Travel Designer | Designing complex, culturally-rooted journeys in Asia
For travelers seeking depth, context, and meaning — beyond generic tourism.
SIGNATURE JOURNEYS
Curated group experiences for the intentional traveler
CURATED GROUP TRIPS
by Ceci & Coti
With one eye on adventure and the other on the art of hospitality, María Constancia Urrutia joins Cecilia Risso to curate singular travel experiences. This partnership merges Coti’s strategic vision and global perspective with Cecilia’s deep expertise in the travel industry and her refined passion for wine and tea cultures.
Together, they design "Signature Journeys" that transcend conventional tourism. Their itineraries are a balanced dialogue between learning and exploration, designed for the traveler who seeks intimacy over crowds. From remote vineyards to misty tea plantations, they craft moments where ancestral knowledge meets modern adventure, inviting you to immerse yourself in the world’s most soulful heritage.
Past Edition:
The Tea Route | East China 2025
In 2025, we embarked on a sensory pilgrimage through East China, tracing the ancestral soul of tea from its misty origins to the heart of the capital. This journey was designed as a deep immersion into the textures, flavors, and landscapes that have defined Chinese culture for millennia.
The Experience:
Our route began in the lush hills of Anxi in Fujian, where we lived the rhythm of the harvest and explored the architectural marvels of the Fujian Tulou. We journeyed into the dramatic cliffs of Wuyishan to discover the legendary Da Hong Pao, before heading north to the refined elegance of Hangzhou, Anji, and Suzhou.
From private tastings and hand-picking sessions in Longjing and Biluochun plantations to the avant-garde energy of Shanghai, every step was a balance of tradition and discovery. We concluded our journey in Beijing, exploring its imperial icons and hidden tea markets—a final gathering to celebrate the deep connections made along the way.
Past Edition: The Tea & Horse Caravan Road 2026
A Journey into the Origins of Pu’er | Yunnan, China
In March 2026, we invite you to step back in time. Our journey takes us to Yunnan—the mystical "South of the Clouds"—where we will trace the legendary Ancient Tea and Horse Caravan Road. This is a pilgrimage to the very cradle of tea, designed for those who seek to understand the profound connection between ancient forests, ethnic heritage, and the art of the leaf.
The Itinerary:
We begin our immersion in the tropical lands of Xishuangbanna, the gateway to the ancient tea trees. Our path leads us through the sacred groves of Jingmai Mountain, Menghai, and Pu’er, where we will engage with the ethnic communities who have guarded these forests for generations.
As we travel north, the landscape transforms into the high-altitude beauty of Weishan, Dali, and the preserved charm of Xizhou. We will walk the cobblestones of Shaxi, the last surviving market town on the caravan route, and explore the imperial heritage of Lijiang. Our journey culminates in Kunming, where the vibrant tea markets offer a final, dizzying sensory exploration of China’s most storied infusions.
The Soul of the Trip:
More than a tour, this is a an exploration of heritage. Expect misty mornings in thousand-year-old tea forests, intimate tastings with local masters, and the quiet luxury of discovery in China’s most preserved corners.
Portugal & The Azores: Life Shaped by the Atlantic 2026
From the historic streets of Lisbon to the volcanic landscapes of the Azores, this 9-night journey explores a country shaped by exploration, tradition, and its enduring relationship with the Atlantic Ocean.
We begin in Lisbon, a city of light, tiled facades, hidden courtyards, and centuries of maritime history. From there, we travel north through the Douro Valley, one of the world's oldest wine regions, where terraced vineyards climb steep hillsides above the river. In Porto, we discover a city where history, craftsmanship, architecture, and contemporary creativity coexist in remarkable harmony.
The journey continues to São Miguel, the largest island in the Azores. Here, volcanic craters have become emerald lakes, thermal waters emerge from the earth, and lush landscapes reveal a side of Portugal that feels both remote and deeply connected to nature. Life moves at a different rhythm, inviting us to slow down, observe, and reconnect with the natural world.
Throughout the journey, we will explore local culture, regional gastronomy, traditional craftsmanship, and some of the most beautiful landscapes in Portugal. Carefully selected accommodations, authentic experiences, and meaningful encounters create a travel experience that goes beyond sightseeing.
This is not simply a tour of Portugal. It is an invitation to understand how geography, history, and the Atlantic have shaped the character of a nation—from its great cities to its most remote islands.
Shanghai, Seoul & Tokyo: Design as a Way of Seeing
2026
What can a city reveal about the society that built it?
This journey is an immersion into three of Asia’s most influential creative capitals: Shanghai, Seoul, and Tokyo. Through architecture, design, fashion, retail, art, coffee culture, and everyday urban life, we explore how each city expresses its identity through the spaces it creates.
In Shanghai, we discover a city that looks relentlessly toward the future. Futuristic skylines, innovative architecture, contemporary galleries, and bold urban development coexist with historic neighborhoods and a vibrant creative scene.
In Seoul, we explore a culture where style functions as a system. Design permeates daily life—from branding and retail concepts to architecture, beauty, cafés, and public spaces. Tradition and innovation are not opposites here; they are part of the same conversation.
In Tokyo, we encounter a city where coexistence becomes a form of beauty. Hypermodern districts stand alongside centuries-old temples. Precision, craftsmanship, minimalism, and attention to detail shape every aspect of the urban experience.
Throughout the journey, we visit museums, galleries, concept stores, architectural landmarks, creative neighborhoods, cafés, and cultural spaces that help us understand not only what these cities look like, but how they think.
Designed for curious travelers, creatives, entrepreneurs, architects, designers, and anyone interested in culture and innovation, this experience offers a deeper perspective on three cities that continue to shape global trends while remaining unmistakably themselves.
This is more than a trip. It is an opportunity to observe, question, and be inspired by some of the most dynamic urban environments in the world.