@nomadicmatt
Nomadic Matt
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Art museum · Central Park
"At the Metropolitan Museum of Art I did a hands-on sketching experience with a seasoned artist (listed as X) who led sketching warm-ups, guided us through selected galleries, and had us pause to draw iconic sculptures and artworks of our choice; along the way he explained the history of sculpting and painting techniques and the story behind several exhibits, making it a fun, educational, and interactive way to explore the MET." - Matthew Kepnes
Artist · La Muette
"I took an exclusive gallery tour hosted by Paris-born curator Camille that showcases her family’s 40-year effort to collect Jacqueline Marval’s art and restore her legacy; Camille toured me through their gallery, telling Marval’s life story and the history behind each piece, and I hadn’t known anything about Marval before this — her paintings are beautiful and she was clearly super talented. The experience culminates with champagne served on a secluded terrace, and Camille, who is well integrated into the Parisian art scene, gave me suggestions on other galleries and temporary exhibits to visit." - Matthew Kepnes
Historical landmark · Gros Caillou
"At the base of the Eiffel Tower, filmmaker and direct descendant Savin Yeatman-Eiffel showed us the building of the tower through his family’s eyes, uncovering the scandalous debates around its creation and sharing rarely seen family photos, sketches, and heirlooms from a private Eiffel archive. I found it a really interesting way to learn about the Eiffel Tower because it adds an insider family perspective you won’t find on standard tours; note that you do not go up the tower on this tour." - Matthew Kepnes
Restaurant · Brant
"Led by owner Antoine, this experience in a part of the city most tourists don’t visit told the story of Paris’s first microbrewery, explained the brewing process, and showed what they sell and why; Antoine was engaging, funny, and told good stories, and we got a good sampling of beer. I consider this a 5-star Experience and exactly the kind of unique, local activity that makes Airbnb Experiences special." - Matthew Kepnes
Tour operator · Louroux-Bourbonnais
"I've used Context Travel since 2010 and consistently find their tours exceptional because they hire experts (MA- or PhD-level) instead of scripted guides; founded in 2003, they offer deep-dive experiences from museum tours to neighborhood walks that can last up to three hours (and also offer half-day, full-day, and day trips). I walked with an art historian around the Vatican and took Context’s Paris WWII History Tour, and what sets them apart is the minute details and subject-matter knowledge guides bring—my guide Gil, who has lived in France for close to twenty years, holds a degree in politics and literature, and has over a decade of guiding experience, shared arcane facts, first-hand photos on an iPad, and a tightly structured narrative covering occupation, daily life, the resistance, what happened to the Jews, and liberation. Context primarily runs private tours but also has joinable group tours and many audio tours, operates in 70+ cities, and is great for travelers who want a real deep dive rather than a scripted overview." - Matthew Kepnes
Hotel · Place Vendome
"I stopped at the current Mandarin Oriental hotel during the WWII tour and was struck to learn that the building used to be the Gestapo headquarters — creepy." - Matthew Kepnes
Historical place · Leon
"Nearly two millennia ago Roman engineers used ruina montium to reshape the hills here, and walking the gullies and galleries at Las Médulas makes that history vividly present: jagged red cliffs, hollows and gullies softened by chestnut forests form a surreal, UNESCO World Heritage landscape where I love the quiet and the scent of chestnuts. I recommend shorter routes like the Senda de las Valiñas (4km loop) through shady groves and Roman openings or the steep climb to Mirador de Orellán for spectacular sunset views; for a bit of adventure try the restored Galería de Orellán to imagine miners working by torchlight, and the longer Senda Perimetral (14km loop) if you want a full circuit past secluded forests and farms. Nearby sites such as Castro de Chano and the lesser-known Mirador de Reirigo add depth to visits. Practical notes I follow: stay in Ponferrada (about half an hour away), visit in autumn for golden foliage or spring for wildflowers, and bring water, a snack and maps or a GPS app for the longer hikes." - Matthew Kepnes
Desert · Navarre
"Heading south from Pamplona you enter the semi-desert of the Bardenas Reales, a 42,000-hectare UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of ochre mesas, dramatic ravines and wide plains where I often had most trails to myself; the park’s isolation and variety of textures — rippling clay, hardy flowers, shepherds and flocks — make wandering here especially rewarding. Key sights include the slender Castildetierra pinnacle (beautiful at dawn), the La Blanca Baja Loop (34km) for a full drive or bike tour, the Piskerra and El Rallón hike into the heart of the badlands, and vantage points such as Balcón de Pilatos and the quieter Cabezo de las Cortinillas; follow the Río Aragón corridor for greener, bird-rich stretches. Practical details I heed: stay in Tudela for lodgings and restaurants, visit in spring or early autumn to avoid extreme summer heat, and stock up on water, sunscreen and supplies because there are no services inside the park." - Matthew Kepnes
31500, Navarre, Spain Get directions
Historical landmark · Cantabria
"One of my favorite spots in northern Spain is Santillana del Mar in Cantabria, a perfectly preserved medieval village about 30 minutes inland from the coast where cobbled streets, stone houses and wooden balconies feel alive rather than dusty: bakeries sell buttery sobaos, shopkeepers greet you, horses sometimes clop through the lanes, and staying overnight lets you enjoy the town’s tranquility once day-trippers leave. I explore the Romanesque Collegiate Church of Santa Juliana and its cloisters, stand beneath the impressive Altamira Cave replica to see Paleolithic bison and horses, visit the Museo de Altamira for engaging exhibits, and relax in the Plaza Mayor with a coffee or glass of cider; nearby attractions include the Cuevas de El Soplao and the Modernist town of Comillas. Practical tips I use: get there by bus from Santander or Bilbao or rent a car to explore coves and valleys, and aim for spring or autumn for mild weather and fewer crowds." - Matthew Kepnes
Historical landmark · Gammelstaden
"I wandered through the narrow lanes of over 400 red wooden cottages that surround a medieval stone church and appreciated how the site—originally built as overnight lodging for parishioners—offers a clear glimpse into Sweden’s rural past and church-town traditions." - Matthew Kepnes
