Adare Manor, Limerick, Ireland

Discover the Best Fall and Festive Travel Destinations

As the lazy days of summer give way to the busy rhythms of fall, you may find that time starts to speed up. For the seasoned traveler, it’s an opportune time to start booking fall and festive vacations (if only so you can look forward to those times when time slows right back down again).

With prices returning to more sensible levels and promotions aplenty, consider exploring a domestic or North American destination this season. Allow the sea breezes and sandy shores of warm-weather destinations like the Florida Keys or Mexico's Riviera Maya to captivate you once again. Whether revisiting favorite spots or uncovering the charms of a new locale, you're sure to find a beach that beckons.

1 & 2: Florida Keys & Key West - Monroe County Tourist Development Counil  3. La Valise Tulum | 4. Ik-Kil Cenote, Mexico

And no one does Thanksgiving quite like a luxury dude ranch – where an all-inclusive experience takes the pressure off mealtimes and outdoor adventures. Montana’s The Ranch at Rock Creek, for example, will turn your family getaway into one you’ll be talking about for years. Or go fly fishing on the Rio Grande with the guides at Vermejo, a grand Ted Turner lodge in northern New Mexico.

If you want to make the Christmas season one to remember why not take in Europe’s outstanding Christmas markets? In Austria, book in advance to explore Salzburg’s exquisite stalls and unique gingerbread. This town is where the carol Silent Night was first written and performed, and expect to hear it often while wandering the Old Town, picturesquely situated under the looming castle overhead.

1. Ranch at Rock Creek, Montana | 2. Salzburg Christmas Market | 3. Adare Manor, Ireland  |  4. Fortnum & Mason, London

In search of the ultimate holiday shopping experience? Then perhaps the bright lights and extraordinary decorations of London is what you need. Some might say that if you haven’t wandered through Fortnum & Mason’s all dolled up for the holidays then you haven’t yet done Christmas. In Ireland, a hot whisky and cozy pub also set the mood for celebrating. A house party or a live band is never very hard to find, and booking an Irish castle hotel is a terrific way to warm the hearts of your travel group (and take the pressure off holiday prep).

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Celebrating close to home or overseas? Let's plan holiday travel now.

Venice Biennale, Italy

Don't Miss Out on These Global Celebrations

It doesn’t take much to find a reason to travel – a new restaurant overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea? A restored palazzo hotel with views of the Grand Canal in Venice? A chance to nibble Michelin-starred sushi in Tokyo? Sign us up!

Art Basel Miami

But some of the most fun adventures you can have are date-driven to experience the world’s best festivals and events. Booking ahead and planning is key – it’s not easy to find good hotels last-minute for Art Basel Miami in June. Or a walking-distance five-star stay for the Venice Biennale as you ponder big ideas about art, architecture and politics.

Albuquerque Balloon Festival, New Mexico

If you love watching hot air balloons, get your group to New Mexico for the jaw dropping, sky-filling display at the Albuquerque Balloon Festival in October. Looking for some cowboy culture? Book Calgary’s best suites now to whoop it up at the world’s largest outdoor rodeo in July. The entire city celebrates Stampede, and cowboy hats, boots and plaid shirts are de rigueur (even if you don’t know how to ride a horse).

The world’s most important gathering of classical musicians and singers happens annually at the Salzburg Festival but if you want to join them next summer, talk to us now to book.

2024 Olympics, Paris, France

If you’re a fan of sports – don’t forget the Olympics. Two top travel destinations are hosting soon: In 2024, the Summer Games are in Paris, ohh la la! And in 2026, Italy hosts its third Winter Games in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo.

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Front row center? Backstage access? How can we make your festival and cultural experience more fun?

Explora Journeys: Explora 1 

A New Wave of Luxury

Stepping onto a ship that’s just been launched and starting its ocean journeys is quite special. The experiences feels different: There’s a special frisson amongst the crew and guests as everyone explores new terrain together. And the travel-brag opportunities are pretty good too, you’ll end up with stories you’ll dine out on for months.

Explora Journeys: Explora 1 

Designed for the discerning guest, it’s a sparkling example of the best of European design and attention to detail – Explora’s commitment to the environment is notable with no single-use plastics on board and supportive environmental technologies below decks that adapt and change as even better methods develop in the future.

Explora Journeys: Explora 1 

So where does Explora I sail? It’s spending the fall Northern Europe then crossing the Atlantic to winter in North America and the Caribbean Sea. In summer 2024, Explora 1 heads into the Mediterranean. Book one of her repositioning cruises for more incredible days at sea on this brand new ship.

If you want to experience the delights of a new ship, reach out: there are many more to choose from.

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Set sail on a new adventure, let’s find you a ship.

Pula Arena, Croatia 

How European Travel is Changing Next Year

If there’s one question travel advisors have been getting more of lately – it’s concerns about the new Visa rules for Europe. Visa-free travel to Europe is ending in January 2024 for Americans and Canadians. (We’re not the only ones, New Zealanders and Australians are affected too.)

The new fee isn’t much – about 7 euros (around $8) and the forms are easily filled out online. Most travelers should get approval quickly, but it could take up to four days or longer. All ages must apply for the visa and once approved the visa is good for multiple entries for up to three years. The new process and fees are an attempt to tighten border security and keep a digital eye on travelers’ comings and goings.

If you’ve already got bookings overseas or hope to make them, give us a call to see how easy it is to ensure your group is visa-ready for 2024.

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Let’s sort through the details of your upcoming European travel.

Why Portugal is one of our Favorite Countries

Portugal is having a moment. If you haven’t already heard a friend or colleague rave about this coastal European country that shares a border with Spain, you soon will.

The food, people, weather, vineyards, and football all make Portugal a fantastic and surprisingly affordable getaway. The country is small – even a five-day trip will give you time to see the highlights, or tack on a few extra days at the end of one of the popular Douro River cruises for city stops in gorgeous Porto in the north or chic Lisbon in the south.

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises: Douro River Valley, Porto

Visitors will be delighted by the quality of the cuisine. Cooks all over the country create simple, succulent meals that make great use of the season’s best offerings or the day’s catch. The seafood is excellent - just about every dish includes seafood, but even a meal as uncomplicated as charcoal-grilled sardines served on fresh cornbread is full of authentic flavor.

Left: Chef Nuno Mendes, Bairro Alto Hotel | Right: Portuguese tapas

You already know about the pastel de nata custard tart, but make sure you head to a churrascaria for the country’s sublime take on barbecued chicken. Another favorite: the bifana, traditional sandwiches of pork that has been marinated in white wine, garlic and paprika. Load on the piri-piri (hot sauce).

The tiered vineyards along the Douro River, growing almost vertically up the sides of the valley, have to be seen to be properly appreciated. Book a 4x4 tasting tour.

Top: Six Senses Douro Valley | Bottom: AmaWaterways Enticing Douro River Cruise

There is a good amount of sun and warmth around 300 days a year. And the cities make great spots for winter visits, with temperatures which rarely fall below 50˚F/10˚C. If you’re in Portugal for its many beaches, summer is your best bet. You’ll be sharing with the locals, but there are 600 miles of coastline, much of it sandy.

We can help you find a lesser-visited spot, such as the Alentijo region that most visitors skip or the beaches on the southern Algarve coast, too – just ask.  

Left: Lisbon, Portugal | Right: Algarve coast, Portugal

Portuguese are welcoming. Many comment on the warmth and generosity encountered in the country. Visitors must spend at least one evening listening to fado singers in a bar – the mournful, evocative music will captivate you, especially after a few well-priced glasses of Madeira or vinho verde.

When in Lisbon, drop by what’s known as the oldest and most beautiful bookstore in the world, Livraria Bertrand, which was founded in 1732. Its breathtaking interior is such a hit on social media that the store charges five euros to enter – and it’s worth it! Sports fans should take in a futebol match, too. There are 18 soccer/football clubs, so there’s always a game on somewhere. Get yourself into the stands for a glimpse of the country’s soul.

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Will you head to the beach, survey the vineyards or wander the cobblestone streets of the cities?

We're Geeking Out Over These Travel Gadgets!

You’ve booked your flights, your hotel, your local guides… now don’t forget those travel gadgets that make your getaway just a little bit easier. Here’s a few that we can’t live without.

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The Charger
You’ve got iPads, phones, tablets, cameras, GoPros, laptops – so many cords and so many plugs! Charging is easier and quicker with this multi-port power bank that has every connection you need, and maybe a few you didn’t know you needed. The flat top deck of the Omni 20+ lets users fast-charge their cellphones, too.

The Indispensable Cable

You could call the inCharge®6 the Swiss Army knife  of charging cables. This key-ring cable device is a winner. With six different ends and connecting possibilities, it doesn’t matter if you do leave your original cord at home or forget it in the wall of your last hotel room. It weighs less than an ounce but still manages to allow for power transfers from phone to phone or wireless earbuds or any other device.

The Smartphone Lens

If you’re no longer packing a DSLR, then pick up the Xenvo Pro Lens Kit for your phone. No matter if it’s an iPhone or an Android, these macro and wide-angle lenses will take your average phone photo to the next level. The lens – attached to a lanyard so you can hang it around your neck for easy access – clamps over your phone lens quickly and snuggly with soft rubber pads.

The Ear Buds

You may already have noise-cancelling headphones (though if you don’t, the Bose QuietComfort® Earbuds will be a game changer on your next flight). Do you also need help to fall asleep in your hotel room? Subtle, sleek and oh-so-comfortable, the next generation of Bose Sleepbuds™ II help you snooze off that jet lag. Unlike headphones, the Sleepbuds do not stream music but use the Bose Sleep app to play soothing sound and white noise to send you into slumber no matter where you lay your head.

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Let’s make that trip happen, no matter where you want to recharge your inner battery.

Oxford Street, London

Why You Should Plan Your Winter Holidays Now

With so many back into the swing of international and domestic travel, it’s more important than ever to get that festive getaway booked soon. Always a busy time of year, hotels and resorts often require multi-day stays or weeklong bookings – and since this holiday season lands after two years of pent-up demand, it will be more popular than ever.

Left: Amsterdam | Right: Bar Vendôme, Ritz Paris

Let us help you book that perfect stay. Prices are only going to go up, so why not lock in the 2023 winter season rates now? Or let us discover new alternatives to warm weather destinations for this year: the spectacular holiday lights of London, Amsterdam and Paris are not to be missed, and we’ve got lots of other ideas, too. 

Visiting favorite cities at a different time of year is a great way to explore new neighborhoods. Even better, hotels are less likely to insist on long stays if you’re just looking for a short break escape.

As the proverb says, “Early to book and early to fly makes a traveler healthy, wealthy and wise."