June is a popular month for travel around the world, and for good reason: The Northern Hemisphere is starting to warm up for summer and the kids are officially out of school; some of the world’s best-loved wildlife is out, too, and summer festivals are in full swing.
The travelers whose reviews you can read below all booked their trips the WOW way: Their trips were optimized for the month of June 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 June installment of our Where to Go When series, and you’ll find more traveler reviews here.
Unsure where to go in June? Click the black button below for our help.
Malta for cobbled streets, Baroque art, and war history
Traveler Vanessa Hulme got a private tour of the Palazzo del Prelato with its owner, above. Photo: Timothy Baker
“Damon put together an itinerary that ticked all of our boxes, plus more. Our time in Mdina was incredible. It is a truly remarkable place with cobbled streets, narrow alleyways, and a huge range of architecture. It was here that we had a private visit to the Palazzo del Prelato, where the owner showed us through the home his family has lived in for centuries. We especially loved Mdina at night, when we walked the streets and felt like we were the only people in the city.
In Valletta, there were numerous highlights: St. John’s Co-Cathedral, an unbelievable Baroque masterpiece that also includes Caravaggio’s only signed painting; a visit to the Ħaġar Qim & Mnajdra temples, structures 1,000 years older than the Great Pyramid; a guided tour through the Hypogeum, a magnificent underground burial complex which was in use between 4000 BC and 1500 BC (they only allow 10 visitors per hour, so we were extremely lucky to experience this); a close-up view of the cannon firing at the Upper Barrakka Gardens; a superb lunch at the King’s Own Band Club, established in 1874; and a private tour of the Lascaris War Rooms, the underground complex that was responsible for air defense of Malta during World War II. We are convinced these experiences would not have been possible without Damon’s connections.” —Vanessa Hulme
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Switzerland for “intimate, uncrowded” green hills and wineries
Deb Wente with her husband and the winemaker at a 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. We stayed in 3 different locations. First was Ascona, on Lake Maggiore. What a lovely small town. One day our guide took us into the Bavona Valley where we hiked to the top of a waterfall, then had a picnic lunch at a spluia (a living space built under a boulder). We may have seen a dozen other hikers and all were Swiss Italian. It was extraordinary.
On our drive from Ascona we arrived to the top of 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. Zermatt and the railway were a bit more crowded, but as we hiked down the mountain with our guide we were able to spread out and felt as though we had the mountain to ourselves.
Our last stop was Vevey, on the shores of Lake Geneva. 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
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Mallorca for early-season sun & sea on an isle fit for the stars
Elizabeth Crawford and family at a waterfront restaurant featured in The Night Manager mini-series.
“In Palma de Mallorca, Iván made sure we had a local guide to introduce us to the city. While winding us through the narrow streets, pointing out landmarks and helping us learn our way around, our guide Laura introduced us to local tapas bars and wines. The food was excellent, and we had our favorite wine of the trip in an exclusive wine bar that we would never have been able to get into on our own.
My husband had asked to see the scenic restaurant featured in the mini-series The Night Manager. Much to our surprise, Laura spoke to the restaurant matriarch, and we were able to have lunch in this gorgeous, exclusive setting. And when we finally arrived at our spectacular hotel on the cliffs of Port de Sóller, we felt like movie stars. We reveled in luxurious lounging at our hotel.
Later in the week, Iván arranged for a private sailboat excursion with a very experienced captain for us. We appreciated that we actually sailed—not something you can always count on—along the stunning coastline and loved swimming in the crystal-clear waters.” —Elizabeth Crawford
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Paris and Provence with strategies to manage the busy season
Gordes, a hilltop village in Provence, is famous for its stunning views. Photo: Traveler Leah Schulman
“We recently returned from a 9-night trip to Paris and the South of France, an active and engaging itinerary for 2 adults and 2 teenagers.
We spent 5 nights in Paris and Sarah, our local representative, connected us with an outstanding private tour guide for 3 separate excursions, including a scavenger hunt at the Louvre, a driving tour of all the city highlights and a day trip to Versailles. She also shared walking directions to explore Paris on our own, excellent dinner recommendations and tickets to a fun Seine river cruise.
After our time in Paris, we took a high-speed train to Avignon, where we picked up a rental car. With recommendations from Philip and Julie, we spent 2 nights in Aix-en-Provence and 2 nights in Cap d’Antibes. Our drive included exploring several small villages of interest including Gordes, Mougins, Rousillon and St. Paul de Vence. We enjoyed a half-day tour in Aix-en-Provence and a full-day tour of Nice, Eze and Monaco. Our private guides provided engaging information to our teens and shared out-of-the way spots known to locals.
France was definitely busy during our travel, but with the guidance of the team and the knowledge and access of our tour guides, we had very little waiting time at any of our stops. It was an active and engaging vacation and a lot of ground covered during the 9 days.” —Julie Schulman
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Hawaii for a multi-generational gathering with beach, volcano, and snorkel appeal
Volcanoes National Park (on the Big Island) has two of the world’s most active volcanoes. Photo: National Park Service
“With expert help from Dani and Jen, we had a wonderful multi-generational family vacation on the Big Island of Hawaii in June. We needed a house big enough for all of us that would be a great home base and enjoyable place for my mother to spend time when others were venturing out for more active days. We had a spectacular house with a large pool and amazing views of the beach and sunsets. The house was just a 5 or so minute walk down to the hotel’s great beach (best on the island, including one very friendly turtle), which made it easy for different members of the group to peel off for beach time while others stayed ‘at home.’
Before Kona, we spent a few days at Volcano House in Volcanoes National Park. The park is like no place on earth and the hotel is steps away from one of the largest volcanic craters. Other highlights included an amazing helicopter trip for me and my son with Blue Hawaii and driving the Chain of Craters Road in Volcanoes Park—both are must-do activities on the island—as well as the Waimea Saturday farmers’ market, snorkeling in Puako Bay (nearby to Mauna Kea) and eating shaved ice at every opportunity!” —Jeremy Silverman
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Panama for relaxing beaches (plus howler monkeys) without the crowds
Isla Palenque is a private-island resort located on the Pacific coast of Panama. Photo: Isla Palenque
“We worked with Pierre to plan a trip for our family of two adults and two teens that would include plenty of adventure and activity, along with great food and some relaxation. We started off in Panama City, where we immediately went to the Canal to view ships that stick to a strict schedule. After a stay at the gorgeous Hotel La Compania and an incredible dinner at Fondo Lo Que Hay, we flew up to Boquete for some mountain adventures! Our kids loved the swinging bridges hike, and the zip line adventure was awesome.
Isla Palenque. Wow, where do I start? The seafood was delicious and the fresh farm-to-table produce, homemade pasta, homemade ice cream (new flavors daily), fresh eggs, etc. were all so wonderful. The guided adventures and tours were so much fun! We tried them all: bird watching, hikes, snorkeling and island hopping adventure with a picnic, rock fishing, kayaking, bracelet making, and a cooking class! We also SUP’d multiple times and swam every day. I’d be remiss not to mention the howler monkeys on the island.
The kids liked it better than Hawaii because it was so relaxing and NOT CROWDED!” —Laura Jordan
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Italy for an “action-packed” trip with special access
Andrea Phillips’ daughter Claire wakeboarding on Lake Como, with Villa Balbianello in the background. Photo: Traveler Andrea Phillips
“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. This trip was also to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary, and Maria had suggested two stops along the way that were very special: 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 a dream. 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.
The other amazing stop was the Grand Hotel 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! We enjoyed the spa, the many pools and casual restaurants, and even had a private wakeboarding session one morning on the Lake! 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.
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 Il Campo (definitely because of Maria’s connections!). In Lucca, we rode bikes around the medieval walls where we crossed paths with a special parade of classic Fiat 500s. 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!” —Andrea Phillips
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Greece for archaeology, pottery lessons, and kayaking to red, white, and black beaches
The Parthenon temple in Athens is an enduring symbol of ancient Greece. Photo: Shutterstock
“Jacoline and her associates planned the absolutely perfect trip for our family of four (two late-teen daughters, my husband and I) to Greece. We planned to travel to Greece at the request of my daughter when she graduated from high school and began college as a classical archeology major. In Athens, we had a private tour of the Acropolis and the associated museum, and a fantastic food tour with an Athens native who took us through the meat and fish markets and to several non-touristy but locally-owned cafes, restaurants and small shops.
In Nafplio, we saw the known archaeological sites, but also hiked to a remote monastery up in the cliffs (straight out of Game of Thrones) and visited a remote village where we met the ‘town Grandma,’ who invited us into her home and served us coffee and fresh-baked treats on her porch overlooking the town, followed by lunch at a local tavern that my husband and daughter have declared the ‘best meal of their lives.’
In Santorini, we had a wine-tasting at a vineyard overlooking the Caldera, kayaked to Santorini’s various red, white and black beaches, had a pottery lesson with a 5th generation potter, and finished our visit with a private sunset cruise on a catamaran.” —Jennifer Rosenberg
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Peru for hiking to Machu Picchu and dune-buggying in the desert
If you can, make plans to approach Machu Picchu on foot. Photo: Brook Wilkinson
“My wife, kids (10 and 12 years old) and I had a fantastic trip to Peru, hiking four days on the Inca trail, visiting Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley, Cusco and Paracas. We were blown away by all that we learned about and saw of the Inca civilization. Visiting the Sacred Valley, which is in the Cusco region, was a great way to start. We saw a number of Inca ruins, and learned a great deal from our guide Ronny. The Inca architecture, engineering, farming, food storage, religion, social systems, political systems, communication systems, and on and on…. Every bit of it was jaw-dropping and fascinating.
But for me, what heightened the impact was four days hiking and camping on the Inca Trail. Akin to taking a Nile cruise to see sights that would otherwise be inaccessible, hiking from the Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu gave us the chance to see not just individual, hard-to-access sites, but even better, to see the connections between them all and get a sense of how the Incas knit it all together—areas with different climates, environments, agriculture, foods, etc. Walking the centuries-old trail and encountering still-standing aqueducts, temples, waystations, and granaries along the way had a profound impact that I do not think would have hit us had we only hopped from site to site by train or car.
When we got to Machu Picchu late the fourth day…what a reward. Everyone has seen pictures, but to pass through the Gateway of the Sun and see the complex surrounded, even dwarfed, by the dramatic topography around it, well, it leaves me without words just thinking about it.
At any other time, the rest of our trip would have shined more brightly, but honestly, it pales in comparison with Machu Picchu. We had fun in the desert/beach region of Paracas, and saw some cool stuff—penguins, flamingos, sea lions, cormorants in the wild—and we ate well, but hey, we had just hiked the freaking Inca Trail! Of this part of the trip, the big highlight was the stunning Huacachina oasis and the roller-coaster-like dune buggy ride around its environs. Big fun.” —John Strachan
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
England & Scotland for castles, manors, abbeys, and rural villages
View from Eilean Donan Castle in Scotland. Photo: Traveler Melvin Woodworth
“What we wanted most of all was a sensory experience of Great Britain, bringing to life a broad sampling of the different historical, regional and hierarchical offerings of the island. Our wish list included castles, abbeys, manor houses, local foods and gardens. We wanted to visit the big cities, small villages and rural farmlands. Several of our favorite stops had not been on our list of desires, such as the Two Chairmen Pub, Castle Howard, Writer’s Museum in Old Town Edinburgh, up close and personal with Highland Coos, Eilean Donan Castle, Dalmally-Lochawe, Whitby-Goathland train station, a Tartan factory and Inverary Jail.
Our visceral learnings were all through our senses: the peaceful and rich openness of the moors; the smell of salt air, sound of waves, beauty of dunes and beaches of the North Sea; the sights and sounds of Morris Men in Bampton; the timeless cry of bagpipes near the ancient walls of Edinburgh Castle; calm, clear waters of the many Lochs reflecting sky and mountains; and the feel of cobbles underfoot in the early morning and late at night walks.” —Candice and Melvin Woodworth
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Turkey for a city-and-sea adventure
A gulet on Turkey’s Aegean Coast. Photo: Timothy Baker
“Karen planned a 9-day trip for me and my family to Istanbul and the Turkish Coast. Istanbul is busy and overwhelming and our guide Saleem navigated us seamlessly throughout and we learned so much from him too! Next, we flew to Bodrum for a 5-night cruise aboard a Turkish gulet.
The excitement and joy on my 11-year-old son’s face when he saw the cruise we were about to embark on was a memory I will cherish. Captain Nihat and the rest of the crew on the boat were professional and the service was high-level. It is rare to get service like this in the States, or anywhere we travel. The cruise was gorgeous, the food was amazing, and we had the best time.” —Lisa Manning
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Norway for agritourism above and below the Arctic Circle
Aurland, on Sognefjorden, Norway’s longest and deepest fjord.
“We traveled from Oslo to Nesseby, which is past the Arctic Circle near the Russian border. Torunn tailored the trip to our preferences, which lean toward a bit of adventure and agritourism. 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. He served the crab we caught in 3 different preparations, each of which was excellent.
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
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Croatia for medieval history, biking on Hvar, and sailing in Dubrovnik
Andrea Shaver Carpenter and her husband biking on Hvar Island.
“We had a lovely, romantic trip down the coast of Croatia, planned by Ala. Since my husband loves Roman and medieval history, we asked for a mixture of knowledgeable guides and fun activities. Hvar was the definite highlight of our trip. After hearing that we love (casually) biking, Ala put together a 22-mile custom bike tour for us on Hvar. My husband and I agree that the bike ride through the island’s small towns, followed by a picnic lunch cooked by a local farmer on her coastal olive farm before we rode back along the coast, was an absolutely unbeatable experience.
We wrapped up the trip in Dubrovnik, immersing ourselves back in the history of Croatia. We especially liked the sailing trip on our last day. It was a lovely way to end an excellent trip.” —Andrea Shaver
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Belize for father-daughter adventure and scuba certification
Traveler Kate Nury in Belize learning how to make chocolate.
“My daughter and I have begun a tradition of taking a father/daughter adventure trip each summer. Our trip was a mix of mountains, ocean, and jungle. Hidden Valley Inn is a secluded eco-lodge on 7,200 acres in the central mountains, our suite overlooking a verdant, green valley. Our first adventure of the trip was a hike to Butterfly Falls, a secluded, beautiful waterfall with a crystal pool at the bottom that beckoned us to take a dip. Refreshing! The restaurant and bar at Hidden Valley are a real treat, but the best culinary experience is the chocolate production class to learn how chocolate is made.
After the mountains, Brainard drove us to the beautiful beaches at Turtle Inn in the little town of Placencia. The next day began our true adventure: scuba certification. Benji made our three-day class fun and kept us safe throughout the entire process. Before long, we were diving to see sharks, rays, jellyfish, and so much more.
The last day of the trip was a jungle adventure. We hiked high into the mountains to the top of Antelope Falls, where we rappelled down a waterfall into the foliage below. ” —Doug Nury
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Galápagos for perfect temps, the Amazon for jungle and indigenous culture
The pristine water of the Galápagos Islands, Ecuador. Photo: Shutterstock
“The weather in the Galápagos in early June was a perfect temperature (high 70’s/low 80’s). The water temperature was warm enough that some fellow passengers chose not to wear the full-length wetsuits we were given. Our Naturalist guide, Harry, born and bred in the Galápagos, was very knowledgeable, very patient and made each excursion entertaining. We swam with sea turtles, penguins, sea lions, sharks and an array of fish. On our hikes, we observed tortoises, flamingoes, iguanas, sea lions and several varieties of boobies and birds.
Our next stop was La Selva Lodge in the Amazon. The transportation to the lodge, a motorized large canoe (water taxi) on the Napo River followed by a smaller canoe, is an adventure in itself. The staff at the Lodge as well as our Naturalist Guide (Danny), who was from the local indigenous community along with his uncle who worked with him, were all amazing. They could spot the smallest of creatures even in the dark of the jungle.
The Amazon is naturally hot and humid and you definitely have the feeling of being in the jungle. We rarely saw a mosquito as Ecuador is working with other countries to eradicate malaria. We were lucky to see diverse selection of flora and fauna including a sloth, caimans, spiders, several varieties of monkeys, birds, tree frogs as well as a large variety of interesting plant life and trees. A highlight was visiting the local indigenous community and seeing a snapshot of their life.
As with most wildlife excursions, you are up early almost every day both in the Galápagos and the Amazon. In both locations we had time midday when the sun is at its strongest to read, rest (or have an amazing massage at La Selva).” —Martha Rubenstein
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Portugal for antiquities, beaches, vineyards, and festival revelry
Noreen and Rick Carvolth with friends in Porto, overlooking the Douro River.
“Just returning from an amazing trip to Portugal, along with our good friends Ivan and Carolyn Gowan. Gonçalo’s planning process was super-friendly, easy and thorough, resulting in a trip that perfectly met all our goals and expectations. We gathered in Porto and over three days got to know the city and its historic sites with the help of two private tour guides.
Our next leg was an incredible drive into the magnificent Douro Valley. In addition to private winery tours, a highlight was an afternoon cruise on the Douro River. Then we were off to Coimbra with a stay at the historic Quinta das Lagrimas, an 18th-century palace in the heart of the city. The Roman ruins of Conimbriga were eye-opening with their detailed mosaics and preserved peristyles. We then drove through the beautiful Alentejo country, stopping in the little medieval towns of Belmonte and Marvao with the Castles panoramic views into Southern Spain. At the Torre de Palma Hotel we lunched in an olive grove amid its own Roman ruin. Then we were on to the Algarve region, stopping in Evora and Mertola, two ancient but vibrant cities.
Next stop came the town of Tavira, with its charming beachside hustle and bustle. Out of the port of Portimao we took an all-day sailing cruise complete with sightseeing, swimming, and exquisite cuisine. We were fortunate to visit Lisbon during the Festival of St. Anthony. The city was alive with revelers, music, and many friendly people—natives and visitors alike.
It’s safe to say that with this trip we experienced a slice of almost all that Portugal has to offer—old and new, urban and rural, coast, mountains, rivers, and countryside.” —Noreen and Rick Carvolth
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Croatia, Italy, Slovenia, and Switzerland for gastronomy tours and e-bike excursions that sidestep summer crowds
Lisa Redburn during a cooking lesson at Tatjana Ciciliani’s home in Trojir, Croatia. Photo: Traveler Tom Redburn
“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.
Some of our most memorable moments were a gastronomic walking tour of Bologna, a guided E-bike ride along the Appian Way in Rome, a guided cable car ride and walk to the top of Anacapri, and two hikes in the Dolomites. And that’s just Italy.
In Croatia and Slovenia, we enjoyed a guided walk up Mt. Srd above Dubrovnik, where two women 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 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 (18-course tasting menu), 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!) 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.
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
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Bora Bora for a catamaran charter during the pleasant trade-wind season
An underwater view off Tahaa Island, French Polynesia. 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!” —Vanessa Hulme
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Australia for cooler days, outback adventures, and ideal conditions on the Great Barrier Reef
Sailing on Sydney Harbour. Photo: Tourism Australia
“This was our 4th trip to the wonderful country of Australia, and we decided to visit Queensland and the Northern Territory. Kylie was invaluable with regards to arranging travel partners and visiting the natural and historic aboriginal sites. We started our adventure with 3 days in Sydney, having been to Australia before but never had time allotted for enjoying Sydney. We also completed a desire of mine—Sydney Bridge Climb!
After Sydney, we stayed in the lovely town of Port Douglas. Several good walk/hiking paths and Four Mile Beach both were steps from our hotel. Then on to a lovely lodge in the rainforest. We went river rafting, drift snorkeling in the Mossman River. Visited the Great Barrier Reef for more snorkeling and a sunset cruise. After leaving the very relaxing Port Douglas area we traveled to Darwin for our next adventure.
This is where we traveled by heavy-duty, all-terrain transport to the aboriginal parks of Kakadu and Arnhem Land. The wildlife we saw—flying foxes chattering in the trees and also flying overhead; crocs sunning on the banks of the billabong and swimming; too many birds to keep track of, all delightful! We went hiking in the parks to reach very old aboriginal rock artwork. Since we were in the north country, safety was paramount as we were in some very remote areas, no cell service or even people for miles and miles around. We went fishing. And we had to be mindful of crocs—no hands over the side of the boat. As one of our fellow travelers was reeling in a fish and ready to take it off the hook a shark came and bit the fish clean off, only leaving the head! That was an eye opener!! We also went mud crabbing — delicious to eat! Our camp was quite nice for being in the very top end of the Cobourg Peninsula. And an added bonus was being able to fly from Cobourg to Darwin, by 5-seat private plane. It was so interesting to see the terrain we had traveled by SUV from the air.
Staying at Uluru at the end of our trip was really a highlight! From the arranged hikes, to the meals with wine, and dinner under the stars with an astronomer who was able to tell the aboriginal stories and point out the constellations—a magical night under the Milky Way!!” —Marsha Friedli
This trip was arranged by a WOW List candidate. Here’s what that means.
South Africa for celebrating graduation with whale-watching, hiking, and a safari
Lynn Casper planned a safari to celebrate the college graduation of her son Thomas (shown here atop Table Mountain in Cape Town). Photo: Traveler Clare Casper
“My two children and I celebrated my son’s college graduation by taking a trip for the ages! Five days in South Africa included the awe-inspiring Grootbos Nature Preserve at the bottom of the continent. We explored ancient caves, went whale watching, hiking, and thoroughly enjoyed the unforgettable cuisine at Grootbos! After a day touring and hiking on the magnificent Table Mountain, we set off to Botswana for 6 days at 3 different safari camps. Each camp was in a different ecosystem, which was something we never would have considered. I knew I would see the animals but did not expect to learn so much from the guides at each camp.” —Lynn Casper
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Indonesia for prime weather to snorkel, ride horses, climb an active volcano…
Chris Kloes and her family in East Java, Indonesia, viewing Mount Bromo and its caldera at sunset.
“We thought Indonesia was an exceptionally beautiful country, with interesting history, gorgeous art and relics, and incredible food. 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
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
We 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. Plataran Bromo was 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. 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
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 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.” —Chris Kloes
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Vietnam for fishing villages, their extraordinary bounty and cuisine
Stunning coastal scenery and fishing-community culture are central to summer in Vietnam. Photo: Traveler Robyn Needham
“Vietnam is the land of opportunity today and a place we highly recommend you visit. We spent 17 days exploring from the North to the South on a trip planned by Ethan and Sandy. The Vietnamese people are welcoming, friendly and fantastic to be around. We quickly learned that Vietnamese culture is centered around family, and families come together every day to share the fantastic Vietnamese food.
We began our journey in Hanoi. We toured the bustling city, from the historic Hanoi Hilton (where American POWs were kept during the war) to the food-market streets. We traveled to Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and spent two nights on a four-cabin ship sailing amazing areas. Highlights of our experience were hiking to caves in this limestone cliff region, kayaking through a fishing village where houses are on the water, and kayaking to a secluded bay to swim without any crowds.
In Huế, we had unique opportunities to visit two family homes. The first was the home of a professional calligrapher, and we all participated in practicing calligraphy. In the second home we practiced Vietnamese as we enjoyed an amazing meal and homemade rice wine (don’t think sake but, rather, more like vodka).
We were then off to Hội An and Da Nang. We toured the rivers, took a ride on a ’round boat’ that fishermen still use and that can rotate at such a rate that I am still dizzy thinking about it—such fun. We also visited a fishing village and raised the fishing nets and threw casting nets to truly experience their daily lives.
In Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), highlights included two boat trips up and down the Saigon River—to the Củ Chi Tunnels, which are preserved Viet Cong tunnels, and to the Mekong Delta area where we rode bikes to a temple and shared rice wine at the home of a local producer.
It was in the 90s each day and humid, but the guides were very attentive to hydrating us and cooling us down at needed intervals. Our primary goal in travel is to meet locals, learn their culture, values and experience a little of how they live. We accomplished that in Vietnam and are forever changed for the positive from this amazing trip.” —Robyn and Dan Needham
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