Crafted Travel by Joël

GROUP TRIPS

  Corsica & Sardinia: I scouted, designed and led a trip to see the wonder and beauty of Corsica and Sardinia. The trip included amazing boutique hotel stays, archeological site visits, wine tastings, tour with mural artist in the mountain town of Oleana, olive oil creation tour/tasting near Sartene, and experiencing the polyphonie and tenores musical singing traditions of the island

  Oaxaca: I designed a visit to one of my favorite old and colonial cities in Mexico, with a rich indigenous heritage and presence in food culture and art. Visiting Monte Alban, one of the best preserved ancient cities in Mexico, tour and tastings at a palenque where mezcal is produced, and visits to local textile makers. Markets, museums and amazing cuisine were also a focus. And don't forget the cooking class!

PERSONALIZED TRIPS

   Austria: Recently I built a custom trip for an aunt and her niece to visit Salzburg, Vienna and Prague. Seeing castles, staying in gorgeous settings, trying local foods, attending the opera and classical concerts in venues that have been hosting music for hundreds of years.

   South Africa & Madagascar: I had the honor of helping a couple with their honeymoon plans. Working with partners in the region, we designed their ideal trip--which included visiting Johannesburg and it's museums, restaurants and nightlife, followed by two days on a safari in one of the Big Five parks in the region. Then, they headed to Madagascar to stay at a gorgeous property on the beach on a small island off the coast. 

Not All Those Who Wander Are Lost

  MY JOURNEYS: I have traveled to 40 countries and have created my own experiences to see natural wonders, learn about the culture and history, taste all the local delicacies, and meet local people. 

     Highlights:

   * an over two month journey through Thailand that took me from the insanity of Bangkok, up into the northern reaches of the country to Chiang Mai, and then down through the country to visit the islands of Ko Toh and Ko Lanta, before making my way into Malaysia. I crossed over to Indonesia, to the island of Sumatra and went to the jungle to see the orangutans, and then traveled the entire length of the island of Jakarta, seeing shadow, puppetry and ancient musical and dance traditions, and then seeing blue lava flowing in a volcanic region in the east.  Then I visited the famous island of Bali with its temples and waterfalls and stunning beaches.

   * I visited Colombia, where I experienced the major cities of Bogotá and the wondrous beautiful city of the eternal spring, Medellin. I then visited further south in the country to spend time in a small village. Then I travel to the north into the mountains to visit the Lost City. Tajuna, which takes two days to reach on foot. Afterwards, I visited the beaches north of the national park, and finished my journey by visiting the colonial city of Cartagena.

   * after attending a friend wedding in Buenos Aires, I visit Salta in the north of Argentina, and got to wander the salt flats and drive through the desert landscape. After that, I visited the famous water Iguazu, which were absolutely mesmerizing. I made my way into Brazil and visited the coast where there are some of the best surfing in the world, and then headed north to experience the celebration and the music and the food of Rio de Janeiro.

  * on a visit to India, I visited the ancient city of Varanasi, and also visited the small town where the Buddha achieved enlightenment. I went north and spent time in an ashram, and also visited another northern city where I volunteered for a week with local school children, and also learned a lot about Ayurveda. I continued and visited the Taj Mahal, as well as the famous cities of Jaipur and Udaipur. I finished my visit to the region by spending time in Sri Lanka, where I trained a local theater company and also visited the mountains and the tea fields and the beaches.

 * my first ever big travel experience was heading to Ireland to be involved in a multiple week workshop about the poetry and place of William Butler Yeats. I then traveled around mainland Europe, visiting France, Holland, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Czech Republic and Belgium. I spent the next year living in Scotland attending Edinburgh University, and I took my spring break to visit Turkey, and I took my winter break to visit the south of Spain. That calendar year was built in me, a lifelong desire to travel and experience, new countries and cultures.

  Years later, I would attend graduate school in Paris, and do more traveling around Europe, myself even more with the region.