The Decor Lovers Guide: 6 Bucket Listing Travel Experiences

Every time I journey, I hunt for distinctive treasures for my house — Turkish towels from Istanbul (earlier than they had been all over the place within the U.S.), block-print curtains from India, even wrapping paper in Paris fairly sufficient to border. It’s why I like the rising pattern of touring round your passions. Whether it’s tennis journey, hopping city-to-city for live performance excursions, or foodie journeys constructed round cooking courses and market visits, these experiences make each journey really feel actually genuine — and unforgettable.

From handwoven Ghanaian baskets to boho Moroccan lanterns, TravelLocal will plan a visit for you with hands-on workshops, an opportunity to attach with native artisans and produce house genuine items straight from their supply. Airbnb Experiences provides one other solution to faucet into native tradition — whether or not that’s studying a craft, tasting regional flavors, or exploring hidden nooks with somebody who is aware of it finest. I just lately signed up my kiddo for a children macaron baking class in Paris by way of Get Your Guide. It’s all a part of making journey extra immersive and distinctive — and coming house with souvenirs that really feel actually genuine (and scrumptious).

Here are 6 locations that double as decor inspo.

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Okinawa, Japan

Japan has lengthy been on my bucket checklist — largely for the pottery, textiles, and design historical past. In Okinawa, you possibly can uncover yachimun pottery, shimmering Ryukyu glass (made out of recycled supplies), and beautiful textiles like bashofu, woven from banana fiber. Even manga — as soon as thought of popular culture — is now celebrated as an artwork kind, with illustrated books and prints making for nostalgic, collectible keepsakes. TravelLocal’s native knowledgeable Mina suggests in search of out handmade kintsugi pottery: “These ceramics are repaired with gold and reflect the beauty of imperfection.” Trip Idea: Immersive nature and heritage in Okinawa.

The Apartment

Copenhagen, Denmark

Copenhagen is a dream vacation spot for design lovers, the place each avenue nook feels prefer it’s been curated with a designer’s eye. Wander by way of Designmuseum Danmark for a deep dive into Danish design historical past, or browse unbiased outlets within the Vesterbro and Nørrebro neighborhoods for items you gained’t discover anyplace else.

You’ll discover Danish design classics like Royal Copenhagen porcelain in delicate blue-and-white patterns, Georg Jensen sculptural silverware, and Kay Bojesen’s iconic picket toys. Shop The Apartment or follow them on IG and swoon. Even Copenhagen’s eating scene is design-forward, with areas like Noma and The Audo serving up scrumptious meals in beautiful structure and interiors. Tour concept: Copenhagen: Guided Architecture and Sustainability Tour

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Los Angeles, California

One of my favourite issues to do in cities, as a house decor fanatic, is take an structure tour. Pasadena’s The Gamble House designed by architects Charles and Henry Greene is without doubt one of the good examples of craftsman model and a tour that I convey up on a regular basis a decade after taking it. My future dream home can have a sleeping porch! You may go to Frank Lloyd Wright’s The Hollyhock House, an Unesco World Heritage Site, and naturally The Eames House, or Case Study House #8. There’s nice house decor procuring too, like Somme in Silverlake, Mart Collective in Venice, and Soul Haus in Cypress Park. Experience concept: Explore Downtown LA History & Architecture.

Photo by Gül Işık

Marrakesh, Morocco

For design lovers, Marrakesh is like stepping right into a dwelling temper board. Start within the Medina, the place yow will discover travel-friendly house decor gadgets like trays and textiles, hand-painted ceramics or stunning brass lanterns. You may journey into the High Atlas to fulfill girls’s cooperatives preserving historic weaving traditions with TravelLocal. You’ll find out how pure dyes are made, decode the geometric symbolism in Berber rugs, and listen to the tales woven into each piece. Trip Idea: In depth tour of northern Morocco.

Photo by Shvets Anna

Paris & Beyond

Everywhere in France generally is a supply of house decor inspiration. In Paris, you possibly can browse Merci within the Marais, La Trésorerie throughout the Canal Saint‑Martin, or the numerous outlets contained in the Maisons du Monde. But a number of the most inspiring items come from past the capital. In Bordeaux, the Chartrons district is a dream for treasure hunters — its famed antiques avenue is lined with inexpensive finds in probably the most charming neighborhood. You’ll even spot Zara Home and H&M Home for colourful fundamentals you will not discover IRL in many of the U.S. Beyond the town, villages like Bassin d’Arcachon and Cap Ferret are a coastal dream with house decor finds impressed by the allure of the southwest of France (the much less touristy however simply as gorgeous a part of southern France). Trip concept: Private Guided Antique & Vintage Shopping Tour

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Santa Fe

I didn’t count on Santa Fe to be almost as inspiring because it was. I managed a house change, and got here house creatively recharged, with a very new perspective on my design aesthetic. Visit the Saturday Farmers Market on the Railyard for an actual group expertise, store genuine Native American jewellery and crafts on the historic Palace of the Governors, seize a pleasant meal at Cafe Pasqual’s on the historic plaza, discover the mind-bending artwork expertise at Meow Wolf and the long-lasting Georgia O’Keeffe Museum. Visit native galleries and store from native artisans. Another should: Taos Pueblo, a UNESCO World Heritage website and residential to the Red Willow tribe. Take a guided tour led by a tribe member to study their tradition, traditions, and every day life — and store handmade crafts immediately from native artisans. In Taos, relaxation your head on the design-forward Hotel Willa, a once-humble Nineteen Forties motel now remodeled into a wonderful boutique haven with pool. Their restaurant and bar, Juliette, opened in May 2025 and provides a refined tackle Northern New Mexico delicacies in a heat, welcoming and desert-inspired indoor-outdoor house. Trip concept: Craft your own pottery with local artisans!

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