Make Your Next Trip Extraordinary
Travelers Just Back: Real Reviews That Show The WOW List Works
Traveler Lauren Schor and family are all smiles at Copacabana Beach.
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.
Panama: Cloud Forest zipline and bridge, luxury and adventure, canal viewing via private boat
SAMUEL LADA | JANUARY 23, 2026
In Boquete, traveler Samuel 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.
Read more reviews of Pierre. Or request your own trip.
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.
Read more reviews of Sarah. Or request your own trip.
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 this 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.
Read more reviews of Patricia and Rachael. Or request your own trip.
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!!
Read more reviews of Julie. Or request your own trip.
U.A.E. and Oman: beautiful mosques, “amazing” food, learning the history of Bedouin people
MILINDA MARTIN | JANUARY 16, 2026
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.
Read more reviews of Nick. Or request your own trip.
Qatar: maximizing a layover to see “world-class” infrastructure, skyline, vibrant marketplace
JEANNIE MULLEN | JANUARY 16, 2026
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.
Read more reviews of Nick. Or request your own trip.
Oman and Saudi Arabia: mosques and markets, modernity beside antiquity, and a vast fertile oasis
JEANNIE MULLEN | JANUARY 16, 2026
Traveler Jeannie Mullen visited Maraya, a large mirrored concert venue in the oasis city AlUla.
Solo holiday trip to Oman and Saudi Arabia (December 19, 2025 – January 5, 2026)
Been back about 10 days now from a fantastic and diverse trip to the Middle East over Christmas and New Year’s, and am still thinking about all of the wonderful people that I met (some of whom I’m still communicating with). I spent the first half of the trip in Oman, discovering the mosques, opera house, the national museum, the grand palace and promenade, colorful markets and wonderful food in Muscat, the wadis, wooden dhows and fresh seafood in Sur, and the dramatic landscapes further inland in and around Jabal Akhdar (Green Mountain). Especially memorable was one particular morning driving from Alila to Jabal Shams, when we literally drove down through the clouds.
Saudi Arabia was equally as fascinating. I flew into Jeddah, a major commercial port on the Red Sea and gateway for pilgrimages to both Medina and Mecca. The modern development there interfaces beautifully with the old town and their small but fantastic museums (the Museum of Islamic Art in particular) were so well done. I took the high-speed train (a very smooth ride to be sure) from Jeddah to Medina, and spent one really eye-opening day there. There were more pilgrims on the plane to Jeddah and on the train to Medina than there were non-pilgrims. It was really fascinating to take in.
I had the great fortune to be walking past the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina when midday prayer concluded and witnessed the largest gathering of people in one place I have ever seen. I transferred to AlUla from Medina by car, which enabled me to see the multiple changes in landscape that are a part of Saudi Arabia. AlUla, a beautiful and very memorable ancient Arabian oasis city, is known for its distinctive landscapes, unique archeological formations like Hegra, and rock art (several of the numerous UNESCO sites in Saudi Arabia). Maraya, a large mirrored concert venue in the middle of the desert, is also there… a must see.
One afternoon we stopped for lunch at a date farm, which turned out to be really special. While they occasionally entertain some really large groups, we happened to be there when we had the place to ourselves, which gave me a super opportunity to spend time in interesting conversation with the owner. Old town AlUla is a wonderful mix of old and new architecture interspersed with some of the best shopping I found on the entire trip. Lastly, a walk through the vast AlUla Oasis offered a great lesson in how the locally owned farms, under centralized management, are handed down from generation to generation, enabling families to retain the tradition and the income. On my last night, my guide and I enjoyed a really great dinner together at a Joontos, a Michelin guide restaurant in old town AlUla (thanks for my WOW Moment, Wendy!)
One of the many things that I love about solo travel is the depth of conversation it enables with local driver/guides. I sit up front (where the views are better, frankly) and engage in some really great exchanges, particularly when I manage to secure the same guide for multiple days/locations and sometimes even for the entire trip. It enables a level of cultural exchange that never seems to happen when I travel with a friend or with a group. I was blessed with the ability to do just that on this trip and find myself having enjoyed that aspect of the trip the most. Omanis and Saudis seem to know as much about us as we know about ourselves. Their curiosity and openness made for some really great exchanges.
Read more reviews of Jonny and Dan. Or request your own trip.
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.
Read more reviews of Irene. Or request your own trip.
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!
Read more reviews of Paul. Or request your own trip.
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!
Read more reviews of Paul. Or request your own trip.
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!
This trip was arranged by a WOW List candidate. Here’s what that means.
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.
Read more reviews of Dan. Or request your own trip.
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!
Read more reviews of Torunn. Or request your own trip.
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.
Read more reviews of Daniel. Or request your own trip.
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!
Read more reviews of Maria and Brian. Or request your own trip.
Vietnam: street food and modern art, temples and history, and a lantern-making workshop
FAY WANG AND HAO KO | JANUARY 4, 2026
A lantern-making workshop teaches the technique that creates Hui An’s glow. Photo: Traveler Fay Wang
We want to thank Sandy, Ethan, Corban and their local guides Trang and Tu for the great trip we had in Vietnam! The trip was so great that I wish we could extend the time there to go to different parts of Vietnam. Perhaps we will go again soon.
I like the way the trip was arranged to enter Hanoi first. Hanoi has so much to do, to see and to eat. I enjoyed the early morning walks seeing people gathering around the lake chatting and exercising. The morning pho and lunch bun cha were so delicious that we wish we have more days/meals in Hanoi to eat them few more times.
Our host Trang in Hanoi was great. She told us the night before what we would do the next day, and asked us what we would like to do or to try. She met us every morning and took us to historical sites and shared with us the stories and significance of the places.
Suzanne Lecht’s Gallery was a great introduction to Vietnam’s modern art. We learned so much about Vietnamese art from visiting her gallery and touring her home. We highly recommend the visit for anyone who is interested in Vietnam’s art.
The day trip to Ninh Bình was a great choice. We enjoyed the boat ride along the river and stopping at several places to see the temples. We loved the street food adventure with Trang, especially the post dinner egg coffee and the Che. Trang was so nice taking us to eat Cha ca La Vong right before our flight to Hue, and it is my favorite dish now.
A Halong Bay cruise is definitely worthwhile. I think one night is just right for us, plenty time to see the sunrise and sunset. We took a million pictures of the rocks and the views, but I don’t think I want to stay longer than one night. The hotel we had was a great location: close enough to walk to the fun places but not so close so it wasn’t nice and quiet.
In Hue we got a crash course on Vietnamese history from Tu and from visiting tons of temples, the emperor palace, calligraphy, lunch at Bon/Chi’s home eating Bun Bo Hue (another favorite dish from this trip). Tu was a great guide, showing us around and being our translator when we visited the families.
Our trip ended in Hui An for 2 nights and it was perfect. The town is small enough that we can walk everywhere and take great pictures. We can easily find coffee, silk scarves, and even rice paper to buy as gifts. The town is charming, especially at night when all lanterns are lit. The lantern-making workshop was fun and interesting but the pottery we could do without.
Overall, I enjoyed the planning process and the help in getting us ready for the trip. Ethan and Corban made the trip planning so easy, all we had to worry about was bringing our passports and visas. I like it when they email us using bullet points to highlight what was need from us to get our visas done. And also the reminder email was very helpful. If we had more time, we would spend one more day in Hanoi. And hope next time the air quality will be better.
Read more reviews of Sandy and Ethan. Or request you
Stay in the Know With Our Newsletter
