Make Your Next Trip Extraordinary
Travelers Just Back: Real Reviews That Show The WOW List Works
Traveler Trisha Mortier and her family visited Rome's Trevi Fountain. Wondering what a WOW trip looks like? Read the trip reviews below, all written in your fellow travelers’ own words. WOW trips are custom-tailored exactly to your interests, maximizing your experience, minimizing logistics, whisking you past lines, and avoiding crowds (yes, even this summer in Europe—read on to see how that’s possible).
Learn how to get your own WOW trip. Then, browse our WOW List of Trusted Travel Experts to find the right specialist for the trip you’re dreaming of. If you’d like help figuring out where to go or how to plan it, write to Ask Wendy. And you’ll find lots of other ideas in our other compilations of traveler reviews.
Belize: Caracol ruins, Barton Creek canoeing, Maya cooking, and cacao farms
MIRIAM MORRIS | MARCH 4, 2026
Traveler Miriam Morris and her husband Lorne enjoy a barbecue during a catamaran sail to Moho Caye.
Wow! We are just back from two glorious weeks in Belize put together by the fantastic Patricia Johnson and her very very good staff. This country has flown under my radar until I read other travelers reviews right here on Wendy Perrin. And that piqued my interest. So very glad it did.
Belize was like a spa for the mind and body. It is a country made up of different cultures, one of which is the Mayan culture. Fascinating to visit the ruins at Caracol and canoe deep into Barton Creek, which holds a big place in the Maya history. (Shout out to Darryl, our wonderful guide, for all of this.) There are beautiful beaches and mountains and jungles. And the food was a revelation. Everything has just been picked or caught before it reaches your plate. This is truly like living on an organic farm with really, really good cooks.
Each hotel that we stayed at was fantastic. But our stay at the Naia Resort in Placencia was simply one of the best experiences of my life. Your own casita right on the beach with a kitchen and an exquisite outdoor shower. My favorite thing was waking up and opening our floor to ceiling curtains and watching the sun rise over the Caribbean and the agoutis play on the sand as we drank coffee and felt so happy just to be.
If you do go to Placencia or Punta Gorda, don’t miss spending the day with Dr. Lyra, who has a doctorate in anthropology and food studies. We spent the morning with a group of Maya women learning how corn becomes masa and masa becomes tortillas. And while we are (very poorly) doing this, we are all talking and sharing our lives with each other. In the afternoon, we went to a cacao farm and learned how cacao beans become chocolate. As a chocolate lover, it was amazing. Not to be missed.
This was our 6th or 7th time using Wendy Perrin’s trip planners. And here is why. When we were about to land in Belize City, we had to be re-routed to Cancun because a plane had a flat tire on the runway and it had to be moved before we landed. We went to Cancun, refueled and were directed back to Belize City. Originally, we were to land and take a small plane to San Pedro. By the time we landed, it was too late to get out and we needed a place to stay along with a planeload of people. I contacted Patricia’s team (thank you to Julianie and Josue) who got us a hotel room and arranged for us to fly out in the morning. Having them made a very stressful situation much much better.
Go and enjoy the beauty of the country and, most especially, the beauty of the people. Easy to get there, hard to leave.
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Costa Rica: Guanacaste ATV adventure, monkey-spotting, clinching a “swimmable” beach hotel
MEGHAN SCHUBERT | MARCH 3, 2026
Traveler Meghan Schubert and her group paused for a team photo on an ATV tour in Guanacaste.
Priscilla helped me plan a wonderful incentive trip for my husband’s sales team and their guests for 5 days/4 nights to Guanacaste, Costa Rica at the end of February 2026.
From the beginning, I explained to Priscilla that I would need flexibility with booking, including the option to cancel rooms without penalties. I also had specific requests of the hotel: a swimmable beach, breakfast included and plenty of chairs available at the pool (I didn’t want to have to fight for a chair). Priscilla planned a trip to a destination that fulfilled all of this and more.
Priscilla was also able to book all of our transportation to/from the airport (which required multiple vehicles at different times), transportation to/from our excursion, as well as transportation to/from our off-property dinners.
Three things surprised us and made Priscilla a top-notch planner in my mind:
1. When we landed, not only did we have a driver for our group, but we also had a guide who chatted with us about Costa Rica on our drive to the hotel. It was such a great welcome!
2. The bus was stocked not only with drinks and a few snacks per my request, but also with welcome packets that outlined our trip and provided local information. It felt very personal and professional and impressed our guests. Additionally, the bus driver was on the lookout for wildlife, and pulled the bus over the minute monkeys were spotted so we could get a better look with binoculars on hand.
3. Priscilla quoted our initial package with an excursion included. We were thrilled this was in our budget and loved the idea. She provided several options and we were able to choose the one that fit our group best. While actually on the excursion (accompanied once again by our fabulous guide Federico), we stopped in a local beach town for lunch. Great experience!
If using Priscilla, just know that it does typically take 24-48 hours for her to reply. But I assure you that the wait is worth it. Priscilla was thorough and even helped make 2 birthdays on the trip extra special by arranging birthday cakes for our guests delivered to their hotel room!
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Argentina: hiking in Patagonia, kayaking to the Perito Moreno glacier (and seeing it calve)
ELEANOR SHARPE | MARCH 2, 2026
My buddy and I went to Argentine Patagonia in mid Feb. 2026 via Buenos Aires. We could not have been more pleased with the planning and execution. Our trip planner Jordan helped us hone our itinerary so that we spent more nights in the same places instead of being constantly on the move. Our planner also helped us avoid peak season. The hikes and kayaking trips planned for us were superb. Small groups of interesting fellow travelers and excellent guides. Kayaking out to Perito Moreno glacier on Lake Argentina, and watching the glacier calve before our eyes, was a unique and powerful experience.
Our trip planner added value before, during, and after the trip. During our trip, Argentina went on a day-long general strike that resulted in cancelation of a domestic flight. Our planner knew about it before we did, and was proactive in helping us change our flight and hotel plans. Our planner even helped us with related claims on our travel insurance.
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Iceland: ATV above Reykjavik, black sand beaches and waterfalls, “awe-filled” Northern Lights
NICOLLE RIPPEON | MARCH 2, 2026
For years, seeing the Northern Lights has been a dream, and we finally decided to give it a shot in Iceland this winter. Due to scheduling, it ended up as a trip for just me and my 16-year-old daughter. Being the most flexible in the family, we put our trust in the itinerary without a lot of study, so that every day turned out to be a bit of a surprise!
It did not disappoint. We headed straight to the Hvammsvik Hot Springs after an early morning arrival and were completely taken in with the beauty of the place, even dipping a toe in the sea which was near freezing. We explored Reykjavik with a food and history tour and had an adventure with an ATV ride above the city. We loved Reykjavik and could have easily spent another day shopping and exploring all of the restaurants.
Our trip to the countryside was full of stunning vistas and a wonderful stay at the Torfhus Retreat, which has some of the most beautiful sunrises I’ve ever witnessed. Our room was lovely with a geothermal hot tub right off of the back door, complete with a view of the Icelandic horses in the adjacent field. The first day of touring the Golden Circle included a number of the expected sites of black sand beaches and waterfalls, though it was of course a bit crowded. I asked our amazing guide if there was something a bit further off of the beaten path for our second day, and he completely delivered!
This winter, Iceland had not received much snow, so we headed up into the highlands to see waterfalls and lava fields that are typically inaccessible. We were entirely alone in this otherworldly landscape in complete silence, and it was magical. Rarely does a natural event live up to the hopes you may have set for it, but seeing the lights that night was as special as I could have dreamed. That evening had a very promising forecast, and starting at about 11:30pm, I heard these voices outside saying, “Look, just look, hurry come look!” I threw on my jacket and ran outside, where I became the one repeating in a voice filled with wonder, “Look, just look!!” to my daughter. Soon we heard the other adults across way calling to their children with awe-filled voices. I could have watched the entire night.
Our last day ended with pampering at The Retreat at the Blue Lagoon, where four hours passed in a blink. We look forward to heading back to Iceland in the summer, where I imagine it to be an entirely different country. The only word of caution I would give to American travelers is that processing at the airport both upon entry and departure take a long while. I’m not usually one to allow for the two to three hours pre-departure, but in our experience, you really did need that much time. I send love and appreciation to Iceland for being truly incredible hosts!
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Spain: Barcelona and Gaudí, Montserrat choir, Dalí Museum and Catalan cooking
JON LEBLANG | MARCH 1, 2026
Barcelona Trip Review — February 2026
We’re experienced, and we’ve always been able to point to something on our trip that could have been better—until now. We just returned from a wonderful five-day trip to Barcelona with our 22-year-old son, planned through Virginia, and we don’t say this lightly: this trip was perfection.
It started before we even set foot in the city. A VIP arrival experience met us as we stepped off the aircraft and whisked us through passport control and straight to our waiting car and driver. After a long transatlantic flight, skipping what would have been at least two hours of standing in line felt like an incredible luxury—and set the tone for everything that followed.
Our driver delivered us to the Alma, a boutique hotel that Virginia highly recommended and one we really enjoyed. Our suite was beautifully appointed with a comfortable seating area, the temperature was always just right, and the complimentary coffee, tea, and cold beverages in the room were a thoughtful touch we came to appreciate each day. But the real star was breakfast. Each morning we lingered over a magnificent spread that fueled us for the day ahead. Every member of our family had a favorite: for one of us it was the olive marmalade (yes, olive marmalade—it sounds unusual but was absolutely delicious), for another it was the gorgeous fresh fruit, and for our son it was the chocolate cake. The quality across the board was outstanding.
Then there were the tours. Our guide was with us for four of our five days, and he was nothing short of superb. Imagine touring with a college professor who happens to be deeply versed in art, architecture, and the full sweep of Barcelona’s history. We don’t think we asked a single question he couldn’t answer, whether it was about a particular artist’s technique, an architectural detail, or a moment in Catalan history.
What made our guide truly exceptional was his ability to weave everything we saw into a coherent, comprehensive story. Each day was carefully planned so we could experience the important sites in real depth without ever feeling rushed. We explored the winding streets of the Gothic Quarter, stood in awe inside the Sagrada Família, took in the extraordinary Palau de la Música Catalana, and marveled at La Pedrera. Before this trip, we had only heard of Gaudí in passing—by the end, we had come to genuinely appreciate the breadth and brilliance of his work. Our guide made that transformation possible by helping us understand not just what we were seeing, but the context in which it was created.
At the Picasso Museum, our guide brought the collection to life in a way we never expected. We came to appreciate how remarkably talented Picasso was from a very early age, and how dramatically his style evolved through his formative years. It was like watching an artistic journey unfold room by room.
We also ventured beyond the city to visit the sanctuary of Montserrat, where we were treated to a performance by the Escolania boys’ choir—a truly moving experience in a breathtaking mountain setting. Nearby, we visited the Cripta de la Colonia Güell and its surrounding town, another Gaudí gem. Back in Barcelona, we explored the National Museum of Catalonia and Joan Miró’s Foundation, both of which added new dimensions to our understanding of Catalan art and culture.
Some days we walked, other days we had a driver who seemed to magically appear just when needed. The logistics were seamless throughout—we never once had to think about how to get from one place to another.
We finished our trip with a day in the countryside that turned out to be one of the highlights. We visited the Dalí Museum in Figueres—a must-see that lived up to every expectation—and then made our way to the Empordà region for a cooking experience with an amazing chef and her husband that was truly unforgettable. Set in her home, a beautifully restored 19th-century barn, we spent hours in wonderful conversation while learning to make Catalan specialties: crystal bread with anchovies, a delicious artichoke soup, and other regional dishes. It was one of those experiences where the food, the setting, the company, and the conversation all come together perfectly.
Overall, a perfect experience.
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
New Zealand: South Island lodges, remote retreats, cooking class and beautiful gardens
NANCY WOLF | FEBRUARY 26, 2026
Picking vegetables from the garden during a cooking class at Hapuku Kitchen. Photo: Traveler Nancy Wolf
What do you do when you want to visit New Zealand for 10 days and are overwhelmed by all the choices of destinations and activities? You contact Sarah and her company! Usually I do a lot of research about our destination and have many suggestions for the travel agent. With Sarah, I needed her to take the lead and plan the entire itinerary.
With the help of Sarah and her associate, Sara, we had a fabulous visit around the South Island. Sarah suggested that we stick to the South Island with our limited time in New Zealand. We hit 4 different locations and never felt rushed. Sarah had us stay at resorts that offered first-class service, delicious meals and beautiful gardens. Most of the locations were fairly remote, so we avoided the very touristy areas such as Queensland. Two of our favorite resorts were The Pihopa Retreat in Nelson and Otahuna Lodge outside of Christchurch. We also loved our stay at Blanket Bay, where we had a King Chalet Suite with the most amazing view of the lake.
If we were planning this trip again, in hindsight, there were minor changes we would make to the itinerary, but overall we were very pleased with the trip. The one activity we would have skipped was the Albatross boat ride. Although it was interesting to see an Albatross, the trip was very touristy feeling…the captain put chum in the water to attract the birds, and overall we didn’t see that many or the big Albatross.
We felt very supported by Sarah’s team, especially when we were panicking the night before our trip when Air New Zealand’s long-haul crew was going on strike the day we were leaving. Air New Zealand’s customer service had very long wait times and Sara was able to contact them locally for us to make sure our flight wasn’t going to be cancelled.
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Egypt: uncrowded Giza Pyramids, Cairo food tour, Nile dahabiya cruise and camel market visit
DEBORAH WENTE | FEBRUARY 24, 2026
Traveler Deborah Wente and her family joined local Eypgtians for breakfast at their home on Bisaw Island.
Our trip to Egypt was fantastic, one of our best ever. I worked primarily with Seema and she was incredibly responsive to our needs. Our daughter has some health issues so we had to modify our itinerary a bit. Seema coordinated the modifications, and worked with the team to make sure everyone was aware.
We arrived early Saturday morning and headed to GEM a few hours later. We were tired but it was a great introduction to the incredible history of Egypt. That afternoon, a couple of us did a food tour in downtown Cairo. It was wonderful! I’ve done a number of food tours and this was the best ever. The guide was a med student from Cairo and was full of information. The food was all delicious, and it turned out to be the best we had on the entire trip.
The next morning we headed early to the Giza Pyramids. We arrived and were the only people at the viewing platform—unbelievable! We climbed into the Great Pyramid of Khufu and were with just a couple of other people. I have since seen photos of very long lines and large crowds. Our experience was so much more pleasant.
Our WOW Moment was organized by Mina and he did a great job. We went on a sunset cruise on the Nile with snacks and drinks. So special.
We loved the Old Cataract Hotel! Beautiful views over Elephantine Island and the Nile.
One of the most unique experiences was visiting a camel market while on our Nile cruise. The camels are brought from Sudan and sold in the market for meat. Not something we had ever seen before.
We did a 3 night cruise on a dahabiya on the Nile. While not something we would have missed, the accommodations were not as luxurious as our other accommodations. The service was fantastic, the excursions were great, but it is something to be aware of.
Unfortunately, our daughter and her husband had to fly home after the cruise due to health concerns. These are the moments where I was so thankful to have a trip planner. Seema helped make it a relatively seamless process and they both arrived home safely a day later.
Egypt is a remarkable country. It’s hard to believe the civilization has been strong for 1000s of years. We are so thankful to have had the opportunity to visit. The only big crowds we came across were in Luxor but our guide was able to maneuver us to some less crowded areas.
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Italy: Venice cicchetti and wine tour, pasta making, intimate Murano glass experience
TRISHA MORTIER | FEBRUARY 24, 2026
Traveler Trisha Mortier and her family visited the Trevi Fountain.
Rome & Venice 2/14-21
Our trip to Italy was absolutely phenomenal. We were thrilled with our destination choices (Rome, Venice, Murano, and beyond), and the timing worked beautifully—even with some weather challenges that were expertly handled. Alberto designed the initial itinerary, and Sabina took over the execution. From the moment we landed, everything was set up and organized. We simply followed the plan and had the most incredible experience.
The value of having a top-tier planner became especially clear when rain was forecasted in Venice on a day filled with outdoor activities. I reached out on Monday, and Sabina proactively rearranged our train schedule, walking tour, and gondola ride so we could take advantage of better weather on Wednesday. It completely changed the outcome of our time there. That level of flexibility and responsiveness made a huge difference.
Seek out private tours if possible—they made all the difference for our family, especially traveling with our 14-year-old daughter. Every tour we had was private (which we didn’t even expect!) and the personalization kept her fully engaged.
The private cicchetti and wine tour in Venice was extraordinary. We visited what appeared to be true local spots—restaurants filled with Venetians rather than tourists—and the food and wine were outstanding. In Rome, the pasta-making class was a major highlight for our daughter.
If I could offer one piece of advice: during the planning phase, make sure you review hotel room types carefully. I wish we had paid more attention to the specific room descriptions and photos upfront, as one hotel ended up not being our favorite. Everything else, however, was excellent.
Our most unique experiences: Our private visit to a glass factory in Murano was unforgettable. We toured the factory and then wandered through the gallery sipping champagne, such a special and intimate experience. It felt exclusive and far from the typical tourist flow. The cicchetti and wine experience in Venice also stood out because it felt like we were being introduced to a hidden side of the city.
Sabina added immense value to our trip. She was incredibly responsive and adaptable. If I wanted to change a restaurant reservation midday based on a recommendation from a local, she handled it immediately. When weather threatened our plans, she restructured our itinerary seamlessly. Every train, tour, hotel, and reservation was managed flawlessly.
The biggest gift was peace of mind. We never had to worry about logistics. Traveling internationally with a teenager can be complicated, but the individualized tours and careful planning made it effortless and enjoyable. We are so thankful for how smoothly everything ran—it allowed us to fully immerse ourselves in the experience and create unforgettable family memories.
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Costa Rica: Manuel Antonio, Osa Peninsula, Arenal hikes, whales and sloths, waterfall swims
SHAYNE KERT | FEBRUARY 23, 2026
The beach extended below the hotel balcony at Arenas Del Mar in Manuel Antonio. Photo: Traveler Shayne Kert
My husband and I are just back from 13 days in Costa Rica. What a great trip, all carefully planned and seamlessly executed by Irene.
During our first Zoom call Irene asked us about our priorities for the trip, and boy did she deliver! We visited three very different regions of Costa Rica—Manuel Antonio, the Osa Peninsula, and the Arenal Volcano area. Each region was so special. Throughout the trip we saw an incredible mix of wildlife (sloths! monkeys! toucans! whales!) and a variety of landscapes—rainforests and volcanoes to beaches, cloud forests and jungles—all jaw-droppingly beautiful….
We hiked with amazing guides through national parks and private conservancies, swam under a waterfall surrounded by the rainforest (with young crocs not too far away!), snorkeled off Caño Island and enjoyed some r & r on the beach in Manuel Antonio.
I should say that we are seasoned travelers. My husband will tell you that I am always planning a trip somewhere and that it takes a lot to impress me, all of which is true. But the three places that Irene chose for us to stay on this trip… wow, just wow. Each time we arrived at a new place I could not stop smiling. At all three places the grounds and our rooms were gorgeous, the staff members we met were warm and attentive, the food was fresh and yummy, the vibe was chill and relaxed and the views… stunning.
The other thing that made this trip so special was that somehow Irene was able to connect us with drivers and guides who just seemed to “get” us. All of our local guides were knowledgeable, friendly and a pleasure to spend time with, which helped make the trip a great mix of learning, adventure and relaxation.
Thank you Irene for a wonderful vacation!
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Philippines, Vietnam and Cambodia: village encounters, Vietnamese cuisine, Hong Kong finale
SALENA KERN | FEBRUARY 22, 2026
Travelers Salena and Allen Kern at Angkor Wat photographed by their guide , who had been a child soldier.
We’ve just returned from a month-long trip to Asia that started with the idea that we wanted to go to the Philippines to revisit places that my husband remembered from his stay there 50 years ago, and then travel. Andrea and his team made this trip possible. Andrea’s take from our first conversation was spot-on. We would visit the Philippines and then go on to Vietnam and Cambodia, and finish on a high in a romantic room overlooking the harbor in Hong Kong.
We needed a travel advisor who was detail oriented and sensitive to our needs. We wanted to see a lot, but do it in a relaxed fashion. Many flights were involved and the planning wasn’t easy, but we were in good hands through the planning process and as the trip unfolded.
Many of our days depended on the knowledge and genuine caring of our guides. Most of them spontaneously altered activities as they got to know us and we got to know them. For example, when our guide in Hoi An realized how excited I was by the food in Vietnam, she took us into an alleyway restaurant where her mother supplies the fish oil (the best—as was our lunch there). Our guide in Hong Kong took us to his ancestral village, two streets now surrounded by high rises, where everyone greeted him and us and he showed us where he lived as a child and many of his relatives still live.
I could go on because every day was special. I should mention that our hotels were wonderful, from Raffles in Manila to the Jaya House River Park in Siem Reap, and then that spectacular view at the Regent in Hong Kong. Paulyne from Andrea’s office followed our travels, and we certainly appreciated her efforts as flights were cancelled and/or delayed. I have no idea how she knew our luggage would be there waiting for us when we arrived at an airport, but somehow she did.
Andrea planned our journey so there would be ample time for adventure, relaxation, and reflection. It was just that!
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Egypt: Giza and Luxor, Alexandria and Abydos, Fayoum Oasis and the Valley of the Whales
CRAIG AND STEPHANIE SMITH | FEBRUARY 22, 2026
Travelers Stephanie and Craig Smith enjoyed Egypt so much they went back to see more a year later.
Egypt Revisited: Hidden Treasures & Timeless Wonders
Jan 31 – Feb 16, 2026
Jim and his team devised a wonderful introductory trip to Egypt for us one year ago. We loved it so much that we wanted more, and we worked with Jim to come up with an Egypt 2.0 trip, which complemented our prior trip. We planned to revisit and dive deeper at some iconic destinations (Giza, Saqqara, Grand Egyptian Museum, Luxor) as well as explore some places which were completely new to us (Abydos, Dendera, Bubastis, and Alexandria). Jim suggested that we conclude our trip at the Fayoum Oasis at the relaxing Lazib Inn.
We had a “dream team” in Cairo: Jim’s representative Shady, Egyptologist guide Galal, and driver Islam. All of them are so professional and friendly, and took care of our every want and need. The Grand Egyptian Museum’s King Tut exhibit was amazing! Unfortunately, Craig was feeling ill that day and wasn’t able to attend. But when we had free time in Cairo at the end of the trip, Shady and Galal arranged a return visit to the museum, so that Craig was able to see the treasures after all! This kind of flexibility and personalized service is what makes us come back to Wendy Perrin WOW List trips again and again!
One very special experience that Jim’s team was able to arrange for us was a dinner with a local family in Cairo. Hesham, Maggie, and their three children were delightful. They prepared an amazing dinner of local Egyptian foods and we chatted for hours. It was like talking to old friends even though we had just met! They had a lovely sense of humor and we really connected with them.
Alexandria was wonderful. There was so much to do there, but we just didn’t have time to visit it on our first trip. It was the perfect locale in which to spend a few days during Egypt 2.0: exploring the catacombs, a Roman town, Qaitbay Fort, and the fabulous Greco-Roman Museum.
We have to thank Jim for recommending Fayoum as a place to relax at the end of the trip. The Lazib Inn was a quirky and beautiful boutique hotel. The grounds were meticulously maintained, and there were so many amenities. Everything worked out perfectly. The one day we had bad weather (Friday the 13th, of course!) in the form of a dust storm meant that we couldn’t do the regularly scheduled motorboat ride on the lake, which turned out fine, because that was the day of our WOW Moment.
Our WOW Moment was a Moroccan Bath and Massage at the Lazib Inn Spa. The whole experience took 3.5 hours. It was so relaxing, and our skin felt amazing afterwards. It was the perfect WOW Moment as our trip neared its conclusion.
The next day was Valentine’s Day, and we went to the Valley of the Whales. This place absolutely blew our minds! There is a wonderful museum on-site. It gives you context for what you are about to see in the desert. It felt like we were on another planet with these skeletons just sitting there in the rock and sand. And the whale skeletons have vestigial hands and feet. It is a snapshot of a time when they were evolving from land mammals to sea mammals. It was wild! Definitely a highlight of the Fayoum area…something that has to be seen to be believed!
We had asked the team to make reservations for us for Valentine’s Day dinner at the Lazib Inn. What we hadn’t known was that this would be part 2 of our WOW Moment! When we arrived at the restaurant, they led us outside to a lovely candle lit table for two under a pergola! While we were enjoying our delicious dinner, housekeeping decorated our room with bougainvillea flowers and tea lights. When we arrived back at the room, they delivered a cake to us! The whole experience made our stay in Fayoum quite memorable!
Jim and team put together two amazing trips to Egypt for us in two consecutive years. We are so grateful. Our lifelong dreams of exploring Egypt have finally been fulfilled, and then some. Jim’s expertise was invaluable.
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Belize: touring Mayan ruins, cooking class and riverside yoga, snorkeling at Hol Chan Reserve
TONI WILCOX | FEBRUARY 20, 2026
Belize, February 2026
We just got back from an amazing 3-generation trip to Belize. When I first chose our destination, it was to make sure our 2 teen grandchildren had a trip to remember before the oldest heads off to college. Although I am experienced at planning trips to unfamilliar places for the 6 of us, I hit a wall in trying to find the best of Belize with the time we’d have available—just 5 nights! Patricia delivered exactly what we were looking for, and everything went off seamlessly.
With this itinerary we did activities for everyone to enjoy together, like touring the Mayan ruins at Xunantunich, a Mayan cooking class, and snorkeling at Hol Chan Marine Reserve. We also had time to split off for lazy suit-ourselves fun, including hiking to a mountaintop lookout, riverside yoga and meals, and just hanging out in the swimming pool (even a private pool at our first stop!) The best part had to be that the airport transfers weren’t just boring van rides. Our driver/guide Darryl made every moment count, pointing out things on the way and answering a million questions. The 13-minute flight from Belize City to San Pedro on a small plane was a highlight, especially when our granddaughter was assigned the copilot’s seat (no touching the controls though!)
As we all sat at the airport waiting for our homeward flights, we marveled at how much we were able to see without feeling exhausted from our vacation.
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Italy: Rome and Florence holidays, Jubilee visits, early Uffizi access, Bologna cuisine
KATHY AND JOE DECARLO | FEBRUARY 19, 2026
In Rome, Travelers Kathy and Joe DeCarlo connect with their trip planner Jennifer (and Sparkle).
Our dream was to spend the Christmas holidays in our favorite places (Rome and Florence) and also a foodie one (Bologna). So we called Jennifer, who has taken exquisite care of us for our last four trips—two in France and two in Italy. Jennifer understands we have physical limitations. So our goal is to have effortless travel connections and leisurely, fun tours. We know Jennifer understands we prefer to do one short tour a day. And she carefully schedules our trips to accommodate our wishes.
From the moment we arrived in Rome (FCO) we were greeted and whisked through the airport. We never touched a bag. The greeter, baggage handler turned us over to the driver and we were at the hotel within an hour and half of arrival. No stress—such a delightful start to the trip.
If you have never been in Rome in December, you are missing seeing Italians celebrate the holidays. Festive, happy people all around. Decorations everywhere. Very few Americans. Cocktail parties at the hotel were amazing to watch—the Italians dress so beautifully.
For our tours, Jennifer paced them so we had time to just relax and enjoy. We always take the first two days to get settled and accustomed to the time change.
Since this was the Jubilee, we asked Jennifer for a full day tour to see Rome at its best. She provided a car and a very entertaining guide. We have never seen Rome so pristine. And, as Catholics, we also wanted to complete the Holy Door Pilgrimage. When we arrived at St. Peter’s, the Pope’s personal body guard (a friend of our guide) waved us through the line and directly into the basilica. That was impressive! Seeing all of the pilgrims and religious orders in prayer was so humbling. We will never forget that experience.
Onto Florence, and once again Jennifer made sure we were taken to the train station as a VIP. All of our bags were handled and loaded onto the Executive Car and taken off the car in Florence. That was critical to us. We never worried about our bags and enjoyed the train. The car service from/to the hotels was equally easy.
When planning Florence, our hope was to see the Uffizi and its magnificent art without the crowds. My dream came true. The guide and I had an exclusive early entry and were the first people in all of the important rooms. I had the time of my life and still think about that tour almost every day.
We also wanted to see all of the incredible holiday foods in Florence. Wish fulfilled. How in the world can the Florentines bake such exquisite cakes and pastries?
Who doesn’t want to know how people lived in the towers in San Gimignano and Volterra? Because it was December, no one was at the Torre Campatelli, where a patrician family lived in their tower. Amazing. A quiet tour through both cities, seeing all of the special sites without any crowds.
Onto Bologna, so we can best understand all of the food hype. Best mortadella in the world. No where in Italy does mortadella taste like it does in Bologna.
We returned to Rome as effortlessly as we arrived and departed Florence and Bologna.
We did additional tours with Jennifer—all specific to our requirements.
The best part of our return to Rome was meeting Jennifer. She is so much fun!! And the hotel staff loved her dog Sparkle.
Coming home was sad….but we will return to Italy next year with Jennifer managing the experience.
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Vietnam and Cambodia: Angor Wat, Tet celebrations, history and cultural performances
JULIA GREENSTEIN BLEICHER | FEBRUARY 17, 2026
Traveler Julia Greenstein and her husband had an “engaging” 21-day cultural immersion with friends.
Three couples shared an amazing trip planned by Ethan, Corban and their team. They helped us envision a trip that met all our needs and went beyond fantastic. The trip was a constant wonder and we found both countries and cities we visited distinct and interesting in their own ways. From ancient history, religious history, appreciating the unique governmental roles in everyday life (different from the United States) and the impact of colonization and war in different times, we were constantly engaged in appreciating the areas we visited. Having hosts that grew up in either North or South Vietnam and who shared their very distinct history with us, allowed us to begin to understand their worldview. We planned on a side adventure to Angor Wat and we surprised to find Cambodia to be among the highpoints of our trip.
The culture and food throughout our trip was amazing and different everywhere. We learned so much by interacting with our hosts and the local experiences with craftspeople and dinner hosts were engaging and educational. Our trip included Hanoi, Hai Long Bay (1 night cruise), Hoi An, Hue, Siem Reap, Phenom Pen, a cruise on the MeKong for 3 nights, and Saigon. We benefited in timing our trip leading up to the Tet celebrations so the decorations and atmosphere were extraordinary. None of us believed the flowers and tree decorations everywhere. Being away for 21 days allowed us time to dig into each area’s experiences and not feel rushed. The cultural performances that were added by the planning team were awesome and we all loved the Teh Dar show in Hoi An!
Ethan and Corban added their deep knowledge of the region and helped us plan a maximal experience in each place. They made sure all our distinct needs and wishes were supported throughout and they helped us focus on which places to visit as we made our way around the country. From continents away, they supported us when flights were changed and rearranged our plans in real time and through the 12-hour time difference. We always knew they had our back!
Each hotel and host was amazing and we enjoyed excellent service wherever we went.
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
New Zealand: exploring North and South Islands, meeting ranchers, winemakers, and Māori elders
STEPHEN BAJAN | FEBRUARY 13, 2026
Travelers Stephen, Janis, Nancy and Arch explored the mountains and waterways of New Zealand.
When my wife Janis, friends Arch and Nancy and I first met Jean-Michel and his team in connection with our proposed three-week tour of both islands of New Zealand, J-M claimed many personal relationships that would lead to unique experiences throughout our tour. He spoke the truth. By the time our adventure ended we had met sheep station (ranch) owners, winemakers (not tour guides), intimate lodge innkeepers, white water rafting guides, helicopter operators, jet boat company owners, and indigenous Māori elders. All of them had the utmost respect for J-M and his company, and several of them revealed that they only accept reservations from his clients.
But the company is more than J-M and his relationships. He has assembled an outstanding group of planners who were very skilled at designing a bespoke itinerary that matched our significant requirements. J-M’s daughter, Catharina, was our planner, and not only did she create a fabulous itinerary but she monitored our progress through the trip, often chirping in on our regular WhatsApp conversations with the itinerary delivery team. The IDT was always available monitoring weather conditions and being responsive to any changes we required.
Perhaps our most unique experience was being picked up by our helicopter pilot on the front lawn of our Bunker House accommodation and, after circling several Southern Alps glaciers and mountain peaks, landing at the top of a peak with a red hut secured by cables. This structure was the infamous Whisky Hut also known as “A Bad Decision.” Alongside the hut, a golf tee had been set up. After sampling a few drams, the pilot (who did not imbibe) produced several golf clubs from the heli side pod. My golfer-friend, Arch, teed up a few biodegradable golf balls and let them fly, a perfect celebration for his birthday. We then left the Whisky Hut descending 1,800 feet to another hut where the pilot served us a fine lunch of sushi, charcuterie and Veuve Clicquot before continuing our glacier tour and returning to the Bunker House.
In summary, we had other highly-regarded travel planners at our disposal. But all four of us feel honored to have been guided by Jean-Michel and his stellar team.
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Vietnam: well supported while spanning the “very diverse” country with “truly the nicest” people
CONSTANCE ADAMS | FEBRUARY 12, 2026
Travelers Connie and Mark Adams on the Mekong Delta en route to lunch (and rice wine) with a local family.
Have you ever taken a perfect trip? We just did! Thanks to Ethan’s company and the WOW List we just returned from 14 days in Vietnam. This team is so professional and thorough that they have you covered in every detail from packing, currency, traditions, tipping, flights, you name it. We read all the suggestions and we took them to heart and they were all spot-on. You need 14 days to cover the country from Hanoi to Saigon, so don’t cut it short because you don’t want to miss any of it.
This country is very diverse in landscape and climate. The Vietnamese people are truly the nicest we have ever experienced in international travel. This county may surprise you so don’t be afraid to go because Ethan and his team have you covered and leave NOTHING to chance. We were escorted at all times and never in need or waiting or wondering. Our hotels were amazing and our guides were all top-notch. The guides are very knowledgeable and speak very good English, which my husband needs as normally he doesn’t do well with accents, but he didn’t have any troubles. Pack stretchy pants because there is lots of delicious food along the way.
I would never have taken a Vespa food tour on my own but it was a highlight of our trip. Trust this team! This probably sounds too good to be true but it really was the perfect trip.
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Antarctica: penguins and whales, zodiacs and kayaks, hiking and polar plunging
PATTY ARMACOST | FEBRUARY 9, 2026
An Emperor Penguin surveys the Antarctic circle. Photo: Traveler Patty Armacost
Antarctic Trip January 18 – 29, 2026
Our group of four just returned from an Antarctic expedition, planned by Ashton and his team. Ashton met with us via Zoom and listened to our thoughts and preferences. His deep knowledge of the Antarctic and the various cruise line options was invaluable. He presented three options, and with his guidance we chose the National Geographic-Lindblad ship Endurance for our expedition.
The trip exceeded all of our expectations! The ship was purpose built for arctic explorations and was very comfortable, with an outstanding crew. The Captain took us further south to avoid most of the other cruise ships visiting the area. Nat Geo prioritizes getting passengers off the ship whenever it is safe, and we had a week filled with zodiac cruising, kayaking, hiking and, of course, a polar plunge! We saw four types of penguins, seals, orcas, humpback whales and many sea birds. The naturalists were all exceptional and shared so much of their passion and knowledge.
We couldn’t be happier with the experience and recommend Ashton and his team for any expedition trip!
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Madagascar and Kenya: Antananarivo biking, rainforest lemur hike, Naboisho walking safari
RACHEL ZIVE AND SAM BARNETT | FEBRUARY 8, 2026
Honeymooning travelers Rachel Zive and Sam Barnett encountered lemurs on a rainforest hike.
Thanks to Wendy Perrin and Cherri and Katie‘s team, we had the most incredible and memorable honeymoon in Madagascar and Kenya. The trip was perfectly tailored to our interests and goals, and they helped us venture to what felt like the most remote places on earth with ease, comfort, relaxation, and adventure.
The destinations that they picked for us (Anjajavy and Masoala in Madagascar, and Kicheche/Naboisho Conservancy in Kenya) were spectacular, varied, and exactly what we were looking for. The staff at those lodges were incredible, responsive, kind, talented, and highly knowledge. We were able to have the active and adventure-seeking trip that we wanted. Some of the many highlights included cycling in Antananarivo, sea kayaking in Masoala Bay, hiking in primary rainforest with lemurs, and our running and walking safari in the Naboisho Conservancy in Kenya. The flora and fauna were second to none, and in the month that we’ve been home, we are still talking about how much we miss the perfect maritime settings of coastal Madagascar. It was unforgettable.
Doing a trip like this without Cherri and Katie’s team would simply not have been possible. The logistics and expertise required to travel comfortably in Madagascar are daunting, but they made it look effortless. And even when there were issues with our inbound flights, they masterfully helped us troubleshoot, giving us the comfort we needed to travel stress-free and celebrate our new marriage. It was the trip of a lifetime (or two), and there is no way it could have happened without them!
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Paris: cooking with a chef, wine tastings, football stadium tour, and contemporary art
CINDY AND TOM MURPHY | FEBRUARY 8, 2026
My husband and I were curious about trying a quick European getaway, so we chose Paris for five days in February—it’s an easy direct flight from Atlanta, and Tom had never been. For some reason, he’d decided years ago that Paris “wouldn’t be his vibe.” I’m so grateful to our planners Jennifer and Etienne (in Paris) for proving him completely wrong. We’re both total Paris fanatics now and will definitely be back for more quick trips.
We made genuine friends and had the most authentic conversations. From the first smiling face greeting us at the airport, to the warm welcome at our tiny hidden gem of a hotel that immediately felt like home, to the private history guide, sommelier, and chef who now feel like family—every moment was special. Jennifer and Etienne perfectly balanced scheduled activities with downtime. The trip just flowed. On busy exploring days, instead of a restaurant dinner, we’d happily end the evening with a wine and cheese picnic in bed from the market across the street.
Every activity was exactly what we asked for, but elevated beyond our expectations. Tom loved the PSG football stadium tour. Our guide Isabelle took us through Parisian history in a way that far exceeded anything we imagined—we had deep conversations connecting historical events to current politics, analyzing trends, and focusing on the human and emotional side of living through turbulent times. Our evening with sommelier Eric was pure joy.
The absolute highlight? Chef Françoise. Shopping with her at her favorite neighborhood markets, then cooking together in her apartment—that was traveling perfection for us. Connecting over food is so wonderfully human. Laughing, talking about our kids, swapping traditions… that’s the good stuff.
We wrapped up with the Gerhard Richter exhibit at the Foundation Louis Vuitton museum. An excellent choice that fit perfectly into our tight timeframe. The exhibit was extremely well done, and I’m thrilled that Tom now appreciates—and even shares a bit of—my love for contemporary art.
I’m a planner by nature and have always enjoyed crafting family vacations, but working with Jennifer and Etienne has opened my eyes to a whole new level of vacation relaxation. They’ve given us the confidence to travel outside our comfort zone. We both came home energized for our next adventure. We’re officially addicted.
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
New Zealand: penguins, Moeraki Boulders and Māori blessings, Abel Tasman hiking, wine tasting
PATRICE LUOMA | FEBRUARY 6, 2026
Travelers Patrice and Peter holding the sacred greenstone used in the morning ceremony in Auckland.
Jean-Michel’s colleague Gillian was very easy to work with and very efficient. We went back and forth over a couple of days and the whole trip was planned! We had a nice taste of the North Island, South Island, wine, and penguins. Her tours used were professional and personable. We did blue penguins and Moeraki boulders, OPERA penguin and wildlife, Abel Tasman park hike and wine tasting, bike and beer self-guided tour, Waiheke Island wine tasting, Kaikoura kayaking, and others.
Overall, Gillian did a great job understanding what we were looking for and gave us a good experience with a variety of places and activities. We didn’t know enough about what to see and do in New Zealand before planning, and relied on Gillian’s expertise. Our special blessing and sunrise meeting with Māori descendant Dane was a spiritual moment and we believe kept us safe throughout the trip. She also encouraged some self-driving, which turned out to be fun and not so scary. The combination of intra-country flights and driving allowed us to get around efficiently, and the hotels chosen were small boutique hotels that were nice surprises. Good work! We loved it!
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Sri Lanka: jungle birdwatching, tea highlands, Sigiriya Rock and the Pekoe Trail
MATT MILLER | FEBRUARY 6, 2026
Honeymooning travelers Matt Miller and Claire Marsden before their climb of Sigiriya Rock.
January 10-24
We are forever grateful to Miguel and his team (especially Nicola!) for planning and supporting our two-week dream honeymoon to Sri Lanka! We have nothing but great things to say about Miguel and his staff—they are responsive, supportive, unbelievably knowledgeable about and connected with this beautiful country, and ever-reliable. Miguel and his team planned the perfect trip based on our passions and interests, including by setting us up with our driver-guide Ethan, who was a wealth of knowledge on the local customs, food, history, and animals (especially birds for us!), had a wonderful sense of humor, and ensured our trip was safe, fun, flexible, and tailored.
We started our journey with three beautiful days in the cultural triangle, highlighted by a national park elephant safari, a climb up Sigiriya Rock (the 8th wonder of the world!), and bird-watching at our nature resort in the jungle.
We then traveled to the cultural and historical center of Kandy high in the mountains, where we hiked the first stage of the Pekoe Trail, which Miguel cofounded as way to integrate sustainable tourism, local economies, and environmental preservation. The Pekoe Trail is an absolute must-see for anyone visiting Sri Lanka!
Next, we arrived in one of the most picturesque places we have ever traveled—the tea highlands—and wished we could have spent even more time there, overlooking the lake, listening to and discovering as many bird species as possible, enjoying the delicious food and relaxing bungalow, and getting to know the people of central Sri Lanka.
Next up was three days of safari in Yala National Park, another stop that we will never forget and hope to return to in the years to come; thanks to Miguel and his team, we stayed at a safari resort that was further off the beaten path, more immersed in the jungle, and away from the crowds in other parts of the park. We were so lucky to be joined by guides who understood our interests and tailored the drives to them (birds!), and we even got to see the elusive sloth bear!
Finally, we spent four relaxing days on the South Coast, sitting by the pool, walking along the beach, exploring the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Galle Fort, and enjoying the spa. Miguel understood exactly how to design the trip so that we balanced exploration and adventure with relaxation and cultural immersion.
Every guide that Miguel and team partnered us with, every resort that we stayed at, our driver-guide Ethan, truly every experience was better than we could have imagined or organized ourselves. We are lucky to have traveled the world and visited places that we do not feel urgency to revisit—but thanks to Miguel, Ethan, and the people and places we encountered, Sri Lanka is undoubtably on our Must Revisit list, and we cannot wait for the next opportunity for safari, birdwatching, tropical beach, spicy food, and so much more in this fantastic country.
Thank you to Wendy Perrin and the WOW List for directing us to Miguel and his company. This was paradise and everyone should get a chance to experience it!
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia: village life by boat, meeting a monk, dinner at a chef’s home
DEBBIE KASLE | FEBRUARY 4, 2026
We had an incredible time on our trip to Northern Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia. Ethan planned our trip and did a great job listening to the things we like to do and making that a reality. All the logistics, from drivers, to guides, to visas, etc. was handled for us. Every one of his suggestions (from hotels to activities) was spot on! And when we emailed Ethan with a question in the middle of our trip, he responded back right away.
Now for some trip highlights….in Chiang Mai we did a cooking class with Pea and we met with a monk to learn more about Buddhism and the life of a monk. Both were fun and eye-opening. We took a private boat from Thailand to Laos, observing village life along the way. We weren’t sure if this would be super interesting or a waste of 2 days, but decided to chance it on Ethan’s recommendation. This was definitely a trip highlight! The ride itself was beautiful, relaxing, and it was interesting to see people fishing or panning for gold. But the true value of our local guide was evident when we arrived in the local villages to look around. Our guide kept us away from other visitors, and due to his relationships with people in the villages, we had the most unique experiences. In one village, we joined in a drinking party with a group of women taking a break from the fields. And in another village, we participated in preparing for a ceremony honoring a deceased family member.
Some Laos highlights were the Manda Lao elephant sanctuary, and going to our guide’s house for dinner with his family. We ate traditional foods, were blessed by all his relatives, traded off singing Lao and American songs, and danced together! Our final morning, we woke up early with our guide to “make merit” (give alms) to the monks. Another really authentic experience.
After all these experiences (and so many more), we were ready for some relaxing at Shinta Mani Wild. This was a super splurge for us, but we were so glad we did it! Everything about this place was over the top and amazing…..without feeling at all stuffy or contrived.
Our last trip highlight was our Wendy Perrin WOW Moment—we had a private dinner at a world-renowned Cambodian chef’s home. Chef Nak sat with us during our 5-course dinner and explained how she is traveling around Cambodia (and the world) trying to elevate Cambodian cuisine and culture. It was a really special night!
I would highly recommend visiting these fascinating countries and having Ethan make the arrangements.
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Colombia: “deeply moved” by the arts, food, beauty of a country that has “transformed itself”
PAULA KRAMER | JANUARY 25, 2026
Traveler Paula Kramer and her family appreciated the valley and mountains by horseback.
To be clear, I was NOT happy when my husband Jeff announced that he wanted our family holiday vacation (December 2025) to be in Colombia. Although I had heard about the wonderful beaches of Cartagena over the years, whenever I thought of Colombia the three “Cs” came to mind: coffee, cocaine and crime, and not necessarily in that order. I was NOT enthused about this trip, and my concerns only grew when the US started bombing boats from neighboring Venezuela.
But thanks to the deep knowledge, experience and expert advice of Boris and his team, we had a transformational journey and acquired a more accurate and realistic understanding of contemporary Colombia. Only a five-hour flight from NY, the country is incredibly beautiful and colorful, offering a variety of climates, geographies, and cultures that will make you fall in love with the place. The people are warm and friendly and the food is terrific. Ironically, the coffee was only fair (because the best stuff is saved for export), and while drugs and crime still exist in some places—as they do in many countries—they are no longer the defining elements they once were. We felt very comfortable, and were deeply moved by a country that has transformed itself in recent years. Indeed, it’s only in the last decade that a robust tourist industry has flourished, once internal strife was no longer a factor.
We spent our first few days exploring Cartagena from Casa Don Luis, our perfectly situated hotel in the charming walled town. Christmas is a particularly magical time to visit; the decorative lights transform the town at night.
Visit Palenque, a town founded by escaped slaves in the 17th century with a rich history. By no means a fancy place, but its unique language and rich customs make it worth the trip. Highlights in Palenque included dance performances by local youth, a visit to the local medicine man, and a delicious traditional meal served on a banana leaf and eaten by hand.
Other WOW experiences in Cartagena revolved around food—an incredible chocolate and rum tasting, and a bespoke cooking class with Chef Jonathan and his family in their apartment just off the beach. We’ve done a lot of cooking classes in our travels, many in some incredible places, but these two experiences were among the best we’ve ever had. Not just because of the great food we learned to make, but we had rich and informative conversations with our hosts.
We then spent a couple of days of R & R at a Sofitel beach resort in Baru, a 40-minute boat ride from Cartagena. This break got us ready for our journey to the mountainous coffee region of Pereira, a place of incredible beauty and one of the bountiful bread baskets of Colombia. We LOVED our private tours of a local small batch coffee plantation and a cacao farm, each guided by descendants of families that have been in the region for years. We were fascinated by the incredible landscape, and all that they taught us about coffee and cacao production, then and now, and how each is changing due to climate, increasing competition, and demographics.
High on our list of WOW experiences in this region included our hike through the stunningly beautiful Cocora Valley, home of the majestic wax palm. Our guide expertly advised us to make some adjustments to avoid the crowds, and we were rewarded with an array of amazing vistas, practically to ourselves. The mountains, palms and flowers took our breath away. We also had amazing experiences seeing the mountains on horseback and also from the river, on a bamboo raft. Unforgettable experiences with lovely people.
Last, but by no means least, we flew to Medellin, infamous home of the ruthless drug czar, Pablo Escobar, and the complicated set of players in the drug wars. This was the largest city we visited and we were fascinated to learn about its recent transformation from the war-torn cartel years to a now-thriving metropolis where technology reigns, and transportation enhancements have turned once-dangerous barrios into safe communities with budding businesses and opportunity. Highlights: Botero Plaza and nearby museum established by the artist, and tour of Comuna 13, a barrio once renowned for its danger. Led by a former gang member, now a musician and community activist, she shared her own incredible journey and that of her neighborhood. Both are a miracle of resilience and survival. Seeing our reaction and curiosity, our local guide added a visit to the site of Escobar’s former home, now turned into an incredible memorial to the 40,000 innocent people who tragically lost their lives due to the drug wars of Medellin.
Throughout our journey, it was comforting to know that every activity we did had been personally experienced by Boris and his team. Their deep knowledge of Colombia—the well-known, and the less-well-known—as well as the expertise of our local guides, made all the difference. We had a curated trip that maximized our 11 days in Colombia and made it a rich, transformative, deeply educational, and very fun experience. We asked a lot of questions and got candid responses in return, and our guides tweaked things based on our interests that further enhanced our trip. This is what you get when you work closely with a great trip planner. Boris and his team brought their A game, and we could not have been happier. Travel to Colombia, and do so with their guidance.
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Mongolia: hikes and bikes, horseback and camel rides, cooking, rodeo, and nomadic culture
RAE SULTAN | JANUARY 25, 2026
We traveled to Mongolia September 4-15, 2025 on a mother/daughter trip. This was our second time using a Wendy Perrin travel planner (first was Madagascar) and once again we were glad we did.
Our trip to Mongolia exceeded our expectations. The itinerary created by Undraa and Sanjay was perfect in terms of timing and logistics—long drives broken up by hikes, horseback riding, visits with locals, camel rides, and even massages at Three Camel Lodge. The breathtaking scenery on the way from UB to Gobi was made even more magical by herds of wild horses, domestic animals, birds, desert animals and camels.
One of the highlights of our trip was attending a rodeo in Gobi while at Three Camel Lodge. This was a unique opportunity to be with the locals and really get a feel for Mongolian life. The Lodge was very comfortable with great food and many activities, from bikes to cooking classes. Our guide, Joe, and our driver, Alan, made the trip extra special. Joe did a great job explaining everything from Mongolian history to nomadic culture, taught us about local food, and even helped my daughter buy Mongolian riding boots at the market. Our driver was not only an excellent driver, but funny and engaging as well.
We have traveled extensively and can say that this team went the extra mile to make our trip special. This is why we trust using a Wendy Perrin travel specialist!
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Italy: exploring World War II sites, viewing estates and art, learning to make gelato
ADAM AMSTERDAM| JANUARY 24, 2026
Traveler Adam Amsterdam and his wife Mary visited the Palazzo Colonna in Rome.
We just returned from another wonderful travel experience planned by Andrea‘s team. We’ve been to Rome many times and have visited all the “must see” sites (Colosseum, Forum, Vatican, Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona, Pantheon, etc.). We were looking for experiences that are off the beaten path. Andrea’s team certainly delivered!
We stayed at J.K. Place Roma. If you’re looking for a boutique hotel (27 rooms) in a perfect central location (but also on a quiet side street) with world-class service, look no further. I can’t rave enough about this property. The hotel is gorgeous, the rooms super comfortable, and the staff treat everyone like VIPs.
Our week-long visit started with a street art tour in the Ostiense District led by our guide Ilaria. She told us so much about the street artists and their inspirations, as well as some history of the neighborhood. The next day we had a tour of important World War II sites, during which our guide Max made history come alive. He is a walking encyclopedia but didn’t give us just dates and names —his tour was riveting. Our guide Giulia led us on a private tour of Palazzo Colonna, a 15-acre private estate in the center of Rome filled with impressive history and museum-quality artwork. Our last experience, also with Giulia, was going behind the scenes at Giolitti Gelateria, one of the most famous gelaterias in Rome. We donned aprons and made gelato (banana and chocolate). We were surprised when they brought our creations out to the shop for sale! We handed out free tastes from behind the counter as one of the workers announced to the whole shop that “Mary and Adam made this gelato!” It certainly was one of the more unique travel experiences we’ve ever had.
Even though we had been to Rome before, in many ways it felt like were seeing the city for the first time because of the new neighborhoods we visited and the great experiences planned by Andrea’s team.
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Panama: Cloud Forest zipline and bridge, luxury and adventure, canal viewing via private boat
SAM LADA | JANUARY 23, 2026
In Boquete, traveler Sam Lada and his family walked a high bridge in the Cloud Forest.
Our family visit to Panama was nothing short of remarkable. A relative last minute destination decision, based largely on advice from Wendy Perrin, more than satisfied our basic criteria—warm weather, nonstop direct plane flight, and a location we hadn’t visited before. Indeed, it checked off the food, outdoor activities, crowd avoidance, and cultural/historical significance we were also hoping to experience.
Before our trip, and since our return as well, people seemed to raise eyebrows when we said our winter break would be spent in Panama. We had some degree of hesitation in the planning stages that quickly evaporated after talking with Pierre. He focused on our specific interests and tailored a trip that combined luxury with adventure, history with context, and activity with downtime.
Certainly the trip was a whirlwind in variety without seeming rushed or superficial. In Panama City we experienced the vibrancy of Casco Viejo, incredible food all over the city, and time at the Panama Canal. Though the popular canal experience felt too much like Disney, Pierre set us up on a private boat on the canal to see both wildlife and the waterway and boats up close. In Boquete we again ate incredible food, drank even better coffee, hiked in pouring rain to waterfalls, and ziplined and bridged in the Cloud Forest. A surprise to us, our hotel hosted a big New Year’s Eve party—with decorations, food and drinks, and live salsa that would rival or surpass anything stateside. Dancing after midnight in a crowd of mostly locals was not only fun but felt authentic and connected. Lastly, finishing our trip at Isla Palenque on the Pacific coast was an ideal wind down—nature, seclusion, time. Pierre had emphasized what a special place Isla Palenque was, and it delivered the vibe and service we needed before heading back home.
A particular success throughout the trip was the perfect coordination of all transfers. Guides and drivers were seamless in their availability and timing. We never had to wait nor did we have to rush. Guides and drivers also expressed interest in getting to know us, and at our request eagerly pivoted to our areas of interest including a focus on trying to speak only in Spanish.
Pierre also successfully coordinated or assisted in specific room accommodations, navigating food allergies, and identifying best activities. He offered dining recommendations and made reservations that would not have been easy to do from the States. Pierre also made sure that we were not overwhelmed with events so that we had enough time to ourselves—he and his team really struck a nice balance for us.
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Australia and New Zealand: biking, kayaking, hiking, and horseback—“everything I love in life”
LOIS MALTAIS | JANUARY 20, 2026
In New Zealand traveler Lois Maltais embraced her favorite activities, including a horseback ride.
My trip to the South Island of New Zealand and Sydney Australia was such an incredible adventure thanks to Sarah and her team, Sara and Jacki. They made it possible for me to do everything I love to do in life.
In New Zealand it was biking through the Marlborough Vineyards, a day of kayaking Queen Charlotte Sound, a helicopter ride over Fiordland National Park and Milford Sound, an overnight cruise on Doubtful Sound, hiking and horseback riding in the Ahuriri Valley, jet boating the Dart River…all these wonderful activities with the snow-capped mountains as a backdrop. The accommodations they suggested, The Marlborough in Blenheim, Cabot Lodge in Manapouri, The Lindis in the Ahuriri Valley, and Blanket Bay in Glenorchy, were welcoming in every way with stunning views in every direction and scrumptious foods after days of exploring.
In Sydney, my one day was filled with touring the city by car, a harbor boat tour, and a private tour of the famous opera house. I can now understand why people insist on visiting Sydney. It’s such a unique and beautiful city. Though I only had one day, it was well worth the quick visit.
The itinerary that Sarah and her team created for me exceeded my expectations in every way and I can’t thank them enough for a truly memorable trip. As a solo traveler, I knew they were looking after me in every stop along the way for both New Zealand and Sydney. The memories will never fade as I look forward to seeing another part of this glorious planet we call home. I am already planning my next adventure using Wendy’s WOW List of travel experts. On to my 7th continent!
Thank you Wendy, and all the people that made this adventure one of the best.
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Belize: zip-lining, cave-canoeing, Gaia River Lodge, Mayan ruins, gourmet catamaran adventure
SHARONNE HAYES | JANUARY 19, 2026
Traveler Sharonne Hayes and her husband sailed for five days throughout the Belizean reef and islands.
We’ve been hoping to go to Belize for many years, and we finally made the time this year and had a great experience working with Patricia and her team. From the time of booking, they were responsive to our interests and provided a number (but not too many) of options for consideration. They were quick to respond to questions prior to booking.
Once in country, literally everything worked great and went smoothly. We loved Gaia River Lodge. It was remote but close enough to access many adventures including canoeing in caves, zip lining and a visit to the Mayan city of Caracol where, despite arriving at 10:00 a.m., we were only the second car to arrive and had the whole place to ourself. What a contrast from some of the Mexican ruins! We had Josiah as our guide and he was fantastic. Responsive to our many questions, skilled and prepared.
We are vegetarian and are unfortunately too accustomed to having picnic lunches where we and the meal seem like an afterthought (for instance, a cold cheese sandwich is when everyone else is having a hot multi-item (meat) meal). Not this trip! Both of our picnic lunches were over the top wonderful. Thoughtful, with protein and flavor. And on the second day Josiah served a selection of Belizean dishes that were spectacular. He shared that a woman in his local community prepared them. I would hire her! We also experienced a lovely private dinner with superb wine overlooking the waterfalls at Gaia as our WOW Moment. Just perfect.
From the jungle, we drove about 2 hours to our next adventure on a catamaran. We had 5 days to explore the north and south regions and reefs where we caught fish, snorkeled, saw wildlife, visited quaint villages and islands, and generally completely relaxed under the expert navigation of Captain Alex and the spectacular daily gourmet creations of first mate and chef, Ellen. Neither of us could believe that she could create such beautiful and tasty meals out of that tiny kitchen. Ellen truly elevated vegetarian dining and could make a mean rum cocktail as well! I can see why they report having so many repeat guests.
Overall this was a great vacation thanks to great planning, a beautiful country, and the people we interacted with on the trip.
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Mexico: snorkeling cruise, swimming with dolphins, visiting Tierra Sagrada, tequila and marlins
RICHARD CARVOLTH | JANUARY 18, 2026
Traveler Richard Carvolth’s extended family celebrated an epic 50th anniversary in Cabo San Lucas.
How do you celebrate a 50th wedding anniversary in Cabo San Lucas with your 4 children, their spouses, and 9 grandchildren?? Call Julie!!
We thought planning almost a year in advance would be plenty of time even for the week between Christmas and New Years. Boy were we wrong—and with everything almost already booked for a party of 19, Julie and her associate, Alex, were able to find us a spectacular villa in the hillsides of beautiful Pedregal.
With its commanding view of the bay, harbor, and Baja rock formations, and its eight en-suite bedrooms, movie theater, game rooms, and huge infinity pool, the villa was the perfect spot for all 19 of us.
However, finding the villa was just the beginning of the phenomenal trip Julie and Alex created for us. Where to begin?? Just a few highlights: Swimming with dolphins; a full day cruise of the bay with snorkeling, sightseeing, lunch and drinks; a day trip to Tierra Sagrada with beach time, camel riding, cooking class, and tequila tasting; a deep sea fishing day for the guys (grandsons caught a 130-pound marlin that was bigger than both of them!); and a fabulous spa day for the gals.
Evenings were a combination of three fantastic restaurants (imagine making reservations for 19 during the peak season??) and special events. Our anniversary, December 28th, was a night to remember: starting with cocktails and margaritas accompanied by a Mariachi band, catered dinner, cake and giant sparklers, and grand finale dance performance including LED-clad dancers—all on the main deck overlooking the moonlit harbor. New Year’s Eve was another starry night with beautiful catering and a panoramic fireworks show spread across the entire bay.
One afternoon we were treated to a surprise WOW Moment. Three talented artists arrived with all the supplies and creative guidance for our grandchildren to create their own decorated pinatas, sombreros, head bands and more. Meanwhile the “grownups” had a great time at the pool with a mango margarita (or two).
All in all, Julie and Alex—with their expertise, access, and incredible planning and execution—put together an anniversary of a lifetime which our entire family will always remember.
Cheers to Cabo San Lucas!!
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Costa Rica: spice and sugar mill tours, corn tortilla-making class, feeding monkeys at a refuge
RICHARD AND ALICE GOLDIN | JANUARY 15, 2026
Traveler Richard Goldin’s multigenerational family group visited three regions in Costa Rica.
Our family trip to Costa Rica created several challenges which were handled superbly by our planning company and their personal representative, Irene. Our group consisted of nine adult family members, three of whom were teenagers with thoughts and travel goals of their own. Because of school commitments, we travelled over the busy Christmas break. Our visit began on 26 December 2025 and lasted until 10 Jan 10, 2026. Furthermore, we were restricted in our travels by members who had a fear of flying in small planes.
We visited three main areas of Costa Rica—Manuel Antonio, the Monteverde Cloud Forest, and the Arenal Volcano area. Each had its own characteristic fauna, flora, and topography. All hotels were unique and charming with wonderful amenities. The events scheduled were educational and provided insights into how people live and work in this small country. Not all activities were to everybody’s taste.
We all loved and learned on the Spice tour, during which we learned to appreciate how we get vanilla and other condiments. The travel on the Tarcoles River was a highlight for everyone, and the high-tech cameras (not cell phones) of five of us kept clicking. The mixed drink tour was superb even for those too young to taste the alcoholic mixture. The private sugar mill tour was a highlight, especially when we got to sample the coffee, sugar and cocoa. The hanging bridge walk was enjoyed by those of us who participated. The Volunteerism Day visit where animals were fed was arranged at our request. Some members liked the preparing and feeding of the animals, but others found it hot, humid and tedious. The private mangrove tour was less fun because, although we had our private boat, the river was crowded with many other boats and kayaks. Likewise, the night tour looking for nocturnal beasts provided few results and was hard to maneuver in mist, mud and steep climbs. The cooking class with Dona Mara was very special and the lunch prepared was our best meal in Costa Rica. We also learned how to make corn tortillas, or at least I hope that my wife remembers. Our last day at the ASIS Wildlife Refuge was excellent, where we got to prepare the food and feed the monkeys.
I should also say that we had some long travel days (considering that we rejected air travel). Our drivers Johnathon and Calos were superb, and went out of their way to show us life that we might not have seen on an airplane.
All in all, the trip to Costa Rica with my daughters, sons-in-law, and three grandchildren will be remembered as a great visit for a long time.
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Brazil: beaches and Caipirinha-making in Rio, Iguazu Falls, private villa in Itacare
LAUREN SCHOR | JANUARY 14, 2026
Traveler Lauren Schor and family are all smiles at Copacabana Beach.
We had a fabulous two-week, multigenerational family trip over the Christmas and New Years holidays that we planned with Paul and Lucinda. We travel every year during this time together, and Brazil was a destination loved equally by the grandparents and teenagers! Brazil is a large country with a lot of places to visit, so we knew we would have to take multiple flights to get from place to place. We decided we wanted to visit Rio, the Iguazu Falls, and then end up on a beach somewhere to relax at the end of the trip, and Paul and Lucinda had the perfect place!
We started with three nights in Rio at the Fasano hotel on Ipanema Beach, which was beautiful and in an ideal location! Highlights of Rio included a Caipirinha-making class on top of the picturesque Sugarloaf Mountain with unreal views, wandering around the Sunday hippie market (a must for local shopping), and of course visiting Christ the Redeemer, one of the seven Wonders of the World. We LOVED all of our restaurant choices for dinners that were recommended to us, most within walking distance of our hotel. We were surprised by how safe we felt walking around Rio after stories we had heard. We were also surprised at how many people did not speak English—we managed, but expected more English, especially in Rio. We packed a lot into three days in Rio. I do wish we had one more day just to relax on Copacabana or Ipanema Beach or the amazing rooftop pool at our hotel, and to just wander around the shops, but all of the hotels have minimum night stays this time of year, which we had to work around.
Our next stop was three nights at the beautiful Belmond hotel at Iguazu Falls (the only hotel in the park). We did a full day of touring in the national parks on both the Brazil and Argentina sides of the falls (totally worth crossing the border for a very different vantage point), along with a crazy boat ride under the falls (we got soaked, which was a nice way to cool off in the heat). We had a full day of travel and two flights, which was totally worth getting to our final destination—a week in an amazing private villa at the Barracuda resort in Itacare.
There were plenty of activity options at Barracuda, but we chose to mostly relax and enjoy our villa with private chef (we had planned all of meals out in advance, which saved a lot of time when we were there). We did venture to a local beach club one day, which I’d recommend (Barracuda is located on a hill overlooking the ocean rather than directly on the beach). We also really enjoyed wandering around the town of Itacare, which was a great beach town! We spent New Year’s Eve at the resort’s party for guests, which we all agreed was the best New Year’s we have spent in all of our travels around the world. Thankfully, Lucinda had told us it is traditional to wear white in Brazil on New Year’s Eve, so we were prepared.
We flew home through Sao Paulo and had a long layover, so Lucinda organized a guide to take us into the city for a few hours so we could at least see some of the highlights. We were really happy with all of our destination choices and that we got to experience Brazil’s beautiful cities, nature and beaches!
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Argentina: Perito Moreno glacier trekking, an estancia visit, relaxing lakefront in Bariloche
SHELLY MARKEL | JANUARY 14, 2026
Glacier trekking was an “astounding” family trip highlight. Photo: Traveler Shelly Markel
Argentina
Dec 2025-Jan 2026
What an incredible trip for our family of five (including “kids” ages 19-25). We hit three magnificent spots in Argentina: Buenos Aires, El Calafate, and Bariloche. Our adventure included hiking, glacier trekking, horseback riding, sailing, kayaking and windsurfing and our active family enjoyed every minute. Our trip planner, Charlotte, was in touch with us the whole trip to make sure everything went smoothly and she even helped out with restaurant recommendations and reservations.
We started with history and culture and an amazing food experience in a family home in Buenos Aires. Then we traveled to El Calafate, a jumping off point for many tours. We trekked on the Perito Moreno glacier, saw icebergs, and visited an estancia (Argentinian ranch). The scenery was astounding and trekking the glacier was truly the highlight of our trip.
Our final stop, for some relaxation, was a resort in Bariloche which was situated on a beautiful lake surrounded by mountains. We enjoyed hiking, boating and sitting by the lake, enjoying the weather and the gorgeous scenery.
While the distance was far, the destination was perfect for weather (our winter/their summer) and offered the perfect combo of city, history, culture and nature touring. Thank you for helping us create this memorable trip for our family!
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Spain: Tenerife buggy excursion, wine tasting, diving to an underwater sculpture museum
SHELBY WILLETS | JANUARY 13, 2026
Traveler Shelby Willets and family kicked off their trip with a sidecar tour of Barcelona.
There was no better way to begin our multi-week holiday travel than whizzing through the streets of Barcelona in sidecars seeing the sights “en plein air.” Juan and his team –Marta and Lucia—organized a comprehensive tour of Barcelona as well as excursions for ports of calls during our cruise. They worked their insider magic to find a SCUBA dive shop in Lanzarote willing to take us to the underwater sculpture museum on Christmas Day! The guide discussed the sculptor’s concept prior to the dive, and once we were among the submerged statues, the vision came to life.
Keeping our teenage son engaged was easy on the Tenerife buggy excursion. He drove the open 4×4 from the beach to the top of the snow-capped volcano. LOTS of fun! Our son’s first wine tasting experience will be a tough act to follow. David, our guide, took us to a small family run winery in the Penedes where he skillfully educated our son on the proper techniques for tasting, pouring, and pairing wines. An experience he will not soon forget.
Thanks for organizing a fun-filled family vacation with little stress—just what we needed!
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos: walking with elephants, visiting Khmer ruins, a floating fishing village
DIANE KEENLEY | JANUARY 12, 2026
Traveler Diane Keenley’s family fed elephants and took a two-hour stroll with them among the trees in Laos.
Vietnam – Cambodia – Laos: Another Exceptional Journey with Grant and Wendy Perrin
Grant and his team delivered once again. As with our previous trip to Japan, Grant listened carefully to everything we hoped for and executed it flawlessly. Our 15-day journey was packed with adventure, history, and stunning scenery across three countries—Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia—with four flights, six hotels, and twelve expertly guided tours that flowed seamlessly.
Our journey began in Hanoi, Vietnam. From the moment we arrived, our guide was with us every step of the way—meeting us at the airport, settling us into our hotel, and introducing us to the beauty and energy of Hanoi. We gained deep insight into Vietnamese culture and history, including learning about what locals refer to as the American War. The Vietnamese people were warm, gracious, and eager to share their perspectives on life, art, and politics.
Traveling west to Luang Prabang, Laos, the highlight of our trip, we visited the MandaLao Elephant Conservation Center. Grant recommended Laos over Thailand for its authenticity and quieter charm, and he was absolutely right. We learned about the history of how elephants were used in farming, logging, and construction. The elephants were rescued from lives of abuse and cruel work. We made “sandwiches” which we fed to the elephants, then took a two-hour walk in the forest with them. The elephants were smart and gentle as they walked gracefully beside us among the trees. While in Laos, we also visited the Kuang Si Waterfalls and Buffalo Dairy Farm. The falls were spectacular, and we learned much about the animals on the farm.
Heading south, we next arrived in Siem Reap, Cambodia, where we stayed at the magnificent Raffles Grand Hotel. Built by the French, it was a hub for explorers, archaeologists, and diplomats, all drawn to the ancient Khmer ruins—which was why we were here too. The temples of Angkor Wat, Bayon, and Pre Rup did not disappoint, especially seeing Ta Prohm with the trees growing up, down, and around the temple. Another favorite excursion was our trip to the floating fishing village of Tonle Sap Lake, Asia’s largest freshwater lake. After the rainy season, its waters can swell up to four times their normal size. We found houses built on stilts or floating on bamboo rafts.
Our next flight took us east back to Vietnam, to Hoi An and Hue. Here, we connected with local life—biking through rice paddies along the Thu Bon River, visiting carpentry, mat-making, and ceramic villages, and even helping a fisherman haul in his net. We finished the tour with a home-hosted lunch, learning to make rice pancakes. Our family also visited the tombs of Minh Mang and Khai Dinh in the nearby countryside as our expert guide shared the history of the Nguyen Dynasty.
Our final flight took us south to Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon. Our highlight here was a nighttime foodie tour. Expertly driven on the backs of Vespa scooters, our guides took us all over the city, sampling Vietnamese specialties of soup, pancakes, meat, fish, and ice cream. We were safely returned to our hotel with full, happy tummies.
If you’ve made it this far, you can see how I’ve briefly touched on what was an incredibly rich and expertly planned 15-day adventure. Once again, we were in outstanding hands with Grant, recommended by Wendy Perrin. We couldn’t imagine traveling this region any other way.
This trip was arranged by a WOW List candidate. Here’s what that means.
Africa: Cape Town fireworks, Stellenbosch vineyards, treehouse dining at Sabi Sands
MARK ADAMO | JANUARY 12, 2026
A drowsy lion napped in a dry riverbed in Bushbuckridge, South Africa. Photo: Traveler Mark Adamo
It’s rare that any trip goes as near-perfectly as this. Daniel and Marguerite, my principal agents, designed a twelve-day 30th-anniversary surprise trip to Cape Town, Stellenbosch, and Sabi Sands reserve that went from strength to strength: observing the fireworks from the pool deck of our sumptuous and graciously staffed waterfront hotel, the Cape Grace, on New Year’s Eve, before touring the city and its peninsula in the company of two stupendously well-informed and courteous guides; dining like princes on the grounds of the Lanzerac vineyard (shared, that week, with the vice-president of South Africa) while also visiting other magical wine farms; and finishing it off with four days at the luxuriously appointed Dulini Leadwood resort, where one could enjoy the best cooking we’d had all week while watching water buffalo cool themselves in the river from our treehouse table.
Even the surprises were superbly managed; when, at trip’s conclusion, our first flight back was cancelled due to rain, a plan B was smoothly put into place, and we flew effortlessly home from Johannesburg to New York. J and I have travelled the world, including Africa, largely in high style, for over three decades; and yet, unprompted, he declared, at holiday’s end, that this was the most extraordinary vacation he, and we, had ever experienced. I concur.
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Norway: ice sculpting, an igloo hotel, dogsledding, snowshoeing, and Northern Lights nights
JENNIFER CHENG | JANUARY 11, 2026
Traveler Jennifer Cheng and family display their ice sculpting artistry at Sorrisniva.
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, so after reading the Wendy Perrin reviews, we thought Alta would be the best choice.
After completing the inquiry form here, we connected with Torunn and the wonderful people in her team who 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 with our flight to Alta from Oslo three days after Christmas. It was delayed about thirty minutes, and upon our arrival at the airport, our driver told us that we were so lucky because they had just had a week of rainy weather, and not one flight landed in Alta on the day before. And I thought, there’s that Wendy/Torunn magic for you! We drove straight to Sorrisniva and were treated to a late dinner. That night, 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. On our way to Onga, the road was closed due to the previous rains, so the amazing Andrei drove us and our luggage by snowmobile over three roundtrips. This was just one example of how at each of our stops and in so many moments, we felt so cared for and special. 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. And we had our WOW Moment: a family photo shoot in the snowy picture-perfect surroundings. We had so much fun with the talented Danil, who captured some priceless moments that we will truly treasure.
I would not plan another complex trip without the help of Wendy Perrin’s collection of travel planners. Torunn’s team takes care of every detail, so you don’t have to worry about timing and transfers and tickets. 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. My only regret is that we did not stay longer!
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Vietnam and Cambodia: beautiful landscapes, friendly people, deep history, Hoi An relaxation
JENNIFER MANN | JANUARY 8, 2026
For the second year in a row, Dan’s team curated an amazing 2 week adventure throughout Vietnam and Cambodia. We thought it would be hard to top Thailand last year, but they did it. We started our family holiday in the North of Vietnam in Hanoi. Neither myself, husband, or teenage daughters had much of a concept as to life in current day Vietnam or much history of the war that locals called the American War. From the moment we exited the airport to Hammer and Sickle flags everywhere, we knew we were in for an adventure and learning experience.
Hanoi, and all of Vietnam, has beautiful landscapes, extremely friendly people and a deep history. After several days of touring with our incredible guide, Tim, we said goodbye and flew to Siem Reap, Cambodia. Angkor Wat and the surrounding temples lived up to the hype. Absolutely incredible!!! Our guide explained the sites in detail and knew the exact spots to photograph. The next day we kayaked down a nearby river and waved at the friendly people living in homes on the water. Next we flew back to Vietnam and stayed at the incredible Four Seasons in Hoi An. With a mix of touring, eating and relaxation, our guide Vien assisted with making these four days a “recharge” time. The Four Seasons was amongst the best in the world.
Vien brought us into the town of Hoi An several times to show us the sites as well as get a new wardrobe of custom clothes made. He knew exactly where to go. And lastly, we flew to Ho Chi Mi City, or Siagon, as the locals call it. Our guide Tie literally made us feel a part of his family. From meeting an ex-Vietcong soldier, crawling in the tunnels, and experiencing the city on the back of motorcycles, Saigon will always hold a special place for us. Over two weeks of touring, it’s impossible to detail everything we did, but this was a trip that we will never forget.
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Switzerland and Italy: skiing in the “electric atmosphere” of St. Moritz and pre-Olympic Cortina
LYNN CASPER | JANUARY 5, 2026
Travelers Lynn, Thomas, and Clare Casper pose by the Olympic rings in Cortina d’Ampezzo on Christmas Day.
Christmas in Cortina!
We just got back from a magical holiday trip that was planned by Maria and her team. We began in St Moritz, Switzerland for skiing and taking in the electric atmosphere of this iconic town. After a few days in St. Moritz we boarded the Bernina express train into Italy. We spent Christmas in Cortina d’Ampezzo and saw this town’s initial indications of the upcoming Olympic Games! All of our ski guides and logistics were top notch and planned to perfection by the team! Thank you to Maria and company!
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Peru: Inca Trail hike to Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley culture, cooking and cocktail-crafting
ANN MARIE BELL | JANUARY 3, 2026
Travelers Katie, Ann Marie, Jack and Chris Bell stand high above the Inca site Wiñay Wayna.
Our recent trip to Peru, planned by Marisol’s colleague Mark, was truly extraordinary. I first visited Machu Picchu 30 years ago, and it has always been a place I dreamed of returning to and sharing with my family. Our planning team made that dream a reality.
Experiencing Peru again, this time with my children who are now the same age I was when I first visited, was incredibly meaningful. So much has changed since I was last there, yet the sense of wonder remains just as powerful. With only one week, our planners helped us make the absolute most of every day.
We spent a day in the Sacred Valley learning about local culture, watching a weaving demonstration and hiking with a local family, followed by a memorable lunch together. We explored Cusco and took a wonderful cooking class with a chef couple, and before our flight home we had the chance to spend a few hours discovering Lima, which felt vibrant and completely different from my last visit decades ago.
The most magnificent part of the trip was hiking the Inca Trail: Visiting Wiñay Wayna, Huayna Picchu, and of course Machu Picchu, all of which were simply unforgettable. Our guide, Fernando, was outstanding. He expertly managed the different fitness levels within our family while sharing an incredible amount of knowledge about the various sites we saw. For me personally, it was especially meaningful because he has been a guide since the time of my first visit, and we were able to talk about how much has changed over the years.
Although it was the rainy season, we were very lucky to have experienced spectacular weather that gave us breathtaking views throughout the hike. The entire trip was carefully curated based on our personal interests. My husband and son love craft beer, and my husband and I enjoy learning how to make cocktails local to the places we travel. Our WOW Moment included a craft brewery tour in the Sacred Valley and a cocktail making class in Lima, both of which were exceptional and very thoughtfully planned.
During our trip, our son came down with the flu and had to sit out one of the hikes; fortunately, it was not serious enough to require medical attention. We felt extremely well cared for, with the planning team regularly checking on his condition and ready to arrange a doctor at any time, which made an otherwise stressful situation much easier to manage.
I truly cannot say enough about our experience in Peru. It was everything I hoped for and so much more. Thank you to Mark and the entire team for creating such a seamless, unforgettable journey for our family.
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
France: custom-curated Parisian activities for everyone, from history to fashion
LORIN SEIDMAN | JANUARY 3, 2026
Traveler Lorin Seidman and her family see Paris via sidecar tour.
This was our second time working with Jennifer, and as crazy as this might sound, the process of planning the trip with her is one of my favorite parts of the travel experience. Zoom calls with Jennifer are fun, and feel like a get together with a friend. Jennifer really takes the time to understand each member of our family, and helps us make choices based on our unique needs. When we were in Paris, she even coordinated simultaneous activities on opposite sides of the city, so that my husband and son could indulge their love of history, while my daughter and I could indulge our love of French fashion. She made the experience seamless and uncomplicated, and filled with memories to last a lifetime. This was our favorite family trip to date, because everyone felt “seen.”
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Peru: world-class dining in Lima, Sacred Valley hikes, Machu Picchu trek, Pisco making
STACEY WITZ | JANUARY 2, 2026
Traveler Stacey Witz and her family hike with panoramic views of Incan ruins in the Sacred Valley.
We just got back from an amazing trip to Peru arranged by Jordan with his colleagues Renee and Carmen. We traveled from Dec 19-Dec 30 starting in Lima. While there, we did a half day tour of the city and ate at Maido, “the best restaurant in the world.” We loved Hotel B—the rooms were very nice and the service wonderful.
From Lima we traveled to the Sacred Valley and the Explora Sacred Valley Lodge, where we stayed for 4 nights while we acclimated to the altitude. The Explora is a special place. The lodge is all-inclusive, and they help you plan your outdoor activities for the next day the night before. We went on some wonderful hikes and bike rides with very knowledgeable guides. The food at Explora is very good and the service is excellent! They make you feel that you are a guest in their home.
From Explora, we were picked up by our guide, Juan Carlos, to begin our trek to Machu Picchu. Juan Carlos was an excellent guide, very knowledgeable and very helpful. Hiking Machu Picchu was an amazing and challenging highlight of our trip. After spending a couple of days exploring Machu Picchu and the town of Aguas Calientes, we returned via train to Ollantaytambo, a town that dates back to the Incas and where families still live in houses from the Incan period. Our planners graciously treated us to our WOW Moment in two parts—the first was well-needed massages in Aguas Calientes after our Machu Picchu hike, and the second was an extremely fun Pisco tasting in Ollantaytambo. We went to a distillery that offered a tasting of six different types of Pisco and then had us make our own. It was such a unique and fun experience. They provided all kinds of herbs and fruits for us to individually flavor our Pisco, and then sealed and labeled the bottles for us to bring home.
After the distillery we got to go to a traditional meal cooked under hot rocks in the ground. After this very fun day in Ollantaytambo we returned to Cusco, where we stayed at the amazing Palacio Nazarenas hotel. It is one of the most beautiful hotels we have stayed in—it is an old convent from Spanish Colonial times which was built on Incan ruins (they have glass windows in the floor where you can view the ruins). The service there was excellent! We did a very fun cooking class and got to explore the city.
We were so happy with the trip our team planned for us. The hotels they picked, the guides, the experiences, were all curated to make the trip very special. There is no way we would have had the same unique experiences and exceptional service had we planned it on our own.
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Chile: adventure at Torres del Paine, ranch picnic with pisco sours, penguins on Isla Magdalena
CARI BENDER | JANUARY 1, 2026
A trip highlight was the “astounding beauty” of Torres del Paine in Patagonia. Photo: Traveler Cari Bender
Our family of four with twenty-something kids enjoyed an amazing trip to Chile in December 2025. We started in Santiago, moved to Patagonia, did a couple of nights in Punta Arenas to see the penguins in the Magellan Strait, and ended back in Santiago and a day in the Casablanca Valley wine area. We cannot recommend our planning team highly enough.
The highlight was our stay at the Estancia Cerro Guido near Torres del Paine in Patagonia. We arrived looking for beauty and adventure, and left feeling like family. The accommodations, history, astounding beauty, delicious food, perfectly planned excursions, and most of all the STAFF, were incredible—a trip we will never forget. We had the WOW Moment to end all WOW Moments as part of this adventure. The staff planned for us to have a picnic lunch at a remote part of the ranch where a former gaucho who worked there sang some of his original songs with his adult children, during a delicious lunch complete with pisco sours in cut glass cocktail glasses and incredible views. Even the staff were crying listening to these special songs. It was beautiful and special and the staff worked so hard to make it special just for us. We will never forget it.
We also had an incredible visit to the Isla Magdalena for Magellan penguins—we saw baby penguins and baby Kelp Gulls nesting and wandering around the island. The town of Punta Arenas is sleepy, but the penguin visit was so worth it.
All of our team’s drivers, guides, and hotels were all top notch. Our daughter’s gluten allergy was accommodated everywhere, even when boxed lunches were provided for travel days. Every time we needed any little thing they were on top of it, even helping with an urgent care visit for our son’s ear infection. We highly recommend their fantastic team.
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* Although we have compiled and reviewed these reviews for trip planners to earn a spot on The WOW List, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or truthfulness of the reviews we receive and cannot assure that all travelers will have the same experience.
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