Savvy Travelers Head to Slovenia

If you’re looking for a destination that’s not overwhelmed with tourists, where you can spend your euros and the locals speak enough English for you to get by, then you need to know about Slovenia.

This central European country is on the cusp of becoming part of the grand tour. Sharing borders (but not the same level of recognition) with Austria, Hungary, Croatia and Italy, Slovenia manages to combine the best of those better-known nations while offering a rich culture all its own.

*Left: Soča River | Right: Ljubljana, Capital of Slovenia*

The scenery is stunning: hike on spectacular, all-abilities trails in the Julian Alps, which rise over 8,000 feet, then head to Lake Bled in the foothills and learn all about its fairytale creation story. This picturesque alpine lake is where you’ll find the country’s only island, and it’s topped with a 17th-century church with another legend: ring the church bell, and it’s said your wish will be granted.

*Left: Predjama Castle | Right: Postojna Cave Park*

Explore the karst landscape between the Alps and the Adriatic sea, easily reached some 30 miles outside the capital of Ljubljana. The rock formations are both eerie and fascinating, but it’s the jaw-dropping subterranean world of Postojna Cave Park that will blow your mind with its strange limestone shapes and even stranger cave creatures. Take in a little history above with a wander around Predjama Castle, an impregnable medieval marvel that’s been carved out of the rock face.

*Left: Hiša Franko | Right: Chef Ana Roš*

The country’s farm-to-fork cuisine is also getting noticed – and has been called out in Forbes as Europe’s most underrated foodie find. Not to be missed: Hiša Franko in Kobarid, about two hours from the capital. This big house in the country is where self-taught and much-hailed chef Ana Roš creates tasting menus with the area’s famous ingredients: trout, deer and goat, not to mention its fruits and wild plants. Roš also ages her own Tolminc cheese and runs a wine bar during the summer months.

And don’t leave the country without sampling its everyday food pleasures, including Štruklji, sweet or savory rolled dumplings, and potica, a traditional rolled nut cake made according to ancient recipes throughout the country.

Get to know Slovenia –

it’s going to be your next favorite getaway.

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Wrap up the Gift of Travel this Holiday Season

When our lives are filled with things and packed with commitments, wouldn’t it be fun to gift a travel promise instead? Book a trip for your loved one where they can step back from their day to day and indulge their passion. The gift of new experiences always fits and won’t be returned. We hope these suggestions inspire you:

For the skier…… Extend the powder hound’s season by booking a ski trip to the southern hemisphere in July or August. In Chile, Portillo is a fan favorite, and in Argentina, consider the snow-sure terrain of Las Leñas and the eye-candy views of Cerro Catedral.

For the design lover…… Head to Copenhagen – famous as a hub of Scandinavian design. Soak up the city’s architecture and browse its many artisanal shops for houseware, furniture and clothing.

*Left: Portillo, Chile | Top: Copenhagen, Denmark | Bottom: Maroma, A Belmond Hotel, Riviera Maya*

For the beach lover…… Be the first to discover the Mayan restoration of Belmond’s Maroma hotel in Riviera Maya on the white sands of Mexico’s Caribbean coast. Opening in May 2023.

For the foodie…… If they’ve already sampled Michelin-starred restaurants, why not consider the culinary scene in Nazareth, Israel – long considered a food lover’s hotspot in the Middle East for its mix of cultures and flavors.

For the wellness junkie…… Sensei Lanai, A Four Seasons Resort is an adults only enclave on the quiet island of Lanai, Hawaii. It envelops each guest in well-being programs, spa oases and five-star dining. Or discover Sensei's newly opened property near Palm Springs, California.

*Top: Sensei Lanai, A Four Seasons Resort | Bottom: Shakshuka | Right: Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Milan*

For the fashionista…… New York, London, Milan or Paris? You don’t need to work for the industry to get into Fashion Week events. Public tickets and VIP experiences can be purchased for a fantastic, stylish week in the city.

For the gap year adventurer…… G Adventures offers “Roamies,” small group, immersive trips for 18 to mid-30 year olds throughout Asia, Europe, Costa Rica and Mexico, where the kids sleep in hostels so hip you might want to stay in one yourself.

Last-minute getaway or long-term plans?

Let us help you wrap up the gift of travel this year.

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The Long Weekend Sweetener with Preclearance

Dublin, Ireland, for a long weekend getaway? Thanks to Preclearance, a handy U.S. Customs and Border Protection program, it's not as outlandish as it sounds. Sixteen airports in six countries allow travelers entering the USA the chance to clear Customs before landing in the States.

When a flight is “precleared,” its passengers can disembark as domestic fliers. Pack a carry-on and you can scoot right past the baggage carousel and be out of the airport and on your way home while travelers arriving from non-precleared airports are still in line at Customs. If you’re even farther afield, flying out of Abu Dhabi (which offers preclearance) smooths out that long trip home.

Who wants to spend more time in airports? Fly home from your getaway through these Preclearance airports:

*Left: Nassau, Bahamas | Right: Dublin, Ireland*

Ireland: Raise an extra pint or two in Dublin and Shannon before heading home.

The Bahamas: Make Freeport on Grand Bahama and Nassau your transit airports to quieter islands.

Bermuda: Pink beaches, boozy rum cake and preclearance – what’s not to love?

*Left: Bermuda | Right: Ottawa, Ontario*

United Arab Emirates: On a longer getaway, stop for a while in the capital city of Abu Dhabi to take advantage of its Preclearance program.

Canada: Canadians are so nice they’ve got nine airports to make cross-border travel easier: Vancouver and Victoria in BC; Calgary and Edmonton in Alberta; Winnipeg in Manitoba; Toronto and Ottawa in Ontario; Montreal in Quebec; and Halifax in Nova Scotia.

Let’s find an international destination that lets you fly home as a domestic traveler.

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Get Ahead of the Post-Holiday Booking Rush

Families who’ve just spent the last few hours talking over turkey, brisket and latkes about where they’d like to gather for the next family meal – the Rockies? The Maldives? Curaçao? Sicily? – should start reaching out to us.

Traveling together is a great way to bond and also to share some of the costs. And don’t wait until after the holidays to make the call to us. Start those important “Where are we going next year?” conversations now to beat the post-holiday booking rush.

Let us know where you want to be, and we'll know when to lock down the best prices and the right dates at the best locations.