What if saying ‘yes’ to the unexpected led you on a healing journey you didn’t know you needed?” 

When actor Harvey Guillén received a spontaneous invitation to Ortigia, a picturesque island off the coast of Sicily, he had no idea how much the trip would change him. Fresh off of a breakup, Harvey embarked on an Italian summer adventure that became an unexpected journey of friendship, discovery, and personal renewal.

From the sun-soaked streets and sparkling Mediterranean waters, to food stories of fresh seafood, homemade pasta, and the vibrant flavors of Sicilian cuisine, Harvey shares his favorite travel stories, including a spontaneous glass-bottom boat ride that turned into an unlikely friendship with a group of locals. 

It’s here on this island in Sicily, where Harvey discovers the joy of slowing down, the power of letting go, the rewards of spontaneity, and the need to stay open to the people and experiences that can change our lives forever. 

Follow Harvey Guillén on Instagram (@harveyguillen) and TikTok (@harvey_guillen).

Travel Tips: Ortigia (from the episode)

• Take a glass-bottom boat tour: One of Harvey Guillén’s favorite experiences was a glass-bottom boat excursion he discovered while relaxing on the beach. On these very special boats, you can see below you into the water. Keep an eye out for boat excursions along Ortigia's waterfront.
• Eat like the locals: Harvey recommends embracing Ortigia's fresh seafood, homemade pasta, and pizza, but his favorite discovery was the region's sweet, tangy lemons. Don’t miss trying a traditional Sicilian granita, a refreshing shaved-ice treat that locals enjoy for breakfast during the hot summer months. 
• Wander Ortigia’s historic streets and swim in the Mediterranean: Harvey loved wandering the island's narrow streets, admiring its weathered architecture, and listening to the sounds of Vespas and seagulls along the waterfront. During the hot summer months, plan plenty of time for swimming in the refreshing Mediterranean waters, or taking a boat out to swim offshore, one of his favorite ways to experience the island.

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About Wayfinder: Life-Changing Travel:

Wayfinder: Life-Changing Travel is a podcast for the curious, luxurious, and adventurous traveler. Host and veteran travel writer Daniel Scheffler ventures off the map and into immersive experiences of beauty, blunder, and transformation, sharing travel stories of those unforgettable moments guidebooks will never capture. With local tips, food adventures, and cultural encounters, Wayfinder shows us not just where to travel, but how to journey through the world with humor, wonder, and curiosity.

For Daniel, luxury travel is as much about a remarkable encounter as an extraordinary place to stay. He brings that same curiosity to adventure travel, going into the unknown and finding the people and places that stay with us long after we return home.

About Daniel Scheffler:

Daniel Scheffler is a travel writer, storyteller, and lifelong adventure-seeker who has spent years circling the globe in search of the experiences that can change us. Having traveled to more than 140 countries and written for publications including The New York Times, National Geographic, and Condé Nast Traveler, he believes the best journeys begin when we let go of the map. As the host of Wayfinder: Life-changing Travel, Daniel explores how travel can help us lose ourselves, find something unexpected — and ultimately come home changed.