Craft Journeys
Travel through craft.
Individual and small-group travel, shaped by relationships, not checklists.
AOW Craft Journeys grow from the long relationships that shape all my work. They’re not sightseeing trips, but invitations to spend time with makers, families, farmers, cooks, and cultural stewards — and to know a place through stories made by hand.
Latest Destinations
Moldova
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5–7 Days (as requested)
Meeting point: ChișinăuExperience a slow, culturally rich journey through Moldova’s artisan villages, heritage crafts, boutique wineries, and rural traditions. This trip is designed for travelers drawn to authenticity, slow travel, and discovering the country’s local crafts and traditions. Each itinerary is fully customized to the client’s interests and budget.
Craft highlights include visits to two of the country’s master potters who continue traditional techniques, workshops with traditional blouse makers, and exquisite handwoven rugs — offering an intimate look at Moldova’s living craft heritage.
Moldova is for those who want to go a little further off the map — a quietly compelling destination whose non-EU status only adds to its sense of discovery, complemented by incredible local cuisine.
This experience is led by AOW’s trusted local partner in Moldova, offering deep regional knowledge and insider access.
Portugal
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1 Full Day — Meeting point: Porto
Explore Barcelos, Portugal — the capital of Portuguese handicrafts — a historic city in Northern Portugal renowned for its vibrant folk art traditions.
Wander one of the country’s oldest weekly open-air markets (Wednesdays), alive with local makers and seasonal produce, and visit the city’s pottery museum.
Enjoy exclusive access to the region’s master artisans through private workshop visits, offering an authentic, behind-the-scenes look at centuries-old traditions. Discover Barcelos’ deep pottery heritage — from traditional figurines to expressive folk ceramics — with special visits and conversations with master craftspeople.
Enjoy the local cuisine to complete this immersive cultural experience.
This experience is led by AOW’s trusted local partner in Portugal, offering deep regional knowledge and insider access.
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Full or Half Day (as requested)
Meeting point: LisbonDiscover off-the-beaten-path ceramic ateliers and some of Annie’s favorite private showrooms, historic shops, and artisan spaces throughout the city — a chance to experience a different side of Lisbon.
Annie has been traveling to and spending time in Lisbon for over 15 years, building close relationships with artisans, designers, and entrepreneurs across the city. Each experience is tailored to client interests and needs, with a focus on beautiful, character-filled addresses: antique shops, Portuguese brands, artisan showrooms, and intimate ateliers.
With a deep focus on artisanship — a world Annie knows well — she leads guests to her most trusted and often hidden addresses, many of which are accessible by appointment only. This experience is designed for those who appreciate quality design, unique handmade pieces, and Portugal’s rich craft heritage.
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1 Full Day — Meeting point: Lisbon
Discover Annie’s favorite artisans across Alentejo, a region celebrated for its rich traditions of pottery, folk art, and craftsmanship.
Each experience is customized to client interests and includes visits to select workshops specializing in local ceramics and textiles. Depending on the day, there is the option to explore local flea and antique markets (Saturdays), sample regional cuisine, and spend time with master folk-art potters whose work is unique to Alentejo.
Day trips allow for visits to two or three villages throughout the countryside, offering a deeper look into rural life and enduring craft traditions. Guests have the opportunity to purchase special pieces directly from the artisans.
Conclude the day with a shared traditional meal.
Romania
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3-7 Days — Meeting point: Bucharest
Immerse yourself in Romania’s rich artisanal heritage, with visits to master weavers, embroiderers, and traditional potters in rural villages throughout Transylvania.
Stay in boutique country guesthouses across the region, where home-cooked meals and local traditions shape daily life
Explore medieval towns and UNESCO-listed heritage sites, discovering the cultural layers of Transylvania through village life, regional cuisine, and time spent with local craftspeople.
Stay in Brașov, one of Romania’s most beautifully preserved medieval cities
Travel through forested landscapes, farmland, and mountain valleys that define Romania’s rural character
Optional extension to Maramureș, with time spent with artisans specializing in textile and ceramic traditions, visits to vibrant local flea markets, and exploration of historic wooden churches.
Conclude in Bucharest with a curated, artisan-led shopping walk spotlighting contemporary Romanian makers, heritage objects, and design-forward boutiques
This experience is led by AOW’s trusted local partner in Romania, offering deep regional knowledge and insider access.
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2-4 Full Days — Meeting point: Bucharest
Visit the UNESCO-recognized Horezu ceramics region, meeting master potters and artisan families preserving centuries-old techniques
Explore rural villages known for exceptional embroidery, flat-woven rugs, and handcrafted textiles, with opportunities to purchase directly from award-winning cultural masters
Meet a master artisan specializing in traditional Gorj embroidery, including heirloom jackets and vests passed down through generations
Discover one-of-a-kind vintage textiles and handwoven rugs at a curated artisan shop
Visit UNESCO-listed monasteries that influenced the origins and motifs of Horezu craftsmanship
Travel through rolling countryside rich in agriculture and folklore, staying in small guesthouses and country inns in a rarely visited region of Romania
Enjoy a special garden-to-table lunch prepared by a master artisan, featuring homegrown ingredients and homemade wine and spirits
Conclude in Bucharest with an artisan-focused walking tour through heritage sites, design-forward boutiques, and contemporary craft shops
This experience is led by AOW’s trusted local partner in Romania, offering deep regional knowledge and insider access.
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Each experience is rooted in a specific region, encouraging deeper travel and allowing time to connect with master craftspeople for more authentic, immersive experiences.
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Gain rare access to artisan workshops, centered on traditional craftsmanship.
Experience local, traditional cuisine, often shared alongside the communities who prepare it.
Each experience is custom-made to reflect clients’ interests and needs, supporting local people and small businesses while preserving culture and natural landscapes.
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Working alongside in-country guides, Annie carefully curates local accommodations to match each budget, choosing places rich in charm, character, comfort, and a strong sense of place.
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AOW Experiences are for solo travelers, couples, and small groups with a deep cultural curiosity who are looking to venture off the beaten path, connect authentically with places, and support local communities and small businesses.
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Annie hosts trips in Paris, Lisbon, and Alentejo, with all other experiences led by AOW’s trusted in-country guides. These local partners bring deep regional knowledge, personal connections, and a shared passion for supporting craft, culture, and community—creating more meaningful travel experiences.
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Each trip can be adjusted in length and pace, allowing you to travel in a way that suits your needs, interests, and timelines.
What you’ll find:
A different sort of journey.
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Slow travel.
Instead of jumping around or checking boxes, we make space for time — in artisan workshops, at shared tables, and in conversation — so you can understand not just how things are made, but why they matter.
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Built on relationships.
This isn’t a packaged group tour or traditional travel planning. Each trip is shaped by long-standing relationships, kept intentionally small, and designed for depth rather than spectacle or volume.
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Giving back.
Thoughtfully designed travel that supports artisan livelihoods, nurtures genuine exchange, and helps sustain local communities and cultural continuity. Feel good traveling—not for the luxury, but for the intention behind it. For those who deeply appreciate artisanal craft.
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Finding connection.
AOW Craft Journeys tend to resonate with those drawn to craft, culture, and food; that prefer depth over accumulation; and who want travel to be thoughtful and respectful.