There are few moments in life more memorable than standing on an alpine peak with the whole of Switzerland spread out before you. Anyone who has spent time on our Swiss Heartland or Oberland UnTours can attest to that. Lucky for us, the Swiss have created an amazing network of funiculars, cable cars, gondolas, and…
The Livraria Lello is one of the most famous bookstores in the world, and it is for good reason. Tucked into the attractive, atmospheric pedestrian shopping zone of Carmelitas, it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the charming town of Porto. Numerous travel magazines and websites have named it the world’s most…
Tapas have become one of Spain’s most popular culinary exports, small dishes served alongside local wines at cozy bars throughout the country. Tapas bars are popular gathering places and an excellent spot to rub elbows with locals. Pull up a barstool and join us as we introduce you to some of the most common dishes…
Cordoba is a beautiful, multifaceted city where the legacy of multiple religions and civilizations interact and overlap. The old Arabic and Jewish quarters surround the Mosque, where crooked narrow streets still possess the feel, taste, and smells of ancient times. History has settled here in rich and complex ways, making it a compelling home base…
The Gordons and Boicourts recently joined us in Meiringen, Switzerland, on our Swiss Heartland UnTour. Three generations of their family stayed in one of our favorite towns in central Switzerland and made amazing memories together against the timeless backdrop of Alpine peaks, lush valleys, and clean blue lakes. It was a trip that will no…
Alsace is a unique destination, one of France’s most picturesque corners. This region is so rich with history and so linked with its traditions, it feels like a bridge to Old World Europe. It also vibrates with color, and is one of France’s most photogenic corners. Wendell Rogers is a regular UnTourist who has traveled…
UnTourist Emeritus and regular blog contributor Jackie Johnson recently returned from another UnTour to Ireland. Here’s her report in photos, including an emergency trip to the hospital. Read all about it. This was my third trip to Ireland; the last two trips were with UnTours. UnTours is the only way to travel to Europe in…
How long does it take to build a basilica? On a recent trip to Barcelona, I learned that the Sagrada Familia Basilica is scheduled for completion in 2026, 144 years after construction began and 100 years after the death of its visionary architect, Antonio Gaudi. There is something about his joyous celebration of faith rooted…
La Fiesta de los Patios da Cordoba, the Patios Festival, is a uniquely colorful tradition in Cordoba that dates back to 1918. So much of the city’s beauty is cultivated in the private courtyards of local people, who lovingly fill their outdoor spaces with layers of geraniums and other potted flowers. Many of these picturesque…
Alumni of our Swiss Heartland and Swiss Oberland UnTours are a savvy bunch, no doubt drawn to the natural beauty and soaring vistas of the magnificent Alps. But there are other, smaller pleasures to enjoy in central Switzerland. Swiss UnTour alumnus and UnTours Foundation donor Kemp Plugh captured some of Switzerland’s smaller bits of beauty…