Traveler Milinda Martin values meeting locals during her travels.

With support from Nicholas, we planned a two-week trip to the United Arab Emirates and Oman, two very different countries. I traveled in January, which saw ideal weather, averaging 75 degrees and clear sunshine. Nick and his team helped me figure out where to go, what to see, and how long to stay, all with my interests in mind. When I travel, I am looking for three things: connection with locals, historical sites, and beautiful scenery, and this trip captured all of those, albeit in different places.

I visited four areas in the UAE: Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Al Ayn, and Sharjah. Throughout, the guides were knowledgeable, the food amazing, and the touring interesting. I especially enjoyed Al Ayn, in the desert, where the “founder” of the UAE was born and raised. We learned about the Bedouin history of the people, the rough life (before they found oil) with scarce water and food, and the system of leadership through emirs, sheikhs, and imams. It’s not easy to meet a local in the UAE, since the country is 85% foreign born, but my guides seemed to know everyone so all felt friendly. The country is immaculate: clean, safe, new, grand, beautiful.

My second stop was in Oman, which is very different. I spent two days in the mountains of Jabal al Akhdar learning about their farming culture and hiking through beautiful mountain villages. Then to Nizwa and Muscat with my fabulous guide Talal and his two children. He was kind enough to invite me to his home for lunch, so I was able to meet his wife and learn more about family life in Oman. In both countries, I visited beautiful mosques.

All the hotels were stunning, and Nick really worked magic at the mountain resort where there was a challenge with the heating in my room (it was only 40 degrees there!). The hotel engineers kept trying to fix it, but were reluctant to move me despite my asking. I finally asked Nick to help, and as I’ve come to expect from a Wendy Perrin WOW-Lister, everything was handled. I was upgraded to a nicer room, and at the end of my stay, the hotel comped all my meals and gave me a goodie bag. I know this was Nick’s work behind the scenes!

This is my 10th trip with a Wendy Perrin travel fixer, and there are some parts of the world where, as a woman traveling alone, they are so vital in steering you to the right locations, connecting you with the best people, and tracking you along the way to ensure nothing goes awry. Nick and Kris were readily available to confirm a pick up time, make a recommendation, and trouble shoot so that I could just relax and enjoy my trip.

The Qatar Islamic Cultural Center and Spiral Mosque gleamed at night during a layover Doha tour. Photo: Traveler Jeannie Mullen

City Tour, Doha, Qatar
January 4, 2026

On my return from a recent trip to the Middle East, I had a long layover in Doha, Qatar. I’d laid over in the Doha a number of times, but never ventured outside the airport. This time I reached out to Wendy for advice on who to contact for a city tour. She put me in touch with Nick, who quickly put together a whirlwind tour of that beautiful city.

I had arranged for Fast Track arrival and departure services so Nick had his local guide, Saleh, coordinate the meet up logistics, and off we went. In the five hours that I toured with Saleh I saw so much… Qatar, like so many of the Gulf States, has a global reputation and entertains a large number of tourists annually for high profile sporting events like FIFA World Cup, Formula One and the like. Their infrastructure and skyline (built largely in a little over 20 years) ranks right up there with the best of the best. The architecture, outdoor concert venues, and museums are also world class.

On a less grand scale, but equally as interesting, was the Souq Waqif, their vibrant traditional marketplace. I saw everything there including falcons and a falcon infirmary. As much as I saw in the short time that I was there, it all ended way too soon. Thanks go to Nick and Saleh (and Wendy of course) for making my time in Doha very memorable.

Traveler Christine Stephenson and her husband celebrated their 10th anniversary with a private dinner under the desert night sky.

From the moment our journey began, every detail of this vacation reflected the highest level of excellence. The hotels were exquisite, offering impeccable service and comfort, and the guides were truly exceptional—knowledgeable, intuitive, and attentive. They anticipated our preferences before we ever voiced them, and every recommendation felt perfectly curated for us. Nick and his team listened to us, got a sense of our personalities and travel style and planned perfectly.

Nick and his team were an absolute pleasure to work with—seamless, responsive, and effortlessly professional. When our scheduled hot air balloon ride was canceled due to fog, we had only one remaining opportunity to try again. I reached out to Nick, and within moments his team had everything flawlessly rebooked. We were able to fly the very next morning, and the experience was nothing short of spectacular.

To celebrate our 10-year anniversary, Nick and Wendy orchestrated an unforgettable WOW Moment that was incredible. They surprised us with a private Bedouin-style private dinner in the desert, set against a breathtaking backdrop. The ambiance was magical, the cuisine was abundant and delicious, and dining beneath the vast desert sky was an experience we will cherish forever.

This was luxury travel at its finest—thoughtfully designed, flawlessly executed, and deeply personal. We could not recommend Nick and his team more highly to anyone seeking a truly bespoke and unforgettable travel experience.

Andy, Sam, Marci & Jessie Shapiro visit the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi.

Wendy Perrin (“WP”) first introduced me to Nicholas (“Nick”) back in February 2024, when he was going through the rigorous and extensive vetting process to hopefully become a WOW List expert. There was no United Arab Emirates (i.e. Dubai and Abu Dhabi) expert at the time, and WP advised me of the aforementioned, which was totally fine. Nick and I planned what we felt was a great trip for December 2024. Unfortunately, a personal health issue arose, and we had to cancel that trip not knowing if we would ever reschedule. I had not paid Nick a penny for the tremendous time and effort he took planning on our behalf. Moreover, I will never forget the kindness, classiness, sensitivity and consummate professionalism Nick showed me and my family during that very difficult time. In our last email correspondence Nick said to me, “I have no doubt you’ll be able to plan this trip again and when you’re ready, I’ll be ready for you.”

Fast forward several months, and we received the medical clearance to travel. My immediate email to Nick was, “Let’s Plan a Trip!” I also learned that Nick now was officially a WOW List expert. Nick was thrilled with our health good news and we began planning. In addition to the Arabian Desert, Abu Dhabi and Dubai, I wanted to add four nights in the Maldives (i.e. the locals pronounce it “Mall deeves”) of which Nick was also an expert. My wife, our 28-year-old son, 25-year-old daughter and our daughter’s boyfriend, would all be traveling together. I’ve dealt with many WOW List experts over the years and I’ve always been pleased with the end results, the trip itself, most important! But, during the planning process some experts can be slow to respond, which I do not like. Unequivocally, Nick’s responsiveness both in planning and during our trip was the best of any WOW List expert I’ve worked with! My wife and I both loved and appreciated that.

We started with four nights in the Dubai desert at the luxury all-inclusive (except alcohol) resort Al Maha. Set inside a 140-square-mile nature and animal reserve, created and owned, including Al Maha, by Sheikh Mohammed of Dubai, it was the absolute perfect place to start our adventure, relax and recover from our long journey, acclimate to the time zone difference and marvel at the gazelle, oryx, birds, trees and bushes of the wondrous Arabian desert. We loved our very spacious and comfortable villa with private pool that we used every day. We also took advantage of the beautiful spa with excellent massages, sauna and cool bath as well as the large public infinity pool. Equally important, the food was varied and delicious. Included activities that we especially enjoyed were falconry, amazing regal animals, sunset camel rides, and guided nature walks. Our kids did dune bugging and sand boarding, which they said was a highlight of their entire trip.

Interesting point here on using a WOW List expert. I was originally planning to organize dune bugging through the concierge at Al Maha. It was not included in the all-inclusive activities but the kids really wanted to do it. Nick said to me, However you want to organize it is fine, but if you book it through the resort, only the guides can drive—not the kids. The company I use charges the same price but the KIDS can drive the vehicles. THAT was the difference between an EPIC experience vs. one they would have been bored with. I would not have known if not for Nick’s knowledge.

The next four-night stay was the Maldives. My daughter was actively involved with planning this trip and suggested several Maldives resorts to possibly stay… Cheval Blanc; Joali (2 locations); Four Seasons (2 locations); Ritz Carlton; One & Only; and Anantara. For whatever reason(s) I wasn’t excited about any of them. With my daughter’s input we wrote a detailed email to Nick outlining what would be our ideal/dream Maldives destination. Nick replied with one word “Kudadoo” then followed up with details, a website, and a link to watch The Reluctant Traveler with host Eugene Levy, Season 1, Episode 5 “Maldives” featuring Kudadoo. WOW! DONE! We’re in! My family and I have stayed at many of the most luxurious resorts all over the world and we all agreed “Kudadoo is The BEST!” EVERYTHING about Kudadoo is mind boggling! INCREDIBLE! Don’t be discouraged by Eugene Levy saying the cost is $7,000 per night. Rates vary depending upon the time of year and Nick has an excellent relationship with Kudadoo and got what we felt was a great rate.

Proper planning and pacing of a trip is very important to us. Nick advised us to start in the Desert at Al Maha (only a 90 minute drive from the Dubai airport when we arrived); then after recovering, relaxing and acclimating, enjoy four nights in the Maldives/Kudadoo, the Sea, (btw… the seaplane rides to get to and from Kudadoo were so much fun!) and finish with 5 nights in Dubai/City with one full day touring Dubai and another, Abu Dhabi. Reflecting back, it was an excellent strategy that worked extremely well for all of us.

Nick suggested we stay at Atlantis The Royal. The Royal is stunning and in a spectacular location on the ring of the Palm Islands (i.e. an artificial archipelago that has to be seen to be believed and also commissioned by Sheikh Mohammed of Dubai). In addition to the expected amenities including but not limited to several pools, roof top infinity pool/Cloud 22, beach, great bar area, numerous restaurants (Milos, Nobu, et al), The Royal had a mesmerizing fountain display as the centerpiece of their property with 5 minute shows, each different, throughout the late afternoon into the late evening. It reminded me of the Bellagio’s fountains in Las Vegas but more impressive in that there is a fire component combined with the privacy of your hotel and not battling the Las Vegas crowds for a great view. Our family loved watching the fountains together with an early evening cocktail and my wife and I alone late night on the balcony of our coveted high floor Palm Islands-facing room, which of course Nick was able to secure for us. Fantastic!

Our two full fascinating days touring Dubai and Abu Dhabi were with a terrific English-speaking guide with excellent drivers in very comfortable air-conditioned vans. Some of our many highlights included the VIP experience on the 154th floor of the Burj Khalifa (i.e. world’s tallest building), a helicopter ride over Dubai, and a three-hour private 55’ yacht tour with a delicious lunch in the Dubai Harbor and around the Palm Islands. We also found time to relax and enjoy the amazing Royal.

On our last evening together discussing all the things we loved about this trip from start to finish, our kids concluded by saying “Mom, Dad, this trip was EPIC! Thank you!” As parents, it doesn’t get any better. But I would be remiss if I did not say… Nick, THANK YOU! Not only are you WOW worthy but I have no doubt you will ultimately be in the select pantheon of WOW List experts!