Traveling over school holidays doesn’t have to mean crowds and inflated prices. If you expand your horizons beyond the Caribbean, Hawaii, and Disney—to less obvious locations and places that are not at the peak of their tourist season—spring break can be a brilliant time to travel. Our own team follows this advice: Wendy has taken her kids to Morocco, Panama, Paris, Spain, and Germany for spring break, and Brook’s family has spent spring break in Namibia and Southeast Asia. Below you’ll find firsthand reports of kid- and teen-friendly trips that are educational, active, and thrilling. If your kid’s in college, don’t miss Unusual Spring Break Ideas for College Students (and Their Parents).
The travelers below all took advantage of the right local fixers‘ intel and connections to make the most of their kids’ limited time away from elementary school or high school. Here’s what it means to get a WOW trip.
Paris: “We only had 4 full days in-country, so it was going to be a challenge to figure out how to organize the trip most efficiently…”
Visiting the newly renovated and reopened Notre-Dame was a trip highlight for traveler Christina Taylor and her daughter. Photo: Stephane de Sakutin, Getty
“My 16-year old daughter asked me to take her to Paris for spring break. She had never been to France, and so we needed to hit the highlights while also having adequate time to explore on our own. We only had 4 full days in-country, so it was going to be a challenge to figure out what to see and how to organize the trip most efficiently.
Jennifer met with me over zoom and listened to my ideas and immediately offered ideas of her own. She understood the importance of not having too many tours or ‘sleepy, touristy’ activities for the 16-year old. Jennifer recommended Le Grand Mazarin hotel which was adorable and a fantastic location!
All of Jennifer’s tours, guides and drivers were wonderful. Their English was excellent and they were pleasant and very knowledgeable. I would definitely never go to the Louvre without a guide again! Our guide helped us jump the line and then expertly navigated us through the galleries and the crowds to see what we wanted. Seeing Notre Dame reopened and all cleaned up was a special memory for me. Another highlight was the DIOR Gallerie, which Jennifer got us tickets for. I loved it and I am not really into fashion!” —Christina Taylor
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Canada’s Yukon: “We went on a private snowmobile adventure on the frozen Yukon River…”
“My daughter is already asking if we can do it again next spring.” Photo: Shutterstock
“My 13-year-old daughter and I just returned from six nights in Yukon Territory. I’m so glad that I chose Marc to plan this trip, as his itinerary included things that I wouldn’t have thought to include. The original purpose of our trip was to see the northern lights, which luckily did put on a spectacular show for us. But every other part of our trip was equally as fantastic!
We absolutely fell in love with the charming little town of Dawson City and easily could have spent more time there. While in Dawson, our guides took us to a private aurora-viewing area just outside town, and we went on a private snowmobile adventure on the frozen Yukon River, met a local wildcrafter/herbalist, and drove out to Tombstone Territorial Park, where it seemed like we had the entire park to ourselves. The icing on the cake was returning to Dawson City on a private aircraft that used the Dempster Highway as a runway.
The second part of our trip took us down to the Southern Lakes Resort on Tagish Lake, where once again we fell in love with the area and wished we had stayed longer. The scenery around the resort is breathtaking. After a morning of dog sledding or snowmobiling, we would spend the rest of the day and evening outside enjoying the beautiful surroundings. We had an amazing trip, and my daughter is already asking if we can do it again next spring.” —Sheryl Kincaid
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Northern Ireland: “We had a rather unusual request to plan a trip around our 7-year-old’s undying interest in the Titanic…”
Traveler Kimberley Liao with her family on the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge.
“Louise did a phenomenal job on our spring break in Northern Ireland. We had a rather unusual request to plan a trip around our 7-year-old’s undying interest in the Titanic. There are trips you take, and then there are journeys that take you—that unfold something inside you you didn’t know was waiting to be discovered. We meant for this trip to be all about our son as a belated birthday present in lieu of a party, but amazingly, we were all restored on this trip.
The hotels Louise picked were perfect for a family of three, and the flexibility to follow her tips (or not!) was appreciated. The Titanic Museum and Hotel were true highlights—and we appreciated her thoughtful gesture of booking a hotel tour for us.
Yes, the landscape in Northern Ireland was every bit as breathtaking as you’d imagine: sea cliffs carved by time, fields stitched in every shade of green, and skies that seemed to change their mind every few minutes. But what made this trip unforgettable wasn’t just the country—it was our guide, Warner.
Warner didn’t just show us Ireland. He translated it. He was a steady, thoughtful presence—equal parts storyteller, historian, naturalist, and occasional therapist. He had a gift for weaving folklore with facts, giving texture to every stone wall, ruin, and trail. He helped us see Ireland not just as tourists, but as temporary stewards of something ancient and alive.
If you want an outdoors-focused trip that a seven-year-old can enjoy with you, Louise is your woman. Truly exceptional. We hope to return and see other parts of Ireland!” —Kimberley Liao
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Sicily: “Traveling with tweens can be a challenge, but Laura understood how to craft an itinerary that would captivate their imaginations…”
Sicily can feel magical in the spring. Photo: Adobe Stock
“Our family just returned from a magical 10-day trip to Sicily, and I can’t say enough about how exceptional the experience was. From start to finish, every detail was thoughtfully curated, and we were made to feel so well taken care of throughout our journey.
I have to give credit to Laura, the owner of the trip planning company, who lives in Palermo. From our very first conversation it was clear that she is an incredible listener, genuinely dedicated to creating a personalized experience. Traveling with tween boys can be a challenge, but Laura understood exactly how to craft an itinerary that would captivate their imaginations while immersing us in the rich culture of Sicily. Her connections on the island run deep, and it truly showed in the unique and meaningful experiences we enjoyed.
Our guide for the majority of the trip, Maria, was an absolute gem. She was not only knowledgeable but also incredibly kind and caring. Despite facing terrible rainy weather for three days in a row, Maria remained flexible, always adjusting our plans with grace and ensuring our boys stayed engaged and happy. Her warmth and dedication to making our trip special truly made a difference.
One of the highlights was our time in a small Sicilian village, where we cooked alongside an extended family and their children. Sharing stories and recipes in such an intimate setting made us feel like part of the community. Another remarkable experience was visiting a Sicilian cart maker’s workshop and participating in a painting tutorial led by a master artisan who also creates textiles for Dolce & Gabbana. It was fascinating, and my sons were particularly enthralled by the Archimedes studio outside of Siracusa. There, they learned about the scholar’s inventions with real-life replicas, bringing ancient ingenuity to life in a way that still has them talking about it.
In Palermo, we had the privilege of meeting one of the last remaining puppet makers (pupari) on the island. Not only was the art of puppet making more captivating than we ever imagined, but the experience was also deeply moving. The generosity and passion shared during that visit left a lasting impression on all of us.
This trip to Sicily was not just about sightseeing; it was about forming connections and understanding the heart of the island. Laura and Maria made sure we experienced Sicily from a local’s perspective, which made every moment feel so much more profound. We will always remember our time in this extraordinary place!” —Gina Melton
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Morocco: “We were there during Ramadan, which turned out to be a beautiful and special time…”
Traveler Veronique Padalecki’s children in Morocco.
“We took our family of six to Morocco this spring break and used Hicham and Sara, as Wendy recommended. We are a family of four mostly teens (ages 10-16). We started in Marrakech and made our way to the Sahara via the beautiful Hotel Eden in the Dadès Gorge and finished our trip in Casablanca with a tour of the most spectacular mosque, one of the most amazing religious places we have ever seen.
We were there during Ramadan, which turned out to be a beautiful and special time, and the kids were able to observe so many traditions that take place only during Ramadan. Our local tour guide, Hamza, was with us the entire trip and was AMAZING. His perspective and patience with our kids was unparalleled. The kids loved the markets of Marrakech and were able to experience an afternoon at a local hammam, as well as breaking fast with a local family where we cooked traditional Moroccan cuisine.
I highly recommend Morocco for anyone looking for a colorful and vibrant atmosphere and who loves the idea of traveling to a place so different than the States. We felt very safe, and our kids thoroughly enjoyed the haggling markets and seasoned foods. The Sahara is a BIG trek to make, but we were all very happy we opted for this and made the long journey. We cannot wait to go back and see more of Morocco!” —Veronique Padalecki
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Costa Rica: “It offered both adventure and activities, as well as beach and relaxing…”
Traveler Lauren Schor and family whitewater rafting in Costa Rica.
“Just back from an incredible spring break in Costa Rica with my husband and 14-year-old daughter. Priscilla was a pleasure to work with—always super-quick to reply to emails and always offering detailed responses.
When we landed at Liberia airport, we were met by our incredible guide William. We have traveled all over the world with WOW Listers, and William was one of the best guides we have had. We started with three nights in the Arenal volcano area at Nayara Tented Camp, which was incredible! We absolutely loved our ‘tent’—they all have private thermal spa pools and outdoor showers in a jungle setting. Our surprise WOW Moment was a family photo shoot on Nayara’s property, and we now have some gorgeous professional photos!
On our fourth day we had a 4.5-hour drive to the Four Seasons on the Papagayo Peninsula. To break up the drive, we stopped at a beautiful hacienda where we had a delicious local lunch and took a private river boat ride on the property and saw totally different wildlife in a new ecosystem. At one point we were surrounded by ten crocodiles (the river boat driver was not concerned, so neither were we). And, luckily, William knew a shortcut that saved us an hour of driving time!
Once we arrived at the Four Seasons, we spent the last few days of our trip relaxing. Overall, I highly recommend Costa Rica for a family trip because it offered both adventure and activities, as well as beach and relaxing.” —Lauren Schor
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Japan: “We had a busy itinerary to fit in all that we wanted to do, but there was enough down time that we weren’t exhausted…”
Traveler Leslie Enlow and family hiking Japan’s Nakasendo Trail.
“For spring break we took a family vacation to Japan. The trip centered mostly on keeping our 9-year-old grandson entertained by going to a baseball game, sumo wrestling demonstration, samurai sword experience with a 16th-generation samurai, and ninja museum. We still saw plenty of shrines and gardens to keep everybody happy.
Andrea and his team were in constant contact with us and able to answer any questions that arose. The hotels and ryokans were all unique experiences. A highlight was walking the Nakasendo Trail, where we had our WOW Moment, a picnic lunch at a scenic overlook. So scenic, in fact, that other tourists were taking pictures of us enjoying our lunch with a cherry blossom centerpiece. We were a little early for cherry blossom season, but Andrea was determined that we would see some.
We had a busy itinerary to fit in all that we wanted to do, but there was enough down time that we weren’t exhausted. It was the perfect trip—and one we will never forget.” —Leslie Enlow
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Rome, Florence, and Umbria, Italy: “Even though Maria planned this trip geared to our kids, my husband and I thoroughly enjoyed every moment…”
Traveler Erin Rusthoven’s family wanted to experience the culture and arts of Florence. Photo: Shutterstock
“We recently returned from a family spring break trip to Italy—fitting in days in Rome, Florence and several cities in Umbria in just under 10 days in early April 2025. We shared with Maria that we wanted this trip geared to our 11-year-old twin daughters. We wanted our daughters to see the Vatican and sites of the ancient Roman empire while in Rome, to experience the countryside of Umbria, and the culture and arts of Florence—all while enjoying Italian food and learning about how our Italian hosts live.
Maria paired us with guides who were perfect for our girls’ age and were happy to pivot plans if they showed interest in something unexpected. And Maria helped us arrange activities we knew they would enjoy—a Roma/Juventus soccer match, a wonderful food-themed tour of several neighborhoods in Rome, days roaming with friendly dogs while either engaging in a truffle hunt in Umbria or a vineyard luncheon and wine tasting in Tuscany, kid-friendly scavenger hunts in Florence, a family-friendly hands-on cooking class and luncheon at a beautiful olive estate, a perfectly paced visit to Assisi, and plenty of free time to visit shops in each of the cities we visited.
And even though Maria planned this trip geared to our kids, my husband and I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of the trip. It was so much fun to see our girls begin to adapt to Italian life so quickly, ask to learn as much of the language as they could, and be genuinely sad whenever we had to depart from one of our guides or drivers with whom we had enjoyed a day together. My husband and I had been to Italy before and will certainly be back again but, more importantly, after this trip we are certain that our girls will want to return too!” —Erin Rusthoven
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
London and Oxford: “Our best family vacation by far…”
Traveler Wynne Wages and family at Windsor Castle.
“This was our best family vacation by far. My ‘royalist’ daughter was in literal tears when we walked up to Buckingham Palace…and her enthusiasm didn’t wane throughout the entire trip. Windsor Castle, Westminster Abbey, St Paul’s Cathedral, the Tower of London…so many places were thrilling for her (and for all of us!). When Tanner wanted to go by the Lindo Wing steps, our London guide, Mark, made the time…and made her day! Trey was enthralled with the behind-the-scenes tour of the Churchill War Rooms. We all were, actually.
In Oxford, our guide Elizabeth had such grace, knowledge, and love for Oxford. Not only do I want to be her best friend, but I want to be in her book club! Stratford-Upon-Avon was great; unfortunately, Anne Hathaway’s cottage was closed, so we missed going there. But we added a stop to Holy Trinity Church and Shakespeare’s grave, so that eased the pain! Both hotels—the Chesterfield Mayfair in London and the Old Bank in Oxford—were lovely, with perfect locations.” —Wynne Wages
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
The Galápagos Islands: “EVERY aspect of the journey was incredible, and none of us wanted to leave…”
Says traveler John Strachan, “It was simply mind-boggling how many amazing animals we saw up close.” Photo: Shutterstock
“My family of four (two parents, 10yr old, 12yr old) took a one-week Galápagos cruise aboard the Elite. Allie planned the trip. EVERY aspect of the journey was incredible, and none of us wanted to leave.
We plan 90% of our travel on our own, but with a trip like this, which we thought would be a once-in-a-lifetime trip, we wanted to be 100% sure we got it right. We are so happy Wendy linked us up with Allie. Allie was essential to helping us sort through the blizzard of options (land-based or boat-based? which of a hundred boats? large or small? monohull or cat? four-day or longer? etc.). She helped us make it perfect. So perfect that maybe it won’t be once-in-a-lifetime.
With Allie’s guidance we chose a small boat (the Elite has a 16-person max). Small boats can be rocky, so she steered us toward a catamaran for more stability, to minimize the risk of seasickness. The water was generally smooth, but on one or two nights with bigger waves, we were very happy to have two hulls, especially while watching how tippy the monohulls were. We didn’t really think about it beforehand, but being aboard a catamaran allowed for a wider beam and more spacious rooms on board.
The reason to go to the Galápagos is the geological and natural history, so I’ll start there. We saw blue-footed boobies, courting frigate birds, gulls, Galápagos hawks (hunting and eating marine iguanas!) and more. We encountered a number of Galápagos tortoises in the wild. In the water, on numerous snorkeling activities, we saw more types of reef fish than I could name, from little gobis and half-inch baby puffers up to tuna. Small sharks skimmed the bottom, oblivious of us. Penguins flashed by, within a few feet, as they hunted, and we actually saw them catching fish. We never sought out sea lions because as soon as we hit the water, they found us, swimming within inches of us in circles and loops, trying to get us to play with them. Pods of sea turtles munched on algae as we floated above, swimming so close to us at times that we actually had to struggle to swim away in order not to contact or disturb them. It was simply mind-boggling how many amazing animals we saw up close.
My 12yr old was captivated by being on a boat and got to know Marcello, the captain, and Rey, the first mate. They let him take the wheel a few times. Both were great with the kids aboard. On the zodiac boats that took us from the Elite to the shore, the guys who drove those boats also let our kids take the helm a couple times. The whole crew was super friendly and seemed committed to sharing their beautiful islands and making sure everyone left having had an extraordinary experience. They all had their specific jobs which they took seriously (it was a boat, after all, so it’s all serious at some point), but when they had time, they stepped outside their appointed roles to help guests or to point out interesting things. For example, one of the crew, Francis, snorkeled whenever he could and did a great job enhancing our experience, pointing out hard-to-spot creatures like sea cucumbers or rays camouflaged on the ocean bottom.” —John Strachan
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Italy’s Dolomites, Venice, and Milan: “They tailored the tour to accommodate some interesting facts for teenage boys!”
Traveler Betsy Howard and her family hit the slopes in San Cassiano in the Dolomites.
“This was our first time traveling abroad with our 15-year-old twin boys. As this was their March spring break, we wanted them to have something that they would enjoy, as well as introducing them to European experiences. Jennifer suggested skiing in the Dolomites (San Cassiano) followed by Venice and Milan. She helped us determine how many days to stay in each place, as we only had 8 days. We were so pleased with each location and the duration of stay. We had amazing tour guides that were so knowledgeable and from the areas we were touring. They gave us a genuine feel for the current culture and how people live. And they tailored the tour to accommodate some interesting facts for teenage boys!
My husband and I are still amazed how efficiently the transfers were handled between locations. Our greeters were waiting for us when we arrived to escort us through cities, train stations and airports. Our trip planner also made our dinner reservations, which was so helpful! We were so well taken care of, and it was wonderful to enjoy the sights and not be anxious about the logistics of getting from one place to the next.” —Betsy Howard
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Colombia: “What was unexpectedly amazing was being able to truly enjoy our time and not spend part of each day debating what to do, see or eat…”
“Cartagena is incredibly special,” reports traveler Erin Texeira. Photo: Shutterstock
“Boris and his team were absolutely invaluable in helping us have an unforgettable family trip. We hired them for their pre-trip planning expertise, but what was unexpectedly amazing was being able to truly enjoy our time and not spend part of each day debating what to do, see or eat. This is a huge bonus, especially with a multi-generational family group full of opinionated people. Having a great plan in place allowed us all to actually relax and enjoy our family time pretty much from Day One.
Our tours were amazing, especially the music and art tours in Bogota and Palenque (so beautiful and culturally rich)! Cartagena is incredibly special; we enjoyed soaking it all in. The coffee region was so different—lush, green and peaceful. We adored Casa Medina and Hacienda Bambusa—gorgeous, high-quality, unique hotels with superb staff. If we had it to do over again, we probably shouldn’t have arranged quite so much activity, so that we could have relaxed at our wonderful hotels a bit more.” —Erin Texeira
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Malta: “The itinerary was heavy on outdoor activities to keep the grandkids engaged…”
Traveler William Fisher’s family enjoying a picnic lunch in Malta.
“Our family group of nine just returned from a week-long spring break trip to the Maltese Islands, organized by Damon and Denise. The trip included grandparents, children, and grandchildren ages 16 to 10. The trip was exceptionally well organized due to the time Damon spent prior to the trip determining what our interests were and how to maximize time spent making memories with our grandchildren.
The itinerary was heavy on outdoor activities to keep the grandkids engaged. Our activities included quad-biking on Gozo; a multi-course picnic lunch with wine on a secluded bay, followed by bocce ball with local players; touring the ruins of Hagar Qim and Mnajdra temples; and an amazing afternoon with the local falconer, who brought an owl, Harris hawk, and Maltese falcon to share with the entire group. We took a private tour of Underground Valletta and a private Dghajsa boat ride across the Valletta harbor for more exploration. We visited a baker and his wife where we made a local pastry called pastizzi, spent time with a local artisan who made musical instruments, visited a honey farm, and ended the day with a visit to a sheep farm where we sampled some delicious cheeses.
We stayed in a beautiful villa in Gozo that included a heated indoor swimming pool! You can imagine how excited the grandkids were when they walked in the front door and saw an indoor pool. Our lodging in Valletta was equally impressive, but in a different way. It was a castle-like structure built in the late 1500s that had been updated to include all the amenities of the current day. Our driver throughout our adventure was Super Mario. He was absolutely delightful! Always on time, always helpful, and always attentive to everyone’s needs, which were often a challenge. The entire experience was exceptional.” —William Fisher
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
The Philippines: “The two of us jetted off on a 10-day scuba diving trip…”
Traveler 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. 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 a 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.
This trip was tailored-made for our needs. Pushing ourselves to try somewhere new, and doing it together, made it even more thrilling.” —Andrea Phillips
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Poland: “A gingerbread-making class in Torun and a pierogi-making class in Kraków—these were incredibly unique and memorable…”
The Market Square in Kraków, Poland. Photo: Shutterstock
“Our family of four (two boys, 17 and 15) did two weeks from Gdansk to Torun to Warsaw to Kraków. Gwen suggested Torun, a medieval city known for its gingerbread—which we loved and highly recommend. She also encouraged the Museum of the Second World War in Gdansk, and we are so happy she did—it was one of our favorites. In Warsaw a must-see is the museum POLIN (Jews in Poland). It is hands-down one of the best history museums we have ever visited and a can’t-miss in Warsaw. Gwen arranged a gingerbread-making class in Torun and a pierogi-making class in Kraków—these were both incredibly unique and memorable.
The most special part of our trip was Gwen arranging a driver and guide to take us to the small village two hours east of Kraków to the cemetery where my great-great grandparents were buried—and all we had to go on was an old print with a few sentences of my great-grandfather’s handwriting on the back.
Gwen’s guides made all the difference: At the Solidarity Museum in Gdansk, our guide Kasha shared how she remembered the day martial law was imposed because her son had an earache that day and she had to go out and get medicine—you can’t get that from a wall placard! And at the Schindler Museum in Kraków, Marta was able to navigate us through the throngs (like hundreds!) of people at the entrance. Similarly, at Auschwitz, our guide was able to get us quickly through the crowds and confusion.” —Julie Heimark
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Belize: “Both a rainforest experience and a beach experience…”
Traveler Chris Kloes and family enjoyed cave tubing, with deep pools almost entirely to themselves. Photo: Chris Kloes.
“Un-belize-able! My husband, myself, and our 13 year-old son had a wonderful Spring Break trip to Belize. Rachael and Patricia helped us think through building an itinerary to maximize the 6 days we had available. We talked through wanting to have both a rainforest experience and a beach experience. They suggested how we could divide our time and logistics for getting around the country.
We were picked up at the airport by our amazing guide, Josiah. He drove us to our first stop, near the Sleeping Giant rock formation. We stayed at a beautiful resort aptly named The Sleeping Giant Resort and Spa. It pulls off the feat of being small, with only 31 accommodations, but also enormous, with over 400 acres of rainforest. We loved the pool area, which was surrounded by bougainvillea and other gorgeous plants. We also loved our room (Creekside Villa), which was near the pool and the restaurants, but felt very private.
Cave tubing was absolutely sensational. Josiah drove us to the national park where the cave is located, and we had the river and the cave completely to ourselves for 90% of our excursion. (When there are cruise ships that come to Belize, the caves can be very crowded.) We floated through magnificent caves in wide, comfy tubes, admiring the sparkling stalactites and stalagmites. There was a cavern with a deep pool of beautiful water that we could jump into and have a private swim. It was truly magical.
Our last destination was in Placencia. Rachael steered us to this destination over other beach locales, since we were looking for a local experience that was laid back and not looking for a party scene. We stayed at a Beach Villa at the Naia resort and couldn’t have been happier. The villa is a home, with 2 bedrooms, a full kitchen, a covered outdoor deck, a private pool, and immediate beach access. And, we were able to use the property’s bikes to cruise around. We had a half-day of snorkeling on a private boat, which Rachael booked for us. We boated to the Laughing Bird Caye National Park, a tiny island with amazing coral reefs. We snorkeled with our captain, who showed us all kinds of colorful fish and other sea creatures.
We took a small commuter plane from Placencia back to Belize City for our trip home. This was an added insight from Rachael, as we wouldn’t have thought that the short, 20-minute flight was possible. Our connection at the airport was a cinch and the short plane ride made the day of our departure so much more enjoyable. This is probably the 10th trip we’ve taken over the years using a travel specialist recommended by the Wendy Perrin team. We continue to be impressed with how a travel specialist can add value to an international trip.” —Chris Kloes
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Vienna & Prague: “She arranged access to the Strahov Library, which travelers typically only get to view from a distance but where we got to wander among the stacks!”
The mathematical hall of the Strahov Library, Prague. Photo: Shutterstock
“I told Gwen that our 17-year-old son is passionate about playing piano, particularly the music of Classical- and Romantic-era composers. She asked questions to understand how we like to travel, especially when it came to what would interest our son, and then planned and executed an absolutely amazing trip to Vienna and Prague for us.
Our itinerary included visits to Mozart’s and Beethoven’s apartments in Vienna; the cemetery where Beethoven, Schubert, Strauss, and Schönberg are buried; and an exhibit that included one of Mozart’s original manuscripts. In Prague she arranged visits to a collection that included the original score to Beethoven’s third symphony, as well as access to the Strahov Library, which travelers typically only get to view from a distance but where we got to wander among the stacks!” —Adam Amsterdam
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Ireland: “It was a mix of sightseeing, adventure, and downtime…”
A jaunting cart ride in Killarney National Park. Photo: Shutterstock
“My friend and I took our four teenage sons on a March spring break trip to Ireland arranged by Jonathan. It was a mix of sightseeing, adventure, and downtime that was perfect for all of us. I can’t speak highly enough about our time with our private driver-guide, Frank. Frank got to know the boys and their interests and went out of his way to add to the itinerary with activities such as Gaelic Games and time with a local club soccer team. Our boys loved getting to spend time with other teens from Ireland.
Some favorite activities were our boat ride in Killarney National Park followed by a seven-mile jaunting cart ride. The Galway food walking tour was a hit for all. While the rest of our group did Gaelic games, I did a walking tour of Dublin and had a wonderful time learning about Dublin past and present.” —Jennifer Brown
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Portugal: “Rail biking outside Mervão (my 16-year-old’s favorite), stargazing in Dark Sky Alqueva (my 14-year-old’s favorite)…”
Sunset over Lisbon, Portugal. Photo: Shutterstock
“Gonçalo arranged a two-week tour of Portugal for our family of four over spring break. We spent six days in Lisbon, five days exploring the hilltop Templar castelos of Central Portugal, and then three nights in the Azores. Gonçalo and his team were very responsive and provided great support, and his hotel recommendations were spot-on. We loved Hotel Bairro Alto in Lisbon—luxurious, great balcony for drinks and dining, fantastic location. And São Lourenço do Barrocal in the Alentejo is now up there with one of my favorites in the world—think a Portuguese Meadowood. Just an exquisite property, and I’m already dreaming of a return trip there.
Gonçalo planned many unique experiences for us—a graffiti workshop, dinner in a Portuguese home (the best food we ate the entire trip), rail biking outside Mervão (my 16-year-old’s favorite), stargazing in Dark Sky Alqueva (my 14-year-old’s favorite), and guided hiking in the Azores.
For me, the highlight of the trip was a picnic lunch in a nature reserve outside Sintra after braving the hordes at Pena Palace. We spent the most delightful two hours in a sunny, flower-filled meadow sipping vinho verde, enjoying delicious homemade food, and laughing and talking with Lara (the chef and foodie tour guide) and Tiago F. (our walking guide and one of the smartest and most entertaining guys we’ve met), discussing everything from the Oscars to Queirós. I felt like I was experiencing the best of authentic Portugal and its people.” —Julie Heimark
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Dubai & Abu Dhabi: “It took us 60 seconds in the lift to get to the top of the world’s tallest building…”
The views from the world’s tallest building were “spectacular,” reports traveler Adi Derasari. Photo: BS1920/Pixabay
“We had a wonderful time during our trip to Dubai and Abu Dhabi that was planned by Justin. We stayed at Jumeirah Beach hotel, which has beautiful views of the ocean and you can see the Burj Al Arab from it as well. Over the next few days we had our personal guide, who gave us a comprehensive tour of Dubai. We learnt about the city’s Bedouin heritage, bold architecture, Emirati culture, politics/sheiks. We got to see all the major attractions, the gold souk, Atlantis, and of course the Burj Khalifa. It took us 60 seconds in the lift to get to the top of the world’s tallest building. The views from there were spectacular.
After a few days in Dubai we went to the desert. The highlight of our trip was the desert/Qasr Al Sarab Resort. It was a magical place, absolutely breathtaking. The desert sand is so soft, fine and has multicolored hues of khaki and orange. We all enjoyed rolling around in the sand dunes, and seeing the magical sunsets. Getting from Dubai to Qasr Al Sarab was flawlessly planned. We had our own private driver who was flexible in case we needed to make stops, as we were traveling with two kids (ages 6 & 7). Arriving there felt like arriving at an Arabian palace, the kind you see in Aladdin. We went on a camel trek, which was a great experience and felt like something out of a movie. In the evenings we got a chance to have some fine Arabic cuisine set in a beautiful ambiance amidst the desert lit up by lanterns, fire pits and the stars above. We dined amidst the desert dunes, a Bedouin set-up of plush carpets and cushions serving lamb, cherry rice, variety of dips/hummus, and breads. Another highlight of our trip was dune bashing.
Our next stop was Abu Dhabi. It was a quick two-hour drive from the desert. Abu Dhabi’s highlight was the Sheikh Zayed Mosque. We were greeted by our tour guide, who was well prepared. She had an extra head scarf for my wife, as the dress code is very strictly enforced. She was a wealth of information and was able to get us into the mosque the most efficient way. The architecture and design of the mosque is something quite special. It has intricate designs of flowers and geometric designs carved on the walls and exquisite carpets and chandeliers inside.”—Adi Derasari
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Oman: “Varied landscapes, warm/friendly people, interesting culture and very few Americans…”
Traveler Tracy Reller’s daughter with a little boy during dinner in his family’s home.
“Our family (with two 17-year-olds) spent an amazing spring break in Oman! It offers varied landscapes, warm/friendly people, interesting culture and very few Americans. Dan did a great job planning a family trip that included a bit of everything Oman offers. We explored the capital of Muscat, visited mosques/forts/small towns/abandoned towns, snorkeled with turtles, dined with a local family, spent a night at a tent camp in the desert and hiked in wadis and mountains.
Our guide, Fahad, was superb and really added to our trip. We spent a good amount of time driving around the northern part of the country and had many interesting conversations about religion, daily life, challenges of our respective countries, history of Oman and Sultan Qaboos. This is the main reason we use Wendy Perrin and the travel specialists. You get built-in access to locals and closer to the local culture and way of life. Fahad was fine with our eating and drinking in the car despite his fasting during Ramadan and even stopped at grocery stores for us to get mid-day snacks, allowing us to eat despite many restaurants being closed during the day.
Our dinner with a local Omani family gave us a peek into their home life, such as seeing typical sibling interactions, eating on the floor and our teenagers engaging their 4-year-old boy in an amusing game of indoor soccer. We felt very fortunate to be able to share Iftar (fast-breaking evening meal of Muslims during Ramadan) while learning about Ramadan, Omani education, family sizes and new foods.” —Tracy Reller
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