Insider access to your holiday destination
A new service harnesses the insight of local creatives to help you get more from your time away
A new service harnesses the insight of local creatives to help you get more from your time away If one of your fears is travelling across the world only to spend a week with other tourists, then a solution might be on its way. SideStory is a sophisticated tour service set to revolutionise the way we experience travel, helping you plan not only where you’re going and what you’ll do, but who you’ll meet as well – and these aren’t just anybodies. Photographers, art critics, stylists and food writers are on hand to show you their side of the city, and by utilising the insight of these local creatives, visitors are given the opportunity to experience a destination as though they’ve been there all their lives. “These days people want experiences, not things,” explains co-founder Giovanni Donaldson, whose own search for a unique experience in Seville with a local photographer prompted the idea. “Those that visit somewhere regularly want to explore new ways of seeing, and those that visit somewhere for the first time want to get the most out of the experience – that’s what SideStory is about.” With a set of internationally renowned creatives at the service of customers, this resource is set to provide insight into a destination in a way that could never previously be bought. The service was founded by experts Giovanni Donaldson, Rachael Moloney and Gord Ray, whose network of contacts and collective experience at Wallpaper* and Virgin puts travellers in excellent hands. Currently based in London, but looking to expand, local guides include an art critic from Sotheby’s providing a tour of the Courtauld, the Interiors Director from Wallpaper* who’ll show you some of his favourite spaces, and an award winning press photographer who will show you how to take holiday snaps that you’ll actually want to look at when you’re home. With travel easier and cheaper than ever, customers are looking for new ways of exploring other parts of the world. New service Whimsy helps travellers find destinations off the beaten track, and we've had a look at our top five escapes for a unique adventure. Still hungry for more? Sign up for our weekly supplement featuring the latest news, profiles, features and innovation
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