched nature and ornate palaces, silence and shimmer.

DAY 4 – EARLY VENICE | You’ll rise early to join a local photographer for a guided photo walk through Venice in its quietest hours — when soft light filters through the city. After a long break, the evening continues with a self-led visit to Teatro La Fenice, where velvet seats and golden balconies hold centuries of drama and renewal. It’s a day for observing beauty in quiet, fleeting moments.

DAY 5 – BURANO AND THE VINEYARD | The final day takes you beyond Venice to Burano. With a fisherman as your guide, you’ll explore hidden corners of the lagoon by boat before reaching a secluded vineyard island for an experience shaped by tradition, salt air, and handmade wine. It’s a gentle farewell to the floating world — where time bends around water, craft, and conversation.

WHERE TO STAY IN VENICE | For a balance of calm and character, Dorsoduro is an ideal base — less crowded than San Marco, yet central enough to walk everywhere. Travelers seeking an artistic, design-forward atmosphere will appreciate hotels along the Zattere or near Campo San Barnaba. For early morning views and slow starts, canal-facing stays in Castello or Giudecca offer space to breathe, with the city always within reach by foot or vaporetto.

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.

Seen and Lived in Venice

5 days in Venice exploring palaces, canals, island vineyards, and the golden light of the lagoon.

Barcelona unfolds across five days of design, flavor and texture. Modernist architecture meets artisanal creativity, and city rhythms blend with coastal calm. This itinerary is crafted for travelers who move with intention, appreciating detail, history and everyday beauty. From ateliers to iconic landmarks, from market tastings to rooftop views, each stop is anchored in a guided experience or a meaningful self-led discovery that offers a purposeful way to explore the city.

DAY 1 – ATELIER ARTISTRY AND MONTJUÏC VIEWS | Begin the day with a guided atelier visit at Eliurpi’s Magical World, where sculptural hat design meets poetic craftsmanship in the heart of the Old Town. Continue through Plaça Espanya, then explore centuries of Catalan art at the MNAC, perched above the city. Later, ride the cable car to Montjuïc for sweeping views and a shift in perspective. End your day with a scenic dinner, overlooking the city from the hillside.

DAY 2 – MODERNISME REVEALED | Start with a guided walking tour through Gràcia, following Gaudí’s early works and Catalan Modernism, including Casa Vicens and a tapas lunch. In the afternoon, explore the colorful mosaics and playful curves of Park Güell. As evening falls, dive into a guided architectural journey through hidden Art Nouveau interiors, tasting your way through history.

DAY 3 – GRÀCIA TO THE SEA | Uncover the political and creative roots of Gràcia on a morning walking tour exploring uprisings, civil war stories, and local oysters with wine. In the afternoon, visit two of Barcelona’s most iconic landmarks — La Sagrada Familia and the Gothic cathedral — each offering a distinct lens into the city’s architectural legacy. As golden hour sets in, board a catamaran for a coastal sail with skyline views and Catalan wine. End the day with dinner at a cozy tapas bar near the marina.

DAY 4 – MARKETS AND MODERNISM | Spend your morning learning to cook regional tapas in Barcelona. Begin at Santa Caterina Market, shopping for ingredients with a local chef before preparing tapas in a hands-on kitchen workshop. In the afternoon, admire the stained glass beauty of the Palau de la Música and wander through the narrow lanes of El Born. At night, enter Gaudí’s dreamlike La Pedrera for a rooftop visit under the stars, followed by a lively dinner nearby.

DAY 5 – GIFTS, ART, AND A GAUDÍ FAREWELL | Start the day with a guided shopping tour through Barcelona’s Old Town, where local ateliers and historic shops offer one-of-a-kind pieces and cultural insight. After lunch in La Ribera, explore the Picasso Museum at your own pace, tracing the artist’s early evolution in the city he called home. In the evening, experience the luminous world of Gaudí at Casa Batlló during its Magic Nights event. Close your trip with a final dinner full of Catalan flavor and quiet celebration.

WHERE TO STAY IN BARCELONA | Gràcia feels like a village, ideal for returning to calm after full days of discovery. El Born and the Gothic Quarter are full of atmosphere and close to key museums in Barcelona. Eixample offers refined streets, architectural gems and easy access to everything from Gaudí landmarks to the best tapas in Barcelona.

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.


Spain

Modernisme in Barcelona

5 days in Barcelona for design, culture, local markets, museums, tapas, and Gaudí’s best landmarks.

This 10-day Morocco journey begins and ends in Marrakesh, unfolding through coastal Essaouira and the High Atlas Mountains in between. From artistic neighborhoods and sensory rituals to ocean air and mountain trails, this itinerary invites you to see Morocco not just as a destination but as a series of living moments, each led by chefs, photographers, artisans, and storytellers.

You will take part in Sufi evenings, hands-on cooking, contemporary gallery visits, and village walks. Every stop balances exploration and stillness, allowing time to absorb, connect, and be moved by Morocco’s many layers, from rooftop views to mountain paths, from hammam steam to handcrafted silver.

DAYS 1-2 – MARRAKESH | Ease into the journey with Amanda’s Courtyard Kitchen, a warm welcome into Moroccan cooking set in a private home. Visit El Badi Palace on your own before an immersive evening of Sufi presence with live Hadra music and shared dinner. The next day focuses on the city’s creative energy. Begin with a guided art tour and curator-led meet-up at Comptoir des Mines Galerie. Spend the afternoon in Gueliz, Marrakesh’s modern district, to visit the Yves Saint Laurent Museum and Jardin Majorelle, spaces that blend color, fashion, and legacy.

DAY 3 – MARRAKESH TO ESSAOUIRA | Begin the morning with A Thousand and One Crafts, a guided walk through the artisan medina of Marrakesh. After lunch, travel west through argan country toward the coast. Essaouira is directly west of Marrakesh, a 2.5 to 3 hour drive, a straight shot to the Atlantic. It offers a gentle and relaxed pause after the intensity of Marrakesh. Arrive before sunset and take in the sea breeze.

DAYS 4-5 – ESSAOUIRA | Capture the spirit of Essaouira with Framed Essaouira, a full-day photography tour that reveals the city’s light, rhythm, and intimate angles. On the following day, dive deeper into craftsmanship with Jewelry Makers of Essaouira, a quiet and inspiring look into workshops that keep Moroccan silversmithing alive.

DAY 6 – ESSAOUIRA TO ATLAS MOUNTAINS | Today is a long but beautiful transfer from the Atlantic coast to Imlil in the High Atlas Mountains. As the terrain shifts, so does the pace. By sunset, you will be surrounded by peaks and valleys, far from city sounds.

DAYS 7-8 – ATLAS MOUNTAINS | Walk the Mule Tracks of Aremd, a soft yet panoramic hike that threads through the hills and villages near Imlil. The following day, go deeper with The Quintessential High Atlas, a guided trek that brings you into the life and rhythm of the mountains.

DAY 9 – ATLAS TO MARRAKESH | Begin your day with The Salt Route of Marigha, a scenic walk through argan groves and salt flats. Then, return to Marrakesh for your final evening. The shift from mountain quiet to city color makes this arrival feel like a reawakening.

DAY 10 – MARRAKESH | Close your journey with Art Beyond Borders, a guided look at contemporary art in Marrakesh. Enjoy one last rooftop, one last mint tea, and one last story before heading toward your next chapter, carrying Morocco’s echoes with you.

PLAN YOUR TRIP WITH FERNWAYER | We believe each day of an unforgettable journey should be anchored in a guided experience, with space for self-led exploration in between. 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.

An Escape to Morocco

10 days in Morocco through Marrakesh, Essaouira, and the Atlas Mountains with art, food, and nature.

This 10-day itinerary moves through Andalusia’s most expressive cities—Seville, Cádiz, Ronda, Málaga, and Granada—balancing guided experiences with time to wander. You’ll follow a one-way route from Seville to Málaga to minimize travel and deepen your experience. From Moorish palaces to Roman ruins and vibrant markets, this trip is an invitation to engage with Andalusia as a living culture. Along the way, you’ll find curated experiences, hotel and dining recommendations, and insights from two locals who know this region intimately.

Seville is your entry point—fly in and settle into a city where architecture, energy, and rhythm shape the streets. Visit the Alcázar, take a masterclass in flamenco’s quieter meanings, and explore hidden workshops in Triana. | Cádiz follows, and with it, the feeling of arrival into a deeper past. Here, you’ll walk seaside ramparts, taste freshly caught fish in local markets, and join locals for a casual tapas crawl. Don’t miss the Carnival, if your timing aligns. | Ronda offers slower breath and cliffside drama. With its sweeping views and old-world charm, this is the perfect place for a horseback ride, a visit to a family-run bodega, or a hike into the surrounding countryside. | Málaga, long overlooked, now leads with contemporary art and bold cuisine. | Granada, your final stop, gathers everything—Islamic architecture, Jewish heritage, Spanish tradition. The Alhambra is a must, but so are the Albaicín’s narrow alleys and the city’s soulful street corners.

Trains run between some major cities, but not all. To follow this route with ease, we recommend car rentals or arranged transfers between accommodations. Begin in Seville and fly out from Málaga.

𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘪́𝘢 𝘑𝘰𝘴𝘦́ 𝘎𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘦, 𝘧𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘗𝘦𝘱𝘢 𝘉𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘢, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘓𝘶𝘤𝘪́𝘢 𝘕𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘪𝘳𝘰, 𝘣𝘰𝘵𝘩 𝘤𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘥𝘪𝘢𝘯𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘈𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘭𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘢𝘯 𝘤𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦. 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘰𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘥𝘦𝘱𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯.

Cádiz as a place of convergence: María José was born and raised in Cádiz, and her eyes sparkle with pride and nostalgia as she describes this ancient city where history, culture, and the sea converge. It’s a place where stories of Phoenician sailors, Roman conquerors, and Moorish poets are continually retold. Reflecting on her childhood, she recalls the close-knit neighborhood where people relied on one another. Carnival—an annual February tradition—was central. Lucía remembers it too; her grandmother was a seamstress who hand-stitched elaborate costumes each year. 

The essence of Andalusia, María José says, is best experienced not through spectacles, but through shared moments. Conversations in taverns. Crafts passed down through generations. Hospitality that’s unforced and real. Strangers are often welcomed like friends—invited into homes, kitchens, or village fiestas. Here, you’re never just an observer.

There’s growing interest in pairing cultural travel with nature, wellness, and gastronomy. Think horseback safaris, slow treks, and olive oil tastings under ancient trees. For María José and Lucía, true luxury is about access to spaces and stories that are otherwise closed to tourists: a private sherry tasting in a centuries-old bodega, a sunset boat ride in Doñana, or a morning spent with artisans in a whitewashed village. This is the Andalusia they want travelers to know. 

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.

Andalusia: Seville to Granada

Andalusia itinerary 10 days with Seville, Cádiz, Ronda, Málaga, Granada, heritage and cuisine.

Even with just one day, Valparaíso’s creative energy can still be felt. This journey is designed for travelers passing through with limited time who want to understand the city’s pulse through its art, stories, and street life. With guided access to working studios and street-level culture, it offers a layered portrait of Valparaíso in motion.
DAY 1 – ART STUDIOS AND STREET LIFE | Begin with a guided visit to a printmaking studio where local artists share their creative process, from tools to finished works. In this intimate setting, you’ll see how contemporary art is shaped by the city’s spirit. After a lunch break, spend the afternoon walking through Valparaíso’s hills and alleyways with a local guide. Along the way, you’ll explore murals, staircases, and markets that reveal both history and everyday rhythms. Together, these two experiences trace how creativity lives and breathes across generations.
WHERE TO STAY IN VALPARAÍSO | Cerro Alegre and Cerro Concepción offer quick access to both studio visits and afternoon walks, with a central location and walkable charm.
PLAN YOUR TRIP WITH FERNWAYER | We believe each day of an unforgettable journey should be anchored in a guided experience, with space for self-led exploration in between. 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.

One Day in Valparaíso

Fernwayer’s perfect one day in Valparaíso blends street art, studios, and a hillside guided walk.

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 WITH FERNWAYER | We believe each day of an unforgettable journey should be anchored in a guided experience, with space for self-led exploration in between. 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.

Over three enriching days in Cádiz, we delved into a city where history whispers from ancient walls and tradition flourishes in the lively streets. From the grandeur of the Cathedral de la Santa Cruz to the vibrant rhythms of Jerez’s flamenco, this itinerary is a testament to Cádiz's enduring spirit. It blends cultural immersion with natural wonders and culinary delights, offering a glimpse into the Andalusian-Arab legacy, the allure of sherry, and the untamed beauty of Doñana National Park. There are layers to Cádiz’s multifaceted charm, and we hope travelers will explore, learn, and indulge in the rich tapestry of experiences that define this timeless city – as we did!

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.

Salt, Song and Time in Cádiz

3-day itinerary in Cádiz blending Moorish history, flamenco traditions, sherry, sea-slowed meals.

Living the Pulse of Porto means tasting its traditions, stepping inside centuries-old landmarks, and letting the Douro set the rhythm of your days. In three days you’ll move from taverns filled with petiscos to valley vineyards, riverside boat decks, and cathedral steps that have anchored the city for generations. Designed for travelers who want immersion over checklists, this journey blends guided encounters with moments of quiet discovery, letting Porto’s pulse carry you.
DAY 1 – PETISCOS AND VIEWS | Begin with a guided food tour that introduces Porto through its flavors and stories. Tasting petiscos and Port wine becomes a path through the São Bento station murals, the Dom Luís I Bridge, and corners of daily life. In the evening, climb Torre dos Clérigos, where the Baroque tower rises above the old city and the river glimmers below. The day closes over dinner in the heart of Porto, where the atmosphere feels as local as the wine.
DAY 2 – DOURO HERITAGE AND CHURCHES | Leave the city for a guided day in the Douro Valley, where family-run wineries share the generations-long craft of winemaking and lunch is prepared at the table of a local vintner. Back in Porto, the evening turns toward Igreja de São Francisco, a space where Gothic bones and Baroque gold reveal the layers of faith and power. Dinner follows along the riverfront, with seafood and wine echoing the Douro’s abundance.
DAY 3 – RIVER JOURNEYS AND CATHEDRALS | The final day carries you onto the Douro with a guided boat experience that blends water, wine, and the flavors of a traditional sardine lunch. Returning to the city, step into Porto Cathedral, a landmark that has shaped the skyline and spirit of the city across centuries. Evening is left to reflection, with Porto’s rhythm accompanying the close of your journey.
WHERE TO STAY IN PORTO | Porto invites you to choose your base according to your rhythm. Ribeira puts you directly on the riverfront, with sweeping views and easy access to landmarks, though the nights are lively. Cedofeita offers a more local feel, with art galleries, cafés, and quieter streets just beyond the center. For those who prefer evenings by the sea, Foz provides Atlantic calm while keeping Porto close at hand.
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.

Living the Pulse of Porto

3 days in Porto with food tours, Douro Valley wineries, river cruises, and historic landmarks.

From ancient medinas to soaring mountain peaks, this 7-day itinerary in Morocco begins in the heart of Marrakesh and ends high in the Atlas Mountains. A full week of cultural contrasts, spiritual traditions and modern art, plus rooftop sunsets, hands-on cooking classes, vibrant souks and quiet trails. Each day balances immersive experiences with time to explore independently, inviting you to see Morocco through the eyes of artists, chefs, guides, and storytellers.

DAY 1 – MEDINA FOUNDATIONS & ROOFTOP VIEWS | Begin in the heart of the old city with The City of Seven Men, a walking tour that weaves together faith, folklore, and Moroccan tea in a local home. In the afternoon, visit Bahia Palace, where carved cedar and painted ceilings reflect Marrakesh’s opulent past. As the sun sets, join Skyline Stories of Marrakesh, a rooftop journey through a thousand years of history. End the night over dinner at Le Foundouk, with views to match the mood.

DAY 2 – FLAVORS & FAITH | Spend your day with Amanda’s Courtyard Kitchen, a warm and generous cooking class in a private home. In the late afternoon, explore the remains of El Badi Palace, once a symbol of Saadian grandeur. As evening falls, experience A Gathering of Sufi Presence—a powerful blend of Hadra music, spiritual storytelling, and traditional Moroccan cuisine. Wrap up with cocktails and city lights at Dardar Rooftop.

DAY 3 – ART & ATMOSPHERE IN GUELIZ | Today is centered in Gueliz, Marrakesh’s contemporary quarter. Begin with Conversation with an Artist, a curated visit to a local gallery and studio meetup. Then discover the legacy of Yves Saint Laurent at the museum, followed by a stroll through the vivid and peaceful Jardin Majorelle in the Psychedelic Mirage story. Pause for shopping, cafés, or a relaxed dinner at Al Fassia, a Gueliz institution run by women.

DAY 4 – HERITAGE & STORYTELLING | Dive deeper into Marrakesh’s medina with A Thousand and One Crafts, a private walk through its hidden workshops and time-honored techniques. In the afternoon, visit the Mouassine Music Museum and the Photography Museum, both offering quiet insight into Moroccan life and creativity. End the day with 1001 Stories in Marrakesh, an intimate evening of storytelling, music, and dinner. L’mida rooftop awaits to close the day with vibrant flavors and city lights.

DAY 5 – SWEETS & STILLNESS | Begin your day with a heartwarming class at Signs & Sweets, where deaf chefs guide you through the art of Moroccan pastry in a café that empowers and connects. In the afternoon, pause for renewal with a traditional hammam ritual—an invitation to slow down and reconnect. End the day with a sensory feast in one of Marrakesh’s most atmospheric restaurants.

DAYS 6–7 – INTO THE ATLAS | Leave the city behind for a two-day trek into the High Atlas Mountains. Your guide leads you from the village of Imlil toward the summit of Mount Toubkal, North Africa’s highest peak. Along the way, you’ll pass Berber hamlets, alpine trails, and star-filled skies. Spend the night in a mountain refuge and descend the next day with the stillness of the mountains etched into your memory.

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 WITH FERNWAYER | We believe each day of an unforgettable journey should be anchored in a guided experience, with space for self-led exploration in between. 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 & the Atlas Way

7 days in Morocco from Marrakesh with an itinerary that blends medina life, culture and mountains.

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.

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

Piazza Navona, with its elegant Baroque artistry and vibrant street life, is one of Rome's most picturesque and popular public squares. Built on the site of the Stadium of Domitian, this elongated piazza is not only a testament to the city's rich history but also a bustling hub of contemporary Roman life. Key highlights to look for:
 
1 - Baroque Masterpieces: The piazza's architecture and art are epitomes of the Baroque style. Dominated by the Church of Sant'Agnese in Agone, designed by Francesco Borromini, the piazza is a showcase of architectural grandeur. The church's façade and interiors represent the height of Baroque design, with intricate details and dramatic contrasts.

2 - Fountain of the Four Rivers: The centerpiece of Piazza Navona is Gian Lorenzo Bernini's Fountain of the Four Rivers (Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi). This magnificent fountain features statues representing the Nile, Ganges, Danube, and Rio de la Plata, symbolizing the four major rivers of the continents known at the time. The obelisk at the center and the dynamic sculptures around it make this fountain a captivating sight.

3 - Other Notable Fountains and Artworks: The piazza houses two other noteworthy fountains – the Fontana del Moro and the Fontana di Nettuno. These fountains, with their intricate sculptures and designs, add to the artistic ambiance of the square. Strolling around the piazza, you can admire various artworks, including street paintings and sculptures by local artists.

4 - Atmosphere and Street Performers: Piazza Navona is famous for its lively atmosphere. The square is bustling with street performers, artists, and vendors, making it a lively spot for locals and tourists alike. The cafes and restaurants around the piazza offer delightful spots to enjoy the vibrant atmosphere.

Piazza Navona is a public square and is always open, free of charge.

Photo by Claudia Emanuel

Piazza Navona in Rome

Located in the heart of Venice, St. Mark’s Cathedral, also known as Basilica di San Marco, is a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture and one of the most iconic landmarks in Italy. This magnificent cathedral, originally built in the 9th century and later reconstructed, serves as a stunning example of Venice's rich history and its connections with the Byzantine Empire.

Top highlights: 

1 - Golden Mosaics and Opulent Interior: Once inside, visitors are greeted by the breathtaking golden mosaics that cover over 8,000 square meters of the cathedral’s interior. These mosaics, depicting biblical stories and various saints, are made from millions of tiny glass tiles and create a luminous effect, especially when the sun shines through the windows. The floor itself is a work of art, composed of intricate marble patterns and designs.

2 - The Pala d’Oro: Don’t miss the Pala d’Oro, a dazzling altarpiece made of gold, enamel, and thousands of precious stones. This masterpiece, located behind the main altar, is considered one of the finest examples of Byzantine craftsmanship. It was commissioned by the Doge and has been enhanced over the centuries, representing the wealth and power of Venice during its heyday.

3 - Treasures of St. Mark’s Museum: Climb up to the museum to explore a collection of ancient artifacts, sculptures, and the original bronze horses that once adorned the cathedral’s façade.

4 - Panoramic Views from the Terrace: For a unique perspective, head up to the terrace for a panoramic view of St. Mark’s Square and the Venetian Lagoon. This vantage point allows you to appreciate the scale of the cathedral's design and the bustling life below.

Entrance to St. Mark’s Cathedral is free, but there may be a fee to access certain areas such as the museum or the Pala d’Oro. To avoid long queues, consider visiting early in the morning or later in the afternoon. 

St. Mark’s Cathedral

Istria, Croatia, is home to the breathtaking Brijuni National Park, an archipelago of 14 pristine islands known for their unspoiled nature, rich history, and fascinating wildlife. Once a private retreat for Yugoslav leader Josip Broz Tito, Brijuni is now a protected paradise where visitors can explore lush Mediterranean landscapes, ancient ruins, and diverse ecosystems. With its turquoise waters, archaeological sites, and safari park, Brijuni National Park offers a perfect blend of natural beauty and cultural heritage.

1. On Veliki Brijun, the largest island, visitors can explore Roman villas, Byzantine fortresses, and a 13th-century church, revealing the island’s long and storied history.

2. A unique safari park is home to exotic animals such as zebras, elephants, and llamas, originally gifted to Tito by world leaders, alongside native species like deer and peacocks roaming freely.

3. Along the coastline, crystal-clear waters and hidden coves make Brijuni a fantastic spot for swimming, snorkeling, and relaxing by the Adriatic Sea.

4. The dinosaur footprints imprinted in the island’s limestone date back over 100 million years, offering a fascinating glimpse into prehistoric times.

5. Biking and golf courses provide leisure activities in a stunning natural setting, allowing visitors to explore the island at a relaxed pace.

Visitor Tip: Take the official boat from Fažana to reach the islands, and book a guided tour to learn more about Brijuni’s history and unique wildlife.

Photo: goran_safarek

Brijuni National Park

Mirador de la Cornisa is situated between the Royal Palace and the Almudena Cathedral in Madrid. This newly reopened viewpoint offers sweeping views of the western part of Madrid, including the Campo del Moro and Casa de Campo. The Mirador, which remained closed from 2007 to 2021 due to construction work, now serves as an entry point to the Royal Collections Gallery, set to open in the summer of 2023. Top highlights:
1. Historical Gates and Fence: The viewpoint is accessed through a centenary fence, originally from the Regency of María Cristina, mother of Alfonso XIII. Placed in 1899, the fence was designed by palace architect Enrique Repullés Segarra. It has recently been restored and repositioned, allowing more space for visitors to enjoy the views.
2. Panoramic Views of Western Madrid: From Mirador de la Cornisa, enjoy expansive views of Madrid's western landscape. The viewpoint overlooks the Campo del Moro and extends to the large wooded area of Casa de Campo, with the silhouette of the mountains in the background. It’s a perfect spot for sunset viewing and capturing photographs.
3. Strategic Location: The Mirador's location between the Royal Palace and the Almudena Cathedral places it within what is known as Madrid's Cornisa, an elevated area offering excellent views, especially at sunset. It extends from Parque del Oeste to Parque de la Cornisa, including the famous Las Vistillas space.
4. Access to Royal Collections Gallery: The reopening of the Mirador coincides with the upcoming inauguration of the Royal Collections Gallery. This makes the Mirador not only a viewpoint but also a transitional space to one of Madrid's upcoming cultural attractions.
The Mirador de la Cornisa is open to the public every day from 10 am to 10 pm, free of charge. It’s a must-visit spot to enjoy some of the most beautiful landscapes in Madrid.
Photo by Anastasia Lin


Vistas: Mirador de la Cornisa

Named for its centuries-old pigeon houses carved into the cliffs, Pigeon Valley offers scenic hiking trails and panoramic views that capture the essence of Cappadocia’s beauty.
1. Pigeon Houses: Discover the valley’s ancient pigeon houses, which were historically used by locals to collect fertilizer for farming. Their intricate carvings make them a unique feature of the landscape.
2. Hiking Trails: Explore well-maintained trails that wind through the valley, offering opportunities to immerse yourself in nature and marvel at the dramatic rock formations.
3. Panoramic Views: Enjoy spectacular views of the valley from vantage points along the trail, especially near Uçhisar Castle.

Visitor Tip: Combine your hike with a visit to Uçhisar Castle for an elevated perspective of the valley. Wear comfortable shoes and bring water for a relaxing trek.

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