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!

  London and Stratford: I led a group of university students to England to learn and experience more about Shakespeare's life and work. We attended shows in London, visited museums, and then visited Shakespeare's birthplace and saw the Royal Shakespeare company bring his words to life.

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:

   * Southeast Asia

       Thailand-- the insanity of Bangkok

          northern reaches of the country to Chiang Mai 

          the islands of Ko Toh and Ko Lanta

       Malaysia--

            Penang

            George Town

        Indonesia--the island of Sumatra and went to the jungle to see the orangutans, 

               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.                The famous island of Bali with its temples and waterfalls and stunning beaches.

    India

    The ancient city of Varanasi

    Bodgaya where the Buddha achieved enlightenment. 

     Rishikesh to an ashram 

     Derhadun where I volunteered for a week with local school children, and also learned a lot about Ayurveda. 

      the Taj Mahal, as well as the famous cities of Jaipur and Udaipur. 

    Sri Lanka, where I trained a local theater company in Colombo and also visited the mountains and the tea fields and the beaches.

     * South America

    Colombia-- 

      Bogotá and the wondrous beautiful city of the eternal spring, Medellin. 

       South to SIbundoy

      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.

     Argentina--

       attended a friend's wedding in Buenos Aires

        Salta in the north--wandering the salt flats and driving through the desert landscape. 

       The famous waterfalls of Iguazu,

       Took the "train in the clouds" to cross over into...

     Brazil 

       Florionopolis--surfing

       Rio de Janeiro.

   * 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 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.