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.
Sicily for ideal weather to hike, bike, take a cooking class, and visit the San Giuseppe festival
“One of the highlights was a cooking class at a restaurant in the Siracusa area…ending with a selfie taken by the chef himself!”
“We are two couples who spent 17 glorious days in Sicily on a trip arranged by Matteo. For decades, I have planned my own trips all over the world. However, using Wendy’s WOW List last year for Morocco and this year for Sicily saved a lot of time and provided us with local experiences we never would have had otherwise. We biked, hiked, took cooking classes, learned a lot of history, saw many ruins, and ate Sicilian cuisine. Matteo arranged for local drivers and guides at each stop—people who were from the places we visited and seemed to know everyone we passed.
When I mentioned that we enjoy remote destinations, Matteo suggested visiting the car-free island of Marettimo for the San Giuseppe festival. Marettimo is located 90 minutes off the west coast of Sicily by hydrofoil. We had a local guide who grew up on the island and whose father was the mayor. As we joined the festivities, we seemed to be the only tourists there, aside from locals who had grown up on the island and return each year for San Giuseppe.
Each day, lunch was included at special restaurants or private homes. Everywhere we went, we were treated like VIPs. Throughout our trip, Matteo checked in to ensure everything was going smoothly, even joining us for pizza one evening and again when we were in his hometown of Noto.
One of the highlights was a cooking class at a restaurant in the Siracusa area. First we visited the market to select fresh, locally sourced ingredients, then we returned to the restaurant to prepare and plate our own meals—ending with a selfie taken by the chef himself!” —Rich Rediker
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
India for joining the community spring festival of Holi and “painting the town”
Ron Klausner, his wife, and two friends joined in the community’s Hindu festival of Holi.
“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
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Norway for northern lights by night, reindeer herding and dog sledding by day
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
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Iceland for glacier hikes, dog sledding, and black beach drives (yes beaches in March!)
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
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Italy (including the Amalfi Coast) for shirt-sleeve weather and no crowds
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
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Belize for better-value Caribbean islands
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
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
The Yukon for Northern Lights, dogsledding, and feeling the vast low-season wilderness all to yourself
“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
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
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
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
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
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Cuba for a fascinating, thought-provoking Caribbean spring break
Cuba climate and soil contribute to its tobacco cultivation and world-renown cigars. Photo: Terraversed
“Our trip to Cuba in March was nothing short of extraordinary. Rob and Ana Maria took the time to truly understand what we hoped to gain from our time in Cuba. Their thoughtfulness, in partnership with their phenomenal on-the-ground team, Raquel and Diana, made all the difference. Raquel met us at the airport and became our amazing guide and companion throughout our stay. Diana, our 24/7 concierge, partnered with Raquel to work magic behind the scenes to make sure every moment was seamless. Their level of commitment went far beyond professionalism: By the end of the trip, we had met their families and were invited to attend Diana’s daughter’s birthday party. These personal touches allowed us to experience Cuba through the eyes and hearts of the local people.
Some of the most memorable experiences included a private concert at the home of a celebrated Cuban guitarist (Molina) and sharing lunch in the home of a Cuban family. The meal rivaled the top restaurants we visited, but what stayed with us was the intimate conversation and powerful connection we felt around their table and their efforts to improve their community. Another surprise: attending a local baseball game. It was another glimpse into the everyday Cuban spirit.
There was also a day trip to Viñales, where we explored tobacco and coffee farms and gained a deeper appreciation for the traditions and resilience of Cuba’s farming communities. The trip could not have been more thoughtfully and beautifully curated. The warmth, resourcefulness, and hospitality of the Cuban people was front-and-center in every interaction. It was an experience we will carry with us forever.” —Ann Marie Bell
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Portugal for warm spring yachting in the Algarve and through the wine country
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
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Costa Rica for an easy combo of rainforest and beach
A hanging bridge provide a treetop perspective on the Monteverde Cloud Forest. Photo: Shutterstock
“We were absolutely thrilled with the spring break trip that Pierre planned for our family. We wanted one place that we could enjoy for a week that offered both a beach and a rainforest experience. Manuel Antonio and the Arenas Del Mar hotel were absolutely perfect for that.
I cannot say enough good things about the hotel. The wildlife sightings there were far and away better than in the national park. There were squirrel monkeys, capuchin monkeys, scarlet macaws. iguanas, and two- and three-fingered sloths right outside our doors. But what really set the hotel apart was the staff. I have never visited a place with kinder or more caring staff. At the end of the week our son announced that he would not be leaving and would henceforth be living there.
The activities that Pierre planned for us were perfect (zip-lining, a waterfall hike, surfing lessons), again with guides that could not have been kinder or more accommodating. I’ll never forget our son’s 7th birthday and watching him leap from a platform hundreds of feet in the air to swing on a Tarzan rope while our zip-lining guides sang happy birthday to him.” —Anne Lloyd
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Spain for castles without the crowds
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
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Malta and Sardinia for sunny Mediterranean islands in winter
The 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
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Switzerland for an “epic” ski trip, complete with fondue
Wendy Mueller and son Evan riding the gondola in Zermatt, with the Matterhorn in the background.
“I took my son (age 19) to Zermatt for a ski trip the first week of March. I wanted a special mom-and-son trip. I reached out to WendyPerrin.com for a referral to help and was connected with Nina and Simon. They took my wishes and planned an EPIC trip for me. The accommodations were amazing, the ski guide was so good I booked him an additional day, and they added to the itinerary a gorge trip and a special nighttime fondue and another evening tapas tour.
What made it more spectacular were the guides hired. We are very accomplished skiers in the U.S., living in Colorado and Tahoe. We knew Zermatt was a little more complicated of a mountain, with the lifts and the Swiss and Italian sides. They recommended a ski guide, and we are so very happy they did! Made the skiing more efficient and fun! One of the more memorable moments was a walk down into town from the evening fondue, and as we passed through one of the small hamlets, a small white one-room church—like the kind in old western towns—was lit, and our guide noticed my interest so he went over to see if it was open. It was and I was able to make a small donation in the box and light a candle and have a prayer of gratitude. I will remember this forever.
I rarely use travel services, as I do travel a lot and am comfortable booking on my own. However I wanted to have a bonding experience with my son and be stress-free. I feel more connected to my son, as we did activities together without worry. I would definitely recommend Nina and Simon when you want to be taken care of and have special moments.” —Wendy Mueller
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Scotland for beautiful countryside in March—and surprisingly mild weather
Kinnoull Tower overlooks the River Tay, Scotland. Photo: Shutterstock
“Jonathan and Katie planned our March trip to Scotland and England. The weather in early March was surprisingly mild. As a result our itinerary was unaffected and we experienced the full beauty of Scotland. We had a great introduction to the whisky industry during our WOW Moment at The Pot Still in Glasgow. It was a great way to start our journey. Our guide John was a true difference maker, driving us through the country with high-speed Internet available to us for the inevitable interruption.
The hotels we used were all top-notch and we will look forward to returning to Gleneagles to take advantage of all the activities they have to offer. The American Bar at Gleneagles is a must-visit if you are a hotel guest. Our guide in Edinburgh was Val, and she pointed out many out-of-the-way places that truly brought the city to life for us. Neil toured us through Stonehenge and Oxford, providing a lifetime of knowledge about that part of England. Our experiences were greatly enhanced by the services of these people. We were able to see and learn so much more by not wasting time being lost or trying to figure out which side of the road to drive on.” —Robert Hussey
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
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
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Colombia for a Caribbean getaway with colonial charm
The pool at Casa San Agustín, Cartagena. Photo: Casa San Agustin
“We were thrilled with our trip to Cartagena from Boris and his team. (1) Everything went flawlessly, and it really was great to have the same guide and driver every day. (2) The hotel (Casa San Agustin) was the most wonderful hotel we have ever stayed in, with the combination of its history, the service, and the design. (3) The restaurants suggested were the perfect combination of unique and delicious. And (4) everyone we interacted with was kind, welcoming, and eager to answer our questions.
I think Colombia is a very special place that has these characteristics itself, but having Boris and his team made the trip just even more special and easy.” —Anne Lloyd
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Chile for a wine-and-desert alternative to “crowded and expensive Europe”
The Atacama Desert’s clear skies spotlight the Milky Way. Photo: Shutterstock
“We picked Chile to celebrate my husband’s 50th birthday. We loved our previous South American trips to Peru and the Galapagos, so we decided to head to Chile instead of crowded and expensive Europe. Jordan put together a one-week trip involving wine tasting and relaxation at Clos Apalta Residence, followed by four days of outdoor explorations in the Atacama Desert.
We had no idea we were in for such a treat at Clos Apalta! Staff is very attentive and meticulous, leaving no details to chance. The accommodation is gorgeous, with a view to die for, overlooking the winery. Visiting the on-site wine cellar was the cherry on top for our stay!
Our four-day stay in San Pedro de Atacama was at Explora Atacama. Visiting the driest place on Earth was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that excited us. Hiking through the canyons and walking through the salt flats reminded us how little of this world we have seen in our lifetime so far. My favorite part was seeing all the flamingos that live in the salt flats, as well as all the wildlife like the vicuñas and vizcachas that thrive in the highlands. The Explora resort had its own telescope for stargazing at night. What a fun experience that was!” —Wenlan Cheng
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Tahiti and Bora Bora for a romantic escape
There’s nothing dreamier than an overwater bungalow on Bora Bora. Photo: Shutterstock
“It was a trip of a lifetime, and Kleon made it happen for us! We went to Taha’a and Bora Bora and had the most relaxing and enjoyable time together because he managed all the details, which allowed us to just focus on each other.
Kleon set up the most romantic, private dinner on the beach, with live Polynesian music. The table was set with linen, flowers, a bottle of champagne chilling, all surrounded by tiki torches. It was picture-perfect.
Kleon’s relationships with French Polynesian locals gave us a unique opportunity to meet many extraordinary people: the family-owned vanilla plantation, the operation of a pearl farm, etc. He also arranged a boat tour around one of the islands. The captain and his first mate were so personable, and we thoroughly enjoyed getting to know them. It was fun listening to them talk about their backgrounds and their knowledge of the area and ocean life. It was a perfect day on a beautiful boat with snorkeling, swimming with sharks, seeing a huge, beautiful manta ray, spinner dolphins who gave us quite a show, and enjoying coconut water and snacks. Kleon shared that it was our anniversary, and the captain surprised us with real wine glasses and a bottle of chilled wine for a truly special day!” —John and Kimberly Redmon
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Japan for quiet moments with locals even in peak season
WOW Listers can arrange a private experience of a traditional Japanese tea ceremony. Photo: Shutterstock
“When we discovered that neither of our husbands was interested in traveling to Japan, my girlfriend and I decided to go for it. Our travel window was limited to the last two weeks of March, high season for Japan travel, and this was only a month away. The first three travel agents that I spoke to turned me down outright; small group trips were also fully booked. When we were about to give up, Wendy Perrin introduced us to Andrea.
Andrea managed to pull off the impossible — a rich and varied itinerary customized to our taste, drivers and guides (all excellent) when desired, free time when requested, train tickets reserved, even some unusual experiences along the way. He and his team were in constant contact with us via a dedicated WhatsApp group (appropriately called “Guardian Angels in Japan”) to check in and keep us updated on the itinerary.
There were several moments that Andrea planned — a tea ceremony and visit with a bonsai master in Tokyo, crafting in Kanazawa and Takayama, a traditional dinner in Kyoto with a Maiko (Geisha in training) — that were unexpected highlights. I have traveled with other experts before, but Andrea’s attention to detail was extraordinary.” —Janet Fattal
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Vietnam and Cambodia in shoulder season (when you can have Angkor Wat to yourself)
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”
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
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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