Experts + Insiders

Bikes

Biking

E-bikes

E-Biking

Around The World

Ask An Expert: Your E-Bike Questions, Answered

Essentials &amp; Advice

Greece

Walking

10 of the Best Hiking Routes in Greece

Condé Nast

Inside B&amp;R

Media Mentions

Condé Nast Awards Four B&R Experience Designers on Their List of Top Travel Specialists 2021

Features &amp; Stories

Notes From the Road

Our Friends

Slow Travel

community stories

Europe

<h2>Unlocking the Secrets of Sikinos</h2>
The wine kept flowing throughout the night while George recited stories about the Epicurean way of living. George&#8217;s Sikinos is an island that teaches you the art of reflection and invites you to be part of its community if you want to unlock its secrets.
<img loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-48344 alignright" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/wine-glasses-overlooking-a-beach-sunset-480x233.jpg" alt="wine glasses overlooking a sunset" width="480" height="233" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/wine-glasses-overlooking-a-beach-sunset-480x233.jpg 480w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/wine-glasses-overlooking-a-beach-sunset-768x373.jpg 768w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/wine-glasses-overlooking-a-beach-sunset-960x467.jpg 960w" sizes="(max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px" />
Sikinos was very generous, and the island opened up to me like a rose. George has since become a good friend of mine and we&#8217;ve met several times since that day.
George knows something that we don’t. It&#8217;s this mystery that makes you want to spend more time with him on his magnificent island. He believes that spending more time at his vineyards will enhance our view of life, and it&#8217;s this sense of slow living that aligns so well with the B&amp;R philosophy on travel.
Over the years, B&amp;R has been the bridge between George and some of our own friends who are absorbed in the search for adventure! Travelling in style, a yacht trip to Greece will bring you closer to this unparalleled experience. That&#8217;s where you will find George Manalis and his stories of making great wine and living life—the Epicurean way.
Sikinos is a paradise full of secrets just waiting to be unlocked. Now that you have a true taste of the Epicurean way of life, click <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/where-we-go/europe/greece/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a> to discover the region&#8217;s secrets for yourself. And if you&#8217;re interested in skipping the overcrowded islands in favour of more intimate ports of call,<a href="https://www.butterfield.com/start-planning" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> get in touch</a> with a member of our team to start planning your Sikinos escape.

<h2>The Secluded Charm of Sikinos</h2>
As I passed by the long golden sands of the beach, the crystal-clear water tempted me for a swim, but I was on a mission to find a place for the night where I could catch the famous Sikinian sunset from the top of the island&#8217;s hillside cliffs.
<img loading="lazy" class="alignright wp-image-48335 size-medium" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/sikonos-sunset-on-the-coast-480x300.png" alt="Sikonos Seaside Sunset" width="480" height="300" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/sikonos-sunset-on-the-coast-480x300.png 480w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/sikonos-sunset-on-the-coast-250x156.png 250w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/sikonos-sunset-on-the-coast-768x480.png 768w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/sikonos-sunset-on-the-coast.png 960w" sizes="(max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px" />
On most of the <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/trip/greek-islands-active/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Greek Islands</a>, the main town, known as the Chora, is hidden away on the top of a hill. This was so that it was harder for pirates to siege. The road zig-zagged through yellow, barren landscapes towards hilltop villages. I could smell the island&#8217;s wild herbs while riding uphill through the moon-like landscape. Eventually, I arrived at the main town, parked my scooter and started walking toward the centre.
As I climbed the fortress&#8217;s steps, I quickly took note of how few people were around. While I felt a bit lost (and out of breath from climbing all those stairs), I started to absorb the magic of Sikinos. There was a sense of tranquillity that felt unique compared to other islands in the Cyclades. It was quickly confirmed to me that introducing this island to our travellers was the right choice.
I finally stumbled upon a small hotel where the woman at the front desk confirmed she had a room available for me. I quickly checked in and hit the road to explore more of the charming town before sunset.
I hopped back on my scooter and came across The Manalis Winery about two kilometres away from the Chora. The land on Sikinos is quite dry, so I was surprised to see countless vineyards and stone terraces draping the cliffsides. Naturally, my curiosity (and love of a good Assyrtiko) probed me to check it out.
I descended some steps to find myself in a room surrounded by wine barrels. The place appeared to be closed to the public, but I was so eager to find out more that I kept wandering deeper inside.
Suddenly, I heard a rattling noise coming from the lower level of the house.
A silver-haired man appeared from a crevice below the floor. It was Mr. Manalis—aka George—who quickly introduced himself while passing me a bottle of wine and asking me to hold it while he dusted off his pants.

<h2>Sipping Into Sunset</h2>
“Let&#8217;s try it,” he said to me as he reached for a wine opener and two of the biggest wine glasses I have ever seen. I was kind of taken aback by the way he interacted with me—such an immediate warmth with a stranger, I thought.
While George attempted to open the bottle, he asked me if I am from Athens. I responded that I am of Greek descent but from Canada. He smirked and mentioned that he has some relatives in Montreal.
As he poured the wine into their enormous glasses, I was fascinated by the way he marvelled at the fluids as they hit the base of the crystal.
“So! Greek Canadian!&#8221; he exclaimed as he gestured a glass towards me.
As we sipped our wine, George began to share his past with me. He has been making wine for the last 20 years in Sikinos. Before that, he was a fisherman, and during the 1990s, he worked in construction. It was then when he was introduced to the property that is now his winery. He decided to renovate the place and make it into an ecological building where he would produce and resurrect ancient Sikinian wine varieties. During his period of self-discovery, George was also the mayor of the island up until 2006.
“But enough about me. This wine needs some sunset.”
<img loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-48337 alignright" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/greek-vineyards-480x300.png" alt="Greek vineyards" width="480" height="300" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/greek-vineyards-480x300.png 480w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/greek-vineyards-250x156.png 250w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/greek-vineyards-768x480.png 768w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/greek-vineyards.png 960w" sizes="(max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px" />
George then opened the double wooden doors of his cellar to a wide veranda, presenting the most astonishing views of the fiery sunset cascading over the sea.
The sky seemed to turn the colour of wine. The sun glowed orange like a skin-contact white and the clouds were painted a rosé pink. The blustering wind made me feel like the winery was about to take off and soar at any moment. I imagined that we are about to embark on a journey above the sea, perhaps even above the sun.
George wanted to introduce me to his son Lucas, so we headed to the lower balcony where Lucas runs a small restaurant. They invited me to stay for dinner, insisting that I try their wood-oven baked fava beans—an island specialty.

Finding George, An Epicurean Man in Sikinos

Travel Tips

<h2>Travel with Personal and Community Impact</h2>
Experience Designer: <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/experts/christine-tucker/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Christine Tucker</a>
During this year&#8217;s slow down in travel, our Africa Expert, Christine Tucker, shifted her focus to strengthening relationships with our local partners in order to offer our travellers even more meaningful connections with the places they visit. She&#8217;s also been working on ways she can ensure as much money as possible stays in local communities on future trips.
One such way Christine has tackled this is through an initiative she&#8217;s started outside of B&amp;R with her business partner, Gadi Habumugisha, called Two Fires. Together, they&#8217;ve created a social enterprise for East African creatives to provide photography services for corporate and NGO sectors in Rwanda. A portion of the agency&#8217;s profits will be donated to funding a gallery being constructed in Musanze, the hub Gorilla-viewing tourism in Rwanda, to further bond travellers with where they&#8217;re visiting. You can <a href="https://www.twofirescreativegroup.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">learn more about Christine and Gabi&#8217;s project here</a>. 
<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-47878" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/TravelTips2021Rwanda.jpg" alt="" width="752" height="470" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/TravelTips2021Rwanda.jpg 960w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/TravelTips2021Rwanda-250x156.jpg 250w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/TravelTips2021Rwanda-480x300.jpg 480w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/TravelTips2021Rwanda-768x480.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 752px) 100vw, 752px" />
Africa has started to welcome visitors back across its borders. Almost all of the eastern side of the continent is now open, including countries like Rwanda, Kenya and Tanzania. Nowhere in the world has endured challenges from the loss of tourism quite like the African continent. So If you&#8217;re looking for your next trip to make a lasting impact—not only on you but on the destination you visit—then Africa&#8217;s the place to consider. 
With all 2020 bookings moved to 2021, in addition to everything that was already booked for 2021, space is tight, so start planning now if you&#8217;re looking ahead to 2022. Christine has colleagues who have seen first-hand how Africa has taken impressive measures to ensure the safety of their guests, with new protocols and rigorous attention to detail.
<h2>A Rise in Domestic Travel </h2>
Experience Designer: <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/experts/annik-boulva/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Annik Boulva</a>
Based in Utah, Annik has been our go-to resource for trips to the American Southwest for over a decade. However, doubling as our expert for our most popular regions in France, the United States often took the backburner as travellers preferred to venture across the Atlantic rather than explore their own backyard. 
But because of travel restrictions imposed by the European Union, that wasn&#8217;t possible in 2020. This meant more Americans opted to explore their home country instead.
<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-47871" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/TravelTips2021Utah-960x576.jpg" alt="" width="752" height="451" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/TravelTips2021Utah.jpg 960w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/TravelTips2021Utah-480x288.jpg 480w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/TravelTips2021Utah-768x461.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 752px) 100vw, 752px" />
Recently, Annik orchestrated a family stay at the <a href="https://aubergeresorts.com/bluesky/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Lodge at Blue Sky</a>, a luxury private ranch in the mountains of Utah, outside Salt Lake City. The group took over the property for a secluded vacation in the heart of nature. 
Guided by her expertise, Annik helped facilitate daily excursions and activities for the family and acted as a personal concierge and liaison between the travellers and the property, ensuring important details like babysitters, dinner reservations and tweaking events to make them suitable for children were all taken care of. 
Annik is now looking at more ways of showing Americans a new side of their home country, such as a private houseboat charter on Lake Powell or luxury camping on the secluded North Rim of the Grand Canyon.
<h2>Travel Tips: Things to keep in mind when planning your next trip</h2>
Meticulous planning under the current global circumstances is more important than ever. Relying on spontaneity is not really an option with most things requiring an advanced booking. The upside, however, is that there is bound to be fewer people, allowing for a potentially crowd-free holiday. Here are a few of our tips to consider for your next trip.
Get started earlier than you think you should
With everything from 2020 being postponed, there’s a pent-up demand for future travel. Hot times for travel like the Holiday Season of 2021 and even 2022 are already filling up. 
Consider back up options
Something to be mindful of when you plan early is that unpredictable changes can occur. New regulations could have destinations closing their borders or implementing a quarantine at the last minute, so you&#8217;ll want to be flexible when it comes to the possibility of going somewhere new.
We saw this happen this year with a self-guided trip to Burgundy switching to Puglia after the UK imposed quarantine restrictions for citizens returning from France. Our team jumped into action by rebooking all their events just a week before departure.
Remember the finer details
With many new measures in place to ensure social distancing, you’ll have to be diligent about booking everything from a dinner reservation to an elliptical at the gym and time at the pool. (Or, let us be diligent about the details for you!)
Book with confidence
From your airline tickets to your in-destination activities, booking services with flexible cancellation policies and updated terms of service to ensure your safety is a top priority. <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/what-to-expect-travel-with-br/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Take a look at this page</a> for more information on how we&#8217;ve responded to COVID-19, and for any other questions, <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/contact-us/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">don&#8217;t hesitate to get in touch</a>.

Our Experts Share How to Plan for Future Travel

The Slow Road

Finding Creativity on the Road: In Conversation with B&R Guide, Sakis Mitsoulis

B&R Guides: The Artists Behind our 2021 Tote Collection

<h2>Ioannina: Witness to History</h2>
<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-41117 alignright" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/ioannina-350.jpg" alt="" width="350" height="262" />Steeped in history, Ioannina was founded by Justinian I as part of the Byzantine empire. Other historical influences include the early spread of Christianity, as well as five hundred years of Ottoman rule, not to mention its emergence in the 17th and 18th centuries as a hub for the Greek Enlightenment and learning. Surrounded by mountains and situated directly on Lake Pamvotida,  one of its most famous draws is the tomb of the influential Ottoman-Albanian ruler, Ali Pasha.
Not far from the Ionian coast, Ioannina’s walking-friendly layout includes characteristic cobbled and narrow streets and plenty of interesting little cafes and restaurants in which to linger. A rustic old town features the remnants of the city walls at Ioannina Castle, an Ottoman reconstruction which incorporates pre-existing Byzantine and ancient Greek structures.
<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-41118 aligncenter" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/ioannina-lakeside-732.jpg" alt="" width="732" height="488" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/ioannina-lakeside-732.jpg 732w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/ioannina-lakeside-732-450x300.jpg 450w" sizes="(max-width: 732px) 100vw, 732px" />
<h2>Fairy Tale Villages in Zagorochoria </h2>
Once an economic powerhouse of the Ottoman Empire, the region of Zagorochoria (or Zagori) was left behind as the centuries passed; it now has one of the sparsest population densities in Greece. But don’t let that deter you: this fantastic region is like stepping into a fairy tale. Old stone villages feature more than 160 arched stone bridges, built with local stone in the 18th and 19th centuries by craftsmen, that crisscross the pristine streams and rivers of the region, all linked by ancient paths and trails.
<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-41119 aligncenter" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/stone-bridge-732-2-arch.jpg" alt="" width="732" height="488" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/stone-bridge-732-2-arch.jpg 732w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/stone-bridge-732-2-arch-450x300.jpg 450w" sizes="(max-width: 732px) 100vw, 732px" />
<h2>Simply Gorges! The Vikos Gorge</h2>
Also part of Zagori, this part of northwestern Greece highlights the wonders of the natural world, none more dramatic than the breathtaking enormity of the Vikos Gorge. On the southern slopes of Mount Tymfi, it is considered the deepest canyon in the world*, stretching 20 kilometres (12 miles) long, to a depth of about 1,000 metres (3,281 feet), with equally stunning trails, and the Varda River at the bottom of the gorge, with clear blue-green water. Steep cliff faces, pools, and cascades top it all off.
*according to the Guinness Book of World Records, based on depth and width-to-depth ratio, if you want to be specific about it.
<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-41120 aligncenter" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/vikos-gorge-day-960.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="720" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/vikos-gorge-day-960.jpg 960w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/vikos-gorge-day-960-400x300.jpg 400w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/vikos-gorge-day-960-768x576.jpg 768w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/vikos-gorge-day-960-800x600.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />
<h2>Easy Connections Elsewhere </h2>
If you’re still longing to make your way to the southern islands, it’s easy to get around to other parts of the country, post-trip. A jaunt over to the nearby Ionian coast and islands such as Corfu and Paxos only requires a one-hour drive. If you&#8217;re looking to take the classic visit to the Cyclades—Mykonos, Santorini, and beyond—just hop on a one-hour flight to Athens.
<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-41121 aligncenter" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/southern-greece-islands-960.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="638" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/southern-greece-islands-960.jpg 960w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/southern-greece-islands-960-451x300.jpg 451w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/southern-greece-islands-960-768x510.jpg 768w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/southern-greece-islands-960-903x600.jpg 903w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />

A Gem of a Region: Northern Greece

Culture &amp; Lifestyle

Reading for the Road

B&amp;R Picks

Croatia

<h4><a href="https://amzn.to/2pNqYho" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img loading="lazy" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-38247" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Black-Lamb-177x300.jpg" alt="" width="177" height="300" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Black-Lamb-177x300.jpg 177w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Black-Lamb.jpg 294w" sizes="(max-width: 177px) 100vw, 177px" />Black Lamb and Grey Falcon: A Journey Through Yugoslavia</a></h4>
By Rebecca West
First published in 1941, this monumental work explores the complex history of Yugoslavia, its heroes, politics and culture. It&#8217;s a big, challenging book—called by some the best ever written on the Balkans.
<a href="https://amzn.to/2pNqYho" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Learn more on Amazon &gt;&gt;</a>
<hr />
<h4><a href="https://amzn.to/2E2pFQB" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-38249 alignleft" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Croatia-Forged-in-War-191x300.jpg" alt="" width="191" height="300" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Croatia-Forged-in-War-191x300.jpg 191w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Croatia-Forged-in-War.jpg 318w" sizes="(max-width: 191px) 100vw, 191px" />Croatia, A Nation Forged in War</a></h4>
By Marcus Tanner
A modern history of Croatia, from its medieval origins to the Nazi occupation of Yugoslavia to the present day. Written by a London Independent correspondent, an eyewitness to the events of 1993.
<a href="https://amzn.to/2E2pFQB" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Learn more on Amazon &gt;&gt;</a>

Reading for the Road: A Few of Our Favourite Books About Croatia

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-34192 alignright" src="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/thessaloniki_350_c.png" alt="" width="350" height="232" />Located at a crossroads of continents and civilizations and sought as a prize by successive empires, Thessaloniki absorbed immigrants from across the ancient world, including Italians, Jews, Africans, Turks, and Slavs.
From the imposing Byzantine White Tower on the southern part of the harbour, to the modern port and the beautiful centre of the city, one can still feel the lingering traces of cultural change over the eons, which continue to give the city its vibrant character today. These complex influences produce bright colours all around: in the sea, painted Art Nouveau buildings, ancient stone walls, the traditional and modern clothing of passersby, and the ever-shifting light of the sky from sunrise to sunset.
<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-34185 aligncenter" src="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/thessaloniki_whitetower_960_c.png" alt="" width="960" height="640" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/thessaloniki_whitetower_960_c.png 960w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/thessaloniki_whitetower_960_c-450x300.png 450w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/thessaloniki_whitetower_960_c-768x512.png 768w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/thessaloniki_whitetower_960_c-900x600.png 900w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />
Though the divine denizens of Olympus may not have been pleased about it, archaeological digs have revealed that the religious devotions of the city’s inhabitants also ran to cults of Eastern and Egyptian gods. Even Saint Paul made Thessaloniki a priority as he sought to spread Christianity, leading him to write his letters to the Thessalonians that form part of the New Testament. A visit to the city’s incredible <a href="https://www.amth.gr/en">archaeological museum</a> provides a look at the myriad cultures that have left their mark on the city over the years.
<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-34186 alignright" src="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/greekmarket_flickr_350_c.png" alt="" width="350" height="232" />As I left port and began to walk up the slope to the old city, I passed the palace and archway of Galerius, the Roman general who based himself in Thessaloniki in the fourth century.
As the streets turned from pavement to cobblestone and narrowed, I came across a street market, vibrant with colour and daily rituals. From the bounty of the coast to the fertile farms and orchards nearby, I watched as locals made their daily purchases.
<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-34202 alignleft" src="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/thessaloniki_market_350_c.png" alt="" width="350" height="233" />Leaving the crowds of the market behind, I reached the top of the ridge, where massive sections of the city wall still stand. Following the wall along the ridge, I passed through a lush park shaded by flowering trees, until I reached the Epyrgion, a Byzantine fort located at the highest point, comprised of several huge stone towers. I walked along the ramparts, then climbed even higher to survey the gulf, watching ships approach the fort, as countless sentries through millennia surely did in their time, awaiting friend or foe.
<img loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-34196" src="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/thessaloniki_harbour_960_c.png" alt="" width="960" height="540" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/thessaloniki_harbour_960_c.png 960w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/thessaloniki_harbour_960_c-480x270.png 480w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/thessaloniki_harbour_960_c-768x432.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />
The sky behind Olympus turned pink as the sun began to set, and shadows grew longer across the squares and avenues. The streets were still crowded with people of all ages and backgrounds, as the cool of twilight set in. At the port, jugglers and musicians performed, and I could see revellers aboard a small boat, enjoying their own festivities in the harbour.
In the evening, I heard traditional Greek music played on a stringed laouto, on street corners, and in cafes and bars where locals play cards and backgammon while chatting about local events. As night fell, I looked out from the harbour to see that Olympus had faded into the darkness. The moonlight glimmered on the sea, and Thessaloniki danced on, watched over by the gods as its inhabitants revelled in the myriad colours of their resilient and timeless city. 
<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-34187 aligncenter" src="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/thessaloniki_mkang_960_c.png" alt="" width="960" height="640" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/thessaloniki_mkang_960_c.png 960w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/thessaloniki_mkang_960_c-450x300.png 450w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/thessaloniki_mkang_960_c-768x512.png 768w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/thessaloniki_mkang_960_c-900x600.png 900w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />

Latin America

Experts + Insiders: Amanda Gary

Profiles

Experts + Insiders: Veronika Macas

Need to Know

Cities

In Deep

Syracuse

Italy

Sicily

<h2>What to See + Do in Syracuse</h2>
<h3>On the Island of Ortygia</h3>
Il Duomo 
Siracusa’s cathedral is a splendid mishmash of styles, from Norman to Baroque, with a distinct interior graced by the original Athenian temple columns. First built in the 5th century BCE to thank Athena for their victory over the Carthaginians at Himera, it became a Christian church in 640 AD. Losing its then-Norman façade in the 1693 earthquake, the Duomo owes its animated baroque appearance to Andrea Palma. This is the spot you&#8217;ll want to return to in the evening, with a gorgeous atmosphere when it&#8217;s all lit up. An evening aperitivo along the square is a great way to end the day.
<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-28034" src="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Syracuse_sized.jpg" alt="Syracuse_sized" width="752" height="580" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Syracuse_sized.jpg 752w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Syracuse_sized-389x300.jpg 389w" sizes="(max-width: 752px) 100vw, 752px" /> 
Santa Lucia alla Badia 
More than just a pretty Baroque façade, this church sometimes plays host to Caravaggio’s Burial of Saint Lucy (see the Santa Lucia Basilica below).
Museo Regionale d’ Arte Medioevale e Moderna, Palazzo Bellomo 
Set in a beautiful 13th to 15thC building, this fine little museum showcases medieval and Renaissance sculpture, Byzantine icons, and 14th to 18thC paintings.
Castello Maniace 
Named for a Byzantine Greek commander who reconquered Siracusa from the Arabs (with some Norman assistance), this 13th C fortification was built by Frederick II and boasts stupendous sea views.
<figure id="attachment_28063" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-28063" style="width: 400px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" class="wp-image-28063" src="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Teatro-dei-Pupi-Syracuse-480x280.jpg" alt="Teatro-dei-Pupi-Syracuse" width="400" height="233" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Teatro-dei-Pupi-Syracuse-480x280.jpg 480w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Teatro-dei-Pupi-Syracuse.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-28063" class="wp-caption-text">Teatro dei Pupi</figcaption></figure>
Teatro dei Pupi (Marionette theatre) 
Not just for children, this is a delightful show that will take you back to the Middle Ages (in a good way); this folk tradition has been a beloved tradition of Sicily since the 15thC.  Catch one of the occasional performances for a lively, poetic version of Siracusan history or the classic noble deeds of Norman knights vs. the Saracens.
The Hebrew Baths (Mikvah/Mikvé/Miqwè) 
The three green pools of the oldest mikvah (ritual Jewish bath) in Europe are founded on a naturally warm spring and date to the Byzantine era.
Fonte Arethusa 
This little pond doesn’t look like much more than a home to papyrus and assorted waterfowl, but finding a freshwater spring beside the sea is rare indeed. The Greeks told that when a nymph named Arethusa was fleeing the river god Alpheus, her prayer to the virgin goddess Artemis was answered by turning her into a fountain. She then fled under the sea to Sicily, Alpheus close behind, and their waters now mingle here on the edge of the bay.
<h3>In the “New Town” (Mainland Syracuse)</h3>
Parco Archeologico della Neapolis 
In the heart of “Neapolis,” the newer part of Greek Siracusa, this off-the-beaten-track archeological zone is a nice green space comprising great remains, including a few of Siracusa’s many latomie (Greek quarries), a botanical garden, and a cave called the “Ear of Dionysius”, where your whispers will travel far, thanks to its unique acoustics.
<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-28064" src="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Greek-theatre-syracuse.jpg" alt="Greek-theatre-syracuse" width="960" height="325" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Greek-theatre-syracuse.jpg 960w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Greek-theatre-syracuse-480x163.jpg 480w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" /> 
Its Greek theatre,  one of the world’s largest, seats 15,000 people and saw many great plays debut on its (originally wooden) stage, including several by Aeschylus. Hieron II’s sacrificial altar to Zeus and the 3rdC Roman amphitheatre (one of Italy’s largest, still bearing the names of some of its first patrons) round out the park.
Museo Archeologico Paolo Orsi 
A vast selection of unearthed treasures is on display, tracing Sicily’s first peoples from the Neolithic through bronze age and the Sikels, with a great collection of Greek vases and a gorgeous Landolina Venus (a Roman copy of a Greek work). Though much of the information is in Italian, some are in English and the reconstructions help to grasp the face of Hellenic Siracusa.
Santa Lucia Basilica 
Siracusa’s patron saint, Lucia was martyred by stabbing but she is usually portrayed carrying her own lovely eyes on a platter. The saint herself is no longer here (her relics were carried off to Constantinople and then to Venice), but Caravaggio’s dramatic Burial of Saint Lucy is worth the €6 entry fee, IF it has been returned here from its temporary exhibition spot, the other Santa Lucia church, just past the Duomo on Ortygia.
San Giovanni Catacombs 
Near Siracusa’s ruined first cathedral (never rebuilt after the 1693 earthquake) and dating to the 4th to 6th centuries, these catacombs are a bit less decorated than Rome’s but nearly as vast! They were first constructed by Greeks as aqueducts for the city. A visit to the catacombs also takes in the San Marziano crypt, reputedly the site of Saint Paul’s sermon and home to the first known portrait of Saint Lucy.
<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-28068 size-full" src="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Catacombs-syracuse.jpg" alt="Catacombs-syracuse" width="960" height="600" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Catacombs-syracuse.jpg 960w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Catacombs-syracuse-250x156.jpg 250w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Catacombs-syracuse-480x300.jpg 480w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />

<h2>Where to Eat in Syracuse</h2>
<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-39330 alignright" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/siracusa-market-250px.jpg" alt="" width="250" height="372" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/siracusa-market-250px.jpg 250w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/siracusa-market-250px-202x300.jpg 202w" sizes="(max-width: 250px) 100vw, 250px" />Siracusa&#8217;s Daily Market 
Nothing is more delightful than participating in the rhythm of local life, the daily market. Ideal for people-watching, snacks, or a light lunch (there are a few locals who have really notched up the business of making a classic panino sandwich, making an event out of it), head here for a wonderful look into the &#8216;real&#8217; Siracusa. For the ultimate Sicilian experience, don&#8217;t forget to pause anywhere for a delicious granita—the hardest choice is choosing between the two classic flavours, lemon or almond!
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/DiVino-Mare-489846724480626/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">DiVino Mare</a> 
A great local spot specializing in seafood, it&#8217;s excellent for lunch or dinner. From fresh seafood platters to squid ink pasta, clams or the catch of the day, this casual spot brings the sea to the table.
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/Monz%C3%B9-Sicily-470361026418838/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Monzu</a> 
With a great location at the heart of Piazza Minerva, I prefer coming here for dinner, but it&#8217;s good for all-day fare and watching the world go by. There is also a great shop with many homemade food items like preserves or treats to bring home.

In Deep: Everything to See & Do in Syracuse (in 24 Hours!)

Puglia

<h2>The Caves of Santa Maria di Agnano</h2>
<figure id="attachment_24307" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-24307" style="width: 320px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" class="wp-image-24307 size-medium" src="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Caves-320x212.jpg" alt="Caves" width="320" height="212" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Caves-320x212.jpg 320w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Caves.jpg 640w" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-24307" class="wp-caption-text">The entrance to the Caves of Santa Maria di Agnano</figcaption></figure>
Ostuni is home to the caves of Santa Maria di Agnano. These caves are a testament to the origins of human life and settlement in Puglia, with evidence dating back to the Palaeolithic era. Providing proof of a Neolithic cult occupation, a hearth, cereals and schematic images of a human face on two vase necks were found in the caves, dating back to the first half of the 5th millennium.
Research that began in 1991 by Donato Coppola (no, not <a href="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/2015/02/20/interview-francis-ford-coppola/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">that Coppola</a>) exposed two important burial sites dating back to 24,000 BC. At one site, the remains of a 20-year-old pregnant woman wearing bracelets made of perforated shells were found in a burial ditch, along with the remains of an unborn child in the advanced stages of development. Also included in the tomb was a headdress made of more than 100 seashells covered with red ochre, as well as stone tools and remnants of wildfire.
Coppola’s research led to the conclusion that for 25,000 years the caves were the site of rites and cults dedicated to females.
<h2>The Days of Delia</h2>
The remains of the pregnant woman were given a name—Delia. During Delia’s time, horses and wild ox were the main prey available. The landscape was coniferous, but with few trees, and the climate was dry and arid, but cold.
One can imagine Delia overlooking the vast plains (much larger than the current landscape because of lower sea levels) in which large herds of horses and oxen grazed. The caves of Agnano were probably chosen for settlement due to their position above sea level, offering great views of the plains so hunters could follow the movements of the herd, ensuring both their hunting success and their ultimate survival. A lot of time was dedicated not only to hunting and gathering but also to rituals that were carried out in the caves, especially burials.

In Deep: A Brief History of Ostuni

Accolades

Testimonials

corporate

Rewards and Incentives

<figure id="attachment_28534" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-28534" style="width: 225px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-28534" src="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Uwe2-225x300.jpg" alt="&quot;A trip to Greece had been on our wishlist for years...&quot;" width="225" height="300" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Uwe2-225x300.jpg 225w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Uwe2-450x600.jpg 450w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Uwe2.jpg 480w" sizes="(max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-28534" class="wp-caption-text">&#8220;A trip to Greece had been on our wishlist for years&#8230;&#8221;</figcaption></figure>
&#8220;A trip to Greece had been on our wish list for years,&#8221; Uwe says. After reviewing the <a href="http://www.butterfield.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Butterfield &amp; Robinson</a> website, he was convinced that this opportunity was worth the effort. He printed the incentive with his targets and tacked it to his wall at work. “This was different,” he notes, “Money is hardly motivating because it&#8217;s so fleeting. But a trip to Greece had been on our wish list for years, and created memories that will last a lifetime. Getting a luxurious travel experience with my loved one, with nothing to worry about, was truly special. It’s an experience no one can take away from me.”
For Uwe, the experience delivered beyond his expectations, providing what he called a trip of a lifetime. One of his most memorable moments was a surprise lunch on Santorini. After debating whether to have lunch at all (there were so many things they wanted to see and do), they reluctantly joined their guide.
A breathtaking drive to the other side of the island brought them to a tranquil port-side hamlet perched on a cliff, overlooking the ocean. “Words cannot express the incredible experience we had. We were treated to succulent fresh fish, idyllic views and unbelievable beauty. We were treated with extraordinary attention. It was truly magical.”
It has been a month since he returned home from Greece and the rote structure of life has returned. He recounts the details of the trip, clearly impressed with the smooth organization, punctuality and professionalism of all the members of the B&amp;R team.
As we end our call he delivers a big sigh, a smile radiating over the phone. “I feel like I’ve just returned to Greece” he says, the memories having flooded back. “I will never forget the white buildings, blue sky and emerald green waters,” he says. “The pictures in magazines are not fake – they are real!”
And for the last 50 years B&amp;R has been delivering just that – very unique, very exclusive, and very real trips of a lifetime that <a href="http://www.butterfield.com/corporate/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reward and inspire world-class talent</a>.

Greece with B&R: A Mythological Level of Motivation

Must Sees

See + Do

<h4>Naoussa</h4>
The wine region of Naoussa is a special treat. Generally acknowledged as the premier growing region in Greece, it also benefits from a scenic location draped across lush hills and cooled by mountain breezes.
<figure id="attachment_20140" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-20140" style="width: 320px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-20140" src="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Vineyard_in_Naoussa_Central_Macedonia_Greece-320x240.jpg" alt="Vines in Naoussa " width="320" height="240" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Vineyard_in_Naoussa_Central_Macedonia_Greece-320x240.jpg 320w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Vineyard_in_Naoussa_Central_Macedonia_Greece.jpg 640w" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-20140" class="wp-caption-text">Vines in Naoussa</figcaption></figure>
Pictued above, the town of Naoussa is built on a plateau in the hills of Mt. Bermion, in an area where Herodotus placed the magnificent Gardens of Mida. It is one of the most beautiful cities of Macedonia, the largest and most important city of the prefecture after Veria. Its economy flourished during the Turkish domination, but it was consequently ravaged by the Ali Passa of Ioannina.
For a time it was an important centre for the textile industry, but nowadays the textiles industry is on the decline and most factories have shut down. Fortunately, the vine-growing and winemaking industries are flourishing, and in 1987 the city was proclaimed as “International City of Wine and Vineyards”.
In Zagorohoria you can amble through forested mountains and visit gorgeous stone villages, connected by ancient trails. Ancient food gathering and preservation knowledge abound here and influence the culinary scene in remarkable ways.

In Deep: Northern Greece

Favourite hotel in the world? 
<a title="Six Sense Ninh Van Bay " href="http://www.sixsenses.com/resorts/ninh-van-bay/destination" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Six Sense Ninh Van Bay</a> in Vietnam is a fun one. I love the isolation, using a bike to get around on the property, the personal pools for each bungalow, the personal butlers and the beautiful scenery.
<img loading="lazy" class="wp-image-18692 size-full" src="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Christina_1.jpg" alt="Christina Cain" width="320" height="212" />
Favourite restaurant in the world? 
I’m a big fan of the simple, local food spots. One that comes to mind is in Nha Trang, Vietnam. They literally pull up plastic seats and a grill on the sidewalk and cook up the freshest catch right in front of you. It’s the simplest thing sitting on the sidewalk watching the world go by like the locals do, but it’s meals like this that stay in my memory.
Favourite bar/wine bar/watering hole in the world? 
I love little old enotecas (wine bars). One of my favourites is in Le Marche and is run by the local Sommelier association. It’s like stepping into a library of wine from the region. I also love the small old-style ones you find in the south of Italy where you can sit outside on the piazza and enjoy a glass of wine and people-watch.
Favourite bottle of wine? 
Depends on the season. When it’s cold outside, I love a good <a title="Vines 101: Piemonte Wine " href="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/2013/03/25/vines-101-piemonte-wine/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Barbaresco from Piemonte </a>. In the summer, I love a crisp white from the Südtirol and Alto Adige region in northern Italy, or a Rosato from the Salento in Puglia.
Do you have a favourite travel quote, mantra or words to live by? 
&#8220;Go with the flow&#8221; is the first. Be open, invite conversation, notice things.
Someone has just landed in a country they’ve never been to, where they don’t speak the language. What’s your number one piece of advice for them? 
Enjoy, turn off your cell phone, live in the moment.
And finally, what’s the craziest thing you’ve seen or done while on a trip? 
Ah man, you can’t ask that! You know the golden rule: what happens on a trip stays on trip. (Ed. Note: <a title="Tom Abraham" href="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/2013/09/26/experts-insiders-tom-abraham/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">I get that a lot</a>, but I keep asking. Tough crowd, these guides turned Trip Designers.)

Experts + Insiders: Christina Cain

Columnists

Favourite trip you’ve ever designed? 
A Southern Africa &#8220;Grand Journey,&#8221; which included biking in <a title="Namibia" href="http://www.butterfield.com/custom/namibia-bespoke/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Namibia</a>, game-viewing in <a title="Botswana" href="http://www.butterfield.com/custom/botswana-bespoke/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Botswana </a>and Zambia. All transfers were by small charter plane—travellers would literally land on a remote dirt runway, get on their bikes and cycle to the next point/lodge/town.
Favourite hotel in the world? 
Eeesh! Tough one. I&#8217;ll say <a title="Dwarika's" href="http://dwarikas.com/index.php?clicked_landing_page=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dwarika&#8217;s</a> in Kathmandu, for the architectural heritage.
Favourite restaurant in the world? 
Probably right here at home in Cape Town: <a title="Harbour House " href="http://www.harbourhouse.co.za/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Harbour House</a>, Kalk Bay—can&#8217;t beat the setting. A close second would be Katina&#8217;s Taverna in Ammoudi Bay, Santorini.
<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-17552 size-full" src="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Michele3.jpg" alt="Michele3" width="625" height="207" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Michele3.jpg 625w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Michele3-320x105.jpg 320w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" />
Favourite bar/wine bar/watering hole in the world? 
Loved the old <a title="Rum Doodle" href="http://www.therumdoodle.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Rum Doodle</a> in Kathmandu for its expedition and mountaineering memorabilia. Otherwise, any sunset with sundowners in Africa. Who needs a roof?
You&#8217;ve designed and guided more than 200 trips cumulatively. What&#8217;s one memory or moment on trip that really jumps out at you? 
We were guiding a Nepal trek many years ago that overlapped with Thanksgiving. I was relatively unfamiliar with Thanksgiving but it dominated conversation as the days went on. My co-guide and I decided we had to do something to honour the tradition and the hunt for turkeys began. While we were in the mountains we had contacts in Kathmandu track down frozen turkeys, which then had to be flown into Lukla (a remote airstrip that serves as the trailhead to the route that leads to Everest). That was the first challenge.
The second challenge was to figure out how to cook them. We had a mobile kitchen and chef travel with us—he had never seen such big birds! We discreetly asked the guests how they would usually cook a turkey and then relayed the info to the Nepali chef. The kitchen tent was a riot with all the trek staff discussing turkeys and trying to find pots for the birds to fit in. Needless to say, on Thanksgiving night and the last night of the trek, two turkeys, cooked at 9,000-plus feet altitude in a most unconventional way, were served complete with a Nepali-inspired apple sauce.
<img loading="lazy" class="alignright wp-image-1103 size-full" src="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/Rwanda_Gorilla.jpg" alt="Michele Harvey " width="254" height="135" />This is my favourite question to ask savvy and experienced world wanderers like yourself: What&#8217;s the top destination you haven’t been to, but want to visit? 
<a title="Rwanda" href="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/africa-middle-east/rwanda/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Rwanda</a>. To hike or mountain bike the green hills, drink coffee with the locals and experience another land of great reconciliation. The genocide in Rwanda was unfolding the same month as we celebrated our democracy in South Africa. Seemingly incongruous events, one joyous, the other a tragedy, within 2,000 miles of each other. (Oh, and if I can, I&#8217;d love to see the mountain gorillas.)
<hr />
**For the record, I feel compelled to state plainly that we at B&amp;R do not endorse exaggerating on resumes. (In the interest of full disclosure, I also feel compelled to admit to our HR Director that I did not, in fact, ghost-write The Sun Also Rises, as my resume may have implied. But I swear, I have totally read it. Well, OK, I haven&#8217;t read it so much as I perused the first few pages. But I can confirm that I enjoyed those pages.)

Experts + Insiders: Michele Harvey

France

Experts + Insiders: Jérôme Boré

Spotlight

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

<h2>Alberobello</h2>
<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-25580" src="http://stag.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Alberobello-inset-960x600.jpg" alt="Alberobello-inset" width="960" height="600" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Alberobello-inset-960x600.jpg 960w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Alberobello-inset-250x156.jpg 250w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Alberobello-inset-480x300.jpg 480w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Alberobello-inset.jpg 1600w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />
The centre of trulli tourism, most of Alberobello&#8217;s more than 1,000 trulli have been converted into gift shops.
The town derives its name from the Latin for oak forest, Sylvia Arboris Belli, a reference to the beautiful oak forest that once characterized the area. In today’s Italian, albero bello translates to “beautiful tree.” Today a <a title="UNESCO" href="http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/787" target="_blank">UNESCO World Heritage site</a>, Alberobello was founded by the Count of Conversano, Giovanni Acquaviva d’Aragona, who wanted to build a town independent of the royal court in Naples.
He forced the farmers living on his land to gather in a settlement and build dry stone structures that could easily be pulled down in case of royal inspections—Acquaviva’s scheme to avoid paying taxes. In 1797, the residents of Alberobello appealed to King Ferdinand IV, and were freed of their onerous feudal bond. Alberobello was granted loyal town status in May of that year.

Columnist Georgia Yuill: Hotels and Haute Couture

greece

Blog posts for 'greece'