Tag Archives: reviews

Turkey: mosques and hammams with teens, cruising by yacht, ballooning in Cappadocia

AMY EVERS | JUNE 15, 2025

Amy Evers with her daughter and son, on a hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia.

“I think the clouds in the sky made the sunrise that much more beautiful.” Photo: Traveler Amy Evers

Turkey, May 24-June 1, 2025
This trip was amazing. Everyone really should consider going to Turkey! Earl put together a wonderful trip for my kids and I. We had a decent amount of rain while we were there, but our incredible guides just changed things up on the fly to keep us as dry as possible. They also switched things up to avoid long lines as needed too. We ate incredible food, with great restaurant recommendations each night.

We visited many Mosques but surprisingly, my kids didn’t tire of them. Riza, our wonderful guide in Istanbul, kept things educational but fun too. The cruise on the Bosphorus was beautiful. The yacht was gorgeous and the weather even cooperated. Our experience at the Turkish Hammam was wonderful, thoroughly enjoyed by all 3 of us, even the 13 year old!

Riza felt like we had a lot to do in Istanbul so switched our cooking class to Cappadocia. This was a great decision. The cooking class was at a family’s house. It was as much a cultural experience as it was a learning experience. And the food was delicious! Having said all of that, I think the highlight of the trip was the hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia. I was a little worried it would get canceled because of the weather but it didn’t, and I think the clouds in the sky made the sunrise that much more beautiful. It was breathtaking! Wow!

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Croatia & Slovenia: seaside Rovinj, Lake Bled, Motovun, Plitvice National Park, Dubrovnik, Hvar

MARCY FIELDS | JUNE 14, 2025

Marcy Fields having a picnic in Istria region.

The picnic in Istria, with food provided from their guide’s own farm, was “beyond imagination.”

From the moment we stepped off the plane in Ljubljana, our trip went perfectly as planned. No glitches, delays or issues checking into our rooms. Tea, who met us at the airport, set the tone for what we could expect on this trip. Everyone we encountered, whether the tour guide or the driver, could not have been more pleasant and full of pride for their respective countries.

We connected instantly with our guide/driver, Miro, on our trip to Lake Bled in Slovenia, and were so pleased he was our driver the next day to Rovinj. We were sad to see him go. Rovinj was a beautiful waterfront town and we loved how it’s a bit off the beaten path. Not too crowded but with many things to do and see. Our day trip to Motovun was a true highlight of our trip. Maslinka, our tour guide, was so interesting and shared so much history about the Istria region. The picnic she provided with food from her farm was beyond imagination. It felt like we were in a movie. Plitvice National Park was also amazing and we were so glad it was included in our itinerary.

When we got to Hvar, it was next level. The water was like nothing we’d seen before. It felt like each place we visited got a little bit better. We enjoyed the outdoor restaurants and Pakleni Islands as well while there. While a bit crowded, we very much enjoyed Dubrovnik and a highlight of our stay there was lunch at the Panorama Restaurant on top of Mt Srd. The views were stunning and it was absolutely heavenly there. Our tour of the walled city with Vlaho was better than we expected. What a knowledgeable and interesting young man.

I have to say in closing Martina, our travel representative, made our trip. She could not have been more responsive and also on top of everything before we arrived somewhere. It was such a wonderful touch meeting her in person in Dubrovnik. I could go on and on but I think it’s evident we had a fabulous trip! Thank you.

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Japan: sake tasting, onsen bathing, tea with a Buddhist monk, private knife-making workshop

DAVID KINSLER | JUNE 13, 2025

David Kinsler at a private knife-making workshop in Japan.

In Echizen, David Kinsler had private knife- and paper-making experiences.

Our May trip to Japan, arranged by Andrea and seamlessly supported by his exceptional assistant Dewi, exceeded every expectation. From the moment we landed to our final departure, every detail was meticulously crafted for a truly immersive, luxurious, and stress-free experience.

In Tokyo, we were treated to a sumo wrestling experience, followed by a visit to the Imperial Palace and a fascinating walk through the bustling fish market. One day, we enjoyed a private tempura-making workshop—a definite highlight. After Tokyo, we continued on to Kaga Onsen, where we stayed at a fabulous ryokan. During our time there, we enjoyed a sake tasting and visited an artisan porcelain maker. From Kaga, we traveled to Echizen, where we experienced the serenity of a Buddhist temple, took part in a private knife-making experience, and learned the craft of traditional papermaking.

At Lake Biwa, we stayed at a fabulous resort and were treated to our WOW Moment: a peaceful boat ride along the canals, capped off with a charcoal dinner cooked specifically for us—a truly unforgettable evening.

Our journey concluded in Kyoto, where we had a meaningful tea ceremony with a Buddhist monk and an unforgettable private geisha dinner.

We’ve traveled extensively and have used many of Wendy Perrin’s WOW List recommendations—but Andrea and Dewi stand out above them all. Andrea’s deep cultural insight, impeccable taste, and thoughtful curation turned each day into something extraordinary. His ability to blend authenticity with comfort is rare and unforgettable.

Dewi was equally outstanding—always one step ahead, incredibly responsive, and quietly ensuring everything ran perfectly. Her warmth and professionalism made a real difference throughout the trip.

This journey was in a class of its own. Andrea and Demi delivered not just a vacation, but a true experience of Japan. We are already looking forward to planning our next adventure with them.

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Norway: dining with farmers, visiting Fjord country & a private island with its explorer-owner

SUSAN FREEMAN | JUNE 12, 2025

Susan Freeman on the fjord swing at Trandal.

On a wing and a prayer, Norwegian wind in her hair—Susan Freeman soars on the fjord swing at Trandal.

We just returned from a 25-day trip to Scandinavia planned by Torunn. We were thrilled with her company’s recommendations, including suggested itinerary, length of time in each place and hotel recommendations. This was the longest time we had ever been away, and yet it felt so well-paced that we weren’t exhausted or burned out as we often are, especially with shorter trips. In my opinion, Norway is THE most beautiful country on earth. It simply must be experienced for travelers who want beauty of nature, few people, and a place where everything works!

We spent 5 nights in Oslo, 2 in Bergen, and the rest of the time in the gorgeous Fjord country, ending with stays just north of the Arctic Circle. We e-biked to an 11th-century Stave Church on the Romantic Road, visited an artisanal brown cheese maker, had dinner with a farmer and his wife in their summer pasture cabin high above the fjords, fished, sea kayaked, and of course hiked. The guides were excellent, with one exception.

The most unusual or unique part of the trip was visiting a former trading lodge in Arctic Circle on private island owned and run by the first Norwegian woman to summit Everest, as well as the highest mountains on all 7 continents. We loved meeting her and learning from her, as well as the other guests.

The combination of cities at the front end and nature for the rest of the trip worked extremely well for us. Innkeepers were all very hospitable, kind, and generous. Torunn’s team uses an app and everything for your trip is loaded into it, which once I got the hang of it, was fantastic; everything at my fingertips all the time. If you are considering a trip to Scandinavia, I highly recommend Torunn with the highest recommendation. It was one of our all-time favorite trips anywhere in the world!

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Japan: meditating with spiritual guides, meeting artisans & families, night in a Naoshima museum

BEATRICE BANU | JUNE 9, 2025

Beatrice Banu wearing a hand-painted kimono in Kanazawa, Japan.

Traveler Beatrice Banu donned a kimono hand-painted by the master’s son. “It was quite an experience being put into a kimono.”

I used Andrea and his talented team to plan my trip to Japan from May to early June, 2025. This was my first experience working with an agent on all details of a solo trip to Japan, a belated retirement present to myself. “My team” really pushed to find out what I wanted and needed. Be sure you are as specific as possible about what you want and do not want. The more they know the better they can meet your expectations. Even do a little research in advance. I did not. Despite the fact that I was not clear about certain things, they did a fabulous job. I was able to avoid certain pitfalls in traveling to and around Japan because my team provided detailed practical information in advance and uploaded an itinerary to an app, which could be updated as things changed on the ground. I also had group of Guardian Angels on call if I needed help or had questions. Travel from place to place was meticulously timed out. The only glitches were my getting lost at various train stations, which can be fun since the stations are more like food/shopping malls.

The best thing the agents provided were fantastic guides, people with varied experiences that were matched to my interests. Long conversations about life in Japan were as valuable to my understanding the culture a little better as visiting historic sites. I am interested in spirituality, especially in Shintoism, unique to Japan, and the special bond between Buddhism and Shintoism in Japan. I had one guide who was a Shingon monk and another who was a devoted practitioner of Shintoism. As a special experience, the agency organized a special interview with a Buddhist monk. We talked through the guide for an hour, meditated, and then he performed the tea ceremony in which I participated as well. Amazing.

Since the material culture, fashion and architecture and design are also interests, I was able to visit with 2 master artisans and their families, an 88-year-old silk kimono painter, his son and daughter-in-law, all in the business. In Kanazawa, the silk painter had laid out one of their kimonos for me to try. This one had been hand-painted in an iris motif by the son of the master. It was quite an experience being put into a kimono. Also, I spent time with an 80+ inkstone maker and his family. It was such an honor to listen to how they pursued the perfection of their crafts. One of the most unique features of the trip was staying in the Benesse Museum Hotel on Naoshima. As a hotel guest you get to wander the museum after closing and before opening. I was thrilled, my own “Night in the Museum.” I loved the art islands. In addition, one of my guides in Tokyo who knew Japanese fashion, my passion, acquainted me with several second-hand stores because I mentioned that interest to the planners. I brought back several garments from these shops!

This was an intricate trip which I could not have done on my own. The agents were invaluable. I would have experienced half of what I did without the guides and the travel arrangements all planned out. My trip, without the agents, would have been good but not extraordinary. That’s why they are called “WOW.”

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Norway: dogsledding, fjord manor house, wood-burning sauna, beer-paired Viking meal

CHOQUETTE GUINEY | JUNE 5, 2025

The port village of Flam is surrounded by mountains at the innermost bank of the Aurlandsfjord. Photo: Traveler Choquette Guiney

We visited many areas and in each one Torunn arranged local guides/hosts that were interesting, passionate, and a joy to spend time with. A few of our favorite activities include having an Oslo tour guide; visiting a Sami reindeer herder (reindeer racing and fantastic stories!); dog sledding (with Iditarod musher); fine dining prepared with local ingredients and in a remote setting (say yes to the wine pairing!); wood-burning sauna; cooking education and hands-on class (fun even for those who enjoy food but rarely cook); train travel (the views); Viking dinner (get the 5 course meal paired with beer); fjord cruise (stunning scenery!) and baking lefse, a Norwegian treat, at a family-run farm (beautiful setting and lively conversation with locals!). By not being overscheduled we had time to hike, kicksled, explore, relax and simply enjoy our time together (aka Norwegian kos).

Special thanks to Roger (our full day guide in the far north) for his Finnmark insights and personal stories as well as his thoughtfulness and suggestions. And to Trine—my mom was able to relax and enjoy the dog sledding experience traveling with you. That would not have been the case if she had been traveling with me or my sister! Shout out to Johnny who is not only an amazing chef but also owner of a fantastic record collection.

The accommodations Torunn picked were perfect for us and enhanced our experience. We enjoyed our stay at elegant hotels in city centers, a historic manor house on a fjord (so peaceful in the winter) and the cabins in the far north. Yes, we saw the northern lights just outside our cabin 4 of the 5 nights!

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Nova Scotia: walk through maritime history, private ship tour with captain, lobster encounter

BEV CAMERON | JUNE 4, 2025

Traveler Beverly Cameron’s grandson holding a huge lobster.

Traveler Beverly Cameron’s grandson was able to hold a massive lobster. Photo: Bev Cameron

My grandson Wyatt and I have just completed the arranged part of a trip to Nova Scotia that Jill planned for us. My grandson is 10 years old and I’m 79 years old. This was a special one-on-one trip.

Jill did a fantastic job of planning activities for a 10-year-old boy and having the tour operators give him special attention. We’ve both had a great time.

All of the events were great fun but likely most special was Jill arranging through a friend of hers to have the Captain of the Bluenose give us a private tour at a time when the ship was not open to the public. The Bluenose is special in Nova Scotian and Canadian history as a very fast fishing and racing ship. It’s even pictured on the back of the Canadian dime.

We had private tours of the Maritime Museum and Pier 21, the historic immigration entry point into Canada for people coming to start new lives, a harbor tour, a ghost walk, a tour of Oak Island by a man who is a diver on the documentary TV show, and a great driver/guide for a day and a half of touring to Peggy’s Cove, Lunenburg, Malone Bay and Chester. Our guide even took us to a small lobster store where Wyatt was able to hold several live lobsters, including a massive 9 pounder who is going back into the sea at the end of the season.

Jill did a great job. Thanks for having her on your WOW List.

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Africa: Cape Town, Victoria Falls, Franschhoek vineyards, Botswana safaris

LYNN HERRICK | JUNE 2, 2025

Two lions seen during a safari in Botswana.

“The animals exceed all expectations! We saw all the animals on our wish list and more.” Photo: Traveler Lynn Herrick.

The perfect trip. We had been talking about visiting Africa, our last continent, for years, and I am so glad we planned our trip with Cherri. The entire process was fabulous from the first email. Cherri asked a lot of questions that helped her make suggestions and guide us toward an unforgettable trip. We also appreciated the paperwork, the app, and all the details that her company provided to make sure we were fully prepared for our journey.

We started in Cape Town at the not-to-be-missed Silo Hotel and wrapped up 16 days later at the Thorntree Lodge in Zambia near Victoria Falls. In between, we had fantastic guides (shout out to Chantell who was with us for 2 full days in Cape Town), rode in small planes and helicopters, visited Franschhoek for wine tasting, and 2 different campsites in Botswana for Safari. The entire trip still feels like a dream. Everyone should find an opportunity to visit Africa. I loved that we experienced three different countries on our trip. The history and people of each country were different and so interesting.

The animals exceed all expectations! We saw all the animals on our wish list and more. Our campsites were all different and I appreciated the order in which Cheri scheduled things… from the more “rustic” to the more modern. The food was amazing everywhere we went. We felt like we were at each site for just the right amount of time and really would not have changed anything in our trip. There is no way I would schedule a trip like this without an expert, and especially an expert that really listened to our likes and dislikes and thoughtfully put together an unforgettable experience.

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Japan: hiking between the Kiso Valley post towns, hitting a baseball game and a Maid Cafe

SAMANTHA SQUIRES | JUNE 1, 2025

Samantha and family: “On the days we had to ourselves, we fell into nooks and crannies we hardly expected.”

Tokyo -> Kanazawa -> Kyoto -> Mt. Koya -> Kiso Valley -> Tokyo
Our trip to Japan was amazing. Each day was better than the next, which is really hard to believe, but it was.

Months ago, when we thought about going to Japan, we felt overwhelmed by the logistics of researching what we wanted to do and booking it. That’s why we turned to a travel planner from Wendy Perrin’s WOW List. If we were going to invest in what for us was a trip of a lifetime, we wanted to ensure that those expectations were met. And they were. They exceeded anything we could have imagined.

We met with Andrea and his team a few months before our desired trip date. Going to Japan is hard to do frugally, but he worked with us to find the best dates that allowed for our budget, and we discovered May to be an ideal time. It’s after the peak of March and April, but the weather is still pleasant and there were plenty of flowers to see, like azaleas, wisteria and irises. Andrea loves what he does, and loves Japan, so it was easy to tell him about our wants and wishes for the trip because he was excited about them, too. Could we see a baseball game in Tokyo? Yes. How about going to a quirky Maid Cafe? One that’s family friendly? Also yes.

It was important to us to learn about the history and culture of the country, and he worked up an itinerary that was ambitious but not overwhelming. He set us up with multiple guides and each and every one was fascinating and fun and such an expert about their area. We learned so much from them. Andrea also made the trip feel balanced. On the days we had to ourselves, we fell into nooks and crannies we hardly expected and found incredible places to eat this way.

Since we’ve come home everyone’s been asking, What was the highlight of the trip? This is so hard to answer! A monastery in Mt. Koya was definitely one. It’s a beautiful and serene place, the seat of Japanese Buddhism, and we just loved being there. This was something we would never have found on our own, or known to even look for were it not for Andrea telling us about it. We also went hiking in Kiso Valley, stopping in a few post towns along the way. This is where samurai and merchants walked back and forth between Kyoto and Tokyo. Again, we’d never have known about this without Andrea’s knowledge. We stayed in a traditional Ryokan and just loved every minute of it.

We left Japan buoyed by a sense of having been on a journey in the truest sense. We’re already saving to go back again. It’s a magical place.

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Norway: private fjord cruise, deep-sea fishing, fishing villages and dramatic mountains

DEBORAH WENTE | MAY 30, 2025

John Wente posing with a fish during deep-sea fishing in Nusfjord, Norway.

John Wente lands a big one while deep-sea fishing in Nusfjord. Photo: Traveler Deborah Wente

We had a wonderful trip to Norway! It is such a big country with so many options, and we were thrilled with the choices suggested by Torunn and her team. We spent one night in Bergen, which suited us perfectly. It was fun to see Bryggen and do a little souvenir shopping. The next morning we picked up a rental car and drove a couple of hours to Utne on the Hardangerfjord. The village has a population of about 200, we stayed in a house on a cider farm overlooking the fjord. Our time in Hardangerfjord was a perfect blend of activity and time to enjoy the view of the fjord from our rental. We ate in most evenings, very enjoyable after an active day. We enjoyed a private fjord cruise, a hike up to a beautiful viewpoint and a tour of a cider farm. I can still picture the innumerable colors of green.

We then returned to Bergen and flew up to the Lofoten Islands. What a contrast! Fishing villages, dramatic mountains dropping down to the sea, and a taste of life in the islands. I really appreciate the recommendation to stay in two locations, Reine and Nusfjord. They were only an hour apart, but gave us a chance to explore different areas without a lot of driving. We explored on our own, hiked with a guide, and went deep sea fishing. That was so much more fun than expected!

On our last night, we were surprised with our WOW Moment, one of the best ever. We were told to meet at 10pm when we suited up in inflatable insulated suits, climbed into a rigid inflatable boat and straddled our seats. The captain (and GM of the resort) took us north up the coast cruising at about 30 knots. We stopped near a cave where remains of people and cod have been found from 6000 years ago! Then we pulled into a harbor and sampled some Norwegian whiskey. A fun adventure!

I really appreciate the planning that allowed us to explore Norway, talk to people, and stay away from crowds. We were a couple of weeks before the season started in the Lofoten Islands and were very thankful to not be dealing with the traffic and crowds.

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Iceland: waterfalls, history, Thingvellir National Park, glacial hiking at Sólheimajökull

SUSAN TOBERT | MAY 29, 2025

Daren and Sue Tobert on the Sólheimajökull glacial tongue after a hike.

Daren and Sue Tobert on the Sólheimajökull glacial tongue after a three-hour hike.

After a two week vacation in Europe we did a six day stopover in Iceland on our way home. We worked with Mads in Denmark. Mads arranged a fantastic tour of Reykjavik, and the west and south areas of the island for us. We had a ton of fun exploring the waterfalls, beaches, caves and glaciers. The accommodations at the Black Pearl, Hotel Budir and Hotel Ranga were top notch. We had so many wonderfully surprising experiences as we immersed ourselves in the history, culture and landscape of the island we couldn’t help but fall in love with Iceland. It is on our list to return to soon.

Some highlights included a self-guided driving tour around Snaefellsnes Peninsula, exploring the rift valley at Thingvellir National Park, and sampling a variety of foods with our knowledgeable guide, Nori. Who knew Rye Bread ice cream was a real thing? Our WOW came while hiking on the glacial tongue at Sólheimajökull in the south. The three-hour hike included peeking over the edges of crevasses and glacial moulins where meltwater pours in making deep shafts. We remain humbled and in awe of the power of nature in Iceland!

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Morocco: ballooning over Atlas Mountains, tea with a Berber family, Volubilis, medina by sidecar

MOLLY O’NEILL-EMMI | MAY 28, 2025

Molly and her husband Tom on a sunset ATV ride through the Sahara Desert.

Our April trip to Morocco was captivating, filled with vibrant culture, rich history, and memorable experiences. We were fortunate to have a fantastic guide, Widad, who was personable, knowledgeable, and flexible. Her extensive insights into the history, culture, architecture, music and religion of Morocco enriched our understanding and appreciation of this fascinating country. Our driver, Aziz, was equally outstanding—ensuring safe, reliable, and efficient transport, thereby making every part of our travel seamless and stress-free. Both Widad and Aziz were passionate, authentic ambassadors of their beloved country. We were so grateful that they were with us for the duration of the trip, as they significantly enhanced our experience.

One of the highlights of our trip was the valuable and meaningful interaction with the locals. Whether engaging in conversations at bustling markets, sharing stories over cups of mint tea and traditional Moroccan sweets, dining with a family in their Riad, learning to prepare mint tea with a Berber family in their village home in the High Atlas Mountains, or receiving warm reactions and assistance as we attempted to speak Darija, Arabic, and Tamazight, all of those moments were truly memorable.

Our enjoyment of the country was further enhanced by riding ATVs across the ochre dunes of the Sahara at sunset; watching the sunrise and savoring the calmness and serenity of the vast desert; experiencing the thrill of a hot air balloon ride while admiring the majestic views of the Moroccan countryside and High Atlas mountains; exploring the Roman ruins of Volubilis; riding through the Marrakech medina and palm groves in a motorcycle sidecar; and exploring the intricate pathways of the medinas.

We stayed in beautiful riads and boutique hotels that exuded charm and offered exceptional service. The ambiance was nothing short of magical, with thoughtfully designed interiors that created a warm and inviting atmosphere. Most notable were Dar Ahlam and Kasbah Tamadot, where we savored every moment and were sad to leave.

The culinary aspect of our trip was nothing short of excellent and diverse. We especially loved our cooking class, which included shopping for ingredients in the souk while sampling food items along the way. It was a vibrant and colorful experience, during which I discovered that orange blossom water is my new favorite baking ingredient! Additionally, our evening food tour of the Fez medina was a fun, memorable exploration of flavors and traditions.

Our trip to Morocco was a captivating journey that was enriched by our guide Widad and driver Aziz. Engaging with locals, exploring villages and medinas, and learning about various Moroccan traditions created meaningful moments. Staying in beautiful riads and enjoying diverse culinary experiences contributed to unforgettable memories in Morocco.

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Balkans: “phenomenal” guides in Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Montenegro

JEANNIE MULLEN | MAY 26, 2025

Jeannie Mullen and Chef Ivana on the narrow “Let Me Pass Street” in Old Town Split, Croatia.

Jeannie and Chef Ivana on their way from market to private cooking class on narrow “Let Me Pass Street” in Old Town Split.

It is really difficult to condense a 28-day, 5-country trip into a review that does justice to the incredibly detailed work that went into my recent solo trip to the Balkans. I initiated trip planning with Greg, whose team curated a phenomenal trip to Russia for me in the days immediately after the country opened in the on again/off again days of Covid. After hearing my level of interest in the Balkan Region, Greg referred me to Ala and Arina for next level planning. Ala and Arina listened attentively, offered a lot of variety to choose from, provided advice and counsel when necessary, and followed through on every single detail. Both were a joy to work with.

The trip included travel to five of the six Balkan countries formerly known as Yugoslavia… Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro (Macedonia is the sixth). While a complicated and extensive political and religious history connects these countries, each had its own fascinating identity, culture and people. My local guides were phenomenal, most having been born and raised in each city/town that I toured, which made their storytelling all the more rich with unique detail. Milan, my guide in Belgrade, was also a professor of art history at the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts as well as an opera singer and an actor. He had just published a book which he graciously signed and gifted to me.

Highlights from each country…

Slovenia… Old Town Ljubljana was a delightful mix of history, art, architecture, nightlife and shopping… I could plan a trip there this fall and do ALL of my Christmas shopping… A day trip to picturesque and historic Lake Bled provided a great contrast.

Croatia… a fascinating combination of food and cultures (depending upon which border we were close to)… truffle hunting with a cute young brother and sister in Prodani, casual strolls through picturesque historic walled towns in the mountains of Istria, fresh oysters and mussels prepared by a local farmer in Ston ( just outside of Dubrovnik), a stunning flight along the Adriatic coastline from Istria to Dalmatia, waterfront dining in harbors tucked away among the Pakleni Islands, a private cooking class in Split, and a sunset boat ride accompanied by dolphins off the coast of Rovinj.

Serbia… in Belgrade a deep dive into the history of Yugoslavia and Tito’s regime from a scholar’s perspective… personal time with a master violin maker and local “naive” artists and their galleries in Kovacica… and shopping at a local grocery store for the favorite foods Serbs like to eat.

Bosnia and Herzegovina… my biggest and most pleasant surprise of the trip (Belgrade came in a close second)… Sarajevo was a fascinating city with something to see and learn about around every corner. My local guide, Muhammad, was instrumental in describing a very complicated history, but also showing me the very vibrant multicultural atmosphere that it is now his adopted city.

Montenegro… a coastline and atmosphere that consistently makes you think you are on a movie set… Kotor, Perast, and Herzeg Novi… a tour by boat of the hidden submarine tunnels from WWI, and a day trip up the historic Serpentine Road (22 switchbacks that follow the old caravan route that Roman traders used) to the Old Royal Capital of Cetinje.

I would be remiss if I didn’t say a word about the very personal attention that Arina paid both leading up to my departure and also as my trip progressed in real time. A few weeks before my departure I developed some concerns about news that I was reading about political unrest in Bosnia and Serbia. Arina, who lives in Belgrade, was able to assure me that everything remained very peaceful. I’m really pleased that I followed her advice because I didn’t find anything remotely similar “on the ground” to what I was reading in the international press. Arina also arranged many lovely personal touches during my travels and helped me understand occasionally unique local logistics.

Lastly, the timing of my trip overlapped with travel plans that Greg had in Belgrade and that Arina had in Ljubljana and Dubrovnik. As a result, I was able to meet both of them personally, which was an extra treat.

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Japan: from Alps to arts with a private cooking class, kintsugi workshop, and “deeply moving” meditation session

MAUREEN FERRARI | MAY 26, 2025

Maureen and John Ferrari with their guide Emiko at the train station in Japan.

Maureen and John Ferrari bid goodbye to their guide Emiko before boarding Shinkansen Nozomi back to Tokyo.

Unforgettable Journey Through Japan – Thanks to Wendy Perrin, Scott Gilman, and Our Wonderful Guide Emiko

I’ve used Wendy Perrin’s recommendations for years—Bhutan, Myanmar, Chile, Oman, to name a few—and each trip has been extraordinary. This year, my husband John and I decided to travel to Japan, and once again, Wendy did not disappoint. One of her top suggestions was Japan expert Scott Gilman, and working with him was a true pleasure.

Scott took the time to understand our needs and interests—two active 69- and 71-year-olds who love to explore, learn about local culture, and delve into a country’s history. He crafted a detailed, thoughtful itinerary and introduced us to our fabulous guide, Emiko, with whom we instantly connected. Her energy, deep knowledge, and warm personality made her an ideal companion for our two-week adventure.

We began in Tokyo on May 8, staying at the elegant Mandarin Oriental, where the service was impeccable. Emiko guided us through the Tsukiji Outer Market, Hamarikyu Garden, Asakusa, Kappabashi-dori, and the Imperial Palace grounds, capping the day with an unforgettable dinner at Sushi Kidoguchi. One of our Tokyo highlights was meeting architect Michel van Acre in Omotesando to learn about the city’s stunning contemporary architecture—fascinating and highly recommended! We also took a private cooking class with Kyoko Hattori, who was delightful and generously shared recipes and goodies to bring home.

From there, we journeyed through the Japanese Alps to Matsumoto, where we visited the 400-year-old Matsumoto Castle and stayed at the serene Myojinkan Ryokan, complete with a private onsen. We explored the beautiful dam nearby and continued on to Takayama, Shirakawa-go, and Kanazawa, soaking up the charm of historical quarters, vibrant markets, and heritage houses along the way.

In Kyoto, we were awed by Kiyomizudera, Gion, and the Kennin-ji Zen Temple. A private Zen meditation session with a Buddhist priest and father of two was deeply moving. Other Kyoto highlights included the moss garden at Gio-ji Temple, the bamboo groves of Arashiyama, and a hands-on kintsugi workshop with Koishihara-san, a master artisan—especially meaningful to me as a ceramist.

Our day trip to Nara was magical. Seeing the freely roaming deer in Nara Park, revered as Shinto messengers, was a beautiful contrast to how we view deer back home in New York. The visit to Todai-ji Temple, with its enormous Buddha and the architectural grandeur of the building, was awe-inspiring. We also met Noguchi-san, a fifth-generation gold leaf artisan, whose artistry, personality, and warm family left a lasting impression.

As if the trip couldn’t get better, we then visited Naoshima, where art and nature blend seamlessly. Staying at Benesse House, located within the museum, was a dream. We toured Chichu Art Museum, Lee Ufan Museum, and Valley Gallery by Tadao Ando. On Teshima Island, the Teshima Art Museum was another major highlight, made even more memorable by the atmospheric fog and a dramatic race to beat the canceled ferries—magically solved by Emiko, who summoned a private water taxi to get us safely back.

Our final days brought us to Kurashiki, known as the “Venice of Japan,” and a stay in a charming central ryokan. We ended the journey with a visit to Korakuen Garden, where we were lucky enough to see a bride and groom in traditional wedding attire—such a special moment. Then it was back to Tokyo and onward to New York, our hearts and bags full of unforgettable memories.

This trip would not have been possible without Scott’s expert planning and Emiko’s flawless execution. Her grace, insight, and attention to detail brought every moment to life.

Our only complaint? We ate way too much! (But oh, was it worth it!)

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Puglia: visiting cheese and gelato-makers, working with a sculptor, staying in masserias

PAULA KRAMER | MAY 23, 2025

Jeff Weiss learning sculpture from an artist in Puglia, Italy.

Jeff Weiss spent an afternoon learning from a renowned sculptor in his home atelier. Photo: Paula Kramer

For two weeks this April 2025 we had the incredible privilege of traveling through Puglia – our first time in the region, but not our last – thanks to the expert planning of Antonello and Valeria. From our initial meeting, they were incredibly helpful, despite the fact that we didn’t give them a whole lot of lead time. Mindful of the timeframe, they carefully listened to our interests and preferences, and then leveraged their substantial network to create a bespoke itinerary that reflected them, but also included experiences that we would not have known to ask for and that wound up elevating our trip beyond our wildest dreams.

We stayed in an array of wonderful hotels and masserias – fabulous experiences unto themselves – and were educated by outstanding guides. We chose to do our own driving for 90% of the trip, and even here the team was so helpful, electronically sharing target destinations and parking facilities which enabled us to go from points A to B with confidence, independence and the least amount of stress. Except for driving in Naples (NOT for the faint of heart), driving through Italy, especially Puglia, at springtime is a feast for the senses and we encourage those willing to do so to give it a try. If not, the planners can easily provide drivers, when needed.

My husband and I are seasoned, low maintenance travelers (3-6 trips per year); he excels at research, and finding travel companies with perspectives that align with ours, and the credentials to help us plan incredible journeys. This was our first trip using Wendy Perrin and her WOW List, which led us to this team; both organizations distinguished themselves in the best of ways. This was best reflected in three value-added factors provided by the company.

First, attention to detail. They created a trip that was truly a reflection of us, our interests, and abilities, but they went the extra mile and anticipated our needs such that every detail was covered. After our very first day we realized that working through Wendy Perrin and her WOW List were great decisions. Second, our planners provided SUPERLATIVE guides – individuals truly dedicated to their work, and deeply thoughtful and knowledgeable about their areas of expertise and the experience they can offer the tourists they work with. Their knowledge, personal connections, insights and enthusiasm were truly transformative in our understanding of the places and people we were visiting. But the bonus was that they were all incredibly delightful to be with, which made them feel more like friends than people doing their job. We also liked the fact that in the majority of places we had our guides for at least two days each.

Last, but by no means least, the third and most remarkable factor that transformed our trip into something unique and superlative was the unique set of experiences planned by our team. Mind you, every single day of this trip had a WOW factor – whether it was visits to Pompeii and Herculaneum, our cave-turned-hotel in Matera (Sextantio), or our stays at delightful masserias in Salento. But beyond that, having the chance to sample the delights of a renowned cheesemaker, learn from the 3rd generation owners of a family-owned flour mill, get expert insights into the complexities of olive oil, or to sample gelato with a young woman who is combining innovation with tradition as she expands the gelato business started by her grandfather – these are culinary experiences we could only encounter thanks to our team’s deep understanding of and connection with the hidden gems of Puglia. Trust me…you are not going to find these on your own.

If all this wasn’t enough, we spent an afternoon in the home/atelier of a renowned sculptor, and another afternoon with a couple that makes jewelry. I confess that when I first read our itinerary I thought these sounded weird – neither my husband or I would become the next Michaelangelo or make jewelry anytime in the near future, so why take time to do this? I could not have been more wrong! These artists were so genuinely interested in sharing their craft, their food, and their kindness. We were besotted by these one-of-a-kind experiences, making friends and actual art along the way. We even got to visit the private home of a potter who showed us the ancient and Byzantine relics, and the Byzantine chapel that he discovered on his property during renovation.

We could not be more grateful to Wendy Perrin and especially to our planners for thoughtfully crafting an incredible and memorable sojourn through Southern Italy. We can’t wait to use them again for our return trip!

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Peru: Machu Picchu, fly fishing, Hiram Bingham train, “inventive” Incan cuisine

LYNNE WILLETT | MAY 16, 2025

Lynne Willett and her husband at Machu Picchu.

Lynne Willett and her husband spent a “flawless” week in Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley.

We just returned from a 2 week tour of Peru planned by Mark on Marisol’s team. Five stars are definitely not enough! Mark listened and crafted a trip including dinner reservations at the best restaurants in the world. From incredible guides to personalized special moments we could not have asked for more. Everything was flawless! We felt cared for and safe but best of all we learned so much, did so much, and came home feeling we had an incredible adventure.

A WOW Moment was included on this trip at MIL, a restaurant in the Sacred Valley (sister restaurant to Central, the 2023 best restaurant in the world). It was an 8-course lunch that was the most inventive, educational and delicious experience we’ve ever had. They are preserving Incan agriculture and technique paired with dishes and utensils that were pure art! This was a cherished experience we felt so fortunate to have!

We spent 3 days in Lima followed by a week in the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, then a 4 day Amazon boat cruise. Excursions included fly fishing, horseback riding, the Hiram Bingham train, gourmet picnics, and personal BBQs and many archeological sites. Peru’s reputation as a foodie destination is well deserved! Our guides—shout out to Angie, Erika and Maria Antoinette—made our experience unforgettable. The lodging choices were exquisite. Most of all, in our early 70s, I felt so blessed to be able to see and fully experience this bucket list destination. Thanks to our guide, I did it all!

We travel a lot and this company is remarkable! I really liked their travel app too—all your travel info at your fingertips. We didn’t have a single problem. They made absolutely sure of that!!

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Loire Valley: biking among vineyards & chateaux, hot-air ballooning, light show at Blois

VANESSA LEW | MAY 15, 2025

Vanessa Lew riding a bike in the Loire region, in France.

Traveler Vanessa Lew particularly enjoyed riding through small towns in the Loire region.

This was my first trip solo was to Loire Valley for 4/12-4/17, and it was amazing!! My guides were informative, helpful and friendly!!

I had gone to a Chateau Chambord, Amboise, Clos Luce & Blois. I had gone to three vineyards, stayed at Fleur de Loire with a two-Michelin-Star restaurant on the grounds, which was delightful. I would highly recommend staying there.

Even though I had days planned and free I was able to add in a few things that seemed interesting, I highly recommend the hot air balloon excursion over the chateaux (I went during sunset but they also have sunrise) & the light show at Château of Blois—it was beautiful!!

One day me and my guide rode from Blois to Chambord and around Chambord which was about 30 miles that day, but lovely to ride through small towns in the Loire region.

I highly recommend this trip for anyone who doesn’t want the craziness of Paris but wants to see learn more about the history of France.

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New Zealand: a “bucket list” trip exploring islands, caves, and river kayaking

SARAH CHEN | MAY 14, 2025

Milford Sound, Fiordland National Park, New Zealand.

Milford Sound lies deep within Fiordland National Park. Photo: Traveler Sarah Chen

Wow New Zealand! A bucket list trip and a 30th Wedding Anniversary celebration trip, it did not disappoint. We travelled March 15-30th, technically shoulder season, which helped keep expenses intact and summer visitors at a minimum. To start off we give credit to Gillian and her “play by play” team Catherina and Ellen. We couldn’t have asked for better people—Gillian listened carefully to what we wanted, and together a great trip was executed. With only 2 weeks to travel, we were able to explore both the North and South Island. Checking out the caves with blue glow worms, and Auckland on the North Island, ocean and river kayaking on the South Island in addition to hiking and exploring Milford Sound via helicopter—our adventures were fun.

The lodging was top notch and hosts were very personable (not to mention the fabulous food they prepared). Perhaps that was the best part—every person we met took an interest in us and shared their stories as though we had known each other already. While my husband and I are seasoned world travels, we chose to use Wendy Perrin and her team to support our high expectations for our dream vacation. It was fantastic and we are already planning another trip! Thanks for a memorable experience.

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South Korea: hiking Jeju Island, seeing Bulguksa temple, UNESCO sites & Seokguram Grotto

TONY FORD-HUTCHINSON | MAY 13, 2025

Travelers Tony and Jane at Yongmeori Coast on Jeju Island.

Travelers Jane and Anthony on Jeju Island: “a must for anyone travelling around the country.”

Having visited Seoul for business trips and given the fact that we have already visited most of the South East Asian Countries, we felt it was time to understand what South Korea was all about. Our trip planning started with a zoom call with Grant, where we outlined our wants and he came up with an itinerary that covered some of the highlights of the country.

Our trip started with an overnight in Seoul followed by four nights in the luxury JW Marriot Resort and Spa on Jeju Island. The island in our opinion is a must for anyone travelling around the country. Jeju Island could be described as the Florida of South Korea with its milder weather and distinct culture, although with its volcanic origins the beaches are more limited. Thus, it is full of “attractions” (think Teddy Bear museum) but we choose instead to focus on the natural beauty, including the UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as Seogsan Ichulbong Peak and the Jusangjeolli Cliffs. It is definitely an island for hiking, either along the coastal paths running past our resort, which we did, or mountain trails, which we did not. Another highlight for us was seeing and learning about the world famous Haenyeo women who have practiced free diving for sea food for generations.

Leaving Jeju Island we flew to Busan and were then driven to the historic city of Gyeongju, the original capital of the ancient Sila Kingdom. Highlights of the visit were the Bulguksa temple, including the Seokguram Grotto, and the ancient burial mounds in Tumuli Park, one of which you can enter and view how the tomb would have looked with all its gold artifacts. After two nights we were driven to Jeonju and our accommodation for the next two nights was in a historical Hanok House (very modernized with jacuzzi and plunge pool) right in the historical district where we could walk around all the streets and alleys, admire the historical buildings and graze through the restaurants, cafes and bars.

From Jeonju we were whisked by high-speed train back to Seoul to spend four nights at the Four Seasons Hotel in the heart of old Seoul. Seoul was largely destroyed during the Korean war and is a very modern city. However, the old palaces have been restored and the highlight is the Changdeokgung Palace together with its beautiful hidden gardens. Another highlight was the ancient walled city of Suwon, an hour’s drive from the center of Seoul. Getting around Seoul is easy, either on foot, using uber taxis or the ultra-modern subway system. There are multiple outstanding restaurants with extensive tasting menus and Michelin stars. We visited three, Jun-Sik, Solbam and Jueon. Top restaurants in Seoul are not easy to get in to and booking well in advance was a necessity. Korea is definitely worth a visit with its unique culture and food and for its mountainous terrain and its historical sights. Pity it is such a long flight from the USA!

This trip was arranged by WOW List candidate. Here’s what that means.

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Belize: Mayan sites, manatee encounter, snorkeling the reef, cooking with a Garifuna family

BILL BUCHANAN AND GAIL SEVERN | MAY 12, 2025

Gail Severn cooking with locals in Belize.

Archaeological ruins and “warm encounters” with a local family were highlights of Belize.

When we encountered difficulties in trying to find special accommodations and convenient air connections for a spur of the moment trip for two to the Caribbean, we once again turned to Wendy Perrin for recommendations. Patricia and Rachael’s team were recommended and Belize was the suggested destination. Belize had not been on our radar, but after a brief call the prospects of warm Caribbean water coupled with Mayan archaeological sites won us over in a hurry. Patricia quickly came through with three recommended sites for our 12-day trip, and presented a choice of three possible accommodations at each site. After questions that further defined our tastes, they booked us and the trip was set.

After an easy connecting flight from Dallas to Belize City, we boarded an internal flight to Placencia. Upon arrival we were met by a representative from Francis Ford Coppola’s “Turtle Inn Resort” and whisked away to our seaside cabin under the palms. Our stop was well-planned to incorporate a private sailing charter with snorkeling on the barrier reef. Alas, high winds curtailed the open water sailing and snorkeling but Patricia and team pivoted us quickly to a sunset sail and manatee encounter. In addition, they arranged a three-hour “cultural experience” with a local indigenous Garifuna family. We cooked, laughed and even played some drums. The food, service and cabin at Turtle Inn were top notch.

After four nights we were picked up by Darryl, our driver and guide for the next four days, and driven to the Hidden Valley Wilderness Lodge for a completely different experience in the highlands of Belize. While there Darryl guided us through the Caracol ruins, explored a cave, and joined a Mayan family for another round of cooking and fellowship. The Hidden Valley staff went out of their way to treat us to special culinary experiences. The ruins and the warm encounter with the local family were highlights of our trip.

After another four nights we boarded and internal flight to the northern part of the coast and a stay at the Matachica Resort on Ambergris Caye. It was here that we got to enjoy snorkeling on the reef in the Hol Chan Marine Reserve and immersed ourselves in lazy days. And once again the accommodations were a beachfront casita that perfectly matched our desires.

This was our second trip with a Wendy Perrin WOW List planner, the first being for a trip to Croatia and Slovenia in 2023. And we are about to book a trip to Japan with a third advisor. It goes without saying that the ease of using these carefully vetted travel experts has been a rewarding experience and we do not hesitate to recommend using them.

Chile & Rapa Nui: hiking to see the Moai on Rapa Nui; viticulture and the secrets of the Maipo Valley

MICHAEL RUMA | MAY 11, 2025

“We will never forget the serene silence of the island and the mystery of how the Rapa Nui people carved and carried the innumerable statues.” Photo: Traveler Michael Ruma

Unique and Unforgettable: From Moai to Maipo

We flew to Santiago on February 16 and spent two nights in Chile’s capital city before traveling to Rapa Nui for a blissful week, topped off by a few days in the birthplace of Chilean viticulture before returning home on February 28, 2025.

Navigating the higher costs of airline travel today, I seized the opportunity to secure a reasonable fare to Santiago. We have been fortunate to spend time in Santiago, Patagonia, and Chile in prior travels. Ranked as one of the most remote places on earth, Rapa Nui seemed like a perfect place filled with wanderlust for our first trip of 2025. It also seemed to be a popular choice; as most hotels were fully booked, with luck, I reserved the last room at the Explora Lodge. With airfare and a place to stay, I began to wonder how we would fill in the gaps. With luck, Wendy and her trusted travel expert Maita, along with her itinerary planner Alexander, were quick to answer my questions. We set up time to visit on a virtual call to discuss ideas for yet another perfect itinerary to Chile. With the expertise and local knowledge of Maita and Alexander, they curated outstanding hotels, exceptional drivers, and marvelous guides.

Landing early in Santiago, we made our way through immigration and customs and were carefully chauffeured to the Singular Santiago Hotel. We dropped our bags and enjoyed a guided tour to reorient ourselves to the capital of Chile. Awakening the next day, we charted out a full day to explore the city. From a funicular ride, a trip to the top of the tallest building in South America, a stop for the best empanada in town, and dinner and wine tasting at our favorite, Boca Nariz, Santiago delighted our senses.

The following morning, we enjoyed the nearly 6-hour flight to Rapa Nui. Enjoying all the bustle of the big city but constantly drawn to the connections made in countryside spots, we grew excited to land in Rapa Nui, home to only 9,000 locals and the two daily flights of tourists. Picked up by Explora staff, we were rapidly transferred to the hotel and introduced to the daily program of the lodge. Before lunch, we joined a casual walk to explore the island countryside right out our back door.

Most visitors spend 2 or 3 nights, but we were grateful to have booked a solid week as there is plenty to discover on the island. We spent our days hiking each of the three extinct volcanoes, snorkeling and scuba diving, discovering caves and lava tubes, and dining on nearly everything offered by the lodge. The highlight of our time in Rapa Nui is exceedingly difficult to select as the Moai at sunrise and at the quarry were indescribable, the peak of the Bird Man hike had views of the bluest sea glimmering below the volcanic crater, and the clarity of the ocean water beneath the surface was beyond description. However, we will never forget the serene silence of the island and the mystery of how the Rapa Nui people carved and carried the innumerable statues all around the island.

After hiking many miles and visiting numerous archaeological sites, we left Rapa Nui with a new appreciation of the culture and countless memories. As we boarded our flight back to Santiago, we were reminded of yet another benefit of traveling under the guide of a trusted travel partner. Just prior to takeoff, Alexander sent me a text to inform us nearly the entire country of Chile was suffering a blackout. He assured me the airport was fully operational due to backup generators and our ride to our hotel in Pirque in the Maipo Valley was on their way and would be waiting for us despite the national power outage. Reassured with the seamless teamwork occurring behind the scenes, we enjoyed our departure and flight back to Santiago.

Arriving late to Hotel Las Majadas, we quickly checked in and fell to sleep. Awakening the next day, we explored the beautiful palatial grounds and enjoyed a great breakfast before heading out midday for wine tasting followed by a cocktail making class before dinner.

Recognizing our love of wine, the hotel concierge, Pablo Garcés, joined us at our late lunch, poured us numerous local wines, and made sure to share the secrets of the Maipo Valley and places we should not miss during our stay. One of these closely held secrets included Viña Don Melchor, which recently had their cabernet sauvignon named Wine Spectator’s 2024 Wine of the Year. While we had planned on a hike the last day of our trip, we queried Pablo to see if it was possible to schedule a tasting at Don Melchor and likely due to his relationship with the vineyard, we were able to book a private tasting the next day. Met by the vineyard manager at the large gates of Viña Don Melchor, we were guided through the private gardens, down to the cellar of Casillero del Diablo, and then into the former private home of Don Melchor. We were then seated in an exquisite, contemporary conference room for a private blending tasting to demonstrate how the winemaker creates the best-in-class cabernet.

It may be possible to purchase a plane ticket and book a hotel room. However, without the assistance of Wendy Perrin and her network, we as travelers would never be able to sew the patchwork of professional drivers and adept guides who created the exemplary experiences and special moments during our trip to the Moai and the Maipo.

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Australia: the sights and harbor of Sydney, the vast open spaces and wildlife on Kangaroo Island

JANE SHEAR | MAY 9, 2025

Two kangaroos hopping near Oceanview Eco Villas in Australia.

“Watching kangaroos and wallabies hopping through the vast open space around our villa was a unique bonus…”

My husband and I returned on February 19 from a two-week trip to Australia (February 4 to 19, 2025). I had long wanted to visit Australia, but was intimidated because the country is so large that I couldn’t envision a meaningful trip within only two weeks (the amount of time we can get away for a vacation). Wendy Perrin’s staff referred us to Stuart and his colleague Jacki. We had a planning session with Stuart, in which I told him that I wanted to start in Sydney and then see beautiful nature and animals and only in places that weren’t full of tourists. Stuart proposed a wonderful itinerary: three days in Sydney, including a private harbor tour, one day in the Blue Mountains (while still staying in the wonderful Park Hyatt in Sydney, with a magnificent view of the opera house from our room and balcony), three nights on Lord Howe Island and then three nights at Southern Ocean Lodge on Kangaroo Island.

After our planning session we had several Zoom conversations with Jacki. She planned an itinerary that we exactly what we wanted. But Jacki’s true value as a travel agent came when we came to an unexpected glitch in our itinerary. We were already at the airport waiting to board our flight to Lord Howe Island when there was a sudden severe thunderstorm. After delaying our flight for several hours, our flight was cancelled. There were no available seats on the plane the following day, which meant that we needed to abandon our plan to visit Lord Howe Island. Unfortunately, it made no sense to visit an island by arriving in the late afternoon of what should have been our second day and then leaving the following morning.

I called Jacki from the airport and told her of our predicament. She answered her phone and immediately began proposing alternative destinations. One of her suggestions was Oceanview Eco Villas, which is actually two villas on a 500-acre property on Nepean Bay, also on Kangaroo Island, but in an entirely different location and with very different topography. We asked Jacki to make a reservation there for us for two nights and then to add an extra night to our stay at Southern Ocean Lodge. Jacki made the reservations, re-worked all of our transfers, including rebooking a night at an airport hotel in Adelaide. We were able to continue our vacation with no further interruptions.

We were very impressed with how quickly and efficiently Jacki made the necessary changes to our itinerary. We were very unhappy to miss Lord Howe Island, but our stay at Oceanview Eco Villas was wonderful. Tim and Tamsin, the owners of the villas, are fantastic hosts and do everything they can to provide an enjoyable and meaningful stay in their beautifully furnished villa with a spectacular ocean view. Tamsin prepared fabulous meals—vegan, per our request. Tim is a certified guide and gave great tours. He is true birder, and knew which trees and areas would host rare birds—and also found koalas for us.

Watching kangaroos and wallabies hopping through the vast open space around our villa was a unique bonus to staying at Oceanview Eco Villas. Tim and Tamsin are certified to do wild animal rescue and we got to watch a joey (baby kangaroo) both in and out of its mother’s pouch, and even got to feed the kangaroos (we were there during a drought so food and water were scarce).

Our stay at Southern Ocean Lodge was also wonderful. SOL is a magnificent, more than 5 star property. With the extra night that we added because of our cancelled stay on Lord Howe Island we were able to participate in more guided tours, and enjoy more of their creative and delicious meals (also specially prepared for us to be vegan). We also had more time to enjoy the wild and pristine environment of southern Kangaroo Island. Neither our stay at Oceanview Eco Villas nor our extra night at SOL of would have happened without Jacki’s reworking our trip after our inability to get to Lord Howe Island and we were very appreciative of how she rescued our vacation.

With Jacki’s and Stuart’s help, we were able to accomplish my original goal. With only two weeks in Australia we were able to see something of Sydney and enjoy some of Australia’s vast open spaces, including unique wild animals and birds.

This was our second trip with a Wendy Perrin WOW List travel expert. Our first trip was our 2024 vacation in Fiji. I am very appreciative of Wendy and her company and look forward to more wonderful trips in the future.

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Sicily: ideal weather to hike, bike, and visit the San Giuseppe festival on Marettimo Island

RICH REDIKER | MAY 9, 2025

Richard Rediker and friends at a cooking class in Siracusa, Sicily.

“One of the highlights was a cooking class at a restaurant in the Siracusa area…ending with a selfie taken by the chef himself!”

Sicily March 18 to April 3rd, 2025
17 Days in Sicily

We are two couples in our 70s who spent 17 glorious days in Sicily on a trip arranged by Matteo. For decades, I have planned my own trips all over the world. However, using Wendy’s WOW List last year for Morocco and this year for Sicily saved a lot of time and provided us with local experiences we never would have had otherwise. Over 17 days we biked, hiked, took cooking classes, learned a lot of history, saw many “ruins” and ate Sicilian cuisine. Matteo arranged for local drivers and guides at each stop—people who were from the places we visited and seemed to know everyone we passed.

Over many months, Matteo and I tweaked and refined our itinerary. When I mentioned that we enjoy remote destinations, he suggested visiting the car-free island of Marettimo for the San Giuseppe festival on March 19th. Marettimo is located 90 minutes off the west coast of Sicily by hydrofoil. Matteo ensured that accommodations and restaurants would be available despite the off-season. We had a local guide who grew up on the island, and whose father was the mayor. As we joined the festivities, we seemed to be the only “tourists” there—aside from locals who had grown up on the island and return each year for San Giuseppe.

On Marettimo, we ate at a fantastic restaurant where the owner’s husband had caught the tuna we enjoyed that day. When high winds were forecast for the day we were supposed to leave, Matteo quickly arranged for us to depart early, booked us a wonderful boutique hotel in Trapani, and set up a guided tour for the following day.

Each day, lunch was included at special restaurants or private homes. We hiked, biked, took cooking classes, and visited a couple of wineries. Everywhere we went, we were treated like VIPs. Our guides and drivers were always early and went out of their way to accommodate any requests. While Sicily can be very hot and crowded, traveling from March 18th through April 3rd was ideal—the weather was comfortable, ranging from the 50s to 60s, and there were very few tourists. Aside from a few stray showers, we had only two days of rain during the entire trip.
After Marettimo and Trapani, we spent four days in Palermo, two in Agrigento, and six in the Siracusa area.

Together, Matteo and I selected our accommodations in each location. The company allows travelers to choose their own rooms and pay hotels directly. Many travel agencies bundle hotel costs into their tour prices and provide only the lowest-category rooms.

Throughout our trip, Matteo checked in to ensure everything was going smoothly, even joining us for pizza one evening and again when we were in his hometown of Noto.

One of the highlights was a cooking class at a restaurant in the Siracusa area. First, we visited the market to select fresh, locally sourced ingredients, then returned to the restaurant to prepare and plate our own meals—ending with a selfie taken by the chef himself!

Contact Marcello and Matteo

New Zealand: learning to shear sheep, Ben Lomond Station, stargazing, yacht in Milford Sound

KATHYE FARIES | MAY 8, 2025

Kathye Faries shearing a sheep in New Zealand.

We spent about a month in New Zealand in March, 2025 and it was one of the very best vacations we’ve had (and the fourth planned by Wendy Perrin’s group of WOW List experts). The trip was curated by our travel planners Sara and Sarah, and they did a fantastic job of selecting places for us to stay so we could enjoy 6 days on the North Island and the rest of the month on the South Island. Our only request was to set up a tee time at Cape Kidnappers Golf Course—a bucket list item for me!

Each lodge was very different and extremely special—and most of them had a maximum of 10 guests! They were in fairly remote locations and we loved the peaceful, secluded, beautiful settings. Due to the vastness of the South Island, we drove and flew from top to bottom and coast to coast. We were blessed with gorgeous weather so our travels went smoothly.

Some of our most memorable adventures included trying our hand at shearing a sheep, enjoying a wine and cheese tasting, exploring a 6,000 acre stunning ranch on Hawke’s Bay via ATV, hiking through beautiful landscapes, driving the scenic road to Milford Sound and taking a small yacht cruise into the mouth of the sound, buying some gorgeous merino + possum sweaters, exploring the spectacular Ben Lomond Station (33,000 acre ranch) and meeting the owner (this is a MUST DO for those near Queenstown), stargazing and scaling the mountains in an ATV in the Ahuriri Valley, getting pampered with massages now and then, seeing the rare Hectors dolphins in Akaroa, taking a private cooking class with a master chef at our lodge near Christchurch, cruising the waters surrounding Abel Tasman National Park, and winding up our stay at a luxury retreat and wellness spa near Nelson. A perfect ending to a perfect trip.

The food was excellent throughout our journey and the chefs at the various lodges were made aware of my dietary preferences before we arrived. The team helped facilitate the return of a jacket I’d left at one of our lodges, and made some changes to our itinerary on the fly. They were outstanding in helping me plan this rather complicated trip (eight lodges, four flights around the country and lots of miles driven). The Kiwis we met were super friendly and I have now dubbed the places we stayed as “The Lands of Yes.” If you are thinking of exploring New Zealand, make your plans now— it’s a spectacular country.

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Vietnam: Ha Long Bay, war history, biking, local life, and beaches

MILRAY AND MIKE HOWELL | MAY 7, 2025

Milray Howell at the Hue Imperial Citadel. Photo: Traveler Mike Howell

Milray admires the Hue Imperial Citadel. Photo: Traveler Mike Howell

We used Sandy and Ethan to plan a 15-day trip to Vietnam and it was truly excellent! They were wonderful to work with especially from a communication, planning, and recommendations standpoint. I can’t think of anything I’d change and the local guides were all excellent!

We started in Hanoi on April 11 and ended in Saigon on April 27. We did so many things: war history and memorials, boating on Ha Long Bay, Ninh Bin, the Perfume River, and the Mekong. Biking in central Vietnam and a Vespa tour in Saigon. All the hotels were fantastic and luxurious with excellent locations and amazing breakfast buffets.

It was the most luxurious and least stressful trip we’ve ever been on. We saw local life, rural scenery, history, busy cities, and some wonderful relaxing beach time. We also had the luck to be in Saigon for some of the celebrations for their independence day. What a trip! I’d very highly recommend this company for any trips to that area!

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England: well-guided through the hidden gems of the Cotwolds, ablaze with bluebells

CHARLOTTE ROTH | MAY 7, 2025

Travelers Charlotte and Todd at St. Edward’s Church in Stow on the Wold, rumored to have inspired Tolkien’s Doors of Durin.

My husband and I had a wonderful first trip to England, which Katie and Shelbie planned. I’m thankful to Katie for encouraging us to stay four nights in London, rather than three, and she was so right! We were sure three was plenty, but seven would not have been too many. That’s why it’s important for us, for a first-time visit, to turn to Wendy’s advisors.
After London, we took the train to York and the Yorkshire area, then to the Cotswolds, where I fantasized about moving. We landed in the Cotswolds just in time to see the glorious wisteria and bluebells—Katie recommended visiting in the Spring, and she was spot on.

We had guides in all areas who were full of personality, knowledge, and insight. The staff at the recommended hotels in London and the Yorkshire area were over the top with service and sincere friendliness. We felt like part of the family.
Our guide Nick, in York, went above and beyond to make our trip special and to seek out things that we could never find on our own.

After four days touring with Jon, we left the Cotswolds with a new best friend. Having grown up in the Cotswolds, his knowledge was invaluable. When he learned we loved nature and flowers, he drove out of the way to a small wooded area known as the Bluebell Forest, where the entire forest floor was covered in Bluebells. It was stunning, and something we wouldn’t have seen on our own. The next day, he surprised us with a visit to the church where he was married, in a small off-the-path village. The church was small and one of the oldest in the Cotswolds, with a tapestry of the Lord’s Prayer dated to the 1600s. It was the highlight of our trip! This is why a trip planner with connections has so much value.

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Ireland: hawk walk at Ashford Castle, “sights & pints” in Dublin, Titanic Belfast

NATALIE TOMARAS | MAY 6, 2025

Natalie Tomaras with a Harris Hawk at Ashford Castle. Photo: Tim Hauber

Our trip to Ireland was just fantastic. We were very happy with the itinerary as our trip planner listened to our interests (animals, ancestry, and more authentic experiences) and managed to orchestrate a wide range of locales in our 10 days. I would say that some days felt a bit ambitious, but we always felt as if we could exercise control over editing the daily itinerary.

Things to check out: Giant’s Causeway and the Titanic museum in Belfast/Antrim Coast are must-sees. You would think that these things would be touristy and they are—but still very worth it. The museum is done in such an engrossing way—it sets the context of the era, and then draws you into the story completely. Tracy’s Farmhouse kitchen, our sheep farm tour, the hawk walk at Ashford castle and the food tour in Galway were absolutely enjoyable. We were able to have meaningful conversations with people in each of these activities and I discovered that this is really what makes a trip stick with you. The EPIC museum in Dublin was equally as engrossing as the Titanic and also a must-see.

We had a pints and sights tour when we arrived in Dublin—this was scheduled for 4 hours and that was a LONG TIME to be walking and drinking! I would definitely try to shorten this to 2 hours, though our guide was also fantastic and another person with whom we had connected conversations. Plus, after that, we were able to navigate Dublin on foot quite easily.

The most unique experience was definitely the hawk walk at Ashford Castle. Although this might not appeal to everyone, it was a true highlight for me.

We had 2 driver guides and they were amazing! Especially for the 2nd portion of our trip in Ireland. He took care of everything, was flexible, responsive, intrepid in the face of having to navigate a marathon route that kept us from our itinerary, and just a lovely human being. Martin (our driver) took it upon himself to locate a priest in a town where my husband’s relatives were buried in an ancient cemetery. Martin arranged a meeting on the fly with the priest so that my husband could validate his ancestral research. This was WAY above and beyond his call of duty.

We also toured a number of castles, learning about the history of Ireland along the way. Finally, we just got SICK of eating out, and specifically at expensive, posh restaurants. While touring Kilkenny, we sourced fresh bread, cheese, salami, and a bottle of wine to enjoy on the grounds of our hotel which was isolated from any town. This was a highlight for sure. Martin was more than willing to take us back into town for dinner, but eating out for every meal got to be tedious and expensive.

Our trip planner did a fantastic job of listening to our interests and planning a trip to hit on each one in addition to finding great places to stay and unbeatable driver guides.

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Japan: drums, baseball, temples, & the arts— culinary, knives, and papermaking

BOB URBAN | MAY 6, 2025

Bob Urban and family at Yanasi Washi paper making factory.

Party of four for paper-making (plus local experts) at the Yanasi Washi factory.

Andrea and his team put together a wonderful trip for four to Japan. The trip was designed, in part, to sample the culinary arts of Japan from food tasting to food artistry, sake tasting, and even the production of handmade knives. One day we participated in the preparation and cooking of savory pancakes called onomiyaki and gyoza dumplings. They made a delicious lunch! Another day we tasted sake with a very knowledgeable guide. For our tea ceremony, we all dressed in kimono, an experience in itself. Dining with a geisha gave us a window into the past, but with a modern touch. We visited the Ryusen factory which has been producing handmade knives for decades, a skill that evolved over centuries from sword making and handed down in the family.

The trip was not wholly devoted to food, however, as we visited another small manufactory where we made our own paper. We took a lesson in taiko drumming, immersed ourselves in the moving digital light show at TeamLab Borderless, visited the Studio Ghibli Museum, even went to a Tokyo Giants baseball game! Nor did we neglect the ancient history of Japan, visiting important temples and even spending a day in Nara, the capital of Japan during the 8th century.

Our guides proved knowledgeable and accommodating, helping us negotiate the transportation systems and even altering the planned itinerary as requested, on the spur of the moment. Further, the team set up a What’s App “guardian communication avenue, which proved most helpful on a day-to-day basis.

We are happy to recommend Andrea and his planning team to any travelers wishing to visit Japan.

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Ecuador and The Galápagos Islands: Ecuadorian chocolate, Cotopaxi volcano, excursions & animals galore

JOE AND KRIS NAGLICH | MAY 6, 2025

Kris Naglich swinging above Quito, Ecuador.

Traveler Kris Naglich swinging above Quito after riding the teleferico to the peak.

We traveled to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands from 4/3/25 to 4/16/25. Our trip was planned by Ashton from Expedition Trips. After our zoom call with Ashton and deciding we wanted to go to the Galapagos, we worked mainly with Ashley and Monica planning our trip. They were super helpful with our planning and very receptive to changing day trips according to our wishes. They always got back to us in a very timely matter and answered all of our questions. We really appreciated this and we felt well informed about our destination. When I use a planner I really appreciate when they let us know what to pack, how much money to bring, tipping of guides etc… We had all of this information and more.

We started our trip in Quito, Ecuador. Our guide met us at the airport. Vanessa was an excellent guide and having her meet us at the airport gave us all the information we would need for our next day’s tour. We had a full day tour of the old town and a full day tour to Cotopaxi National Park. Both days were so different and we enjoyed every moment. We loved riding the teleferico to the top and hiking to the swing. The churches in the old town were amazing and we learned all about Ecuadorian chocolate from bean to bar. We also enjoyed our hike around the lake and seeing Cotopaxi volcano up close. The lunch we had after at Chilcabamba and the very bumpy ride when it was pouring rain was quite the adventure. Luckily we had the best driver and he tried to miss as many ruts in the road as possible.

Next we flew to the Galapagos for a cruise with National Geographic on the Islander II. The boat was lovely and the service was perfect. We really enjoyed all of our excursions to the islands and seeing the animals of the Galapagos that you can’t see anywhere else. The food was delicious and it was nice to meet other travelers on the boat. I wished our cruise was longer. If I was giving advice for the Galapagos, I would say go for a longer cruise on a smaller boat. It was so amazing that I hope I can go back and see more someday.

Last we stayed at the Mashpi Lodge in the cloud forest for three nights. The lodge was beautiful and peaceful. We felt like we really escaped from it all. We were paired with another family for our hikes and we all had such a good time. Seeing the birds, swimming in the waterfall, our private hot tub night, and watching the hummingbirds were our favorite activities but we really enjoyed everything.

Visiting Ecuador and the Galapagos was never on my bucket list but I’m so glad Ashton suggested it. We will always remember this wonderful trip. We want to plan a trip to Antartica soon and we will be contacting Ashton to help us do our planning.

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Costa Rica: celebratory rafting, rappelling & zip-lining, ceviche lessons on the beach

ANNA KUO | MAY 5, 2025

Anna Kuo and family white water rafting on Pacuare River in Costa Rica.

Staying afloat! “We were celebrating a couple of birthdays and a retirement, and it was such a thoughtful surprise.”

Irene planned an 8 day adventure-filled vacation for our group of 9 adults for the end of March 2025. We knew we wanted to white-water raft on the Pacuare River, followed by a few days on the beach. Irene suggested a few beach destinations and we decided on the Manuel Antonio area.

After an overnight stay in San Jose we were transported to the Pacuare River put-in, about a 2.5 hours drive from San Jose. When we arrived at the river we were greeted by the river guides who showed us how to gear up, and then handed us our helmets that were all decorated with balloons—even the rafts were decorated with balloons! We were celebrating a couple of birthdays and a retirement, and it was such a thoughtful surprise. We rafted on class 11-111 rapids for about 90 minutes and arrived at the incredible Pacuare Lodge, where we stayed for two nights. The lodge was luxurious, well maintained, and the food was delicious.

We signed up to do zip lining and rappelling, which we originally thought would be a bit tame but ended up being another highlight of the trip. The guides took our safety seriously but also made it really fun to step off a platform 30 feet in the air! To depart the Pacuare Lodge we had to also raft out, and that particular leg of the trip had some class 111-1v rapids. There is a section of the river where the water is calm and flows between a high walled canyon—we were allowed to jump out of the rafts and float downstream in this magical place. After enjoying lunch riverside, we rafted to the take-out where we able to shower and then shuttle to the local airstrip for our chartered flight to Manuel Antonio Park.

We stayed three nights at the incredible Arenas del Mar resort. We were immediately greeted by iguanas, sloths and monkeys. The beach was beautiful, as well as the pool overlooking the ocean. The guys spent one day fishing sailfish and also came back with a mahi that the chef served as ceviche that night for dinner. We also took surfing lessons and toured Manuel Antonio Park. The staff at the hotel were incredibly attentive and gracious. On our last night Irene arranged for our whole group to have a cocktail making lesson, followed by a ceviche making lesson, followed by a Latin dance lesson, all on the beach!

The transportation and arrangements throughout the trip were flawless, and Irene’s attention to detail was much appreciated. All of us agreed this was one of the best trips the family ever had, and we are grateful to Irene for helping us create many lasting memories.

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Vietnam, Cambodia & Laos: tree-covered ancient temples, prioritizing greenspace, walking with elephants & water buffalo

ELLEN EISENBERG | MAY 2, 2025

Ellen Eisenberg on a water buffalo in Hoi An, Vietnam.

Visiting gentle water buffalo in the countryside.

Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam, April 2-21, 2025
Just about a month before my desired travel period, I reached out to Ethan to plan a trip to Vietnam and Angkor Wat in Cambodia, which had both been on my list of places to visit. I would have been open to other modes of transportation than flying from city to city, but the pacing of this entire experience was just perfect. After speaking with Ethan, we even added a couple of extra days and Laos to the itinerary. Ethan reminded me that, despite my greater interest in spending time in the countryside, so much to see in Vietnam would be in the cities.

My favorite hotel in Southeast Asia was in Siem Reap, the Jaya House River Park, where the boutique atmosphere, friendly staff, daily massages and delicious breakfasts won the day. My introduction to the region came from Ken Ya, my thoughtful guide (and talented photographer), who carefully gauged my interests and accommodated them thoroughly. The order and pacing of visiting the stunning tree-covered ancient temples and stilt homes (Tonle Sap) was just right. The Khmer cuisine planned for me far exceeded my expectations, and the quiet sunrise snacks were a nice treat. In Laos, the highlight was the Mandalao Elephant Sanctuary, where we got to feed and walk with those special creatures as they get used to a life that feels more like the freedom they were born to experience; no riding them, no sharp picks.

Besides the unique strolling through day and night markets, I was also lucky enough to experience a Buddhist welcome ceremony in my guide Ek’s home, along with his warm and friendly troupe of villagers/relatives. In Vietnam, the highlights were the food-nights-out in Hanoi by foot and in Saigon by Vespa. The food and company were delightful. Outside of Hanoi, while the side trip to not-at-all-ancient Bat Trang should be avoided (we went at my insistence, and it wasn’t a good use of time, though I did purchase my granddaughter’s new tea set there, her favorite gift from the trip), the overnights in Halong Bay were very special, from the sound bowl experience to the beautifully designed, crave-able lunches.

Also worthy of mention, the hard work and kindness by guide Mimi in Central Vietnam to accommodate my needs and interests (from local family food, laundry and custom clothing to water buffalo, extra cycling and the hilltop Hands Bridge) along the way. Also note that Thuy in Saigon was a great companion for this solo traveler, tirelessly finding me greenspace, the perfect Vietnamese coffee in a tiny antiques shop, local Phó and rice wine, as well as fun Vietnamese purchases to round out my whole experience.

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Morocco: Casablanca markets, Marrakech by sidecar, sunrise balloon ride, hiking the Atlas peaks

JENNIFER FLICK | MAY 2, 2025

Jennifer Flick with two local women in a village in Morocco.

Jennifer Flick, hiking the Atlas Mountains, pauses for a tea stop with the hosts in their family kitchen.

We spent 8 full days on the ground in Morocco February 4-11, 2025. When friends ask about our trip to Morocco, we truthfully say that our trip was flawless from the moment we left our front door to the moment we walked back in. In summary, we feel like we got a pretty comprehensive “tasting” of Morocco—history, geography, culture, architecture, religion, food, specialty arts/products, employment situations, both metro and mountains, music, older generations vs. newer mentalities, current “scene,” and some silly fun.

For many years, I have been the trip planner, and a very good one! But this time I just didn’t feel like doing all the research and work, so I used WendyPerrin.com to find someone to do the work for me. Wow, did they deliver! I chose between two companies, both seemed amazing, but I just resonated more with what I read about one. We met with Sara on Zoom, where she reviewed our form that had come to her through WendyPerrin.com. She asked additional questions about our preferences for timing, activities, pace, and personal interests. She noted our requests, and made suggestions we didn’t know about that were great! Although the default itinerary was 1 week, Sara worked with us to design it for 8 full days as we requested.

Initially we thought we wanted to go in December. Sara explained it would be high season due to holidays, very busy, and less choice of preferred accommodations. We appreciate her input on this—that was NOT the experience we wanted! So we pushed our travel back to February. For us the weather was perfect with daytime in the 60s and low 70s; too cool to get into the pools, a little nippy at night on the rooftop patios, so slightly off season. This meant far less people to navigate, shorter lines, more quality time with locals.

We flew into Casablanca and were met by our always-smiling tour guide Mustafa and our safe, kind driver, Abdul. It was FANTASTIC to have the same guide and driver for the entire 8 days. We could adjust the pace and ask endless questions about Moroccan life. When we went through the markets, we noticed that because he is a large man with a tour guide badge, the sales-seas parted—we were not approached repeatedly like the other tourists were. When we wanted to make purchases, Mustafa quietly gave us his input on negotiating pricing. When we suddenly needed a pharmacy item, he talked with locals to quickly find it for us. Abdul, our driver, was always punctual, friendly, but focused on the road at all times—a VERY safe and patient driver! He kept the Mercedes van spotless and filled with snacks and cold water for us.

Upon arrival, we toured the Casablanca mosque, then we were driven to Fez by way of a mind-blowingly amazing private lunch stop at a winery. We toured Fez for 2 days, then onto Marrakech by way of seaside Rabat (with a wonderful rooftop lunch and a stop at the sea to watch the waves crashing on the cliffs). We had 4 full days in Marrakech, then 2 nights in the Atlas Mountains, before flying back home from Marrakesh. We avoided big hotels, preferring the traditional Moroccan riad accommodations. Every morning Mustafa would review our schedule with us, and every evening he would remind us of what we needed to be prepared for the following day—this was JOYOUS for this “retired” planner-in-charge!

Experiences:
We did a beautiful, interesting hike in the Atlas mountains, as I love hiking! My husband had a hip issue, so they provided a mule for him to ride as we hiked. He said she was more comfortable and sure-footed than a horse, and he really enjoyed it! We had a perky, interesting local guide and visited a humble home in a tiny village, which felt very special. At the top of the hike, he had lunch ready for us on a jaw-droppingly beautiful patio facing the snowy peaks.

Although we didn’t know what to expect, we trusted Sara and agreed to the Marrakech sidecar tour. SO MUCH FUN with amazing surprises included—JUST DO IT!
We learned that the hot air balloon industry now supports hundreds of farming families that have lost their crops due to the droughts—their fields have become landing pads, and they work for the balloon companies. We were happy to support them by taking a beautiful sunrise flight, followed by breakfast. The planners set us up in a much smaller balloon basket (8 guests total) than some of the other companies (12-15 people!); details matter!

We took a cooking class from a professional chef who taught us both cooking and culture. We had a great time with the family that provides the class, and I bought my own tagine at a ceramic store to recreate the meal back home.

In general, we found Moroccan people to be very kind and helpful, not only to tourists, but also caring for local disadvantaged people, as well as the many stray cats. It seems to be built into the culture to be kind, and we found that quite endearing.

Thanks to WendyPerrin.com and our planners, this was a flawless trip. We are definitely using WP for the next adventure!

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* Although we have compiled and reviewed these reviews for trip planners to earn a spot on The WOW List, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or truthfulness of the reviews we receive and cannot assure that all travelers will have the same experience.

Spring Break: Amazing Family Trips Made Possible by The WOW List

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You may think that traveling over school holidays means you must tolerate crowds and inflated prices—and that’s true, if you head for a predictable destination like Hawaii or the Caribbean over spring break. But if you expand your horizons to consider the unexpected, spring can be a brilliant time to travel to places that aren’t in peak season. Our own team follows this advice: We’ve taken our families to Morocco, Namibia, and Southeast Asia during our kids’ spring breaks.

Below you’ll find more firsthand reports of family-friendly trips that were educational, active, and thrilling. These travelers all took advantage of a Trusted Travel Expert’s insider intel and careful planning to make the most of their kids’ limited time away from elementary school, high school, or college. Here’s what it means to get a WOW trip.

Canada: “We went on a private snowmobile adventure on the frozen Yukon River, met a local wildcrafter/herbalist…”

Tagish Lake near Carcross, Yukon Territory, Canada.

“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

Read more reviews of Canada trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

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Northern Ireland: “We had a rather unusual request to plan a trip around our seven-year-old’s undying interest in the Titanic…”

Kimberley Liao and family on a bridge between. cliffs in Northern Ireland.

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 seven-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

This trip was arranged by WOW List candidate. Here’s what that means.

Sicily: “Traveling with tweens can be a challenge, but Laura understood how to craft an itinerary that would captivate their imaginations…”

Sun setting behind Mount Etna, casting a warm glow over the colorful hillside town of Cesarò, Sicily.

Whatever Sicily’s weather, having a knowledgeable and flexible guide means adjusting plans to ensure children stay engaged. 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

Read more reviews of Sicily trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

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Morocco: “The kids loved the markets of Marrakech…”

Veronique Padalecki's four children in front of a mosque in Morocco.

“I highly recommend Morocco for a more colorful and vibrant atmosphere so different than the states…”

“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

Read more reviews of Morocco trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

Costa Rica: ““I highly recommend Costa Rica for a family trip because it offered both adventure and activities, as well as beach and relaxing…”

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

Read more reviews of Costa Rica trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

Japan: entertaining three generations with baseball, sumo wrestling, samurai swords, and hiking

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

Read more reviews of Japan trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

Italy: “Even though Maria planned this trip geared to our kids, my husband and I thoroughly enjoyed every moment…”

Beautiful cityscape skyline of Firenze (Florence), Italy, with the bridges over the river Arno

Erin’s family wanted to experience Rome, Umbria, and 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

Read more reviews of Italy trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

London and Oxford with teens: “Our best family vacation by far…”

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

Read more reviews of England trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

START A TRIP TO THE GALAPAGOS

The Galápagos Islands: small-boat cruise with a kid-friendly crew

photo of Sea turtle swimming underwater in the Galapagos island

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

Read more reviews of Galapagos trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

Colombia: cities, coastline, coffee country…

Cartagena de Indias/Colombia, 06/05/2020: The vintage colonials facades of San Diego neighborhood in the heart of walled city

Cartagena’s San Diego neighborhood is lined with colorful facades. 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

Read more reviews of Colombia trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

Malta with activities for three generations

The Fisher 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

Read more reviews of Malta trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

START A TRIP TO THE PHILIPPINES

The Philippines: mother/daughter scuba-diving trip

Traveler Andrea Phillips and daughter Rachel underwater, diving off Balicasag Island, Bohol, Philippines.

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

Read more reviews of the Philippines trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

Poland with teens: WWII history, ancestral roots, gingerbread…

Beautiful Krakow market square, Poland, Europe.

Kraków’s Market Square in 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

Read more reviews of Poland trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

START A TRIP TO POLAND

Belize with 6 people, ages 17 to 60: “an unforgettable experience for the whole family”

Xunantunich Mayan ruins. Photo: Absolute Belize

“We travel a lot but generally to the beaten-track destinations, so Belize was a bit exciting and scary when we were planning! But with Patricia’s help it was an amazing trip that was an unforgettable experience for the whole family—everyone (6 people ranging in age from 17 to 60) loved it (which is rare) and Patricia’s help was just invaluable—so thank you!

In Ambergris Cay we stayed at the Alaia—loved this resort and our villa! Obviously the seaweed situation now is unfortunate, but nothing anyone can do and it affects many Caribbean and Mexican destinations. Loved our snorkeling trip—the reef here is amazing!

Then we moved on to the jungle and Ka-Ana resort—the rooms were very nice and the people were lovely and the special birthday dinner they put together for two members of our party who had a birthday while there was just amazing! This was our favorite part of the trip. We all loved Darryl as a guide—just the right balance for us of adventure and caution, of educating us but not droning on or being boring! The Caracol and Xunantunich Mayan ruin tours were amazing (lots of monkeys and wildlife too!), but the pontoon boat trip was a highlight—I don’t think the description in the brochure does it justice!

Finally we stayed in Placencia at Itzana—loved the resort and the villa and the location. Adored the snorkeling trip to that amazing small island (bird something?); such a fun day in the Caribbean. We enjoyed the spice-farm and chocolate-farm tours as well as a Mayan cooking and drumming demonstration. We also all loved the boat tour of the bioluminescent lagoon and are very glad we added it!”—Regina Olshan

Read more reviews of Belize trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

Southern Spain with daughters in college: food tours, an equestrian show, a Real Madrid Femeninos soccer match…

Aerial evening view of New Bridge over Guadalevin River in Ronda, Andalusia, Spain.

The city of Ronda spreads out beyond the New Bridge over the Guadalevin River. Photo: Shutterstock

“For the first of two weeks in Spain arranged by Pablo, my wife and my daughter who is about to graduate from college hit Seville, Cordoba, Jerez de la Frontera, Ronda, and Granada. It would be hard to pick a favorite, but the highlights were the bull ring and views in Ronda, the equestrian show and mini food tour in Jerez, the old town in Seville, and the Alhambra in Granada. The hotels were just what we asked Pablo for: small, boutique hotels with charm to spare.

Our second week saw us dropping our oldest at the airport and meeting our youngest, who is studying in Madrid for the spring. The highlight was being able to work with Pablo’s guide Alfonso, who took us through the Prado and through Toledo, El Escorial, and Segovia.

In Madrid we stayed at the Totem Hotel, which was absolutely fabulous. A sneaky favorite for us in Madrid was an unplanned visit to Alfredo di Stéfano stadium to see the Real Madrid Femeninos play a match. Another was an impromptu visit to an Arab bath in the lower part of a privately owned building in Toledo. This was only possible because of Alfonso’s incredible connections.” —Neil Theberge

Read more reviews of Spain trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

Mexico: mother/daughter trip in nature

Sea lions swimming and playing, Baja California Sur, Mexico.

Sea lions swimming off Baja California Sur, Mexico. Photo: Shutterstock

“Zach and his wonderful team planned the most outstanding mother-daughter spring break trip to Baja California, Mexico, for my 20-year-old and me. We were interested in a nature-focused experience, spending all of our time on whale watching, sea lions, whale sharks, etc. Zach was so thoughtful, spending a series of phone calls with me figuring out what kind of travelers we were and what kind of experiences would be right. He then proposed the perfect itinerary, including four days in a remote whale-watching camp alongside time in La Paz on private boat excursions to key wildlife sites.

We weren’t excited about spending time in busy Cabo, and he found us an under-the-radar boutique hotel that checked all our boxes (quiet, beautiful, excellent service). His colleague Carolina went out of her way to figure out where we could skip logistics steps and bypass lines. It couldn’t have run more smoothly during a very crowded time in Baja.” —Cate Bradley

Read more reviews of Mexico trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

START A TRIP TO AUSTRIA OR THE CZECH REPUBLIC

Vienna & Prague for a piano-loving teen

PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC - mathematical hall of the Strahov convent library

The mathematical hall of the Strahov Convent Library, Prague. Photo: Shutterstock

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

Read more reviews of Austria and Czech Republic trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

Ireland with teens: “perfect mix of sightseeing, adventure, and downtime…”

Killarney National Park with a scenic tour from Killarney Jaunting Cars.

A horse tour 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

Read more reviews of Ireland trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

Portugal with teens: unique, family-friendly experiences

Lisbon, Portugal skyline with Sao Jorge Castle

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

Read more reviews of Portugal trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

START A TRIP TO DUBAI AND ABU DHABI

Dubai & Abu Dhabi: city sights and desert adventures with 6- and 7-year-olds

The Burj Khalifa in Dubai is 2,722 feet tall, making it the tallest building in the world—for now. 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. Once you exit the Burj Khalifa you end up in Dubai Mall (one of the world’s largest shopping malls), so we ended up walking around the mall and ate at the food court. Our kids had to try the McArabia from McDonald’s, which they thought was pretty good.

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. They greeted us with some dates and a yogurt drink which was cooling in the hot weather. The breakfast was amazing, a lavish buffet having a mix of local delights. All the excursions were perfectly organized. 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. My oldest son loved it and said he would do it again, while my youngest said it was terrible. I would say it was exhilarating, however not for everyone. I would recommend not eating an hour before doing it.

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. After the mosque we requested to go to some local markets, as we needed to get some souvenirs. She took us to a quaint market where they had camel key chains, local embroidered pillowcases, Aladdin lamps which my kids loved.”—Adi Derasari

Read more reviews of Dubai and Abu Dhabi trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

England: London, the Cotswolds, posh hotels, Harry Potter…

England, Cotswolds, Hidcote gardens. Photo: Jonathan Epstein

Hidcote Manor Gardens in the Cotswolds. Photo: Jonathan Epstein

“We traveled to London and the Cotswolds in March. Jonathan and his team helped pick the perfect hotels for us: in London, The Goring, and in the Cotswolds, Lucknam Park. The tours they chose for us were perfect, and we got guides that were great for our family. We especially loved the Mini Cooper Harry Potter tour, and our tour of Oxford and the Cotswolds. Jonathan helped us organize our days so that each day was special but not overwhelmingly busy. The Goring was so charming and English: the bar, breakfast service, and afternoon tea were great, the rooms were beautiful, and the location is great too. In the Cotswolds, Lucknam Park is a beautiful, expansive property. My daughter loves horses, and my son loves being in nature, so it was a great change of pace from London and a relaxing way to end our trip.” —Jessica and Steve Martin

Read more reviews of England trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

Oman with teens: “varied landscapes, interesting culture, very few Americans…”

Tracy Reller's daughter with a local little boy during the meal in Oman.

Tracy Reller’s daughter poses 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

Read more reviews of Oman trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

START A TRIP TO OMAN

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Awesome Asia Trips Created by Wendy’s WOW List

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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.

START A WOW TRIP TO ASIA

Bhutan: “The highlights were interactions with local people. My cooking class with Pema was beyond amazing…”

Peggy Schuemann cooking with locals during a cooking class in Bhutan.

“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…”

John Beveridge and his family at the Ritz Ras Al-Khaimah in United Arab Emirates.

“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.

START A TRIP TO U.A.E.

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.”

Kathryn Wilson and family having a meal in China.

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…”

Michael Ruma at Shizuoka tea fields with tea farmer Takuya Shigeta.

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.”

Christine Stoll and husband in front of a pool at Dusit Thani Himalayan Resort in Dhulikhel, Nepal.

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.

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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.

START A TRIP TO CAMBODIA

India: “She suggested three very different cities which were the perfect combination for a first-time visitor…”

Lauren Schor and her daughter in front of Taj Mahal in India.

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.

START A TRIP TO UZBEKISTAN

Thailand: “We set foot in Myanmar, Laos and Thailand all on the same day…”

Tony Ford-Hutchinson and his wife Jane having a drink in Bangkok, with Wat Arun aglow in the background.

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.

START A TRIP TO THAILAND

Uzbekistan: “The idea of the Silk Road always intrigued me, with camel caravans bringing goods from China to Europe and back…”

Traveler Leon Malkin visiting Zulya's parents in their house in Uzbekistan.

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.

Japan: “We enjoyed learning from the youngest of many generations who have practiced pottery-, candy-, and soba-noodle-making…”

Barbara and Robert Fierman at Senbon Torii in Kyoto.

“Andrea planned the trip of a lifetime for my husband Bob and me and our friends as a joint anniversary celebration. The trip was well-paced and balanced, but also so exciting. Each of our special activities was a blast! My favorites included taiko drumming, where our drumming expert got us to perform a brief but lively routine and then performed for us; having a private tea ceremony with a geisha; and attending a sumo wrestling tournament. We also enjoyed learning from the youngest of many generations who have practiced pottery-, candy-, and soba-noodle-making.

We visited an organic tea farm in Uji where we learned about the industry, picked tea leaves, and were treated to a delicious lunch which included tea leaves prepared tempura-style. We spent a day in Nikko, where we hiked along a massive waterfall to a lake and then visited the magnificent Toshogu Shrine, set in a beautiful forest.

Our overnight on the island of Naoshima provided a glimpse of restored homes turned museums, as well as state-of-the-art museums designed by famed architect Tadao Ando and outdoor installations, including the pumpkin, created by Yauyoi Kusama. Andrea and his team did an amazing job of coordinating the multitude of details this experience involved. We can’t thank him enough.” —Barbara and Robert Fierman

Read more reviews of Japan 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…”

Traveler Sharon Theroux and her husband were hosted for lunch by a local family in the floating village of Prek Toal near Siem Reap, Cambodia.

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.

START A TRIP TO THE PHILIPPINES

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.

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.

India: “One of our favorite stops was the Dera Amer camp, an animal sanctuary and home of elephant rescues…”

Travelers and the elephant at the Dera Amer sanctuary in India.

Michael and Lisa Riggs with new friend Rangmala at the Dera Amer sanctuary.

“As with every WOW List specialist we have worked with over the past five years, we found that Victoria had everything planned and arranged to perfection. Any glitches were handled and fixed immediately. Most notable, after I left a packing cube with my husband’s polo shirts in the Delhi hotel, Victoria’s team managed to retrieve them and get them to us, via a variety of drivers and tour guides, at a later destination. Meanwhile, our guide Vanch suggested we get some shirts made, which was fun, inexpensive, and quick. A great souvenir from India, whether or not you lose yours.

The hotels were 5-star, gorgeous, and even historic. At The Imperial in New Delhi, the site of many historic meetings, we enjoyed sitting at the same table Gandhi did!

In Agra, we were surprised by our WOW Moment: an authentic Hindu marriage ceremony for us! We participated in the rituals, learned a lot, and enjoyed the experience of ‘renewing our vows’ in a different culture. Now we will be together for 7 lifetimes, the priest told us. Luckily, we’re good with that.

Our WOW celebration continued with an excellent dinner of Mughal tandoor cuisine, with a traditional Santoor musician, at the highly rated Esphahan restaurant in our hotel, the Oberoi.

It was wedding season in Rajasthan, and it was fun to see things even more ornately decorated than usual, including horses, elephants, vehicles in the streets and our hotel, The Taj Rambagh Palace (a former Jaipur Maharaja’s palace). The elaborate Mughal gardens were the site of a large and lavish wedding reception, all day and into the night. It was fun and interesting to witness. Even the staff was impressed.

One of our favorite stops was the Dera Amer camp, an animal sanctuary and home of elephant rescues. We fed and took a walk with Rangmala and her mahout, and she allowed us to pet her and pose for photos.

We saw sunset and sunrise at the Taj Mahal and were thrilled to tour the inside of this monument and many other historic forts, temples, mosques and palaces. It was a beautiful trip to a most interesting country.” —Lisa Riggs

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: “We were the only ones there, drifting through the lily pads watching the birds and sunset. It was beautiful and peaceful.”

Panorama of ancient stone door and tree roots.

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…”

Herbal bath with a view at Gangtey Lodge, Bhutan.

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.

START A TRIP TO BHUTAN

India: “The weather was perfect, the guides were flexible and kind, and India is truly a magical place.”

Girls tasting jalebi, a traditional Indian sweet.

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.

Sri Lanka: “Wonderful experiences including a cooking class, a mask carving and painting workshop, and visits to a cinnamon plantation and to a tea factory…”

Travelers surrounded by village kids on their Tea Trail hike in Sri Lanka.

Jan Heininger and husband Jamie Reuter meeting village kids on a Tea Trail hike.

“We had a three-week trip to Sri Lanka planned by Miguel. This very interesting trip covered almost the entire country from the Cultural Triangle with its archaeological ruins, cave temples and Buddhist sacred sites, its historic capitals of Anuradhapura and Kandy, its largest national park (Yala) famed for its leopards, its gorgeous Indian Ocean beaches, its colonial past displayed in the Galle Fort, and its myriad of agricultural products, especially tea and cinnamon.

Miguel’s skill in putting our trip together started when he built in an extra day of rest after our arrival. I agreed to add in the day, in spite of not thinking it necessary—until it was. A snowstorm delayed our departure from DC, causing us to miss our connecting flight in Doha. We ended up with a 9-hour airport layover and didn’t get to our hotel until 4 am. We were very grateful to sleep late the next morning and snooze by the pool that afternoon.

Miguel also ensured that we had a flexible schedule. Our driver, Thissa, could say, “Let’s stop and see that bird,” or we could stop and taste a Golden coconut or visit a local market where we were introduced to many unfamiliar vegetables and fruits that are essential elements of Sri Lankan cuisine.

Miguel had us stay in wonderful places, including two Aman resorts on the south coast. At Amanwella, we took one of the best cooking classes we’ve ever had with the Executive Chef. At Amangalla in Galle Fort, we went for a bike ride in the countryside (beware of heat exhaustion), toured the Fort with a terrific local guide, and had a workshop making and painting traditional Sri Lankan masks. Miguel also booked us into Castlereagh, a five-room, former tea plantation manager’s bungalow. We were told to treat it like our home—just tell them what we wanted to eat and when.

We could not have planned this trip by ourselves. Miguel has access to unique experiences. We spent an afternoon in Kandy with an artist and his artist daughter. Miguel directed us to accommodations he knew would meet our not-even-known-to-us needs. The night before we left Sri Lanka, we were lucky to have dinner with Miguel and his lovely wife. It was a treat to meet with and talk to the man who was behind our trip.

What makes Wendy’s trip specialists stand out from the usual run-of-the-mill travel agents is that they—and Miguel—listen carefully to what you’re looking for in a trip. They have access to experiences you could never find on your own and include things you had no idea you wanted and end up delighted you experienced them. The mask my husband carved from a block of balsa wood and the two we painted are off being framed right now and will always be physical reminders of our time in Sri Lanka.” —Jan Heininger

Read more reviews of Sri Lanka 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…”

Ingredients in bowl for preparing Vietnamese rice noodles.

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…”

Travelers on Peradeniya Botanical Garden's Avenue of Royal Palms, Sri Lanka.

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.

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Thailand: “The stories behind some of the elephants were heartbreaking, but it was good to know that they could live out the rest of their lives being well taken care of.”

The Elephant Nature Park outside Chiang Mai, Thailand. Photo: Traveler Bruce Tylock

“With a short lead time of about two weeks due to my last-minute China business travel, we decided to use Wendy Perrin’s travel service. We were matched up with Dan and Obb. We wanted to focus on food, culture and markets. We had a great time experiencing the street food of Bangkok. Thailand street food is amazing. We also loved our longboat tour to see the sights in Bangkok from the river. From the water, we saw the Wat Paknam giant buddha that was incredible.

From there, we were off to Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai. We loved our guide, Yawan, for this portion of the trip. We loved our hike through the tea and coffee fields in Chiang Rai. Yawan knew all the different types of plants along the way, and it was very interesting to see all the different herbs, fruits, and vegetables growing along the roads. We had a great stop at the Elephant Nature Conservation Sanctuary Park outside of Chiang Mai. The stories behind some of the elephants were heartbreaking, but it was good to know that they could live out the rest of their lives being well taken care of by the staff at the camp.

We were then on to the final leg of our trip in Phuket—and Dan and Obb saved the best activities for last! Our guide, Pong, gave us a great overview of Old Town Phuket and took us out for some delicious food at some local favorite restaurants. The next day was our favorite excursion of the whole trip: The John Gray sea kayak tour. Everywhere we looked was incredibly beautiful, and we will forever remember the night kayaking where we made an offering to the water goddess and got to see the luminescent phytoplankton, which was an amazing sight!

It was tough to follow up the sea kayaking, but we also had a great time at our cooking class the next day. Chef Pui at the Brass Wok was so much fun to talk with about food and restaurants, and she showed us how to make several delicious Thai dishes. I’d always been intimidated by Thai cooking. However, when I arrived back home the following week, I headed to the Asian grocery store for supplies and was able to reproduce the same delicious dishes that Chef Pui taught us to make.

It was very thoughtful that our guides in the different areas communicated with each other so that it felt like the guides already knew us when we arrived. When we told Dao in Bangkok that we were interested in getting some makrut lime leaves to take home with us, she contacted Yawan in Chiang Mai, who gave us a bag of dried lime leaves from the tree at his home.” —Amy and Bruce Tylock

Read more reviews of Thailand trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

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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.

Indonesia: “An exceptionally beautiful country, with interesting history, gorgeous art and relics, and incredible food….”

Chris Kloes and her family in East Java, Indonesia, viewing Mount Bromo and its caldera at sunset.

“Our trip to Indonesia vastly exceeded our high expectations! We thought Indonesia was an exceptionally beautiful country, with interesting history, gorgeous art and relics, and incredible food. And the people were unfailingly kind everywhere we went. We are grateful for Diane’s help. She helped shape this trip from the initial concept to the finished itinerary and also deftly managed a curveball along the way. She’s deeply knowledgeable and unflappable, exactly what you want from a travel planner. Highly, highly recommend her!

Our family trip (me, my husband, and my 12-year-old son) was 3 weeks long and had 4 distinct chapters, which flowed very well.

Mt. Bromo
Diane helped us navigate a curveball at a destination we had initially planned to visit after the hotel was hit by lightning and had limited electricity as a result. Diane suggested a couple of alternatives and we decided to change that leg of the trip entirely. We are so glad we did and are so happy we went to Mt. Bromo! The Plataran Bromo was one of the best hotels we’ve stayed at in the world (and we’ve been to fabulous hotels in over 50 countries), both the facility, but especially the exceptional level of service. We met so many kind people there and ate truly delicious food. The staff went over-the-top to help our son, even going as far as to take him horseback riding while we enjoyed a massage. This was definitely our favorite of all of the lovely hotels and places we stayed. Our excursions were also very memorable. I mean, we rode horses across a sea of sand and climbed an active volcano! We especially appreciated the sunset tour of Mt. Bromo and the caldera. We were virtually alone to watch the sunset and had some unparalleled views.

Yogyakarta
Diane connected us to a local guide, Emmanuel, who was amazing. His English was excellent and he had a wealth of interesting info to share with us. We loved the sunrise breakfast at the hotel overlooking Borobudur, and especially appreciated the talk by the local guide who ran the breakfast. That guide had a deep knowledge of Borobudur and shared details about the history and importance of the temple. We also loved visiting the temple — it is truly amazing and so beautiful. We had an excursion and our son really enjoyed learning how to make batik. The people who worked at the batik shop were all very patient and sweet to him as they showed him the multi-step process. Plataran Bromo was again an exceptional property. We lucked into an incredible room, with a private pool overlooking Borobudur. It was incredible to look out as the sun set, the bats dipped in and out of our pool, and the numerous calls to prayer competed in a hypnotic melody. The villa was excellent, with our master bedroom and a comfy large cot in the adjoining room for our son. We enjoyed seeing Yogyakarta, touring the Water Castle and Sultan’s Palace — we took local rickshaws, which was a ton of fun and a great way to see the area.

Gilli Trawangan
Diane helped us with the overview of this island, but we managed most of the details here ourselves, as we had a rental home. We are glad that we stayed at the north end of the island, close to Turtle Beach. It was stunningly beautiful and much quieter than the east side, which is more of a party area. Being able to snorkel at the beach right across from our villa was amazing, and we saw many sea turtles, which was a magical experience.

Lombok
This felt like the most authentic leg of our stay. Diane recommended the gorgeous Hotel Tugu Lombok, which is rich with antiques and local art. We had a magical room, with the private pool overlooking the beach. The location is fairly remote, but we took advantage of the hotel’s bikes to explore the local area. Everyone was so welcoming!! My husband and son took a walk down the beach by the local public beach area, which was cute as they met some local girls who were especially interested in talking with our son. Our local guide was able to help us pivot after we decided we wanted some changes to the planned activities, and we visited a fantastic local market that was only about 1 hour from the Tugu. We also took a cooking class arranged by the hotel, which we all really enjoyed. We cooked local specialties and then ate our creations at a feast of a lunch.

Overall, this was an incredible trip and we highly recommend going to Indonesia and using Diane to help plan your trip!” —Chris Cloes

Read more reviews of Indonesia trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

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Japan: “A cooking class at the home of a chef with an amazing history, visiting a sword maker, and a sake (actually nihonshu) tasting class…”

A traditional onsen ryokan hot spring inn Japanese hotel in the middle of nature.

A traditional onsen ryokan Japanese hotel. Photo: Shutterstock

“Our family of 6 (mom, dad, and four 20-something kids) recently got home from a 16-day trip in Japan created by Scott’s colleague Jason. Jason helped us shape a trip that worked well for our family and really took into account our interests and preferences. We started in Tokyo with our guide Narumi, who stayed with us for the whole trip. Our guide met us the first day and suggested we go ‘off itinerary’ for a special local event, the Kanda Myojin Shrine Parade, and we watched hundreds of people from many neighborhoods celebrate and dance with their shrines. We also saw all the major sites and had a few special and memorable experiences: our favorites in and near Tokyo were a cooking class at the home of a chef with an amazing history, visiting a sword maker, and a sake (actually nihonshu) tasting class. For the rest of our trip we had fun finding and ordering sakes of different types.

We next visited Kanazawa to see several UNESCO World Heritage Sites that were beautiful and interesting and stayed in a fantastic onsen ryokan that gave us a taste of hot-spring bathing and provided more of a Japanese feeling than traditional western hotels. In Kyoto, we visited temples—some with amazing views—a bamboo forest, a building housing 1,000 Buddha statues from the 1200s, and some terrific shrines. We had a Taiko drum class—a real hoot for the whole family—and had a moving and relaxing Zen Buddhism experience. We saw many gorgeous meditative gardens where we could have spent hours. Our daughter also found a ‘Pig Café’ (think ‘Cat Café’ but with little pigs) which was…different and fun.

En route to Kyoto, one of our kids left a phone on the train and our guide did a great job of working the (impressive) Japanese systems for finding and reclaiming lost items—far, far different than it would have been in the U.S. And yes, we got it back three days later before leaving the area.

We specifically requested a stop in Hiroshima, which we found particularly moving and profound and such a testament to the evil of nuclear weapons and resilience of the Japanese people. A local specialty, an Okonomiyaki dinner, was a real treat—never had anything like it. Another favorite location was Naoshima, which was completely Jason’s suggestion. We’d never heard of it. We’ve told several friends about ‘the art islands’ since we’ve been back. We could have easily spent an extra day or two, and the art and experience was truly memorable.” —Andy Kaplan

Read more reviews of Japan trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

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Indonesia: “As special as Bali is, Flores Island/Komodo National Park (a 1-hour flight from Bali) was the highlight of the trip for our family.”

Komodo National Park is an island's paradise for diving and exploring. The most popular tourist destination in Indonesia, Nusa Tenggara.

Komodo National Park in Nusa Tenggara. Photo: Shutterstock

“Overall our trip to Bali and Komodo was absolutely amazing, and I can’t thank Diane enough for her guidance in planning. As special as Bali is, Flores Island/Komodo National Park (a 1-hour flight from Bali) was the highlight of the trip for our family. The experience of trekking around Rinca and Komodo Islands to see the Komodo dragons was incredible. And very little trekking needed to view them, really—there were several of the giant lizards cruising the pier and beaches when we arrived by speedboat at Komodo! Later on, snorkeling at a beautiful pink sand beach was literally like diving into the world of Finding Nemo, and we also marveled at the giant fruit bats, emerging from their roost in the mangroves at sunset.

Truly magical and I only wished we had allotted more time to explore this beautiful area, which is about to explode with tourism, given the Indonesian government’s plan to promote the region. Several new hotels are under construction—go now while it’s still somewhat quiet!” —Karen Dalton

Read more reviews of Indonesia 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.

START A TRIP TO THAILAND AND CAMBODIA

Thailand and Cambodia: “A way of life that we couldn’t have imagined…”

Floating Market near Bangkok. Photo: Traveler Jeff Lonsinger

“Several friends and I volunteered at the Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai, Thailand. After our week there, we wanted to spend more time traveling on our own, so we called Dan. Our instructions were minimal: A leisurely pace with some hiking and biking, and small, beautifully designed hotels.

Taking it from there, Dan and his experience planner, Bank, put together a perfect itinerary with just the right amount of activity. They suggested three nights in Chiang Rai, three nights in Siem Reap, Cambodia, and the last three nights in Bangkok. In northern Thailand, we hiked through coffee and tea plantations, through rice paddies, and cherry orchards. A highlight was a visit to the Royal Villa and Gardens in Doi Tung. Learning about Mae Fah Luang, the princess mother who developed this area, was fascinating as well.

Next it was on to Siem Reap, where we visited the UNESCO World Heritage Site Angkor Wat, along with several other temples. The town itself was a surprise, with upscale hotels and sophisticated restaurants. We really enjoyed our visit to Theam’s Gallery, where Cambodian artist Lim Muy Theam and apprentices are reestablishing Khmer art and culture.

In Bangkok we stayed at a lovely small hotel right on the Chao Phraya River and within walking distance of the royal palace. We loved our morning bike ride through neighborhoods and temples in an area of the city not often frequented by tourists. In the evening we enjoyed a tour of the local food scene, with many opportunities to try unusual fare! Fermented fish, water beetles, and live shrimp, if you are brave enough! Our last morning was spent at a floating market about an hour outside of Bangkok. This was very touristy, but a lot of fun… a way of life that we couldn’t have imagined! That evening we celebrated our wonderful adventure with drinks and dinner on the 59th floor of the Banyan Tree Hotel. Dan and Bank created the perfect trip.” —Jeff Lonsinger

Read more reviews of Thailand and Cambodia trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

Cambodia & Vietnam: Angkor Wat at sunrise, street food tours, even sand worm pancakes…

David Wertheimer and friends at Angkor Wat in Cambodia during their WOW trip

“Our trip to Cambodia and Vietnam from January 21st to February 6th, was spectacular. We started in Phnom Penh, and traveled from there to Siem Reap, the Angkor Wat temple complex, Saigon, Cu Chi, Hoi An, Hue, Hanoi and Ha Long Bay. Andy‘s team prepared our itinerary and arranged for personal guides at each of our stops. The guides were knowledgeable, friendly, and provided both historical information and personal stories that placed the horrors of the eras of the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia and the U.S. military activities in Vietnam within the context of our visit and our understanding of current life in both nations.

Our guides also provided us with street food tours that allowed us to sample some of the most unusual dishes we’ve ever eaten. (The sand worm pancakes were delicious!) We had postponed our trip for three years because of COVID, and felt safe and comfortable traveling, especially because the tourist crowds are still minimal. There were multiple “wow,” bucket-list moments, including Angkor Wat at sunrise (get there early!) and Ha Long Bay, to name just two of them.” —David Wertheimer

This trip was arranged by a WOW List candidate. Here’s what that means.

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Mongolia: photo ops of deserts and steppes, adventures in wildlife spotting…

Ger yurt tents at Three Camel Lodge in Gobi Desert of Mongolia at sunrise

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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Dad Scores! Trips Fathers Say Were a Home Run With the Family

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Looking for a family trip to satisfy a wide range of tastes and interests? The fathers who planned the vacations described below achieved the grand slam of family travel: destinations, activities, and meals that appealed to everyone. These travelers all used The WOW List to find the right trip planner who could deliver the maximized experience and VIP treatment for special interests, special milestones…and the most special of all, bonding experiences and shared memories. Here’s how to get your own WOW trip.

British Virgin Islands charter: “One of the benefits of this type of vacation is the flexibility and spontaneity it allows…”

The Silverman family in Little Lameshur Bay, St. John, USVI.

A “magical week” of island-hopping on a private boat suited the needs of everyone. 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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Wyoming: “The fact that Jenny Lake Lodge was near the trailheads of several great hikes was a real plus…”

Dean Nance and family in The Teton Range, North America.

Three generations came together to enjoy a hiking trip to Wyoming.

“There were five of us, from three generations—Grandfather, Son-in-law, and three Grandsons—on our Tetons trip. Melissa organized the trip for us. The Tetons are an incredible experience!

Where to start? Jenny Lake Lodge was a fantastic place. Great location, right in the middle of the Tetons. Wonderful meals, including five-course dinners and multiple options for breakfasts. We enjoyed the tours Melissa arranged for us. It was so nice that they were private—meaning, that they included only our group. The guides went to great efforts to find wildlife for us to view and to do such things as to get us to Old Faithful at a time it was about to erupt.

All five of us particularly enjoyed the hikes that we took on our free days. The fact that Jenny Lake Lodge was near the trailheads of several great hikes was a real plus. Last, but not least, Melissa was wonderful. We could never have done it without her!” —Dean Nance

Read more reviews of American West trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

START A TRIP TO THE AMERICAN WEST

Kenya: “I wanted a trip for a lifetime to celebrate my 70th birthday with my two daughters…”

Two young lion cubs ( Panthera Leo) looking at the camera, Samburu National Reserve, Kenya.

“We saw all of the five big animals, as well as every other one that we set out to see.” Photo: Shutterstock

“I wanted a trip for a lifetime, to celebrate my 70th birthday with my two daughters. Cherri and Frankie planned a ‘perfect’ itinerary based on my list of requirements. They picked three great camps in Kenya, all with slightly different ecosystems, that were all 5-star accommodations. I was blown away with each camp as we arrived, not just for the physical accommodations but the site locations as well. The Kenyan people we met were the nicest people and became family very quickly.

The safari guides that were assigned to us were specifically requested by Cherri and, we found out, were the site’s #1 guides. We saw all of the five big animals, as well as every other one that we set out to see. They knew exactly where to look and their habits to allow us to observe them as closely as possible in their natural habitat. One of the many highlights we experienced was, when visiting a Masai village, our guide saw a goat on the side of the road in the middle of giving birth, so he pulled over, got out of the car and actually delivered the baby, and then got back in the jeep as if nothing happened and continued on.

We finished our trip just relaxing on the beach at Diani, on the Indian Ocean at a stunning resort that topped it all off.” —Andrew Ellish

Read more reviews of African safaris. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

Italy: “A trip that all our children and grandchildren will remember for the rest of their lives…”

The three-generation anniversary trip included Florence, Rome, Milan, and more. Photo: Shutterstock

“Our trip to Italy for Marci’s and my 50th anniversary was fantastic. The anniversary dinner for the 20 of us (ages 3 to 78) was a true banquet, prepared in one of our two villas by the Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco staff.

All of us loved the pizza- and gelato-making dinner in Rome. We also enjoyed a WOW Moment in Siena, where an artist who had made one of the banners for the winning district in the Palio horse race made a sketch for Marci and me.

Jennifer and her team added great value to our trip. The planning for a group of 20 was difficult enough, but they also came through in the face of unexpected glitches. The grandson I was supposed to take on a side trip to Milan, to see The Last Supper and a performance of Tosca at La Scala, was sick and had to stay behind in Venice. One of my other grandsons was happy to substitute, but the train tickets and ticket to the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie were in a different boy’s name. Somehow, Jennifer’s team was able to get the tickets switched with almost no notice!

When the two of us were supposed to meet the other 18 in Florence, but the train from Milan was delayed, Jennifer’s team arranged a car at the last minute. They were also great helping us rearrange several of our restaurant reservation numbers and times—again, on very short notice. It is a trip that all our children and grandchildren will remember for the rest of their lives.” —Richard Abt

Read more reviews of Italy trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

Chile: “Hiking, horseback riding, whitewater rafting, cruising across an Andean lake surrounded by volcanoes…”

John Strachan and his family cruising on Lago Todos los Santos with Volcán Osorno in the background, Chile.

John Strachan and family cruising Lago Todos los Santos, with Volcán Osorno in the background.

“All we told Tom was that we wanted to go to the Atacama Desert and then somewhere else in Chile where there would be fun, outdoor activities for our kids (10 and 12). Animals would be a bonus. And, in deference to the kids, we didn’t want to spend too much time in cities. We ended up hiking, horseback riding, whitewater rafting, cruising across an Andean lake surrounded by volcanoes, and more.

The Atacama Desert deserves top billing. It’s 40,000 square miles (half the size of Kansas) of the driest desert on earth. It’s harsh, and inhospitable, and why would anyone go there? Because it’s flat-out stunning. The geothermal activity has churned up volcanoes, mountains, salt formations, sand dunes, and rainbows of color. We were surrounded by otherworldly beauty and never saw another human. It was unique and dream-like.

From the desert to the rich forests and crystal pools of Chile’s Lake District. The terrain was stunning, the hotel was ideal, and the activities were abundant—lake cruising, paddleboarding, whitewater rafting. Our family fell in love with the region and were only sorry not to have more time. Wendy’s crew hooked us up with Tom, and this is the second great trip he has planned for us. So huge thanks to both Tom and Team Perrin.” —John Strachan

Read more reviews of Chile trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

Malta: “He scheduled our days perfectly to see everything while also balancing the needs of a 9-month-old…”

Molly Borque and nine-month-old Jude on a sunset boat ride from Valletta to Senglea.

“I just returned from a trip to Malta with my wife, Molly, and nine-month-old son, Jude. I knew from my initial conversations with Damon that he was going to plan a trip tailored well to our needs and tastes, but throughout our seven days in Malta, it got better and better! He put us in a hotel perfectly located in Senglea, walking distance from Birgu and a quick boat ride or short drive over to the capital city of Valletta. He scheduled our days perfectly to see everything Malta has to offer, while also balancing the needs of a nine-month-old!

Our guide Robert was one of the most knowledgeable, flexible, kind individuals I have ever encountered! We had more than one wow experience on our trip, but the one that stands out to me (due to our Catholic faith) was when Damon and Robert surprised us with a visit with one of the cloistered Jerosolimitan nuns at the Church and Monastery of Saint Ursula in Valletta. We felt so lucky and blessed to have that experience!

I also want to give a shout-out to our driver Alex, who was so good to us! Both he and Robert watched our son Jude so my wife and I could enjoy certain times, such as wow experience #2: On our day trip to the island of Gozo, Damon arranged for a private picnic on a secluded beach. Waves rolling in, champagne, local cheeses and meats, etc. Truly stunning!” —Craig Borque

Read more reviews of Malta trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

START A TRIP TO SWITZERLAND

The Swiss Alps: “Our active hiking, kayaking, paragliding trip was exactly what we were looking for…”

Andy Shafran and family spelling “O-H-I-O” (where they’re from) during a private kayak trip on Lake Brienz.

“Switzerland was a beautiful country and our active hiking, kayaking, paragliding trip was exactly what we were looking for. We booked a trip with our 18- and 21-year-old children to celebrate graduation and be outdoors as much as possible. Nina and her staff helped us build an itinerary that maximized the experiences and minimized the hassle and travel time. We spent two days in Zurich/Rhine Falls, three days in Grindelwald, and three days in Lucerne. There is so much to do that we felt we could have stayed an extra week just in these three locations.

Our major interest was hiking, and we had a guided tour up Mt. Grindelwald first, which included a gondola ride up and a Trottibike ride down (highly, highly recommended). Then we took the train to the Jungfrau and even though it was pricey for that part of the trip, well worth it for the views and incredible Alpine experience. Thumbs up: Rhine Falls, Trümmelbach Falls, Aare Gorge hike, Lake Brienz kayak trip, and our full-day peak-to-peak hike on Mt. Rigi where we ate lunch at Berghaus Unterstetten on the side of the mountain with incredible views and good food.

All three hotels we stayed in were unique, terrific locations, and have fun quirks, such as the private funicular car that takes you up from Lake Lucerne to the Art Deco Hotel Montana.” —Andy Shafran

Read more reviews of Switzerland trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

Costa Rica: “We were able to mix in plenty of activities with some relaxation…”

White-Headed Capuchin monkey in Manuel Antonio, the rainforest of Costa Rica.

The excursion to Corcovado National Park rewarded the family with three types of monkeys. Photo: Shutterstock

“My wife and I, along with our three children (elementary, high school, and college age), worked with Priscilla in the planning of a trip to Costa Rica in March. We were able to mix in plenty of activities with some relaxation.

Our first stay was at The Springs Resort and Spa in the Arenal Volcano area. The hotel offered plenty for the children to do beyond swimming. The waterfall rappelling excursion Priscilla recommended was very fun. At the hotel we spotted sloths and toucans, and the view of the volcano from the hotel room was spectacular.

Our next stop was La Paloma Lodge in Drake Bay, on the Osa Peninsula. The Sunset Rancho offered a fantastic view of the ocean, and the meals were great. Our excursion to Corcovado National Park was a highlight and we were able to see Howler Monkeys and troops of both White-Faced Capuchin and Spider Monkeys. We also saw an arboreal anteater, Coatimundis, and a saltwater crocodile. Priscilla set up a wonderful night tour where we were able to see snakes, frogs, spiders, a scorpion, and even a fleeting glimpse of a Kinkajou. Cocolito Beach by the lodge offered some great waves for boogie boarding and never felt crowded. From beginning to end, Priscilla and the team provided a lot of details/organization so we could just enjoy the trip.” —Nelson Mongiovi

Read more reviews of Costa Rica trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

New Zealand: “With 6 people from 13-80, Jean-Michel did a great job finding activities that we would all love…”

aerial view of Queenstown New Zealand on water

“Queenstown & surroundings were great—walking trails, gardens, gorgeous lake and mountain views.” Photo: Shutterstock

“My grandfather was in the Dutch Navy and spent time in New Zealand many years ago. He always spoke about how beautiful it was and how it was his favorite place he had ever visited. So when we asked my dad where he would like to go for his 80th birthday, he said New Zealand! We just got back from the most incredible trip planned by Jean-Michel and his team. We were traveling with 6 people from 13 to 80 years old, and Jean-Michel did a great job finding activities that we would all love.

We had only nine days so we stayed on the west coast of the South Island and there was plenty to explore. We started in Te Anu at the Fiordland Lodge and loved the beautiful lodge and surroundings. We hiked, went fishing, and explored Milford Sound by boat. The scenery was beyond breathtaking everywhere we went! Our next stop was Queenstown and we stayed at the historic Eichardt’s Private Hotel. We had a lovely wine tasting day in Central Otago with the best guide and driver (Beau Rapley) and our daughter even went bungee jumping from the Kawarau Bridge. She loved it!! The city of Queenstown & surroundings were great – plenty of walking trails, gardens, gorgeous lake and mountain views. Not to mention great food and wine!

The last place we visited was Wild Earth Lodge in Makarora. It was the most serene and beautiful little inn run from the home of Pete and Janine. They took great care of our whole family & cooked the most delicious meals! We spent our days there hiking to the Blue Pools and having some relaxing down time. We also had our most exciting day—a helicopter tour over Mt Aspiring National Park, a hike through Siberia Valley, and a thrilling jet boat ride back down the Wilkin River. The whole trip was outstanding and we wouldn’t have been able to do it without Jean-Michel.”—Alana Jacobson

Read more reviews of New Zealand trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

START A TRIP TO BRAZIL AND ARGENTINA

Brazil and Argentina: “The kids and we were active, engaged, and thrilled by every place we went…”

Girl and a gaucho standing on horses in San Antonio de Areco, Argentina.

John Strachan’s daughter and a gaucho take a stand on their horses. Photo: Traveler John Strachan

“We spent a magnificent three weeks visiting Brazil and Argentina with our 11-year-old daughter and 13-year-old son. We hit six locales in 21 days (Rio, Paraty, and Iguazú in Brazil; Buenos Aires, Iberá National Park, and San Antonio de Areca in Argentina), but Paul and Lucinda’s itinerary made it work seamlessly. Right up front, we told them our three priorities. 1) With the kids along, we needed to DO stuff, not just visit museums and tour cities. 2) We wanted to build active memories. 3) We didn’t need to see all the usual spots. They NAILED it. The kids and we were active, engaged, and thrilled by every place we went.

In Rio, our highlight was a cycling tour of the city with bike-riding botanist Patricia, past Copacabana and Ipanema beaches, ending at the botanical gardens. We got to see more than if we had walked, and far more than if we had hopped from place to place in a car. And the kids had fun just riding.

Next, a five-hour drive to the charming former port town of Paraty. The town is on an enormous bay, and Paul and Lucinda booked a boat for us for a day exploring the bay’s islands, swimming spots, and restaurants with Captain Andre. A great way to see a stunning spot and learn some local history while letting the kids be kids and play in the water for a day.

Rincón del Socorro in Iberá National Park is one of the most wondrous places I have ever visited. My wife says the closest thing is safari in Kenya, and it felt very Out of Africa. It is a former farm that was bought and rewilded by the family that founded The North Face. What they have done is stunning. We stayed in one of their old cottages and spent the next few days exploring different nearby ecosystems on foot and e-bikes, in jeeps and a boat.

Then we were off to Buenos Aires. Our highlight here was an afternoon with a local family. We chatted, enjoyed wine, cooked under their guidance, and stuffed ourselves with a delicious, traditional Argentine asado—their famous grilled meats feast. The family Paul and Lucinda linked us up with was lovely, as was their home. Super warm and hospitable, and a great chance not just to play, swim in their pool, and eat well, but to learn more about Argentine life today.

Then we stepped back in time, to the gaucho town of San Antonio de Areco. We had a quiet little three-room inn to ourselves. At night, we sat around the outdoor fire listening to legendary local troubadours play guitar and sing songs of old. It felt like we were treasured guests in a good friend’s home. The local gauchos taught our daughter to gallop and even had her standing on horseback, albeit while stationary.

Paul and Lucinda’s expertise in these two huge countries was invaluable. They turned our trip into a once-in-a-lifetime experience that we never knew was possible.” —John Strachan

Read more reviews of Brazil and Argentina trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

The Mediterranean islands of Malta and Gozo: “The itinerary was heavy on outdoor activities to keep the grandkids engaged…”

Three generations enjoying a gorgeous quad-bike adventure on Gozo. Photo: Traveler Bill Fisher

“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.

Read more reviews of Malta trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

Belize: “We had a true day-of-days on a catamaran charter to Moho Caye…”

Travelers Jeremy Silverman and his family taking a selfie in Belize.

Jeremy Silverman’s favorite day in Belize was the day he and his family spent sailing on a private catamaran.

“We had another fantastic family vacation to Belize with expert planning, care and support from Patricia and Rachael. Belize is a beautiful and easy-to-reach destination from our home in Atlanta, with a wide range of activities, both on the water and inland. What stands out most about Belize is the warmth and authenticity of its people and culture. Belize is an incredible melting pot—Belizeans come from a variety of backgrounds, including Mayan, Garifuna, Creole, Mennonite and more, and almost everyone speaks at least three languages (including English). This diversity shows through all aspects of Belizean culture, cuisine, art and perhaps is part of why everyone seems so genuinely welcoming of visitors.

We had a true day-of-days on a catamaran charter to Moho Caye. This was an epic experience and probably a top-ten day of life so far. The boat and crew were amazing, we caught a fish on the way that Captain Jimmy grilled on the beach for lunch, did some great snorkeling at Moho (a picture-perfect tropical island) and had an otherwise spectacular experience.

We stayed at the Naia Resort, which was a great spot for our family of four, including our 20-year-old son and 16-year-old daughter. We rented a three-bedroom private villa right on the beach, with nothing between us and the water other than palm trees and a hammock. The villa provided truly separate living/sleeping/bathing space for me and my wife, our son and daughter, which is key to a great family vacation.

Back in Atlanta, we operate as the unofficial Belizean tourism board and have encouraged several other families to visit and they’ve all been very happy they did.” —Jeremy Silverman

Read more reviews of Belize trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

Morocco: “The most wonderful five-day adventure for me (age 54) and my son (age 21)…”

Dades Gorge by the Dades River in Morocco,

“Our day trip to the Atlas Mountains was gorgeous and like a different nation.” Photo: Shutterstock

“Michael planned the most wonderful five-day Morocco adventure for me (age 54) and my son (age 21). Michael had the challenge of creating an itinerary that suited both of us. What resulted was awesome. The riads (hotels) were like nothing we’d ever experienced. Tucked into the windy small alleys of the medina and old city, they were hidden gems. Small but luxurious. Historic. Beautiful. With incredible staff. I will miss a riad every time I now stay in a big city hotel. The food choices were excellent. One evening, we were having trouble getting into a ‘hot’ spot (per my 21-year-old) and they helped us secure a reservation at a perfect time.

The sights in Marrakech were fantastic—from the Secret Garden to the souk, from the Yves St. Lauren and Berber museums to the palaces, from the developing ‘new’ city to the giant central square to Jewish history, the sights selected were spot-on. And, knowing we’d have some time without guides at the end of the trip, our guide’s suggestions on what to do while we were solo were awesome.

Outside of Marrakech, our glamping evening in the local desert (not the Sahara, but still fun with ATV and camel rides) was very cool. The particular tent site was fantastic, with great food and music. Then our day trip to the Atlas Mountains was gorgeous and like a different nation. Our local guide for our hike was perfect and his knowledge of history, flora and fauna rocked!

Sadly, five days was not enough and next time it will be much longer.” —Josh Berman

Read more reviews of Morocco trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

Portugal: “Small, unique hotels really enriched our experience of the locations…”

Vineyards in the Valley of the River Douro, Portugal

While the kids are in summer camp, dad can go wine-tasting in Portugal’s Douro Valley. Photo: Shutterstock

“We submitted Wendy’s questionnaire and then had a very substantive call with Goncalo to talk about what we particularly enjoyed about prior trips and specific likes and dislikes. Our travel dates were totally inflexible because they were dictated by our kids’ summer camp schedules. This meant we had only one week for Portugal—in peak season. Our goal was to somehow thread the needle between exploring a country we’d never visited, having deep and personal experiences, avoiding tons of crowds, not bouncing around too much, and relaxing. Got it? Goncalo put together an itinerary that fit exactly what we were looking for. He had us stay in three different, small, unique, hotels—Areias do Seixo (on the coast an hour north of Lisbon), Barrocal in the Alentejo, and Santiago de Alfama in Lisbon—and each really enriched our experience of the locations.

Our favorite stop was the Alentejo region, and we would highly encourage others to include it in their plans. It’s beautiful, serene, has very special medieval towns, is extremely welcoming to visitors, and is much less visited than Lisbon, Porto, and the Douro Valley. Barrocal, a farm converted into a 5-star hotel, was a phenomenal home base there. Our single favorite experience was visiting Herdade de Esparao winery, where we somehow spent almost six hours on a sweltering 104-degree day. Our private tour was followed by a private tasting and then an amazing five-course lunch with wine pairings. It was probably the best meal we had in Portugal.” —Jeremy Silverman

Read more reviews of Portugal trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

START A TRIP TO BRITISH COLUMBIA

Western Canada: “The right mix of adventure, nature, fun, and relaxation…”

Turquoise Wedgemount Lake and wild alpine flowers, Whistler, British Columbia Canada

Whistler, British Columbia, is a natural playground that has something for everyone. Photo: Shutterstock

“Our family of four had an amazing time in Vancouver, Whistler, and Sonora Island, British Columbia. Marc put together an itinerary that met the various wish-list items of everyone in the family, with the right mix of adventure, nature, fun, and relaxation. For an active family there is no end to the amazing experiences that can be had in Whistler, where we particularly enjoyed the zip-line, whitewater rafting, and tree-top adventure course. The second half of the trip was at the Sonora Resort, which was everything Marc said it would be and more. From the hiking to the photography, fishing, eco-tours, and fine dining, it was a wonderful experience and a relaxing time to reconnect as a family.” —Jay Matthews

Read more reviews of British Columbia trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

Vienna and Prague: “Our son is passionate about the music of Classical- and Romantic-era composers…”

Culture-loving dads appreciate private access to the Strahov Library in 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

Read more reviews of Austria and Czech Republic trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

START A TRIP TO AUSTRIA AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC

Romania: “Getting to visit the highest tower at Bran Castle, an area generally off-limits to the public…”

The Corvinesti castle also known as the Hunyad castle, is a Gothic-Renaissance castle in Hunedoara (Transylvania), Romania.

Romania’s countryside is studded with scenic castles right out of a fairytale. Photo: Shutterstock

“Raluca found us extraordinary accommodations in Romania. She tracked down a private residence in Bucharest where we had a private suite and were treated like personal friends of the family. We had three nights in Brasov in a lovely three-room hotel and four nights in Maremures in our own house on a 70-hectare property. The house was probably 100 years old and had been saved from destruction in the local village, moved to the host’s property, and completely remodeled inside. Raluca even arranged for a cook to come to the house and make us breakfast and dinner—truly special. Greg, our guide, made adjustments to the itinerary on the fly to accommodate our requests and suggested activities as he came to know us. For example, he arranged a trail ride for our daughter at a horse ranch. And Wendy, thanks for the WOW Moment. We really enjoyed getting to visit the highest tower at Bran Castle, an area generally off-limits to the public. Our very experienced guide had never been there.” —George Stephens

Read more reviews of Romania trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

START A TRIP TO ROMANIA

Atlantic Canada: “We dug for clams, pulled up lobster traps, gathered fresh mussels and oysters, and had a lobster boil on a secluded beach…”

boats in the town Joe Batt's Arm, Fogo Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada

Newfoundland: “Vistas of inland lakes, pine forests, and ocean fronts were magnificent. This was a visit of a lifetime.”

“For our three-generation family trip to Atlantic Canada—Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland—Jill arranged excursions which we never could have arranged by ourselves and about which my three grandchildren never stop talking. These included a boat trip where we dug for clams, pulled up lobster traps, gathered fresh mussels and oysters, and had a wonderful lobster boil on a secluded beach. Another boat excursion was to islands dark with puffins, murres, razor bills, cormorants and other birds, and a boat tour of coastal resettled communities during which we saw whales. We also had a songfest in a private home with guitar and accordion. And we (and some say this was the best) hiked along the shore with Lori, a chef, who pointed out plants which were edible and then used them to make a sumptuous lunch. The vistas of inland lakes, pine forests, and ocean fronts were magnificent. This was a visit of a lifetime.” —Richard Goldin

Read more reviews of Atlantic Canada trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

START A TRIP TO ATLANTIC CANADA

Real Connections with Locals: WOW Trip Reviews

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From cooking up regional recipes in a chef’s home to learning old-world crafts in an artisan’s workshop to getting invited to a traditional wedding, there are many ways to meet noteworthy local characters (as well as normal, everyday people) and gain a much deeper understanding of the culture and traditions of the places we explore. Our Trusted Travel Experts shine at making these connections that enrich travel. The reviews below illustrate just a handful of the people you can meet and friends you can make when you have a savvy travel fixer in your corner. Here’s how to get your own WOW trip.

START A ONE-OF-A-KIND TRIP

Malta: meeting artisans and visiting the private museum of a WWII military collector

Jan Heininger and Jamie Reuter next to a vintage car in Malta.

Jan and her husband Jamie with the WWII military truck that Queen Elizabeth II once serviced.

“Jason planned a nine-day trip for my husband and me that was filled with superb experiences we could never have planned on our own. As we had spent five days in Malta in 2011 and had seen most of the usual sights, for this trip we sought activities that would allow us to more fully experience Malta’s unique culture. Boy, did Jason deliver.

We visited with a pipe-organ restorer who was working on an organ high in a historic church’s nave, an artisan gold gilder (and builder of exquisite Maltese clocks), and a builder of traditional Maltese boats. We met with a knight of the Knights of St. John, founded in the 12th century to care for pilgrims, who gave us a wonderful tour of Fort St. Angelo, the Knights’ headquarters until ejected in 1798 by Napoleon.

We visited the Hypogeum, an outstanding burial complex in use between 4000 and 1500 BC. We played bocce with local Maltese, rode ATVs on Gozo Island, had a lovely private Gozitan picnic, created our own Maltese tiles, learned to make Malta’s renowned street food pastizzi in a local couple’s home, visited a WWII military collector in his private museum and even got a ride in his beloved ‘Bessie,’ the WWII military truck Queen Elizabeth II learned to service during the War. We visited a private 900-year-old Mdina palazzo whose owner showed us the family’s prized possessions, had a marvelous lesson by an art restoration specialist, and an enjoyable rustic farm lunch with a delightful Maltese couple.

Finally—as if all this wasn’t enough—we had a falconry experience that enthralled us. We are birders and enjoy watching birds of prey. To have a Harris’s hawk, a barn owl and a Pharaoh eagle-owl fly from my husband’s leather-gloved wrist to mine for two glorious hours was an unbelievable treat.

All of these experiences were made possible because of Jason’s extensive network of Maltese friends. Most visitors to Malta now have little interaction with the Maltese. Since our 2011 visit, Malta has been flooded with immigrants, and they now largely populate the hospitality industry. Your chances of meeting and conversing with Maltese locals are far less likely now—unless Jason arranges your trip.” —Jan Heininger

Read more reviews of Malta trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

START A TRIP TO THE SILK ROAD

Sicily: Cooking with a family sharing stories & recipes in an intimate setting…

“In a small Sicilian village, we cooked alongside an extended family and their children.” 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. 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. Her connections on the island run deep, and it truly showed in the unique and meaningful experiences we enjoyed.

This trip to Sicily was not just about sightseeing; it was about forming connections and understanding the heart of the island. Laura and our guide 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

Read more reviews of Sicily trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

START A TRIP TO SICILY

The Silk Road: friendly people, a “wealth” of sites, lunch with a multigenerational family

Lyabi Hauz restaurant in Bukhara, Uzbekistan.

“The local people were extremely friendly. I felt extremely safe, even walking around at night…” Photo: Timothy Baker

“I have just returned from a wonderful trip to Uzbekistan focused on Silk Road history and culture. Zulya and her staff provided an excellent experience. The local people were extremely friendly. I felt extremely safe throughout the entire trip, even walking around at night.

The country has a wealth of amazing sites, without the crowds and the expense of Europe. Everything was very clean, from my hotel rooms to historical sites, mosques, and cities.

One of the highlights was having lunch with Zulya’s multigenerational family. I adore them all, especially her mother, who is in her 80s. She said that she has adopted me as her fifth son!” —Chris Ng

Read more reviews of Silk Road trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

India: joining in the community’s spring festival, pulled into a spontaneous engagement celebration

Ron Klausner, his wife, and two friends covered in paint at the Holi festival in India.

Ron Klausner, his wife, and two friends joined in the community’s Hindu festival of Holi.

“My wife and I are avid travelers and have visited over 70 countries, but we have always avoided going to India for fear of getting intestinal problems. We finally bit the bullet and decided to go, did not get sick, and loved India! The people, the people, the people.

We went for three weeks with another couple in March. Although we were between earning WOW Moments, I feel Sanjay made our entire trip a WOW Moment. In Varanasi we had private sunset and sunrise boat cruises on the Ganges River, and a sitar concert at the home of Ravi Shankar’s cousin. We also participated in Holi, where we celebrated spring by joining different groups of locals and covering each other with paint and water and then dancing together in joy.

In Jaipur we had dinner at the home of a very special family. They are royalty, but what makes them special is the parents have one biological child and adopted nine children from age 8 to 19! The children, all girls, were abandoned as babies because their biological parents wanted boys, not girls. This family is now raising them as their own. We ate, we sang, and we all danced together. What joy!

One of our most memorable moments occurred when we saw a bunch of women, all dressed in magnificent yellow, dancing on a side street. One of the women gestured for my wife to join her. The women were celebrating because one of them just had a daughter who got engaged. They went down the street knocking on doors, and neighbors kept joining. My wife had a wonderful time.

Without reservation, I implore you to visit India if you have not already done so.” —Ron Klausner

Read more reviews of India trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

Cuba: immersive cultural experiences illustrate “the puzzle which makes up Cuba”

Compas dance troupe dancing and playing music in their rehearsal space, Havana, Cuba.

The arts embody the Cubans’ ability to “enjoy life wherever they can.” Photo: Terraversed

“We recently returned from our trip to Cuba, planned by Ana and Rob. It is difficult to lavish too much praise on this team! First, Rob called me within a day or so of my inquiry and spent at least 45 minutes on the phone with me, digging hard during our conversation to really understand our interests and how we should spend our time in their jam-packed itinerary. It was clear from the trip, that Rob and Ana heard every word and truly tailored our immersive Cuban visit to ensure that our time was focused on these personal interests. In fact, they included some visits to locations that I would not have thought to be interesting to me, but because of the exceptional experts they managed to have as our guides, we did indeed find them of great interest.

Our main guide throughout the trip was Raquel, and she was a wonderful and caring person, with an extraordinary knowledge of her country’s history, challenges and successes. She gave us an unflinching view of the challenges which the Cuban people have endured since the revolution, along with a taste of the tenacity and ability of her people to enjoy life whenever they can.

This tour was unlike any I have ever taken before (and there have been many). Instead, it felt like driving from place to place to visit with unique and gracious hosts that were anxious to share their specialties and skills with us. It was more like visiting a series of friends, than being on a tour of a foreign country. This was true from the dinner we had at the home of a former journalist, to the tour of the Cuban Art Musuem with the head of their educational unit. There are too many to spell out, but each was truly a unique experience which added to the puzzle which makes up Cuba. I wouldn’t hesitate to use Rob and Ana’s services again, or highly recommend them to a friend.” —Arthur Hermann

Read more reviews of Cuba trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

START A TRIP TO CUBA

Africa: visiting with the Maasai, meeting Nairobi elephant rehabbers, hunting with the Hadzabe

Dawn Critchley with her guide Duncan and a baby elephant at Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, Kenya.

Traveler Dawn Critchley with her local guide and a baby elephant at the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust.

“Just back from a marvelous trip as a solo traveler to East Africa—Kenya and Tanzania—put together by Cherri, Frankie, and Katie. My days were filled with such joy and wonder—words don’t do it justice. The people are so welcoming, kind, and genuinely happy.

My private visit to the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in Nairobi was such a unique and intimate experience. I learned about their mission of rescuing and rehabbing elephants and rhinos who have been orphaned (mainly by poaching) or injured. I was able to have a private encounter with the baby elephants as they were frolicking in the mud pools, ending up splattered in mud myself!

A visit to a Maasai village in Ngorongoro was so informative and truly amazing. The Maasai are some of the happiest people I’ve encountered.

A visit to the Lake Eyasi area and interactions with the Hadzabe, Datoga and Blacksmith tribes were truly eye-opening and humbling. I was fortunate to be able to go on a hunt in the bush with the Hadzabe and witness their superb skills with bow and arrow, then build a fire, and prepare their catch. They are one of the last hunter-gatherer tribes in Tanzania. They live truly one with nature.

Every day was special as well as an adventure.” —Dawn Critchley

Read more reviews of Africa trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

Peru: spending a day in the Lamay Village, and seeing how the people live in the high Andes

Audrey Moore with family and the Lamay community at the Sacred Valley in Peru.

“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

Read more reviews of Peru trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

Romania: truffle hunting (and dining) with a forager guide, talking with caretakers for the synagogues and other “lovely locals”

Targu Mures Jewish synagogue in Romania.

Connecting with locals includes their places of worship, including this synagogue in Targu Mures. Photo: Timothy Baker

“My husband and I just returned from a 10-day trip to Romania. We spent most of our time in Transylvania, which is both scenic and uniquely interesting. Our major reason for traveling to this part of the world was to visit the city of Cluj, where my husband’s father lived before emigrating to the U.S. in the 1930s. Our trip planners, Raluca and Malvina, did a great job of incorporating this into our itinerary and also providing experiences that gave us a deeper appreciation of the overall history of Romania and Transylvania, particularly that of the Jews. It was very moving to visit the few synagogues that have been preserved and to meet the people who take care of them.

And it was extremely interesting to tour the medieval citadels and fortified churches that dot Transylvania and to spend time in the mostly preserved traditional Saxon village of Viscri. We felt transported back in time watching the horse drawn carts, geese, goats, sheep and cows that wander through the streets of this picturesque place, and we enjoyed the simple but delicious traditional foods that are truly farm-to-table. We also loved going truffle hunting and enjoying the truffle pasta dinner prepared for us by our truffle guide, as well as our beautiful horseback ride through lovely meadows and forests. And it was great to spend time chatting with the lovely local people we met who provided insights into various aspects of life in this intriguing country.”—Linda Green

Read more reviews of Romania trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

START A TRIP TO ROMANIA

Japan: learning to make classic fish dishes In the home of a fisherman’s wife, and exchanging life stories over the meal

Motonosumi Inari Shrine in Nagato, Japan.

“Motonosumi Inari Shrine’s 123 brilliant red torii gates to a cliff overlooking the Sea of Japan.”

“I am forever grateful to Andrea for helping me with designing my dream trip to Japan. Having lived in Japan as a child and had occasion to visit the country several times since, I knew that I was asking for a lot in wanting an off-the-beaten-path itinerary. I wanted to go where few tourists go and engage in activities that would be a challenge to arrange. There are almost too many highlights of my customized trip to Japan to even list, let alone describe, but here are a handful:

* Vaulting down through Motonosumi Inari Shrine’s 123 brilliant red torii gates to a cliff overlooking the Sea of Japan.

* Practicing ‘takigyo’ (waterfall meditation) with two Buddhist monks, by standing directly beneath a sacred waterfall—its strong cold water taking one’s breath away as it pelts one’s head and shoulders—before being revived and uplifted by its force.

* Meeting with so many artisans: potters in Hagi who showed me their hand-built kilns and exquisite Hagi ware; elderly basket weavers at a bamboo-basket-weaving studio exhibiting their exquisite baskets and demonstrating their craft; a glass-crystal-etching expert who instructed me in producing an etched crystal glass of my own; and masters of indigo dying who helped me create my own dyed tee-shirt in their studio workshop.

* In the home of a fisherman’s wife, learning how to make several classic fish dishes and then sharing a delightful meal with her and my guide—three older women exchanging intimate life stories while dining on the dishes we’d prepared.

* Strolling through Kyoto’s Gion district and enjoying a private tea ceremony and dance performance there by a young maiko (an apprentice geisha), and being given the opportunity to ask her candid questions about her life and her art.

A huge thank-you to Andrea’s team for managing to make all of this happen for me.” —Lynn Savarese

Read more reviews of Japan trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

Copenhagen: watching furniture makers and artists at work, Easter dinner in a local home…

Cari Bender and her family with the dinner’s local hosts in Copenhagen, Denmark.

“We just returned from a wonderful trip to Copenhagen to visit our daughter who is studying abroad there. Mads helped us plan a lovely vacation where we got to explore all over the area. We learned about Danish food on a food tour and loved seeing the city from a private boat excursion along the canal.

Our favorite day was the Danish design day! We love Danish design, and Mads arranged for us to have a private tour of a furniture manufacturer and meet some current local artists in their own studio. It was a special and memorable day. My son and I probably took 1,000 photographs, and we all loved learning about the history of prominent furniture design. We had a terrific hotel right in Nyhavn, the famous canal with the colored buildings that was centrally located and super charming.

The other incredibly memorable adventure was Dine with Danes, where we had a truly special evening at the home of a local couple. They prepared a Danish Easter dinner for us—they must have cooked for two days! We simply adored them and we had a wonderful evening together. It was very special.” —Cari Bender

Read more reviews of Denmark trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

START A TRIP TO DENMARK

New Zealand: one-on-one time with Maori artisans…

Maori green jade Koru pendant on wood log.

Maori jade Koru pendant. Photo: Shutterstock

“We just completed an absolutely fabulous month-long trip to New Zealand. With his extensive relationships, especially with the Maori, Jean-Michel crafted a truly unique trip that we would never have been able to create on our own. Besides cruising Milford Sound, we had three major interests for our trip: interacting with Maori to learn about their culture, going to the MacKenzie-designated Dark Sky region to stargaze, and being on a glacier.

Instead of going to touristy places to see the Maori, Jean-Michel set us up with several unbelievable one-on-one days with individual Maori, including Tom Loughlin, who cooked us a fabulous traditional Hangi meal in the ground at his 5,000-acre wilderness cabin; Delani Brown, a famous master carver who creates enormous masterpieces of complexly intricate carved wood scenes of Maori culture; and Bevan Climo, a master pounamu (New Zealand greenstone or jade) carver, who took us to his tribe’s portion of the Arahura River, where I found a lovely piece of greenstone!

For our Dark Sky experience, Jean-Michel arranged for a privately guided astral viewing at the Matuka Lodge in Twizel where we were staying. The stargazing was fabulous, and to not to have to do the 3-hour roundtrip to the St. John’s Observatory was priceless.

As for the glacier, Jean-Michel again came up with an amazing intimate experience in the Whitcombe Valley, instead of the over-touristy Franz Josef Glacier. Matt, our helicopter pilot, came with over 30 years of flying experience and was even the pilot for Tom Cruise when he was filming in the region! Matt created a once-in-a-lifetime experience, with views of numerous glaciers and glacier lakes, highlighted by a landing at a glacier that we walked up to and sat on! Talk about being at the top of the world and having your dream come true!” —Mary Lou Voytko

Read more reviews of New Zealand trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

Spain: lunch in the private quarters of a castle with the owner…

Travelers Lorin and Jeremy Seidman with their family met the WOW Lister Virginia Irurita in Madrid, Spain.

Lorin and Jeremy Seidman with their family and WOW Lister Virginia Irurita in Madrid.

“Virginia and her team planned an incredible trip to Spain for our family, with the kind of experiences that we’re quite sure no other travel agent would have had access to. Our teenage kids’ favorite part of the trip was a visit to Almodovar Castle, near Sevilla. The owner of the castle, Eva Morejon, greeted us upon our arrival, and then invited us to have lunch with her in the family’s private quarters of the castle.

We sat in Eva’s dining room enjoying the most delicious authentic Spanish cuisine, which was cooked by her family’s personal chef, while she told us the history of the castle. She then took us on a private tour of the castle, including parts that were used for the filming of Game of Thrones.” —Lorin Seidman

Read more reviews of Spain trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

Norway: lunch with a Sami elder, dogsledding with an Iditarod racer…

Traveler Kathye Faries with a Sami reindeer herder, in the village of Maze, Norway.

Kathye Faries with Johan, a Sami reindeer herder, in the Norwegian village of Maze. Photo: Traveler Jim Braun

“Seeing the Aurora Borealis has been on my bucket list for ages and it was time to make it happen! With Wendy’s help we were connected with Torunn, who planned a terrific 10-day adventure for us in northern Norway in February, 2024. I worked with Karin Andresen on many of the details and Karin did a wonderful job too. My focus was seeing the lights (we saw them twice, yippee!), but the entire trip turned out to be way better than we expected due to the fun activities Torunn and Karin planned for us.

We started in Alta, well north of the Arctic Circle, and stayed at a great property outside of the town in a beautiful setting on the banks of a frozen river. We went snowshoeing (easier than I thought it would be) and ice fishing with Kelle of Glod Explorer, and his husky Bruno. Jim caught an Arctic Char so our lunch was as fresh is it could get! Sitting in a lavvu, around a fire, sipping hot chocolate and eating fresh-caught fish was a real treat. We also took a snowmobile ride at night at Bjornfjeld Mountain Lodge. We were cozy in a beautiful mountaintop glass igloo, cooked our dinner over a fire and looked for the lights. On our last day in Alta we spent several hours dog sledding in the beautiful Finnmark forest and on frozen lakes, which was one of the highlights of the trip. Our guide, Hannah, ran the Iditarod two years ago and was so expert on the trails. We loved our day with her and her dog teams.

While en route to our next destination (we saw moose, reindeer and foxes along the way), we had lunch with Johan, a Sami elder, in the village of Maze. His family has raised and herded reindeer for generations and his sons are poised to take care of the business someday. We learned so much from him about his profession, about the Sami, and got to meet some of his reindeer. Fascinating.

In Karasjok we stayed at one of the most unique, exceptional small properties we’ve ever seen. Every cabin and all of the furniture in each of the 7 cabins has been built by hand from natural materials. This place is a hidden gem, set in the forest and truly magical. On property were 45 Alaskan Huskies who were very friendly and loved “cuddles” from everyone. One of our days was spent with Magrit, a Sami woman who has spent her entire life raising and herding reindeer. We went with her by snowmobile, up high in the mountains, to see and feed some of her family’s herd. We spent time in the forest around a warm fire and she shared stories with us about her life. On our last day there, I went dog sledding with the Alaskan Huskies—it was an exciting ride where the dogs broke a new trail in deep, newly fallen snow on the frozen lake. It was a wonderful experience I will never forget.

The last few days of the trip were spent in Oslo where our expert guide took us to the Nobel Peace Prize Museum (very, very moving), and the National Museum (which houses Edvard Munch’s “The Scream”). We saw several contemporary buildings—the Library and the Opera House—watched some young men run from the sauna and jump into the 32-degree water of the harbor (yikes!); and toured the Vigeland Sculpture Park.

The Aurora was as wondrous as I expected and we were so lucky to see it. Northern Norway is a beautiful part of the world with clean water, clean air, warm and friendly people and so accessible to the outdoors. When we asked local guides (who grew up in Alta and Karasjok) if they ever wanted to move away, their answer was NO!!!! We could understand why.

The trip was so smooth due to Torunn and Karin’s expertise. Prior to and during the trip we made a few itinerary adjustments and all went perfectly. All of the guides and ground transportation services were there when and where they were supposed to be, and the outfitters and lodging choices were a great fit for us. We are so glad we saw the lights but we are also so appreciative of the adventures we experienced on this wonderful, enchanting trip.” —Kathye Faries

Read more reviews of Norway trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

Belize: “A local family served us a traditional Mayan lunch, nouvelle-style. And Patricia met us there for lunch…”

Our travelers Salena and Allen Kern with WOW Lister Patricia Johnson in Belize.

WOW Lister Patricia Johnson joined Salena and Allen Kern for lunch one day.

“My criteria was a direct flight from Newark, warmth, a place we’d never been to with lots to do if we wished, and a Wendy Perrin advisor. It took about a minute to find Belize and Patricia. And we were off…. Patricia recommended a few places to stay, and two of the resorts (one in the jungle and the other on the beach) were owned by Francis Ford Coppola. Who knew? Not I, for sure. Well, my husband was an extra in Apocalypse Now many years ago and that was that. He was thrilled to be seeing what Coppola had created in Belize. Both resorts were beautiful but Blancaneaux Lodge was one of the nicest places I have stayed in my life.

We climbed ruins, rafted through a cave that should have been a cathedral, and visited an entrepreneurial coffee “factory” amongst other things. Most important to me, however, was that we got to know something about the current economy of this young country and much about its varied cultures. On our first full day, we were surprised by our WOW Moment. At this most beautiful site, overlooking a series of waterfalls, we were served lunch by a local family (now, Patricia did know that I am a bit of a foodie) who served us a traditional Mayan lunch, nouvelle-style. The family has a catering company called U Janal Masewal, Ancient Recipes for a Modern World. That sort of sums up my worldview too. We were happy! And Patricia met us there for lunch. Thank you, Patricia and Wendy.

This lunch opened our eyes to what was happening in the local communities. The Mayan culture isn’t stuck in the past or lost, as it is in Chiapas, Mexico, where I visited last year. The Belizeans are creating a wonderful and mixed culture ripe for all sorts of tourism. Our week in Belize was full of surprises. I would recommend it to older people like us, to young families, well, to anyone who likes travel.” —Salena Kern

Read more reviews of Belize trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

START A TRIP TO EAST AFRICA

East Africa: hunting with bushmen, visiting a local women’s organization…

Traveler taking a selfie with with local kids during a community visit to the Mukundusi Village in Tanzania.

Traveler Jeannie Mullen snapped a selfie with local kids during a community 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

Read more reviews of East Africa trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

Italy: fishing and cheesemaking with locals, watching glass artisans at work…

Scenic overlook of the Tyrrhenian Sea along the Amalfi Coast of Italy. Photo: Shutterstock

“From the moment we were picked up in Rome to the time we were dropped at the airport after 15 days in this beautiful country, we would have changed nothing! The food and wine were incredible, the hotels were spectacular and the guides and their tours were unforgettable. While the trip was overall the most memorable experience of our lifetimes, there are a few things that we cannot go without highlighting:

1. The boat ride along the Amalfi Coast was nothing short of spectacular, and our captain and first mate made it truly enjoyable. Swimming in the Mediterranean Sea is something we will never forget;

2. The cooking class and lunch with Mrs. Luciana and Maria Cristina were so incredibly enjoyable and delicious that we wished we could have stayed forever;

3. Watching Benedetto create his masterpiece of mozzarella and burrata cheese and tasting the delicious virgin olive oils, followed by the private tour of his amazing lemon orchard, was an unforgettable experience.

4. Our visit to Murano and the Vetreria Estevan Rossetto glass factory was inspirational. To see the centuries-old workmanship of glass making and learning the history of this profession was incredible. We actually purchased artworks made by two of the most prominent glass artisans known to Italy, Walter Furan and Amedeo Rossetto. Our guides, Daria and Piero, were so knowledgeable and spent hours teaching us about glass making and the history behind it. Piero is the grandson of Walter Furan, and being able to purchase one of his grandfather’s pieces was truly special.

5. And finally, only to keep this review from being too lengthy, trout fishing with Luca. While I did not catch a monster, the beautiful little brown trout I did catch brought a smile to my face, and the lunch we shared and our time together was terrific.

We would like to thank Wendy, Maria Gabriella, Maria Cristina, our fabulous guides, our amazing drivers, and all of the employees and staff at the hotels in which we stayed for their incredible hospitality. We cannot wait for our next WOW experience.” —Lizzy and Jay Bryan

Read more reviews of Italy trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

START A TRIP TO OMAN AND JORDAN

Oman and Jordan: “It is always good to learn more, have more awareness and to become better global citizens…”

Amy Avers and her husband having coffee and dates with Omani locals.

Amy Evers and her husband talking world politics with Omani locals over coffee and dates.

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.

Morocco: learning history and culture from scholars and artisans…

Our traveler's guide outside his family home in Tangier's Medina, Morocco.

Milinda Martin’s guide AbdulRahman outside his family home in Tangier’s Medina. Photo: Traveler Milinda Martin

“It had been 20 years since I had visited Morocco, and I have to say, the country is going through such a positive time. People are happy there! The government is building tons of affordable housing, redoing the waterfront areas, and spiffing up all the cities. It’s a good time to visit.

Thanks to Radia and her team, I was able to indulge my desire to learn more about the history of this country, especially the Berber culture, the invasion of the Arabs, and the long history of the Moors and Jews. Radia did not disappoint; all of my guides were experts and very willing to discuss the benefits and challenges of being such a rich land where everyone wants to be. My guide in Tangier, AbdulRahman, was OUTSTANDING. He was born in the Medina and his family still lived there, and he was able to share stories of how Tangier has changed over the centuries with all the invaders. He shared the local delicacies — mint tea and amazing cookies — with me, and we truly felt like friends by the time I moved on to Chefchaouen.

With Radia’s guidance, I visited Casablanca, and the amazing Hassan II mosque, with a Muslim scholar who could really immerse me in the religion, far beyond the 5 pillars. The trip ended in Marrakesh, where I had the most unique experience of learning how to make mosaics. This wasn’t a “tourist activity”; this was a visit to a gentleman’s workshop where we cut the tiles, arranged the mosaics and eventually plastered the mosaics into place. Radia provided a translator because the artist — having mastered this trade 40 years ago — did not speak English.

And I have to give a strong shout-out to my driver, Rachid. Throughout my tour, he was always on time, always kind, always conversational, and a great driver to boot. This is what I like about planning with Wendy Perrin: meeting the people and seeing life like a local. We visited the communal bakery and the hammam, two vital components of life for every Moroccan. I was able to go hiking in the Atlas Mountains, obtain early entry to the Majorelle Gardens, and have someone guide me through the mazes of the Medinas. The riad in Marrakesh was truly divine! Unlike other tours that whisk you here and there, in international hotels, where you never meet a local, Radia and her team ensured that I felt like a Moroccan from the very start.” —Milinda Martin

Read more reviews of Morocco trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

Norway: meeting a local fisherman, reindeer herder, and even an acclaimed actress

Jeannie Mullen suited up to fish for king crab and halibut with boat captain Albert.

“Just returned from a solo trip to Norway September 11-20, 2023. After my pet sitter bailed on me at the last minute, I reached out to Jan to see what he could do to adjust the 3-week driving itinerary through Norway that he and I had just finalized. Jan was very flexible, gave me several options to choose from and before long we had whittled a 21-day trip down to 10, maintaining the main focus of trip…seeing the northern lights.

I started out at Sorrisniva Wilderness Lodge in Alta, above the Arctic Circle in the northern fjords. By day I was entertained with king-crab fishing in Storekorsnes, lunch with and storytelling by a local reindeer herder, a visit to the nearby UNESCO site featuring northern Europe’s largest concentration of petroglyphs (rock art) made by hunter-gathers dating back 2000-7000 years, and a boat ride on the Alta River with Tor, one of the lodge owners. Each night after dinner I was driven to different locations to search for the lights…. It was such a great experience. I had been coached beforehand that not everyone gets to see the lights every night and sometimes not at all over a period of several nights. Fortunately I saw them each of the four nights that I was there and got some great photos. On my last night in Alta I came back early enough to see the lights with a cup of hot chocolate from the warmth of my bed. It was an experience that I will never forget.

I had shared with Jan that I had a very broad range of interests coming into this trip, so the tenor and tempo changed quickly when I arrived back in Oslo. At my request, it was all about art, architecture, history and culture. In a very fun surprise, I was treated to a WOW Moment as I walked out of the elevator my first morning there. Jan knew from our trip-planning discussions that I am involved with a professional theatre company in my hometown and had made arrangements for his sister-in-law, Ingjerd Egeberg, a Norwegian actress (and national treasure), to spend an hour with me prior to the start of my planned day. Over coffee we had a lovely discussion about the theatre and then walked across the street together to the National Theatre for a backstage tour. It was truly delightful! Thank you again, Jan and Wendy! And THEN the day started.… The museums, art, architecture and parks in Oslo were beautiful…the Munch (The Scream) Museum, City Hall, the Opera House, the Deichman Bjorvika (the world’s best new public library), the Nobel Peace Center, the Harbour Promenade in Oslo Fjord, the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History and the Vigeland Sculpture Park. The next day was spent away from the city at the Kistefos Museum in Jevnaker, one of the most important outdoor sculpture parks for contemporary art.

And then it was time to head home. I cannot say enough about Wendy’s suggestion to use Jan.… His detailed planning, choice of hotels, guides, drivers, and restaurant suggestions were all spot-on. I enjoyed myself so much on this trip that I had Jan plan a 10-day itinerary to Denmark for the fast-approaching Thanksgiving holidays. And next summer I’ll work in the driving portion of the Norway trip that I missed out on this year.” —Jeannie Mullen

Read more reviews of Norway trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

START A TRIP TO POLAND AND AUSTRIA

Poland & Austria: master classes in amber jewelry, pierogis, Christmas ornaments…

Krakow market square in Poland. Photo: Shutterstock

“Gwen knows we have traveled the world on all seven continents. Many of our trips (at least eighteen) have been curated by Wendy’s trip specialists. Gwen knows we increasingly value experiences over mere sightseeing. This itinerary included many hands-on and personal experiences. In Gdansk, we visited an amber workshop and created our own amber jewelry using the workshop’s professional tools overseen by a friendly jeweler. We took home the two amber pendants we made.

In Warsaw, Gwen had another wonderful special experience for us: a visit with an artisanal nalewka (pronounced na lef ka) producer. This cordial is made in many homes. But this producer elevates the quality to the nth degree. Made of macerated fruits (or flowers or pine shoots or even milk), water, alcohol and sugar, the mixture sits in huge glass jars in his backyard for at least ten months, then matures in huge plastic barrels for at least three years before bottling. While visiting with this fascinating man, we tasted twelve of his varieties. We brought home two bottles and wish we’d brought a lot more.

In Krakow, we had a great lesson on how to make one of Poland’s national foods, pierogis (filled dumplings.) The private class was in the home of the woman who runs the annual Krakow Pierogi Festival. We had such a good time with her that we stayed far beyond our scheduled time.

Also in Krakow, we visited a small workshop that makes hand-painted glass Christmas ornaments. My husband and I each painted our own ornaments with direction from the chief painter. We ended up bringing a dozen or so ornaments home. In Vienna, we had a great food safari that took us off the tourist circuit and introduced us to stores and producers of traditional Viennese foods.” —Jan Heininger

Read more reviews of Poland and Austria trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

Italy: Palio horse race with local family, outing with a truffle hunter and lunch at his farmhouse…

Palio horse race in Italy. Photo: Traveler Jessica Tolmach

“Four special highlights that Maria secured for our group during our Tuscany stay: A spectacularly situated apartment in Siena overlooking the town square for perfect viewing of the wild, medieval, spectacular Palio horse race and dinner with the family who graciously opened their home, shared wine, food and stories of the history of the races over the centuries.

Another highlight was an outing with a truffle hunter and his dog into the hills and woods where the dog found truffles and after we were hosted at their farmhouse overlooking the valley while they served us a multi-course lunch of truffle-focused dishes that were scrumptious, along with their own wines. We also adored a private tour and lunch prepared for us at a little-known but spectacular vineyard in Chianti, with tastings paired with each course.

And, last but not least, we will all remember forever our lunch at an agriturismo farm with a most generous host and chef that happily went on for hours, on a glorious afternoon, on their patio on the edge of their fields, where we were served mind-blowing grilled meats and the best lasagna and tiramisu any of us has ever tasted. My boys wanted to stay and work on the farm and never come home! And I got his grandmother’s recipes!” —Jessica Tolmach

Read more reviews of Italy trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

START A TRIP TO CENTRAL EUROPE

Croatia, Italy, Slovenia, Switzerland: cooking lesson in the chef’s home, charming family-run inn…

Lisa Redburn during a cooking lesson at Tatjana Ciciliani’s home in Trojir, Croatia. Photo: Tom Redburn

“Lisa and I have had a lot of wonderful adventures in our more than 50 years together, but for our 50th wedding anniversary trip to Italy, Croatia, Slovenia and Switzerland, the extraordinary planning of Claudia and Luisa took our travel experience to a whole new level. It’s true that Europe was already getting overrun with tourists during our six-week trip, but we rarely felt it because time after time Claudia and Luisa arranged guides and outings that took us away from the crowds and to hidden corners we never would have found on our own.

There are too many highlights to include all of them, but some of our most memorable moments were a gastronomic walking tour of Bologna with Giacomo, a guided E-bike ride along the Appian Way in Rome with Gioia, who spontaneously added in a visit to the multi-layered Church of San Clemente when we expressed interest in it, a guided cable car ride and walk to the top of Anacapri with Melania, and two hikes in the Dolomites with Paola, who revised her plans to reflect our own capacities for strenuous walking (there’s a theme here: nearly all our best guides were women). And that’s just Italy.

In Croatia and Slovenia, we enjoyed a guided walk up Mt. Srd above Dubrovnik, where two women from Piknik Dubrovnik had set up an extraordinary sunset picnic dinner just for us, two guided trips (one by E-bike, the other walking) in the backcountry of the islands of Korcula and Hvar that both included amazing private lunches far from the madding crowds, and an extraordinary tour by the charismatic Mario Bartulovic of his family’s winery and steep-sided vineyard on one of our only rainy days. We nearly cancelled but are so thankful that we didn’t. We also had a food shopping and cooking session with the charming Tatjana Ciciliani at her home in Trojir, near Split.

And the discovery of the trip, for us, was Slovenia, where we dined at the famous Hisa Franko (a 3 1/2-hour, 18-course tasting menu from chef Ana Ros), with a stay at tiny Chalets Nebesa, which is not to be missed if you are anywhere in the area. Four-room Nebesa (reserve far in advance!) is owned and run by Ana’s charming mother, father, sister and brother-in-law, and enjoys an extraordinary view in the Julian Alps over Kobarid, where there are still trenches from the devastating fighting along a front of World War I.

I could go on and on, but suffice it to say that, with only one or two exceptions, every guide was sensational, just about every accommodation was terrific, and nearly all the reserved dinners were a delight. And that’s not to mention our WOW Moment from Wendy of a lunch and wine tasting at the extraordinary BIBICh Winery, on a day when we traveled from Split to Zadar, right after visiting Krka National Park.

Luisa and Claudia took my idea of following in some of the footsteps of our original honeymoon trip to Europe (10 months on $6,000 in 1973-74 to Italy, Yugoslavia, Austria, Greece, Switzerland and France) and built it into an equally memorable highlight in our lives together. We spent our actual anniversary at a pension in the car-free Fex Valley in the Engadin that was one of the top places we stayed on our honeymoon. Our trip lived up to everything I had been dreaming about since we first thought of the idea more than two years in advance.” —Tom Redburn

Read more reviews of Central Europe trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

Norway: learning from locals about fishing, reindeer hunting, village life…

Beautiful Nature Norway natural landscape aerial photography. lovatnet lake.

Lovatnet Lake, Norway. Photo: Shutterstock

“Torunn quickly grasped our interests, desires, travel style, and preferences. She promised to connect us to ‘the real Norway.’ This came to mean experiencing the spectacular environment, meeting people of all kinds, and learning about the Norwegian way of life.

The people Torunn arranged for us to meet at various venues are special and memorable. They were warm, welcoming, informative, and above all, interesting. Among them is Sven, the entrepreneurial owner of Knutholmen in Kalvag, who works harder to please his clients than anyone we have met. He became an instant friend.

Fjord skipper Roy taught us about commercial fishing and graciously shared much of his life story, helping us learn what growing up in remote Norway is all about. Driver Per delighted in taking us to see a replica Viking ship. Dinner with Edith and Jon at their hilltop ‘summer pasture’ cabin near Oye was a memorable experience filled with stories about Jon’s longtime mink business and special Norwegian delicacies to try, topped off with Edith’s handmade chocolates.

Fjord skipper Daniel took us to his family guest house at Trandal, where we were thrilled by the famous swing and braved deer-burgers and brown cheese ice cream, both delicious. Guide Britt, also an osteopath, was unusually informative and interesting. She took us on a delightful hike, showed us around the Tafjord village where she grew up, described her annual reindeer hunt, and escorted us to a friend’s guest house for a delicious lunch of deer lasagna.

Our hotels were superb and often historical. Without exception, they were situated in gorgeous surroundings and well managed with great service. Remarkable hotel staffers came from all over Norway and beyond. Each hotel was unique and memorable but our favorites were Knutholmen in Kalvag, Hotel Union Oye, and the amazing Storfjord Hotel. As is evident, Torunn did indeed connect us to ‘the real Norway.’ We will long remember this spectacular trip and the special people we met.”—Bill and Lynn Martin

Read more reviews of Norway trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

Northern Ireland & Ireland: making soda bread, helping shear sheep, a lesson in hurling…

Sheep in a green field in Ireland. Photo: Shutterstock

“It was Jonathan’s strong suggestion that we include Northern Ireland in our itinerary instead of just Ireland, and we are glad that we did. Our experience in Northern Ireland was the soul of our trip, and we could never have understood the country without that experience and the help of our guide for three days while there, Mark Murphy. His authenticity was palpable, in addition to being a consummate professional.

For example, he not only took us through a small Catholic village to watch children learning the Irish sport of hurling on a field surrounded by Irish national flags, but then took out his equipment so we could all give the game a try on an adjacent field. Every experience with Mark was like that, including his lessons on tasting Irish Whiskey at Bushmills and getting me the opportunity to hold the great Northern Irish golfer Rory McIlroy’s PGA championship trophy at his home golf club in Belfast!

We also spent a morning at Tracey’s Farmhouse Kitchen, making (and eating) delicious soda bread, along with other delectables. Like all the folks we encountered, Tracey was an absolute delight, and we loved getting to go out to the countryside and spend some quality time with people who were so happy to share their lives with us.

We then went on to spend three days in Dublin, staying at a classic property called The Shelbourne. This gorgeous masterpiece offered impeccable service and a perfect location. One of the benefits of working through Jonathan are some small perks offered to you at each of the hotels, and we enjoyed oysters and Guinness in the beautiful lobby bar at the Shelbourne one early evening before heading to dinner.

Galway was our next stop, and we used that as the base for our exploration of the Connemara National Park and the Cliffs of Moher. Another absolute highlight of the trip is the Killary Sheep Farm. It’s on an absolutely beautiful fjord, and it’s fascinating to watch the sheepdogs in action and to participate in shearing the wool off the sheep. Tom, a third-generation proprietor, is eager to share his place, and it helps keep the lights on for these family businesses.

Our last stop was Dromoland Castle. At this point we had been on the move constantly for 10 days, and I think it was brilliant planning to let us decompress at this gorgeous castle for a few days before returning home.” —Michael Kelberman

Read more reviews of Ireland trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

Oman: Bedouin women, pottery artisans, wedding prep with an Omani bride, meals in new friends’ homes…

Dhow boat Cruise in Arabian Peninsula, boat on blue water with desert mountains in background

A dhow cruise off the coast of Oman. Photo: Shutterstock

“My friend and I are active 60-plus-year-old women who enjoy traveling and immersing ourselves into the countries that we visit. We don’t want to just see a UNESCO World Heritage Site but want to meet the locals and see how they live—which is what we get when we use Wendy’s WOW List travel specialists.

We flew to Muscat and traveled around Oman for about two weeks. Dan listened to what we wanted to see and experience, and he or his office was with us via email, phone, and/or text every day of our visit. Our guide, Fahad, heard I was a potter and took us to a pottery factory. He took us to his brother’s home for a typical Omani lunch and to see how they live. At this house we met his newborn niece and received the traditional gift of Frankincense. Fahad also took us to his friend’s home who was getting married that evening. We spent a few hours with the women in their traditional garb and experienced their welcome foods… dates, coffee, apples, oranges, chickpeas and other delicacies.

We also went to a local family’s home for another typical Omani meal on the floor and got to speak with their children. The father worked in the Ministry and the wife worked in the travel business setting up trips for Omanis. Quite stimulating conversations!

We visited souqs, fish markets, experienced the dhow-making process, lunched at the Chedi Hotel (a must!), visited mosques, learned about the Frankincense tree, swam in Hawiyat Najm Sink Hole (a must!), drove through wadis, learned about the date trees, photographed wild donkeys, had our feet ‘cleaned’ in the Sink Hole by the little fish, rode camels in the desert, met and dressed like Bedouin women, dune bashed in Wahiba Sands, experienced a sand storm, saw how Kumas are made, played soccer with an eight-year-old, saw goats climb trees, enjoyed a warm herbal compress massage at the Alila Jabal Akhdar (our favorite hotel!), had an impromptu donkey ride, went grocery shopping at the Hypermarket, and snorkeled with sea turtles in the Daymaniyat Islands (a must!).

We felt so welcomed in Oman and felt that the Omani people were kind, interesting and curious about us. It was another WONDERFUL adventure using Wendy’s travel specialists!” —Maureen Ferrari

Read more reviews of Oman trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

START A TRIP TO OMAN

Colombia: a gallery opening with eminent artists, a private cooking class, a salsa dancing lesson…

View of Journalist's Park with Monserrate and the Candelaria district of Bogota, Colombia

Bogota, Colombia, is an easy nonstop flight from New York City. Photo: Shutterstock

“Contrary to what people may think based on past history, Colombia was very safe. Our trip started in Bogota with an easy direct day flight from New York. Three nights there allowed us to explore the city, its food, and the amazing gold museum. Boris arranged a private art tour which included access to a private opening of the works of the famous Colombian artist Jim Amaral, where we met him and his more famous wife Olga de Amaral. For a change in pace, we then spent a night in Villa de Leyva, a national heritage site with a stop in Zipaquira to see the spectacular underground salt cathedral.

Next stop was Medellin, with visits to Comuna 13, with an understanding of conflict and cacao, and a visit to a large orchid collection. Four nights in the coffee country, staying in a wonderful hacienda, allowed us to explore that area, including a rafting trip, a visit to a coffee plantation, and a day out with an excellent birding guide. The final stop was Cartagena, where we stayed in the Casa San Augustin in the middle of the old city; great for walking around the old areas with activities such as a rum and chocolate tasting, a private cooking class in one of the best restaurants, and a salsa dancing lesson. An easy 5-hour direct day flight took us back to New York. Colombia is a country well worth a visit—even though it does not seem to be on the radar screens of many of our acquaintances—and Boris and his team are a great asset for organizing a diverse and interesting trip.” —Tony Ford-Hutchinson

Read more reviews of Colombia trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

Southeast Asia: being blessed by the family elders in a local home, a sunrise breakfast with saffron-robed monks…

Ancient statues outside South Gate of Angkor Thom at sunset in Siem Reap, Cambodia

Sunset at Angkor Thom in Siem Reap, Cambodia. Photo: Shutterstock

“We just returned from a fabulous three-week-plus trip to Thailand, Laos, Viet Nam, and Cambodia, organized for us by Sandy. While we have traveled a great deal, this trip was among the best, if not THE best, trip we’ve taken. The diversity and specialness of our experiences made it stand out.

Like Napoleon’s army, we travel on our stomachs, and the food we had on this trip was extraordinary. One evening in Laos we went to the home of our guide, who Sandy has worked closely with for years. We helped prepare dinner, were blessed by the family elders in a Baci ceremony for success on our journey, ate the delicious food we had helped cook, and danced and sang with the family. Another night in Cambodia, we ate at a local village restaurant. With travel to Cambodia down due to the pandemic, it’s a great time to visit, and we were the only people at the restaurant. After a foot massage and passion fruit mojito, we were escorted to our table overlooking vibrant green rice fields while being serenaded by lovely music. In Hanoi, we went to Bun Cha Sinh Tu and had the famous soup it’s known for. It was table-pounding good. And our Vespa food tour of Saigon, which Sandy had strongly suggested, was both delicious and terrifying. Driving a motorbike in Saigon should be an Olympic sport, and we just rode!

Our excellent guides in Laos and Viet Nam shared with us the experiences of their families during the War and recounted working with American veterans who returned years later, as well as a reporter who had covered it. These personal and moving stories touched us and helped us better understand the profound effect of the War on the people who lived through it.

In Cambodia, we went to a Buddhist temple at 5:30 in the morning and meditated. Afterward we were showered with lotus petals as part of a blessing ceremony and had breakfast at the monastery as the sun rose. Early one morning in Laos, we gave sticky rice to saffron-robed monks who extended their begging bowls to us. Through this daily ritual, the monks demonstrate their vows of poverty and humility. Our guide took us to a quiet place where her family normally gives alms, avoiding other tourists.

It’s hard to encapsulate all we saw and did because there was so much: seeing the temples of Angkor, kayaking in Halong Bay, boating on the Saigon River, biking through Hoi An. Part of what made this trip so good was the flexibility we had in determining what we would do and not do each day. We had great guidance and suggestions from Sandy, but he emphasized this was our trip. Thoughtful planning and flexibility helped make this the trip of a lifetime.” —Catherine Mathis

Read more reviews of Cambodia trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

START A TRIP TO CAMBODIA

Bali: visiting farmers, playing instruments with village musicians…

“Having never been to Indonesia before, we told Diane the types of activities we enjoyed and she devised a custom itinerary that suited us perfectly. We spent an exciting day rafting down the Ayung river in Ubud and enjoyed a scenic guided hike to two beautiful waterfalls in the northern part of the island.

We also enjoyed a visit to a Balinese farming village where we got to sample Balinese cuisine and meet the lovely Balinese people who call this area their home. A highlight we’ll always remember is the live Balinese music and dancing which were performed for our enjoyment. We were shy, to be honest, at first. But by the end of the performance we actually got up there and played the drums and cymbals! These are the types of experiences that make travel so worthwhile. We’ll never forget it—and we have Diane to thank for that!” —Joe McBrine

Read more reviews of Bali trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

START A TRIP TO BALI

Belize: meeting fishermen, organic farmers, Mayan artisans at a women’s cooperative…

a fishing guide in Belize poles the boat into position to intercept a school of fish that would have been scared off by the engine.

A fisherman in Belize. Photo: Timothy Baker

“Rachael and Patricia curated a wonderful 17 days for us in Belize. The accommodations were first-rate, beautiful, and serene. At The Lodge at Chaa Creek, no matter where we stood, the view was picture-perfect. Further, at each of the five places we stayed, the service matched the setting. We were treated very well. Trip highlights were the ancient Mayan sites of Tikal and Xunantunich, Che Chem Ha Cave, a visit to the San Antonio Women’s Group Center, and a back street food tour in San Pedro.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, we were able to meet, spend time with, and learn from many wonderful people. Gonzo, Andrea, and Calliandra of Che Chem Ha were enchanting. Timotea and the other members of the San Antonio Women’s Group Center were gracious, committed, and knowledgeable. Eder and his father, El Fego, at Xunantunich made us feel welcome and taught us much. Don Eladio took us for an educational and entertaining romp through his organic farm, Victoria taught us much as she prepared our lunch, and her children Christian and Tristan made us part of the family for the day. Axel, Vickie, and Isien of Manta Island Resort were so good to us that, even in the age of Covid, hugs were essential.

And then there were the two anonymous guests (fishermen, we surmised) who ate dinner at the table next to ours two nights in a row at the Copal Tree Lodge. Their almost childlike joy (even choosing the entrée for dinner was an adventure to be savored) underlined for us how fortunate we were to be there at that moment. Rachael and Patricia provided us with many such moments, and for that we are very grateful.” —Richard Ashmore

Read more reviews of Belize trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

START A TRIP TO NOVA SCOTIA & NEWFOUNDLAND

Canada: townspeople at a fair, musicians and storytellers, a screech-in at a local pub…

Newfoundlanders welcome travelers into their homes (and lighthouses). Photo: Maxxim Vacations

“Jill organized an eight-day trip for four couples, best friends for the last 30 years. It was a trip full of great adventure, hiking, fishing, good food, and fantastic people. In Cape Breton our local guide caught our vibe from the minute she met us and took us to her own town’s annual fair. She introduced us to some of the families there, and we instantly felt the warmth and kindness—we didn’t want to leave!

In Newfoundland, we stayed in Woody Point in Gros Morne National Park. The townspeople were, again, warm and welcoming (a common characteristic in this part of Canada). The local pub, The Merchant Warehouse, had great food, and the owner’s daughter plays her guitar and sings up a storm (don’t miss it). We had our screech-in there as well with the incomparable Aunt Sophie!!! The hikes were unrivalled; accurately marked and well-kept, the unique landscapes and terrain were breathtaking. We will be back to conquer Gros Morne itself!

Finally, we ended our vacation in Corner Brook at the beautiful Hew & Draw Hotel. The highlight here was our time with Darren, who took us out in his dory to his cabin on the water for a dinner of mussels and cod, with an evening tour of the surrounding region by boat. His mom had even baked us an apple pie! The stories he told us of his family and the region were again just part of the local hospitality. We have traveled to many places in the world, and the Canadian Maritimes is indeed a treasure.” —Barbara Palter

Read more reviews of Nova Scotia and Newfoundland trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

Mexico City: an expert-led taco tour, meals with private chefs, off-the-beaten-path shopping…

An expert-led taco tour is a must-do in Mexico City. Photo: Shutterstock

“We wanted to explore neighborhoods and culture and avoid crowded museums and other tourist sites. Zach and his team delivered right on point. We were able to visit the historic downtown, stroll through neighborhoods like Roma, Condessa and Polanca in the heart of Mexico City, and visit the district of Coyoacan with the charming Colonia del Carmen neighborhood and village center with our guide Amalia.

If you are a foodie, you will love your options: We had a wonderful taco tour with Frederico and two wonderful meals with private chefs Alfredo and Graciela. Everything was absolutely delicious. Another highlight was a shopping afternoon with Cristina, who took us to wonderful off-the-beaten-path shops where we were able to purchase items we will cherish forever and a beautiful selection of clothing for my wife. We had a wonderful time and will definitely use Zach next time we go to Mexico.” —Susan and Blake Hancock

Read more reviews of Mexico City trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

START A TRIP TO MEXICO CITY

Ireland: teen boys meeting local teens for outdoor fun and games

A jaunting cart ride in Killarney National Park, Ireland. Photo: Shutterstock

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.

This is my second trip that I have done going through your WOW List. Your trip planners make vacations memorable and special. I will never plan a trip without going through Wendy Perrin—and I freely share this advice with others.” —Jennifer Brown

Read more reviews of Ireland trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

START AN EXCEPTIONAL TRIP

This Is WOW: Surprise WOW Moments Described by Real Travelers

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Have you heard of my WOW Moments project? “Wendy’s WOW Moments” are surprise insider experiences that help make a trip extraordinary. WOW List travelers earn them by submitting reviews of their trips. After you take two qualifying trips, we will send you a WOW Moment certificate to redeem on a future qualifying trip. Learn how to get your own surprise in Wendy Wants To Amp Up Your Trip! Then travel vicariously via the WOW Moment reviews below and give yourself something to look forward to!

Sri Lanka: “My husband, a classic car lover, had a grin ear to ear when we walked out of our hotel and saw the car!“

Wendy Tucker and husband at UNESCO World Heritage site Galle Fort in Sri Lanka.

Wendy and her husband Marco with their private guide and the 1971 VW convertible.

“I am so glad we listened to Miguel and Nicola as to the rhythm of the trip. After 24 hours of travel, staying an extra night at the beginning—at the tranquil, boutique Wallawwa Hotel—was perfect. We saw so much and had so many great experiences, including all the historical highlights like Sigiriya Lion Rock, Dambulla Cave, Temple of the Tooth, and the ancient city of Anuradhapura, beach downtime at the gorgeous Amanwella with a fantastic cooking class, and visits to tea and cinnamon plantations.

Our favorite experiences included a visit to the Botanical Garden in Kandy with an incredibly knowledgeable botanist who has written numerous books and knew every plant and tree in the garden. A visit to a quiet, beautiful Buddhist cave temple inhabited by only two monks where we received a lengthy blessing and were the only ones there. And our WOW Moment—a drive around UNESCO World Heritage site Galle Fort in a 1971 VW convertible with a local guide whose family ran a tea shop in the area. My husband, who is a classic car lover, had a grin ear to ear when we walked out of our hotel and saw the car!

Miguel and Nicola each made time to meet us personally, which was a lovely surprise and another opportunity to chat with a local and learn more about this beautiful, welcoming country and people.” —Wendy Tucker

Read more reviews of Sri Lanka trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

Peru: “It was an eight-course lunch that was the most inventive, educational and delicious experience.”

“This was a cherished experience we felt so fortunate to have!”

“We just returned from a two-week tour of Peru planned by Mark on Marisol’s team. Five stars are definitely not enough! Mark listened and crafted a trip including dinner reservations at the best restaurants in the world. From incredible guides to personalized special moments, we could not have asked for more. We felt cared for and safe, but best of all we learned so much, did so much, and came home feeling we had an incredible adventure.

A WOW Moment was included on this trip at MIL, a restaurant in the Sacred Valley (sister restaurant to Central, the 2023 best restaurant in the world). It was an eight-course lunch that was the most inventive, educational and delicious experience we’ve ever had. They are preserving Incan agriculture and techniques paired with dishes and utensils that were pure art! This was a cherished experience we felt so fortunate to have!

We spent three days in Lima, followed by a week in the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, then a four-day Amazon boat cruise. Excursions included fly fishing, horseback riding, the Hiram Bingham train, gourmet picnics, personal BBQs and many archeological sites. I felt so blessed to be able to see and fully experience this bucket-list destination. Thanks to our private guide, I did it all!

We travel a lot, and this company is remarkable! We didn’t have a single problem. They made absolutely sure of that!!” —Lynne Willett

Read more reviews of Peru trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

Italy: “An artist who had made one of the banners for the Palio horse race made a sketch for Marci and me.”

Medieval city of Siena in Tuscany region, Italy.

Richard and Marci’s multigenerational anniversary trip was capped with a special sketch by a famed artist. Photo: Shutterstock

Jennifer and her team added great value to our trip. The planning for a group of 20 was difficult enough, but they also came through in the face of unexpected glitches. The grandson I was supposed to take on a side trip to Milan, to see The Last Supper and a performance of Tosca at La Scala, was sick and had to stay behind in Venice. One of my other grandsons was happy to substitute, but the train tickets and ticket to the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie were in a different boy’s name. Somehow, Jennifer’s team was able to get the tickets switched with almost no notice!

Read more reviews of Italy trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

New Zealand: “A whole day with a Maori carver who exquisitely introduced us to his heritage… He handed us a beautifully carved ‘club’ and said it was a gift.”

Karen Siegel and her partner on the deck as the morning sun hits the peaks above Doubtful Sound in Fiordland, New Zealand.

Traveler Karen Siegel and her partner on the deck as the morning sun hits the peaks above Doubtful Sound.

“Just got back from 24 days in New Zealand. Jean-Michel and Felicity planned a fantastic trip. I can’t say enough about their superb itinerary, unique hotels and excellent experiences! We started in Waiheke to acclimate, but enjoyed hiking, winery tours and a day sail around the islands nearby. We had a private tour of a bird/reptile sanctuary and stayed in a unique ‘glamping’ tent, if you can call it that. It was a gorgeous 4-bedroom home sitting on a hilltop.

We had a whole day with a Maori carver who exquisitely introduced us to his heritage. While with him he handed us a beautifully carved ‘club’ and said it was a gift from Jean-Michel and Wendy. Now I really understand what a WOW Moment is—we were wowed! We had private helicopter rides over Doubtful and Dusky Sounds, an overnight on Doubtful Sound, Jet Boat and Scenic Seaplane excursions and stayed in the most beautiful locations and hotels in the Fiordland National Park and Glenorchy areas. What an incredible country and trip!” —Karen Siegel

Read more reviews of New Zealand trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

Japan: “Other tourists were taking pictures of us enjoying our lunch with a cherry blossom centerpiece.”

Leslie Enlow and family hiking Japan’s Nakasendo Trail.

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

Read more reviews of Japan trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

START A TRIP TO ARGENTINA AND CHILE

Argentina & Chile: “Entered the ranch house to find a locally famed musician and his daughter and son ready to give us a private concert…”

Kitty Yancey and two musicians playing guitars during a private concert in Patagonia.

The private concert in the historic estancia included the musician’s own songs written about Patagonia.

“Imagine hotel rooms with drop-dead views of lakes, mountains and volcanoes and interacting with some of the warmest people we’ve ever encountered. That made our amazingly well-planned trip to Patagonia and Argentina Lake Country one of the more memorable trips in decades of travel. Krista and Jordan steered us to fantastic hotels and lodges (most off the beaten tourist track as we requested) and secured us exceptional rooms and activities, including dinner at a chef’s home and a private horseback ride.

Our WOW Moment was the best we’ve had. We initially thought it was the visit to Torres del Paine National Park with a guide, featuring a two-hour hike to see snow-covered peaks up close and a picnic buffet. But no, that was just the appetizer. Next day, we were taken to an historic estancia and entered the ranch house to find a locally famed musician and his daughter and son ready to give us a private concert of his songs about Patagonia. We’ll remember it always, as well as the four-course lunch including perfectly roasted guanaco and homemade matcha tea/fig ice cream.

I’m a semi-retired travel writer, but use Wendy’s WOW List experts to explore new territory because they can ensure a special trip with insider experiences.” —Kitty Bean Yancey

Read more reviews of Argentina and Chile trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

Thailand and Cambodia: “Our dinner on a beautiful wooden boat cruising through the floating villages created a lifelong warm memory.”

Ted and Kathie Embacher drinking champagne on a boat in Tonle Sap, Cambodia.

Travelers Ted and Kathie Embacher enjoy their WOW Moment on the waters of Tonlé Sap.

“We just returned from a wonderful adventure planned by Dan and Raphael. Everything was executed flawlessly. Although our schedule was jam-packed, there is not one thing that we wish we had left out.

We had one amazing experience after another as we viewed the beautiful wats, drifted through floating markets, visited old towns, ate local foods, played with elephants, walked through the large local markets and kayaked through caves into surreal lagoons.

Our guides were knowledgeable, friendly and prompt. Mr. Yo saved Kathie’s life in Bangkok when her long skirt got caught in an escalator and he was well prepared with a pair of scissors to cut her out. Tiger executed our WOW Moment in Cambodia and made it so special. I’m not easily overwhelmed, but our dinner on a beautiful wooden boat while cruising slowly through the floating villages on Tonlé Sap created a lifelong warm memory. And NaNa in Phuket took us to the best small places where we ate Thai food that we never knew existed and tasted fantastic, including a small stall that had a Michelin mention!

Thailand and Cambodia are beautiful countries and the people are among the kindest we’ve encountered, and Dan’s group are the folks to take you there. Our trip created lifelong memories (not that we’ll need memories, with the 1,500 photos that I took).” —Ted Embacher

Read more reviews of Thailand and Cambodia trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

START A TRIP TO THAILAND AND CAMBODIA

Portugal: “The multiple-course meal (with excellent wine pairings) in a beautiful setting was totally prepared in a wood-fired oven…”

Porto skyline from across the Douro River.

A WOW highlight of Porto: An evening sound and light show at a centuries-old church, followed by dinner. Photo: Shutterstock

“We are back from a wonderful trip to Portugal arranged by Gonçalo and Sofia. In Porto, we were lucky enough to experience our WOW Moment: At the end of a great day touring Porto, our excellent guide dropped us off at a beautiful centuries-old church for an immersive light and sound show, but not before she spoke to the staff there to find out exactly where we should sit during the performance for the very best experience! And it really was a great experience that we would never have discovered on our own.

Following the show, part 2 of our WOW Moment was dinner at a nearby restaurant that was totally unique. The multiple-course meal (with excellent wine pairings) in a beautiful setting was totally prepared in a wood-fired oven—and each course was amazing. It was an incredible evening that we will never forget, and we thank Gonçalo and Sofia for putting together such a memorable event.

One experience in particular reminded us of the value of using WOW List planners. We requested that our itinerary include a visit to the town of Belmonte, which was of particular interest to us due to its centuries-old hidden Jewish community. There was a museum and synagogue that we wanted to visit, but it was a Monday, and the museum is closed on Mondays. When we met our tour guide, the first place she said we would be visiting was the museum! I said that I thought it was closed on Mondays. She said that it is closed, but when they get a call from the right people, they open it for private tours! We were so grateful, as it was a highlight of our trip. Before we headed out of Belmonte, we had an amazing lunch at a convent on the outskirts of town—again, a place that we would have never found on our own.” —Lisa Newmark

Read more reviews of Portugal trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

Chile: “Went with our private guide to explore the ranch, rode E-bikes to a delectable lunch…”

The winery at Lapostolle Vineyard in Chile.

Traveler Amy Evers capped her Chilean adventures with relaxation in wine country.

“We just returned from an amazing trip to Chile. Jordan did a great job talking to us in the beginning to get a feel for what we wanted to do and see.

We enjoyed 5 days near Torres del Paine National Park. We explored the park, rode horses and E-bikes, we hiked, we saw 3 pumas!, and we learned about the culture and conservation efforts being made there. We had the pleasure of being spoiled by a WOW Moment here too. We went out with our private guide to explore the ranch, rode E-bikes to a delectable lunch, with lots of wine, under a tree, on a hill full of flowers and a view of the towers, while having servers at our fingertips. We rode our E-bikes back, and then went on a gorgeous horseback ride. WOW doesn’t describe how special this day really was!

Our last stop was 2 nights in wine country, staying in the most incredible villa, with all the wine our hearts could desire, amazing food, and plenty of time for relaxation. It was the perfect ending.” —Amy Evers

Read more reviews of Chile trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

Italy: “Imagine having an ancient church-turned-restaurant all to ourselves at lunch, lit only by candlelight…”

Courtyard garden at Palazzo Margherita, Puglia.

“Alison and Elisa on Antonello’s team put together a marvelous itinerary for our first trip to Puglia. They really listened to the type of itinerary we wanted and took into account our likes and dislikes.

There were so many highlights on this trip: a guided tour sampling Bari’s local street food; a visit to Casamassella to visit a textile factory using centuries-old embroidery looms; a walk through fields of ancient olive trees (1000+ years old) with an olive oil tasting and incredible lunch; a cooking class with two excellent chefs; an opportunity to see the Puglian countryside as we drove a vintage Fiat 500; and an evening visit to Alberobello where the trulli houses really came to life.

Our visit to Matera was very insightful, as we learned a great deal of the history of the cave dwellings and the people who lived there. Especially interesting were the ancient churches and learning how they were carved into the landscape. The most special part of this visit was our WOW Moment at Sextantio Albergo Diffuso Le Grotte della Civita! Imagine having an ancient church-turned-restaurant all to ourselves at lunch, lit only by candlelight, with our own private chef and exquisite food and wine. Thanks, Wendy, for pulling yet another amazing experience!” —Vanessa Hulme

Read more reviews of Italy trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

Norway: “Getting to meet the owner of Lofoten Wool and their Viking sheep was fantastic… “

Magda Kuhn and friends at Lofoten Wool shop in Lofoten, Norway.

Meeting the owner of a sheep farm in Norway —and making purchases in her wool shop—was a “fantastic” surprise.

“All the activities were perfect for women in their 60s who wanted to take part in activities but not scale mountains. Our quest was to see the northern lights, which we knew was not a definite, but we were fortunate to see many nights of those special lights.

Our WOW Moment was truly special: getting to meet the owner of Lofoten Wool and their Viking sheep was fantastic. There was a knitter in our group, and she was in heaven, not to mention that we had the opportunity to buy some of her things in her shop. The owner of Hattvika Lodge was very secretive and led us to her farm. He never spilled the beans—truly a WOW Moment. I would definitely use Torunn and Torstein again and recommend them to friends. You must keep them on your WOW List.” —Magda Kuhn

Read more reviews of Norway trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

Italy: “A sunset aperitivo on a private terrace with a sweeping panorama of the Tuscan landscape from Siena to San Gimignano…”

An autumn landscape in the Chianti region of Tuscany hills in the surroundings of Radda in Chianti.

Chianti region vineyard, Tuscany, Italy. Photo: Shutterstock

“Emanuela wanted us to stay at very special properties that she knew well and loved. She succeeded in booking us in some of the most amazing hotels and specific rooms in those hotels—a boathouse that was positioned directly over the water of Lake Orta; a historic castle in Guarene that had become a beautiful hotel. For our stay of four days in Liguria at Sestri Levante, her suggestion of a family-run hotel was an excellent choice. The town had genuine character, not completely overtaken by tourists, with families and children out for evening walks and sharing meals outdoors and small locally-owned shops.

On the final evening of our trip, we had our WOW Moment, and it was very special. The castello hotel where we were staying arranged a sunset aperitivo on a private terrace with a sweeping panorama of the Tuscan landscape from Siena to San Gimignano. It was a magical moment—sitting and enjoying the spectacular sunset, drinking sparkling wine and delicious appetizers. And the surprise continued when the chef made a special cake in celebration of my husband’s birthday. What a way to conclude an amazing trip.” —Mina Miller Sabritt

Read more reviews of Italy trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

Sri Lanka: “A traditional and delicious Sri Lankan meal prepared with indigenous tools in a mud hut…”

Lauren Schor and family on a safari in Wilpattu National Park in Sri Lanka.

Traveler Lauren with her husband and daughter on a one-day safari in Wilpattu National Park.

“Given we only had a week, we had some tough choices as to which areas we were going to visit—the cultural triangle and ancient ruins, the mountains and tea plantations, the jungle and wildlife, the gorgeous beaches or the cities. Ultimately, with a lot of back and forth weighing the pros and cons with Miguel and Nicola, we decided on the cultural triangle and the south coast. I couldn’t imagine going all the way to Sri Lanka and not climbing Sigiriya, the ancient fortress atop a mountain and the most visited place in the country. Plus, we were near one of the national parks, and we got to do a one-day safari!

The south coast was a great combination of relaxation and culture. Galle Fort is a must-visit area—the restaurants, shops, and local life is unlike anywhere else in the country. And there were a lot of other activities in the area, like a local cooking class, a mask-painting workshop, and visiting a cinnamon plantation! (Who knew that 90% of the world’s cinnamon comes from Sri Lanka?)

Nicola recommended fantastic properties. We loved Ulagalla—we have traveled all over the world, and it’s one of the most special properties we have stayed at. We enjoyed a WOW Moment at Kamantha, a traditional and delicious Sri Lankan meal prepared with indigenous tools in a mud hut. Such a special experience! We also stayed at Mosvold Villa, a newer property right on the Indian Ocean. While I wouldn’t consider it a five-star property, the location could not be beat, and we were adamant about wanting to be on the water (versus at a property like the Aman located inside the fort, not on the coast).

Sri Lanka is a special country, and everywhere we went the people were so welcoming, and we kept hearing how they meet so few American travelers. I have a feeling this is going to be a new hot spot destination!” —Lauren Schor

Read more reviews of Sri Lanka trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

Southern Africa: “For our WOW Moment, we were picked up in a vintage Jaguar…”

Vintage Jaguar in Cape Town, South Africa.

African tours, camps, and safaris kicked off with a pickup in a vintage Jaguar.

“We asked for suggestions on where to go and what time of year, and Frankie suggested a mid-August start, with a trip including Cape Town, Victoria Falls, and Zambia because we wanted a place that included water activities. For our WOW Moment, we were picked up in a vintage Jaguar. Our first stop was the Bo-Kaap area for a tour and Cape Malay cooking class. Then we went for a drive along the coast en route for a private tour of the Zeitz MOCAA, followed by a drive up to the top of Signal Hill for magnificent views, including Table Mountain.

We stayed in three camps, and all were first-rate. Both Tongabezi and Sausage Tree Camp had special lunches and dinners in unexpected locations that really made the trip extra special. Zambia is a hidden gem.” —Nancy Wolf

Read more reviews of African Safari trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

France: “He had prepared a beautifully laid-out table beneath the shade of a large tree….”

Karen's husband and two grandchildren at their surprise picnic during the WOW Moment in the Provençal countryside, France.

The WOW Moment surprise began when a man on the ancient Roman bridge invited them to a picnic. Photo: Traveler Karen Dalfen

“The trip with our two adolescent grandkids, 16 and 14, started off rather rockily. Our American Airlines flight suffered mechanical problems, which resulted in the flight being cancelled, and thus we missed our first afternoon as well as a delicious dinner in Paris. Fortunately for us, Jennifer took care of the Paris issues, and when we arrived early the next morning, we were able to fully enjoy the day and the rest of the vacation.

Paris was a whirlwind of sights and sounds. We had private tours of The Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and the trendy district of Marais. We created our own perfume, saw the Dior permanent show (Jennifer was right: It is special), had time to shop, visited the stadium, ate and ate. We had a blast on the sidecars riding through Paris, rain and all!

We traveled to Aix via train. While in Aix, our grandson had his 14th birthday, and as he loves to cook, Jennifer and her team arranged a private five-hour cooking course with a Michelin-star chef and her trusted staff. Our grandkids learned about solar ovens and how to cook using one. They also scoured the garden looking for the right flowers and leaves to put the finishing touches on the food.

Our WOW Moment occurred when we were standing on an ancient Roman bridge and were approached by a young man who invited us to a picnic lunch. He led us to an area where he had prepared a beautifully laid-out table beneath the shade of a large tree facing the ancient bridge and the river. It was so special, so perfectly arranged, so delicious, such a great surprise.” —Karen Dalfen

Read more reviews of France trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

France: “We were picked up and taken on a motorcycle sidecar tour of the Calanques National Park…”

View from balcony at Villa La Coste in Provence, France. Photo: Traveler Michael Ruma

“We traveled with our goddaughters to Paris and onward to Lyon, Antibes, Cassis, and Provence. Unknown to our goddaughters, we had acquired tickets to see Taylor Swift in Lyon months prior. Philip and Neslihan presented us with an itinerary starting in Paris, traveling by train to Lyon, and secured unattainable hotels and the best drivers and guides to ensure we would be able to surprise our goddaughters with their concert tickets.

Upon arrival to Paris, we were met planeside and escorted through immigration and customs, saving us at least two hours in lines. Arriving at the Hotel Grand Powers, we were welcomed like family, offered a quick lunch before our walking tour, and introduced to a beautiful Eiffel Tower suite.

The following morning, we took the high-speed train south to Mâcon. Met by our driver-guide, Sebastian, we made a leisurely drive through Beaujolais, stopping at his family’s centuries-old winery. In Lyon, Sebastian showed off his insider knowledge, whisking us to the back entrance of the Groupama Stadium for the evening concert. The Eras Tour was epic!

In Antibes, our days were spent visiting the Old Town, learning to blow glass from a master artisan, sampling the local absinthe, and dining in many enchanting spots. From Antibes, we moved on to Cassis, with a stop for a tasting of rosé at Château Pradeaux, one of the oldest Bandol vineyards in the region.

View from Cap Canaille in Calanques National Park, in Southern France. Photo: Traveler Michael Ruma

With our goddaughters headed to Nice for their return flight home, we were surprised by a WOW Moment from Wendy as we were picked up and taken on a motorcycle sidecar tour of the Calanques National Park. Cool breezes and endless views of Cassis from the top of Cap Canaille are seared into our memory, and now we know why the Côte d’Azur has its name.

Relaxed and refreshed from our time by the blue sea, we traveled back north for a few days at Villa La Coste. If one could stay somewhere forever and stare out over vineyards, art, mountain, hills, and the sunset, Villa La Coste is the place.” —Michael Ruma

Read more reviews of France trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

START A TRIP TO PACIFIC NORTHWEST

Uganda: “My husband commented that he is hard to surprise and to impress, but that this truly was a WOW experience!”

Karen and Rod Baesman enjoying a private dinner for their WOW Moment in Murchison Falls National Park in Uganda.

Karen and Rod Baesman enjoying a private dinner in the bush.

“My husband and I just returned from a bucket-list trip to Uganda! This is my eighth trip using The WOW List, so I knew we would have excellent accommodations and experiences, but what I most appreciated about working with Cherri and Katie was their guidance in helping me narrow down exactly where we should go.

We spent the first two nights in Kampala. Most tourists just stay in Entebbe, but we wanted to see a larger city and we are so glad we did. We had a full day taking in the city, including visiting a couple of art galleries (we purchased a painting), sampling fried grasshoppers (delicious), walking through a market (the locals were confused by our presence, but my husband is fascinated by markets and is telling everyone about this one), and being consistently astonished at the driving and loads of all the boda-bodas (small motorcycles).

The next three nights were spent in Murchison Falls. We saw too many different types of animals and birds to name them all here, but if you are a birder, you will drool at the fact that we saw a pair of Shoebills on our delta cruise! The Ugandan President’s daughter and her family were staying at our lodge, which made security interesting. One evening, we were doing a game drive and we saw a set-up in the distance that we thought might be for the first daughter and her family because we saw men with guns. It turned out that it was a WOW Moment for the two of us! We watched the sunset and had dinner in the park. Thank you, Wendy Perrin! My husband commented that he is hard to surprise and to impress, but that this truly was a WOW experience!

Karen and Rod Baesman enjoying a private dinner in the bush.

Next we spent two nights in Kibale to trek for chimpanzees. We basically experienced an episode of Chimp Empire (Netflix). We saw chimps in the trees, on the ground, grooming, feeding, pounding on trees, making so much noise, mating, and having a tussle with a black and white Colobus monkey. Next stop was three nights in Mgahinga National Park. We trekked for Golden Monkeys and were rewarded with a large group, including so many young ones that we watched playing for almost the entire hour. That afternoon we visited the Batwa community (tribe displaced from the forest in 1991 to protect the gorilla habitat). Next day was our first gorilla trek. The family we saw has three silverbacks in a group of nine. We were amazed by how close the gorillas came to us. In Bwindi Impenetrable National Park we had our final primate experience, a gorilla habituation experience.

While the impetus for the trip was seeing wildlife, we always want to interact with the people of the places we visit. The Ugandan people were just lovely. While most survive by growing their own food and selling what extra they have, we found them to be happy, friendly, and as interested in us as we with them. The employees of the lodges went out of their way to ensure we had everything we could possibly want. The hospitality was above what anyone could expect.” —Karen Baesman

Read more reviews of Uganda trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

START A TRIP TO UGANDA

Thailand: “One canoe offered us coconuts, and then the other made us special Thai treats—not easy to do while staying balanced on the water…”

A woman on a boat delivers Thai snacks to April Milford and her family on their WOW Moment in Bangkok, Thailand.

A woman delivers Thai snacks to April Milford and her family. Photo: Traveler April Milford

“I recently returned from a family trip to Thailand for my son’s graduation. I worked with Dan and his team. They were amazing and made planning this trip a true pleasure! The highlight of our time in Bangkok was our boat tour through the canals. We had a private longtail boat that took us through the different riverside communities, making several stops to see temples, markets and for lunch.

We were surprised with an incredible WOW Moment when two small canoes pulled up alongside us. At first we didn’t realize they were there specifically for us. One canoe offered us coconuts, and then the other made us special Thai treats—not easy to do while staying balanced on the water—which we were given along with a bottle of champagne. We loved it. Thank you, Wendy!” —April Milford

Read more reviews of Thailand trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

START A TRIP TO THAILAND

Pacific Northwest: “A personal tour with a photographer to get unique photos of Portland where the locals live and eat…”

The Columbia River creates beautiful road-trip scenery in Oregon. Photo: Pixabay

“My husband and I worked with Sheri to create a two-week self-driving tour of the coast of Washington and Oregon. Sheri recommended wonderful lodging options that were beautiful and had very attentive staff. She created an amazingly detailed itinerary with specific driving and ferry directions and important information about where to stop to eat, when to gas up, and options for short detours for a spectacular view or to visit a historical site. The extensive itinerary made the drive seamless and was easy to follow using an app on our phones.

We were fortunate enough to receive a surprise WOW Moment, which was one of the highlights of our trip: a personal tour with a photographer to get unique photos of Portland where the locals live and eat (Food Pods). I would recommend working with Sheri and allowing her to create a truly special trip using her intimate knowledge of the region.” —Jan Rowland

Read more reviews of Pacific Northwest trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

Italy: “We pulled up to a dock, and there was a musical group founded in 1807 from the village of Lezzeno, waiting on the shore to entertain us…”

Travelers Deb and John Wente in their private boat tour on Lake Como, Itlay.

Deb and John Wente in their private boat on Lake Como.

“We just returned from a trip to northern Italy planned by Andrea. We visited Lake Orta, Lake Mergozzo, Lake Maggiore and Lake Como. Then, our WOW Moment! We pulled up to a dock, and there was a musical group founded in 1807 from the village of Lezzeno, waiting on the shore to entertain us. We even waltzed a bit! One of the members made focaccia and pizza for our snack, and we toasted with sparkling wine. Family and friends of the group waved us off as we got back on our boat. Friends ask me how I find these destinations and experiences, and I explain it is the expertise of the Trusted Travel Experts recommended by Wendy Perrin.” —Deborah Wente

Read more reviews of Italy trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

England: “We spent a day with Ricki Weston, their Executive Chef, foraging in his favorite places & returned to his kitchen where he gave us a lesson…”

Hidcote Manor Gardens in the Cotswolds, England. Photo: Jonathan Epstein

“When my husband and I wanted to plan a week in the Cotswolds, we contacted Jonathan and Katie. We explained that we wanted to spend days with cultural activities, hands-on experiences, plus have down-time just to be. The accommodations and itinerary they put together suited us perfectly (thanks, Jonathan, for encouraging us to stay at the Whatley Manor; it is a VERY special place).

From visits to a cheese-making factory, a trip to a brewery that uses the same equipment and techniques it has for hundreds of years, to a tasting at the wonderful Cotswolds Distillery, to visiting Bath and the myriad of beautiful villages in the area, everything worked perfectly.

As if that were not enough, Wendy and Jonathan arranged for an incredible WOW Moment during our stay at Whatley Manor. We spent a day with Ricki Weston, their Executive Chef, foraging in his favorite places and then returned to his kitchen where he gave us a lesson in cooking and even prepared a meal for us. What a special experience!” —Vanessa Hulme

Read more reviews of United Kingdom trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

START A TRIP TO EASTERN EUROPE

Budapest, Vienna, Prague: “An evening wine tasting floating down the Danube at night…”

Travelers Yehuda and Tammy Schmidt enjoying their WOW Moment during their private Danube cruise in Budapest, Hungary.

Yehuda and Tammy Schmidt during their private Danube cruise in Budapest.

“We are still in a glow from our amazing trip to Eastern Europe. We reached out to Wendy, who matched us with Gwen. Gwen organized the trip of a lifetime! We began in Budapest, a gorgeous city with a very rich history. We absolutely loved our WOW Moment of an evening wine tasting floating down the Danube at night, seeing Budapest’s Parliament and other buildings glowing at night. Simply gorgeous!” —Tammy and Yehuda Schmidt

Read more reviews of Eastern Europe trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

Italy: “a private lesson making cocktails at Martini & Rossi headquarters…”

Elaine and Gregg Patterson on the rooftop of the Marrone Winery in La Morra, Piedmont, Italy after a lunch in their restaurant and before the private tour of the winery.

Elaine and Gregg Patterson on the rooftop of the Marrone Winery in La Morra, Piedmont, where they had lunch and a private tour.

“We had been to different parts of Italy about a dozen times before we started working with Maria and Brian and quickly learned that they can deliver itineraries and experiences that we could never arrange on our own. (And I say that even though I love doing travel research and have planned dozens of trips for us over 40 years.) For this trip, we gave Maria our wish list of Turin, Piedmont wine region, Genoa, Portofino and Lake Maggiore.

Our WOW Moment—a private lesson making cocktails at Martini & Rossi headquarters near Turin—was completely unexpected and completely fun! We learned so much and have so many unforgettable memories from this trip, thanks to Maria and Brian and their network of exceptional people on the ground.” —Elaine Patterson

Read more reviews of Italy trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

Malta: “It is not currently open to the public due to renovation; it is where Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip lived…”

The inside of the Palazzo Falson, in Mdina, Malta.

Palazzo Falson, in Mdina, Malta. Photo: Shutterstock

“Damon made arrangements for us to stay in a quieter part of Valletta, and all of our activities were structured to avoid the crowds arriving and departing on two huge cruise ships. Our hotel was in a 16th-century building, with a lovely view of the harbor, friendly staff, and excellent breakfasts. We could walk or take a little dghajsa boat during our free time to visit other parts of the city. We got to contemplate the two Caravaggios at St. John’s Co-Cathedral a bit ahead of the crowd.

Wendy arranged for us to have a unique WOW Moment, touring the Villa Guardamangia with the curator—and it was a WOW! It is not currently open to the public due to renovation; it is where Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip lived during the early years of their marriage, while Philip was in the Navy. We all loved the TV series The Crown and, of course, were thrilled to be able to visit!

We also loved being able to visit a private palazzo in Mdina, which the owner had not yet opened to the public. We learned about his family history, including a political murder that took place on his balcony, knick-knacks and treasures found in the attic, and what it takes to renovate a home dating back 400 years!

We also loved a private dinner at the Markus Divinus Winery during which the owner told us what is involved in growing grapes and making wine on this relatively small island. My inner nerd was pleased to visit the Hagar Qim, a prehistoric temple built to worship the fertility goddess and, according to UNESCO, the oldest continuously standing structure in the world.” —Stephanie Wright

Read more reviews of Malta trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

China: “We had an amazing dinner prepared and cooked in a private space…”

Emma Jacobs and her husband dining on the Great Wall of China.

Read more reviews of China trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

Ireland: “A private Irish dancing demonstration and lesson…”

The hiking trail at the top of Diamond Hill in Connemara National Park, Ireland. Behind, the sun plays with the clouds reflected in the sea. - Image

Diamond Hill, Connemara National Park, Ireland. Photo: Shutterstock

“We had a fantastic trip to Ireland planned primarily by Katie on Jonathan’s team, who got us to spectacular parts of the country and opened doors we couldn’t have on our own. We focused on the west coast of Ireland mostly along the Wild Atlantic Way and enjoyed stunning scenery, excellent food, and welcoming locals.

The true highlight was a private food tour in Galway with Sheena, who highlighted the best of the new Irish culinary scene in the city. The WOW Moment Sheena and Katie arranged was something we never would have thought to do on our own but was amazing. We had a private Irish dancing demonstration and lesson with a highly accomplished dancer and musical accompaniment by an excellent fiddle player. While I can’t say I got any good at Irish dancing, I can say that my wife and I had a blast and can’t wait to go back to Ireland to explore even more.” —Harrison Earl

Read more reviews of Ireland trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

START A TRIP TO ARGENTINA OR CHILE

Argentina: “We delighted in a 7-course-with-Argentinian-wine-pairings gastronomic experience!”

A chef and sommelier guided the travelers through their WOW Moment dinner in a private restaurant, Argentina.

A chef and sommelier guided the Shapiros through their WOW Moment dinner in a private restaurant. Photo: Traveler Andy Shapiro

“We’ve worked with many WOW experts on numerous trips all over the world throughout the years, and if there was a ‘WOW Mount Rushmore,’ Jordan would be on it! In Buenos Aires we were driven to a penthouse apartment to ‘experience’ our WOW Moment that we had earned based on previous WP WOW trips. There, with a private gourmet chef and a sommelier, with the backdrop of a beautiful Buenos Aires night skyline, we delighted in a 7-course-with-Argentinian-wine-pairings gastronomic experience! The sommelier provided a valuable introductory education about Argentinian wines, using maps, which we loved and appreciated. AMAZING!” —Andy and Marci Shapiro

Read more reviews of Argentina and Chile trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

India: “We enjoyed the experience of ‘renewing our vows’ in a different culture…”

Michael and Lisa Riggs with new friend Rangmala at the Dera Amer sanctuary.

“As with every WOW List specialist we have worked with over the past five years, we found that Victoria had everything planned and arranged to perfection. The hotels were 5-star, gorgeous, and even historic. At The Imperial in New Delhi, the site of many historic meetings, we enjoyed sitting at the same table Gandhi did!

In Agra, we were surprised by our WOW Moment: an authentic Hindu marriage ceremony for us! We participated in the rituals, learned a lot, and enjoyed the experience of ‘renewing our vows’ in a different culture. Now we will be together for 7 lifetimes, the priest told us. Luckily, we’re good with that.

Our WOW celebration continued with an excellent dinner of Mughal tandoor cuisine, with a traditional Santoor musician, at the highly rated Esphahan restaurant in our hotel, the Oberoi.

Read more reviews of India trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

START A TRIP TO SOUTH AMERICA

Peru: “We went all over the city, sampling different types of ceviche and learning about this rich Peruvian tradition…”

Ceviche at Amaz Restaurant in Lima, Peru. Photo: Amaz

“Just returned from Chile, Peru, and Bolivia! Recently, Wendy has been recommending South America, and I’m so grateful I took advantage of this. Despite the warm temperatures, there were few tourists, which ensured a really authentic experience. Ashton helped me plan an extended trip to all my desired destinations: Torres Del Paine, the Amazon Basin, Lima, Santiago, Valparaiso, the Atacama, and the Altiplano of Bolivia.

In Lima, Ashton and Wendy arranged a WOW Moment, which was right up my street: a ceviche lesson, tasting, and tour with Marisol. We went all over the city, sampling different types of ceviche and learning about this rich Peruvian tradition.

My favorite aspects of working with one of Wendy’s experts is the ability to customize when/where I’m going, to focus on places that are not overrun with tourists, to meet the local people and see how they live, and to get outside and really feel a part of the stunning landscape. Onwards!” —Milinda Martin

Read more reviews of South America trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

Belize: “A local family served us a traditional Mayan lunch, nouvelle-style. And Patricia met us there for lunch…”

WOW Lister Patricia Johnson joined Salena and Allen Kern for lunch one day.

“My criteria was a direct flight from Newark, warmth, a place we’d never been to with lots to do if we wished, and a Wendy Perrin advisor. It took about a minute to find Belize and Patricia. And we were off…. We climbed ruins, rafted through a cave that should have been a cathedral, and visited an entrepreneurial coffee “factory” amongst other things. Most important to me, however, was that we got to know something about the current economy of this young country and much about its varied cultures.

On our first full day, we were surprised by our WOW Moment. At this most beautiful site, overlooking a series of waterfalls, we were served lunch by a local family (now, Patricia did know that I am a bit of a foodie) who served us a traditional Mayan lunch, nouvelle-style. The family has a catering company called U Janal Masewal, Ancient Recipes for a Modern World. That sort of sums up my worldview too. We were happy! And Patricia met us there for lunch. Thank you, Patricia and Wendy.

Read more reviews of Belize trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

START A TRIP TO PATAGONIA

Ecuador: “A new species, the ‘Mashpi glass frog,’ which he found for us on a night walk…”

A frog clinging on the traveler's glasses frame.

A Mashpi glass frog clings to a traveler’s glasses frame. Photo: Traveler Robin Madden

“We chose to visit the Amazon and stay at Napo Wildlife Center, and Mashpi Lodge in the Cloud Forest. These two places were chosen due to their commitment to the local communities and preservation of the incredibly biologically diverse ecosystems in which they are each set. Carmen on Jordan’s team put together a seamless experience.

The Napo Wildlife Center is owned and operated by the local community—a rarity in luxury lodges. Mornings started early, 5:30, but oh, the payoff! We saw multiple species of monkeys, more than 40 different birds, caiman, river otters, and a sloth, as well as various snakes and insects. Our WOW Moment occurred while being paddled on the lake at sunset, when chilled wine was served along with gifts of handmade jewelry and a gorgeous bowl made by the local women. Then upon arriving back at the dock, there was a sumptuous spread of food and more wine! Enough to share with many others.

At Mashpi, Fernando was our guide, and he is the ‘frog whisperer.’ He is a biologist who did research there prior to becoming a guide and identified a new species, the ‘Mashpi glass frog,’ which he found for us on a night walk. It was like watching a National Geographic special, but it was right there in front of us.” —Robin Madden

Read more reviews of Ecuador trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

START A TRIP TO ECUADOR

Chile: “A cooking class and dinner with a chef who hosted us at his home…”

Travelers on a field of lupine during a birdwatching excursion in Chilean Patagonia.

Bill Livingood, Lynn Woodhouse, Sandra Quinn, and Stephen Thomas walk through a field of lupine during a birdwatching excursion in Chilean Patagonia.

“My husband, two friends and I have just returned from our trip to Chilean Patagonia, and once again, we were in the expert hands of Maita and her team. We began with a 3-night stay at the Singular Patagonia, outside of Puerto Natales. What a stunning and unique small hotel in a gorgeous setting overlooking a fjord. With our great guide, we spent literally an entire day hiking through forest, pampa and the wetlands, spotting 41 species of birds…. From there, we drove to Tierra Patagonia, just outside Torres del Paine National Park. Magnificent view from our huge window in our room!!! We saw lots of wildlife, wildflowers, stunning sunsets, and on our last morning, the entire dining room was abuzz when we saw a puma saunter across the property in front of us.

Before our departure for the US, we had an extraordinary WOW Moment: Maita and team had arranged a cooking class and dinner with Tatan, a chef who hosted us at his home overlooking the city and mountains. He was gracious, interesting, and charming. We began with luscious appetizers on the balcony, and moved to the kitchen where he had organized work stations and assignments for each of us as we made ceviche and pisco sours. In addition to having fun, we learned new cooking skills. Gary, our escort to the airport, had to drag us away as we enjoyed our meal and delicious cheesecake on the balcony.” —Sandra Quinn

Read more reviews of Patagonia trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

Belize: “A private concert with up-and-coming Belizian vocalist Kylon Eiley on our villa patio…”

Turquoise water in the Caribbean Caye Caulker island, Belize.

The Caribbean island of Caye Caulker, Belize. Photo: Shutterstock

“Just back from a wonderful week in Belize with our adult daughters (23 and 25). Patricia, Rachael and their team did a great job. They exemplify why I use your planners—they really listened and planned accordingly, were easy to communicate with, have in-country expertise and contacts (Rachael met us at the airport!), and were able to adjust on the fly. We were looking for a Christmas-week alternative to our typical beach-resort experience where we stay at the hotel and rarely venture out. Instead, we had a 2-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 Belizian vocalist Kylon Eiley on our villa patio, complete with margaritas….” —Kathryn Barden

Read more reviews of Belize trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

Paris: “Since we couldn’t go to Israel, this was a Jerusalem-Paris dining experience…”

Versailles Palace, Paris. Photo: Shutterstock

“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, 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. We have traveled the world with Wendy Perrin’s WOW List. It is the best way and the only way we travel.” —Adrienne, Phil, Lindsey, Billy Goldberg

Read more reviews of Paris trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

New Zealand: “A studio visit with Delani Brown, a Maori/Irish wood artist in Taupo…”

Barbara and Larry Schoenfeld birdwatching at the Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari ecological park.

“Jean-Michel’s colleague Clare organized five days of interesting, off-the-beaten path experiences in New Zealand. One of the highlights was a private guided tour of Maungatautari, a Sanctuary Mountain. It’s an incredible conservation area where they constructed one of the world’s largest pest-proof fences and succeeded in rejuvenating tree and bird species, especially New Zealand’s endangered kiwis. She also arranged for my husband and me to accompany a Maori leader on a spiritual ceremony greeting the dawn, followed by a visit and discussion about Orakei Marae, his tribal community in the hills near Auckland.

The next day, we spent a fascinating few hours with Mamakan, a botanical artist who led us through her forest restoration project in Parau and then served us an elegant foraged lunch. A highlight of our trip was the Wendy WOW Moment, a studio visit with Delani Brown, a Maori/Irish wood artist in Taupo who produces giant columns and edifices for buildings and public spaces worldwide.” —Barbara Schoenfeld

Read more reviews of New Zealand trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

Sicily: “A private dinner at the home of chef Gabriella Garajo…”

The view of Sicily's western coastline and Monte Cofano seen from Erice.

Sicily’s western coastline and Monte Cofano, as seen from Erice. Photo: Traveler Nancy Footer

“I took the advice found in many reviews by previous clients and gave Marcello and Matteo free rein to design the itinerary, and I am so glad I did. I spent my first day in Palermo—such a bustling and exquisite city—seeing all the key historic sites, the waterfront, and the Capo Mercato with Giorgio, a thoroughly charming and expert guide….We traveled next into the hills near Camporeale for a private tour, lunch and tasting at Porta del Vento winery. Marco, the owner, was a generous and engaging host, and I appreciated learning about his wines and his journey to becoming a vintner. It was a treat to see the harvest, learn about the winemaking process and then taste his award-winning wines.

And then, when I thought the day couldn’t get any better, I was surprised with a WOW Moment—a private dinner at the home of chef Gabriella Garajo. The meal was remarkable—contemporary versions of Sicilian classics made with local ingredients served at Gabriella’s dining table set with her family china and silver. It was a perfect finish to a most memorable day.” —Nancy Footer

Read more reviews of Sicily trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

START A TRIP TO SICILY

Italy: “A cocktail class at the Martini and Rossi headquarters…”

The verdant Barolo wine region in Italy. Photo: Traveler Joe Lyle

“Our trip to Piedmont was excellently planned and executed by Maria and her team. We started in Torino, where the highlights were a chocolate tasting and a tour of the Egyptian Museum (which has the largest collection of Egyptian artifacts outside of Egypt). Before leaving Torino, we were treated to a fun WOW Moment: a cocktail class at the Martini and Rossi headquarters outside of Torino.

Then the real fun began as we moved on to the winemaking region of Piedmont, touring its villages, staying in restored castles in Sinio and Guarene, and tasting Barolo, Barbaresco, Barbara and white wines of the region while sampling the regional dishes. One of the many highlights of the trip was truffle hunting. Watching the dog track down truffles was amazing. Unlike the French, Italians don’t use pigs for truffle hunting. Why? Pigs don’t listen, and they eat the truffles.” —Joe Lyle

Read more reviews of Italy trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

Italy: “A private cooking demo in the kitchen with chef Anna Barbina…”

Morning seascape of Adriatic sea with the Miramare Castle.

Miramare Castle in Trieste, Italy. Photo: Shutterstock

“Jennifer helped us plan a two-week trip to Friuli Venezia Giulia. The area is a melting pot of northern Italian, Austrian and Slovenian cuisines and has great wines (mostly white). Inexplicably, the region doesn’t seem to be on the tourist radar, so of course we decided that this was the place for us! The accommodation Jennifer suggested to us in the Collio was outstanding—just what we were hoping for! The property was lovely, with a spa and walking paths through the surrounding vineyards. After our break in the countryside, we moved on to Udine. A highlight was seeing Tiepolo’s amazing ceiling frescoes.

We also had a WOW Moment while staying in Udine: We had a private cooking demo in the kitchen with chef Anna Barbina and her mother, who serves as her sommelier. Anna made five traditional dishes for us to sample (with wine served by her mother, of course), then we had lunch in her osteria, AB Osteria Contemporanea, where she serves contemporary twists on traditional cooking. Heavenly! Anna and her mother were delightful and couldn’t have been more gracious. FVG was full of beautiful scenery and art, brimming over with fascinating history, and the food and wine were simply spectacular. We’ve had many incredible meals in Italy over the years, but we had more standouts on this trip than any other. If food is your religion, you should make your way to FVG.” —Rachel Webber

Read more reviews of Italy trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

Turkey: “One day we traveled via flat-bottomed boat through the reeds to the Lycian Rock Tombs…”

Sailing the Turquoise Coast on a private gulet.

Anne Hall and her husband and sister sailed the Turquoise Coast on a private gulet. Photo: Traveler Anne Hall

“My husband, sister, and I spent eight days in Turkey. Many thanks to Karen for a unique and amazing trip. After four exceptional days in Istanbul, we flew to Dalaman, where a driver and guide took us to Gocek marina to board the Serenity 70, a lovely two-masted gulet. We three were the only passengers. How do you define perfect? We can’t say enough about the incredible crew (captain, first mate, and chef) and the four days of sailing the southwestern coast of Turkey. We would sail for 2 to 3 hours each day, then anchored at one of the coast’s many bays. Each day we swam in the silky, blue waters and toured an ancient site on land.

One day we traveled via flat-bottomed boat through the reeds to the Lycian Rock Tombs and toured ancient villages. This was my WOW Moment provided by Wendy Perrin (thanks, Wendy!). The old tombs were amazing—like Petra in Jordan. We swam through the ruins of Cleopatra’s bath house and hiked Gemiler Island. Otherwise, we read, napped, or sat up above with the captain while he steered the boat. At the end of the voyage the chef baked a cake for our newly retired sister, which congratulated her in Turkish on the top of the cake, and the whole crew joined us in the celebration.” —Anne Hall

Read more reviews of Turkey trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

START A TRIP TO TURKEY

Croatia: “You arranged to have a gorgeous private sailboat to sail around the Elaphiti Islands…”

Karen Bennett and Donna Praskach’s day on the water included a dip in the Adriatic.

“My girlfriend and I just returned from a most PERFECT and fabulous trip to Croatia that your expert agents designed for us (Sept. 27-Oct. 8, 2023). The specific agent that we worked with, Ala, was just a wealth of knowledge. She arranged cooking classes, wine tastings, walking tours, visiting an oyster farm and having a private oyster and mussel tasting, but still plenty of time to relax and swim in the Adriatic Sea. It really was a trip of a lifetime and one of the most enjoyable trips I’ve taken abroad. And everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, came together without one hiccup happening. Truly, a PERFECT experience.

My friend had used WendyPerrin.com previously and, therefore, we were granted a WOW Moment and, oh my goodness, was it a WOW Moment! Probably the highlight of our trip. You arranged to have a gorgeous private sailboat to sail around the Elaphiti Islands right off the coast of Dubrovnik. What an over-the-top experience that was for us and culminated our trip on the last day. It couldn’t have been more perfect, again, perfect! Thank you, Wendy Perrin, and your incredible team of experts. A trip of a lifetime thanks to you!”—Donna Praskach

Read more reviews of Croatia trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

START A TRIP TO CROATIA

Italy: “A romantic dinner for my wife and me on the terrace of the Grand Hotel Tremezzo…”

A view of Lake Como was key to Adam Amsterdam’s villa vacation and WOW Moment. Photo: Traveler Adam Amsterdam

“We worked with Andrea and her excellent team to rent a wonderful villa for three weeks in Ossuccio, a small comune on the western shore of Lake Como (about 12 miles northeast of the city of Como). Andrea’s team found the perfect villa for us and our two adult children and made all the necessary arrangements with the owner and property manager. They even made sure that any groceries and household items we wanted were ordered and stocked for our arrival. Andrea arranged a cooking class for us in Bellagio with an award-winning celebrity chef. We made beautiful tri-color pasta and feasted on a delicious lunch. Andrea also arranged a boat with an English-speaking captain to take us to several towns along the western and eastern shores of Lake Como where we stopped for lunch, shopping, and gelato.

I also must mention that we had a WOW Moment, which was a romantic dinner for my wife and me on the terrace of the Grand Hotel Tremezzo overlooking Lake Como and the twinkling lights of Bellagio, all framed by the pre-Alps in the distance.” —Adam Amsterdam

Read more reviews of Italy trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

Canada: “We were treated to a private lobster dinner on the Bay of Fundy…”

East Point Lighthouse on Prince Edward Island. Photo: Traveler Phil Hoch

“We just returned from a trip to New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia, and could not be happier that we chose Jill as our travel expert. Jill was excellent at listening to our thoughts and wishes and crafted a beautiful itinerary that kept us mostly focused on smaller towns and areas for walking/hiking. From St. Andrews to St. Martins, we could not have had a better introduction to the Bay of Fundy and life outside the big cities. Of particular note were our guides. Genny was fabulous in St. Andrews and got us on Ministers Island, which you can only drive to at low tide.

In St. Martins, Mike, Jordan, and Joe from Bay of Fundy Adventures took us hiking/walking, kayaking in the Bay and, best of all, our WOW Moment. We were treated to a private lobster dinner on the Bay of Fundy, watching the tide disappear, with enough scallops, lobster and more to feed us for a week. We tried to eat it all and failed!”—Phil Hoch

Read more reviews of Canada trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

START A TRIP TO CANADA

Turkey: “Our WOW Moment was extra special—reminiscent of Skyfall on the roof of the Grand Bazaar…”

Tina Hunt and family on the rooftop of Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar.

“If you like to travel and experience diverse culture, food, history, and enjoy meeting welcoming people, then Turkey is not to be missed! We worked with Karen to curate and customize our adventure. We started with a three-day gulet voyage on the Prima Donna. Our chef, Zekai, was a wonder as he quietly turned out fantastic food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner! Just over-the-top fun. After the relaxing gulet, we did a whirlwind tour of Ephesus, which was not to be missed if you enjoy ancient history and beautiful ruins. Cappadocia was a place of pure joy for us. The fairy landscape with the “mushroom”-capped chimneys and cave churches and dwellings provided a much needed bit of exercise with short hikes. Our sunrise balloon experience was pure early morning magic.

All too soon it was time to head back to Istanbul for our last three nights of our adventure. The history just permeates the entire vibe of the city and feels vibrant and modern while mixing seamlessly into structures that are thousands of years old…. Our WOW Moment was extra special—reminiscent of Skyfall on the roof of the Grand Bazaar. We found ourselves wishing for more time at almost every stop in Turkey and can’t wait to return!” —Tina Hunt

Read more reviews of Turkey trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

START A TRIP TO TURKEY

Portugal: “The surprise was a fantastic candlelight concert in a church courtyard…”

the colorful yellow and red turrets of Pena Palace, Sintra, Portugal

The Pena Palace, in Sintra, Portugal, is an outstanding example of the Romanticism style of architecture. Photo: Pixabay

“Goncalo and Sara did a wonderful job planning and executing the details of our trip. We started our trip in the Alentejo region and wish we had had more time to explore! Our next stop was Lisbon, a beautiful and fascinating city, great for exploring and lots of walking up and down hills!

A highlight of our time in Lisbon was a wonderful WOW Moment arranged by Goncalo. We learned of this surprise when we checked into our hotel and received a note instructing us that a driver would pick us up one evening for a surprise and then return us to the hotel after. The surprise was a fantastic candlelight concert in a church courtyard. Wonderful musicians and setting! The guide and driver organized for us to explore Sintra were both terrific and on point in every way—getting to explore Sintra alone before its official opening was a treat.” —Jen Kasoff

Read more reviews of Portugal trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

Italy: “We were given a special opportunity to be dressed up for the night in the Foligno Quintana traditional costumes for their festival…”

Andrea Phillips and family during their WOW moment in Foligno, Umbria, dressing up in the traditional Quintana festival costumes.

“My family of four, with two teen girls, had a wonderful and action-packed trip to Italy covering Umbria, Tuscany, Florence, Bologna, Lake Como and Milan, planned with Maria. Italy was busy with travelers while we were there, but I can honestly say that it did not affect our plans at all, as Maria had it coordinated and timed out so perfectly. This trip was also to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary, and Maria had suggested two stops along the way that were very special. Wow, were they ever! Borgo Santo Pietro, a working farm and wellness resort in west Tuscany, and Grand Hotel Tremezzo, near Bellagio in Lake Como. Both resorts resembled something out of dream.

We were surprised with our WOW Moment early in this trip. We were given a special opportunity to be dressed up for the night in the Foligno Quintana traditional costumes for their festival later in the week. That was a unique experience and one that we would never have been able to arrange or even be allowed to do without Maria’s network in Italy. Thank you, Wendy and Maria!” –Andrea Phillips

Read more reviews of Italy trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

Turkey: “We also had the pleasure of our most memorable WOW Moment in Datca…”

Travelers Vanessa and Colin Hulme aboard their private yacht on the Turquoise Coast.

“Karen and her team planned an absolutely flawless vacation for my husband and me for 3 days in Istanbul and a 6-day cruise on a gulet along the Turkish coast. Our incredible guide in Istanbul, Sinan, not only showed us the tourist highlights, but out-of-the ordinary places we would never have found on our own. He also introduced us to real Turkish food, even going so far as booking a dinner reservation and pre-ordering a menu that suited us perfectly. From Istanbul, we flew to Bodrum and boarded our private gulet. The crew was professional, accommodating, and went out of their way to make the trip special. The stops were beautiful and the food amazing.

We also had the pleasure of our most memorable WOW Moment in Datca, being the first and only guests at a hotel just prior to the opening! We had the facility to ourselves, were served a gourmet dinner that was overseen by the General Manager and Food Service Manager, and were offered a gorgeous suite for an overnight stay; to say this was very, very special is an understatement. (Thank you, Wendy, Karen and Mustafa.) Karen and those that work with her obviously have an in-depth knowledge of Turkey.” —Vanessa Hulme

Read more reviews of Turkey trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

START A TRIP TO TURKEY

Iceland: “My favorite part? The WOW Moment at the Blue Lagoon…”

Blue Lagoon, Iceland. Photo: Lindblad Expeditions

“Due to problems with a previous agent, we had our first conversation with Mads two months before our Icelandic adventure was set to begin. It was in the few first minutes that Mads noted that he is turning customers away as Iceland is sold out. Obviously freaking out, he quickly added, for Wendy and Brook VIPs, I have rooms/cars/guides. Across multiple calls, in a week, he hit our budget and planned our trip. It was amazing. What our first agent couldn’t do over six months, Mads did in six days…

This trip was to celebrate my birthday. Mads arranged for dinner at the best restaurant in Reykjavík (a pull I couldn’t make on my own), surprised me with not only birthday gifts, but a full hotel property upgrade AND his insistence of an adventure activity (snowmobiling) gave my wife her favorite part of the trip. My favorite part? The WOW Moment at the Blue Lagoon, thank you Wendy & Brook, never had a floating massage before…drifted to relaxation.” –Eric Hammer

Read more reviews of Iceland trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

START A TRIP TO ICELAND

Egypt: “A VIP/behind-the-scenes tour of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), not yet open to the public…”

Travelers posing in front of one of Giza pyramids

Beth Nury’s kids got to see the Pyramids without crowds marring their view. Photo: Traveler Beth Nury

“Arlene on Jim’s staff meticulously planned a 17-day adventure for our family of four that began in Egypt. Egypt continues to be an international tourist hot spot, and since we started planning a bit late, few accommodations were available. However, she was able to use her contacts for stays at the Four Seasons Cairo, where we took advantage of the strong USD and had two five-star dinners. Arlene recommended the Sonesta Sun Goddess Nile cruise ship, a recently refurbished ship. Her insight paid off—the ship was great! As we sailed down the Nile over four days, we happened to see that our ship was one of the only that had an outdoor balcony, which my husband and I used regularly.

Once back on land in Cairo, we really enjoyed our WOW Moment, a VIP/behind-the-scenes tour of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), not yet open to the public. Very few crowds. We then drove over to Giza, where our guide cleverly started our Pyramid/Sphinx tour backwards, avoiding long lines. Our photos were incredible! They look like we had a private tour of Giza, since there are very few tourists in the background.” —Beth Nury

Read more reviews of Egypt trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

START A TRIP TO EGYPT

Ireland: “A wine and cheese tasting in the wine vault of Ashford Castle…”

Nancy and Guy Mazarin enjoying their WOW Moment in the wine vault of Ashford Castle.

“My husband and I just returned from a fabulous two-week vacation in Ireland, spending time at some spectacular locations, particularly Ballyfin and Ashford Castle, where we enjoyed the extensive onsite activities and amenities. The food at Ballyfin and Ashford, as well as the restaurants selected, was delicious and the pubs were as much fun as expected. My husband started drinking Guinness and I tried a different gin every night.

One of the most memorable moments of the trip occurred at Ashford Castle, where we were treated to a special WOW Moment, a wine and cheese tasting in the wine vault of Ashford Castle. Jonathan coordinated our entire trip down to the smallest detail, providing expert advice about where to stay, what to see, and even when to visit.” —Nancy Mazarin

Read more reviews of Ireland trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

Morocco: “A camel ride up the dunes with hor d’oeuvres and champagne as the sun set…”

Camel trek through the Sahara Desert, Morocco. Photo: Geri Krauss

“My husband and I recently returned from a superb trip to Morocco planned by Michael. The trip spanned much of the country—from the cities of Marrakesh and Fes to the Atlas mountains, the Sahara desert and the seashore. While we had to drive long distances to cover everything we wanted to see, the time passed quickly as the scenery throughout the country was gorgeous and dramatic. The hotels Michael recommended were each special in their own way (riads in the cities, kasbahs in the mountains and a tent in the desert) and the experiences he planned for us – cooking classes, dinner with a university professor to speak to us about the Sufis, walks through villages, markets and the old cities – were truly special.

Wendy treated us to a WOW Moment in the desert—a camel ride up the dunes with hor d’oeuvres and champagne as the sun set—which was truly WOW! T he country itself is fascinating—and we learned so much about its history, politics, culture and role in the world. We have traveled extensively with Wendy’s experts, and every trip has been great.” —Geri Krauss

Read more reviews of Morocco trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

Norway: “We were in Aurland at a farm set in a stunningly beautiful valley…”

Panoramic view of Aurland, Norway.

“We traveled from Oslo to Nesseby, which is past the Arctic Circle near the Russian border, spending 3 nights each in 7 venues. Torunn tailored the trip to our preferences, which lean toward a bit of adventure and agri-tourism. In the north we stayed at a 2-room lodge run by a Sami fisherman and spent a morning crab fishing on his boat and an afternoon on an archaeological walk with his wife. He was an excellent cook and served foods he and his wife had caught, shot, or foraged from the landscape. The next day we toured the area with a Sami reindeer herder. We also spent time on a small island well out in the Atlantic where we kayaked along the seashore to a lighthouse; foraged in Trondheim with a professional forager picking plants for our lunch; visited a dairy near Oslo producing a unique cheese product and advocating a more humane way to treat dairy cattle; and spent 3 nights at a farm with a gourmet chef specializing in dishes featuring fruit and vegetables from the farm.

Our wedding anniversary occurred during the trip and Torunn arranged a WOW Moment for us that was great fun. We were in Aurland at a farm set in a stunningly beautiful valley with steep mountainsides and many waterfalls. We were serenaded by a musician playing a Norwegian Hardanger fiddle, a type of double-strung violin. The venue was a small shelter with a magnificent view, and we toasted ourselves and the trip with homemade pear Kombucha made by the chef. We thoroughly enjoyed it.” —George Stephens

Read more reviews of Norway trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

Japan: “Incredible multi-course dinner at the Michelin-star French/Japanese restaurant Motoï…”

Japanese garden with trees, cherry blossoms, and buildings next to the river.

Japanese garden in Heian Shrine, Kyoto, Japan. Photo: Shutterstock

“I wanted a mix of urban and rural life, so Scott made a number of recommendations that would fulfill my desires. Besides vibrant Tokyo and Kyoto, we included a trip through the Japanese Alps, through the Kiso Valley and its enchanting post towns and fairytale villages untouched by time, to the charming towns of Takayama and Kanazawa.

The trip was topped off with a two-day stay in beautiful Hakone. And the WOW Moment! Made even more special by the happy coincidence of Scott being in Kyoto for business. So he was able to join us at the incredible multi-course dinner at the Michelin-star French/Japanese restaurant Motoï, a beautifully atmospheric restaurant with divine food, made extra special by the talented chef visiting us at our table.” —Roseanne Horn

Read more reviews of Japan trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

France: “A tour of the Paris monuments by night in an open-top deux-chevaux…”

Pont Alexandre III (Alexander the third bridge) over river Seine in Paris, France. Architecture and landmarks of Paris.

River Seine in Paris, France. Photo: Shutterstock

“We started in the South, staying at the world-renowned Hotel du Cap—unavailable if you try to book it yourself, but available if you have Philip’s team working with you. One of the best, if not the best, hotel we’ve ever stayed at. We spent four days touring Southern France with expert driver-guides arranged by Philip. We enjoyed a personal glass-blowing experience where we made our own sculpture (I can’t believe we were shaping 1,000-degree glass by hand, with only a wet newspaper to insulate us) and ate at some of the best restaurants on the French Riviera. From the South of France, we moved on to Aix-en-Provence, where we stayed for three nights at the superb Villa Gallici, a beautiful hotel tucked into the hillside above Aix with an easy walk into town. From Provence we took the 3-hour bullet-train ride from Aix to Paris. Dinner at the 3-Michelin-star Epicure restaurant—again, arranged by Philip when no reservations were available—was an absolute highlight of the trip.

On our final night in Paris, Wendy surprised us with a WOW Moment—a tour of the Paris monuments by night in an open-top deux-chevaux. What an amazing way to see the city on uncrowded streets and with all of the famous landmarks lit up at night.” —Larry Bridge

Read more reviews of France trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

START A TRIP TO SWITZERLAND

Switzerland: “It was opened especially for us…”

Deb Wente with her husband and the winemaker at the winery overlooking Lake Geneva.

“We just returned from a fabulous trip to Switzerland arranged by Nina and David. There is so much talk of the crowds this summer, but we had many experiences that were intimate and uncrowded…. On our drive from Ascona we arrived to the top of the Gotthard Pass, where we had our WOW Moment. The mountains are hollowed out with tunnels and bunkers from WWII. One bunker has been turned into a hotel/restaurant, La Clavstra. It was opened especially for us for a tour, then a lovely meal 70 meters underground. It was fascinating.

Our next stop was Zermatt, where the skies cleared up for a beautiful view of the Matterhorn. We took the cog railway up to the Gornergrat. Our last stop was Vevey, on the shores of Lake Geneva. Another incredibly special experience awaited us the afternoon of our arrival. We met our guide at our hotel, walked across the street and hopped in a 1966 Riva wooden boat. We drove along the Swiss Riviera, docked, and were driven to a vineyard in the UNESCO World Heritage site of Lavaux. Wine and fondue with the winemaker, it was magical.” —Deb Wente

Read more reviews of Switzerland trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

Italy: “WOW does not do justice to the opportunity to meet Marta Cucchia…”

Typical stone houses with stunning vineyard in the Chianti region in Tuscany.

Stunning vineyard in the Chianti region in Tuscany. Photo: Shutterstock

“Maria planned an amazing trip for us. We traveled through Umbria and Tuscany with a focus on food, wine, and culture. Montefalco is a charming Umbrian town nestled in the hills with a focus on wine and olive oil. Maria had booked us into a charming hotel and made dinner reservations for our first night. The next day we went truffle hunting and shared perhaps the best meal of the trip with the family. Each of the seven courses were delicious and I could have eaten the entire tray of the homemade onion foccacia.

The next morning was our WOW Moment. WOW does not do justice to the opportunity to meet Marta Cucchia, the great-granddaughter of the founder Giuditta Brozzetti who has carried forward the textile workshops. Working on looms from the 15th century, she provided us with a look into the art of weaving. Her joy in the work and understanding of the complexity and history of this art form was enthralling. This experience set the tone for the remainder of the trip meeting artisans, wine stewards, wine growers, balsamic vinegar artists, parmesan cheese makers, prosciutto ham makers, sculptors, cooks and guides and hoteliers that made us feel welcome. Although it was crowded already in Italy, we always felt as if we had our own private pathways to each activity.” —Lynne Golomb

Read more reviews of Italy trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

START A TRIP TO FRENCH POLYNESIA

French Polynesia: “Such a beautiful evening on the water seeing the sun go down and having the boat to ourselves…”

The Brando resort, Tahiti. Photo: The Brando

“Our eight days of paradise were stunning, fun, relaxing, and so much more. Kleon listened to all my questions and desires and put together the perfect itinerary. Our WOW Moment in Bora Bora with the sunset cruise was stunning and such a beautiful evening on the water seeing the sun go down and having the boat to ourselves. Our Captain was outstanding!! He sang and made drinks and had snacks for us but, most importantly, he sat and answered all the questions my friends were asking about life in French Polynesia and told us all about his family! He was so sweet and stayed out past all the other boats and we had a wonderful time with him that evening!

One of the treasures we will remember at The Brando is the early wake-up call to see the baby turtles released into the ocean after being born overnight. We were so lucky to be able to see this beautiful and unique experience. One of the biggest things that we all commented on was how wonderful all the local Polynesians were and so genuine and happy to have visitors and talk or help us in any way. ” —Mary Frances

Read more reviews of French Polynesia trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

Costa Rica: “A multi-hour sea voyage that enabled us to visit with the dolphins…”

Wavy Garza beach inn Costa Rica, surrounded by mountains.

Garza beach in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Photo: Shutterstock

“Priscilla planned and executed a once-in-a-lifetime adventure for my multi-generational family. The needs and wants of teenagers, adults, and seniors were all addressed. We saw too many ‘creatures’ to list, including a breaching whale, dolphin pod, sloths, quetzals, trogons, etc. —something for everyone, which isn’t easy, given the age difference and some dietary restrictions. Thanks, Wendy, for the marvelous WOW Moment—a multi-hour sea voyage that enabled us to visit with the dolphins while learning the area’s history from the charming captain.

Priscilla ensured we saw the area highlights yet had sufficient time to just relax and enjoy where we were. I was able to reunite with guides I had first met in the early 90s. Also spoke with the owner of the local coffee company established in 1994 and selling me beans ever since. In thinking about highlights, the hanging bridges at Monteverde and the breaching whale rise to the top of the list, unless you count the smiles of the grandchildren throughout the day… every day. Who says you can’t relive the past? We did!” —Linda and Joe Rothman

Read more reviews of Costa Rica trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

Egypt: “Wendy arranged for a private sunset dinner cruise…”

WOW List traveler Jeannie Mullen and friends enjoying their WOW Moment on the Nile.

“Two friends and I just returned from a private three-week trip to Egypt planned by Jim. We started in Cairo on the Giza plateau with a private tour of the Sphinx, then moved on to the pyramids, temples and tombs that we all see in our dreams when we think of Egypt. Our WOW Moment came in Aswan, after we disembarked from a Nile cruise and checked into the famous Old Cataract Hotel on the Nile. Wendy arranged for a private sunset dinner cruise that night which was just stunning. The crew members were lovely and the scenery was fabulous! Thank you again, Wendy! I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that, among the many, many experiences we had, the thing that stood out to each of us the most was the warm and welcoming spirits of the Egyptian people.” —Jeannie Mullen

Read more reviews of Egypt trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

START A TRIP TO EGYPT

Mexico: “A special lunch at Los Danzantes, including our own personal mariachis…”

Palacio de Bellas Artes or Palace of Fine Arts, a famous theater,museum and music venue in Mexico City

The Palacio de Bellas Artes, Mexico. Photo: Shutterstock

“This was our second time using Zach’s services, this time for travels to Mexico City and San Miguel de Allende, and, yet again, they excelled. The tours and activities planned in Mexico City (historical city tour, visit to San Angel, Coyoacan, Casa Azul, etc.) were exactly what we wanted. They even arranged a private after-hours visit to the National Museum of Anthropology. We had the entire Museum to ourselves! Wandering through the galleries with an expert was definitely a magical experience and brought the cultures to life. Before leaving Mexico City, we were treated to a WOW Moment with a special lunch at Los Danzantes, including our own personal mariachis (thanks, Wendy).” —Vanessa Hulme

Read more reviews of Mexico trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

Chile: “We had a private stargazing evening, hosted by French astronomer Alain Maury…”

Alain Maury’s SPACE Observatory, Chile. Photo: Barbara Schoenfeld

“Tom designed a Christmas/New Year’s trip to Chile for our family of six. He rose to the challenge of transporting us down and back up half the length of the continent. He organized visits to both Patagonia and the Atacama Desert, securing rooms at Hotel Las Torres in Patagonia and Explora Atacama. Both were excellent choices for their top-notch adventure staff and boutique experience.

And I’m not just saying this because I’m writing a review for Wendy’s WOW List, but the best part of the trip was the Wendy WOW Moment. We had a private stargazing evening, hosted by French astronomer Alain Maury, at his observatory called SPACE (San Pedro de Atacama Celestial Explorations). Above is the photo he took of us in front of one of his telescopes. Plus we have a video he recorded on my son’s cell phone where he described what we were seeing on the Sea of Tranquility on the moon—particularly the smudge where the US Apollo 11 landed.” —Barbara Schoenfeld

Read more reviews of Chile trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

Australia: “On Christmas Day we drove the Great Ocean Road and were completely surprised with a WOW Moment…”

two women in a helicopter flying over the 12 apostles

WOW Moment: A helicopter ride over the 12 Apostles. Photo: 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….” —Jennifer Mann

Read more reviews of Australia trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

Costa Rica: “Our private table was in a glassed-in small private dining area in the treetops…”

Monteverde, Costa Rica. Photo: Shutterstock

“Priscilla did a fabulous job of planning a special family trip for us. In Tortuguero, a highlight was the kayaking trip down an inland waterway and a short detour into a small, seemingly endless series of creeks on the side of the main waterway. It was like going into another world, even in the otherworldliness of the jungle. When our guide asked us all to stop paddling, close our eyes, and just listen to the jungle sounds, it was magical.

We had a special WOW Moment in Monteverde when we were taken to the San Lucas Treetop Dining Experience. Each of the delicious small nine courses represented an area of Costa Rica that was explained to us as it was served. Our private table was in a glassed-in small private dining area in the treetops overlooking the town. We were there at sunset, and the view was amazing.” —Beverly Cameron

Read more reviews of Costa Rica trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

Portugal: “A WOW Moment at Claus Porto, a private workshop that started in Porto in 1887…”

a house and vineyard in Douro Valley, Portugal

Douro Valley, Portugal. Photo: Mike Korn

“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

Read more reviews of Portugal trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

START A TRIP TO BORA BORA

Bora Bora: “A private sunset cruise and photo shoot…”

Bora Bora. Photo: Traveler Albert Cemel

“The photos and videos we had seen of French Polynesia hardly compare to the breathtaking views and exhilaration you feel when you set foot on these islands. The lagoons around the Tahitian islands are crystal clear and brightened by every shade of blue you can imagine. Kleon has vast experience in the South Pacific islands and made some great recommendations on things we hadn’t even thought of….

Our final stop was Bora Bora, where the view at the airport was like a WOW Moment in and of itself! The dazzling turquoise lagoon, a tiny palm-covered islet in the middle, and the beautiful green shades of the iconic Mount Otemanu in the background, makes for an unforgettable, jaw-dropping scene. In Bora Bora we were fortunate to receive a WOW Moment selected by Wendy Perrin and Kleon. It was a private sunset cruise and photo shoot on a luxurious 21-foot Bayliner named “Love Boat.” It was a beautiful, romantic experience. The captain was a charming man raised on the French Riviera who had moved to Bora Bora 20 years ago and never looked back. We were given a USB key with close to 100 HD photos at the end of our cruise. The photos of my wife and me against beautiful background colors of the setting sun have provided us with wonderful memories of our trip to paradise.” —Al Cemel

Read more reviews of Bora Bora trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

Panama: “We were picked up in a Panama school bus—Diablo Rojo—with all the neon lights flashing and the salsa music playing…”

National Theatre of Panama, Casco Antiguo, Panama City. Photo: Shutterstock

“Even though our trip was short notice and over the New Year holidays, Pierre put together a really wonderful and memorable trip for us to Panama. We started out in Panama City, where we were given our WOW Moment—and what a Moment it was! We were picked up in a Panama school bus—Diablo Rojo—with all the neon lights flashing and the salsa music playing! It took us from the hotel to the Historic Old City where we had a great typical Panamanian dinner at a local restaurant, then enjoyed the view from a rooftop bar with a glass of wine. Finally, back to the hotel on Diablo Rojo! What a fun outing!!

On Christmas Day we toured an agro-organic farm called Hacienda Mamecillo, where the family produces all their food organically, as well as a special coffee. It was so interesting and impressive. The meal they served was, honestly, one of the best meals we have ever had—worthy of any fine dining anywhere.” —Sally Boland

Read more reviews of Panama trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

START A TRIP TO PANAMA

Bolivia & Peru: “The unobstructed expanse of the isolated salt flats make star-gazing on the Salar de Uyuni a truly spellbinding experience…”

Salar de Uyuni salt flat during the starry night, Bolivia

Salar de Uyuni starry night, Bolivia. Photo: Shutterstock

“Our trip was amazing—from visiting the salt flats to checking out a silver mine, boating on Lake Titicaca, visiting cathedrals and museums, eating delicious foods, and meeting wonderful people. We were delighted from start to finish with Marisol and Mark’s exceptional advice and service, and a big thank-you to Wendy for the WOW Moment: The unobstructed expanse of the isolated salt flats make star-gazing on the Salar de Uyuni a truly spellbinding experience, as the full breadth and immensity of the night sky can be observed and appreciated with the telescope provided or with the naked eye. Located at altitude with almost no light pollution thanks to a sparse population, the Salar de Uyuni is one of the best places to stargaze in South America.” —Dominique Tran

Read more reviews of Bolivia and Peru trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

START A TRIP TO BOLIVIA AND PERU

Israel & Jordan: “We were flying simulated F-16 planes…”

Aerial sun set view of Mediterranean Seashore of Tel Aviv, Israel.

Mediterranean Seashore of Tel Aviv, Israel. Photo: Shutterstock

“Just back from an amazing trip to Israel and Jordan arranged by Joe and Jonathan. We had a WOW Moment on this trip where we were flying simulated F-16 planes—super fun, also very humbling, giving us an even greater respect for our fighter pilots. We had a graffiti tour of Tel Aviv with a very talented artist, as well as a food tour in the souk of Jerusalem. As for Jordan, Petra was beyond incredible. It was quite an experience walking across the Israeli border into no man’s land and then walking to the Jordan border. We were thankful we had our trusted guides on either side of the border to guide us.” —Toni Casamento

Read more reviews of Israel and Jordan trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

START A TRIP TO ISRAEL AND JORDAN

Scotland: “That afternoon was the highlight of our trip…”

St Andrews Cathedral in St. Andrews, Scotland. Photo: Shutterstock

“To plan our 12 days in Scotland, we worked with Jonathan and Katie. Scotland is an incredibly picturesque country, and the people we met there could not have been more welcoming and enjoyable. Highlights included our walking tour of the Royal Mile in Edinburgh with Paul, who pointed out architectural details and many things we would have missed on our own that made us understand and appreciate the city even more; St. Andrews, a picture-perfect town with amazing golf, pubs, and restaurants; and our drive through The Great Glen, whose natural awesome beauty was breathtaking. Every hotel we stayed at was amazing, and we were given exceptional treatment while there, no doubt because of the relationships they shared with Jonathan.

We had our WOW Moment in Glasgow at The Pot Still pub, a small homey place with hundreds of whiskies lining the walls. We sat at a table in the back, with locals all around us enjoying drinks with friends. There we were welcomed by Chris, who knew more about whisky than anyone I’d ever met. He spent two-plus hours explaining the intricacies of Scottish whisky, the differences between single malt, single grain, and blends. He told us where the various distilleries are and how the locations and production styles affect taste. And while we listened, we ate haggis pies and tasted a variety of different whiskies. That afternoon was the highlight of our trip and one of the reasons we’re already talking about a return trip to Scotland.” —Cindy Kelly

Read more reviews of Scotland trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

START A TRIP TO SCOTLAND

Greece: “A wonderful dinner cooked by the mama of the house and a Greek dance performance…”

Traditional Greek food, Greece. Photo: Shutterstock

“Jacoline listened to our travel preferences and hit the nail on the head: We focused on activities where we interacted with the locals. First was our WOW Moment: We had a wonderful dinner cooked by the mama of the house and a Greek dance performance which we eventually joined in. We sat in a beautiful courtyard, eating delicious food and enjoying the company of lovely people. The language barrier didn’t interfere with the wonderful evening.

Another highlight was visiting a farm in Kythira. I cooked lunch with Anastasia, and my husband spent the morning with Anastasia’s husband, watering the animals and riding the tractor. Lunch was delicious, and the warmth and kindness of these people so impressed us. I could go on and on describing similar experiences. When we missed our flight from Athens to Santorini and were standing in line hoping to rebook a flight that night, my husband’s phone rang, and it was Jacoline’s team letting us know they had already booked us on another flight. That is why I work with Wendy’s WOW people. They are on top of everything.” —Leslie Goldenberg

Read more reviews of Greece trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

START A TRIP TO GREECE

Italy: “Two local artisan workshops to see classic Venetian crafts—mosaics in hard stone, and paper marbling…”

Florence, Italy. Photo: Shutterstock

“We worked with Jennifer to craft a remarkable trip through Italy this September, and she was fantastic! There were 6 of us in our group – my husband and me, another couple we have known for decades, and their 25-year-old daughter and her boyfriend. We began our adventures at the Grand Hotel Tremezzo, on the shores of Lake Como. Our first morning was spent in a beautiful classic wooden speedboat, touring the shores of the lake, learning about history, architecture, and celebrity gossip. We had timed tickets to tour Villa Balbianello, had a wonderful lunch at a quiet café, and strolled around Bellagio. (As you can imagine, we had many great meals in Italy, and Jennifer secured dining reservations at several restaurants that we were unable to book on our own.)

It was in Florence that we had our WOW Moment. Late afternoon we were met at the lobby of our hotel, where we discovered we would be visiting two local artisan workshops to see classic Venetian crafts – mosaics in hard stone, and paper marbling – and afterwards have a chance to relax with aperitifs and nibbles while talking with our wonderful guide. It was EXACTLY what I wanted.” —Bonnie Thompson

Read more reviews of Italy trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

Malta: “We had an incredibly beautiful picnic on the water with a solo musician playing guitar…”

colorful boats in Marsaxlokk Harbour, Malta

Marsaxlokk Harbour, Malta. Photo: Exclusively Malta

“Jason was right to have us start in Gozo. The hotel (Cesca Lodge) was a beautifully converted ancient stone building. We were tempted not to go out to dinner, but we pushed ourselves to go out to where Jason had booked us—and are we glad we did!! The owner was amazing…treated us like old friends, and the food was delicious too! It was such a fun night. The next day we had an amazing tour with our private guide of Gozo which included some stunning views of the turquoise water from a hidden cave. Later that evening we had our WOW Moment, which was truly spectacular!! We had an incredibly beautiful picnic on the water with a solo musician playing guitar…some songs which Jason had personally requested that he knew we would like! We watched the sunset while drinking champagne, sitting on blankets and pillows, surrounded by twinkle lights.

The next day we took a private boat transfer to Malta. Along the way we passed Comino Island and the gorgeous waters of the blue lagoon. Jason arranged a picnic basket of food for us on the boat which was such a thoughtful touch…although the water was too rough for us to eat, once we got to the hotel we were certainly grateful to have some food. Our driver had been waiting for us…everything was organized perfectly. The hotel Jason recommended (Iniala) was beautiful and right on the Grand Harbour—an amazing location with a fabulous view. That afternoon we went exploring on our own and had dinner on an incredible rooftop terrace where an opera soloist was singing. Once again, the owner treated us like royalty, as we were guests of Jason’s.” —Elliot Laskin

Read more reviews of Malta trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

Germany: “In Berlin, we had the joy of our surprise WOW Moment…”

Aerial view of Berlin skyline with famous TV tower and Spree river in beautiful evening light at sunset in summer, Germany

Berlin, Germany. Photo: Shutterstock

“We have just returned from a spectacular two-and-a-half-week trip to Germany. We found a beautiful, diverse country with friendly people and an interesting but complex history. Claudia listened to our needs and desires and addressed them admirably. She contributed great ideas and arranged outstanding driver/guides, hotels, and restaurants. To cover a broad swath of Germany in the time available, we moved every third day. Each time, we regretted leaving our wonderful hotel. Especially memorable were our room in a real castle with a patio overlooking the Rhine River and our balcony overlooking Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau Castles in the Alps.

A variety of special experiences planned by Claudia enhanced our trip. They included visits to the Berlin Wall and Potsdam, castle visits, boat trips on the Rhine and Lake Constance, and a side trip to Strasbourg, France. In Berlin, we had the joy of our surprise WOW Moment, earned after two Wendy Perrin trips. It was a special riverside gourmet dinner followed by a wonderful nighttime cruise on the Spree River. This cruise, with all the city lights and activity, gave us a whole new perspective of Berlin. I could go on and on because we can’t stop talking about this trip.” —William and Lynn Martin

Read more reviews of Germany trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

START A TRIP TO GERMANY

Peru: “A tour of the ‘real’ Lima with a local guide…”

Lima’s Miraflores, Peru. Photo: Shutterstock

“How many different ways can you say the word ‘amazing’??? Marisol and the experts on her staff were the sum of all the ways it can be expressed. One example is upon landing in Lima our first day. One of her team went out at 11pm at night and found and DELIVERED a new knee brace to our hotel, as the one my husband packed had been “misplaced” by the airline. We had an early flight in the morning, so this was nothing short of miraculous. Without this brace, my husband may not have been able to explore Machu Picchu or the other sites planned.

Our WOW Moment was a tour of the ‘real’ Lima with a local guide. We got the scoop of the good, the bad, and the ugly related to the nuances of life in Lima. Not just the tourist façade view of things. The fabulously in-depth tour was capped off with a visit to the Circuito Magico del Agua, a light/laser/fountain show in Lima. The projection show story was the perfect synopsis of all of the history we had learned that day in addition to being beautifully magical! We even convinced our guide to run through the water tunnel with us where we all got drenched! A good laugh is a good laugh in any language! ” —Andrea Reed

Read more reviews of Peru trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

Ireland: “Sitting on one of the columns at the Giant’s Causeway sipping Bushmill’s Reserve whiskey gives a new meaning to ‘whiskey on the rocks’…”

Giant's Causeway in a beautiful summer day, Northern Ireland

Giant’s Causeway on a beautiful summer day, Northern Ireland. Photo: Shutterstock

“Because we were traveling to different cities (Belfast, Dublin, Killarney, Cong and Galway), Jonathan suggested a driver rather than self-driving, and he was so right! Having the pressure of driving removed gave us so much more freedom to explore the areas and enjoy the days. Also, the drivers did not just drive, they provided historical facts, made suggestions of out-of-the-way places to visit, knew the best local places for a pub lunch, the best place to buy a special gift, the place to stop for the best view/photos, etc. Many of our outstanding experiences—a day trip to the Aran Islands, a sheepdog demonstration, a food tour in Galway, etc.—we would not have known about, had it not been for the suggestion of Jonathan and his team.

Thank you, Wendy, for another memorable WOW Moment. Sitting on one of the columns at the Giant’s Causeway sipping Bushmill’s Reserve whiskey gives a new meaning to ‘whiskey on the rocks’. Everyone passing by us was jealous!” —Vanessa Hulme

Read more reviews of Ireland trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

START A TRIP TO EGYPT AND JORDAN

Greece: “The e-bike tour that we had there was incredible, especially the sunset—a true WOW Moment!”

Varlaam monastery_Meteora_Greece-cr-Shutterstock

Varlaam monastery, Meteora, Greece. Photo: Shutterstock

“My son and I traveled in Greece together, and Mina’s team did a great job of identifying activities and places of interest for us. The most breathtaking place we went was Meteora, where we got to see, close-up and personal, the monasteries that were built on cliffs and how they functioned. The e-bike tour that we had there was incredible, especially the sunset—a true WOW Moment! On the island of Naxos, on our river walk hike, our guide led us through the backcountry to unique places off the beaten path and showed us old water mills and different plants, wild herbs and vegetables that cover the landscape. Our catamaran day cruise was also an amazing experience, with snorkeling and great food. My son and I are now officially addicted to tzatziki! Thanks so much for helping us plan this once-in-a-lifetime trip together.” —George Powers

Read more reviews of Greece trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

START A TRIP TO GREECE

Egypt & Jordan: “We felt like Egyptian royalty sailing on our own private yacht on the Nile…”

Photo of a boat sailing down the Nile in Egypt

A sail along the Nile in Egypt. Photo: Billie Cohen

“Jim crafted a mind-blowing three-week journey through Egypt and Jordan for us. Our itinerary was amazing at every turn. Highlights included: In Cairo, walking along the narrow, shop-lined streets of Old Cairo and then the even narrower alleys of the Khan al Khalili. We gained a true feeling of what the city was like in ancient times. In Aswan, we appreciated being able to speak with a local in the Nubian Village and visit his home and learn about a part of Egyptian culture you hear little about. In the Valley of the Kings, the most magnificent tomb was that of Nefertari, where we were the only people inside and our guide was very gracious in allowing us extra time there so that I could take photos of everything! And in Jordan, our guide worked his connections to gain us access to the Petra by Night experience an hour before it officially opened to the public! Walking through the candlelit Siq alone and coming upon the candlelit Treasury, we were awestruck.

Wendy, thank you from the bottom of our hearts for arranging with Jim our very special WOW Moment. Imagine our faces when we were taken to a yacht for a private sunset cruise on the Nile all around Elephantine and other islands. Sunset was magical as the colors of the sky, Nile waters, and surrounding land changed from yellow to golden to pink and then deep purple, followed by the twinkling lights of Aswan as night fell. This glorious sunset experience was followed by a seafood feast on the boat with a private chef. We felt like Egyptian royalty sailing on our own private yacht on the Nile!” —Mary Lou Voytko

Read more reviews of Egypt and Jordan trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

Hawaii: “We toasted the beautiful scenery, our gorgeous picnic, the kids below on their surfboards…”

Aerial view of Kualoa Point at Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, Hawaii. Photo: Shutterstock

“We just came back from a three-generation trip to Oahu, Hawaii, which included a WOW Moment. First, your WOW List travel advisor, Dani, was fabulous—she knew just what we were interested in seeing and doing, and planned the trip we wanted around the grandchildren. She made sure we had the best rooms, provided amenities at both resorts, and made this one of the best trips ever!

And now the WOW Moment—I have to say we were all impressed beyond words! We had planned a surfing lesson at Turtle Bay for our two grandchildren at the Jamie O’Brien Surfing School. Dani arranged, on a promontory above where the lesson was taking place, the most sumptuous gourmet picnic we have ever enjoyed, complete with champagne. We toasted the beautiful scenery, our gorgeous picnic, the kids below on their surfboards—and Dani and Wendy Perrin!!!! It was a perfect day, a perfect spot, and we loved every minute of it. But that was not to be all —when the lesson was over, who came out to greet us but Jamie O’Brien himself! Needless to say, we were all dazzled—especially the kids who had been watching this Hawaiian surfing legend on YouTube! This was all perfectly orchestrated—and was a WOW Moment my family will never forget. By the way, my grandkids are now asking when they can be in our next WOW Moment!!!!!” —Nancy Bern

Read more reviews of Hawaii trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

START A TRIP TO HAWAII

Kenya & Rwanda: “We had a private tour of the Ol Pejeta Conservatory Northern White Rhino Project…”

African white rhino, National park of Kenya, Africa

White rhinos in Kenya. Photo: Shutterstock

“My main focus for the trip was not just an animal safari, but also to experience the African culture, see the local conservation efforts, witness the labors to preserve endangered species, and incorporate my interest in the work of Dian Fossey and Jane Goodall. Dan’s connections with the best local operators and guides made things so much easier. At Ol Pejeta Safari Cottages in Kenya, we had a very private and secluded cottage with a verandah for dining and just relaxing. We received royal treatment from the moment we arrived.

Our WOW Moment was perfect! We had a private tour of the Ol Pejeta Conservatory Northern White Rhino Project, met the two remaining Northern White Rhinos, and learned about the global efforts and cooperation amongst countries to save the species.” —Sue Newton

Read more reviews of Kenya and Rwanda trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

START A TRIP TO KENYA AND RWANDA

Rwanda & Uganda: “Lunch out there at an amazing lodge with rapids rushing all around us…”

Waterside scenery showing the River Nile with lots of greenery on the sides.

The Nile River near Jinja, in Uganda. Photo: Shutterstock

“We travelled to Rwanda and Uganda for the month of January. Cherri did a wonderful job of putting together all the pieces of a complicated multi-country trip with multiple lodgings in both countries. We saw very few other tourists. On safari we rarely saw another Land Rover. The genocide museum in Kigali was empty, as was the art gallery we went to. As for the WOW Moment arranged by Cherri, all I can say is WOW WOW WOW! We flew by private helicopter from Entebbe to Jinja, the beginning of the Nile River, had lunch out there at an amazing lodge with rapids rushing all around us and then returned in time to catch our flight back home.” —Ron Klausner

Read more reviews of Rwanda and Uganda trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

START A TRIP TO RWANDA AND UGANDA

Italy: “An artist’s studio where she helped us make our own mosaics in her found-object style…”

Florence, Italy. Photo: Shutterstock

“My family of six—including four daughters, ages 5 through 11—traveled to Italy and Switzerland in November/December 2021. Maria pulled it all together on relatively short notice. She arranged for great hotels, fun excursions, and private guides in Florence and Zurich who were fantastic with the girls. We had a fantastic time making pizza in Florence, and another major highlight was our WOW Moment. Thank you so much, Wendy, we really enjoyed it! We walked across the river in Florence to a more residential neighborhood and visited an artist’s studio, where she welcomed us and helped us make our own mosaics in her found-object style. While they dried, we enjoyed sandwiches and cake in the cafe. The artist and Elvira (our guide) were so friendly and welcoming it was a real treat to spend the afternoon with them.” —Rebecca Bartlett

Read more reviews of Italy and Switzerland trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

Belize: “After we wore ourselves out dancing, we were guided to a beautifully laid table on the beach and served an extraordinary 6-course private dinner…”

Ambergris Caye, Belize. Photo: Absolute Belize

“Patricia planned an excellent itinerary, matched by superior management of all logistics. Our family of five, with our three active teenagers, spent four nights in the jungle, then seven nights at the beach. While based in the jungle, we kept our three teenagers busy with horseback riding, cave tubing and visiting the Mayan ruins at Xunantunich. We enjoyed fantastic gourmet meals and even squeezed in some time at the spa and the pool. Then, at the beach, we enjoyed leisurely days at the pool and also snorkeling, fishing, and barbequing on the beach.

The highlight of the itinerary was the unexpected WOW Moment. Knowing that we have a strong interest in learning about local culture, Patricia arranged with the Black&White Garifuna Restaurant to come to our hotel for a private, immersive evening focused on the Garifuna Afro-Caribbean culture. We were treated to a magical singing and dancing performance, and then got dancing lessons and drumming lessons. We also received short, digestible lessons on Garifuna history, language, holidays, and cuisine. After we wore ourselves out dancing, we were guided to a beautifully laid table on the beach and served an extraordinary 6-course private dinner prepared by O Restaurant at Las Terrazas resort. While we dined, the singing and dancing continued. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.” —Robyn Smyers

Read more reviews of Belize trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

Italy: “We were meeting the Marchesa Elena Torrigiani at her estate and grounds in the middle of Florence!”

Giardini Torrigiani, Florence. Photo: Brian Dore.

“We just returned from a fantastic 3-week trip to Italy that Maria had arranged for us….When we thought it couldn’t get any better in our 3 days in Florence we had a Wendy WOW Moment that was over the top!! We saw that Maria listed “a one of a kind experience” in the early evening. Of course, we tried getting hints from [our guide] Elvira, but she was not sharing anything, until we were almost at our destination and told us that we were meeting the Marchesa Elena Torrigiani at her estate and grounds in the middle of Florence! Her family goes back generations and is considered royalty in Italy. The garden is 17 acres and she personally led us through the gardens and explained all the monuments, trees, etc. The best site on the grounds was a neo gothic tower and walls from the Middle Ages! Elena was so charming and a wonderful host as she told us her interesting family history up to the present. She finally led us to an outside bistro where we had a wonderful dinner. What a way to end the day. Thank you Wendy!” —Sandy Collins

Read more reviews of Italy trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

START A TRIP TO SAN JOSE DEL CABO

Cabo, Mexico: “We took a private boat to a secluded cove for a private snorkel…”

El Arco, Cabo San Lucas Photo: Roberto Trama Mexico

Boating and fishing in Los Cabos. Photo: Roberto Trama

“We rented a very private home near San Jose del Cabo—with a gorgeous outdoor living space and pool—and felt completely safe. Julie helped us all along the way, including helping us decide to stay closer to San Jose Del Cabo than to the more touristy Cabo San Lucas. That turned out to be a great decision. We were traveling with our small family of three, including our young son. We had a 24/7 concierge named Hector the whole time, and he did a great job with questions about the house, activities, grocery stores, restaurants, and the like.

We were also lucky enough to have a WOW Moment on this trip: We were picked up at our house by our guide, Oscar, who is a lovely man with a great knowledge of the local area, its geology, history, traditions, culture, and food. Oscar took us to the marina in Cabo San Lucas, where we took a private boat to a secluded cove for a private snorkel. We were so happy with the location, especially as we saw how crowded the other snorkel locations were. Oscar helped our 10-year old son learn how to snorkel and helped him spot puffer fish, angel fish, and other cool wildlife. And then Oscar made us the most amazing gourmet lunch on the boat! We had some delicious local fish, sashimi style, and a ridiculously amazing guacamole. He loves food almost as much as I do! To top it off, Oscar helped us find a local fishmonger on the way back. I bought marlin and bonito, both caught that day and cleaned and cut to my specs, with a friendly pelican who enjoyed eating the fish scraps. We grilled the fish over the next two days, and they were amazing! A total home run, and we were so grateful for this outing. Julie, Wendy, and team, a sincere thank-you!” —Chris Kloes

Read more reviews of San Jose del Cabo trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

Costa Rica: “We drove to the lake where a boat was waiting. There was a three-piece band and a dance teacher aboard…”

Amazing panoramic view of beautiful nature of Costa Rica with smoking volcano Arenal background. Panorama of volcano Arenal reflected on wonderful picturesque lake, La Fortuna, Costa Rica

Costa Rica’s Arenal volcano. Photo: Shutterstock

“My daughters (ages 15 and 16) and I went to Costa Rica, and Irene arranged a trip exactly to my specifications. We had adventure, culture, relaxation, and beautiful accommodations. We enjoyed so many experiences, from hiking to zip lining, an ATV tour, a private cooking class, a chocolate farm tour and tasting….

We also had our WOW Moment, which was really something special. Edgar picked us up in the late afternoon, and we drove to the lake where a boat was waiting. There was a three-piece band and a dance teacher aboard. We were serenaded and taught to dance the salsa. Back on shore, we were taken to the private home of a chef in town. He and his wife prepared a delicious four-course dinner, and we could see the prep, as the kitchen was outside by the table. The food was fantastic. Little did we know that Edgar had been observing our food preferences throughout our trip, and dinner was chosen from his recommendations. So much thought was put into the experience. My daughters and I will remember that night fondly.” —Karyn Sallus

Read more reviews of Costa Rica trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

Belize: “We were driven to a pool by a waterfall where lunch had been set up with table and chairs…”

Tiger Fern waterfall in Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, Belize.

Tiger Fern waterfall, Belize. Photo: Shutterstock

“Patricia could not have been more helpful and we ended up staying in three places. Her first recommendation was Cayo Espanto, a private island with a few luxury villas and with two butlers assigned to each villa. It could not have been a better choice, with great private snorkeling trips, bone fishing and water sports at the island. She then arranged a charter flight on Tropic Air to take us over the Blue Hole (well worth doing) and then to fly us out to Hidden Valley.

A highlight there was a WOW Moment when we were driven to a pool by a waterfall where lunch had been set up with table and chairs, sparkling wine in an ice bucket, a hammock and towels for bathing. We transferred from there via the Mayan site of Caracol to the Lodge at Chaa Creek, a magical place we last visited 25 years ago. It may be more modern, but it is still magical with the same owners who live on site. There Patricia organized a birding trip for us with a local expert, we canoed on the Macal River, lounged in our private plunge pool and hiked throughout the property.” —Tony & Jane Ford-Hutchinson

Read more reviews of Belize trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

START A TRIP TO THE MALDIVES

The Maldives: “We headed across the atoll to use a drone to try to find whale sharks and manta rays…”

Arial view of an uninhabited, tropical island with lots of trees and turquoise water in Maldives.

Arial view of a tropical island in the Maldives. Photo: Shutterstock

“Justin was fantastic! We planned our eight-day trip to the Maldives to split time between two resorts. He was quite right in discouraging two seaplane-distance resorts, given our short time in the country and the unscheduled nature of seaplanes in the Maldives. His recommendations for restaurants to prioritize at both resorts was spot on, and he was very helpful with plans for scuba, advising on better house reefs, etc.

Our WOW Moment at Gili Lankanfushi was such fun! We and the dive master and two naturalists headed out and we had a fantastic dive. Then we headed across the atoll to use a drone to try to find whale sharks and manta rays. While none were to be found, it was still a blast to watch the naturalists use the drone to hunt for them!” —Kim Prater

Read more reviews of the Maldives trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

Hawaii: “A fantastic hike to Pololu Valley and Beach…”

family posing at Pololu Valley with cliffs and ocean in background Big Island Hawaii

Traveler Kathy Gardner and her family hiking Pololu Valley on Hawaii’s Big Island.

“Hawaii expert Dani planned a fabulous vacation to the Big Island for our family and kindly included my sister and her family in our plans/reservations at the almost last minute. We really enjoyed the Fairmont Orchid, which Dani highly recommended. It was perfect for our families (parents and teens). She ensured we had lovely rooms with wonderful views and fantastic, attentive service. Dani recommended a snorkeling trip just for our two families.

Thanks to Wendy, our WOW Moment, a fantastic hike to Pololu Valley and Beach, was delightful. Dani engaged Derek Stuart, of Active Families Hawaii, as a personal guide, including visiting the Waimea Market, a stunning drive to the northeast of the Big Island and the above mentioned hike and picnic on the black sand beach.” —Kathy Gardner

Read more reviews of Hawaii trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

START A TRIP TO HAWAII

Belize: “A very special horseback riding morning and WOW Moment overlooking the entire property…”

A river surrounded by the Belizean jungle.

“Patricia was amazing to work with, and her recommendations of the Lodge at Chaa Creek and Belize Sailing Vacations were the perfect combination for our family of five. The experience at Chaa Creek was incredible… from our outing to the ATM caves (one of the most amazing things we’ve ever done) to a very special horseback riding morning and WOW Moment overlooking the entire property along with an outdoor cooking experience, we couldn’t have asked for anything more.

From the jungle, we headed back towards town to meet our catamaran and crew. As new “sailors,” we can’t say enough about this adventure. Our chef, Ellen, fed us better than we could have imagined, all while giving us a taste of local flavor, including conch ceviche and conch fritters. Our captain made the adventure especially fun for our 11-year-old son by allowing him the chance to help onboard the boat with the anchor, fishing rods, etc… ” —Kate Rader

Read more reviews of Belize trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

START A TRIP TO THE AMERICAN WEST

The U.S. Southwest: “We had more time to go further into the canyon and do more repels and obstacles…”

woman rappelling and rock climbing in Zion national park

Amy Evers rock climbing in Zion National Park.

“Phoenix to Salt Lake City, with so much in between! Melissa put together an amazing trip for my husband and I! We went mountain biking twice and white water rafting. We went on a hot air balloon flight. We hiked in many gorgeous locales. We did a cooking class (the food was out of this world), a sunset tour in the dessert, a UTV tour, a stargazing experience, and jeep tours. We had some time to explore on our own as well. Our two favorite experiences were exploring the very narrow slot canyons in Escalante with a guide that took us off the tourist grid (we didn’t see anyone else!) and canyoneering near Zion. No doubt we are slight adrenaline junkies, but this trip really fulfilled our desires!

We also had a WOW Moment while canyoneering. We thought we were doing a half day trip but it turns out it was an entire day! And we had a photographer with us to take pictures of us all day! I am elated that we had more time to go further into the canyon and do more repels and obstacles. I haven’t seen the pictures yet but I’m guessing they are epic! There was even one small section that got me out of my comfort zone and that is usually what I’m looking for! ” —Amy Evers

Read more reviews of trips in the American West. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

Uruguay: “We were serenaded at a private dinner outdoors and then rode back to the barn under the stars…”

Ron Klausner enjoys his WOW Moment in Uruguay.

The Klausners enjoying their WOW Moment in Uruguay.

“For our first stop in Uruguay, Maita sent us to a property north of Punte del Este called Sacromonte. It was heaven. Four cottages in the middle of a vineyard on more than 500 acres. The owner treated us like royalty. A local Belgian-French couple had recently opened a ‘private’ restaurant in their home that we wanted to try, but there was a minimum group size necessary for dinner, so Maita called the next door neighbors, a Canadian couple, to ask if they would join us for dinner. After an incredible meal, the Canadian couple, who live a 10-minute drive away on 1,000 acres, invited us to join them at their recently renovated estancia for coffee the next day. What a great experience!

Our next stop was lunch at the Bodega Garzon, a Francis Mallman restaurant at the top of a hill in the middle of an even greater vineyard. After lunch we then drove to the beach town of Jose Ignacio and stayed at another small, intimate property, Playa Vik. While there we went to a polo match at its sister property, Estancia Vik—our first—and it was spectacular. After the match we ate and drank with the players and exchanged stories; the polo players were from around the world and were all fluent in English and had very interesting personal lives. Our WOW Moment was the following night, back at the Estancia: We took a horseback ride at sunset, played golf on a ‘homemade’ course, were serenaded at a private dinner outdoors and then rode back to the barn under the stars. Magnificent! ” —Ron Klausner

Read more reviews of Uruguay trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

START A TRIP TO URUGUAY

London: “A private tour and tasting in The Stafford’s amazing wine cellar, which was built in the 17th century…”

Big Ben and Westminster Bridge on a cold, snowy winter day, London, United Kingdom

Big Ben and Westminster Bridge, London. Photo: Shutterstock

“It has become our practice to consult Wendy Perrin’s WOW List whenever we plan a trip. This time our goal was to spend Christmas in London. We spoke with Jonathan about our previous visits to London and our desire to see and do something new. As we had already seen most of the highlights of London, Jonathan suggested other tours we would not have thought of. One was a Charles Dickens walking tour; our guide was extremely knowledgeable and entertaining, and we now understand how London during Dickens’ time influenced his writing. Another highlight was a private ‘Behind the Glass’ after-hours tour of the Churchill War Rooms. We had seen the War Rooms before, but nothing can compare with going there in the evening when it’s closed and actually going into the rooms that are not accessible to the public.

Jonathan also executed a surprise “Wendy WOW Moment” for us during our stay. It was a private tour and tasting in The Stafford’s amazing wine cellar, which was built in the 17th century and used as an air raid shelter during WWII! The master sommelier, Gino, gave us the tour and made the experience very special!.” —Susan Ketchum

Read more reviews of London trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

START A TRIP TO LONDON

Rome: “The food tour in Testaccio was so much fun…”

Gina Melton and her husband enjoying their WOW Moment in Rome, Italy.

“Jennifer’s team provided top-notch, personalized service throughout our week in Rome. The private guides she selected for us were experts in their fields and added so much nuance and color to our personal tours. For example, I have a love of Baroque art, and our art guide was a former art-history academic who specialized in the Baroque period. Not only was Susanna able to really dig in and educate me more about art from this period, but we also did a specialized Caravaggio tour that culminated in visiting an art restoration studio with restorers who had worked on some of the Caravaggios that I had just seen hours before. Being in that studio, up close and personal with the art, was one of the most impactful travel experiences I have ever had—so much so that I was brought to tears.

I also want to thank Wendy and her team for the wonderful WOW Moment in Rome! The food tour in Testaccio was so much fun! We loved trying the Trapizzini (at Trapizzino), and I really enjoyed Mastro. Jason loved meeting the owners of Giolitti. Thank you for making our trip special.” —Gina Melton

Read more reviews of Rome trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

START A TRIP TO ROME

Africa: “A spectacular sunset and sundowners with about a dozen local Masai…”

man and guide looking over view in Africa

Paul Bennett at Sundowner Rock, Africa. Photo: Traveler Catherine Olsen

“We have many vivid memories of Africa, thanks to Cherri. We had one morning in the Southern Serengeti, where the day began with a visit to our Masai guide’s uncle’s traditional boma. We were invited inside his grandmother’s mud-and-dung hut for a tour of her humble home, but only after she’d carefully swept the mud floor and cleared a seat for us on her husband’s simple cot. Her son, who spoke fairly good English, explained why they’d moved up into the hills until the wildebeests and the tourists left the area. We continued for a bush walk through the hills, accompanied by more Masai; the hike culminated with breakfast, cooked over the fire, at a stunning cliff-edge perch overlooking the Rift Valley.

You’d think the day couldn’t get much better, but we still had our WOW Moment ahead of us. In the late afternoon, we were taken to a very special, quite spiritual escarpment called Sundowner Rock. After a spectacular sunset and sundowners with about a dozen local Masai, we were led around the back side of the rock, where a surprise dinner was being cooked for us in a cave over an open fire. Two fires, actually—one with local goat roasting on sticks for the Masai, and the other grilling chicken and beef for us. After we’d all feasted, the Masai sang and danced and entertained themselves (and us) by the campfire, and we reveled in how lucky we all were. It was truly magical. Thank you, Wendy, for a once-in-a-lifetime WOW Moment!” —Paul Bennett and Catherine Olsen

Read more reviews of Africa trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

Romania: “We visited the highest tower at Bran Castle, an area generally off-limits to the public…”

Legendary Bran (Dracula) historical castle of Transylvania, Brasov region, Romania, Eastern Europe

Bran Castle (a.k.a. “Dracula’s Castle”) in Transylvania, Romania. Photo: Shutterstock

“Raluca found us extraordinary accommodations in Romania. She tracked down a private residence in Bucharest where we had a private suite and were treated like personal friends of the family. We had three nights in Brasov in a lovely three-room hotel and four nights in Maremures in our own house on a 70-hectare property. The house was probably 100 years old and had been saved from destruction in the local village, moved to the host’s property, and completely remodeled inside. Raluca even arranged for a cook to come to the house and make us breakfast and dinner—truly special. And Wendy, thanks for the WOW Moment. We really enjoyed getting to visit the highest tower at Bran Castle, an area generally off-limits to the public. Our very experienced guide had never been there.” —George Stephens

Read more reviews of Romania trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

START A TRIP TO ROMANIA

Colombia: “We were surprised with a cooking class at Carmen’s, the best restaurant in Cartagena…”

colorfully painted walls on a block of Cartagena Colombia

Cartagena, Colombia. Photo: Shutterstock

“Boris and Marc organized a wonderful itinerary in Colombia that kept me, my husband, and our two teenagers completely engaged. We loved visiting the very different regions of the country and learning about each area’s distinct history and culture. The best part about working with Wendy’s WOW team are the WOW Moments: We were surprised with a cooking class at Carmen’s, the best restaurant in Cartagena. We all enjoyed learning about the local cuisine, preparing, cooking, and ultimately eating what we had prepared! The restaurant was truly lovely, and we won’t forget our time spent there.” —Barbara Palter

Read more reviews of Colombia trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

START A TRIP TO THE CANADIAN MARITIMES

Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, Canada: “We had an unbelievable meal that lasted the entire evening…”

Inn at Bay Fortune, Prince Edward Island.

“Jill planned a fabulous trip for us in the Canadian Maritimes that included an evening of Nova Scotia wines and local specialties at Le Caveau (you haven’t lived until you’ve eaten Brant Lake Wagyu beef), staying at Glenora Distillery on Cape Breton Island, and dinner overlooking the Atlantic Ocean at Panorama at the Cabot Links golf course.

The pièce de résistance was our WOW Moment at The Inn at Bay Fortune on Prince Edward Island, where we had an unbelievable meal that lasted the entire evening. A farmer regaled us with stories about his farm and some of what we would be eating, we had a feast of oysters, and everything was cooked over an open flame! Little did we know there would be another WOW Moment the next morning, when we met the chef carving up a 322-pound tuna in the kitchen. ” —Sonja & Brian Haggert

Read more reviews of Canadian Maritimes trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

Paris: “We were guided to a beautiful shop in a charming neighborhood and into a private room…”

Caves Legrande is one of the oldest wine shops in Paris

Caves Legrande wine shop in Paris. Photo: Caves Legrande

“Jennifer had a great feel for the kind of experience of Paris that my husband and I desired. We had an incredible food tour in Saint-Germain-des-Prés and a private cooking class with a chef who taught us how to prepare the most amazing duck recipes per our request. He also took us food shopping prior to the class; visiting all of the little shops in Paris for bread, cheese, wine, and our duck was a treat! In addition, Jennifer was able to secure some very hard-to-get dinner reservations; we were able to dine everywhere on my wish list.

Lastly, thank you, Wendy, for an incredible WOW Moment! Jennifer arranged our surprise WOW Moment at the oldest wine shop in Paris. We were guided to a beautiful shop in a charming neighborhood and into a private room for a wine tasting with a sommelier who said he was opening bottles that he had actually never been able to taste himself before, as they were that rare. He was thrilled with our WOW Moment too!” —Tina Sarafa

Read more reviews of Paris trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

Vienna: “A private tour at the Kunsthistorisches Museum with a curator who gave us special insight into the Klimt brothers’ paintings…”

The Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna Austria

The Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna, Austria. Photo: Shutterstock

“Gwen provided excellent recommendations for ways to enjoy our time in Austria. The hotels and guides she selected were amazing, the transportation (train, driver, and rental car) seamless. She even teamed up with Wendy for our WOW Moment in Vienna—a private tour at the Kunsthistorisches Museum with a curator who gave us special insight into the Klimt brothers’ paintings on the Museum’s walls and ceiling. Not only did Julia teach us so much about the history of the works and the artists, but she had high-resolution photos of the works on her tablet that allowed us to zoom in on artistic details that you cannot see with the naked eye. This gave us a completely different perspective; the works of art are even more amazing when you see them through that lens. Thanks to Gwen (and Wendy!), we had a trip we will remember for a lifetime.” — Jennifer Webb

Read more reviews of Austria trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

START A TRIP TO AUSTRIA

Croatia: “A private boat ride from the new harbor to the old harbor just outside the Ancient Walls…”

Aerial view at famous european travel destination in Croatia, Dubrovnik old town.

The old town of Dubrovnik, Croatia. Photo: Shutterstock

“We were traveling over Easter and wanted to maximize our time in Croatia. We wanted a mix of history, art, culture, Jewish history, and Game of Thrones—and each of our three guides delivered. Gwen was able to help us secure reservations at the restaurants we wanted, including Michelin-starred Restaurant 360 in Dubrovnik. We also loved her suggestions of Restaurant Dubrovnik and Adriatic Graso in Split — we had amazing meals and service.

While in Dubrovnik we were surprised with our WOW Moment. We had a private boat ride from the new harbor to the old harbor just outside the Ancient Walls of Dubrovnik. We were served wine and charcuterie. Despite the rough waters, Captain Chris gave us a wonderful tour and a new perspective of Dubrovnik. It was such a treat. Croatia is a magical place, and Gwen and her team are there to roll out the red carpet for you.” —Joellen Shelden

Read more reviews of Croatia trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

START A TRIP TO CROATIA

Australia: “A seaplane ride over Sydney Harbour and the Opera House…”

seaplane flying over Sydney Harbour with bridge and opera house

A seaplane tour over Sydney Harbour. Photo: Stuart Rigg

“We would use Stuart again—our Australia trip was outstanding and everything went off without a hitch. Great properties, people, and experiences!! We also had our first Wendy Perrin WOW Moment, which happened to be a seaplane ride over Sydney Harbour and the Opera House. This is something that we would not have thought to do ourselves—and we would have missed out big-time! An amazing and fun experience. We even happened to get to travel up the coast a bit because the seaplane company needed to drop some passengers at a small resort destination. The views were stunning and provided a perspective we would not have had without Wendy’s WOW. Thank you, Wendy, for such a magnificent addition to an already outstanding adventure.” —Bill Schierl & Sarena Melotte

Read more reviews of Australia trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

Bali: “It was magnificent and thrilling—and what a surprise!”

Balinese dancer Dewi Aryani performs for travelers during a special presentation

Balinese dancer Dewi Aryani performs for travelers during a special WOW Moment. Photo: Edith Netter

“The WOW Moment that Diane arranged for us in Bali was magnificent and thrilling —and what a surprise! Four days into our trip (so we were still jet lagged), we were invited to a private area of our beautiful hotel to watch something riveting. We quickly forgot our jet lag. It was contemporary Balinese dancing at our doorstep. Dewi Aryani danced for us, and Rucina Ballinger responded to our many questions. We shared stories and learned about Balinese dancing. Dewi even got the two of us on our feet and dancing. Any dances we saw later in the trip could in no way approximate our experience with them. I should add that we had a lovely Balinese ‘tea,’ but the star of the show was Dewi .” —Edy Netter

Read more reviews of Bali trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

START A TRIP TO BALI

Belize: “The entire resort came out to watch and dance with us…”

The Lerner family in Belize.

“We worked with Patricia to plan a special vacation to Belize with our adult children and a girlfriend. We loved literally every minute but, if there is one aspect of the trip that deserves special mention, it is our WOW Moment at Naia Resort in Placencia, on the Caribbean coast. We really didn’t know what to expect as we were escorted down to the beach… until we could hear the beating of the drums and see the flaming bonfire awaiting us at sunset. Richard and his family taught us about the indigenous Garifuna people and their very interesting history and culture. The many dances, including the ‘Go Mommy’ chant for my wife Julie’s birthday, were so much fun. The entire resort came out to watch and dance with us.” —Stephen and Julie Lerner

Read more reviews of Belize trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

START A TRIP TO CALIFORNIA

San Diego: “We spent the day riding electric bikes around the quaint residential areas, and then we kayaked out into the Bay…”

The Gill family WOW Moment.

“Our teenagers are still talking about our Southern California paragliding adventure over the beaches and golf course at Torrey Pines and our beach barbeque at Crystal Cove State Park while watching the sunset with our toes in the sand. Sheri was very helpful in recommending and organizing hotel stays at both the new hipster Pendry Hotel in San Diego and the luxurious Pelican Hill Resort outside of Newport Beach. We initially had a little misunderstanding with the resort regarding our room location, but after a short conversation with Sheri, we were quickly upgraded to a room with a much better view (thanks, Sheri). This type of personalized service is the reason we plan most of our trips using Wendy Perrin’s trusted travel experts.

Since this was our third qualifying trip, Wendy surprised us with a WOW Moment—a day of adventure on charming Coronado Island. Our guide for the day picked us up at our hotel for a short ferry ride over to the historic island, where we spent the day riding electric bikes around the quaint residential areas, and then we kayaked out into the Bay. Thanks, Wendy and Sheri, for a very memorable day for all of us!”—Janette Gill

Read more reviews of Southern California trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

Chile: “We arrived at a spot in the middle of nowhere and were led by flashlight…”

Atacama desert, Andes, Chile. Photo: Shutterstock

“Maita planned a flawless trip for us to Chile. At the end of long days of hiking we had beautiful meals and fine Chilean wines to celebrate. The Explora lodges in the Atacama Desert and on Easter Island were amazing. And Wendy gave us a WOW Moment in the Atacama. We were picked up at 17:30 by our guide and told to bring a windbreaker and blanket. Then we traveled on gravel roads for what seemed like an hour. Our guide kept us in suspense until the last minute, when we arrived at a spot in the middle of nowhere and were led by flashlight to a table set for two. I felt like we were on the set of a Hollywood movie. We were on the Moon Crater in the Atacama Desert, having a gourmet dinner under the stars. This does not happen in the real world. After a lovely dinner we were treated to an hour of stargazing. The laser point was the only thing that made us feel like we were connected to the 21st century. It was an amazing evening and one we will never forget. Thank you, Wendy.” —Jeanne Lee

Read more reviews of Chile trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

Belize: “Lobster hunting! Those who wanted to went freediving with a spear…”

Snorkeling in the clear water in Belize. Photo: Brook Wilkinson

“Without Patricia’s input, I would never have thought of chartering a catamaran for our trip to Belize. We very much enjoyed traveling along the reef in the boat and loved the snorkeling. The food was delicious! And being able to fish off the back of the boat was an unexpected bonus. And then we could eat what we caught! The stars at night were spectacular.

Our WOW Moment was really cool too. We were in a dinghy on our way to go snorkeling when we saw a plastic bottle floating in the water. I asked if we were going to pick it up, and Captain Dan said no, we’re going lobster hunting! Those who wanted to went freediving with a spear and shot lobsters (it took me five tries). Then Kainie made ceviche and served it with all the fixings and a bottle of Prosecco. It was a really great experience that I’ve been sharing with friends and family.” —Deborah Wente

Read more reviews of Belize trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

Paris: “A private, behind-the-scenes tour of the Palais Garnier, the Beaux-Arts Paris opera house…”

interior view of the stage at Palais Garnier, Opera National de Paris France

Palais Garnier, Opera National de Paris. Photo: Shutterstock

“Our trip to France arranged by Jennifer was wonderful. The surprise for my daughter’s birthday on a Seine river cruise was spectacular, and my daughter and grandchildren were shocked—and pleased. Our guided tour of the Eiffel Tower was superb. Our WOW Moment was a private, behind-the-scenes tour of the Palais Garnier, the Beaux-Arts Paris opera house—and it was very special for all of us. Jennifer also arranged for a rental car, all hotels, and recommended events and restaurants as we drove from Paris to Strasbourg, Colmar, Dijon, Burgundy and back to Paris. Each hotel she chose was extremely well located.” —Richard Goldin

Read more reviews of France trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

Paris: “A secret food adventure with a young chef who brought us to the best specialty shops…”

aerial view of Famous palace Versailles with beautiful gardens and fountains in France

Versailles palace gardens, France. Photo: Shutterstock

“In Paris, it was all about special access, skip the line, and going to the private areas not accessible to the public. Our excellent guide to Versailles, Marie-Ange, is one of a kind. She knows the history and the palace very well, and she got permission for us to enter the “not for the public” sites in the palace. At the Louvre, Jennifer managed to arrange an amazing tour with one of the curators, followed by a secret food adventure—part of our WOW Moment—with a young chef who brought us to the best specialty shops for meat, seafood, chocolate, jam, puff pastry, and macarons. We managed to taste them all in two hours, then go to the Eiffel Tower for another skip-the-line service. Despite the packed itinerary in Paris, we still had a whole day for shopping on our last day.” —Suryo Wibowo

Read more reviews of Paris trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

Australia: “The boat ride on the Yarra River gave us an amazing perspective of the city…”

Aerial view of the tip of Mornington Peninsula.

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Photo: Shutterstock

“Stuart put together a wonderful month-long visit to Australia for my husband and me, with a great balance of programmed activity and free time. We had a variety of activities—a sailing trip; driving the Great Ocean Road; wonderful, knowledgeable guides for our hikes—but we also had ample time to walk and hike on our own in the national parks and the cities.

I also want to thank Wendy for our WOW Moment in Melbourne. The boat ride on the Yarra River gave us an amazing perspective of the city. It was a very enjoyable addition to our 53rd wedding-anniversary day. Thank you!” —Sandra Southwick

Read more reviews of Australia trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

START A TRIP TO BRITISH COLUMBIA

British Columbia, Canada: “A photographer gave us a personal tour of several waterfalls…”

aerial view of Sonora Resort in the Discovery Islands, British Columbia

Sonora Resort in the Discovery Islands, British Columbia. Photo: Tim Baker

“My husband and I and our two teenage daughters wanted to go to British Columbia, but to avoid any really crowded areas. Marc suggested we spend a few days in Whistler, then a few days on Sonora Island, and end in Vancouver. He set us up for fun activities in Whistler—RZR cars, white-water rafting, zip lining—and we were treated to a WOW Moment: A photographer gave us a personal tour of several waterfalls, giving us photography tips along the way and taking family photos; although I am the photography buff in the family, he was able to engage the whole family and everyone really enjoyed the experience (thank you, Wendy!).

We then took a seaplane to Sonora Resort, which the entire family agreed was heavenly. So remote, with beautiful scenery and gourmet food. On our eco-adventure tour we were lucky enough to be in the middle of a pod of about 100 dolphins. Finally, in Vancouver, Marc suggested the Fairmont Pacific Rim for us, which also was in a fabulous location. Since we are foodies, he planned a food tour at Granville Island, where there are so many booths that it was helpful to have an expert direct us; the tour allowed us to sample more items in small quantities than we could have done on our own.” —Nancy Wolf

Read more reviews of British Columbia trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

Australia: “A not-to-be-missed helicopter ride over Uluru and Kata Tjuta…”

Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park. Photo Tourism Australia

“My husband and I spent five weeks in Australia on a spectacular trip planned and executed by Stuart and Debbie. We had long wanted to visit our seventh continent but quickly realized that even with five weeks we couldn’t see the entire country. My top priority was to see The Kimberley, a remote area in northwestern Australia that even many Australians never get to. We could not have had a better trip. That it was topped by one of Wendy’s WOW Moments—a not-to-be-missed helicopter ride over Uluru and Kata Tjuta—is just one more reason why Wendy Perrin’s experts are the best. Wendy’s experts (and we’ve used a lot of them) all share two essential traits—attention to detail in planning and careful execution of arrangements. Where they—and Stuart—are unmatched is in their ability to intuit what their clients want, need and, most important, will delight in. Kudos.” —Jan Heininger

Read more reviews of Australia trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

Shanghai: “We would never have known such an experience exists, nor that it would be so cool…”

The Bund at night, Shanghai, China

“The trip to Beijing and Shanghai that Mei arranged for my wife and me was outstanding. We requested ‘local’ hotels, and they exceeded our expectations; we ended up in areas with few other foreigners. Our food tour was one of our most memorable evenings; eating locally was a cultural plus. In Shanghai, we had the pleasure of receiving our WOW Moment—a motorcycle sidecar tour of the area near the Bund. We would never have known such an experience exists, nor that it would be so cool. The champagne toast on the bridge overlooking the amazing Shanghai skyline was a superb touch.” —Bill Schierl & Sarena Melotte

Read more reviews of China trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

Vancouver and an Alaska cruise: “It truly was a moveable feast…”

Aerial view of Misty Fjords National Monument in Alaska. Photo: Shutterstock

“Tom planned a magical trip to Alaska for our multigenerational family that included our 10- and 12-year-old grandsons. He booked us adjoining rooms on Holland America’s Westerdam, which turned out to be an excellent choice and value. He arranged all our shore excursions with a private company. Each excursion was better than the description and a good value compared to what the ship was offering. The helicopter ride to the top of the glacier in Juneau was an otherworldly experience that thrilled every member of our family. Tom even arranged for all six of us to go in one helicopter, which is out of the ordinary. He also recommended a small zodiac tour in Ketchikan; we were divided 3 and 3, with my husband and son each driving a zodiac, following the guide. The best was when the guide waved a dead fish in the air and threw it into the water about 100 feet away where an eagle swooped right over us, picking it up. It then flew the fish back to its nest where we had just seen the fuzzy head of an eaglet. So memorable.

But the absolute best was our WOW Moment. During our three days in Vancouver, we were surprised with a private food tour of Granville Island Market. We sampled salmon with wine, cheese and specialty meats, light-as-air donuts, and much more. It truly was a moveable feast.” —Christine Stoll

Read more reviews of Alaska trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

START A TRIP TO ALASKA

Easter Island, Chile: “It began with a private guided walk through fields, caves and coastline…”

woman toasting with wine on Easter Island

Eva Strasburger enjoying her WOW Moment on Easter Island.

“I contacted Jordan to organize a surprise birthday trip for my husband to Chile with a focus on Easter Island and stopovers at a Casablanca Valley vineyard and a night in Valparaiso. The trip was hugely successful and my husband was both surprised and delighted. Highlights of the trip were meeting the people who looked after us – all very warm, friendly and knowledgeable, the unexpected surprise experiences along the way, like the graffiti lesson in Valparaiso and Wendy’s fabulous WOW Moment on our trip to Easter Island. It began with a private guided walk through fields, caves and coastline and ended with music, pisco sours, delicious bites, a presentation of a book on Rapa Nui, birthday cake and a sunset overlooking the moais and the ocean. It could not have been more perfect! Thank you for this unforgettable moment and we were wowed.” —Eva Strasburger

Read more reviews of Chile trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

There was some rain but then sunshine — I was glad I went anyway even though it was November

Pastel de Nata from traveler's baking class.

These Pastel de Nata, or Portuguese custard tarts, were the delicious outcome of Susan Sullivan’s baking class.

“Goncalo and his team planned a fabulous 7-day trip to Portugal. The trip was arranged at the last minute during a busy season of travel to Portugal, but Goncalo and team pulled together a comprehensive trip. I stayed overnight in Lisbon and Porto — both hotels were excellent choices for location, comfort and service. I did two walking tours of Lisbon and both guides were knowledgeable and personable. It was a great way to discover the City. Next was an enjoyable full-day trip to the beautiful palaces of Sintra and the coast. The following day we headed to Porto and stopped for a tour of one of the oldest universities — Coimbra University and walked the town. In Porto we had an excellent guide for a walking tour of this historic town. I did have a fun, unexpected WOW Moment — a Pastel de Nata baking class! The final day was a trip to the scenic Douro Valley which included a boat trip, winery tour and an exquisite lunch with wine pairings.

Each tour guide and driver was prompt and professional. The trip ran smoothly. There was some rain but then sunshine — I was glad I went anyway even though it was November. I am always happy to use someone on The WOW list to plan my trips. These travel experts have the latest information on hotels, access to guides, advice on places to visit or avoid, restaurants, etc. It would take me hours to plan a trip that would not be up to the trip planned by a specialist. Plus — less stress!” —Susan Sullivan

Read more reviews of Portugal trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

Wendy Wants To Amp Up Your Trip!

On every third qualifying trip, Wendy will add to your itinerary a surprise WOW Moment. A WOW Moment is an exclusive insider experience that helps make a trip extraordinary. Each WOW Moment is totally different. They vary depending on a huge range of factors, including the country you’re headed to, the timing of your trip, logistics, availability, and more. You can read a sampling of the more over-the-top WOW Moments (those most conducive to editorial coverage) here. Learn which trips qualify, and how the process works, here: Wendy Wants To Amp Up Your Trip!

July Trip Ideas: Traveler Reviews to Inspire You

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In much of the world, July is synonymous with vacation, and for good reason: It’s peak summertime in the Northern Hemisphere, with greenery (and wildlife) in full display, and festivals of arts and cuisine rolling through many destinations all month long.

The travelers whose reviews you can read below all booked their trips the WOW way: Their trips were optimized for the month of July by the local fixers on our WOW List of Trusted Travel Experts (and those whom we are testing for The WOW List). You’ll find even more ideas in the July installment of our Where to Go When series, and you’ll find more traveler reviews here.

Seeking suggestions about where to go in July? Click the black button below for our help.

START A TRIP TO FRANCE
MORE FRANCE REVIEWS

The south of France for embedding in uncrowded wine country like a local

Lisa Malecha and family riding horses along the Camargue, France.

Lisa Malecha and her family riding the region’s iconic white horses in coastal Camargue.

“My husband and I embarked on a trip we had been dreaming about for years—embedding for a couple of weeks in one of France’s many world-renowned wine regions. We picked Provence because we recently did a replant at our vineyard in Northern California with a couple of Rhone varietals, and this was a good opportunity to learn more about these wines at the source.

Our desire was to spend our whole time at one location, within walking distance of a village. Jennifer found us the most amazing villa within walking distance of the iconic French village Gordes, a village built into the rock face of the Vaucluse Mountains, above the Luberon Valley. Jennifer steered us to a villa offering a view of Gordes that you only see in the movies. We walked into the village almost twice daily—for our morning coffees and shopping, and our evening cocktail or meals.

Our location was within a 15-minute drive of another handful of amazing hilltop villages. And only an hour from Marseilles and a touch further to the iconic coastal village of Cassis, where our adult kids and their significant others hiked back into the crystal-clear-blue waters of the Calanques. Followed by an amazing array of bouillabaisse options in the marina.

We hiked from the villa to the Sénanque Abbey and its amazing lavender fields; rode bikes through the Luberon Valley; rode white horses in the Camargue; went wine tasting in the Châteauneuf-du-Pape region; went to the Van Gogh museum in Avignon; had a French chef cook for us at the villa; went to a lavender museum and olive oil pressing. We can’t wait to go back! What a magical area with memories of a lifetime created with our family!” —Lisa Malecha

To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

Copenhagen and the Danish seaside to beat the heat and crowds

A rainbow over Copenhagen. Photo: Traveler Lynn Herrick

“We rarely travel to Europe in the summer because of the heat and crowds, but we needed to be in Berlin in mid-July and wanted to add a week in another destination. Denmark was the PERFECT choice. Not too hot (even chilly some days!), reasonable crowds, not too expensive, and very enjoyable. Mads arranged our trip for us and he made it very easy. We did not mind driving in Denmark, so he arranged for a car and put together an itinerary that gave us a flavor of the country. Our college-age kids traveled with us and there was enough to keep everyone engaged.

We loved, loved, loved Copenhagen. The city is extremely walkable and public transportation easy to navigate. Our first morning in town was our WOW Moment and it was perfect. We sailed (electric boat) around the city with a private tour guide and lots of fun snacks.

We traveled to several cities after Copenhagen, visited castles, stayed at an inn that has been hosting guests since 1744, learned all about Hans Christian Andersen, visited museums, enjoyed a ferry ride, and stayed in a charming Danish seaside town with a great spa. We finished the trip with one more fun night in Copenhagen and stayed up late, as the sun seems to last forever.” —Lynn Herrick

To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

START A TRIP TO DENMARK
MORE DENMARK REVIEWS

Ireland and Northern Ireland for sheep and soda bread, cliffs and country folk, whiskey and castles

There’s a reason it’s called the Emerald Isle, and it isn’t the wool. Photo: Shutterstock

“It was Jonathan’s strong suggestion that we include Northern Ireland in our itinerary instead of just Ireland, and we are glad that we did. Our experience in Northern Ireland was the soul of our trip, and we could never have understood the country without that experience and the help of our guide for three days while there, Mark. He not only took us through a small Catholic village to watch children learning the Irish sport of hurling, but then took out his equipment so we could all give the game a try on an adjacent field. Every experience with Mark was like that, including his lessons on tasting Irish whiskey at Bushmills and getting me the opportunity to hold the great Northern Irish golfer Rory McIlroy’s PGA championship trophy at his home golf club in Belfast!

We also spent a morning at Tracey’s Farmhouse Kitchen, making (and eating) delicious soda bread, along with other delectables. Like all the folks we encountered, Tracey was an absolute delight.

Galway was our next stop, and we used that as the base for our exploration of the Connemara National Park and the Cliffs of Moher. Another absolute highlight of the trip was the Killary Sheep Farm. It’s on an absolutely beautiful fjord, and it’s fascinating to watch the sheepdogs in action and to participate in shearing the wool off the sheep. Tom, a third-generation proprietor, is eager to share his place, and it helps keep the lights on for these family businesses.

Our last stop was Dromoland Castle. At this point we had been on the move constantly for 10 days, and it was brilliant planning to let us decompress at this gorgeous castle for a few days before returning home.” —Michael Kelberman

To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

START A TRIP TO IRELAND AND NORTHERN IRELAND
MORE IRELAND AND NORTHERN IRELAND REVIEWS

Belize for yacht charters and seafood caught and cooked on site, “fisherman style”

aerial photo of Tobacco Caye with sailboat and blue green ocean

Tobacco Caye is one of many tiny islands along Belize’s barrier reef. Photo: Absolute Belize

“We booked a 7-night cruise aboard the 52-foot Ventana al Mar with our three sons. Our days were filled cruising the sparsely populated southern reef of Belize, stopping at a couple of snorkeling spots each day. Eric, who grew up fishing the same waters we were on, was an expert in everything we found under the surface. He showed us how to find lobsters and how to spear them to eat for our dinners. The reef was beautiful to behold, with tons of colorful fish. I personally saw a large octopus, several manta rays, and a couple of large crabs. I have never seen up close a reef so prolific with abundant life.

Hanna, our chef and first mate, made great breakfast, lunch, snacks, and dinners for us each day. My wife and I tend to travel with food in mind, so having great meals deliciously prepared is always a priority. One day we had a BBQ-style lunch on the beach that Hanna and Eric set up from the boat, and another night we had lobster tails and large crabs cooked over a fire ‘fisherman style.’ One night, Eric free-dove down about 50 feet and speared a beautiful hogfish that was served that night (fantastic piece of fish). Everything was delicious.” —John Livermore

To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

START A TRIP TO BELIZE
MORE BELIZE REVIEWS

Italy’s Tuscan coast and countryside for breezes, wineries, and Andrea Bocelli

A verdant vineyard in Tuscany’s Chianti region. Photo: Shutterstock

“Normally we would not travel to Italy in July…too hot and too crowded. However, our goal was to see Andrea Bocelli perform at the amphitheater he built in Tuscany called Teatro del Silenzio in Lajatico, his hometown. The theater is ‘silent’ except for the one concert he performs there each year in July, and we felt it would be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The concert was taking place during the middle of our time in Italy, so we needed an agenda before and after.

Jennifer suggested we start our trip on the Tuscan coast, staying four nights at the Hotel Il Pellicano. This gorgeous, iconic property overlooks the Tyrrhenian Sea, providing cool breezes throughout the day and evening—a welcome relief from the heat. Heaven in July! We then traveled inland to the countryside of Tuscany for the next four nights, where we would be closer to the Bocelli concert. Borgo Pignano is an elegant country estate close to the hill towns of Volterra and San Gimignano. Again, the temperature dropped in the mornings and evenings, making it very pleasant for al fresco dining and touring.

While at these locations, Jennifer arranged for driver/guides to transport us to several wineries. A standout was Ornellaia.

The Bocelli concert was beyond our expectations. The tickets that Jennifer and her team secured were front and center, five rows back from the stage. It was more than a concert, it was a masterful production with a full orchestra, ballet company, chorus and guest artists, from opera to pop. Magical.” —Susan Ketchum

To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

START A TRIP TO ATLANTIC CANADA
MORE ATLANTIC CANADA REVIEWS

Newfoundland and Nova Scotia for icebergs, puffins, and whales

Newfoundland feels tailor-made for boat excursions.

“We told our planner, Jill, we liked comfort but valued friendliness and expertise over all else, and she really delivered. In St John’s, she got the author of a well-known history of Newfoundland to give us a long walking tour, including a stop into an officers’ private club from WW2 perfectly preserved. We saw amazing whales and puffins on a boat tour. We drove to the Bonavista Peninsula, where we stayed at the amazing Fishers’ Loft Inn (what a view) and hiked the Skerwink Trail.

From there we drove to the trip’s highlight, the Fogo Island Inn, which is honestly the nicest, most comfortable place I ever stayed. The Inn was created by a not-for-profit foundation to employ the local community and keep its economy alive. The service is unbeatable—as though your cousins were keeping an eye out for you. The food was great too, and there were more awesome hikes. Don’t miss the boat ride to Little Fogo Island; we saw icebergs and dozens of whales.

The second week, we moved on to Nova Scotia, starting with two great days in Halifax—don’t miss the boardwalk along the waterfront!—and we visited Prince Edward Island (lovely drive). Newfoundland should be on everyone’s bucket list!” —Christina Brown

To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

Brazil for a balance of nature and city in the temperate winter

Anne Marie Seibel and family in the Brazilian Amazon.

“We just returned from an incredible trip to Brazil planned by Paul. We had our children with us, ages 19 and 16. Paul helped us plan out a trip that balanced the wonders of the Amazon with the big cities of Rio and São Paulo.

Our guide in São Paulo, Maissa, picked us up at the airport after our overnight flight from Atlanta and conducted a tour crafted to our interests. We stopped at a local market, saw the famous murals, found a shop to buy organically grown coffee, visited a street where only musical instruments were sold, and checked off key historic monuments.

The Cristalino Lodge in the Amazon was nothing short of magical. Our guide, Rafael, was a walking encyclopedia of knowledge about the animals and plant life all around us. He skillfully guided us along with our boat driver, who knew the river like the back of his hand. In Rio, our guide, Ricardo, helped navigate cloudy weather to adjust our two-day plan on the fly. He received a call as soon as Christ the Redeemer was out of clouds, and we beat the crowds up to the top. The weather held out for our WOW Moment of flying by helicopter over the city. Rain disrupted a planned hike, but we replaced it with two tours that were a hit—Maracanã soccer stadium and Carnival World.” —Anne Marie Seibel

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Colombia for outdoor adventure and local insights

Wax Palm Trees in the Corcora Valley, Colombia

Tracy Reller and her family hiking among wax palm trees in the Cocora Valley.

“Colombia is a beautiful country with incredibly varied landscapes, amazing agricultural bounty (mostly done by hand—saw only one tractor the entire time), wonderfully creative, fresh and delicious food everywhere, and warm locals willing to share their stories.

Boris arranged activities that we either wouldn’t have been able to do on our own or wouldn’t have been the same. For example, we toured two different poor neighborhoods in Medellin with Spanish-speaking neighborhood leaders involved in the graffiti art transforming the neighborhood. It was fascinating to see these communities up close and to hear their stories of the violence and hopes for the future.

Another favorite experience was visiting very different markets used by locals. First, Paloquemao in Bogota—very clean, well organized, items from produce to meats/fish to home goods and flowers, beautifully presented. That was in contrast to the Barzuto market in Cartagena, where we seemed to be the only tourists navigating the dirt-floor, tight winding walkways through makeshift stalls with a French chef shopping for our cooking lesson. It was a sight to see!

We would not have known about some amazing restaurants we visited for lunch that were not even in our itinerary. One of those restaurants, in Bogota, didn’t even have a sign out front, but our guide knocked and was welcomed in. Our guides were wonderful and really added to our experience. They were intelligent, interesting and informative. It’s a gift to get to spend time with a local, get to know them and share details about our lives. We gain a better understanding of a country and its people with a guide rather than just crossing tourist sites off a list.” —Tracy Reller

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Mexico City and Oaxaca for after-hours access and “an immersion in culture”

Scenic old city street and colorful colonial buildings in Oaxaca City, Mexico.

The architecture comes from a painterly palette in Oaxaca City, Mexico. Photo: Shutterstock

“Our plan was to explore Mexico City after attending a conference and finishing up in Oaxaca. Our guide Jaime, a professor at the University, introduced us to the highlights and historical center of Mexico City. He provided us cultural, social and historical background which made our visit all the more relevant and personal. Jaime made us feel like locals by accompanying us to Lucha Libre, the freestyle Mexican wrestling which was an immersion in culture! The next morning came very early, with an exhilarating, not-to-be-missed balloon ride over the pyramids followed by a delicious breakfast and tour of the Teotihuacan site! Finally, I must mention a true highlight of Mexico City, our private after-hours tour of the Anthropology Museum. The stunning expanse, filled with artistic treasures, could have been overwhelming. Our knowledgeable guide provided us with just enough detail to allow us to walk away with a sense of awe for the culture of Mexico.

Off to Oaxaca. After checking into our hotel that started as a 16th-century convent, we were treated to a Mezcal tasting to learn about the spirit that is taking the world by storm. Afterwards we had dinner of grilled tlayuda, the traditional tortilla that falls into the category of ultimate comfort food! For the next few days, our skilled guide Gabriel immersed us in the culture and history of Oaxaca. From churches, art galleries, museums and historic sights Monte Alban and Mitla, Gabriel’s impressive knowledge of so many subjects became apparent.” —Ken Bohan

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Portugal’s off-the-radar locales for biking, beach shacks, and living like a local, free of crowds

The river Guadiana and the village of Mertola. Alentejo Region. Portugal

The river Guadiana and the village of Mertola, in Portugal’s Alentejo region. Photo: Shutterstock

“We asked Goncalo and Joana to plan an authentic, off-the-beaten-path look into the south of Portugal and the Alentejo and Lisbon, and we had a perfect time. Portugal is incredible! And it’s possible to beat the summer crowds.

We loved our day in Sintra and the coast at Azenhas do Mar with our guide, Luís, and my son loved spending the day with our cooking teacher, Claudia. We loved our apartment at Lumiares in Lisbon and the breakfasts on the rooftop. One of the highlights was our Costa da Caparica beach day at Irmao. We felt like we were one of the only tourists, and it felt like a slice of life for young Lisboans.

The kids loved to roam on their bikes, and we found our favorite beach and fish shack on the quiet Costa Vicentina. We didn’t hear any English at these beaches, and the water and coves were so unique.” —Gina Schulman

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Singapore and Indonesia for temples, rice terraces, and uninhabited islands

Komodo National Park island paradise for diving and exploring. The most populat tourist destination in Indonesia, Pink beach, Nusa tenggara Indonesia

Tracy Reller’s family opted for a cruise to access Komodo National Park, Indonesia. Photo: Shutterstock

“With our younger teenagers happily engaged at sleepaway camp, my husband and I were able to spend precious quality time with our older son in Singapore and Indonesia before he left for college. Two days in Singapore was perfect to see and experience the multicultural city state. Then we stayed at the Four Seasons in Jimbaran Bay, Bali, so our son could surf with a local expert. Next was the 4-day sightseeing/cultural portion of the trip from Ubud. Our days were full of temples, rice terraces, village and market visits, a cooking class, and a volcano hike. One of the most unique and memorable days was visiting our guide’s village, seeing his home, meeting his family, and playing traditional instruments with the community.

Finally, we loved the 7-day Seatrek cruise, from Flores to Bali through Komodo Island National Park, that allowed us to see more of Indonesia’s islands, people, and fauna without the usual logistical issues. The small ship, Ombak Putih, was beautiful, the crew fabulous, the food delicious and activities amazing. We visited local, traditional communities, snorkeled, swam with whale sharks and visited uninhabited islands. I will never forget the gorgeous landscapes, sunsets, and happy, smiling locals.” —Tracy Reller

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Greece for sailing and kayaking, culinary tours and cooking classes

Authentic buildings and clear water beach in Sifnos island in Greece.

“We especially loved Sifnos for its authenticity and charm.” Photo: Shutterstock

“We spent 3 nights in Athens, 3 nights on Sifnos, 4 nights on Naxos and 3 nights on Santorini. Every detail from the moment we arrived in Athens was expertly planned. From our seamless transfers/ferries and beautiful hotel accommodations to our memorable tours and activities, we had an amazing trip start to finish.

Each island was unique and offered different experiences, including a private tour of the Acropolis and an outstanding culinary tour in Athens, incredible catamaran/boat day trips on all three islands, an intimate cooking class on Naxos, and kayaking in Santorini. We especially loved Sifnos for its authenticity and charm.” —Karen and Ed Hanley

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Malta for medieval architecture, private sailing, and an age-old salt-panning tradition

The Qbajjar Salt Pans on Gozo offer stunning checkerboard views. Photo: Exclusively Malta

“Everything was seamless from the minute we landed in Valletta. Some of the highlights of the trip:

1) Our guide for the Valletta food and culture tour was wonderful, friendly and extremely knowledgeable. She also led us on our visit to the Hypogeum, a subterranean temple thought to be 5000+ years old.

2) Gozo island exploration on ATV. This was something new for us, to explore an entire island on ATVs. We loved it! We saw incredible sites, salt pans, small bays for a quick swim, and a secret spot for an incredible view of Ramla Bay. It was a great way to spend the day.

3) A day on a beautiful yacht with a wonderful captain.

4) Visiting the enchanting medieval city of Mdina during sunset, incredible!

5) Visit with local sheep farmers, who somehow cultivated acres of olive trees on arid landscape, sampling the fruits of their labor with olive-oil tasting and a picnic lunch of local Maltese foods.

6) Private falconry experience with Lawrence. We had a great time as he explained the history of his owls and falcons. Then we were able to handle each one and watch them fly!

7) Enjoying our final day relaxing at the Beefbar beach club, with a stunning view of the Mediterranean Sea.” —Jane Banks

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Northern Australia for “vibrant” snorkeling, lush rainforest, and a koala safari

View from Captain Cooks lookout from the top of Lizard Island over the Great Barrier Reef.

The Great Barrier Reef lies just off the coast of Lizard Island.. Photo: Shutterstock

“My 22-year-old daughter and I enjoyed a fabulous trip to Australia for two weeks with help from Stuart. We loved the Silky Oaks Lodge in Daintree National Park and especially enjoyed the day we spent in the rainforest and sand flats, learning from indigenous tribespeople about their ways of life.

Lizard Island was also unforgettable. We were there during the windy season, so we were unable to take the snorkeling trip we had hoped to the outer reef or pilot the small individual skiffs around the island, but the coral reefs we were able to access snorkeling just off the beaches were vibrant and growing.

We also really enjoyed Spicers Hidden Vale and its koala research center, where our excellent guide ‘Croc’ taught us all about koala conservation, took us to see koalas in the trees, spotted more native species on our safari drive than you could imagine and, best of all, arranged a private picnic supper at the top of a high point from where we could watch the sun set and the stars come out—and later returned to tell us all about the stars and constellations.” —Cynthia Francisco

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Vietnam for low-season moments with locals and “flowers in abundance”

Ha Long Bay, Vietnam: “The beauty of the country is simply astonishing.” Photo: Shutterstock

“In my 85 years, I have seen a lot of the world. This trip to Vietnam was among the most wonderful journeys I have undertaken. The weather was hot but tolerable, with almost no rain.

The beauty of the country is simply astonishing—water everywhere; flowers in abundance; the grandeur of Ha Long Bay; the backdrop of mountains and the natural grace of the landscape. The richness and diversity of Vietnamese culture and its history were evident everywhere, from the old city of Hanoi to Chinatown in Saigon. Bustling markets, temple after beautiful temple.

In the beautiful city of Hue, my guide did a good job of keeping my WOW Moment secret until we arrived at the home of Bon and Tchi. Their hospitality was amazing, and the meal we shared was really good! Their grandson proved to be an excellent waiter; and their son was a pleasure to talk to. I very much enjoyed exploring their overgrown backyard, which contained everything from chickens to the elaborate tomb of Bon’s father.

There were unexpected ‘off-road’ moments. In Hanoi, a visit to a gallery of (very impressive) contemporary Vietnamese painting; in Hoi An, a dinner at home with my guide, his wife and two boys; in Saigon, a serendipitous trip through back alleys to an orthodox Jewish Chabad, on the sabbath no less. Though I was not able to do any daredevil Vespa-riding, I did have a spin on the back of a bike in small villages on the Mekong.” —Katherine Albert

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African safari for catching big cats and the Great Migration

“He was able to predict where we were most likely to see the rare cats—cheetahs and leopards—and we saw them all.” Photo: Traveler Dan Friedman

“Dan arranged the trip of a lifetime for me, my wife, and our son and daughter-in-law. It was a private safari in Tanzania and then a few days in Rwanda and Nairobi. Dan selected great guides for our trip. In Tanzania, our guide, Vienney, was with us the entire nine days we were there. With his deep knowledge, he was able to predict where we were most likely to see the rare cats—cheetahs and leopards—and we saw them all. Often we were the only safari vehicle at the site. While in the Serengeti we witnessed the Great Migration, where thousands of wildebeest and zebras head east to areas with more water—an amazing sight.

From the Serengeti we flew to Rwanda, where Dan had arranged treks to see the mountain gorillas. The treks are arduous, but very worthwhile. It’s an effort, but once you encounter a gorilla family, the experience will amaze you. Their behavior is so much more human-like than I imagined.” —Dan Friedman

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August Trip Ideas: Reviews to Inspire You

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August is a peak month for travel—prime time for school and family vacations and a last hurrah for summer getaways. For many, it’s a month of aspiring to escape heat and crowds, and trying to find that perfect road less traveled.

The travelers whose reviews you can read below all booked their trips the WOW way: Their trips were tailored specifically to the month of August by the local fixers on our WOW List of Trusted Travel Experts. You’ll find even more ideas in the August installment of our Where to Go When series, and you’ll find more traveler reviews here.

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Western Canada for a mountain escape from summer heat

Todd Fitzwater hiking in a glacier cave in Whistler, British Columbia.

“Traveled to British Columbia and visited Whistler and Nimmo Bay Wilderness Resort. Whistler was fantastic in the summer. Rode the gondolas, went peak to peak, walked the suspension bridge at the top, hiked and took in the scenic view. The helicopter trip was fantastic, as was the glacier cave adventure.

Nimmo Bay Wilderness Resort was an out-of-this-world experience—floating sauna docks, floating hot tub docks, land-based hot tubs nestled next to a waterfall, water safaris, deep-woods hiking, whales, otters, orcas, dolphins, bears and a 5-star restaurant. One dinner was without a doubt Michelin-worthy. Another night the dining room prepared the shrimp that I caught. Nine cabins with an eclectic bunch of people. Just a tremendous experience and one I plan on coming back for.” —Todd Fitzwater

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The Azores for outdoor adventures in a temperate climate

Family hike up the mountain to Lagao do Fogo on São Miguel Island in the Azores.

Tony Ford-Hutchinson and family on a hike to Lagoa do Fogo on São Miguel Island.

“For those of us who live on the east coast of the USA, the Azores are the closest point with a European and Portuguese feel. One of our guides (an American ex-pat) described them as a cross between Iceland (they are so volcanic), Ireland (they are so green) and Hawaii (a holiday destination in the middle of an ocean).

Our trip with our daughter, son-in-law and two granddaughters (aged 9 and 11) started with a direct 5.5-hour flight from Newark. We spent the first three nights in the luxurious Octant Furnas Hotel. The hotel is surrounded by hot springs bringing boiling water to the surface. Highlights there were the food, including preparing and cooking a traditional stew which is buried in the hot ground for several hours; the hotel’s super-warm, mineral swimming pool; and a hike up a mountainside to Lagoa do Fogo (a lake in a former volcanic cone) followed by a swim on the beach.

We then took a short flight to the volcanic island of Pico, famous for its mountain (a former volcano, of course) and its outstanding white wine. We took day trips on ferries to the neighboring islands of Faial and São Jorge. Highlights were a trip through the lava tubes on Pico, visits to wineries, and a hike around the caldera on Faial.

Back to São Miguel for our last three nights, highlights included a private whale-watching trip with great sightings of three female sperm whales (one with a calf), an evening wine-and-food tasting tour, a morning food tour, a Jeep tour of the Lagoa das Sete Cidades, and finally a tour of the tea plantations with an opportunity to make our own ice cream. Thank you to Gonçalo and his co-workers for a great trip that left a multi-generational family very happy.” —Tony Ford-Hutchinson

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Eastern Canada for an Atlantic coastline experience that’s not crowded in summer

East Point Lighthouse on Prince Edward Island. Photo: Traveler Phil Hoch

“We just returned from a trip to New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia, and could not be happier that we chose Jill as our travel expert. Jill crafted a beautiful itinerary that kept us mostly focused on smaller towns and areas for walking/hiking. From St. Andrews to St. Martins, we could not have had a better introduction to the Bay of Fundy and life outside the big cities. Of particular note were our guides. Genny was fabulous in St. Andrews and got us on Ministers Island, which you can only drive to at low tide. In St. Martins, Mike, Jordan, and Joe took us hiking/walking, kayaking in the Bay and, best of all, our WOW Moment: We were treated to a private lobster dinner on the Bay of Fundy, watching the tide disappear, with enough scallops, lobster and more to feed us for a week.

Jill was able to get us a room at the quaint and lovely St. Martins Country Inn. We enjoyed walking the dunes at Greenwich Beach on Prince Edward Island and seeing the East Point lighthouse. On Nova Scotia, the grave site of Titanic victims, the boardwalk along the Halifax waterfront, and stops at Peggy’s Cove, Lunenburg and Mahone Bay were part of the final days of a trip we loved from start to finish.”—Phil Hoch

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Disney World & Universal for VIP experiences and stress-free planning

Happily Ever After fireworks at Disney World.

Fireworks go off just above every night over Disney World’s Cinderella Castle. Photo: Disney

“Our entire family had an AMAZING Disney and Universal trip—we are very thankful to Michelle and the rest of her team. My wife and I have three daughters—14, 13 & 10. We planned four of our own previous trips to Disney, but we knew we wanted to have a new/different experience so we contacted Michelle.

Michelle and team secured a VIP guide on the day of our daughter’s birthday and our last day at Universal. We hardly had to do anything because Michelle and team took care of the personalized itinerary and all reservations.

We will always use Michelle’s office for future family Disney trips, as they are indispensable. The girls are already talking me into a trip to Disney in Anaheim and given we have never been, I’m confident Michelle’s team will make it a breeze and a slam-dunk.” —Adam Lewis

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Greece for island-hopping, remote beaches, and a rooftop pool to beat the heat

A village street of Santorini is bright white and blue, with pops of pink bougainvillea flowers

A savvy planner can help you get off the beaten path, even on Santorini. Photo: Shutterstock

“We had one of our best family trips in years, thanks to Maria’s colleague Irene. We started in Athens, where Irene booked us in a spacious, modern apartment at The Dolli, which had excellent service and food. The rooftop pool overlooking the Acropolis was a huge plus given the heat, and the day trip to the ruins at Delphi was a family favorite. Then it was on to Paros, where we enjoyed the beautiful accommodations and staff attention at the Adronis Minois. Our teens loved the amazing outdoor space with our own small pool, as well as the resident cats. Our most favorite day of the trip was on a speed boat, where we traveled to the Blue Lagoon, went cliff jumping, and visited remote beaches in Antiparos and Despotiko.

We then ferried to Santorini, where we stayed in the breathtaking Grace Hotel. The geology, ruins, and small towns in Santorini didn’t disappoint, and we enjoyed special attention at dinners that Irene arranged and various recommended restaurants, some off the beaten path. We also loved our fascinating guided tour to Akrotiri, a town even older than Pompeii that was also destroyed—and then preserved—due to a massive volcanic explosion.

Our meals, guides, and hotels were all impeccable, and even with the heat and crowds, we always felt supported and well taken care of.” —Amanda Mandel

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Florence and Tuscany for vineyard tours and extravagant meals

An outdoor cafe in next to a stone building in Tuscany, Italy.

Head to smaller Tuscan villages to avoid Italy’s summer crowds. Photo: Shutterstock

“We just returned from a 12-day trip to Florence and Tuscany. Andrea and her team set up some great tours in Florence and experiences around Greve-in-Chianti. While we had been to Florence before, the other couple we were with had not, so Stefano arranged separate tours on the same day for each of us, which culminated in a private sunset cruise on the Arno. The Hotel Brunelleschi is a beautifully appointed property, centrally located with great service and amenities. On to Greve-in-Chianti. We stayed at the Borgo del Cabreo, another beautiful property located on a vineyard high above the town offering a 360-degree view of the Tuscan countryside. Breathtaking, especially while sipping our morning coffee or enjoying an aperitivo by the pool at sunset.

Our excursion to Montalcino and Pienza was sensational. We are big Brunello fans and Andrea’s team arranged a great experience for us at the small, family-owned Poggio Rubino vineyard. We got a tour of the winemaking operations and then sat down for a homemade Tuscan lunch (thank you, Nonna) to accompany our very generous and expertly paced Brunello tasting.

The following day we drove to the Antinori-owned Fonte de’ Medici estate, where we took a pasta-making class followed by a five-course tasting menu at the Michelin-starred restaurant Osteria di Passignano just down the road. Wow. Both experiences were eye-opening and a treat for all the senses.” —Andy Robinson

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Costa Rica for “epic” adventures—zip lining, rappelling, surfing, rafting…

Costa Rica is the birthplace of canopy tours that let you explore the forest via zip line. Photo: GreenSpot Travel

“My family of five spent 10 days in Costa Rica planned by Irene. We were looking for engaging adventure while staying in higher-end hotels that could easily accommodate a setup for a family (villas or adjoining rooms). Our trip was an amazing, wonderful family event that we’ll remember for a lifetime. We spent 5 days in La Fortuna, residing at the Nayara Tented Camp in a family tent that easily accommodated the five of us comfortably (no bed sharing for the kids!). We did a chocolate workshop at Two Little Monkeys, which was a highlight for us, and well worth the drive. Irene organized our excursions to the Hanging Bridges, the zip lines that rip down a mountain and a canyoning tour that had us rappelling down waterfalls. All were amazing, with the rappelling being the family’s collective favorite.

We hopped a short flight and spent the last 5 days in the Manuel Antonio region. The hotel, Arenas del Mar, had a fantastic beach and wonderful restaurant. The wildlife was very active, including the white-faced monkeys that were a permanent fixture on the hotel grounds. For adventure, we got to paddle Class III and IV rapids and we had an epic day surfing.” —Jason Grapski

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Ecuador for a working hacienda and Galápagos wildlife

Adults and kids alike are captivated by the sea life in the Galápagos. Photo: Shutterstock

“We just returned from the Galápagos Islands with our adult children, our 6-year old granddaughter and our adult nephew and his partner. Our trip started in Guayaquil, where we had one day before heading to the Galápagos. Allie sent us to La Danesa, a gorgeous, working hacienda! We visited the cacao plantation and participated in making chocolate from start to finish. Delicious! We also milked cows, went horseback riding and bicycling, and had a wonderful lunch. The grounds are beautiful and luxurious and we could have spent much more time there.

We traveled to the Galápagos the next day, where we met our wonderful guide, Viviana. She was truly one of the highlights of the trip. As a native of the Galápagos, she was knowledgeable and could share information in a way that was interesting to all of us. Even our 6-year-old peppered her with questions! We stayed at the Ikala Hotel, which had nice rooms, a lovely breakfast and restaurant area and a pool and lounge area which we all enjoyed. In our five days on the islands, we went to the Giant Tortoise Reserve; saw the lava caves and tubes; spent an incredible day walking along the beach at Tortuga Bay and snorkeling in the calmer area. We had days of boating to areas where we could go snorkeling and there we saw turtles, sea lions, blue-footed boobies, iguanas, pelicans, baby sharks and schools and schools of fish.

One of the standout activities was a morning at Las Grietas, which is a swimming hole at the bottom of a lava-created crevasse. It was completely private and truly one of the highlights of our trip.” —Judy Wimpfheimer

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Romania for leaving behind the crowds and getting lessons on European history

View from a medieval fortified church in Transylvania.

Romania has medieval towns and some of Europe’s last wilderness. Photo: Tim Baker

“I traveled to Romania on a graduation trip with my daughter. Important to us was connecting with the local people and understanding the country. We started in Bucharest, which was great for my daughter to learn what can happen to a country if you vote in a narcissist authoritarian as a leader, and understanding what life was like under the latter parts of communist ruling. We had a university history professor give us a tour of an apartment frozen in time from the 1980s, under communist rule.

When we left Bucharest, our guide Tavi adjusted our route so we could travel the Transfăgărășan Highway. Being from Colorado, we enjoyed the winding mountain pass and Tavi’s stories of backcountry skiing the areas around the pass. We went on an amazing mountain bike ride in the hills and forests, with some fun single track as well. We saw wonderful fortressed churches and cities throughout our trip, including the beautiful Sighișoara, without crowds and with a random local who had the keys to let us in. We met a local weaver whose family had been doing traditional weaving for generations and who rescued a loom headed for destruction. We enjoyed a visit with a local herbalist whose herb garden was expansive, and her knowledge of remedies was sought out throughout the area. Here we enjoyed a dinner in her home, again understanding her story and her life and sharing ours. We moved on to Brasov, where we had a private tour of Bran Castle and the opportunity to climb into the highest turret to view the mountain pass that the lookouts would use in centuries past. When we expressed interest in a hike, Tavi took us up a mountainside where he helped a friend build a cabin. We met one of his friends, a local shepherd, and discussed bears threatening his flock and how the handling of these bears was different between Colorado and Romania.

Romania is a beautiful, relatively undiscovered country with rich medieval history and more recent history of the rise and fall of communism. It is not as restored as other places in Western Europe, but its beauty, its history, and its people are wonderful to experience. The smaller crowds allow for a much more enjoyable visit than other European countries.” —Theresa Boone

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Tanzania for Great Migration river crossings, tented nights, cats galore…

Wildebeests crossing Mara river in Tanzania.

Wildebeest and zebras crossing the Mara River during the Great Migration. Photo: Andrey Gudkov / Alamy

“When I hired Cherri and Katie to plan this trip, I had one major goal—put us in a good position to see the Great Migration crossing the Mara River. The other goals were to give us a first-class trip with great camps and great guiding. Cherri and Katie succeeded in every aspect.

First stop – Sanctuary Kichikani. This is a mobile camp so bucket showers, tent, etc. However, the camp was beautiful, the staff was amazing, and the guiding was excellent. We saw a great variety of mammals and birds. The vastness of the great herd was everywhere. The predators had full bellies. We saw a leopard on day 1—what a rare amazement. Our guide got us to a crossing of the herd that was in progress when we arrived on day 2.

Second Stop – Sayari. Fantastic fixed camp. Again we saw all the animals that you hope to see including leopards, cheetahs, lions, giraffes, wart hogs, zebras. Great variety of birds. Here we had a wonderful guide who got us to a crossing of the Mara by the herd just minutes before it began. We were the first vehicle on site and had a fantastic position to appreciate the chaos and the magnificence of one of the most amazing natural events. We even saw a croc strike out trying to grab a young zebra.

Stop 3 – Namiri Planes. This is the camp to see the cats—cheetahs, lions, leopards. The short grasses and the flat planes make sighting easy. We saw the drama of failed hunts. A cheetah jumped on the front hood of our vehicle. He stood there for several moments staring at us. The guide started the engine and he jumped off.

Stop 4 – Chem Chem. We left the Serengeti and headed to Lake Manyara. Lovely camp with a great location at a watering hole. The zebras and giraffes and wildebeest would walk and run toward the watering hole in clear close view to our tent. A large herd of male elephants was nearby. Lovely walking safari ending with a beautiful meal under an immense baobab tree. We also visited a local Masai home and met the chief and his wives and children. This was very real and not touristy.

The trip was an A+. Our friends were stunned and amazed by the beauty and miracles of the parks.” —Scott Rifkin

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START A TRIP TO TANZANIA
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Mexico City for cooking lessons and hot-air ballooning over the pyramids at Teotihuacan

Hot-air balloons above one of the pyramids at Teotihuacan. Photo: Traveler Helen Blumen

“My 16-year-old granddaughter and I spent 10 days in Mexico City and Oaxaca, and we had a wonderful time! We especially loved the cooking lesson with a wonderful Zapotec lady, and the menu was adjusted for teenager tastes so that we ate quesadillas and chiles rellenos.

Another highlight was the balloon ride to see the pyramids at Teotihuacan. We are grateful for Zach’s flexibility when our original flight was delayed.” —Helen Blumen

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START A TRIP TO SRI LANKA
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Sri Lanka for geographical diversity and a “great combination of relaxation and culture”

Lauren Schor with her husband and daughter on safari in Wilpattu National Park.

“Given we only had a week, we had some tough choices as to which areas we were going to visit—the cultural triangle and ancient ruins, the mountains and tea plantations, the jungle and wildlife, the gorgeous beaches or the cities. Ultimately, with a lot of back and forth weighing the pros and cons with Miguel and Nicola, we decided on the cultural triangle and the south coast. I couldn’t imagine going all the way to Sri Lanka and not climbing Sigiriya, the ancient fortress atop a mountain and the most visited place in the country. Plus, we were near one of the national parks, and we got to do a one-day safari!

To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

Dubai and Abu Dhabi for combining city sights and desert adventures

Diane Thormodsgard with her husband and grandsons on a private sunset cruise in Dubai.

“My husband and I took our grandsons (ages 14 and 13) to the U.A.E. for 10 days. Nicholas designed an itinerary that suited all of us perfectly. 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 the Museum of the Future, went to the ‘top of the Burj Khalifa,’ had a helicopter ride, and went on a private sunset palm cruise.

After leaving Dubai, we ventured to Al Maha, a luxury desert resort. What a great experience with private pools at each suite (boys had their own Bedouin suite), a desert jeep ride, camel rides, beautiful sunset, early morning falconry presentation, 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.

After touring Abu Dhabi, we finished our trip with visits to Warner Bros. World, Ferrari World and Sea World. Ferrari World was the highlight, with an individual Ferrari ride on nearby roads with a professional driver for each grandson. The trip was a nice mix of history, amazing architecture, and entertainment.” —Diane Thormodsgard

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Botswana for proximity to predators at “the perfect time of year”

A leopard walking around at a national park in Zimbabwe

“We enjoyed several close-range stare-downs with leopards.” Photo: Shutterstock

“To quote one of our travel companions, ‘I would not have changed one aspect of this trip,’ and I wholeheartedly agree. We were in the right camps with the right level of service and amenities at the perfect time of year.

Probably the most surprising aspect of our tour was the proximity within which our guides placed us to some very serious predators. On numerous occasions we could have reached out from our Land Cruiser and touched passing lions, and we enjoyed several close-range stare-downs with leopards. Upon returning back to our tent one afternoon, we found an elephant drinking from our plunge pool.

Julian did a masterful job of translating our interests and desired level of comfort into four perfectly matched camps. He guided us to Botswana and the Okavango Delta and encouraged us to select winter as the best season to visit. His services added tremendous value to the trip.” —Stephen Bajan

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March Trip Ideas: Traveler Reviews to Inspire You

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So you’ve got a window of time in March when you can travel, and you have no idea where to go. Not to worry: Your fellow travelers are here to help you find the perfect destination. Read on for reviews of their favorite March trips, from the Caribbean to the South Pacific and from Europe to the Middle East. These adventures were all made possible through the knowledge and insider connections of the local fixers on our WOW List of Trusted Travel Experts.

You’ll find even more ideas in the March installment of our Where to Go When series, and you’ll find more traveler reviews here, including imaginative ideas for spring break.

Unsure where to go in March? Click the black button below for our help.

START A TRIP TO SICILY
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Sicily for ideal weather to hike, bike, take a cooking class, and visit the San Giuseppe festival

“One of the highlights was a cooking class at a restaurant in the Siracusa area…ending with a selfie taken by the chef himself!”

“We are two couples who spent 17 glorious days in Sicily on a trip arranged by Matteo. For decades, I have planned my own trips all over the world. However, using Wendy’s WOW List last year for Morocco and this year for Sicily saved a lot of time and provided us with local experiences we never would have had otherwise. We biked, hiked, took cooking classes, learned a lot of history, saw many ruins, and ate Sicilian cuisine. Matteo arranged for local drivers and guides at each stop—people who were from the places we visited and seemed to know everyone we passed.

When I mentioned that we enjoy remote destinations, Matteo suggested visiting the car-free island of Marettimo for the San Giuseppe festival. Marettimo is located 90 minutes off the west coast of Sicily by hydrofoil. We had a local guide who grew up on the island and whose father was the mayor. As we joined the festivities, we seemed to be the only tourists there, aside from locals who had grown up on the island and return each year for San Giuseppe.

Each day, lunch was included at special restaurants or private homes. Everywhere we went, we were treated like VIPs. Throughout our trip, Matteo checked in to ensure everything was going smoothly, even joining us for pizza one evening and again when we were in his hometown of Noto.

One of the highlights was a cooking class at a restaurant in the Siracusa area. First we visited the market to select fresh, locally sourced ingredients, then we returned to the restaurant to prepare and plate our own meals—ending with a selfie taken by the chef himself!” —Rich Rediker

To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

India for joining the community spring festival of Holi and “painting the town”

Ron Klausner, his wife, and two friends joined in the community’s Hindu festival of Holi.

Without reservation, I implore you to visit India if you have not already done so.” —Ron Klausner

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Cuba for a fascinating, thought-provoking Caribbean spring break

Farmers working on the tabacco field collecting tabacco fields.

Cuba climate and soil contribute to its tobacco cultivation and world-renown cigars. Photo: Terraversed

“Our trip to Cuba in March was nothing short of extraordinary. Rob and Ana Maria took the time to truly understand what we hoped to gain from our time in Cuba. Their thoughtfulness, in partnership with their phenomenal on-the-ground team, Raquel and Diana, made all the difference. Raquel met us at the airport and became our amazing guide and companion throughout our stay. Diana, our 24/7 concierge, partnered with Raquel to work magic behind the scenes to make sure every moment was seamless. Their level of commitment went far beyond professionalism: By the end of the trip, we had met their families and were invited to attend Diana’s daughter’s birthday party. These personal touches allowed us to experience Cuba through the eyes and hearts of the local people.

Some of the most memorable experiences included a private concert at the home of a celebrated Cuban guitarist (Molina) and sharing lunch in the home of a Cuban family. The meal rivaled the top restaurants we visited, but what stayed with us was the intimate conversation and powerful connection we felt around their table and their efforts to improve their community. Another surprise: attending a local baseball game. It was another glimpse into the everyday Cuban spirit.

There was also a day trip to Viñales, where we explored tobacco and coffee farms and gained a deeper appreciation for the traditions and resilience of Cuba’s farming communities. The trip could not have been more thoughtfully and beautifully curated. The warmth, resourcefulness, and hospitality of the Cuban people was front-and-center in every interaction. It was an experience we will carry with us forever.” —Ann Marie Bell

To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

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Iceland for glacier hikes, dog sledding, and black beach drives (yes beaches in March!)

Gail Fennell and family next to a monster on a black beach in Iceland.

Gail Fennell and her family cruised in a monster truck along the black beach.

“Iceland March 4-9, 2025
I highly recommend my travel consultant Mads. He helped me plan a 5-day trip to Iceland for my family (my husband, myself, my 3 grown sons with their significant others, and my 5-month-old granddaughter). There was not one aspect of the trip that I would have changed. We climbed glaciers on foot and in a monster truck, went dog sledding (even the baby), soaked in the hot springs, drove down the black beach and relaxed in a fabulous villa in the country where we saw a spectular show of the Northern Lights. Every one of his recommendations worked with our family situation and one day was more exciting than the next. We will definitely be using Wendy Perrin’s WOW List again!” —Gail Fennell

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Italy (including the Amalfi Coast) for shirt-sleeve weather and no crowds

Travelers Dan Gorbett and husband Mike Wellner on a private yacht exploring the Amalfi Coast with Positano in the background, Italy.

Dan Gorbett and husband Mike Wellner exploring the Amalfi Coast by private yacht in March.

“We highly recommend utilizing Andrea for your Italian vacation. My husband and I toured Italy March 16th-March 31st. We started in Rome, then went on to the Amalfi Coast, Florence, Venice, Lake Como and finally flew out of Milan. The true gem of this experience was the local guides. We had an art historian show us around Florence, and our guide who took us to the Murano glass-blowing factories in Venice was part of one of the families of artisans who have been doing glass blowing for hundreds of years.

Another highlight of the trip was the yacht day in Amalfi. They arranged for us to go down the coast to Capri, and then our boat captain and first mate told us about the different aspects of the coast and the people who lived there while enjoying the sun and the water.

In each different area the guides were able to give us recommendations of small mom-and-pop restaurants with truly amazing food. As expected on an Italian vacation, we had the best food and drinks of our lives. The days were never over-planned. There was always time to slow down and enjoy the cities and the meals.

One particularly impressive action by the team was related to our trip home. Our flight home was changed at the last minute, and Andrea’s concierge was able to adjust our morning driver from Lake Como to the Milan airport, and we were picked up at 5 AM on Easter Sunday!” —Dan Gorbett and Mike Wellner

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START A TRIP TO BELIZE
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Belize for better-value Caribbean islands

sharks swimming underwater in Shark Ray Alley in Belize

Shark Ray Alley is one of dozens of crystal-clear snorkeling spots on Belize’s barrier reef. Photo: Absolute Belize

“We travel a lot but generally to the beaten-track destinations, so Belize was a bit exciting and scary when we were planning! But with Patricia’s help it was an amazing trip that was an unforgettable experience for the whole family—everyone (6 people ranging in age from 17 to 60) loved it (which is rare) and Patricia’s help was just invaluable—so thank you!

In Ambergris Caye we stayed at the Alaia—loved this resort and our villa! Obviously the seaweed situation now is unfortunate, but nothing anyone can do and it affects many Caribbean and Mexican destinations. Loved our snorkeling trip—the reef here is amazing! Then we moved on to the jungle and Ka-Ana resort—the rooms were very nice and the people were lovely and the special birthday dinner they put together for two members of our party who had a birthday while there was just amazing! This was our favorite part of the trip. The Caracol and Xunantunich Mayan ruin tours were amazing (lots of monkeys and wildlife too!), but the pontoon boat trip was an amazing highlight—I don’t think the description in the brochure does it justice! We all had the most amazing day.

To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

The Yukon for Northern Lights, dogsledding, and feeling the vast low-season wilderness all to yourself

Dog sledding in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories in Canada.

“The dogs have distinct personalities and are hysterically adorable.” Photo: Shutterstock

“Northern lights, and then some, in breathtaking Yukon, Canada. Marc put together a well-organized and well-crafted itinerary to the Yukon in March that had a little of everything—nature, a wide variety of activities, culture, and history—for my sister and me. In my 40+ years of travel, I do not recall having as much fun as I did on this adventure. Our excursions were all private, from a director-led museum visit, snowmobiling, ice fishing, snowshoeing, hiking in the Tombstone Territorial Park and then flying back in a Cessna, formulating a skin cream with an herbalist/healer, to a city walking tour with a Parks Canada guide, who had keys to all the historic buildings.

The aurora viewing was one of the highlights of our trip. Marc astutely provided us with five opportunities to see the aurora, and we saw it on three separate nights. The sky was on fire during two of the three nights. Marc engaged photographers as guides, as we knew nothing about shooting the night sky. A yurt with a hot stove was much welcomed. We were having so much fun taking pictures, we begrudgingly went in to warm up only when our fingers started to go numb. Seeing the northern lights is an unbelievable experience.

The other highlight, much to our surprise, was dogsledding. I have gone dogsledding in the past, but this experience was totally different. Our guide, Ben, is a musher who participates in races. Our adventure started at his outdoor kennel, where he selected and harnessed nine excited dogs. We loved meeting his dogs up close and learning how he cares for them during a race and outside of racing. It was fascinating to learn about the race itself—the rules, people involved, checkpoints, gear, etc. The dogs have distinct personalities and are hysterically adorable. My sister and I talked about it for days.

We told Marc during our initial discussion that seeing the northern lights was our priority, and we let him choose the dates and locations. Aside from it being a province of Canada, we knew nothing about the Yukon. But we placed our trust in Marc, and he nailed it. And because it was low season, we felt we had the breathtaking, snowy landscape, and vast wilderness of the Yukon all to ourselves. Does life get any better than that?” —Linda Bailey

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Morocco for Ramadan, when fewer tourists visit

Rich Rediker and friends on a sunset camel ride in the Sahara.

“Ten of us (five couples in our 60’s and 70’s) just returned from an amazing two weeks in Morocco. While I normally plan these group trips myself, I decided to save time and try using Wendy’s WOW List Morocco recommendation. We were not disappointed. In fact, everything promised turned out to be nicer and better than expected.

The key to a successful trip is a great guide and bus driver, and we had the best in guide Mohamed and driver Khalid. We were promised a 12-seat bus (plus two seats in the front for the driver and guide). Instead, we received a very comfortable 16-seat (plus two) bus, allowing us to spread out.

Our entire trip was during Ramadan, which we thought was a benefit. There were fewer tourists, people didn’t smoke in the crowded medinas, and we participated in delicious Iftar dinners. It was also interesting walking through the markets in the late afternoon, as everyone was scurrying to buy food for their Iftar meal.

On many days, our itinerary said, ‘picnic lunch included.’ This was an amazing understatement, as these lunches were often feasts in unique and incredible locations.

We are active travelers, and our trip used excellent local guides for our activities, including hikes, e-biking, a cooking class, wine tasting, and a gorgeous sunset camel ride in the Sahara. We chose our lodging together, and each place was unique and comfortable without being too expensive. At many riads, the ten of us occupied almost every room, and we had the place to ourselves. Our favorite riad was Dar Rihana in Dades. It is owned by three brothers who are amazing gourmet cooks. After dinner, they led us in local music and dances.” —Richard Rediker

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London for historic sights without the crowds

Wynne Wages and her family at Windsor Castle.

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Norway for northern lights by night, reindeer herding and dog sledding by day

Traveler Julie Silbermann feeding reindeer in Norway.

Julie Silbermann spent a day with Sami people and got to help feed their reindeer.

“WOW! What a trip we had to Finnmark in northern Norway! We can’t thank Wendy enough for connecting us with Jan and Miriam for our trip March 7-15. They crafted an exciting trip of one adventure after another. We flew to Alta, which is 400 miles inside the Arctic Circle, and stayed at the Sorrisniva Arctic Wilderness Lodge. It is remote and incredibly beautiful. We stayed in a room overlooking the river and mountains with floor-to-ceiling windows. We went dog sledding, snowshoeing, and ice fishing. We even caught Arctic char, which our guide, Kalle, expertly cooked for us inside our warming tent for lunch! We were very lucky to see the Northern Lights on three out of four nights, and Helle knew just where to bring us to see the spectacular light show.

One of our most special expeditions was spending the day with the Sami people, helping them herd and feed their reindeer! We were in the middle of a herd of hundreds of reindeer, watching them and admiring their beauty inside an Arctic wonderland. Just an amazing experience. Big thanks to Trygve Nygard, Kalle, Helle, and Emilie for their special care on our expeditions. Everything was taken care of for us—there wasn’t a detail left to chance.” —Julie Silbermann

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Portugal for warm spring yachting in the Algarve and through the wine country

Marci Shapiro on a private yacht cruise in Portugal.

Marci Shapiro feeling the “obrigado” spirit during a sunset charter in the Algarve. Photo: Traveler Andy Shapiro

“My wife and I have been working with WOW List Experts for many years on many amazing trips. Our expectations are very high, and occasionally a WOW Expert we are working with exceeds them, which was exactly the case with Gonçalo and Sofia.

Our adventure began with three nights in the Algarve at a resort overlooking the dramatic and spectacular cliffs along the Atlantic Ocean. Highlights included long beautiful hikes with a guide and a private sunset cruise. Somehow Gonçalo and Sofia arranged for a significant upgrade on the yacht we chartered, which was a welcome surprise and treat!

Next was three nights in Porto at a fabulous luxury hotel fronting the Douro River with incredible views. The private tours and tastings we had at Taylor Fladgate, Graham’s and Quinta do Noval were mind-boggling! Seeing huge crowds of people (at Taylor and Graham’s) and then to be whisked away for the ‘private experience’ that only WOW Experts like Gonçalo and Sofia can arrange, is always a pleasure. Last, but certainly not least, was the private yacht (another upgrade!) cruise down the Douro River through the Douro Valley wine region! What FUN!

Our final stop was Lisbon. We stayed at a former palace that was converted to a luxury 5-star hotel with what we thought was the absolute best location—even better than the Four Seasons, where we stay often when we travel. Our guide in Lisbon just prior to us took around the former Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau; before that was Magic Johnson and Samuel L. Jackson with their wives, as well as many other notable people. My wife and I could not believe he was our guide too! We loved hearing the fascinating stories and learning all about Lisbon and Sintra from such a master at his craft!

The pacing of the trip—very important to us, allowing for strategic down time—was flawless. We thought the trip pricing was extremely fair and reasonable and most cost effective, compared to other trips we have taken. We will forever be so grateful and appreciative for everything Gonçalo and Sofia did on our behalf! OBRIGADO!” —Andy Shapiro

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Costa Rica for an easy combo of rainforest and beach

Hanging Bridges in cloud forest Monteverde - Costa Rica

A hanging bridge provide a treetop perspective on the Monteverde Cloud Forest. Photo: Shutterstock

“We were absolutely thrilled with the spring break trip that Pierre planned for our family. We wanted one place that we could enjoy for a week that offered both a beach and a rainforest experience. Manuel Antonio and the Arenas Del Mar hotel were absolutely perfect for that.

I cannot say enough good things about the hotel. The wildlife sightings there were far and away better than in the national park. There were squirrel monkeys, capuchin monkeys, scarlet macaws. iguanas, and two- and three-fingered sloths right outside our doors. But what really set the hotel apart was the staff. I have never visited a place with kinder or more caring staff. At the end of the week our son announced that he would not be leaving and would henceforth be living there.

The activities that Pierre planned for us were perfect (zip-lining, a waterfall hike, surfing lessons), again with guides that could not have been kinder or more accommodating. I’ll never forget our son’s 7th birthday and watching him leap from a platform hundreds of feet in the air to swing on a Tarzan rope while our zip-lining guides sang happy birthday to him.” —Anne Lloyd

To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

START A TRIP TO SPAIN
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Spain for castles without the crowds

Lorin and Jeremy Seidman with their family and WOW Lister Virginia Irurita in Madrid.

To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

Malta and Sardinia for sunny Mediterranean islands in winter

The famous arch of Blue Grotto in Malta.

The arch outside Malta’s Blue Grotto. Photo: Shutterstock

“The nine-day itinerary Jason created for us to Malta and Sardinia in March was crammed with memorable experiences: entrance to the 4000 BC Hypogeum underground burial complex (tickets difficult to come by); a fascinating visit with a sixth-generation gilder; the tastiest private tour of a food market I’ve ever been on; a walk in the Sardinian countryside to see the island’s wild four-foot-tall horses; and—my favorite—a fabulous multi-course lunch set up just for us on an isolated cliff in Gozo above the crashing waves.

Jason’s ground teams were as interesting as the sights and scenery—our Malta guide, Martin, is a practicing Knight of Malta whose title goes back generations, as well as a professional photographer and former coach of Australia’s Olympic bobsled team (go figure); our driver there, Mario, is a former comptroller and auditor in addition to being an all-around great guy; guide Paola got her start translating for Tony Ryan when he was setting up his Ryanair empire in Sardinia; Marcello, our driver in Sardinia, had recently returned from the Polish border as a volunteer transporting Ukrainian orphans by bus to safety.

And if you ever want to feel like Bill Gates, now is your moment: Thanks to the VIP service Jason arranges at the airport, you wait in a private lounge before being escorted past the frenzied crowds to a town car on the tarmac that drives you to your plane, all before boarding officially begins.” —Priscilla Eakeley

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Switzerland for an “epic” ski trip, complete with fondue

Traveler Wendy Mueller and son Evan riding the gondola with the Matterhorn in the background on the Swiss Side of Zermatt, Switzerland.

Wendy Mueller and son Evan riding the gondola in Zermatt, with the Matterhorn in the background.

“I took my son (age 19) to Zermatt for a ski trip the first week of March. I wanted a special mom-and-son trip. I reached out to WendyPerrin.com for a referral to help and was connected with Nina and Simon. They took my wishes and planned an EPIC trip for me. The accommodations were amazing, the ski guide was so good I booked him an additional day, and they added to the itinerary a gorge trip and a special nighttime fondue and another evening tapas tour.

What made it more spectacular were the guides hired. We are very accomplished skiers in the U.S., living in Colorado and Tahoe. We knew Zermatt was a little more complicated of a mountain, with the lifts and the Swiss and Italian sides. They recommended a ski guide, and we are so very happy they did! Made the skiing more efficient and fun! One of the more memorable moments was a walk down into town from the evening fondue, and as we passed through one of the small hamlets, a small white one-room church—like the kind in old western towns—was lit, and our guide noticed my interest so he went over to see if it was open. It was and I was able to make a small donation in the box and light a candle and have a prayer of gratitude. I will remember this forever.

I rarely use travel services, as I do travel a lot and am comfortable booking on my own. However I wanted to have a bonding experience with my son and be stress-free. I feel more connected to my son, as we did activities together without worry. I would definitely recommend Nina and Simon when you want to be taken care of and have special moments.” —Wendy Mueller

To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

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Scotland for beautiful countryside in March—and surprisingly mild weather

Kinnoull Hill tower ruins, Perth Scotland, overlooking the River Tay on a clear day

Kinnoull Tower overlooks the River Tay, Scotland. Photo: Shutterstock

“Jonathan and Katie planned our March trip to Scotland and England. The weather in early March was surprisingly mild. As a result our itinerary was unaffected and we experienced the full beauty of Scotland. We had a great introduction to the whisky industry during our WOW Moment at The Pot Still in Glasgow. It was a great way to start our journey. Our guide John was a true difference maker, driving us through the country with high-speed Internet available to us for the inevitable interruption.

The hotels we used were all top-notch and we will look forward to returning to Gleneagles to take advantage of all the activities they have to offer. The American Bar at Gleneagles is a must-visit if you are a hotel guest. Our guide in Edinburgh was Val, and she pointed out many out-of-the-way places that truly brought the city to life for us. Neil toured us through Stonehenge and Oxford, providing a lifetime of knowledge about that part of England. Our experiences were greatly enhanced by the services of these people. We were able to see and learn so much more by not wasting time being lost or trying to figure out which side of the road to drive on.” —Robert Hussey

To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

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Mexico City for fantastic food and vibrant neighborhoods

Coyoacan Street in Mexico. Photo: Shutterstock

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START A TRIP TO COLOMBIA
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Colombia for a Caribbean getaway with colonial charm

The pool in Casa San Agustín with sun-beds.

The pool at Casa San Agustín, Cartagena. Photo: Casa San Agustin

“We were thrilled with our trip to Cartagena from Boris and his team. (1) Everything went flawlessly, and it really was great to have the same guide and driver every day. (2) The hotel (Casa San Agustin) was the most wonderful hotel we have ever stayed in, with the combination of its history, the service, and the design. (3) The restaurants suggested were the perfect combination of unique and delicious. And (4) everyone we interacted with was kind, welcoming, and eager to answer our questions.

I think Colombia is a very special place that has these characteristics itself, but having Boris and his team made the trip just even more special and easy.” —Anne Lloyd

To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

Chile for a wine-and-desert alternative to “crowded and expensive Europe”

The Atacama Desert’s clear skies spotlight the Milky Way. Photo: Shutterstock

“We picked Chile to celebrate my husband’s 50th birthday. We loved our previous South American trips to Peru and the Galapagos, so we decided to head to Chile instead of crowded and expensive Europe. Jordan put together a one-week trip involving wine tasting and relaxation at Clos Apalta Residence, followed by four days of outdoor explorations in the Atacama Desert.

We had no idea we were in for such a treat at Clos Apalta! Staff is very attentive and meticulous, leaving no details to chance. The accommodation is gorgeous, with a view to die for, overlooking the winery. Visiting the on-site wine cellar was the cherry on top for our stay!

Our four-day stay in San Pedro de Atacama was at Explora Atacama. Visiting the driest place on Earth was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that excited us. Hiking through the canyons and walking through the salt flats reminded us how little of this world we have seen in our lifetime so far. My favorite part was seeing all the flamingos that live in the salt flats, as well as all the wildlife like the vicuñas and vizcachas that thrive in the highlands. The Explora resort had its own telescope for stargazing at night. What a fun experience that was!” —Wenlan Cheng

To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

START A TRIP TO CHILE
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Tahiti and Bora Bora for a romantic escape

Overwater bungalow and dock over turquoise water in Bora Bora, French Polynesia.

There’s nothing dreamier than an overwater bungalow on Bora Bora. Photo: Shutterstock

“It was a trip of a lifetime, and Kleon made it happen for us! We went to Taha’a and Bora Bora and had the most relaxing and enjoyable time together because he managed all the details, which allowed us to just focus on each other.

Kleon set up the most romantic, private dinner on the beach, with live Polynesian music. The table was set with linen, flowers, a bottle of champagne chilling, all surrounded by tiki torches. It was picture-perfect.

Kleon’s relationships with French Polynesian locals gave us a unique opportunity to meet many extraordinary people: the family-owned vanilla plantation, the operation of a pearl farm, etc. He also arranged a boat tour around one of the islands. The captain and his first mate were so personable, and we thoroughly enjoyed getting to know them. It was fun listening to them talk about their backgrounds and their knowledge of the area and ocean life. It was a perfect day on a beautiful boat with snorkeling, swimming with sharks, seeing a huge, beautiful manta ray, spinner dolphins who gave us quite a show, and enjoying coconut water and snacks. Kleon shared that it was our anniversary, and the captain surprised us with real wine glasses and a bottle of chilled wine for a truly special day!” —John and Kimberly Redmon

To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

START A TRIP TO FRENCH POLYNESIA
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Japan for quiet moments with locals even in peak season

A traditional tea ceremony performance in Japan.

WOW Listers can arrange a private experience of a traditional Japanese tea ceremony. Photo: Shutterstock

“When we discovered that neither of our husbands was interested in traveling to Japan, my girlfriend and I decided to go for it. Our travel window was limited to the last two weeks of March, high season for Japan travel, and this was only a month away. The first three travel agents that I spoke to turned me down outright; small group trips were also fully booked. When we were about to give up, Wendy Perrin introduced us to Andrea.

Andrea managed to pull off the impossible — a rich and varied itinerary customized to our taste, drivers and guides (all excellent) when desired, free time when requested, train tickets reserved, even some unusual experiences along the way. He and his team were in constant contact with us via a dedicated WhatsApp group (appropriately called “Guardian Angels in Japan”) to check in and keep us updated on the itinerary.

There were several moments that Andrea planned — a tea ceremony and visit with a bonsai master in Tokyo, crafting in Kanazawa and Takayama, a traditional dinner in Kyoto with a Maiko (Geisha in training) — that were unexpected highlights. I have traveled with other experts before, but Andrea’s attention to detail was extraordinary.” —Janet Fattal

To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

START A TRIP TO JAPAN
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Vietnam and Cambodia in shoulder season (when you can have Angkor Wat to yourself)

Travelers Mike and Lindsay Lanaux during sunrise at Angkor Wat, Cambodia.

Mike and Lindsay Lanaux—and no one else—at Angkor Wat at sunrise.

“After listening to the way that we like to travel, Sandy and Ethan planned a trip that catered to our interests in history, architecture, culture and food. We started in Hanoi where we stayed at the Metropole. We really appreciated the history and architecture of the Metropole, as well as the bunker tour of the hotel. In Hue, we were simply awed by the Imperial Palace and the Tombs of the Emperors. Lunch at the home of a local family was one of the highlights of the trip. It was fascinating to see the kitchen where they cooked and to talk to the host about his family history. It truly was one of the best meals of the trip.

In Hoi An, we loved our hotel situated on the river. Watching the boat traffic at night was magical. We also enjoyed our eco tour where we got to ride bikes through the rice paddies and try farming and fishing Vietnamese style. In Saigon, we loved the rooftop bar at our hotel and the history associated with it. The powerboat ride down the Mekong River to the Cu Chi tunnels was fascinating. But the highlight had to be the nighttime Vespa tour exploring the back alleys of Saigon and eating some great street food.

Ending the trip in Siem Reap was a dream come true. The Jaya House River Park Hotel is an excellent mix of luxury and intimacy. Another rooftop bar and spa treatments every day. Our guide was able to time our sunrise visit to Angkor Wat so well that we thought we had the temple complex to ourselves. But the most outstanding experience was being blessed by a 19-year-old monk at his temple and being able to talk with him afterwards. It was truly an exceptional trip that we will always remember.” —Lindsay Lanaux

To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

START A TRIP TO SOUTHEAST ASIA
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Oman for cultural immersion in the “Pearl of Arabia”

Delicious dishes of traditional omani food served on carpet in traditional restaurant, Oman.

Traditional Omani dishes. Photo: Shutterstock

“Our trip to Oman (March 9 – 20) was an amazing experience. Dan did an amazing job of putting a diverse itinerary together using his knowledge of traveling in the country years ago. He truly nailed it!

Highlight of the trip was immersion into Omani culture through being welcomed into private homes for lunch, dinner and a pre-wedding women’s gathering. A real treat! The Omani folks are welcoming, gracious, a peaceful people and accepting of all cultures and faiths.

The country is beautiful — from the amazingly pristine capital of Muscat with souks, fish, fruit and vegetable markets, to the Grand Mosque and Sultan’s Palace, along with glimpses of his two mega yachts at the Marina, to the mountains with donkeys and goats freely roaming, to the desert with camels — to name just a few of the unique experiences. Always something new to see and locals to meet. And the boat excursion to the Daymaniyat Islands is not to be missed!

Oman is called ‘The Pearl of Arabia.’ So true! A definite bucket-list destination for the adventurous traveler.” —Joanne Henton

To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

START A TRIP TO OMAN
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Southern Africa for a high-value, shoulder-season safari

Rainbow over Victoria Falls on Zambezi River, border of Zambia and Zimbabwe.

March sees some of the highest water levels over Victoria Falls. Photo: Shutterstock

“We’ve just returned from this spectacular trip. Four days in Cape Town visiting Table Mountain, Boulders Beach, the Cape of Good Hope, the Victoria & Alfred waterfront, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens and of course the Winelands, along with a fantastic lunch at Glen Carlou; two nights at Victoria Falls in the lovely Old Drift Lodge; and 6 nights in Botswana: 2 nights in Savute, 2 nights in Camp Moremi, and 2 nights in Shinde. Fabulous. All the accommodations were outstanding, and the transport between camps was flawless. At each stop we were made to feel so special, with an incredible ‘sundowner’ experience at Old Drift, along with cakes and celebrations at each safari camp for our anniversary. It was clear that Julian and team had taken exceptional effort to ensure all the camps were aware of our special event, which was a wonderful surprise that we really appreciated.” —Nancy Megehee

To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

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Multigenerational Trips Made Possible by The WOW List

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We see it all the time: Grandparents want to take three generations on a memorable trip—but they don’t know where to go. So we’ve compiled below reviews of our favorite multigenerational trips. The experts on Wendy’s WOW List of top travel fixers know how to negotiate the particular challenges of a group that spans decades: varied interests and activity levels, reduced mobility for some, the logistics of a large group, and more. Here’s what it means to get a WOW trip. If you’re not sure where you want to go, Ask Wendy—we’d be happy to give you a personalized recommendation for your next multigenerational getaway.

START A TRIP THE WHOLE FAMILY WILL LOVE

Italy: “A trip that all our children and grandchildren will remember for the rest of their lives…”

Richard’s children and grandchildren of all ages loved the pizza- and gelato-making dinner in Rome. Photo: Shutterstock

Jennifer and her team added great value to our trip. The planning for a group of 20 was difficult enough, but they also came through in the face of unexpected glitches. The grandson I was supposed to take on a side trip to Milan, to see The Last Supper and a performance of Tosca at La Scala, was sick and had to stay behind in Venice. One of my other grandsons was happy to substitute, but the train tickets and ticket to the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie were in a different boy’s name. Somehow, Jennifer’s team was able to get the tickets switched with almost no notice!

Read more reviews of Italy trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

Japan: “Even with three generations—grandparents, parents, and children—we all played our hearts out.”

Beverly Phillips and family at a Taiko drumming class in Tokyo, Japan.

“The energy was infectious, and the experience was unforgettable.”

“We asked for the impossible, and Andrea made it happen! With just over a month to plan, our family traveled to Tokyo for two opera matinees of Carmen, and Andrea crafted a truly magical journey—one that allowed us to fall in love with Tokyo.

We jumped right into a Taiko drumming class led by an incredible instructor. Even with three generations—grandparents, parents, and children—we all played our hearts out. And to top it off, our instructor, a professional performer, gave us a private demonstration. Wow! The energy was infectious, and the experience was unforgettable.

Throughout our trip, transportation was flawless—which was a feat in itself, considering that our group was sometimes split between different locations. Andrea’s team must have used magic, because if traffic caused delays, they adjusted on the fly. Jolina and Anne were extraordinary, keeping us informed down to the smallest details with weather updates, schedules, driver names, even what shoes to wear. And we could always reach them in an instant. When a leisurely lunch threatened to make us late for the opera, Andrea’s ‘Guardian Angels’ relocated us to a restaurant near the opera house and sent our guide ahead to hold our table. Incredible! As vegans, we presented an extra challenge, but Andrea handled it masterfully.

Andrea also suggested a Kintsugi workshop, and he couldn’t have been more right. Our Kintsugi Master skillfully demonstrated the technique while our translator conveyed every detail seamlessly. As we glued, sanded, and painted the delicate golden veins on our bowls, we connected deeply with the tradition of embracing imperfection. It was a profound experience and one we will never forget.” —Beverly Phillips

Read more reviews of Japan trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

START A TRIP TO THE NETHERLANDS

The Netherlands: “Planning a trip for well-traveled adults together with meeting the needs of young children takes a special trip specialist.”

Jan Heininger's grandchildren steering a canal boat in Amsterdam.

When traveling with young kids, they steer the boat—sometimes literally. Photo: Jan Heininger

“In our kids-centered week in the Netherlands, Tom again unerringly picked activities and tours that would most appeal to a younger set—a food tour, visits to the Maritime Museum and NEMO Science Museum, a canal boat tour with an Indonesian lunch. One day, we participated in the quintessential Dutch activity of riding a bike through the countryside. As it was April in Holland, we visited the famed Keukenhof tulip garden. Tom was smart enough to ensure that we got to the garden before the masses of “tulip tourists” overwhelmed it. Our time in the Netherlands ended with a full day at Efteling amusement park. Tom picked a wonderful Netherlands guide for us. Not only was she seemingly knowledgeable about everything, she knew how to talk with the kids (ages 3, nearly 5 and nearly 8) and even got them engaged in seeing some of the smallest details in Flemish masters’ paintings. The two older kids really paid attention and all three kids loved spending time with her. We all enjoyed the bike ride she took us on between Volendam and Edam, just as we did our visit to the do-not-miss Zuiderzee outdoor museum. (Skip Zaansa Schans—that’s where all the tour buses go.) She also recommended that the kids visit “the best playground they’d ever been to” in Amsterdam – and built over water to boot!

I know that Wendy’s trip specialists can plan and execute flawless trips that draw on their extensive network of contacts to allow clients to dig deeper into the culture than just seeing the sights. But planning a combination trip for well-traveled adults together with meeting the needs of young children takes a special trip specialist. Tom really hit it out of the park for us. It’s one thing to keep teenagers happy; it’s another thing to keep little kids engaged. Tom’s choices of hotels—and specific rooms, especially for our daughter and her family—were spot on. His choice of activities was also spot on. We split our time between Amsterdam (four nights, with two days in the countryside) and The Hague (three days with two days outside the city).

I had reservations about going to the Netherlands in peak tulip season. Not only would there be hordes of foreign tourists, but it was Easter holiday, the same time Dutch schools were on spring break, and the King’s Day celebration. Tom structured the trip in a way that kept us mostly far from the worst of the crowds. Including Keukenhof, the renowned tulip exhibition garden open only for two months each spring with tickets sold out months ahead of time, gave me pause. To miss it would have been a mistake. We discovered a breathtaking huge park of paths winding through gorgeous display beds of the largest tulips I’ve ever seen, manicured green grass among the beds, wonderful playgrounds, a fun maze, and places scattered about to get snacks. It was so large that crowds thronging the entrance gate quickly spread out and the displays were so striking that everyone was in a good mood offering to take photos for strangers. We were impressed at how well organized and run Keukenhof is. Our visit there was a trip highlight.

The kids loved the day at fairytale-themed Efteling amusement park. It was huge, had some truly scary (for me) roller coaster rides that the two older kids and their parents loved, and other rides that even I (not a fan in general of amusement parks) had fun on.

Our congratulations to you, Tom. It was brilliant from start to finish.” —Jan Heininger

Read more reviews of Netherlands trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

Norway: “Juggling the needs and desires of three generations spanning from 12 to 81…”

Theresa Sandoval and family viewing the Northern Lights at Bjørnfell Mountain Lodge in Norway.

Theresa and her family were “lucky enough to view the northern lights four of the six nights, from both hotels.”

“We had the BEST time in Norway!! Torunn’s team made everything about the planning process as easy as possible, which was a stretch because we were juggling the needs and desires of three generations spanning from 12 to 81.

We started with snowmobiling, followed by an afternoon exploring the ice hotel on our hotel’s property. That night, we were pulled by reindeer to a Sami hut to hear stories of their culture and sample some delicacies. The next day, dogsledding was the event of the day! From harnessing the dogs to mushing through the pristine scenery, it could not have been better. We had a fantastic dinner that night at the farm where the dog sledding took place.

The next day, we transferred to another hotel with a different vibe from the first. I can see why they recommended that we try both. This one was on a mountainside where the family has a small herd of sheep and runs a ski-in, ski-out inn next to the area’s only slope. The good food continued, and we went snowshoeing, ice fishing, spa-ing, tubing, and skiing. It was a blast!

And I haven’t even mentioned the northern lights! We were lucky enough to view them four of the six nights that we were there, from both hotels. They varied in intensity and movement, yet they were always breathtaking.” —Theresa Sandoval

Read more reviews of Norway trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

START A YACHT CHARTER TRIP

British Virgin Islands Charter: “Our family of 5 (including 3 teens) and my mom (in her 70s) had one of our most memorable vacations…”

Meghan Schubert with her three children celebrating her birthday.

When Meghan Schubert awoke the morning of her birthday, the crew had decorated the boat with signs and balloons.

“We spent the week of Christmas on a 52-foot catamaran in the British Virgin Islands. Our family of 5 (including 3 teens) and my mom (who’s in her 70s) had one of our most memorable vacations. And it was truly a vacation—we all came back rested!

We were well cared for by the captain, Pieter, who maneuvered our boat into every little nook and cranny in the BVIs. He was extremely relaxed and never worried about getting into any of the sights we wanted to see. His laid-back attitude helped all of us stay calm and relaxed AND we saw everything!

On Christmas Eve, our captain found a private cove for us to anchor for the night! It was incredible to have the entire cove to ourselves. After some swimming and snorkeling, Pieter took our teens tubing. What a sight to see—the sun setting on a private cove, and the only ones around are your kids tubing and laughing as loud as they can. After an amazing dinner prepared by our chef, we sat on the bow of the catamaran and watched the stars and constellations appear. It was so peaceful and private.

We sailed into Jost Van Dyke midday on Christmas Day. The cove was filled with boats and swimmers enjoying the sunny, warm holiday. Our captain steered our boat in between all the other yachts and anchored us nearly on the beach. As we swam for shore to get a drink at Soggy Dollar Bar, we noticed that many of the swimmers were wearing Santa hats! What a sight to see! When we returned to the boat, my daughter and I were not ready to get out of the gorgeous water, so our chef, Ashley, gave us appetizers in the water!

Working with Mandy (as recommended by Wendy Perrin) was perfect. She took the time to get to know what we were looking for and found a great match for us in the crew. I truly felt that Mandy was booking the best vacation for our family and not just another charter for a random person.” —Meghan Schubert

Read more reviews of yacht-charter trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

Galapagos: “Our guide spent five days in the islands with us and took care of two older grandparents and an active boy.….”

The group’s activities were a hit—kid-centered excursions “with guides who ‘get’ 13-year-old boys.” Photo: Shutterstock

“We just returned from the Galápagos with our 13-year-old grandson J, who is a swimmer, animal lover and fisherman. Allie planned the perfect trip for us. She followed our lead—no cruises, fine hotels, kid-centered trips with guides who ‘get’ 13-year-old boys. And she delivered: a day in Quito with Alejandra, who took us to the equator, a chocolate tasting, and a visit to a working cathedral where Mass was in session. As this was a Bar Mitzvah trip for our grandson, going to a Mass with a thousand locals and indigenous people was moving and revealing about the power of religion for everyone in every country.

In San Cristobal, Allie surprised us with a delicious congratulatory chocolate cake in our room. When I thanked her, she told me that she had called J’s mother to find out his favorite flavor! Finally, she secured for us our guide Christian, who spent five days in the islands with us and took care of two older grandparents and an active boy. He was a superb naturalist and fun to be with and really connected with J, diving and snorkeling with their GoPros, swimming with sea life and fishing with him on one of our day cruises. When there was something we wanted to do, he made it happen even before we thought of it. I cannot thank Allie enough for seeing to it that we all had a trip to remember forever.” —Ellen Blumenthal

Read more reviews of the Galapagos trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

START A TRIP TO THE GALAPAGOS

Chile: “They were super-accommodating to everyone’s activity level and physical abilities. We even split up a couple of the days, so everyone could do what they wanted…”

Lauren Schor and family horseback riding in Cerra Guido ranch in Patagonia.

Lauren and her extended family riding in Patagonia, with Torres del Paine in the background.

“Our multigenerational family of eight just returned from a two-week trip to Chile over the holidays. From our first conversation, I knew that Jordan understood the challenges of traveling with both teenagers and grandparents. We take two-week trips every December together, so I’ve learned what is important to us when choosing how to navigate our trips.

We started with four nights in the Atacama Desert at Explora, which was amazing. Explora has so many activities to choose from, and we planned our itinerary once we arrived: Moon Valley, Mars Valley, the geysers, Cejar Salt Lagoon, Rainbow Valley, stargazing at Explora’s onsite observatory, and a hike to Explora’s private hot springs!

Next we traveled all the way south to Patagonia and stayed at Cerra Guido, a ranch just outside of Torres del Paine National Park, for another four nights. They were super-accommodating to everyone’s activity level and physical abilities: We even split up a couple of the days, so everyone could do what they wanted.

My sister-in-law and I did the iconic ten-hour hike to the base of the towers in Torres del Paine, two of the teenagers went horseback riding with a gaucho, my husband and niece rode e-bikes, and my in-laws were taken by car to meet up with them. Then we also did some easier hikes and walks all together.

On New Year’s Day we were driven from Santiago about 2.5 hours to the Colchagua wine valley and one of the most special places we have ever experienced anywhere in the world. Clos Apalta is a gem, and once we arrived we never wanted to leave.

I was initially worried the teens would get bored on this trip, and boy was I wrong!” —Lauren Schor

Read more reviews of Chile trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

START A TRIP TO AFRICAN SAFARI

Zambia: “Our time at Sausage Tree Camp was definitely special, with surprise lunches on a sandbar with our feet in the water…”

Tracy Goble and her family enjoying lunch on a sandbar of the Zambezi River, Zambia.

Tracy Goble and family enjoying lunch on a sandbar of the Zambezi River.

“WOW!! We just returned from Zambia and had a fabulous experience planned by Daniel! We normally travel to Zambia for work with a university in Ndola, but this year we brought our oldest kids and grandkids with us.

Our time at Sausage Tree Camp was definitely special, with surprise lunches on a sandbar with our feet in the water, unexpected sundown cocktail parties set up on the river bank, and dinner under the stars one night! The resort is staffed with amazing people who cared for us like family. I would never have found this safari camp by myself, but Daniel knew all about it.

When we left the camp (after seeing so many amazing things, like lionesses eating a water buck, a leopard retrieving a kill out of a tree, fishing on the Zambezi River, two-week-old elephants surrounded by protective parents, and so much more), we headed to Livingstone to experience Victoria Falls! We stayed at the Royal Livingstone Resort, which is an experience every traveler needs in their lifetime!! My favorite place in the world is sitting on the deck by the river at sunset, listening to the nearby Falls thundering, with hippos calling in the distance. The breakfast at the Royal Livingstone is an epic buffet, and most likely you will see zebras and giraffes walking by on the grass. Daniel also arranged for us to visit the nearby park to see White Rhinos. They are heavily protected, but you still get to drive near them, and then get out of the jeep to walk near them for photo ops. What a wild experience! Our trip as a family was a dream come true.” —Tracy Goble

Read more reviews of African safari trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

France: three weeks, three regions, ages 10-72

Beautiful architecture in Saint Paul de Vence in Provence, south France.

Saint Paul de Vence in Provence, France. Photo: Shutterstock

“One year ago, our family decided they would like to celebrate my special birthday with a family trip to one of our favorite countries, France. Our three generations, ranging from age 10 to 72 and totaling eleven people, would want and need a wide variety of food, activities, and many memorable experiences. Our three weeks were to be spent in three different regions, sharing something special each day together. From previous travel experiences with a wonderful travel agent, we knew this trip would take extensive planning and she referred us to the Wendy Perrin WOW List.

This resulted in an introduction to Philip, who has the experience and the needed wealth of knowledge to plan a fun and enriching time for our family. Our Paris week was perfect, our Burgundy week-long private bateau cruise was perfect, and our week in Provence in a beautiful bastide was perfect. Really, none of us wanted to leave Provence that last morning. Our family loved the days we spent together in France, and three months later we are still talking about the many fantastic experiences, some of the foods and meals served by special chefs along the way, and our fantastic guides and drivers. Our kids summed it up by saying, ‘We feel like we did a ‘bucket list’ experience each and every day.’” —Rose and Steve Cahill

Read more reviews of France trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

Caribbean: a private yacht charter delights everyone, from ages 4 to 70+

A chartered catamaran approaches Tobacco Caye, off the coast of Belize. Photo: Absolute Belize

“We are just back from a phenomenal multi-generational family trip to Belize. Patricia had to coordinate a trip that worked for people from ages 4 to 70+. A catamaran charter had not been on my radar, and I had my concerns—having two young children on a boat for five days, in such a small space, seemed like it could go sideways quickly—but Patricia was absolutely right in her recommendation, and it truly was a superb experience.

Eric and Hannah, our captain and first mate, cared for our whole family with such kindness and positivity, and by the end of the trip we felt like we had two new friends. The food Hannah prepared was incredible—I wish I could get her recipes!—and Eric was a superb snorkeling guide. He was very patient with my seven-year-old when he was hesitant to get in the ocean, and then when he knew my seven-year-old was interested in eels, Eric found an eel and coaxed it out of the coral. He also caught fresh lobster for our meal and let my four-year-old help drive the boat. Hannah even offered to watch our younger son onboard so that both my husband and I could go snorkeling at the same time with our older son—we came back to see them playing games together at the table on deck…. Truly above and beyond!

The catamaran itinerary was excellent. They took us to spots where they knew stingrays would appear, so my kids could pet them. On Rendezvous Caye, Eric knew the caretaker, and the caretaker was happy to cut up a fish for us so we could all try feeding the stingrays. At Goff’s Caye, Eric introduced us to Gilroy, who taught my kids how to hunt for hermit crabs—they loved having hermit crab races on the beach. Hannah consistently packed snacks for our excursions, had amazing appetizers and drinks waiting for us upon our return, and was so accommodating of our kids’ limited palates.

It was truly an outstanding trip, flawlessly executed and one of the best values for the money that I can think of in terms of our travels.” —Kim Segal

Read more reviews of Belize trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

Australia: boating on Sydney Harbor, bridge climb, koalas & kangaroos…

View of Sydney from the Harbour BridgeClimb Australia

Family members daring enough to climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge enjoy this view. Photo: Destination NSW

“Stuart and Jacki prepared an amazing itinerary for our trip to Australia in December. Jacki and the driver met us at the Sydney airport on a Sunday morning at 7am—how amazing to be met by the person who made our arrangements! She suggested the Langham Sydney, and we would be using it as a home base, as we went to Uluru (Longitude 131—an amazing hotel that even prepared a bed outside if you wanted to sleep under the stars), back to Sydney, followed by a trip to the Blue Mountains (Spicers Sangoma Retreat), and then a final 5-night stay in Sydney. Our guide in the Blue Mountains was Tim, and he knew every back road and all the locations for a beautiful view. Our WOW Moment was a sunset boat ride with drinks, and the weather was perfect for it.

The children and grandchildren arrived for the last 4 nights, and she planned a great itinerary for all of us, ages 2 to 70: a Christmas carol concert at the Opera House, drivers for everything (the driver even took a video of us from above taking the Bondi Beach walk—all 9 of us), a harbor boat trip with lunch and swimming, the Sydney Bridge Climb, a private tour of the Rocks, an Aussie Backyard Tour at the zoo, and a lovely day in Hobart, visiting Russell Falls and Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary.

Our granddaughter needed a doctor, and Jacki provided a list of doctors (outside of regular hours and during the Christmas holiday!) and Tyler (the Langham’s concierge that day) made repeated calls to get us an appointment. Both Jacki and Stuart followed up with her status. The parents were very impressed with Children’s Hospital in Sydney where she was treated, and we went on with our trip. We will be using Stuart and Jacki again for our next trip to Australia—they just made it so easy!” —Denise Staal

Read more reviews of Australia trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

START A TRIP TO THE GALAPAGOS OR AMAZON

Galapagos, Andes, Amazon: island wildlife, countryside hacienda, remote eco-lodge…

Travelers and a giant tortoise in the Galapagos.

Lauren Schor and family catch up with a giant tortoise in the Galapagos.

“Allie did an amazing job planning our 13-day multi-generational family trip to Ecuador for Christmas. We started planning almost a year in advance. Most accommodations are smaller, with about 20 rooms total, and I would definitely suggest planning this trip well in advance, as availability dictated the outline of our trip from the beginning of the planning process. And we LOVED all of the places we stayed!

Allie suggested destinations she thought were right for us, based on our travel style and age range. In the Galapagos Islands we opted for a land-based trip rather than a cruise, and although we didn’t get to see as many islands as we would have if we’d stayed on a boat, we were very happy with our choice. We spent four days in the Galapagos (two on land exploring Santa Cruz Island—so much to see and do) and two at sea exploring multiple islands in the archipelago. Allie even arranged for a private family photo shoot on the most beautiful beach!

Next stop was in the Andes mountains back on the mainland at an amazing hacienda where we really got a feel for the culture of the country. After a couple of days here, it was time for the grand finale, the Amazon rainforest. We all thought the Galapagos would be the main highlight of a trip to Ecuador, but the Amazon was just mind-blowing. Allie sent us to the most amazing eco-lodge in a very remote location where we spent three nights. Definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience!

Ecuador was very unique in that we were able to spend time in the Galapagos, the Andes Mountains and the Amazon all in one trip! Just be aware, we had a lot of very early mornings and very little downtime (naps during transit were common). Some of the excursions can be physically challenging if you don’t have great balance or stamina, especially combined with the strong equator sun. And there is a lot of moving around and time spent traveling from one place to another. However, it was all 100% worth it! Allie planned the trip of a lifetime for our family of eight!” —Lauren Schor

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Kenya: a safari camp all to themselves & beach time on the Indian Ocean

Robin Carlson and family at Instinct of the Mara, a camp that they had all to themselves.

“Julian planned a memorable trip to Kenya for our extended family of 11 people, including grandkids ranging in age from 11 to 17. We planned to arrive in Nairobi a day before we needed to leave for our first camp, to give ourselves a little time to recover from the flights. Although we thought we had plenty of time to make our connection in Amsterdam, a long delay caused us to miss our flight to Nairobi. Because we were expected in Nairobi for a morning visit to the Giraffe Center, I contacted Julian and Lisa to let them know of our arrival changes. They were able to change the Giraffe Center visit to our last day in Kenya instead of the first.

Julian suggested we start at Sweetwaters Serena Camp, so we could see rhinos. It was a perfect start. There was a water hole opposite the tents, so animals were coming and going all day and night. Meals were buffet-style, which provided plenty of options for everyone, including kids and vegetarians.

Then we flew to Instinct of the Mara for four days. We had booked two 2-bedroom suites, as well as a room for my husband and me. We were lucky to arrive in time for the beginning of the Great Migration, which was awe inspiring. Except for one day when we saw a few other vehicles, we were alone among the animals. One evening we had a sundowner with lamb roasted on a spit by the Maasai while we watched the sun set.

Our final stop was Cardamom House on the Indian Ocean. It’s a beautiful, very private spot. We enjoyed relaxing and swimming. I had requested a birthday cake for my granddaughter, and the staff went all out. The chairs were decorated with balloons. They brought cake and ice cream and sang to her. She said: best birthday ever.”—Robin Carlson

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Azores: easy access to volcano hikes, whale watching, lava tubes…

Tony Ford-Hutchinson and family on a hike to Lagoa do Fogo on São Miguel Island in the Azores.

“For those of us who live on the East Coast of the USA, the Azores are the closest point to somewhere with a European and Portuguese feel. One of our guides (an American ex-pat) described them as a cross between Iceland (they are so volcanic), Ireland (they are so green) and Hawaii (a holiday destination in the middle of an ocean). Our trip with our daughter, son-in-law and two granddaughters (aged 9 and 11) started with a direct 5.5 h flight from Newark airport. Flights arrive in San Miguel Island, the most populated, and we spent the first three nights in the luxurious Octant Furnas Hotel in Furnas. The hotel is surrounded by hot springs bringing boiling water to the surface. Highlights there were the food, including preparing and cooking a traditional stew which is buried in the hot ground for several hours, the hotel’s super warm, mineral swimming pool and a hike up a mountain side to Lagoa de Fogo (a lake in a former volcanic cone) followed by a swim on the beach.

We then took a short flight to the volcanic Island of Pico, famous for its mountain (a former volcano of course) and its outstanding white wine. During 5 nights in Pico, we took two day trips on ferries to the neighboring islands of Faial and Sao Jorge. Highlights were a trip through the lava tubes on Pico, visits to wineries and a hike around the Caldera on Faial. After flying back to San Miguel for our last 3 nights we were driven to our hotel on the Ponta Delgada harbor front (Octant Ponta Delgada). Highlights included a private whale-watching trip with great sightings of three female sperm whales (one with a calf), an evening wine and food tasting tour, a morning food tour, a Jeep tour of the Lagoa das Sete Cidades, and finally a tour of the tea plantations with an opportunity to make our own ice cream.

A 5-hour flight home took us back to Newark with the realization that we still had 5 more islands to explore! Thank you to Goncalo and his co-workers for a great trip that left a multi-generational family very happy.” —Tony Ford-Hutchinson

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Switzerland: hiking, rafting and wine tasting with an infant in tow

The Roberts family hiking in Wengen. Photo: Traveler Laura Roberts

“We traveled to Switzerland for 16 days with the help of Ana in Nina’s office. I asked a lot of her because we were traveling with our four grown children, our daughter-in-law, and our 10-month-old granddaughter. She did a great job of finding interesting activities that all eight of us could enjoy! We hiked, had a raclette lunch in a candlelight cave, rafted, mountain biked, wine tasted, and much more! We had three major destinations: Zurich, Wengen and Ascona. Wengen was our favorite—beautiful views of Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau, accessible only by train and no cars in town.

However, the true highlight was in the mountain near Ascona. There was a local alpine festival for the opening of a cattle-grazing area high in the mountains. Ana arranged for us to go by helicopter and see the local traditions—cheese making, eating polenta and alpine horns. We were the only foreigners there, and the people were very welcoming! We loved this trip!!” —Laura Roberts

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Dubai & Abu Dhabi: city tours, desert adventures, theme parks…

Diane Thormodsgard with her husband and grandsons on a private sunset cruise in Dubai.

“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.

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

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French Polynesia: a private catamaran charter and overwater bungalows on Bora Bora

yellow fish underwater in tahaa Island Tahiti

Snorkeling among these fish is a delight at any age. Photo: Tahiti Tourisme

“Our family enlisted Kleon to plan our trip to French Polynesia, where we spent a week on a catamaran sailing between the islands and a stop in Bora Bora for several days.

Because there were six of us, and three generations, Kleon suggested a number of activities that would suit us all. We snorkeled with manta rays and sharks, kayaked and paddleboarded. There were also visits to a pearl farm, vanilla farm, and rum factory, all of which we truly enjoyed.

The catamaran was a perfect choice for us. There was a very professional and cordial captain, and Virginie a perfect hostess and incredible cook. Because of them, we enjoyed spending time on the cat just relaxing, reading, snoozing, etc., as much as we enjoyed our excursions.

On Bora Bora, Kleon suggested the Pearl Resort, which suited us fine. We all had overwater bungalows with patios and direct lagoon access. It was also interesting to be able to feed the myriad of fish from an opening at the bottom of the bed! Kleon’s efforts and organization made this trip very easy, seamless, and special for us!” —Vanessa Hulme

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New Zealand: Family of 6 celebrates dad’s 80th birthday

A quiet day on Milford Sound, in Fiordland National Park. Photo: Rob-Suisted/New Zealand Tourism

We just got back from the most incredible trip planned by Jean-Michel and his team. We were traveling with 6 people from 13 to 80 years old, and Jean-Michel did a great job finding activities that we would all love.

We had only 9 days so we stayed on the west coast of the South Island and there was plenty to explore. We started in Te Anu at the Fiordland Lodge and loved the beautiful lodge and surroundings. We hiked, went fishing, and explored Milford Sound by boat. The scenery was beyond breathtaking everywhere we went! Our next stop was Queenstown and we stayed at the historic Eichardt’s Private Hotel. We had a lovely wine tasting day in Central Otago with the best guide and driver (Beau Rapley) and our daughter even went bungee jumping from the Kawarau Bridge. She loved it!! The city of Queenstown & surroundings were great – plenty of walking trails, gardens, gorgeous lake and mountain views. Not to mention great food and wine!

The last place we visited was Wild Earth Lodge in Makarora. It was the most serene and beautiful little inn run from the home of Pete and Janine. They took great care of our whole family & cooked the most delicious meals! We spent our days there hiking to the Blue Pools and having some relaxing down time. We also had our most exciting day – a helicopter tour over Mt Aspiring National Park, a hike through Siberia Valley, and a thrilling jet boat ride back down the Wilkin River. The whole trip was outstanding and we wouldn’t have been able to do it without Jean-Michel.”—Alana Jacobson

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Malta: private villas and outdoor adventures

William Fisher’s grandchildren making pastizzi in Malta.

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Belize: Family of 10 celebrates a 50th anniversary

palm tree and beach overlooking turquoise Caribbean Sea South Water Caye Belize

Clear water and sugary sand are trademarks of Belize. Photo: Shutterstock

“To plan for our 50th anniversary family celebration adventure in Belize, Wendy introduced us to Patricia, a native Belizean with a passion for introducing her country to the world. A year of planning with Patricia and Juliannie culminated in a 10-day trip, five days in the jungle and five days on an island. With us were four grandchildren, ages 9-12, so a lot of thought went into making sure we had lots of kid-oriented things to do. We truly wanted to hear lots of ‘WOWs’ from them and we weren’t disappointed.

Imagine four kids flying into Belize City airport and being escorted across the tarmac and realizing they were about to jump into two helicopters and fly to their jungle resort, or their excitement of being whisked from the jungle, via private plane, over to Placencia, then jumping on a boat and arriving on an island? Their reactions when they walked into their luxurious accommodations, complete with plunge pools, were priceless.

Chaa Creek Resort in the jungle didn’t disappoint, upping the ‘WOWs’ to new levels each day. Our butler, Candi, and her trainee Ryan spoiled us with private dinners for 10, breakfast deliveries early in the morning, fresh fruit drinks when we returned from a day of touring, even babysitting so the adults could dine together. At 4:00 a.m. one morning Candi was helping decorate an outdoor pavilion so our granddaughter could have a fun 9th birthday celebration that night. The surprises never stopped, the staff was so generous and kind, the accommodations top-notch, and the food delicious. Our granddaughter with celiac even got special gluten-free desserts every day!

We had a dedicated driver and guide, Darryl, throughout our 5 days of touring the jungle, and when rising water closed the ATM cave tour, Darryl seamlessly changed plans. Darryl introduced us to the Mayan world, helped us explore their temples, took us to a local coffee plantation and to a women’s local co-op where the grandchildren were able to hand-grind coffee beans, fresh corn for our tortillas, and try their hands at ancient pottery making. A trip deep into the jungle delivered us to zip-lining at the end of our cultural immersion day!

Ray Caye Resort beach days were spent in total relaxation mode so snorkeling, jumping off the two-story diving platform, kayaking, canoeing, sailing the Hobie cat, and even scuba diving kept us engaged. But enjoying gourmet meals, sipping drinks around the pool in the near-perfect weather, and playing family volleyball and puzzle games brought us together after far too many years of separation. The island was magical, the staff always ready to help us, anticipating our every need, and on our last night there, they surprised us with a 50th anniversary family meal on the beach. The resort covered the whole island and at one point there were only 16 vacationers on it. Talk about a private and perfect post-pandemic place to be! Leaving ‘paradise’ the last morning was difficult, to say the least!

Patricia ensured that the whole trip worked seamlessly and not once did we have a glitch! She also chose the very best people to support us throughout the trip. We couldn’t have asked for a better family celebration of our 50th!” —Judith Rodwell

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Morocco: Family of 8 over Christmas/New Year’s

Wendy took her own family on a camel trek through the Sahara Desert, Morocco.

“Radia and her team put together a trip of a lifetime for our multi-generational family of eight. Our 10-day trip to Morocco over the Christmas and New Year’s holidays was one of the best we have ever taken together. It was the perfect combination of cultural experiences, food experiences, sightseeing, shopping and adventure! We spent three nights in Fes, one night in the Sahara, and six nights in Marrakech. Highlights included a hike in the Atlas Mountains, followed by a cooking class at a local Berber family’s home in the mountain village. We also loved the sidecar tour around Marrakech—such a fun and different way to see the city beyond the medina, where most tourists spend all their time.

But everyone’s favorite day of the trip was the time we spent in the Sahara. We felt like we were in the pages of National Geographic as we drove ATVs over the gorgeous sand dunes—so fun and thrilling, with the most unbelievable scenery. And we drove the ATVs right to where our camels were waiting to take us on an unforgettable sunset ride and then on to our luxury tented camp for the evening, where our belongings were waiting for us. It was truly a dream come true.

We also had another surreal experience in the Sahara when we had tea with a nomadic Berber family who lives in tents without electricity or running water. We were able to talk to them and ask them questions about their life (through our guide, who translated for us)—it was a very educational and eye-opening experience, especially for our teenagers. Morocco is a feast for the senses. Even just walking around the medina and souks, the sights, sounds, tastes and smells you will experience will leave a lasting impression on you.” —Lauren Schor

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Portugal & Spain: 3 generations over Christmas/New Year’s

Michelle Bodine and family in Sao Pedro do Corval, Portugal.

Gonçalo and Patricia were phenomenal with their hotel accommodations, food and restaurant recommendations, tour guides that fit our needs of grandchildren ages 6, 3, 1 1/2 and 3 months, and activities that enriched our trip. The itinerary was just what we wanted! It truly was perfect in every way. There was even flexibility, so if we needed to cancel a restaurant because we were going on a food tour and would not be hungry, we could. The amount of scheduled activities and free time to explore more was perfect.

Gonçalo and Patricia are experts in what they do, and I would trust them again to plan the most satisfying travel experience for my family! They both took the precautions necessary to help us feel safe with Covid and continued to help us along our journey with lost luggage and further restaurant recommendations. We could not have done this trip without our trip planners, Gonçalo and Patricia. We thank them from the bottom of our hearts for planning a Christmas to remember forever and ever!” —Michelle Bodine

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London: Chelsea Stadium, royal history, museum scavenger hunt for a family of 10

Big Ben Clock in London, United Kingdom.

The right private guide can make London come alive for kids. Photo: Shutterstock

“We recently returned from a trip to London with our family of 10 people that we had planned with Jonathan. We traveled over the Christmas holidays with our children and 4 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 2-bedroom suite to accommodate their families of 4. We arrived the day after Christmas, and the kids had gifts waiting for them in each room with their names on them. The adults all had Christmas stockings filled with treats. All of the rooms were beautiful, and it was a perfect choice for people traveling with families.

Our guide, Alex, was with us for 4 days. He and Olivia, our driver, exceeded all of our expectations. 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. Everything went like clockwork, from our arrival in London to the time we left for home.” —Ellen Weiner

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Norway: Fishing, hiking, RIB boating in the Lofoten Islands…

Reine, Lofoten, Norway. The village of Reine under a sunny, blue sky, with the typical rorbu houses. View from the top

You’re never far from the water in the Lofoten Islands; this is the village of Reine. Photo: Shutterstock

“Part of our Norway trip included three generations: my husband and me, our daughter, and four of our grandchildren. Jan encouraged us to stay at Reine, in the Lofoten Islands. We stayed in Robuer cabins, which were exactly the right fit for the families. Jan set up a full day with a RIB boat, including a shore lunch and a hike to a cave. The next day, he set up a fishing experience and a private chef to come to our room and cook the fish for all of us.

Following the multi-generational portion of our trip, my husband and I cruised from Copenhagen up the west coast of Norway and back to Copenhagen. Jan arranged for private guides to meet us at four different stops on the cruise. These guides were more than happy to tailor the day to our needs. While the ship offered excursions, having the private guides and drivers worked best for us, enhancing the trip with their knowledge and making each destination personal.” —Peggy Schuemann

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Austria and Germany: Christmas markets and more, to suit ages 9 to 79

Christmas market and decorations in Vienna park next to City Hall (Rathaus), Austria,Vienna.

Kick off the holidays at Vienna Park’s Christmas Market, in Austria. Photo: Shutterstock

“Took a multi-generational family trip to Germany and Austria during the Christmas holiday. Cannot say enough good things about planning a trip with Gwen. She is by far the best we have ever experienced! Our guides — and we had a ton of them — all were fantastic. They were able to provide for and entertain everyone from our 9-year-old son to my 79-year-old mother. This was a special feat in the cold Christmastime chaos!

Gwen had all the right advice — we felt safe and cared for throughout our train and car transfers and adventures. Our initial idea was to see the Christmas markets, but what we got was so much more — the markets were almost an afterthought. She knew where to go — Munich, Salzburg, Vienna — and what to do there. When she heard that we had a 15-year-old car fanatic with us, she made arrangements for a side trip to Stuttgart as well. Just take her advice on where to go, and you won’t be disappointed!” —Theresa Sandoval

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Mexico: private villa in Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta beaches, sunsets and scenic ocean views near Bay of Banderas coastline Mexico

Vanessa Hulme and family had a view of Banderas Bay from their private villa. Photo: Shutterstock

“We decided on a family vacation in Mexico for three generations, plus a pre-vacation vacation for my husband and me. The first stop for my husband and me was San Miguel de Allende. While we had initially hesitated to stay at the Rosewood because it was not in the center of town, Zach convinced us this hotel would be excellent, and he was correct. Thanks to him we were upgraded to their Tower Suite, which not only came with an enormous amount of space on two levels, but its own private elevator, three outdoor patios, and two butlers! Everything about this hotel was magical, and we cannot wait to return. The tours Zach arranged in San Miguel were excellent and included a market tour and cooking class with a chef, and an in-depth tour of San Miguel and Guanajuato.

The remainder of our trip was spent in Puerto Vallarta with the entire family. We had very specific requirements for a private villa: directly on the water, large enough so we would all have our own space, fully staffed, close to activities, and located an easy distance from the center of Puerto Vallarta.

Our villa, Casa Demae II, is in a gated complex, and was exquisite and outstanding in every way: spacious bedrooms (all ensuite, and most with balconies) with views of the pool and Banderas Bay, incredible common areas, infinity pool with a swim-up bar, jacuzzi, outdoor dining areas (from where we saw whales most days), streaming services—you name it, it was there! The staff were excellent and always helpful; what a treat to always have, without asking, coffee ready in the morning and (for the adults), margaritas ready in the evening! Our chef was fantastic—we actually cancelled two dinner reservations because the food at the villa was so wonderful. Another very nice touch was simply putting the dirty clothes in the closet basket, and having clean ones reappear that afternoon. This was like having our own private hotel…but better.

As in San Miguel, the activities planned were second to none. Everyone is still talking about the whale watching tour and the day on the private catamaran around Banderas Bay with complete crew and a chef. Also, because we had the benefit of entry to the Beach Club, the staff arranged for us to jet ski, paddleboard, and snorkel only a short distance away. There is no way we could have put together this trip on our own. From the moment my husband and I landed in Guanajuato until the entire family boarded our flight home, absolutely everything was handled efficiently and worked smoothly.” —Vanessa Hulme

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Costa Rica for four active teenagers and mobility-challenged grandparents

Don’t let physical disabilities keep you from having fun in Costa Rica. Photo: Shutterstock

“We were traveling to Costa Rica with ten people, including four active teenagers who are up for any adventure and my father who didn’t want his physical disability to stop the adventure or fun for his grandchildren. Priscilla found us the perfect home on an amazing beach where we could watch the sunset daily and take day trips scuba diving, surfing, and fishing. After five days, we moved to the Monteverde Cloud Forest for the sky walk, zip-lining, and endless hikes. What really made this trip special was the planning that Priscilla did in finding us the perfect naturalist guide, Eddie, as well as the perfect physical therapist, Alonso, to travel with us for the 10 days we were away. Alonso provided my father with the best care possible and had the knowledge and ability to work with him in the pool and help him do things he has not been able to do, like taking short walks on the beach. Having Alonso with us allowed my mom to get the vacation she so needed and took all the daily stress away. As for Eddie, the naturalist guide, from the moment we met him at the airport, he got the kids engaged and interested in learning about Costa Rica. When we were out hiking, he not only helped us find the monkeys, quetzals and sloth, but educated the kids on the Cloud Forest and the environment. It was an amazing trip!” —Kristen Ebner

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Atlantic Canada: A trip “about which my three grandchildren never stop talking”

Joe Batt’s Arm on Fogo Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.

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Romantic Travel Ideas for an Anniversary Trip, or Any Trip

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Considering what we’ve all been through in the past few years, it feels more important than ever to celebrate joyous milestones. So we’ve collected these unforgettable wedding-anniversary trips enjoyed by your fellow travelers. They all used The WOW List to find the right trip planner who could deliver the maximized experience and VIP treatment that people who are celebrating a special anniversary deserve. Here’s how to get your own WOW trip.

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20th anniversary in Venice & Paris: “Taking the Orient Express between these two most romantic cities in the world….”

Katie Gray traveling on the Orient Express.

Riding the Orient Express: “To celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary in a way we would never forget.”

“We traveled to Venice and Paris in April, taking the Orient Express between these two most romantic cities in the world. We were reluctant travelers without specific plans other than to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary in a way we would never forget.

Jennifer and her amazing team members in Italy and France made our trip a VIP experience from beginning to end. Jennifer helped us find a daily adventure for exploring each city, with guides who made us feel like friends visiting their towns for the first time.

Our favorite experience in Venice was a visit to the Luigi Bevilacqua workshop, an artisan weaving company in business since the 18th century. That visit made the history of Venice come to life with some of the most beautiful fabrics ever created.

The Orient Express is a fantasy trip. We were transported to the most glamorous era of travel, passing through Austria, Lichtenstein and Switzerland along the way to Paris.

In Paris we stayed an ‘extra’ day to see the famous Saint-Ouen markets, where an expert took us through the treasures of the Paul Bert Serpette antiques market. We would be happy to do the entire trip again, but agreed a regular visit to Paris and the markets was definitely in our future.

Reluctant travelers no more, we look forward to our next trip. Until then, we will follow Wendy and Jennifer online and dream about more adventures.” —Katie Gray

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30th anniversary in Belize: “We had a fantastic day on a private catamaran to Moho Caye…”

Laurie and Michael Schuftan having a picnic on a beach in Moho Caye, Belize.

Travelers Laurie and Michael Schuftan celebrate their anniversary with a beach BBQ at Moho Caye.

“My husband, Michael, and I had a wonderful time celebrating our 30th anniversary in Belize! With Patricia’s guidance, I opted to spend three nights in the jungle and four nights in the beach area. Our private villa at the Lodge at Chaa Creek was beautifully appointed and set amid the lushness of the jungle. Anniversary wishes, fresh fruit, and a ready-to-hatch butterfly pupa greeted us in the villa.

For the next three days, our driver, David, expertly navigated the very rustic roads to our private jungle cruise on a pontoon boat, tours of Xunantunich, Cahal Pech & Barton Creek Cave, and down to Placencia. He knew people everywhere!

Our home for the last four nights was a gorgeous beachside villa at Naia Resort & Spa. Again, we were greeted with anniversary wishes, flowers and balloons. We had a fantastic day on a private catamaran to Moho Caye, where we snorkeled and our guide Mike and Captain Leo grilled a delicious BBQ lunch on the beach. We found Belize to be an enchanting country, with its diversity of topographies and cultures and very warm, welcoming people.” —Laurie Schuftan

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47th anniversary in southern Spain and the island of Mallorca: “Our room had the most extraordinary view of the sea…”

View to the sea from Jumeirah Mallorca hotel in Mallorca, Spain.

The panoramic view from the Jumeirah Mallorca in Port de Soller, Mallorca. Photo: Ivan Ricoy

“As a concert pianist, I had always wanted to visit the village of Valdemossa and see the monastery where the composer Frédéric Chopin spent a winter and composed several important piano works. In celebration of my milestone birthday and our 47th wedding anniversary, we decided that this was the moment.

We told Iván that we were not going to Mallorca for the beach and wanted to avoid crowds and mass tourism. We also knew that we would arrive exhausted and wanted a place where we could relax and be pampered at the start of our trip. Iván found us a magnificent hotel that met all of our needs and more. Our room had the most extraordinary view of the sea.

Iván planned a Mallorca itinerary that focused on the history and culture of the island, and six days in Catalonia, first in the beautiful seaside village of Cadaqués, and then the Penedès cava region. In the popular Penedès region, he managed to secure excellent hotel accommodations, drivers and guides—not an easy feat for a very busy holiday weekend at peak harvest time. He informed the hotels of our celebration, and on Mallorca we were greeted at our dinner table with beautiful flowers and a bottle of cava. Our trip went beyond all expectations because of Iván’s care and expert planning.” —Mina Miller Sabritt

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25th anniversary in Malta: “A great, relaxing way to experience the Mediterranean…”

Mdina, the old capital of Malta surrounded by nature.

Traveler Tracy Reller called Malta “easy, seamless, and carefree” for their 25th anniversary. Photo: Exclusively Malta

“In one word, our 8-day Malta trip in July was awesome! Our schedule included a lot of activities, but they didn’t feel rushed and were all so interesting. Having drivers show up everywhere felt so indulgent but made things easy, seamless, and carefree—perfect for our 25th anniversary!

Our guide, Matthew, was incredible—so knowledgeable, gracious in answering our many questions, and kind in making any changes on the fly. He’s exactly why I like to use Wendy’s travel experts! We learn so much about the country, its people, history, customs, food from locals that we would never get on our own.

Some of our favorite excursions included exploring Valletta, the private Grand Master’s Palace visit, the Ta Betta wine tasting (wish we could get the wine in the U.S.), exploring Mdina including private palazzo visit, meeting a pastizzi maker in his home, sunset dinner with Charlie (very interesting guy who showed my gardener husband how to graft and propagate trees/bushes), and meeting a pipe organ restorer. Most surprising excursion was ancient Malta—visiting the Hypogeum and Hagar Qim and Mnajdra Temples. They were fascinating to see and to think about ancient people building them 1,000 years before the pyramids of Giza!

Do not miss Gozo island when in Malta—it’s quieter, less crowded and fun to explore. Traveling there by sailboat was also a great, relaxing way to experience the Mediterranean and see the islands from a different viewpoint.” —Tracy Reller

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Italy for 50th anniversary: “treated like royalty” for 10 days

Colorful harbor at Vernazza, Cinque Terre, Italy.

Vernazza, Cinque Terre, Italy. Photo: Shutterstock

“As we sit alone on chaise lounges after swimming at the indoor pool at our final hotel (we already lounged at their private beach in total solitude), we are looking out at a cloudless sky and the beautiful blue waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea. We have been treated like royalty for 10 days, with wonderful drivers and incredible guides giving us the experience of a lifetime. Although we still enjoy planning our trips sometimes, there is something to be said for having everything done for you by a first-class tour agency. Spoiled? Just a bit!

After speaking with Andrea via Zoom, she planned a wonderful 10 days to Florence, Tuscany and the Cinque Terre for our celebration. She recommended hotels, tours, and restaurants for us to decide upon, as well as guides and drivers to take us around. We wouldn’t change a thing and only wish we had extended the trip a little longer! We loved all the hotels, which were in perfect locations, had wonderful breakfasts, and were planned in the perfect order of the trip. Finding Andrea through The WOW List was easy, and we would absolutely do it again in the future. Thank you for our trip of a lifetime!” —Robin and Warren Levy

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40th anniversary trip to the Maldives: “Emma arranged for a special anniversary dinner on the beach, with a view of the stunning sunset…”

Barbara Mace and husband Joe at their anniversary dinner on the beach at the Vakkaru Maldives resort during sunset.

Barbara Mace and husband Joe sit down for an anniversary dinner on the beach at the Vakkaru Maldives resort.

“We worked with Justin to plan the trip, and he did a fantastic job. We traveled to Malé, the capital of the Maldives, and then took a seaplane to Vakkaru Island and the Vakkaru Maldives resort. While waiting for the seaplane, Vakkaru had a private lounge for its guests. The seaplane was a great experience, taking off from and landing in the water, and we had beautiful views of the Indian Ocean.

At the Vakkaru International Airport (a pier off the island), we were greeted by many, including Emma, our butler, and Patrick Duff, the resort manager. Emma was the Best Butler Ever! Emma greeted us by name, and then took us on a quick tour of the island. Our overwater bungalow was beautiful. In addition to the indoor living room, bedroom, dressing area, and luxurious bath, we had an outdoor living room, outdoor dining room, lounge chairs, and a full-size pool with ocean views. We were also given a bottle of champagne in the room.

Vakkaru is in the Baa Atoll, which has blue holes. These suddenly deeper bodies of water, denoted by the sudden deep blue color, have more and varied aquatic life. There were several blue holes right off the island—so beautiful.

The resort has complimentary bikes for our use; we biked to breakfast every morning! We enjoyed lounging by and luxuriating in our residence pool immensely. Our room had steps to the ocean, which we used for snorkeling.

Emma arranged for a special anniversary dinner at Vakku (the resort’s signature restaurant) on the beach, with a view of the stunning sunset. Emma and Chili (housekeeping) decorated our bed and drew a bath for us in the huge tub that evening. Emma also wished us a happy anniversary in sand art outside our door. There were so many special touches for our stay as well as for our anniversary—we are grateful for the personal service!” —Barbara Mace

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START A TRIP TO MALDIVES

15th Anniversary trip to Paris: “Only Philip’s office could arrange an over-the-top private river cruise on a Venetian river craft…”

The Eiffel Tower with the river Seine in the front.

The Eiffel Tower in Paris, France. Photo: Shutterstock

“Philip and his team did an outstanding job in planning, delivering and communicating our dream 15th Wedding Anniversary trip. In our initial interview with Philip, he listened to our interests in art, architecture, history, food and wine. From that point, he and his team began to develop an itinerary for us that was everything we dreamed of and more.

We started our 16-day adventure, beginning with Provence, then Lyon, and ending in Paris. In Provence, our personal guide, Cedric, drove us through beautiful countrysides loaded with red poppies, Market Day, beautiful historic hillsides villages and led us through the worlds of Impressionist artists, like Van Gogh, Cezanne, Dora Mar, and a modern art sculptural collection in a vineyard. We visited the best wineries in the region of Chateauneuf du Pape, walked inside the UNESCO Roman aqueduct of Le Pont du Gard, toured small historic villages learning about the impact and historic value.

In Lyon, we were met by Sebastian, our private tour guide for the next two days. We learned besides Lyon being the Food Gastronomy center of the world, the historic importance of Lyon in French history and how the weaving industry and craftsmanship made this city. An unexpected experience was the private time we spent with a craftsman, Philibert Virginie at Maison des Canuts, who took us through the labor-intensive loom weaving of the Renaissance. For our final day, Sebastian took us to his family-owned vineyard and winery in Beaujolais. Here was another WOW moment.

In Paris, for our last night, we had to do the Seine River Cruise. But only Philip’s office could arrange an over-the-top private river cruise on a Venetian River craft. Looking at Paris from the River gave us the full glory of this beautiful city. A bottle of Roederer champagne aboard our tour added the sparkle and the effervescence to enjoy the Eiffel Tower, Alexander Bridge, Notre Dame and Île de la Cité even more. What a great way to end our French adventure.” —Tom Festa

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START A TRIP TO ANTARCTICA

25th Anniversary trip to Panama: “I never would have found this hotel on my own. It is on a private island…”

Bungalow of a private resport in Panama.

An eco-friendly private-island resort, Isla Palenque is on Panama’s Pacific coast. Photo: Isla Palenque

“My husband and I had a fabulous 25th anniversary trip to Panama planned by Pierre. We started out with one night staying in the Old City in Panama City. At Pierre’s suggestion, we stayed at the American Trade hotel. It was fabulous. It was like a throwback in time but with all the modern luxuries. And the location was perfect for exploring the Old City and going out to eat. Pierre arranged a dinner reservation at a nearby restaurant that could accommodate all of my husband’s dietary restrictions. To our surprise, they seated us at a secluded table on a balcony overlooking a plaza.

The next day was on to Isla Palenque. Absolute paradise. Pierre arranged all of the travel, from the car to the airport to the pickup at the airport in David and the boat ride then to Paradise. I never would have found this hotel on my own. I have never been to such a fabulous hotel. It is on a private island. 400 acres. Eight casitas and one villa. There are nearly 50 staff members for less than 20 guests. The water was 85°. The sand was soft as silk. The restaurant was excellent and very accommodating to our dietary restrictions. We went snorkeling, see kayaking, paddle boarding and dolphin watching. We still had plenty of time to do nothing on the private beach.

On the final day we had about 8 hours in Panama City before our evening flight back to the States. Pierre arranged a private guided tour of the Canal and the city. That was also fabulous.” —Randi Maidman

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30th Anniversary trip to Antarctica: “When we entered the igloo, the ship’s crew had it decorated with anniversary décor along with champagne…”

Jeff and Lisa Wellen having a ball in Antarctica.

“From the first Zoom call with Ashton and Christine, we knew we were in great hands for our dream trip to Antarctica. On this trip, we were celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary and I asked if there could be something special I could do to surprise my wife on the trip. They took care of everything. They first surprised us with an anniversary bottle of champagne and a cake at our hotel in Santiago.

One of the things you can do on the ship is sleep in an igloo on the top deck. It was first come, first serve. We were able to get the igloo reserved for one night. When we entered the igloo, the ship’s crew had it decorated with anniversary décor along with champagne and treats. It was so emotional that it brought my wife and I to tears.

The Lindblad Resolution was spectacular, and we are so thankful Ashton pushed us to take this ship. This is their newest ship and we saw every day why this is the best ship to take to the Great White Continent….This ship’s capabilities allowed us to go to the eastern side of the peninsula. Not one of the other sixty ships in the area had the capabilities to do that. It allowed us to sail through the Weddell Sea and see enormous tabular icebergs the size of three or four football stadiums, 100’s of Emperor Penguin chicks, thousands of penguins, pods of killer whales and watched pods of humpbacks eating fifty yards from the ship.” —Jeff Wellen

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50th Anniversary trip to Croatia, Italy, Slovenia, and Switzerland: “Following in some of the footsteps of our original honeymoon…”

Lisa Redburn at a cooking lesson at Tatjana Ciciliani’s home in Trojir, Croatia. Photo: Traveler Tom Redburn

“Lisa and I have had a lot of wonderful adventures in our more than 50 years together, but for our 50th wedding anniversary trip to Italy, Croatia, Slovenia and Switzerland, the extraordinary planning of Claudia and Luisa took our travel experience to a whole new level. It’s true that Europe was already getting overrun with tourists during our six-week trip, but we rarely felt it because time after time Claudia and Luisa arranged guides and outings that took us away from the crowds and to hidden corners we never would have found on our own.

I could go on and on, but suffice it to say that, with only one or two exceptions, every guide was sensational, just about every accommodation was terrific, and nearly all the reserved dinners were a delight. And that’s not to mention our WOW Moment from Wendy of a lunch and wine tasting at the extraordinary BIBICh Winery, on a day when we traveled from Split to Zadar, right after visiting Krka National Park.

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50th Anniversary trip to the Galapagos Islands: “A bouquet of five dozen roses and a bottle of wine…”

Blue-footed Booby on rocks, in Galapagos Islands.

Blue-footed boobies in the Galapagos Islands. Photo: Shutterstock

“We just returned from Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands celebrating our 50th Anniversary. We shared with Allie our desire to focus on the Galapagos: the variety of wildlife, geography, and culture. The trip was wonderful. Celeste, our mainland guide, met us at the airport and checked us in at the Hilton Colon Guayaquil. Our room, on the executive floor, was decorated with rose petals covering the bed and an assortment of chocolates in celebration of our anniversary (thanks, Allie).

We flew to the Islands and boarded the Endemic, a 16-passenger catamaran with floor to ceiling windows and balconies in each large stateroom. Carlos, a native of the Galapagos Islands, was our terrific naturalist guide. We visited the islands of Santa Cruz, Santiago, Bartolome, Isabella, Fernandina, and Rabida. We snorkeled with marine iguanas, crabs, sharks, penguins, green Pacific turtles, flightless cormorants, and sea lions. We also saw land iguanas, flamingos, blue-footed and Nazca boobies, giant tortoises, pelicans, hawks, frigatebirds and many other endemic species. We took numerous hikes learning about the geology and geography of the Islands and viewing wildlife. Carlos kept us very busy, with four planned activities each day, including hiking, snorkeling, kayaking, paddleboarding, and panga rides. Guests were welcome to stay and relax onboard if they wanted to skip an activity.

Celeste escorted us from the Guayaquil airport to the Hotel del Parque on our return to the mainland. We were greeted in our suite with a bouquet of five dozen roses and a bottle of wine in celebration of our Anniversary (thanks again, Allie). With Allie’s advice and help, this was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.” —Scott and Lorna Conroy

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START A TRIP TO THE GALAPAGOS

20th Anniversary trip to Italy: “Exploring the gardens and farm…eating the farm-to-table food…all set in a serene oasis in the heart of Tuscany…”

Traveler Andrea Phillips and family enjoying a summer evening in Tuscany during their WOW trip.

“My family of four, with two teen girls, had a wonderful and action-packed trip to Italy in mid to late June covering Umbria, Tuscany, Florence, Bologna, Lake Como and Milan, planned with Maria. We stayed at hotels that were the perfect fit (like the one in Florence that had a rooftop pool to beat the heat!), had the best rooms and locations and such personal service, all due to Maria’s connections. Italy was busy with travelers while we were there, but I can honestly say that it did not affect our plans at all, as Maria had it coordinated and timed out so perfectly.

This trip was also to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary and Maria had suggested two stops along the way that were very special. Wow, were they ever! Borgo Santo Pietro, a working farm & wellness resort in west Tuscany, and Grand Hotel Tremezzo, near Bellagio in Lake Como. Both resorts resembled something made out of a dream. Beautiful landscapes, amazing service, delicious food, gorgeous rooms, and so many amenities. At Borgo Santo Pietro, you had the feeling of being in a fairy garden wherever you went and around every corner, there was something new to discover. Bicycles & e-bikes, animal-tending sessions, exploring the gardens and farm, tennis courts, the spa & classes, eating the farm-to-table food in their lovely restaurants, all set in a serene oasis in the heart of Tuscany. We did not want to leave!

The other amazing stop was the Hotel Grand Tremezzo, which is a standout feature on any Lake Como ferry ride with its striking architecture, gardens and in-lake floating pool in front, so actually staying there was quite a treat! The inner decor of the hotel and outer gardens were magical and so were the concierges and staff that were always ready to help. We enjoyed the spa, the many pools and casual restaurants and even had a private wakeboarding session one morning on the Lake! That is a memory that will never be forgotten and made this stop my girls’ favorite! Maria also arranged a great private boat tour to visit Bellagio and the famous villas of the lake with a lovely private guide, who had access to go inside the villas and educate us on all of the historic collections and stories. It was fascinating!

We had many other activities that were also highlights. In Umbria, we went canyoning through a roaring mountain river, had an in-depth local cooking class, a gelato-making class, and went truffle hunting with the cutest, yet very talented dogs. In Siena, we had lunch on the exact alleyway where the Mille Miglia Race of Classic Cars were driving through to enter the Il Campo (definitely because of Maria’s connections in Italy!). In Florence, we climbed the Brunelleschi Duomo, took a lively pizza-making class, saw the awe-inspiring David & the Uffizi Gallery, and took a relaxing Arno River boat ride. In Lucca, we rode bikes around the medieval walls where we crossed paths with a special parade of classic Fiat 500’s. In Bologna, we visited one of the world’s oldest universities, and in nearby Maranello, drove Ferraris through the streets of the town where they are made! In Milan, we had the privilege of being able to see the Last Supper, which was breathtaking. Needless to say, we were very busy on this trip!

It was a trip full of variety, which I had specifically asked Maria for when planning this vacation last fall, and she delivered! When we head to Italy again, I will definitely have Maria help me plan our route around the country, but next time, we will stay longer than 3 nights at each stop to really experience the culture and have some more free time to explore on our own!” —Andrea Phillips

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START AN AFRICAN SAFARI TRIP

50th Anniversary safari: “A bush dinner with an open bonfire and full moon celebrating our anniversary. Local folks came in their native dress, danced and sang…”

Two young lion cubs at the Samburu National Reserve in Kenya. Photo: Shutterstock

“To celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary, we decided we wanted to take our two daughters and their families on an African safari. The trip Daniel planned for us was fantastic. Since we and our daughters live in 3 different U.S. cities, we met in Nairobi and stayed for 2 nights. The accommodations at the House of Waine were outstanding and the staff very accommodating, given two of our arrivals were very late and the 4 grandkids varied in age from 6 to 13. This gave us time to get over some jet lag and see some of Nairobi. We then flew via private charter for 4 nights to a Saruni camp in Samburu, followed by another private charter to a Saruni camp in Maasai Mara for 4 nights, before returning to Nairobi for our flights home.

The staff and guides at the camps were friendly and went out of their way to please us. They had a special celebration for our anniversary at all three locations. They also celebrated one of our son-in-law’s birthdays while we were on the trip with a cake and singing at each location.

Samburu is semi-arid and Maasai Mara lush and green. It was great to see the two different areas and experience the different as well as similar animals in each. Daniel is the one that recommended the two different areas and we are quite happy he did. The pace of the trip which he planned was good; having 4 days at each camp gave us the time to truly experience and appreciate each area.

Our experience suggests that other travelers should pace their trip similar to ours. Two of our international flights were extremely late and having 2 nights in Nairobi before going to the safari camps allowed us to catch our breath. Also spending 4 nights at a camp allows you to settle in and appreciate the uniqueness of the location.

Seeing all the animals with our extended family at each location made this a special travel experience. Some of the most outstanding were seeing the 5 animals unique to the Samburu area, lions along with some cubs, leopards, cheetah, elephants, giraffes and hippos. The sundowners and meals in the bush also were very special times. Of these, the most memorable was having a bush dinner with an open bonfire and full moon celebrating our anniversary. Local folks came in their native dress, danced and sang. They encouraged the kids and adults to participate and we all had a grand time. We would not have had all these wonderful experiences if it had not been for Daniel.” —David Magdanz

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Norway: “We were serenaded by a musician playing a Norwegian Hardanger fiddle…”

Reine village with traditional red rorbu cottages, fishing boats and high mountains in the background on Lofoten islands in Norway.

Reine village surrounded by high mountains in Lofoten Islands in Norway. Photo: Shutterstock

The next day we toured the area with a Sami reindeer herder. We also spent time on a small island well out in the Atlantic where we kayaked along the seashore to a lighthouse; foraged in Trondheim with a professional forager picking plants for our lunch; visited a dairy near Oslo producing a unique cheese product and advocating a more humane way to treat dairy cattle; and spent 3 nights at a farm with a gourmet chef specializing in dishes featuring fruit and vegetables from the farm. We received very personal treatment from the hosts at our smaller venues and each of them indicated how much they valued their relationship with Torunn.

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START A TRIP TO FRENCH POLYNESIA

20th Anniversary trip to Tahiti: “No noise other than the wind, the waves, and the coconut trees…”

Rainbow over Tahiti. Photo: Traveler Michael Ruma

“We traveled to Tahiti, visiting three different islands. I had held off on faraway, remote beach destinations for decades under the notion of the value for your money and the ease of travel of Mexico and the Caribbean. But given this trip was meant to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary, I threw caution to the winds and went all in.

Getting to Tahiti is not the hard part. The adventure starts as soon as you begin booking your inter-island air travel, boat transfers, a sundry of activities, and actually coordinate all of the above to achieve a relaxing visit to the islands. We did not have to worry about any of this with Kleon at the helm. He asked important questions about our likes and dislikes and then crafted an itinerary which slowly evolved into a spectacular journey with three ever-better chapters in a jaw-dropping beautiful region.

Our first stop was Vahine Island Resort and Spa. With nine acres and only a handful of rooms, this small island stop helped us relax, reset and realize what truly is Tahitian beauty and calm. No noise other than the wind, the waves, and the coconut trees. No thinking about meal choices with simple, but elegant prix fixe dinner menus. No people (there were a few other couples which we visited with over meals and activities), but a private tranquil island where my wife and I watched the sunset on the dock with baby blacktip reef sharks swimming underneath, cracked open fresh coconuts when thirsty, and went paddle boarding in the large bay between Vahine and Tahaa…all alone. The privacy, intimacy, and peace on this island with such a limited number of guests began to open my eyes to why we made the long journey to this beach.

We traveled to Bora Bora next. A water taxi with an impromptu stop to see over a hundred blacktip reef sharks in pristinely clear water was an unexpected highlight during our ride to the airport. No airport security made the trip even better. Upon arrival to Bora Bora, another boat awaited to transfer us to the St. Regis. While significantly more tourists visit this island, the number of hotels and additional guests did not diminish the striking beauty of Mount Otemanu. We enjoyed our over-the-water bungalow immensely, in particular, leaping off the deck into the refreshing turquoise lagoon water. We chose to refresh our diving skills and were incredibly fortunate to have two massive reef mantas swim two feet over our heads while we gazed upward from 40 feet below on the white sand bottom.

Immensely relaxed, in beach mode and thrilled with our first two hotel stays, we topped off our travel with our final nights at the Brando in Tetiaroa. Lunch at your private pool, scuba diving outside amongst a mountain of colorful coral, cocktails at sunset at the bar above the treeline…simply ask and your wish is their command. Getting to the hotel is equally spectacular using a singular private charter which whisked us to and from paradise without a worry and with ease. And for my wife who seems to attract mosquito bites wherever we may be, the hotel has an answer for that as well. Their island scientists eradicated the pest from the island without the use of any chemicals, allowing for outdoor enjoyment unlike any other experience where you may encounter the often annoying bugs. The experience at the Brando can only be described as sublime perfection, where any of your needs or desires instantly come to fruition.

Tahiti is burned into our memories with its unforgettably blue waters, tranquil relaxing days, vivid and abundant sea life and unique island vibes. Now home, we daydream daily of when we will return.” —Michael Ruma

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25th Anniversary trip to Italy’s Cinque Terre: “All of our dinner reservations included the best tables and the best views…”

Vernazza, Cinque Terre, Italy. Photo: Shutterstock

“My husband and I had a fabulous trip to the Cinque Terre, Italy, for our 25th anniversary.

I had an initial meeting over Zoom with Anna to discuss the purpose of our trip and our style of travel, things we enjoy, etc. and then Anna basically took it from there. She came up with a suggested itinerary which we then discussed and finalized together. I had no idea what to expect and we were WOWED from the moment we arrived. All of our transfers included first-class transportation services, each of our hotels provided a complimentary upgrade along with a welcome gift, and all of our dinner reservations included the best tables and the best views.

We especially loved our two boat days: One included a tour of Portofino and lunch at a restaurant overlooking the cove of San Fruttuoso, and another included a trip to Portovenere and lunch onboard in a beautiful bay. Anna’s advice was spot-on and we felt as though we were in excellent hands. We had the perfect balance of activities and down time and never felt overscheduled.” —Kim Brown

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START A TRIP TO NORTHERN ITALY

30th Anniversary safari: “At each stop we were made to feel so special, with an incredible ‘sundowner’ experience at Old Drift, along with cakes and celebrations…”

A rainbow hangs in the mist from Victoria Falls, on the Zambezi River. Photo: Shutterstock

“Our 30th wedding anniversary was coming up, and I landed on an African safari as the perfect way to celebrate. We’ve just returned from this spectacular trip: Four days in Cape Town visiting Table Mountain, Boulders Beach, the Cape of Good Hope, the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens and of course the Winelands, along with a fantastic lunch at Glen Carlou; two nights at Victoria Falls in the lovely Old Drift Lodge; and six nights in Botswana: two at Savute, two at Camp Moremi, and two at Shinde. All the accommodations were outstanding, and the transport between camps was flawless.

At each stop we were made to feel so special, with an incredible ‘sundowner’ experience at Old Drift, along with cakes and celebrations at each safari camp for our anniversary. It was clear that Julian and team had taken exceptional effort to ensure all the camps were aware of our special event, which was a wonderful surprise that we really appreciated.

This complicated trip was made so easy! While I often plan trips myself, I can highly recommend arranging a trip like this through an expert. Julian’s services took all the stress out and we were left with nothing but fantastic fun and great memories.” —Nancy Megehee

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START A SAFARI

25th Anniversary trip to Portugal: “They secured one of the few very best rooms with the best view at our resort on the Algarve…”

Beautiful sandy beach near Lagos in Ponta da Piedade, Algarve region, Portugal

A beach near Lagos in Portugal’s Algarve region. Photo: Shutterstock

“Goncalo and his team planned a Portugal trip to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary. They secured one of the few very best rooms with the best view at our resort on the Algarve, which we could not have obtained ourselves. Very few rooms at the very large hotel had ocean views, so this was a big deal (we even had two balconies facing the ocean). All of their recommendations as to where to stay were great and took into account our preferences, which we discussed in a planning call. They planned great activities, like a lovely large private sailboat from Sintra back to Lisbon, a visit to an observatory (at night of course), and a private cruise along the cliffs of the Algarve. We would not have known about the lovely hotel converted from a farming village in the Alentejo if we hadn’t used a Portugal expert, and we wouldn’t have known which towns to visit. We loved the itinerary they planned and will use them again if we return to Portugal!” —Rita Solomon

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Belize: “While my husband played golf, she arranged a tour for me of the Mayan ruins at Xunantunich…”

The Mayan ruins at Xunantunich. Photo: Absolute Belize

“Patricia is my new best friend. We told her that our trip to Belize was to celebrate our wedding anniversary. She listened to our wants and needs and more than delivered. She suggested that we split our January trip between inland and the coast and set us up with activities that satisfied both of our desires, since they were not necessarily the same.

My husband wanted to play golf, and Patricia made the arrangements for him. She satisfied our interest in culture and history with the Garifuna Cultural immersion. Additionally, while my husband played golf, she arranged a tour for me of the Mayan ruins at Xunantunich and a day at the San Antonio Women’s Co-op to learn about the ancient Mayan life. Patricia joined me for my tour of Xunantunich, and my husband was jealous that he didn’t get to meet her in person.

On the coast we both wanted water sports. She arranged two wonderful boat/snorkel adventures for us, and one included a barbecue of freshly caught fish. Yes, my husband had the opportunity to reel in one fish while we were on the boat. I cannot say enough good things about how we were treated by Patricia, our guides, the staff of the hotels that she recommended, and the activities that she arranged.” —Bonnie Warton

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10th Anniversary trip to Peru: “When we arrived at our picnic, we were amazed to see a canopy tent popped up in a field that overlooked the Andes…”

Peru's Sacred Valley mountains and rivers

A quiet stretch of the Urubamba River, Peru’s Sacred Valley. Photo: Aracari

“Our favorite experience in Peru was on the afternoon of our 10th wedding anniversary. We thought we would be having a simple picnic lunch, but when we arrived at our picnic, we were amazed to see a canopy tent popped up in a field that overlooked the Andes. The table was tastefully decorated with linens, lace, fresh flowers, and local decor pieces. Wow! A three-man cooking team prepared a lovely four-course meal in a separate tent while we sipped wine. There was even a portable toilet in a third small tent! Nothing was overlooked. In fact, during our ten-day trip arranged by Marisol, no detail was left unturned, from our beautiful accommodations to our awesome local guide to the snacks in our vehicle. We had an incredible trip.” —Erica Stanforth

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30th Anniversary trip to Australia: “Stuart must have told everyone that we were celebrating an anniversary…”

rustic beach bungalow overwater suite at Haggerstone Island resort at the Great Barrier Reef in Australia

The remote Haggerstone Island resort at the Great Barrier Reef. Photo: Haggerstone Island

“Stuart planned the perfect trip for our 30th wedding anniversary: We spent three weeks in Australia, taking multiple in-country flights and visiting Melbourne, Tasmania, Kangaroo Island, Uluru, the Daintree Rainforest, and Sydney. We wanted luxury lodges and unique experiences, and our expectations were exceeded.

Stuart must have told everyone that we were celebrating an anniversary because, at each location, we received not only cards and good wishes but sometimes cakes or champagne or chocolates. But this is what blew us away: In Tasmania, at Saffire Freciynet, we tasted several excellent local gins one evening and commented to the staff on how much we liked them, and when we reached Sydney at the end of the trip, there was a gift of three bottles of gin and a lovely note from Stuart. That is one of the above-and-beyond gestures that made this trip extraordinary.” —Robin and Josh Madden

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Disney World: “Everyone knew it was our anniversary!”

Happily Ever After fireworks at Disney World. Photo: Disney

“While we take fairly involved adventure vacations (safaris, a dog-sledding expedition, and scuba diving, rafting and trekking trips), none have involved the degree of planning that our recent Disney trip did! Disney World can be overwhelming: To maximize your time there, you need to carefully plan out your schedule for each day and manage restaurant reservations, show times, and Fast Passes.

Michelle’s advice was invaluable in this regard. She took into consideration that this was an adults-only vacation and made great suggestions such as visiting a practically empty and childless Magic Kingdom with an After Dark ticket. She managed to fit in a coveted reservation for Be Our Guest, and her recommendations for the Epcot Food & Wine Festival helped us navigate that fun event. Michelle’s hard work enabled us to have a wonderful anniversary trip—and everyone knew it was our anniversary because Michelle told them!” —Barbara Sheridan

Read more reviews of Disney World trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

2nd Anniversary trip to Spain: “Pablo was able to secure reservations at three Michelin-star restaurants…”

Madrid, Spain. Gran Via, main shopping street at twilight.

Madrid’s Gran Via shopping strip lights up at night. Photo: Shutterstock

“I used Pablo to arrange a celebration trip to Spain—Barcelona, San Sebastian, and Madrid—for my son and his wife for their 2nd wedding anniversary. One of their interests was to try different exclusive restaurants and wineries, and Pablo was able to secure reservations at three Michelin-star restaurants. He arranged tours of boutique-style wineries, including a special wine-tour bike ride in Barcelona. Since my son is a guitar enthusiast, Pablo arranged for a Spanish guitar lesson and also got him into a special Flamenco show. Pablo had the ability to secure unique, private, and culturally enriching activities, allowing my son and daughter-in-law to experience Spanish cuisine and culture in a way that I am sure would not have been possible otherwise.” —Jeffrey Bernfield

Read more reviews of Spain trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

Paris: “I wanted to present her with the diamond ring she never got when we first got together 10 years ago”

River Seine in Paris, France. Photo: Shutterstock

“I wanted to make the most of a short trip to Paris to celebrate my wife’s birthday and to present her with the diamond ring she never got when we first got together 10 years ago. Jennifer made a variety of suggestions, and we decided I would surprise my wife with the ring in a renewal proposal aboard a private yacht. I had originally requested a Venetian boat, but at the last minute it had mechanical problems, rendering it unavailable. Jennifer quickly replaced it with Sophia Loren’s private yacht and assured me that the furnishings and seating would be altered to make it more intimate and romantic. The result was spot-on, resulting in the highlight of our trip.” —William Harwayne

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10th Anniversary trip to Italy: “Our private boat captain picked us up in Capri, toured us around the island, let us swim in the grottos, and eventually dropped us off for the rest of our stay in Positano…”

Positano on the Amalfi Coast, Italy. Photo: Shutterstock

“My husband and I rarely use a travel agent because we love to do the research and plan every detail of our vacations. However, this trip to Capri and the Amalfi Coast was for our 10-year wedding anniversary, so we wanted the ultimate luxury experience without having to worry about anything. Andrea really listened to what we wanted and tailored the trip accordingly. And there wasn’t a minute of it that went by that my husband and I didn’t think, ‘This was worth every penny and more.’ From the knowledgeable drivers to awesome tour guides and boat captains, it was beyond perfect. Our favorite day of the trip, and arguably in our lives, was when our private boat captain picked us up in Capri, toured us around the island, let us swim in the grottos, and eventually dropped us off for the rest of our stay in Positano. The views were stunning, but the captain really made our experience so special. Andrea has the connections with all of the right people, which makes the entire experience unlike any other.” —Meredith Still

Read more reviews of Capri and The Amalfi Coast trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

Hawaii: “A sunrise visit to the top of Mt. Haleakalā and a subsequent bike ride down, surfing lessons in Lahaina, a helicopter tour of the Big Island…”

Maui, Hawaii. Photo: Hawaii Tourism Authority.

“We used Dani’s help to put together our trip to Maui and the Big Island of Hawaii. It was a great trip packed with hiking, a sunrise visit to the top of Mt. Haleakalā and a subsequent bike ride down, surfing lessons in Lahaina, and a helicopter tour of the Big Island, including the active volcano. Dani was in constant contact with us throughout, which was greatly appreciated, as we had questions about various things while we were there. We had mentioned this trip was a celebration of our wedding anniversary, and at both of our hotels there was chilled champagne and sweet treats, courtesy of Dani. She even managed to snag us an upgrade to a suite at the Four Seasons Hualalai, which was a pleasant surprise.” —Joseph McBrine

Read more reviews of Hawaii trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

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60th Anniversary cruise in the Caribbean: “We were a family of 10 traveling for my parents’ 60th wedding anniversary…”

Idyllic tropical beach with white sand, turquoise ocean water and blue sky at Antigua island in Caribbean

An empty beach on Antigua. Photo: Shutterstock

“We were a family of 10 traveling for my parents’ 60th wedding anniversary. We had first-time cruisers and seasoned cruisers, and we wanted an itinerary that would enable us to spend time together as well as enjoy personal time. For our specific needs, Tom suggested Celebrity Cruises, and we selected an itinerary in the ‘ABC islands’ with several days at sea. Everyone was very happy. Both the sea days and the days in port offered everyone enough sightseeing, shopping, and relaxation options to keep as busy (or not) as we wanted. Some of us went to the beach, while others went to town and sightseeing. We all met for cocktails in the Martini Bar before our family dinner each night. It was a fun and successful cruise for everyone, and my parents especially appreciated the special touches that Tom provided—including champagne, flowers, and a delicious chocolate cake in their cabin.” —Lorraine Victor

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Local Festivals That Our Travelers Love

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Major festivals like Carnival or Oktoberfest are a fun impetus for a trip—but what we find our travelers recall most fondly are smaller, local festivities that invite you into the soul of a place, often connecting you directly with its residents rather than spectating from the sidelines.

Such events aren’t easy to find—if word’s already gotten out, you can bet there will be more tourists participating than locals—so you need a well-connected destination expert to clue you in. And if you do want to attend one of those better-known festivals, the right local fixer will know how to get you the best vantage point for the spectacle.

Read on for our travelers’ favorite festival memories; you’ll also find intel on how to attend such celebrations yourself in many of our our Insider’s Guides to destinations around the world.

Wondering how to incorporate a local festival into your next trip? Ask us via the black button below.

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Welcoming spring in India with Holi’s riot of colors

Ron Klausner, his wife, and two friends joined in India’s festival of Holi.

“My wife and I went to India for three weeks with another couple in March. Although we were between earning WOW Moments, I feel Sanjay made our entire trip a WOW Moment. In Varanasi we had private sunset and sunrise boat cruises on the Ganges River, and a sitar concert at the home of Ravi Shankar’s cousin. We also participated in Holi, where we celebrated spring by joining different groups of locals and covering each other with paint and water and then dancing together in joy.

Andrea Klausner dancing with local women in India.

Andrea Klausner celebrating an engagement with local women. Photo: Traveler Ron Klausner

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Dressing the part for a medieval festival in Umbria, Italy

Traveler Andrea Phillips and her family dressed in traditional Umbrian festival costumes.

“My family had a wonderful and action-packed trip to Italy covering Umbria, Tuscany, Florence, Bologna, Lake Como and Milan, planned with Maria. We were surprised with our WOW Moment early in this trip. We were given a special opportunity to be dressed up for the night in the Foligno Quintana traditional costumes for their festival later in the week. That was a unique experience and one that we would never have been able to arrange, or even be allowed to do, without Maria’s network in Italy.” —Andrea Phillips

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A perfect balcony view for Semana Santa in Seville

The view of Holy Week spectacles in Seville, Spain.

A Spain specialist on The WOW List arranged for this view of Seville’s Holy Week. Photo: Traveler Julie Heimark

“My husband had been to Holy Week in Seville thirty years ago and wanted to share this unique experience; our 18-year-old son’s bucket list includes seeing the Barbary macaques of Gibraltar. Iván was able to secure us a private balcony just across from Seville’s City Hall to view the Semana Santa processions. It was incredible. We had the best views from the comfort of a gorgeous apartment with a guide (a penitent herself) to explain everything. It is difficult to fully convey the spectacle of tens of thousands of robed penitents, the enormous gilded and flower bedecked shoulder-borne palanquins.

We then spent two nights in Jerez, with day trips to Cadiz and Gibraltar. Gibraltar was most definitely only on our son’s list, not ours, but it turned out to be the most fascinating day. We finished the trip in Ronda, where we spent a day with a local winemaker in his tiny village.

Thanks to Iván, we feel that we made our our own personal procession through Andalusia this Semana Santa: from the epic and grandiose crowds of Seville with all the pomp and circumstance and ceremony to the smaller celebrations of Jerez and then culminating with the most intimate procession of children in Benalauría carrying the passos and making the stations of the cross.” —Julie Heimark

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Celebrating New Year’s Eve with the Maasai in Tanzania

New Year’s Eve Celebration by following the Maasai procession from the North Lodge to the South Lodge at &Beyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge, Ngorongoro, Tanzania.

A Maasai procession near the Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania. Photo: Traveler Jeannie Mullen

“I just returned from a trip to East Africa planned by Cherri and her team. On New Year’s Eve I was at andBeyond 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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Comfort and luxury at Mongolia’s Golden Eagle Festival

An eagle hunter on horseback in Mongolia holding an eagle

An eagle hunter in Mongolia. Photo: Chris Rainier/Nomadic Expeditions

“If Mongolia is not yet on your bucket list, quickly move it to the top and make plans before the best kept travel secret gets out.

Jalsa is the King of Kings and his the very first organization to bring visitors into Mongolia on a five-star level. Is a stay at a five-star ger (yurt) camp in the middle of the Gobi Desert even thinkable? Is a five-star visit to the unbelievably fantastic, once-a-year Golden Eagle Festival in the far western Altai Mountains even doable? Yes, they both are! With the seamless and fabulous arrangements made by the Mongolian members of Jalsa’s team, both in the USA and in Mongolia itself.

If you want the best travel experience of modern times, go to Mongolia!” —John Byrnes

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A traditional Swiss festival with cows, cheese, and Alpine horns

Musicians playing alpine horn during a celebration in Switzerland.

Swiss musicians performing during the celebrations that the Roberts family attended. Photo: Anna B. / Cosa Travel

“We traveled to Switzerland in late June with the help of Ana Marquez on Nina’s team. We hiked, had a raclette lunch in a candlelit cave, rafted, mountain-biked, wine-tasted, and much more! We had three major destinations—Zurich, Wengen and Ascona. Wengen was our favorite—beautiful views of Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau, accessible only by train and no cars in town.

However, the true highlight was in the mountains near Ascona. There was a local alpine festival for the opening of a cattle-grazing area high in the mountains. Ana arranged for us to go by helicopter and see the local traditions—cheese making, eating polenta and alpine horns. We were the only foreigners there and the people were very welcoming!” —Laura Roberts

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Thanksgiving Trip Reviews: Inspiration for a Holiday Abroad

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Thanksgiving may be a trying time to travel within the U.S., but it’s a great hack for an exotic family trip: Since it’s not an international holiday, you won’t find the same crowds or high prices you have to grapple with over Christmas and New Year’s. Wendy has spent many a Thanksgiving in Europe; Brook recently took her family to Egypt over her son’s week-long school break. Read on for more ideas of where you can make the most of your time off in late November—with the help of the right Trusted Travel Expert, of course. Here’s what it means to get a WOW trip.

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Cuba: a holiday “adventure” tailored to connect with local people

A rumba band dancing and playing music on their conga drums in Cuba.

“We truly got a genuine sense of the culture and of life in Cuba.” Photo: Terraversed

“Rob and Ana planned a spectacular Thanksgiving week adventure to Cuba for my husband, our three young children (8, 5, and 2), and me. They thoughtfully integrated our interests while taking meticulous care to ensure we fulfilled the terms of our “support for the Cuban people” visa. Every paladar at which we ate was delicious and unique. They were accommodating in numerous ways, from being flexible with dining arrangements, to working quickly to move the entire trip last-minute due to a death in the family. Our guide, Raquel, was kind, knowledgeable, and quickly became part of our family. Rob and Ana’s connections in Cuba also provided priceless experiences, such as dinner at their friend’s house, which was my personal favorite. We truly got a genuine sense of the culture and of life in Cuba. We can’t wait to return, and we will absolutely ask Rob and Ana to plan our next adventure!” —Andrea Mathis

Read more reviews of Cuba trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

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Australia & New Zealand: hitting the motherlode of island exploration in a mere 12 days

Jesse and Alison Deutsch on Kangaroo Island, Australia.

Jesse and Alison Deutsch explore Kangaroo Island during Australia/New Zealand travels.

“New Zealand and Australia are truly magnificent destinations, and my recent trip with my wife Alison was nothing short of extraordinary and expertly organized by Stuart’s local team, Sara and Jacki. It has been on our bucket list for 30 years and we went for our sesquicentennial (both turning 60 and 30 years of marriage). Our adventure began in Auckland, where we were captivated by the stunning skyline and vibrant culture. We explored the picturesque waterfront, indulged in local cuisine, and even took a ferry to Waiheke Island for some hiking and wine tasting under the sun.

Next, we traveled to Queenstown, the adventure capital of New Zealand. Surrounded by breathtaking mountains, we embraced the thrill of jet boating and took a scenic cruise on Lake Wakatipu. The adrenaline rush was matched only by the stunning views as we took a helicopter to Milford Sound and a boat ride on the sound, making it a highlight of our trip. We also hiked the Routeburn track and Lake Alta.

After a quick flight to Australia, we landed in Melbourne for a great couple of days touring the city and having some great food at Vue du Monde. Our journey continued to Kangaroo Island, a nature lover’s paradise. We marveled at the stunning landscapes, and encountered koalas and kangaroos in their natural habitat.. The resort at Southern Oceans was spectacular. A quick stop in Adelaide for wine tasting and then off to the Great Barrier Reef and Lizard Island. The resort was spectacular and we went snorkeling each day to a whole new world of life under the water. From there our final stop was Sydney. The iconic Sydney Opera House took our breath away, and we enjoyed dinner and a show there. We also made sure to visit Bondi Beach, where we soaked up the sun and savored delicious seafood at a nearby café. A boat ride on the harbor and a tour of the beaches up to Palm Beach were highlights.

Overall, a great experience with all the details organized for us. Stuart and his team were very flexible in crafting our agenda to get as much in as we could.” —Jesse Deutsch

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Southern Africa: a holidays getaway by watering holes and one of the Seven Wonders

Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.

“Our trip could not have been more perfect. All eleven of us aged 7 to 77 had incredible experiences we will never forget. The planning was impeccable: the accommodations, flights and tours were flawless. I feel so very fortunate to have been able to share this magical time with my family. Watching my grandchildren experience the excitement, enthusiasm and warm African culture was priceless. No doubt they will become lifelong travelers exploring the world with an eye to appreciate different terrains, culture and people.

We found the hotel in Cape Town to be perfectly situated and just the right place to recover from the two long flights. All three safari camps were comfortable, clean and welcoming. The children were always treated well and accommodated. The facilities were all comparable and perfect for our large group. We especially enjoyed the watering hole just outside the Savute Camp.

All the safari guides were extremely knowledgeable and always willing to answer questions and respond to comments, even from an inquisitive seven year old. Even though they told us the water was low at Victoria Falls, it was worthy of its place as one of the seven natural wonders of the world.

We did have a medical emergency when my 15 year old granddaughter had a reaction to the anti-malaria medication. Julian and his team could not have been more helpful getting medical help.

I don’t think I can accurately convey the worth of this incredible journey. I know my grandchildren will forever savor the wonders of Africa and I’m certain they will become better people for it… we adults too.” —Jackie Dickson

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China with family: memorable, hands-on experiences in Guangzhou and Yunnan

Delectable family travel to Yunnan: “We enjoyed all that we ate.”

“Our family spent Thanksgiving in the gorgeous province of Yunnan, China. Our trip was expertly planned by Alice with two guides on the ground in our first stop of Guangzhou and then in three different stops in beautiful Yunnan. 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, folk lore and dance, at the end of which we were invited to join in the dancing!

Our hotels were comfortable and we enjoyed all that we ate. 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.

Oman: forts and castles, white-sand beaches, luxurious hotels…

Daytime view of the Omani Coast on a sunny day.

Omani Coast Landscape at Barr Al Jissah in east of Muscat, Oman. Photo: Shutterstock

“Oman is a fascinating country. Huge variety of scenery, from lush date and coconut plantations on the coast to quite high mountains to deserts with lots of sand dunes. The history is interesting: The country has made huge strides in the past 60 years, from an underdeveloped country in 1970 to a modern, prosperous environment. Travelling is easy: Roads are great, there are lots of hiking trails and camping facilities, Oman Air was on time, etc.

The government has spent a lot of effort preserving old forts and castles (there are many of both). Our touring included many of these historical structures, hikes through old towns, visits to several mosques, two stays in the desert, a visit to a Bedouin household, and stays in three of the most luxurious hotels we have ever seen (and some not so great but quite acceptable).

This is a beautiful country, with long white sand beaches, that is just being discovered, mostly by travelers from Europe. I highly recommend it for people who have an interest in the history and culture, or just want to enjoy the warm weather and beaches. Daniel did a great job of the arrangements—everything unfolded exactly as planned.” —Robin Louis

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Vietnam: top to bottom in one week

Islands and islets in Ha Long Bay, Vietnam.

Ha Long Bay, Vietnam. Photo: Shutterstock

“WOW seems like too weak an accolade for Sandy and Ethan‘s magical trip suggestions and planning expertise in Vietnam. We have exquisite memories of a wonderful country and its people.

Starting in Hanoi and ending in Saigon worked perfectly and really felt like the right direction for us. Hanoi felt like what I was mostly expecting from Vietnam. It was charming and delightful. And then the following stops in Ha Long Bay and Hoi An were totally different and unique, upending any expectations. And then ending in Saigon felt like re-entering the modern world. There is clearly so much to see and do. And all of it is interesting and important and beautiful. So even though we had an abbreviated time in each of the spots, all of the activities were perfect. And just made us excited for a return trip some day.

This was everything and more that we wanted out of a Thanksgiving break in Vietnam. We really appreciate the time and hard work it took to bring all of this together. These kinds of trips are the ones that stick with us the most…the ones where we have a chance to get a bit off the beaten track and have a chance to connect with local people (now friends).” —Anne and Alex Leary

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Portugal with adult kids: Lisbon by tuk-tuk, stargazing, e-biking, Jewish history…

Lisbon, Portugal. Photo: cristinamacia/Pixabay

“I can not say enough positives about our recent trip to Portugal over Thanksgiving 2023, planned by Goncalo and his team. We had originally planned to travel to Tel Aviv, and when the tragic war broke out, I emailed Wendy Perrin for suggestions. They responded immediately with a few ideas and travel consultants. After a call with Goncalo, we decided on Portugal. We were traveling with two of our kids, boys ages 26 and 28. At first, I was concerned that we were missing the summer beach vibes, but we had such an amazing trip we will need to return.

Goncalo’s office planned the perfect trip understanding that we wanted to experience the country without an overload of sightseeing, and we had the perfect amount of planned tours and free days. With busy work schedules, we wanted a balance and time to relax. We started in Porto, where we, of course, took a port-tasting tour. We also had a private tour of the city to learn its history, see some of the main sites, and try its famous dessert wine. St. Francis Church, the train station, the Stock Exchange Palace, Bolhao Market, Cristal Palace Gardens, and so much more to see in Porto. It is a beautiful town on the river, and we loved it.

From there, Goncalo recommended two nights at Sao Lourenco do Barrcal in the countryside, and on our way, we stopped at a charming town, Tomar. We went to see one of the oldest synagogues and the castle. In the countryside, we had a stargazing tour, a beautiful property and spa, and the restaurant and shop were both fantastic. We rode E-bikes to a small nearby town called Monsaraz to visit a castle, and we amazingly happened upon a small interactive Jewish History Center. The scenery on the bike ride was spectacular, and the castle was really cool to see, but we were shocked to find the Jewish history center in this tiny town. It depicted the story of the Jewish community from medieval times, and it was fascinating and incredibly meaningful.

From there we went to Lisbon, a fun and lively city. Our hotel had a fun rooftop bar with an amazing view. The boys loved it! We had a fun tuk-tuk half-day tour and a day trip to Cascais and Sintra. We also had a Fado concert in an underground reservoir, delicious meals, and some fun shopping.

You would never imagine this trip was planned so close to departure; it’s one of the good things about traveling off-peak. We had beautiful sunny days with temperatures in the mid 60s. Overall, I cannot say enough great things not only about Portugal but how Wendy Perrin and her recommended tour operator stepped in to make sure we were able to enjoy the time with two of our kids who had taken the time off of work to spend with us.” —Elizabeth Schwartz

Read more reviews of Portugal trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

India with 3 generations: hands-on art lessons, street food, temples…

Amy Evers and her family at a produce market in Jaipur, India wearing marigold flowers.

Amy Evers and family at a produce market in Jaipur, India.

“Our trip was wonderful! I have now visited 52 countries and I don’t know why it’s taken this long to get to India. We loved it. This trip was with my husband, 2 kids (ages 12 & 13), my mother-in-law and I. We all loved it. Victoria and Diggi did a wonderful job planning a trip that would cater to all of our interests and abilities. I had a long call with Victoria in the beginning to get the process started and for her to get a better idea of what we wanted out of this trip. She took this to heart and knocked it out of the park. November was a perfect month to visit, highs in the 70s and lows in the 50s in Rajasthan.

Harsh, our guide, was one of the best! He is knowledgable, flexible, agreeable, capable of dealing with the trials of siblings, liked by all, patient, etc, etc. I’ve had good guides and I’ve had bad guides. He’s a great guide!

Dinesh, our driver, was wonderful too. We always felt safe with him at the wheel. He always greeted us with a smile. The vehicle was clean and roomy and perfect for our group.

We loved the tuktuk rides. Yes, at times, they were chaotic, but that just added to the adventure. The rickshaw ride got a special mention from my daughter. Our modes of transportation were perfect.

All of our accommodations were beautiful and unique. I honestly don’t have any complaints about any of them. My mother-in-law was able to do yoga 2 mornings at one of them, which made her very happy.

I don’t think there were any activities that we didn’t like, but the things that received special mentions by the group are:

-Food tour in Delhi. Everyone pushed themselves out of their comfort zones just a bit.
-Jaipur by dawn tour, including a very authentic experience at an active Hindu temple.
-Impromptu walking tour in Udaipur, resulting in feeding a random elephant walking down the road.
-Block printing workshop, a fascinating village visit and a hands-on creative experience.
-Elephant experience. Who doesn’t love spending close time with elephants?
-Jain temple visit and lunch with the pilgrims.
-Astrologer reading. My kids thought this was spectacular.
-Street food Indian breakfast.

Ultimately this was just the cultural and fun trip I was hoping my kids would have. We learned so much about various religions, culture and history. My kids truly are catching the travel bug and this trip has definitely contributed! I have no doubt that my husband and I will be back to India, maybe several more times, and we will definitely be contacting Victoria’s office again!” —Amy Evers

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Costa Rica: hot springs, high adventure & a plethora of wildlife

White-Headed Capuchin monkey in Manuel Antonio, the rainforest of Costa Rica. Photo: Shutterstock

“Just back from Costa Rica over Thanksgiving week and the trip planned by Priscilla was spot-on perfect. The locations we selected, Arenal, Monteverde and Manuel Antonio, gave us three different settings to enjoy and were all easy travel distances apart. We started in Arenal where Priscilla recommended Tabacon Resort — the room was spacious and had a direct view overlooking the volcano, the included breakfast was an incredible selection of continental and Costa Rican cuisine with the freshest, sweetest fruit, and the included hot springs were a wonderful way to relax at the end of the day. She arranged a private driver and guides and nearly all our activities were private too, and this really allowed us to learn more, see more and deeply experience each area. Across the entire trip, Priscilla expertly matched the activities with our desire for an active, high adventure vacation and we enjoyed canyoning (with waterfall rappelling), ziplining, white water rafting and lots of great hikes with hanging bridges.

She made the trip flow so smoothly that even the travel days were filled with fun activities. On the transfer between Arenal and Monteverde we had a private boat ride across a lake and our naturalist guide, Fico (who was with us for 5 days and became like family) pointed out all sorts of wildlife along the way and then we did the most wonderful night hike and climbed a towering tree in the jungle to enjoy the sunset view from the treetops while snacking on Costa Rican treats. Hiking with Fico continued in Monteverde with hanging bridges and lots of bird watching. We saw sloths, monkeys, coati, agouti, snakes and more at every location. I was hoping to see one sloth the entire trip and we must have seen over 20, including one that was right next to us on the ground.

Our driver, Mauricio was also phenomenal and helped my daughter practice her Spanish. On the transfer between Monteverde and Manuel Antonio, we enjoyed a private crocodile boat tour where we saw many crocodiles, monkeys, birds and were slightly scared when a giant crocodile swam right up alongside the boat. Manuel Antonio National Park was the only really overcrowded spot of the trip, but the amount of wildlife we saw there with our wonderful guide Karla and taking a quick dip in the picture perfect, pristine beach were still highlights. Priscilla’s recommendations of Senda in Monteverde and Gaia in Quepos were also wonderful hotels with wildlife on both properties and amazing cuisine at the restaurants. Thanks for a perfect vacation, we can’t wait to see more of Costa Rica.” —Jill Teschmacher

Read more reviews of Costa Rica trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

Denmark: solo travel in Copenhagen & beyond

Jeannie Mullen at Frederiksborg Castle, outside Copenhagen.

“When I was looking for a place to spend Thanksgiving this year, Jan listened and delivered exactly what I asked for. What I did not appreciate ahead of my arrival was just how much of a kick-start to the Christmas season this trip would be. Copenhagen was already decorated for the ‘Jul’ season, and a number of Christmas markets had already opened on November 16th, the day of my arrival. The hotel that Jan chose was perfectly located on Kongens Nytorv (the King’s New Square) for the market on the square, harbor walks, and great shopping in general.

Britt, the guide that Jan arranged in Copenhagen, did a great job of introducing me to the art and architecture, urban development and repurposing of buildings and land, food and spirits, culture and moods of Copenhagen’s various neighborhoods. When I inquired about more local, neighborhood markets, she took me to a ‘pop-up’ Christmas market, off the beaten path, that was there for only two days. As we made our way out of the city on other days to Frederiksborg, Charlottenlund, Elsinore and Kronborg, she introduced me to locally made products, local artisans, craftspeople and leaders in design.

Jan alerted me early on that Copenhagen is a city known for its food and, in particular, its Michelin-star restaurants. When I expressed my interest, he used his ‘fixer’ to secure a table at Geranium (ranked the best restaurant in the world in 2022), one of the two 3-star Michelin restaurants in Copenhagen. It was an experience more than a meal, which included a private tour of the wine cellar and the kitchen. From beginning to end, a visual as well as gastronomic experience.

A word about the temperatures and the crowds: I’m always looking to get away from crowds, lines, and traffic, and I don’t mind traveling in the off-season to do so (as Wendy so often suggests). The weather in Copenhagen at this time of year alternates between cool and crisp with gorgeous, blue skies to heavy and overcast, with occasional rain. No worries if one packs with that in mind.

I cannot say enough about the lengths to which Jan went to make this trip seamless. Not one detail was missed. It was a terrific and different Thanksgiving getaway that has me prepped for Christmas earlier than usual.” —Jeannie Mullen

Read more reviews of Denmark trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

START A TRIP TO DENMARK

Spain with kids: family-friendly tapas, flamenco, dancing white horses…

Gina Melton and her family enjoying a boat trip on Seville’s Río Guadalquivir.

“Pablo and his team planned a wonderful 11-day itinerary for our family’s Thanksgiving trip to Southern Spain. We spent a significant amount of time in Madrid and then headed to Seville and Granada. Without a doubt, the success of this trip was largely attributable to the wonderful guides who showed us a little of their world. Not only were they incredibly flexible with our sons, aged 10 and 8, they found ways to bring the Spanish culture to life for them.

In Madrid, that meant trying the city’s best Tortilla in one of the city’s vibrant markets, stopping for churros, going to rooftops to teach the boys about the landmarks in a fun and interesting way and finding tapas restaurants that were authentic and family-friendly. Alfonso, our Madrid guide, was so kind and generous with his time, he really made us feel welcomed.

In Seville, I was pleasantly surprised to see the boys connecting with the Flamenco show Pablo arranged for us; it was an authentic experience that the adults enjoyed too! We loved our day trip to Jerez de la Frontera to see the dancing white horses at the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art. And, our tour of Alhambra Palace and Generalife was perfectly timed for the family—we were able to see the entire complex without rushing, but also held the kids’ interest.

The details were seamless throughout the entire trip and I appreciated Pablo’s office working on a last-minute change to our itinerary when we decided to call an audible on the final days of our trip. Spain is a wonderful place for children and this was one of our very best family vacations to date.” —Gina Melton

Read more reviews of Spain trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

Tulum, Mexico, with a blended family group: A private villa, exquisite beaches, snorkeling, biking…

underwater photo of family snorkeling in Mexico

Jessica Tolmach and her blended family snorkeling in Mexico.

“We just returned from an extraordinary WOW trip to Tulum, Mexico. Our trip planners Zach and Patricia were truly helpful and incredibly responsive throughout. We had a challenge: A blended family with 5 grown kids from all corners of the country and with different backgrounds, interests and styles. It was a 60th birthday celebration for Jessica and a pre-wedding, postponed 3x, gathering. We wanted exquisite beaches, Mayan history, a private villa with chef, and planned, safe activities as well as private beach. Zach found it! Casa Ixchel took our breath away and exceeded all our expectations. The accommodations were spectacular, everyone had a gorgeous, well appointed, beautiful designed room, the Casa had marvelous open common rooms with views of the gardens, pool and beach, the beach itself was beyond imagination, and our excursions were marvelous. We spent one half day biking at the Coba ruins and another day snorkeling off Cozumel island. The other two days we had free—to ride bikes, walk on the beach, lounge at the pool and just be together. The meals were beyond delicious—and accommodated a variety of dietary restrictions! The villa staff was professional, kind, helpful and responsive. Mostly we had a beautiful, breathtaking week. It was a trip we will cherish and remember always. Thank you, Wendy! Once again, we couldn’t have done it without you.” —Jessica Tolmach

Read more reviews of Mexico trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

London with teens: early Christmas lights, food tour, nighttime photo shoot…

London gets decked out for Christmas. Photo: visitlondon.com

“Our London trip over the Thanksgiving holiday was fantastic—fulfilling the wishes of a family of four, including two teens. We are very glad we went for five nights, any longer would have been too much, any shorter wouldn’t have included such a variety of experiences. We all needed a seamless getaway from work and school, with enough activity to engage without the worry of language translations. We had heard the Christmas lights could be grand (they were) and that the streets wouldn’t be crowded (not true). The trip was energetic and vibrant—a great refresh.

Jennifer and her righthand planner, Zara, were pleasant to deal with, efficient, and thorough. In five short weeks, they planned a packed itinerary meeting all our specs. They suggested 3 hotels and we selected the one (The Ampersand) with a charming private nook for the four of us, which had the added benefit of being near the Tube. The staff was very attentive and the food delicious. After a day, the breakfast staff knew us and had our food ready every morning when we arrived! Dinner was good too.

The trip planners added value in many ways: organizing a one-direction route for our activities, taking into consideration the timing of all activities and our walking stamina. There was no backtracking and all new material to see. They also provided guides that had extraordinarily deep knowledge of the subjects we wanted to tackle each day, from London history, architecture, Savile Row and Tower of London to the new demands on the city from an environmental perspective. We are foodies, and our food tour was over the top, even the vegan cheese! The planners also suggested our getting our own theatre tickets ahead of time online to save an agent fee, which we appreciated. While we were very fortunate with all our guides, one convinced a maître d’ (twice) into taking us for an early meal without a reservation, including a Friday night at a great Indian restaurant (Masala Zone).

In the end, the teens loved the London Eye (priority tickets cut so much time), Cabaret, Winter Wonderland, Tower of London, and the RIB ride. The historians in the family enjoyed St. Paul’s, changing of the guard, financial district, judicial buildings, and the many detailed stories from the guides. My husband enjoyed Savile Row, the changing architecture seen from rooftops, and the night lights. Me, I loved the personal photography shoot at night. We all loved the food tour. Other travelers can’t go wrong with any of these.

If you are booking with Jennifer, specify your interests in detail, where you want to spend your money (hotel, shows), and all the things you want to see. She listens, follows direction and has great suggestions.”—Peti Stone

Read more reviews of London trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

START A TRIP TO LONDON

Family-friendly Peru: The Amazon & Machu Picchu

The ruins at Machu Picchu, Peru. Photo: Shutterstock

“We traveled from the U.S. to Peru for the week of Thanksgiving, and Marisol and Mark did a great job creating the trip for us. We traveled with three teenagers and we visited an ecolodge in the rainforest in the Amazon Basin, and then went to Cusco to visit the Sacred Valley area as well as Machu Picchu. Mark made all our travel and hotel arrangements and did a great job organizing the whole trip. Our guides and drivers were fabulous and we learned just how important having a great travel agent was when Peru began having protests that shut down the cities. Our travel agent and guide managed to reschedule each of our days, filling in where possible with activities that we could do, even though no cars were allowed to move on the streets and all the of places we had planned to go were shut down. We still ended up with a great visit and we really got to see so many wonderful parts of Peru, thanks to all of the help from Mark’s team—thank you!” —Laura Virkler

Read more reviews of Peru trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

Belize for 3 generations: beach, jungle, kayaking, zip-lining, hand-grinding corn, making pottery…

A treetop villa with outdoor plunge pool at Chaa Creek Lodge in Belize.

A treetop villa and its private pool at Chaa Creek Lodge in Belize. Photo: Chaa Creek

“To plan for our 50th anniversary family celebration adventure in Belize, Wendy introduced us to Patricia, a native Belizean with a passion for introducing her country to the world. A year of planning with Patricia and Juliannie culminated in a 10-day trip, five days in the jungle and five days on an island. With us were four grandchildren, ages 9-12, so a lot of thought went into making sure we had lots of kid-oriented things to do. We truly wanted to hear lots of “WOWs” from them and we weren’t disappointed.

Chaa Creek Resort in the jungle didn’t disappoint, upping the “WOWs” to new levels each day. Our butler, Candi, and her trainee Ryan spoiled us with private dinners for 10, breakfast deliveries early in the morning, fresh fruit drinks when we returned from a day of touring, even babysitting so the adults could dine together. At 4:00 a.m. one morning Candi was helping decorate an outdoor pavilion so our granddaughter could have a fun 9th birthday celebration that night. The surprises never stopped, the staff was so generous and kind, the accommodations top-notch, and the food delicious. Our granddaughter with celiac even got special gluten-free desserts every day!

Ray Caye Resort beach days were spent in total relaxation mode so snorkeling, jumping off the two-story diving platform, kayaking, canoeing, sailing the Hobie cat, and even scuba diving kept us engaged. But enjoying gourmet meals, sipping drinks around the pool in the near-perfect weather, and playing family volleyball and puzzle games brought us together after far too many years of separation. The island was magical, the staff always ready to help us, anticipating our every need, and on our last night there, they surprised us with a 50th anniversary family meal on the beach. The resort covered the whole island and at one point there were only 16 vacationers on it. Talk about a private and perfect post-pandemic place to be! Leaving “paradise” the last morning was difficult, to say the least!

Read more reviews of Belize trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

START A TRIP TO ITALY AND SWITZERLAND

Italy and Switzerland with four daughters, ages 5 to 11: pizza lesson, mosaic making…

A Trusted Travel Expert can get you access to artists’ studios in less touristed neighborhoods Florence, Italy. Photo: Shutterstock

“My family of six—including four daughters, ages 5 through 11—traveled to Italy and Switzerland in November/December. Maria pulled it all together on relatively short notice; I think we had only four weeks of lead time. She arranged for great hotels, fun excursions, and private guides in Florence and Zurich who were fantastic with the girls. It was really nice to have the same driver the whole time we were in a city, and each driver was excellent and very accommodating. We had a fantastic time making pizza in Florence, and another major highlight was our WOW Moment. Thank you so much, Wendy, we really enjoyed it! We walked across the river in Florence to a more residential neighborhood and visited an artist’s studio, where she welcomed us and helped us make our own mosaics in her found-object style. While they dried, we enjoyed sandwiches and cake in the cafe. The artist and Elvira (our guide) were so friendly and welcoming it was a real treat to spend the afternoon with them. Everything went smoothly, and it was nice not to have to worry about anything. I will definitely call Maria again when we return to Italy or Switzerland!” —Rebecca Bartlett

Read more reviews of Italy and Switzerland trips. Learn how to get your own WOW moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

Baja, Mexico for a family: scuba, sandboarding, horseback riding, rappelling…

underwater diver with fish in Los Cabos, Mexico

Explore a new world by going scuba diving in Los Cabos, Mexico. Photo: Los Cabos Villa Vacations

“Baja CA is such an easy destination to get to from Southern CA, so when Zach and his team suggested a Thanksgiving trip for my family of 4, including 2 teen daughters, we jumped on it as we have not explored the other parts of Baja beyond Los Cabos. As up-and-coming areas, we saw the charm of Todos Santos town, hiked along the hills above the ocean and had surf lessons at Los Cerritos. Next up was La Paz, which has potential to become a wonderful destination, as there are plenty of adventure activities to choose from. We had a few travel hiccups the first few days in Todos Santos and La Paz, but Zach’s travel team of Jose & Amalia worked to make it the best they possibly could.

One of our main goals for this trip was to swim with the whale sharks in La Paz, which normally have a very dependable arrival in early November. However they decided not to show up in their regular numbers, so no one could get permits to swim with them in La Paz bay. This was a major disappointment but we had back-up activities planned and ideas ready, which is a useful travel tip for those “planning” on unpredictable animal life interactions. You just never know what will happen, so have something else in mind that will satisfy your travel wishes. We instead went on a sunset sandboarding excursion on the oceanfront dunes one late afternoon, and it was beautiful and remote. We also took a full-day boat trip to scuba dive with friendly, juvenile sea lions, took another dive through a shipwreck and then anchored at a remote beach for a wonderful lunch. These were both exciting excursions that filled the void of the whale sharks’ absence, and having Zach’s connections made it all that much easier.

Our last stop was Grand Velas on the Los Cabos corridor. What a property! The rooms, the views, the service, the spa, the food…it was all amazing! We left the property for a few activities: horseback riding on the beach and in the hills, and a jam-packed adventure up in the mountains with zip lines, rappelling, free-fall jumps, climbing, & polaris vehicle driving; all seamlessly organized by Zach’s team. But coming back to the resort was the best part of the day and their Thanksgiving night celebration on the rooftop deck was over-the-top spectacular! We ended up with a memorable holiday break, even with the few struggles, and we were all recharged going into the holiday season!” —Andrea Phillips

Read more reviews of Mexico trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

Family-style Costa Rica: monkeys, zip lines, surf lesson…

Manuel Antonio beach, Costa Rica - tropical pacific coast

The calm waters at Manuel Antonio beach are perfect for snorkeling. Photo: Shutterstock

“Irene helped our family plan a wonderful trip to Costa Rica over Thanksgiving week. We loved the Arenas Del Mar resort in Manuel Antonio! It was the only one on the beach and even had its own private beach. The monkeys and sloths were thrilling to watch. We saw them all the time! Irene set us up with a zip-line tour that was fun for the whole family, and some of us did a surf lesson too. We also spent time with a guide in Manuel Antonio National Park. It was pretty busy, but our guide knew where to go for a quieter experience. The park is beautiful, and there was so much to see!

Our other destination was the Osa Peninsula. We got there by an exciting boat ride through the river and mangroves and into the ocean until we reached La Paloma Lodge. It’s a lovely luxury eco-resort, and we had a room with a spectacular view and plenty of space for our whole family. We enjoyed scuba diving, kayaking, exploring Corcovado National Park, and we even did a guided night walk to see some of the evening creatures. We saw macaws, toucans, many types of monkeys, sloths, agouti, crocodiles and even a tapir! We did have some rain on our trip— we heard it had been a very rainy year—but we didn’t mind: It makes everything so lush and green!

Irene was wonderful in seamlessly planning our trip and making sure everything went well. It was really helpful to have someone so familiar with the country and knowledgeable about all the hotels and activities. Thank you for making our trip great!” —Alana Jacobson

Read more reviews of Costa Rica trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

Morocco: watching ceramics artists at work, riding camels and ATVs…

Racing down sand dunes in Morocco’s desert. Photo by Tim Baker

“This was an absolutely amazing trip for a first time to Morocco. First, our guide, Amine, was incredibly helpful and knowledgeable about all of the locations and sites we visited. Second, the sites and towns themselves were absolutely spectacular.

We started our trip landing in Casablanca, but then found our guide and driver and immediately drove the 3-4 hours to Fes. I was a little nervous about whether that would be comfortable after a long, overnight flight, but it turns out, sitting in the car and watching this unfamiliar scenery go by was absolutely perfect—especially since it allowed Amine to orient us to Moroccan culture, a little bit of history, and our trip logistics.

When we got to Fes, we were able to immediately check into our hotel (because we had spent the time required to take the trip), and we then went out and began to see the souks of Fes. We did this again the next day, complete with a trip to see Moroccan ceramics-making in action, a working tannery, and any number of mosques and other cultural sites.

Marrakesh was the absolute highlight of the trip. Our hotel was absolutely amazing. On our last day, we made an absolutely fascinating trip hiking on the High Atlas and then ATV-ing and camel riding in the desert. It was an absolutely once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I would recommend it to anybody.” —Sarah Rathke

Read more reviews of Morocco trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

January Trip Ideas: Traveler Reviews to Inspire You

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The wide array of places that are great in January may surprise you. If that’s your time frame for a trip, take inspiration from your fellow travelers’ reviews of their favorite January trips—to locales as varied as Italy (even including Sicily), Scandinavia for the northern lights, Belize for a more affordable Caribbean vacation, Colombia for a sunny getaway for food lovers, Australia (where January is the height of summer), and the list goes on.

These travelers all booked their trips the WOW way: Their trips were optimized for the month of January by the local fixers on our WOW List of Trusted Travel Experts (and those whom we are testing for The WOW List). You’ll find even more ideas in the January installment of our Where to Go When series, and you’ll find more traveler reviews here.

Unsure where to go in January? Click the black button below for our help.

START A TRIP TO SPAIN
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Spain for new viniculture discoveries, and the culture in the White Villages

Aerial view of ancient white Spanish hill top town Vejer de la Frontera, Andalusia.

“Vejer de la Frontera was my favorite village, where I plan on returning for a few weeks next winter…” Photo: Shutterstock

“My wife and I had travelled extensively to 30+ countries around the world. We had been to Spain five times and loved the country more each trip. After being together for over 35 years, she passed away last year. After nine months as a 75-year-old widower, I decided to take my first solo trip. Andalusia kept popping into my head. My wife had been on Wendy Perrin’s email list and had always spoken about her, but we had never used her…now was the time!

Wendy put me in touch with Iván, her Andalusia specialist. He and I had an hour-long Zoom call where he listened to what I wanted out of this trip. I had been to most of the World Heritage Sites in the area and therefore wanted to focus on architecture, gastronomy, viniculture, lifestyle, and the culture of the people in and around the White Villages.

The trip was amazing! 11 days with seven different guides, each of whom was friendly, courteous, extremely knowledgeable and a pleasure to be with. Seville, Cadiz and Ronda were my country bases before returning to Madrid for the trip back to New York.

There was not one event Iván planned that was not exceptional. He even showed up at a small vineyard I was visiting to personally introduce himself and give me some wine that wasn’t available in the U.S. The immersion I had originally requested was handled perfectly. All the hotels, White Villages, restaurants, sights in the cities and guides were exactly what I wanted. Vejer de la Frontera was my favorite village, where I plan on returning for a few weeks next winter.” —Patrick Mackay

To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

Japan for skiing in powder “so light it barely seemed to exist”

Skier Julie Lee pushes off and drops into snow “so light it barely seemed to exist.” Photo: Traveler Anson Lee

“Skiing in Japan. The dream. The whispered tales of bottomless powder so light it evaporates between your fingers. A place where ramen shacks sit at the base of lifts, vending machines dispense hot coffee in cans, and après means soaking in an outdoor onsen while steam curls into the icy air.

Japan has 500 ski areas. Let that sink in. The variety is staggering. Planning a ski trip to Japan feels like solving a puzzle where the pieces keep shifting—terrain, snowfall, logistics, and that delicate balance between adventure and efficiency. Factor in unpredictable storms, a labyrinth of train schedules, and the desire to do more than just ski—to eat, explore, experience—and it quickly becomes overwhelming.

Enter Wendy Perrin, who connected us with Andrea and his team of mountain people who wake up every day thinking about snow, who know the difference between a storm and the storm, who talk about microclimates the way chefs talk about ingredients. Andrea’s drivers, fixers, handlers moved us seamlessly from powder to train platform to ramen counter in a kind of quiet choreography that never felt rushed, only right. We were never hungry. Never under-caffeinated. Never left staring at a timetable, wondering what came next. If we needed a last-minute dinner reservation, a weather update, or flight confirmation numbers at just the right moment, someone was already on it.

And then—the snow. On a crisp bluebird morning after 30 centimeters of fresh snow—the kind of day that, back home, would mean hour-long gondola lineups—our ski guide in Japan pointed off into the distance and asked: “Are you okay if we hike a bit?”

Now, if travel has taught us anything, it’s that when a local asks this kind of question, the answer is always yes. We kicked off our skis, shouldered them, and started bootpacking away from the lift-served terrain. What had looked like a sheer drop was, in fact, the entry point—a barely visible opening in the forest, a portal to something deeper, quieter. We pushed off and dropped into snow so light it barely seemed to exist. Halfway down, we pulled into a clearing, breathless, needing air, needing to process what had just happened. These are called “wow moments,” but that feels insufficient. It was more than that. Something closer to reverence.

Before dropping into untracked powder, Japanese skiers often say: Itadakimasu (いただきます). A phrase traditionally spoken before a meal, a way of expressing gratitude. But here, it means something just as sacred. A quiet thank-you to the mountain before taking what it has offered. Because powder—like the best meals, the best moments—isn’t something to be consumed. It’s something to be received.

From the planning to the execution, from the perfectly timed detours to the unshakable calm in the face of our endless questions, Andrea and his team made it all seamless. And for that, Itadakimasu.” —Anson Lee

To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

START A TRIP TO JAPAN
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Italy for art and history in the cultural capitals

To avoid crowds (and take advantage of post-holiday sales) in Florence, go in January. Photo: Shutterstock

“My husband and I had an amazing trip to Italy in January! Jennifer had everything so well planned out it was one of the most stress-free and special trips we have taken. We spent two weeks in Italy, splitting our time in Florence, Milan, and Rome. We specifically chose January because the crowds would be less, and they were. It was the perfect time to go for us. Not hot or crowded.

She gave us ideas of things to see we were not aware of, such as touring the outside of the cathedral in Milan from the top. Touring the Borghese Gallery in Rome. Lunch at the special winery on the slopes of Mt. Vesuvius near Pompeii. And touring a private museum in Florence where we saw original drawings by Leonardo Da Vinci and the cartoon by Raphael he did for the School of Athens painting.” —Kim and Kevin Cronin

To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

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Portugal for beautiful landscapes and seascapes (yes, in January!)

Sunset at the Pousada de Sagres on Portugal’s Algarve coast in January. Photo: Traveler Benjamin Lowe

“My husband and I went to Portugal for a week in mid-January, spending two nights in Cascais (near Lisbon), then four nights in Sagres in the Algarve, and the last night in Lisbon. Gonçalo gave us good suggestions of where to go. We told him we were interested in photographing land and seascapes, especially during sunrise and sunsets.

Patricia on Goncalo’s team booked pousadas for us because we like the historic nature of the accommodations and our rooms overlooked the ocean and we could see sunsets from our rooms in Cascais and Sagres. Free breakfasts were included in all our lodgings. She arranged a rental car and accommodated our request for a hybrid car. She also booked a full day of palace and castle tours in Sintra with a private driver and guide. In Lisbon we also did a private half-day walking/food tour, which she arranged.” —Wanchee Lowe

To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

Costa Rica for a combo of relaxation and outdoor adventure (and cooking lessons!)

Travelers at the cacao workshop at Two Little Monkeys, Costa Rica.

Geralyn, Elise, and Rob Westervelt loved their cacao workshop at Two Little Monkeys.

“My husband and I, both in our 60s, wanted a vacation that combined relaxation with outdoor activities, culture, nature, adventure, and eco-friendly accommodations. We began planning with Irene who asked many questions to customize our trip. Mid-way through planning, we added our 26-year-old daughter to the trip and Irene seamlessly made the adjustments.

We visited three locations during our 8 night stay. This pace allowed just enough time in each location. Our guide, Pablo, and driver, Jenkins, met us at the airport and brought us to our first location, the Arenal Volcano area. Our activities here included a sloth visit, hike up the volcano, and our two favorite experiences, a cooking class with Dona Mara and a cacao workshop at Two Little Monkeys. These are not to be missed!

Irene arranged for transport to our next location, the Senda Monteverde Hotel. We had a night walk and hanging bridges tour. With each activity, we were impressed by the vast knowledge of the guides. My daughter is in her last year of veterinarian school and she had in depth conversations about animals and ecology with many of them. We were also very pleased that every transport was punctual and safe! Our final destination was the beautiful Manuel Antonio area. The plan was to relax here, but we found ourselves hiking, zip lining, and taking a sunset tour of the property!” —Geralyn Westervelt

To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

START A TRIP TO COLOMBIA
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Colombia for “a beautiful climate” and a peaceful vibe that’s “far from the world’s chaos”

You’ll find serenity at Hacienda Bambusa in Colombia’s coffee country. Photo: Ryan Damm

“We traveled to Colombia as two couples who were well-traveled and anxious to learn, visit, and immerse ourselves into a new destination. It was snowing here in New York, and Colombia has a beautiful climate. Boris and his team planned us a wonderful trip. We started in Medellin for three nights, where we saw great street art and learned about cacao and the complicated past of this country. We also visited a magnificent orchid and hydrangea farm. From there we moved on to the coffee area, which is lush and peaceful. Bambusa is a small, quaint hacienda where we felt far from the world’s chaos.

On to coastal Cartagena, and the pace quickened with lively streets and great restaurants. We ended in Bogota, where we could have used another two days. Bogota is cosmopolitan and rich in history, art, and great restaurants. We really saw a huge cross-section of Colombia, and the hotels were all different and well-chosen. We felt very safe and educated during our stay, and I would highly recommend Boris to any traveler with a thirst to explore and learn.” —Bobbi Malzman

To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

Paris for having museums (and chefs and fashion designers) to yourself

The Louvre Museum, Paris. Photo: EdiNugraha/Pixabay

“Our trip to Paris was for our daughter’s college graduation. She was interested in fashion, food, and the Louvre. Jennifer, our trip planner, did a great job planning our tours and making our dining reservations! We were very impressed with each tour guide: Our private half-day tour of the Louvre could not have been better! We loved our croissant-making class and our chef was fabulous. We were pleasantly surprised with our tour of the Dior museum—so unexpected and maybe one of our most favorite things. We had the museum to ourselves and our guide was fantastic!

Jennifer secured a fashion expert who took us to neighborhood boutiques featuring up-and-coming Parisian designers, and this was a real treat! We loved meeting the shop owners, and we felt like locals shopping for the afternoon.” —Kim Brown

To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

START A TRIP TO FRANCE
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Antarctica for otherworldly adventure but with all the creature comforts

Travelers celebrated their arrival in Antarctica with champagne.

Barbara and Larry Schoenfeld celebrated their arrival in Antarctica with champagne.

“We told Ashton that we wanted a small ship with top-notch scientific experts on board. I was hyper-focused on the potential for unpleasantness crossing the Drake Passage. Comfortable cabins and good food wouldn’t hurt. And, we were not very flexible with travel dates.

Ashton quickly produced a short list of recommendations, despite the availability constraints due to the surge in demand for travel to Antarctica. We sailed on the Seabourn Pursuit. It is a luxurious new ship and is outfitted with stabilizers, which softened the rocky ride across the Drake. While in Antarctica, there were two excursions via Zodiacs daily—usually involving a hike on land or an island. They included walking among penguins and seals, floating among jaw-droppingly beautiful sculptural icebergs, traversing the rim of a caldera, and seeing ruins of former explorers and whalers.” —Barbara Schoenfeld

To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

START A TRIP TO ANTARCTICA
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The Galapagos for an action-packed wildlife agenda with teen appeal

Shelby Willets and her family posing with a giant tortoise in the Galapagos, Ecuador.

Shelby Willets with her family and a giant tortoise.

“Allie planned an adventurous, two-week, land-based trip to the Galápagos for our family of three. Traveling with our teenage son, we like to keep an active schedule. Allie understood the assignment and delivered an action-packed vacation.

Highlights included a private kayaking excursion where we had access to sites rarely seen by visitors, snorkeling with playful sea lions and scuba diving with schooling hammerhead sharks—a bucket-list item. For our WOW Moment, we were treated to a private photo shoot with the giant tortugas!

Since we booked our trip less than a year in advance, Allie had to work some magic to find large hotel rooms that would accommodate the three of us. As a result, we stayed at three different hotels—which was not a hassle, as Allie arranged for our luggage to be transported from hotel to hotel while we were out exploring. We actually enjoyed experiencing three different properties.

We enjoy traveling with Wendy Perrin’s trusted travel experts, as it makes our vacations true vacations: We know that the details are taken care of, so we can relax and enjoy our time together as a family.” —Shelby Willets

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Belize for a Caribbean vacation that combines jungle, beach, and culture

Travelers Salena and Allen Kern during lunch with their WOW List trip-planning expert Patricia Johnson

“My criteria was a direct flight from Newark, warmth, a place we’d never been to with lots to do if we wished, and a Wendy Perrin advisor. It took about a minute to find Belize and Patricia. And we were off…. Patricia recommended a few places to stay, and two of the resorts (one in the jungle and the other on the beach) were owned by Francis Ford Coppola. Who knew? Not I, for sure. Well, my husband was an extra in Apocalypse Now many years ago and that was that. He was thrilled to be seeing what Coppola had created in Belize. Both resorts were beautiful but Blancaneaux Lodge was one of the nicest places I have stayed in my life.

We climbed ruins, rafted through a cave that should have been a cathedral, and visited an entrepreneurial coffee ‘factory’ amongst other things. Most important to me, however, was that we got to know something about the current economy of this young country and much about its varied cultures.

On our first full day, we were surprised by our WOW Moment. At this most beautiful site, overlooking a series of waterfalls, we were served lunch by a local family (now, Patricia did know that I am a bit of a foodie) who served us a traditional Mayan lunch, nouvelle-style. The family has a catering company called U Janal Masewal, Ancient Recipes for a Modern World. That sort of sums up my worldview too. And Patricia met us there for lunch.

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Tahiti and Bora Bora for a boat charter and the ultimate beach resort

French Polynesia is great for snorkeling, diving, birding, or just relaxing in a hammock. Photo: Shutterstock

“Our family of six adult children and a four-year-old grandchild recently returned from a trip to Tahiti (December 29 to January 12) organized by Kleon. Kleon did such a good job getting quotes for various options from chartering a boat to picking out the best resort for our family for the week stay. The Conrad Bora Bora Nui was perfect for this holiday adventure with the entire family. My husband and I added a five-night stay at The Brando, which was an incredible resort, especially for the privacy, the beautiful units, and numerous activities offered there. The most unique travel experience was observing 80 or more baby turtles being released twice during our stay at The Brando.” —Carol Powell

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Peru for adventures at Machu Picchu and in the Amazon

The Sacred Valley in Peru. Photo: Shutterstock

“My granddaughter and I just returned from our third New Year’s adventure organized by Allie. This trip’s primary objective was the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu.

Our base in the Sacred Valley was the Sol y Luna Hotel. Could not have asked for better accommodations. We visited many Inca sites. We also had a day of whitewater rafting. The Urubamba market is open twice a week, so we took the opportunity to shop with the locals. Being the new year, the flowers were aplenty, yellow, a color of note to the Peruvians at New Year. The highlight of the trip was Machu Picchu citadel. Pictures do not do it justice. The vastness of the site in the clouds and the river far below. It was beautiful!

On New Year’s Eve we had good intentions on staying up to ring in the new year, but Allie had other plans, gratefully and thankfully. The next morning we returned very early to the citadel. Allie was able to obtain tickets for Huayna Picchu. Tickets are in a limited number. We were very fortunate, as many people are disappointed when they find out tickets are not available. Allie had procured ours well in advance. My granddaughter climbed Huayna Picchu, also known as ‘the stairs of death,’ an experience she will never forget.

We returned to Cusco for a day, then it was off to the Amazon. Our flight was followed by a 45-minute powered canoe ride to the Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica, an eco lodge and our home for the next three days. We had a riverside cabana on the Madre del Dias River. In the mornings, we could hear howler monkeys and other unknown critters. It was the rainy season, so we had rain and thunderstorms daily. The weather did not hamper our activities, actually the weather was part of the experience. Although we had a twilight boat excursion and jungle canopy walks, our highlight was fishing on Lake Valencia. We went piranha fishing, followed by a shore lunch.” —Jim Stock

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Dubai for perfect weather for desert safaris

Bernirene Ramos and friends in Dubai’s Heritage Desert.

“Our group chat was called, ‘Dubai, Here We Are!’ Nick planned my ‘ladies’ trip,’ from accommodation to our daily itinerary. January was the perfect time. It was sunny, low-mid 80s during the day and low 70s in the evening. It was Dubai’s winter season, therefore popular sites were not crowded. We were able to capture great photos without being blocked by others.

We were in Dubai for 7 days and we made every day count. The itinerary was well coordinated to cover all the amazing ‘must-sees’ and still allowed for daily free time. We had to switch our visit to Abu Dhabi to a different day because of a last-minute intel of a private event at the Qasr A Watan. And, we wanted to add a couple of ‘must-sees and photo-ops’ during our trip. Nick was able to rearrange our schedule and coordinate with our tour guides seamlessly. It worked out perfectly. He was accessible 24/7. We were taken care of from the time we disembarked the plane at arrival to the time we departed Dubai. Our drivers were great, tour guides were knowledgeable, friendly and fun to be around. We did the Heritage Safari Desert trip on our last day. It was the perfect ending to an amazing trip! Thank you Nick!” —Bernirene Ramos

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Norway for the northern lights (plus dogsledding, snowmobiling, and saunas)

View of the Northern Lights in Alta, Norway.

Alta, Norway, is one of the best places for spotting the northern lights in January. Photo: Shutterstock

“Truly a trip of a lifetime. My family of 4 (me, my husband and two adult boys) went to Alta where we went dogsledding, snowmobiling, and saw the northern lights. In Oslo we went on a very interesting architecture tour. The highlight was relaxing in the lodge sauna after a day spent snowmobiling and getting called by the lodge staff to come outside to watch the northern lights!

The staff at all of the places Torunn and Mari sent us to were exceptional and would go out of their way to provide assistance. We can’t wait to go back sometime in the summer now and see the same location again.” —Neha Vyas

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Panama for the legendary Canal and an “amazing” private-island resort

An eco-friendly private-island resort, Isla Palenque is located on Panama’s Pacific coast. Photo: Isla Palenque

“Pierre organized a great trip to Panama for us—two 60-plus-year-olds who were looking for some cultural moments as well as some serious relaxation. We started in Panama City and with Pierre’s guidance organized our vacation dates around a fascinating partial transit tour of the Panama Canal, which is only available a few days each week. We also enjoyed our visit to the Embera indigenous village, especially the boat ride to the waterfalls. I was worried that this might be exploitative, but the tours are run by the Embera themselves. Lunch of fish and plantains in a palm leaf was delicious.

Our city tour the next day was hindered by the fact that it was a national holiday, but Pierre’s team came through and organized a hike to the top of Ancon Hill for great views over the city and a visit to the fish market, with lunch. Our hotel, La Compania, in the old city was amazing, and Pierre wisely booked us a courtyard room to avoid the street noise. We loved being in the old city with its restaurants, bars and ambiance.

We then enjoyed the relaxation part of the trip, six nights at the amazing Isla Palenque. This very small resort where everybody knows your name was everything we wanted: peaceful, beautiful, great food and drinks. When we felt the urge to move a bit we went hiking in the rainforest, kayaking and did an island-hopping trip with snorkeling and lunch on a deserted beach that was wonderful.” —Christine Zufelt

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Australia for Sydney’s famous New Year’s Eve and snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef

The Bengtzen family on a private yacht at Great Barrier Reef, Australia.

The Bengtzen family spent a day snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef from a private yacht.

“New Year’s in Australia had been a dream of mine since I was 14. We began in Sydney, where we stayed at the Shangri-La hotel. It gave us an amazing view for the fireworks, which were absolutely incredible. It was perfect for us and our adult kids to watch and not have to fight the crowds.

From Sydney we went to Hayman Island in the Whitsundays islands. This was a one-of -a-kind experience. From here we were able to have a private snorkeling trip to the Great Barrier Reef—both the inner and outer reefs. Restaurants on the island were fantastic, and the beach is heaven. From Hayman we went to Noosa, where we had an incredible experience kayaking on the ocean. The shopping and food were wonderful and gave us a great end to our trip.

None of this would have been possible if I hadn’t found Wendy Perrin and her referral of Stuart. Stuart and Jacki then took our dates, our family info, and planned a once-in-a-lifetime trip for us. I cannot recommend them enough.” —Keri Bengtzen

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Sicily for meeting “wonderful people” over archaeology hikes and culinary experiences

Mt. Etna stands out from a dusting of snow in winter. Photo: Pixabay

“While January might not be the ideal time to visit Sicily (with the weather less than cooperative!), we saw, learned, engaged, and met wonderful people all along the way—from Palermo and surrounding towns Monreale, Castelbuono, Cefalu to Villa Romana del Casale, Agrigento, Testa dell’Acqua, Noto, Siracusa/Ortigia to Mt Etna. More than anything, getting to know Sicilians—over good conversations, culinary experiences, archaeology hikes, tours, food and wine—was the highlight of the entire trip. Marcello’s selection of guides and hosts was superb.

Perhaps the highlight of many highlights was the final day at Mt. Etna guided by Salvo (a volcanologist) followed by our visit to the Santa Maria La Nave Winery for a tour, wine tasting, and lunch hosted by Vera and Carmello. They epitomized the warmth, welcome and pride of purpose we found every day during this first visit to Sicily. We look forward to returning soon to this stunning, fascinating, history-filled island.” —Barbara Gross

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Sri Lanka for an exotic (yet affordable) island with welcoming people and delicious cuisine

Jan Heininger and husband Jamie Reuter meeting village kids on a Tea Trail hike.

Miguel ensured that we had a flexible schedule. Our driver, Thissa, could say, ‘Let’s stop and see that bird,’ or we could stop and taste a Golden coconut or visit a local market where we were introduced to many unfamiliar vegetables and fruits that are essential elements of Sri Lankan cuisine.

Miguel set up wonderful experiences including the cooking class, a mask carving and painting workshop and visits to a cinnamon plantation and to a tea factory. He had us hike a segment of the Tea Trail where we interacted with women tea pickers and with kids and villagers we encountered along the way. The mask my husband carved from a block of balsa wood and the two we painted are off being framed right now and will always be physical reminders of our time in Sri Lanka.” —Jan Heininger

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Chile for Patagonia’s unique nature and wildlife

Bill Livingood, Lynn Woodhouse, Sandra Quinn, and Stephen Thomas walk through a field of lupine during a birdwatching excursion in Chilean Patagonia.

“My husband, two friends and I have just returned from our trip to Chilean Patagonia, and once again, we were in the expert hands of Maita and her team. We began with a 3-night stay at the Singular Patagonia, outside of Puerto Natales. What a stunning and unique small hotel in a gorgeous setting overlooking a fjord. One wall of our room was a window onto the fjord and the activity of so many birds. We loved our bird-watching excursion there. With our great guide, we spent literally the entire day hiking through forest, pampa and the wetlands, spotting 41 species of birds. When we got to the end, and were pretty spent, our guide and driver served wine, water, tea, lentil soup and cheese, sausages and crackers. That certainly refreshed us. We enjoyed an afternoon empanada class and an interesting trek to three different caves. The Singular is definitely worth the stay.

From there, we drove to Tierra Patagonia, just outside Torres del Paine National Park. Magnificent view from our huge window in our room!!! We seized the opportunity for multiple excursions, as well as enjoying massages in the spa, taking a swim, and braving the wind for the outdoor hot tub. We saw lots of wildlife, wildflowers, stunning sunsets, and on our last morning, the entire dining room was abuzz when we saw a puma saunter across the property in front of us.

We spent our last night in the Singular Santiago, our second stay there, and it is a lovely hotel in a great location. Before our departure for the US, we had an extraordinary WOW Moment: Maita and team had arranged a cooking class and dinner with Tatan, a chef who hosted us at his home overlooking the city and mountains. He was gracious, interesting, and charming. We began with luscious appetizers on the balcony, and moved to the kitchen where he had organized work stations and assignments for each of us as we made ceviche and pisco sours. In addition to having fun, we learned new cooking skills. Gary, our escort to the airport, had to drag us away as we enjoyed our meal and delicious cheesecake on the balcony. With Tatan and Gary, we learned more about life in Santiago and Chile. By the end of the evening, we had begun questioning whether this trip, our third to Chile, would be our last, as we learned more about other places and things to do.” —Sandra Quinn

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Finland for the northern lights and other Arctic adventures (ice fishing, dogsledding…)

The cozy and warm Glass House Suite at the Arctic Treehouse Hotel in Finland.

Between outdoor adventures, Michael Ruma warmed up in his Glass House Suite. Photo: Traveler Michael Ruma

“My wife said she’d like to see the aurora borealis and, with Wendy’s help, we were quickly introduced to Leigh, who created a delightful week of fun in Finland.

We hopped an easy flight from Helsinki to Rovaniemi, which lies directly on the latitude of the Arctic Circle. An efficient, private transfer brought us to the Arctic TreeHouse Hotel. Met with warm blueberry juice, we checked into our Glass House suite. Our room had a centrally located living room with an enclosed wood-burning stove along with two bathrooms, one of which had our very own dry sauna.

Advised to download the Aurora app, we learned about the KP index which predicts the probability of witnessing the northern lights. Fortunately, after dinner at the hotel, a notification from the app informed us at 9pm the chance was high! Intent on seeing the natural phenomenon, we bundled up and hiked up a trail to a 50-foot observation tower specifically designed for viewing the lights. Finnish myths say the lights are caused when a fox runs across the Arctic landscape whipping up snow from its tail, sparking the lights in the night sky.

Regardless of the cause, we were blessed by an hour display of a gray hazy line emerging in the distance and evolving into a bright green glow right in front of our eyes. As we watched and photographed the sky, the lights blew around us along our walk back to our room.

Our next two days were filled with other Arctic adventures which included an exciting jaunt by snowmobile to learn how to ice fish on a frozen lake and then dog sledding on a snowy day in the beautiful and vast northern Finnish countryside. We concluded our trip with a train ride from Rovaniemi back to Helsinki. On our last day in Helsinki, we splurged and dined at Restaurant Savoy.

We would happily come back to Finland for a future visit either in the winter to take in the unique night sky, but this time much further north, or during the summer to take in the lively and sunny long days in Helsinki filled with so much to see, taste, and do. Delighted by its vast country, small polite population, and compact capital, its seasonally focused food, and its matter-of-fact and kind people. We had such fun in Finland.” —Michael Ruma

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Southeast Asia for Bourdain-esque travel experiences and a “deeper understanding” of very different cultures

Chris and Lisa Wollan alongside an organic farmer near Hoi An in Vietnam.

January blooms: Travelers Chris and Lisa Wollan worked alongside an organic farmer near Hoi An.

“Our 22-day trip was truly a once-in-a-lifetime adventure! We worked with Ethan. We’ve traveled a fair amount and have done lots of planning but have never had such a seamless trip. From being met at airports, getting our visa in Cambodia, transfers between hotels, cars, tuk tuks, meals, entrance into sights, being flexible and accommodating us when we had a request, all went without a visual hitch. We know this took TONS of planning beforehand and lots of coordination by our planners, guides, drivers, etc.

We saw the typical tourist sights (which were amazing), but also were given access to behind-the-scenes experiences that we couldn’t have done on our own. We’ve watched Anthony Bourdain travel segments and commented on how it would be cool to have such unique experiences like he did. This trip was filled with them, from meeting an organic farmer and working on her farm, to getting a glimpse into the life of the floating villagers near Tonlé Sap, to morning meditation with monks. Coming out from watching the sunrise at Angkor Wat, we had a table set with china in a field for breakfast. Nearby three local kids were singing happy birthday to us and giggling.

Our wish and goal for our trip was to get a deeper understanding of the countries we visited, their history and the lives of the people who live there. We came away with that and much more.” —Lisa Wollan

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Christmas and New Year’s Trips Loved By Your Fellow Travelers

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These creative and rewarding holiday-time trips have been some of our readers’ favorites…with a little help from our WOW List of top travel specialists. Read on for inspiration for your next holiday getaway. Here’s how to get your own WOW trip.

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British Virgin Islands Charter: “We were well cared for by the captain, who maneuvered our boat into every little nook and cranny in the BVIs.”

Meghan Schubert and family having cocktails on a yacht in the British Virgin Islands.

“On Christmas Eve, our captain found a private cove for us to anchor for the night!”

We were well cared for by the captain, Pieter, who maneuvered our boat into every little nook and cranny in the BVIs. On Christmas Eve, our captain found a private cove for us to anchor for the night! It was incredible to have the entire cove to ourselves. After some swimming and snorkeling, Pieter took our teens tubing. What a sight to see—the sun setting on a private cove, and the only ones around are your kids tubing and laughing as loud as they can. After an amazing dinner prepared by our chef, we sat on the bow of the catamaran and watched the stars and constellations appear. It was so peaceful and private.

We sailed into Jost Van Dyke midday on Christmas Day. The cove was filled with boats and swimmers enjoying the sunny, warm holiday. Our captain steered our boat in between all the other yachts and anchored us nearly on the beach. As we swam for shore to get a drink at Soggy Dollar Bar, we noticed that many of the swimmers were wearing Santa hats! When we returned to the boat, my daughter and I were not ready to get out of the gorgeous water, so our chef gave us appetizers in the water!” —Meghan Schubert

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London: “There was even a small Christmas tree in our room…”

Christmas in London. Photo: visitlondon.com

“It has become our practice to consult Wendy Perrin’s WOW List whenever we plan a trip. This time our goal was to spend Christmas in London. Although we had been to London several times, we know that the holidays can be a challenge due to closures on the holiday. We spoke with Jonathan about our previous visits to London and our desire to see and do something new. We had a hotel in mind that we had stayed in before, but Jonathan strongly advised us to select another hotel, The Stafford, and we are so happy we took his advice. It is a much smaller hotel than the one we were thinking of, and that proved to be a big factor in feeling like we were ‘going home’ at the end of each day of touring London. The hotel staff treated us royally, and the hotel was decorated beautifully for the holidays; there was even a small Christmas tree in our room.

As we had already seen most of the highlights of London on previous visits, Jonathan suggested other tours we would not have thought of. One was a Charles Dickens walking tour; our guide was extremely knowledgeable and entertaining, and we now understand how London during Dickens’ time influenced his writing. Another highlight was a private “Behind the Glass” after-hours tour of the Churchill War Rooms. We had seen the War Rooms before, but nothing can compare with going there in the evening when it’s closed and actually going into the rooms that are not accessible to the public. These are experiences we would not have discovered on our own. Jonathan also executed a surprise ‘Wendy WOW Moment for us during our stay. It was a private tour and tasting in The Stafford’s amazing wine cellar, which was built in the 17th century and used as an air raid shelter during WWII! The master sommelier, Gino, gave us the tour and made the experience very special!

Jonathan certainly added value to our holiday, and, given the short time frame of the trip, planned the perfect amount of activity while also allowing us plenty of time to explore London on our own and walk about enjoying the beauty of the lights and the amazing window displays and decorations everywhere.” —Susan Ketchum Philbrick

Read more reviews of England trips. Learn how to get your own WOW Moment. Or use our trip questionnaire (reached via the black button below) to start a WOW trip.

Andalusia, Spain: “Highlights included a hike on the Caminito del Rey, the Alhambra, tapas tours…”

The Alhambra Palace in Granada, Andalusia, Spain.

The Alhambra Palace in Granada, Andalusia. Photo: Shutterstock

“Iván organized an 8-day family trip over the Christmas holiday. We were based in two exquisite hotels, Club Seta Hotel in Granada and Alfonso XIII in Seville. Highlights included a hike on the Caminito del Rey, the Alhambra, tapas tours, and a performance of the Royal Equestrian School in Jerez (ie, horse ballet). In designing the trip, Iván was very responsive to our needs in landing on just the right balance of doing and down time. We are very grateful for his excellence and would highly recommend using his services if you are planning a trip to the Andalusia region.” —Robert Berman

Read more reviews of Spain trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

Mexico: “We were upgraded to their Tower Suite, which not only came with an enormous amount of space on two levels, but its own private elevator…”

Colorful buildings in San Miguel de Allende in Guanajuato, Mexico. Photo: Shutterstock

“When we decided on a family vacation in Mexico for three generations, plus a pre-vacation vacation for my husband and me, we wanted to make sure we navigated all the ins and outs while feeling safe and still having fun. Zach and his colleagues came through on both counts.

The first stop for my husband and me was San Miguel de Allende. While we had initially hesitated to stay at the Rosewood because it was not in the center of town, Zach convinced us this hotel would be excellent, and he was correct. Thanks to him we were upgraded to their Tower Suite, which not only came with an enormous amount of space on two levels, but its own private elevator, three outdoor patios, and two butlers! Everything about this hotel was magical, and we cannot wait to return. The tours Zach arranged in San Miguel were excellent and included a market tour and cooking class with a chef, and an in-depth tour of San Miguel and Guanajuato. (Zach had difficulty convincing us to spend the time on the day tour of Guanajuato, but we are so glad he did; it is a lovely, interesting city, and we were sorry we had not allocated an extra day or two to explore there.)

The remainder of our trip was spent in Puerto Vallarta with the entire family. We had mentioned to Zach that we wanted a private villa: directly on the water, large enough so we would all have our own space, fully staffed, close to activities, and located an easy distance from the center of Puerto Vallarta. Our villa, Casa Demae II, is in a gated complex, and was exquisite and outstanding in every way: spacious bedrooms (all ensuite, and most with balconies) with views of the pool and Banderas Bay, incredible common areas, infinity pool with a swim-up bar, jacuzzi, outdoor dining areas (from where we saw whales most days), streaming services—you name it, it was there! Our chef was fantastic—we actually cancelled two dinner reservations because the food at the villa was so wonderful. This was like having our own private hotel…but better.

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Norway & Copenhagen: “We got to see the Christmas lights in Tivoli Gardens and took a ride on a wild roller coaster, wandered with some hot drinks…”

Kate Ogg and son Will see the northern lights from the driveway of their lodge in Alta.

Kate Ogg and son Will see the northern lights just outside their lodge in Alta, Norway. Photo: Traveler Ryan Ogg

“My husband, Ryan Ogg and I (Kate Ogg), and our three children, Will (17), Charlotte (15), and Wyatt (12), went to Copenhagen, Denmark, and Oslo and Alta, Norway, from December 28 through January 6. Will is graduating from high school this spring, and so we let him choose the destination for a family vacation this year. He wanted to go someplace cold, snowy and dark, where we could do some fun outdoor adventures, and hopefully see the Northern Lights (which we had tried and failed to do in Iceland a couple of years ago).

It was a fantastic trip. Copenhagen was still pretty magical the week between Christmas and New Year’s, and we found some good restaurants despite a few of the ones we had hoped for being closed. We got to see the Christmas lights in Tivoli Gardens and took a ride on a wild roller coaster, wandered with some hot drinks, shopped and just enjoyed the festive vibe. The next day we started the day with a boat ride through the harbor and some of the bigger canals, which gave us a sense of the city’s geography as well as a lot of the architecture.

Oslo was all closed while we were there because it was both Sunday and New Year’s Eve, but a walk through the sculpture garden, to the Fram museum to see a polar expedition ship, and a chance to see the Nobel buildings and then along the harbor was a nice way to spend the day before a fancy dinner at our hotel (The Thief) and a midnight toast on the roof. On New Year’s morning in a snowstorm, we made it to Oslo airport and up to dark Alta. The Sorrisniva Hotel was fully booked by the time we planned our trip (August), so we stayed in a little fishing lodge in the woods, down the driveway from Tristin and Trine Restaurant and past some sled dogs.

It was absolutely charming, and best of all, the very first night as we walked out of our lodge to dinner, the sky lit up with northern lights that continued to brighten and dance until we gave up and went to bed. I credit our very dark spot in the woods for the fantastic viewing. Our adventures in snowmobiling, reindeer sledding, snowshoeing, and king crab fishing all showed us different parts of the landscape and culture in northern Norway, and it was just…magical. We truly loved it.” —Kate Ogg

Read more reviews of Scandinavia trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

Colombia: “On our final day, we visited the very vibrant, and exciting, Comuna 13, where urban art and music are thriving.”

Sliding in Medellin's hilly Comuna 13 neighborhood.

Lynn Herrick’s son tries out a slide in Medellin’s hilly Comuna 13 neighborhood. Photo: Traveler Lynn Herrick

“This was a family trip with my three college-aged kids and my husband. So, we wanted a bit of history, a bit of adventure, a bit of culture and a lot of fun. Our trip started in Cartagena with the best tour guide ever, Will. Not only was Will’s dad the mayor of Cartagena, so we got to visit town hall, but he quickly got to know each of us and tailored our tours to our personalities. The kids even scheduled a secret outing with him to surprise me with emerald earrings for my birthday!

In Cartagena we ate street food we would have never tried, learned salsa dancing, took a cooking class with a cantankerous French chef and made the best ceviche ever, went canoeing in the mangroves, learned to drum with a local group, and participated in a rum and cacao tasting. We also fell in love with this hot, romantic, beautiful Caribbean town.

Next on the itinerary was the coffee region. We visited the Wax Palm trees, zip-lined, rafted, and spent a special morning at a coffee plantation. We all loved learning about the coffee industry in Colombia, enjoyed the delicious lunch that was served, and agreed the organic coffee was special.

We spent our last three nights in Medellin. While we learned about Colombia’s violent history throughout the trip, this was our opportunity to visit the countryside and hear from farmers how both the left-wing guerrillas and right-wing paramilitaries imposed themselves on the farming communities and how many fled to Medellin during this time. The next day in Medellin, we took the cable cars to visit the barrio and see how those who escaped the civil war in the countryside built homes into the hills and created new communities. On our final day, we visited the very vibrant, and exciting, Comuna 13, where urban art and music are thriving. Throughout Colombia we ate the most delicious food, fruits and drinks. We will be craving coconut lemonade for a long time!” —Lynn Herrick

Read more reviews of Colombia trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

Malta: “The island itself was gorgeous, with dramatic views, romantic vistas and stunning architecture.”

Ancient walls and streets of Valetta, the capital of Malta. Photo: Shutterstock

Valletta, Malta. Photo: Shutterstock

“My girlfriend and I travelled to Malta for eight days from after Christmas through the New Year. Quite simply the trip was extraordinary, and we cannot recommend Malta, and Damon and his team, more highly. Malta is an extraordinary place, with magnificent history, art, culture, food, scenery and people. To start with, Damon spent a significant amount of time prior to the trip working iteratively with us to plan the itinerary based on various ideas he proposed and what we wanted to do. He really distinguished himself with his ability to figure out from our conversations exactly the kind of experiences and touring we wanted to do. He gave equal time, thought and care to the choice of lodging and restaurants.

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 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. We were particularly glad to be there during the bustling holiday season where many Maltese were celebrating and even saw the local Eurovision winner perform on New Year’s Eve.” —Larry Neubauer

Read more reviews of Malta trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

Belize: “We were looking for a Christmas-week alternative to our typical beach-resort experience where we stay at the hotel and rarely venture out.”

The Caribbean island of Caye Caulker, Belize. Photo: Shutterstock

Everything they planned was just what we asked for. We were looking for a Christmas-week alternative to our typical beach-resort experience where we stay at the hotel and rarely venture out. Instead, we had a 2-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 Belizian vocalist Kylon Eiley on our villa patio, complete with margaritas.

The snorkeling guides were really great and considerate, especially to those who were bit anxious. The guide 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.

As Belize is an English-speaking country, that made it very easy to communicate with everyone. We also enjoyed learning from our guides and drivers about the different cultures. Everyone we interacted with was kind and keen to make sure we were happy.” —Kathryn Barden

Read more reviews of Belize trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

Italy: “In Florence we visited a noble family estate and cooked a five-course meal…”

The Ponte Vecchio in Florence, Italy. Photo: Shutterstock

“Italy can be overwhelming because there is so much to do, see, and eat, but Maria planned a spectacular trip to Florence, Bologna, and Rome for me, my teenagers, and my fiancé over the Christmas/New Year’s holiday.

In Florence we visited a noble family estate and cooked a five-course meal (and learned how to make tortelloni) with the family chef, had a tour of the wine cellar, and joined one of the family members for lunch. We learned of the family’s wing of art at the Uffizi, which we visited the next day. Meeting people who have a direct hand in the life and culture of Italy was special. In Rome, our food lovers’ adventure on Vespas with Toni was a complete standout. My 6′ 4″ son was mortified to ride on the Vespa—and got over that fear in one minute. We were a team of five Vespas! Don’t mess with us! As for Bologna, I am a dental surgeon and am really glad Maria recommended visiting the Teatro Medica at the University of Bologna with my kids. I am sure there is no way I could’ve arranged such a trip.” —Wendy Halpern

Read more reviews of Italy trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

START A TRIP TO THE GALAPAGOS OR AMAZON

Galapagos, Andes, Amazon: “Allie even arranged for a private family photo shoot on the most beautiful beach!”

Lauren Schor and family catch up with a giant tortoise in the Galapagos.

“Allie did an amazing job planning our 13-day multi-generational family trip to Ecuador for Christmas 2023. We started planning almost a year in advance. Most accommodations are smaller, with about 20 rooms total, and I would definitely suggest planning this trip well in advance, as availability dictated the outline of our trip from the beginning of the planning process. And we LOVED all of the places we stayed!

Read more reviews of Galapagos and Amazon trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

UAE: “We spent Christmas Eve and Christmas in a nature conservancy complete with animals walking around the grounds.”

Holiday activities: “It was a treat to climb a few dunes, ride camels and put our toes in the sand.”

Next we traveled into the desert and stayed at the Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, where we spent Christmas Eve and Christmas, 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.

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.

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Panama: “We stayed in the old part of Panama City—very charming and beautifully decorated for the holidays.”

Casco Viejo of Panama City. Photo: Shutterstock

“My husband, 21-year-old son, and I had a fabulous time in Panama, organized by Pierre and his team. We were late in planning the trip for the week after Christmas, but Pierre was able to help us with the right recommendations and accommodations. We stayed in the old part of Panama City—very charming and beautifully decorated for the holidays. Seeing the Panama Canal was the highlight of the trip for us—an absolute must-do for anyone visiting. We also visited monkey island (taking a boat next to big ships in the canal was awesome) and the sloth sanctuary.

We visited Boquete in the mountains for 3 nights and absolutely loved it. It still retains the charm of cloud forests without the commercialization of Costa Rica’s Monteverde. Highlights there included an adventurous 4×4 jeep ride to the top of Baru Volcano for sunrise and seeing both the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, a fun cooking experience with the chef of Ngadri restaurant, hanging bridges, and tour of a coffee plantation.

We celebrated New Year’s in Panama City at one of the rooftop restaurants with great music and an excellent multi-course dinner and Champagne. Very memorable. All 3 of us really enjoyed Panama and look forward to going back again.” —Tina Hunt

Read more reviews of Panama trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

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Paris: “A trip fit for royalty…”

The Palace of Versailles. Photo: Shutterstock

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. ” —Adrienne, Phil, Lindsey, Billy Goldberg

Read more reviews of Paris 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…”

Travelers taking a photo with the elephants on a safari in Sri Lanka.

Pam Greenstein and family saw elephants on their Sri Lanka safari.

Read more reviews of Sri Lanka trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

Peru: “Our 2024 holiday trip did not disappoint! We selected Peru due to the warm weather, direct flight, and time zone…”

Doug, Kate and Will Nury help with planting crops in Peru.

Doug, Kate and Will Nury help with planting crops. Photo: Traveler Beth Nury.

“Our 2024 holiday trip did not disappoint! We selected Peru as our destination due to the warm weather, direct flight, and time zone consistent with EST. Mark and his travel company did a great job of getting us acclimated to Peru’s higher altitude by starting our trip in Lima, then moving to higher elevated locations (Cusco) in preparation for our climb at Palcoyo, a lesser-known rainbow mountain with few visitors.

One trip highlight included hiking the one-day Inca Trail with our guide Johann. As with other trips booked with Wendy’s WOW List planners, the tour guides make the trip. Johann was patient with all of us (two teens and two adults that hike at different speeds!), knowledgeable about the plethora of relics we encountered, and willing to share the names of local restaurants in Cusco which were outstanding and affordable!

Another trip highlight was the Tambopata Research Center. Wildlife sightings were plentiful and the staff educated on the conservation efforts of the lodge. Temperatures are high, but the guides set a reasonable pace and planned hikes in the early morning, to avoid the afternoon oppressive heat.” —Beth Nury

Read more reviews of Peru trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

Uruguay: “An outstanding, diverse, and well-paced 12-day trip for me over the Christmas holidays…”

Jeannie Mullen riding a horse on the beach in Jose Ignacio.

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 over the Christmas holidays, and coordinated a smooth transition with a separately planned cruise to Antarctica which followed immediately thereafter.

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 Jose Ignacio, I’ve decided that if I ever decide to live outside the United States, I’m heading to Uruguay.” —Jeannie Mullen

Read more reviews of Uruguay trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

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Morocco: “We felt truly immersed in the culture of this incredible place and know we would not have had these experiences without our travel planner.”

“Glamping” in the Sahara Desert in Morocco

“Our group of ten travelers, including 5 adults and 5 teens, had a fabulous time in Morocco over winter break 2024. The company did an excellent job with both the planning and the execution of our adventure, which included a hot air balloon ride, a side-car tour, a cooking class, a private henna ceremony for the ladies, “glamping” in the desert, among many other things.

We felt truly immersed in the culture of this incredible place and know that we would not have had these experiences without our travel planner. For example, we had tea with a local berber family, visited a nomad camp, and stopped in lesser known places to learn about rug weaving, leather tanning and mosaic design. During our ten night-stay, we visited Marrakech, Dades, the Sahara Desert and Fes, with a few hours in Casablanca upon landing to visit the Hassan II Mosque..” —Melissa Squire

Read more reviews of Morocco trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

Chile: “Patagonia… not sure I have the adjectives to describe what is possibly the most majestically beautiful place on Earth.”

“Patagonia gets in your soul.” Photo: Southwind Adventures

“My husband and I just returned from an incredible almost 2 week adventure (12/28/24-1/10/25) in Chile where our visit took us to two extraordinary locations: Atacama and Patagonia… with much thanks to Tom, who planned a wonderful hassle-free itinerary with many moving parts.

In Atacama, Tom’s itinerary kept us on the move with our wonderful indefatigable guide Abelina ‘Abby’ who led us on challenging treks, brought us to the stunning Moon Valley and Rainbow Valley and other spots as we acclimated to the altitude, and even took my husband shopping for new hiking boots. Our stay at Noi Atacama was nice, comfortable, and well-located and the local town of San Pedro was buzzing around New Year’s. Highlights: AMAZING star gazing experience where we saw four planets including the rings of Saturn, the final magnificent sunset of the year overlooking Moon Valley, and the El Tatio Geyser field at sunrise, followed by a delicious tailgate breakfast.

Patagonia… not sure I have the adjectives to describe what is possibly the most stunning, majestically beautiful place on Earth. Our five day/six night stay in Patagonia began with two nights at the fabulous Singular Hotel — a 19th -20th century sheep processing facility re-imagined as a luxury hotel. This very special property begins with history, and the way in which it is honored, respected and incorporated into a 21st century hotel; then, the food and spa — both wonderful, and finally, a day-long boat excursion through the fjord surrounded by glaciers, with lunch at an estancia with a full barbecue, horse-back riding and hiking. Fantastic!

The hour long drive from The Singular to Patagonia Camp gave us a wonderful introduction to the region, and from the moment we arrived at Patagonia Camp it felt pretty close to perfect: warm, welcoming and gracious, excellent food and drink, and the yurts… cozy, private, fully appointed, comfortable treehouses tucked into the trees. And Patagonia Camp attracts wonderful guests from all over the world — an extra unexpected treat — who you get to know while hiking. New best friends in 8 hours! Talk about being sad to leave — Patagonia gets in your soul.” —Barbara Gross

Read more reviews of Chile trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

Egypt: “On our last night of the cruise, we went sand surfing in Aswan. It was a blast!”

Travelers on a camel ride near the Pyramids of Giza.

Ashley Point and her family on a camel ride near the Pyramids of Giza.

“We just returned from Egypt. 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. For three days we toured pyramids, museums, etc. We all enjoyed climbing into two pyramids. We also did a Bellies en Route walking food tour. It was wonderful to see and taste the city with the help of a local. 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. The staff on the Farah were the best, with their towel creations each night, ice cream every afternoon, and very clean accommodations. 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.

Jim addressed all of our safety concerns, but we trusted that he knew Egypt best, and he did. We never felt unsafe. The Egyptians were kind and friendly and happy to share their beautiful country with us. We are already booking our next trip with a WOW planner!” —Ashley Point

Read more reviews of Egypt trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

START A TRIP TO EGYPT

Australia & New Zealand: “A helicopter tour, kayaking, a day at a sheep station (including an elegant lunch with the owners)…”

Wilson Island, Great Barrier Reef.

“Our family of four, parents and two daughters in their 20s, traveled to Australia and New Zealand for 3+ weeks. Quite frankly, it would have been impossible to put together such a wonderful trip without the guidance, counseling, and bookings of our travel consultants. Everything went without a hitch, which is saying a lot for an almost-four-week itinerary.

We had initially thought we would only visit Sydney and Melbourne in Australia, but Stuart and Jacki persuaded us to tour Queensland and the rain forests, snorkel on the Great Barrier Reef, fly to Uluru to ride camels and experience the deep Outback, and take tours out of the cities to spots we know most tourists miss. The same held true in New Zealand, where Sarah and Sara staged a helicopter tour, kayaking, a day at a 36,000-hectare sheep station (including an elegant lunch with the owners at their home on the station), and a three-night stay at a beautiful two-bedroom cottage on a private estate winery on the North Island. We are most appreciative.” —Nancy Brooks

Read more reviews of Australia trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

START A TRIP TO PORTUGAL AND SPAIN

Portugal & Spain: “A Christmas to remember forever and ever!”

Sao Pedro do Corval, Portugal. Photo: Traveler Michelle Bodine

“Our family just returned from the most magical and well-planned trip to Portugal and Spain for Christmas and New Year’s! We were thrilled to have traveled at this time of year, and especially in Europe where the Christmas lights, trees and markets made it even better. We took our four children and their spouses and four grandchildren, so fourteen all together. Wendy lined us up with the perfect people to help us plan and then succeed on a 14-day excursion with 14 people, big and small, in Portugal and Spain. Gonçalo and Patrícia were phenomenal with their hotel accommodations, food and restaurant recommendations, tour guides that fit our needs of grandchildren ages 6, 3, 1 1/2 and 3 months, and activities that enriched our trip.

The itinerary was just what we wanted! It truly was perfect in every way. There was even flexibility, so if we needed to cancel a restaurant because we were going on a food tour and would not be hungry, we could. The amount of scheduled activities and free time to explore more was perfect. Gonçalo and Patricia are experts in what they do, and I would trust them again to plan the most satisfying travel experience for my family! We could not have done this trip without them. We thank them from the bottom of our hearts for planning a Christmas to remember forever and ever!” —Michelle Bodine

Read more reviews of Portugal and Spain trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

Japan: “A beautiful walk through the snowy town to our ryokan, where I enjoyed our room’s private balcony onsen…”

Jennifer Cheng and family at a sushi making class in Japan.

The Cheng family were tutored in the fine art of sushi-making.

“My two teens and pre-teen told me they wanted to visit Tokyo and go snowboarding in Japan,. Andrea told me that when my family went snowboarding, I had to see the snow monkeys, and he was right! 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

Read more reviews of Japan trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

START A TRIP TO ARGENTINA

Argentina: “We saw such varied things, from the sun-kissed vineyards of Mendoza to the grand colonial architecture in Salta…”

vineyards with snow-capped mountains in background Mendoza Argentina

The Andes and vineyards in Mendoza, Argentina. Photo: Shutterstock

“Maita and Florencia gave us a truly memorable week in Argentina that began 4 hours after the World Cup-winning soccer team arrived home at EZE airport! I had many concerns about traveling over the Christmas holiday. Despite obstacles, we had 5 terrific hotels and our guides were superlative. We saw such varied things, from the sun-kissed vineyards of Mendoza to the grand colonial architecture in Salta to the whole area around Purmamarca, a real discovery area for us. Ending at Iguassu falls was just perfect. We had to throw Maita and team some curve balls at the last minute: such as securing my husband and his 80-year-old mother last-minute back-up plane reservations and transfers from Ushuaia to meet me in BA on 12/20. They were able to help them on the run. We just loved our trip and we can’t wait to go back and discover more of remarkable Argentina! Next time: Lake district, glaciers and Patagonia! And maybe even more Purmamarca!

Travelers really should book all the internal air through Maita. The Aerolineas site does not work from the USA. Also, the private driver for crossing over to the Brazil side of Iguassu Falls is a must, the crowds were crazy there and we could not wait to get back to the relative calm of the Argentina side. Our driver Alex did a great job in tough conditions. Staying at the Melia right there is worth the extra money times 10!” —Mary Laronge

Read more reviews of Argentina trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

African safari: “We learned so much about nature and the wild from all our guides…”

A cheetah in Botswana’s Okavango Delta. Photo: Wilderness Safaris/Dana Allen

“We did an absolutely incredible three-week trip to South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Botswana from late December through mid-January. Julian listened to what we wanted and curated a wonderful itinerary with beautiful lodges, stunning game drives, very knowledgeable guides, impeccable service, and delicious food and drinks. And of course the stars of the trip were all the amazing animals.

We started in South Africa at Makweti Lodge, which is stunning and has just five suites. The staff couldn’t have been more warm and welcoming, always making sure we were having a great time. We also spent a few days in Cape Town and the neighboring wine region—gorgeous, with so much history and beauty! Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe was so majestic even at a fraction of its full flow.

We visited three camps in Botswana, each unique and amazing. Seeing elephants, hippos and all kinds of antelope right next to the lodges was super cool. The Okavango Delta is not to be missed, even during the rainy season. Camp Shinde was another one of our favorite camps, with top-notch service and gem viewing. The Desert and Delta Safari went above and beyond, flying us from one camp to another via helicopter twice because the bush planes couldn’t reach some locations because of the heavy rains. It was an unexpected and very special treat—twice!” —Tina Hunt

Read more reviews of African Safari trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

START A TRIP TO AFRICAN SAFARI

Antarctica: “This was the perfect way to tick off our 7th continent!”

Two emperor penguins walking in Antarctica.

Penguins, whales, and seals were both the setting and companions for holiday activities like snowshoeing, kayaking, and camping. Photo: Ryan Damm

“What a trip! For adventurous and sporty wildlife lovers, a cruise with Oceanwide Expeditions to Antarctica is not to be missed! A friend and I spent 12 days aboard the MV Plancius on the hunt for penguins, whales and seals and we were not disappointed.

It’s important to understand that only boats with less than 500 people are allowed to take clients ashore (100 people at a time) and the MV Plancius had only 100 passengers, meaning that it’s the perfect ship for people looking to maximize their time on the continent. Plus, Oceanwide’s base camp concept allows you to do all the activities—snowshoeing, kayaking, and camping overnight—which means you leave feeling like you’ve covered all the must-dos!

The ship’s guiding staff is spectacular and many are accomplished outdoorsmen pursuing advanced degrees in marine life and glaciology. The onboard staff are so kind and diligent and food was shockingly varied for a trip that took us so far from places to restock.

It was incredibly special to spend New Year’s Eve dancing with our fellow passengers near the Antarctic Circle. This was the perfect way to tick off our 7th continent!” —Katie Stiner

Read more reviews of Antarctica trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

START A TRIP TO ANTARCTICA

February Trip Ideas: Traveler Reviews to Inspire You

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If you’re looking to travel in February and wondering where on earth to go, take inspiration from your fellow travelers: Check out their reviews recounting their favorite February trips. Our intrepid travelers have scouted wintry destinations for the northern lights, warm-weather escapes in the southern hemisphere where February is summertime, and close-to-home getaways in Mexico and Costa Rica. These trips were optimized for February by the local fixers on our WOW List of Trusted Travel Experts.

You’ll find even more ideas in the February installment of our Where to Go When series, and you’ll find more traveler reviews here.

Unsure where to go in February? Click the black button below for our help.

START A TRIP TO NORWAY
MORE NORWAY REVIEWS

Norway for the northern lights (and daytime adventures with reindeer)

Northern lights explosion on snowy mountain range near coastline at Lofoten islands, Norway

Northern lights in the Lofoten Islands, Norway. Photo: Shutterstock

“Seeing the northern lights was on my bucket list, and Jan helped me plan every detail of the trip. The hotels were excellent, and we received many upgrades. Our hotel in Alta was particularly lovely, and our dinners there were incredible. Knowing how much we wanted to see the lights, and being disappointed twice before in Iceland, Jan steered us to Alta, in the northernmost part of Norway. He said it would give us the best shot. How right he was! We saw them three out of three nights!

Much of this is due to the incredible guides Jan arranged. Despite the fact that it was cloudy and snowing the first two nights, our guides looked at all the weather maps and found the area that had the most potential to clear up. It was a real drive, but the clouds disappeared and the lights danced.

Jan also suggested a visit to the area where the Sami live and herd reindeer. It was the best advice! These indigenous people live the same way their ancestors did, and it was a privilege to spend the day with them. Mathis, a Sami elder, met us and drove us over 30 miles on snowmobiles to watch the Sami move a herd of 2,500+ reindeer to higher terrain. After that, we snowmobiled back to his home, where he had prepared a delicious lunch of salmon and Arctic char. He generously and patiently answered all our questions and made us feel like welcomed guests. Our day with this incredible gentleman was truly the highlight of our trip, and it is an experience that will not be forgotten.” —Judy Wimpfheimer

To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

Cuba for a Caribbean getaway that’s a cultural deep dive

Cathedral of Santiago de Cuba on a sunny day.

The cathedral in Santiago de Cuba, the island’s second-largest city. Photo: Shutterstock

“The Wendy Perrin team scores again. Needing expert advice on travel to Cuba, I reached out and they connected me with Rob and Ana, who planned a wonderful trip! I am researching a book that involves Santiago de Cuba, the island’s second-largest city, and a less-visited destination than Havana. Ana understood instinctively what I needed, first steering me to an on-the-ground researcher, Alicia Howland, who did much advance work that narrowed my itinerary, and then putting me in the kind and extremely capable hands of Tania Vivar, a peerless guide during my four-day stay. I could not have asked for a better experience, from the first pickup at the Santiago airport to my last poignant goodbye.

Rob and Ana’s team booked me into a lovely private casa in a leafy suburban neighborhood, near the sites I most wanted to see, where the on-site garden provided daily fresh produce in a place where basic foodstuffs are in short supply. My spacious, air-conditioned room with ensuite bath was the perfect refuge at day’s end. Alicia and Tania’s knowledge of the city, and of Cuban history, made my stay so much richer, and Tania’s perfect English made communication a breeze.

Economic conditions in Cuba are grim indeed—especially in the eastern part of the island—but the resilience and fortitude of the Cuban people is inspiring, and so is the country’s rich cultural and social history. I simply could not have asked for more caring or capable shepherds to a destination that can be challenging, especially for a non-Spanish-speaking American. I am everlastingly grateful and cannot recommend Rob and Ana highly enough!” —Todd Purdum

This trip was arranged by a WOW List candidate. Here’s what that means.

Venice and Rome for a romantic Valentine’s Day without Italy’s usual crowds

Marsha Friedli and her husband during their gondola ride in Venice on a foggy day.

Marsha Friedli said the fog during her gondola ride made Venice “beautiful and evocative.”

WOW! A foggy gondola ride with guitar player and singer (part of our WOW Moment) was our introduction to Italy, specifically Venice, on Valentine’s Day. Around every turn, under every bridge, were sites to behold and cause wonder. The heavy fog made Venice so beautiful and evocative. We stayed at the Sina Palazzo Sant’Angelo Venice Hotel on the Grand Canal. Our room balcony was a perfect location to watch the water traffic comings and goings of daily life in Venice.

Another part of our WOW Moment was visiting the 1499 textile weaver, Tessitura Bevilacqua! My background is in textile & clothing so I was extremely surprised and pleased to experience this working factory/museum. Seeing the weavers work and delighting in their skill with the looms. Their patience with me and my many questions!

From Venice we went to Rome via the high speed train—fantastic way to travel! Arrived at the Rome train station where our escort and driver were waiting. So glad Jennifer arranged this as we would not have had an easy time with all the construction closures.

Our hotel for the next 6 nights was Martius Private Suites, just steps from the Pantheon. This was the perfect location as we walked to/from most of our touring sites and wonderful restaurants. A very fun happening was taking a golf-cart tour in Rome! Just a fun way to scoot around and visit some of the sites! We visited the Trevi fountain during its cleaning session. The size is enormous and with it filled with water you don’t really get the scale of the fountain.

Our driver dropped us off at a private Art Restoration experience that Jennifer and her team arranged for us. This was a truly wonderful experience for me to actually see and watch a 15th-century artwork being restored. This was a private experience and we were able to ask as many questions as we wanted and get up close to the work being restored and yes, take pictures! This experience helped me to appreciate the art even more during our visit. Without Jennifer and her contacts we would not have had this truly memorable experience.” —Marsha Friedli

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Brazil for Carnival and Caipirinhas

Sugarloaf Mountain and Botafogo Neighborhood in Rio de Janeiro by Sunset with Full Moon in the Sky

Imagine mixing your own caipirinha at the top of Rio’s iconic Sugarloaf Mountain. Photo: Shutterstock

“We booked a two-week trip to Brazil with Paul, and he came through big time. The best tour guide we’ve ever had, Lais, met us at the airport on arrival and transported us to the beautiful Hotel Fasano right on Ipanema Beach. We were able to spend two full days on the beach, where we really got a feel for the local culture.

My wife had wanted to see the dancers at Carnival, but we didn’t arrive in Rio until it was over. Somehow Lais pulled off a miracle and found a group that was meeting in a public park and recreating their Carnival performance. It was called a Samba Hangover Dance. We were able to hang out with the locals for a few hours and see the performance up close.

Then we went to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain, where we were met by a master craftsman who taught us how to make the best Caipirinhas we had on the entire trip. While in Rio we were able to eat at Garota de Ipanema, the cafe where Vinicius de Moraes originally saw the famous ‘girl from Ipanema’ go by before writing the lyrics to the song. On Paul’s advice, we also went to eat at Aprazivel restaurant in the hills above Rio for a delicious meal in a beautiful restaurant with an amazing view of the city below.

Next, we boarded a plane to Iguassu Falls. We stayed at the Hotel das Cataratas in the national park and only 100 yards from the falls. The hotel is the only one in the park and you often had the viewing areas to yourself. Our guide took us on a tour the next day of both the Argentinian and Brazilian sides of these gigantic, 2 ½-mile-wide falls. Seeing them was awe-inspiring, but taking a boat ride under them was exhilarating and an experience not to be missed. At Niagara Falls you get misted when taking the boat ride, but at Iguassu you actually go under the falls. It was safe and great fun.

We ended our trip with a stay in the colonial town of Paraty. We’d seen the big city while in Rio, the jungle in Iguassu, and now a peaceful, historical small town in the center of the country. Our stay at Casa Turquesa was magical. It’s a 9-room inn with a beautiful pool and lovely rooms. We enjoyed navigating the original rocky streets while visiting the shops in town. Paul had arranged a day trip on a schooner where we visited several bays and beaches and had lunch at a place that was only accessible by boat. It was a perfect, relaxing way to end our trip.

A final note about safety. In the United States we’d read traveler warnings and received a notice to beware of dengue fever from our government. Some friends were wary of us going to Brazil. In response I’d like to note that we never felt uncomfortable or unsafe for even a minute during our trip. Are there places in the city of Rio that you shouldn’t visit? Of course, just like in New York City. So don’t go there. Your guides will help you with that. I’ve told friends that Rio is like NYC, but with a better view. Even though we’d taken mosquito repellent to avoid getting dengue fever, we only used it once the whole trip and I never saw a mosquito the whole time.” —Ted Embacher

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Paris for unusual perspectives on the City of Light, from sidecar tours to macaron classes

View over the River Seine, Paris, France

Sunset over the River Seine, Paris. Photo: Bruno Abatti/Unsplash

“My teen daughter and I had a wonderful trip over her February week-long break. Jennifer was full of ideas to interest both of us. The perfume and macaron classes were big hits. We both enjoyed the sidecar tour and didn’t find it scary. I’m so glad we did it.

Jennifer listened carefully to our interests and suggested multiple properties in different areas. We chose Relais Christine for the historic beauty and lively neighborhood. We were pleased with this beautiful property with very kind and fast service.

I LOVED the VIP greeter service Jennifer recommended upon landing. Such a lifesaver, with efficient and speedy shepherding of us through the airport. Our flight to Paris had been delayed the night before and had a change of outbound airport, so it was a little stressful in the lead-up to departure. Landing with someone to take care of us immediately was a treat.” —Jane Kasey

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Mexico for its colonial cities that too many beach-resort-goers miss

Tony Ford-Hutchinson and wife Jane at Monte Alban, a pre-Columbian archaeological site in Mexico.

Tony Ford-Hutchinson and wife Jane explored Monte Alban, a pre-Columbian archaeological site.

“As our previous trips to Mexico have all been to resort areas, Jane and I realized we really needed to go to Mexico City to understand what the country is all about, including its complicated history.

Zach organized an outstanding trip. We stayed in the boutique hotel Casa Polanco, right in the Polanco neighborhood with restaurants, etc. all within walking distance. Zach was able to snag reservations at top restaurants, including Pujol, which was a short walk from the hotel and lived up to its reputation of being one of the world’s top restaurants. We visited Teotihuacan, the City’s historical center, and Frida Kahlo’s house. We also had a private after-hours tour around the Museum of Anthropology, a climb through Chapultepec Park to the Castle and its museums, and prime seats at a Lucha Libre (Mexican wrestling) match, followed by drinks and snacks in a Mezcaleria.

Then, in Oaxaca, Zach arranged several private artist studio tours. Many artists have made Oaxaca their home. We walked all around the town, ran into a Carnival procession, and met multiple wedding processions, all unexpected. With so many great restaurants and bars in Oaxaca, what is there not to like!

Finally, we flew to Tijuana and walked across the border from the air terminal (very easy) to meet our son in San Diego. Quite surreal.” —Tony Ford-Hutchinson

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Ecuador for nature’s extravaganza in the rainforest and cloud forest

A Mashpi glass frog clings to the rim of a pair of glasses. Photo: Traveler Robin Madden

“We just returned from a 10-day trip to Ecuador, with our two adult sons and one of their partners, and unlike most, we did not include the Galapagos in the itinerary. We chose to visit the Amazon and stay at Napo Wildlife Center, and Mashpi Lodge in the Cloud Forest. These two places were chosen due to their commitment to the local communities and preservation of the incredibly biologically diverse ecosystems in which they are each set. Carmen on Jordan’s team put together a seamless experience.

Though remote, the Napo Wildlife Center is both elegant and comfortable. Our experience included a local guide from the indigenous community. The lodge is owned and operated by the local community—a rarity in luxury lodges. Mornings started early, 5:30, but oh, the payoff! We saw multiple species of monkeys, more than 40 different birds, caiman, river otters, and a sloth, as well as various snakes and insects.

At Mashpi, Fernando was our guide, and he is the ‘frog whisperer.’ He is a biologist who did research there prior to becoming a guide and identified a new species, the ‘Mashpi glass frog,’ which he found for us on a night walk. We had the extraordinary luck of witnessing a battle between a wasp and a tarantula. The wasp won, killing the tarantula and depositing her eggs inside to hatch in about 10 days. Fernando videotaped the whole encounter. It was like watching a National Geographic special, but it was right there in front of us.” —Robin Madden

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Malta for temperate beaches and tranquil monasteries

Molly Borque and nine-month-old Jude on a sunset boat ride from Valletta to Senglea.

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Egypt for a luxe desert oasis, a Nile cruise, warm and welcoming people…

Jeannie Mullen and friends enjoying a private sunset dinner cruise on the Nile.

An unexpected treat was the tranquility and beauty of an eco-lodge in Siwa, a desert oasis west of Cairo and about 250 miles from the Libyan border. Adrere Almallal is a stunning lodge which offers guests an opportunity to unplug (no electricity and no wifi) and experience the life and pace that the desert affords. The tranquility, the staff, the FOOD, the candlelit rooms with wood-burning fireplaces and the night sky bursting with stars was such a gift. Highlights in Siwa were a trip into town to tour the Temple of the Oracle of Amun and the Spring of Juba (Cleopatra’s pool), a visit to an all-women’s workshop, shopping and sharing tea with the local Siwa merchants, and a 4×4 trip into the desert to ride the dunes, dune surf, hunt for fossils and watch a stunning sunset.

Our WOW Moment came in Aswan, after we disembarked from a Nile cruise and checked into the famous Old Cataract Hotel on the Nile. Wendy arranged for a private sunset dinner cruise that night which was just stunning. The crew members were lovely and the scenery was fabulous! Thank you again, Wendy!

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that, among the many, many experiences we had, the thing that stood out to each of us the most was the warm and welcoming spirits of the Egyptian people. Our trip was made all the more special by the lovely Egyptians that we crossed paths with along the way.” —Jeannie Mullen

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Costa Rica for a combo of cloud-forest adventures and beach relaxation

A waterfall in the Nectandra Cloud Forest, Costa Rica.

A misty waterfall in the Nectandra Cloud Forest. Photo: Traveler Mary Ann Smith

“Irene could not have planned a better trip for us. Visiting the Nectandra Cloud Forest was magical with the mist and educational with our expert guide, Arturo. It was great to start there to understand the ecological mindset of Costa Rica.

Our time at Nayara Tented Camp was beyond wonderful. Irene had balloons, a card, and a bottle of champagne in the room to celebrate my 80th birthday when we arrived. We also really enjoyed kayaking on Lake Arenal, doing the zip lines over the trees, and the Hanging Bridges Park. Thanks to your seminar on taking photos with cell phones, we got some wonderful pictures of waterfalls, birds, the yellow pit viper, and the red dart frog.

While on the drive from La Fortuna to Manuel Antonio, it was very interesting to see the countryside with coffee beans growing and all the tropical plants (under netting) that they grow for export. Upon arrival at Arenas del Mar we enjoyed another lovely room with a beautiful view, plus a great restaurant, a private beach, and great service.

Our white water rafting on the Savegre River was one of our best days. Jesus and Juan were great guides and despite the early questions about being able to do it at our age, they kept saying ‘excellente’ as we went through the rapids. We loved it!

Irene had arranged for us to fly back to San Jose from Quepos rather than driving which was a wonderful way to end the trip with views of the mountain range and 30 minutes of flying versus several hours of driving. It was more than we could have imagined!” —Mary Ann Smith

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