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7 Keys to Traveling Without Fear by Understanding the Risks

Between terror attacks, mass shootings, and other violent incidents, we’re living in a world where anything can happen anywhere at any time—in an office building in midtown Manhattan, at a school in Austria, on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, at a Christmas market in Magdeburg, at a synagogue in Pittsburgh, at a nightclub in Orlando…and, of course, at a music festival in Israel.

The answer is not to stop traveling or to avoid huge swaths of the globe out of a misperception that your risk is greater there than anyplace else. The answer is to keep traveling, to make friends around the world, and to be a thoughtful ambassador for your country.

Of course, while your head may agree with me, your gut may be apprehensive. You may be making travel plans—or trying to—and you can’t help but wonder: If I go, what is the risk that I will get caught in a physical attack? How do I minimize that risk? If I can’t minimize it, how do I get over my fear?

I believe the solution is to put your risk in perspective. Here’s how:

1. Grasp how minuscule the statistical probability is of getting caught in an attack abroad.

In terms of street crime and gun violence, most of the U.S. cities we live in are statistically more dangerous than the places we visit abroad. Your risk of being killed in a car crash (one in 19,000), drowning in your bathtub (one in 800,000), or being killed by lightning (one in 10 million) far exceed your risk of dying from a terror attack (one in 20 million).

2. Don’t confuse the probability of an attack with the probability of becoming the victim of an attack.

Is it virtually certain that there will be a terror attack in Europe within the next 12 months? Yes. Does that translate into a high degree of risk for the individual traveler to Europe? No.

3. Know where the real dangers lie.

When planning a vacation, we tend to worry more about spectacular risks—say, an exploding bomb, or an epidemic of norovirus on a cruise ship—than about mundane risks like, say, overexposure to the sun, even though one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in the course of a lifetime. Remember that the single biggest cause of death for Americans traveling overseas is motor vehicle accidents.

4. Understand the reasons why your fear of an attack is out of proportion to the risk.

There are psychological reasons why we are more afraid of terror attacks than logic would dictate. We’re more afraid of risks that are new and unfamiliar than of those we’ve lived with for a long time (e.g., heart disease, which accounts for one in every three deaths in America each year). We’re more afraid of risks that kill us in particularly gruesome ways—say, a plane crash, a shark attack, or the Ebola virus—than in mundane ways. We’re less afraid of risks we feel we have some control over, such as skiing and driving, even if it’s only the illusion of control. (Most people think their driving is safer than it actually is. We’re all one text message away from death on the road.) We’re more afraid of human-made dangers than of those with natural causes, such as solar radiation or earthquakes. We’re more afraid of risks that are highly publicized, especially on television, and those that involve spectacular events. One incident with multiple deaths has a much greater impact than many incidents each involving a single death. That is one reason why we fear plane crashes more than car crashes (even though the latter are far more likely).

5. Don’t focus so much on unlikely risks that you ignore common risks that are far more likely to hurt you.

Frightened people make dangerous choices. As an example, after 9-11, people chose to drive rather than to fly. As another example, cruisegoers may be so focused on washing their hands frequently in order to avoid norovirus that they forget to reapply their sunscreen.

6. Appreciate that what’s bothering you is not risk itself but your uncertainty as to the degree of it.

The problem you face as you try to plan a trip is that you don’t really know what your risk is, or how safe one country or venue is versus another. We try to weigh the risk of one destination over another by looking at the historical record of violent incidents there. What’s tricky is that we don’t know how relevant the historical record is. Will the future be different than the past? We don’t know. Even when you can’t know the degree of risk, though, you can…

7. Lessen those risks you do have some control over.

You can say to yourself: “What is the likelihood of the situation affecting my trip? Pretty tiny.” And you can lessen those risks you do have some control over. You can drive very carefully on your way to the airport.

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12 Simple, Easy Steps to Protect Yourself When Traveling Abroad

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Many of us focus so much on travel risks that are highly unlikely—violent crime, terror attacks, catching some gruesome rare disease—that we forget about mundane risks that are far more likely to ruin a trip: traffic accidents, pickpockets, food poisoning…. Here are 12 simple things you can do to prevent common threats.

Drive carefully to/from the airport.
Motor vehicle accidents are the most common cause of death of Americans overseas. In fact, instead of renting a car and wrangling with foreign rules of the road, consider hiring an English-speaking driver-guide who picks you up in a private car and knows the key shortcuts, parking spots, sightseeing stops, and local people en route. You can do and see twice as much in half the time. (If you’re seeking a first-rate driver guide, I can point you to the best sources via this trip questionnaire.)

A street in Sri Lanka, where pedestrian accidents are a far greater threat than civil unrest. Photo: Timothy Baker

Look both ways before crossing the street.
Motor vehicle “rules” in many countries are not what you’re used to back home.

"Look Left" sign on a sidewalk in London, England.

Looking both ways can save your life all over the globe, not just in London. Photo: Timothy Baker

Leave valuables at home.
Most of us have learned to leave fancy jewelry at home, but we now bring all manner of fancy electronics. Consider leaving your larger and more expensive electronics at home.

Use your in-room safe.
Store your passport in it. Leave the Do Not Disturb sign on your hotel room door when you’re not in the room.

Use trustworthy Wi-Fi.
I carry my own portable Wi-Fi hotspot rather than logging into free Wi-Fi on the street.

Watch out for scam artists.
In big cities, pickpockets may prey on tourists, especially in crowded transportation hubs and at famous landmarks. Clothing with internal zippered pockets, or a neck pouch, are a good way to keep cash and credit cards safe as you walk around and sightsee. If you’ll be carrying a handbag, use a cross-body one.

In Pompeii, Italy, I wore a cross-body purse—and clutched it to fend off unwanted fingers. Photo: Timothy Baker

A few examples of scam artists:

I was walking in Buenos Aires once—in a good neighborhood, in broad daylight—when suddenly some inky, foul-smelling liquid landed on me and my husband. Two young women sympathetically showed us an outdoor faucet where we could clean it off. Suspicious, we opted to remain a mess and started to walk away—at which point the duo offered Kleenex. They seemed a little too eager to help, so we quickly left the area. Back at our hotel, the concierge immediately guessed which street corner we’d been standing on and confirmed that we had nearly fallen for a common con: Had we put down our bags to clean up, they would have made off with them.

Other traditional scams in certain countries include the handbag snatch (you’re sitting at an outdoor café, you place your handbag on the ground or hang it on your chair, and somebody grabs it and runs off), the fake street fight (boys pretend to beat each other up, one approaches you in tears, pleading for money so he can get home to safety, you pull out your wallet and the kids grab it and race off), the crowded subway car (a group of women and children waltz into your subway car in a distracting whirl of colorful scarves and skirts, remove your wallet from inside your pocket, and exit before the doors close), and even the baby toss (a woman tries to hurriedly hand you an infant—some actually toss you a doll, in hopes that you will instantly drop your bags to catch it. An accomplice then swipes your belongings).

View of a busy street and restaurants in Valletta, Malta.

Malta is very safe. Just avoid one of the biggest mishaps that land travelers in foreign hospitals: tripping on uneven cobblestones. Photo: Wendy Perrin

Dress smart.
I wear jackets and tops with internal zippered pockets that nobody else’s hands can reach. Rather than carrying my wallet, I keep small bills and credit cards in various pockets, so that I never have to take out the whole wallet. If you must carry your wallet in your outside pants pocket, wrapping rubber bands around it makes it more difficult for a pickpocket to extract it. Don’t wear brand new white sneakers. They’re a dead giveaway that you’re a tourist.

Don’t pull out a map or smartphone and scrutinize it on the street, oblivious to the people around you.
Step inside a restaurant or shop if you want to check your map or study your phone.

Think before you photograph someone.
Don’t photograph policemen or anyone who does not want his/her photo taken. Here are some more tips on photo etiquette when you travel.

Program local emergency numbers into your cell phone.
I often ask my hotel concierge for those numbers.

Carry your hotel’s business card in the local language.
Have at least one of these so you can show it to non-English-speaking locals (e.g., a cab driver) and get back to your hotel quickly in an emergency.

A business card of Palais Namaskar in Marrakesh, Morocco.

A business card I took from the front desk of a hotel in Marrakech, Morocco.

Carry a mini-flashlight (so you’re never caught in the dark).
I once made the mistake of not packing one and learned that lesson the hard way. You can read all about my best travel mistake here.

December Trip Ideas: Traveler Reviews to Inspire You

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Whether you’re searching for a getaway between the Thanksgiving and Christmas rushes (one of the most affordable travel windows of the year) or a festive holiday trip, there are more smart December options than you may realize. Get inspired by the trip ideas below—your fellow travelers’ December favorites. These trips were optimized for December by the local fixers on our WOW List of Trusted Travel Experts.

You’ll find even more ideas in the Winter Holidays installment of our Where to Go When series, and you’ll find more traveler reviews here.

Unsure where to go in December? Click the black button below for our help.

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Panama for an affordable getaway when Caribbean islands are priced far higher

The view of Gulf of Chiriqui, on Panama's Pacific coast.

The Gulf of Chiriqui, on Panama’s Pacific coast. Photo: Hotel Bocas del Mar

“Pierre designed a trip that was perfect for us! We started in Panama City, where we had a walking tour and a VIP tour of the Panama Canal. Usually Canal visitors can only look from a balcony, but we were able to walk out onto the Canal deck and see the operations up close with our private guide.

Next we had a short flight to David and then drove to Boca Chica and spent three days at the beach. We snorkeled, swam and had a picnic on a private island. We even waterskied! Our resort, Bocas Del Mar, was an excellent choice for our family of five.

Following the beach, we drove to Boquete. Spending time in the cloud forest was like a completely different trip. We stayed at a coffee plantation and drank the best coffee I’ve ever had. We did a guided, challenging hike to the three lost waterfalls. A highlight was shopping at the market with a chef and cooking traditional Panamanian food in his restaurant.” —Beth Nelson

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Portugal for country charm—the weather is fine for walks and winery visits—and uncrowded cities

The river Guadiana and the village of Mertola. Alentejo Region. Portugal

The Guadiana River and the village of Mértola in the Alentejo. Photo: Shutterstock

“Goncalo planned every detail of our Portugal trip to perfection. We started in the Alentejo—which we had not even thought of going to—and it was the perfect place to get over jet lag and recover in a gorgeous hotel and setting. From there we went to Porto, where he planned amazing walking tours and a day trip to the Douro with an incredible winery visit and lunch. We also had a WOW Moment at Claus Porto, a private workshop that started in Porto in 1887, and we had an incredible experience making soap.

After Porto came Lisbon. Goncalo planned our itinerary so that we had stops with tours on the way to each city, and everyone who toured us or drove us around knew so much about Portugal’s history. December was a great time to be in Portugal, and Goncalo made it a truly wonderful experience from the second we landed until we got on the plane to come home. We did not have to think of anything—he already had it all figured out. We can’t wait to go back!” —Jennifer Andrews

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Colombia for an exotic getaway with geographic diversity, easy access, no jet lag

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, greenery-bedecked facades. Photo: Shutterstock

“We had a lot of requirements for our family’s (kids 17 & 19 yrs old) vacation: warm weather, adventure, culture, food!, direct flight, and small, if any, time change because my husband had to leave early due to work commitments. Amazingly, we found all those things on our trip to Colombia, a beautiful, colorful, and culturally and geographically diverse country!

Wendy’s team put us in touch with Boris, who put together a trip that covered all the bases, with stops in Cartagena, Medellin and Bogota. Our activities and guides were top-notch, but there were several highlights, including a private rum, chocolate, and Colombian fruit tasting—what’s not to like?

Our time in Medellin was packed with varied and fascinating experiences ranging from culture to farms. Casa de la Memoria Museum in Medellin is not to be missed, as it details the conflict and history of when the drug cartels plagued the city. These events are so recent that people have first-hand memories. The same is true for Comuna 13, a maze of alleys built into the hillside (like most on Medellin), where the graffiti tells the story of the people and events of the district. The city has undergone an amazing renaissance and is now vibrant and lively. Paragliding over the hills of the city was good fun.

One big surprise was our visit to an orchid farm, which has the largest variety of orchids in the world. The climate in Colombia is perfect for growing these beautiful flowers. We were guided through the greenhouse by one of the scientists, who himself had discovered three types of orchids. I thought our teens would be bored at this stop, but we all loved it!” —Wendy Minocha

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Morocco for an emphasis on local food, wine, spices—and the markets where you find them

A spice stall at a market in Marrakech, Morocco.

A spice stall at a market in Marrakech. Photo: Shutterstock

“I had a general idea of the cities and sites that we wished to visit, and Radia developed them into a thoughtful and exciting itinerary, including such highlights as a gourmet lunch and wine tasting in a beautiful vineyard near Fez, an excursion to the Roman ruins of Volubilis, a motorcycle and vintage sidecar tour through Marrakech’s medina, and a sunset camel ride in the desert.

Radia helped us choose excellent restaurants for all our meals and handled all the reservations, and she also arranged a very fun market tour and cooking lesson in Fez, where we learned to make chicken tagine on a rooftop kitchen overlooking the city. We cannot wait to return to Morocco.” —Sarah Balassa

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A British Virgin Islands yacht charter for island- hopping at your own speed

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

The Silvermans’ “magical week” of island hopping suited the needs of everyone in the family. Photo: Traveler Jeremy Silverman

“We had some initial concern that a week on a sailboat would be too much togetherness for our family of four (with kids ages 17 and 21) but, after an introductory call with Mandy, we were comfortable that a charter could accommodate our family dynamics.

Among other considerations, our 21-year-old is on the autism spectrum—he is high-functioning, but we would need the right space and, most importantly, the right crew for the vacation to be fun and comfortable (physically and otherwise). Mandy’s expertise and detailed knowledge of the available boats, and her personal relationships with the crews, were clear from our first conversation. She was extremely responsive, and our planning process was personalized to our unique needs and priorities.

Within minutes of arriving in St. Thomas, meeting Captain Christian and Chef Laura, and getting settled onto One Love, we knew we had made the right choice. The boat is beautiful, the bedrooms more spacious and comfortable than we expected, and the overall design and layout of the boat allowed for everyone to have their favorite spaces.

Our daily routine generally included my wife and I waking up for coffee on the flybridge for sunrise, followed by a leisurely breakfast (earlier for us, later for the kids) and usually some morning snorkeling or paddleboarding for me. From there, we would usually have some group morning activity, like a great snorkel spot (Maho Bay and Little Lameshur Bay in the U.S. Virgin Islands, and The Indians, Cistern Rock, and the wreck of the RMS Rhone in the British Virgin Islands stand out) and delicious lunch on the boat before sailing for a couple of hours to another beautiful location. At some point mid-to-late afternoon, we would arrive at a gorgeous bay for more water activities—snorkeling, paddleboarding or even tubing or wakeboarding off the back of the dinghy. Afternoon would lead into sunset appetizers and cocktails, then a fantastic dinner, family game night, and then off to sleep and dream about the next day, then wake up and repeat!

One Love offered plenty of space for everyone to enjoy their preferred environment at all times of day. During the sailing part of the day, each of us gravitated to their personal favorite location and activities. One of the many benefits of this type of vacation is the flexibility and spontaneity it allows. Our days always had some plan, but we truly could do what felt right in the moment and shift in whatever way was best for us. One evening, the fish activity under the boat was amazing— tarpon and other fish were swimming all around us after dinner. I asked my daughter if she wanted to do a night snorkel, she said yes, and we were in the water in about seven minutes. We snorkeled in darkness with a flashlight and saw things we’d never seen before or in the same way. Along the way, we found ourselves eye-to-eye with two cuttlefish that were rapid-fire changing colors in every shade of luminescence. Normally, they are skittish and you can’t get close, but they were literally inches away.

We could go on forever about our magical week on One Love. We are already looking forward to Mandy helping plan our next sailing charter vacation, maybe in Greece or Croatia (or both)!” —Jeremy Silverman

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Bruges, Dresden & Prague for early-birding Christmas markets

Christmas market in Old Town Square, Prague, Czech Republic.

European holiday markets are renowned for old-world arts and fairytale ambience. Photo: Shutterstock

“My wife and I had never used a travel specialist but decided to enlist the help of one on a trip to visit Christmas markets in three European countries. Through Wendy’s website, we connected with Gwen. Wow, what a difference Gwen and her team made! Gwen’s expertise allowed us to make the most of our days while leaving our nights free to visit the Christmas markets.

Since we were new at this, and to determine the value of using a specialist, we planned the first leg of the trip ourselves (Bruges), used a hybrid approach with the second (Dresden), and relied on a travel specialist exclusively for the third (Prague). The trip that Gwen planned was by far the most enjoyable, stress-free and fulfilling.

The private tours that Gwen scheduled in Dresden provided helpful historical context and local insight. We visited well-known sites such as the Green Vault and the Old Masters Gallery, but also visited neighborhoods to see works by local artists. A particular highlight was visiting the site memorialized in Kurt Vonnegut’s Slaughterhouse Five. Just as important, we connected with our tour guides (Cosima and Klaus) on a personal level. What we learned from the stories our guides shared is not something that we would’ve learned on our own.

The private transfers arranged for us in Prague were top tier. We didn’t know how much that would mean to us until we got off the train. After arriving very late in Prague following delays with the train from Dresden, we found our driver, Lucas, waiting for us on the platform right at the exit of our train car. What a relief to not worry about navigating through a train station to find him!

The hotel that Gwen recommended in Prague was perfect for us. We had planned to stay near Old Town closer to the Christmas markets, but Gwen convinced us that a hotel in Lesser Town was the better choice, and she was right. The Aria Hotel kept us close to the markets and away from the crowds. We also got a room upgrade!

Our tour guide in Prague (Eva) ensured that we made the most of the two days that we spent with her. We visited the Strahov Monastery that included a private tour of the library. It was an amazing experience to be alone among books dating from the early 1100s. At the Lobkowicz Palace, we saw, among other things, a musical score handwritten by Mozart and an original score of Beethoven’s.

Prague was VERY crowded, and we were unaware that Prague does not have “skip-the-line” tickets. A few of the sites we intended to visit had lines that would have required us to wait for hours to get in, so Eva took us to other interesting landmarks and areas of town. For example, we hopped on a tram to visit a Christmas market that catered to locals that we would never have found on our own. While there, Eva explained local holiday traditions and the proper way to eat a Trdelnik!

After this experience, we’re firm believers in using a travel specialist. Every hotel, every guide, and every driver that was part of our trip contributed to an experience that felt both genuine and highly personalized.” —Jack Dickens

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The Amazon rainforest for a sustainable stay at a world-class ecolodge that inspires “awe”

Amazon Jungles in Cuyabeno National Park, Ecuador.

The Amazon jungle in Cuyabeno National Park, Ecuador. Photo: Shutterstock

“Allie was essential to creating our trip to the Napo Wildlife Center in Ecuador’s Amazonia. She found the right lodge for our family (two kids, both around 10 years old) and got the perfect rooms at a time that was ideal.

Napo Wildlife Center is a world-class lodge owned and run by the small local Añangu Kichwa community. They have committed to using ecotourism to save their community and their corner of the Amazon rainforest. Bottom line: They are knocking it out of the park. I cannot express how impressive their work and commitment is. In 1998, they were a small community, dealing with acute poverty, threatened by development, oil exploration, and the contamination of their water and forest. In that year, with little knowledge or experience in tourism, they decided they’d stave off the despoliation of their corner of the rainforest by starting a five-star ecotourism program. I am just brimming with awe and admiration for the Añangu and what they have accomplished.

The lodge itself was magical. The staff was as friendly and helpful as could be. Really made us feel at home. In the TV room out back where the employees live, my son and I watched the World Cup finals with a bunch of staff and locals who had paddled in for the game. We were welcomed warmly, and we joined in and cheered with (or against) the rest of the crowd.

In hyperdiverse Amazonia, wow did we ever see wildlife. We saw six species of monkeys, and so many parrots, macaws, grebes, flycatchers. We saw snakes, frogs, and crazy-looking crickets. We watched caimans and paiche (400-pound river fish) from the boardwalk in front of our room. All to the spectral drone of howler monkeys in the distance, like a cold north wind gusting outside your door. And Napo Wildlife Center has nearly no biting insects! Magical place. A once-in-a-lifetime experience.” —John Strachan

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Vienna, Bratislava, and Prague for vibrant palaces and cities that are rich in history

Roof of St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna captured from above. Photo: Julius Silver

“Gwen planned a wonderful Christmas week in Vienna, Bratislava and Prague. Both hotels—the Sans Souci in Vienna and the Andaz in Prague—were great choices. Both were near the center but in a quieter area. The rooms, staff and breakfasts were lovely.

Our private guided walking tour of Vienna was enjoyable. The cathedral tour was incredible! We were on the roof walking along the outside perimeter and inside the ceiling about the nave. A truly interesting and unique experience. The food tour was fun and enjoyable: We went to five different locations and got to sample different Viennese specialties. We enjoyed the outstanding museums and lovely shopping streets. We loved the tour of the magnificent Schönbrunn Palace. Another day we took a train to Bratislava and were met on the platform by the guide who showed us this interesting city.

The train to Prague was easy. We walked everywhere in Prague—Old Town, Jewish Quarter, Charles Bridge, Wenceslas Square. The Strahov Monastery library and Prague Castle complex were impressive. We were so lucky that the line to the remarkable St. Vitus Cathedral was quick and we got to see it. The Lobkowicz Palace is a treasure—we could have spent hours there.” —Susan Sullivan

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Peru for rainforests and high-altitude Andes hiking

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.” Photo: Traveler Audrey Moore

“Our trip to Peru was one my family will remember forever. We started in the Amazon rainforest and saw so much wildlife at the Tambopata Research Center. This really felt like a special place, and we felt very far away from civilization. My kids loved the birds, monkeys and boat rides.

We absolutely loved our time in the Sacred Valley and Cusco. The resort at Sol y Luna was so nice that we had to force ourselves to leave to go adventuring each day. Our favorite day of the trip was the day we spent at the Lamay village. It was so special to make friends and see how people live a simpler life high in the Andes. We also loved our one-day hike on the Inca trail into Machu Picchu—incredible!

The locals treated us with such kindness everywhere we went. There is so much to see and do in Peru…10 days just wasn’t enough!” —Audrey Moore

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Italy for catching local flavor without the tourist crowds of spring, summer, and fall

charming cobblestone street with ivy in Trastevere, Rome, Italy.

Rome is for locals—and in-the-know travelers—in December. Photo: Shutterstock

“There were six of us: me, my husband, our three children (15, 13, 10), and my mom. It was a lovely time to be in Rome because, while still busy, it was not anything like what we would have experienced in the summer months. The weather was perfectly moderate for walking around, between 55° and 60° most days. Jennifer listened so closely to what our interests were and how we wanted to divide up the trip between time in and outside of Rome. She developed the perfect itinerary, even paying attention to timing of morning excursions so as not to start too early after a late night.

While we enjoyed all of our excursions, the ones we enjoyed most were not the main tourist attractions. Collectively, we all loved the cooking classes: one a pizza and gelato class, and the other a pasta and tiramisu class. Perfect for all six of us! Our other favorite excursions were Pompeii, Villa Adriana on the way to Tivoli, and our day spent in the Jewish neighborhood and former Jewish ghetto. I was extremely pleased that Jennifer’s team only works with Jewish guides in the Jewish neighborhood. I think that is a very important detail.

Timing worked out that on our day trip to Florence we were able to attend a football match. That was wild! My husband and oldest son are HUGE sports fans. Even though the rest of us are not as much, it was still really terrific to be part of an event that is so important to European culture.” —Aimee Kleiman

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Ecuador for excellent activities, food, and service in a smart, early-December window

Barbra and Eugene Hirsch horseback riding in Hacienda Pinsaqui, Ecuador.

Hiking and horseback riding—plus great food—were highlights of Hacienda Pinsaqui. Photo: Traveler Gene Hirsh

“My wife and I are in our 70’s and are experienced travelers, so it means a lot when we can tell you that Allie did a fantastic job of planning and arranging our trip to Ecuador December 3-19. We asked her to include time in Quito, the Andes, the Ecuadorian rain forest, and the Galapagos Islands. She did it all with accommodations and guides that were exceptional.

A driver took us via some scenic stops at mountain lakes, a condor park, street markets, a weaving factory, and a wonderful lunch to our destination at Hacienda Pinsaqui. It is a beautiful large home and ranch where we stayed for 3 nights enjoying history, hiking, horseback riding and great food.

It was the first 2 weeks of December with fewer visitors than usual. The attention, service, food, activities and company were wonderful and, as you can imagine, quite personalized throughout. A tour of the Galapagos Islands is truly an extraordinary experience. From the magnificent tortoises to sea lions, penguins, blue and red-footed boobies, frigate birds, falcons, flamingoes, sharks, sea turtles and so many other species of flora and fauna, these islands are unique in the world.” —Barbra and Gene Hirsh

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Norway for northern lights, snowshoeing, hot tubs & saunas, and visiting a Sámi reindeer herd

Reindeer herding with a traditional dressed Sami woman in Norway.

Reindeer herding with the Sámi, in Norway. Photo: Shutterstock

“We ventured from Oslo to the Arctic Circle with hopes of seeing the northern lights, and we were very happy we took Torunn’s advice to visit Alta. Alta is breathtakingly beautiful, and not very commercial. There, welcoming and insightful guides outfitted us with warm outerwear (for the below-zero temps) and led us on excursions—including snowshoeing, ice fishing, visiting a Sámi reindeer herder, and viewing the amazing northern lights—that were small, special, and not touristy.

Every night, we were welcomed back to cozy accommodations and meals of local delicacies that exceeded our expectations; and, at both a riverside lodge and a mountain resort, we enjoyed hot tubs under the stars and saunas reserved just for us. Throughout our vacation, Torunn and her team provided us with special experiences and made us feel welcomed and well cared for. We can’t wait to return to see more of Norway when the weather is warm and the sun is shining!” —Roger and Gina Symczak

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Australia for an epic holiday trip, from city sights to snorkeling on the reef…

two women in a helicopter flying over the 12 apostles

Jennifer Mann’s daughters enjoy a surprise helicopter ride over the 12 Apostles. Photo: Traveler Jennifer Mann

“We just returned from an Australian holiday trip with our two teenage daughters. Stuart and Jacki put together a phenomenal itinerary with something for everyone! We began our trip in Melbourne. On Christmas Day we drove the Great Ocean Road and were completely surprised with a WOW Moment of a helicopter ride over the 12 Apostles. It was breathtaking! The next day we drove through the wine country of the Yarra Valley—with tastings, lots of animal sightings, and delicious food—followed by a two-night stay at the Jackalope Hotel in the Mornington Peninsula area, about an hour-and-a-half from Melbourne. The Mornington Peninsula was also filled with award-winning wine and food, along with charming little beachside towns.

After a few days of the relaxed area and beautiful hotel, we flew up north to Cairns and stayed in the coastal town of Port Douglas. This is an ideal location to anchor a trip to both the Great Barrier Reef and with the Daintree Rainforest. We had a magical first day snorkeling around the reef, followed by a day in the rainforest with our guide, Guy. Both days were incredibly special, where we created memories that will never be forgotten. The three full days in Sydney were action-packed with sightseeing, a behind-the-scenes private tour of the famous fish market, climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge, shopping, and a private Opera House tour, along with a show. After our 12-day trip, we are exhausted but definitely feel like this was a trip of a lifetime!” —Jennifer Mann

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Uruguay for sprawling estancias, boho-chic beach towns, and holidays on horseback

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.

Universally described as muy tranquilo, Uruguay boasts fantastic family-owned wineries, distinctive restaurants with world-renowned chefs, unique and interesting hotels and resorts, beautiful boho chic beach towns, sprawling estancias with an authentic gaucho culture, rolling farm country, the second-largest river on the continent, a penchant for all things vintage, and history, art and architecture. After spending time in Carmelo, historic Colonia del Sacramento, Montevideo, Punta del Este and the unforgettable José Ignacio, I’ve decided that if I ever decide to live outside the United States, I’m heading to Uruguay.” —Jeannie Mullen

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Japan for snowboarding, and visiting Snow Monkey Park and hot springs

Jennifer Cheng and family snowboarding in Japan.

“When my two teens and pre-teen told me they wanted to go snowboarding in Japan, I started researching…” Photo: Traveler Jennifer Cheng

“When my two teens and pre-teen told me they wanted to visit Tokyo and go snowboarding in Japan, I started researching the trip and got quickly overwhelmed trying to plan a trip for five. Andrea told me that when my family went snowboarding, I had to see the snow monkeys, and he was right! Honestly, I was a little skeptical, but my day with the snow monkeys was magical, a highlight of my trip. I loved seeing my family off on the slopes and then making my way by bus and then through the woods to the Snow Monkey Park where the snow monkeys were enjoying the hot springs while the snow fell, ending my visit with a yummy ramen and matcha latte. I then had a beautiful walk through the snowy town to our ryokan, where I enjoyed our room’s private balcony onsen.

The first and last legs of our trip were in two locations in Tokyo, the Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel in Shibuya and the Tsuki Tokyo in Ginza, both great for families and very well-located. We loved our guide Juliana at the beginning of the trip, as she was a delightful addition to our family, like the best fun auntie. After our two days with Juliana, the kids missed her the rest of the trip. She taught us how to navigate the trains and helped us pick places to eat and shop and find some face wash the girls forgot! Having all the tips and transportation details sorted helped tremendously and eliminated frustration for sure. I cannot imagine navigating Tokyo station with all five of us and all our luggage without our helpers. During the trip, I marveled at all the moving parts and was so thankful for all the planning from Andrea and the team. As the kids say, it was epic!” —Jennifer Cheng

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New Zealand for outdoor adventures (and relaxation!) in remote locations

The Hancock's children in the remote hot tub in the mountains on New Zealand's South Island.

A helicopter brought the Hancock family to this remote hot tub in the mountains on New Zealand’s South Island. Photo: Traveler Susan Hancock

“Our 21-year-old son was studying in Australia. He was going to wrap up his trip in New Zealand. The idea came to us to make it a family holiday and meet him over there. The stars aligned and all schedules allowed it to happen. First off, Jean-Michel responded to our email inquiry immediately, and we were chatting with him 10 minutes later. We tossed ideas around and he assured us we could cover a lot of ground in the 8 days we had.

We saw a lot of the South Island by helicopter, we hiked, we kayaked, went to a mountaintop whisky bar and hot tub, went off-roading, drank lots of wonderful NZ wine and cheese. Our accommodations were fantastic. We have traveled the world, and Jean-Michel and his team are probably the best trip planners we have used to date.” —Susan and Blake Hancock

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Malta for a Mediterranean island that doesn’t shut down in winter

Ancient walls and streets of Valetta, the capital of Malta. Photo: Shutterstock

Valletta, the capital of Malta, is built on ancient walls above the Grand Harbour. Photo: Shutterstock

“Malta is an extraordinary place, with magnificent history, art, culture, food, scenery and people. Damon really distinguished himself with his ability to figure out from our conversations exactly the kind of experiences and touring we wanted to do. Our guide executed the plan wonderfully, making it even better as we got to know one another. Her knowledge of the history and culture of Malta gave us a real window into the lives of the Maltese people past and present.

We had a number of truly extraordinary experiences, such as making a local delicacy and having lunch at an olive grove; a private tour of St. John’s Co-Cathedral, including viewing the stunning Caravaggio by ourselves; meeting a restorer of 18th-century organs and 16th-century art and seeing their work; dinner with some of the current Knights of Malta; touring a private home in the magical walled city of Mdina; and an ATV tour followed by a private seaside picnic in Gozo.

The highlight of the trip for me was exploring World War II in Malta, including a private visit with a remarkable local collector of World War II artifacts, a private tour of the Lascaris War Rooms, and seeing the tunnels and chambers in which the Maltese sheltered during the Axis bombings. Our guide also spent time showing us and providing us with valuable perspective on other Maltese sights, such as the Hypogeum and megalithic temples, which are older than Stonehenge and the Pyramids. The island itself was gorgeous, with dramatic views, romantic vistas and stunning architecture.” —Larry Neubauer

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London for urban delights, sophisticated holiday decor, and bustling good cheer

Bring on the shimmer! London lights up for Christmas. Photo: visitlondon.com

“We recently returned from a trip to London, with our family of 10, that we had planned with Jonathan. We traveled over the Christmas holidays with our children and four grandchildren, aged 10-13. Jonathan and Katie’s attention to detail was superb! We stayed at the One Aldywich Hotel in Covent Garden. The hotel was amazing in every way! Our kids each had a two-bedroom suite to accommodate their families of four.

Our guide, Alex, was with us for four days. Alex was great with the kids and his scavenger hunt in The British Museum was a real blast! A highlight of the trip was traveling to Hampton Court to learn all about Henry VIII and his six wives. Later that same evening, we went to the theater to see Six, which is about all of the wives. The kids also loved their visit to the Chelsea Stadium.” —Ellen and Jeffrey Weiner

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Egypt for ancient history, leggy transportation, and a cushy Nile cruise

Travelers on a camel ride near the Pyramids of Giza.

Ashley Point and her family on a camel ride near the Pyramids of Giza.

“Jim, Glenda, and their team did an extraordinary job planning our 2-week trip. Our family of 5, including 3 kids aged 6-11 years old, started in Cairo with the Pyramids of Giza (including camel and ATV rides around the Pyramids). Our guide, Eman Shawky Mahmoud, was wonderful. She is pursuing her PhD in archaeology and knows everything about Egypt. Our 11-year-old had just completed ancient history and he asked so many questions and she answered them all. We stayed in connecting rooms at the Four Seasons. The food, service and rooms were top-notch.

After 4 days we flew to Luxor and met with our second guide, Bishoy George. He has two children and knew how to accommodate our needs when the kids were tired. He too is an expert on the history and culture of Egypt. We stayed at the Winter Palace. It was beautiful. The kids woke up Christmas morning to stockings filled with candy and gifts from the hotel!

After two nights, we boarded the M/S Farah and cruised the Nile. This smaller boat (120 passengers) was perfect for our family. The pool was a nice distraction after a long day of touring. They offered to make special meals for the kids, but they weren’t needed because the kids loved all of the dishes served. George met us at each port and showed us around each city. He answered all of our questions about the history, culture, politics, and people of Egypt. On our last night of the cruise, we went sand surfing in Aswan. It was a blast! The next day we flew to Abu Simbel, then back to Cairo to enjoy two more days with Eman at the GEM and Islamic Cairo.” —Ashley Point

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Belize for a far-from-ordinary Caribbean beach and reef-snorkeling trip, “alone in paradise”

beach chair on sand and water Belize Cayes

Sugary sand and turquoise water off the coast of Belize. Photo: Shutterstock

“Just back from a wonderful week in Belize with our adult daughters (23 and 25). We were looking for an alternative to our typical beach-resort experience where we stay at the hotel and rarely venture out. Instead, we had a two-bedroom villa in a small hotel right on the lagoon, with day trips tailored to our desires. That first morning when I opened my door and walked 20 steps in my PJs to the completely quiet beach and into the still, clear waters was magical. All alone in paradise.

We snorkeled, zip-lined, floated on the river, visited a spice farm, and learned all about cacao and chocolate. We also relaxed on the beach, ate lots of ceviche, and discovered a new taste for rum. Rachael planned a lovely WOW Moment—a private concert with up-and-coming Belizean vocalist Kylon Eiley on our villa patio, complete with margaritas.

Our snorkeling guides made sure we saw the sharks and turtles. On our second snorkel day, we saw a jeweled damselfish, and that alone was worth the trip. How that can exist in nature is amazing. And the corals were spectacular. Rachael had insisted that we add that second half-day snorkel to our trip, and I was glad she did.” —Kathryn Barden

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Chile for a diversity of landscapes—from desert to salt flats—in one country

The Atacama Desert in Chile has a beautiful—and otherworldly—landscape. Photo: Shutterstock

“My husband and I had a great trip to Chile over the holidays. Tom did an excellent job planning and executing every detail of our travel. We visited the beautiful wine region, Santiago, and the amazing Atacama desert. We enjoyed so many activities from horseback riding, a cooking class and wine tasting at the Vik Chile to hiking sand dunes, photographing flamingos and the salt flats while at the Alto Atacama resort. Our guides and transfers were flawless, and Tom was even able to step in and negotiate a late checkout on our last day so we could have time at the spa before our long journey home.” —Pam Anderson

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East Africa for a safari, of course, but also moving connections with local people…

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 visit to the Mukundusi Village in Tanzania.

“I just returned from a trip to East Africa planned by Cherri and her team. The lodges and their phenomenal staffs, the wildlife, the guides, the available local activities, the holiday and birthday celebrations along with numerous personal touches…I cannot say enough about the locals that I met and the recurring personal interactions I had.

Normally I schedule every day of a trip down to the minute. Since this trip was so long (and as I get older!) I left some time open in the itinerary in the event that I just needed to chill here and there. Doing so enabled me to schedule some additional, non-game-viewing activities at each location which really enriched my overall experience. Highlights included: Following bushmen on a game hunt (and taste-testing the grilled results!) in Tanzania, participating in an anti-poaching demonstration (I played the poacher and hid out in the bush) at Sirikoi in Kenya, multiple community/village visits, and a visit to an inspiring women’s organization (Ride 4 A Woman) in Uganda.

On New Year’s Eve I was at &Beyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge in Tanzania. At the conclusion of a tribal dance ritual at the north lodge, we all followed their torch-lit procession (singing, chanting and dancing the entire way) down to the south lodge where the Maasai then put on a spectacular dance demonstration which told the story of their customs and rituals.” —Jeannie Mullen

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Uganda and Rwanda for gorillas and other thrilling animal sightings…

Gorillas in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda. Photo: Traveler Edy Netter

“Our trip to Uganda and Rwanda, organized by Dan, was amazing! Each safari camp (there were three) offered a different set of experiences, all of which were fantastic. At Lemala Wildwaters (Uganda, at the source of the Nile), we stayed in a beautiful cabin surrounded by whitewater as dramatic as any I’ve seen. I especially liked that most guests were from Uganda. The food was terrific. One caveat: the whitewater rafting is not for the faint-hearted.

At Amakoro Songa Kinigi Lodge (Rwanda, Volcanoes National Park), gorilla trekking was beyond amazing. I was glad I did it twice! Our focus at Wilderness Magashi (Akagera National Park)—a tented camp, where we had a Christmas dinner which was sublime—was animal sightings. We traversed Wilderness’s beautiful private reserve with Leo, our terrific guide, by safari van and the lake where the camp sits, by boat. The most thrilling: black and white rhinos and their babies, and an attempted kill by a leopard. The baby impala he hoped would be his dinner, escaped.” —Edy Netter

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Southeast Asia for local insights into history and contemporary life

Busy daily traffic with stream of motorbikes and cars.

A typically busy street scene in Vietnam. Photo: Shutterstock

“My husband and I traveled to Southeast Asia for 25 days on a trip designed by Sandy and Ethan. While Vietnam was the centerpiece, given the journey required to get there, we included three other countries as well—Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand. Walking in the cities (other than Bangkok) was an adventure, as motorcycles and cars do not stop for pedestrians. You just walk slowly and steadily across the lanes of traffic, and the vehicles go around you—not for the faint of heart. And walking on sidewalks is often not possible, as vehicles park on them and vendors set up shop.

Our favorite experience of the trip was the visit to the elephant sanctuary in Laos, where we got to feed the elephants and spend an hour walking with them in the woods. Such beautiful creatures. In Laos, our lovely local host Paan educated us about Buddhism, a religion we were quite unfamiliar with. We enjoyed a delightful evening at her home with her family and neighbors where we participated in a blessing ceremony.

Another highlight was arranged by our wonderful local Hanoi host: We got to meet a former North Vietnam fighter pilot trained to fly in Russia. He shot down the first American fighter in the War and was later shot down by an American pilot. The three met in the 1990s and still remain in contact. We met in his home, where he showed us pictures and we learned not only about his war experience but about his family and his life post-war.

In Cambodia our passionate and delightful local host Sokros delved into the Cambodia genocide with us, as we had requested. We visited the ‘prison’ Pol Pot established in a high school in Phnom Penh and the associated ‘killing field’ a few kilometers from the city. We discussed the recently concluded judicial inquiry into the genocide crimes and met one of the 7 (out of 20,000) survivors of those imprisoned in the prison.

We finished the trip in Bangkok, where local host Kat was a treasure. She guided us on an enjoyable walk from the grounds of the royal palace to the Chinese market. We enjoyed two wonderful lunches with her where she chose a variety of delicious Thai dishes for us to sample and shared stories about life in Thailand.” —Linda Shorey

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Antarctica for awe-inspiring landscapes and delightful chill-hardy wildlife

Travelers soak up the wonders of Antarctica.

Lee Rubinstein and her son soak up the wonders of Antarctica.

“Yup, it was a bucket list item. And it lived up to the hype! Antarctica is like another planet and probably one of the most unique travel experiences we’ve ever had. My son and I (my husband opted out, as did my daughter-in-law) enjoyed the smaller ship experience. The naturalists on board were terrific, and the food was excellent. Yes, the Drake was rough, but even with that, we had no regrets. The continent is a wonder, with its towering mountains, blue icebergs and calving glaciers. And the wildlife delighted us every day—humpback whales, orcas, seals and, of course, penguins. How could you not love all that?” —Lee Rubinstein

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Have You Tried This Surprising Way to Beat Jet Lag?

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When travel hands you lemons, make limoncello. Last week in Italy, a train strike forced me and Tim to leave Venice early and seek a Rome airport hotel for an unexpected 18-hour overnight. The usual hotel suspects were sold out, thanks to the train strike, but Wendy’s WOW List Italy expert Jennifer Virgilio turned our foiled plans into lemonade: She suggested a country spa retreat in Fiumicino, a 7-minute ride from the airport. We ended up checking out the growing trend of “wellness resorts” and discovering a new way to recover from jet lag.

Like other manor-house resorts near European airports—think the Auberge du Jeu de Pomme and the Château d’Ermenonville, both close to Paris’s Charles de Gaulle airport, or Great Fosters and Pennyhill Park, both near London’s Heathrow—the QC Termeroma in Fiumicino is more country oasis than airport-area hotel. This was our room (and you can see more photos on Instagram):

QC Terme Roma hotel room and terrace in Rome, Italy.

This was our patio at the QC Terme resort in Fiumicino. Photo: Timothy Baker

When you’re sleep-deprived, cranky, or achy after an overnight flight and need to stay awake and keep active without taxing your brain too much, pools of water can be a therapeutic way to soothe and reinvigorate yourself—and a massage doesn’t hurt either. The QC Terme group of “wellness destinations” are a modern twist on ancient Roman baths, with a wide array of pools and spa tubs of varying temperatures and massage features. You can also power through jet lag by walking around the estate in the bathrobe and flip-flops they give every guest (below).

Wendy Perrin at QC Terme Roma hotel and spa in Rome, Italy.

The resort and outdoor baths are set in a park with plenty of grounds for strolling. Photo: Timothy Baker

QC Termeroma is not for everyone—it’s like a water park for adults!—but such wellness resorts are increasingly popping up, including near airports, and they might fit the bill when your goal is an afternoon or night of jet-lag recovery before launching into an energetic travel itinerary.

Jennifer also saved the day by informing us of the train strike and rerouting us on an earlier train. To understand more about how WOW List experts can ease your way, read on, and to connect with the right one for your trip goals, click the red button below.

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“Our trip began in Oslo with a visit to the sauna, accompanied by an exhilarating cold plunge…”

The hot-cold double whammy of saunas and plunges are a bracing Nordic wake-up call. Photo: Miroslaw Nowaczyk / Alamy

“Torunn and Thea planned one of the best travel experiences we have ever had. Our trip began in Oslo with a visit to the sauna, accompanied by an exhilarating cold plunge. This was a great activity for the first day, when we were tired and jet lagged.

From Oslo we traveled via scenic railway to the amazing Juvet Landscape Hotel, where we got to stay in a unique lodge that blended into the surrounding landscape (just as the name implies). We got to experience their fabulous culinary skills at group dinners and had an amazing kayak/hiking adventure in Tafjord, one of the most beautiful places on earth!

From Juvet we traveled via private car and a few beautifully scenic ferries to Kalvåg and stayed in a hidden-gem boutique hotel called Knutholmen. The staff did everything and anything to make us feel at home and welcome. This trip was one of our best and helped us appreciate the true beauty of Norway and the warmth and friendliness of its people.” —Stacey Witz

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“The trip was a dream from start to finish, with all the connections arranged for us seamlessly…”

View of Kiyomizu temple at sunset in Kyoto, Japan.

Serene temples, like this one in Kyoto at sunset, were on the itinerary. Photo: Shutterstock

“My husband and I just returned from a two-week trip to Japan planned by Scott. It was a fascinating and perfectly planned trip. We started in Tokyo and traveled via private car, express trains, and Shinkansen to Tokyo, Takayama, Shirakawa (after a car ride through the beautiful Japanese ‘Alps’), Gokayama, Kanazawa, Kyoto, and Nara. The trip was a dream from start to finish, with all the connections arranged for us seamlessly; a wonderful, knowledgeable guide, Mihoko, who traveled with us throughout the trip; and fabulous private experiences including participation in a private tea ceremony, a meditation session with a Zen Buddhist priest, a visit to a gold leaf master artisan with a home studio where we met and had tea with his family, a cooking lesson with Kyoko in her Tokyo home which included toro and other Japanese dishes, and a visit to a ryokan with a private onsen. Google Translate also helped!

The Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines, a visit to Matsumoto Castle, and many other serene gardens and shogun and samurai palaces were also included. I believe this may be approximately our 8th or 9th trip using Wendy’s travel expert WOW List, and we look forward to many more.” —Lisa and Ed Block

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“When you use Wendy’s experts, they are there to handle any problems that arise…”

Jan Heininger on a solo ATV ride on Raiatea, French Polynesia.

Jan Heininger explored the island of Raiatea by ATV.

“Kleon planned an excellent 2½ week trip for my husband and me to Tahiti. We spent time on Moorea, Vahine Island, a private 50-foot catamaran, and Bora Bora.

On Moorea, Kleon arranged superb activities. We took a marvelous ATV ride to one of Moorea’s highest points with a great view and had a superb cooking class provided as a WOW Moment by Wendy. Our second stop was tiny Vahine Island off Raiatea Island. Kleon told us which side of the plane had the seats to get the best view from the air for the flight to Raiatea. He booked us into Vahine’s best and largest bungalow, with a superb view over a coral garden under sparkling shades of blue water. A pirogue ride got us out into the lagoon inside the outer reef, and a class in coconut palm leaf braiding was another activity that gave us insight into how Tahitians creatively live off the land. Kleon also booked us into Le Bora Bora resort’s largest two-room overwater bungalow at the end of the pontoon.

Unfortunately, my husband had two falls in Tahiti, multiple ER visits, and stitches. Kleon and his ground team leapt into action and made arrangements we could not have done on our own. He facilitated rapid access to (excellent) medical care. This was another reminder that when you use Wendy’s experts, they are skilled not only at creating wonderful itineraries and executing them superbly, they are there to handle any problems that arise.” —Jan Heininger

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“A great example of the value of great trip planners!”

Harbor and the old town walls of Dubrovnik, Croatia.

The walled Old Town of Dubrovnik, and its marina, are a must-see in Croatia. Photo: Timothy Baker

“We traveled to Croatia with a group of nine and had a spectacular time. Ala and Andjela did an expert job of balancing all of our preferences and creating an itinerary to work for everyone. We spent two nights in Split, two nights in Hvar, and three nights in Dubrovnik. Some of the highlights included a bike tour across the island of Hvar and a private boat trip to the Elaphiti Islands. Ala and Andjela helped us make all of our restaurant reservations, and they were ideal, covering a perfect mix of traditional, scenic, and gourmet selections.

We had no major disruptions on the trip, but it was comforting to know that Ala and Andjela were just a phone call away if anything went awry. They were so on top of things they even called us to alert us that our car to dinner would be late due to a traffic accident and arranged with the restaurant for a later arrival. They also delighted us with an upgrade to a private boat transfer instead of the ferry. Overall, we had a wonderful trip and were pleasantly surprised that it went off without a hitch even with such a large group. It was a great example of the value of great trip planners!” —Lisa Powers

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“It went perfectly due to the outstanding planning…”

Canal in Amsterdam surrounded by bikes and colored buildings.

There are many canal cruises in Amsterdam, but a private one is a real treat. Photo: Shutterstock

“Tom assisted us with planning a pre- and post-river cruise itinerary in Amsterdam, Luxembourg and Belgium. This trip was to celebrate our 35th wedding anniversary, and it went perfectly due to the outstanding planning. Tom worked with us to personalize the itinerary to our specific interests.

We particularly enjoyed the private canal cruise with a beautiful lunch in Amsterdam; an outing with a naturalist in Vielsalm to see the red deer rutting, as we were there in that season; the outdoor Battle of the Bulge tour (not just in a museum) in Bastogne; the culinary tour in Ghent and Bruges enjoying chocolates, cuberdons and waffles; and the private yacht cruise in Ghent followed by a lovely dinner on an outdoor terrace at Auberge du Pêcheur. Tom’s office did status checks with us throughout the trip to make sure that all was going smoothly and to our liking.” —Ruth and Gary Reading

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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.

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Oman for mosques, fjords, and splashing in a desert wadi

Oman is known for its wadis that form in rock wall crevasses. Photo: Timothy Baker

“Thanks to Dan, my friend and I experienced all that Oman has to offer. We flew into Dubai and were driven to the Musandam Peninsula, also known as the Norway of the Arabian world. This area is known for its majestic fjords, best experienced via a day on the water in a local dhow. We saw dolphins, snorkeled, and did our best to get over jet lag during our time in this little pocket of Oman.

We loved our stay at the stunning Chedi hotel in Muscat and marveled at the opera house and, of course, the Grand Mosque. We spent a great day snorkeling/scuba diving in the Daymaniyat Islands. We also enjoyed dinner at the home of a local Omani family and experienced firsthand the hospitality that this country is known for.

Oman is famous for its wadis (rocky river gorge swimming holes). My research uncovered a fairly strenuous and lesser-known wadi, which Dan arranged for us to do. That was another major highlight, and we are so glad Dan was able to make it happen for us.

Dan managed to incorporate fantastic hiking, ample culture, lots of new experiences, some great hotels with character, all wrapped up into a wonderful 12-day exotic adventure.” —Jenifer Bunis

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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

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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

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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 frog clinging on the traveler's glasses frame.

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.

“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

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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.

“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.

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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Morocco for a sunny, exotic getaway just across the Atlantic

Travelers Craig and Stephanie Smith with their driver and guide having dinner on the rooftop terrace of Essaouira's Salut Maroc, Morocco.

Craig and Stephanie Smith enjoyed a farewell dinner with new friends: private guide Jamal and driver Majid.

“We just returned from an amazing two weeks in Morocco. We told Radia that what was most important to us was to have a stellar guide. We also told her that we have a strong interest in music and would like to incorporate learning about Gnawa music in some way. And we told her that our hotel preference was to stay in riads instead of international chain hotels.

From the moment we were met at the Casablanca airport by our private guide Jamal and private driver Majid, we knew that we were in for an incredible trip. They were both so hospitable! Jamal was incredibly knowledgeable about the culture and history of his country. He was very attentive to all of our needs, and he made us laugh a lot. He made sure that we saw everything on the itinerary and then some.

Majid drove us many miles in a huge loop, from Casablanca to Volubilis, to Fes, to Ifrane, to Merzouga, to Todra Valley, to Dades Gorge, to Skoura, to Marrakech, to Imlil, to Essaouira, and back to Marrakech. We always felt very safe with him behind the wheel, and he had a great sense of humor.

We stayed in beautiful riads with a very personal touch and enjoyed all kinds of delicious food. In addition to seeing many historic sites (mosques, synagogues, palaces, medinas, souks, tanneries), we also had adventures. We went for a camel ride and rode ATVs in the desert. We went for a hot air balloon ride outside of Marrakech. We went for a hike in the High Atlas Mountains from Imlil to Armed. One of our favorite activities was the sunset motorcycle sidecar tour of Marrakech, suggested by Radia. We felt like we were in a movie, riding through the Palmerie and the medina in comfortable, roomy, sidecars. A definite must-do!

Another highlight was an impromptu visit to the Todra Valley for lunch at Jamal’s family’s home. We were so honored and humbled to be invited into their home for lively conversation and a delicious lunch. And, to satisfy our musical interest, Radia organized a thoroughly enjoyable private Gnawa music workshop with master musician Najib Soudani in Essaouira.

With Jamal and Majid at our sides, it felt like we were traveling with friends we had known for a lifetime. The itinerary was wonderful, but they made the trip into an experience that we will cherish forever.” —Stephanie and Craig Smith

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India for Rajasthan’s wedding season, lavish palace hotels, ethical elephant sanctuaries…

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.

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.” —Lisa Riggs

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New Zealand for unusual summertime experiences far above the crowds…

Travelers Joe Tobin and Mary Lou Voytko on a glacier in Whitcombe Valley, New Zealand.

Joe Tobin and Mary Lou Voytko got to perch on the edge of a glacier in the Whitcombe Valley.

“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

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Thailand and Vietnam for optimal weather and local delicacies…

Vietnamese soup- pho ga in bowl with chicken and rice noodles, mint and cilantro, red onion, chili, bean sprouts and lime on grey background.

Traditional Vietnamese pho makes a hearty breakfast. Photo: Shutterstock

“We just returned from an amazing 12 days in the Far East, visiting both Thailand and Vietnam and including five cities total (Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Hanoi, Hoi An and Saigon). From the moment we landed to the moment we departed, our trip was flawless. Dan and his team listened to and responded to all of our concerns and suggestions and came up with an itinerary that was right on spot.

The food everywhere was terrific, with a bit more spice in Thailand than Vietnam. We especially enjoyed ‘pho’ for breakfast! All of our local hosts were fluent in English, extremely knowledgeable and overly concerned with making sure we had everything we needed. It was so helpful to have them as we navigated each city, and they showed us all the local favorites, from the markets to stores to food and to the delicious egg and salt coffee that Vietnam is known for.

The highlight of our trip was a visit to the elephant rescue in Chiang Mai. Wow! The project was so well managed and allowed us to spend five hours with the four elephants that have been rescued, including a 6-year-old baby boy elephant. It was a surreal feeling to walk alongside an elephant while feeding them bananas out of our bag and ultimately joining them in a swim in their watering hole. Must do!” —Laura McDermott

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Sri Lanka for tropical landscapes, an exotic culture, and very few other tourists (which makes the local people especially welcoming!)

Sri Lanka’s beautiful—and uncrowded—Cinnamon Country. Photo: Sri Lanka In Style

“There were many highlights of our trip. One of them was a general lack of other tourists, which is bad for the country but was excellent for us. We would highly recommend Sri Lanka as a destination and would encourage others to visit without hesitation. While there was some political unrest there in 2022, we felt perfectly safe at all times.

Our two nights that Miguel and Donovan arranged for us in the high tea country were a definite highlight, as was a fabulous private farewell dinner, arranged even though the venue has a seven-to-eight-month waiting list for reservations.” —John Schroeder

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Dubai and Abu Dhabi for sunny beaches but with skyscrapers, camel treks, dune bashing…

The Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, is a can’t-miss for visitors to Dubai. Photo: BS1920/Pixabay

“We had a wonderful time during our trip to Dubai and Abu Dhabi that was planned by Justin. The trip was very professionally arranged, from picking us up at the airport to all activities and transportation. 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. The guide had our tickets ready for us, which was nice. 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 a 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. We enjoyed the dates, local jams, omelettes, and fresh juices. 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. Certainly a dream. 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. We only spent a day in Abu Dhabi, and then went back to Dubai. 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 our guide gave us a tour of Abu Dhabi. 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

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Bhutan and India for Buddhist enlightenment (plus the Taj Mahal)

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

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African safari for shoulder-season value and animals galore

An elephant in Tarangire Tarangire National Park, Tanzania

An elephant in Tanzania’s Tarangire National Park. Photo: Carole Henderson from Pixabay

“We had a great trip arranged by Cherri and Katie, to Rwanda for mountain gorilla trekking and then to the Serengeti in Tanzania for more wildlife viewing. The experience of being able to get so close to and observe elephants, giraffes, lions, gazelle, zebras, cheetah, wildebeest, Cape buffalo, leopard, hippos, golden and vervet monkeys, not to mention gorillas, in their natural habitat, is incomparable. Also incredible were the gorgeous birds, including storks and flamingos. We were also lucky to see black rhinos both in the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro crater.

The Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge was outstanding. The cottages were lovely. A wood-burning fire was lit every evening in our room, and sometimes on very cold mornings as well, by Felicien, our butler, who also brought coffee to the room. He helped us gear up for the gorilla treks, and assisted with hiking boot and leg gaiter removal when we were done. The treks themselves were physically demanding at high altitude but well worth it, and we were completely pampered when we got back to the lodge.

The lodge is community owned, and many staff members are from the nearby village. Felicien gave us a great tour and we were delighted to meet many of the people, including the beekeeper, the doctor/herbalist, and some charming women who showed me how to grind flour from sorghum. Easier than it looks!

We stayed at two different camps in Tanzania and our guides were outstanding. The game drives were amazing and the guides well informed. Our favorite was the Namiri Plains Camp, where you could look out your deck and watch elephants stroll by.” —Lisa Riggs

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3 Life Lessons from Traveling Overseas with Dad

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Family trips give dads the opportunity to teach their children important life lessons. After two decades of travels with my dad in more than 60 countries, here are the top three lessons he’s taught me. They’ve proven invaluable not just on the road but in life.

1. Make friends everywhere you go.

Whether we were bringing Nerf footballs to play with kids in Sri Lanka or jumping rope and trading stories with students in Zambia, Dad has made sure I’ve understood that the real heart of travel is people. His rule? Don’t just observe—participate. Play the sport. Try the food. Join the dance. Ask the questions. When you engage with people, even briefly, the barriers disappear, and suddenly, you’re no longer a tourist—you’re a friend. Here are 13 ways to make friends with local people anywhere you go.

Dad showed me how to make friends in Kiawa, Zambia, by helping at the water pump. Photo: Timothy Baker

2. Embrace the unexpected.

Dad has shown us that not everything will go to plan but that’s often when the most interesting parts of a trip happen. For instance, one time we were in Uzbekistan, and we had to ditch our cool evening plans to go to a 63-year-old woman’s “prophet age party” in a very hot and crowded house where my brother and I were the only kids. But we joined in the dancing and made friends, and Dad’s photos remind us of what a rare opportunity that turned out to be.

Charlie and Doug Baker dancing with local women in Khiva, Uzbekistan.

My brother and I found ourselves unexpectedly at this party in Khiva, Uzbekistan. Photo: Timothy Baker

3. Photograph the world in a way that tells a story.

Like most dads, mine has handed down work-related tips. He’s a photojournalist, so the third big lesson he’s taught me is to photograph the world in a way that tells a story. From knowing what scenes and details to shoot to how to ask strangers if you can take their photo, he’s shown me how to capture culture and beauty with a camera.

Tim Baker and a local man looking at a camera in Oman.

Dad makes friends in Oman using his 1960 Rolleiflex. Photo: Doug Baker

I hope all you dads appreciate what your kids have gained from your travels together. Cheers to you!

Charlie, Tim and Doug Baker drinking beers in a desert in Oman.

Father and sons in Oman. Photo by Mom.

If you could use a family trip that dad will love, you’ll find a sampling of ideas here and in the reviews below from fathers. We’re also happy to recommend a personalized trip solution for your family; just use the black button below.

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MOROCCO: “A special trip for us—a graduation gift for my daughter as she completed a master of architecture degree…”

The Jardin Majorelle in Marrakech, Morocco. Photo: Shutterstock

“Our trip to Morocco was incredible! Michael planned a special trip for us—a graduation gift for my daughter as she completed a master of architecture degree. My daughter, son, and I went on the trip together and all agree that the itinerary for our seven days in Marrakech, Essaouira, and the Ourika Valley was fabulous.

We flew to Casablanca from NYC and were greeted at the airport by our guide, Rachid, and our driver, Mehdi. They took amazing care of us the whole trip. We felt safe the entire time, learned a great deal, and were impressed that not a single thing went wrong the whole trip. Our only job was to take in the sites, learn about the history of this amazing country, appreciate the culture, and enjoy the delicious food.

Marrakech was a bucket-list trip for my daughter, and she had many, many buildings and design-focused experiences on her list. In three days we saw everything she wanted to see, and Michael even matched us with a fantastic guide who worked in interior design and thus had interests that aligned with those of my daughter. We stayed in an awesome riad in the medina, enjoyed learning from Rachid as we toured sites such as the Koutoubia Minaret, the Saadian Tombs, Medersa Ben Youssef, Yves Saint Laurent Museum, and Jardin Majorelle, and ate at fantastic restaurants. We took a half-day to do an excursion in the Agafay Desert, as we couldn’t miss the quintessential experience riding camels!

We were then driven to Essaouira (note that the van our driver drove us around in was extremely comfortable and clean, and also had WiFi) where we enjoyed Rachid teaching us about the history of this little city on the Atlantic coast. Finally, we were transported out to the Ourika Valley in the High Atlas Mountains to a beautiful hotel. We enjoyed a slower pace for our final two days, doing short day-hikes, going to the spa, laying by the pool, and taking in the beautiful gardens and views.” —Jeffrey Zapalac

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BELIZE: “We visited numerous little islands, inhabited and uninhabited, each with a story to tell…”

palm tree and beach overlooking turquoise Caribbean Sea South Water Caye Belize

Belize’s coastline is dotted with small, dreamy islands. Photo: Shutterstock

“Nine days in Belize was magnificent. We sought a trip with some scheduled activities but mostly just relaxation. Having read reviews of sailing vacations in Belize on Wendy’s site, we were intrigued, having never done anything like that before. Wendy put us in touch with Patricia and Rachael, and they quickly organized a fantastic week for us.

We spent two nights at the gorgeous Rainforest Lodge at Sleeping Giant, near the middle of the country, as a base to explore the ATM caves. We spent one day in the caves with our excellent guide Darryl, and the next day, on the way to our sailboat, we spent a few hours inner-tubing with Darryl through two other caves.

The ATM caves were all they are cracked up to be. Geologically, they are huge and stunning. It was a great adventure swimming and hiking through the underground network, but the ATM caves have the added bonus of being anthropologically important. They were a sacred Mayan site and have relics left behind from ceremonies hundreds of years ago.

The tubing trip was also a blast. We had the first cave, maybe 30 minutes of calm drifting, all to ourselves. We spotted cave spiders and a few species of bats. After tubing, we headed to the pier to meet our crew and boat. Patricia had a deal where if you booked a boat for four people, two others could come along free, so we had two friends whom we hadn’t seen in ages join us. Big surprise for our kids.

The boat was the Nowhere, a 50–foot catamaran. It was clean and comfortable, with a number of places on deck to spread out and relax. Captain Shane and first mate Hannah looked out for our every desire and need. Hannah’s cooking and cocktails were out of this world, and we even got to eat a number of fresh fish that Shane hauled in.

The star of the show is that corner of the Caribbean. I have never seen such clear ocean water in my life. We could see the bottom at 30-feet deep and more. The visibility was spectacular. Shane knew where great reefs were for snorkeling, but also which part of every reef is best. With his guidance, we visited numerous little islands, inhabited and uninhabited, each with a story to tell. We saw massive rays, innumerable reef fish, and dolphins.” —John Strachan

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THE MALDIVES: “Our kids concluded by saying, ‘Mom, Dad, this trip was EPIC! Thank you!’ As parents, it doesn’t get any better…”

Andy and Jessie Shapiro in Dubai desert.

Traveler Andy Shapiro with his daughter, Jessie, in the Dubai desert.

“Proper planning and pacing of a trip is very important to us. Nick advised us to start in the Dubai desert at Al Maha (only a 90-minute drive from the Dubai airport); then, after recovering, relaxing and acclimating, enjoy four nights in the Maldives; and finish with five nights in the city of Dubai, with one full day touring Dubai and another Abu Dhabi. Reflecting back, it was an excellent strategy that worked extremely well for all of us.

Set inside a 140-square-mile nature and animal reserve, the luxury all-inclusive Al Maha resort was the absolute perfect place to start our adventure, recover from our long journey, acclimate to the time zone difference, and marvel at the gazelles and oryxes of the wondrous Arabian desert. We loved our villa with private pool, and the falconry, sunset camel rides and guided nature walks. Our kids did dune buggying and sandboarding.

With my daughter’s input, we wrote a detailed email to Nick outlining what would be our ideal Maldives destination. Nick replied with one word, ‘Kudadoo,’ then followed up with a link to watch The Reluctant Traveler with host Eugene Levy, Season 1, Episode 5: ‘Maldives,’ featuring Kudadoo. My family and I have stayed at many of the most luxurious resorts all over the world, and we all agreed that Kudadoo is the BEST! EVERYTHING about Kudadoo is mind-boggling! Don’t be discouraged by Eugene Levy saying the cost is $7,000 per night. Rates vary depending upon the time of year, and Nick has an excellent relationship with Kudadoo and got what we felt was a great rate.

In the city of Dubai, Nick suggested we stay at Atlantis The Royal, in a spectacular location on the ring of the Palm Islands. Some of our many Dubai city highlights included the VIP experience on the 154th floor of the Burj Khalifa (the world’s tallest building), a helicopter ride over Dubai, and a three-hour private 55-foot yacht tour with a delicious lunch in Dubai Harbor and around the Palm Islands.

On our last evening together, discussing all the things we loved about this trip from start to finish, our kids concluded by saying, ‘Mom, Dad, this trip was EPIC! Thank you!’ As parents, it doesn’t get any better.” —Andy Shapiro

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Smart Travel Ideas for Every Month

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Have you ever been surprised by how wonderful a place is in a month you never expected it to be?

We sure have. That’s why we’ve created a unique new resource for you: Trip Ideas By Month. We’ve collected experiences that have been road-tested by your fellow travelers in specific months. And the timing they recommend may surprise you.

Turns out, there are plenty of experiences to be had in places outside the months they are considered most popular—and ways to avoid the throngs even when they are: The scene you see above is from Lisa Malecha’s July family trip to an uncrowded pocket of southern France, the Camargue, known for its iconic white horses. Below, under July, are two of Lisa’s crew hiking in the Calanques nearby.

Dubai in August? Sicily in November? Peru in December? Absolutely! Armed with this intel, you’ll never look at the limitations of seasonal climates the same way again.

So, when you know which month you can get away, click to your fellow travelers’ tried-and-true recommendations below. For advice from experts too, go to our Where To Go When page. And if you’d like our personalized input based on your trip parameters, click to GET A PERSONALIZED TRIP RECOMMENDATION.

Find Your Perfect Island Vacation Based on When You Can Travel

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Every island has a perfect time to go. But figuring out that optimal timing can be tricky. “Peak season” often does not mean the best time to go; it just means the most expensive time, based on when school’s out in the countries that send the most vacationers to that island. “Low season” might mean peaceful and lovely, with a brief and pleasantly cooling shower each afternoon, or it might mean that every restaurant and famous site shuts down entirely. In addition to seasonal changes in weather, most islands have limited lodging—which can drive rates to extortionate levels—and some islands can get crowds that will overtax the small tourism infrastructure, especially when cruise ships stop there.

We’re here to help—by suggesting a few islands for each month of the year. These are the opportune moments when each destination is at its best yet, in most instances, offers shoulder-season pricing.

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January	May	September
February	June	October
March	July	November
April	August	December

JANUARY

British Virgin Islands yacht charter

Sea Esta, a 10-passenger Leopard 5800 catamaran at anchor in a quiet cove in the British Virgin Islands.

On a private yacht charter, you can have a quiet cove all to yourself, like this one in the British Virgin Islands. Photo: Where Land Meets Sea Yacht Charters

Mid-January through February is the calm-water sweet spot between the holiday rush (which includes peak rates and seven-night minimums) and “March Madness,” when spring break brings in lots of vacationers but trade winds also bring rough sailing conditions. (The BVI’s geography also protects you from cold fronts that hit other parts of the Caribbean at this time of year.)

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YACHT CHARTER REVIEWS

Madeira, Portugal

On Madeira, you’ll find flowers in bloom even in winter. Photo: Shutterstock

This sub-tropical Portuguese island may be small, but it puts on a New Year’s Eve celebration and fireworks show that rivals the ones in Sydney, London, and Rio. (Book early!) Later in January, Madeira’s world-class hotels will be far more affordable, yet you can still enjoy virgin laurel forest, panoramic hiking, and great local gastronomy, including the island’s namesake wine.

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Raja Ampat, Indonesia

January sees lower prices and drier weather in Indonesia’s Raja Ampat islands. Photo: Amanresorts

Located where the Pacific currents meet the Indian Ocean, this archipelago is a marine Eden with more than 1,300 species of fish and three-quarters of all the hard corals found in the world. Above the water line, the forested karst islands are home to fantastical creatures such as birds of paradise and tree kangaroos. October through April is Raja Ampat’s dry season; in January, just after the holidays, prices drop considerably.

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Sri Lanka

January is an ideal time to explore Sri Lanka. Photo: Timothy Baker

Sri Lanka’s weather in January is delightful—springlike temperatures and blue skies. If possible, aim for the last two weeks of the month, after the holiday celebrations (and peak rates) have wound down.

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FEBRUARY

Isla Palenque, Panama

Isla Palenque is an eco-friendly private-island resort off the Pacific coast of Panama.

Isla Palenque is an eco-friendly resort off Panama’s Pacific coast. Photo: Isla Palenque Resort

A private-island resort off the Pacific coast of Panama, Isla Palenque offers both environmental sustainability and barefoot luxury. Just a 15-minute boat ride from the mainland, it’s easily combined with other parts of Panama or even Costa Rica, and once there you’ll find seven different beaches, the surrounding Chiriqui National Marine Park, and a jungle full of monkeys and birds. February sees gorgeous weather—and with just eight thatch-roofed casitas and one villa on the 400-acre island, you’ll never encounter crowds.

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Venice, Italy

February in Venice is Carnevale season. Photo: Shutterstock.

All that is sumptuous and extravagant about Venice is kicked up several notches in February, thanks to Carnevale. A month’s worth of elaborate celebrations—marked by Baroque costumes, masked balls, sinful sweets, and general bacchanalian overindulgence—reach a fever pitch in the “Fat Days” preceding Martedì Grasso (Shrove Tuesday). Carnevale dates vary from year to year but always include at least part of February.

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New Zealand’s South Island

aerial view of Queenstown New Zealand on water

Queenstown is at its summery best in February. Photo: Shutterstock

February is the height of summer in the southern hemisphere and an excellent time for New Zealand’s outdoor playground: Queenstown enjoys daytime temperatures in the 80s, with refreshingly cool evenings.

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MARCH

Crete, Greece

Crete is one of the few Greek islands where most businesses stay open year-round. Photo: Shutterstock

While many Greek islands go into hibernation in the winter, with resorts and restaurants shuttering for the season, Crete is large enough that it stays vibrant year-round. It’s also Greece’s most southern—and thus warmest—island. Not everything will be open in March, and it’s not bikini weather, but it’s a great time to get a dose of local culture, and hotel rates are lower than you’ll find later in spring.

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GREEK ISLAND REVIEWS

Malta and Gozo

Colorful boats in Marsaxlokk Harbour, Malta.

In March, Malta’s harbors are free of cruise ships. Photo: Exclusively Malta

March sees few of the cruise-ship visitors who arrive daily in Malta come summer. With highs in the mid-60s and a lush green coating on the hills brought out by winter rains, this is a particularly great time of year for countryside walks and cycling on neighboring Gozo, which is smaller and more rural than Malta.

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Cuba

Cuba sees prime weather and fewer crowds in March. Photo: Shutterstock

March is a lovely time for a mix of Cuba’s cultural heritage and natural attractions (and we know specialists who can arrange it all within U.S. regulations). At this time of year, the weather is comfortably warm but not overly humid, flowers are in bloom, and there are always music festivals and art exhibitions. The most popular sites will also be less crowded than during the peak months of December, January, and February.

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CUBA REVIEWS

APRIL

Waiheke Island, New Zealand

New Zealand’s Waiheke Island is affectionately known as the Island of Wine. Photo: Shutterstock

Local kids return to school in February, so by April New Zealand’s coastal spots have resumed their slower pace of life and hotel rates have dropped; it’s also typically the country’s lowest rainfall month. On Waiheke Island—which is a quick ferry ride from Auckland—the ocean is still warm enough for swimming (if you believe the locals), and it’s harvest time in the vineyards and olive groves.

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The Azores, Portugal

Springtime in the Azores (this is São Jorge Island) means great hiking and whale watching. Photo: Ryan Damm

You won’t find ultra-luxe resorts and 24-hour concierge service in the Azores, but you will find whale- and dolphin-watching (sightings of migrating cetaceans peak in April), breathtaking natural beauty, and locals who are genuinely happy to see tourists at this time of year. For a slower-paced trip, stay just on the main island of São Miguel; if you prefer to see a bit more, base yourself on Faial and take day trips by ferry to Pico and São Jorge.

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The Maldives

April sees the best conditions for snorkeling and scuba diving in the Maldives. Photo: Cheval Blanc Randheli

April (after Easter) is when you’ll find a sweet spot of lower hotel rates and ideal weather: Temperatures are consistently in the high 80s year-round, but in April there is almost no rain or wind, so the water is calm for snorkeling and diving.

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Sardinia, Italy

Combine history (here, the ancient Phoenician city of Nora) and hiking on Sardinia. Photo: Shutterstock

Sardinia is a little-known hiker’s paradise. Its trails have views of white-sand beaches and crystalline water on one side, and craggy mountain peaks on the other. But if you go there to walk in summer, you’ll melt. Visit in April instead, when it’s not too crowded, the temperature is pleasant, and the wildflowers are in bloom.

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MAY

Isla Holbox, Mexico

Holbox Island beach street in Quintana Roo of Mexico.

On Isla Holbox, the roads are for bikes, motorcycles, and golf carts—but not cars. Photo: Shutterstock

This chilled-out island off the Yucatan Peninsula has gotten popular lately, as travelers seek out the next Tulum. The ferry from the mainland is passenger-only, as cars aren’t allowed on Holbox. Go in the “shoulder season” (late April through May, and October through November) to avoid the crowds and enjoy ideal weather.

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Santorini, Greece

Oia town on Santorini island, Greece. Traditional and famous houses and churches with blue domes over the Caldera, Aegean sea

Santorini is at its best in May, before summer’s crowds and heat set in. Photo: Shutterstock

May weather is warm but not hot, and hotel rates are lower than from mid-June through September. The crowds are less too, which has the added benefit of ensuring the service will be better. During the hectic summer months, when hordes of cruise-ship passengers invade the island, service suffers; you can barely even find an available taxi.

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GREEK ISLAND REVIEWS

Capri, Italy

Beat the crowds to Capri by visiting in May. Photo: IC Bellagio

Mild spring temperatures make it pleasant to explore this legendary island in May, while it is still in a state of tranquility, before the mad crush invades in June. The lemon, orange, and jasmine flowers in bloom lend wonderful scents and colors; it’s also the time of year for many sailing events, as well as the annual celebration of the island’s Patron Saint San Costanzo.

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Corsica, France

Corsica’s hiking trails are ideal in May. Photo: Philip Haslett

While summer is Corsica’s high season, May and June are hard to beat: The temperatures are a bit lower, the crowds fewer, and the hotels don’t impose minimum-stay requirements. It’s a great time for the hiking, cycling, and canyoning that the island is known for—but if you want to spend a lot of time in the water, you’re better off waiting until September, when the sea is warmer.

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SOUTHERN FRANCE REVIEWS

Oahu, Hawaii

May is a quieter month on Oahu. Photo: Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) / Mark Kushimi

Oahu’s temps are consistently pleasant year-round (usually between 78 and 82 degrees). The reason May is ideal—except for the Japanese holiday of Golden Week, at the start of the month—is that airfare is less expensive and there are fewer tourists.

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HAWAII REVIEWS

JUNE

Bali

June ushers in Bali’s best weather. Photo: Shutterstock

June has the most reliably pleasant weather in Bali—daytime temps in the 80s and gentle breezes to keep the sun from feeling too hot—and better prices: High-season hotel rates don’t kick in until July.

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Spitsbergen, Norway

Polar bears appear in Svalbard by June. Photo: Shelley Fry

Spitsbergen, the largest island in the Svalbard Archipelago, is one of the world’s best places to see polar bears. While Arctic voyages set sail throughout the summer, going in June maximizes your chances of seeing these magnificent animals before the sea ice recedes.

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POLAR + EXPEDITION REVIEWS

Mallorca and Menorca, Spain

sailboats moored in turquoise water off a rocky shore in Menorca Spain

Menorca is the least crowded of Spain’s Balearic Islands. Photo: Pixabay

Early in June, you’ll find great weather without the crowds of beachgoers who invade in summertime. Mallorca is a golfer’s dream, with a wide range of hotels, while Menorca is off the typical tourist circuit and ideal for those who want to relax by the sea and enjoy life as the locals do.

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SPANISH ISLAND REVIEWS

Kodiak Island, Alaska

Kodiak Island’s brown bears are best spotted in the summer months. Photo: Entree Destinations

Alaska is one of those places best visited in high season, when the weather is at its prime, the days are long, and you have the full array of activities to choose from. Come June on Kodiak Island, that includes hiking trails lined with Sitka spruce, fishing in fresh and salt water, and spotting the brown bears that share the island’s name.

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Yakushima, Japan

Yakushima’s streams and waterfalls are at their best in June. Photo: Sankara Hotel & Spa Yakushima

This sub-tropical island, located in the waters just south of Kyushu, is ideal for intrepid travelers: Its mountains and vast forest of ancient cedar trees are crisscrossed by a network of hiking trails, from easy walks to challenging ascents. June signals the end of the rainy season, so you’ll find stunning waterfalls along the trails; it’s also when endangered loggerhead sea turtles return to Yakushima’s beaches to nest.

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JAPAN REVIEWS

JULY

Aeolian Islands, Italy

View of Panarea island with white houses, Aeolian islands, Sicily, Italy.

The whitewashed villages of Panarea don’t feel crowded, even in July. Photo: Shutterstock

Italy in July, you say? Isn’t it jam-packed? Not in this chain of islands—some of the most pristine left in Europe—that are just a short sail from Sicily and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in their entirety. While the mainland is mobbed, charter a yacht with a captain who was born on the islands and who can show you beautiful and lush Salina; the jet-setters’ getaway of Panarea; and magnificent Stromboli, where volcanic eruptions frequently light up the night sky.

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ITALY REVIEWS

Tahiti

If you time your trip right, you can witness the spectacle of Heiva in French Polynesia. Photo: Tahiti Tourism

French Polynesia’s Heiva festival falls in July, with the culmination of ceremonies in Papeete, Tahiti, around the 20th. Heiva is a celebration of life and all things Polynesian. The outer islands hold local contests—in everything from outrigger racing to stone carrying and spear throwing, traditional dancing and singing to tifaifai (quilt) making—and the best go to Tahiti for the main festival. It’s a great time weather-wise as well; the trade winds keep temps in the low 80s and the humidity low.

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TAHITI + SOUTH PACIFIC REVIEWS

Zanzibar

July means sunny days on Zanzibar—and great wildlife spotting in the Serengeti. Photo: Zuri Zanzibar

July is a perfect time to cap off a safari with a few days on Zanzibar’s gorgeous white-sand beaches. It’s one of the island’s driest and sunniest months, with daytime temperatures in the low 80s and not much humidity. Plus, the Great Migration is usually in Tanzania’s northern Serengeti in early July, with the enormous herds of wildebeest and zebra crossing the Mara River into Kenya’s Masai Mara by mid-month.

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SAFARI + ISLAND REVIEWS

Iceland’s Westman Islands

puffins on green hillside on Westmand Island Iceland

The Westman Islands are one of the best places in Iceland to see puffins. Photo: Shutterstock

In the height of summer, when even as remote a place as Iceland is in the throes of peak season, catch a ferry to this collection of islands off the country’s southern coast. Here you can glimpse puffins in the wild, scale a dormant volcano, and zoom around the archipelago via RIB boat, all in near solitude even in July.

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ICELAND REVIEWS

Newfoundland, Canada

July and August bring great whale sightings. Photo: Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism

Animal lovers take note: July and August are prime whale-watching time in this most easterly province of Canada. In these months, 5,000 to 10,000 humpbacks make their way into the surrounding fish-rich water, followed by 21 other species of whales and dolphins and an astonishing 35 million seabirds.

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CANADA REVIEWS

AUGUST

Faroe Islands, Denmark

Gásadalur on Vagar Island, Faroe Islands. Photo: Tina Thorman

The Faroe Islands enjoy their best weather in summer. Photo: Tina Thorman

The weather in the Faroe Islands is notoriously dramatic and unpredictable—but your surest chance of warm and sunny days comes in August. There is great hiking on the islands, more sheep than there are humans, and a rustic charm and sense of welcome that could have you sharing a home-cooked meal with a local family. Luxury here is not in the bathroom fixtures or the thread count of the sheets, but in the time and space to clear your mind and recenter your soul.

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DENMARK REVIEWS

Great Barrier Reef Islands, Australia

The Great Barrier Reef’s waters are clearest in August. Photo: Shutterstock

August brings warm weather, good visibility for divers and snorkelers, and calm seas (the wind dies down at the end of July). It’s also the best time to view whales—dwarf minke whales visiting the northern reefs and humpbacks on their annual migration to Antarctica. Every August, Hamilton Island also hosts Race Week, a sailing regatta with festivities on and off the water.

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GREAT BARRIER REEF + AUSTRALIA REVIEWS

Madagascar

A group of resting lemurs katta looking at the camera.

August is the sweet spot for uncrowded wildlife viewing in Madagascar. Photo: Shutterstock

August is deep enough into the dry season that the wildlife viewing is very good (the lush foliage of rainy season makes it hard to see the animals) yet it also precedes the peak season of September and October, when the parks are more crowded (and the weather hotter).

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SAFARI + ISLAND REVIEWS

Ionian Islands, Greece

Navagio beach, shipwreck beach, famous overhead summer lanscape of Zakinthos island, Greece with flowers

Greece’s Ionian Islands are known for their tucked-away beaches and bright blue waters. Photo: Shutterstock

If August is your only time to travel to Greece and you don’t love tourist crowds, charter a yacht in the Ionians. Many of the smaller islands in this group are accessible only by boat, so you’ll be free of the swarms that plague Santorini and Mykonos this month. Instead, you’ll find a temperate climate, spectacular beaches, lush vegetation, beautiful mountains, and the true flavor of Greece when you disembark from your boat and head into a tiny town for a meal at a local taverna.

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GREEK ISLAND REVIEWS

SEPTEMBER

Vancouver Island, Canada

From grizzlies to whales, wildlife abounds around Vancouver Island in September. Photo: Shutterstock

September still has beautiful weather on this island—whose attractions include glaciered peaks, a rugged coastline, and British Columbia’s capital city—but without the summer crowds now that kids are back in school. This is also the best time of year to spot grizzly bears, and you can often still see whales and other marine animals.

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CANADA REVIEWS

Prince Edward Island, Canada

East Point Lighthouse on Prince Edward Island. Photo: traveler Phil Hoch

PEI is renowned for its lobster rolls and oysters, and September brings chefs and tasters from all over for the International Shellfish Festival. But fall is harvest season for much more than shellfish, and you’ll find bountiful farmers’ markets all over this agricultural island. Rumor has it that locals have perfected the art of the chocolate-covered potato chip, but you’ll have to see for yourself….

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CANADA REVIEWS

Ibiza

September brings lovely weather and fewer crowds to Ibiza. Photo: Queen of Clubs

Come September, it’s not nearly as crowded at Ibiza’s beach clubs, restaurants, and nightclubs (or on the roads). Rates for hotels and private boating excursions drop, but the weather is still lovely, and it’s warm enough to swim (with ideal air temperatures for hiking and biking as well) right up until the hot spots’ closing parties in early October.

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Hvar, Croatia

It’s still warm enough to swim off Hvar in September. Photo: traveler Andrea Shaver

It’s still swimsuit season in September, but the atmosphere is much more laid-back than in July and August, and the travelers are more sophisticated than the summer party crowds. Croatia is known for its excellent wine, and September also coincides with the grape harvest. Later in the month, hotel rates drop.

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CROATIAN ISLAND REVIEWS

The San Juan Islands, Washington

Lime Kiln Point Lighthouse, Haro Straight, San Juan Islands, Washington

The Lime Kiln Point Lighthouse in Washington’s San Juan Islands. Photo: Shutterstock

The weather in the San Juans (and the Olympic Peninsula) is usually still very nice in September, and there are fewer tourists than you’ll find in July and August. (The best time to see the resident orca whales, though, is June.)

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PACIFIC NORTHWEST REVIEWS

Lofoten Islands, Norway

Reine, Lofoten, Norway. The village of Reine under a sunny, blue sky, with the typical rorbu houses. View from the top

Spectacular scenery around the village of Reine in Lofoten, Norway. Photo: Shutterstock

In September and October, the crowds are gone, the weather is still pleasant, and the days are long enough to enjoy hiking, kayaking, fishing, and other activities—but with enough darkness that you stand a good chance of seeing the northern lights.

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ARCTIC NORWAY REVIEWS

OCTOBER

Sicily

Cefalu’s markets are bursting with fresh produce in October. Photo: Shutterstock

October is one of the most colorful and flavorful months in Sicily. It is the season of the harvest, which means fresh olives, almonds, chestnuts, wild mushrooms, prickly pears, and carob complement the usual variety of culinary offerings. Air and sea temperatures are still warm and inviting, the ancient cultural sites are bathed in a crisp autumn light, and flights and hotels are less expensive than during the summer.

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SICILY REVIEWS

The Seychelles

The Seychelles are popular with Europeans—but not in October. Photo: Maia Luxury Resort.

October brings calm winds and beautiful temperatures, but it’s not a popular time for Europeans to travel—so rates are lower than usual. It’s also the best month for spotting whale sharks.

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SEYCHELLES REVIEWS

Hawaii’s Big Island

Pololu Valley Lookout at Sunrise, North Kohala

Deals are likely on the Big Island in October. Photo: Island of Hawaii Visitors Bureau (IHVB) / Elizabeth Brentano

October is one of the Big Island’s driest months, with daytime temps hovering around 85 degrees. It’s also a month when you are more likely to snag a deal, given that so few families are traveling.

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HAWAII REVIEWS

The Canary Islands, Spain

View of the public square and a side of Parroquia de San Gines in Lanzarote, Canary Islands, Spain.

A new nonstop flight from the U.S. makes the Canary Islands more accessible. Photo: Shutterstock

Don’t assume that the entirety of this subtropical island chain located off the coast of Morocco is devoted to huge resorts and mass-market tourism. On unspoiled islands like Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, and El Hierro, you can find great hiking, scuba diving, and even a hidden village squeezed into the nooks and crannies of a rocky cove. There is a new nonstop flight on United from Newark to the Canary Islands, and in October the islands are less busy and enjoy mild weather with little chance of rain.

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NOVEMBER

Ambergris Caye, Belize

Wendy Perrin snorkeling in Belize underwater with a smiling fish.

Here’s Wendy, snorkeling off Ambergris Caye in Belize’s low season. Photo: Timothy Baker

Before Thanksgiving, hotel rates are at their lowest. The days are hot, but the humidity is dropping, and the evenings are cool and breezy. November 19 is Garifuna Settlement Day and is best spent on mainland Belize in either Dangriga or Hopkins, where the Garifuna people celebrate—with drumming, dancing, and parades—the arrival of their Afro-indigenous ancestors more than 200 years ago.

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BELIZE ISLAND REVIEWS

The Galápagos Islands

November (except Thanksgiving) is a quieter month for the Galápagos. Photo: Pixabay/Peter Stuart Miller

The Galápagos is a magnet for families with kids during summer and other school vacations; if you’re looking for a quieter time, think November (except Thanksgiving). Blue whales, humpback whales, and whale sharks—the largest fish in the sea, growing up to 40 feet in length and weighing as much as 40,000 pounds—are most likely to be spotted in the Galápagos from June through November.

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ECUADOR + GALÁPAGOS REVIEWS

Papua New Guinea

Go diving off Papua New Guinea in November. Photo: Pixabay/freesally

Milne Bay is home to the most varied scuba diving in Papua New Guinea: Here you’ll find coral structures, exotic creatures hiding in the sandy bottom, and WWII wrecks to explore. The diving in Milne Bay is at its best from November through January, which is the dry season for this part of the country.

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South Georgia Island

Animals—like these king penguins—abound on South Georgia Island in November. Photo: ExpeditionTrips

A jewel in the Southern Ocean, South Georgia Island will appeal to anyone interested in wildlife, wild places, or the history of Antarctic exploration. The season here runs roughly from late October through early March, but what makes November special—in addition to the king penguins stretching as far as the eye can see—is the plethora of elephant seals and fur seals on shore.

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ANTARCTICA + SOUTH GEORGIA REVIEWS

St. Barts

St. Barts emerges from hurricane season in November. Photo: Hotel Christopher

Come November, many resorts, boutiques, and restaurants that closed during the height of hurricane season have reopened, and everything feels fresh and new. The Saint Barth Gourmet Festival also takes place this month, attracting star chefs from France and elsewhere. Plus, hotel and villa rates don’t jump up until mid-December.

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CARIBBEAN ISLAND REVIEWS

DECEMBER

The Caribbean

Idyllic tropical beach with white sand, turquoise ocean water and blue sky at Antigua island in Caribbean

Antigua and its Caribbean neighbors are a great value in early December. Photo: Shutterstock

From the Monday after Thanksgiving until about December 15, you have lovely weather and can enjoy savings of up to 40% off peak-season rates. (Peak season starts with the Christmas rush and lasts until Easter.)

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CARIBBEAN ISLAND REVIEWS

Palawan, the Philippines

Sailboat on the beach in Palawan, Philippines.

Crystal-clear water is a hallmark of Palawan in December. Photo: Banwa Private Island

Palawan—one of the most beautiful spots in this island archipelago—shines brightest in early December, before the holiday crowds rush in. The weather is at its warm-and-dry best, perfect for exploring pristine beaches, hidden coves, and stunning limestone cliffs. And the water visibility is excellent for snorkelers and divers attracted by the area’s coral reefs and vibrant marine life.

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PHILIPPINES REVIEWS

Fiji

December is cyclone season in Fiji, but Mamanuca Island is drier than most. Photo: Pixabay/KuyaAndy

At the start of cyclone season, in December, you’ll find tropical afternoon showers but also great resort deals: free nights, free massages, even free domestic airfares. The Yasawa and Mamanuca islands are your best bet for dry days at this time of year.

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SOUTH PACIFIC REVIEWS

A Common Travel Rip-Off to Avoid

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I want to make sure you’re all aware of a money-saving tip that came into play a lot during my recent trip to Spain and Portugal—in nearly every restaurant and shop.

When you use a credit card abroad, and you’re given a choice of paying in U.S. dollars or the local currency, choose the local currency. Otherwise you’ll end up paying an unnecessary currency-exchange fee that’s typically between 3% and 12%.

This is true not only in restaurants and shops, but also now with Uber: In the Uber app, opt out of paying in your home currency and instead select the local-currency option, since otherwise you’ll be charged a 1.5% currency conversion fee.

Of course, for all credit-card purchases abroad, you should be using a credit card that does not charge foreign-transaction fees.

How to Avoid Anti-American Sentiment When Traveling Abroad

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I’ve heard recently from travelers wondering if they’ll encounter negativity toward U.S. tourists abroad because of tariffs and other political conditions. Not only do I think well-behaved travelers have nothing to worry about, I also think you’ll be surprised and delighted by just how nice people are in most countries. Now is actually an important time to be traveling and serving as an unofficial ambassador for our country, I believe: If people have misperceptions about the U.S., you can help rectify them.

Over the past several months, I have not heard any feedback from our travelers reporting any negativity toward U.S. citizens. What I have heard—dozens of times a week, in our travelers’ trip reviews—is how friendly the locals were. Read the reviews below to see what I mean. Or, if there’s a specific country you want to know about—say, Canada or Panama or countries in Central Europe—go to The WOW List, scroll down to the country, and click on READ TRIP REVIEWS.

A bigger reason I’m not worried is this: I’ve spent four decades traveling the world, including during periods when, and in places where, there was great disapproval of U.S. policy. During the Persian Gulf War and the second Gulf War, for instance, friends told me to say I was Canadian and pin a maple-leaf flag on my bag. I never did: I was always upfront about being a U.S. citizen—and I never encountered any problem. Why? Because people distinguish between individuals and their governments. Most people around the world don’t like their own government’s actions. They want to make sure you don’t paint them with that brush, which is why they don’t paint you with that brush. If someone were visiting the U.S. from another country, would you blame them for their government’s actions?

Another reason I’ve always felt safe and stayed safe is that I’ve always traveled privately and inconspicuously. I wear no logos, political or otherwise. I show respect by using local greetings and etiquette. I avoid crowds and demonstrations. I’m never on a big tour bus with signage that screams USA or amid a loud group of “Ugly American” tourists. That’s what could make you a target.

There are more reasons why well-behaved travelers should not be nervous: Most countries—and pretty much everybody in the hospitality business—hugely value U.S. tourism dollars. Americans are known to spend and tip a lot. So service providers want you to have a good time. Last but not least, the best local fixers have strong relationships on the ground that buffer and protect you from problems. Their local friendships translate into friendliness from the people you meet via their travel arrangements.

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ARGENTINA AND CHILE: “Some of the warmest people we’ve ever encountered…”

Three musicians playing guitars during a private concert in Patagonia.

Travelers were treated to a private concert in a historic estancia. Photo: Traveler Kitty Bean Yancey

“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’s Lake Country one of the more memorable trips in decades of travel. Jordan and Krista 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 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.

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

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

A local crowd at Lyabi Hauz restaurant in Bukhara, Uzbekistan. 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

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SRI LANKA: “U.S. tariffs did not seem to change the way they dealt with us…”

Anantara Peace Haven Resort in Tangalle, Sri Lanka

A friendly family of pottery makers in Sri Lanka.

“In three weeks, we saw most of Sri Lanka and felt we had a good overview of the people and culture. Thanks to Miguel and Nicola for their hard work.

The people of Sri Lanka are some of the gentlest and friendliest people we have encountered. The likely adverse effects caused by the U.S. tariffs did not seem to change the way they dealt with us.

The food was one of the big surprises. We had two cooking classes where we ‘helped’ the chefs. In each of those we prepared about ten curry dishes. We had tours of a tea plantation and a cinnamon plantation, hikes on two sections of the Pekoe Trail, two boat trips where we saw a great number of birds and flying foxes, a visit to a woman potter, and five game drives, where we saw a leopard and multiple elephants.

We had breakfast with Miguel at the Amangalla. We really enjoyed meeting him. He has done a great job creating the Pekoe Trail. Hiking it was one of the highlights of our trip.” —James Robertson

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BELIZE: “The people are the friendliest I have ever met…”

A boy blowing into a shell by the ocean in Belize.

A boy shows off his conch-blowing skills in Belize. Photo: Timothy Baker

“We would go back to Belize in a heartbeat. The people are the friendliest I have ever met, and the easy accessibility to excursions and relaxation allowed us to fully relax in the short period of time we had in the country.

Patricia did a fabulous job picking great guides and a perfect resort. She based us out of Naïa Resort in Placencia. We took a couple days to relax on the beach, indulge in the spa and experience the local restaurants, which were delicious. Then we headed to the Silk Cayes and the reef to snorkel. Our guide was awesome and took us through the coral reef, pointing out all the different sea creatures that we would have missed on our own. We then went behind the reef and saw nurse sharks, sea turtles, rays, and tons of other fish. Truly a special experience.” —Anna Dvorchik

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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.

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Sicily for ideal weather to hike, bike, take a cooking class, and visit the San Giuseppe festival

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!”

“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

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India for joining the community spring festival of Holi and “painting the town”

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

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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

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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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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.

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

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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.

“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. Jennifer listened to our desires, planned a wonderful trip which checked all of the boxes for our various family members, and was incredibly patient and kind throughout the entire process.” —Wynne Wages

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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

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Spain for castles without the crowds

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

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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

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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

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Mexico City for fantastic food and vibrant neighborhoods

Coyoacan Street in Mexico. 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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Don’t Fall For This Travel Scam

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There’s a scam going around that every traveler should know about: Fraudsters are posing as airlines or airline-focused travel agencies, booking real flights, charging hefty extra fees that they often falsely claim are imposed by the airline, and sometimes even canceling those flights, leaving travelers high and dry.

These scammers are catching unsuspecting travelers in a couple of ways: First, they’re sharing incorrect phone numbers for airlines on websites with user-contributed content. Second, they’re purchasing ads that make their sites appear at the top of online searches and social-media feeds. Third, they’re changing the contact information in Google’s “Knowledge Panel” (the box that often shows up beside the main results when you search for a business).

Our advice is this: Communicate with an airline only via a phone number, email address, or chat box that you’ve found directly on their own website or app. Be vigilant in confirming that you have the right site; scammers often try to seem reputable by using real logos and photos, or slightly changing the spelling of an actual company’s name in a URL or email address. Before engaging with a business, Google it to suss out any reports of fraud. And always pay by credit card, which offers far more consumer protections than paying by bank transfer.

Here’s one more thing to keep in mind: Just about every victim of a scam will tell you that something seemed off, but they ignored that feeling and carried on with the transaction. So trust your gut. If your “Spidey-sense” starts tingling, hang up the phone, close your browser tab, and start over.

We’re grateful that so many of our travelers report back after their trips planned by folks on The WOW List. It’s that firsthand feedback that helps fellow travelers decide who they can trust. Read on to learn how WOW List experts go the extra mile to protect—not drain—your funds and your sanity.

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COLOMBIA: Altering plans at the last minute to accommodate travelers’ changing schedules

Whisenant family during a cooking class at the home of a chef, outside Medellin, Colombia.

Members of the Whisenant family during a trip highlight: a cooking class at a private chef’s home.

“Boris and his team planned a fantastic journey and really stepped up when we had issues! We visited Medellín, the coffee region, and Cartagena. Two weeks before our trip, one of my older sons found out he would be working in Medellín at the same time we were in Colombia. Boris was able to book my son on a flight from Medellín to Cartagena at the end of his work week. He was also able to secure a room for my son to stay at our hotel in Cartagena. My son was able to join us for the last portion of the vacation and activities, thanks to Boris and his team! The second issue we ran into was the couple traveling with us had a family member pass away during our trip. The husband had to fly home early. Boris and his team worked to accommodate this change.

In Medellín, we visited District 13 and a historical monument dedicated to the loss of life during the Escobar years (our guide Lillian was very informative regarding the history of Colombia…she was also a reporter). We visited the second-largest collection of orchids in the world at the home garden of the collector. We also had a private cooking class at a chef’s home. In the coffee region, we stayed at a wonderful hacienda out in the country…so tranquil and lots of birds. In Cartagena, we did a rum tasting, a private cooking class (one of the trip highlights!!!!), and a street food tour. The final day was spent island-hopping in the Rosario Islands with a stop for lunch at a beach club…a perfect end to our trip.” —Molly Whisenant

To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

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JAPAN: Avoiding cancellation fees when a traveler’s daughter is hospitalized and they need to reschedule

Our WOW Lister managed to reschedule a trip to Kanazawa and beyond. Photo: Shutterstock

“We contacted Andrea to plan a trip for my family of five adults. We were all set to go when my daughter was hospitalized. I spoke with Andrea and he said he would do what he could to cancel or defer the trip, but we were not hopeful, as the cancellation rules in Japan are strict. To my great surprise and delight, he worked it out so the trip was rescheduled for the end of February. Honestly, he worked some kind of magic!

A few key highlights: The hotels and ryokan Andrea chose were wonderful. The visit to the snow monkeys was a high point, and we were there when it was snowing. Perfect! And we really enjoyed exploring Kanazawa and loved our private visit to the knife forge and making washi—handmade paper.

We felt well taken care of by Andrea and his team. They really focused on service and could not have been more helpful.” —Nancy Laben

To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

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PANAMA: Pivoting and problem-solving to optimize everyone’s experience

Colorful colonial buildings in Casco Viejo.

Panama City’s Casco Viejo is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Photo: Shutterstock

“For our spring break trip, Pierre and his team found a gorgeous, small boutique hotel in the heart of Old Town Panama City, a working coffee farm high in the mountains with hiking among waterfalls and in the cloud forest, and a rustic, off-the-grid small beach resort in Bocas del Toro. The guides and drivers adjusted schedules on the fly to get the best visibility of the canal and to optimize our time with the wild monkeys well away from the crowded tourist boats—a huge hit with our 9-year-old! We were particularly impressed when one driver was able to quickly reorganize a complicated drive/boat transfer mid-route when one of our party was unexpectedly ill, seamlessly shifting logistics to better fit the immediate need.

But most impressive was Pierre’s response when one of the hotels had an issue—he responded within 45 minutes with an alternate solution, advocated for us with the hotel itself, and continued to stay in touch and make sure everything was resolved. We were very impressed with his professionalism and his quick response!!” —Katherine Sanders

To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

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Private Guides: The Essential Ingredient That Can Make or Break a Trip

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There are a lot of people who play a role in making a WOW trip exceptional, but it’s the private local guides who are the linchpin. These on-the-ground fixers bring to life the words on the pages of your itinerary; pivot when weather, crowds, or unexpected events require a change of plans; and open a window to the local culture of the place you’re visiting. (No, I’m not talking about the tour guides you see holding flags and wielding microphones to keep a large group of travelers in line with their scripted dialogue!)

People who think that experienced travelers don’t need a local guide are doing themselves a disservice: It’s only from guides that I’ve learned about a million things in my travels—from the right way to drink mate in Chile to wedding customs in Egypt to reading fortune sticks in Laos (that’s my Laotian private guide, above, showing me around the temple at Vat Phou). My favorite moments with a guide usually happen in the interstitials—say, a conversation about family dynamics or pop culture that transpires while driving between sights or over a meal.

It’s not by chance that the local trip-planning experts on Wendy’s WOW List work with the best guides in the business; each expert has spent considerable time testing—and continually training—local guides in their destination. When they match you to the right guide based on your interest in Portuguese wine or your kid’s fascination with Greek mythology, the result can be magical. But don’t take my word for it: Check out the reviews below from your fellow travelers about their favorite private guides.

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Cuba: “I simply could not have asked for more caring or capable shepherds to a destination that can be challenging.”

Santiago de Cuba surrounded by builidngs around it in Santiago de Cuba.

Traveler Todd Purdum was researching a book that involves Santiago de Cuba. Photo: Terraversed

“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.

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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Vietnam: “She stopped to have us walk along the little alleyways to catch an inside glimpse of life.”

Travelers Mark and Sandra Questad learn how to eat pho in a private home with their guides in Hanoi, Vietnam.

Traveler Sandra Questad eating pho with her husband and new friends.

“It was a dream vacation for us, and to say Dan’s team went above and beyond our expectations would be an understatement. We were given what I would call ‘white-glove treatment’ from the time we landed in Hanoi to the time we departed in Phuket. Our accommodations were just as we hoped…boutique style or luxury, close to town where we can walk and mingle with the locals to experience the food, coffee shops and culture.

Hanoi was wonderful. The two young drivers who joined our guide, my husband, and me and rode motorbikes with us made the trip so memorable. Really great kids! They chatted with us as we rode along, asking questions about our life as they shared about theirs, and they felt like old friends. We stopped by a private home to sample pho with them, and they showed us how to eat it. What a fun cultural experience it was and exactly what we love doing. It gave us a realistic peek into the everyday life of the locals.

In Chiang Mai we were in great hands with Berm. He showed us around his city and brought us to the night market, where we sampled many local culinary delights and tried some exotic fruits. Bangkok was amazing, and we really enjoyed our guide Kei. We loved the private long-tail boat tour on the canals. She showed interesting things along the way and stopped to have us walk along the little alleyways to catch an inside glimpse of life. This is exactly what we love…seeing how the locals live. We stopped as she chatted with an older couple who happened to be her friends’ parents. They invited us into their home, proudly showed us around and offered us fruit from their tree and chilled, cut-up fruit at their table. That was so special!” —Sandra Questad

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

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Morocco: “The most unusual experience we had was having our Berber hiking guide take us into his own home for tea to meet his wife & young boy…”

Sara Benda and her family riding camels in the Sahara, Morocco.

Sara Benda and family rode camels from their luxury camp in the Sahara.

“Our trip organized by Hicham and Radia was everything we hoped for and more to help us discover the beautiful country of Morocco. Every little detail was arranged to make the whole experience seamless. The lodging and restaurants they chose for us based on our preferences were wonderful, and there is absolutely no way we would have known how to find them otherwise. There were personal touches that went above and beyond, like providing us with Moroccan cash when we arrived, knowing it would be difficult to obtain right away, or always having fresh water bottles and snacks available.

They connected us with fabulous local people. Best of all, they provided us with an absolutely amazing guide, Mustapha, who was with us the entire trip. He provided us such a rich education about the history and culture of Morocco, through his itinerary and guidance, with such a warm personality. He made sure every element of our experience was exactly how we liked it. If that weren’t enough, we were provided with a fantastic driver and very comfortable van for the whole trip as well. The entire experience was flawless and perfect.

There was nothing about our trip we would avoid. Every stop along the way was special and shouldn’t be missed. Casablanca, Fes, camping in the Sahara, Ouarzazate/Benhaddou, Marrakesh, and hiking in the Atlas mountains. I wouldn’t give up any of those experiences.

The most unusual experience we had was having our Berber hiking guide take us into his own home for tea and to meet his wife and young boy. It was precious. The luxury camping in the Sahara was an out-of-this-world experience. This trip was worth every penny. Thank you!” —Sara Benda

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

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Italy: “We truly felt we had the best guides possible in each city…”

Guide Alvise with Sarah Cohen and her husband in Venice, Italy.

Sarah Cohen with her husband and their guide, Alvise, in Venice.

“In addition to Jennifer’s trip planning, the level of guides she used was phenomenal. We had Alvise in Venice who spent the day with us on a land-and-sea tour of Venice and gave us endless suggestions for shopping and sightseeing on our own.

In Florence we had Veronica as our guide. Veronica has a degree in art history, and it felt like we were students in her class as she shared her wealth of knowledge with us. We could’ve listened to her for hours. Florence obviously has ENDLESS treasures to share. Veronica took us to trusted leather makers and jewelers with handmade craftsmanship and honest pricing. She also gave us her cell number to ask other questions while we were in Florence.

Finally, we had Salvatore as our guide in Rome. We did the Ancient Rome Experience and the Vatican tour with him. Salvatore was very knowledgeable and kept a perfect pace for us. He offered to extend our tours to other areas he wanted us to see in Rome. It was above and beyond his job. He also gave us wonderful advice about places to eat lunch and other areas of the city to visit on our own.

All three guides spoke excellent English and were the top guides in the city. It was surprising they all knew each other and spoke highly of Jennifer and Wendy Perrin. We truly felt we had the best guides possible in each city.” —Sarah Cohen

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

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Peru: “An accomplished photographer who identified some fantastic photo ops for us that resulted in many keepers…”

Boy ‘angel’ spouting fire during the parade in Cusco, Peru.

A boy dressed as an angel spouting fire at the parade in Cusco, Peru. Photo: Traveler Tim Triche

“Despite a disastrous beginning due to airline travel delays and cancelled flights, Marisol’s team rose to the occasion and successfully rearranged our itinerary so that, despite over two lost days of travel, we were nonetheless able to do almost everything that was originally scheduled.

Our guides were absolutely top-notch. Claudio accompanied us for most of the trip and was the consummate travel guide—knowledgeable, engaging, experienced, and a truly nice guy. And, an accomplished photographer who identified some fantastic photo ops for us that resulted in many keepers that will enable us to remember this trip for years.

I have done photography as a serious hobby for decades, and another shout-out to Adriana, the photographer who took us around Cusco at the end of our trip. I learned a great deal from her and took some creative photos that would otherwise never have occurred to me.” —Dr. Tim Triche

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

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Disney World: “Water, snacks, ice cream magically appeared, and our wonderful guide would go on the rides with one of the boys if my husband or I didn’t want to…”

Happily Ever After fireworks at Disney World. Photo: Disney

“There were seven of us: me, my husband, my son, his wife, and our three grandsons, ages 4 to 7. Our planner listened carefully about the experience we were looking for. By far the best recommendation and explanation they gave us was about the Disney VIP Guide. While it is very pricey, it made the difference in the trip. We planned on visiting the parks three days of our week-long trip and used the guide for each park day. No lines, no trying to figure out the Lightning Lane passes…. Water, snacks, ice cream magically appeared, and our wonderful guide would go on the rides with one of the boys if my husband or I didn’t want to. We were able to go on every ride we wanted to (some twice) in the course of three days. We got the Park Hopper and, because we were being transferred in their van, there was no time wasted changing parks. We all felt very spoiled!!” —Randi Zoot

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

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Ireland: “When we parted company, I felt that we were saying goodbye to a brother. Brendan is smart, gracious, well-prepared, discreet, funny, full of stories…”

Sheila Morse and husband Dick Smith at Killarney National Park’s Torc Waterfall.

“My initial approach was to downplay the importance of nice hotels, as we intended to spend so little time in our rooms. Thank goodness Jonathan convinced us otherwise. Each of the three hotels reserved for us were not just great places to sleep. The ambiance, breakfasts, locations, special welcomes in each room, staff—all were superb and much appreciated after a full day of exploring and learning.

Windows in our room in the Great Southern Killarney hotel opened onto an inner garden. We thoroughly enjoyed an Irish whisky tasting one evening after dinner.
Mount Juliet near Kilkenny was beautiful! Our ‘windows’ were doors opening into beautiful green spaces. It was lovely to have a delicious cake and local honey waiting for us in the room!
The Dylan Hotel in Dublin was extraordinary! Again, superb breakfasts and drinks on the house one evening. It was within walking distance of every place we wanted to see.

We had naively thought that it was possible to drive far greater distances than the itinerary we finally settled on. Again, Jonathan’s gentle guidance proved wise. We traveled from Shannon to Killarney and ventured out from there for three days, then to Kilkenny for two days, and on to Dublin for three. That, in fact, was a lot to take in.

Weather was the only thing that didn’t synch up with all these extraordinary arrangements. We experienced rainy, cold, blustery winds, and moments of sunshine. Nevertheless, we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves! (See wet slickers and cold noses in the photo!)

Brendan Glynn was our driver/guide for all but Dublin. He met us at Shannon and spent five full days with us. When we parted company, I felt that we were saying goodbye to a brother. Brendan is smart, gracious, well-prepared, discreet, funny, full of stories, and has a vast store of knowledge about everything we were seeing. He’s a fabulous driver. He provided valuable and entirely reliable recommendations throughout our stay. I lost my debit card and could not make satisfactory arrangements to get cash. Brendan allowed me to transfer funds from my bank to his and, in full faith that the transfer would be executed satisfactorily, advanced me Euros.

Brendan took us to Dingle Crystal, a small, seemingly out-of-the-way artisan craft shop where we saw some of the most beautiful crystal designs we’ve ever seen. Despite the fact that this place seems to be on at least a few tour guides’ itineraries, we were made to feel uniquely welcome by Sean Daly, the owner, and his sons. We spent time in the glass cutting room, getting a glimpse of how they ply their craft, and my husband purchased two beautiful whisky-tasting glasses.

During our time in Kilkenny, Brendan was able to arrange with the owner of Jerpoint Park to open up weeks in advance of her scheduled opening date. Maeve gave us a private, guided tour of the Lost Town of Newtown Jerpoint, a 12th-century settlement that she and her husband found was on land they bought to farm and which they excavated and reclaimed, inch by inch. We learned so much about the time, the confluence of events and landscape, and the special import of that particular location. This particular visit was a high point of our eight days in Ireland!

The drives and views were incredible, all day every day!” —Sheila Morse

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

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Morocco: “With Jamal and Majid at our sides, it felt like we were traveling with friends we had known for a lifetime…”

Craig and Stephanie Smith on the rooftop terrace of Essaouira’s Salut Maroc with private guide Jamal and driver Majid.

We stayed in beautiful riads with a very personal touch and enjoyed all kinds of delicious food. In addition to seeing many historic sites (mosques, synagogues, palaces, medinas, souks, tanneries), we also had adventures. We went for a camel ride and rode ATVs in the desert. We went for a hot-air balloon ride outside of Marrakech. We went for a hike in the High Atlas Mountains from Imlil to Armed. One of our favorite activities was the sunset motorcycle sidecar tour of Marrakech, suggested by Radia. We felt like we were in a movie, riding through the Palmerie and the medina in comfortable, roomy, sidecars. A definite must-do!

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

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Provence: “Our guide in Provence was a gem—my whole family loved him and both his hilarious stories and historic insights…”

Virginia Socolof overlooking the French village of Gordes with three generations of women in her family.

“I recently returned from a FABULOUS trip to France with my mother, sister, and 17-year-old daughter. This was a real bucket list item for my mother—she is 80 and wanted to see both Monet’s gardens at Giverny and Provence. Philip and his team planned and executed a wonderful itinerary that perfectly satisfied my mother’s wishes. From the moment we landed in Paris until the day we flew out of Marseille, the drivers, excursions, and hotels exceeded our expectations.

On the day we were going to Giverny ,our van had a flat tire in the middle of the countryside, and within 30 minutes my family was in an Uber called by our heroic guide Paul, headed to Giverny with our tickets and lunch reservation in hand. Paul had the tire repaired and met us after lunch for the rest of our trip to Auvers sur Oise, but we didn’t miss a thing. Giverny was the most eagerly anticipated moment of the trip for my mother, and what could have been a disappointing travel disaster is now one of our funniest trip memories, involving aggressive strawberry buyers and a tiny blue car.

Cedric, our guide in Provence, was a gem—my whole family loved him and both his hilarious stories and historic insights. The Hotel du Pigeonnet in Aix was so very lovely, and Philip’s team also provided us with some wonderful restaurant recommendations and reservations. I began the planning process for this trip with concerns about how we could manage an experience that would make all of us happy and be comfortable enough for my mother, but Philip and his team pulled it off.” —Virginia Socolof

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

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Romania: “With the help of our guide and driver, we were able to locate both the home of my grandparents and that of my grandfather’s sister!”

The main street in Viscri, Transylvania.

The quiet main street in Viscri, Transylvania. Photo: Tim Baker

“After years of genealogical research, my siblings and I planned a trip to those areas where our parental grandparents had roots. With Raluca’s expertise, an itinerary was developed that touched the many towns and villages where our grandparents and great-grandparents were born, lived, worked, and died.

Our first stop in Romania was Arad, and with the help of our guide and driver, we were able to locate both the home of my grandparents and that of my grandfather’s sister! Then a fabulous experience occurred. We went to the cemetery to look for my grandfather’s sister’s grave. Our guide, Andrei, was able to talk to the recordkeepers, and they identified the exact location of her grave! It was overgrown, and there was no marker, but it was the right place. Our family of four (all living siblings) brought flowers and candles. (Andrei educated us on the Romanian custom to bring candles and he took us to the marketplace to buy beautiful flowers.) It was a very moving experience for all of us. We had the site cleaned up, removing the overgrown weeds on top covering it. We knew that my grandfather’s sister died alone, her life forever altered by the arrival of communism.

A word about Andrei, our guide. He was wonderful. He laughed over the fact that two of the villages we were visiting, to his knowledge, neither tourists nor locals exactly visited them. ‘No one ever wants to come to these areas. You are the first!’ Andrei meant that comment as a joke, but the reality is that it was true. As a side note, Andrei had a wonderful sense of humor and not only were we learning as we traveled, but he also constantly made us laugh. This made our long vehicle rides traveling from site to site go amazingly fast. We traveled from one end of southern Romania to the other!

Our next incredible experience was in Petrosani and, specifically, Petrila. We had a 1930s picture of my grandfather and my father at a coal mine and wanted to replicate that picture. Alas, the now defunct coal mine was locked, and we could not access the site. There was, however, one man there, and Andrei went to see if we could gain access. While this individual did not have the authority to do so, there was to be a meeting of volunteers with a guest speaker, and if we wanted to wait, we might gain access. Sure enough, men started gathering there, and the head of this group and the guest speaker eventually arrived. They were astounded we had that picture and, of course, allowed us to take pictures there. We were then invited to visit the small museum in what was previously an office building, and the guest speaker insisted on giving us a personal tour. Amazing!

My great grandfather worked for the railroads so, again, Andrei was diligent in taking us to all the sites where my great grandfather had worked and most likely lived. My grandfather was born in one of those buildings!

With the visits to our ancestral sites finished, we then toured many beautiful parts of Transylvania, enjoying great food, amazing castles, and the charming towns of Sibiu, Viscri, and then Brasov on our way to Bucharest. Our long-awaited trip could not have been better.” —Victoria W. Jones

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

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Machu Picchu: “His English was impeccable, and his extensive network of contacts made it seem like he knew EVERYONE in Peru…”

Machu Picchu on a cloudy day with mountains in the background.

The right guide means no waiting in lines at Machu Picchu. Photo: Brook Wilkinson

“We just returned from a fabulous 10-day trip to Peru. Allie helped us find probably the best guide in all of Peru! Our guide, Nick, met us in Cusco and was with our group of four the entire trip. His English was impeccable, and his extensive network of contacts made it seem like he knew EVERYONE in Peru, which became a running joke. However, it became central to the success and ease of our trip, as he networked us to the front of lines for access to everything (including the line for buses up and back from Machu Picchu). To Allie’s credit, she had just returned from a trip to Peru a month before we left, had Nick as a tour guide, and personally selected him to be the guide for our trip, for which we cannot thank her enough!” —Julie Olson

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

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Germany: “You couldn’t have a more caring or kinder person than Uli…”

Neuschwanstein castle in Bavaria in a clear sky day.

Neuschwanstein castle in Bavaria, Germany. Photo: Shutterstock

“We just returned home from a 16-day trip to Germany. The country is scenically gorgeous, the food is outstanding, as are the wines and beers, but the very best part of Germany are its people. The German people are polite, welcoming, and very helpful. They take pride in what they do, and in their country. It is sparkling clean and safe at all hours of the day and night. My husband and I saw so many young people out late at night having a wonderful time. Overall, it’s a country that has not forgotten its past, good and bad, and looks forward to the future with acceptance and love.

Our driver and guide, Ulrich, was absolutely amazing: an excellent driver, compassionate human being and a gentle giant of a man. I really messed up and left part of my CPAP equipment in the hotel we had last stayed at and did not realize it until I unpacked at the next destination, after we all had said good night to each other. When Uli found out, he drove back to the hotel while we were enjoying a leisurely dinner to retrieve it for me. A 4-hour back-and-forth drive after a day of touring and guiding us, just to make sure I had what I needed. You couldn’t have a more caring or kinder person than Uli.

We had an arrangement for us to visit Neuschwanstein Castle before it opened to the public. This involved pushing me in a wheelchair up a 20-degree incline of about 1,000 feet. Uli never complained or seemed to resent aiding me throughout the trip. Mr. Wonderful for sure!” —Lya Eisenberg

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

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Vietnam & Cambodia: “Our guides were fine with things changing on the fly, which is crucial when traveling with small children…”

The clear, blue water of Cat Ba Island, Lan Ha Bay, Vietnam.

Cat Ba Island in Lan Ha Bay, Vietnam. Photo: Shutterstock

“We just returned from a 16-day trip to Vietnam and Cambodia planned by Ethan and Sandy. My husband and I traveled with our two kids (aged almost 5, and 7.5) and we all had a blast.

Our guides were so dedicated to ensuring we had the best trip possible. They were super flexible and were fine with things changing on the fly, which is crucial when traveling with small children. They also knew all the tricks—in Siem Reap, for example, our guide Dey knew that there were monkeys near one of the temples that liked eating lotus plants, so he stopped at a stand selling lotus plants and got some so the boys could feed the monkeys, which they loved. The two-night cruise through Lan Ha Bay was great (thanks to Ethan for leveraging his connections to get the boat to flex on age requirements for my youngest).

And, while not a highlight, our guide in Hanoi, Mike, was truly wonderful about taking me to the doctor when I woke up on our first day in Vietnam and discovered I had pink eye. The way Ethan and Sandy do their trips, with complete flexibility toward your schedule, is something that I didn’t fully appreciate until I was actually on the trip. Being able to change your plans in-the-moment is so wonderful—and knowing we have a driver and guide for whatever we decide to do was key. We had a few times where the kids (or adults) were exhausted and just wanted to swim or relax—so we pivoted and moved things around, making a lunch a dinner or moving touring to a different day, and it was just so wonderful to have the flexibility and not feel like we had to do something then because it was scheduled and paid for. It truly made it so that every day of our vacation was OUR vacation, and we appreciated that.” —Kim Segal

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

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Belize & Guatemala: “We had a phenomenal guide with Brainerd—very knowledgeable, warm, and just a lot of fun…”

empty white sand beach with a few green trees and light turquoise water in Belize

The right local guide knows which of Belize’s beaches you can have to yourself. Photo: Shutterstock

“We had a wonderful trip to Belize and Guatemala planned for us by Patricia. Over the years, we’ve learned that a guide can make or break a trip. We had a phenomenal guide with Brainerd—very knowledgeable, warm, and just a lot of fun. He took loads of photos of us with my phone and his own. He later sent me the ones he took, which I very much appreciated because I make a photo book of all our trips.

We stayed first at the Lodge at Chaa Creek, a 400-acre eco-resort. Lots to do there: visit the butterfly farm, the natural history exhibit, the organic farm; canoe; hike; birdwatch; or sit with a delicious drink and admire the beautiful grounds. We used Chaa Creek as a base from which to explore the Maya ceremonial centers at nearby Xunantunich and Tikal in Guatemala.

The Naia Resort, right on the beach near Placencia, was lovely. We were very happy with our little bungalow, which was about 30 feet from the water. While we were there, Patricia arranged for us to spend time with a group of six Maya sisters who taught us how to cook on an open hearth, weave baskets, and extract the juice from sugar cane. It was fun! We really enjoyed our trip and met people who go to Belize year after year. We can understand why.” —Catherine Mathis

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

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Egypt: “She naturally struck the right balance between providing us enough information/details and also being helpful with avoiding crowds…”

The Pyramids of Giza. Photo: Jim Berkeley/Destinations & Adventures

My husband and I had such a fabulous time in Egypt, thanks to Jim’s and Arlene’s hard work and guidance. We chose Egypt as a milestone birthday trip for my husband, and the whole trip was truly special. On our first day in Cairo, we saw the Sphinx, Pyramids at Giza, Saqqara, and the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization. Eman was our Egyptologist in Cairo, and she was simply wonderful. She naturally struck the right balance between providing us enough information/details and also being helpful with avoiding crowds and finding photo opportunities. Plus, she was just pleasant to be around—it felt like touring Cairo with a family friend. Our first day was so spectacular that I was a little worried no other days would live up to Day 1 (I was wrong).

I loved our two nights in Aswan and REALLY loved the Old Cataract Hotel. For our WOW Moment, we had a sunset dinner on the Nile on a yacht. Abu Simbel completely blew me away. The dahabiya was a great experience. The crew and all other passengers sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to my husband, and it was a lovely celebration. By the time we got to Luxor, I was worried I might be a little underwhelmed by remaining temples and tombs—that was the furthest from the truth. Queen Nefertari’s Tomb was just incredible—my favorite of all the tombs and temples we visited in the Luxor area. I just wish we’d had one more night at the Winter Palace.” —Maeghan Whitehead

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

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Sicily: “Without the guide’s encouragement, I might not have climbed to the top of the cathedral and taken the outside walkway along the roof…”

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. The following day I ventured out of Palermo with a driver and fantastic guide to visit Monreale Cathedral, a World Heritage Site and truly one of the most spectacular cathedrals I have ever visited. The guide made the visit so memorable: Her knowledge of history, architecture and design was magnificent, and I really appreciated the chance to linger while other visitors were clearly being hustled in and out. Without the guide’s encouragement, I might not have climbed to the top of the cathedral and taken the outside walkway along the roof—the views were beautiful and more than worth the climb.

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.

I spent the remainder of my week in Trapani, a gorgeous seaside city in western Sicily. From my base in Trapani, I spent several hours touring the archeological park at Segesta, including the temple and theater. Valentina, my guide, was so knowledgeable and personable—she really made the history and importance of the site come alive. I thoroughly enjoyed visiting Erice—on everyone’s must-see list in western Sicily, as it is situated 2,000 feet above Trapani with panoramic views in all directions. The cathedral, many churches, and castle are not to be missed. Marcello and Matteo arranged a tasting at Maria Grammatico’s famous pastry shop—a dream come true for this lover of sweets! My guide and I spent the remainder of the afternoon touring Trapani, even encountering a wedding at the cathedral.” —Nancy Footer

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

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Istanbul: “Cenk is a phenomenal guide. He is charming, knowledgeable, fun and warm…”

rainbow umbrellas hover over a street of shops and restaurants in Istanbul turkey

A colorful street scene in Istanbul. Photo: Tim Baker

“The plan was to spend three days in Istanbul following a Ponant cruise in Greece. Midway through the cruise, the anti-Israel and antisemitism demonstrations in Europe caused us to reach out to Karen over our concerns for safety in Istanbul. She outlined what was happening in Turkey and emphasized that we would be okay and that it was business as usual.

Our three days were memorable. Cenk is a phenomenal guide. He is charming, knowledgeable, fun and warm. We enjoyed learning about Turkish history and were surprised at how little we knew. The tourist sites were crowded, but we were able to get in and out without waiting. The shops in the Grand Bazaar were fabulous, and our cooking class was fun and yummy—one of the best organized cooking classes we have taken.” —Debbie Littman

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

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East Africa: “He was a walking encyclopedia of knowledge about the animals and their habitats…”

A great guide will spot leopards even when they’re lazing up in the trees. 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. Every detail was taken care of—basically all we had to do was show up….

Dan selected great guides for our trip. In Tanzania our guide, Vienney, was with us the entire nine days we were there. He was a walking encyclopedia of knowledge about the animals and their habits. 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. This is a breathtaking experience that you will never forget.” —Dan Friedman

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

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Cuba: An Opportunity For This Spring

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Over the years, policies around U.S. travelers visiting Cuba have swung back and forth; with a new administration in Washington, we may soon see that pendulum return to the side of greater restrictions—potentially outright bans. If Cuba has been on your list, this spring is a smart time to go.

The next few months offer excellent weather on the island, before the summer heat sets in. And since tourism to Cuba never really rebounded post-Covid, there is still good availability through April, even at the small, privately owned casas particulares with the highest levels of comfort and service available (plus backup generators to keep you powered through any blackouts).

Cuba is not a destination for travelers who expect everything to run like clockwork, and U.S. visitors can’t spend a day lazing at the beach. But curious travelers with a spirit of flexibility have raved to us about the richness of Cuban culture and the openness of Cuban people. And with Cuba’s economy struggling mightily, the money that travelers put directly into local pockets is more impactful than ever.

If you can’t get away until the fall, we know Cuba specialists who are guaranteeing refunds should new U.S. restrictions make travel impossible. It’s also reassuring to know that, during past policy shifts, already-booked trips that met the old rules were still allowed to operate.

Guided by the right Cuba trip-planning expert, you can meet internationally renowned artists in their home studios, enjoy private concerts by award-winning musicians, and cook beside a chef using the highest-quality homegrown and imported ingredients. (Of course, these are exactly the kinds of local experiences that the folks on our WOW List of Trusted Travel Experts arrange around the world.)

Read on to learn about the experiences your fellow travelers have had in Cuba. Ready to plan your own trip? Click the button below and we’ll connect you with the Cuba fixer who best suits your needs.

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“Cuba is a country of contrast—beautiful but challenging, difficult but hopeful…”

Bill Melamed and his husband Jamey Lundblad visiting Fusterland in Havana, Cuba.

Traveler Bill Melamed and his husband Jamey Lundblad at Fusterlandia, the Havana home of artist José Fuster.

“Rob, Ana and their team provided a memorable and wonderful week in Cuba. From the first outreach through the planning process, they worked with this group of four culture hounds (me, my husband, and two friends) to craft a unique and custom itinerary that allowed for so many memorable moments. Cuba is a country of contrast—beautiful but challenging, difficult but hopeful—and our week there allowed us to see, learn, and experience it all.

We had countless private moments with Cubans in their homes that built memories that we will carry with us. If Cuba is not on your travel list, adjust your list NOW and talk to Rob’s team about how to see this special country. We were there for a week (February 16-23) and loved it from beginning to end. We were especially happy to be out of Havana and see more of the country, including Santa Clara, Trinidad and Cienfuegos. Go if you can, you won’t regret a minute.” —Bill Melamed

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“Personal touches allowed us to experience Cuba through the eyes and hearts of the local people…”

Five people after lunch with a local family in Cuba.

Traveler Ann Marie Bell and her husband with new friends who hosted them in Cuba.

“Our trip to Cuba in March 2025 was nothing short of extraordinary. What made it so special wasn’t just what we saw and the richness of the experience (though both were good), but the exceptional care and expertise with which every detail was planned.

From the very beginning, 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. 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.

We asked for a trip that would help us connect with the culture and learn about the people. Some of the most memorable experiences included a private concert at the home of a celebrated Cuban guitarist and a mural tour that was originally planned with the artist himself—who was unexpectedly out of the country. In his place, his wife welcomed us, hosted us for coffee, and shared stories of his work. In a thoughtful gesture, the artist left two original portraits for us to take home.

The food and drinks were exceptional, including the cooking class and rum tasting/mixology lesson we had. One of our favorite experiences was 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, which was unplanned and coordinated by the family we shared lunch with. 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. Our driver during the trip, Tony, safely transported us around Havana and to the countryside (when things we take for granted, like availability of gasoline, cannot be assumed in Cuba).

The warmth, resourcefulness, and hospitality of the Cuban people was front-and-center in every interaction. We are grateful to Rob and Ana, Raquel, and Diana—not only for planning a perfect trip, but for welcoming us into their everyday lives. It was an experience we will carry with us forever.” —Ann Marie Bell

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“A fascinating country whose people manage to deal with numerous issues resulting from their political structure…”

The Cuban people are perhaps the country’s greatest asset. Photo: Shutterstock

“Recently returned from a 12-night stay in Cuba. Cuba is a fascinating country whose people manage to deal with numerous issues resulting from their political structure. Our visit enabled us to meet with and speak freely to a cross section of the population. This enabled us to learn a great deal about the culture, history and current state of affairs in Cuba. We visited three different cities; saw many of the traditional tourist sites; enjoyed several excellent restaurants; hiked the numerous nature pathways; experienced the power outages; observed the gas shortages; and traveled many roadways along with the horse and wagons. But the lasting memory is that of the Cuban people struggling with the decision: Do we stay or leave Cuba.

Our thanks to Jose Miguel who traveled with us; ate dinner with us nightly, introduced us to his family and the many Cubans who are his friends. He enabled us to learn a great deal about Cuba, for which we are grateful. Highly recommended, but don’t expect ‘creature comforts.’” —Joe Rothman

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

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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.

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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.

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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

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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

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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.

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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

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.

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.” —Salena Kern

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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

Bungalow of a private resport in Panama.

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

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 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.

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

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. 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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How to Apply for, or Renew, a Global Entry Membership

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Global Entry makes your return to the U.S. quick and easy (and it’s getting even easier, with the rollout of a new app that allows you to skip the in-airport kiosks). The Global Entry application process, however, is anything but quick and easy. The interviews required for new applications are hard to come by: Travelers can start the application online but then might have to wait weeks, months, or even longer to land an interview slot.

Here’s what you need to know about applying for, or renewing, a Global Entry membership.

If you’re applying for the first time

The first step is to apply online for a Trusted Traveler account. Once you’re conditionally approved, you must have an in-person interview. These time slots are often booked months out, but there is a much more convenient option called “Enrollment on Arrival.” This means that you can have your interview when passing through customs and immigration after a trip abroad, with no appointment necessary. You must go through the regular immigration line first, and then go to the Global Entry counter for your interview; click here to find out which airports offer “Enrollment on Arrival.”

Customs and Border Protection is also testing a new “Enrollment on Departure” option, which allows conditionally approved applicants to be interviewed without an appointment on their way out of the country. So far, this option is only available at Miami International Airport and Washington, D.C.’s Dulles Airport.

Before heading off on your trip, consult your Trusted Traveler account for a list of documents to bring to your interview; often, a passport and driver’s license will suffice.

If you’re renewing an active or expired Global Entry membership

You can renew your membership even if it has already expired. Log into your Trusted Traveler account and click Renew, then follow the instructions, answer the questions (e.g., countries you’ve traveled to since you first applied, any change of contact info), and pay the fee. Typically, renewals don’t require another interview.

Don’t bother renewing early: As long as you apply for a renewal before your membership expires, it will remain active for up to two more years after you’ve submitted the application.

You can find more info in the Homeland Security Department’s FAQ.

Global Entry vs. TSA Pre

Think you don’t travel internationally enough to warrant a Global Entry membership, but you want TSA PreCheck for domestic trips? Consider the math: A new, five-year PreCheck membership costs $78-$85, depending on which enrollment provider you use, whereas five years of Global Entry—which includes PreCheck—costs $120.

Make your entire trip hassle-free

If you’re the kind of traveler who wants to avoid lines not just for U.S. Customs and Border protection but throughout your trip, the trip planners on our WOW List of Trusted Travel Experts can make that happen not just in airports—where they can frequently arrange fast-track entry into foreign countries—but at busy museums, monuments, transit hubs, restaurants, etc. They’ll custom-tailor a private itinerary exactly to your trip goals and travel style, get you before- and after-hours access to iconic sights, and mastermind all the trip logistics so you don’t have to. Here’s what it means to get a WOW trip.

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Make Your Next Trip Extraordinary

JANUARY

British Virgin Islands yacht charter

Madeira, Portugal

Raja Ampat, Indonesia

Sri Lanka

FEBRUARY

Isla Palenque, Panama

Venice, Italy

New Zealand’s South Island

MARCH

Crete, Greece

Malta and Gozo

Cuba

APRIL

Waiheke Island, New Zealand

The Azores, Portugal

The Maldives

Sardinia, Italy

MAY

Isla Holbox, Mexico

Santorini, Greece

Capri, Italy

Corsica, France

Oahu, Hawaii

JUNE

Bali

Spitsbergen, Norway

Mallorca and Menorca, Spain

Kodiak Island, Alaska

Yakushima, Japan

JULY

Aeolian Islands, Italy

Tahiti

Zanzibar

Iceland’s Westman Islands

Newfoundland, Canada

AUGUST

Faroe Islands, Denmark

Great Barrier Reef Islands, Australia

Madagascar

Ionian Islands, Greece

SEPTEMBER

Vancouver Island, Canada

Prince Edward Island, Canada

Ibiza

Hvar, Croatia

The San Juan Islands, Washington

Lofoten Islands, Norway

OCTOBER

Sicily

The Seychelles

Hawaii’s Big Island

The Canary Islands, Spain

NOVEMBER

Ambergris Caye, Belize

The Galápagos Islands

Papua New Guinea

South Georgia Island

St. Barts

DECEMBER

The Caribbean

Palawan, the Philippines

Fiji

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