PRIOR offers personalized travel planning, one-off experiences, and a calendar of exclusive events for our club members. As cultural experts, we identify what is unique and authentic about a place, and weave this through every moment of a journey.
Operating as usual
The Dolomites traverse the three most North-Eastern regions of Italy: Veneto, Trentino-Alto Adige and Friul Venezia Giulia. These ragged, limestone mountains jut out of the Earth like spears and appear other-worldly to hikers cutting through the mountain range below. Photo by @michael.james.foy #forthecurious
As India's holiest city, Varanasi lures thousands of Hindus each year who perform religious ceremonies on the banks of the mighty Ganges. But beyond these sprawling waters, beyond the crowds of pilgrims and tourists, in the narrow streets, artisans (mostly men) are reviving an endangered craft: handweaving baskets, silks and carpets like they have since ancient times. Photo by @majacamera.andme
To experience living in a modern architectural masterpiece seems like something only of the imagination. However, these six awe-inspiring properties—including a John Pawson modernist villa in Mallorca and a wing-like sculpture in the California desert—are now available to rent, allowing for a true escape from everyday life. @monicamendi offers up the best options at the link in bio. #forthecurious
Sometimes you need to take two steps back to move forward. At the historic Schloß Hollenegg @schlosshollenegg in the Austrian countryside, a twelfth century fairy tale brimming with precious antiquities, a new design exhibition, “East to West,” showcases the contemporary works of emerging European designers. With provocative designs displayed in stately traditional rooms, the show, as @giselaatlarge writes at the link in bio, challenges the very notion of provenance. #forthecurious Photos by @lippzahnschirm
This week in PRIOR World, we ask: What makes a house a home? For many of us, it’s attention to detail. Whether it’s an ornate twelfth century schloss in the Austrian countryside, which stages rather cutting edge design exhibitions; the over the-the-top Turin apartment-turned-museum of design polymath Carlo Mollino; or a John Pawson modernist villa in Mallorca that’s available to rent, we’re peeking behind the doors of some of the most storied homes in the world. Read them at the link in bio. #forthecurious Photo 2 by @francesco_gennaro
The experience of Siwa, Egypt is one of contrasts: miles of lush date palms and olive trees amidst swaths of empty desert; pale rock punctuated by turquoise salt pools with crystalline white rims—so saturated as to look digitally-rendered. Siwa, which is located about 30 miles from the Libyan border, feels a world away from Cairo’s bustle or the crowded pyramids, but it’s this seclusion that gives the oasis its salt-encrusted magic. Photographer @Enrico_Constantini captured Siwa’s quiet beauty with a stunning portfolio from the desert oasis, which he shared with PRIOR. At the link in bio, see the photos and hear from Constantini about the unique landscape and culture of Siwa. #forthecurious
A Moorish-inspired palace with fountain-dotted gardens, Al Moudira encapsulates Egypt’s mythical charm. A half-hour drive from the fabled Valley of the Kings, photographer and designer Zeina Aboukheir has built an enchanting desert oasis with hand painted fresco walls, stained glass windows, flowing bougainvillea, and her own vintage finds from flea markets the world over. PRIOR checks into the airy escape at the link in bio. #forthecurious
This week in PRIOR World: Egypt’s eternal delights. A visit to the country offers a bounty of ancient treasures, as well as a unique glimpse into the fabled beginnings of modern civilization. But we also spotlight the country’s more contemporary side. From an insider’s guide to Cairo’s rich craft scene to a check-in at Al Moudira in Luxor, a stylish palace-like hotel at the gateway to the desert—plus a photo essay from the remote oasis of Siwa by photographer @enrico_constantini—we explore Egypt’s mythical pull at the link in bio. #forthecurious
Mythical, mysterious, and brimming with the world’s most storied ancient treasures, Egypt is one of Australian designer @sibellacourt ’s favorite destinations—which is why she’s leading an enchanting eight-night journey into the country’s most legendary tombs and temples. The trip begins in Luxor, where we’ll visit the exquisitely-preserved complexes of Dendera and the Temple of Karnak, as well as the magnificent royal burial grounds of the Valley of the Kings and Queens. After, we’ll head up the Nile for a six-day voyage on a traditional striped-sail dahabiya, traveling the way travelers have for centuries in Egypt. Along the way, Sibella will guide travelers in the art of memory-keeping, using local pigments and papers to make personal, creative mementos that capture the magic of the experience.
To learn more about joining Sibella and PRIOR in Egypt this October 7 - 15, visit the link in bio or email [email protected] #forthecurious Videos by @neon_jungle and @nadiafairfax
With volcanic vents, emerald lakes, icy glaciers, and mountain views that stretch to eternity, a walk along the Te Araroa trail offers some of the planet’s most dramatic vistas. But in addition to scenic trails for the experienced and novice hiker alike, options abound for those looking to toast, dine, spa, and paddle their way across New Zealand’s most majestic trek. Link in bio for Daniel Scheffler’s guide to the area, whether you have a weekend, five days, or a week and then some. #forthecurious
From Canada to Cambodia, Mozambique to the Maldives, a growing number of hotels are taking an honest look at their impact, proving that eco-conscious and style-conscious travel are far from mutually exclusive. Whether it’s Potato Head Studios, a zero-waste “creative playground” in Bali, or Isla Palenque, part of a 400-acre private island off Panama that has been almost entirely reforested to revive a thriving population of monkeys, iguanas, and exotic birds, click the link in bio for PRIOR’s curated a list of the world’s most luxurious eco-lodges. #forthecurious Words by @jackiecaradonio
It’s always Earth Day in PRIOR World. This week, we explore ways to see the world with minimal impact. From slow travel around the pristine crater lakes of New Zealand’s Te Araroa trail and a discussion about the preservation of native foods to the world’s most chic zero-waste lodges, it’s high time to take the climate into consideration when you’re booking a trip. Click the link in bio for more ways to travel with sustainable style. #forthecurious
Discovered through our hashtag #forthecurious—@miniimonika explores Germany's Dresden. The riverside city was once known as "Florence on the Elbe," reflecting its role as an important center for the arts in Germany, particularly its baroque architecture. Much of central Dresden was destroyed during Word War II, necessitating a massive rebuilding, which largely took place after the country's reunification in 1990. Today's reconstructed pastel baroque-style buildings, while representing the city's return to its artful past, come with a some controversy surrounding the authenticity of this work.
Floating alongside Venice’s gothic churches and grand palazzos sits a new hotel that brings together Venetian beauty and contemporary vibrance. A candy-colored fairytale with clean lines and Marmorino walls, the @ilpalazzoexperimental feels like nothing else in Venice, which is why it’s the stay of choice for cocktail fiends and discerning aesthetes the world over. At the link in bio, @monicamendi checks in and checks out. #forthecurious
For a master class in the art of the wine bar, look no further than Venice, where there’s a bacaro—a small, no-frills wine bar—around every bend. One of Italy’s most fervent drinking cities, Venice is a maze of options for those seeking aperitivi to top off a long day at the Biennale, but discovering a gem among them is no small task. Whether you prefer an ombra of Pinot Grigio or a Spritz Veneziano, @KatieParla offers a list of the most unique spots for a good glass and maybe a bite of baccala. #forthecurious Photo @sepa.venezia
It’s women who are taking center stage this year at the 59th edition of the Venice Biennale. Titled The Milk of Dreams, after a posthumously published children’s book by the late surrealist painter Leonora Carrington, the Biennale will feature several women championed by the San Francisco-based gallerist @WendiNorris, as well as the large-scale sculptures of @simoneyvetteleigh , the first Black woman to present the U.S. at the Biennale. At the link in bio, Norris gives her expert picks for this year’s most exciting pavilions, from The Peggy Guggenheim Collection’s exhibition on surrealism and magic to large-scale textile works by Romani artist and educator Malgorzata Mirga-Tas. #forthecurious Photo by @joshua_silver
This week in PRIOR World, just in time for the 59th edition of the Venice Biennale, we return to the city’s winding canals, where art, history, and cutting-edge design collide. But where to begin? A new hotel brings candy-colored fantasy to one of Venice’s grand palazzos, and a host of women artists offer a fresh perspective to this year’s Biennale. But it’s a visit to Venice’s traditional bacaros, tucked-away standing-room-only wine bars, that make Italy’s most cinematic city truly come alive. Read each story at the link in bio. #forthecurious Lead photo: @karel_balas
From pesto to fried anchovies, farinata to focaccia, the Italian city of Genoa is brimming with culinary thrills from masters both new and old. At the link in bio, explore the finest of Genovese delicacies, and where writer Ingrid K. Williams has found them prepared best. Prego! #forthecurious
Many have long overlooked Marseille in favor of other, more pristine Provencal destinations, but for those in-the-know, the Mediterranean port city is not to be missed. In recent years, the second largest city in France has seen a revival, with a burgeoning culinary scene and an influx of young creatives. From cutting edge galleries to low-key beaches tucked between rocky cliffs, writer @monicamendi guides us through the most stylish spots in France’s capital of cool. See the link in bio. #forthecurious
Crowned 2022’s World Design Capital, Valencia is starting to receive the global attention it so deserves. The Spanish city—home to paella and over 300 days of sunshine per year—is seeing a renaissance in restaurants, design, and style. But have no fear; there’s still plenty of tradition to be found, starting with the city’s signature rice-based dish. At the link in bio, the Valencia-born and Madrid-based editor @enricpastor gives us an insider guide to Valencia’s best offerings both old and new, from winding streets lined with vibrant tile to arachnid glass sculptures seated atop reflective infinity pools. #forthecurious
This week on PRIOR, we spotlight three port cities, with tastemaker-made guides to Valencia, Genoa, and Marseilles. Whether it’s the glorious architecture of Valencia, Spain, the decadent delicacies of Genoa, Italy, or the hustle and bustle of Southern France’s Marseille, these undersung cities are making a big splash. Read them now through the link in our bio. #forthecurious
IN THE DRINK IN GUATEMALA: After fueling up at some of Antigua’s bustling coffee shops, photographer @neevenr took a long bus ride into the Sierra Madre mountains to take in the quiet majesty of Guatemala’s Lake Atitlán. We have his guide to the best pourovers and tips on navigating the lake's busy water taxi culture. Link in bio. #forthecurious
AN INSIDER'S IDEAL DAY ON LAKE COMO: Dependably bucolic—and glamorous—Lake Como was an escape for many Milanese families throughout the pandemic—@kerryolsen_ 's included. As the weather warms, the British journalist and Como resident tells PRIOR about her favorite spots to sit for an aperitivo, shop for stylish loungewear and pick up a boat picnic—and gives us the inside on the lake's soon-to-open and much-anticipated luxury hotel, @passalacqualakecomo . Link in bio. #forthecurious
ON THE WATERFRONT: Perched beside some of the most glorious lakes across the country—Lake Michigan to Lake Placid—these hotels embrace the vibe of good, old fashioned summer camp—with much better dining options. Link in bio. #forthecurious Words by @samanthalaurenbrooks
This week in PRIOR World, GREAT LAKES. We're getting in and on the water at lakefront hotels across the U.S., from waterskiiing in Salmon Lake at the mountain-hemmed Island Lodge at @theresortatpawsup to spa treatments and morning water meditations at @lakeaustinspa. Then it's off to Italy's Lake Como for shopping and early evening aperitivi at the stylish @ilsereno with a local. And finally, we're seeking out the best hammock for a nap beside the deepest crater lake in Central America, Guatemala's Lake Atitlán.
Read them all through the link in our bio. #forthecurious Photo 1: @lakeplacidlodge Photo 3: @neevenr
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PRIOR is a club for the curious that designs custom travel experiences around the globe. We believe in celebrating culture while preserving the diversity of the planet, creating once-in-a-lifetime experiences that illuminate the rare, the real and the wonderful.
