How long does it take to build a basilica? On a recent trip to Barcelona, I learned that the Sagrada Familia Basilica is scheduled for completion in 2026, 144 years after construction began and 100 years after the death of its visionary architect, Antonio Gaudi. There is something about his joyous celebration of faith rooted…
La Fiesta de los Patios da Cordoba, the Patios Festival, is a uniquely colorful tradition in Cordoba that dates back to 1918. So much of the city’s beauty is cultivated in the private courtyards of local people, who lovingly fill their outdoor spaces with layers of geraniums and other potted flowers. Many of these picturesque…
Alumni of our Swiss Heartland and Swiss Oberland UnTours are a savvy bunch, no doubt drawn to the natural beauty and soaring vistas of the magnificent Alps. But there are other, smaller pleasures to enjoy in central Switzerland. Swiss UnTour alumnus and UnTours Foundation donor Kemp Plugh captured some of Switzerland’s smaller bits of beauty…
There are countless museums in London, something for everyone. While the British Museum, the National Gallery, and the Tate(s) may be top of mind, it could be easy to overlook some splendid museums in Kensington, a museum district with a strong appeal for Londoners. Here are the three museums that rank among the locals’ favorites….
What is overtourism? Overtourism has become a catchall term for the oversaturation of a neighborhood, region, or city with tourists. Just when a place hits this critical tipping point is up for debate, but we can all agree it is a growing concern, a blight that undermines the quality of life for locals and erodes…
River cruises are very popular, and we find many of the people in our www.UnTours.community of travelers enjoy them. Whether UnTourists add a cruise to their UnTour or spend some of their trips abroad sailing the rivers, they can find a fantastic selection of offerings on our UnTours Ventures site. The Danube is one of…
Central Scotland is a favorite summer destination. Here is the review of a recent guest of ours, who joined friends on our Central Scotland UnTour; he lays out some of the places they were able to visit on their stay. All arrangements made beforehand were exactly as described and connections were on time. Val and…
At UnTours we are working to mitigate the environmental impact of travel. Our Green Tag program offers travelers a chance to offset the carbon dioxide created by their vacation. Guests can make a donation to buy a carbon offset, and we invest that money in green projects that help fight climate change. In 2018 we…
Provence is a special place, and the Provence UnTour has remained one of our most popular UnTours since its inception in the early 1990s. If you love good food and wine, warm people, natural beauty, small town charms, and deep history, it is easy to understand the appeal. Our local host, Anne, takes an active interest…
Sure we share a common language, but there are plenty of differences between us Americans and the British. Our cultures have grown up differently, and there are a lot of things that our colleague Ben explains to our guests on the London UnTour. While language is not one of the critical things, it is fun…