Last week, I had the privilege of having two incredibly inspiring conversations
in one day 💁🏻‍♀️

Thanks to the connection made at Latitude, I found myself speaking with two former National Geographic employees, both of whom left me with a lot to think about when it comes to storytelling and the future of travel.

One of them worked in a content role at Nat Geo and we ended up diving into something I think about often:

How do you grow a sustainable travel brand on social media without feeding into the culture of the platform, where everything is pushed to go viral? 💭

If you have thoughts on this, hit reply to this email. I’d genuinely love to hear them!

xoxo,
Gabby & The TRAppe. Team

If you’ve ever wondered what conversations happen inside National Geographic’s headquarters, this podcast gives you a front row seat. Follow explorers, photographers and scientists as they share stories from the edges of our big, weird and beautiful world.

🎧 Share your go-to travel playlist or podcast with us. Whether it's road trip anthems or deep-dive travel stories, we want to hear and feature what fuels your adventures.

🥖 Rise to the occasion: These bakeries around the world are treating sourdough like fine wine, with decades-old starters and slow fermentation.

🌸 Flower power: Discover how flowers shaped the world we live in, reminding us they are far more than something pretty to look at.

🙅🏻‍♀️ Stay away: Should we stop visiting overcrowded destinations altogether? Here’s why staying away may not be the answer.

💼 For job seekers: Jacada Travel is looking for a fully remote (based within 3 hours of the UK timezone) Senior Growth Marketing Manager to unlock growth opportunities.

📍Tuscany, Italy
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At a time when Tuscany is often reduced to postcard views and hurried wine tastings, Chiesa a Varena offers a slower, more authentic way to experience the region.

Set on a 12 hectare organic farm just 45 minutes from Florence, the estate is surrounded by olive groves, forests and rolling countryside. At its heart stands a historic building, once a church built around 1200 A.D., now carefully restored using natural and eco-friendly materials that honour its original character.

What makes staying here special is how closely it connects guests to the land. Olive oil is pressed from the farm’s own groves, seasonal ingredients come directly from the estate and depending on the time of year, guests may find themselves joining olive picking, lavender harvesting or simply walking the grounds and settling into the quiet pace of the countryside.

The story of Chiesa a Varena is deeply tied to Anna and her family. In 1964, her parents bought the farm when there were no roads and no water, slowly transforming it into a home through years of patience and care.

In 2018, Anna took over the estate, continuing what her family began. Guided by her deep connection to nature, she now tends the land as its gardener, protecting its ecosystem while opening her home to travellers from around the world.

Sustainability here is simply part of everyday life. The estate is run with deep respect for the surrounding environment, maintaining traditional farming practices that protect biodiversity and preserve the landscape for future generations.

Explore the other businesses we feature in Tuscany, each offering a more authentic way to experience the region.

In this week’s What’s Hot & What’s Not, meet Lis, the Founder of Quinti, a slow tourism operator.

Lis is an Ecuadorian tourism professional deeply connected to Latin America, its people, worldview, and cultural richness. She brings extensive experience in rural development, community-based tourism, innovation, as well as destination marketing and promotion.

Her career is rooted in creating inclusive, sustainable and regenerative tourism models. As the founder of Quinti, a Slow Tourism operator, Lis designs authentic experiences that foster meaningful connections between travelers, communities, and territories. Her work is driven by a strong belief in tourism as a tool for empowerment and transformation, inspired by her deep connection to the land and her roots.

Currently based in Portugal, Lis is expanding Quinti’s reach into Europe, building bridges between regions and opening new opportunities for conscious, purpose-driven travel.

🔥 What’s Hot

We’re beginning to see a shift toward more intentional travel. While there’s still a tendency to travel just for the photo, more people are slowly awakening to the idea that travel can, and should, have a deeper purpose. Connecting with local communities, understanding cultural contexts, and engaging with food and traditions in a meaningful way is becoming increasingly valued. It’s a growing movement, and hopefully one that continues to expand.

❄️ What’s Not

Fast, superficial travel that prioritizes image over experience is gradually losing relevance. Traveling without truly connecting, with the place, its people, or its essence, feels increasingly outdated in a world that is craving authenticity and depth.

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Hook your friends up with Help! I’m TRAppe-d and score a free copy of our Bali e-guide! Just refer 10 people, and the guide is yours ✌🏻

Psst… want to see what all the hype’s about? Flip through the Bali e-guide preview, to get a little taste of what’s inside: 100+ curated stays, eats, and experiences that are kind to the planet and good to its people ✌🏻

Or refer just 1 buddy and gain access to our weekly updated TRAppe Travel Cheat Sheet.