Welcome to Cuenca, Ecuador — a UNESCO World Heritage City that blends colonial beauty with rich cultural traditions. In this episode of The Design Tourist, travel journalist Karen LeBlanc explores Cuenca’s artisan heart: from the world-famous Panama hat weavers and flower vendors of Plaza de Las Flores to the copper rose makers and guitar luthiers nestled high in the Andes.
Ride horseback on the Inca Trail, sip herbal tea brewed by indigenous healers, and discover why Cuenca is known as the “Safekeeper of Culture” in Ecuador. We delve into the rich heritage of ancestral craftsmanship, encompassing black ceramics, silver filigree, and culinary traditions that define this vibrant city.
 Locations featured:
Plaza de Las Flores
Homero Ortega Panama Hat Factory
Cajas National Park
Tiestos Restaurant
Taller Uyaguari (Guitar workshop)
Chordeleg Silver District

Discover Cuenca, Ecuador, a UNESCO World Heritage city where colonial charm meets cultural tradition

Inside Cuenca: Ecuador’s UNESCO City of Art, Craft & Culture”

Join The Design Tourist, Karen LeBlanc, as the award-winning travel journalist explores Otavalo, Ecuador, on a Hero’s Journey of cultural immersion with the Kichwa people—one of the largest Indigenous groups in the Andes. In this episode, Karen learns to weave on a backstrap loom, cooks ancestral recipes with a local chef, creates traditional dream catchers, and explores the spiritual symbolism behind Ecuadorian volcanoes and rituals.

This journey is packed with rich experiences: shopping at South America's largest artisanal market, discovering Andean wind instruments, and visiting the "center of the world" at the Quitsato Solar Museum.
Discover Ecuador beyond the guidebooks—through the art, music, cuisine, and ancestral wisdom of its people.
Locations Featured: Otavalo, Peguche, Cayambe, San Pablo Lake, Quitsato Solar Museum
Traditions: Weaving, Cooking, Music Making, Dream Catchers, Spiritual Rituals

Join travel journalist Karen LeBlanc on a Kichwa cultural immersion in Otavalo, Ecuador

Explore Otavalo, Ecuador: A Cultural Immersion with the Kichwa

Explore Erfurt, the capital city of the German state of Thuringia. During medieval times, a major trade route ran through Erfurt, shaping its history, culture and commerce. Join The Design Tourist Karen LeBlanc as she shops the Merchant’s Bridge, the city’s iconic covered bridge lined with the workshops of craftspeople, preserving time-honored traditions that connect to the past with a present-day appreciation of objects made with meaning, passion, and patience. Germany is the birthplace of the Bauhaus a revolutionary school of art, architecture, and design that thrived in the 1920s and 30s, becoming the trailblazer for present-day modernism. The influence of the Bauhaus is worldwide, including right here in Erfurt, reflected in the many handicrafts for sale. 

Explore Erfurt, the capital city of the German state of Thuringia. During medieval times, a major tr

Erfurt Germany: Exploring Artisanal Crafts, Design, & Architectural Wonders

Join travel journalist Karen LeBlanc, The Design Tourist, as she explores the authentic soul of Cuba—from vintage cars and Hemingway’s haunts to Havana’s thriving art scene and Santeria rituals. Journey from Havana’s historic plazas to countryside traditions, discovering the people, passions, and places reshaping the island today. Learn how Cuba's cultural quirks, resilient spirit, and emerging creative class are redefining life post-revolution. Whether you're curious about Cuban cuisine, UNESCO heritage sites, or modern entrepreneurialism, this immersive travel story reveals it all.

Join travel journalist Karen LeBlanc, The Design Tourist, as she explores the authentic soul of Cuba

Curious Cuba: Exploring Havana 

Travel along the Ring Road of Iceland's famed Golden Circle to explore waterfalls, black sand beaches and other geological wonders that make Iceland the ultimate adventure. Join The Design Tourist Karen LeBlanc to explore Iceland's famous attractions and hidden wonders along the South Coast. 

Explore Iceland’s natural and hidden wonders along the Southern coast and Golden Circle.

The Design Tourist Explores Iceland's South Coast

The Design Tourist journeys beyond stereotypical tourist attractions with travel journalist Karen LeBlanc to connect with local culture, cuisine, art, and craft from quirks and curiosities, lavish to laid-back places, and handmade to homecooked products. Explore the world’s most creative cities as a Design Tourist.


Escape Iceland's tourist crowds to explore hidden wonders without missing popular attractions.

The Design Tourist, Exploring Iceland's Western Coast 

Hosted by real estate expert and actor Nancianne Genduso, the show promises to reveal how New
Yorkers have made their daily lives remarkable by allowing themselves to be drawn into the
hidden treasures in New York. With the tagline "Finding the Extraordinary in the Ordinary" the
series will highlight often-overlooked aspects of everyday city life that contribute to New Yorkers
vibrant character.

Hosted by real estate expert and actor Nancianne Genduso, the show promises to reveal how New
Yorkers have made their daily lives remarkable by allowing themselves to be drawn into the
hidden treasures in New York.

Extraordinary New York

Valencia, Spain has many claims to fame: the birthplace of paella, the growers of Valencia oranges, the cradle of ceramics production, a World Design Capital, and the 2024 European Green Capital. Join The Design Tourist Karen LeBlanc to explore Valencia, a city of contrasts, where the futuristic architecture of Santiago Calatrava shares the same space as UNESCO World Heritage sites, where the past and present collide in a fascinating mashup of culture, cuisine, and commerce.

Explore Valencia’s claims to fame from UNESCO World Heritage Sites to world class architecture

The Design Tourist Explores Valencia, Spain: Where the Silk Road Leads to a World Design Capital

Travel journalist Karen LeBlanc takes you on a richly immersive journey through the heart of Cuba—from the colonial beauty of Trinidad to the vibrant soul of Cienfuegos. In this episode of The Design Tourist, explore UNESCO World Heritage Sites, learn how world-renowned cigars are made from seed to smoke, witness powerful artwork by Cuban creatives, and experience the daily life, rituals, and resilience of Cuban communities.

Get insider access to coffee farms, artist studios, sacred Santeria traditions, and even a private concert with Cuba’s iconic choir, Cantores de Cienfuegos. This is Cuba as few tourists ever see it—honest, vivid, and unforgettable.

Travel journalist Karen LeBlanc takes you on a richly immersive journey through the heart of Cuba.

Curious Cuba, from Trinidad to Cienfuegos

Get a front row seat at Miami Swim Week. Watch the stunning Miss Bikini models strut the runway showcasing the latest collections from new and established designers. Hosted by former Maxim model Dawn Rochelle. Comparable films: Victoria's Secret Fashion Show

Get a front row seat at Miami Swim Week. Watch the stunning Miss Bikini models strut the runway.

Bikini Swim Week

In this episode of The Design Tourist, we journey to the heart of Ecuador—Quito, a city that blends colonial charm with indigenous culture and high-altitude mystique. Standing at the "Middle of the Earth," we uncover the spiritual symbolism of the Apocalyptic Virgin, and learn about a religious art form that originated in this capital city. We'll explore Quito’s vibrant street art and meet local creatives keeping ancestral crafts alive. From majestic architecture to modern innovation, Quito is a city where design and history converge in breathtaking ways.

Journey to the heart of Ecuador—Quito, a city that blends colonial charm with indigenous culture. 

Explore Quito, Ecuador on a Hero’s Journey Through the Middle of the Earth

A documentary film about one of the most prestigious motorcycle events in Europe. This documentary tells the story of the ninth edition of the international off-road adventouring that once again brought 450 participants from 23 different nations to discover wonderful and hidden places in Italy.

A documentary film about one of the most prestigious motorcycle events in Europe.

Transitalia Marathon 2023

Lisa S. Johnson is an accomplished guitar photographer and author of 108 Rock Star Guitars and her latest book Immortal Axes: Guitars That Rock. In this in-depth interview, Lisa talks about her successful career, her best-selling book, and her most recent book Immortal Axes: Guitars That Rock. She was also in Vancouver to promote her new book "Immortal Axes: Guitars That Rock" and Lisa was at the PNE to do a special photoshoot with the Canadian rock and roll music icon Randy Bachman and with his cherished 1957 Gretsch 6120 guitar that was stolen 45 years ago. ( Info: Twitter LSJRockPhotos)

Lisa S. Johnson , accomplished guitar photographer and author of 108 Rock Star Guitars and her latest book, "Immortal Axes: Guitars That Rock".

Lisa S. Johnson, guitar photographer releases book

Leo Awards celebrates their 25th Anniversary.
I had the opportunity to interview on the red carpet some of the nominees, actors, filmmakers and directors.
Shakil Jessa and Moheb Jindran, short film - Imran and Alykhan Crazy8's Film Society
Mike Mckinley - co-director, documentary Part of the Pack
Tyler Twiss, producer and Derek Macdonald, Director - undeveloped Crazy8's Film Society
Heather Hawthorn- Doyle - Director A Splash of Love
Luisa Oliveira actor nominated for Surrogate Candle and Jez Dylan Bonham - singer Chocolate Cake
Nicholas Humphries - director The Shell Collector

Leo Awards celebrates their 25th Anniversary. Red carpet interviews Shakil Jessa and Moheb Jindran, short film - Imran and Alykhan Crazy8's

Leo Awards celebrates their 25th Anniversary 2023

Welcome to the coverage of the UBCP ACTRA RED CARPET AWARDS 2022! We have interviews with some of the award-winning actors, filmmakers, CEOS and nominees.

Agam Darshi - lead actor in DonkeyHead. Won for best actor in leading role.
Eric McCormack - supporting role in Drink Water. Won for best supporting actor.
Jamie Callica
Mackenzie Grey
Nicole Oliver
Alexia Fast
Karen Holness
John Cassini
Kai Bradley
CEOS Ellie Harvie and Karla Laird.

Coverage of the UBCP ACTRA RED CARPET AWARDS 2022 - interviews with some of the award-winning actors, filmmakers.

Travel & Lifestyle