Awaken your sense of curiosity and wonder
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.
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When he died in 1957, the Romanian-born sculptor Constantin Brancusi left his studio as well as his grand, abstract sculptures to the French state. (He had moved to the country to set up shop in Auguste Rodin’s atelier in 1904 before heading out on his own.) After brief stints at both the National Museum of Modern Art and the Palais de Tokyo, the storied collection was moved to an atelier right next to the Pompidou Center in the early 90s, designed by Renzo Piano no less. Today Brancusi’s elegant forms live in situ splendor. Photo by
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 .james.foy
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 .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. offers up the best options at the link in bio.
Sometimes you need to take two steps back to move forward. At the historic Schloß Hollenegg 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 writes at the link in bio, challenges the very notion of provenance. Photos by
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. Photo 2 by
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 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.
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.
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 —we explore Egypt’s mythical pull at the link in bio.
Mythical, mysterious, and brimming with the world’s most storied ancient treasures, Egypt is one of Australian designer ’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
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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.
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. Words by
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.
Discovered through our hashtag — 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 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, checks in and checks out.
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, offers a list of the most unique spots for a good glass and maybe a bite of baccala. Photo .venezia
