Itineraries & Trip Planning
Day-by-day trip plans, route ideas and lessons learned from real journeys.
Valley of the Temples — Second Chances
Four years after a rushed first visit, we returned to Agrigento’s Valley of the Temples with time to slow down, learn, and finally understand what we were seeing. From Concordia and the Telamons to the landscape itself, the second visit turned ancient ruins into a living story.
Catania – Lava Stone, Etna Wine and Finding the Rhythm of Sicily
Catania felt like Naples with the volume turned down — busy, gritty and full of movement, but somehow never chaotic. Between black volcanic stone, quiet Sunday streets, Etna vineyards, the fish market, almond wine and a tiny restaurant with Nonna still in the kitchen, the city slowly revealed a rhythm all its own.
Calabria – Cosenza, Scilla and the Danger of First Impressions
Calabria kept challenging our first impressions. Cosenza went from cold and overbuilt to somewhere we wanted to return to, while beautiful Scilla slowly revealed the strain of overtourism beneath its postcard views. Between rain-soaked dinners, bergamotto, quiet old streets and one unforgettable final meal in Villa San Giovanni, Calabria turned out to be one of…
Naples: Chaos, Contrasts and Pizza Worth the Trip
Three nights in Naples gave us noise, traffic, contradictions, crumbling streets, grand architecture and some of the best pizza we’ve ever eaten. We never quite fell in love with the city, but Naples felt unapologetically authentic — a place worth experiencing once, even if we were ready to leave when the time came.
Ten Days in Florence: Food, Art and the City Between the Sights
Ten days in Florence gave us time to look beyond the crowds and famous sights. Between late dinners, local markets, Tuscan food, the Uffizi, quiet side streets and evenings along the Arno, the city slowly became familiar again — less like somewhere we were visiting and more like somewhere we briefly knew how to live.
Europe 2026: Food, Culture and the Journey Ahead
Six weeks through Spain, Switzerland and Italy, with regional food, local culture, memorable rail journeys and a few adventures we’re especially excited to experience.
