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Spain

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 is an exclusive journey into Jerez de la Frontera, the city of Sherry wine, equestrian artistry, and flamenco. Begin at the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art to witness a mesmerizing display of horsemanship or enjoy a visit to the renowned stables.

Next, ride through Jerez’s historic streets in a traditional Andalusian horse-drawn carriage, arriving at a local winery. Here, you’ll explore the Sherry production process and enjoy tastings of this iconic fortified wine. Over a regional lunch, savor Andalusian culinary specialties before concluding your day with an intimate flamenco performance that captures the spirit of the region.

This experience offers unparalleled access to the custodians of Jerez’s rich traditions. At the winery, you’ll meet the owners, who share time-honored techniques behind Sherry production, providing insights into their craft that go far beyond a typical tour. The carriage ride evokes a timeless sense of romance as you traverse Jerez’s historic streets.

Flamenco, performed in an intimate setting, delivers a raw and passionate glimpse into Andalusian culture. Whether marveling at equestrian artistry or exploring Sherry’s nuanced flavors, every element is curated for exclusivity.

This experience is thoughtfully designed for couples celebrating a special occasion, families, or groups of friends traveling together.

Cultural Tour of Jerez near Cadiz or Seville with Sherry Tasting, Equestrian Art, Flamenco Show.

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 Grand Elegance of Jerez

Entrance to the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art for a horse show or guided visit to the stables (subject to availability).

Private carriage ride through the historic center of Jerez.

Private visit and tasting at a traditional Sherry winery.

Regional Andalusian lunch featuring local specialties.

Intimate flamenco performance to conclude the day.

Surprise souvenirs to take home.

Dress in comfortable clothing and shoes, based on the season. During summer, expect hot weather and come prepared with a good hat and lightweight clothing. In winter, a coat will be necessary. In spring and autumn, a trench coat should suffice. Before your visit, we will provide more detailed clothing recommendations.

At the entrance of the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art (Av. Duque de Abrantes, s/n, Jerez)

Your expert local guide will introduce you to the custodians of Jerez's legacy and the owners of its historic establishments. Their deep expertise will illuminate the secrets of time-honored traditions and techniques. Whether uncovering the nuances of sherry winemaking or exploring the origins of a cherished story, they are committed to ensuring your experience transcends mere information—immersing you in the very essence of Andalusian tradition.

Closer to the date, Maria José will introduce you to your guide and/or share their contact details.

Chile

Round off a day exploring the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Valparaíso by experiencing an authentic asado chileno with a local guide and grill master born and raised in the seaport. This three-hour barbecue experience is a personal invitation to partake in a beloved food experience rooted in convivencia (togetherness). Upon arrival at Juan Víctor’s family residence, you will be greeted with homemade empanadas and a pisco sour (Chile’s national cocktail). Chorizo sausages and premium cuts of beef are slowly cooked over an open flame, allowing plenty of time to chat with Juan Víctor over a glass of Carménère wine. 

In the sprit of convivencia, you are likely to be joined by some of Juan Víctor's relatives, friends, and neighbors. Together, you will bite into sizzling choripanes (chorizo sausages served on crusty marraqueta bread) and strips of meat fresh from the grill. The conversation will flow and you will return to your hotel with a full stomach and a happy heart. 

This experience invites you to partake in a traditional Chilean barbecue with a porteño and his family in Valparaíso. Juan Víctor’s mission is to introduce you to the highest-quality meat (or plant-based alternatives) in the relaxed, intimate environment of a local household. This is a cultural exchange whereby every item is shared, all questions are welcome, and the conversation has no boundaries. As a passionate asador (grill master), Juan Víctor is thrilled to share tidbits about Chilean food and wine. But he will also use this time to chat about the wider aspect of Chilean culture and his lived experience as porteño. On most occasions, some of Juan Víctor's relatives, friends, and neighbors will join the asado — making this a thoroughly sociable affair.

As the guest of honor, you are invited to participate in the cooking as much or as little as you wish. You may assist with preparing pebre (salsa) and tending to the grill, or simply sit back and unwind with your new friends. 

Chilean Asado in Valparaíso: Evening BBQ at local grill master's family home with cultural exchange.

Friendship Forged in Fire

Private asado chileno at a grill master's family home.

Private transportation to/from your hotel in Valparaíso (or a central location).

All food items from a traditional Chilean asado: choripanes (chorizo sausages), carne (selection of red meats), pebre (salsa), side dishes, and confectionary. 

Substitutions are available for vegetarians/vegans: please inform Juan Víctor when booking. 

Wine (equivalent of half a bottle per person).

x1 pisco sour cocktail per person.

Soft drinks. 

Layers for the evening. Valparaíso experiences cool evenings in all seasons, including summer — tropical nights are a rare exception!

*Please advise Juan Víctor of any allergies/dietary requirements at the time of booking. 

Juan Víctor will collect you from your hotel in Valparaíso, Chile. Please advise the name and address upon booking the experience. Travelers staying in Viña del Mar will be required to make their own way to Valparaíso by car or Uber — a meeting point will be confirmed via Fernwayer Chat.

Juan Víctor was born and raised in Valparaíso. He has worked as a professional guide for over 12 years, offering highly-personalized travel experiences in Chile and Argentina. Juan Víctor is passionate about history, art, the outdoors, and meeting new people. He has a particular fondness for barbecues and sharing this unique aspect of Chilean life with overseas visitors.

Besides showing you his beloved Valparaíso with the thoroughness and depth only a true local can provide, Juan Víctor offers himself as a friend. As a avid traveler, he is able to impart tips and inspiration for further exploration of Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, and beyond.

Italy

This private ceramic experience blends Vietri sul Mare’s rich iconography with hands-on production. Just one hour south of Naples, Vietri is the gateway to the Amalfi Coast, renowned for its centuries-old ceramic traditions. Begin with coastal views and a stroll through historic streets, sampling delizia al limone and sfogliatella to set the tone for your creative adventure.

At the workshop, Elvira introduces the majolica ceramic process, a craft that has flourished here since the Renaissance. You’ll mold a donkey, a beloved emblem of Vietri’s ceramics and traditions. Next, you’ll learn the glazing process by painting a lemon with flowers and leaves, celebrating the Amalfi Coast’s beauty. Throughout the experience, you’ll gain insight into the symbolism behind various motifs that have shaped local folklore and craftsmanship.

To conclude, toast your creation with Cetara’s famous anchovies paired with exquisite Campania wine, the perfect farewell to your artistic and cultural journey.

You will experience the rich cultural heritage of Vietri sul Mare through the art of handcrafting ceramics. Vietri sul Mare is the birthplace of Amalfi Coast ceramics, making it the perfect setting to experience majolica artistry firsthand. Unlike standard ceramic workshops, this experience will deepen your connection to the region's artistic and cultural identity through a blend of creativity, history, and flavors.

Under the guidance of Elvira, a skilled master ceramist, you will discover the symbolic meaning behind Vietri's traditional motifs, from the beloved donkey to the sun-drenched lemons of the Amalfi Coast. The hands-on approach ensures a personalized and meaningful creation and understanding of the fascinating majolica production process.

To top it off, a farewell aperitif featuring Cetara's famed anchovies and Campania wine will bring art, tradition, and local flavors together, in a memorable experience and a story that you create with your own hands.

Craft Workshop near Naples, modeling clay and glazing majolica following Vietri's tradition.

Donkeys & Lemons In Clay

Private guided ceramic workshop with a master ceramist.

All tools, raw materials, and firing services for your ceramic piece.

Artistic insights and guidance throughout the workshop.

Coffee, tea, and water available during the experience.

Farewell aperitif featuring Cetara’s famed anchovies and Campania wine.

Note: Elvira can arrange shipping for your finished piece at an additional cost. Since costs vary by destination, you can request a quote and pay on-site.

Your curiosity and creativity
Aprons and lab coats are provided, but comfortable clothing is recommended
It's best to keep nails short for easier handling of the clay

Meet at Elvira’s studio: Corso Umberto Iᵒ, 102, located in the courtyard of a building in the historic center of Vietri sul Mare.

From Naples: An easy trip, just 1 hour south, perfect for a day trip. 
From Amalfi: About 40 minutes by car or bus, following the scenic coastal road.
By Train: The plaza is a 5-minute walk from Vietri sul Mare-Amalfi station.
By Car: Take the Vietri exit.

Elvira is an architect with a passion for preserving cultural and environmental heritage through innovative ceramic design. Her work seamlessly blends intellectual and hands-on craftsmanship, reflecting her belief that creativity enriches the individual.

Her journey with clay began in university, where she crafted small architectural models—her first exploration of transforming two-dimensional concepts into tangible forms. Growing up in Vietri sul Mare, it was only natural for ceramics to become her primary artistic medium.

For years, Elvira has welcomed travelers and enthusiasts, offering immersive, hands-on experiences in majolica production, sharing Vietri’s rich ceramic tradition with the world.

This is an immersion in one of Rome’s most astonishing private palaces: the Galleria Doria Pamphilj. Still owned by the family that built it, this residence houses a remarkable collection of paintings, sculptures, and furnishings displayed in rooms that have remained unchanged for centuries. Your art tour begins in the quiet courtyard, where Chiara, an art historian, introduces the history of the building and the powerful family behind it.

Together, you explore the gilded galleries and grand salons, pausing in front of masterpieces by Caravaggio, Velázquez, Titian, Raphael, and many others. Chiara guides you through the artworks in their original setting, revealing the personal stories, political power, and family intrigues behind this unique Roman treasure.

The experience flows through one stunning room after another, offering insight into both the opulence of the collection and the worldviews of those who shaped it.

Unlike most museums, the Galleria Doria Pamphilj preserves the atmosphere of a lived-in residence, where art is still surrounded by the history and beauty it was created for. The rooms, richly furnished and untouched for centuries, offer a deeply personal way to experience masterpieces by some of the greatest painters of the Western tradition.

Chiara, who trained as an art historian, draws connections between each work and the historical moment that shaped it, from Caravaggio’s dramatic realism to Velázquez’s unforgettable portrait of Pope Innocent X. Her background ensures a thoughtful, engaging approach that highlights meaning as much as technique, encouraging dialogue and tailoring the visit to your own interests.

This experience offers a rare chance to encounter and deeply understand centuries of art and history in the most important private palace in Rome still inhabited by its original family.

Art Tour in Rome inside Doria Pamphilj, a private palace housing Caravaggio and Velázquez works.

The Doria Pamphilj Legacy

Guided visit to one of Rome’s most important private palaces still owned by its original family, led by a licensed art historian.

Entry tickets to the gallery.

Coffee at the beautiful palace café.

The visit takes place indoors, but comfortable shoes are still recommended as you’ll be standing for the entire visit.

You’ll meet Chiara just outside the entrance to the Galleria Doria Pamphilj, at Via del Corso 305. Look for the large doorway with flags above it, right in the heart of Rome’s historic center.

Chiara was born and raised in Trastevere, in the heart of Rome, where her passion for hidden stories and art began early. She studied Ancient Greek and Art History in Berlin, then returned to Rome to complete a Master’s degree focused on Renaissance art and restoration. For the past eight years, she has been guiding travelers through the city she knows intimately, blending history, art, and storytelling to reveal the layers of Rome most people miss.

Portugal

This is a journey into the heart of the Algarve's rural hinterland, unveiling the region's culinary treasures hidden away from the typical tourist path. Your exploration begins in Zambujal, where Rui, a former banker turned passionate advocate for traditional black pig farming, welcomes you. Rui, having traded his office, paperwork, and bureaucracy, for the open fields of his family's farm, now produces some of the Algarve's finest ham. This segment of the tour not only introduces you to Rui's esteemed black pork meat through interactive discussions and tastings but also celebrates the craft of ham, a prized local delicacy. The adventure continues with a 30-minute scenic drive to Castro Marim, a haven for the traditional art of salt harvesting. Under the guidance of a seasoned salt farmer, you'll immerse yourself in the delicate process of “flor de sal” collection, experiencing firsthand the blend of culture, conservation, and culinary excellence that defines these vibrant communities.

This curated tour intricately weaves the peaceful allure of the Algarve's countryside with its emerging food scene. It takes you from the pastoral tranquility of Zambujal, where the art of traditional pork production is a way of life, to the historic salt pans of Castro Marim, renowned for producing the finest sea salt. Indulge in the region's best pork and discover the ancient craft of salt making, an experience seldom encountered by the average visitor. This exceptional journey will satisfy your palate and forge a connection with the dedicated individuals upholding these timeless practices. In Castro Marim, the age-old technique of hand-harvested salt, aligned with nature's rhythms, exemplifies a sustainable lifestyle that has contributed to the Mediterranean's culinary wealth for centuries. This Experience is a testament to human creativity, a dedication to preserving cultural and ecological legacies, and a unique opportunity to delve deep into Algarve's traditions and rural charm.

This region situated in a remote and unknown Algarve, near the border, away from the popular tourism spots. In this segment, you will be driving in your own car, and following the guide’s car. 

Drive your own car, following the guide’s car. 

This is rural Algarve at its scenic best. You will enjoy the scenic route. The trip will reveal you glimpses of a tradicional rural way of living, with beautiful landscapes, tinny rural villages and local communities. A small stop in one of these rural villages is part of this route.

Driving Through Rural Algarve 

An adventure in the tranquil salt pans of Castro Marim, guided by Jorge. With a passion for sustainability and conservation, he has transformed the salt pans into a nature reserve, balancing commercial success with ecological responsibility. Discover the age-old method of salt harvesting by hand, learning about its ecological benefits and the local wildlife it supports. Experience collecting the prized flor de sal yourself, followed by a tasting session that reveals the profound impact of this artisanal salt on enhancing the flavors of local produce.

Drive your own car, following the guide’s car. The Experience ends at Castro Marim.

 In Castro Marim, the art of salt harvesting by hand in harmony with nature showcases a sustainable lifestyle rarely seen today. For centuries salt has been exported from Algarve to many mediterrnean regions. This tour not only offers a taste of the local delicacies but also serves as a testament to human ingenuity and commitment to preserving cultural heritage and natural ecosystems, making it a truly one-of-a-kind experience. This is a great way of knowing more about the Algarve, its traditions and rural life.

Castro Marim's Salt Pans

Your exploration begins in the tranquil village of Zambujal, a hidden gem in the Algarve's rural landscape. Here, Rui has transformed traditional pig farming into an art form. Upon arrival, Rui will share his journey from banker to farmer, illustrating his passion for sustainable agriculture. As you tour the farm, witness the Alentejano black pigs in their natural habitat, thriving on a diet of acorns and figs, which contributes to the distinct flavor of their meat. 

This immersive experience not only showcases the farm's dedication to animal welfare and environmental sustainability but also offers a taste of authentic Algarvean gastronomy. The highlight of your visit will be a comprehensive tasting session. Delight in an array of pork products, including the exquisite presunto, accompanied by local cheeses, bread, and a selection of condiments, all under the shade of ancient olive trees.

Visit a black pig farm with sustainable farming practices, a hidden gem, led by a former banker. 

Part 1: Zambujal Village 

Food Tour in Algarve with black pork farm visit in Zambujal & flor de sal harvest in Castro Marim.

Black Pigs & White Gold: A Journey Through Algarve

Guided visit and tasting at Rui’s traditional black pig farm in Zambujal.

Insight into black pork farming and artisanal ham production.

Lunch featuring Rui’s premium black pork products.

Scenic 30-minute drive to Castro Marim.

Guided tour of a traditional salt farm with hands-on flor de sal harvesting.

Salt tasting and insights into the craft of natural salt production.

Drive over to the meeting point in your own transportation and follow your guide’s car from one location to another. Comfortable footwear is recommended. Also bring an appetite eager to explore the rich flavors of the Algarve's culinary delights. 

Zambujal, Vaqueiros, Alcoutim, Portugal. We recommend you organize a private transport to get here - either rental car or via your hotel reception

Experience the Algarve through the eyes of locals deeply passionate about their crafts. Rui, with his revolutionary approach to pig farming, brings a wealth of knowledge and dedication to sustainable practices. Jorge is the visionary behind the salt farm that has revitalized the traditional craft of salt harvesting in Castro Marim. His expertise makes him a captivating guide through the salt harvesting process. In addition, you will be accompanied by a guide from João’s team, and you'll be ensured an enriching experience filled with personal stories and insider knowledge.

France

Set in the grounds of a French château, this experience begins on horseback, riding through rows of vines that roll gently across the landscape. Even without previous experience, the ride offers a sense of freedom and connection with the land that nurtures each grape. The vineyard meanwhile reveals itself with its scents, colors, and changing perspectives, making the approach to wine an experience in movement as well as taste.

Back at the estate, the pace shifts as glasses are poured for a vertical tasting of the signature cuvée L’Éclat. Three vintages—2018, 2019, and 2020 — invite you to trace the subtle ways in which time and climate leave their mark. Each sip is a reflection of the vineyard’s dialogue with nature and the careful craftsmanship behind the bottles.

The experience reaches its peak with a gourmet lunch prepared by a local chef. Seasonal ingredients, paired thoughtfully with the wines, create a table that celebrates both tradition and creativity.

This is an exclusive experience that provides high-touch engagement with the vineyard and the people behind it. Riding through the vines is a rare chance to feel the land as it breathes, to sense its rhythms before tasting what it creates.

The vertical tasting is another distinction, usually reserved for insiders. Exploring three vintages side by side, guided by those who know the cellar intimately, you begin to see how each year leaves its own mark. It’s an immersion in time and craftsmanship — a perspective that turns each glass into a story.

The gourmet lunch brings it all together. Seasonal dishes are paired to echo the wines, and at the table, conversations flow with the chef and winemakers. Their stories, knowledge, and hospitality give life to a shared moment that feels both refined and deeply human — leaving you with a connection that lingers well beyond the last sip.

Wine Tasting near Bordeaux with vineyard horse riding, vertical cuvée tasting, and gourmet lunch.

Saddles and Cellars

1-hour guided horseback ride through the vineyards, with helmets and riding safety gear.

Guided visit of the winery and barrel cellar. 

Vertical tasting of cuvée L’Éclat (vintages 2018, 2019, 2020).

Gourmet lunch prepared by a local chef and paired with estate wines.

A refined and immersive journey into the heart of Château L’Eperon.

For your comfort and safety, it is recommended to wear comfortable clothing suitable for outdoor activities. Jeans or trousers are ideal, along with closed-toe shoes (please avoid sandals or heels). A bottle of water is also advised, especially in warmer months. No riding experience is needed.

You'll meet Nathalie and Olivier in the courtyard of Château L’Éperon.

Nathalie and Olivier Bonnélye share a deep passion for wine and hospitality that led them to transform a château into a place of craft and conviviality. Nathalie turned what began as a pastime into her profession, combining formal studies in wine commerce with a natural talent for creating meaningful connections.

Olivier, whose career once took him around the world in science and business, always kept wine as his constant passion. In 2021 he embraced the dream of becoming a vintner, dedicating himself to reviving the potential of the estate and the historic French grape Côt (Malbec).

Argentina

Taste something a little different on this wine and tasting at one of the oldest wineries in Mendoza. While most pairings come with cheese and charcuterie, this estate in the Maipú Wine Region serves their wine with locally-made chocolates and alfajores. But before then, you’ll explore the grounds of this family-run winery on a slow, mindful walk. While exploring organic vineyards and old cellar doors, you’ll learn about simple traditions kept alive by this family of winemakers for generations. The wines here are made with minimal intervention, with a high minerality due to the characteristics of the soil and the organic viticultural practices.

This leads into the tasting of wines sweet delights: satiny chocolates and decadent alfajores that complement each varietal and bring out the flavours in unexpected ways. A thoroughly sensory experience, you’ll feel the silence of the cellar, the rough texture of the vines, and the kind of care that doesn’t come from machines—but from people.

There’s no glitz and no rush on this experience. This family behind this winery don’t follow trends; they follow their values and their hearts. Hosted by Julieta, you’ll meander through the vines with a guide with the estate who will explain how the estate does things differently. Once inside the original cellar, you’ll partake in a wine tasting that’s thoughtful and personalized, teamed with sweet local bites that anchor the flavors. These chocolates are carefully selected from local producers based on pairing notes. 

Although it plays a major role in the activity, this experience isn’t just about wine. The commentary expressed by Julieta and the estate guide is all about how wine relates to land, time, and memory. You'll hear about the simplicity of wine making and experience a "back-to-basics" approach to viticulture, faithful to the old ways. You'll also hear how this winery was almost lost, before the original owners' grandchildren stepped up and saved the day.  

Wine Tasting and Chocolate Pairing in Mendoza—visit an organic winery for chocolate and alfajores.

Chocolate Over Wine in Maipú

Private transportation to and from Mendoza City. 

Tour of the winery with a guide. Wine tasting paired with chocolates and alfajores.

Julieta's bilingual hosting presence throughout. 

A healthy appetite.
A jacket or extra layer; Mendoza's weather is full of surprises. 
Sunglasses and sunscreen.
Reusable water bottle.
And maybe leave a little room in your bag… local treats have a way of finding their way home with you.

Julieta will pick you up from your hotel in Mendoza City. If you're staying further afield, Julieta will coordinate the best meeting point via Fernwayer Chat post booking.

Born and raised in Mendoza, Julieta offers an insider’s perspective on Argentina's premium wine region through engaging conversations and unique experiences. After spending years guiding throughout Argentina and Chile, she has returned to her home city with a vision to show a different side to Mendoza. Julieta's experiences mix a keen knowledge of wine, gastronomy, and cultural history with spontaneity and humor. 

Join a Chilean chef and restaurateur in this immersive and authentic culinary journey in Santiago, Chile. This 5-hour private food experience starts at the city's oldest markets—Mercado Central and Mercado La Vega—and ends over a home-cooked meal at the chef's apartment in the exclusive El Golf neighborhood. 

To start, Cristian "Tatán" Mellado will walk you through Santiago's meat, fresh produce, and fish markets while explaining their history. After this walking tour, you will stop by the Bellavista and Isidora Goyenechea districts and learn about the gastronomical scene—this is an opportunity to pick up restaurant recommendations. Upon arrival at Tatán's apartment, you will receive a welcome cocktail with oysters (or equivalent) from the Pacific Ocean. This flows into appetizers and a wine tasting before starting the gourmet cooking class. The menu includes Ceviche de Reineta as a starter and Charquicán (a dish from the Mapuche culture) as the main course followed by dessert.

Passionate about food, Tatán's experience combines an authentic exploration of Santiago's main food markets and the preparation of a fresh meal in his private home. Born and raised in the Chilean capital, Tatán knows the markets like the back of his hand. He will share anecdotes and explain the nuances of Chilean food culture and cooking techniques as you meander the aisles. 

Visiting Tatán apartment's provides a rare authenticity to a food experience in central Santiago. Conversation will flow over a feast of traditional dishes using ingredients you purchased together that morning. The typical menu starts with ceviche made from reineta (white fish) followed by a dish of Charquicán – a hearty stew based on an Indigenous recipe. Reserve wines and sparkling wine is served alongside soft drinks and fresh fruit juices. An incredibly well-traveled and entertaining host, Tatán is keen to exchange stories and ensure that you feel at home throughout the gourmet extravaganza. 

Food & Cooking Tour in Santiago, Chile: markets, seafood cocktail, gourmet home cooking in El Golf.

A Taste of Chile

Market-to-table cooking experience.

Pickup and drop-off within Santiago.

Guided market walk at Mercado Central and La Vega.

Stops in Bellavista and Isidora Goyenechea.

Transport from markets to chef’s home.

Welcome cocktail with oysters or equivalent.

Appetizers, wine tasting, and soft beverages.

Hands-on cooking class; all ingredients provided.

Menu: reineta ceviche, charquicán, and dessert.

Recipes to take home.

Bottled water.
Comfortable footwear.
Camera.
Small bag for essentials. 
Food restrictions are accommodated with advance notice.

Tatán will pick you up and drop you off at your hotel in the metropolitan area of Santiago, Chile. After the booking, provide your address to him via Fernwayer Chat at your earliest convenience. 

Cristian Mellado—better known as Tatán—is a lifelong food lover with deep roots in Santiago de Chile. After 13 years working abroad in aviation communications, he returned home to run one of Santiago’s most popular restaurants for a decade before launching his own catering company and curating gourmet food experiences for travelers.

An avid traveler who has visited more than 80 countries, Tatán brings a global perspective and a trove of stories to every experience. Fluent in Spanish, English, and Portuguese, he welcomes guests with warmth, curiosity, and sharp culinary insight.

Designed for first-time visitors who want more than surface-level tourism, this experience reveals Venice as a system of meanings, not just sights. It’s Venice for first-timers — reimagined and elevated. It begins along a familiar path: the mosaics of San Marco Basilica, the echoing chambers of the Doge’s Palace, and Biblioteca Marciana — but soon shifts rhythm with unexpected turns.

You’ll move through iconic spaces with a fresh gaze, noticing what’s often missed and tracing a thread of Venetian invention. After the morning’s wonders, pause for lunch at a chic bàcaro.

In the afternoon, visit Palazzo Grimani, a Renaissance gem with illusionistic frescoes, then Fondazione Querini Stampalia with its refined collection and Carlo Scarpa–designed garden. 

Your day ends with Lucia leaving you at a gondola stand, with the chance to arrange your own ride if you're interested, and reflect on a perfect day in Venice.

This is the day to do in Venice if your time is limited — insightful, layered, and deeply felt. What sets this full-day experience apart is how the familiar is recontextualized. Lucia leads with intention — highlighting what’s easy to overlook, linking architecture to smaller gestures, and showing how every corner of the city was designed to say something.

Her background in visual culture sharpens how she sees the city — and how you will. Venice has always used light, movement, and framing to shape perception. The Piazza becomes an arena of power. The Basilica, a visual narrative. You'll see that the theatricality isn’t a flourish — it’s foundational.

Palazzo Grimani slows the pace, allowing contrast and texture to come into focus. Lucia also shares stories and curiosities about the city’s squares and side streets, as you walk between stops, adding texture to the understanding of the place and culture. With Lucia, you learn to read the city as both structure and performance.

Your day with Lucia concludes near the Fondazione Querini Stampalia, at a small gondola stand tucked along one of Venice’s quiet canals. From here, you’re free to arrange your own gondola ride — if you wish — as a final moment of reflection and immersion. Lucia provides suggestions for a scenic route or timing if you're interested, but this part is entirely up to you.

Instead of ending at a tourist-heavy drop-off point, this transition is quiet and perfectly placed. The proximity to the Querini Stampalia — home to one of Venice’s most contemplative spaces — feels fitting. The gondola ride is not included, nor is it required. But the opportunity is there, and Lucia leaves you with enough knowledge and inspiration to experience it with new eyes. This ending underscores the spirit of the day: Venice, revealed not just through spectacle, but through depth, design, and choice.

Lucia leaves you at a gondola stand near Querini Stampalia for a self-arranged finale, if desired.

Gondola Stand Drop-Off

A bàcaro is a traditional Venetian tavern where locals gather for simple, flavorful meals and regional wines. Far from the formality of grand restaurants, these small, often family-run establishments offer an authentic glimpse into the city’s social life. With their wooden counters, chalkboard menus, and casual atmosphere, bàcari have long served as gathering places for conversation, connection, and the enjoyment of seasonal dishes.

The bàcaro embodies a living tradition where the rhythms of daily life unfold. Lunch here offers a natural pause between architectural wonders, immersing you in the Venetian way of blending conviviality with culinary heritage. It reflects how the city balances monumental beauty with intimate, communal rituals that have endured for generations.

Lunch at a bàcaro in Venice offers authentic flavors and a glimpse into the city’s social traditions

Lunch at a chic bàcaro

The Basilica of San Marco is the spiritual and artistic heart of Venice, standing at the crossroads of Byzantine opulence and Western architectural innovation. Its five domes, golden mosaics, and intricate marble floors weave together centuries of religious devotion, political ambition, and cosmopolitan influence. Every surface tells a story—from the life of Christ and the Virgin to Venice’s own rise as a maritime republic. The Basilica is a place of worship but also a statement of power and identity, reflecting the city’s role as a bridge between East and West.

The Basilica functions as a visual manifesto. Its mosaics and architecture communicate Venice’s identity as a crossroads of cultures and power. The golden surfaces are not mere decoration but carefully designed narratives that connect biblical stories with the city’s political ambitions. Every element—from the soaring domes to the intricate marble floors—asserts Venice’s role as both a spiritual authority and a maritime republic shaped by trade, diplomacy, and artistic mastery.

The Basilica di San Marco in Venice dazzles with golden mosaics, soaring domes, and rich symbolism

Basilica di San Marco

The former residence of the Doge and the heart of Venetian political life, the Palazzo Ducale embodies the Republic’s unique balance of power, justice, and public spectacle. Its delicate Gothic exteriors—lace-like stone tracery and graceful arches—mask a complex interior where the machinery of state once operated. Opulent chambers once hosted the Great Council, the Senate, and secretive councils of the elite, while bridges and corridors linked the palace to the prisons, symbolizing both authority and accountability. Law, diplomacy, and theatricality blended here for centuries, making the Palazzo not just a seat of power but a living stage for Venice’s civic identity.

The Palazzo Ducale was conceived as a carefully designed theatre of governance. Its architecture balances openness and control, reflecting the Republic’s unique political philosophy. Spaces like the Great Council Hall projected ideals of civic participation, while smaller, more secretive chambers revealed the complexities of power and negotiation. Even the Bridge of Sighs—linking the palace to the prisons—served as both a functional passage and a potent symbol of justice and accountability. Every room, fresco, and architectural flourish contributed to the staging of Venice’s civic identity, where political transparency and ritualized authority coexisted in a carefully orchestrated display.

Doge's Palace in Venice blends Gothic style with grand halls of power, justice, and ceremony

Palazzo Ducale

The Biblioteca Marciana is one of Europe’s earliest public libraries and a Renaissance masterpiece designed by Jacopo Sansovino. Located in the heart of Piazza San Marco, it was built to house Venice’s growing collection of classical texts. Its grand arcades, intricate façades, and frescoed ceilings reflect the humanist ideals of the time, celebrating knowledge as a civic value. The architecture complements the nearby Palazzo Ducale and Basilica, creating a monumental civic space that placed learning at the center of Venice’s public and cultural life.

The Biblioteca Marciana represents Venice’s Renaissance ambition to align knowledge, art, and civic identity. Designed as more than a repository of books, it was conceived as a monumental statement of the city’s role in preserving and advancing classical wisdom. Its architecture, adorned with frescoes and classical motifs, speaks to a society that valued learning as a foundation of prestige and power. The library stands as a testament to Venice’s vision of itself not only as a center of trade but as a guardian of intellectual and cultural heritage.

The Biblioteca Marciana in Venice holds Renaissance treasures and rare classical manuscripts

Biblioteca Marciana

After exploring Venice’s grand civic spaces, you follow Lucia through a quieter rhythm of the city. The walk from Biblioteca Marciana to Palazzo Grimani reveals a different Venice—one woven through campi (small squares), calli (narrow alleys), and sottoporteghi (arched passages beneath buildings). These routes are not just connective tissue; they are sites of memory, commerce, and daily life. Lucia slows the pace, pointing out traces of inscriptions, overlooked carvings, and architectural quirks that speak volumes about the neighborhoods you pass through.

As you walk this 10-minute stretch, Lucia shares the layered stories of these spaces — how they evolved, what they meant, and how they are still used by Venetians today. This is the perfect opportunity to ask her questions about life in Venice and learn about the subtle choreography of Venetian movement: how people navigate, how goods are delivered, and how the city’s architecture supports a life lived at both ground and water level. 

Walk from Biblioteca Marciana to Palazzo Grimani through Venice’s layered squares and alleys.

Venice’s Hidden Corridors

Palazzo Grimani is a Renaissance residence that reflects the refined tastes and humanist ideals of a powerful Venetian family. Its architecture draws inspiration from ancient Roman models, featuring illusionistic frescoes, classical sculptures, and carefully proportioned spaces. Designed not to overwhelm but to inspire contemplation, the palace showcases a distinctive blend of personal expression and scholarly ambition rarely found in Venice’s grander, more public-facing palazzi.

Palazzo Grimani offers a contemplative alternative to Venice’s more theatrical palaces. Its intimate design reflects a humanist approach to art and architecture, where personal taste and classical inspiration take precedence over public display. Each room invites reflection on how the city’s elite expressed identity not only through wealth but through the quiet, intellectual language of proportion, antiquity, and artistic mastery.

Palazzo Grimani in Venice features Renaissance design, illusionistic frescoes, and antique sculpture

Palazzo Grimani

The Fondazione Querini Stampalia is a historic patrician residence that combines original 18th-century interiors, an important art collection, and architectural interventions by Carlo Scarpa. The house museum preserves the atmosphere of a refined Venetian home while showcasing paintings, furniture, and decorative arts reflecting the tastes and social standing of the Querini family. Scarpa’s garden and architectural solutions blend modernist design with the building’s historic fabric, creating a unique space where tradition and innovation meet.

The Fondazione Querini Stampalia reveals the cultural values of Venice’s aristocracy through its interiors and collections. Identity here was expressed through art, learning, spatial harmony, and the thoughtful arrangement of personal and public spaces. Scarpa’s interventions create a dialogue between past and present while respecting the original character, offering a renewed way to experience historic architecture.

The Fondazione Querini Stampalia in Venice offers art, patrician rooms, and Scarpa’s secret garden

Fondazione Querini Stampalia

Walking Tour of Venice as a living stage—ideal for first-timers, from grand icons to hidden places.

Venice Is a Stage

Curated full-day walking tour with an art historian with expert guiding throughout.

Entry tickets to San Marco Basilica including Pala d'Oro, the Doge’s Palace, Biblioteca Marciana, Palazzo Grimani, and Fondazione Querini Stampalia. 

Lunch at a local, chic bàcaro.

Coffee/gelato breaks.

Meet Lucia in Piazza San Marco. Walk over from your hotel. After booking the tour, chat with Lucia to get exact details of meeting location.

Lucia Bondetti combines deep knowledge of art history and cultural heritage with hands-on experience at the Gallerie dell’Accademia di Venezia. Her background gives her a sharp, insightful perspective on Venice’s artistic legacy, but it’s her passion for the city that truly stands out. With Lucia, you’ll explore Venice through stories that reveal its many layers—past and present, famous and lesser-known—all brought to life with clarity and warmth.

Morocco

Beneath the open sky, where the golden hues of sunset kiss the rooftops of Marrakech, a different kind of storytelling unfolds, one that rises above the noise of the medina. This rooftop-based tour spans three iconic terraces, each serving as open-air stage where the city’s 1,000-year history is retold through voice, memory and legend.

On a terrace above Jemaa El Fna, you’ll hear of the 120-year curse said to haunt the square: fires, misfortunes, fate and mystery. From the terrace of Nobu, the story stretches south toward the Sahara, tracing the long-forgotten caravans that once linked Marrakech to Timbuktu, carrying salt, gold, and secrets across the dunes. At the Ville Nouvelle, the narrative shifts - colonial ambition, the French Protectorate, and the emergence of a modern Moroccan identity.

Guided by an exceptional master storyteller, this is about a city’s story unfolded from above - the terraces reveal different chapters of the story.

This rooftop storytelling tour reveals a version of Marrakech rarely glimpsed from ground level. Most visitors navigate the medina’s alleys without realizing the logic stitched into its skyline. This experience places you above the noise, where the city’s long arcs of history come into focus. Seen in sequence, the terraces show how Marrakech expanded: from its spiritual core, across trade routes, and into colonial modernity. The narratives are tied together through the voice of a storyteller trained in Morocco’s oral tradition, hikayat.

A rare sightseeing tour that recounts 1,000 years of history from rooftop level, this atmospheric storytelling experience centers narrative over chronology. You’ll encounter the curse that haunts Jemaa El Fna, trade routes swallowed by sand, and the ambitions of colonial architects who reshaped the city’s identity. The rooftops — one in the medina, one facing the desert, and one in the Ville Nouvelle — form a vertical map of memory and transformation.

Storytelling Walking Tour in Marrakesh: Rooftop tales of curses, trade & history above the medina.

Skyline Stories of Marrakesh

Guided rooftop storytelling tour across three iconic Marrakesh terraces.
Live performances by a master storyteller at each location.
Historical and cultural insights spanning centuries of Marrakesh’s past.
Tea or drink and a snack served at each rooftop stop.
Panoramic views of the medina, Jemaa El Fna, and Ville Nouvelle.
A rare perspective blending legend, landscape, and live narration.

Comfortable shoes for walking. 
A camera to capture the route and the passionate expressions of the storytellers in action.


The exact meeting point will be confirmed after the booking. Chat with Zouhair for exact details of the location. 

Your host Zouhair Khaznaoui is a masterful Moroccan storyteller, trained in the ancient art of hikayat — an oral tradition passed down for over a thousand years. Deeply rooted in Marrakesh’s cultural fabric, they are part of a new generation preserving and evolving this form for today’s audiences. Their storytelling isn’t scripted but improvised, shaped by place, moment, and listener. As you move between rooftops and across eras, they’ll animate Marrakesh’s spiritual, intellectual, and artisanal legacy — offering an experience that reframes how the city is seen, heard, and remembered.

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.

United States

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.

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.


Modernisme in Barcelona

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

Naples is a city of rhythm and resilience, where beauty rises from beneath the surface and daily life unfolds with theatrical ease. Over three days, this journey moves through its many layers — from ancient tunnels and hillside monasteries to ceramic studios along the Amalfi Coast. Designed for travelers who crave both insight and spontaneity, it blends guided experiences that reveal the city’s soul with time for slow lunches, scenic drives, and quiet dinners. Each moment anchors you in Naples’ living history — a place shaped as much by artistry as by endurance.

DAY 1 – HILLS AND MARKETS | Your first morning begins with Naples Between Hills & Markets, a guided walking tour with Michele Carneglia that traces the city from its upper terraces down to its beating heart. You’ll wander through monastic courtyards and artisans’ workshops, learning how faith, art, and everyday life intertwine across centuries. The path ends among lively market streets, where stories mingle with the scent of espresso and local produce. After a relaxed lunch, enjoy a slower afternoon exploring the historic center before ending with a simple dinner in a traditional osteria, surrounded by tiled walls and neighborhood chatter.

DAY 2 – UNDERGROUND AND HANDMADE | Begin the day with The Belly of Naples, Michele’s guided exploration beneath the city’s streets. Within the ancient aqueducts and passageways of San Lorenzo Maggiore, you’ll uncover layers of civilization — Roman foundations, medieval walls, and traces of faith and myth that still shape the city’s character. Afterward, head south for a leisurely lunch near the ruins of Pompeii before continuing along the coast to Vietri sul Mare. There, local artisan Elvira Peduto welcomes you for Shaping Love with Clay, a hands-on pottery workshop where you’ll mold and glaze pieces inspired by the sea. The afternoon unfolds slowly, bridging Naples’ past and its ongoing creativity.

DAY 3 – RUINS AND REFLECTION | Travel to Ercolano for The Interrupted City, a guided walk through Herculaneum’s remarkably preserved ruins. Michele brings this frozen world to life, tracing the moments of ordinary existence captured beneath volcanic ash — a baker’s oven, carved wood, painted walls. Each scene feels suspended in time, offering a rare closeness to the ancient past. The afternoon invites rest or exploration before your final evening meal overlooking the Bay of Naples, where the view opens toward Vesuvius and the sea — a fitting close to three days of discovery and renewal.

WHERE TO STAY IN NAPLES | Stay in Centro Storico for a lively, walkable base surrounded by churches, cafés, and markets, or choose Chiaia for elegant sea views and easy coastal access. Vomero offers a quieter hilltop stay with sweeping panoramas and a quick metro link to the center.

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.

Naples with a Living Past

3 days in Naples uncovering ancient tunnels, Pompeii ruins, markets, and Vietri pottery workshops.

Over seven days, Buenos Aires greets you with ritual, rhythm, and grand facades before the road opens west to Mendoza and the Andes. This week balances guided encounters with space to breathe. You will taste the city in markets and kitchens, learn its stories in theaters and cemeteries, and feel its pulse in a milonga. Then the mountains take over with horseback trails at sunset, fireside asado, wine in the thin air, and time with artisans who keep tradition in their hands.
DAY 1 – ARRIVAL, MATE, MILONGA | Arrive early or the day before so the city can settle around you. In the afternoon, a guided tasting introduces the ritual of mate with a local host, including high-quality blends and traditional biscuits that frame the story and etiquette. After a short pause, the evening unfolds inside a real milonga with a professional dancer who explains the codes and ronda. You may join a dance or simply observe with a glass of wine.
DAY 2 – PALERMO AND CORRIENTES | Late morning brings a guided food walk in Palermo Soho that moves between bakeries, markets, and grills for classics like empanadas, choripán, and steak cuts, paced like a seven-course meal. Rest in the afternoon or wander the plazas. In the evening, a guided walk along Avenida Corrientes ties together theaters, beloved bookstores, and café culture, with simple tastings that carry the street’s late-night spirit.
DAY 3 – BELLE ÉPOQUE AND EMPANADAS | Begin with a guided architecture walk that links Belle Époque façades on Avenida de Mayo, the symbolism of Palacio Barolo, and a pause in a period café before finishing near Teatro Colón. It is history told in stone and light. Later, join a hands-on empanada class in a local home, rolling and folding before sharing wine and dessert.
DAY 4 – LA BOCA AND SAN TELMO | A guided photography tour leads you through La Boca’s color and San Telmo’s market streets at an unhurried pace. Your photographer helps with timing and composition so scenes and stories fall into place, whether you carry a camera or a phone. After lunch, head to the airport for an afternoon or evening flight to Mendoza.
DAY 5 – ANDES SUNSET RIDE | Keep the day open until the mountains call. In the late afternoon you are collected in Mendoza city for a guided horseback ride with gauchos, timed to the soft light of sunset. Afterward, gather by the bonfire for an asado with salads, fresh bread, and local wine, often set to live guitar. Return to town with stars above and woodsmoke on your clothes.
DAY 6 – HIGH-ALTITUDE ASADO DAY TRIP | Set out on a guided full-day trip into the Andes with a stop for local treats and mate before a scenic viewpoint over the Uspallata valley. Continue to a high-altitude estancia for an open-fire asado paired with wines and stories about the ritual’s meaning. There is time to taste, to learn, and to take photographs with guidance from your host. Expect a generous day before the easy descent back to Mendoza.
DAY 7 – ARTISANS OF MENDOZA | Spend the morning on a guided visit focused on handmade work at Mendoza’s artisan market, meeting makers of gaucho leather, textiles, and fine crafts. Your guide helps with context and conversation, and may include a short stop at city boutiques for additional pieces. Choose something meaningful to carry home. Fly back to Buenos Aires in the afternoon for a final night or connect onward if timing allows.
WHERE TO STAY IN BUENOS AIRES AND MENDOZA | In Buenos Aires, Palermo suits walkers who want cafés, galleries, and late meals nearby. Recoleta feels elegant and central, good for quieter nights and classic architecture. San Telmo places you near markets and milongas with a short ride to the center. In Mendoza, stay in the City Center for easy departures and lively evenings, or choose Chacras de Coria and Luján de Cuyo for vineyard air and slower mornings.
PLAN YOUR TRIP WITH FERNWAYER | Book directly from the itinerary and choose your own hotels and restaurants. Download the iOS app to make the journey your own.

Tango to Andes in Argentina

7 days in Argentina: Buenos Aires to Mendoza with tango nights, wine, mate and asado in the Andes.

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.

Seville in Shadow and Light is a five-day journey into the city’s most enduring expressions of faith, artistry, and tradition. From the soaring vaults of its Gothic cathedral and the archives that shaped an empire to Andalusian crafts, flamenco’s living pulse, and the quiet elegance of noble palaces, each day moves deeper into Seville’s character. Guided tours and workshops are paired with flexible explorations, inviting travelers to experience the city not as a checklist but as a rhythm of devotion, creativity, and daily life.
DAY 1 – ARCHIVES AND CATHEDRALS | Begin with a guided tour of Andalusia’s sacred crafts, where devotion and artistry meet in unexpected forms. In the afternoon, visit the General Archive of the Indies before stepping into Seville Cathedral. End the day climbing the Giralda tower at your own pace for sweeping views across the city.
DAY 2 – MUSEUMS AND DANCE | Spend the morning at the Museum of Popular Arts, a Neo-Mudéjar pavilion in Maria Luisa Park that preserves Andalusian traditions in costume, craft, and design. Later, join a Sevillanas class with a dancer who introduces the rhythms and gestures of this joyful tradition.
DAY 3 – ART AND FLAMENCO STYLE | Start the day at the Museo de Bellas Artes, where Spain’s second most important art collection unfolds from Murillo to Zurbarán. In the afternoon, take part in a flamenco styling workshop in Triana, as a designer reveals how fabric, form, and movement shape this iconic art.
DAY 4 – PALACES AND ALCÁZAR | Begin with a walk through Seville’s noble residences, from the courtyards of Casa Pilatos to the halls of Palacio de las Dueñas, once home to the Duchess of Alba. After a pause, join a guided after-hours visit to the Alcázar, entering its gardens and chambers once the crowds have gone.
DAY 5 – BULLS, TRIANA, AND THE RIVER | Travel into the countryside on a day trip to a historic ranch that preserves the heritage of the toro bravo, with insights into Spain’s most emblematic animal. Back in the city, spend the afternoon wandering the streets of Triana before continuing along the Guadalquivir promenade.
WHERE TO STAY IN SEVILLE | Seville’s historic center, around the Cathedral and Santa Cruz, is ideal for travelers who want to be immersed in monuments, gardens, and winding alleys. Triana, across the river, offers a more local rhythm, with tapas bars, flamenco studios, and a neighborhood feel. Both areas are walkable and well connected, letting you choose between the intimacy of the old city and the vibrancy of daily life.
PLAN YOUR TRIP | At Fernwayer, we believe each day of an unforgettable journey should be anchored in a guided experience, with space for exploration at your own rhythm. 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.

Seville in Shadow and Light

5 days in Seville exploring flamenco, palaces, toro bravo heritage, Triana, and the Cathedral.

Athens is a place where ancient history and everyday life meet at every corner. From marble ruins to modern murals, the city is layered with memory, myth, and movement. This three-day itinerary invites you to experience Athens not as a checklist of monuments, but as a living conversation between past and present. Through guided encounters, sensory discoveries, and sacred pauses, each day opens a different door to the city’s many lives.

DAY 1 – HISTORY IN GRAFFITI AND STONE | Begin in Kerameikos, Gazi, and Psyrri, where the streets pulse with creativity and protest. The Urban Canvas of Athens takes you through layers of mural, message, and meaning, ending with a hands-on workshop and a piece of your own to carry home. Then head to the National Museum of Contemporary Art to explore bold works that question the narratives of history. End the day at the Acropolis, but from a different angle: walking the lesser-seen paths of the hill that shaped the Western world. As the sun sets, dine at Point A with the Parthenon glowing above.

DAY 2 – MEALS, HILLS, AND MOONLIGHT | Start your morning at the Varvakeios Market for a cooking class with a Greek local, learning to craft gyros and taste your way through spices, olives, and cheese. After lunch, wander through the hidden village of Anafiotika and climb Filopappou Hill for sweeping views of the city. Let the evening unfold with Under the Athenian Sky, an open-air cinema experience filled with conversation, food, and the quiet glow of Athens by night.

DAY 3 – RITUALS AND REVERENCE | Your final day brings you into rhythm with something older. In Ilioupoli, Cultivating Gratitude offers a guided ritual rooted in Demeter’s myth, the harvest, and the practice of reflection. Later, pause in the shade of the National Garden and witness the changing of the guards at Syntagma Square. End in Piraeus with Rebetiko, Red Lights, and the echo of old sailor songs. Between bites and melodies, you’ll feel the weight of memory, celebration, and time.

This journey is not about rushing ruins. It’s a curated immersion, shaped by texture, taste, silence, and spark. You’ll leave Athens not just with photos, but with a piece of the city imprinted on your pace, your palate, and your way of seeing. Three days in Athens. One city. Countless echoes.

WHERE TO STAY IN ATHENS | When it comes to where to stay, Athens offers neighborhoods for every travel style. Plaka is charming and close to ancient sites, while Psyrri and Exarchia are full of life, street art, and cafés. For a quieter stay with Acropolis views, Koukaki is a great base. And if you’re looking for sea breeze and space, consider Piraeus for a local feel near the coast. Choose what fits your rhythm.

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.

Greece

Athens in Three Acts

3 days in Athens exploring art, cuisine, the acropolis of Athens, Greek traditions, and rebetiko.

This fourteen-day journey combines Southern Italy’s history, flavor, and coastlines. It starts in Rome, continues through Naples, and ends in Sicily, moving from ancient ruins to volcanic landscapes. You’ll take part in guided tours, meet local hosts, and have free time to explore at your own pace. The route connects culture, food, and scenery — from city streets to seaside towns and countryside vineyards.
DAY 1 – LEGENDS OF ROME | Begin with a guided tour of the Colosseum and Roman Forum, learning how Rome’s architecture reflected its power. In the afternoon, join a wine masterclass with a local sommelier, then visit Piazza del Campidoglio before dinner in the city center.
DAY 2 – ART AND FAITH | Start with a private guided visit through the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica. After lunch, take an evening photo walk through Rome’s streets and finish the day with dinner in lively Trastevere.
DAY 3 – FLAVORS AND MODERN DESIGN | Enjoy a guided food tour through the Centro Storico to taste local coffee, pizza, and pastries. In the afternoon, visit the MAXXI Museum’s modern architecture and art. End the evening with pizza near the Trevi Fountain.
DAY 4 – ROME’S COUNTRYSIDE | Travel to Lazio’s countryside for a guided visit to a family-run winery. Learn about natural production, enjoy a local lunch, and return to Rome for views from Capitoline Hill before dinner nearby.
DAY 5 – ARRIVAL IN NAPLES | Take the train south to Naples, watching the scenery change from ancient monuments to seaside towns. Spend the afternoon exploring freely — narrow lanes, street markets, and lively squares. Enjoy a relaxed dinner and experience the city’s energy after dark.
DAY 6 – POMPEII | Join a guided tour of Pompeii, walking along ancient streets where daily life was frozen in time. Visit preserved homes, baths, and temples before returning to Naples for dinner and rest ahead of your journey to Sicily.
DAY 7 – CROSSING TO SICILY | Fly or ferry to Palermo, Sicily’s capital. Settle in and take a first walk through its historic streets filled with domes, markets, and the island’s blend of Arabic and Baroque influences.
DAY 8 – PALERMO AND MONREALE | Visit Palermo Cathedral and the Norman Palace in the morning, then continue to Monreale to see its golden mosaics and mountain views. Return to Palermo for a seafood dinner and a calm evening stroll.
DAY 9 – ERICE AND THE COAST | Take a guided excursion to the medieval hilltop town of Erice. Wander its cobblestone lanes, taste local pastries, and meet artisans preserving traditional crafts. Stop at the Zingaro Nature Reserve for a short coastal walk before a sunset dinner by the sea.
DAY 10 – MARSALA AND SALT PANS | Travel on a guided day trip to Marsala, where vineyards meet the sea. Visit salt flats and windmills, learn about the region’s wine heritage, and enjoy lunch at a local winery before a relaxed evening meal near the coast.
DAY 11 – CEFALÙ | Spend a slower day in Cefalù exploring the Norman Cathedral, the old town, and the beach. Have lunch by the harbor and time to relax or swim before continuing east across the island.
DAY 12 – TAORMINA | Journey to Taormina for sweeping views of Mount Etna and the Ionian Sea. Visit the ancient Greek Theatre, stroll through the old streets, and enjoy dinner on a terrace overlooking the coast.
DAY 13 – MOUNT ETNA | Take part in a guided hike across Mount Etna with a local expert. Learn about the volcano’s unique landscape and stop for a Sicilian lunch in the countryside before returning to Taormina.
DAY 14 – NOTO AND FAREWELL | Head south to Noto for a guided hike among almond groves and ruins. Visit a local farm for lunch and sample fresh almond milk. Spend your final afternoon wandering Noto’s baroque streets and enjoying a last gelato before departure.
PLAN YOUR TRIP WITH FERNWAYER | Book directly from the itinerary and choose your own hotels and restaurants. Download the iOS app to make the journey your own.

Ruins & Mediterranean Shores

14 days in Italy exploring Rome, Naples, and Sicily through guided tours, cuisine, and coastlines.

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.

Türkiye

Istanbul Through the Senses

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

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.

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 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.

Sand, Salt & Stars in Atacama

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

Alqueva Lake, located in Portugal’s Alentejo region, is the largest artificial lake in Western Europe and a serene destination for nature lovers, stargazers, and outdoor enthusiasts. Created by damming the Guadiana River, Alqueva spans 250 square kilometers, offering a vast expanse of calm, reflective waters surrounded by olive groves, vineyards, and gentle hills. Known for its breathtaking beauty, Alqueva is a certified Dark Sky Reserve, providing one of the best stargazing experiences in Europe. Whether you’re looking to explore by boat, enjoy the surrounding traditional villages, or immerse yourself in the magic of a star-lit sky, Alqueva Lake is a hidden gem of natural and cultural beauty.

Highlights of Alqueva Lake:

1. Explore the lake by boat, with options ranging from guided cruises to self-skippered houseboats. Cruising along the lake is a tranquil way to take in the surrounding scenery and see small, picturesque villages nestled along the shoreline.

2. Experience stargazing in Alqueva’s Dark Sky Reserve, one of the best locations for astronomical observation in Europe. With little light pollution, the night sky is exceptionally clear, allowing visitors to view constellations, planets, and even the Milky Way in remarkable detail.

3. Visit Monsaraz, a medieval hilltop village overlooking Alqueva Lake. This charming village, with its whitewashed buildings, cobbled streets, and historic castle, provides stunning panoramic views of the lake and surrounding landscape, perfect for photos and sunset views.

4. Take advantage of outdoor activities such as kayaking, paddleboarding, and fishing. The lake’s calm waters make it ideal for these activities, allowing visitors to connect with nature and explore hidden coves and inlets along the shore.

5. Enjoy the local gastronomy and Alentejo wines at lakeside restaurants and wineries.

Tip: Plan to stay overnight to fully experience the Dark Sky Reserve and bring warm clothing for stargazing evenings.

Explore Alqueva Lake

Gallerie dell'Accademia stands as a bastion of Venetian artistic mastery housing the world's largest collection of Venetian art. Key highlights:
1: Historical and Artistic Lineage: Founded in 1750, the Gallerie dell'Accademia began as an avant-garde art school. It gained prominence with instructors like Giambattista Tiepolo and later, under Napoleon's aegis, transformed into a public gallery. This blend of academic roots and artistic treasures offers a unique narrative of Venetian art history​​.

2: Chronicles in Art: Situated near the Grand Canal, this gallery occupies a complex that includes the Scuola Grande di Santa Maria della Carità. Its 24 rooms, arrayed around two courtyards, take visitors on a journey through various Italian art styles, from Byzantine to Baroque, showcasing the stylistic richness of Venetian art​​.

3: A Treasure Trove of Masterpieces: The Gallerie boasts an extensive collection of works by titans like Titian, Tintoretto, and Bellini. It also houses the famous 'Vitruvian Man' by Leonardo da Vinci, a symbol of Renaissance humanism and rationalism, adding a rare gem to its already rich collection​​.

4: Expansiveness of the Collections: While certain artworks may be unavailable at the time of your visit, and a few collections may be repetitive, most visitors are captivated by the expansive array of masterpieces and recommend using an audio guide for a more enriching experience. The gallery's vast collection can take hours to fully appreciate, offering insights into Venice's artistic heritage​​.

Gallerie dell'Accademia is open Monday from 8:15 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Tuesday to Sunday from 8:15 a.m. to 7:15 p.m. Located in Dorsoduro, it's easily reachable by foot or vaporetto, with stops at Accademia and Salute. For more information on tickets and visiting, explore Gallerie dell'Accademia​​.

Photo by Ministero della Cultura

Gallerie dell'Accademia

Discover the Torre de Belém, an iconic symbol of Lisbon's maritime history and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Constructed in the early 16th century during the reign of King Manuel I, this tower stands on the northern bank of the River Tagus. It epitomizes the Age of Discoveries, representing Portugal's significant role in world exploration and its maritime achievements. Top 5 highlights:

1: Architectural Marvel: The tower, designed by Francisco de Arruda, is a prime example of the Manueline style, blending Gothic and Moorish elements. Its intricate turrets and ornate carvings exemplify this unique architectural form, reflecting Lisbon’s maritime legacy and the exploratory spirit of the era.

2: Historical Significance: The tower was built both as a defensive structure and a ceremonial gateway to the city. It commemorated the expedition to India led by Vasco da Gama, marking an era when Portugal emerged as a leading maritime power.

3: Strategic Military Design: Initially functioning as a point of embarkation and disembarkation for explorers, the tower later played a crucial role in Lisbon's coastal defense system. Its design features a hexagonal bastion and a five-story rectangular tower, equipped with spaces for cannons and dungeons below.

4: Symbolic Decorations: The exterior of the tower is adorned with the cross of the Order of Christ, emphasizing Portugal's naval and religious history. The interior includes various chambers, offering insights into the tower’s historical use and purpose.

5: Views from Multiple Levels:: You can explore the tower’s multiple levels, connected by a spiral staircase, including the Governor’s Hall, Kings' Hall, and the rooftop terrace. These areas provide a comprehensive view of the tower's historical and architectural significance, as well as panoramic views of the Tagus River.

Purchase tickets in advance, particularly during peak tourist season, to avoid long queues: https://www.belemtowertickets.com/

Photo by Sascha Albert

Torre de Belém: The Sentinel

Yves Saint Laurent gifted Jardin Majorelle to Marrakech, the city that adopted him and his partner in the 60s. They bought an electric-blue villa and its garden, preserved the vision of its original owner (landscape painter Jacques Majorelle), and opened it to the public. 

What makes this feel like a psychedelic mirage in the desert?

Hot pink bougainvillea bursting from terracotta planters. Architectural cacti in lemon-yellow planters. Bamboos growing against cobalt-blue walls. Colorful birds flitting through palm trees. Saint Laurent’s gorgeous collection of Moroccan art, that I totally covet. 

It also has a museum that features jewelry in a setting that our guide Khadija keeps referring to as “a dream”. A dark room with a star-spangled ceiling and low voltage spotlights shining on stunning jewelry sets.

Khadija’s right. Please let all my dreams be like this place.

Psychedelic Mirage

The Rahmi M. Koç Museum, located along the Golden Horn in Istanbul, is a captivating destination for anyone intrigued by industrial history and engineering marvels. Set in a beautifully restored former dockyard, this museum brings to life the evolution of transportation, communication, and industry through an extensive collection of artifacts. With interactive displays and immersive exhibits, it offers a hands-on journey through the technological milestones that shaped the modern world.

1. Vintage Vehicles: Admire an impressive array of antique cars, motorcycles, and bicycles, showcasing the development of automotive design and technology through the decades.
2. Locomotives and Trains: Explore a collection of historic steam engines and carriages, including a life-sized locomotive you can step aboard, evoking the golden age of rail travel.
3. Nautical Wonders: Board a real submarine, the TCG Uluç Reis, and get a fascinating glimpse into the life of submariners. The museum also features historic boats and models of iconic ships.
4. Aviation Gallery: Discover vintage aircraft and detailed models, offering insight into the history of aviation, from early experiments to modern innovations.
5. Interactive Workshops and Exhibits: Engage with hands-on displays, from model trains to engineering demonstrations, making the museum a hit for families and curious minds of all ages.

Visitor Tip: Allocate at least half a day to explore the museum fully. Consider visiting the on-site café for a break, and take time to enjoy the scenic waterfront setting. Guided tours of the submarine are popular, so book ahead to secure a spot!

Rahmi M. Koç Museum

Step into the poignant history of Europe's first slave market at Lagos's Slave Market Museum in the Algarve. This museum, housed in a 17th-century building in the historic Praça do Infante D. Henrique square, unveils the grim reality of the slave trade that began in Lagos in the mid-15th century. It’s a place for reflection and understanding of the slave trade's history in Portugal and across the globe. Here you'll discover:
1. Origins of the Slave Trade: The museum traces the history of slavery in Lagos, beginning with the arrival of the first black African slaves in 1444. The slaves were brought from the western coast of Africa, marking the onset of a harrowing epoch in European and African history.
2. Prince Henry the Navigator’s Role: Discover how Prince Henry the Navigator played a crucial role in initiating the slave trade. He set up a trading post off the coast of Mauritania, leading to the shipment of slaves to Lagos and other parts of Europe. The museum highlights his influence and the subsequent expansion of the slave trade under Portuguese dominion.
3. Experiences of the Enslaved: The museum vividly portrays the suffering of the enslaved individuals, from their capture and separation from families to their harsh living conditions. It provides insights into the lives of slaves in Lagos and the Algarve, where they formed a significant part of the population by the 16th century.
4. Building and Its History: The building that houses the museum has its own historical significance. Initially serving as the Royal Overseer's office, it later became the customs house.
Located in the heart of Lagos, the Slave Market Museum is accessible to visitors interested in understanding this critical period of history. The museum employs modern technology to enhance the learning experience, offering electronic notebooks for virtual tours. Admission is charged for entry. 
Photo by Lagos Portugal Tourism


Lagos's Slave Market Museum

Preveli Beach is a hidden gem where a river meets the sea, surrounded by a lush palm forest and dramatic cliffs. This unique beach, located at the mouth of the Kourtaliotiko Gorge, offers a perfect mix of adventure, natural beauty, and relaxation.
1. A hike through the scenic Kourtaliotiko Gorge leads to the beach, adding a sense of adventure.
2. The freshwater river flows through the palm forest, creating an exotic setting.
3. Visitors can swim in both the river and the crystal-clear sea.
4. The beach’s remote location ensures a peaceful, unspoiled atmosphere.
5. Stunning views from the hiking trail make it a must-visit for photographers.

Visitor Tip: Wear sturdy shoes for the hike, and pack plenty of water and snacks, as facilities are limited.  Photo: Panteris Antonio

Preveli Beach and Palm Forest

Norway

All my life, I called it |trom-sow|, but the locals insist on |troom-sa|. 

The drive through Andøya and Senja was so spectacular that we wanted to abandon our itinerary and stay on the islands overnight vs. driving into Tromsø. And then I would have missed a dramatic sunset/dawn. Everything - sky, sea, windows on buildings, Arctic Church, mountain tops - blazed fiery red for an hour before turning into several shades of blue, with bright pink thrown in for effect. It stayed like that all night long. 

The locals can’t seem to stop partying through Friday night all along Storgata, so the people-watching is riveting. We’ve got to sleep at some point, we kept telling each other.

Midnattsol

The Costa Smeralda, or “Emerald Coast,” is Sardinia’s most glamorous and scenic stretch of coastline, renowned for its turquoise waters, pristine beaches, and luxurious resorts. Located in the northeast of the island, this 55-kilometer paradise is a favorite destination for celebrities and travelers seeking a mix of natural beauty and upscale charm. With hidden coves, sparkling seas, and vibrant nightlife, Costa Smeralda is a must-see destination that epitomizes Sardinian elegance. 
1. The beaches are breathtaking, with famous spots like Spiaggia del Principe, Capriccioli, and Liscia Ruja offering white sand and crystal-clear waters perfect for swimming and sunbathing. 
2. The luxurious town of Porto Cervo is the heart of Costa Smeralda, known for its high-end boutiques, fine dining, and glamorous marina filled with superyachts. 
3. The area is rich in hidden coves and bays, offering quieter spots for those seeking tranquility amidst the coastline’s natural splendor. 
4. Water activities, such as snorkeling, diving, and sailing, are popular here, thanks to the pristine waters and vibrant marine life. 
5. The nearby Maddalena Archipelago, a national park of stunning islands, is easily accessible by boat and provides a perfect day trip for nature lovers. 
Visitor Tip: Plan to spend a full day or more exploring Costa Smeralda. While some areas are pricey, you can still enjoy the public beaches and natural beauty without overspending. Visit in spring or early autumn to avoid peak crowds while still enjoying warm weather. 
Photo: Vadym Lavra

Costa Smeralda

The Verona Arena is a Roman amphitheater located in the heart of Verona, Italy. Built in the 1st century AD, this ancient structure is one of the best-preserved Roman amphitheaters in the world and continues to serve its original purpose as a venue for entertainment. The Arena is renowned for its impressive size and acoustics, and it has been a symbol of Verona’s rich history and cultural heritage for nearly 2,000 years. 

Top Highlights:

1 - Ancient Architecture: The Arena’s well-preserved Roman architecture is a marvel in itself. With its massive stone arches and tiered seating, it once held up to 30,000 spectators. Walking through its grand entrances and up the stone steps, visitors can imagine the excitement of ancient Roman games and gladiatorial battles that once took place here.

2 - Opera Performances: One of the most iconic experiences at the Verona Arena is attending an opera under the stars. Every summer, the Arena hosts the Verona Opera Festival, a world-renowned event that draws top performers and music lovers from around the world.

3 - Panoramic Views of Verona: Climbing to the top rows of the Arena offers stunning panoramic views of Verona’s historic cityscape. From here, you can see the red-tiled rooftops, medieval towers, and the distant hills, making it a great spot for photography and to appreciate the city’s beauty.

4 - Guided Tours and Exhibits: For those interested in history, guided tours of the Arena are available, offering insights into its construction, usage over the centuries, and its role in both Roman and modern times. Various exhibits also display artifacts related to the Arena’s storied past.

Visitor Tip: To fully enjoy your visit, consider attending a performance or event at the Arena to experience its legendary acoustics. If you’re planning to visit during the opera season, book your tickets well in advance, as performances often sell out quickly. 

Photo: Edoardo Bortoli

The Verona Arena

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

Start your day with an enchanting stroll along the historic Dubrovnik City Walls, spanning 1.2 miles of breathtaking views perfect for photography enthusiasts. To escape the bustling cruise ship crowds, aim to arrive by 7:00 or 7:30 AM, as the walls open at 8:00 AM. Secure your Dubrovnik Pass online beforehand to ensure a smooth experience. The walk typically takes between 45 to 90 minutes, depending on the number of photo stops you make. For a quieter start, begin your journey at the Ploče Gate entrance, allowing you to savor the serene beauty of the cityscape in the soft morning light.

As you traverse the walls, you'll be treated to panoramic views of the Adriatic Sea, terracotta rooftops, and the intricate architecture of Dubrovnik's old town. Each step reveals a new perspective for photography, from the towering Minčeta Tower to the historic Fort Bokar. Don't forget to pause at the various lookout points to capture the essence of this medieval marvel. 

The morning light adds a golden touch to the city, creating perfect moments for photography. It's a gentle and refreshing way to begin your day in Dubrovnik.

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