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Portugal

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 immersive day trip from Porto invites you into the heart of Terra de Miranda, a culturally rich and ecologically pristine region in Northeast Portugal. Guided by a naturalist photographer and a cultural researcher, you'll explore ancient chestnut groves, oak and holm oak forests, and panoramic viewpoints overlooking the Serra da Nogueira and the Spanish mountains of Sanabria and Culebra. 

The program changes with the season but may include swimming in rivers and natural pools during summer, autumn forest walks, and winter snowshoeing. Along the way, you'll encounter local wildlife such as roe deer and wild boar, and witness traditional practices like bagpipe music and the Pauliteiros stick dance before your scenic ride back to Porto.

This journey offers an authentic immersion into the living traditions and natural splendor of Terra de Miranda. You'll engage directly with local artisans, witnessing the crafting of wooden carnival masks and the rehearsal of traditional dances accompanied by the gaita mirandesa, a unique bagpipe recognized by the Portuguese Ministry of Culture.

The experience is enriched by the expertise of your hosts: Alexandra Melo, who has dedicated nearly two decades to preserving inland Portuguese crafts, and António Sá, a seasoned naturalist and photographer with deep roots in the region (whose photos illustrate this experience). Their insights provide a profound connection to the land's heritage, ensuring a meaningful and respectful exploration of this untouched corner of Portugal, home to the country's second official language, Mirandese.

A guided walk through centuries-old chestnut, oak, and holm oak forests, identifying roe deer tracks, wild boar wallows, and learning about the local ecosystem.

Led by a professional naturalist who grew up exploring these forests, offering a rare, authentic insight into local biodiversity.

Guided walk through ancient forests to observe local wildlife and flora.

Forest Exploration & Wildlife 

Departure from central Porto with private transport, heading into the remote landscapes of Northeast Portugal.

The drive introduces you to the transition from bustling city life to the peaceful rhythm of one of Portugal’s most untouched regions.

Private transport from Porto into the heart of Terra de Miranda.


Porto to Terra de Miranda

Enjoy a traditional Mirandese lunch, featuring dishes like posta mirandesa (grilled beef), local beans, seasonal vegetables, and homemade desserts. The meal is served in a cozy, family-run spot where the focus is on local flavor and hospitality.

This is an introduction to the region’s food culture through recipes passed down through generations and prepared with ingredients sourced from nearby farms. Beyond the meal, you'll engage in conversations about local customs, food traditions, and daily life.

Share a regional meal prepared with local ingredients in a family-run setting.

Traditional Lunch

Attend a local rehearsal of the Pauliteiros de Miranda, featuring vibrant stick dancing and traditional bagpipe music.

This direct, behind-the-scenes access to a living cultural heritage is rarely available to visitors.

Experience the rehearsal of the traditional Pauliteiros stick dance.

Pauliteiros Dance Rehearsal

Relaxed return trip back to Porto with private transport.

An opportunity to reflect on the experience while crossing some of Portugal’s most beautiful and remote countryside.

Private return transport to Porto after an unforgettable immersion in Terra de Miranda.

Return Transport to Porto

Visit a local workshop where colorful wooden masks are meticulously carved for Carnival celebrations.

A chance to interact directly with master artisans preserving one of Portugal's rarest cultural crafts.

Discover the craft of traditional wooden carnival masks with a local artisan.

Artisanal Mask Workshop Visit

Day Trip from Porto to Terra de Miranda: Explore folk dancing, masks, wildlife & nature photography.

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 Wild Northeast

Guided exploration of chestnut groves, oak and holm oak forests in Miranda do Douro & surrounding areas.

Seasonal outdoor activities such as river swimming (summer), autumn forest walks, or winter snowshoeing.

Wildlife observation of species like roe deer and wild boar.

Cultural encounters including traditional bagpipe music and the Pauliteiros stick dance.

Regional lunch featuring local Mirandese cuisine.

Pick-up from Porto and transportation throughout.

Comprehensive insurance coverage.

Comfortable walking shoes suitable for forest trails and uneven terrain
Layered clothing to adapt to seasonal changes (warm layers for autumn and winter; light clothing for summer)
Waterproof jacket, especially in the autumn and winter months
Hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen for sun protection
Reusable water bottle
Camera or smartphone for photography (optional: binoculars for wildlife observation)
Small backpack for carrying personal items during excursions

You will be picked up from your hotel or accommodation in Porto. After booking, chat with Alexandra to share your accommodation details.

Alexandra Melo is a former journalist turned entrepreneur, dedicating the past 18 years to researching and preserving genuine Portuguese crafts and traditions, particularly in inland Portugal. Her deep understanding of the region's cultural heritage enriches the experience with authentic insights.​

António Sá is a naturalist, freelance reporter, and photography instructor with a lifelong connection to the Bragança region. His expertise in nature and storytelling offers participants a profound appreciation of the local environment and its narratives.​

Italy

Once a nameless patch between Via Prenestina and Via Casilina, Pigneto only began appearing on maps in the early 2000s, following a wave of street art, pedestrian renewal, and urban transformation. But its roots go back much further.

Born in the late 19th century as housing for railway workers and artisans employed in nearby factories, tram depots, and waste facilities, the neighborhood soon became a backdrop for Italian neorealist cinema.

Walking through its early workers’ blocks and the charming “villini” district—small villas built by a railway cooperative between 1921 and 1924—you’ll uncover traces of a layered past.

Gardens and Art Nouveau façades tell a different story from the one often associated with Pigneto today. Now a hub of nightlife and alternative culture, the neighborhood blends its working-class origins with a bohemian spirit. Along the way, a cappuccino and cornetto in a local café will offer a moment to take in the neighborhood’s everyday rhythm.

What sets this experience apart is the chance to explore Pigneto with Irene, a Phd Urban sociologist and researcher who has spent years studying the evolution of Rome’s urban fabric, with a special focus on the city’s first industrial settlements from the late 19th century.

Her deep knowledge offers a sharp lens through which to read the transformations of a neighborhood that, over the past decade, has become a symbol of regeneration and contradiction. Once a working-class district, Pigneto is now a hotspot for creativity, street art, and nightlife, but also a place where friction sometimes arises between long-time residents and new arrivals or short-term visitors.

As you walk together, you’ll uncover the underlying layers of these dynamics and reflect on how local policies—or their absence—shape everyday life.

Walking Tour in Rome uncovering the layered history of Pigneto and its early 20th-century villini.

The Villini of Pigneto

Full guidance by a PhD urban sociologist specializing in the evolution of Rome’s industrial-era neighborhoods. 

Walking tour of Pigneto, exploring early 20th-century workers’ blocks, Art Nouveau “villini,” and the neighborhood’s vibrant street art and cultural transformation.

Breakfast snack at a local café, including cappuccino and cornetto.

You'll meet Irene in Via del Pigneto 22, Rome

Irene Ranaldi is an urban sociologist and independent researcher based in Rome. She was the first in Italy to publish a study on gentrification comparing her own neighborhood, Testaccio, with Astoria in New York. Her work draws from historical archives and years of field research, focusing on the social transformations of urban districts and the shifting boundaries between city centers and peripheries.

Experience the true heart of Venice in a unique 6-hour photo walk led by Marco, Luca or Sandra, photographers known for their deep connection to the city. This tour goes beyond the typical tourist spots, delving into the lesser-known streets and canals of Venice. You will be guided through the city's everyday life and hidden treasures, getting a rare glimpse into the genuine Venetian culture.

The tour focuses on various photographic techniques suitable for film and digital photography enthusiasts. You'll learn to craft compelling visual narratives, capturing the vibrant and subtle aspects of Venetian life, from tranquil morning scenes to the magical evening lights on the canals. In Marco’s words: “Venice is an experience: the whispered tales in its breeze, the reflections in its waters, and the stories etched in its stones. As you embark on an Venetian journey, let the city reveal its secrets, layer by layer, and leave with memories that echo the timeless allure of La Serenissima.”

Get to Venice via water, air or rail. After booking, chat to share where in Venice you're staying so we can coordinate the pick-up/meeting point.

Exploration of non-touristic, authentic Venetian neighborhoods. You'll venture into non-touristic, genuine Venetian neighborhoods, immersing yourself in the city's heart and soul. Personalized guidance from Marco Secchi or Luca or Sandra, who share their profound knowledge of Venice. Your focus will be on storytelling through photography, with an emphasis on mastering techniques that span the spectrum from black and white to color photography. You can be assured of an interactive and personalized adventure, fostering meaningful connections with your guide. Through the journey, you'll discover hidden canals and backstreets where you'll capture the daily rhythms of local life, gain unique perspectives on iconic landmarks like the Rialto Bridge and St. Mark's Square, explore lesser-known Venetian neighborhoods teeming with charm, and harness the magic of both morning and evening light to immortalize the city's captivating beauty.

Photo Walk in Venice, discovering hidden canals and authentic life with a skilled photographer.

Exploration of non-touristic, authentic Venetian neighborhoods. 

Venice of the Venetians

Guided photo walk in Venice with a professional photographer for a fixed group of 2 participants (with or without camera). Children under 12 may join free in addition.

Personalized photography guidance for all levels, covering camera settings, lighting, composition, creative exposure, artistic expression, and storytelling.

Refreshments and coffee.

Camera equipment.
Comfortable walking shoes.
Enthusiasm for photography and learning.


After booking, chat with Marco to share hotel details - so he can confirm where to meet / pickup location. 

Marco Secchi is an award-winning photographer and Getty Images contributor and is renowned for his expertise in storytelling through photography. His associates, Luca and Nicola, also bring their unique perspectives and skills to the tours, ensuring a diverse and comprehensive learning experience. Depending on the day of your tour, you will be accompanied by Marco, Luca, or Nicola.

This full-day experience explores the Douro Valley’s cultural and culinary heritage beyond winemaking. 

Departing from Porto, you'll travel east towards Vila Real, where you'll visit the Mateus Palace, an 18th-century Baroque estate known for its grand architecture, reflective pools, and manicured gardens. Inside, richly furnished rooms and a private chapel offer a glimpse into Portugal’s aristocratic past. The palace also maintains an archive and library, preserving records of regional history, agriculture, and family lineage.

From there, you’ll head to the Sabrosa area for a tasting with a local beekeeper, sampling honeys shaped by the native flora of the region—acacia, chestnut, rosemary, and heather among them. Lunch follows at a vineyard estate, where traditional Douro dishes are paired with local wines in a quiet setting surrounded by vines. After a stop at a scenic viewpoint and a soothing solar boat ride overlooking the valley’s terraced hills, you'll return to Porto.

This tour offers a layered view of the Douro that goes beyond wine and tastings: Experience architecture, local food traditions, and sustainable practices in the Douro.

After arriving in Vila Real, you'll begin the day at Mateus Palace — one of Portugal’s most emblematic Baroque estates — where ornate interiors, manicured gardens, and preserved family archives reveal a different dimension of the region’s heritage and aristocratic past. 

From there, the focus shifts to the land and its caretakers: you’ll meet a local beekeeper whose expressive honeys are shaped by native flora, and a winemaker who cultivates a variety of wines on an estate where you’ll also enjoy a lunch prepared with regional ingredients grown on-site. Wine is present, but it’s not the headline. The emphasis is on how people live from the land.

The silent, solar-powered boat ride towards the end offers a sustainable alternative to typical excursions, allowing you to focus on the sights and sounds of the valley.

Next, you’ll head into the Sabrosa area to meet a local beekeeper whose work reveals another side of the Douro’s agricultural richness. In a rural setting, you’ll learn how honey is shaped by local terrain and seasonal flowering — acacia, chestnut, rosemary, and wild heather among the key sources.

You’ll get a firsthand look at the tools and process of small-scale, sustainable beekeeping, and understand how the hives interact with surrounding vineyards and olive groves. The tasting is informal and guided by the producer, featuring several raw, unblended honeys — each with distinct color, texture, and flavor shaped by the flora of the nearby hills.

Most Douro tours skip over the region’s full agricultural range — this one stops and listens to it. It’s a rare glimpse into the non-export economy of the Douro, and the knowledge carried by those who work just outside the wine spotlight.

The beekeeper you meet works to maintain biodiversity, respond to shifting weather patterns, and protect pollination cycles essential to local crops. Each honey tells a geographic story. 

This is an opportunity to slow down, taste with intention, and hear directly from someone whose livelihood depends on observing the land closely. 

Discover native Douro honeys with the producer who keeps this small-scale craft alive.

Meet the Beekeeper

At midday, you’ll sit down for a relaxed lunch at a family-owned estate in the heart of the Douro. Surrounded by vineyards and olive trees, the quinta produces wines rooted in traditional methods and local varietals. The atmosphere is quiet, rural, and unhurried — offering a genuine sense of place. This is a working farm—and lunch is part of its rhythm.

The meal reflects regional food traditions. Wines are chosen to complement the food, and your hosts will share stories about the land, the harvest, or the changing seasons.


The communal table and seasonal dishes reflect the genuine Douro hospitality. You eat what’s fresh, in a setting shaped by the same hands that produce the wine. The family behind the estate has long ties to the region, and they farm with a focus on sustainability, heritage varietals, and low-intervention methods.

What sets this apart from typical vineyard lunches is its tone: it’s just good food made from what’s nearby. The setting allows you to absorb the Douro slowly, through conversation, texture, and taste. You’re part of a working day at the Quinta, shared generously.

Enjoy a farm-style meal with regional dishes and estate wines at a historic Douro vineyard.

Regional Lunch in the Vineyard

Finish the day with a relaxing boat ride, inviting you to see the valley from a different perspective. Aboard a silent solar-powered vessel, you’ll drift past vineyard-covered hillsides, ancient terraces, and quiet riverbanks, while sipping on a glass of moscatel, one of Douro's sweet fortified wines.

Unlike most Douro cruises, this boat ride is powered by the sun and defined by its silence. There’s no engine hum, no tourist chatter—just the sound of water and the view of centuries-old vineyards passing by. It’s a sustainable way to experience the landscape without disturbing it, honoring both the environment and the legacy of the valley. Travelers are welcomed with a glass of Favaios (moscatel wine) and invited to stand at the bow for photo opportunities and uninterrupted views. Along the way, your host will share short, insightful stories about the river’s role in Douro viticulture and daily life, pointing out key landmarks. Guests are encouraged to ask questions or simply pause and observe. 

Glide silently through the Douro’s terraced valleys aboard an eco-powered boat.

Solar Boat Ride

After lunch, you’ll head to a scenic viewpoint overlooking one of the most striking stretches of the Douro Valley. It's an iconic Pinhão viewpoint, where Douro’s vineyards and river converge in panoramic harmony. From here, you can see how the region has been shaped into terraced hills that trace the contours of the land.

You’ll have time to take in the layout of the valley, recognize the textures of what you’ve tasted, and notice the slow patterns of rural life: a tractor on a distant ridge, smoke rising from a chimney, rows of vines wrapping a hillside.

The overlook allows you to reflect on what you’ve encountered so far: the gardens of Mateus, the flowers that shape honey, the vineyard that fed you, and the river that runs through it all. It’s quiet, open, and undisturbed — like much of the Douro itself.

Pause at a local viewpoint for a panoramic look of the Douro’s terraced hills and winding river.

View Over the Valley

Your hosts will return you to your starting point in the same quiet, comfortable Kombi that began the day. The return ride gives you space to reflect, ask any last questions, or simply watch the valley pass by your window one last time.

The drop-off is part of the continuity of the day. In many tours, the end is transactional. Here, the same hosts who welcomed you now bring you home, having shared a full day of lived experience — architecture, agriculture, food, and conversation.

Private return by electric Kombi to your hotel in Porto.

Return by Kombi to Porto

Your hosts meet you anywhere in Porto — and welcome you aboard a fully electric vintage VW Kombi. Carefully restored and designed for quiet, low-impact travel, the Kombi sets the tone for a slower, more immersive day. It's a 90 minute drive to the Douro region.

You pass olive trees, stone houses, and small plots that mark the rhythms of daily life in this agricultural region. This is the first step in a day shaped by care, curiosity, and connection.

The private transport ensures a relaxed start, setting the tone for a seamless, immersive experience.

Begin your cultural day in Porto with a pick-up at your hotel, for the drive to Douro Valley.

Kombi Pick-Up in Porto

Your journey continues at Casa de Mateus, the Baroque manor just outside Vila Real, completed in the 1740s by architect Nicolau Nasoni. This National Monument estate includes the main house with ornate interiors. Outside, the formal gardens — planted in the 1700s and later refined — are centered around a reflecting pond and a statue by João Cutileiro. 

Casa de Mateus is a significant layer of Douro’s heritage. Its Baroque architecture, designed by Nasoni, shaped the visual and cultural identity of northern Portugal. Inside, original ceilings and rare books ground the experience in its 18th-century origins.

Explore a National Monument Baroque palace in the Douro with ornate interiors and manicured gardens.

Casa de Mateus Palace Visit

Douro Valley Tour from Porto, including Mateus Palace, honey tasting, vineyard lunch and boat ride.

Built and Grown in the Douro

Full-day tour around Vila Real focusing on the city's cultural and culinary heritage.

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

Entrance and guided visit to Mateus Palace in Vila Real.

Honey tasting with a local beekeeper in the Sabrosa area.

Regional lunch at a vineyard estate with wine pairing.

Visit to a scenic viewpoint overlooking the Douro Valley.

Scenic solar boat ride along the Douro River.

Light, comfortable clothing, a hat for sun protection, and sunscreen in the summer.

Carlos and Paulo can pick you up at your hotel in Porto. After booking, chat with them to arrange a meeting point. Note: The experience duration builds in time for transfers from and to Porto.

Carlos de Oliveira and Paulo Baptista use their deep roots in the Douro to design experiences that go beyond the surface. With a thoughtful approach to storytelling and a strong network of local connections, they’ve crafted this day to offer not just context, but a real connection—to the land, its people, and its traditions. From the stately halls of Mateus Palace to hands-on encounters with beekeepers and winemakers, each stop has been chosen to give you a fuller understanding of what makes this region truly unique.

Set out on a full-day journey into the heart of the Douro Valley, where every moment invites you to slow down and connect with the land. Your adventure begins aboard a vintage, 100% electric VW 'Kombi', meandering through scenic vineyard roads towards a prestigious wine estate. There, you'll explore the cellars, stroll through the vines, and enjoy an intimate tasting guided by those who know the land best.

You’ll then visit a small, family-run winery where you’ll sit down to a relaxed regional lunch, perfectly paired with Douro wines. The journey continues at a local olive oil producer for an exclusive tasting of this liquid gold. 

As the sun begins to set, you’ll wind through scenic backroads to two stunning viewpoints offering sweeping panoramas of the valley. The day ends on the water with a private Rabelo boat ride—complete with a tasting of Moscatel wine—as you drift along the Douro, taking in its iconic terrace hillsides.

This is a rare chance to experience the Douro Valley through the eyes of two long-time locals familiar with the region’s natural wonders and wine heritage. Carlos and Paulo move intentionally off the typical tourist path, guiding you in their fully electric vintage Kombi along quiet backroads. 

You’ll tour wine estates of different sizes, meet the producers, and walk the vineyards—gaining insight into the people and traditions behind each bottle. At a small family-run estate, enjoy a relaxed lunch where regional dishes are paired with their own wines, in an atmosphere that feels more like a family gathering than a tasting.

You’ll also visit a local olive oil producer to sample oils known for their bold, peppery character. Along the way, there will be plenty of stops to take in the views, including from the river itself aboard a private Rabelo boat, the traditional vessel once used to transport Port barrels to Vila Nova de Gaia.

At a small, independent winery, you’ll meet the producer, explore the grounds, and sit down for a regional lunch with wine pairing.

The meal is served in a warm, family setting, offering a real taste of Douro hospitality, where the wines come with stories and the food is made with local care.

Enjoy a relaxed farm-style lunch paired with estate wines.

Small Producer Visit and Lunch

Step aboard a traditional Rabelo boat, once used to transport wine barrels, for a peaceful cruise along the river.

Unlike the standard group tours, this private ride is quiet, immersive, and includes a tasting of local Moscatel wine as you take in the scenery. A perfect way to close a day in the Douro. 

Drift down the Douro on a private Rabelo boat with a Moscatel tasting.

Private Rabelo Boat Ride

Your experience starts with Carlos and Paulo picking you up in their fully electric VW ‘pão de forma’ in the Douro region.

The eco‑friendly vehicle offers a nostalgic, sustainable ride on winding vineyard roads known only to insiders.

Begin your Douro journey in a vintage electric Kombi with your local hosts.

Pick‑Up 

This Experience accommodates a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 6 participants to make base costs and logistics work. Included are: Hotel/train‑station pick‑up and drop‑off in Douro Region in a 100 % electric VW Kombi, private scenic river cruise aboard solar or Rabelo boat, visit to a prestigious Douro estate with private tour and tastings, gourmet lunch with regional dishes and wine pairing, visit to a viewpoint, guided artisanal tasting of locally produced olive oil and wines.

Visit a renowned wine estate where you’ll tour the vineyards, walk through stone cellars, and sample wines directly from the source.

Hosted by winemakers with generational ties to the land, this intimate experience offers deeper insights into the heritage and craft of Douro wine.

 Explore a prestigious estate and taste wines steeped in Douro tradition.

Visit & Tasting with Winemaker

Visit two handpicked panoramic viewpoints offering a cinematic perspective of the valley’s layered vineyards and winding river.

These off-the-beaten-path stops reflect Carlos and Paulo’s insider knowledge—quiet, unspoiled locations with postcard-worthy views.

Pause to admire sweeping views over Douro’s terraced landscape.

Viewpoint Stop

Discover the region’s lesser-known olive oil heritage with a guided tasting at a local producer’s estate.

This is a rare opportunity to taste fresh, small-batch oils while learning about native olive varieties and traditional pressing methods.

Sample regional olive oils guided by the maker.

Olive Oil Producer Visit

Your hosts will drive you back to your accommodation or train station in the Douro region.

The drop-off reflects the same thoughtfulness as the rest of the day—unhurried, scenic, and personal. 

Return to your hotel or the train station through the valley’s golden afternoon light.

Drop-Off

Day Trip in Douro Valley: Ride electric vintage van, taste wines & olive oil, cruise by Rabelo boat.

A Kombi, A Rabelo & The Douro

Pick-up and drop-off in the Douro region aboard a 100% electric vintage VW Kombi.

Private scenic cruise on the Douro River aboard a traditional Rabelo boat.

Visit to a prestigious Douro wine estate with guided tour and tasting.

Visit to a small, family-run winery with regional lunch and wine pairing.

Guided artisanal tasting at a local olive oil producer.

Stops at two panoramic viewpoints overlooking the Douro Valley.

Tasting of Moscatel wine during

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 the Douro or Pinhão's train station. 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 hidden roads, family-run estates, and stories that don’t appear on maps. Their mission is to reveal the authentic side of the Douro—beyond the usual tourist paths—through experiences that are personal, soulful, and grounded in place. With a passion for both tradition and sustainability, they blend cultural insight with refined hospitality, guiding you in their 100% electric vintage Kombi through moments that reflect the true spirit of the region. From meaningful encounters with producers to quiet scenic corners known only to locals, Carlos and Paulo craft each journey with care and intention. Their storytelling, local knowledge, and respect for Douro’s heritage make them the ideal hosts for anyone seeking a deeper, more genuine connection to this remarkable landscape.

Spain

In this walking tour through Bilbao, your host, a local with expertise in art and architecture, will introduce you to the city, making sure you understand the essential historical and cultural context, while providing insight into the city’s unique blend of architectural styles.

You’ll pass through the city’s main central quarters and see how the medieval layout gave way to 19th- and 20th-century developments, before arriving at the high modernism of the 21st century. You’ll witness how eclectic this city is — where Art Deco sits next to the so-called ‘High-Tech’ architecture of Norman Foster, among others. You'll also visit the Cathedral, the region’s most impressive Gothic structure.

Discover how the city has transformed from a mining town into a hub known for its galleries and contemporary architecture. Your host will take you to independent showrooms and galleries that visitors wouldn’t usually come across, and you’ll stop for classic pintxos and drinks at emblematic locations.

Bilbao is perfect for travelers looking for cultural exploration. Few cities can, like Bilbao does, boast more than ten buildings by Pritzker Architecture Prize winners. Its 21st-century urban renewal — led by architecture, transit, and design — has become a global model.

Your host is a Bilbaína who has been exploring the city with locals and travelers alike for many years, and was directly involved in the process of its urban redevelopment. Having written a thesis on Basque cinema, being a long-term student of architecture and art, and embedded in the local cultural scene, M'Angel is the perfect person to show you the cultural and creative side of this city.

Always on the hunt for good food and drink spots, she'll make sure you taste as well as see the best of what Bilbao and the Basque Country have to offer. There's few better ways to be introduced to the city and its cultural heritage, the creative side of the city that most travelers will often miss, and be made to feel at home.

Walking Tour in Bilbao: Discover history, Cathedral & architectural icons from Old to Contemporary.

Bilbao: Origins to Renewal

Private walking tour through Bilbao’s central neighborhoods.

Expert guide with local insight in art, architecture, and urban history.

Visit to Bilbao Cathedral, the city’s most striking Gothic structure.

Stops at independent galleries and artisan boutiques off the tourist path.

Two drink and pintxo tastings at emblematic local spots.

If you are staying in the city center, M'Angel will meet you at your accomodation. If you're coming in from the outskirts or driving in from elsewhere, you can arrange the meeting point ahead of time once the booking has been made.

M'Angel creates experiences that delve deep into Bilbao’s urban renewal and explore the dynamic landscapes and diverse heritage of Euskadi, enriched by academic insight and local expertise. She's passionate about cultural heritage, wrote her thesis on Basque cinema, studied art and film in England, and completed a master’s degree in Brussels. In 2020, she contributed to scenario design for the Bilbao Urban Regeneration Process. She enjoys sharing her love of art, architecture, Basque culture, and the Guggenheim effect, among other interests. Alongside being a local host, M'Angel participates in cultural events and discovering new culinary and outdoor experiences.

Explore Renaissance art’s bold engagement with love, morality and nudity at Palazzo Barberini. Originally built for the Barberini family under Pope Urban VIII, this grand palace now houses the National Collection of Renaissance and Baroque Art, featuring masterpieces by Raphael, Caravaggio, Bernini, and Pietro da Cortona.

As we browse this remarkable collection, we’ll examine how artists explored the tension between the sacred and the sensual, virtue and desire. Through both religious and mythological themes, these works reveal evolving perspectives on the human form—not only as an object of beauty but also as a symbol of power, faith, and moral conflict.

We’ll confront a fascinating paradox: how Renaissance and Baroque artists navigated the intersection of spirituality and sensuality. Why do sacred artworks sometimes embrace the sensual? How did classical ideals shape Christian iconography? We’ll uncover the deeper meanings behind the shifting boundaries of art, faith, and morality.

This experience blends art, culture, and morality during the Renaissance, examining societal views on spirituality and love. You’ll interact with masterpieces by artists like Raphael and Caravaggio, where beauty and sensuality meet complex moral themes. The contrast between sacred and profane elements reflects evolving norms.

As you admire the exceptional works, you’ll see the evolving depiction of sensuality in religious art, emphasizing the tension between the spiritual and the worldly. Art historian Christiaan explains how Renaissance artists merged classical ideals with humanist principles, revealing the cultural context and its influence on Western art.

Ultimately, the visit goes beyond art appreciation; it invites participants to confront questions about body image, sexuality, and the role of art in shaping societal values, fostering a dialogue between the intersection of the sacred and the earthly that remains relevant today. 

Art Tour in Rome with an art historian to explore Palazzo Barberini and the story of nudity in art.

The Sacred and the Sensual

This experience is designed for a minimum of 2 and maximum of 8 people. What is included: Full guided experience. Ticket entrance to Palazzo Barberini. A coffee and a chat at the end of the visit.

A camera and a curious spirit. 
Comfortable walking shoes. 

Palazzo Barberini, via delle Quattro Fontane, 13. Metro A, Barberini stop

Christiaan, a passionate art and history expert, was born and raised in Rome to an Italian father and a Dutch mother. He studied Art History in the Eternal City, specializing in Religious Art at the Vatican.

As a licensed tour guide, Christiaan brings Rome’s rich artistic heritage to life, sharing its beauty and stories with travelers from around the world. Beyond guiding, he is an art curator, researcher, and writer, organizing exhibitions, conducting in-depth research, and publishing essays on art and history.

Dive into the enchanting world of ELIURPI, a realm where artistry and craftsmanship merge to create stunning hats and sculptural pieces. This unique gallery visit in the heart of Barcelona's old town offers an insider's view into the artist's studio, a space not usually open to the public. Hear about Eli's and Nacho's journey from sewing small hats to crafting a universe of artful creations, using natural materials and traditional techniques. The studio is a testament to how the traditional is transformed into contemporary. During the visit, you'll see both finished works and ongoing projects, exploring the evolution of Eli's and Nacho's art. Supported by the Michelangelo Foundation and recognized as Best of Spain by AD 2023, her creations are a tribute to Mediterranean traditions and craftsmanship. The tour includes a private part of the studio, showcasing artistic pieces and a collection of current works, providing a rare glimpse into the creative process of a celebrated artist.

Walk or take a taxi to Barcelona Cathedral, then go down Carrer del Bisba and turn into Sant Server. At the end of Sant Server, you will find Baixada de Santa Eulàlia.

This tour is an incredibly rare and special opportunity to meet Elisabet Urpi and Nacho Umpiérrez, the minds behind Eliurpí's acclaimed designs. Experience their collaborative process and witness how they draw inspiration from Mediterranean and global art and architecture, from tradition and innovation. The studio's setting in Barcelona's historic center enhances the visit with an air of timelessness. You'll see works displayed in prestigious biennials and galleries, experiencing firsthand how they blur the lines between fashion, art, and craftsmanship. This intimate visit goes beyond a typical gallery tour, delving into the artists' passion for sustainable and natural materials, and showcasing how they elevate everyday objects into art. For art enthusiasts and fashion lovers, this tour is an insightful journey into the world of modern millinery and artistic expression.

Atelier Visit in Barcelona’s Old Town with sculptural hat design, artisan process, creative insight.

In our private room we will show objects and images of our project to be able to understand and live together with us our fusion between tradition and contemporary art.

Eliurpi’s Magical World

Personalized studio tour led by artists Elisabet Urpi and Nacho Umpiérrez.

Coffee and intimate conversation with the artists.

Insightful look into their creative and design processes.

Exclusive access to private areas of the studio showcasing current works and artistic pieces.

Complimentary entry for children under 6.

Walking shoes for exploring the studio and for accessing the old town comfortably. An open mind to appreciate the fusion of traditional and contemporary art.

At the studio, Baixada de Santa Eulàlia 3. Walk or take a taxi to Barcelona Cathedral, then go down Carrer del Bisba and turn into Sant Server. At the end of Sant Server, you will find Baixada de Santa Eulàlia.

Elisabet Urpi, a self-taught and globally recognized designer and graphic artist, and Nacho Umpiérrez, a photographer and creative partner, cohost the tour. Their combined expertise in design, photography, and art provides a comprehensive understanding of their work.

Mexico

This immersive day trip to Cócorit, Sonora invites you to connect with the rich cultural traditions of the Yaqui people. Starting from Hermosillo, you’ll be picked up by bilingual, expert guides at your accommodation.

The day begins with a visit to the Museo del Yaqui, where you’ll explore Yaqui history, the trauma of the deportation era, their cosmovision, and ethnobotanical knowledge. You’ll then walk the quiet, mural-lined streets of Cócorit, visit community spaces, and meet local artists preserving traditional crafts such as wood carving and embroidery.

A highlight of the experience is a stop at the beloved Gela Bakery, known throughout the region for its warm, flaky guava empanadas. After a full day of exploration, your guides will bring you back to your accommodation in Hermosillo.

This cross-cultural day trip includes transportation, meals, and cultural guidance — offering a full-sensory journey into the heart of Sonora’s Yaqui heritage.

This tour offers direct engagement with Yaqui people — their traditions, perspectives, and living spaces. With Q&A, open dialogue and optional hands-on participation — it’s a meaningful exchange rooted in learning, connection and respect for one of Sonora’s most enduring Indigenous communities.

You’ll explore Indigenous cosmovision, visit artisan workshops to observe or try embroidery and carving, and spend time in community spaces where daily life unfolds. These aren’t performances — they’re real, lived experiences. You’ll also learn about the Yaqui's ongoing efforts to preserve their language and land, and pass down traditions to future generations.

Your hosts are native to the borderland region and committed to breaking stereotypes through thoughtful, place-based learning. Their bilingual guidance ensures both safety and depth, helping you navigate local customs, stories and knowledge with care. This is an immersion into living heritage — offered with humility, warmth and insight.

This immersive cultural experience begins with private pickup from your accommodation in Hermosillo and a scenic two-hour drive to Cócorit. Along the way, your bilingual hosts introduce you to the cultural and historical landscape of Sonora, setting the stage for a deeper connection to the Yaqui world.

Your first stop is the Museo del Yaqui, where interactive exhibits explore key aspects of Yaqui identity—cosmovision, ethnobotany, traditional medicine, and their resistance to colonization. Central to Yaqui belief is the concept of aniam: multiple interconnected worlds where ancestors, spirits, and nature coexist. The museum grounds this cosmology in artifacts, stories, and modern-day relevance.

Following the exhibit, you'll engage in conversation with knowledgeable local guides who help bridge tradition and present-day life. This stage lays the foundation for understanding Yaqui culture as a living, evolving worldview.

Most visitors to Sonora never encounter Yaqui history beyond a museum label or textbook. This experience changes that. You’ll explore the Museo del Yaqui through the lens of hosts deeply connected to its cultural roots. The concept of cosmovisión is explored not just academically, but spiritually and socially—revealing how it continues to guide the Yaqui relationship to land, ancestry, and everyday life. This belief system, blending traditional Yaqui spirituality with Catholic elements, centers on interconnected worlds and a reverence for nature and ancestors.

This tour is a dialogue. It invites questions, reflection, and a deeper understanding of how colonial history, Indigenous resilience, and spiritual continuity intertwine. The inclusion of local voices—both as educators and conversation partners—ensures respectful, place-based engagement and sets the tone for the journey ahead.

Drive to Cócorit & Visit the Museo del Yaqui to explore the history and beliefs of the Yaqui people.

Understanding Yaqui Worlds

This final stage of your Cocorit visit brings you into Yaqui's craft culture. You'll start with a walk through the town, where carvings, masks, textiles, and beaded jewelry reflect the community's rich visual language. These traditional crafts — carved ironwood figures, willow baskets, embroidered cloth, and ceremonial masks — are both living art and cultural archive, passed from generation to generation.

The highlight is a private visit to a working artisan’s space. Here, you'll not only observe the process of mask carving or embroidery, but also have the option to try a few simple stitches or carving techniques yourself, under the guidance of practicing artists.

Afterward, you'll return to Hermosillo by private transport, with space to reflect on the techniques, meanings, and stories shared during the day — closing the experience with a deeper understanding of Yaqui creativity and community life.

This experience offers rare, respectful access to working Yaqui artists in their own creative spaces. You’re invited to engage — asking questions, learning techniques, and better understanding how art continues to reflect identity, resilience, and sacred tradition.

Craft here is a lived practice. The pieces you encounter are connected to ceremonial roles, family memory, and daily life. Your bilingual hosts help bridge language and cultural gaps, while honoring the voices of those creating the work.

This is a conversation across tradition and time, where guests experience the enduring role of Yaqui artistry in preserving stories and values. It’s a rare opportunity to connect with culture through creation, reflection, and shared time in the workshop itself.

Visit a local workshop and explore Yaqui carving, embroidery, and everyday arts in Cocorit.

Yaqui Arts & Crafts

After the museum visit, you'll explore Cocorit on foot with a local guide, assisted by your bilingual hosts. You'll stop at gathering places, murals, and other key public spaces that reveal the stories of the Yaqui people — past and present. These stories are central to the town’s identity, passed on across generations as acts of remembrance and cultural resilience.

Along the way, your hosts will share personal insights into the ways community spaces reinforce heritage, faith, and belonging. The tour also includes a stop at the beloved Gela Bakery, known for its flaky guava empanadas. As you enjoy this local treat, you'll learn about Cocorit’s food culture and how regional flavors have evolved through time. This stage offers a sensory, grounded view of Yaqui life and Cocorit’s cultural fabric — connecting history with the present through conversation, place, and food.

This experience stands out because it offers an authentic, place-based exploration of the borderlands—an area often misunderstood or misrepresented. Alex and Rocio combine historical insight with lived local knowledge, drawing from both Spanish colonial records and Indigenous perspectives. They take guests to little-known landmarks, preserved trails, and oral history sites. 

This experience offers a rare invitation to see Cocorit not as a tourist, but through the eyes of the community. The town’s murals, public spaces, and stories are active expressions of Yaqui identity. This tour is rooted in lived experience. You'll hear stories that aren't written in guidebooks—oral histories, personal reflections, and local knowledge. You’ll engage with a culture that’s resilient, dynamic, and proud of its heritage.

Cultural Walking Tour in Cocorit: Explore community murals, stories, and Yaqui culinary traditions.

Exploring Cocorit

Day Trip to Cócorit, Sonora: Explore Yaqui culture, art, food, history, living Indigenous tradition.

Meet the Yaqui of Sonora

United States

Guided visit to the Museo del Yaqui exploring history, cosmology, and botany.

Walking tour of Cócorit’s historic center and mural-lined streets.

Visit to a community cultural space and artisan workshop with optional hands-on activity.

Regional meals and refreshments included, featuring fresh guava empanadas.

Private round-trip transportation from Hermosillo with bilingual expert guides.

Plenty of water
Sun protection (hat, sunscreen, sunglasses)
Layered clothing for changing weather conditions
Curiosity — and a good spirit for connection

You’ll be picked up directly from your accommodation in Hermosillo, Sonora. After booking, message Alex via Fernwayer Chat to share your hotel details or ask for recommendations — your hosts are happy to advise on where to stay.

Alex and Rocío have been running tours along the U.S.–Mexico borderlands for many years, primarily as a way to share positive, accurate information about the region they call home. Beginning in 2019 with efforts to disseminate local history, they soon expanded to offering tours and experiences that connect visitors with communities on both sides of the border.

Alex’s earliest memory is a family visit to Tijuana—an experience that sparked a lasting fascination with the people and heritage of Mexico. While at university, he focused his studies and research on the Hispanic cultural heritage of the American Southwest and Mexico.

Rocío is a graphic designer who has managed communications projects for a range of institutions, including government agencies and nonprofits in both the U.S. and Mexico. She loves sharing the diversity and richness of the region through visual storytelling.

To get a full refund, cancellation must be no less than 46 days before the local start time of the experience.

If traveler cancels their booking from 45 to 0 days before the local start time of the experience, no refund is provided.

This exclusive experience is a cultural tour crafted for a couple looking to immerse themselves in the heart of Seville’s flamenco traditions. It begins with a personal styling session for the woman, where a local expert will recreate the iconic Feria de Abril ritual. This includes detailed hair styling, makeup, and the draping of the mantoncillo (shawl), all vital to the essence of the traje de flamenco. Whether she brings her own flamenco dress or a full-length gown, the stylist will complete the look with floral accents and hair combs, transforming her into a vision of the Feria’s vibrant spirit. 

Afterward, the couple embarks on an exclusive guided exploration of a renowned Flamenco dress museum, where the artistry and history of the traje de flamenca are brought to life. A local photographer will capture professional photos of the couple, preserving these special moments before they enjoy an evening flamenco performance accompanied by wine and a traditional Andalusian meal.

Fly to Seville or take a train from a city in Spain. After the booking, Chat with María Reyes to confirm your hotel for pickup/drop-off.

This is an unparalleled opportunity to step beyond the typical tourist attractions and dive deep into the authentic world of flamenco. The Feria de Abril ritual and styling session is a positive and fun experience, typically reserved for festival time. 

This is a special guided tour of the Flamenco dress museum - outside of their regular program - and provides a unique look at the evolution of the traje de flamenco, showcasing exquisite designs from famed designers. The museum’s exhibition of dresses, combs, shawls and fans reveals the artistry behind the flamenco tradition. 

What makes this unforgettable is the chance to capture these moments in a private photography session. Whether celebrating a milestone, a romantic getaway, or just a special occasion, this encapsulates the vibrant spirit of Seville’s flamenco culture, offering both history and art in an intimate setting. The food is also specially created for this experience.

Cultural Tour in Seville: flamenco styling, museum visit, photoshoot, performance, Andalusian meal.

16 pm: Making-up
17:00 pm: arrival to the museum or flamenco palace with a glass of wine
17:15 pm: flamenco show
19 pm: return



The per person price of this experience assumes a minimum number of 2 participants to cover base costs and logistics. The supplemental fee enables us to maintain quality and exclusivity for your smaller than minimum group

That Flamenco Look

Cultural tour designed to recreate the spirit of Seville’s Feria de Abril year-round.

Private styling session for the woman, including hair, makeup, and traditional accessories.

Floral accents, decorative hair combs, and a matching mantoncillo to complete the typical Feria look.

Guided visit to a flamenco dress museum with professional couple’s photography.

Tickets to an authentic flamenco show along with wine and a traditional Andalusian dinner.

Private round-trip transportation.

The woman should bring a flamenco dress or a full-length formal gown, in either a solid color or polka-dotted design. Be sure to inform Reyes of the gown’s color so the stylist can match the mantoncillo. Comfortable shoes are recommended for walking, and come ready with curiosity and excitement to fully embrace this unique experience!

After booking is completed, Chat with María Reyes to confirm your hotel for pickup/drop-off.

Your host is a seasoned cultural expert, deeply embedded in Seville’s flamenco traditions, with years of experience guiding visitors through the vibrant world of flamenco. They provide invaluable insights into both the art form and the cherished Feria de Abril rituals. Additionally, your stylist is highly skilled in Feria beauty trends, ensuring an authentic transformation that embodies the spirit of Seville. A local photographer will join the experience to capture a few candid moments, which will be emailed to you afterward—just be sure to provide your details. Expect an authentic, insider's perspective of Seville, delivered with warmth, charm, and a deep passion for Andalusian culture. Reyes will share more details and introduce you to the host/s closer to the event. 

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.

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

Ruins & Mediterranean Shores

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

The Douro Valley reveals itself slowly—through the rhythm of its hands, its vines, and its landscapes. Over three days, trace the threads that connect craftsmanship, heritage, and nature. Guided by artisans, winemakers, and naturalists, you’ll experience the valley’s heritage through craft, taste, and time — with space to pause, breathe, and take in its enduring beauty.
DAY 1 – CRAFT AND HERITAGE IN VILA REAL | Begin in the mountain village of Bisalhães, where black pottery has been shaped by hand and smoked for centuries. In this guided workshop, meet the last artisans still practicing this UNESCO-listed craft and learn how local clay and pine smoke create its distinctive matte finish. Later, continue to Casa de Mateus for a private visit through its baroque halls, chapel, and gardens, before sitting down to a relaxed wine lunch in the palace’s original kitchen — a warm space of stone walls, copper tools, and timeless flavors.
DAY 2 – THE BOTANICAL QUINTA | Spend the day exploring the valley’s heart with Carlos and Paulo. Begin with a silent cruise along the Douro aboard a solar-powered boat, then ride in a restored vintage Bedford van up the terraced hills to a working vineyard and botanical estate. Walk among citrus trees and vines, visit the estate’s small museum, and taste their own Port Tonic and gin made from local herbs. A picnic lunch beneath the olive trees and an afternoon tasting at a nearby olive oil and wine producer round out a day of slow rhythm and vineyard life.
DAY 3 – THE WILD NORTHEAST | Travel north to Terra de Miranda, a land of forests, stone villages, and old customs. Guided by naturalist and photographer Alexandra Melo, explore chestnut groves and mountain viewpoints near Bragança, where wildlife and rural traditions coexist. Visit local artisans and dancers who keep alive the folk rituals and wooden masks of the mirandesa culture, a heritage recognized for its uniqueness in Portugal. It’s a day of stories, photography, and quiet connection with nature before returning through the valley at sunset.
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.

Craft and Vine in the Douro

3 days in Douro Valley exploring pottery, vineyards, and the wild landscapes of the Northeast.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Morocco

Marrakesh & the Atlas Way

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

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