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!

John Beveridge and his family visit the Ritz Ras Al-Khaimah.

Overall, my family and I were very happy with our destination choices, which were all suggested by our travel planner. We spent three days on the beach in Oman, two days in the desert area of Ras Al-Khaimah and four days exploring Dubai—a great introduction to this part of the Middle East which also appealed to our teens who can get tired of museums, etc. pretty quickly.

In particular, Six Senses’ property at Zighy Bay stood out in terms of its uniqueness, luxury and physical plant/location. The resort only offers pool villas, which are incredibly well-designed/thought out, and once you step out the door of each and every one of them your toes are in the sand. There are no hallways or buildings really at this resort. The food is tremendous (albeit tremendously expensive) and the services and activities, including a world-class spa with hammam, and microlights/paragliders which the whole family flew on, shine as well. There may not be a more “Instagram-able” resort in the world—just visit the website for a few minutes. It is an utterly exotic place, as is the road getting there…!

Next we traveled into the desert and stayed at the Ritz-Carlton, Ras Al-Khaimah where we spent Xmas Eve and Xmas. A completely different idea in terms of a resort (think overly ornate, marble floors, etc.) but at the edge of the desert in a nature conservancy complete with animals walking around the grounds. It was a treat to climb a few dunes, ride camels and put our toes in the sand. As always, food at the Ritz was top-notch as well. The only thing we will say about this resort is that despite the amazing staff, services, food, activities and spa, and very nice, spacious rooms, the exterior of the place needs a refurb/upgrade. Lots of paint peeling on the outside of the hotel, a bit dirty here and there and some of the fountains seemed to be out of order (strange for a Ritz). On our way to Dubai we rented dune buggies and sand boarded in the dunes of Sharjah for a few hours which was also a blast.

Dubai was fantastic and interesting. At our agent’s suggestion, we did a full day tour of the city including visiting the spice and gold souks, riding a ferry across the “creek,” touring through old Dubai, and a trip to the top of the Burj Khalifa. Make sure you factor in traffic when moving around Dubai as during the festive season it is particularly crazy. Even our tour guide was annoyed by it!

Our agent suggested staying at the Ritz-Carlton JBR, which I would also strongly recommend if you have teens as it is located right along the JBR walk with shops and restaurants they can explore on their own in this very safe city. The Ritz JBR is located on the relatively uncrowded and very wide beach just west of the Palm Jumeirah. The beach to the west of the Ritz (at the Rixos and further down) really narrows right down to the water’s edge and was completely packed with people. We are so happy we stayed at the Ritz there for the beach alone, let alone their amazing tiki bar restaurant on the beach. Once again the food was very much up to Ritz standards and the company is clearly investing in this resort.

The trip was amazing; I am so sad it is over because I thought about it for nine months before going!

Nicholas was superb. Had detailed knowledge of the islands, fast to respond and customized his recommendation based on understanding our preferences. Highly recommend.

We travelled to Soneva Secret in August. Despite the usual issues expected in new hotels, Secret Soneva is the best travel experience we have ever had, bar none. Discrete luxury at its finest. Design, location, service and food all at elite levels.

First two days were windy and cloudy, then it remained windy but sunny, which was perfect. You get tanned very fast! It rains for about an hour a day. Weather was a cool 27 degrees Celsius. If you stay in an overwater bungalow you may hear some light banging of the waves into the villa from time to time.

A final note on the Soneva team, they truly go out of their way to ensure an incredible experience. They set us up with a romantic, secluded white beach dinner on a whim’s notice, for example.

Nick Rhodes planned 4 days for us in the UAE on the way to a longer trip in Oman. He booked the hotel, arranged tour guides and drivers and arranged for a person to guide us through the Dubai airport when we arrived. I had thought that the latter might be unnecessary but upon arrival the guide was very helpful. The airport is huge and, after a 15-hour flight, we might well have gotten lost. The guides that Nick arranged (one for Dubai and one for Oman) were excellent—they made sure that we saw all the big attractions and generally made very effective use of our time there. The hotel in Dubai was perfect—excellent location and a very nice place to stay.