Whether you’re searching for a festive holiday trip or a getaway between the Thanksgiving and Christmas rushes (one of the most affordable travel windows of the year), there are many more fantastic December options than you may realize. Get inspired by the trip ideas below—your fellow travelers’ December favorites. These trips were optimized for December by the local fixers on our WOW List of Trusted Travel Experts.
You’ll find even more ideas in the December Winter Holidays installment of our Where to Go When series, and you’ll find more traveler reviews here.
Unsure where to go in December? Click the black button below for our help.
British Virgin Islands yacht charter for island hopping at your own speed
The Silvermans’ “magical week” of island hopping on a private boat that suited the needs of everyone in the family. Photo: Traveler Jeremy Silverman
“We had some initial concern that a week on a sailboat would be too much togetherness for our family of four (with kids ages 17 and 21) but, after an introductory call with Mandy, we were comfortable that a charter could accommodate our family dynamics.
Among other considerations, our 21-year-old is on the autism spectrum—he is high-functioning, but we would need the right space and, most importantly, the right crew for the vacation to be fun and comfortable (physically and otherwise). Mandy’s expertise and detailed knowledge of the available boats, and her personal relationships with the crews, were clear from our first conversation. She was extremely responsive, and our planning process was personalized to our unique needs and priorities.
Within minutes of arriving in St. Thomas, meeting Captain Christian and Chef Laura, and getting settled onto One Love, we knew we had made the right choice. The boat is beautiful, the bedrooms more spacious and comfortable than we expected, and the overall design and layout of the boat allowed for everyone to have their favorite spaces.
Our daily routine generally included my wife and I waking up for coffee on the flybridge for sunrise, followed by a leisurely breakfast (earlier for us, later for the kids) and usually some morning snorkeling or paddleboarding for me. From there, we would usually have some group morning activity, like a great snorkel spot (Maho Bay and Little Lameshur Bay in the U.S. Virgin Islands, and The Indians, Cistern Rock, and the wreck of the RMS Rhone in the British Virgin Islands stand out) and delicious lunch on the boat before sailing for a couple of hours to another beautiful location. At some point mid-to-late afternoon, we would arrive at a gorgeous bay for more water activities—snorkeling, paddleboarding or even tubing or wakeboarding off the back of the dinghy. Afternoon would lead into sunset appetizers and cocktails, then a fantastic dinner, family game night, and then off to sleep and dream about the next day, then wake up and repeat!
One Love offered plenty of space for everyone to enjoy their preferred environment at all times of day. During the sailing part of the day, each of us gravitated to their personal favorite location and activities. One of the many benefits of this type of vacation is the flexibility and spontaneity it allows. Our days always had some plan, but we truly could do what felt right in the moment and shift in whatever way was best for us. One evening, the fish activity under the boat was amazing— tarpon and other fish were swimming all around us after dinner. I asked my daughter if she wanted to do a night snorkel, she said yes, and we were in the water in about seven minutes. We snorkeled in darkness with a flashlight and saw things we’d never seen before or in the same way. Along the way, we found ourselves eye-to-eye with two cuttlefish that were rapid-fire changing colors in every shade of luminescence. Normally, they are skittish and you can’t get close, but they were literally inches away.
We could go on forever about our magical week on One Love. We are already looking forward to Mandy helping plan our next sailing charter vacation, maybe in Greece or Croatia (or both)!” —Jeremy Silverman
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Uruguay for Sprawling estancias, boho-chic beach towns, and holidays on horseback
Traveler Jeannie Mullen riding the trusty steed Indio on the beach in “unforgettable” Jose Ignacio.
“Uruguay is a SLEEPER! While it may fly under the radar with most Americans, in-the-know South Americans spend their vacations in this small country that packs a really big punch. Brazilians and Argentinians also apparently invest there because the Uruguayan economy is so strong. Paul and Lucinda planned an outstanding, diverse and well-paced 12-day trip for me.
Universally described as muy tranquilo, Uruguay boasts fantastic family-owned wineries, distinctive restaurants with world-renowned chefs, unique and interesting hotels and resorts, beautiful boho chic beach towns, sprawling estancias with an authentic gaucho culture, rolling farm country, the second-largest river on the continent, a penchant for all things vintage, and history, art and architecture. After spending time in Carmelo, historic Colonia del Sacramento, Montevideo, Punta del Este and the unforgettable José Ignacio, I’ve decided that if I ever decide to live outside the United States, I’m heading to Uruguay.” —Jeannie Mullen
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Peru for rainforests and high-altitude Andes hiking
“It was so special to make friends and see how people live a simpler life high in the Andes.”
“Our trip to Peru was one my family will remember forever. We started in the Amazon rainforest and saw so much wildlife at the Tambopata Research Center. This really felt like a special place, and we felt very far away from civilization. My kids loved the birds, monkeys and boat rides.
We absolutely loved our time in the Sacred Valley and Cusco. The resort at Sol y Luna was so nice that we had to force ourselves to leave to go adventuring each day. Our favorite day of the trip was the day we spent at the Lamay village. It was so special to make friends and see how people live a simpler life high in the Andes. We also loved our one-day hike on the Inca trail into Machu Picchu—incredible!
The locals treated us with such kindness everywhere we went. There is so much to see and do in Peru…10 days just wasn’t enough!” —Audrey Moore
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Japan for snowboarding, and visiting Snow Monkey Park and hot springs
“When my two teens and pre-teen told me they wanted to go snowboarding in Japan, I started researching…”
“When my two teens and pre-teen told me they wanted to visit Tokyo and go snowboarding in Japan, I started researching the trip and got quickly overwhelmed trying to plan a trip for five. Andrea told me that when my family went snowboarding, I had to see the snow monkeys, and he was right! Honestly, I was a little skeptical, but my day with the snow monkeys was magical, a highlight of my trip. I loved seeing my family off on the slopes and then making my way by bus and then through the woods to the Snow Monkey Park where the snow monkeys were enjoying the hot springs while the snow fell, ending my visit with a yummy ramen and matcha latte. I then had a beautiful walk through the snowy town to our ryokan, where I enjoyed our room’s private balcony onsen.
The first and last legs of our trip were in two locations in Tokyo, the Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel in Shibuya and the Tsuki Tokyo in Ginza, both great for families and very well-located. We loved our guide Juliana at the beginning of the trip, as she was a delightful addition to our family, like the best fun auntie. After our two days with Juliana, the kids missed her the rest of the trip. She taught us how to navigate the trains and helped us pick places to eat and shop and find some face wash the girls forgot! Having all the tips and transportation details sorted helped tremendously and eliminated frustration for sure. I cannot imagine navigating Tokyo station with all five of us and all our luggage without our helpers. During the trip, I marveled at all the moving parts and was so thankful for all the planning from Andrea and the team. As the kids say, it was epic!” —Jennifer Cheng
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Ecuador for excellent service and activities in a smart early December window
Hiking and horseback riding—plus great food—were highlights of Hacienda Pinsaqui.
“My wife and I are in our 70’s and are experienced travelers, so it means a lot when we can tell you that Allie did a fantastic job of planning and arranging our trip to Ecuador December 3-19. We asked her to include time in Quito, the Andes, the Ecuadorian rain forest, and the Galapagos Islands. She did it all with accommodations and guides that were exceptional.
A driver took us via some scenic stops at mountain lakes, a condor park, street markets, a weaving factory, and a wonderful lunch to our destination at Hacienda Pinsaqui. It is a beautiful large home and ranch where we stayed for 3 nights enjoying history, hiking, horseback riding and great food.
It was the first 2 weeks of December with fewer visitors than usual. The attention, service, food, activities and company were wonderful and, as you can imagine, quite personalized throughout. A tour of the Galapagos Islands is truly an extraordinary experience. From the magnificent tortoises to sea lions, penguins, blue and red-footed boobies, frigate birds, falcons, flamingoes, sharks, sea turtles and so many other species of flora and fauna, these islands are unique in the world.” —Barbra and Gene Hirsh
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Bruges, Dresden & Prague for early-birding Christmas markets while testing a “hybrid approach” to using travel planners
European holiday markets are renown for old-world arts and fairytale ambience. Photo: Shutterstock
“My wife and I had never used a travel specialist but decided to enlist the help of one on a trip to visit Christmas markets in three European countries. Through Wendy’s website, we connected with Gwen. Wow, what a difference Gwen and her team made! Gwen’s expertise allowed us to make the most of our days while leaving our nights free to visit the Christmas markets.
Since we were new at this, and to determine the value of using a specialist, we planned the first leg of the trip ourselves (Bruges), used a hybrid approach with the second (Dresden), and relied on a travel specialist exclusively for the third (Prague). The trip that Gwen planned was by far the most enjoyable, stress-free and fulfilling.
The private tours that Gwen scheduled in Dresden provided helpful historical context and local insight. We visited well-known sites such as the Green Vault and the Old Masters Gallery, but also visited neighborhoods to see works by local artists. A particular highlight was visiting the site memorialized in Kurt Vonnegut’s Slaughterhouse Five. Just as important, we connected with our tour guides (Cosima and Klaus) on a personal level. What we learned from the stories our guides shared is not something that we would’ve learned on our own.
The private transfers arranged for us in Prague were top tier. We didn’t know how much that would mean to us until we got off the train. After arriving very late in Prague following delays with the train from Dresden, we found our driver, Lucas, waiting for us on the platform right at the exit of our train car. What a relief to not worry about navigating through a train station to find him!
The hotel that Gwen recommended in Prague was perfect for us. We had planned to stay near Old Town closer to the Christmas markets, but Gwen convinced us that a hotel in Lesser Town was the better choice, and she was right. The Aria Hotel kept us close to the markets and away from the crowds. We also got a room upgrade!
Our tour guide in Prague (Eva) ensured that we made the most of the two days that we spent with her. We visited the Strahov Monastery that included a private tour of the library. It was an amazing experience to be alone among books dating from the early 1100s. At the Lobkowicz Palace, we saw, among other things, a musical score handwritten by Mozart and an original score of Beethoven’s.
Prague was VERY crowded, and we were unaware that Prague does not have “skip-the-line” tickets. A few of the sites we intended to visit had lines that would have required us to wait for hours to get in, so Eva took us to other interesting landmarks and areas of town. For example, we hopped on a tram to visit a Christmas market that catered to locals that we would never have found on our own. While there, Eva explained local holiday traditions and the proper way to eat a Trdelnik!
After this experience, we’re firm believers in using a travel specialist. Every hotel, every guide, and every driver that was part of our trip contributed to an experience that felt both genuine and highly personalized.” —Jack Dickens
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Norway for Northern Lights, snowshoeing, hot tubs and sauntas, and visiting a Sami reindeer herder
Reindeer herding with the Sami, Norway. Photo: Shutterstock
“We ventured from Oslo to the Arctic Circle with hopes of seeing the northern lights, and we were very happy we took Torunn’s advice to visit Alta. Alta is breathtakingly beautiful, and not very commercial. There, welcoming and insightful guides outfitted us with warm outerwear (for the below-zero temps) and led us on excursions—including snowshoeing, ice fishing, visiting a Sami reindeer herder, and viewing the amazing northern lights—that were small, special, and not touristy.
Every night, we were welcomed back to cozy accommodations and meals of local delicacies that exceeded our expectations; and, at both a riverside lodge and a mountain resort, we enjoyed hot tubs under the stars and saunas reserved just for us. Throughout our vacation, Torunn and her team provided us with special experiences and made us feel welcomed and well cared for. We can’t wait to return to see more of Norway when the weather is warm and the sun is shining!” —Roger and Gina Symczak
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Panama for an affordable getaway when Caribbean islands are priced outrageously
The Gulf of Chiriqui, on Panama’s Pacific coast. Photo: Hotel Bocas del Mar
“Pierre designed a trip that was perfect for us! We started in Panama City, where we had a walking tour and a VIP tour of the Panama Canal. Usually Canal visitors can only look from a balcony, but we were able to walk out onto the Canal deck and see the operations up close with our private guide.
Next we had a short flight to David and then drove to Boca Chica and spent three days at the beach. We snorkeled, swam and had a picnic on a private island. We even waterskied! Our resort, Bocas Del Mar, was an excellent choice for our family of five.
Following the beach, we drove to Boquete. Spending time in the cloud forest was like a completely different trip. We stayed at a coffee plantation and drank the best coffee I’ve ever had. We did a guided, challenging hike to the three lost waterfalls. A highlight was shopping at the market with a chef and cooking traditional Panamanian food in his restaurant.” —Beth Nelson
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Portugal for country charm—the weather is fine for walks and winery visits—and uncrowded cities
The Guadiana River and the village of Mértola in the Alentejo. Photo: Shutterstock
“Goncalo planned every detail of our Portugal trip to perfection. We started in the Alentejo—which we had not even thought of going to—and it was the perfect place to get over jet lag and recover in a gorgeous hotel and setting. From there we went to Porto, where he planned amazing walking tours and a day trip to the Douro with an incredible winery visit and lunch. We also had a WOW Moment at Claus Porto, a private workshop that started in Porto in 1887, and we had an incredible experience making soap.
After Porto came Lisbon. Goncalo planned our itinerary so that we had stops with tours on the way to each city, and everyone who toured us or drove us around knew so much about Portugal’s history. December was a great time to be in Portugal, and Goncalo made it a truly wonderful experience from the second we landed until we got on the plane to come home. We did not have to think of anything—he already had it all figured out. We can’t wait to go back!” —Jennifer Andrews
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Paris for a festive family holiday
The Louvre illuminated at night, Paris. Photo: EdiNugraha/Pixabay
“We had three weeks to plan a Paris trip with our adult children after our Israel trip was canceled. Jennifer, a WOW planner through Wendy Perrin, created a trip fit for royalty. We stayed in a gorgeous, boutique hotel in the Marais district and had private car and tour guides for the Louvre, Versailles, Chateau, Jewish and History Tours. We saw the Eiffel Tower with a private tour, the Dior Exhibit at the Foundation Giacometti, we had an amazing time.
Our WOW Moment started with a car picking us up at noon, taking us to an unknown destination which was a fabulous restaurant, Shabour. The owner told us that since we couldn’t go to Israel, this was a Jerusalem-Paris dining experience. We sat at the bar to watch the chefs prepare a delicious, fun, memorable lunch. It was awesome.” —Adrienne Goldberg
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Italy for catching local flavor without the crowds
Rome is for locals—and in-the-know travelers—in December. Photo: Shutterstock
“There were six of us: me, my husband, our three children (15, 13, 10), and my mom. It was a lovely time to be in Rome because, while still busy, it was not anything like what we would have experienced in the summer months. The weather was perfectly moderate for walking around, between 55° and 60° most days. Jennifer listened so closely to what our interests were and how we wanted to divide up the trip between time in and outside of Rome. She developed the perfect itinerary, even paying attention to timing of morning excursions so as not to start too early after a late night.
While we enjoyed all of our excursions, the ones we enjoyed most were not the main tourist attractions. Collectively, we all loved the cooking classes: one a pizza and gelato class, and the other a pasta and tiramisu class. Perfect for all six of us! Our other favorite excursions were Pompeii, Villa Adriana on the way to Tivoli, and our day spent in the Jewish neighborhood and former Jewish ghetto. I was extremely pleased that Jennifer’s team only works with Jewish guides in the Jewish neighborhood. I think that is a very important detail.
Timing worked out that on our day trip to Florence we were able to attend a football match. That was wild! My husband and oldest son are HUGE sports fans. Even though the rest of us are not as much, it was still really terrific to be part of an event that is so important to European culture.” —Aimee Kleiman
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New Zealand for outdoor adventures in remote locations
A helicopter brought the Hancock family to this remote hot tub in the mountains on New Zealand’s South Island.
“Our 21-year-old son was studying in Australia. He was going to wrap up his trip in New Zealand. The idea came to us to make it a family holiday and meet him over there. The stars aligned and all schedules allowed it to happen. First off, Jean-Michel responded to our email inquiry immediately, and we were chatting with him 10 minutes later. We tossed ideas around and he assured us we could cover a lot of ground in the 8 days we had.
We saw a lot of the South Island by helicopter, we hiked, we kayaked, went to a mountaintop whisky bar and hot tub, went off-roading, drank lots of wonderful NZ wine and cheese. Our accommodations were fantastic. We have traveled the world, and Jean-Michel and his team are probably the best trip planners we have used to date.” —Susan and Blake Hancock
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Malta for a Mediterranean island that doesn’t shut down in winter
Valletta, the capital of Malta, is built on ancient walls above the Grand Harbour. Photo: Shutterstock
“Malta is an extraordinary place, with magnificent history, art, culture, food, scenery and people. Damon really distinguished himself with his ability to figure out from our conversations exactly the kind of experiences and touring we wanted to do. Our guide executed the plan wonderfully, making it even better as we got to know one another. Her knowledge of the history and culture of Malta gave us a real window into the lives of the Maltese people past and present.
We had a number of truly extraordinary experiences, such as making a local delicacy and having lunch at an olive grove; a private tour of St. John’s Co-Cathedral, including viewing the stunning Caravaggio by ourselves; meeting a restorer of 18th-century organs and 16th-century art and seeing their work; dinner with some of the current Knights of Malta; touring a private home in the magical walled city of Mdina; and an ATV tour followed by a private seaside picnic in Gozo.
The highlight of the trip for me was exploring World War II in Malta, including a private visit with a remarkable local collector of World War II artifacts, a private tour of the Lascaris War Rooms, and seeing the tunnels and chambers in which the Maltese sheltered during the Axis bombings. Our guide also spent time showing us and providing us with valuable perspective on other Maltese sights, such as the Hypogeum and megalithic temples, which are older than Stonehenge and the Pyramids. The island itself was gorgeous, with dramatic views, romantic vistas and stunning architecture.” —Larry Neubauer
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London for urban delights and holiday cheer
London lights up for Christmas. Photo: visitlondon.com
“We recently returned from a trip to London, with our family of 10, that we had planned with Jonathan. We traveled over the Christmas holidays with our children and four grandchildren, aged 10-13. Jonathan and Katie’s attention to detail was superb! We stayed at the One Aldywich Hotel in Covent Garden. The hotel was amazing in every way! Our kids each had a two-bedroom suite to accommodate their families of four.
Our guide, Alex, was with us for four days. Alex was great with the kids and his scavenger hunt in The British Museum was a real blast! A highlight of the trip was traveling to Hampton Court to learn all about Henry VIII and his six wives. Later that same evening, we went to the theater to see Six, which is about all of the wives. The kids also loved their visit to the Chelsea Stadium.” —Ellen and Jeffrey Weiner
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Egypt for ancient history and a cushy Nile cruise
Ashley Point and her family on a camel ride near the Pyramids of Giza.
“Jim, Glenda, and their team did an extraordinary job planning our 2-week trip. Our family of 5, including 3 kids aged 6-11 years old, started in Cairo with the Pyramids of Giza (including camel and ATV rides around the Pyramids). Our guide, Eman Shawky Mahmoud, was wonderful. She is pursuing her PhD in archaeology and knows everything about Egypt. Our 11-year-old had just completed ancient history and he asked so many questions and she answered them all. We stayed in connecting rooms at the Four Seasons. The food, service and rooms were top-notch.
After 4 days we flew to Luxor and met with our second guide, Bishoy George. He has two children and knew how to accommodate our needs when the kids were tired. He too is an expert on the history and culture of Egypt. We stayed at the Winter Palace. It was beautiful. The kids woke up Christmas morning to stockings filled with candy and gifts from the hotel!
After two nights, we boarded the M/S Farah and cruised the Nile. This smaller boat (120 passengers) was perfect for our family. The pool was a nice distraction after a long day of touring. They offered to make special meals for the kids, but they weren’t needed because the kids loved all of the dishes served. George met us at each port and showed us around each city. He answered all of our questions about the history, culture, politics, and people of Egypt. On our last night of the cruise, we went sand surfing in Aswan. It was a blast! The next day we flew to Abu Simbel, then back to Cairo to enjoy two more days with Eman at the GEM and Islamic Cairo.” —Ashley Point
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Belize for a far-from-ordinary Caribbean beach trip…
Sugary sand and turquoise water off the coast of Belize. Photo: Shutterstock
“Just back from a wonderful week in Belize with our adult daughters (23 and 25). We were looking for an alternative to our typical beach-resort experience where we stay at the hotel and rarely venture out. Instead, we had a two-bedroom villa in a small hotel right on the lagoon, with day trips tailored to our desires. That first morning when I opened my door and walked 20 steps in my PJs to the completely quiet beach and into the still, clear waters was magical. All alone in paradise.
We snorkeled, zip-lined, floated on the river, visited a spice farm, and learned all about cacao and chocolate. We also relaxed on the beach, ate lots of ceviche, and discovered a new taste for rum. Rachael planned a lovely WOW Moment—a private concert with up-and-coming Belizean vocalist Kylon Eiley on our villa patio, complete with margaritas.
Our snorkeling guides made sure we saw the sharks and turtles. On our second snorkel day, we saw a jeweled damselfish, and that alone was worth the trip. How that can exist in nature is amazing. And the corals were spectacular. Rachael had insisted that we add that second half-day snorkel to our trip, and I was glad she did.” —Kathryn Barden
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Colombia for an exotic getaway with no jet lag
Cartagena’s San Diego neighborhood is lined with colorful, greenery-bedecked facades. Photo: Shutterstock
“We had a lot of requirements for our family’s (kids 17 & 19 yrs old) vacation: warm weather, adventure, culture, food!, direct flight, and small, if any, time change because my husband had to leave early due to work commitments. Amazingly, we found all those things on our trip to Colombia, a beautiful, colorful, and culturally and geographically diverse country!
Wendy’s team put us in touch with Boris, who put together a trip that covered all the bases, with stops in Cartagena, Medellin and Bogota. Our activities and guides were top-notch, but there were several highlights, including a private rum, chocolate, and Colombian fruit tasting—what’s not to like?
Our time in Medellin was packed with varied and fascinating experiences ranging from culture to farms. Casa de la Memoria Museum in Medellin is not to be missed, as it details the conflict and history of when the drug cartels plagued the city. These events are so recent that people have first-hand memories. The same is true for Comuna 13, a maze of alleys built into the hillside (like most on Medellin), where the graffiti tells the story of the people and events of the district. The city has undergone an amazing renaissance and is now vibrant and lively. Paragliding over the hills of the city was good fun.
One big surprise was our visit to an orchid farm, which has the largest variety of orchids in the world. The climate in Colombia is perfect for growing these beautiful flowers. We were guided through the greenhouse by one of the scientists, who himself had discovered three types of orchids. I thought our teens would be bored at this stop, but we all loved it!” —Wendy Minocha
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Morocco for an emphasis on local food and—yes—wine
A spice stall at a market in Marrakech. Photo: Shutterstock
“I had a general idea of the cities and sites that we wished to visit, and Radia developed them into a thoughtful and exciting itinerary, including such highlights as a gourmet lunch and wine tasting in a beautiful vineyard near Fez, an excursion to the Roman ruins of Volubilis, a motorcycle and vintage sidecar tour through Marrakech’s medina, and a sunset camel ride in the desert.
Radia helped us choose excellent restaurants for all our meals and handled all the reservations, and she also arranged a very fun market tour and cooking lesson in Fez, where we learned to make chicken tagine on a rooftop kitchen overlooking the city. We cannot wait to return to Morocco.” —Sarah Balassa
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Chile for a diversity of landscapes in one country
The Atacama Desert in Chile has a beautiful—and otherworldly—landscape. Photo: Shutterstock
“My husband and I had a great trip to Chile over the holidays. Tom did an excellent job planning and executing every detail of our travel. We visited the beautiful wine region, Santiago, and the amazing Atacama desert. We enjoyed so many activities from horseback riding, a cooking class and wine tasting at the Vik Chile to hiking sand dunes, photographing flamingos and the salt flats while at the Alto Atacama resort. Our guides and transfers were flawless, and Tom was even able to step in and negotiate a late checkout on our last day so we could have time at the spa before our long journey home.” —Pam Anderson
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
The Amazon Rainforest for a sustainable stay at a world-class ecolodge
The Amazon jungle in Cuyabeno National Park, Ecuador. Photo: Shutterstock
“Allie was essential to creating our trip to the Napo Wildlife Center in Ecuador’s Amazonia. She found the right lodge for our family (two kids, both around 10 years old) and got the perfect rooms at a time that was ideal.
Napo Wildlife Center is a world-class lodge owned and run by the small local Añangu Kichwa community. They have committed to using ecotourism to save their community and their corner of the Amazon rainforest. Bottom line: They are knocking it out of the park. I cannot express how impressive their work and commitment is. In 1998, they were a small community, dealing with acute poverty, threatened by development, oil exploration, and the contamination of their water and forest. In that year, with little knowledge or experience in tourism, they decided they’d stave off the despoliation of their corner of the rainforest by starting a five-star ecotourism program. I am just brimming with awe and admiration for the Añangu and what they have accomplished.
The lodge itself was magical. The staff was as friendly and helpful as could be. Really made us feel at home. In the TV room out back where the employees live, my son and I watched the World Cup finals with a bunch of staff and locals who had paddled in for the game. We were welcomed warmly, and we joined in and cheered with (or against) the rest of the crowd.
In hyperdiverse Amazonia, wow did we ever see wildlife. We saw six species of monkeys, and so many parrots, macaws, grebes, flycatchers. We saw snakes, frogs, and crazy-looking crickets. We watched caimans and paiche (400-pound river fish) from the boardwalk in front of our room. All to the spectral drone of howler monkeys in the distance, like a cold north wind gusting outside your door. And Napo Wildlife Center has nearly no biting insects! Magical place. A once-in-a-lifetime experience.” —John Strachan
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Vienna, Bratislava, and Prague for vibrant cities that are rich in history
Roof of St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna captured from above. Photo: Julius Silver
“Gwen planned a wonderful Christmas week in Vienna, Bratislava and Prague. Both hotels—the Sans Souci in Vienna and the Andaz in Prague—were great choices. Both were near the center but in a quieter area. The rooms, staff and breakfasts were lovely.
Our private guided walking tour of Vienna was enjoyable. The cathedral tour was incredible! We were on the roof walking along the outside perimeter and inside the ceiling about the nave. A truly interesting and unique experience. The food tour was fun and enjoyable: We went to five different locations and got to sample different Viennese specialties. We enjoyed the outstanding museums and lovely shopping streets. We loved the tour of the magnificent Schönbrunn Palace. Another day we took a train to Bratislava and were met on the platform by the guide who showed us this interesting city.
The train to Prague was easy. We walked everywhere in Prague—Old Town, Jewish Quarter, Charles Bridge, Wenceslas Square. The Strahov Monastery library and Prague Castle complex were impressive. We were so lucky that the line to the remarkable St. Vitus Cathedral was quick and we got to see it. The Lobkowicz Palace is a treasure—we could have spent hours there.” —Susan Sullivan
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
East Africa for a safari, of course, but also moving connections with local people…
Traveler Jeannie Mullen snapped a selfie with local kids during a visit to the Mukundusi Village in Tanzania.
“I just returned from a trip to East Africa planned by Cherri and her team. The lodges and their phenomenal staffs, the wildlife, the guides, the available local activities, the holiday and birthday celebrations along with numerous personal touches…I cannot say enough about the locals that I met and the recurring personal interactions I had.
Normally I schedule every day of a trip down to the minute. Since this trip was so long (and as I get older!) I left some time open in the itinerary in the event that I just needed to chill here and there. Doing so enabled me to schedule some additional, non-game-viewing activities at each location which really enriched my overall experience. Highlights included: Following bushmen on a game hunt (and taste-testing the grilled results!) in Tanzania, participating in an anti-poaching demonstration (I played the poacher and hid out in the bush) at Sirikoi in Kenya, multiple community/village visits, and a visit to an inspiring women’s organization (Ride 4 A Woman) in Uganda.
On New Year’s Eve I was at &Beyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge in Tanzania. At the conclusion of a tribal dance ritual at the north lodge, we all followed their torch-lit procession (singing, chanting and dancing the entire way) down to the south lodge where the Maasai then put on a spectacular dance demonstration which told the story of their customs and rituals.” —Jeannie Mullen
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Uganda and Rwanda for gorillas and other thrilling animal sightings…
Gorillas in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda. Photo: Traveler Edy Netter
“Our trip to Uganda and Rwanda, organized by Dan, was amazing! Each safari camp (there were three) offered a different set of experiences, all of which were fantastic. At Lemala Wildwaters (Uganda, at the source of the Nile), we stayed in a beautiful cabin surrounded by whitewater as dramatic as any I’ve seen. I especially liked that most guests were from Uganda. The food was terrific. One caveat: the whitewater rafting is not for the faint-hearted.
At Amakoro Songa Kinigi Lodge (Rwanda, Volcanoes National Park), gorilla trekking was beyond amazing. I was glad I did it twice! Our focus at Wilderness Magashi (Akagera National Park)—a tented camp, where we had a Christmas dinner which was sublime—was animal sightings. We traversed Wilderness’s beautiful private reserve with Leo, our terrific guide, by safari van and the lake where the camp sits, by boat. The most thrilling: black and white rhinos and their babies, and an attempted kill by a leopard. The baby impala he hoped would be his dinner, escaped..” —Edy Netter
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Southeast Asia for local insights into history and contemporary life
A typically busy street scene in Vietnam. Photo: Shutterstock
“My husband and I traveled to Southeast Asia for 25 days on a trip designed by Sandy and Ethan. While Vietnam was the centerpiece, given the journey required to get there, we included three other countries as well—Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand. Walking in the cities (other than Bangkok) was an adventure, as motorcycles and cars do not stop for pedestrians. You just walk slowly and steadily across the lanes of traffic, and the vehicles go around you—not for the faint of heart. And walking on sidewalks is often not possible, as vehicles park on them and vendors set up shop.
Our favorite experience of the trip was the visit to the elephant sanctuary in Laos, where we got to feed the elephants and spend an hour walking with them in the woods. Such beautiful creatures. In Laos, our lovely local host Paan educated us about Buddhism, a religion we were quite unfamiliar with. We enjoyed a delightful evening at her home with her family and neighbors where we participated in a blessing ceremony.
Another highlight was arranged by our wonderful local Hanoi host: We got to meet a former North Vietnam fighter pilot trained to fly in Russia. He shot down the first American fighter in the War and was later shot down by an American pilot. The 3 met in the 1990s and still remain in contact. We met in his home, where he showed us pictures and we learned not only about his war experience but about his family and his life post-war.
In Cambodia our passionate and delightful local host Sokros delved into the Cambodia genocide with us, as we had requested. We visited the ‘prison’ Pol Pot established in a high school in Phnom Penh and the associated ‘killing field’ a few kilometers from the city. We discussed the recently concluded judicial inquiry into the genocide crimes and met one of the 7 (out of 20,000) survivors of those imprisoned in the prison.
We finished the trip in Bangkok, where local host Kat was a treasure. She guided us on an enjoyable walk from the grounds of the royal palace to the Chinese market. We enjoyed two wonderful lunches with her where she chose a variety of delicious Thai dishes for us to sample and shared stories about life in Thailand.” —Linda Shorey
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Antarctica for awe-inspiring landscapes and wildlife
Lee Rubinstein and her son soak up the wonders of Antarctica.
“Yup, it was a bucket list item. And it lived up to the hype! Antarctica is like another planet and probably one of the most unique travel experiences we’ve ever had. My son and I (my husband opted out, as did my daughter-in-law) enjoyed the smaller ship experience. The naturalists on board were terrific, and the food was excellent. Yes, the Drake was rough, but even with that, we had no regrets. The continent is a wonder, with its towering mountains, blue icebergs and calving glaciers. And the wildlife delighted us every day—humpback whales, orcas, seals and, of course, penguins. How could you not love all that?” —Lee Rubinstein
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Australia for an epic holiday trip, from city sights to snorkeling on the reef…
Jennifer Mann’s daughters enjoy a surprise helicopter ride over the 12 Apostles. Photo: Traveler Jennifer Mann
“We just returned from an Australian holiday trip with our two teenage daughters. Stuart and Jacki put together a phenomenal itinerary with something for everyone! We began our trip in Melbourne. On Christmas Day we drove the Great Ocean Road and were completely surprised with a WOW Moment of a helicopter ride over the 12 Apostles. It was breathtaking! The next day we drove through the wine country of the Yarra Valley—with tastings, lots of animal sightings, and delicious food—followed by a two-night stay at the Jackalope Hotel in the Mornington Peninsula area, about an hour-and-a-half from Melbourne. The Mornington Peninsula was also filled with award-winning wine and food, along with charming little beachside towns.
After a few days of the relaxed area and beautiful hotel, we flew up north to Cairns and stayed in the coastal town of Port Douglas. This is an ideal location to anchor a trip to both the Great Barrier Reef and with the Daintree Rainforest. We had a magical first day snorkeling around the reef, followed by a day in the rainforest with our guide, Guy. Both days were incredibly special, where we created memories that will never be forgotten. The three full days in Sydney were action-packed with sightseeing, a behind-the-scenes private tour of the famous fish market, climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge, shopping, and a private Opera House tour, along with a show. After our 12-day trip, we are exhausted but definitely feel like this was a trip of a lifetime!” —Jennifer Mann
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