Make Your Next Trip Extraordinary
Christmas and New Year’s Trips Loved By Your Fellow Travelers
Travel during the holiday season shimmers with a festive punch list: A break in the calendar with activities that put work and obligations aside to enjoy companionship, food, new experiences, and some much-deserved down time.
Our WOW List of top travel specialists helps you in your quest for discovery, relaxation, and everything in between. Read on for inspiration from your fellow travelers to mark the close of one year and ring in another. Here’s how to get your own WOW trip.
Norway: ice sculpting, an igloo hotel, dogsledding, snowshoeing, and Northern Lights nights
Traveler Jennifer Cheng’s daughter sparks 2026 to life above the Alta fjord. Photo: Jennifer Cheng
“We were looking for a winter break trip for our family of 5: mom, dad, 19-year old son, 16-year old daughter, and 13-year-old daughter. My husband’s dream for over ten years has always been to stay at an ice hotel, and I always wanted to experience the Northern Lights.
Torunn planned an impeccable trip for us, with five nights in Alta and two nights in Copenhagen (fun city shopping at the end for teenagers is a must). We got a taste of so much of Arctic Norway in a short amount of time, with glimpses of the Northern Lights almost every night we were in Alta, despite the snowy weather.
Our Arctic journey started three days after Christmas. We arrived at Sorrisniva for a late dinner, and my husband and kids spent their once-in-a-lifetime night in the igloo hotel, in an ice room on an ice bed! I, on the other hand, was very happy to be in the very lovely and warm river room.
Our time in Alta was filled with one great experience after another: ice sculpting, drinks at the ice bar, reindeer sledding, learning about the Sami, after dinner aurora walks, frozen river snowshoeing, jacuzzi, sauna, husky sledding, New Year’s fireworks from the top of a mountain, snowboarding, whale watching, and snowmobiling. Reflecting on it, I can’t believe how much we fit in over our 5 nights in Alta.
After Sorrisniva, we loved our stays at Onga and Bjornfjell, which were family favorites. Everyone we encountered was so welcoming and invested in us having a great experience. At Onga, we had our rooms with access to a private jacuzzi, sauna, and Aurora dome.
It’s such a luxury to be able to just go and immerse yourself and enjoy. Norway in winter is a truly magical place, like living in a postcard.” —Jennifer Cheng
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Switzerland: skiing Andermatt, visiting a goat farm and watchmaker, paragliding in Lucerne
The Swiss village of Andermatt became an anchor for a family ski vacation. Photo: Shutterstock
“Our family of five (my husband, me and our 3 sons aged 23, 21, 17) recently returned from a Christmas trip to Switzerland, and what a trip it was! We had wanted to ski but didn’t know exactly where to go. Nina and her partner Ana suggested Andermatt. It is an old military town that is undergoing lots of investment, making it an up-and-coming ski destination. We found it perfect! The ski resort is huge and has new gondolas and lifts. Old town Andermatt is walkable and is a picturesque Swiss village.
We wanted larger lodging with a kitchen and laundry, and Nina and Ana found a perfect place for us to stay at the Andermatt Alpine Apartments. It only took a few minutes to walk to the lifts, making it very convenient. Ana suggested hiring a ski guide for our first day of skiing which proved to be a great idea. We learned our way around the vast resort and some valuable tips for skiing in Switzerland. We opted to rent skis and Ana helped get the skis ordered before we left, so all we had to do was pick them up. Very convenient.
Pascal took us to visit a Swiss goat farm in the Alps. Christian and Lydia were lovely hosts and showed us everything involved with goat farming and cheese making in the Alps. We shared a meal prepared by Lydia, and spent time learning about their lives as Swiss farmers and generally what it’s like to live on a farm in Switzerland. My 17-year-old loved it so much that he wants to go back next summer and help with the farm work.
After a week in Andermatt we left to spend some time in Zurich. The apartment Ana found for us in Zurich met our needs perfectly. Along the way we toured Lucerne and spent the afternoon paragliding. Paragliding was a highlight. Smooth and floaty are the best words to describe it.
The last full day was memorable, as we spent the morning with a watchmaking family in Zurich. We learned how to become a watchmaker, how to disassemble and reassemble a watch, and how to best run a family watchmaking business. It was such a special experience I ended up buying a watch! I can’t thank the team enough for creating a special family Christmas trip for us.” —Beth Nelson
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Panama: Monkey Island, Sloth Sanctuary, Cloud Forest, and snorkeling on white sand beaches
A white-faced monkey joins the family on the boat during the Monkey Island tour. Photo: Traveler Stacey Meyer
“We just got back from an amazing trip to Panama, which Pierre and his team planned in 10 days! I had heard about Panama from a friend a few years back, but it was better in every way than we anticipated. When you arrive in Panama City, you are struck by an incredible vibrant new skyline on your way to the Old Town. Although most people think of the Panama Canal when they think of Panama, this country is so much more than that.
Our hotel was in an amazing location in the Old Town on a square beautifully decorated for the holidays, and at times was filled with a local singer and locals dancing. The old town is filled with historic buildings, great restaurants and rooftop bars, and the President’s home. Our stay in the mountains was in a beautiful garden-laden hotel walking distance to the small town, and our last stay was in a two-bedroom, two-bath apartment in the heart of Old Town, a perfect way to end our trip with our 27-year-old son.
In addition to the Canal and vibrant new city, Panama is filled with nature. We spent a day on Monkey Island and at the Sloth Sanctuary. We then flew to the Cloud Forest for hiking, a coffee tour, and a day of swimming and snorkeling on white sand beaches.
The Panamanian people were all warm and friendly. Everyone in my family thought our trip to Panama exceeded expectations. It was a great and easy get away—and always my sign of a great trip, we all had different “favorite” experiences.” —Stacey Meyer
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
London: an insightful Dickens stroll, private tour of Churchill’s War Room, and “beautifully decorated” city and hotel
Silver and gold, silver and gold: The shimmer of holidays in London Town. Photo: visitlondon.com
“It has become our practice to consult Wendy Perrin’s WOW List whenever we plan a trip. This time our goal was to spend Christmas in London. Although we had been to London several times, we know that the holidays can be a challenge due to closures on the holiday. We spoke with Jonathan about our previous visits to London and our desire to see and do something new. We had a hotel in mind that we had stayed in before, but Jonathan strongly advised The Stafford, and we are so happy we took his advice. It is a much smaller hotel than the one we were thinking of, and that proved to be a big factor in feeling like we were ‘going home’ at the end of each day of touring London. The hotel staff treated us royally, and the hotel was decorated beautifully for the holidays; there was even a small Christmas tree in our room.
As we had already seen most of the highlights of London on previous visits, Jonathan suggested other tours we would not have thought of. One was a Charles Dickens walking tour; our guide was extremely knowledgeable and entertaining, and we now understand how London during Dickens’ time influenced his writing. Another highlight was a private ‘Behind the Glass’ after-hours tour of the Churchill War Rooms. We had seen the War Rooms before, but nothing can compare with going there in the evening when it’s closed and actually going into the rooms that are not accessible to the public. These are experiences we would not have discovered on our own. Jonathan also executed a surprise ‘Wendy WOW Moment‘ for us during our stay. It was a private tour and tasting in The Stafford’s amazing wine cellar, which was built in the 17th century and used as an air raid shelter during WWII! The master sommelier, Gino, gave us the tour and made the experience very special!
Jonathan planned the perfect amount of activity while also allowing us plenty of time to explore London on our own and walk about enjoying the beauty of the lights and the amazing window displays and decorations everywhere.” —Susan Ketchum Philbrick
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
British Virgin Islands yacht charter: a private cove on Christmas Eve and Santa hats at the swim-up bar
“On Christmas Eve, our captain found a private cove for us to anchor for the night!” Photo: Traveler Meghan Schubert
“We spent the week of Christmas on a 52-foot catamaran in the British Virgin Islands. Our family of 5 (including 3 teens) and my mom (who’s in her 70s) had one of our most memorable vacations. And it was truly a vacation—we all came back rested!
We were well cared for by the captain, Pieter, who maneuvered our boat into every little nook and cranny in the BVIs. On Christmas Eve, our captain found a private cove for us to anchor for the night! It was incredible to have the entire cove to ourselves. After some swimming and snorkeling, Pieter took our teens tubing. What a sight to see—the sun setting on a private cove, and the only ones around are your kids tubing and laughing as loud as they can. After an amazing dinner prepared by our chef, we sat on the bow of the catamaran and watched the stars and constellations appear. It was so peaceful and private.
We sailed into Jost Van Dyke midday on Christmas Day. The cove was filled with boats and swimmers enjoying the sunny, warm holiday. Our captain steered our boat in between all the other yachts and anchored us nearly on the beach. As we swam for shore to get a drink at Soggy Dollar Bar, we noticed that many of the swimmers were wearing Santa hats! When we returned to the boat, my daughter and I were not ready to get out of the gorgeous water, so our chef gave us appetizers in the water!” —Meghan Schubert
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Andalusia, Spain: Festivities in Seville, Jerez horses, a hike on the Caminito del Rey…
Christmas lights in front of Seville’s Palace of San Telmo. Photo: Shutterstock
“Iván organized an 8-day family trip over the Christmas holiday. We were based in two exquisite hotels, Club Seta Hotel in Granada and Alfonso XIII in Seville. Highlights included a hike on the Caminito del Rey, the Alhambra, tapas tours, and a performance of the Royal Equestrian School in Jerez (ie, horse ballet).
In designing the trip, Iván was very responsive to our needs in landing on just the right balance of doing and down time. We are very grateful for his excellence and would highly recommend using his services if you are planning a trip to the Andalusia region.” —Robert Berman
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Mexico: Watching whales breach from a private oceanfront villa…
The Hulmes’ holiday in Mexico: a multigenerational villa on Bandaras Bay. Photo: Shutterstock
“When we decided on a family vacation in Mexico for three generations, plus a pre-vacation vacation for my husband and me, we wanted to make sure we navigated all the ins and outs while feeling safe and still having fun. Zach and his colleagues came through on both counts.
The first stop for my husband and me was San Miguel de Allende. While we had initially hesitated to stay at the Rosewood because it was not in the center of town, Zach convinced us this hotel would be excellent, and he was correct. Thanks to him we were upgraded to their Tower Suite, which not only came with an enormous amount of space on two levels, but its own private elevator, three outdoor patios, and two butlers! Everything about this hotel was magical, and we cannot wait to return. The tours Zach arranged in San Miguel were excellent and included a market tour and cooking class with a chef, and an in-depth tour of San Miguel and Guanajuato.
The remainder of our trip was spent in Puerto Vallarta with the entire family. We had mentioned to Zach that we wanted a private villa: directly on the water, large enough so we would all have our own space, fully staffed, close to activities, and located an easy distance from the center of Puerto Vallarta. Our villa, Casa Demae II, is in a gated complex, and was exquisite and outstanding in every way: spacious bedrooms (all ensuite, and most with balconies) with views of the pool and Banderas Bay, incredible common areas, infinity pool with a swim-up bar, jacuzzi, outdoor dining areas (from where we saw whales most days), streaming services—you name it, it was there! Our chef was fantastic—we actually cancelled two dinner reservations because the food at the villa was so wonderful. This was like having our own private hotel…but better.
As in San Miguel, the activities planned were second to none. Everyone is still talking about the whale watching tour and the day on the private catamaran around Banderas Bay with complete crew and a chef. Also, because we had the benefit of entry to the Beach Club, the staff arranged for us to jet ski, paddleboard, and snorkel only a short distance away. There is no way we could have put together this trip on our own.” —Vanessa Hulme
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Belize: snorkeling, ziplining, PJs on the beach, and a taste of ceviche, cacao, chocolate, and rum
Belize’s cayes and coast are “paradise” for day trips and snorkel excursions. Photo: Shutterstock
“Just back from a wonderful week in Belize with our adult daughters (23 and 25). Patricia, Rachael and their team did a great job. They exemplify why I use Wendy’s planners—they really listened and planned accordingly, were easy to communicate with, have in-country expertise and contacts (Rachael met us at the airport!), and were able to adjust on the fly.
Everything they planned was just what we asked for. We were looking for a Christmas-week alternative to our typical beach-resort experience where we stay at the hotel and rarely venture out. Instead, we had a 2-bedroom villa in a small hotel right on the lagoon, with day trips tailored to our desires. That first morning when I opened my door and walked 20 steps in my PJs to the completely quiet beach and into the still, clear waters was magical. All alone in paradise.
We snorkeled, zip lined, floated on the river, visited a spice farm and learned all about cacao and chocolate. We also relaxed on the beach, ate lots of ceviche, and discovered a new taste for rum.
Rachael planned a lovely WOW Moment—a private concert with up-and-coming Belizean vocalist Kylon Eiley on our villa patio, complete with margaritas.
The snorkeling guides were really great and considerate, especially to those who were bit anxious. The guide made sure we saw the sharks and turtles. On our second snorkel day, we saw a jeweled damselfish, and that alone was worth the trip. How that can exist in nature is amazing. And the corals were spectacular. Rachael had insisted that we add that second half-day snorkel to our trip, and I was glad she did.” —Kathryn Barden
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Colombia: A holiday with college kids seeking history, adventure, coffee, and culture
Lynn Herrick’s son slides into the holiday season in Medellin’s hilly Comuna 13 neighborhood. Photo: Traveler Lynn Herrick
“This was a family trip with my three college-aged kids and my husband. So, we wanted a bit of history, a bit of adventure, a bit of culture and a lot of fun. Our trip started in Cartagena with the best tour guide ever, Will. Not only was Will’s dad the mayor of Cartagena, so we got to visit town hall, but he quickly got to know each of us and tailored our tours to our personalities. The kids even scheduled a secret outing with him to surprise me with emerald earrings for my birthday!
In Cartagena we ate street food we would have never tried, learned salsa dancing, took a cooking class with a cantankerous French chef and made the best ceviche ever, went canoeing in the mangroves, learned to drum with a local group, and participated in a rum and cacao tasting. We also fell in love with this hot, romantic, beautiful Caribbean town.
Next on the itinerary was the coffee region. We visited the Wax Palm trees, zip-lined, rafted, and spent a special morning at a coffee plantation. We all loved learning about the coffee industry in Colombia, enjoyed the delicious lunch that was served, and agreed the organic coffee was special.
We spent our last three nights in Medellin. While we learned about Colombia’s violent history throughout the trip, this was our opportunity to visit the countryside and hear from farmers how both the left-wing guerrillas and right-wing paramilitaries imposed themselves on the farming communities and how many fled to Medellin during this time. The next day in Medellin, we took the cable cars to visit the barrio and see how those who escaped the civil war in the countryside built homes into the hills and created new communities. On our final day, we visited the very vibrant, and exciting, Comuna 13, where urban art and music are thriving. Throughout Colombia we ate the most delicious food, fruits and drinks. We will be craving coconut lemonade for a long time!” —Lynn Herrick
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Malta: megalithic temples, dramatic views, stunning architecture, and a seaside picnic during the “bustling holiday”
Traveler Larry Neubauer appreciated the window into past and present through Malta’s war history. Photo: Shutterstock
“My girlfriend and I travelled to Malta for eight days from after Christmas through the New Year. Quite simply the trip was extraordinary, and we cannot recommend Malta, and Damon and his team, more highly. Malta is an extraordinary place, with magnificent history, art, culture, food, scenery and people. To start with, Damon spent a significant amount of time prior to the trip working iteratively with us to plan the itinerary based on various ideas he proposed and what we wanted to do.
Our guide executed the plan wonderfully, making it even better as we got to know one another. Her knowledge of the history and culture of Malta gave us a real window into the lives of the Maltese people past and present. We had a number of truly extraordinary experiences, such as making a local delicacy and having lunch at an olive grove, a private tour of St. John’s Cathedral including viewing the stunning Caravaggio by ourselves, meeting a restorer of 18th-century organs and 16th-century art and seeing their work, dinner with some of the current Knights of Malta, touring a private home in the magical walled city of Mdina and an ATV tour followed by a private seaside picnic in Gozo. The highlight of the trip for me was exploring World War II in Malta, including a private visit with a remarkable local collector of World War II artifacts, a private tour of the Lascaris War Rooms and seeing the tunnels and chambers in which the Maltese sheltered during the Axis bombings.
Our guide also spent time showing us and providing us with valuable perspective on other Maltese sights such as the Hypogeum and megalithic temples, which are older than Stonehenge and the Pyramids. The island itself was gorgeous, with dramatic views, romantic vistas and stunning architecture. We were particularly glad to be there during the bustling holiday season where many Maltese were celebrating and even saw the local Eurovision winner perform on New Year’s Eve.” —Larry Neubauer
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Florence, Rome, and Bologna: cooking a five-course meal at a family estate, and foodie tour via Vespa
Colorful Florence shines even brighter with bows and boughs during the holiday season. Photo: Shutterstock
“Italy can be overwhelming because there is so much to do, see, and eat, but Maria planned a spectacular trip to Florence, Bologna, and Rome for me, my teenagers, and my fiancé over the Christmas/New Year’s holiday.
In Florence we visited a noble family estate and cooked a five-course meal (and learned how to make tortelloni) with the family chef, had a tour of the wine cellar, and joined one of the family members for lunch. We learned of the family’s wing of art at the Uffizi, which we visited the next day. Meeting people who have a direct hand in the life and culture of Italy was special.
In Rome, our food lovers’ adventure on Vespas with Toni was a complete standout. My 6′ 4″ son was mortified to ride on the Vespa—and got over that fear in one minute. We were a team of five Vespas! Don’t mess with us!
As for Bologna, I am a dental surgeon and am really glad Maria recommended visiting the Teatro Medica at the University of Bologna with my kids. I am sure there is no way I could’ve arranged such a trip.” —Wendy Halpern
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Ecuador: the Galapagos, the Andes, and the Amazon for multi-generational holiday travel
Lauren Schor and family catch up with a giant tortoise in the Galapagos.
“Allie did an amazing job planning our 13-day multi-generational family trip to Ecuador for Christmas. We started planning almost a year in advance. Most accommodations are smaller, with about 20 rooms total, and I would definitely suggest planning this trip well in advance, as availability dictated the outline of our trip from the beginning of the planning process. And we LOVED all of the places we stayed!
In the Galapagos Islands we opted for a land-based trip rather than a cruise, and although we didn’t get to see as many islands as we would have if we’d stayed on a boat, we were very happy with our choice. We spent four days in the Galapagos (two on land exploring Santa Cruz Island—so much to see and do) and two at sea exploring multiple islands in the archipelago. Allie even arranged for a private family photo shoot on the most beautiful beach!
Next stop was in the Andes mountains back on the mainland at an amazing hacienda where we really got a feel for the culture of the country. After a couple of days here, it was time for the grand finale, the Amazon rainforest. We all thought the Galapagos would be the main highlight of a trip to Ecuador, but the Amazon was just mind-blowing. Allie sent us to the most amazing eco-lodge in a very remote location where we spent three nights. Definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
Ecuador was very unique in that we were able to spend time in the Galapagos, the Andes Mountains and the Amazon all in one trip! Just be aware, we had a lot of very early mornings and very little downtime (naps during transit were common). Some of the excursions can be physically challenging if you don’t have great balance or stamina, especially combined with the strong equator sun. And there is a lot of moving around and time spent traveling from one place to another. However, it was all 100% worth it! Allie planned the trip of a lifetime for our family of eight!” —Lauren Schor
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
The U.A.E. and Oman: desert R&R, including paragliding, camel riding, and hammams
“It was a treat to climb a few dunes, ride camels and put our toes in the sand.” Photo: Traveler John Beveridge
“My family and I were very happy with our destination choices, which were all suggested by Nick. We spent three days on the beach in Oman, two days in the desert area of Ras Al Khaimah, and four days exploring Dubai—a great introduction to this part of the Middle East which also appealed to our teens, who can get tired of museums, etc., pretty quickly.
Six Senses’ property at Zighy Bay stood out in terms of its uniqueness, luxury and physical plant/location. The resort only offers pool villas, which are incredibly well-designed/thought-out, and once you step out the door of each and every one of them, your toes are in the sand. The services and activities, including a world-class spa with hammam and microlights/paragliders which the whole family flew on, shine as well. There may not be a more ‘Instagram-able’ resort in the world.
Next we traveled into the desert and stayed at the Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, where we spent Christmas Eve and Christmas, in a nature conservancy complete with animals walking around the grounds. It was a treat to climb a few dunes, ride camels and put our toes in the sand. On our way to Dubai we rented dune buggies and sandboarded in the dunes of Sharjah for a few hours, which was also a blast.
Dubai was fantastic and interesting. At Nick’s suggestion, we did a full-day tour of the city including visiting the spice and gold souks, riding a ferry across the ‘creek,’ touring through old Dubai, and a trip to the top of the Burj Khalifa. Nick suggested staying at the Ritz-Carlton JBR, which I would also strongly recommend if you have teens, as it is located right along the JBR walk with shops and restaurants they can explore on their own in this very safe city. The trip was amazing; I am so sad it is over because I thought about it for nine months before going!” —John Beveridge
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Paris: dining and shopping trip for “a trip fit for royalty” in the Marais and beyond
Versailles, colorful and captivating, year-round. Photo: Shutterstock
“We had three weeks to plan a Paris trip with our adult children after our Israel trip was canceled. Jennifer, a WOW planner through Wendy Perrin, created a trip fit for royalty. We stayed in a gorgeous, boutique hotel in the Marais district and had private car and tour guides for the Louvre, Versailles, Chateau, Jewish and History Tours. We saw the Eiffel Tower with a private tour, the Dior Exhibit at the Foundation, and we had an amazing time.
Our WOW Moment started with a car picking us up at noon, taking us to an unknown destination which was a fabulous restaurant, Shabour. The owner told us that since we couldn’t go to Israel, this was a Jerusalem-Paris dining experience. We sat at the bar to watch the chefs prepare a delicious, fun, memorable lunch. ” —Adrienne, Phil, Lindsey, Billy Goldberg
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Sri Lanka: from elephants and leopards to tea country and “incredible topography”
Pam Greenstein and family saw elephants on their Sri Lanka safari.
“We had an incredible vacation to Sri Lanka over the Christmas holidays with our two daughters, ages 21 and 18. We had just celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary and wanted to do something special with them. We were there for 2.5 weeks and stayed in 9 different boutique hotels. They were all fantastic! Our guide was absolutely outstanding. He added so much to the trip by getting us into various cultural events, restaurants, markets, and experiences. We never had to wait in line! He was also very caring with our girls when they were tired and needed a break. His passion for the country was instrumental in our learning about the culture and history, and eating incredible food.
We saw beautiful Buddha temples, rode the famous train to see the incredible topography, learned all about tea country, hiked mountains with spectacular views, went on a jeep safari and got up close to elephants, leopards and water buffalos; rode bikes through rice paddies, had a wonderful massage and sauna, toured a gem mine to see how they make beautiful jewelry, and swam with the sea turtles. The highlight was our farm-to-table cooking class, picking fresh vegetables at the market and then making Sri Lankan rice and curry dishes with local chefs. It was fun and delicious.” —Pam Greenstein
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Peru: a meaningful yet easy trip with kids, thanks to “warm weather, direct flight, and time zone consistent with EST…”
Doug, Kate and Will Nury help with planting crops. Photo: Traveler Beth Nury
“Our 2024 holiday trip did not disappoint! We selected Peru as our destination due to the warm weather, direct flight, and time zone consistent with EST. Mark and his travel company did a great job of getting us acclimated to Peru’s higher altitude by starting our trip in Lima, then moving to higher elevated locations (Cusco) in preparation for our climb at Palcoyo, a lesser-known rainbow mountain with few visitors.
One trip highlight included hiking the one-day Inca Trail with our guide Johann. As with other trips booked with Wendy’s WOW List planners, the tour guides make the trip. Johann was patient with all of us (two teens and two adults that hike at different speeds!), knowledgeable about the plethora of relics we encountered, and willing to share the names of local restaurants in Cusco which were outstanding and affordable!
Another trip highlight was the Tambopata Research Center. Wildlife sightings were plentiful and the staff educated on the conservation efforts of the lodge. Temperatures are high, but the guides set a reasonable pace and planned hikes in the early morning, to avoid the afternoon oppressive heat.” —Beth Nury
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Uruguay: boho-chic estancias, wineries, restaurants, and gaucho culture
Traveler Jeannie Mullen riding the trusty steed Indio on the beach in “unforgettable” Jose Ignacio.
“Uruguay is a SLEEPER! … while it may fly under the radar with most Americans, in-the-know South Americans spend their vacations in this small country that packs a really big punch. Brazilians and Argentinians also apparently invest there because the Uruguayan economy is so strong. Paul and Lucinda planned an outstanding, diverse, and well-paced 12-day trip for me over the Christmas holidays, and coordinated a smooth transition with a separately planned cruise to Antarctica which followed immediately thereafter.
Universally described as “muy tranquilo”… Uruguay boasts fantastic family-owned wineries, distinctive restaurants with world-renowned chefs, unique and interesting hotels and resorts, beautiful boho chic beach towns, sprawling estancias with an authentic gaucho culture, rolling farm country, the second largest river on the continent, a penchant for all things vintage, and history, art and architecture. After spending time in Carmelo, historic Colonia del Sacramento, Montevideo, Punta del Este and the unforgettable Jose Ignacio, I’ve decided that if I ever decide to live outside the United States, I’m heading to Uruguay.” —Jeannie Mullen
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Morocco: glamping in the Sahara, hot-air ballooning, and insights into rug and leather arts
“Glamping” in the Sahara Desert in Morocco.
“Our group of ten travelers, including 5 adults and 5 teens, had a fabulous time in Morocco over winter break 2024. The company did an excellent job with both the planning and the execution of our adventure, which included a hot air balloon ride, a side-car tour, a cooking class, a private henna ceremony for the ladies, “glamping” in the desert, among many other things.
We felt truly immersed in the culture of this incredible place and know that we would not have had these experiences without our travel planner. For example, we had tea with a local Berber family, visited a nomad camp, and stopped in lesser known places to learn about rug weaving, leather tanning and mosaic design. During our ten night-stay, we visited Marrakech, Dades, the Sahara Desert and Fes, with a few hours in Casablanca upon landing to visit the Hassan II Mosque.” —Melissa Squire
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Patagonia: hiking and stargazing, fjords and glaciers
“Patagonia gets in your soul.” Photo: Southwind Adventures
“My husband and I just returned from an incredible almost 2-week adventure in Chile where our visit took us to two extraordinary locations: Atacama and Patagonia… with much thanks to Tom, who planned a wonderful hassle-free itinerary with many moving parts.
In Atacama, Tom’s itinerary kept us on the move with our wonderful indefatigable guide Abelina ‘Abby’ who led us on challenging treks, brought us to the stunning Moon Valley and Rainbow Valley and other spots as we acclimated to the altitude, and even took my husband shopping for new hiking boots. Our stay at Noi Atacama was nice, comfortable, and well-located and the local town of San Pedro was buzzing around New Year’s. Highlights: AMAZING star gazing experience where we saw four planets including the rings of Saturn, the final magnificent sunset of the year overlooking Moon Valley, and the El Tatio Geyser field at sunrise, followed by a delicious tailgate breakfast.
Patagonia… not sure I have the adjectives to describe what is possibly the most stunning, majestically beautiful place on Earth. Our five day/six night stay in Patagonia began with two nights at the fabulous Singular Hotel — a 19th-20th century sheep processing facility re-imagined as a luxury hotel. This very special property begins with history, and the way in which it is honored, respected and incorporated into a 21st century hotel; then, the food and spa — both wonderful, and finally, a day-long boat excursion through the fjord surrounded by glaciers, with lunch at an estancia with a full barbecue, horse-back riding and hiking. Fantastic!
The hour long drive from The Singular to Patagonia Camp gave us a wonderful introduction to the region, and from the moment we arrived at Patagonia Camp it felt pretty close to perfect: warm, welcoming and gracious, excellent food and drink, and the yurts… cozy, private, fully appointed, comfortable treehouses tucked into the trees. And Patagonia Camp attracts wonderful guests from all over the world — an extra unexpected treat — who you get to know while hiking. New best friends in 8 hours! Talk about being sad to leave — Patagonia gets in your soul.” —Barbara Gross
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Egypt for ancient history that interests all ages—plus sand surfing, food tours, and cruising the Nile
Ashley Point and her family on a camel ride near the Pyramids of Giza.
“Jim did an extraordinary job planning our 2-week trip. Our family of 5, including 3 kids aged 6-11 years old, started in Cairo with the Pyramids of Giza (including camel and ATV rides around the pyramids). Our guide was pursuing her PhD in archaeology and knew everything about Egypt. Our 11-year-old had just completed ancient history and he asked so many questions and she answered them all. For three days we toured pyramids, museums, etc. We all enjoyed climbing into two pyramids. We also did a Bellies en Route walking food tour. It was wonderful to see and taste the city with the help of a local. We stayed in connecting rooms at the Four Seasons. The food, service and rooms were top-notch.
After 4 days we flew to Luxor and stayed at the Winter Palace. It was beautiful. The kids woke up Christmas morning to stockings filled with candy and gifts from the hotel!
After two nights, we boarded the M/S Farah and cruised the Nile. This smaller boat (120 passengers) was perfect for our family. The pool was a nice distraction after a long day of touring. George met us at each port and showed us around each city. He answered all of our questions about the history, culture, politics, and people of Egypt. On our last night of the cruise, we went sand surfing in Aswan. It was a blast! The next day we flew to Abu Simbel, then back to Cairo to enjoy two more days at the GEM and Islamic Cairo.
Jim addressed all of our safety concerns. We never felt unsafe. The Egyptians were kind and friendly and happy to share their beautiful country with us. We are already booking our next trip with a WOW planner!” —Ashley Point
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Australia & New Zealand, from the Great Barrier Reef to helicopter rides and sheep stations
Snorkeling, kayaking, and helicopter rides are just the start: above Wilson Island.
“Our family of four, parents and two daughters in their 20s, traveled to Australia and New Zealand for 3+ weeks. Quite frankly, it would have been impossible to put together such a wonderful trip without the guidance, counseling, and bookings of our travel consultants. Everything went without a hitch, which is saying a lot for an almost-four-week itinerary.
We had initially thought we would only visit Sydney and Melbourne in Australia, but Stuart and Jacki persuaded us to tour Queensland and the rain forests, snorkel on the Great Barrier Reef, fly to Uluru to ride camels and experience the deep Outback, and take tours out of the cities to spots we know most tourists miss. The same held true in New Zealand, where Sarah and Sara staged a helicopter tour, kayaking, a day at a 36,000-hectare sheep station (including an elegant lunch with the owners at their home on the station), and a three-night stay at a beautiful two-bedroom cottage on a private estate winery on the North Island. We are most appreciative.” —Nancy Brooks
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Portugal & Spain in the magical season of “lights, trees, and markets”
The Bodine family after a pottery class with a master potter in Sao Pedro do Corval, Portugal.
“Our family just returned from the most magical and well-planned trip to Portugal and Spain for Christmas and New Year’s! We were thrilled to have traveled at this time of year, and especially in Europe where the Christmas lights, trees and markets made it even better. We took our four children and their spouses and four grandchildren, so fourteen all together. Wendy lined us up with the perfect people to help us plan: They were phenomenal with their hotel accommodations, food and restaurant recommendations, and activities that enriched our trip.
The itinerary was just what we wanted! There was even flexibility, so if we needed to cancel a restaurant because we were going on a food tour and would not be hungry, we could. The amount of scheduled activities and free time to explore more was perfect. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for a Christmas to remember forever and ever!” —Michelle Bodine
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Japan for snow monkeys, hot springs, and sushi making
The Cheng family were tutored in the fine art of sushi-making.
“My two teens and pre-teen told me they wanted to visit Tokyo and go snowboarding in Japan. Andrea told me that when my family went snowboarding, I had to see the snow monkeys, and he was right! My day with the snow monkeys was magical, a highlight of my trip. I loved seeing my family off on the slopes and then making my way by bus and then through the woods to the Snow Monkey Park where the snow monkeys were enjoying the hot springs while the snow fell, ending my visit with a yummy ramen and matcha latte. I then had a beautiful walk through the snowy town to our ryokan, where I enjoyed our room’s private balcony onsen.
The first and last legs of our trip were in two locations in Tokyo, the Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel in Shibuya and the Tsuki Tokyo in Ginza, both great for families and very well-located. We loved our guide Juliana, as she was a delightful addition to our family, like the best fun auntie. She taught us how to navigate the trains and helped us pick places to eat and shop and find some face wash the girls forgot! Having all the tips and transportation details sorted helped tremendously and eliminated frustration for sure. I cannot imagine navigating Tokyo station with all five of us and all our luggage without our helpers. During the trip, I marveled at all the moving parts and was so thankful for all the planning from Andrea and the team. As the kids say, it was epic!” —Jennifer Cheng
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African safari—a majestic, “super cool” way to close out the calendar
A cheetah goes out on a limb in Botswana’s Okavango Delta. Photo: Wilderness Safaris/Dana Allen
“We did an absolutely incredible three-week trip to South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Botswana from late December through mid-January. Julian listened to what we wanted and curated a wonderful itinerary with beautiful lodges, stunning game drives, very knowledgeable guides, impeccable service, and delicious food and drinks. And of course the stars of the trip were all the amazing animals.
We started in South Africa at Makweti Lodge, which is stunning and has just five suites. The staff couldn’t have been more warm and welcoming. We also spent a few days in Cape Town and the neighboring wine region—gorgeous, with so much history and beauty! Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe was so majestic even at a fraction of its full flow.
We visited three camps in Botswana, each unique and amazing. Seeing elephants, hippos and all kinds of antelope right next to the lodges was super cool. The Okavango Delta is not to be missed, even during the rainy season. Camp Shinde was another one of our favorite camps, with top-notch service and game viewing. The Desert and Delta Safari went above and beyond, flying us from one camp to another via helicopter twice because the bush planes couldn’t reach some locations because of the heavy rains. It was an unexpected and very special treat—twice!” —Tina Hunt
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Antarctica for ringing in the New Year on a new continent…
Traveler Jeannie Mullen hiking on Two Hummock Island in Antarctica.
“Antarctica is like no other place I have traveled to, and words don’t do any description justice. Its majesty and vastness are impossible to capture. The first morning after we’d made it through the Drake Passage and reached the peninsula was unforgettable. I woke up early, went to the door to my balcony and stepped out to take in the majesty of the quiet inlet.
Standing there in my robe and slippers with my cup of coffee, the first thing that I noticed was how perfectly quiet it was and WHITE everywhere. There was the occasional sound of ice cracking and gradually the inlet came to life. Humpback whales came to the surface and blew from across the inlet, crabeater seals barked across ice floes to one another, and colonies of gentoo penguins swam right by me on the hunt for their breakfast. It was like being on another planet.” —Jeannie Mullen
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