Past Tour Highlights (and other travel adventures)

Tiny World Tour's mission is to steward our planet’s natural and cultural ecosystems via a platform for co-creating and sharing stories, enabling unique experiences, and engendering cherished relationships.

For the past decade Tiny World Tours has specialized in creating authentic, unconventional, and unforgettable travel experiences that emphasize rich cultural expressions set against the backdrop of the world's most stunning natural environments. Our unique and deep knowledge of historical and contemporary art, architecture, and design enriches every journey, connecting travelers with the resonance of the past and cutting-edge transformative artistic expressions by going behind-the-scenes, hosted by local experts.

Please take a moment to read the summaries and view the highlight photos we’ve shared below. Contact us if you’d like us to design a tour to the following places where we have unique connections.

Japan

Drawing upon the five years we lived and worked in Japan in the 1990s, and now spending several months there each year for continued research and travel organizing, our long and continued experience enables us to offer unique and rich cultural insights. Experiences include “Japan Though Artists’ Eyes,” “Walking Japan: Past, Present, Future,” “From the Ancient to the Contemporary: Cultures of Northern Japan,” as well as custom-designed trips from Hokkaido to Okinawa, with an emphasis on Tokyo, Kyoto, Naoshima and Benesse Art Site, and the Nakasendo.

In addition to designing custom tours that are not listed, we’ve led the following:

• 2019, Through Artists' Eyes: Japanese Nature and Culture Tour

• 2023, Through Artists' Eyes: Japanese Nature and Culture Tour

• 2023, Walking Japan Tour:Past, Present, and Future (Spring)

• 2023, Walking Japan Tour: Past, Present, and Future (Fall)

• 2024, Through Artists' Eyes: Japanese Nature and Culture Tour

MEXICO

Since 2017 we have brought small groups to explore magical sites in Interior Mexico as well as the rich cultural and historic destinations. Beyond Mexico City, we explore colonial centers (Queretaro, and San Miguel de Allende), charming towns, villages, markets, and Spanish missions rich in history, culture, art, and nature with many UNESCO-recognized sites (and lesser-known sites worthy of UNESCO recognition). Our guests experience a stunning diversity of contrasting landscapes including bustling cities, deserts, savannas, highlands, mountains, jungles, lakes, streams, and waterfalls. We offer special expertise and access to Las Pozas, a surrealist garden in the small village of Xilitla, surrounded by lush natural beauty.

In addition to designing custom tours that are not listed, we’ve led the following:

• 2017, Journey to Las Pozas in Xilitla

• 2019, Walking Mexico (including Las Pozas and Mexico City art)

• 2020, Walking Mexico (including Las Pozas and Mexico City art)

• 2023,Walking Mexico (including Las Pozas and Mexico City art)

NEPAL

Tiny World Tours guests have been traversing Nepal’s spiritual landscapes and scenic vistas since 2018, in collaboration with our travel partner Nima Sherpa. With a focus on connecting the rich Sherpa cultural traditions in the region near Mt Everest and the remote jungle area of the Chitwan National Park with the deep history and lively contemporary center of Kathmandu, our trips emphasize dynamic conversations and connections with local leaders, hosts, artisans, architects, and teachers. To amplify the experiences in remote locations, we travel on foot, by van and truck, planes, as well as helicopter to extend the range, scope, and excitement of our adventures in Nepal.

In addition to designing custom tours that are not listed, we’ve led the following:

• 2018, Spring in Eastern Nepal

• 2018, Fall in Nepal

• 2019, Kcymaerxthaere Monuments in Bhutan and Nepal with Eames Demetrios

• 2023, Kcymaerxthaere Monuments in Bhutan and Nepal with Eames Demetrios

BHUTAN

Bhutan’s majestic fortresses, monastic traditions, natural splendor, and valuing of “Gross National Happiness” has been a focus of our travels since 2018. We work closely with our travel partner, “Digital Dorji” to design tours that include the most well-known and more accessible Western Bhutan destinations, as well as to lesser-known ones in remote Eastern Bhutan (where Dorji grew up). We design experiences which illuminate the unique historical and traditional aspects of the remote kingdom as well as celebrate the vibrancy of contemporary culture through visits to monasteries, farms, markets, artist studios, and schools.

In addition to designing custom tours that are not listed, we’ve led the following:

• 2018, Bhutan Exploration

• 2019, Kcymaerxthaere Monuments in Bhutan and Nepal with Eames Demetrios

• 2023, Kcymaerxthaere Monuments in Bhutan and Nepal with Eames Demetrios

• 2024, Splendors of Eastern Bhutan

USA

From the dynamic streets of Detroit to the artistic enclaves of Maine, we’ve brought groups to explore diverse arts, culture, and local tradition scenes set within varied American landscapes from urban centers to peaceful natural areas across the USA. In 2015, our tours included trips to Austin, Grand Rapids, and Southern California. The following year, our tours highlighted Central Texas. 2017 featured a culinary experience at The Plant at Kyle (Austin,TX), a visit to Louisville,KY, and a special Kcymaerxthaere tour to Wyoming for the Total Solar Eclipse. Total eclipses have become a theme, with another total solar eclipse event held at The Plant at Kyle in April 2024. In 2018, our destinations included Michigan and Maine. Our 2019 tours explored New Harmony, Indiana. In 2020 we led tours to Idlewild, Michigan. We held three African Motherland Cooking Xperience Demonstration & Dinner Parties, in 2020 and 2022. Our 2021 tours featured Black History in Memphis, while 2022 features Black and Latinx Art & Innovation in Detroit. Our USA tours reflect Tiny World Tours' commitment to immersive and enriching travel experiences.

In addition to designing custom tours that are not listed, we’ve led the following:

• 2015, Austin Exchange (city mayor-led delegation from Grand Rapids), 4 nights

• 2015, Kcymaerxthaere Southern California Sites and More

• 2015, Grand Rapids Art Adventure, 3 nights

• 2016, Central Texas Adaptive Reuse Architecture and Art Tour, 3 nights

• 2017, Valentine's Dinner at The Plant at Kyle, single day

• 2017, Louisville, Kentucky Art, Food, and Culture Delegation, 3 nights

• 2018, Southeast Michigan Culinary and Cultural Delights, 2 nights

• 2018, Maine Art Immersion, 4 nights

• 2018, Grand Rapids ArtPrize TEN Art Adventure Day, single day

• 2019, A Midwestern Utopian Roadtrip: Indianapolis, Columbus, and New Harmony, Indiana, 3 nights

• 2020, African Motherland Cooking Xperience Demonstration & Dinner Party with Music, single day

• 2020, Introduction to Idlewild, Michigan's Past, Present, and Future, single day

• 2021, Memphis Black History, BBQ, & Blues, 3 nights

• 2022, African Motherland Cooking Xperience Demonstration & Dinner Party with Music, single day

• 2022, Detroit Black and Latinx Art & Innovation Adventure, 2 nights

• 2022, African Motherland Cooking Xperience Demonstration & Dinner Party with Music, single day

• 2022, Introduction to Idlewild, Michigan's Past, Present, and Future, single day

• 2022, Ultimate Detroit Music Experience, 2 nights

• 2024, Total Solar Eclipse at The Plant at Kyle, single day

FRANCE

In April 2024, Tiny World Tours was invited by the Austin Film Society to craft a delegation tour to Paris and Austin’s Sister City, Angers. This exclusive tour celebrated the rich connection between Austin and Angers and honored the work of acclaimed filmmaker Richard Linklater. Aligned with the Linklater retrospective at Angers’ Cinémas Les 400 Coups, the tour featured a special appearance by Richard Linklater himself, who dined with the group and shared his cinematic insights. Interspersed by spectacular dining experiences, participants explored the evolution of film, from French New Wave to contemporary cinema. They enjoyed meeting French art and film experts at The Centre Pompidou and Pathé archive/Fondation Jérôme Seydoux. Beyond the world of art and film, the group immersed themselves in Angers’ historical and cultural tapestry, from its majestic castles to its vibrant food scene. This unique opportunity supported the Austin Film Society while allowing participants to experience the art and culture of France.

• 2024, Austin Film Society Delegation to Paris and Angers

GERMANY

Tiny World Tours has also ventured into Europe, offering unique cultural experiences in Germany. Our Berlin tour, in collaboration with renowned choreographer Deborah Hay, provides an in-depth exploration of the city's vibrant art scene and rich history. In Hamburg, we teamed up with acclaimed director and designer Doug Fitch for an immersive journey into the city's dynamic arts and culture, highlighting its architectural marvels and innovative artistic spaces. These European tours offer travelers a chance to engage deeply with the cultural and artistic pulse of Germany.

• 2016, Custom Family Group Private Tour, Bavaria

• 2019, Through Artist's Eyes: Deborah Hay at Berlin's Tanz im August Dance Festival

• 2019, Through Architects' Eyes: Berlin Buildings, Berlin Stories (including visit to the Bauhaus in Dessau)

Czech Republic

In 2018, Tiny World Tours curated an exceptional journey for the Austin Film Society's Delegation to the Czech Republic. This week-long experience immersed participants in a cross-cultural conversation about "Change over Time" within film, art, architecture, culture, and culinary experiences, featuring creatives from Austin, other American cities, and the cosmopolitan Czech Republic. The tour included three full days exploring the cultural riches of Prague and culminated with VIP access to the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (KVIFF). Highlights included black-tie opening night festivities, a special reception honoring Richard Linklater and the Austin Film Society, and introductions to innovative Central European film releases. This tour offered a unique opportunity to engage with the dynamic intersection of American and Czech creativity.

• 2018, Austin Film Society Delegation, Art and Film in the Czech Republic

Jordan

In March 2018, Tiny World Tours offered an unforgettable "Walking Jordan" tour, a seven-day, seven-night journey through some of the world's oldest and most untouched treasures. Nestled between Israel and Palestine, Egypt, Syria, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia, Jordan sits at the heart of ancient civilizations. Participants felt the presence of thousands of years of history and imagined themselves back in time. This tour focused on Jordan's natural wonders, including the Dead Sea, the famed Wadi Rum Desert, and the majestic Petra. Hikes around various parts of the country, especially Petra, provided an immersive experience in the stunning landscapes and rich history of Jordan.

• 2018, Jordan Adventure

Italy

In October 2023, Tiny World Tours offered a private custom family group tour to Southern Italy, specifically designed for an Italian-American family group interested in reconnecting with their ancestral roots. This nine-day, eight-night journey allowed participants to explore the classic Southern Italian hill towns in comfort and style. Together, the group delved into their common ancestry, experienced local food and culture, and met living Italian relatives. The tour coincided with fine fall weather, the post-summer tourist season, and a traditional festival. Highlights included visits to Naples, Pompeii, Padula, Rovito, and Sanza, along with guided tours of historic sites, cultural activities, and a VIP experience at a local festival. The itinerary offered a perfect blend of relaxation, exploration, and family connection. In addition, Tiny World Tours can help to design and produce custom travel experiences throughout all of Italy, for example a custom tour to visit the Venice Biennale.

• 2023, Ancestral Tour of Southern Italy, Campania and Calabria

Kcymaerzthaere

Our Kcymaerxthaere tours are unique narrative adventures curated alongside Eames Demetrios, exploring a "parallel world" that intertwines with our own through stories and physical markers. These tours are quintessential examples of how we view our guests as co-creators of their travel experiences, engaging with local stories and contributing their perspectives. Whether it’s through the deserts of California, Utopian sites in Indiana, or the historic sites of Bhutan and Nepal, travelers actively participate in a storytelling process that reshapes their understanding of the world.

• 2015, Kcymaerxthaere Southern California Sites and More

• 2017, KcyOming Total Solar Eclipse Tour

• 2019, A Midwestern Utopian Roadtrip: Indianapolis, Columbus, and New Harmony, Indiana

• 2019, Kcymaerxthaere Monuments in Bhutan and Nepal with Eames Demetrios

• 2023, Kcymaerxthaere Monuments in Bhutan and Nepal with Eames Demetrios

• 2024, Total Solar Eclipse at The Plant at Kyle

Join Tiny World Tours for a transformative and enriching journey that showcases global talent and culture, and immerses you in breathtaking environments.

Comprehensive List (by start date)

2015.02.18, Austin Exchange (city mayor-led delegation from Grand Rapids), 4 nights

2015.03.25, Kcymaerxthaere Southern California Sites and More, 4 nights

2015.09.30, Grand Rapids Art Adventure, 3 nights

2016.06.28, Custom Family Group Private Tour, Bavaria, Germany, 9 nights

2016.11.09, Central Texas Adaptive Reuse Architecture and Art Tour, 3 nights

2017.02.11, Valentine's Dinner at The Plant at Kyle, single day

2017.03.16, Louisville, Kentucky Art, Food, and Culture Delegation, 3 nights

2017.05.04, Journey to Las Pozas in Xilitla (Mexico), 5 nights

2017.08.18, KcyOming Total Solar Eclipse Tour, 4 nights

2018.03.24, Jordan Adventure, 9 nights

2018.04.03, Spring in Eastern Nepal, 15 nights

2018.06.15, Southeast Michigan Culinary and Cultural Delights, 2 nights

2018.06.25, Austin Film Society Delegation, Art and Film in the Czech Republic, 8 nights

2018.08.07, Maine Art Immersion, 4 nights

2018.09.21, Grand Rapids ArtPrize TEN Art Adventure Day, single day

2018.09.23, Bhutan Exploration, 11 nights

2018.10.30, Fall in Nepal, 15 nights

2019.02.09, Walking Mexico, 5 nights

2019.04.01, Through Artists' Eyes: Japanese Nature and Culture, 11 nights

2019.04.14, Walking Japan: Past, Present, and Future, 6 nights

2019.05.11, Le Grand Macabre & Orphic Feast in Hamburg, 3 nights

2019.08.08, Through Artist's Eyes: Deborah Hay at Berlin's Tanz im August Dance Festival, 3 nights

2019.08.11, Through Architects' Eyes: Berlin Buildings, Berlin Stories, 5 nights

2019.08.29, A Midwestern Utopian Roadtrip: Indianapolis, Columbus, and New Harmony, Indiana, 3 nights

2019.09.03, Kcymaerxthaere Monuments in Bhutan and Nepal with Eames Demetrios, 11 nights

2020.01.17, African Motherland Cooking Xperience Demonstration & Dinner Party with Music, single day

2020.02.08, Walking Mexico, 5 nights

2020.06.26, Introduction to Idlewild, Michigan's Past, Present, and Future, single day

2021.05.13, Memphis Black History, BBQ, & Blues, 3 nights

2022.04.03, African Motherland Cooking Xperience Demonstration & Dinner Party with Music, single day

2022.04.08, Detroit Black and Latinx Art & Innovation Adventure, 2 nights

2022.04.10, African Motherland Cooking Xperience Demonstration & Dinner Party with Music, single day

2022.06.25, Introduction to Idlewild, Michigan's Past, Present, and Future, single day

2022.10.07, Ultimate Detroit Music Experience, 2 nights

2023.02.10, Walking Mexico, 6 nights

2023.03.21, Through Artists' Eyes: Japanese Nature and Culture, 11 nights

2023.04.03, Walking Japan: Past, Present, and Future, 6 nights

2023.05.05, Kcymaerxthaere Monuments in Bhutan and Nepal with Eames Demetrios, 19 nights

2023.10,06 Ancestral Tour of Southern Italy, Campania and Calabria, 8 nights

2023.11.10, Walking Japan: Past, Present, and Future, 11 nights

2024.03.18, Through Artists' Eyes: Japanese Nature and Culture, 10 nights

2024.04.08 Total Solar Eclipse at The Plant at Kyle, single day

2024.04.23, 2024 Austin Film Society Delegation to Paris and Angers, 5 nights

Our tours are enriched by collaborations with local expert guides who bring each destination to life with personal stories and deep insights. We co-create and celebrate Black, Brown, Asian, and Indigenous narratives (including disabled and LGBTQ+ narratives).