Bryan Smith

We specialize in small group and independent travel to Europe

[Bryan Smith @handcraftedtrav]

Valencia’s City of Arts and Sciences presents a stark contrast to the historic core, with museums and performance venues in stunning modern buildings. My favorite is the Aquarium, Europe’s largest.

#handcraftedtravel #creatinglifelongmemories #valenciaspain #valencia #aquarium

[Bryan Smith @handcraftedtrav]

A thirty minute ride on the high-speed train for just $12 makes this very easy.

#handcraftedtravel #creatinglifelongmemories #toledospain #Toledo #madrid

[Bryan Smith @handcraftedtrav]

Day tripping into Madrid from Toledo is one of my favorite hacks. #madridspain #daytripping

[Bryan Smith @handcraftedtrav]

While most people are doing the opposite, experiencing a crowded Toledo with all of the other day trippers, we see the main sights of the always busy Madrid during the day, and retreat to a quiet and calm Toledo for the evenings and mornings.

[Bryan Smith @handcraftedtrav]

Spain’s Rioja wine region is home to some of Europe’s best wines, but the show is often stolen by the actual wineries, designed by rockstar architects like a Santiago Calatrava and Frank Gehry.

#handcraftedtravel #creatinglifelongmemories #rioja #riojawine #riojaalavesa

[Bryan Smith @handcraftedtrav]

#handcraftedtravel #creatinglifelongmemories #paysbasque #basquecountry #paisvasco #basque #paisvascoturismo #idiazabal #idiazabalcheese

[Bryan Smith @handcraftedtrav]

Idiazabal is a delicious sheep cheese made in the Basque Country. Traditionally smoked to preserve it, you can also find unsmoked versions today.

We visited a local artisan producer, who had just won the annual cheese tasting competition the day before our visit.

[Bryan Smith @handcraftedtrav]

The permanent exhibition at Bordeaux’s City of Wine is a great introduction to the world of wine for newbies. Experienced wine aficionados might give it a miss, though there are frequent tasting seminars, and the 8th floor wine bar offers great views of the city.

[Bryan Smith @handcraftedtrav]

Sampling in Saint-Emilion and Pomerol.

#handcraftedtravel #creatinglifelongmemories #saintemiliontourisme #saintemilion #bordeauxtourisme #bordeaux

[Bryan Smith @handcraftedtrav]

Back in one of my favorite locations in France, and the most picturesque village in the Bordeaux region. Time to wine!

#handcraftedtravel #creatinglifelongmemories #saintemilion #saintemiliontourisme #bordeaux #bordeauxtourisme

[Bryan Smith @handcraftedtrav]

Sometimes I get requests from clients to visit a place I’ve never been before, like the golf course where James Bond plays Goldfinger. So off we went. Turns out the Royal St George’s Golf Club was author Ian Fleming’s favorite course. Also explored the nearby village of Sandwich.

[Bryan Smith @handcraftedtrav]

Chartwell in Kent, England was Winston Churchill’s home from 1922 until his death over 40 years later. You can see why it was both a refuge and an inspiration for him.

#handcraftedtravel #creatinglifelongmemories #nationaltrust #chartwell #churchill #winstonchurchill #kent

[Bryan Smith @handcraftedtrav]

Sailing down the Thames to Hampton Court palace, the way Henry VIII would have arrived. This was Henry’s favorite palace, though much of his Tudor construction has disappeared in the later buildings of William and Mary.

#handcraftedtravel #creatinglifelongmemories #hamptoncourt

[Bryan Smith @handcraftedtrav]

The World Tourism Organization and the World Health Organization have both called for an end to travel bans “as they do not provide added value and continue to contribute to economic and social stress.”
https://t.co/oPNKbMPPYN
#handcraftedtravel #creatinglifelongmemories

[Bryan Smith @handcraftedtrav]

TBT: A Hand Crafted Travel tour group cruising Scotland's Loch Katrine on board the steam-powered SS Walter Scott.
#handcraftedtravel #creatinglifelongmemories #picoftheday #england #scotland #visitengland #visitscotland #lochkatrine #trossanchs #TBT #travelmemories

[Bryan Smith @handcraftedtrav]

Italy plans to remove"green pass" vaccine certificate requirement for tourist sites beginning April 1.
https://t.co/rbz3BBwcjR
#handcraftedtravel #creatinglifelongmemories #travel #italy #italia #visititaly #discoveritaly #italytravel

[Bryan Smith @handcraftedtrav]

The Eiffel Tower just got a little taller.
https://t.co/HBumjoLetl
#handcraftedtravel #creatinglifelongmemories #france #francetravel #travelplanner #travelfrance #picoftheday #toureiffel #eiffeltower

[Bryan Smith @handcraftedtrav]

“Without the very predicability of home, there would be no sense of the thrill and adventure of abroad.”
– Mark Cocker, Loneliness and Time (1992)
#handcraftedtravel #creatinglifelongmemories #travelthought #travelthoughtfortheweek

[Bryan Smith @handcraftedtrav]

🤞 Entering for the chance to win an #NFT… a Nice Free Trip* from @DeltaVacations that is. Learn more and see full rules at the link. *Trip = flight, hotel, activity for two. No Purch Nec US 50 Res 18+ #sweepstakes https://t.co/Jkwj4XWwwn

[Delta Vacations @DeltaVacations]

#sweepstakes We think #NFTs are great. But how about a Nice Free Trip* instead? Visit the link for your chance to win.

*Trip = flight, hotel, activity for two. No Purch Nec US 50 Res 18+ Full Rules: https://t.co/UmRBFR7wP8 #sweepstakes