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Mexico

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.

Mercado de Jamaica is Mexico City’s iconic specialty flower market—it's part flower haven, part neighborhood lifeline. It pulses with activity: 1,150 stalls overflowing with marigolds, eucalyptus, roses, herbs—alongside food vendors, fruit stands, and spice sellers. It’s a full-sensory collision of color, culture, and daily life.

On this private, curator-led tour, you’ll explore it with one of the city’s most respected florists. Along the way, you’ll uncover the cultural roots of native plants like cempasúchil, used for centuries to guide ancestors during Día de Muertos, and terciopelo, linked to rituals of love and mourning. You’ll learn how floral traditions have evolved—and how sustainable floristry is reshaping them today.

You’ll visit parts of the market most visitors never see, handle rare plants, and gain inspiration for creating your own arrangements. Beyond the spectacle and scale, this is a sensory deep-dive: you’ll be invited to see, taste, smell, touch and listen. 

Raquel is a botanical storyteller. As one of Mexico City’s most creative florists, she brings this market to life in a way no guidebook can. She draws inspiration from the mountain landscapes of southern Mexico, blending native flowers like wild poppies, cosmos, and dahlias with aromatic herbs.

Raquel translates, contextualizes, and connects. She shares stories sparked by what catches her eye—how seasonal flowers carry meaning, how the market responds to holidays, what a vendor’s stall reveals about their family’s history. Her deep relationships with vendors—many from families who’ve worked these stalls for generations—grant you access to authentic conversations and corners of Mercado de Jamaica.

You’ll watch florists build arrangements in real time. You’ll taste sun-ripened fruit, smell eucalyptus and rose, and walk away with a deeper understanding of floristry, food, daily life in Mexico City, the families who grow these flowers, and the way this market breathes.

Walking tour with a floral curator through Mexico City’s Mercado de Jamaica—flowers, fruit, stories.

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

A Florist's Mercado Jamaica

Guided tour of Mercado de Jamaica led by a respected local florist.

Cultural insights into native plants and Mexico’s floral traditions.

Access to lesser-known corners of the market and hands-on plant exploration.

Tastings of seasonal fruits and vegetables during the walk.

Fresh juice during the tour and coffee to start the experience.

Sensory-focused experience with touch, scent, taste, and color at its core.

Wear comfortable shoes—you’ll be walking for about 1.5 hours. The market is covered, so rain or sun won’t interrupt the experience. During hotter months, consider bringing extra water to stay cool and hydrated.

We’ll meet at the subway entrance to Mercado de Jamaica, where the market’s unmistakable aromas greet you before you even step inside. Whether you arrive by metro, taxi, or on foot, your host will be waiting near the entrance with a seasonal juice or fresh fruit to start the tour.

Raquel is the founder and head designer of Flores Rudas, a floral architecture studio rooted in botanical storytelling. After a decade in Oaxaca de Juárez, she returned to Mexico City to further explore the intersections of botany, ceramics, sustainability, interior design, and contemporary floristry.

With a background in literature, cinema, and research, Raquel brings a uniquely layered perspective to Mexican culture. She’s a published author with deep knowledge of native florals, mezcal, maíz, ceramics, and architecture—treating each as a living expression of mexicanidad. Her work blends intellectual depth with sensory craft, and she’s excited to welcome you into her home city and the world of modern Mexican floristry.

Türkiye

This is a full-day deep-dive from Izmir into the fertile valleys of Selçuk and Torbalı at four boutique wine estates. 

Begin at a historic Selçuk estate run by the Sevilen family, known for its Syrah, Cabernet-based blends, and barrel-aged Chardonnay. Explore the production rooms and French oak cellar before enjoying your first tasting of the day.

Continue to an estate where modern winemaking techniques and sustainable viticulture produce refined expressions of the Aegean terroir. During a behind-the-scenes tasting, discover how meticulous production methods shape premium whites and reds.

Next, head to a Tuscan-inspired estate offering bold varietals such as Malbec and Syrah. A guided pairing of wines with regional cheeses and olive oil showcases the gastronomic richness of the region.

Finally, end your journey at a winery where cool-climate whites and structured reds are savored against peaceful vineyard views — the perfect finale before returning to Izmir in the late afternoon.

Just an hour from Izmir, the Selçuk and Torbalı valleys reveal Turkey’s deep yet overlooked wine story—one that stretches from ancient rituals to today’s refined boutique estates. You’ll walk vineyards with winemakers or family members, explore cellars, and hear firsthand how soil, climate, and history shape each bottle. 

One of the wineries sits near the oracle ruins, where winemaking carries a mythical undertone rooted in the region’s past. Stops range from sleek, modern estates using cutting-edge techniques to rustic, family-run plots where age-old practices endure. Each visit speaks to the land’s complexity and continuity. A mid-day pause in Şirince village offers local snacks aligned with the season. 

What makes this truly distinctive is your guide: a storyteller who lives this heritage, weaving the region’s past and present into her narratives. It’s a sensorial, cultural immersion—where craftsmanship, the Aegean’s living wine legacy, history, and place are inseparable.

Wine Tour from Izmir: Tastings & vineyard walks in 4 boutique estates in Selçuk & Torbalı valleys.

The Vineyards of Sunlit Izmir

Vinyeard walks, behind-the-scene access, and wine tastings at four handpicked boutique wineries. 

Regional cheese pairing and mid-day snacks.

All entrance and tasting fees. 

Private transportation from/to your hotel in Izmir or Kuşadası, or from Izmir Airport.

Comfortable walking shoes
Sun protection (hat, sunscreen)
Camera for capturing vineyard and cellar moments
Curiosity and an appetite for fine wine and local stories

The meeting point will be at your hotel in Izmir or Kuşadası or at Izmir airport. Details of the meeting point will be provided post-booking.

Hatice is a seasoned guide and culture expert with a passion for Turkey’s rich viticultural heritage. With strong ties to the local winemaking community and years of guiding experience, she provides guests with access to producers, in-depth tastings, and storytelling that connects each glass to the land’s ancient past.

Step into the world of Tezhip, the traditional Ottoman art of illumination, in this immersive workshop designed for those eager to explore this ancient craft. Practiced for centuries to adorn manuscripts, calligraphy, and religious texts, Tezhip is known for its intricate floral and geometric motifs. In this session, held at a private studio in the Fatih District, you’ll learn the core techniques that define this delicate art form.

Guided by Şeyma Çınar, a master artist with over 25 years of experience, you will gain insight into the historical significance of Tezhip before creating your own illuminated piece. This version of the workshop focuses on classical techniques, allowing you to appreciate the elegance of Tezhip in its purest form. Turkish tea and snacks accompany the experience, offering a warm and engaging environment.

Unlike longer academic courses, this Tezhip workshop is a compact yet immersive introduction to the art of illumination, allowing you to grasp the essence of this traditional art in just three hours. It is one of the few experiences of its kind that condenses a technique typically learned over weeks and months into an engaging appreciation session. Held in a community-centered space, the workshop offers an intimate learning environment where you’ll explore the patterns and principles of Tezhip under the guidance of an artist certified by Türkiye’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

By focusing on classical techniques without gold leaf, this experience makes Tezhip accessible to beginners while maintaining authenticity. At the end of the session, you’ll take home your own handcrafted Tezhip artwork—a unique reflection of your journey into this centuries-old tradition.

Workshop in Istanbul with a Tezhip art master exploring Tezhip illumination technique for beginners.

The Art of Light by Şeyma

Guided introduction to the history of Tezhip.

Master artist led Tezhip workshop with all necessary materials.

Turkish tea and traditional snacks.

Your finished Tezhip artwork to take home.

Bring a camera to document your artistic journey and wear comfortable clothing suitable for painting. No prior experience is necessary.

This experience will take place at a studio inside the Fatih District Municipality Center. The address is marked on the map. Contact Şeyma via Fernwayer chat after you book this experience if you have questions about how to reach the address from your hotel.

The host, Şeyma, is a seasoned artist specializing in Tezhip, miniature art, and floral designs since 1998. With formal certification from Turkey’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism and years of teaching experience, Şeyma has a profound understanding of the history and intricacies of traditional Turkish illumination. Having participated in multiple exhibitions and published work on Islamic art, she brings both technical expertise and cultural depth to the workshop, ensuring participants leave with a rich understanding of this ancient craft. She will be accompanied by a translator, allowing everyone to fully engage with her insights and expertise.

Portugal

Trace the full story arc of the Douro Valley’s wine heritage: how the region came to be one of the most significant wine landscapes in the world. 

After a scenic drive from Porto, you’ll begin at the region’s flagship museum, where interactive exhibits lay out the evolution of winemaking in the valley: from early agricultural practices, through the 1756 demarcation that formalized its boundaries, to the global rise of Port and the region’s current shift toward high-quality still wines.

You’ll then visit a prestigious estate to see firsthand how Douro winemakers are refining technique and identity in today’s climate, balancing tradition with innovation across both fortified and still wine production. Then, you’ll sit down to a private lunch at a family-run winery, where seasonal ingredients are paired with wines produced onsite. Finally, stop at a scenic viewpoint overlooking the valley before driving back to the city.

This experience is built around the Douro’s layered history. It’s a narrative arc, grounded in context. At the Douro Museum, a specialist brings historical depth to each phase of development—from terracing practices and trade logistics to regulation and export. This foundation gives meaning to the landscapes you’ll see and the wines you’ll taste later.

The visit to a top-tier estate will show how Port still defines the valley’s reputation abroad, but how still wines have become a space for creativity, climate adaptation, and terroir expression. 

Lunch at a small-scale winery brings the experience down to a human scale. You’re welcomed by producers whose work is shaped by local terrain, seasonal rhythms, and generational knowledge.

Before heading back to Porto, pause at a local miradouro once described by Portuguese poet Miguel Torga as “an excess of nature”—a final moment to take in the vast beauty of the Douro landscape.

Stand above the terraced vineyards and winding river at this literary and scenic highlight. A sacred viewpoint, praised by Miguel Torga—where nature’s geometry meets poetic reflection. 

São Leonardo de Galafura isn’t just scenic—it’s storied. The Portuguese poet Miguel Torga stood here and described the Douro as “an excess of nature.” 

Contemplate the valley from the São Leonardo de Galafura viewpoint.

Viewpoint Visit 

Midday, you’ll stop at one of the Douro’s most iconic viewpoints — for a slow lunch overlooking the valley. The meal is hosted outdoors or in the dining space, depending on season and weather, with sweeping views across vine-lined hills, river bends, and olive groves. Gather around a shared table for lunch prepared with local ingredients and paired estate wines. There's no rush. You’re in a place that belongs to the rhythm of the valley.

You'll experience the Douro through its food, wine, and engaging conversations.

The ingredients are drawn from the same soil you’ve spent the morning walking. What’s on your plate likely came from the next hill over. And the location matters. 

Savor a private lunch with estate wines and regional dishes at a boutique winery.

Lunch Above the Valley

Your day ends the way it began: with a private ride in the vintage electric Kombi—this time heading back to Porto. Whether you're returning to your hotel or continuing your journey from the city, your hosts ensure a comfortable ride all the way.

This final stretch often unfolds in thoughtful quiet. As the Douro landscape slips by outside the window, it feels more familiar—shaped now by the experiences of the day: the contours of vineyard terraces, the warmth of a shared meal, the rhythm of the river, and the stories of those who call this valley home.

If the morning was about orientation, the ride back is about integration—letting the day settle in as part of your own story. The hosts remain with you until the last stop, keeping the experience personal, consistent, and grounded.

Return by Kombi

Your day begins with private pick-up in Porto, where your hosts greet you in a fully electric vintage VW Kombi—restored with care and retrofitted for quiet, low-impact travel. From the city, you’ll head inland toward the Douro Valley, easing into the landscape as the urban edge gives way to vineyard-covered hills and winding river roads.

The Kombi becomes your moving base for the day—its open windows and unhurried pace invite you to take in the scenery as you cross through villages and viewpoints en route to each stop.

Along the way, your hosts—lifelong locals with deep roots in the region—share stories, context, and orientation to help you settle into the rhythm of the Douro before the day’s main experiences begin.

The Kombi is a deliberate choice for Carlos and Paulo. Quiet, fully electric, and locally restored, it reflects the balance this experience strikes between tradition and care for place. The open layout, slower pace, and flexibility allows for unplanned stops, impromptu photos, or a pause to admire the morning light over terraced hills.

This is where your connection with the hosts begins. Their relationship to the region shapes every stop that follows, and the Kombi ride allows that story to unfold naturally. 

Private pick-up from Porto to the Douro Valley in a 100% electric Kombi.

Pick up from Porto

The first stop is the Douro Museum in Peso da Régua — a cornerstone for understanding the region's identity. Housed in a restored 18th-century warehouse once used for wine storage, the museum offers a visual and tactile history of the valley's evolution as a wine-producing region.

You'll walk through exhibits on early agricultural practices, the creation of terraced vineyards, the 1756 demarcation law that defined what could be called “Douro wine,” and the rise of the Port trade. A local expert brings these pieces into focus. This will be the foundation for everything you’ll see and taste later in the day.

Most Douro wine tours start with tastings. This one starts with insight and context. The museum visit ihelps you see the landscape differently. You learn how geography, politics, and trade shaped which hills were planted, which families prospered, and how the river dictated what moved, when, and where.

This is the contextual spine of the experience, grounding the valley’s beauty in its layers of labor, law, and land. It's also an emotional journey into the region's heritage, shaped by community voices and items used over the centuries. 

From this point forward, every terraced slope, every varietal, every vineyard name means more — because you’ve seen where the story begins.

Start at the Douro Museum for a guided look at the valley’s winemaking, geography, and legacy.

Inside the Douro Museum

Here, you’ll experience a working vineyard that reflects the full range of Douro winemaking today. Still family-run after generations, the estate is known for its balanced approach to tradition and experimentation — producing both classic Ports and increasingly celebrated still wines.

You’ll walk through the vineyards and cellars, guided by someone directly involved in the work. Learn about local grape varieties, aging methods, and the impact of microclimates across the property. The tasting includes a curated lineup that reveals the estate’s depth.

This Quinta is a serious producer that opens its doors to those who care about how wine is made, not just how it tastes. The focus here is on how growing conditions, varietal blends, and cellar decisions shape what ends up in the glass.

You also see the shift happening in real time. While Port built the estate’s name, their still wines speak to where the region is going — more nuanced, more varied, more expressive of place. 

Exclusive tour and tasting at a respected family-run estate producing both Port and still wines

Wine Tasting in a Douro Estate

Douro Valley Tour from Porto to Régua, with wine museum, lunch with wine pairing, and viewpoint.

How Wine Drew The Borders

Full-day immersion in Douro’s heritage and wine, starts and ends in Porto.

Pick‑up and drop‑off in Porto in a 100 % electric VW Kombi.

Tickets and access to the Douro Wine Museum.

Visit to one wine estate with private tour and tastings.

Gourmet lunch with regional dishes and wine pairing.

Stop at a scenic viewpoint.

Bring light, comfortable clothing, a hat for sun protection, and sunscreen to ensure you enjoy the experience safely and comfortably.

Carlos and Paulo can pick you up at your hotel in Porto. After booking, chat with them to arrange a meeting point.

Carlos de Oliveira and Paulo Baptista have deep roots in the Douro Valley and Alvão Natural Park. As locals, they know the iconic landmarks as well as the quiet corners that most visitors overlook. Their mission is to reveal the cultural richness of the Douro—not just through its wines and landscapes, but through its people, history, and traditions. With a strong commitment to authenticity and sustainability, they craft each experience to be personal, reflective, and immersive.

In this cultural journey, Carlos and Paulo guide you through museum collections, literary viewpoints, and renowned wine estates with the insight only lifelong locals can provide. From thoughtful conversations with winemakers to contemplative moments overlooking the valley, every detail is shaped by their knowledge and respect for the region’s heritage. 

Italy

Step into the workshop of Francesco Serra, a master goldsmith carrying forward the legacy of Dorgali’s filigree tradition, among the finest in the world. For over 40 years, Francesco has transformed threads of gold and silver into intricate jewelry, working entirely by hand with tools and techniques passed down through generations.

You'll learn how Sardinian filigree is created—from raw materials to the delicate process that gives each piece its unique character. In his studio, Francesco introduces the region’s iconic forms: traditional wedding rings, ornate buttons worn on bridal gowns, and pendants that tell stories of Sardinia’s past. He also shares his family’s history, showing old photographs taken in the same space where his workshop now stands.

You'll hear about the area’s centuries-old link to gold and silver mining and the ancient repoussé and chasing technique that Francesco still practices. While rooted in tradition, he also explores contemporary designs.

What makes this experience truly remarkable is the chance to witness a master at work. In the quiet focus of his workshop, Francesco Serra sits at his bench and begins shaping a piece of jewelry—threads of gold or silver slowly becoming filigree under his steady hands. You will be drawn into the rhythm of his craft.

Francesco, whose work appears in a photo book celebrating Dorgali’s artisan legacy, doesn’t follow a script. As he works, he shares how he became a goldsmith, tracing a journey that began over forty years ago. He speaks about passion, apprenticeship, tradition—and how each piece is a dialogue between past and present.

His voice carries the kind of insight you only gain through decades of experience. Personal stories—of learning, family, and quiet victories at the workbench—bring rare intimacy to this encounter. This isn’t a museum or a shop window. It’s a living craft, unfolding in real time, shared by someone who has dedicated his life to keeping it alive.

Craftsmanship Experience in Dorgali, Sardinia with a master goldsmith and filigree artist.

The Fire and the Wire

This experience accommodates a minimum of 2 up to a maximum of 6 people. Children under 12 join for free. What's included: A visit to Francesco Serra’s workshop. A live demonstration of traditional filigree-making. A personal conversation with the artist about his craft and experience. A close look at both traditional and contemporary jewelry pieces.

Curiosity is the only thing you’ll need to bring. 

You’ll meet Francesco at his workshop on Corso Umberto I, 72, in Dorgali.

Francesco Serra is a master goldsmith and filigree artist. A graduate of the Istituto Statale d’Arte of Nuoro, he began his career as an apprentice before opening his own workshop, Esseffe, in 1983. For over four decades, Francesco has been creating intricate jewelry by hand, blending traditional Sardinian designs with his own contemporary vision. His work reflects a deep respect for heritage, technique, and the quiet beauty of craftsmanship passed down through generations.

Set off on a captivating four-hour journey through Istanbul’s historic heart in the Sultanahmet district, uncovering the city’s Byzantine roots. 

The experience begins at the majestic Hagia Sophia, a structure with over 1,000 years of history, transitioning from a cathedral to a mosque and, more recently, a museum. 

Just steps away descend into the atmospheric Basilica Cistern, an underground marvel that once provided water to the Byzantine Empire. 

You’ll then venture towards the Hippodrome, where chariot races once captivated the citizens of Constantinople. 

To enrich the experience, you’ll visit a local café near Hagia Sophia for a traditional break over Turkish coffee and tea, creating a space for cultural discussion with your host. Ideal for first-time visitors, this tour is a deep dive into Istanbul’s architectural splendor and historical heritage, offering an insightful look at the city’s evolving identity through the ages.

This experience is located on the European side in the Sultanahmet district which you can reach via tram with your guide. 

This experience offers a unique journey into Istanbul’s Byzantine heritage, led by Volkan, a guide with over 20 years of experience and a passion for the city’s history and art. Unlike typical tours, this experience not only covers iconic landmarks like Hagia Sophia and the Basilica Cistern but also includes a stop at a local café near Hagia Sophia, known for its open views of the Sultanahmet district.  Here, you’ll enjoy Turkish coffee and tea, engaging in cultural discussions with Volkan, whose expertise in Byzantine history, mythology, and art brings each site’s story to life. At Hagia Sophia, Volkan shares captivating tales of its transformation from cathedral to mosque, while the Basilica Cistern visit unveils the mysterious Medusa heads and the artistry behind this underground marvel. Volkan offers insights that go beyond typical facts, making this tour a deeply engaging experience for those who seek a meaningful connection with Istanbul’s layered past.

Walking Tour of Istanbul’s Byzantine sites for first-timers: Hagia Sophia, Cistern, and Hippodrome.

Hagia Sophia, Underground Cistern, Hippodrome, Café Stop

The Legends of Istanbul

Access to Hagia Sophia, the Basilica Cistern, and the Hippodrome, along with expert commentary.

Entrance tickets.

Turkish coffee or tea.

Tram tickets.

Scarf, comfortable walking shoes, a camera, and a water bottle.

You will be picked up from your hotel. Provide us your hotel details via Fernwayer chat after booking. 

Your host is a seasoned tour guide with over 20 years of experience. Having traveled extensively across Turkey to gather insights and stories, they bring a unique perspective that blends deep academic knowledge with firsthand experiences. You'll gain more than just facts—you'll experience Istanbul's ancient monuments through stories of emperors, architects, and everyday lives, brought to life by someone who is deeply committed to preserving and sharing Turkey's cultural tapestry. You'll be accompanied by Volkan himself or one of his equally professional associates, such as Betül.

This is a photo walk to watch the sunset over the sea, while birds fly over the cliffs. The easy path winds along the coast to a panoramic viewpoint offering a stunning view of the Capo Nieddu waterfall—the only one in Sardinia that flows directly into the sea. As the sun sets, you'll see the landscape transform: golden light paints the cliffs and the sea. An expert photographer will offer advice on how to capture the beauty of nature through your lens.

In a slow-paced walk, you can enjoy the view without rushing, taking breaks to contemplate the sea and the majestic waterfall. You’ll savor a picnic featuring traditional Sardinian products, including carasau bread, local cheeses, cured meats, and a glass of Cannonau wine.

When the sun disappears on the horizon, leaving the sky ablaze with orange and pink hues, the magical blue hour begins. You'll pause for a meditative moment, listening to the sound of water and wind, before returning to the starting point under the starry sky.

THIS EXPERIENCE IS AVAILABLE ONLY FROM JANUARY TO APRIL, WHEN THE CAPO NIEDDU WATERFALL COMES TO LIFE.

During the rainy season (January to April), the Capo Nieddu waterfall plunges directly into the sea 40 meters down a steep cliff, creating a breathtaking spectacle. Standing on the cliff in a wild landscape, you'll feel connected to nature as the wind dances between the rocks—a truly mesmerizing experience.

Massimiliano will lead you to the lesser-known viewpoints, turning the walk into an exciting adventure. As an expert photographer, he will share techniques and angles to help you capture extraordinary shots.

You will enjoy a picnic featuring crunchy carasau bread, local cheeses, cured meats, and a glass of Cannonau red wine, while waiting for the blue hour to photograph the sunset, before heading back under a starlit sky.

By the end of the experience, you’ll take home unforgettable memories along with stunning images crafted with professional guidance.

Photo Walk at blue hour to capture the breathtaking landscape of the western coast of Sardinia.

Self-driving transfer (20 minutes)
Walk along the path to Capo Nieddu (20-30 minutes)
Photographing the waterfall
Picnic based on typical Sardinian products
5 professional shots shared via Google Photos
Chat Whatsapp for comments and analysis of the shots taken by you


Falls of Gold at Capo Nieddu

Available only from January to April, this private photography tour is designed for a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 8 participants. Included are: a guided photo walk, tasting of local products, 5 professional shots shared via Google Photos, Chat via Fernwayer or Whatsapp for comments and analysis of the shots taken by you.

Comfortable shoes and clothing, a camera or smartphone


Studio Ora Blu Lab 
Via Vescovo Cossu 3/C
Cuglieri is well connected by road.

Massimiliano is a professional photographer, artist, and tour guide. After graduating at University Paris 8 in Photography, he began working as a photojournalist and lived in Tuscany and Paris before moving to Sardinia in 2011 with Eva, and co-founding Ora Blu Lab, to offer experiences connecting people with Sardinia's beauty by blending art, nature, and authentic Sardinian life, characterized by community bonds and genuine hospitality.

THIS EXCLUSIVE ONCE-A-YEAR-EXPERIENCE IS AVAILABLE FOR ONLY 6 PARTICIPANTS ON APRIL 14

The Lunissanti of Castelsardo is one of Sardinia’s most unique Holy Week traditions, with medieval origins. As night falls, the town’s lights dim, and a torchlit procession winds through the ancient streets, creating an atmosphere of deep spirituality.

The Confraternity of Santa Croce, known as the Apostuli, carries the Misteri, symbols of Christ’s Passion, while three traditional choirs sing hauntingly beautiful sacred chants: the Miserere, Stabat Mater, and Jesu. These polyphonic chants, performed at precise moments, blend rhythm, silence, and devotion, making this event truly mesmerizing.

This experience is guided by a photographer, who will share expert tips on capturing the event’s atmosphere, and a choir member, offering insights into the meaning, structure, and history of these ancient songs. A rare chance to witness a centuries-old tradition through both artistic and cultural perspectives.

This experience offers rare insider access to one of Sardinia’s most intimate and cherished traditions. The Lunissanti procession isn’t a staged event—it’s a deeply rooted ritual, carried out with devotion by the local community, and you’ll witness it not as a spectator, but as part of the moment.

What makes this truly unique is your guide, Gianmario, a photographer and choir member, offering a dual perspective that few can provide. His deep connection to the event means you’ll gain photographic expertise as well as insight into the chants and their emotional depth. You’ll learn to capture the flickering torchlight, solemn expressions, and hooded confraternities carrying the Misteri, symbols of Christ’s Passion.

More than observing, you’ll feel the collective emotion of the locals as the haunting polyphonic chants echo through the medieval alleys. A rare chance to experience a sacred tradition through the eyes of those who keep it alive.

Photo Walk in Castelsardo, Sardinia capturing Holy Week Lunissanti with torches and sacred chants.

Choirs & Torches of Lunissanti

This experience is offered as shared for a a maximum of 6 people. What’s included: Full guidance from an expert photographer and choir member. Traditional Sardinian snack and dinner.

You'll meet Gianmario in Piazza La Pianedda in Castelsardo.

Gianmario Pedroni is a photographer and a Sardinian choir member. After honing his skills in England, he specialized in advertising, fashion, and design, working with prominent photographers and brands. In 2009, he returned to Sardinia to establish his studio, where he captures the region’s breathtaking landscapes and vibrant culture while actively participating in local traditions as a member of a traditional choir.

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).

Japan

In juxtaposition to the prim and proper atmosphere of traditional Kyoto are the Tachinomi, casual bars invented for the Japanese blue and white-collar crowds to let their hair down. Although historically popular in working-class areas of Osaka, tachinomi have more recently appeared around Kyoto, some with a twist of the local culture ingrained in their Osaka roots.

Your experience begins with your expert guide giving you a primer on the history and evolution of tachinomi standing bars in the Kansai area, as well as some tips on how to fit in with the locals. From there, he will take you to some of his favorite tachinomi, from rooftop cocktail bars to racous hole-in-the-wall establishments, introducing you to patrons, staff, and owners alike.

While each location you will visit is well known to your host, the content may change slightly based on weather, seasons, and other factors, designed to make your experience the most comfortable and memorable.

While tachinomi are an integral part of the local culture, they can be intimidating for overseas visitors who face cultural and language barriers to join in the fun. Your host will act as your bridge to access the world of tachinomi, introducing you to locals and staff, explaining the variety of foods and beverages, and helping you avoid any faux pas during your experience.

As you visit a variety of tachinomi throughout your evening, your host will encourage you to try a variety of local foods and have social interactions with staff and fellow patrons. Perhaps you'll come away with some new Japanese friends from your experience.

Your host, Eric. is a long-time resident of Kyoto with years of experience in the food and beverage and hospitality industries, which has given him an extensive network within the restaurant and bar industry of Kyoto. He's passionate about introducing the best qualities of Kyoto through experiences best known to local residents.

Food Tour in Kyoto: Explore tachinomi standing bars with a food expert and meet Kyoto’s bar scene.

The Social World of Tachinomi

You will visit at least three bars during this tour, selected by Eric based on seasons and weather. 

One drink and appetizer are included at each location. 

A hand towel is recommended as some toilets do not have paper towels. A bottle of water is good to hydrate yourself during the tour. 

Meet in front of Minami-za theater on Shijo street, right beside the Kamo river.

Originally from Toronto, Canada, Eric has been living in Kyoto for over 22 years. He first came to Kyoto to complete his Master’s degree in Japanese Art History and now works as a teacher and translator. Since 2022, he has been running a monthly pop-up restaurant, serving Cantonese-inspired dishes. Well connected with the art and culinary communities in Kyoto, he is eager to share more hidden aspects of this wonderful city with visitors. 

One day is never enough for a city as vast as Mexico City, but with the right guidance it can still feel complete. This curated journey is designed for travelers passing through with limited time who want to experience the pulse of the capital. From monumental plazas and layered histories in the heart of the city to an evening of food and stories in Polanco, it is a condensed but vivid portrait of Mexico City.
DAY 1 – HISTORIC CENTER AND POLANQUITO | Begin with a guided walking tour of the Historic Center, where colonial facades, modern landmarks, and grand murals trace the evolution of Mexico City. Your guide weaves together architecture, politics, and art to bring the city’s past and present into focus as you move through plazas, palaces, and hidden corners. After a short pause in the afternoon, the evening takes you north to Polanco for a guided food tour. Here you taste tacos, tortas, churros, and chocolates while exploring elegant streets that tell another side of the city’s story. It is the perfect balance of culture and cuisine, showing what makes Mexico City unforgettable in just one day.
WHERE TO STAY IN MEXICO CITY | If you are staying overnight, Centro Histórico puts you steps from plazas and landmarks, ideal for starting the day with ease. Roma and Condesa offer a creative base with leafy streets, cafés, and nightlife. Polanco is refined and stylish, perfect for ending the evening close to your dinner tour. Each neighborhood gives you comfort and convenience, even on a short stay.
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 Mexico City

Fernwayer’s perfect one day in Mexico City moves from historic icons to Polanco’s flavors by night.

United States

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.

Argentina

Tango to Andes in Argentina

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sicily, Between Earth and Sky

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

Even with just one day, Madrid’s intensity can still be felt — its rhythm, flavors, and stories all within reach when the day is thoughtfully designed. This curated itinerary is crafted for travelers with limited time who still want to experience the spirit of the city through its streets, storytellers, and night scenes. From image to word to taste, this is Madrid distilled.
DAY 1 – FRAMES, WORDS, AND TAPAS | The day begins with a black-and-white photo walk through Madrid’s morning light, guided by a professional photographer who shows how to frame shadows, textures, and urban contrasts. In the afternoon, a local writer leads you through the Barrio de las Letras — once home to literary legends — sharing how Madrid’s stories live on in stone and street. As the sun sets, two local hosts take you deep into the city’s nightlife, where conversation, tapas, and culture flow through the bars of Chueca and Malasaña. It’s a vivid blend of reflection and revelry — a full portrait of Madrid in a single day.
WHERE TO STAY IN MADRID | Stay in Centro for quick access to morning and afternoon walks, or opt for Malasaña to finish your evening just steps from your hotel.
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.

Spain

One Day in Madrid

Fernwayer’s perfect one day in Madrid moves from photo walks to Barrio de las Letras to tapas bars.

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 City Roots and Stories

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

This 7-day itinerary offers a layered introduction to Catalonia, curated by Fernwayer experience-maker and collaborator Manila DiMaira. A native of Sicily and longtime resident of Barcelona, Manila blends insight with a deep curiosity. Her suggested route balances the bold energy of the city with the slower rhythm of the countryside — from Barcelona’s cultural core to the vineyards of Priorat, the wetlands of the Ebro Delta, and the historic charm of Girona.
Begin with three days in Barcelona, where Manila recommends focusing not on checklists but on rhythm: explore historic neighborhoods, check out design ateliers, sample Catalan cuisine, and seek out the quieter corners still alive with local tradition. | Head south into the wine country of Priorat, a lesser-known region with rolling hills and medieval villages. Stay in Siurana, a cliffside hamlet with sweeping views and access to local winemakers. | Continue to the Ebro Delta, one of Spain’s richest ecological regions. Here, you can bike through rice paddies, watch migratory birds, and experience a side of Catalonia rarely included in mainstream itineraries. | End in Girona, a city of ancient walls, celebrated chefs, and architectural quiet. It offers a slower, more introspective contrast to the pulse of Barcelona.
This itinerary reflects what Manila calls the “true essence of Catalonia” — a place of cultural pride, natural beauty, and distinct local identity. Manila first arrived in Barcelona more than two decades ago, while finishing her studies in Rome. She needed an internship for her thesis and chose Barcelona without expecting how quickly she’d feel at home.“Barcelona, 22 years ago, was a different place,” she says. “It was less cosmopolitan, more local. I remember wandering through narrow streets and finding tiny bars with real flamenco. It felt genuinely lived in.”
 “Tourism has definitely changed things,” she admits. “Places like La Rambla are overcrowded. Many locals have been pushed out by the rise in tourist rentals. But Catalans are proud of their traditions. They’ve started resisting these changes to preserve the city’s character.” That character is what Manila has grown to love. “I chose Barcelona because I felt an immediate connection. The Mediterranean lifestyle, the weather, the proximity to mountains and sea — it feels like home but also stretches me outside my comfort zone.” She relishes the contrast to her native Sicily. “I can take a train and be skiing in the Pyrenees in just over an hour. Where else do you get that?”
What keeps her in Barcelona is the balance of tradition and openness. “The cuisine, the olive groves, the vineyards — they remind me of southern Italy, but they’re uniquely Catalan.” And the city’s connectivity has made it easy to stay rooted while maintaining close ties to Italy. She speaks with admiration about the people: “Catalans are proud, resilient, and united. They have a strong sense of identity and community. Whether through demonstrations or cultural festivals, they come together. They’re efficient and organized, but also keep that relaxed Mediterranean vibe. It’s a unique combination.”
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.

Catalonia: Barcelona & Beyond

7-day itinerary in Catalonia through Barcelona, Priorat, Siurana, Ebro Delta, Girona, and Cadaqués.

Cappadocia stirs the imagination long before you arrive. This three-day journey is for travelers who crave striking landscapes, cultural depth, and light that feels almost sacred. It’s a place to move slowly, wake early, and let the elements of stone, sky, and craft tell their story. Over three immersive days, you’ll explore the region’s most iconic sites with local guides, from fairy chimneys and underground cities to artisans’ studios and balloon-filled skies.
DAY 1 – FAIRY CHIMNEYS AND NORTHERN VALLEYS | Begin your journey with a full-day guided tour through the heart of northern Cappadocia. You’ll wander through the whimsical formations of Göreme, step into ancient rock-cut dwellings, and explore the pottery traditions of Avanos. The day unfolds through valleys shaped by wind and time, where geological wonders meet human history. It’s a grounded and wide-angle introduction to a land shaped by fire, air, and hands.
DAY 2 – BALLOONS, CRAFT, AND SUNSET | Rise before dawn to meet the golden light. At sunrise, a local photographer leads you through a peaceful valley as hot air balloons drift silently above, casting shadows over cave walls and soft ridges. After a slow breakfast, spend the late morning immersed in Cappadocia’s artisan traditions, from carpet weaving to marbling, guided by makers in Avanos. In the evening, as the landscape glows in blue hour tones, return to the hills for a photography walk across the Red Valley, capturing the shift from day to night.
DAY 3 – UNDERGROUND CITIES AND THE SOUTH | Your final day dives deep—both literally and historically. A guided day trip takes you south, into the vast subterranean cities that once sheltered entire populations. From there, you’ll move through Pigeon Valley and the quiet streets of Ortahisar, where everyday life moves to ancient rhythms. The afternoon leads you through the soft palette of the Rose and Red Valleys, closing the journey with views that feel both geological and emotional in their weight.
WHERE TO STAY IN CAPPADOCIA | Most travelers base themselves in Göreme or Uçhisar, two villages with easy access to sunrise viewpoints and valley hikes. Göreme is lively and central, with cave hotels tucked into the cliffs, while Uçhisar offers a quieter pace and panoramic views. If you’re seeking charm, walkability, and good access to experiences, either makes a beautiful base—just be sure to book early, especially if you’re hoping to see balloons from your terrace. Most boutique hotels in both Göreme and Uçhisar offer on-site dining or are a short walk from local restaurants serving Anatolian dishes. For a quiet end to the day, many travelers enjoy dinner on their hotel terrace after the evening light fades.
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.

Dreamscapes of Cappadocia

3 days in Cappadocia exploring fairy chimneys, artisan traditions, and sunrise balloon moments.

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

Chile

Sand, Salt & Stars in Atacama

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

In Kyoto, time slows down but never stands still. Over three days, this journey weaves together the city’s delicate layers — paper, stone, scent, and taste — to reveal a Japan of quiet mastery and daily grace. From handmade washi to temple gardens, from incense rituals to standing bars, you’ll see how centuries of craft and contemplation still shape life today. Each day balances guided encounters with moments to wander, leaving space for reflection and discovery in your own rhythm.

DAY 1 – PAPER AND PEOPLE | Begin in the calm of the Kyoto Botanical Gardens for Washi, The Texture of Kyoto, a guided tour led by craft researcher Emilie Even. You’ll trace the journey of handmade paper from plant to page, meeting artisans whose quiet skills hold a thousand years of continuity. In the evening, shift from tradition to conviviality with The Social World of Tachinomi, a bar-hopping experience that opens Kyoto’s after-dark culture. Guided by Eric Luong, you’ll stand shoulder-to-shoulder with locals, tasting small plates and sake in the city’s most authentic tachinomi bars — a reminder that craftsmanship lives as much in the art of conversation as in the handmade.

DAY 2 – STONE AND TEA | Head west to Arashiyama for The Kyoto of Small Things, a meditative cultural walk with Edgin Ticzon. Amid moss temples, folk sculptures, and family craft shops, you’ll feel Kyoto’s humility and humor, where beauty is found in imperfection and the stories of everyday life. In the late afternoon, join Eric Luong again for Zen & the Art of Tea in Kyoto, an encounter that begins at the Jotenkaku Museum and continues to a machiya townhouse for a private tea ceremony. Through art, ritual, and conversation, you’ll glimpse the profound simplicity at the heart of Zen.

DAY 3 – SCENT AND FLAVOR | Your final day explores the sensory traditions that define Kyoto’s refinement. Begin with Dashi: Japan’s Hidden Elixir led by Chef Toshihiko Yamamoto, a cooking experience revealing the delicate broth that anchors Japanese cuisine. In his intimate kitchen, you’ll prepare and taste your own dashi, discovering how one essence can hold centuries of culinary philosophy. In the afternoon, continue with The Kyoto Way of Kōdō & Chadō guided by Ayumi Ikushima — a dialogue between scent and tea, where incense, aroma, and taste merge into a single art form. It’s a graceful conclusion to Kyoto: a city that speaks softly through its senses.

WHERE TO STAY IN KYOTO | Stay in Higashiyama if you want to walk between temples and teahouses, wrapped in Kyoto’s historical calm. Choose Downtown or Kawaramachi for easy dining and transport connections after evening tours. For slower mornings and garden views, Arashiyama offers serenity at the city’s edge — a place where the rhythm of Kyoto still feels timeless.

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.

Taste and Tradition in Kyoto

3 days in Kyoto exploring crafts, rituals, and cuisine rooted in centuries of flavor and tradition.

This 3-day Santorini itinerary invites you to experience the island slowly, through light, taste and texture. From quiet swims along the Aegean coast to hands-on Greek cooking, artisan visits, winery tours and a sunset boat trip, each day is crafted for travelers who value intention over itinerary. You’ll move between volcanic landscapes and village kitchens, caldera views and underground wine cellars, with time to pause, savor and connect. It’s a journey rooted in the senses — perfect for those drawn to authenticity, beauty and the quiet charm of the Cyclades.

DAY 1 – MONOLITHOS TO MEGALOCHORI | The first morning begins on the island’s eastern coast, where Monolithos Beach offers a quiet start beside calm waters and soft black sand. It’s a gentle stretch of coast, ideal for slowing down after arrival. By late morning, you’ll head inland to the village of Megalochori for a guided cooking class held in a cave kitchen. The afternoon unfolds in rhythm with local flavors, stories, and shared plates, all crafted by hand. As the sun fades, the caldera becomes the backdrop to a peaceful evening along the island’s edge.

DAY 2 – VLYCHADA TO THE CALDERA | Morning light casts long shadows over the sculpted cliffs of Vlychada Beach, a place known for its otherworldly rock formations and stillness. After time by the water, the late morning brings a quiet brunch with sea views before the guided experience begins. The rest of the day is a curated passage through Santorini’s villages and outlooks, led by a local expert who knows how to read the island’s moods. It all culminates on the water, with a private sunset cruise along the caldera where cliffs glow gold and the sea softens to silence.

DAY 3 – EXO GONIA TO MESARIA | The final day begins in Exo Gonia with a creative experience that blends art and landscape. You’ll visit local studios and a volcanic winery, meeting artists and winemakers whose work is rooted in the geology and stories of the island. A hands-on creative session invites you to slow down and make something of your own before the journey continues. In the late afternoon, a visit to the Santorini Wine Museum leads you underground into the history of vine-growing on this volcanic land. A quiet close to a day shaped by color and craft.

WHERE TO STAY IN SANTORINI | Fira is a convenient and dynamic base, with easy access to transport, guided experiences, and caldera views. For travelers seeking a quieter rhythm, Imerovigli offers serenity just above the sea, while Pyrgos and Exo Gonia provide a slower village atmosphere closer to the creative heart of the itinerary. Choose your stay based on how much you’d like to move — and how much you’d like to stay still.

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

Santorini in Quiet Rhythm

3 days in Santorini with Aegean coast swims, Greek cooking, winery visits and a sunset boat tour.

Naples may demand a lifetime to understand, but even in one day, it can leave a lasting mark. This journey was designed for travelers short on time yet eager to feel the city’s pulse — its contradictions, its stories, and its spirit of creation. Beneath the chaotic rhythm lies a place of beauty and resilience, where history is never past and craft remains a living language. From the depths of its underground world to the sunlit studios along the coast, this day reveals Naples as a city that continues to shape — and be shaped by — its people.
DAY 1 – UNDERGROUND AND HANDMADE | The day begins with The Belly of Naples, a guided exploration beneath the city’s streets with Michele Carneglia. Walking through ancient tunnels and aqueducts, you uncover the hidden layers that support the life above. After lunch, travel along the coast to Vietri sul Mare for Shaping Love with Clay, a hands-on pottery workshop with Elvira Peduto. In a single afternoon, Naples shifts from stone to softness — from history preserved to art created — offering a full-circle glimpse of its creative soul.
WHERE TO STAY IN NAPLES | Stay in Centro Storico to start close to the morning tour, or in Chiaia for an easy coastal route toward Vietri in the afternoon. Both offer quick returns and a sense of the city’s 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.

One Day in Naples

Fernwayer’s perfect one day in Naples uncovers Naples underground tour and Amalfi ceramics.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Milan in Form and Flair

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

Initially a medieval fortress, it now boasts the Renaissance grandeur of the Salone dei Cinquecento. A living testament to the city's political, artistic, and architectural evolution. Top reasons to visit:
1- The construction of Palazzo Vecchio, attributed to Arnolfo di Cambio, began in 1299. Built over the ruins of the Uberti Ghibelline towers and atop a Roman theater, the palace exemplifies the triumph of the Guelph faction. It has served as the seat of the city council, composed of the Guilds of Florence, and even housed Duke Walter VI of Brienne. The architectural design, initially severe and medieval, concealed sumptuous halls and residential apartments​​.
2 - Created during the Republic of Fra' Girolamo Savonarola in 1494, the Salone dei Cinquecento is the most significant room in Palazzo Vecchio. Originally basic and almost devoid of decoration, it was later chosen by Piero Soderini for grand murals by Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo Buonarroti, depicting the Republic's victories. Although these works were never completed, their initiation marked a high point in Renaissance art. When the Medici returned to power in 1540, they transformed the Salone into a symbol of ducal authority. Giorgio Vasari was tasked with its renovation, elevating the ceiling and adding a coffered structure with forty-two panels. The room's decor glorified the Medici family, replacing the original allegory of Florence with a depiction of Duke Cosimo himself​​​​​​.
Palazzo Vecchio, located at Piazza della Signoria, Florence, is open to the public as a museum. It offers various guided tours, some specifically tailored for families with children. The mezzanine level houses the Loeser Collection, and the second floor features private apartments and chambers, including the original Hall of Priors and the Hall of Maps. For a panoramic view of Florence, brave the 416 steps of the Tower​​. 

https://www.italy-museum.com/florence/palazzo-vecchio-museum-tickets

Photo by Jeff Ackley

Palazzo Vecchio

In Venice, a city sculpted by canals and history, a gondola ride offers a serene journey through its history. Here are the top things to enjoy: 
 
1: The Gondola's Unique Design: Boarding a gondola, notice its asymmetrical shape, a unique feature that aids in navigation through Venice's canals. This traditional boat, handcrafted and ornately decorated, symbolizes Venice's rich maritime heritage.
 
2: Iconic Sights Along the Way: As your gondola sweeps past the Rialto Bridge, the oldest bridge spanning the Grand Canal, soak in its Renaissance elegance. Another majestic sight is the Bridge of Sighs, enveloped in tales of romance and longing. Don't miss the grandeur of the Chiesa di Santa Maria della Salute, a baroque masterpiece perched elegantly on the canal's edge.
 
3: Insights from Your Gondolier: Venetian gondoliers, with their distinctive attire and deep knowledge of the city, offer anecdotes and stories as you pass by historic palazzos and under ancient bridges. While the days of gondoliers singing melodious tunes have faded, as captured in William Goldman's "The Silent Gondoliers," their presence still adds a charming authenticity to the experience. 
 
4: Choosing Your Route: Discuss your route with the gondolier. For a tranquil, romantic journey, smaller canals offer quieter, more intimate moments. If your preference is for grand vistas, the Grand Canal showcases Venice's architectural splendor.
 
5: Best Time for a Ride: For a less crowded experience, consider a morning ride, when the city is waking up, or an evening ride after sunset for a romantic atmosphere.

Gondola rides typically cost around 90 euros during the day and 110 euros at night, accommodating up to 5 people. Book in advance to avoid long queues and to secure a preferred time slot. 

Photo by Mikita Yo

A Gondola Ride in Venice

Tarragona, Spain, is a coastal city in Catalonia known for its impressive Roman ruins, golden beaches, and vibrant Mediterranean charm. Once the capital of the Roman province of Hispania Tarraconensis, the city’s rich history blends seamlessly with modern life. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Tarragona offers ancient amphitheaters, medieval alleyways, and lively plazas, making it a must-visit destination for history lovers and photographers.


1. Tarragona Amphitheatre: Overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, this 2nd-century Roman amphitheater once hosted gladiatorial games and now serves as an iconic symbol of the city’s Roman heritage.

2. Roman Circus: Explore the remains of the Roman chariot-racing stadium, where underground tunnels and towers offer fascinating insights into ancient entertainment.

3. Tarragona Cathedral: A stunning blend of Romanesque and Gothic architecture, this cathedral offers beautiful cloisters, panoramic city views from its bell tower, and a peaceful courtyard.

4. Balcó del Mediterrani: A scenic viewpoint at the edge of the city, offering sweeping vistas of the coastline—perfect for sunset photography.

5. Les Ferreres Aqueduct (Pont del Diable): Located just outside the city, this remarkably preserved Roman aqueduct features walking paths along its top and surrounding nature trails.

Visitor Tip: Visit during the Tarragona International Fireworks Competition in July for a spectacular show over the Mediterranean. Try local seafood dishes like romesco sauce-topped fish at seaside restaurants along El Serrallo, the city’s traditional fishing district.

Photos: Alessandro Chitarrini

Tarragona

The Roman Amphitheater in Via del Teatro Romano, Trieste, boasts a rich history dating back to the end of the 1st century BC. This impressive structure, dating back to the 1st century AD, offers visitors a captivating glimpse into the grandeur and spectacle of Roman civilization. Key highlights:
1 - The Roman Amphitheater, carved out of rock, once seated thousands of spectators, eagerly gathered for gladiatorial combats and public spectacles. Its elliptical structure, with the remnants of tiered seating and central arena, evokes the powerful aura of ancient Roman entertainment and social life. The structure, hidden over the centuries by surrounding buildings, was rediscovered in 1814 and fully unearthed in 1938 during a demolition. 
2 - This archaeological marvel provides invaluable insights into Roman architectural genius. You can see the sophisticated design and engineering techniques used in its construction, including the intricate system of underground passages where gladiators and animals were held before contests, showcasing Roman innovation and craftsmanship.
3 - Notable for its architecture that utilizes the natural slope of the hill, the amphitheater could accommodate between 3,500 to 6,000 spectators and was built primarily of masonry, with a wooden stage. Today, the amphitheater serves as a vibrant cultural venue. It hosts various cultural events, including open-air concerts, theatrical performances, and historical reenactments, bridging the past and present and bringing ancient Rome's spirit to life for contemporary audiences.
4 - Walking through the amphitheater, you truly embark on a journey back in time. Each stone and corridor tells a story of the past, from the roar of the crowd to the bravery of gladiators, offering a tangible connection to the rich history and traditions of Roman society.
The Roman Amphitheater in Via del Teatro Romano is open to visitors year-round, with a small admission fee.
Photo by Divento

Via del Teatro Romano

Pyrgos Village, located in the heart of Santorini, is a charming and historic destination that offers a more tranquil and authentic experience compared to the island’s bustling hotspots. Perched on a hill, this traditional Cycladic village was once Santorini’s capital and is known for its narrow winding streets, whitewashed houses, and panoramic views of the island. Rich in history and culture, Pyrgos is a perfect blend of scenic beauty and serene ambiance. 
1. Pyrgos offers stunning 360-degree vistas of the island, including the caldera, the sea, and Santorini’s iconic landscapes. 
2. At the village’s highest point lies the remains of a 15th-century Venetian castle, offering insight into Santorini’s medieval past and an incredible viewpoint. 
3. The labyrinth-like alleys, blue-domed churches, and picturesque courtyards give Pyrgos an authentic and peaceful atmosphere. 
4. The village is home to several historic churches, such as Agios Nikolaos Theotokaki and Profitis Ilias Monastery, adding spiritual and architectural interest. 
5. Pyrgos has cozy taverns and boutique shops where you can enjoy local delicacies, wines, and handcrafted souvenirs. 
Visitor Tip: Plan to spend 1.5–3 hours exploring Pyrgos. Visit in the late afternoon to avoid the midday heat and enjoy the stunning sunset views from the hilltop.
Photo: Shutterstock

Pyrgos Village

Standing as an ancient marvel, The Mausoleum of Augustus reigns as the world's largest circular tomb and serves as the final resting place of Rome's first emperor. After a meticulous 14-year restoration, a groundbreaking 50-minute tech-enhanced tour invites visitors to explore the inner sanctum of this historic burial site. Here are the key highlights:


1 - Experience the Monumental Legacy: The Mausoleum of Augustus, commissioned by Emperor Augustus in 28 BC, is a testament to the grandeur and architectural genius of ancient Rome. As the world's largest circular tomb, its imposing structure symbolizes the monumental legacy of the first Roman Emperor.

2 - Restoration Marvel: The extensive 14-year restoration has breathed new life into this ancient marvel, preserving its intricate details and ensuring its continued existence for generations to come. The careful restoration work allows visitors to witness the mausoleum in all its glory, showcasing the splendor of ancient Roman craftsmanship.

3 - Tech-Enhanced: The 50-minute tour is a fusion of history and cutting-edge technology. Visitors are equipped with state-of-the-art devices that offer immersive insights into the historical significance, architectural brilliance, and cultural context of the mausoleum. Augmented reality and interactive elements bring the past to life in a captivating and educational manner.

4 - Inner Burial Chamber: A highlight of the tour is the exploration of the inner burial chamber, a sacred space that unveils the intimate details of Augustus' final resting place. Visitors can witness the ornate decorations, symbolic motifs, and the architectural mastery that define this sacred space, providing a poignant connection to the era of Augustus.

Tickets can be purchased online or at the on-site ticket office: mausoleodiaugusto.it/en/ 

Photo by Mausoleo di Augusto

The Mausoleum of Augustus Tour

Guatemala

Smoke spewing volcano 🌋 that one can climb, tree blanketed mountains, pastel buildings, cobbled streets and quintessential garden courtyards with fountains give picture postcard views on every corner we turn.

The town Is made for walking with stone arches In bold colors, baroque architecture, churches from Spain and vibrant markets bursting with colorful woven garments like ponchos, hats & table cloth and handicrafts.

It’s the birthplace of chocolate 🍫 and there are several museums that teach how the Mayans made ‘the food of the gods’. Adjoining chocolate cafes serve decadent treats and chocolate liqueur.

The coffee ☕️ is divine too and apart from sampling the local shops, we visited a local plantation to learn about coffee making.

Antigua is one of our favorite Central American cities.

Colorful Markets

Faro Old Town, nestled in the capital of Portugal's Algarve region, stands as a testament to a rich and varied history. This enchanting historic area, characterized by cobbled streets and a remarkable medieval cathedral, offers visitors a unique glimpse into the past. Here are the top highlights:

1. The Faro Cathedral, or Sé de Faro, is an architectural marvel originally built in the 13th century. It has since seen Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque influences, evident in its diverse structural elements. Inside, the cathedral impresses with its ornate gilded woodwork, azulejos, and a notable organ with intricate wood carvings. The cathedral also features a climbable tower providing panoramic views of the Old Town.

2. The Old Town's narrow, winding streets are a highlight in themselves. Lined with historic buildings, these alleys offer a serene walk through time, with each turn revealing aspects of Faro's Roman, Moorish, and Christian heritage.

3. Situated in a former convent, the museum showcases Faro’s history from its Roman origins through the Middle Ages to the present. Its collections include Roman mosaics, medieval artifacts, and a variety of religious art, providing a comprehensive look at the region's past.

4. Surrounding the Old Town are remnants of medieval walls and gates, including the Arco da Vila. These structures, once part of the city's defense system, now stand as historical landmarks, reflecting Faro's strategic importance over the centuries.

5. The Old Town is dotted with charming plazas, each offering a peaceful space to relax. These squares are surrounded by quaint cafes and restaurants where visitors can enjoy traditional Portuguese dishes.

Visiting Faro Old Town is a journey through time. The best periods for a visit are during spring and autumn when the weather is milder. 

Photo by KOBU Agency


Historic Gem: Faro Old Town

Morocco

Essaouira, Morocco, is renowned for its bohemian spirit and vibrant art scene, making it a magnet for creatives, free spirits, and art lovers. Since the 1960s, when icons like Jimi Hendrix and Cat Stevens frequented the city, Essaouira has blossomed into a hub for hippie culture and contemporary Moroccan art. Today, its winding medina streets are dotted with eclectic galleries, artisan workshops, and laid-back cafés, all infused with a relaxed, seaside vibe.


1. Galerie d’Art Frederic Damgaard, the city’s oldest gallery, showcases contemporary Moroccan art, including paintings, sculptures, and mixed-media works by local artists.

2. The Le Real Mogador gallery features abstract and surrealist works that reflect Essaouira’s unique blend of African, Berber, and European influences.

3. Artisan shops in the medina offer handcrafted jewelry, colorful textiles, and wooden carvings, perfect for finding unique, locally made souvenirs.

4. Street murals and vibrant graffiti in hidden corners of the medina reflect the city’s bohemian vibe and make for fantastic photo opportunities.

5. Laid-back cafés and rooftop lounges often host live music events, jam sessions, and poetry readings—perfect for soaking up Essaouira’s creative atmosphere.

Visitor Tip: Visit in the late afternoon when the light softens, casting a golden glow on the whitewashed walls. After gallery hopping, relax at a rooftop café with mint tea and enjoy views of the Atlantic Ocean.

Photos: bruno neurath-wilson

Art Galleries of Essaouira

Chile’s Atacama Desert is one of the best places in the world for stargazing, thanks to its high altitude, clear skies, and almost zero light pollution. Located near San Pedro de Atacama, this vast desert offers breathtaking views of the Milky Way, distant galaxies, and countless constellations. The region is home to world-class observatories and expert-led stargazing tours, making it an unforgettable experience for astronomy lovers and photographers alike.


1. Crystal-clear night skies allow for unparalleled visibility of celestial objects, including the Magellanic Clouds, Saturn’s rings, and distant nebulae.

2. Guided astronomy tours with powerful telescopes and expert explanations help visitors navigate the southern hemisphere’s unique constellations.

3. The ALMA Observatory, the world’s most advanced radio telescope array, offers insight into cutting-edge space exploration (limited public visits available).

4. The Milky Way appears incredibly vivid, with its dense clusters of stars stretching across the sky—an unmissable sight for astrophotography.

5. Some tours provide astrophotography sessions, allowing visitors to capture the beauty of the cosmos with professional guidance.

Visitor Tip: Visit between April and September for the clearest skies. Dress warmly, as temperatures drop significantly at night, and book a stargazing tour in advance for the best experience.

Photo: Jaanus Jagomägi

Star Gazing in Atacama

The Generalife Palace, located in the Alhambra complex in Granada, Spain, is a stunning example of Islamic architecture and one of the most beautiful parts of this UNESCO World Heritage site. Originally built in the 13th century as a summer palace and retreat for the Nasrid sultans, the Generalife is renowned for its lush gardens, tranquil courtyards, and spectacular views of Granada and the surrounding mountains. Its name, derived from Arabic, means “Garden of the Architect,” reflecting its harmonious blend of architecture and nature.


Highlights of the Generalife Palace:

1. Patio de la Acequia: This stunning courtyard is the heart of the Generalife. With a long central pool framed by water jets, fountains, flowerbeds, and lush greenery, it exemplifies the traditional Moorish use of water to create a peaceful atmosphere. The sounds of running water combined with the vibrant gardens make it a serene spot for reflection.

2. Jardines del Generalife: The gardens surrounding the palace are an oasis of greenery and tranquility. These meticulously designed gardens feature elegant paths, clipped hedges, rose bushes, and orange trees. With the backdrop of the Sierra Nevada mountains, the gardens offer breathtaking views and a perfect space for a leisurely stroll.

3. Sala Regia: This grand hall in the Generalife showcases intricate Islamic designs, with beautiful plasterwork and arched windows. It’s a reflection of the luxury the Nasrid rulers enjoyed in their summer palace.

4. Views of the Alhambra and Granada: From various points in the Generalife, you can enjoy spectacular views of the Alhambra Palace, with its red stone walls, as well as panoramic views of Granada and the distant mountains. It’s the perfect place to take in the surrounding landscape.

Tip: Visit early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid crowds and fully experience the peaceful atmosphere.

Photo: Alhambra.org 

Generalife Palace

Chile’s Laguna Chaxa, part of the Los Flamencos National Reserve, is one of the best places in the Atacama Desert to see flamingos in their natural habitat. Located within the vast Salar de Atacama, this shallow, mineral-rich lagoon attracts three species of flamingos—Chilean, Andean, and James’s flamingos—along with other unique birdlife. The salt-crusted landscape, mirror-like waters, and distant Andes Mountains create a truly surreal and unforgettable experience, especially at sunrise or sunset.


1. Flamingo spotting – Watch hundreds of flamingos wading gracefully through the shallow waters, feeding on microscopic algae and crustaceans.

2. Breathtaking reflections – The lagoon’s still waters create stunning mirror-like reflections of the flamingos, the deep blue sky, and the snow-capped Andes.

3. Salt-crusted terrain – Walk along designated paths through the unique, rugged landscape of the Atacama salt flats, which stretch as far as the eye can see.

4. Other bird species – Look out for Andean avocets, puna plovers, and other rare high-altitude birds that thrive in this extreme environment.

5. Spectacular sunsets – The lagoon transforms at dusk, with the sky turning shades of pink, orange, and purple, making for breathtaking photography.

Visitor Tip: Visit in the early morning or late afternoon for the best lighting and most active flamingo sightings. Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat, as the sun is intense, and respect the marked trails to help preserve the fragile ecosystem.


Photo: Rohit Dey

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