Every December 23rd, something magical happens in Oaxaca’s central square. What starts as ordinary radishes transforms into an extraordinary celebration that blends Indigenous tradition with Spanish colonial influence—and the results are nothing short of spectacular. The Night When Vegetables Take Center Stage Noche de Rábanos (Night of the Radishes) might sound quirky to outsiders,…
Sometimes the most extraordinary travel moments begin with the simplest question. Marilyn Ricci, a seasoned UnTourist with 16 journeys under her belt, discovered this truth on a Sunday afternoon in Sicily, a moment that perfectly captures what happens when curiosity meets opportunity. There’s something spectacular about Sunday afternoons when you’re traveling slowly. The world…
You’re wandering through the stunning ancient hilltop village of Les Baux de Provence, your Pernes la Fontaine apartment just a scenic drive away, when you stumble upon something that transforms your understanding of art itself. This is exactly what happened to long-time UnTourists, Warren and Helenka Wiscombe, during their 2019 UnTour in Provence—a discovery that…
There’s something truly magical about European Christmas traditions. While the twinkling lights and festive markets may seem familiar, each country weaves its own unique cultural threads into the tapestry of holiday celebrations. As we embrace the spirit of slowing down and truly experiencing a place, let’s explore some of the most fascinating Christmas customs that…
The morning light catches the delicate lacework of stone as you sip your coffee. From your apartment’s balcony in Granada’s ancient Albaicín quarter, the view encompasses centuries of cultural dialogue written in architecture. This isn’t something you’d notice in a day trip—it’s the reward of slowing down and living within these storied walls. …
There’s a moment each year in Oaxaca when the city transforms into a golden tapestry. Markets overflow with mountains of bright orange cempasúchil—Mexican marigolds—their distinctive scent filling the air. Streets become rivers of scattered petals forming pathways from cemeteries to homes, guiding souls back to the world of the living during Mexico’s most profound celebration….
In the humble kitchens of Oaxaca’s Central Valleys, the rhythmic sound of hands patting corn masa echoes a tradition thousands of years in the making. Women prepare tlayudas—large, thin tortillas that form the foundation of one of Oaxaca’s most beloved dishes. Behind them, clay pots of black beans simmer over wood fires, filling the air…
There’s something magical that happens when you trade the hurried pace of sightseeing for the gentle rhythm of a working farm. In the sun-drenched hills of Greece’s Peloponnese, where olive groves have whispered their secrets for millennia, Sarah Payne from the UnTours Foundation discovered what it truly means to live in harmony with the land—and…
You’re sitting on a sun-drenched terrace overlooking Lake Geneva with a glass of crisp Chasselas. The wine sparkles like the water below—refreshing, mineral-rich, and utterly delightful. When you return home, you make a mental note to pick up a bottle, only to discover later that finding Swiss wine outside Switzerland is nearly impossible. …
Some of you may have noticed that there have been a lot of changes and updates lately at UnTours. We have a new website. The process for searching and booking UnTours has changed. We’ve incorporated technology in new ways. New staff have joined us (including me). Some of these changes were initiated…