R. Crusoe & Son

R. Crusoe & Son Crafting unusual, bespoke journeys for the culturally curious since 1997

Nestled at Mount Fuji's northern base, Lake Motosu holds a secret that millions recognize but few have witnessed firstha...
08/18/2025

Nestled at Mount Fuji's northern base, Lake Motosu holds a secret that millions recognize but few have witnessed firsthand: this pristine alpine lake provides the iconic view previously featured on Japan's 1,000 yen note. Here, crystal-clear waters reflect Fuji's perfect symmetry with such clarity that visibility extends nearly 40 feet down.

Unlike its more touristy neighbors, Motosu maintains an almost sacred tranquility, especially during early morning hours when mist rises from the surface and Fuji appears to float above the clouds. Standing on these shores, you witness the view that has graced currency and inspired countless artworks across generations.

Interested in a group getaway? Learn more by visiting our website – link in bio.

The world holds infinite possibilities, but life offers finite time. How do you choose where to go when every destinatio...
08/16/2025

The world holds infinite possibilities, but life offers finite time. How do you choose where to go when every destination whispers its own compelling story?

At R. Crusoe & Son, we believe travel should be as individual as you are. Much like a personal chef crafting a menu for unique tastes, our travel advisors create journeys that reflect your curiosities, passions, and dreams. We don't simply book trips, we curate experiences that resonate with your personal vision of meaningful travel.

From securing private access to hidden cultural treasures to arranging accommodations that become part of the story itself, every detail is orchestrated to create journeys that are authentically yours.

Ready to design a journey that matches your imagination? Visit rcrusoe.com to explore our custom travel philosophy.

Four rivers, four continents, and one very dramatic Baroque masterpiece — welcome to Rome's Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi in...
08/13/2025

Four rivers, four continents, and one very dramatic Baroque masterpiece — welcome to Rome's Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi in Piazza Navona.

Bernini's 17th-century fountain brings together the Nile, Ganges, Danube, and Rio de la Plata in sculptural harmony, each river god dramatically posed to represent the known world's greatest waterways.

Legend claims the Nile figure covers his face in horror at the sight of Borromini's rival church facade across the square, though the fountain was actually completed before the church was built. Standing in this oval piazza built on ancient stadium ruins, you witness Rome's genius for layering history across millennia.

Beyond Cambodia's famous temples lies a village that floats with the seasons. In Kampong Khleang, Siem Reap Province, st...
08/11/2025

Beyond Cambodia's famous temples lies a village that floats with the seasons. In Kampong Khleang, Siem Reap Province, stilted houses rise 30 feet above the Tonlé Sap floodplains, adapting to water levels that fluctuate by 50 feet throughout the year.

This ancient Khmer fishing community has mastered life on water for over a thousand years. During the dry season, children play beneath elevated houses, while wet season transforms the village into a floating wonderland where boats become primary transportation. Here, resilience and tradition flow with the Mekong's mighty currents in ways unchanged for centuries.

Find out more about custom travel to Cambodia by visiting rcrusoe.com

Did you know that the Vajolet Towers (Torri del Vajolet) in Italy's Dolomites were formed from ancient coral reefs and m...
08/09/2025

Did you know that the Vajolet Towers (Torri del Vajolet) in Italy's Dolomites were formed from ancient coral reefs and marine sediments that once thrived beneath tropical seas 250 million years ago?

These dramatic limestone spires, glowing rose-gold in the alpenglow, now represent some of the most technically challenging and beautiful climbing in the Alps.

Named after the Vajolet Valley where they stand sentinel, these towers were among the first Dolomite peaks conquered by pioneering climbers in the 1890s. Today, their vertical walls and knife-edge ridges continue to test even the most experienced alpinists.

Discover the Dolomites with a custom journey to Italy – link in bio to connect with our team of advisors.

Above Venice's labyrinth of canals lies a secret city most visitors never see. Standing on an ‘altana’ at sunset, watchi...
08/06/2025

Above Venice's labyrinth of canals lies a secret city most visitors never see. Standing on an ‘altana’ at sunset, watching light dance across the lagoon while church bells echo through narrow calli, you experience Venice as the locals always have — elevated above the everyday, suspended between water and sky.

Today, a fortunate few Venetian palazzos still feature these architectural gems, complete with their distinctive wooden balustrades and canvas awnings, offering glimpses into a Venice that exists beyond the postcards.

Email [email protected] to start planning your journey and discover Venice's hidden perspectives.

From Kenya's endless Masai Mara to Tanzania's legendary Serengeti, East Africa offers wildlife encounters that redefine ...
08/04/2025

From Kenya's endless Masai Mara to Tanzania's legendary Serengeti, East Africa offers wildlife encounters that redefine magnificent.

Beyond the iconic Big Five, this region reveals conservation triumphs that inspire hope. At Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park, mountain gorillas emerge from misty forests for encounters that remain etched in memory forever. Lewa and Ol Pejeta conservancies demonstrate how luxury travel can support wildlife protection, while Akagera National Park showcases one of Africa's most successful conservation stories.

Interested in experiencing East Africa through the eyes of conservationists and cultural insiders? Email [email protected] today.

Walking through the bamboo groves of Arashiyama or the lantern-lined paths of Fushimi Inari, you discover why Kyoto rema...
07/31/2025

Walking through the bamboo groves of Arashiyama or the lantern-lined paths of Fushimi Inari, you discover why Kyoto remains Japan's spiritual heart.

Here, geishas still glide through the historic Gion district in silk kimonos while tea ceremony masters perform rituals unchanged for centuries in hidden gardens where every stone has been placed with intention.

The city reveals itself in layers, from the thunder of Kiyomizu-dera's wooden temple bells to the whispered prayers at neighborhood shrines where locals leave offerings of rice and sake.

Visit rcrusoe.com to start crafting your bespoke Kyoto journey.

While travelers flock to Tuscany's rolling hills, Italy's best-kept secret lies just to the east in Umbria — the country...
07/29/2025

While travelers flock to Tuscany's rolling hills, Italy's best-kept secret lies just to the east in Umbria — the country's green heart where medieval hilltop towns rise from lush emerald valleys.

Umbria's charm lies in its authenticity. In towns like Spello and Montefalco, flower-draped balconies overlook cobblestone streets where locals still gather for evening passeggiata.

The region's spiritual heritage runs deep, from St. Francis of Assisi's basilica to countless monasteries hidden among oak forests where monks have tended vineyards for a thousand years.

This is Italy without the crowds — where you can wander through medieval squares at sunset, discovering frescoed churches and family-run vineyards that welcome travelers like old friends.

Ready to experience Italy through our lens? Visit our website to get started. Link in bio.

A recent journey through Morocco was part of a FAM (familiarization) trip — an immersive opportunity for travel advisors...
07/26/2025

A recent journey through Morocco was part of a FAM (familiarization) trip — an immersive opportunity for travel advisors to deepen their knowledge of one of the world’s most evocative destinations.

While hotel inspections are often part of these experiences, this trip focused on something even more essential: the rhythm of the cities, the quality of local guides, and the logistics that shape a seamless itinerary. From navigating the winding alleys of the medina to exploring desert landscapes and cultural landmarks, every detail was experienced with intention.

Trips like these are designed to strengthen relationships with in-country partners and ensure every itinerary is built with firsthand insight — so that each client journey feels effortless, enriching, and thoughtfully designed from start to finish.

Swipe through for highlights from the road.

The world's largest religious monument, Angkor Wat represents the pinnacle of Khmer architectural achievement. Built in ...
07/25/2025

The world's largest religious monument, Angkor Wat represents the pinnacle of Khmer architectural achievement. Built in the early 12th century by King Suryavarman VII, this massive temple complex was originally dedicated to Vishnu before transitioning to Buddhist use.

What makes Angkor Wat extraordinary isn't just its size, but its precision. The temple is perfectly aligned with the spring equinox, creating spectacular sunrise effects. Its intricate bas-reliefs tell epic stories from Hindu mythology, while the five central towers represent Mount Meru, the center of the universe in Hindu cosmology.

Every element reflects sophisticated understanding of astronomy, mathematics, and spiritual symbolism that continues to astound visitors nearly nine centuries later.

Behind an unassuming door in Marrakech's ancient medina lies a world of tranquil luxury: the traditional riad, where ros...
07/23/2025

Behind an unassuming door in Marrakech's ancient medina lies a world of tranquil luxury: the traditional riad, where rose-hued walls frame centuries-old architectural wisdom.

These intimate palaces, built around central courtyards with cooling fountains, represent the pinnacle of Moroccan domestic design.

The soft pink tadelakt plaster adorning these walls requires months to perfect, applied by master craftsmen using techniques unchanged since the 12th century.

In the riad's peaceful courtyard, where orange trees perfume the air and light filters through traditional pierced screens, you discover why these hidden sanctuaries have sheltered travelers and royalty for nearly a millennium.

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