How to Plan a Trip Around Your Passions

What if your next trip didn’t just show you the world but gave you the keys to unlock exactly what fascinates you most?

Designing a trip around your passions makes each destination richer, each day more engaging, and each moment more meaningful. After all, the world is full of places to see. But the best trips are the ones designed just for you.

Explore how to turn your passions into your next adventure—whether that’s art, history, architecture, food, or family-friendly fun. 

For the Art Lover

What to Look For:

Prioritize art museums with unique collections, public art installations, and artist studios that offer a window into local styles and historical influences. Look out for cities with art festivals or open studio events where you can engage directly with artists or view special exhibits. For example, 2025 is the year of Cézanne in Aix-en-Provence, France. Visitors will be able to see the renovated Jas de Bouffan estate and walk through a major exhibition at the Granet Museum. 

Planning Tips:

Aim for cities with diverse art scenes. New York’s MoMA and MET are must-visits, but don’t miss the galleries in Chelsea or street art in Bushwick. In Florence, after visiting the Uffizi and trying your hand at fresco painting, take a day trip to the Sculpture Park in Chianti for art surrounded by nature.

Off the Beaten Path:

In Mexico City, skip the main tourist paths after exploring Frida Kahlo’s Casa Azul and head to La Romita, a neighborhood filled with murals that depict Mexican history and folklore.

Heading to Paris? Visit the Atelier des Lumières, an immersive digital art center where iconic paintings are brought to life with projection technology.

For a deeper experience in Germany, seek out contemporary galleries and artist-run spaces in local neighborhoods, like Kunst-Werke in Berlin’s Mitte district, where you can chat with artists and curators over exhibitions that reveal today’s cutting-edge art.

For the History and Archaeology Enthusiast

What to Look For:

Ancient ruins and history museums with archaeological artifacts all pack a history-filled punch. Even better if you can book a tour with a local guide who specializes in the topic or site you'll be visiting; these archaeologists and historians have deep insider knowledge about the site’s context and discovery that you can't uncover on your own. 

Planning Tips:

Plan to visit UNESCO World Heritage sites like the Acropolis in Athens, where you can explore ancient Greek civilization with a licensed archaeologist guide. In Rome, don’t just stop at the Colosseum—also consider lesser-visited locations like the Baths of Caracalla or Ostia Antica–one of the largest archaeological sites in the world–where you’ll gain a deeper understanding of Roman life. No matter where you're headed, research the best times to visit historical sites to avoid crowds, often early mornings or evenings.

Off the Beaten Path:

In Athens, visit the ancient cemetery of Kerameikos for a glimpse into Greek burial customs and public life in antiquity.

In Buenos Aires, explore Recoleta Cemetery, often known for Eva Perón’s tomb, that reveals fascinating stories of Argentina’s elite, or head to Palacio Barolo, an art nouveau masterpiece inspired by Dante’s Divine Comedy that offers panoramic views of the city.

In Istanbul, after the main Hagia Sophia tour, pay a visit the Basilica Cistern, where you can explore an underground marvel built during the Byzantine Empire, complete with eerie columns and Medusa heads.

For the Architecture Aficionado

What to Look For:

Seek out signature buildings by renowned architects, diverse neighborhoods that showcase local styles, and landmarks that represent the city’s architectural evolution. What stories, hidden in plain site, will you uncover in the facades of buildings that most pass by without a second thought?

Planning Tips:

Plan an itinerary that includes visits to both iconic and everyday architecture. Start with the masterpieces, like Antoni Gaudí’s Sagrada Familia in Barcelona or the Guggenheim in Bilbao, then visit Girona or the Azkuna Zentroa. No matter where you roam, explore how historical and modern structures coexist in cities and towns around the world, and discover how cultural movements shaped the very buildings and societies where you stand.

Off the Beaten Path:

In Barcelona, beyond Gaudí’s main sites, explore the Poble Espanyol, an open-air museum that showcases replicas of Spanish architecture styles from across the country.

In Tokyo, seek out the quiet district of Yanaka, where Edo-period wooden buildings still stand, giving you a glimpse into pre-modern Japanese architecture.

In Chicago, after admiring the Willis Tower and the Tribune Tower, take a walk through the Pullman Historic District for a close look at America’s first planned industrial community.

For the Food and Wine Lover

What to Look For:

Food markets, traditional eateries, wineries, and food festivals are where you want to be. Don’t overlook food museums, which are becoming more popular as destinations that offer tastings and lessons about local culinary traditions.

Planning Tips:

To savor local flavors, start with well-known spots, like food markets in Europe or street food tours in Asia. In Lyon, start with a visit to Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse, then explore traditional bouchons in neighborhoods like Vieux Lyon for classic Lyonnaise dishes. In Tuscany, go beyond Florence and take a winery tour in Val d’Orcia for a full-day immersion into Italian wine culture. Always book wine tours ahead, especially in renowned regions.

Off the Beaten Path:

In Tokyo, after visiting the famous Tsukiji Fish Market, head to Kappabashi Street where you’ll find high-quality Japanese cooking tools and food samples.

In Lisbon, try a food tour that includes pasteis de nata at a historic bakery in Belém, then go to the Time Out Market for modern spins on Portuguese classics by local chefs.

For something unique, visit Perpignan in the South of France during the olive harvest season and join a local olive-oil tasting tour.

For Family Travel

What to Look For:

Hands-on experiences that engage younger travelers and teach them about the world will spark memories to last a lifetime. Look for interactive museums, family-friendly walking tours, and outdoor activities like urban parks or historical sites that kids can explore freely.

Planning Tips:

Seek out tours with guides trained in working with families, like Context's many family-friendly tours. Bring history to life for the entire family. Young children will be captivated by treasure hunts in the Louvre or reenacting gladiator school in Rome, while older kids connect with their expert on topics that interest them most. Plan for breaks in kid-friendly spaces, like open parks or local cafes. Consider booking tickets to popular attractions in advance to avoid long waits.

Off the Beaten Path:

In Rome, take young kids to the Explora Children’s Museum for hands-on science and history exhibits.

In London, explore the Geffrye Museum of the Home, a hidden gem where young travelers can see what life was like in English homes through the ages.

For families interested in history, the Cluny Museum in Paris offers medieval artifacts and themed activities for kids, making history accessible and fun.

In Tokyo, check out the Samurai Museum, where kids can try on armor and learn about Japanese culture in a highly interactive setting.

Making It Personal

With a plan tailored to your interests, each stop becomes more than just a site to check off—it’s an opportunity to engage with the world on your terms. Start by looking for expert-led tours or self-guided adventures that allow you to delve deeper into what you love. 

Whether it’s a family-friendly scavenger hunt in a museum, an intimate wine tasting in a local vineyard, or an architecture walk through the hidden corners of a city, let your passions turn your trip into a collection of lasting memories.

At Context, our experts are passionate about crafting experiences that go beyond the expected, weaving history, art, and culture into your tour. On every walk, they bring your interests to life, offering a personalized and enriching experience that makes each destination feel closer, more profound, and more meaningful. 

Travel with Context, where your passions become the heart of the journey.