Butterfield &amp; Robinson, the world’s premier active travel company, is expanding its portfolio in <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/places-to-go/africa" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Africa</a> with three new Scheduled group trips in 2024: <a href="https://butterfield.com/trip/scheduled/rwanda-walking" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Rwanda Walking</a>, <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/trip/scheduled/zimbabwe-conservation-safari" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Zimbabwe Conservation Safari</a> and <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/trip/scheduled/south-africa-multi-active" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">South Africa Multi-Active</a>. Complimented by unparalleled partnerships and sustainable accommodations, the new trips offer an exclusive perspective into each country. Through a fusion of active travel and immersive luxury experiences, the trips are designed to reimagine travellers’ love of travel by deepening their connections to the area.&nbsp;&nbsp;“The launch of Butterfield &amp; Robinson’s new Scheduled group trips in Africa represents the next chapter of our 30-year history on the continent,” said Mike Scarola, CEO, Butterfield &amp; Robinson. “We’ve combined our expertise in luxury active travel with our vision of leaving a lasting impact in each country we visit. Our relationships with our partners on the ground are key to bringing this vision to life, while still creating extraordinary trips our travellers love.”&nbsp;Zimbabwe Conservation Safari&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;In between game drives on the Zimbabwe Conservation Safari trip, travellers will connect with conservation organizations that are working to safeguard wilderness areas and inspire a new vision for Africa. Through a partnership with African Bush Camps, travellers will collaborate with the local community to build a boma, protecting their livestock and improving human-wildlife coexistence. For a fully immersive experience, travellers will stay at Somalisa Acacia, known for its private views of wildlife frequenting the camp.&nbsp;<ul><li>Accommodations: African Bush Camps Nyamatusi Camp, African Bush Camps Bumi Hills Safari Lodge, African Bush Camps Somalisa Acacia&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>Activity level 1&nbsp;</li><li>10 days/9 nights, starting at $16,495 USD&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>Guaranteed departure: October 12-October 21, 2024&nbsp;</li></ul>Rwanda Walking&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Rwanda Walking trip will bring travellers on a B&amp;R-exclusive collection of hikes and walks through Rwanda’s countryside. By fusing B&amp;R’s active travel style with wildlife and cultural experiences, travellers will explore Rwanda’s diverse landscapes while learning the story of the nation’s resiliency. Moving from Kigali to the Volcanoes National Park, travellers will venture off the beaten path, visiting coffee-washing stations, hiking the Twin Lakes and tracking families of Silverback gorillas.&nbsp;&nbsp; <ul><li>Accommodations: One &amp; Only Nyungwe House, Cleo Lake Kivu Hotel, Wilderness Sabyinyo&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>Activity level 3&nbsp;</li><li>9 days/ 8 nights, starting at $18,495 USD&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>Guaranteed departure: September 24-October 2, 2024&nbsp;</li></ul>South Africa Multi-Active&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Embracing slow travel by bike or foot in South Africa, the South Africa Multi-Active trip is a B&amp;R signature itinerary that blends active adventure with unparalleled accommodations, food and wine. After hiking Table Mountain, biking through the Western Cape winelands and gallery hopping in Franschhoek, travellers will end their stay at Grootbos Private Nature Reserve. Set among the forest, mountains and sea, Grootbos Private Nature Reserve is an eco-reserve known for its pristine surroundings and conversation efforts.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <ul><li>Accommodations: Cape Grace, Leeu Estates, Grootbos Private Nature Reserve&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>Activity level 3&nbsp;</li><li>9 days/ 8 nights, starting at $11,495 USD&nbsp;</li><li>Guaranteed departure: October 17-October 25, 2024&nbsp;</li></ul>The three new Scheduled group trips are added to Butterfield &amp; Robinson’s existing portfolio of Bespoke possibilities in Africa.&nbsp;&nbsp;

RWANDA WALKING, ZIMBABWE CONSERVATION SAFARI AND SOUTH AFRICA MULTI-ACTIVE TRIPS AVAILABLE TO BOOK   

About Butterfield &amp; Robinson&nbsp;&nbsp;Butterfield &amp; Robinson—the world’s premier active travel company—designs incredible journeys to the world’s most amazing places. Crafted from the finest ingredients (exceptional lodgings, incomparable access, stellar wines and food, experienced guides and more than a few secrets), B&amp;R’s trips combine active adventure with unparalleled cultural immersion in the world’s greatest destinations. Ways to travel include Scheduled small group biking, walking or multi-active trips, or Bespoke itineraries planned by our expert Experience Designers.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Butterfield & Robinson Launches Three New Scheduled Group Trips in Africa

Butterfield &amp; Robinson is redefining active travel with the launch of its new fleet of custom carbon road bikes. The new fleet was custom designed to fit the unique requirements of B&amp;R trips, and was created in partnership with Tim McDermott, an industry-leading custom bike buyer and builder. Already on the road on Scheduled and Bespoke departures in Chile, the new fleet will be available in Europe (excluding Norway, the United Kingdom and Ireland) and Japan in March 2024.&nbsp;“The new bikes are marked by unparalleled craftsmanship and best-in-class design,” said Mike Scarola, CEO, Butterfield &amp; Robinson. “A lighter, faster and sleeker build will ensure exceptional and more comfortable riding experiences for B&amp;R travellers. The new fleet will perform better on all roads, ensuring travellers are well-equipped to cover major distances and ride more comfortably. As we look to the upcoming year of exciting bike trips, upgrading our road bikes with a fully custom design means our travellers will be supported with top-of-the-line equipment.”&nbsp;Designed to elevate the riding experience, the new custom design features a full carbon frame and fork, including handlebars and seat post, electronic shifters and hydraulic disc brakes. Created for a more comfortable and powerful riding experience, the ultra-lightweight build dampens vibrations, allowing riders to move faster, climb hills easier and ride longer. Electronic shifting allows for faster and more accurate gear changing, while hydraulic disc brakes create stronger and more reliable braking power, regardless of weather conditions.&nbsp;The bikes will set a new standard for delivering outstanding riding experiences on Level 3 and Level 4 biking trips&nbsp;including, <a href="https://butterfield.com/trip/scheduled/southern-japan-biking" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Southern Japan Biking</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.butterfield.com/trip/scheduled/tuscany-wine-country-biking" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Tuscany Wine Country Biking</a>, <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/trip/scheduled/chile-wine-country-biking" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Chile Wine Country Biking</a>, <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/trip/scheduled/provence-luberon-biking" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Provence Luberon Biking</a>, <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/trip/scheduled/spanish-wine-country-biking" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Spanish Wine Country Biking</a> and <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/trip/scheduled/adriatic-islands-multi-active" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Adriatic Islands Multi-Active</a>.&nbsp;Road cyclists seeking a sportier option than a flat bar, hybrid or e-bike will enjoy the capabilities of the new design. B&amp;R travellers will still have access to e-bikes and flat handlebar (hybrid) bikes across all destinations where the new bike is available.&nbsp;Additional technical specifications can be found below.<ul><li>Frame Style: Ultralight Road Bike&nbsp;</li><li>Material: Carbon frame, fork, handlebars and seat post&nbsp;</li><li>Group Set: SRAM Force AXS Electronic Shifting&nbsp;</li><li>Brakes: SRAM Force Hydraulic Road Disc&nbsp;</li><li>Wheel Set: DT Swiss 1800 SPLINE&nbsp;</li><li>Tires: Pirelli Cinturato 700 x 32mm&nbsp;</li></ul>To learn more about Butterfield &amp; Robinson’s new bike fleet click <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/get-inspired/collections/2024-road-bike" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>.&nbsp;

NEW FLEET SET TO HIT THE ROAD IN EUROPE, CHILE AND JAPAN

About Butterfield &amp; Robinson&nbsp;&nbsp;Butterfield &amp; Robinson—the world’s premier active travel company—designs incredible journeys to the world’s most amazing places. Crafted from the finest ingredients (exceptional lodgings, incomparable access, stellar wines and food, experienced guides and more than a few secrets), B&amp;R’s trips combine active adventure with unparalleled cultural immersion in the world’s greatest destinations. Ways to travel include Scheduled small group biking, walking or multi-active trips, or Bespoke itineraries planned by our expert Experience Designers.&nbsp;

Butterfield & Robinson Designs New Fleet of Custom Road Bikes for 2024

Vienna and Budapest, like Austria and Hungary, complement each other like yin and yang. Hence the perfect combination for my new <a href="https://butterfield.com/trip/scheduled/vienna-to-budapest-wine-country-biking" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Vienna to Budapest Wine Country Biking</a> trip. The culture, history, landscapes and cuisine in many respects are opposites, which is why it is great to experience them together.&nbsp;

<a href="https://butterfield.com/get-inspired/24-hours-in-vienna" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Vienna</a> is consistently ranked as the world’s most liveable city and is the world’s second-largest German-speaking city. As a German, travelling through this part of Austria always felt like a place close to home (Berlin) but different enough to be exciting.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Austria’s capital is cosmopolitan, the seat of many international organizations and institutions. It is grand, having been the capital of the Habsburg Empire for 600 years. At the same time, it's an unparalleled mix of the traditional and the contemporary, the conservative and the progressive, the global and local. It’s a gateway to the less-known eastern parts of Central Europe. Above all, we’re very well connected in this region and can show travellers “our” Vienna, personally and through local eyes.&nbsp;

VIENNA & BUDAPEST: A MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN 

<a href="https://butterfield.com/get-inspired/insiders-guide-budapest-baths" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Budapest</a> is the city where Tibor Barna, B&amp;R’s Regional Expert and my close colleague studied and lived for many years. The turbulent history shows in its architecture and even a one-time visitor can sense how each building tells a testament to centuries past.&nbsp;&nbsp;The ancient castle of Buda, the lavish 19th c. palaces, the communist blocks and the modern high rises all have a tale to tell and contrast each other in spectacular fashion. While there are so many unique experiences to discover through Budapest’s rich arts and music scene, a definite highlight is the numerous baths one can visit in the city.&nbsp;&nbsp;

For history buffs, the Austro-Hungarian Empire offers the possibility to compare post-war European history and its actual influences on the current lives of everyday people in these great European cities.&nbsp;We’ll visit the border crossing between Austria and Hungary where the famous Pan-European picnic was organized in 1989. Many say this was the first crack in the Iron Curtain. An event meant to celebrate friendship and peace turned out to be one of the most important events of the Cold War. They opened the border for three hours so that locals from the villages on either side could meet and have a picnic together. Former politician Laszlo Nagy was one of the organizers of this event. He’ll meet us at the crossing and shed light upon the events of 1989 over lunch.&nbsp;

A CRACK IN THE IRON CURTAIN 

Austria’s capital is an enticing mix of old and new and one of the world’s most beautiful cultural hubs. One element I’m looking forward to sharing with travellers the most is on Day 1 when we have a 17th c. Jesuit Baroque Church all to ourselves as one of the country’s best organists and pianists plays the church’s organ for us. A fantastic start to the trip certain to induce lasting goosebumps!&nbsp;&nbsp;We show travellers the little-known vineyards within city limits and start introducing the surprising wines of the region. Vienna is home to 700 hectares of vineyards and about 140 vintners just north of the centre. The Danube and the proximity to the woods provide optimal conditions for growing grapes, and the paths through the hills are just beautiful. We follow these paths through the mountains on Day 1, arriving at a rustic tavern for lunch.&nbsp;

A MUSICAL BANG IN VIENNA 

Day 2 focuses on the area around Lake Neusiedl, where travellers will bike on paths through vineyards to arrive at the Relais &amp; Châteaux Taubenkobel just in time for a fabulous dinner at their Michelin-starred restaurant. It’s one of the best and most innovative restaurants in Central Europe. With a full wine tasting and pairing, travellers will have the ultimate introduction to the world-class wines of Austria&nbsp;

In Hungary, we taste the best of <a href="https://butterfield.com/get-inspired/vines-101-introduction-hungarian-wine" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Hungarian wines</a> and dine at local wineries around Lake Balaton, an area akin to the Italian countryside with its rolling hills and <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/get-inspired/2017/06/22/vines-102-hungarian-wines-savour" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">vineyards</a>. Our bike ride through the lake’s northern shores is like biking through a little slice of Tuscany.&nbsp;&nbsp;

HUNGARIAN TUSCANY  

Hungary’s dominant highlight is Lake Balaton, the largest body of water in Central and Eastern Europe and a playground for locals looking for blue skies and water to match. LUA Resort is nestled on the shores of the lake, one of the best hotels on Lake Balaton and our home away from home for two nights. Travellers will be able to make use of the heated outdoor pools, a jacuzzi, three types of saunas and a steam room—the perfect way to rejuvenate after exploring the area on two wheels.

We have limited time in Budapest, but entering the city in true B&amp;R style is the way to do it: by private boat on the Danube (with champagne in hand!). It’s one of the few big cities along the Danube, where the river crosses the city centre. As we arrive by boat, we already see all the iconic buildings of the city—it really is the most beautiful entry to our final night Michelin-starred celebration.&nbsp;

CRUISING THE DANUBE 

Feeling inspired to make this experience your own? Reserve your spot on our <a href="https://butterfield.com/trip/scheduled/vienna-to-budapest-wine-country-biking" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Vienna to Budapest Wine Country Biking</a> trip for September 2023.&nbsp;

Notes From the Road: Vienna to Budapest Wine Country Biking

Spanning from Munich to Salzburg in southeast Germany, Bavaria is a picturesque region adorned with fairytale villages, delightful beer gardens, glacial lakes, and breathtaking views of the Alps. Whether you’re exploring breweries and museums in Munich, cycling through the pre-Alps, or getting a behind-the-scenes tour of the real-life castle that inspired Walt Disney, this tiny region is a fantasy playground that caters to a variety of tastes.In the interview below, we caught up with Experience Designer Mario Koch, and Region Expert Florian Marbach, as they share what you can expect on a trip to Bavaria.&nbsp;

Bavaria is adorned with classic pre-alpine scenery, from postcard-perfect rolling hills dotted with dome-shaped churches to baroque art and the sound of cowbells. It’s also the only region in Germany boasting the Alps! There’s so much opportunity to embark on challenging bike rides and hiking that range from scenic walks to multi-day treks in the mountains. The moderate mountain heights mean you don't have to venture far for an authentic alpine experience.

As the wealthiest German state, you’re never far from a well-polished road. The infrastructure makes travel here smooth and flawless, whether you’re going by bike, train, car, or on foot. The local way of life also attracts a population drawn to the outdoors, who still uphold strong traditional values.&nbsp;It's not uncommon to see people wearing lederhosen in their daily lives, because that’s what they have been doing for hundreds of years! It’s also fascinating to hear the region’s distinct dialect still spoken, setting them apart with their own unique language.

It's a diverse mix, from families looking for an active vacation to travellers who want beautiful hikes, grand hotels, and relaxed evenings with minimal transfers. We've had father-son duos keen on biking and large groups looking for cultural-focused experiences. There’s also interest in events like the Sound of Music, and that, culminating with incredible hotels and short distances makes a wonderful experience because we are able to reach new places in a lovely way.

If time is limited, I'd suggest exploring Munich and then heading southeast to Salzburg, where you can visit your first beer garden in the pre-Alps region before heading to one of Bavaria’s lakes for outdoor activities. The area is great for biking, hiking, kayaking, and more adventurous pursuits like canyoning. Among the lakes, Tegernsee Lake stands out as the most scenic, boasting six 5-star hotels. It can get quite busy, so knowing the best times to visit and the ideal spots to take people is important!If you have more time or prefer not to head to Salzburg from Munich, I suggest going southwest to explore the possibilities around Neuschwanstein Castle. While it can get crowded, we have the advantage of getting our travellers in early, before the crowds arrive. We can also arrange visits to breweries where we have connections with the brewmasters and cooking classes where you'll roam around gardens to pick your own ingredients.

Bavarian cuisine effortlessly embraces regional, kilometre-zero, and seasonal ingredients as a way of life rather than just a trend—a tradition passed down through generations. On our active days, expect lunch in rustic alpine huts, where you'll savour farm-fresh cuisine like cheese, buttermilk, cold cuts, freshly baked bread and garden-fresh salads.&nbsp;Dinners offer so many options. In cities like Munich and Salzburg, you have everything from fusion cuisine to Michelin-starred establishments. In smaller towns, young chefs are taking the reins, serving contemporary twists on traditional Alpine dishes.

One of my top picks in Munich is the Residenz München, known for its grotto and baroque theatre. The Schloss Neuschwanstein and other castles associated with King Ludwig are also must-sees. His reclusive nature set him apart, but his unique taste in opera and architecture led him to build these magnificent medieval-inspired castles in the 19th century.Another favourite is Lindahorf Palace. Unlike other medieval castles, Lindahorf was built to resemble the taste of its owner, particularly influenced by Richard Wagner's opera. The palace's interiors are covered in frescos designed to mimic stage sets, making it really special for cultural enthusiasts.

I also love showing travellers Bavaria’s multifaceted history that often goes beyond common knowledge. From Munich's Third Reich history to exploring Eagle’s Nest, the local access and insider information we provide are all thanks to our guides who have devoted their lives to understanding the history of Bavaria. Their passion goes beyond the typical visitor's understanding.

An Insider’s Guide to Bavaria 

One of B&amp;R’s 2025 Limited Edition trips will take travellers to <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/trip/scheduled/iceland-faroe-islands-hiking" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Iceland and the Faroe Islands</a> for an adventure in the North Atlantic unlike any other. Experience Designer <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/who-we-are/meet-the-designers/orsolya-kako" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Orsolya Kako</a>, who crafted the trip that is equal parts active and community based, shares her thoughts on what makes Faroe Islands so special, what to expect on the hikes and one of her favourite experiences B&amp;R travellers will enjoy.&nbsp;How did the Faroe Islands get on your radar?﻿The Faroe Islands have a close connection with Iceland, a country I’ve helped travellers explore for over 10 years. At the back of my mind, I've always been curious about what the Faroe Islands were like, because I've heard so many stories about the islands—almost mythical stories—because it's so far in the middle of the Atlantic, even more so than Iceland.&nbsp;&nbsp;

What were your first impressions the first time you went?&nbsp;I was so struck by the purity of the country. The landscape is still relatively untouched. There are roads connecting settlements and towns, and ferry lines connecting all the islands, but not much else. And in a way, it's this amazing open slate. I was really struck by the stark nature, similar to what we find in Iceland in some places—barren, treeless, dramatic instances of land rising out of the ocean, many sheep. It is really a beautiful thing to me. I find it so inspiring to see these almost barren landscapes and to learn how people live off the land like that.&nbsp;And not just survive, but thrive, right?&nbsp;It was amazing to learn about, culturally, all the things they do that bind their community together. Learning about knitting clubs, book clubs and heimablídni—the tradition of hosting others in your home for dinner—as ways they stay connected. There are other, more practical ways too, through farming practices, like trading and selling meat to each other, for instance. They wear beautiful hand-knit sweaters and they know who knit each one. To me, it's a beautiful way of life.

This is a hiking trip. Can you talk a little bit about the routes that people will walk?&nbsp;The Faroese say every island has its own unique views and landscapes and with our guide's help, they will be pointing out the differences on every route. It could be the direction of the sunrise and sunset and the way the light strikes our paths. Sometimes it could be the vistas of the different islands and the history in those areas.&nbsp;&nbsp;From a more logistical standpoint, we are walking on single-track sheep paths. These are ancient paths that the sheep create—they automatically go towards the easiest route. And we’ll pass a lot of farms and waterfalls that make up the bucolic landscape of the Faroes.&nbsp;Are there any moments that you’re especially excited for our travellers to experience?&nbsp;We will have a meal at a farmhouse with the farmer whose family trained the staff at Ræst, one of two Michelin-starred restaurants in the small country’s capital, Tórshavn,&nbsp;about fermentation. We will be invited to do a farm tour and see where the sheep roam in the spring and where they go up in the summertime to higher ground. We'll learn about the free-range grazing that their sheep do, and then be invited into their barn to see where the rams are kept and learn about their importance. And then you're invited into their home, a beautiful farmhouse passed down generations to the current farmer. We’ll have a beautiful connective meal together from their garden, from their sheep, and talk about life in the Faroe Islands. Being in their home is like being in a living museum. It’s a real glimpse into life in the Faroes.

There’s never been a better time to explore the Faroe Islands

Jaws is one of my all-time favourite movies, even though the title character, a great white shark, is extremely unrealistic, and it takes place on a made-up, fictional landmass, Amity Island. But despite this creative license, Jaws gets a lot of things about island living right, including the differing perspectives of Chief Brody, a transplanted “off islander” who can’t adjust, and the close-knit locals, who understand what living on an island means.I belong to a golf club in Ireland called Ballyliffin that sits in the northernmost part of the Emerald Isle, on a peninsula in the Republic’s County Donegal that juts up above even Northern Ireland. When you tee it up it is impossible to forget you are on an island, as this rugged coast is exposed to nothing but the fierce North Atlantic, with whipping winds and waves crashing on rocky shores, open ocean for over 900 miles north to the next island—Iceland.When I eat fish and chips in the clubhouse, it’s locally caught cod, the fresh oysters Ireland is famous for come from Galway, and the whisky is almost all made in either the Bushmills or Jameson distilleries, both in port cities, as is <a href="https://butterfield.com/destination/europe/ireland" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ireland’s</a> most famed beverage, Guinness stout.

Likewise, for tourists, Ireland’s most famous landmarks all sit on the coast—The Cliffs of Moher, Giants Causeway, Ring of Kerry, Dingle Peninsula, Wild Atlantic Way, Dunluce Castle, Carrickfergus Castle, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, the charming towns of Waterford and Kinsale, the Aran Islands, the shipyard museum where the Titanic was built, every famous links golf course, and the biggest cities, Dublin, Belfast, Galway and Cork.But there are also vast swaths of Ireland’s interior where you cannot see the whitecaps or the fishing boats, and for a moment it would seem possible to forget you are even on an island. But then you talk to someone or buy something, or order food, and you're drawn back, because it is not the surfing or fishing or beaches that make an island special, it is the islanders.

I lived in New York City for many years without ever meeting my next-door neighbours, and their apartment doors were literally feet from mine—in a shared hallway.Islands are physically isolated by nature, but that kind of human isolation isn't possible on an island, where communities are more tightly knit, and everyone is interdependent. In a way, island living is a slice of human history frozen in time, from back when everyone lived together in a village for mutual survival. While many islands are paradises, most also have their share of hardships, from potato famines to hurricanes, tsunamis to volcanoes, droughts to floods, and simply obtaining “stuff,” other than fish and tropical fruits, is often tricky and expensive.The power and cable and Wi-Fi go out more, the ferries break down, and things mainlanders take for granted, like getting their car serviced or going to a specialist doctor, can be major endeavours. In places like St. Barts, if you want your kids to be educated beyond grade school, you have to ship them off to another country altogether.

The upside of this is community, and people actually know each other, a trait often lost on city dwellers. In Hawaii, information moves through the islands via word-of-mouth so quickly that they call it the “Coconut wireless.” Once, back before there were cell phones, on a trip to Nassau in the Bahamas, I left my Filofax, which had all my contacts and calendar info, in a taxi. At the airport, I explained my predicament to the woman at the info desk, who asked me to describe my cabbie. When I did, she knew who he was by his signature cap, and assured me she would get my book back by the time I returned to fly out the next day, and she did.Try that at LAX.The challenges create unity among islanders, who work hard because they have to, and then play hard because they want to. In cities like New York and Milan, people famously live to work - and at a frenetic pace—while islanders work to live, and then share more simple pleasures, from a communal fish fry to pig roast.I’ve seen no equivalent on earth of Barbados’ ubiquitous “rum shops,” sort of neighbourhood newsstands cum bodegas across the island where locals stop in to buy a newspaper, sit and play dominoes, sip a rum and catch up on the island news of the day, face to face. It’s a beautiful way to live. In Bermuda residents join together to sail, in the West Indies for cricket, in Ireland they take to the links, in Fiji they dive, in Hawaii they surf, in <a href="https://butterfield.com/destination/europe/spain/mallorca" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Mallorca</a>, there is a huge cycling sub-culture, and so on. On many islands, even doing nothing is elevated to an art form, from linen-clad sunset cocktails overlooking the water to an afternoon snooze in a hammock.Islanders take their laid-back lifestyle seriously and have perfected it to such a degree that they have claimed their own calendar, universally known as “island time.” Or as a good friend of mine who is a chef from the Dominican Republic explained, “In the DR manana doesn’t mean tomorrow, it just means not today.”

Of course, I’m generalizing, and every island is different, especially where size and climate are concerned. All of the five thousand odd people who live in the town of Sao Vicente on Madeira know each other through one or two degrees of separation, while the population of Honolulu does not. But the sense of community among island dwellers is very real, and it translates into a warmth and welcome that extends to visitors.When you travel to a big city, you're passing through, but when you visit many islands, you become a temporary resident.There's a reason that “Irish hospitality” is world famous, and it’s not just because the locals are Irish, it’s because they are islanders. I have been made to feel the same way in Mallorca, Fiji, Nevis, Abaco and many other places where both locals and visitors are thrust together and linked by the waters surrounding them in every direction.That is something worth travelling for, and circling back to Jaws, as the mayor proudly noted of his island, “Amity, as you know, means friendship.”

The Nature of Islands

We can’t all live like the Roys, but we can certainly experience <a href="https://butterfield.com/destination/europe/norway" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Norway</a> like one.&nbsp;Season 4 of HBO’s Succession follows the Roys as they swap the streets of Manhattan for Norway's dramatic mountains and fjords - bringing with them the signature family drama that has captivated audiences since the beginning.&nbsp;&nbsp;Roman and Shiv were last seen facing a major crisis after discovering their father's attempt to save Waystar Royco's reputation by merging the company, putting their shot at succession in jeopardy. Season 4 delves into the life of GoJo founder Lukas Mattson, who proposed the merger. With the Roys in tow, Mattson invites them to discover the beauty of his homeland in Norway and explore his corner of the world.

Producer Scott Ferguson and his team studied different countries but realized Norway had "an exceptional landscape like nowhere else in the world." He tells Variety: "Norway is a glorious, natural setting. It immediately seemed like a perfect place for a family gathering in the series." And we can't help but agree with Scott, <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/trip/bespoke/norway-bespoke" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Norway with your family is indeed an adventure.</a>Below we’ve rounded up all the beautiful Norwegian filming locations you can visit from Season 4.

Juvet Landscape Hotel was designed with the environment in mind, seamlessly blending into the natural surroundings while minimizing its impact on the ecosystem. You can find the <a href="https://juvet.com/en/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">award-winning hotel</a> far off-the-beaten-path on a farmstead in Valldal, about a 90-minutes drive from Ålesund.

Juvet Landscape Hotel 

Opened in 2010, the hotel features seven minimalist cabins built on stilts. The cabins are made of glass and wood, offering travellers stunning views of the surrounding landscape a chance to be completely immersed in nature. Each cabin has its own character, featuring outdoor hot tubs, fireplaces, and ample space in between, providing travellers with complete privacy.&nbsp;

This isn’t the first time this award-winning property was featured in Hollywood. Juvet Landscape Hotel debuted in the 2014 film Ex Machina, showcased as the stunning mansion owned by a tech billionaire who experimented with robots.

Known as one of the world’s most scenic drives, the Atlantic Ocean Road is a 8.3-km winding stretch of road connecting the towns of Kristiansund and Molde. It runs along the coastline, crossing over eight bridges and curving through several small islands. The road’s curved design creates an optical illusion as you approach each bridge, with the ocean and the Norwegian mountains acting as a stunning backdrop.Driving the Atlantic Ocean Road is an unforgettable experience, but it's not for the faint of heart. The road is narrow and winding, and the weather can be unpredictable, with strong winds and heavy rain, but the reward is well worth it if you're up for a challenge!

Atlantic Ocean Road

While the Atlantic Ocean Road is phenomenal, we bike the iconic Trollstigen Road and Eagle Road on our Norway Biking trip, challenging ourselves to conquer some of Norway's most scenic and adrenaline-inducing routes.

The Romsdalen Gondola is a relatively new attraction in Norway, located in the stunning Romsdal Alps. The gondola opened in 2019 and offers travellers a ride up to the summit of Mount Hoven, standing at an elevation of 1,011 m.&nbsp;The first of its kind in Norway, the ride takes approximately 10 minutes, and the views from the gondola are breathtaking. As you ascend, you'll pass over steep cliffs, rushing waterfalls and lush green forests, all with the stunning Romsdal Alps in the background.

Romsdalen Gondola

Just a 5-minute drive from the Romsdalen Gondala, <a href="https://www.eggenrestaurant.no/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Eggen Restaurant</a> boasts a sky-high location on the ridge of Nesaksla Mountain and is a must-visit for any foodie passing through Norway. Dedicated to using locally sourced, seasonal ingredients, Eggen's menu emphasizes farm-to-table flavours of the region, like freshly fish caught in the nearby lakes and foraged berries and mushrooms.The menu frequently changes to reflect the changing seasons, ensuring every meal celebrates the most flavourful ingredients. The restaurant also boasts an impressive wine list and a carefully crafted cocktail menu.

Eggen Restaurant 

Feeling inspired to experience Norway's stunning beauty like the Roys? Join a Norway Biking departure to indulge in the comforts of Juvet Landscape Hotel. Or, get in touch with Mario Koch to create your own <a href="https://butterfield.com/trip/bespoke/norway-bespoke" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Bespoke Norway</a> trip, including these incredible filming locations.&nbsp;&nbsp;

'Succession' Filming Locations You Can Visit in Norway

Welcome to the land of fjords, the northern lights and the most photogenic landscapes on the planet. Norway is a place where the midnight sun dances in the summer sky, allowing for endless hours of exploring. But when winter blankets the landscape and the northern lights paint the skies, it’s crystal-clear that wintertime is when Norway truly shines.In the interview below, we had the pleasure of chatting with <a href="https://butterfield.com/who-we-are/meet-the-designers/mario-koch" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Mario Koch</a>, Experience Designer for Norway, who shares the highlights of our Limited Edition Norway Winter Adventure departing March 2024.

A snowy Norwegian winter offers a magical experience, especially in February and March. You’re out of the arctic night, and normal sunrises and sunsets create full days for exploring.&nbsp;I’ve crafted our Norway Winter Adventure to unfold in Alta, an off-the-beaten-path winter wonderland situated nearly 250 miles north of the Arctic Circle.&nbsp;<a href="https://butterfield.com/get-inspired/in-search-of-darkness-the-illuminating-kind" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Embracing the outdoors </a>is built right into Norwegian culture, and Alta’s diverse landscapes make it one of the best places to visit in Norway. Whether you’re snowmobiling, snowshoe hiking or gliding through forests via your own team of huskies, every day offers endless possibilities to explore and appreciate the land.

Alta has long been recognized as a prime spot for the northern lights and a focal point for scientists who study the phenomenon. The town is often referred to as ‘the city of the northern lights’ thanks to its location far away from light pollution and cold, dry climate, which creates the best chances for witnessing the spectacle.

Not only will an expert guide lead us on a quest to see the northern lights, but the founder of Sorrisniva Wilderness Lodge will explain the science behind the phenomenon. Then we'll learn about its significance in the culture of the Indigenous Sami people, shared by members of their community. The Sami have lived across northern Scandinavia for thousands of years and considered the northern lights a divine and sacred presence, inhabited by spirits and deities.During our stay at Sorrisniva Wilderness Lodge, travellers will notice each room is adorned with floor-to-ceiling windows. While nature ultimately decides if the northern lights will grace us with their presence during our stay in Norway, it will be hard to resist falling asleep each night while gazing at the Arctic skies above.

The Sami are the oldest Indigenous people of Norway. The area around Alta is the least populated of all the Norwegian counties and is considered the heartland of the Sami people—around half of the entire population lives in Norway.On Day 2, travellers will meet with our Sami guides in a traditional Lavvu tent, they’ll share insight into their way of life around a bonfire. Instead of driving or walking to the location, we'll sled through the snow pulled by the group's Sami reindeer—which have been an integral part of Sami culture and spiritual beliefs for centuries.

Sami culture has been intertwined with practicing skills related to reindeer herding for centuries, and their close relationship with these animals is ingrained in their traditions. Sami folklore is filled with songs and rituals that honour the reindeer and the spiritual connection between humans and these animals.

<a href="https://www.sorrisniva.no/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sorrisniva</a> captures everything you can imagine for the perfect Arctic experience and provides travellers with the best of both worlds. It offers a warm base right next to the Alta river canyon, with cozy suites, saunas, jacuzzis and two restaurants.&nbsp;

The lodge also holds a special addition: the Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel.Every year since 1999, Alta’s Igloo Hotel is rebuilt from locally sourced snow and ice. Stepping into this icy wonderland feels like entering a fairytale, with its ice rooms, ice gallery and even an ice chapel. Our travellers will have access to both their River Suite at the lodge and the Igloo Hotel on Night 2. But here's the challenge: who among us will brave the entire night?

What sets this area apart for active travel is the varying landscape that layers canyons, plateaus and fjords. On Day 4 our travellers will take part in a husky sledding experience with our friends Trine and Hanna, world-renowned competitors who prioritize the well-being of their huskies above all else. This region is a sledding paradise, hosting the renowned Finnmarksløpet, the northernmost race in the world and the second-longest overall.Travellers will go snowmobiling through forests and across frozen lakes and snowshoe hike across a mountain ridge, leading to views that make every step worthwhile. And after days filled with snow adventures, there's nothing better than retreating to the cozy sanctuary of our sauna.

The Alta Airport, just 25 minutes away from Sorrisniva Wilderness Lodge, serves as the primary transportation hub for travellers. This airport offers connections to Oslo, allowing for convenient access to the Arctic.

Ready to experience a winter adventure unlike any other? Don't miss out on the chance to join us for a six-day, five-night journey through the high Norwegian Arctic.

Norway’s Arctic Calling

Wine country and wellness don’t always go hand in hand. That is, not until you’ve taken a journey to Portugal’s Douro Valley, a place where healing, rejuvenation and vino have been steeped into the region’s DNA over centuries.

The <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/get-inspired/deep-portugals-douro-valley" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Douro Valley</a> welcomes visitors with hundreds of miles of cascading vineyards, blue skies and unforgettable Port wines. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is the world’s oldest DOC region and home to over 200 grape varieties. But the valley’s unique landscape-including steep hills and historic stone terraces that make modern harvesting tools difficult to use-means wine growing here is a slow, methodical process that fosters a culture of care.

Slowing down in Portugal is easy when you’re harvesting each and every grape by hand, and that perspective seeps into daily life here. Douro Valley wellness travel has been a trend since at least the 1600s, when visitors flocked to the region to refresh and rejuvenate. The Douro River continuously receives nourishment from its tributary rivers, hiding a bounty of treasures that extend far beyond the art of winemaking.Here, you can enjoy world-class wine and tend to your highest self. Here’s what makes the Douro Valley the healthiest place for wine travel.

The Douro Valley’s historic architecture and unique geography offers ample opportunities to get moving. Between sipping on Port tastings, you can climb the 608-step Baroque staircase in the valley town of Lamego. You can meander through the hiking trails of the 17th .c village of Provesende. You can even spend the morning rowing through the Douro River’s gentle current or cycle across the highlands for phenomenal views of vineyards that stretch for miles.&nbsp;​​Whether you prefer gentle paths tracing the curves of the Douro River or tough ascents that unveil breathtaking vistas, an extensive network of well-developed cycling routes caters to riders of all levels here.

GETTING ACTIVE IS BUILT INTO THE LANDSCAPE

One of our favourite bike rides starts at the stunning Baroque staircase in Lamego. From there, the journey takes you beyond the vineyards hugging the riverbanks. As you pedal along, it's easy to immerse yourself in daily life, catching glimpses of local apple orchards, charming villages and farmers tending to their land.

Wellness in the Douro Valley lives on through local resorts still carrying the torch of these traditions. In the village of Vidago, the magnificent 113-year-old <a href="https://www.vidagopalace.com/en/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); background-color: transparent;">Vidago Palace Hotel</a> offers guests an opportunity to bask in the springs’ alkaline-rich waters.&nbsp;Surrounded by rolling vineyards, <a href="https://www.sixsenses.com/en/resorts/douro-valley/wellness-spa/treatments?spaBookerId=8522&amp;undefined=undefined" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Six Senses Douro Valley</a> takes its name from the concept of the "sixth sense," connecting deeply with our surroundings and fostering a sense of well-being. On our Douro Valley trip, travellers stay at the Vidago Palace and Six Senses Douro Valley. Each offers a wide range of wellness experiences, including massages, colour therapy and morning yoga under the Portuguese sun.

DOURO VALLEY WELLNESS RITUALS

Local restaurants are strong proponents of farm-to-table dining and put great care into serving the freshest local ingredients to keep you energized for exploring.This philosophy takes a page from the book of the Douro Valley winemaking community, and while large Port wine producers are still present in Douro, the community is still made up of a surprisingly ubiquitous presence of&nbsp;small family-run producers that sell only locally. Many go back for generations and take on what might be called a vine-to-glass approach, preserving historic growing and harvesting methods used by their great-grandparents.&nbsp;

PRESERVING VINE-TO-GLASS TRADITIONS

Many wine grapes harvested in the Douro Valley are still crushed personally by foot. Visiting a Douro Valley winery is an immersive experience shaped by one-of-a-kind flavours and stunning natural surroundings. And what makes it even better is that you can bike your way there and unwind with a yoga class afterward. Here, you never have to choose between wine and wellbeing.

Ready to explore Douro Valley wellness for yourself? Join us on a six-day, five-night adventure through the world’s oldest wine-growing region.&nbsp;

Where Wine Country Meets Wellness in the Douro Valley

If you're a fan of Netflix's supernatural series Wednesday, you've probably been immersed in the eerie, mystical world the show creates. Directed by Tim Burton, The Addams Family spin-off follows Jenna Ortega as Wednesday Addams as she navigates life as a student at Nevermore Academy, a boarding school for students with extraordinary abilities.Despite the show being set in Vermont, Tim Burton and his team knew they needed a location that would embody Wednesday’s signature gothic style. According to <a href="https://www.lbbonline.com/news/how-netflixs-smash-hit-wednesday-came-to-life-in-romania" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Little Black Book</a>, the show was first set to film in Toronto, but the look and feel didn’t fit Wednesday’s spooky aesthetic.After seeing location photos of Romania’s gothic castles and landscapes, everyone was sold, and the series was shot over seven key locations not far from Bucharest.Below we’ve rounded up all of the filming locations from Wednesday that you can actually visit when travelling through <a href="https://butterfield.com/destination/europe/romania?utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=RomaniaBlog&amp;utm_content=Trip&amp;campaignid=2f8cf9b4-e1d7-ed11-8109-00155d02659a" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Romania</a>.

Nevermore Academy serves as the dominant backdrop throughout the series, a haven for the show's outcasts, witches and werewolves alike. In real life, the school's exterior shots are of Cantacuzino Castle, a stunning Gothic-style palace nestled in the mountain town of Bușteni.Originally built in 1911 as the summer residence for Romanian Prince Gheorghe Grigore Cantacuzino, the castle has since hosted a long line of royal rulers, lending a touch of regality to the show's setting. The carved stone castle serves as an exceptional example of Neo-Romanian architecture - a perfect mix of Gothic, Baroque, Byzantine, Bavarian and Art Nouveau.&nbsp;

Cantacuzino Castle

Today Cantacuzino Castle is opened to the public, and in 2015 an art gallery was introduced to eventually host art pieces from the likes of Dali, da Vinci and Van Gogh, to name a few. Visitors can also explore the stunning array of Venetian art, Roman mosaics and stained glass sprinkled with local Romanian touches.

When you join a <a href="https://butterfield.com/trip/scheduled/romania-biking?utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=RomaniaBlog&amp;utm_content=Trip&amp;campaignid=2f8cf9b4-e1d7-ed11-8109-00155d02659a" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Romania Biking</a> trip with B&amp;R, you'll have the opportunity to enjoy lunch inside Cantacuzino Castle.

The Bucharest Botanical Garden is a favourite walking spot among the locals, spanning over 17 hectares and home to over 10,000 plant species. In Wednesday's world, the garden is a stand-in for Nevermore's greenhouse, used as a classroom setting where students learn about herbology and botany.&nbsp;Today the garden is a cherished destination, now serving as part of Bucharest University’s botanical institute. Visitors can spend hours exploring the diverse range of exotic plant families, a beautiful rose garden and impressive water pond displays.The greenhouses are open on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from 9 AM-1 PM.

Bucharest Botanical Garden

While exterior shots of Nevermore Academy were filmed at Cantacuzino Castle, the real-life interiors belong to Palatul Monteoru, a historic house and monument nestled in Bucharest. The house was used as Principal Weems’ office (as well as a few shots from Nevermore's Raven ball), but in real life housed the Romanian Writers Union HQ until 2013.In 2015, new owners began to transform the place into a vibrant multicultural center complete with a restaurant, a garden and spaces to hold live music events.

Palatul Monteoru

Feeling inspired to immerse yourself in the mystical world of Wednesday? Get in touch with Tom Abraham to start planning a Romania Bespoke trip with these locations, or join a Romania Biking departure to dine inside the stunning Cantacuzino Castle with B&amp;R.

‘Wednesday’ Filming Locations You Can Visit in Romania

Wedged between Brazil and Argentina, Uruguay is a tiny country often overlooked for its larger-than-life neighbours. You won't find massive mountain peaks like in Patagonia, or monstrous wonders of the world (ahem, Machu Picchu). Instead, Uruguay offers an irresistible atmosphere of a laidback California-cool. It's a hideout for illustrious artists and chefs on a search for low-profile living surrounded by constant inspiration and natural beauty. And with its up-and-coming wine industry, glamorous hotels and emerging arts scene, it's easy to see why South America’s high society flocks here on holiday.&nbsp;When Experience Designer Stephanie Gulledge guided her first trip to Uruguay, she fell in love with their way of life and wanted to share that special spirit with travellers, offering an adventure that was really off the beaten path. Below she shares the highlights of our new&nbsp;<a href="https://butterfield.com/trip/scheduled/uruguay-multi-active" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(62, 115, 155);">Uruguay Multi-Active</a>&nbsp;trip, an incredible journey through refined hamlets and sandy beach towns, made greater by the local characters we’ll introduce you to along the way.

Uruguay has all of the elements of a classic B&amp;R trip. Incredible hotels, unique cultural experiences, really great food, bike routes and surprising wine. It’s a beautiful, compact destination that allows us to bike from hotel to hotel, passing the coast, vineyards and beautiful waterways. The diversity of&nbsp;<a href="https://butterfield.com/get-inspired/south-americas-best-kept-secret-uruguay" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(62, 115, 155);">Uruguay’s landscape</a>&nbsp;is unparalleled, and the multi-active portion also layers in hiking, kayaking and yoga to showcase the varying terrain.&nbsp;In terms of first experiences in Latin America, everyone usually has Peru or Argentina on their mind. But I would encourage travellers to get their first taste of Uruguay for unique local encounters against incredibly diverse landscapes. Argentina and Peru are absolutely amazing, but Uruguay is where the locals from Brazil, Chile and the rest of South America holiday, so that creates even more of a local experience.

Travellers will get to experience the classic B&amp;R elements, from vineyard hopping and coastal bike rides to phenomenal meals and world-class chefs. But this trip is really about showcasing the spirit of Uruguay and the special elements that make it stand out from the rest of South America.&nbsp;Uruguay is a small, centralized and progressive society; the morals of the local people are very strong. Family values and meals together are important, and we’re able to spread these encounters out all throughout the trip. I’m most excited to share that special layer of the country that you’ll be immersed in when travelling with B&amp;R, made possible by local connections.&nbsp;In Montevideo, travellers will meet our friend and expert musician Lobo Nuñez. He's the soul of candombe music, a style of drumming and dance that first surfaced in the late 18th c. Candombe is an expression of art, culture, music and complex choreography and is highly tied to the culture of Uruguay today. It's been recognized by UNESCO as an&nbsp;Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Lobo is an amazing contact on the first day because he's a perfect representation of Uruguayan culture and the spirit that candombe represents.

Sometimes we're lucky enough to meet Pablo Atchugarry, a mega-artist living a low-profile in the countryside. We take a beautiful bike ride to his workshop and have lunch, enjoying the views of his park and sculptures. But travelling with our incredible local guides and hearing about their life and stories is often the best eyes and ears into what the country is all about.

There’s this chic beach town called José Ignacio, people travel from all over the world to rub shoulders with the who’s who there. Behind the town, you have rolling hills and vineyards similar to Tuscany. There are olive plantations spread throughout, and here you can really get a sense of the European influence that was left. Having access to all of that is why the locals are able to consume a healthy Mediterranean diet, where everything is grown in the area. The hills aren’t to the degree of Tuscany, and we have access to more van support and e-bikes, so it’s perfect for all activity levels.

If you’re into art and hotels, this trip is an incredible combination of the two. We chose to use two properties from the Vik group. The first is the Estancia Vik, an elevated ranch experience in José Ignacio. The property is very far from a real ‘ranch’ experience as it’s filled with avant-garde art—every single room and suite has been designed by a different local artist. On a Scheduled trip it’s always fun to tour everyone’s room and see what direction the artist went in. Walking into each room is like walking into a whole new world.

We also stay at Bahia Vik, the newest property by the Vik group nestled on the coast. Once you get there you don’t need to wear your shoes because you’re on white sand. In addition to having great rooms, they have a really beautiful dining experience and an incredible pool. For me, these are some of the most unique hotels I’ve ever been to.

The farm-to-table experience is part of everyday life in Uruguay. There’s an incredible food scene and they eat locally without making an effort. They have access to local produce, fresh olive oil and seafood, and they’re also one of the largest cattle-producing countries in the world.&nbsp;There’s a lot of creativity that’s gone into the food that we get to experience on this trip. There’s a blend of cultures when you’re eating - in some places you’ll find little touches of French influence. In other places, they have unique ways of cooking with fire and cooking outdoors. Organic eating is just the way of life for them, as is the concept of farm-to-table.I love visiting this little beachside restaurant called La Huella. Fresh seafood with whatever local veggies they’re offering that time of year - you can’t have a better meal than that. There’s great music playing along with the sound of crashing waves in the background. The ambiance and the food experience (with a glass of Tannat!) are not to be missed.

Whether you want to keep biking or go wine tasting, I recommend spending some extra time in Carmelo for a unique way to end the trip. It’s an even bigger wine-producing area surrounded by endless vineyards and amazing beaches. You can even go on a cruise down the Río de la Plata!

Feeling inspired to experience our little secret in South America? Get in touch with Stephanie Gulledge to reserve your spot for 2023 and 2024.

Uruguay: Coastline, Vines & Surprising Wines

It's easy to get swept away by the allure of the <a href="https://butterfield.com/destination/europe/italy/italian-lakes" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Italian Lakes</a>, a timeless destination that has captured the hearts of travellers since Roman times.&nbsp;This region has been a B&amp;R favourite for decades, with its luxurious five-star lakeside hotels, breathtaking scenery and well-crafted walking and boating routes. But our itineraries go deeper, avoiding the crowds and scoping out off-the-beaten-path places that allow travellers to fully immerse themselves in the beauty and culture of the region.A new era of adventure has dawned under the guidance of B&amp;R's new Experience Designer for the Italian Lakes, Edoardo Bausani. In this interview, Edo shares his passion for the region and recounts his latest research trip to the Italian Lakes, where he sought out new experiences for seasons to come.

Travellers are often amazed by the natural diversity and wide range of experiences. With the beauty of crystal-clear waters against majestic mountains, charming towns and yacht-filled marinas, it becomes obvious why the region has been a hot spot for centuries. The lakes also surprise with activities for every taste and age, from boat rides, hiking and biking to historic villa and garden visits, and some of Italy's most incredible cuisine and <a href="https://butterfield.com/get-inspired/9-best-shops-italian-lakes" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">shopping</a>.When travellers join our <a href="https://butterfield.com/trip/scheduled/italian-lakes-walking" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Italian Lakes Walking</a> trip, they’re always delighted with our stop to Lugano, Switzerland. The city reminds me of Monaco with its stunning architecture. We'll take a beautiful hike along an olive grove trail, which is absolutely outstanding. It's always nice to include a city break in a trip, giving travellers the opportunity to go shopping or choose from various restaurants.

So many! What really sets this trip apart is our connection with our suppliers. Norberto, our wine expert, is not just a connoisseur but also a friend. We just look each other in the eyes and he knows exactly how to run the show. Besides the cultural aspect of having travellers learn about the surrounding wine regions, we introduce them to a local friend in which they can re-visit whenever they’re back in Bellagio– B&amp;Rs friends are our traveller's friends.Daniel, our charming Venetian speedboat driver, is another example of a superstar friend who’s known for guiding the likes of George Clooney and Madonna around the lakes. He knows all the best spots, from hidden coves to beautiful vistas and villas, and can take you on a high-speed adventure that will leave you breathless. Then there’s Rita, our local guide in Bellagio, who offers fascinating insights into the town's history and points out hidden gems that most travellers, and frankly other travel companies, miss if they’re not exploring the area with a local.

During a trip to Gandria with B&amp;R Guide Alice, we discovered a charming deli perfect for a picnic. We sampled their signature dishes and were blown away by the refreshing salad, feta-topped avocado toast and veggie quiche. However, as our group was too large to accommodate the small deli, Luana, the owner, offered to find us another place to host the picnic.&nbsp;She didn't disappoint and the following day, she took us through small alleys reminiscent of Amalfi to a private terrace in Gandria that overlooked the lake. The view was breathtaking, and we felt fortunate to experience it as Luana's guests! As we savoured some wine and admired the lake's shimmering waters, we felt grateful for this special moment.

My favourite hike is the Sentiero degli Ulivi trail in Switzerland. It's 8.5 kilometres long and starts in Castagnola, passing through olive groves , stone villages, forests, and meadows filled with wildflowers. As the path winds its way towards Gandria, you pass small hamlets and tiny stone villages, offering a glimpse into the traditional way of life in the region.The trail offers breathtaking panoramic views of Lake Lugano and the surrounding mountains. It's not too challenging, making it suitable for all levels of hikers. The hike ends at the Gandria harbour, perfect for relaxing and taking in the stunning views.

If you're a fan of the grandeur and majesty of 19th-century hotels, then this trip is truly a treat for you. You'll be staying in historic hotels that are adorned with museum pieces, where&nbsp;works of art have been created alongside the hotel itself.&nbsp;My favourite property on Italian Lakes Walking is the Grand Hotel Villa Castagnola in Lugano. The rooms are a delightful mix of 80s-style decor with modern art, and the diversity of having that Swiss touch really sparked my interest. But the real showstopper is Serbelloni. The spacious rooms with grand frescoes are bigger than my apartment in Berlin! It's opulent and luxurious, and our travellers will be truly impressed.

The Italian Lakes Walking trip is a perfect balance between challenging hikes, leisurely walks, activity and relaxation. Our daily walks are at most 7-8 miles, allowing travellers to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the shoreline and the Alps. The trip also showcases a diverse mix of landscapes, from the lakes to the mountains to the great city break we planned in between. With the alpine feeling of Lake Maggiore and the distinct beauty of Lake Como, travellers will feel like they are exploring different regions in just a matter of hours.

A New Era of Adventure in the Italian Lakes

Puglia offers a unique charm that sets it apart from the iconic scenes of Tuscany or the Dolomites. While these regions have their own undeniable allure, Puglia's multifaceted beauty is a must-see for anyone looking to experience the many facets of Italy's stunning landscapes.Travelling through the country is like experiencing 3-4 different regions within one trip, each with its own character. The south boasts a Greek and Baroque style with cities like <a href="https://butterfield.com/get-inspired/in-deep-a-brief-history-of-lecce" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Lecce</a> that will leave you astounded, while Alberobello and its&nbsp;trulli&nbsp;are like something out of a fairytale. But Puglia isn't just a pretty postcard; it's about the energy, the people, the feeling and emotion.Ernesto Fucci's life has always revolved around Southern Italy, particularly <a href="https://butterfield.com/destination/europe/italy/puglia" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Puglia</a>, where he now serves as B&amp;R's Experience Designer. As a seasoned guide, Ernesto has transitioned to curating unforgettable adventures for our travellers.Our Pugliese family welcomed Ernesto and the B&amp;R Puglia team with open arms during their recent research trip, from local olive farmers and restaurateurs to longtime friends and guides.Together with former Regional Director Christina Cain and Puglia Trip Manager Valentina, the team hit the road to discover new experiences for the upcoming season—and how special it was to have the entire team together again, reconnecting and sharing their passion for unearthing the very best the region has to offer.Ernesto shares his notes from the road in the interview below.

The purpose of our research trip was to harness the immense human potential that <a href="https://butterfield.com/who-we-are/meet-the-designers/christina-cain" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Christina</a>, who has spent many years working in the region, has cultivated. The people, whether our guides or suppliers, add that special touch to our trips, making them truly exceptional and unforgettable. Upon visiting for the first time since the pandemic it was amazing to see Puglia in its full glory again and experience the atmosphere once more. Despite it being January, Lecce and Otranto were teeming with newfound energy. Puglia's creativity has finally awakened, an incredible spark we've observed in our longtime friends with whom we're planning incredible experiences.

So many! We were given exclusive access to palaces typically closed to the public, where we’ll be hosting events this season. We also visited the owners of a marble quarry that they transformed into a unique botanical garden (complete with a swimming pool) where we plan to organize picnics and relaxing afternoons for our travellers.&nbsp;We met the local farmers who are working hard to combat the <a href="https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20230111-the-super-sniffer-dogs-saving-italys-dying-olive-trees" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">xylella</a> problem that Puglia’s olive trees are currently facing, and we’ll be starting a collaborative project with them next season. We also have exclusive access to a natural reserve overlooking the ocean, where we can organize private events and picnics. We even found an amazing outdoor climbing space, and we have many more exciting discoveries to share!

While Ostuni is already on the tourism radar, we're able to experience it in a completely different way by going behind the scenes. We visit a personal home—a noble villa—that only saves events for B&amp;R. Paula, the lovely owner and host, will take us on a little tour, showcasing their antique horse carriage collection, the biggest in southern Italy!We visited a church on the property and enjoyed a lunch from their family's olive oil and cheese production. This experience highlighted the importance of building and maintaining personal relationships, which can lead to unique and authentic experiences unavailable to the general public.

When we’re not cycling through UNESCO-listed sites and on coastal roads, we’ll go from dancing and dinner in a private castle open exclusively for us, to a picnic in the most beautiful masseria in Puglia. We’ll learn how to make mozzarella with local farmers, we learn about the millennia old culture of oil making while being in an ancient underground oil mill open exclusively for us.But Puglia's real magic lies in the moments that seem to unfold effortlessly, a testament to the decades of relationship building we have cultivated. The locals have come to know and love us over the years, and it's not uncommon for a round of drinks in a local bar to lead to an invitation to someone's home for a traditional meal.&nbsp;

Two accommodations stood out to me. The first was the <a href="https://palazzomaresgallo.com/en/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Palazzo Maresgallo</a>, an old aristocratic palace in the heart of Lecce that has been transformed into a small luxury hotel. This hidden gem is a work of art, and we're proud to be pioneers as the only travel company invited to stay. The baroque essence of the city is beautifully juxtaposed with modern art, resulting in a fascinating style that truly impresses.

<a href="https://www.naturalisbioresort.com/home-en/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Naturalis Bio Resort</a> left a lasting impression on me, and the place truly lives up to its name. It's located in the Salento countryside and feels like a world apart, where nature reigns supreme and time stands still. With a simple style dedicated to sustainability, this self-sufficient hotel inspires travellers to embrace the natural world. Everything is designed to minimize environmental impact, from vegetable gardens to aloe vera cultivation and oil production.

Abandon all preconceptions, as we’re about to enter an amazing place where every little glimpse, building and meal brings a jumble of emotions stemming from unparalleled cultural and historical intersections.&nbsp;From the Baroque architectural beauty and the small dwellings of <a href="https://butterfield.com/get-inspired/the-trulli-of-alberobello" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Alberobello</a>, to unparalleled food, where authenticity, simplicity combined with an innovative approach will amaze the taste buds with every bite. And above all, the people, their hospitality and joviality.&nbsp;Puglia without its people would be lost, because it is precisely the people who give this land a dancing, festive, welcoming and unique character.

Notes From the Road: A Research Trip in Puglia

Life in Sardinia is probably the best [one] can wish: twenty-four-thousand kilometres of forests, countryside, shores immersed in a miraculous sea, this corresponds to what I would suggest God to give us as Paradise. -Fabrizio de André

Although I’ve lived abroad for many years, straying far from my home island of <a href="https://butterfield.com/destination/europe/italy/sardinia" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sardinia</a>, including in Africa, Asia, Norway, and now Canada, I’ve noticed something interesting about myself with the distance. I call it ‘my Sardinian eyes’—meaning I can’t help but carry a little piece of Sardinia with me, no matter how far I roam.&nbsp;I love my island home, and I can’t help but see the rest of the world from a Sardinian perspective. (And I know I’m not the only Sardinian who feels this way!) Here are a few things that characterize our simple, slow way of life that you, too, will get a glimpse of, and experience on a visit here.

We Sardinians are proud, and the most important social units we adhere to are our tight-knit families and communities. We’re also really welcoming and friendly. Even in the smaller towns, you will see older people sitting on their porches enjoying their ‘retirement’, or women doing typical needlework as they watch the world go by. Anyone is happy to stop and chat with a visitor and interact, so be open to these exchanges!

CLOSE-KNIT PEOPLE & LONG-LASTING TRADITIONS

Growing up, I always had a sense of security and love, not just within my family but within the community. This ‘looking out for each other’ and sense of solidarity is something I miss, especially living in larger cities abroad. We’re also a people of traditions: for example, when I was back at home at my brother’s wedding, I was explaining to my non-Sardinian friends all the little rituals we observed. It’s something I have taken for granted but realize how special they are, especially since I live abroad now. It’s also very important to we Sardinians that we respect the voices and opinions of our family (and community) elders. Certainly, with age comes experience, and we truly value the wisdom of the older people in our communities and often consult with them on important decisions. (This surely contributes to our being one of the most long-lived places in the world).

If you’re in mainland Italy at a concert or large gathering…look out! You may very well see our famous flag, notable for the heads of the four moors and the red cross of St. George quartering a white background. I have run many marathons around the world with my little Sardinian flag in my pocket the whole time, and without fail, I will always bring it out and run a final victory lap as a proud Sardinian representing home!There are a few stories that hint at the origin of the flag’s design. As Sardinia was ruled by the Spanish Kingdom of Aragon in 1324-1479, it was said that King Peter I of Aragon created the flag after the 1096 Battle of Alcoraz in an attempt to drive Arabs out of Spain. According to legend, it was only Saint George (of the white shield and red cross) who helped to win this battle for Aragon. When the dust settled, four Moorish princes were defeated, with their severed heads left on the battlefield, informing the design of the flag.Another subtle (and less gory) meaning? The quartered flag symbolically represents the four giudicati of the island, four independent states that governed Sardinia in the Middle Ages from the 9th to the 15th centuries.

SARDINIAN FLAG: A DISTINCTIVE SIGHT

I met a woman recently while buying a gift for my sister; her (Canadian) daughter married a Sardinian and now lives on the island. And here’s one thing she remarked to me about the island: “I like how people take their time.” It’s really an understatement, as when you get here, you’ll feel as if there’s all the time in the world. The priority for us Sardinians is quality of life, and our philosophy is simple: enjoy life and take your time to savour the everyday moments, no matter how small. You, too, will see just how time weaves its magical spell as you slow down to the rhythm of the island.

TIME MOVES DIFFERENTLY HERE

While the outer coastal cities are more urbanized, there is something to be said about the Sardinian rural way of life—it’s wonderful. I had an elemental childhood, running wild on the beach, on my grandparent’s farm, and generally playing outside amongst nature. Most of us have family land in the countryside to roam in, where we work the land as our ancestors have through the generations. Here is where we Sardinians put aside our phones to enjoy the simple things: sunshine, the earth and the things that grow from it—fruits and vegetables, tending to animals and plants. My niece and nephew go to the countryside daily after school with their parents to pick fruit or just play outdoors. As you travel the island, you’ll see this everywhere you go (and maybe get to participate in it, too).

RURAL LIFE

One of the things I miss from back home is one of the simplest: it’s the smell of the sea, and the distinctive smell of Sardinia with its trees, plants, herbs and shrubs on the wind. The second I get off the plane, it just hits me and I know that I’ve arrived. I also feel joyful and nostalgic when I return to the beloved beaches, coves, and smaller islands that I know so well. Much has been written about Sardinian beaches, as they’re secluded, dramatically beautiful, clean and safe—truly without compare.Some of my favourites are hard to get to, and some of the more popular ones are just so pretty that their appeal is hard to hide from the masses! Stintino is one of the big ones, with its white sand and blue water. I also love Argentiera, next to an old argento (silver) mine, the Spanish towers overlooking Porticciolo and Porto Ferro, and Cala Goloritze on the east coast, with its white limestone and endless shades of blue—accessible only after a hike through an ancient cork forest.&nbsp;

THE SEA AND THE COAST

Seeing Through Sardinian Eyes

Features &amp; Stories

Guides

Biking

England

slow travel

Walking

A Local's Guide to Slow Travel in the Cotswolds & Cornwall

Biking in Cambodia with B&R Expert Guide Fin

Our Friends

Cambodia

Guide

Biking in Cambodia with B&R Expert Guide Fin 

Italy

Veneto

Venice

Verona

Venice to Verona Biking

Notes From the Road

Boats

Cities

Culture

Family Travel

History

Travel Inspiration

Baltics

Estonia

Latvia

Lithuania

Discovering the Baltics, Europe's Best-Kept Secret

DOC wine

Fine wine

France

Grape harvest

Grape picking

Wine Regions

Grape Harvesting in Ventoux

research

Sicily

Notes from the Road: A Research Trip in Sicily

Alpina Dolomites

slow food

Dolomites

Sustainable Cuisine in Northern Italy: In Conversation with Michelin-starred Chef Norbert Niederkofler

Culture &amp; Lifestyle

Featured Post

Provence

I’m no Wim Hoff, but I love a quick dip in and out of the icy stream on a warm day. It’s a vivid reminder that I am alive! Sometimes it’s good to check&#8230;
<img loading="lazy" class="alignright wp-image-48680" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/IMG_2051-450x600.jpg" alt="" width="390" height="520" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/IMG_2051-450x600.jpg 450w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/IMG_2051-225x300.jpg 225w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/IMG_2051-768x1024.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 390px) 100vw, 390px" />
The water is crystal clear and the trout can be spotted swimming upstream. The river’s source is only a few kilometres away at Fontaine de Vaucluse; a magical place with a mystical cave underneath a massive wall of rock from which this 12-degree water gushes with crystal clear vitality. I like to hike around the fountain. There’s a special kind of energy there.
Magnificent trees, ducks and the energy of the gushing water is quite a force to watch. And easy trigger to get back to the present moment. Today I’ve been super lucky with the treasures: I’ve spotted a very old piece of porcelain wedged in the wall of the riverbed. Magic! It’s definitely a good omen&#8230;
In the evening, Benedicte has invited me for dinner, along with my friend and neighbour, Anthony. Benedicte used to run the local vegan restaurant, Vert Bouteille (Bottle Green), so this is an invitation I don’t ever wish to turn down. She’s a magician when it comes to food.
<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-48681 size-large" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Provenceendofday-960x540.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="540" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Provenceendofday-960x540.jpg 960w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Provenceendofday-480x270.jpg 480w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Provenceendofday-768x432.jpg 768w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Provenceendofday.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />
The swifts are swooping over the village as I walk home. They serve as gentle reminders that the summer is on its way. 
It’s been a beautiful day.
<hr />
To see more of Tatjana&#8217;s artwork inspired by life in France and her adventures around the globe, you can <a href="https://tatjanabuisson.tumblr.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">visit her website</a> or <a href="https://www.instagram.com/tatjanabuisson/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">follow her on Instagram</a>.

We meander through the famous Sunday village market where people are just finishing setting up. Visitors and locals alike are surfacing with their empty bags and baskets. We find my car parked under the tree where I always find a parking spot, and off we go with coffee-flask in hand.
<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-48670 size-large" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Provencemarket-1-960x540.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="540" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Provencemarket-1-960x540.jpg 960w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Provencemarket-1-480x270.jpg 480w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Provencemarket-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Provencemarket-1.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />
The first rule of the vide greniers is the early bird catches the worm. That’s what makes treasure-hunting so appealing: that edgy feeling that the very object you don’t yet know you need to have in your life might slip through your fingers.
<img loading="lazy" class="alignright wp-image-48667" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/4F260062-7ABD-4762-996B-C261AD95883F-450x600.jpeg" alt="" width="390" height="520" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/4F260062-7ABD-4762-996B-C261AD95883F-450x600.jpeg 450w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/4F260062-7ABD-4762-996B-C261AD95883F-225x300.jpeg 225w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/4F260062-7ABD-4762-996B-C261AD95883F-768x1024.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 390px) 100vw, 390px" />
 So, we hop in the car. The crinkling of a brown paper packet in Fred’s hand indicates two possibilities: 1) Pain au Chocolat or 2) croissants. I&#8217;ll be happy with either!
One of my favourite things about living in this region is the recycle/re-use culture of these local village attics-sale markets. 
Locals sell anything from kitchen appliances to children’s clothing, furniture to artwork and knife collections. Some bring their current harvest of seasonal fruit or homemade jams from this week’s fruit. There are also people who sell their grandfathers’ lighter collection, collectible LPs or leather sofas.
I try (hard) to stick to a couple of self-imposed guidelines for the treasure-hunting: It must be something that I need or something I absolutely love, but nothing in-between. 
It’s easy to get caught up in the dance of bargaining which then has one arriving at home with a bunch of beautiful things for next to nothing, but the bookshelf is already full&#8230;
<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-48666" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Videgrenier.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="720" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Videgrenier.jpg 1440w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Videgrenier-400x300.jpg 400w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Videgrenier-768x576.jpg 768w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Videgrenier-800x600.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />

Once we’ve inspected all the old things and found (or not found) our treasures, we head home as I’ve made plans to meet with my friend Mika for a bike ride. 
<img loading="lazy" class="alignright wp-image-48653" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/IMG_0064-1-450x600.jpg" alt="" width="390" height="520" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/IMG_0064-1-450x600.jpg 450w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/IMG_0064-1-225x300.jpg 225w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/IMG_0064-1-768x1024.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 390px) 100vw, 390px" />
The gorges around here are magnificent and the Gorges de la Nesque is an ideal Sunday mission. The late mornings are still shady and the climb—although it’s consistent—is moderate.
We meet at the start of the ride, get our bikes out of the car and start pedalling. You can imagine my surprise as we stumble upon the not-so-wild-boar, that Mika says, he’s seen before on this route. 
We stop to soak up the epic view and make our way down to Sault, the village known for its lavender (the true lavender that only grows at elevation) in late July. For now, the lavender fields are a dusty grey colour as they work their way towards July with the help of our Provençale sunshine.
As much as I’d love to ride all day long, we decide to loop our way back to the car so that I can spend a little time with the canvas this afternoon. 
The springtime makes for some incredibly inspiring scenes, and they’re not going to manifest on paper or canvas unless I’m there to hold the brush. The bike ride was epic and always makes my heart explode with joy. The roads and scenes around the south of France never cease to inspire awe. I get home and before picking up a paintbrush, I head to a little secret spot upstream for a “swim&#8221; in the river. 
<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-48658 size-large" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Provence5-960x540.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="540" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Provence5-960x540.jpg 960w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Provence5-480x270.jpg 480w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Provence5-768x432.jpg 768w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Provence5.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />

Photo Diary: A Sunday in Provence with B&R Guide Tatjana Buisson

Slow Travel

Europe

Holland

Tulip cultivation begins with the so-called “dry treatment” before the bulbs are planted in boxes. Approximately 100 bulbs are planted per box, depending on the size of the bulbs. The boxes are filled with compost covered with a layer of sand to keep their stems upright. After planting, the boxes are stored in cooling departments at different temperatures for a period of about 15 weeks, depending on the specific variety.
Then, the bulbs are transferred to greenhouses, where they spend three to five weeks (depends on the variety) growing in a controlled environment. (The bulbs and flowers you see out in the fields are actually grown to produce bulbs for future harvests.) The modern greenhouse is divided into four sections, making it possible to ensure separate climatic conditions for each growth stage.

Every year, Henrie and Anton select which type they will grow next season, depending on the previous years&#8217; demand and success. This year&#8217;s varieties for 2021 will include Denmark, Purple Lady, Time Out, Astronaut (named after the Dutch astronaut Andre Kuipers) and Verona.
<img loading="lazy" class="alignright wp-image-48427 size-medium" src="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/tulips-and-chocolate-450x300.jpeg" alt="tulips and chocolate" width="450" height="300" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/tulips-and-chocolate-450x300.jpeg 450w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/tulips-and-chocolate-768x513.jpeg 768w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/tulips-and-chocolate-899x600.jpeg 899w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/tulips-and-chocolate.jpeg 920w" sizes="(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px" />This year for Valentine&#8217;s Day, Anton and Henrie donated many bouquets of tulips to the elderly living all alone in senior living residences. The little community of De Zilk uses their flowers to lighten up their inhabitants just like so many flower lovers do so around the world!
Over twenty years after that initial quest for a Dutch bike depot, the Van Saase family have remained our dear friends and host B&amp;R travellers on a tour of their farm.
Here, travellers witness how the bulbs become beautiful flowers in just a few weeks while relishing in everything from their cool cells and refrigerators to their hothouse and delighting in the hospitality of Anton and Henrie. The experience offers travellers a chance to get up-close with the bulbs and experience the tulip bloom in a different light—without the crowds, you may encounter at Keukenhof.
Want to learn more about our biking trips to the Netherlands? <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/start-planning/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Click here to get in touch with Mario</a>, our Experience Designer for all things Dutch!

Meet Henrie and Anton, Sustainable Tulip Farmers of the Netherlands

community stories

Greece

<h2>Unlocking the Secrets of Sikinos</h2>
The wine kept flowing throughout the night while George recited stories about the Epicurean way of living. George&#8217;s Sikinos is an island that teaches you the art of reflection and invites you to be part of its community if you want to unlock its secrets.
<img loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-48344 alignright" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/wine-glasses-overlooking-a-beach-sunset-480x233.jpg" alt="wine glasses overlooking a sunset" width="480" height="233" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/wine-glasses-overlooking-a-beach-sunset-480x233.jpg 480w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/wine-glasses-overlooking-a-beach-sunset-768x373.jpg 768w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/wine-glasses-overlooking-a-beach-sunset-960x467.jpg 960w" sizes="(max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px" />
Sikinos was very generous, and the island opened up to me like a rose. George has since become a good friend of mine and we&#8217;ve met several times since that day.
George knows something that we don’t. It&#8217;s this mystery that makes you want to spend more time with him on his magnificent island. He believes that spending more time at his vineyards will enhance our view of life, and it&#8217;s this sense of slow living that aligns so well with the B&amp;R philosophy on travel.
Over the years, B&amp;R has been the bridge between George and some of our own friends who are absorbed in the search for adventure! Travelling in style, a yacht trip to Greece will bring you closer to this unparalleled experience. That&#8217;s where you will find George Manalis and his stories of making great wine and living life—the Epicurean way.
Sikinos is a paradise full of secrets just waiting to be unlocked. Now that you have a true taste of the Epicurean way of life, click <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/where-we-go/europe/greece/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a> to discover the region&#8217;s secrets for yourself. And if you&#8217;re interested in skipping the overcrowded islands in favour of more intimate ports of call,<a href="https://www.butterfield.com/start-planning" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> get in touch</a> with a member of our team to start planning your Sikinos escape.

<h2>The Secluded Charm of Sikinos</h2>
As I passed by the long golden sands of the beach, the crystal-clear water tempted me for a swim, but I was on a mission to find a place for the night where I could catch the famous Sikinian sunset from the top of the island&#8217;s hillside cliffs.
<img loading="lazy" class="alignright wp-image-48335 size-medium" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/sikonos-sunset-on-the-coast-480x300.png" alt="Sikonos Seaside Sunset" width="480" height="300" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/sikonos-sunset-on-the-coast-480x300.png 480w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/sikonos-sunset-on-the-coast-250x156.png 250w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/sikonos-sunset-on-the-coast-768x480.png 768w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/sikonos-sunset-on-the-coast.png 960w" sizes="(max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px" />
On most of the <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/trip/greek-islands-active/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Greek Islands</a>, the main town, known as the Chora, is hidden away on the top of a hill. This was so that it was harder for pirates to siege. The road zig-zagged through yellow, barren landscapes towards hilltop villages. I could smell the island&#8217;s wild herbs while riding uphill through the moon-like landscape. Eventually, I arrived at the main town, parked my scooter and started walking toward the centre.
As I climbed the fortress&#8217;s steps, I quickly took note of how few people were around. While I felt a bit lost (and out of breath from climbing all those stairs), I started to absorb the magic of Sikinos. There was a sense of tranquillity that felt unique compared to other islands in the Cyclades. It was quickly confirmed to me that introducing this island to our travellers was the right choice.
I finally stumbled upon a small hotel where the woman at the front desk confirmed she had a room available for me. I quickly checked in and hit the road to explore more of the charming town before sunset.
I hopped back on my scooter and came across The Manalis Winery about two kilometres away from the Chora. The land on Sikinos is quite dry, so I was surprised to see countless vineyards and stone terraces draping the cliffsides. Naturally, my curiosity (and love of a good Assyrtiko) probed me to check it out.
I descended some steps to find myself in a room surrounded by wine barrels. The place appeared to be closed to the public, but I was so eager to find out more that I kept wandering deeper inside.
Suddenly, I heard a rattling noise coming from the lower level of the house.
A silver-haired man appeared from a crevice below the floor. It was Mr. Manalis—aka George—who quickly introduced himself while passing me a bottle of wine and asking me to hold it while he dusted off his pants.

<h2>Sipping Into Sunset</h2>
“Let&#8217;s try it,” he said to me as he reached for a wine opener and two of the biggest wine glasses I have ever seen. I was kind of taken aback by the way he interacted with me—such an immediate warmth with a stranger, I thought.
While George attempted to open the bottle, he asked me if I am from Athens. I responded that I am of Greek descent but from Canada. He smirked and mentioned that he has some relatives in Montreal.
As he poured the wine into their enormous glasses, I was fascinated by the way he marvelled at the fluids as they hit the base of the crystal.
“So! Greek Canadian!&#8221; he exclaimed as he gestured a glass towards me.
As we sipped our wine, George began to share his past with me. He has been making wine for the last 20 years in Sikinos. Before that, he was a fisherman, and during the 1990s, he worked in construction. It was then when he was introduced to the property that is now his winery. He decided to renovate the place and make it into an ecological building where he would produce and resurrect ancient Sikinian wine varieties. During his period of self-discovery, George was also the mayor of the island up until 2006.
“But enough about me. This wine needs some sunset.”
<img loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-48337 alignright" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/greek-vineyards-480x300.png" alt="Greek vineyards" width="480" height="300" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/greek-vineyards-480x300.png 480w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/greek-vineyards-250x156.png 250w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/greek-vineyards-768x480.png 768w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/greek-vineyards.png 960w" sizes="(max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px" />
George then opened the double wooden doors of his cellar to a wide veranda, presenting the most astonishing views of the fiery sunset cascading over the sea.
The sky seemed to turn the colour of wine. The sun glowed orange like a skin-contact white and the clouds were painted a rosé pink. The blustering wind made me feel like the winery was about to take off and soar at any moment. I imagined that we are about to embark on a journey above the sea, perhaps even above the sun.
George wanted to introduce me to his son Lucas, so we headed to the lower balcony where Lucas runs a small restaurant. They invited me to stay for dinner, insisting that I try their wood-oven baked fava beans—an island specialty.

Finding George, An Epicurean Man in Sikinos

Puglia

Like all of us, Alex is ready to turn the soil and cultivate the next harvest—one that has had time to nurture, develop and progress into the new future. It&#8217;s thanks to people like Alex that Puglia will continue to thrive as a sustainable travel destination where the synergy of the land is not only maintained but showcased; where getting down to the roots does not merely mean observing, but playing an essential role. 
We look forward to getting back on the road with Alex, returning to sample his newest creations at Terra Madre (including the new rainbow-coloured hamburgers!) joining him in the fields, rolling up our sleeves and staying tuned to his next innovative adventure, of which we’re sure to take part.
Interested in scoring an invite into Terra Madre&#8217;s garden to pluck fresh-grown veggies for your farm-to-table meal in Puglia?<a href="https://www.butterfield.com/start-planning" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Get in touch</a> with a member of our team to start planning.

Alex quickly found his place back home as a tour guide, sharing Puglia with wide-eyed visitors who were yet to pronounce the region’s name correctly. He wasn’t your typical guide; instead of a rehearsed tour of the whimsical trulli-filled town, he preferred sharing the rural life that he had longed for while overseas. He wanted people to slow down, get their hands dirty and learn about his Old Country.
It was obvious in 2003, when we first met Alex, that he was a natural fit for B&amp;R. He’s since worn many hats from teaching farming tricks to our younger travellers to leading the older ones through wine tastings, from scouting biking routes through his old stomping grounds to visiting local producers, where his background in agronomy shines. 
<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-48276 size-full" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Planting-1.jpg" alt="" width="825" height="437" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Planting-1.jpg 825w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Planting-1-480x254.jpg 480w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Planting-1-768x407.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 825px) 100vw, 825px" />
While enjoying success in Puglia’s growing travel industry, he later opened his own tour company and trulli rental business in Alberobello. But Alex knew something was missing. The more time he spent in the countryside it became clear it was time to get back to his roots, literally. So, like the start of many remarkable business adventures, he took a leap of faith.
“If you do things and you’re a little bit lucky—and I believe very much in my luck—then things will come to you. It costs nothing to believe.” 
And with this philosophy, Alex opened his trattoria, Terra Madre, to share Italy’s favourite pastime of mangiare bene (eating well) with others. A small garden behind the restaurant served as a kilometre-zero source for the daily veggies. Crunchy, fresh, raw vegetables presented in the simplest form portrayed the land’s richness and experimental dishes led to a vibrantly colourful menu. Beetroot carpaccio, creamy zucchini with mint and oozing burrata highlighted Puglia&#8217;s best. And, as the restaurant grew, so did the ideas and the need for more raw materials.

Just one year after opening, Alex began the project of Terra Madre Orti; the cultivation of roughly four acres surrounding one of his countryside trulli. Here he began mixing both organic and sustainable farming practices by using crop rotation, intercropping and diversifying, exactly as his nonni once did.  
“<a href="https://www.butterfield.com/where-we-go/italy/puglia/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Puglia</a> is a colourful, tasty, fragrant region where excellent raw materials can be found. My aim is to focus on the authenticity and purity of agricultural foods, even if it means an &#8216;anti-entrepreneurial&#8217; use of economic resources.” 
<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-48259 alignright" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/tomatoes.jpg" alt="" width="380" height="253" />
While he may have been going against the grain, the seed planted would reap its fruits in one of this generation’s most trying times. When Covid hit Italy in March 2020, his restaurant doors closed, the tour operating business went on hold and the trulli emptied out. He had workers without work and vegetables without a recipe, so he turned to the fields for a solution. It was time to call on “his luck” again.
Alex and his team hit the fields harvesting vegetables and tending the crops. Puglia was in the midst of a full lockdown with halted daily market rituals and supermarkets understocked in local produce. As shelves went empty, his gardens bloomed in abundance where nothing went to waste; from unsold vegetables elaborated into preserves to using his own chickens&#8217; manure to fertilize the land. 
Where many saw despair Alex saw an opportunity. He turned his business focus to home delivery service with daily vegetable crates, preserves and take away food options from Terra Madre.

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