At Arrangements Abroad, our curiosity and thirst for discovery don’t cease when the workday’s over. Many of our globetrotting team members continue to explore the world on their own time, returning refreshed and reinspired with new ideas from their journeys.
As we bid the warmer months adieu and welcome the changing leaves and milder temperatures, we caught up with our staff on their summer travels.
Here’s where our team of industry experts traveled at leisure this summer.
Mexico City, Mexico
Once home to renowned artists such as Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera, Mexico City continues to be a haven for artists and art enthusiasts. Visitors travel from far and wide to see La Casa Azul, Frida Kahlo’s home and museum, or attend annual art-focused events including Mexico City Art Week and Zona Maco art fair.
Jenn Bell, Manager, Office and Guest Operations, a first-time visitor, spent a week in Mexico City this summer.
“The art [in Mexico City] is incredible,” Jenn said. “And the Archeological Museum was incredible. When we were in Coyoacán, they had this art market that I was so impressed with. I used to do enamels, and there was a man who did them there, and so I bought a little plaque of Frida Kahlo that he made.”
Visit Mexico City and experience the iconic Zona Maco art fair.
Belgium and Holland
Meg Orr, Sponsor Relations Associate, visited the northwestern coast of Europe for an art-focused adventure.
“I specifically went to The Hague, Delft, Ghent, Antwerp, and Bruges,” Meg said. “I wanted to go there because I’m an art history nerd, and I was making a bit of a pilgrimage to go see a couple of works. In particular, I wanted to see Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring.”
Meg noted she specifically enjoyed her time in Delft, where she admired medieval and Gothic-style architecture and attended a special workshop for the well-known Delft Blue pottery.
“I really enjoyed going to the Royal Delft pottery workshop,” Meg said. “I wanted to go because I wanted to get a piece of authentic, Royal Delft blue pottery. And I got one!”
Cruise from Bruges to Amsterdam along Holland and Belgium’s famous waterways.
London and the Cotswolds, England
The Cotswolds region of England is known for its picturesque landscapes, charming stone villages, and an engaged local arts and culture. It is recognized by the United Kingdom as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in an effort to protect and conserve its lush natural landscapes.
Shuki Hasson, SVP, Development and Operations, originally traveled to England over the summer to indulge in its rich theater scene, seeing West End’s production of Evita before the curtain closed earlier this month. However, with the Cotswolds just less than two hours from London, he had to venture to the charming English countryside.
“The Cotswolds are really magical,” Shuki said. “There’s something about it that it’s such an old-world place, it almost seems like you’re in a fairy tale. And still, it’s very modern and in a lot of aspects; the food scene is amazing, and the art scene is truly wonderful. There are tons of galleries that showcase a lot of local artists alongside international artists. You can just spend days just walking around and not get tired of it.”
Detroit, Michigan
As the birthplace of Ford Motor Company, the city of Detroit celebrates the legacies of American ingenuity and creativity. Brynn Hyland, Director, Communications and Project Management, enjoyed a long-weekend domestic getaway in Detroit this summer, where she visited museums and spent time with friends and family.
“I traveled to Detroit this summer, which I know is unusual, but it’s a city with a lot of history,” Brynn said. “A lot of it was really important in America’s history and there’s a lot of great museums, obviously with the Ford influence. You see it all over the city, but it’s really they’ve been trying to revitalize it and really bring tourists in. I was very impressed with the city.”
Discover Detroit’s rich history with Rika Burnham as your guide.
Berlin, Germany
With a layered past, Berlin is home to a plethora of historic landmarks and renowned museums and galleries. Museum Island, or Museumsinsel in German, consists of five museums and gained recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Nailah Lloyd-Jones, Guest Services, returned to Berlin over the summer.
“I went to Berlin in June, and I went because I studied abroad in Berlin and I loved it so much,” Nailah said. “I wanted to go in the summer specifically, because the whole vibe completely changes when it’s warm.”
Written by Jocelyn Visnov, Associate, Marketing and Communications
