What I Really Mean When I Say “Curated” (and Why It Always Starts with Slow Travel)
Some people offer trips. I offer something else.
When I say curated, I don’t mean just putting together pretty places or ticking boxes on an itinerary. I mean slowing down, listening, researching, connecting, and filtering through the noise to find the kind of travel experiences that actually make you feel something.
That’s why for me, everything starts with slow travel. With returning to the same place more than once. With walking, talking, trying, observing, and yes—sometimes getting muddy in the process. It takes time to separate the real from the staged, the special from the simply photogenic.
Over the past few years, I’ve shifted my focus toward discovering and curating unique places to stay around the world, and this is a natural evolution of that same philosophy. I believe where you stay deeply shapes how you experience a place. And no, not every place makes the cut.
So if you’re here, you probably already feel the same. Let’s talk about what makes a trip more than just a trip—and how I decide what’s worth sharing.
The Dream Takes Shape, Slowly
One of the many paths No Limit Ideas is taking is this: creating and offering carefully filtered, personally selected travel experiences. But if I’m honest with you, it’ll be a while before I design these trips entirely by myself—though that’s definitely where I’m headed.
As I’ve shared with you before—in posts like The Origins of No Limit Ideas, What Travel Really Means and Going Beyond Travel—a big part of this project’s journey so far has been identifying trusted partners in specific destinations. I’ve spent time carefully filtering standout providers, people I fully trust, who genuinely align with the philosophy behind No Limit Ideas. For quite a while, the project’s main focus was exactly this: connecting travelers with these local experts.
It’s something I’ve done especially in Morocco, where I’ve linked several travelers with incredible experiences—ones they’ve returned from truly happy. That kind of connection, slow and intentional, is what I’ll continue building on.
The way I see it, it’s not about rushing to offer something for the sake of offering it. It’s about allowing the idea to grow organically, through time, presence, and intention. A slow approach for slow travel.
Getting My Hands Dirty (Literally and Figuratively)
To create a trip the way I imagine it, I need to step into the field, roll up my sleeves, and quite literally get muddy. That’s not just a metaphor. I believe the best things are built from the ground up—with mistakes, with recalibration, with moments that don’t go as planned.
This is how I learn what really works. And to do that, I have to be there. Testing, living, observing. It’s messy sometimes, but to me, it’s the only way to get it right.
What Makes a Trip Truly Curated
In the meantime, any trip I receive or collaborate on is something I deeply analyze. I look into every detail to make sure it aligns with a set of values I believe are essential for travel.
Especially when it comes to group trips, my take is clear: they need to be flexible. No rigid timetables or overly packed schedules that leave no room to just be. A good trip allows for spontaneity—for following a feeling instead of an itinerary, if that’s what the moment calls for. That’s the kind of freedom I want to preserve.
Ethics, Culture & Local Roots
Another non-negotiable for me is where the benefit lands. Supporting local economies is fundamental. That means reducing unnecessary intermediaries and working directly with local people and small businesses—avoiding the endless chain where everyone takes a cut except the one who actually does the work. You, the traveler, always end up paying the price for that.
And finally—this one goes deep into who I am—travel should always hold space for the customs and traditions of the place you’re visiting. Especially when the culture is vastly different from your own. The focus should be on observing, understanding, and honoring those differences. That’s what makes slow travel truly meaningful.
Curating Unique Places to Stay: Where Travel Meets Authenticity
Often, the place you stay becomes the destination itself. The right accommodation can transform your travel experience, making it not just a place to rest, but a key part of the adventure. Over the past few years, I’ve focused on discovering and curating unique places to stay around the world, aligning with the same philosophy that guides my work. I believe that where you stay deeply shapes how you experience a place. And no, not every place makes the cut.
My selection includes places with rich histories, where the owner has poured their soul and heart into creating a truly special experience. Whether it’s a boutique hotel, a stunningly unique design, or an incredible location, each place I recommend has something that makes it stand out.
These handpicked accommodations embody my values of thoughtful travel and slow living, where you can immerse yourself in a destination at your own pace, with comfort and authenticity as top priorities. Whether it’s a cozy coastal escape or a mountain hideaway, the places I choose have the power to transform a trip into something truly memorable.
As always, if you’re looking for inspiration or personalized recommendations, feel free to reach out! I’m here to help you find that perfect home away from home, wherever you’re headed.
And by the way, I’m working on something very exciting related to all of this… more on that soon!
More Travel Inspiration & Unique Stays
Looking for more inspiration?
Find more travel inspiration here
For a curated selection of unique places to stay around the world, start here—use the filters in the top menu to browse by country or region and find your favorite.
Follow along on Instagram for more travel inspiration and stories from unique corners of the world.
Stay curious. Stay kind. Keep exploring.