Lake Bled, Slovenia

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.

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Get to know Slovenia –

it’s going to be your next favorite getaway.

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.

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Last-minute getaway or long-term plans?

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

Abu Dhabi, UAE

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.

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

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.

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Turn those holiday dreams into a trip you’ll all enjoy.

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."