Food is one of my primary motivations in travel. And to know a city well, I want to savor its signature dishes, discover its street food, and imbibe its most typical beverages. Aside from the sensory pleasures, I enjoy the shared experience of loitering in a city’s cafes, following the suggestions of the proud vendor…
Father Tom Lumpkin is a tireless advocate for the poor in Detroit. He is a quiet community hero, and was a perfect choice for our UnTours Giveaway. Read about his good works here. He and his sister traveled to Paris with us this year on a free UnTour, our small thank you for a man who…
Since its beginning more than 20 years ago, Harriet has run our Tuscany UnTour from her homebase outside of Florence. Countless guests sing her praises, as she binds the southern hospitality of her upbringing with the deep knowledge and love of a country and region she has lived in for more than five decades. Here…
There are lots of reasons to take your kids to Germany. I recently traveled to Germany with my daughter. This was a special trip, connecting with her and connecting her with my homeland and her grandparents. But even if you do not have a personal connection like I do, Germany is a perfect destination for…
No one does cozy quite like the Dutch do. One of my favorite trips to Holland was in winter, when I marvelled at the intrepid locals out biking through slush and snow. There was nothing as cozy as a brown cafe, walls bathed in candlelight. Here are 5 reasons you should consider a winter…
After experiencing my first real German Oktoberfest, I am eager to make it a personal tradition! Here are five reasons why I love Oktoberfest in Germany and recommend it highly. 1. The Food German food is absolutely brilliant, but Oktoberfest is especially filling, cheap and delicious. I suggest mainly trying food around the…
Le Chiuse farm in Montalcino is a special place. One of our associates from the Holland UnTour, Edmond, recently headed to Tuscany’s warm, sunny climes to enjoy the hospitality and wine at Le Chiuse farm and vineyards on the Tuscany UnTour. Edmond also happens to be an excellent photographer. Here are some of his gorgeous…
Mary heads our Rome UnTour, working and living on the ground in Rome. Recently she took some time to fill us in on her hometown. What do you love about living in Rome? Apart from the very obvious art, architecture, history, food and wine, the climate definitely cannot be underestimated. All the seasons show the…
Barcelona boasts the biggest network of municipal markets in Europe, with over 40 food markets and 6 non-food markets. The importance of the modern market in Barcelona dates back to the 19th century when the first covered markets were built. Since then, markets have come to be thought of as vital public spaces. Each…
Are you a packing ninja? Around the UnTours office, we like to geek out about packing. We all have tips to share and oddball habits. But on the essentials of the all-important carry-on bag, we largely agree. 1. First things first: Are you checking a bag? The less you pack, the better. If you can…