Asia’s popularity has surged in the last few years, and we’ve seen our travelers explore the continent with more and more imaginative itineraries. From Japan to Thailand and beyond, they are using the local fixers on Wendy’s WOW List to enjoy the unique flavors of the East, from making sushi to meditating with monks. Read about their experiences in the reviews below, and what it means to experience Asia the WOW way.
Japan: “In a moment when Japan is going through this explosion of tourism, having their advice and guidance was priceless…”
Traveler Claudia Sender with her husband and nephew on Naoshima Island.
“This was a special trip with my 19-year-old nephew, and we wanted it to be memorable for him—and fun for myself and my husband as well. So Andrea proposed an itinerary that mixed a rich immersion in Japanese culture, including a tea ceremony, hard-to-get sumo championship tickets, a hike to Mount Fuji, a visit to the Art Islands—with a very-hard-to-get hotel stay at the Benesse House—and activities that a 19-year-old loves, even a manga artist from a very famous manga that my nephew loves!
Andrea also understood how important it was for us to get tickets to Super Nintendo World, which was insane, given the Expo that was going on in Osaka, but he got them anyway. And, on the day that we faced pouring rain in Kyoto, our guide Sae adjusted the itinerary to take us to more secluded temples, and once she learned that I love moss, she adjusted it once more to take us to a temple with an ancient and precious moss garden. It was spectacular to see it under the rain!
We had the time of our lives, thanks to Andrea and all of the amazing guides. We felt that in a moment when Japan is going through this explosion of tourism, having their advice and guidance was priceless.” —Claudia Sender
Read more reviews of Japan trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Maldives: “We have traveled to exotic locations throughout the world but have never seen water as clear and storybook turquoise as the Indian Ocean footsteps away…”
On the wish list for traveler Bonnie Raskin: snorkeling and easy access to the ocean. Photo: Gili Lankanfushi
“My husband and I have enjoyed six superlative travel experiences, thanks to The WOW List, but our most recent trip to the Maldives was the trip of a lifetime: perfection above and beyond our highest expectations.
There are over 200 resorts in the Maldives. Thanks to our WOW agent, Justin, we spent a week in paradise at Gili Lankanfushi. Justin personalized our list of requests to perfection: surfing and scuba diving for my husband, snorkeling and the fantasy over-the-water villa with easy access to the ocean for me.
The Gili team treated us like extended family. Every excursion and activity is staffed by experts delighted to share their skills and love of their craft. I participated in the very successful coral restoration project that made me part of a positive global effort.
The villas are spacious with impeccable design, local craftsmanship and every item one could possibly want for comfort. The food is international and excellent, with dining options to suit anyone’s taste. Everyone is encouraged to go barefoot, and bikes are provided at each villa for exploring the many paths and viewing opportunities throughout the resort.
We have traveled to exotic locations throughout the world but have never seen water as clear and storybook turquoise as the Indian Ocean footsteps away. And the diversity and sheer presence of ocean life made me feel like I was in the middle of Finding Nemo!
Even the 23-hour travel from Los Angeles to the Maldives was not a deterrent for the perfection we enjoyed at Gili Lankanfushi. Yet again, one of Wendy’s WOW List agents delivered magic for us. Thank you so, so much!” —Bonnie Raskin
Read more reviews of Maldives trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Bhutan: “The highlights were interactions with local people. My cooking class with Pema was beyond amazing…”
“On the shelves behind us rested antique bowls and cooking pots used by Pema’s grandmother.”
“Travel to Bhutan had been on my To Do List for many years. Shalmali totally listened to me in choosing destinations, lodging, and experiences. As an older woman traveling by myself, it was very important that my guide and driver be experienced. Each was amazing. Shalmali couldn’t have done better!
Bhutan is the only country in the world that has a Buddhist national religion. It also is the most mountainous country in the world, as it is 98.8 percent covered in mountains. Hiking is a must, and my guide and driver made sure that I would be successful.
The highlights were interactions with local people. My cooking class with Pema was beyond amazing. Her home was welcoming and colorful. We picked some ingredients fresh from her garden, making ema datshi, or chili cheese, the national dish of Bhutan. While we made this iconic Bhutanese recipe, Pema’s mother and sister were busy in the kitchen preparing additional courses. The iron stove, heated by wood fire, was used to heat the ema datshi. On the shelves behind us rested antique bowls and cooking pots used by Pema’s grandmother. Everything was simply delicious.
I highly recommend a trip to Bhutan to get to know its lovely people in their beautiful country. Shalmali will plan a memorable trip for you!” —Peggy Schuemann
This trip was arranged by WOW List candidate. Here’s what that means.
UAE: “It was a treat to climb a few dunes, ride camels and put our toes in the sand…”
“On our way to Dubai we rented dune buggies and sandboarded in the dunes of Sharjah for a few hours.”
“My family and I were very happy with our destination choices, which were all suggested by Nick. We spent three days on the beach in Oman, two days in the desert area of Ras Al Khaimah, and four days exploring Dubai—a great introduction to this part of the Middle East which also appealed to our teens, who can get tired of museums, etc., pretty quickly.
Six Senses’ property at Zighy Bay stood out in terms of its uniqueness, luxury and physical plant/location. The resort only offers pool villas, which are incredibly well-designed/thought-out, and once you step out the door of each and every one of them, your toes are in the sand. The services and activities, including a world-class spa with hammam and microlights/paragliders which the whole family flew on, shine as well. There may not be a more ‘Instagram-able’ resort in the world.
Next we traveled into the desert and stayed at the Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah in a nature conservancy complete with animals walking around the grounds. It was a treat to climb a few dunes, ride camels and put our toes in the sand. On our way to Dubai we rented dune buggies and sandboarded in the dunes of Sharjah for a few hours, which was also a blast.
Dubai was fantastic and interesting. At Nick’s suggestion, we did a full-day tour of the city including visiting the spice and gold souks, riding a ferry across the ‘creek,’ touring through old Dubai, and a trip to the top of the Burj Khalifa. Nick suggested staying at the Ritz-Carlton JBR, which I would also strongly recommend if you have teens, as it is located right along the JBR walk with shops and restaurants they can explore on their own in this very safe city. The trip was amazing; I am so sad it is over because I thought about it for nine months before going!” —John Beveridge
Read more reviews of U.A.E. trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
India: “I was born in India and have travelled there many times, but this was the most spectacular two weeks I have spent there…”
Gurminder Bedi’s daughter and grandson relaxing on a houseboat in Kerala.
“Sanjay planned an incredible trip to India for me, my daughter, and 12-year-old grandson. I was born in India and have travelled there many times, but this was the most spectacular two weeks I have spent there. India is a big country, and we covered a lot—houseboat in Kerala, temple in Tamil Nadu, religious services in the Ganges in Varanasi, lots of sites in Delhi, Golden Temple in Amritsar, never-disappointing Taj Mahal, and finally a relaxing stay in a village in Rajasthan.” —Gurminder Bedi
Read more reviews of India trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
China: “We made cheese, rolled out local flat bread, and prepared flower cakes with roses at a rose farm.”
Delectable family travel to Yunnan: “We enjoyed all that we ate.”
“Our trip to Yunnan province, China, was expertly planned by Alice on Mei’s team. Our drivers were excellent navigating city traffic and mountain roads alike. We saw historic, cultural and natural sights in days that were full, but not overly crowded.
The small, hands-on experiences we had were most memorable. We saw indigo plants, stirred indigo dye, and then made our own tie-dyed samples. We made cheese, rolled out local flat bread, and prepared flower cakes with roses at a rose farm. We had a visit with a village shaman. We traveled to a small village where we had a fabulous dinner of food grown on-site and then were treated to music, folklore and dance, at the end of which we were invited to join in the dancing!
A highlight was seeing the sun hit the snow on the peaks of mountains around Dali, with the lake shining at the bottom. An incredible trip!” —Kathryn Wilson
Read more reviews of China trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Japan: “At the small inn we learned to lounge in jinbei and yukata, dined on delectable daily breakfast and divine dinners…”
Taking in the Shizuoka tea fields with 15th-generation tea farmer, Takuya Shigeta.
“Andrea and Floriana created a journey embarking from Tokyo, traveling by high-speed train to the Kiso Valley, then continuing south to the Izu Peninsula. From temples to towers, sushi to sake, and crowds to calm, Tokyo did not disappoint during our brief three-night stay. We enjoyed our first bullet train experience heading west to Kiso Fukushima. Appreciating the big city, but always attracted to the close connections made spending time in rural locales, we grew excited to settle into a traditional Japanese ryokan for the next few days. At the small inn, we learned to lounge in jinbei and yukata, dined on the delectable daily breakfast and divine dinners, and ventured throughout the countryside with our guide, Sachi.
The highlight of our time in the Kiso Valley is difficult to choose, as we hiked to many ethereal shrines and wandered the path of the samurai through post towns, however we will never forget our opportunity to take part in the centuries-old tradition of takigyo, meditating under a freezing cold waterfall, and then sharing the same moment with a local family at Shintaki Falls.
For the last few days of our trip, we asked to get off the beaten path and find a quiet, relaxing place. Andrea and Floriana did not disappoint…coordinating a mountain green tea tasting in Shizuoka, a ferry ride with awe-inspiring views of Mt. Fuji, and a sanctuary stay in a historic mansion in Nishi-Izu. We spent the remaining days strolling quiet seaside towns, visiting a secluded organic wasabi farm, and soaking in our private onsen.” —Michael Ruma
Read more reviews of Japan trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Nepal: “I got a better understanding of the sherpa community and their special connection to the mountain.”
Travelers Christine Stoll and her husband in front of the Himalayas at Dusit Thani in Dhulikhel, Nepal.
“In 1996 I went to a presentation by the late David Breashears where he spoke about and showed raw footage of his experience on Mount Everest during the climbing disaster earlier that year. The filming of his eventual summiting became the IMAX movie Everest. I was captivated. Although I was never a candidate to climb the mountain, it was my goal to see it in person. So I contacted Sanjay and explained how important this experience was to me. Sanjay was a personal friend of David Breashears.
Sanjay offered three options for seeing the mountain. We chose the flightseeing option: a 20-passenger plane where everyone has a window seat. He scheduled us on the flight but arranged the trip so that if the weather was bad, we could reschedule for any of the other days. As soon as we arrived, we were told that we would be going the next morning, as that was the best weather opportunity.
At 5:00 A.M we were seated on the plane, with the flight still up-in-the-air. It sure looked cloudy. After sitting on the runway for some time, we finally got the okay to take off. We kept going up through clouds until we finally burst out to a sight I can’t put into words. It was stunning, awe-inspiring, jaw-dropping and whatever other superlative you can think of.
Sanjay had arranged for us to have a sherpa with us who had summited Everest. Phula pointed out peaks, routes, and other features to make our time richer. When we finished, he went to breakfast with us. He answered our many, many questions. Phula’s experience was fascinating, and I got a better understanding of the sherpa community and their special connection to the mountain. It took me the rest of the day to ‘come down off the mountain’ and finally catch my breath.” —Christine Stoll
Read more reviews of Nepal trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Vietnam and Cambodia: “Reminded of how simple life can be, and that people everywhere strive to do the best they can…”
Sunrise at Angkor Wat. Photo: Shutterstock
“As neither Vietnam nor Cambodia has recovered to pre-Covid tourism levels, we experienced far fewer crowds, even at Angkor Wat. The locals were gracious and welcoming, even thanking us for making the long journey.
From the onset of planning through execution, Sandy and Ethan delivered every step of the way. Our itinerary combined five-star creature comforts with authentic local experiences. Some of the more noteworthy experiences included:
• Meeting the North Vietnamese fighter pilot who was the first to shoot down an American fighter jet
• Cooking Vietnamese crispy pancakes with a grandmother in her family’s home “restaurant” and then enjoying a multi-course, homemade lunch
• Riding on the back of Vespas through the side streets and back alleys of Saigon, and on the back of motorbikes through villages in the Mekong Delta
• Riding in an ox-cart along a rural road in Cambodia, being greeted with countless smiles and waves from children going about their everyday lives along the route
• Holding a Hero Rat as we gained invaluable insight into the efforts to detect and remove land mines and explosive devices throughout the Cambodian countryside
• Meditating with monks at Phnom Krom Pagoda
Our hosts provided us with invaluable insights into Vietnam’s and Cambodia’s people and culture, both past and present. In so doing, we were reminded of how simple life can be, and that people everywhere strive to do the best they can with what they’ve been given.” —Molly O’Neill-Emmi
Read more reviews of Cambodia trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
India: “She suggested three very different cities which were the perfect combination for a first-time visitor…”
Happy mom and teen “tagged along on a business trip” and enjoyed the Taj Mahal at both sunrise and sunset.
“My teen daughter and I tagged along on a pretty last-minute business trip my husband was taking to India. Victoria put together an amazing itinerary one month before we left and she really nailed it! After our first phone conversation she put together the perfect plan and I made very few changes. It was very clear she understood what I was looking for and how we wanted to spend our time.
We were traveling off-season during monsoons, and while the weather was very hot and very humid, the actual rain barely interfered with our activities. We flew into Delhi and spent two days exploring the city which was a feast for the senses. It was a great intro to India, both overwhelming and mesmerizing. Victoria set up a tour of the old city by rickshaw which I’d highly recommend as a memorable and eye-opening experience. We also took a food tour through the winding streets of Delhi which I was very hesitant about for fear of “Delhi belly,” but Victoria assured me they are very careful about the places we would visit and she was right, we were all fine!
My daughter and I then went off on our own to Agra to visit the Taj Mahal at both sunset and sunrise, which were two totally different experiences and both “pinch me” moments! Friends and family at home were very concerned about the two of us traveling in India alone, but we felt completely safe the entire time because we always had someone with us, just one of the reasons a WOW planner is so important.
Our final stop in India was Jaipur. Each city was a 3-4 hour drive from one another, which was an experience in itself passing through villages and seeing the way people live outside of the cities. We spent four days in Jaipur which was the perfect combination of sight seeing, shopping, spa time and cultural experiences. Highlights were a block printing workshop in a village outside of the city, an early morning visit to the old city, getting custom made pajamas, visiting the city palace, and meeting with an astrologer, which was a very unique experience. Our incredible guide Vikram knew all the best spots to take us to and had access to places we would have never known about. We have had a lot of private guides all over the world and Vikram is up there with the best!
We were very happy with all of the hotels Victoria had suggested—Leela Palace in Delhi, The Oberoi Amarvilas in Agra and Rambagh Palace in Jaipur. Victoria really made the most of the one week we had in India. She suggested three very different cities which were the perfect combination for a first-time visitor to India and I can’t wait to go back to visit other parts of the country!” —Lauren Schor
Read more reviews of India trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Thailand: “We set foot in Myanmar, Laos and Thailand all on the same day…”
Tony Ford-Hutchinson and wife Jane in Bangkok, with Wat Arun aglow in the background.
“A two-day board meeting in Bangkok gave us the opportunity to combine this with a two-week trip to Thailand. We worked with Dan to figure out where to go and decided to start with Bangkok and then spend time in Northern Thailand.
We explored the waterways of Bangkok in a private longboat and drove out to Ayutthaya, the ancient Siamese capital. Other highlights of Bangkok were a foodie’s tour around Chinatown, a cooking experience for Jane while I was in meetings, and dining at two of the top 50 restaurants in the world, Gaggan and Le Du.
We then flew up to Chiang Mai and stayed at the wonderful 137 Pillars House. We drove around in an electric tuk-tuk, ate local specialties in the night market, and went bamboo rafting. We had specifically requested to learn about some of the textile weavings for which Northern Thailand is famous, so Dan arranged for us to go to Studio Naenna to meet Patricia Cheeseman, a renowned textile expert and author, where we had a hands-on experience with tie-dying with natural indigo dye.
Our road trip to Chiang Rai was no ordinary road trip, as we skirted the Myanmar border, stopping at various points including cooking lunch in bamboo containers with the Lahu hill tribe. In Chiang Rai we stayed at Pa Sak Tong (at very off-season rates!) where we had a whole three-bedroom villa to ourselves, complete with exercise room, steam room, and private pool. To look after our every need, we had two excellent cooks, Nid and Kwanjai, and three outstanding butlers, Tai, Benny, and Pleaw. All this on 28 acres looked after by 13 gardeners and overseen by the estate manager, John Dunbar!
Needless to say, we tried to maximize our stay in the villa, although we did make a day trip to the Golden Triangle, where we set foot in Myanmar, Laos and Thailand all on the same day. Another bonus for this location is that the dining experience at Locus Native Food Lab is a short walk from the villa. All in all, an amazing trip, and thank you to Dan and his staff for organizing everything.” —Tony Ford-Hutchinson
Read more reviews of Thailand trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Uzbekistan: “The idea of the Silk Road always intrigued me, with camel caravans bringing goods from China to Europe and back…”
Leon Malkin visiting with Zulya’s parents
“This was my seventh trip using Wendy Perrin’s WOW List of travel experts, and they have all been superb experiences. This trip was not different, thanks to the kindness and caring of Zulya. One of the nicest people I’ve had the pleasure to work with, she is from Uzbekistan and has firsthand knowledge of this area. One of the highlights of the trip was having lunch with Zulya’s parents and family in Bukhara.
The idea of The Silk Road always intrigued me, with camel caravans bringing goods from China to Europe and back, and the power struggle between Russia and Great Britain for control of this area in the 19th and 20th century. I really didn’t know what to expect of this vast region. I thought I would see camel caravans and a lot of Soviet apartment buildings! What I found were modern cities and all very clean, safe, with warm welcoming people. There were, of course, remnants of Soviet influence, as they were under Soviet control until independence in 1991. I did not have one untoward event.
Outside the cities, the roads were often in need of repair, and one could see the more impoverished towns and homes, but all the people I encountered were very welcoming and friendly. Would highly recommend a visit to this vast, interesting, safe area.” —Leon Malkin
Read more reviews of Uzbekistan trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
China: “We had an amazing dinner prepared and cooked in a private space by a chef and his team…”
Emma Jacobs and her husband dining on the Great Wall of China.
“Our trip to China was excellent. We had an amazing dinner prepared and cooked in a private space by a chef and his team, curated by Mei’s office, as our WOW Moment in Beijing. Having a gourmet lunch prepared on the Great Wall was a very special moment. One of a kind!! Shanghai took us by surprise, what a great city with exceptional food. We had a wonderful foodie tour there too.” —Emma Jacobs
Read more reviews of China trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Vietnam & Cambodia: “The lunch they had prepared for us, hosted by a lovely Cambodian family on their floating dock, was amazingly delicious…”
Sharon Theroux and her husband were hosted for lunch by a local family near Siem Reap.
“My husband and I just returned from our second trip to Southeast Asia, both of them through Sandy and Ethan’s office. Someone once said, ‘We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us.’ That couldn’t be more true about our experience. This year, we spent one week in Saigon, followed by one week in Siem Reap.
In Saigon, we stayed at the Majestic Hotel, which was a perfect location on the Saigon river and at the heart of the city. Sandy and Ethan were able to get us the same room on the same floor we had last year, #317, which had an outdoor garden where we had coffee in the morning. So beautiful. The ride up the Saigon river to Can Gio nature reserve provided a well-needed ‘Nature Bath’ while boating through mangroves, hiking through jungles, and feeding crocodiles and monkeys. What a major de-stressor and complete departure from our day-to-day life back home!
Our next leg of the trip was the Jaya House at Siem Reap, which is where we stayed last year. The Jaya House is one of my favorite places on earth. Upon arrival, we met with Christian, the property manager, who made sure we were scheduled for our daily massage. After recently experiencing a running injury, I was very happy to take him up on that offer! Those daily massages really helped me to heal from injury, as well as reduce a year full of stressors from back home.
We took an excursion to the margins of Tonle Sap Lake, the largest lake in Cambodia. On this boat tour, we traveled back in time to see a floating fishing village, where people survive with very little, some without electricity. And yet, the people there smiled and waved at us as they went about their life, and we saw the children happily playing with each other and swimming in the water. I learned that if they could be happy with so little, I don’t need to sweat the small stuff at home. And the lunch they had prepared for us, hosted by a lovely Cambodian family on their floating dock, was amazingly delicious, with a charcuterie that rivaled that from NYC! I would highly recommend traveling to Southeast Asia in general, and with Sandy and Ethan more specifically, if you are looking for a truly authentic, immersive, and life-enhancing experience.” —Sharon Theroux
Read more reviews of Southeast Asia trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
The Philippines: “Our Bohol countryside tour was incredible, from swimming with a group of large whale sharks to cruising on a private Lomboc River boat with live music…”
Andrea Phillips and daughter Rachel diving off Balicasag Island. Photo: Sander
“Taking advantage of the time left before my 18-year-old daughter leaves to start college, the two of us jetted off on a 10-day scuba diving trip to the Philippines from late March to April. After in-depth planning with Andrea, an expert on unique travel in Asia, we chose the Dauin coast and Panglao Island, off Bohol, for our trip, as this was an excellent time to visit for great weather and diving conditions. Our goals were simple: level up our scuba certifications, immerse ourselves in welcoming cultures, and, finally, cross off swimming with whale sharks from our bucket list! Andrea and his team planned it perfectly, starting with a special airport welcome that whisked us from the arrival gate and quickly through a chaotic Manila airport.
Our first stop was Atmosphere Resort, where my daughter earned her Advanced Open Water Diver certification under the guidance of their skilled dive masters. We explored local dive spots and Apo Island, a beautiful marine reserve. The relaxing resort was wonderful after diving, with its refreshing pools, delicious food, a sanctuary spa, all while being cared for as Andrea’s VIP guest by the warm and friendly Filipino staff. It all brought back memories of doing my own AOW certification in Asia 25 years ago.
Moving on to Amorita Resort, we spent our days diving at Balicasag & Pamilacan Islands with another great dive team recommended by Andrea and earned our Enriched Air Diver certifications. Andrea also surprised us by sending an underwater photographer along on our first dive to capture a forever moment on our mother-daughter adventure under the sea. Saving one of the best days for last, our Bohol countryside tour was incredible, from swimming with a group of large whale sharks to cruising on a private Lomboc River boat with live music, hanging out with Tarsier and macaque monkeys, admiring the famous Chocolate Hills of Bohol and even enjoying coconut wine at a local’s home. It was a perfect conclusion to our unforgettable journey in the Philippines.
One of the best aspects of traveling with Andrea was his responsive support team, always just a WhatsApp message away. They swiftly resolved any questions or issues we encountered, such as when there was a mix-up with our room at Amorita, and they went the extra mile to secure a complimentary upgrade for us. Their extensive network within the local communities demonstrated their dedication to ensuring a memorable experience for us.
This trip was tailor-made for our needs, combining the best dive resort locations for our goals, avoiding crowded tourist spots for the whale shark encounter, and adding in authentic cultural stops and touches to make each day unforgettable, including celebrating my birthday. Even though initially I had some reservations about taking this trip, as sometimes it’s difficult to find the right time to travel, it ended up being a wonderful experience and one that will hold memories for us that we will always treasure. Pushing ourselves to try somewhere new and doing it together, made it even more thrilling and well worth the efforts, especially with Andrea, Pablo, Lauren, Michael and the rest of the team to support us along the way.” —Andrea Phillips
Read more reviews of the Philippines trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Southeast Asia: “We were the only ones there, drifting through the lily pads watching the birds and sunset. It was beautiful and peaceful.”
Ta Prohm temple ruins in Angkor, Cambodia. Photo: Shutterstock
“My wife, 22 year-old daughter, and I visited Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia. The local guides arranged by Sandy and Ethan were knowledgeable, eager to take family pictures for us, and easy to work with as we tweaked some of the details of our itinerary as our trip progressed.
In Chiang Mai we went on a beautiful two-hour hike on the Pha Dok Sieo Nature Trail in the Doi Inthanon National Park. There was a river with multiple waterfalls along the way. The hike ended at a pretty farm in the hills with water buffalo roaming around, where we had a cup of locally grown coffee and a nice lunch at a small restaurant. Speaking of food, the Khao Soi curry in Chiang Mai was one of our food highlights.
In Laos, our guide had excellent knowledge of Buddhism and relationships with local Buddhist monks, so we spent time with the monks learning about their religion, sitting with the monks as they chanted, and participated in the custom of giving alms (making merit) where we provided the monks with their morning breakfast before sunrise. It was unique and educational. Our guide also hosted us at his family house for a wonderful dinner and Buddhist ceremony attended by numerous members of our guide’s extended family. We visited some villages to see how local farmers and craftspeople live, including talking with women making papadam and men distilling local moonshine, both of which we tasted. We also had a lovely and relaxing and scenic private boat ride down the Mekong river, returning to Luang Prabang from the Pak Ou caves as the sun gradually set.
In Siem Reap, Cambodia, we attended the roughly hour-long Phare ‘circus,’ a high-energy, very entertaining, and unique experience, and it’s for a good cause. Of course, we visited the massive ancient Angkor temples, which are incredibly impressive, and each one was different. The Ta Prohm temple with the massive trees growing on it is a must-see. One of our more special moments in Cambodia was when our excellent guide arranged to take us out on two small boats (just a bit bigger than large canoes) on one of the ‘moats’ (really a manmade lake) just before sunset. A local paddler gently moved the boats across the calm waters as our guide mixed gin and tonics for us and provided snacks. We were the only ones there, drifting through the lily pads watching the birds and sunset. It was beautiful and peaceful.” —Joe Coco
Read more reviews of Southeast Asia trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Bhutan: “Peaceful, calm, clean, welcoming, safe and fascinating, with people full of warmth…”
An herbal bath with a view at Bhutan’s Gangtey Lodge. Photo: Traveler Wendy Tucker
“My husband and I just returned from a fantastic two-week-plus trip to India and Bhutan. We have been lucky enough to travel to many places, but we both declared at our return that this was our favorite destination. Sanjay planned a perfect trip and we are so grateful to him and his local agencies for their knowledge, punctuality, kindness and seamless handling of everything. When I initially contacted Sanjay, our plan only included Bhutan. There are no flights to Bhutan from the US or Europe—you need to go through India or Thailand. We had never been to India, so Sanjay suggested that we fly into Delhi (one of the cities you can access Bhutan from) and spend a few days to see the Taj Mahal. We were so glad we took his advice.
Overall, we found Bhutan to be peaceful, calm, clean, welcoming, safe and fascinating, with people full of warmth, interest and kindness. We stayed at four incredible properties, each with their own flavor, beauty and charm. My favorite was Gangtey Lodge. Gangtey Lodge was the furthest east we traveled and is high above a beautiful valley. It snowed when we were there, so we enjoyed herbal baths gazing from the tub out over the valley.
We filled our days with visits to fortresses, nunneries, temples and monasteries—we loved them all, although our favorite was Gangtey Goenpa Monastery. We spent almost three hours there participating in a tea ceremony with the monks and discussing Buddhism and life in a monastery with a senior monk.” —Wendy Tucker
Read more reviews of Bhutan trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
India: “The weather was perfect, the guides were flexible and kind, and India is truly a magical place.”
Tasting jalebi, an Indian sweet, during a tuk tuk tour. Photo: Traveler Mary Ko
“Our family has been on many trips. We usually use Wendy Perrin’s List because all the companies offer flexibility and we travel with young kids (ages 11, 9, and 5). We went to India February 28th- March 9th, and it was our best family trip to date. I know part of this was because we finally don’t have a kid under 4 with us, but the other part was Victoria—and Narji, our guide. We went to Agra, Jaipur, and Udaipur. There was so much to offer for everyone.
The kids’ favorite parts of the trip were the shopping, the block printing, feeding peacocks at Taj Rambagh, and seeing elephants at the Sanctuary. My husband and I loved the Oberoi hotels, the gems, the Taj Mahal, the love of Western travelers we felt, the tuk tuk ride, the historic sites, and so much more. The weather was perfect, the guides were flexible and kind, and India is truly a magical place. We have already purchased the things needed to try to make our own jalebi, and we loved the tea!!!
We hopped airports a bit to quickly jump cities, and our driver would drive our luggage so we only had a backpack and snacks, making flying headache-free. What I love about Victoria is that we had flexibility with kids—meaning, if we cancelled something because they needed downtime, it was fine, or if we had to change things quickly, it was no big deal. An amazing adventure!!” —Mary Ko
Read more reviews of India trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Southeast Asia: “The diversity of the trip was amazing and included fabulous street food adventures in several of the cities, ringside seats in Bangkok…”
A bowl of Vietnamese rice noodles with beef and other ingredients. Photo: Shutterstock
“Just back from our third trip booked through one of Wendy’s fabulous travel arrangers. In this case we worked with Dan for a 3 ½ week itinerary that started and ended in Singapore, with Chiang Mai, Bangkok, Luang Prabang, Siem Reap, Saigon, Hue, Hoi An, and Hanoi in between.
Dan and his team did a great job attending to all of the details, especially the VIP arrival treatment in the many airports we traversed. The diversity of the trip was amazing and included fabulous street food adventures in several of the cities, ringside seats in Bangkok for Muay Thai boxing, a cruise on the Mekong river from Luang Prabang to the Pak Ou caves (with a stop at a whisky distillery whose bottles contained snakes and scorpions—a bit too much for my taste), sunrise at Angkor Wat, incredible acrobats at the Phare circus, thrilling rides in several cities on cyclos, tuk-tuks, and scooters, and various museums and places that are etched in memories of those of us that grew up in the Viet Nam war era. Lots of lessons to be learned from that time.
But perhaps the most interesting part of our visit involved a dinner and musical performance at the Ben Xuan Garden House. When we saw this on the agenda, we thought ok, that could be a nice evening. Well, the host, Camille Huyen, is six generations removed from the emperor and is an incredible artist. She designed the home using bricks from the rubble of the destroyed Imperial Palace area, has her paintings on display throughout the home, and provided vocals alongside some fabulously talented musicians whom she personally selected and developed from the local university. After the performance we were treated to an amazing dinner and wonderful conversation with Camille and Ngo Truong Dinh, her husband and a former banker during their time in Switzerland. This evening was one of the more remarkable events of many years of travel around the world.” —Mike and Marilyn Modak
Read more reviews of Southeast Asia trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Sri Lanka: “We saw beautiful Buddha temples…hiked mountains with spectacular views, went on a jeep safari…”
Pam Greenstein and family on Peradeniya Botanical Garden’s Avenue of Royal Palms.
“We had an incredible vacation to Sri Lanka over the Christmas holidays with our two daughters, ages 21 and 18. We had just celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary and wanted to do something special with them. We were there for 2.5 weeks and stayed in 9 different boutique hotels. They were all fantastic! Our guide was absolutely outstanding. He added so much to the trip by getting us into various cultural events, restaurants, markets, and experiences. We never had to wait in line! He was also very caring with our girls when they were tired and needed a break. His passion for the country was instrumental in our learning about the culture and history, and eating incredible food.
We saw beautiful Buddha temples, rode the famous train to see the incredible topography, learned all about tea country, hiked mountains with spectacular views, went on a jeep safari and got up close elephants, leopards and water buffalos; rode bikes through rice paddies, had a wonderful massage and sauna, toured a gem mine to see how they make beautiful jewelry, and swam with the sea turtles. The highlight was our farm-to-table cooking class, picking fresh vegetables at the market and then making Sri Lankan rice and curry dishes with local chefs. It was fun and delicious.
We had various anniversary cards, cakes, and champagne when we arrived at our hotels, such a warm and caring gesture from the staff. This was our third trip working with Wendy and her team, and as usual, they did an outstanding job planning every detail.” —Pam Greenstein
Read more reviews of Sri Lanka trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Oman and Jordan: “All was well and safe…”
Amy Evers and her husband atop a rock arch in Wadi Rum, Jordan.
“Our trip to Oman and Jordan October 14th- Nov. 1st, 2023, was extraordinary! Even with the slight unease regarding the war, while in Oman and Jordan, all was well and safe. There did seem to be some extra military presence in Amman but that didn’t interfere with our trip. We are very happy we did not cancel!
Out trip planner, Daniel, did a wonderful job talking through everything with us ahead of time. He was honest about his thoughts about things that are worth it and that aren’t. Some of the highlights of our trip were:
Oman: Eating and drinking dates and Omani coffee with locals, dinner with a local family in Muscat, learning about the culture, talking with a local at the Grand Mosque to learn more about Islam, swimming and exploring Wadi Shaab and Wadi Bani Khalid, dune bashing in Wahiba Sands, the via ferrata course in Jebel Akhdar, biking down the mountains in Jabel Shams, the random barber shop experience for my husband to get his beard trimmed (hilarious and wonderful cultural experience), and the balcony hike in Jebel Shams.
Jordan: Petra during the day/night and the back door hike in, SCUBA diving the wreck in the Red Sea (not organized by Dan), ‘soft’ canyoning in Wadi Al Mujib, floating in the Dead Sea (so unique and funny!), and discussions about current issues with our guide.
I feel very lucky to have experienced this trip, especially in today’s political climate. It is always good to learn more, have more awareness and to become better global citizens. Thank you!” —Amy Evers
Read more reviews of Oman and Jordan trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Vietnam, Cambodia & Laos: “I flew by helicopter to the even more remote and off-the-radar locations of Preah Vihear and Prasat Banteay Chhmar…”
Aerial view of temple ruins by helicopter. Photo: Jeannie Mullen
“On a lark, and with spot-on advice and counsel from Wendy about where to go on short notice, I booked a trip to Southeast Asia. Wendy put me in touch with Sandy and Ethan and, just as she said they would, they were able to turn on a dime.
I don’t think I’ve been to that many UNESCO World Heritage Sites in one single trip, ever. Every planning detail, including Fast Track airport service (where available) for arrivals and departures, was taken care of with great care and attention.
Siem Reap, Cambodia—the place around which the entire trip was planned—was phenomenal. Traipsing in and around the temple complexes and experiencing sunrise at Angkor Wat was a major bucket-list item. Major shout-out to Silen, my guide and Ethan’s friend, for her attention to every detail and working our way into and out of the temple complexes in such a way as to avoid other tourists. She was also a master at pacing the day so as to provide relief from the heat and humidity.
Surpassing those experiences was the day that I flew by helicopter to the even more remote and off-the-radar locations of Preah Vihear and Prasat Banteay Chhmar with Po-Thai Khan, a renowned Cambodian archaeologist. Walking these temple complexes with Thai was one of those pinch-me experiences … he was so interesting, engaging and affirming. And the temples were totally without tourists. Something I will never forget. On the way back to Siem Reap, as we skirted a massive thunderstorm, we flew through a full circle rainbow …how did Wendy manage THAT wow moment?
Thank you so much to Sandy and Ethan, and all of their family and friends in Southeast Asia, for turning a spur-of-the-moment trip idea into a reality for this solo wanderer.” —Jeannie Mullen
Read more reviews of Southeast Asia trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Dubai & Abu Dhabi: “What a great experience in the desert with private pools at each suite, a desert jeep ride, camel rides, beautiful sunset…”
Diane Thormodsgard’s grandsons enjoy their private pool at the Al Maha desert resort.
“My husband and I took our grandsons (ages 14 and 13) to UAE at the end of July for 10 days. We told our grandchildren many years ago they could pick any place in the world for a trip. Dubai was the choice! Although we were skeptical about going there during the summer when it is very hot, Nicholas designed an itinerary that suited all of us perfectly. He listened to our desire to give the boys an unforgettable experience and delivered.
We started in Dubai with a stay at Atlantis the Palm, including exclusive Imperial Club access, after being met with VIP service at the airport. The boys enjoyed Aquaventure and the pool. We also had a Dubai historical tour, visited Museum of the Future, went to the “top of the Burj Khalifa,” had a helicopter ride, and went on a private sunset palm cruise with a crew of four that provided excellent service.
After leaving Dubai, we ventured to Al Maha, a luxury desert resort. What a great experience in the desert with private pools at each suite (boys had their own Bedouin suite), a desert jeep ride, camel rides, beautiful sunset, early morning falconry presentation for the grandparents, and excellent food. Our only regret is we wished we would have spent more than one night there so we could have enjoyed other activities like archery, more time in the pool and watching the many gazelles and rare Arabian Oryx on the property. As the boys said, “this is really cool!”
The next stop was Abu Dhabi, where we stayed at the WB Hotel by Hilton, which is conveniently located near many of the theme parks. After touring Abu Dhabi, which included a tour of the Grand Mosque, we finished our trip with visits to Warner Bros. World, Ferrari World and the recently opened (May) Sea World. All of the parks are covered so the hot weather was not an issue. The new Sea World is absolutely incredible. Ferrari World was the highlight, however, with an individual Ferrari car ride on nearby roads with a professional driver for each grandson.
The trip was a nice mix of history, amazing architecture, and entertainment. The guides and drivers were always early, very professional and top-notch. They readily adjusted our tours (like less shopping time) to cater to our interests. Nicholas was available during the trip for any issues or questions we had. He started working with us to plan the trip 7 months before we traveled and never hesitated to make himself available.
I would highly recommend Nicholas and staff if you are planning a trip to UAE. It was very obvious he has strong relationships with local service providers and is very knowledgeable about the area. We were definitely able to experience a “trip of our lifetime” for our grandsons and us!”—Diane Thormodsgard
This trip was arranged by a WOW List candidate. Here’s what that means.
Mongolia: photo ops of deserts and steppes, adventures in wildlife spotting…
Three Camel Lodge in the Gobi Desert. Photo: Nomadic Expeditions
“What a fantastic trip to Mongolia! As so many other people I knew were fighting the crowds in Europe, Mongolia’s beautiful deserts and steppes were wide open for exploration without the jockeying for position. With my wonderful guide and driver, I spent eight days looping through multiple stunning landscapes on the hunt for photos of wild horse (takhi), Argali sheep, and magnificent birds. Between the nights in the ger by Khustain National Park, the relaxed pace of camping near Ikh Nart, and the wonderful luxury of Three Camel Lodge, I had a fabulous trip and was so grateful to be out in nature after a long pandemic. Mongolia is not for the faint of heart! We did a fair amount of driving, since intra-country flights are not quite back to pre-pandemic levels, but the landscapes were breathtaking and the wildlife spotting was an adventure.” —Katie Stiner
Read more reviews of Mongolia trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
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