WRITTEN BY MARIA MAY
Some people radiate a quiet strength that changes the world around them. Christina Calantzis Tchernychova is one of those rare souls, a woman whose creativity, courage, and compassion breathe life into everything she touches. Her journey through Benin and Togo is not just about travel; it is about rediscovering roots, honoring culture, and proving that one person can truly make a difference.
I have known her for twenty years, and from the very beginning there was something fearless about her, a rare authenticity that refused to conform. When we met modeling in Switzerland, she already carried within her the rhythm of another world. She would speak of Benin, her birthplace, and sketch vivid scenes of villages and wildlife in West Africa. Back then, I admired her spirit. Today, I am profoundly inspired by the woman she has become.
Christina was born in Cotonou to a Russian mother and a French father. She spent her early childhood between Benin, France, and Russia, and it was always her dream, one she shared with her father, to return one day to the land that shaped her earliest memories. Her father passed away when she was sixteen, and that dream remained suspended in time until she decided to fulfill it herself.
Over the past year, I have followed her journeys through Benin and Togo on Instagram, captivated by the sincerity of her images: sunlit faces, untamed landscapes, moments of laughter that seem to belong to another era. There is no artifice in her lens, only life, pure and raw.
Christina is an artist in every sense of the word. She paints, photographs, and creates magnificent themed cakes that look more like sculptures than desserts. In Lausanne, she guides culinary tours with contagious passion, sharing her love for flavors and culture. She now adds yet another skill to her repertoire as she completes her certification as a healthcare assistant, something she says will be invaluable when traveling through the most remote regions of West Africa.
Her versatility seems endless, yet what impresses me most is her quiet conviction that one person can make a difference. And through everything she does, she proves exactly that.
Hidden between Ghana and Nigeria, Benin and Togo are often overlooked on the map, yet they remain two of the most captivating countries in West Africa. Here, tropical forests, sacred rituals, and ancestral traditions coexist in vibrant harmony. Christina’s project, Terres et Trésors, was born from her deep connection to these places and her desire to share their beauty through responsible, human-centred travel. For her, it is not about escape but immersion — discovering the soul of a region through genuine encounters, cultural heritage, and solidarity.
In Togo, nature reigns in its purest form. From the highlands of Kpalimé to the sacred summit of Mount Agou, the landscapes are a living poem of waterfalls, cocoa plantations, and misty forests. Further north, in Koutammakou, the land of the Batammariba, rises one of Africa’s most remarkable architectural traditions: the Takienta, earthen tower-houses shaped by hand and passed down through generations. Listed by UNESCO as a Cultural Landscape, this region embodies the unity of humanity and nature, spirituality and daily life.
It is here, among these timeless villages, that Terres et Trésors finds its purpose: connecting travellers to local communities while bringing tangible help to families living far from the conveniences we take for granted. Each trip reserved through Terres et Trésors directly supports a family in one of the most remote villages of Benin or Togo by providing school supplies, clothing, food essentials, or community tools. Every journey becomes an act of giving, a way for visitors to leave a lasting, positive footprint.
If Togo speaks to the soul through its landscapes, Benin speaks directly to the heart through its history. Once the Kingdom of Dahomey, Benin’s royal palaces in Abomey are now UNESCO World Heritage Sites. In the coastal town of Ouidah, the Route des Esclaves commemorates the millions of men, women, and children torn from their homeland. Walking that path is an emotional experience that connects visitors to Africa’s collective memory, a journey through pain, resilience, and rebirth.
Benin is also the cradle of Voodoo, an ancestral spirituality rooted in respect for nature and the invisible world. Every January, during the Ouidah Festival, the air fills with drums and chants as faith and culture merge into a dazzling celebration of life.
Through Terres et Trésors, Christina invites travellers to experience this harmony — to participate rather than merely observe. Sharing a meal with a family, learning a traditional dance, or trying one’s hand at weaving or sculpture, each moment becomes an exchange of humanity. In Ganvié, Benin’s floating village built entirely on stilts, visitors glide silently through narrow canals, greeted by children waving from wooden houses above the water. Spending a night here, between the lagoon and the stars, one understands how deeply humanity can coexist with nature when respect guides the way.
When I once asked Christina if she was ever afraid traveling alone through such remote regions, her answer stayed with me:
“It’s all in the mind. What you think is what will happen, so I don’t allow fear to exist in my thoughts.”
That quiet strength defines her. Her next dream is to move permanently to Benin and build a sustainable eco-lodge, a sanctuary powered by solar energy, surrounded by an organic farm whose harvest would nourish guests and locals alike. Knowing her determination, I have no doubt she will make it happen.
Christina’s vision goes beyond tourism. It is a call for consciousness. In an era when travel often equates to consumption, she reminds us that the most beautiful journeys are those that give back. Through her lens, Benin and Togo reveal not only their breathtaking beauty but also the warmth of their people and the richness of their traditions. She proves that to discover a place is also to discover oneself, to feel, even for a moment, the rhythm of a drum echoing through the African dusk.
“I believe another kind of tourism is possible,” she says. “One of immersion, authenticity, sharing, and solidarity, while fully enjoying the beauty of travel.”
Together with her local partner, Tiphane Amen Amegan, Christina has designed three bespoke travel experiences for every type of traveller, each one combining cultural immersion, comfort, and meaningful impact.
Pack “Aventure Solidaire”
Ideal for students, volunteers, and explorers, this journey offers total immersion in local communities. Travellers share meals, learn traditional crafts, and support social initiatives, discovering the essence of West African life through daily exchanges.
Pack “Traditions & Nature”
A perfect balance of authenticity and comfort. Stay in eco-lodges, explore royal palaces, and walk through sacred forests with local guides who reveal the myths, crafts, and rhythms of their homeland.
Pack “Afrique d’Exception”
A refined, private experience for those seeking exclusivity. From the royal cities of Benin to the lush mountains of Togo, this journey unveils West Africa’s most remarkable landscapes and heritage, with the comfort of high-end hospitality and curated encounters.
Each trip supports Christina’s mission. A percentage of every booking funds education, healthcare, and sustainable projects for rural families. Optional volunteer extensions allow guests to participate directly in community initiatives, from helping at schools to supporting women’s cooperatives.
In every itinerary, Terres et Trésors blends exploration with empathy, transforming travel into an act of connection and care.
Photo credit: Christina Tchernychova
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