For hundreds of years, people have sought ways to harness the evocative power of scent. It is so strong that just a few exchanges between molecules floating in the air can discharge a rush of memories of close ones or of days and nights spent wandering around the world. From a moonlit valley in Scandinavia to a speakeasy in Harlem or a bustling bazaar in the Middle East to rocks in Yosemite, let these scents transport you wherever you'd most like to be.
Call of the West
Yosemite National Park, California
It sounds ambitious. Can a candle really bring the majesty of the ancient sequoias and the cliffs of El Capitan and Half Dome indoors? If these notes of scent—crushed black pepper, African ginger, elemi resin, clove leaf, cinnamon bark, eucalyptus, fresh nutmeg, sandalwood, dark teakwood—aren't enough, the wooden wick and strike-anywhere rustic vessel will seal the deal. Just add a spark. Paddywax, Yosemite
1920s Speakeasy
New York City
Scratch a match for a quick throwback: the Jazz age, the Prohibition era and the Harlem Renaissance. This white-and-gold ceramic vessel featuring a nightclub map of Harlem serves as a time machine to take you back to the furtive excitement of underground speakeasy bars through scents of tobacco, cardamom, patchouli, saffron and dark chocolate. Harlem Candle Co., "Speakeasy" Harlem Map
Old-Town Summer Night
Buenos Aires
Instead of a long-haul flight, let this candle transport you to stone streets in Buenos Aires on a midsummer night. It features the scent of white flowers you might follow on the warm breeze to a cocktail at a corner jazz bar, a tango dance in darkness or rhythmic music from the neighborhood that never sleeps. Astier de Villatte, Buenos Aires
Moonlit Valley
Vestlandet, Norway
A narrow river flows through the valley, dampening the soil, reviving orchards, ripening fruits. This painted glass candle evokes a canoe trip on an autumn evening in West Norway, when moonlight gleams on the fjord and the scents of apple and pear blossoms float in the air. Skandinavisk, FJORD
Mediterranean Breeze
Calabria, Italy
Imagine you could lie down by the seaside after a long day of work. Perhaps, light up this pretty painted glass candle blended of eucalyptus, sea salt, lemongrass and jasmine. Then, close your eyes and let the fresh scent of the Mediterranean, lemon trees, and breeze on the cliff wash over you. The scent alone may soothe away the day's tension. Rifle Paper Co., Amalfi del Mar
Midday Bazaar
Cairo
It smells smoky at first. Then come the clean and clear roses, followed by the intertwining notes of patchouli and sandalwood and oud, amber and musk. A concerto of aroma, a delicate balance between the soft, enveloping floral scent and the full, complex woody smell, this unique candle features the utmost opulence and charm of the Middle East. Lumira, Arabian Oud
Land of Milk and Honey
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Let's trace the scent of frankincense, myrrh, coffee, and creamy milk with a drop of honey to the origin of homo sapiens. The warm and healing fragrance will take you to the city's bustling farmers markets, where fresh baked bread and handmade leather goods are sold, and to grand churches and mosques, where prayers are answered. Bright Black, Addis Ababa
Lush Island
Antananarivo, Madagascar
A lanai is an outdoor porch, where you can sit and relax all day, watching tides ebb and flow, the sun and moon rise and set, flowers and fruit bloom and wither. This candle incorporates the tropical cycle of life and renewal in its playful, complex and exotic blend of scents: lava ash, tonka bean, coconut and mango. Boy Smells, Lanai
Ancient Indian Odyssey
Tamil Nadu, India
The ancient Indian ancient city of Madurai has an alias: the jasmine city. The fruity, musky-smelling blossoms exist in myths and legends, the altar and statue of Shiva's temple, women's hair and necklaces and in this blue glass candle. With a front note of ylang-ylang leaf, lighting this candle may transport you to king Vel Paari's hunting trip in 300 B.C., when jasmine was discovered. Trudon, Maduraï
Wonder of the World
Great Wall, China
Signal fires have long since been put out, walls are eroded and the 13,170-mile fortifications are now a tourist must-visit. This candle brings the majestic, grandeur of the past empire and its world's wonder built by numerous nameless common people home: pomelo and plum for yesterday's glory, Chinese tea leaves for the passage of time. Viaggi, Great Wall Of China
Siberian Snowstorm
Siberia, Russia
It's a song of ice and fire: the flare will bring out the smell of frost blended with basil, pine needles, mint, clary sage, rosemary, cedars, patchouli... As you light the candle inside this reusable porcelain mug, imagine a long snowy night sitting by the campfire, exchanging ancient myths and legends and listening to wolves howling in the distance. Memo Paris, Russian Leather Mug
