Posts tagged travel trends
Best Bets for: Summer, Fall, Festive | Desserts of the World | Long-Term Trip Planning
london, vacation, travel

London, England

The World Awaits: Our Best Bets for 2022

Anticipating a vacation is almost as sweet as taking that vacation – especially when it’s been planned well in advance by a professional. The first step is to book an appointment with us to sketch out your travel road map. A five-year plan, for example, means a family reunion in the Maldives, a milestone birthday with the gals in Tuscany, or a boys’ trip to St. Andrews, Scotland, for a historic round of golf is made easy. 

While you’re planning into 2023, 2024 and beyond, let’s look at where we can send you in 2022. 


chicago, australia, washinton dc, machu pichu

Good Bets for Summer 2022

Why not head back to the culture and excitement of big cities and rediscover the joy of live theatre in New York? Chicago’s architecture is a treat – book the must-do river tour early. Never strolled the Walk of Fame or explored the wild intersection of Hollywood and Vine in Los Angeles? It’s just one small corner in a city of “I saw that on TV” landmarks (watch for celebs on hikes in Runyon Canyon and Griffith Park). Don’t forget  Washington, D.C.’s incredible array of museums and historic sites – make history come alive for you and your brood. 

If you’re looking for a long-haul getaway, what about South AmericaPeru is just entering its dry season with bright, sunny days to explore the ruins of Machu Picchu. Or newly opened  Australia? The Southern Hemisphere is enjoying fall and heading into winter – cooler temperatures make it a good time to explore the outback and Western Australia.


venice, cotswalds, london, south africa

The Cotswolds, England | Venice, Italy | Temple Bar, Dublin, Ireland | Cape Town, South Africa

Good Bets for Fall 2022

If you’re ready to cruise again, this is the perfect time to book a cabin for fall sailings as so much is available. Italy is always a good idea, and shoulder season is simply less busy with all the same food, wine, and scenery you’re longing to enjoy. The winding streets of Venice are much more fun with fewer crowds, so let’s book that much delayed romantic getaway! Perhaps it’s time to search out those family roots? Hotel availability opens up throughout the U.K. and Ireland in the fall — get your craicon at your ancestors’ favorite local! And if you’re ready for a long-haul flight, explore Cape Town and drive the Garden Route coastline to explore its beaches and wineries.


covent garden, london, france, israel, egypt

Covent Garden, London | Val d'Isere, France | Masada, Israel | Nile River, Aswan, Egypt

Good Bets for 2022 Festive Season 

The bright lights and festive cheer of London in December are a great backdrop to your family plans, and side trips to the Alps are easily reached via Eurostar’s Ski Train. Want something warmer? Israel’s holy sites offer a soul-renewing pilgrimage for many, and make sure to take restorative side trips to the Dead Sea and the ruins of Masada. More travelers are returning to Egypt to explore the Great Pyramids of Giza. Combine a visit to Cairo with river tours along the Nile for a spectacular holiday season. Booking now will help make your festive season merrier this year.


Plan now, pack later, and reap the benefits of your travel advisor’s expertise.

 

Chocolate Mousse

How Far Will Your Sweet Tooth Take You?

Discovering new cuisines in new countries is one of the pleasures of travel. Biting into a freshly made macaron on the Champs-Élysées makes it so much more delicious. For your final course, pass on the cheese plate and sink your teeth into these classic treats in their country of origin.

France: Chocolate mousse, made the French way (with eggs, no cream), is denser and richer and truly out of this world. C’est magnifique!

New Orleans: Beignet, a deep-fried square doughnut piled high with icing sugar, is best served with strong coffee and eaten in an outdoor café in the French Quarter. Extra napkins, please.

Beignet | Pastel de Tres Leches | Pastel de nata

Mexico: Pastel de Tres Leches, or three milk cake, is a dense sponge cake steeped in evaporated milk, condensed milk, and heavy cream. It’s decadent, yet light and airy, too.

Portugal: Pastel de nata– the sweet creamy custard nestled in a tart of scorched puff pastry and dusted with cinnamon is one of Portugal’s great gifts to the world.

Jamaica: Rum cake –  more than one bottle of booze is used to bake this dark, luscious fruitcake. Then once it’s out of the oven, more rum is poured on top for good measure. 

desserts

Zeppole | Eton Mess | Tart au sucre

Southern Italy: Zeppole –  the deep-fried, bite-sized doughnuts can be savory or sweet. Dough that’s twisted into small shapes is best eaten hot, but also try zeppole filled with pastry cream and chocolate.

England: Eton Mess – dip your silver spoon into a gorgeous mix of crisp meringue, fresh strawberries and whipped cream. Enjoy with a strong cuppa.

Quebec: Tarte au sucre, or sugar pie, is a French-Canadian classic. A thickened maple syrup filling on a flaky pie crust is a sweet way to welcome spring. 


Vacation calories never count, right? Let’s plan a trip to your favorite treat.

 

Giraffe Manor, Nairobi

It’s Time to Start Designing your Dreams 

When we know your plans, we'll make sure you stay in rooms with the best views, snap up the best tee times, and ensure you arrive on the most direct flights since we'll be ready to pounce when airlines release those seats. We are terrific at helping clients geographically strategize their destination wish list. For example, in those years between big, special trips, we can help clients maximize their travel fund by recommending beach escapes that won’t break the bank.

Multigenerational groups need to work around school schedules – planning ahead means even in a busy season you’ll get the accommodation you are hoping for (Nairobi’s Giraffe Manor, anyone?). 

After two years of delayed milestone trips, travelers around the world are spreading their wings again. Don’t get left behind. Book an appointment to plan out the next five years of dream destinations and make post-pandemic travel part of your new normal. 


Let’s plan your long-term in the short-term

2022 Luxury Travel Trends Guide & Trends Preview
travel trends guide

Trending Travel For The New Year

Where will you be going this year? If you’re looking for inspiration and wonder where the savvy traveler should head to, our 2022 Travel Trends Guide is a must-read. It covers six continents and 20 countries, everything from the best-known locales to revealing the lesser-known areas of well-loved destinations.

The 2022 Travel Trends Guide is a collection and an introduction to areas we expect to be big news in the travel world. These are not set itineraries but outlines that offer a taste of why each destination should be at the top of your list of places to see.

As we venture into 2022, exploration is alive and well for those planning ahead and taking precautions to travel safely. The world is opening up again, so let’s get you started on finding the right place to visit. 


What’s making news in travel this year, and where will you start exploring next?

 
destination spotlight

Marvelous Mexico

Sand, sun, and fun are three good reasons why Mexico continues to be a popular escape. But there are even better reasons why the country has been crowned ‘Destination of the Year’ by Travel + Leisure magazine. Travelers will always head back to old favorites such as Cancun and Puerto Vallarta (what’s not to love?), but we’d like to point out a few other hot spots to add to consider this year.

mexico, food, mexico architecture

Mexico City, or Ciudad de México (CDMX), is one of the liveliest North American capitals for cuisine, culture, and sports. Food tours will show you the best spots for tacos, tlacoyo, and why you shouldn’t go home without ordering sweet, jiggly nicuatole for dessert one night. The art scene – even the street art – is worth exploring, don’t miss the contemporary exhibits of Museo Tamayo and Museo Jumex, and one of Mexico’s largest galleries, Kurimanzutto. And why not live like a local and take in a live football (soccer) game – CDMX has many teams, but the top four are: América, Guadalajara, Cruz Azul, and Universidad Nacional.

los cabos, la paz

In Baja, stay north if you want to skip the non-stop party of Los Cabos and go out adventuring instead. The Espiritu Santo archipelago in the northwest is known as “the world’s aquarium.” This protected marine park is rich in biodiversity. Accommodations in nearby La Paz are well known for their off-the-grid authenticity, but new hotels have opened that also bring off-the-grid refinement. Head out for a day of whale watching, snorkeling, and diving, or shred the dunes with a sandboard (think snowboarding on warmer hills).

lake bacalar, turquoise water, lagoon

Big city? Artsy town? Long gorgeous beach? Or a trip that takes you to all three? Let’s start planning!


 
luggage, suitcases

Best Bags for New Adventures This Year

Wherever you are going this year, you’ll need a good bag to get you there. Here’s our pick for the best bags of 2022.


luggage, suitcase, sustainable

Sustainable

Take a stand for the world you are exploring by ensuring your luggage is carbon neutral and the company that makes it is offsetting its energy. Paravel and Monos are two chic, direct-to-consumer brands that use recycled materials and make products built to last. 

luggage, suitcases, high-end

High-End Head-Turners

There’s nothing like a well-made piece that you can pass on to the next generation, and that’s not something you can usually say about luggage. Invest in a vintage-looking Globe-Trotter piece for the classy traveler (we love the carry-on reminiscent of Lady Di’s iconic sheep sweater), or the sleek, lightweight aluminum cases from Rimowa for the serious globetrotter; and for the fashionista? Aviteur’s made in Italy, leather bags designed by Patricia Gucci are a must carry.

Adventure Ready 

Sometimes, your luggage needs to be as rugged as the trip you’re about to test yourself on. In that case, environmental leader Patagonia offers a sturdy, water-resistant rolling duffel in multiple sizes.

luggage, suitcase, bold, fun, bright

Bold and Fun

Let the kids pack a bag of distractions in their pint-sized luggage. Adorable and striking designs are the hallmark of American Tourister and Heys. May we suggest the baby Yoda from AT? And at Heys, fans can support their favorite NBA, NHL, or MLB team with branded bags.


Love it when your luggage turns heads in the airport? Where are you and your bags going to next?

 
new year travel

What Are Your 2022 Travel Resolutions?

We hope that you were able to ring in the new year safely and joyfully! With 2021 in our rearview mirror and travel becoming less restrictive, planning your 2022 escapes with a travel advisor will still be your best defense against change and uncertainty in trip planning.

A travel advisor is a travel specialist, and you always want to work with someone who is an expert in their area. Someone who knows how to get you out of a jam when your flight is cancelled or rerouted; someone who knows just the right chalet or hidden inn with the most incredible view for that month-long vacation in paradise; someone who knows how you like to travel and can recommend a hotel you never would have discovered on your own.

This year, we’ll continue to have your back and make travel a seamless experience. Let us help you make that dream trip a reality; we’ll certainly make it much easier for you to enjoy.


Planning and preparation are essential before you head for the airport. Let me help!