Over the years, I’ve put together several themed tours for curious travelers — some are walkable city adventures, while others take you a little further afield. Instead of simply sightseeing, these tours invite you to hunt for literary figures, hidden details, forgotten history, and unusual cultural treasures.
If you enjoy travel with a side of curiosity, one of these themed tours might inspire your next trip.
- City Guides: Here the sites are all based within a single city and can usually be explored on foot.
- Further Afield: These themed journeys cover a wider area and are best done by car, train, or organised day trips.
England
London – City Guide
🔷 Paddington, Pooh, Pan, and Potter: Four Literary Statues in London

London is filled with monuments of kings or generals, but some of its most interesting statues celebrate writers. This walk introduces four literary figures whose works shaped English literature.
Read the full article: Paddington, Pooh, Pan, and Potter: 4 Literary Statues
Lake District – Further Afield
🔷 A Literary Visit to England’s Lake District

The Lake District inspired generations of writers and poets, including William Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter.
This literary journey combines breathtaking scenery with places connected to some of Britain’s best-loved authors.
Read the full article: Literary Visit to the Lake District
Italy
Florence – City Guides
🔷 Finding Dante in Florence

You don’t need to visit a museum to find traces of Dante Alighieri in Florence. The poet still haunts his birthplace — in statues, plaques, street names, and public art.
This walk follows the enduring legacy of Florence’s most famous literary son.
Read the full article: Finding Dante in Florence: A Walking Tour
🔷 Florentine Last Suppers

Florence is famous for Renaissance art, but many visitors miss one of its most unusual treasures: large frescoes of the Last Supper hidden in churches, monasteries, and convents across the city.
This themed route introduces several remarkable examples beyond the well-known works of Milan.
Read the full article: Florentine Last Suppers
🔷 Discover Florence’s Wine Windows

Tiny arched openings in old Florentine palazzi may look decorative, but they served a practical purpose: selling wine directly to customers… And some of them still do.
These charming buchette del vino offer a delightful glimpse into everyday life in Renaissance Florence.
Read the full article: Florence’s Wine Windows
France
Nice – City Guides
🔷 Walking Tour of Nice’s Old Town

Nice’s old town is a maze of colourful alleys, Baroque churches, lively squares, and hidden corners full of character.
This walking guide highlights some of the most interesting stops in one of the French Riviera’s most atmospheric neighbourhoods.
Read the full article: Walking Tour of the Old Town of Nice
🔷 Nice – Three Russian Tsarinas in Nice

The French Riviera may seem far removed from imperial Russia, yet three powerful Russian women left lasting marks on Nice.
This tour uncovers a fascinating chapter of Russian influence on the Côte d’Azur.
Read the full article: Three Russian Tsarinas Leave Their Mark on Nice
French Riviera – Further Afield
🔷 Five Cocteau Sites on the French Riviera

Artist, writer, filmmaker, and creative visionary Jean Cocteau left his mark across the Riviera.
This itinerary connects five locations associated with his life and work, from museums to murals and hidden artistic treasures.
Read the full article: 5 Cocteau Sites on the French Riviera
Paris – City Guide
🔷 Montmartre and the Windmills of Paris

Montmartre is famous for artists, cafés, and sweeping views of Paris, but its windmills tell an older story.
This walk explores the surviving windmills and the role they played in the district’s transformation.
Read the full article: Montmartre and the Windmills of Paris
Travel with Curiosity
Travel becomes richer when we look beyond the obvious.
A themed tour can turn an ordinary walk into a treasure hunt — one filled with stories, connections, and surprising discoveries. Whether you’re searching for hidden wine windows in Florence, literary statues in London, or artistic traces of Jean Cocteau on the Riviera, curiosity has a wonderful way of transforming travel.
Which of these themed tours would you most like to take? Let me know in the comments.
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