The Art of Travel: The Axarquía Through the Eyes of Architect Aric Gitomer
At Travel Factory Andalucía, we don’t just sell simple tours; we create moments that inspire those who join us on our experiences. And sometimes, that inspiration takes a tangible and beautiful form. Today, we want to tell you about one of our most special travelers: Aric Gitomer.
An architect who designs with the soul
Aric is no ordinary traveler. With a career spanning over 30 years leading his own architecture firm in New Jersey, he has dedicated his life to understanding how spaces influence our emotions. His work is based on listening and capturing the essence of what each client needs—a philosophy that perfectly aligns with our way of understanding personalized travel.
However, Aric possesses a side that captivated us from the very first moment: his ability to translate the world through drawing. What began as a personal challenge titled "365 Days of Travel" has grown into a masterful collection of watercolors and sketches documenting his journey across the globe. During his trip with us through the Axarquía, his brushes stopped at three of our favorite spots: Nerja, Frigiliana, and El Acebuchal.
Nerja and Frigiliana: the geometry of light
For an architect accustomed to blueprints and structure, Frigiliana is a paradise of white volumes and precise shadows. Aric has masterfully captured that Moorish purity that fascinates us so much, turning its cobblestone streets into canvases where the whitewash seems to come to life. In his sketches of Nerja, one can perceive that infinite opening toward the Mediterranean, capturing the light of the Balcón de Europa with the precision of someone who knows how to interpret the horizon.
El Acebuchal: the rebirth of a village
One of the most magical moments of the trip was the visit to El Acebuchal. Aric, with his expert eye for renovation and the design of historical spaces, was captivated by the story of this "ghost village" recovered from oblivion. His artistic interpretation of the facades and rural details reflects that peace and authenticity that we always strive to convey in our most intimate experiences.
From travel sketchbook to international gallery
What started as quick strokes in his sketchbook while we shared stories along the route has crossed the ocean to become fine art. Currently, Aric’s ‘travelling’ series is partly inspired by our journey through the Axarquía, amongst other places visited by him; you can view his complete body of work at the prestigious gallery on Fine Art America (Pixels), one of the world’s leading art marketplaces where global artists and collectors meet.
There, under his carefully curated "Travel Sketching" section, these watercolors of the Axarquía are displayed not just as memories, but as pieces of art that capture the soul of Andalusia. They are available in various formats for design lovers from any corner of the planet.
For us at Travel Factory Andalucía, seeing one of our experiences transformed into an internationally exhibited work of art is the greatest recognition of our work.
As you can see, his sketches are the exact reflection of what we seek: a deep and artistic connection with our territory. And for you? Which corner of Andalusia would you like to be your next muse?
