Cultured Voyages helps discerning, culturally-curious travellers discover the best of a destination’s history, gastronomy, art, architecture and culture – from the ancient to the contemporary – through detailed itineraries and curated guides.
Cultured Voyages Mission Statement
Cultured Voyages is a testament to the deep-seated belief that travel is more than a pastime; it’s an avenue for education and personal growth.
We are dedicated to providing you with not just travel itineraries, but journeys that inspire and inform.
With every article and guide, we aim to not only showcase the world’s beauty but also to respect and contribute positively to the cultures and communities we feature.
Our mission is not only to guide you through the world’s wonders but to do so responsibly and authentically.
We get it.
You’re a time-pressed, sometimes-stressed professional with limited time off during the year. It takes precious time to wade through the (often generic) swathes of information out there to craft meaningful, memorable travel plans that are both culturally enriching and incorporate luxurious experiences.
Thankfully, you’ve come to the right place.
Cultured Voyages is for the discerning traveller who values not only the experience but also the story behind the destination.
You aren’t just a tourist; you’re a guest eager to engage with the world. You appreciate the patina of history on ancient walls, the story behind a local vintage, and the craftsmanship of the world’s artisans.
This blog is for those who travel with intention and purpose, for whom every journey is a chapter in a lifelong narrative of exploration and discovery.
So if that sounds like a bit of you too, then you’ve come to the right place!
Who reads this blog?
You’ll likely enjoy reading this blog if you:
- Prefer exploring the location you’re in rather than sitting on a sun lounger all day (although sun loungers can be good from time to time too)
- Want to know learn about the history and culture of a destination while you’re there
- Enjoy well priced luxury and boutique accommodation, but don’t mind blowing the budget every once in a while
- Enjoy food and eating out, ranging from fine-dining to food trucks
- Are always on the hunt for a good wine or cocktail bar
- You appreciate aesthetics, whether that be architecture, interior design, fashion or a creatively plated meal
- Appreciate nature and the outdoors and enjoy what we would term ‘soft adventure’ activities like hiking, horse-riding, kayaking etc
What to expect
All itineraries and travel, food and accommodation guides on this website are thoughtfully crafted with all of the above in mind.
A typical city guide will include a smattering of the best museums, outdoor areas and things to do, must-visit restaurants and some tips for where to grab the perfect cocktail or glass of wine. They are heavily researched and cover the destination in great detail, with suggestions for guided tours and experiences, skip-the-line tickets and logistics where required.
Destination guides are typically supported by curated accommodation posts, helping you to find (as an example) where to stay in Naples, the perfect villa in Tuscany with a pool, gorgeous quintas in the Douro Valley, or the perfect guesthouse or coastal cottage in Connemara.
The story of Cultured Voyages
This blog started its life as Issy’s Escapades on Instagram way back in 2016, as a means of sharing a budding travel photography hobby (that had some serious room for improvement).
Feeling restrained by fickle Instagram algorithms and a limited ability to share both photography and longer form content, this website came along in 2020 and as it has grown, it has evolved into a resource with you – its readers – at its core.
It’s no longer a blog about one singular person. It’s a resource that is meant to help many and thus as of June 2022 Issy’s Escapades bit the dirt and we arrived at the name ‘Cultured Voyages’.
What’s in the name?
Cultured – travelling deeper and holding the culture of a destination at the centre of the travel experience
Voyages – evocative of the ‘Grand Tour’, an extended trip taken by the aristocratic classes from the 17th to 19th centuries to classical cities in Europe in search of art, culture and enlightenment – in essence a trip that is not just a sun holiday, but with plenty of luxuries incorporated along the way
By reviving the essence of the Grand Tour for today’s traveller, Cultured Voyages bridges the past and present, offering a combination of experiences that resonate with the sophistication of yesteryears and the accessibility of today. We believe that luxury and cultural enrichment are not mutually exclusive but can harmoniously coexist to create a travel experience that is both indulgent and enlightening.
Thankfully, travel has been somewhat democratised in the 21st century and is not reserved only for the mega wealthy, nor do you need to set aside several years to travel either, as many chose to do when embarking on their Grand Tours. Themes borrowed from the Grand Tour in the naming of this blog, however, include the desire to showcase a destination through its history, gastronomy, art, architecture and culture – from the ancient to the contemporary.
Travelling deeper
A core concept of this website is deep travel.
It’s a term backpackers like to throw around, but it is not one that is exclusive to them alone. Immersive travel experiences can be had during more high-end travels too, by staying longer in a location, or exploring an entire region for your week or two away (like Connemara in Ireland, Spain’s Andalusia, or the Provence region in the South of France).
It includes experiences like walking and food tours with a local, cooking classes, visiting local wineries or microbreweries and small, sustainable food producers. When chosen well they will completely enrich your travel experience, leave you with memories that are not ‘tick-box’ experiences and also, give back to the local community.
This blog will also focus on wine regions of the world – you can find more wine related posts here.
Meet Isabelle, founder of Cultured Voyages
Raised just outside Kilkenny, Ireland, my childhood was framed by the rustic charm of the Irish countryside, complete with the joyful company of numerous cats and dogs, and the freedom of exploring the area’s beautiful natural surroundings on horseback.
I stepped into Dublin’s bustling scene in 2008 for university and soon found myself immersed in the corporate world. Finishing my corporate career as a Senior Deal Manager at a global tech firm, I’ve navigated the relentless tides of office life, understanding deeply the yearning for time off to rejuvenate and explore.
I fled Dublin for the tranquillity of my hometown during the 2020 lockdown and here I had an epiphany – the confines of corporate life just wasn’t for me and instead, an entrepreneurial adventure awaited. This travel blog is the result.
I’m a self-confessed history buff and bibliophile, often found with my nose in a book or deep in a historical rabbit hole. Nature is my sanctuary, offering me a space to reconnect, whether it’s through a quiet walk or a ride on horseback.
Fueled by a voracious appetite for history and the written word, my approach to travel – and life – is one of continuous learning.
Cultured Voyages was born from the desire to peel back layers of each destination, marrying my passion for detailed inquiry (which I dub ‘professional Googling’) with the quest to forge meaningful connections with the places I visit.