Lauterbrunnen Valley, Switzerland
Switzerland: Stunning Any Time of Year
Switzerland is a land full of beauty and wonder. A country that’s famous for so many things is also easy and safe to visit any time of the year. Independent of the EU (so you’ll be spending Swiss francs), Switzerland is also one of the highest countries in Europe, since it is covered by the Alps, so it is perfect for hiking or winter sports.
Over eight million people live in the country, where four national languages are spoken: German, French, Italian, and Romansh. The crime rate is exceedingly low wherever you go – and heading a little off the beaten path can lead to unforgettable Swiss adventures with fewer tourists.
Top: St. Moritz | Left: Carlton Hotel St. Moritz | Right: St. Moritz-Celerina Olympic Bobrun
Graubünden is the largest region of Switzerland, famous for its famous resort towns of Davos and St. Moritz – but why not try nearby Celerina as well? The historic village center is enchanting and visiting in wintertime offers a chance to sled down the world’s only natural and oldest bobsleigh track in the world, or snowshoe through the Staz Forest Trail.
Summertime is for horse-drawn carriage rides to Lake of Staz, returning to the forest for a sensory hike through fragrant meadows, and savoring a gastronomic walking tour through town. Experience the season in the world’s most picturesque landscapes by train, from the Alps to Lake Geneva to the Matterhorn. The Rhaetian Railway is part of the UNESCO heritage list, thanks to the mind-bending engineering that went into its construction up, down, and around the Alps.
Top: Rhaetian Railway | Left: Bürgenstock Resort | Right: Lucerne
In a country with 7,000 lakes, it’s not hard to find a jaw-dropping view, especially when exploring Lake Lucerne. Surrounded by mountains, Lake Lucerne sits at 1400+ feet elevation and still maintains a mild climate. The best views will come to those who hike the Swiss Path – a loop around one arm of the lake – or opt for tours aboard a wooden paddlewheel steamer ship.
Just 30 minutes outside Lucerne, discover Fräkigaudi, the longest summertime toboggan ride in the country. Surrounded by the snow-capped beauty of the Alps, the sled ride drops 4,400+ ft with steep turns, tunnels, and built-in jumps.
Top: I Due Sud | Left: Fräkigaudi Toboggan | Right: Principe Leopoldo
Gourmands looking to discover important new chefs will want to travel to the Italian-speaking south. Lugano, the largest town in the Ticino canton, created a Michelin sensation last year when three restaurants earned their first star: I Due Sud at the Hotel Splendide Royal, META and Principe Leopoldo at the Villa Principe Leopoldo hotel. Don’t forget that when making a toast in Switzerland, say “Proscht!” and always make eye contact when you clink glasses.
Would you like to hike through the Alps or ski down them? Switzerland is fantastic any time of the year.
Levin Iglut, Finland
Think Outside the Hotel Box
There are so many incredible locations and accommodations to stay around the world, and while each offers its own unique experience, some go above and beyond. Whether you're looking for an igloo to watch the northern lights, a castle in Ireland, or something in between, we can help you find the perfect place for your next adventure.
In Peru, guests arrive at the Skylodge Adventure Suites via zipline or via ferrata walkway. These glass capsule bedrooms hang from the side of a mountain and offer incredible 300-degree views of the Sacred Valley.
Left: Skylodge Adventure Suites | Right: Royal Malewane, South Africa
Glamorous tented camps will make you feel like a pioneer without actually having to live like one. In Africa, the safari tents of Masai Mara, Kenya, and Botswana’s AndBeyond Nxabega Okavango stand out. If Safari tents aren't your style, the Royal Malewane in Kruger National Park offers a classic luxury safari lodge experience.
Ashford Castle, Ireland
Make fairy-tale dreams come true with a castle sleepover – Ireland’s Ashford Castle in County Mayo or Dromoland Castle in County Clare should set Irish eyes smiling. Or make it a chateaux-hopping vacation in France’s Loire Valley, home to 300 castles, many of which offer overnight stays.
Left: Snowhotel Kirkenes, Norway | Right: Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge, British Columbia
’Tis the season for ice hotels – Quebec City’s famous Hotel de Glâce opens early in January – but in Kirkenes, Norway, visitors can sleep in the Snowhotel 365 days a year. It may sound cold, but snuggling into downy sleeping bags placed on furs makes it more fun. Stop by the hotel’s frozen bar, where drinks are always served “on the rocks” in a tumbler of ice.
Closer to home, immersing yourself in the untouched old growth wilderness of Vancouver Island is much more fun in the luxury tents of Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge. Even better – the area is accessible only by seaplane or boat.
Catch some Zzzzs somewhere unique. Sometimes, the best places to sleep have nothing to do with the bed.
Bora Bora, Tahiti
Destinations Where the Dollar Goes Further
It’s been a long time since the US dollar has been stronger than the euro, and the dollar has also been surging against the British pound, making this a financially fantastic time to consider a European vacation. In fact, the strong dollar means many traditionally higher priced destinations are getting a second look from travelers planning overseas getaways and festive get togethers.
Left & Top: Conrad Bora Bora Nui | Bottom: COMO Laucala Island, Fiji
In French Polynesia, for example, travelers can afford to stay a little longer in those bucket-list overwater bungalows that Tahiti is famous for. The romance of remote Bora Bora, where celebrities flock to its stunning coral reefs and beaches, isn’t just for the A-list anymore. Fiji is drawing interest as well, as it offers many, many more soft, sandy beach options throughout its archipelago of 300 islands.
For those heading to euro-based countries, financial experts are noting that you’ll get the biggest bang for your buck in restaurants and taxi cabs, and when enjoying that daily café et croissant. The opportunity to bring home luxury goods is also favorable, since they are in effect discounted with the strong dollar.
Look ahead and lock in an escape while the dollar is strong.
Sahara Desert, Morocco
Got Questions? Your Travel Advisor Has Answers
Traveling to a new place is always exciting, but concerns, worries, and last-minute stumbling blocks can tire out the most enthusiastic vacationer. That’s exactly why a travel advisor needs to be in your corner. When the questions start piling up –What kind of insurance do I need? Are there still pandemic protocols in the country I’m flying into? What happens if my flight is seriously delayed or cancelled? How do I ensure my luggage arrives when I do? Is there VIP airport service to smooth the way? – your first call needs to be to a trusted travel advisor.
Concrete and up-to-date advice is as valuable as a seat in business class. There is nothing more reassuring than speaking with an expert, someone who has recently traveled to your destination and is connected to all the right insiders to plan and book and answer every question.