Make Your Next Trip Extraordinary
Dad Scores! Trips Fathers Say Were a Home Run With the Family
Wendy’s husband, Tim, diving with their sons, Charlie and Doug, in the Red Sea. Looking for a family trip to satisfy a wide range of tastes and interests? The fathers who planned the vacations described below achieved the grand slam of family travel: destinations, activities, and meals that appealed to everyone. These travelers all used The WOW List to find the right trip planner who could deliver the maximized experience and VIP treatment for special interests, special milestones…and the most special of all, bonding experiences and shared memories. Here’s how to get your own WOW trip.
British Virgin Islands charter: “One of the benefits of this type of vacation is the flexibility and spontaneity it allows…”
A “magical week” of island-hopping on a private boat suited the needs of everyone. Photo: Traveler Jeremy Silverman
“We had some initial concern that a week on a sailboat would be too much togetherness for our family of four (with kids ages 17 and 21) but, after an introductory call with Mandy, we were comfortable that a charter could accommodate our family dynamics.
Among other considerations, our 21-year-old is on the autism spectrum—he is high-functioning, but we would need the right space and, most importantly, the right crew for the vacation to be fun and comfortable (physically and otherwise). Mandy’s expertise and detailed knowledge of the available boats, and her personal relationships with the crews, were clear from our first conversation. She was extremely responsive, and our planning process was personalized to our unique needs and priorities.
Within minutes of arriving in St. Thomas, meeting Captain Christian and Chef Laura, and getting settled onto One Love, we knew we had made the right choice. The boat is beautiful, the bedrooms more spacious and comfortable than we expected, and the overall design and layout of the boat allowed for everyone to have their favorite spaces.
Our daily routine generally included my wife and I waking up for coffee on the flybridge for sunrise, followed by a leisurely breakfast (earlier for us, later for the kids) and usually some morning snorkeling or paddleboarding for me. From there, we would usually have some group morning activity, like a great snorkel spot (Maho Bay and Little Lameshur Bay in the U.S. Virgin Islands, and The Indians, Cistern Rock, and the wreck of the RMS Rhone in the British Virgin Islands stand out) and delicious lunch on the boat before sailing for a couple of hours to another beautiful location. At some point mid-to-late afternoon, we would arrive at a gorgeous bay for more water activities—snorkeling, paddleboarding or even tubing or wakeboarding off the back of the dinghy. Afternoon would lead into sunset appetizers and cocktails, then a fantastic dinner, family game night, and then off to sleep and dream about the next day, then wake up and repeat!
One Love offered plenty of space for everyone to enjoy their preferred environment at all times of day. During the sailing part of the day, each of us gravitated to their personal favorite location and activities. One of the many benefits of this type of vacation is the flexibility and spontaneity it allows. Our days always had some plan, but we truly could do what felt right in the moment and shift in whatever way was best for us. One evening, the fish activity under the boat was amazing—tarpon and other fish were swimming all around us after dinner. I asked my daughter if she wanted to do a night snorkel, she said yes, and we were in the water in about seven minutes. We snorkeled in darkness with a flashlight and saw things we’d never seen before or in the same way. Along the way, we found ourselves eye-to-eye with two cuttlefish that were rapid-fire changing colors in every shade of luminescence. Normally, they are skittish and you can’t get close, but they were literally inches away.
We could go on forever about our magical week on One Love. We are already looking forward to Mandy helping plan our next sailing charter vacation, maybe in Greece or Croatia (or both)!” —Jeremy Silverman
Read more reviews of yacht charter trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Wyoming: “The fact that Jenny Lake Lodge was near the trailheads of several great hikes was a real plus…”
Three generations came together to enjoy a hiking trip to Wyoming.
“There were five of us, from three generations—Grandfather, Son-in-law, and three Grandsons—on our Tetons trip. Melissa organized the trip for us. The Tetons are an incredible experience!
Where to start? Jenny Lake Lodge was a fantastic place. Great location, right in the middle of the Tetons. Wonderful meals, including five-course dinners and multiple options for breakfasts. We enjoyed the tours Melissa arranged for us. It was so nice that they were private—meaning, that they included only our group. The guides went to great efforts to find wildlife for us to view and to do such things as to get us to Old Faithful at a time it was about to erupt.
All five of us particularly enjoyed the hikes that we took on our free days. The fact that Jenny Lake Lodge was near the trailheads of several great hikes was a real plus. Last, but not least, Melissa was wonderful. We could never have done it without her!” —Dean Nance
Read more reviews of American West trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Kenya: “I wanted a trip for a lifetime to celebrate my 70th birthday with my two daughters…”
“We saw all of the five big animals, as well as every other one that we set out to see.” Photo: Shutterstock
“I wanted a trip for a lifetime, to celebrate my 70th birthday with my two daughters. Cherri and Frankie planned a ‘perfect’ itinerary based on my list of requirements. They picked three great camps in Kenya, all with slightly different ecosystems, that were all 5-star accommodations. I was blown away with each camp as we arrived, not just for the physical accommodations but the site locations as well. The Kenyan people we met were the nicest people and became family very quickly.
The safari guides that were assigned to us were specifically requested by Cherri and, we found out, were the site’s #1 guides. We saw all of the five big animals, as well as every other one that we set out to see. They knew exactly where to look and their habits to allow us to observe them as closely as possible in their natural habitat. One of the many highlights we experienced was, when visiting a Masai village, our guide saw a goat on the side of the road in the middle of giving birth, so he pulled over, got out of the car and actually delivered the baby, and then got back in the jeep as if nothing happened and continued on.
We finished our trip just relaxing on the beach at Diani, on the Indian Ocean at a stunning resort that topped it all off.” —Andrew Ellish
Read more reviews of African safaris. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Italy: “A trip that all our children and grandchildren will remember for the rest of their lives…”
The three-generation anniversary trip included Florence, Rome, Milan, and more. Photo: Shutterstock
“Our trip to Italy for Marci’s and my 50th anniversary was fantastic. The anniversary dinner for the 20 of us (ages 3 to 78) was a true banquet, prepared in one of our two villas by the Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco staff.
All of us loved the pizza- and gelato-making dinner in Rome. We also enjoyed a WOW Moment in Siena, where an artist who had made one of the banners for the winning district in the Palio horse race made a sketch for Marci and me.
Jennifer and her team added great value to our trip. The planning for a group of 20 was difficult enough, but they also came through in the face of unexpected glitches. The grandson I was supposed to take on a side trip to Milan, to see The Last Supper and a performance of Tosca at La Scala, was sick and had to stay behind in Venice. One of my other grandsons was happy to substitute, but the train tickets and ticket to the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie were in a different boy’s name. Somehow, Jennifer’s team was able to get the tickets switched with almost no notice!
When the two of us were supposed to meet the other 18 in Florence, but the train from Milan was delayed, Jennifer’s team arranged a car at the last minute. They were also great helping us rearrange several of our restaurant reservation numbers and times—again, on very short notice. It is a trip that all our children and grandchildren will remember for the rest of their lives.” —Richard Abt
Read more reviews of Italy trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Chile: “Hiking, horseback riding, whitewater rafting, cruising across an Andean lake surrounded by volcanoes…”
John Strachan and family cruising Lago Todos los Santos, with Volcán Osorno in the background.
“All we told Tom was that we wanted to go to the Atacama Desert and then somewhere else in Chile where there would be fun, outdoor activities for our kids (10 and 12). Animals would be a bonus. And, in deference to the kids, we didn’t want to spend too much time in cities. We ended up hiking, horseback riding, whitewater rafting, cruising across an Andean lake surrounded by volcanoes, and more.
The Atacama Desert deserves top billing. It’s 40,000 square miles (half the size of Kansas) of the driest desert on earth. It’s harsh, and inhospitable, and why would anyone go there? Because it’s flat-out stunning. The geothermal activity has churned up volcanoes, mountains, salt formations, sand dunes, and rainbows of color. We were surrounded by otherworldly beauty and never saw another human. It was unique and dream-like.
From the desert to the rich forests and crystal pools of Chile’s Lake District. The terrain was stunning, the hotel was ideal, and the activities were abundant—lake cruising, paddleboarding, whitewater rafting. Our family fell in love with the region and were only sorry not to have more time. Wendy’s crew hooked us up with Tom, and this is the second great trip he has planned for us. So huge thanks to both Tom and Team Perrin.” —John Strachan
Read more reviews of Chile trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Malta: “He scheduled our days perfectly to see everything while also balancing the needs of a 9-month-old…”
Molly Borque and nine-month-old Jude on a sunset boat ride from Valletta to Senglea.
“I just returned from a trip to Malta with my wife, Molly, and nine-month-old son, Jude. I knew from my initial conversations with Damon that he was going to plan a trip tailored well to our needs and tastes, but throughout our seven days in Malta, it got better and better! He put us in a hotel perfectly located in Senglea, walking distance from Birgu and a quick boat ride or short drive over to the capital city of Valletta. He scheduled our days perfectly to see everything Malta has to offer, while also balancing the needs of a nine-month-old!
Our guide Robert was one of the most knowledgeable, flexible, kind individuals I have ever encountered! We had more than one wow experience on our trip, but the one that stands out to me (due to our Catholic faith) was when Damon and Robert surprised us with a visit with one of the cloistered Jerosolimitan nuns at the Church and Monastery of Saint Ursula in Valletta. We felt so lucky and blessed to have that experience!
I also want to give a shout-out to our driver Alex, who was so good to us! Both he and Robert watched our son Jude so my wife and I could enjoy certain times, such as wow experience #2: On our day trip to the island of Gozo, Damon arranged for a private picnic on a secluded beach. Waves rolling in, champagne, local cheeses and meats, etc. Truly stunning!” —Craig Borque
Read more reviews of Malta trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
The Swiss Alps: “Our active hiking, kayaking, paragliding trip was exactly what we were looking for…”
Andy Shafran and family spelling “O-H-I-O” (where they’re from) during a private kayak trip on Lake Brienz.
“Switzerland was a beautiful country and our active hiking, kayaking, paragliding trip was exactly what we were looking for. We booked a trip with our 18- and 21-year-old children to celebrate graduation and be outdoors as much as possible. Nina and her staff helped us build an itinerary that maximized the experiences and minimized the hassle and travel time. We spent two days in Zurich/Rhine Falls, three days in Grindelwald, and three days in Lucerne. There is so much to do that we felt we could have stayed an extra week just in these three locations.
Our major interest was hiking, and we had a guided tour up Mt. Grindelwald first, which included a gondola ride up and a Trottibike ride down (highly, highly recommended). Then we took the train to the Jungfrau and even though it was pricey for that part of the trip, well worth it for the views and incredible Alpine experience. Thumbs up: Rhine Falls, Trümmelbach Falls, Aare Gorge hike, Lake Brienz kayak trip, and our full-day peak-to-peak hike on Mt. Rigi where we ate lunch at Berghaus Unterstetten on the side of the mountain with incredible views and good food.
All three hotels we stayed in were unique, terrific locations, and have fun quirks, such as the private funicular car that takes you up from Lake Lucerne to the Art Deco Hotel Montana.” —Andy Shafran
Read more reviews of Switzerland trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Costa Rica: “We were able to mix in plenty of activities with some relaxation…”
The excursion to Corcovado National Park rewarded the family with three types of monkeys. Photo: Shutterstock
“My wife and I, along with our three children (elementary, high school, and college age), worked with Priscilla in the planning of a trip to Costa Rica in March. We were able to mix in plenty of activities with some relaxation.
Our first stay was at The Springs Resort and Spa in the Arenal Volcano area. The hotel offered plenty for the children to do beyond swimming. The waterfall rappelling excursion Priscilla recommended was very fun. At the hotel we spotted sloths and toucans, and the view of the volcano from the hotel room was spectacular.
Our next stop was La Paloma Lodge in Drake Bay, on the Osa Peninsula. The Sunset Rancho offered a fantastic view of the ocean, and the meals were great. Our excursion to Corcovado National Park was a highlight and we were able to see Howler Monkeys and troops of both White-Faced Capuchin and Spider Monkeys. We also saw an arboreal anteater, Coatimundis, and a saltwater crocodile. Priscilla set up a wonderful night tour where we were able to see snakes, frogs, spiders, a scorpion, and even a fleeting glimpse of a Kinkajou. Cocolito Beach by the lodge offered some great waves for boogie boarding and never felt crowded. From beginning to end, Priscilla and the team provided a lot of details/organization so we could just enjoy the trip.” —Nelson Mongiovi
Read more reviews of Costa Rica trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
New Zealand: “With 6 people from 13-80, Jean-Michel did a great job finding activities that we would all love…”
“Queenstown & surroundings were great—walking trails, gardens, gorgeous lake and mountain views.” Photo: Shutterstock
“My grandfather was in the Dutch Navy and spent time in New Zealand many years ago. He always spoke about how beautiful it was and how it was his favorite place he had ever visited. So when we asked my dad where he would like to go for his 80th birthday, he said New Zealand! We just got back from the most incredible trip planned by Jean-Michel and his team. We were traveling with 6 people from 13 to 80 years old, and Jean-Michel did a great job finding activities that we would all love.
We had only nine days so we stayed on the west coast of the South Island and there was plenty to explore. We started in Te Anu at the Fiordland Lodge and loved the beautiful lodge and surroundings. We hiked, went fishing, and explored Milford Sound by boat. The scenery was beyond breathtaking everywhere we went! Our next stop was Queenstown and we stayed at the historic Eichardt’s Private Hotel. We had a lovely wine tasting day in Central Otago with the best guide and driver (Beau Rapley) and our daughter even went bungee jumping from the Kawarau Bridge. She loved it!! The city of Queenstown & surroundings were great – plenty of walking trails, gardens, gorgeous lake and mountain views. Not to mention great food and wine!
The last place we visited was Wild Earth Lodge in Makarora. It was the most serene and beautiful little inn run from the home of Pete and Janine. They took great care of our whole family & cooked the most delicious meals! We spent our days there hiking to the Blue Pools and having some relaxing down time. We also had our most exciting day—a helicopter tour over Mt Aspiring National Park, a hike through Siberia Valley, and a thrilling jet boat ride back down the Wilkin River. The whole trip was outstanding and we wouldn’t have been able to do it without Jean-Michel.”—Alana Jacobson
Read more reviews of New Zealand trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Brazil and Argentina: “The kids and we were active, engaged, and thrilled by every place we went…”
John Strachan’s daughter and a gaucho take a stand on their horses. Photo: Traveler John Strachan
“We spent a magnificent three weeks visiting Brazil and Argentina with our 11-year-old daughter and 13-year-old son. We hit six locales in 21 days (Rio, Paraty, and Iguazú in Brazil; Buenos Aires, Iberá National Park, and San Antonio de Areca in Argentina), but Paul and Lucinda’s itinerary made it work seamlessly. Right up front, we told them our three priorities. 1) With the kids along, we needed to DO stuff, not just visit museums and tour cities. 2) We wanted to build active memories. 3) We didn’t need to see all the usual spots. They NAILED it. The kids and we were active, engaged, and thrilled by every place we went.
In Rio, our highlight was a cycling tour of the city with bike-riding botanist Patricia, past Copacabana and Ipanema beaches, ending at the botanical gardens. We got to see more than if we had walked, and far more than if we had hopped from place to place in a car. And the kids had fun just riding.
Next, a five-hour drive to the charming former port town of Paraty. The town is on an enormous bay, and Paul and Lucinda booked a boat for us for a day exploring the bay’s islands, swimming spots, and restaurants with Captain Andre. A great way to see a stunning spot and learn some local history while letting the kids be kids and play in the water for a day.
Rincón del Socorro in Iberá National Park is one of the most wondrous places I have ever visited. My wife says the closest thing is safari in Kenya, and it felt very Out of Africa. It is a former farm that was bought and rewilded by the family that founded The North Face. What they have done is stunning. We stayed in one of their old cottages and spent the next few days exploring different nearby ecosystems on foot and e-bikes, in jeeps and a boat.
Then we were off to Buenos Aires. Our highlight here was an afternoon with a local family. We chatted, enjoyed wine, cooked under their guidance, and stuffed ourselves with a delicious, traditional Argentine asado—their famous grilled meats feast. The family Paul and Lucinda linked us up with was lovely, as was their home. Super warm and hospitable, and a great chance not just to play, swim in their pool, and eat well, but to learn more about Argentine life today.
Then we stepped back in time, to the gaucho town of San Antonio de Areco. We had a quiet little three-room inn to ourselves. At night, we sat around the outdoor fire listening to legendary local troubadours play guitar and sing songs of old. It felt like we were treasured guests in a good friend’s home. The local gauchos taught our daughter to gallop and even had her standing on horseback, albeit while stationary.
Paul and Lucinda’s expertise in these two huge countries was invaluable. They turned our trip into a once-in-a-lifetime experience that we never knew was possible.” —John Strachan
Read more reviews of Brazil and Argentina trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
The Mediterranean islands of Malta and Gozo: “The itinerary was heavy on outdoor activities to keep the grandkids engaged…”
Three generations enjoying a gorgeous quad-bike adventure on Gozo. Photo: Traveler Bill Fisher
“Our family group of nine just returned from a week-long spring break trip to the Maltese Islands, organized by Damon and Denise. The trip included grandparents, children, and grandchildren ages 16 to 10. The trip was exceptionally well organized due to the time Damon spent prior to the trip determining what our interests were and how to maximize time spent making memories with our grandchildren.
The itinerary was heavy on outdoor activities to keep the grandkids engaged. Our activities included quad-biking on Gozo; a multi-course picnic lunch with wine on a secluded bay, followed by bocce ball with local players; touring the ruins of Hagar Qim and Mnajdra temples; and an amazing afternoon with the local falconer, who brought an owl, Harris hawk, and Maltese falcon to share with the entire group. We took a private tour of Underground Valletta and a private Dghajsa boat ride across the Valletta harbor for more exploration. We visited a baker and his wife where we made a local pastry called pastizzi, spent time with a local artisan who made musical instruments, visited a honey farm, and ended the day with a visit to a sheep farm where we sampled some delicious cheeses.
We stayed in a beautiful villa in Gozo that included a heated indoor swimming pool! You can imagine how excited the grandkids were when they walked in the front door and saw an indoor pool. Our lodging in Valletta was equally impressive, but in a different way. It was a castle-like structure built in the late 1500s that had been updated to include all the amenities of the current day. Our driver throughout our adventure was Super Mario. He was absolutely delightful! Always on time, always helpful, and always attentive to everyone’s needs, which were often a challenge. The entire experience was exceptional.” —Bill Fisher
Read more reviews of Malta trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Belize: “We had a true day-of-days on a catamaran charter to Moho Caye…”
Jeremy Silverman’s favorite day in Belize was the day he and his family spent sailing on a private catamaran.
“We had another fantastic family vacation to Belize with expert planning, care and support from Patricia and Rachael. Belize is a beautiful and easy-to-reach destination from our home in Atlanta, with a wide range of activities, both on the water and inland. What stands out most about Belize is the warmth and authenticity of its people and culture. Belize is an incredible melting pot—Belizeans come from a variety of backgrounds, including Mayan, Garifuna, Creole, Mennonite and more, and almost everyone speaks at least three languages (including English). This diversity shows through all aspects of Belizean culture, cuisine, art and perhaps is part of why everyone seems so genuinely welcoming of visitors.
We had a true day-of-days on a catamaran charter to Moho Caye. This was an epic experience and probably a top-ten day of life so far. The boat and crew were amazing, we caught a fish on the way that Captain Jimmy grilled on the beach for lunch, did some great snorkeling at Moho (a picture-perfect tropical island) and had an otherwise spectacular experience.
We stayed at the Naia Resort, which was a great spot for our family of four, including our 20-year-old son and 16-year-old daughter. We rented a three-bedroom private villa right on the beach, with nothing between us and the water other than palm trees and a hammock. The villa provided truly separate living/sleeping/bathing space for me and my wife, our son and daughter, which is key to a great family vacation.
Back in Atlanta, we operate as the unofficial Belizean tourism board and have encouraged several other families to visit and they’ve all been very happy they did.” —Jeremy Silverman
Read more reviews of Belize trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Morocco: “The most wonderful five-day adventure for me (age 54) and my son (age 21)…”
“Our day trip to the Atlas Mountains was gorgeous and like a different nation.” Photo: Shutterstock
“Michael planned the most wonderful five-day Morocco adventure for me (age 54) and my son (age 21). Michael had the challenge of creating an itinerary that suited both of us. What resulted was awesome. The riads (hotels) were like nothing we’d ever experienced. Tucked into the windy small alleys of the medina and old city, they were hidden gems. Small but luxurious. Historic. Beautiful. With incredible staff. I will miss a riad every time I now stay in a big city hotel. The food choices were excellent. One evening, we were having trouble getting into a ‘hot’ spot (per my 21-year-old) and they helped us secure a reservation at a perfect time.
The sights in Marrakech were fantastic—from the Secret Garden to the souk, from the Yves St. Lauren and Berber museums to the palaces, from the developing ‘new’ city to the giant central square to Jewish history, the sights selected were spot-on. And, knowing we’d have some time without guides at the end of the trip, our guide’s suggestions on what to do while we were solo were awesome.
Outside of Marrakech, our glamping evening in the local desert (not the Sahara, but still fun with ATV and camel rides) was very cool. The particular tent site was fantastic, with great food and music. Then our day trip to the Atlas Mountains was gorgeous and like a different nation. Our local guide for our hike was perfect and his knowledge of history, flora and fauna rocked!
Sadly, five days was not enough and next time it will be much longer.” —Josh Berman
Read more reviews of Morocco trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Portugal: “Small, unique hotels really enriched our experience of the locations…”
While the kids are in summer camp, dad can go wine-tasting in Portugal’s Douro Valley. Photo: Shutterstock
“We submitted Wendy’s questionnaire and then had a very substantive call with Goncalo to talk about what we particularly enjoyed about prior trips and specific likes and dislikes. Our travel dates were totally inflexible because they were dictated by our kids’ summer camp schedules. This meant we had only one week for Portugal—in peak season. Our goal was to somehow thread the needle between exploring a country we’d never visited, having deep and personal experiences, avoiding tons of crowds, not bouncing around too much, and relaxing. Got it? Goncalo put together an itinerary that fit exactly what we were looking for. He had us stay in three different, small, unique, hotels—Areias do Seixo (on the coast an hour north of Lisbon), Barrocal in the Alentejo, and Santiago de Alfama in Lisbon—and each really enriched our experience of the locations.
Our favorite stop was the Alentejo region, and we would highly encourage others to include it in their plans. It’s beautiful, serene, has very special medieval towns, is extremely welcoming to visitors, and is much less visited than Lisbon, Porto, and the Douro Valley. Barrocal, a farm converted into a 5-star hotel, was a phenomenal home base there. Our single favorite experience was visiting Herdade de Esparao winery, where we somehow spent almost six hours on a sweltering 104-degree day. Our private tour was followed by a private tasting and then an amazing five-course lunch with wine pairings. It was probably the best meal we had in Portugal.” —Jeremy Silverman
Read more reviews of Portugal trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Western Canada: “The right mix of adventure, nature, fun, and relaxation…”
Whistler, British Columbia, is a natural playground that has something for everyone. Photo: Shutterstock
“Our family of four had an amazing time in Vancouver, Whistler, and Sonora Island, British Columbia. Marc put together an itinerary that met the various wish-list items of everyone in the family, with the right mix of adventure, nature, fun, and relaxation. For an active family there is no end to the amazing experiences that can be had in Whistler, where we particularly enjoyed the zip-line, whitewater rafting, and tree-top adventure course. The second half of the trip was at the Sonora Resort, which was everything Marc said it would be and more. From the hiking to the photography, fishing, eco-tours, and fine dining, it was a wonderful experience and a relaxing time to reconnect as a family.” —Jay Matthews
Read more reviews of British Columbia trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Vienna and Prague: “Our son is passionate about the music of Classical- and Romantic-era composers…”
Culture-loving dads appreciate private access to the Strahov Library in Prague. Photo: Shutterstock
“I told Gwen that our 17-year-old son is passionate about playing piano, particularly the music of Classical- and Romantic-era composers. She asked questions to understand how we like to travel, especially when it came to what would interest our son, and then planned and executed an absolutely amazing trip to Vienna and Prague for us. Our itinerary included visits to Mozart’s and Beethoven’s apartments in Vienna; the cemetery where Beethoven, Schubert, Strauss, and Schönberg are buried; and an exhibit that included one of Mozart’s original manuscripts. In Prague she arranged visits to a collection that included the original score to Beethoven’s third symphony, as well as access to the Strahov Library, which travelers typically only get to view from a distance but where we got to wander among the stacks!” —Adam Amsterdam
Read more reviews of Austria and Czech Republic trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Romania: “Getting to visit the highest tower at Bran Castle, an area generally off-limits to the public…”
Romania’s countryside is studded with scenic castles right out of a fairytale. Photo: Shutterstock
“Raluca found us extraordinary accommodations in Romania. She tracked down a private residence in Bucharest where we had a private suite and were treated like personal friends of the family. We had three nights in Brasov in a lovely three-room hotel and four nights in Maremures in our own house on a 70-hectare property. The house was probably 100 years old and had been saved from destruction in the local village, moved to the host’s property, and completely remodeled inside. Raluca even arranged for a cook to come to the house and make us breakfast and dinner—truly special. Greg, our guide, made adjustments to the itinerary on the fly to accommodate our requests and suggested activities as he came to know us. For example, he arranged a trail ride for our daughter at a horse ranch. And Wendy, thanks for the WOW Moment. We really enjoyed getting to visit the highest tower at Bran Castle, an area generally off-limits to the public. Our very experienced guide had never been there.” —George Stephens
Read more reviews of Romania trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Atlantic Canada: “We dug for clams, pulled up lobster traps, gathered fresh mussels and oysters, and had a lobster boil on a secluded beach…”
Newfoundland: “Vistas of inland lakes, pine forests, and ocean fronts were magnificent. This was a visit of a lifetime.”
“For our three-generation family trip to Atlantic Canada—Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland—Jill arranged excursions which we never could have arranged by ourselves and about which my three grandchildren never stop talking. These included a boat trip where we dug for clams, pulled up lobster traps, gathered fresh mussels and oysters, and had a wonderful lobster boil on a secluded beach. Another boat excursion was to islands dark with puffins, murres, razor bills, cormorants and other birds, and a boat tour of coastal resettled communities during which we saw whales. We also had a songfest in a private home with guitar and accordion. And we (and some say this was the best) hiked along the shore with Lori, a chef, who pointed out plants which were edible and then used them to make a sumptuous lunch. The vistas of inland lakes, pine forests, and ocean fronts were magnificent. This was a visit of a lifetime.” —Richard Goldin
Read more reviews of Atlantic Canada trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
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