It is no secret that Colombia is a personal favorite of El Camino Travel, and Cartagena in particular holds a special magic that we wish everyone could experience. Situated on Colombia’s Caribbean coast, its coastal location, cobbled streets, and fusion of Indigenous, Spanish, and African cultures make it unlike anywhere else.

North, south, east, and west have one thing in common—they all start in Istanbul, the center of the world. Istanbul straddles the Bosphorus Strait, with the confluence of the Black Sea to the north, the Mediterranean to the south, Asia to the east, and Europe to the west. In the words of our travel expert, Eric Monkaba: “You can feel it. You’re in two places at once. It’s indescribable.”

Driven in part by the popularity of K-beauty and the explosive rise of K-pop and K-dramas in recent years, Seoul has emerged as a global trendsetter and influential cultural hub. There’s a lot to cover and we couldn’t possibly contain it all here—but it’s a great place to start if we do say ourselves.

Kaya Byinshii is a Rwandan musician and actress based in Kigali. Her music is a fusion of soul, blues, folk, and Rwandan traditional rhythm. We sat down with Kaya to hear about her work, the music scene in Kigali, why it’s an exciting time and place to be creative, and where we should go when we’re in the city.

Field Notes are firsthand travel recommendations for and by our ECT Clubhouse members. This week, travel advisor, Malak Yacout, shares her highlights from Antigua and Barbuda.

All cities have their must-see sights—and Copenhagen is no different. But beyond the iconic attractions of Nyhavn, Tivoli Gardens, and Amalienborg, there’s plenty more to discover when viewed from a local’s perspective.

Reem Hamed is an Egyptian designer, born and raised in Cairo. She’s the founder and Creative Director of RAMLA, a footwear brand founded in 2017 with the aim of reviving a lost culture and empowering women artisans. We sat down with her to hear more about her building a ‘Made in Egypt’ brand, female creativity in Cairo, and her favorite hidden gems.

We’ve purposefully chosen to craft this guide away from the typical resort areas to showcase the best of Jamaica’s diversity—which ranges from its pulsing capital city, majestic Blue Mountains, lush rainforests, and cascading waterfalls—by focusing on Kingston, Portland, and Treasure Beach.

Field Notes are firsthand travel recommendations for and by our ECT Clubhouse members. This week, photographer, Marisa Vitale, shares her notes from the Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Trail in Japan.

Home of hip-hop, ‘Hollywood’, and a rich history, it’s not hard to see why some refer to it as the capital of the South. Whether you’re here for the history or just here for the vibes, you’ll find something suited to you in Atlanta.

Yasmin Sabet is the founder of Mola Sasa, a Colombian brand that creates unique handcrafted accessories and homewares. Mola Sasa collaborates directly with various indigenous communities of Colombia to translate their own traditional art forms and crafts into distinctive accessory collections.

Field Notes are firsthand travel recommendations for and by our ECT Clubhouse members. This week, travel writer, Kayla Doris, shares her notes from Hoi An, Vietnam.

With so much to offer, it can seem overwhelming on a first visit. That’s why we’ve worked with local residents and friends of ECT, The Tiny Tassel owner, Mimi Striplin, Chez Nous chef, Jill Mathias, and Basic Projects founders, Ben and Kate Towill, to curate a list of local favorites for eating, drinking, shopping and sightseeing your way through the city.

Jacqueline Ngo Mpii is the Founder, CEO, and Creative Director of Little Africa Paris, a cultural agency that helps individuals and businesses connect with the best of African culture in Paris.

Field Notes are firsthand travel recommendations for and by our ECT Clubhouse members. This week, Samantha Runkel, founder of HeyTerra Travel, shares her notes from a ski adventure in the Dolomites.

Beyond the Kasbah, the Medina, and Cap Spartel, there are plenty of easily-overlooked attractions and local favorites to frequent. We’ve worked with Tangier residents to curate a list of insider recommendations for eating, drinking, shopping, and sightseeing your way through the city.

Dee Gibson is an interior designer and self-described “accidental” hotelier. She is the founder of Kalukanda House, a boutique hotel in Sri Lanka that featured in Conde Nast’s 2024 Best Places to Visit and is part of the Hip Hotel Collection.

Field Notes is a members-only series of firsthand travel recommendations by ECT Clubhouse members. This week, Kirsten Gardner, owner of Outlier Journeys, shares her highlights from Johannesburg.

While your average travel guides tend to focus on London’s cultural past, we’re paying homage to the cultures that make up the city today with recommendations for where to eat, drink, and truly experience London’s diversity, not to mention the best indie shops and cozy stays too.

Katherine is the Founder and Creative Director of Pichulik, an ethical jewellery and accessories atelier based in Cape Town, South Africa. We sat down with Katherine to hear more about her work, how African women have moulded and inspired her, and what makes South Africa’s creative landscape so exciting.