Mallorca, Spain

Spain Awaits: Experience the Culture, Cuisine & Scenery

A feeling of fiesta moves through Spain and its people, who are warm and welcoming and love to celebrate the good things in life. It’s time to see this cultural and culinary-focused country for yourself, done at any time of year. With its mild climate, beautiful beaches, and delicious food, Spain is a popular tourist destination for a reason. Its bustling cities and charming villages offer something for everyone.

Left: Pintxos  |  Right: Guggenheim, Bilbao

In the northern Basque region of Spain, not far from the French border, sits the renowned foodie destination of San Sebastian, famed for its many, many Michelin-starred chefs. Visitors should also go out for pintxos, tiny pieces of bread piled high with flavor. By casually dropping in at neighborhood bars for small snacks and a short glass of beer or wine, you can easily soak up the local life and culture around you. 

Why not combine your foodie stop with a cultural one, and head to nearby Bilbao, just over an hour’s drive east along the coast? Here your first stop is the Frank Gehry-designed Guggenheim modern art museum. This architectural marvel is breathtaking both inside and out.

Left: La Sagrada Familia  |  Right: Mallorca

Another great destination coupling is the architectural delights of Barcelona (for Gaudi’s breathtaking La Sagrada Familia and his eye-popping Casa Batlló) and Mallorca’s sunny, warm beaches (the island is easily reached by ferry or short flight). Mallorca’s capital, Palma de Mallorca, is a feast for the eyes, with historical sites dating back to the 13th-century Christians and earlier Moor, Roman and Talayotic civilizations.

Madrid is a vibrant and dynamic city that should not be missed. With a population of over 3 million, it is the beating heart of Spain, bursting with energy and life. Known for its nightlife, this city is a haven for those looking for an authentic and off-the-beaten-path experience. Take a stroll down Gran Via, "street that never sleeps," where you'll find an eclectic mix of shops, bars, and restaurants.

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From Barcelona to Mallorca, from cava to rioja, let us style your Spanish immersion.

Piazza IX Aprile, Taormina, Sicily

Exploring Sicily Beyond HBO's White Lotus

Be warned: if you’ve fallen under Sicily’s spell and want to make it your base for la dolce vita, understand that you are not planning a trip to Italy but a trip to Sicily. This is the largest island in the Mediterranean, just off the toe of Italy’s boot, and it’s experiencing a visitor renaissance thanks to HBO’s White Lotus.

Four Seasons San Domenico Palace  |  Isola Bella

The wry, dark comedy set its second season in the Four Seasons San Domenico Palace, a heritage property perched near the hilltop town of Taormina. This former convent-turned-hotel overlooks Mount Etna and the Bay of Taormina and has welcomed the elite for decades – it is a fantastic place to stay, but it’s not the only spot. Fans of the TV show should drop by the hotel for a drink on the terrace or a meal at one of its three restaurants, but there’s so much more to explore elsewhere. 

The main town of Palermo is fun to get a little lost in as you wander through the stone streets and markets in neighborhoods such as La Kalsa, Il Capo and Albergheria. 

Ancient theatre of Taormina |  Palermo Cathedral church

Aside from the Four Seasons, the resort town of Taormina is known for its hillside views, and culinary delights and these are best explored in the spring or fall to avoid the summer frenzy of local crowds. 

History buffs must head to the Valley of the Temples in the south, where preserved Doric temples still stand as beacons to sailors, just as the Greeks intended in the 5th century. On the island’s west side, head to the top of Erice to visit a Norman castle (built over the Temple of Venus) with jaw-dropping 360-degree views.

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Explore the riches of the largest Mediterranean island.

Belmond’s Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

How to Treat the Ones You Love When You Travel

In this month of love, we’d like to offer a few suggestions on how to make the ones you love feel special on your vacation. Sure, going away together, whether as a couple or a family or a group of friends, is special enough, but there are ways to make the memories unforgettable.

Glam up your European getaway with a night or two on Belmond’s Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. Rail travel is making a comeback, so do it right and ensure the Champagne is flowing. The art-deco glamour, exquisite cuisine and the train’s storied history make the trip from Paris to Vienna, Venice, Verona or Prague (and many points in between) a journey to remember.

Top: Hacienda Altgracia  |  Left:  Belmond’s Venice Simplon-Orient-Express  |  Right: La Côte d'Or

Indulge in a luxurious spa day at the Hacienda Altagracia in Costa Rica and be swept away by the ultimate relaxation experience. The Well spa at Hacienda Altagracia is a true sanctuary of rejuvenation, offering a wide range of services designed to transport you to a state of complete relaxation. This spa day is the perfect way to unwind, reconnect and create an unforgettable memory in the natural paradise of Costa Rica.

Reserve a table at a Michelin-starred restaurant. Not only will the meal and wine pairing be exquisite, but the level of service will make you feel like a celebrity. In France, where food is a religion, there are 436 to choose from. If you're introducing the kids to fine dining, consider a meal at two-star La Côte d'Or in Burgundy. The restaurant is nestled inside the five-star Relais Bernard Loiseau, named for the chef who inspired the animated film Ratatouille. His wife and children run it still and love welcoming families.

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Let’s find the right experience to make your trip even more special.

Why the Best Trips are Created by Travel Advisors

It’s smart to hire the right skill for the right job. You appreciate the keen eye of an interior designer to style your home and a gardener to tidy the landscaping to your liking. You bring in a plumber to fix that leaky faucet and finicky toilet and a contractor to complete the kitchen renovation. That’s also why smart travelers hire a travel advisor to craft a top-notch vacation. 

We listen to what you want and devote a lot of time and energy to your trip – we’ve got experience and training you can lean on. And if anything goes awry during your vacation, we've planned it from start to finish and will be your best bet to get things sorted. You already know how important experts are, and travel is no different.

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Take advantage of our skills and explore with confidence.

Zimbabwe, Victoria Falls River Lodge

How to Set Off on Safari

The Swahili word safari means “journey,” and perhaps there is no greater journey than an overland exploration in the incredible continent of Africa. It’s a chance to detach from the world for a while as you submerse yourself in the savannah and surrender to the rhythms of nature.

Safaris are both a decadent experience – accommodations run from glamping to boutique five-star lodges – and a very grounding experience, as the opportunity for cultural immersion and outdoor education is an intrinsic part of the trip. If you’re ready to start ticking off your “Big 5” or wondering how you get to see mountain gorillas up close, read on.

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Not sure where to start? We can help.

South Africa, Londolozi Game Reserve

Which Country is the Best Place to Visit?

Africa is home to 54 countries, with only a handful offering different types of safari experiences. The best time to view wildlife is during the dry season — roughly June to October in sub-Saharan Africa. If it’s the Great Migration you want to see (herds of wildlife crossing the rivers of the Serengeti and Masai Mara), go between July and September. Let’s look at what a few of these countries have to offer:

Botswana:  Home to classic safari lodges and the opportunity to explore via water-based safaris, Botswana is home to the famous flood plains of the Okavango Delta — the biggest inland delta in the world. Jeep drive or dugout canoe? The choice is yours.

Top: Tanzania, Elewana | Left: Botswana, Belmond | Right: Kenya, &Beyond

Tanzania: Perhaps best known for the Great Wildebeest Migration, which happens in May and again in December. It’s also famous for the open savannahs of the Serengeti. Travellers have a good chance of spotting all of the “Big Five” species (lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and buffalo), especially if the safari day includes time around the Ngorongoro Crater — a UNESCO World Heritage Site. To unwind from your big adventure, Zanzibar's picture-perfect beaches are a great place to relax before the long flight home.

Kenya:  One of the best-known countries for safaris, travellers have been coming to this East African country and the wilds of the Masai Mara National Park for years. Here’s your chance to live out your Out of Africa fantasy (the 1985 classic was filmed here) while watching the Great Migration, too.

Zambia and Zimbabwe: Part of the draw towards these countries is the chance to see Victoria Falls — the world's most spectacular sheet of falling water. The rainbows and mist and overwhelming water spray (for those who get close enough) are as unforgettable as the safari.

Top: Victoria Falls | Left: Cape Town, South Africa, One&Only | Right: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda

South Africa: This is often the most popular destination for first-timers since travellers have a strong chance of seeing the Big Five. Look for leopards at Sabi Sands and enjoy this country’s luxury safari camp scene. South Africa also has more to offer than wildlife: it’s compact enough for post-safari visits to excellent wine country and gorgeous coastal beaches.

Uganda and Rwanda: Either of these central African countries is your go-to place for spotting mountain gorillas in the wild. Intrepid travellers will rise early and trek for hours through dense jungle and rainforest to watch in wonder at these humanlike beasts.

Hakuna matata! Let’s choose the right country and the best time of year for your visit.

When Should we Take the Kids?

Heading into Africa is a mind-blowing experience for every age group, but when you’re traveling with children, parents often wonder, “What age is the right age to go on safari?” Here’s our advice: 

Under 9: Even if you’ve got a good little traveller at home, the long flights and long days chasing animals in wild jeep rides through safari country may be a little much for this age group. Certainly, families will need to move at a slower pace to help break up the trip for wee ones. 

Ages 10-tween: Ten-year-olds are very impressionable. Their brains are growing quickly, their attention span is increasing, and they can handle more independent thought – events and skills learned at this age have a habit of staying with children for years. If your 10- to 12-year-old is mature enough to handle long-haul travel, a safari is a great eye-opener. Not only will The Lion King come to life before their eyes, but also it’s a fantastic introduction to new cultures, new environments, and different ways of life.

Ages 13-18: Perhaps the perfect time for rough-and-ready safari trips is when you’ve got teenagers to enthrall. Not only are they now big enough that you can trust they won’t fall out of open-top jeeps but also they will be spellbound by the visceral reality of a safari. It may also be the only time you see them up before dawn for early-morning game drives. Make sure your safari includes cultural visits to nearby villages. There’s an opportunity for intellectual growth for your teen every day on safari. 

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Make memories you’ll be talking about for the rest of your lives. 

Zanzibar, Tanzania

Why it’s so Important to Book Ahead and Plan this Trip

Safaris are immersive, unforgettable, and a big investment — one that will pay off big time in terms of memories and life-changing moments. We will make sure it’s the best vacation you’ve ever had – and we need to book it as far in advance as possible. High demand is one reason for this, and it can take longer now to ensure you'll get the best accommodations and guides. We aren’t able to hold reservations or travel dates as in the before times; there’s simply too much demand now.

Give us a call. We can help you wade through the many options for safari. Classic lodge? Tented camp? Is a plunge pool a must-have? Is a private game reserve or national park the best option for your Big 5 search? And do the safari guides have the right training to ensure your experience is top notch? We can help.

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Let’s expedite your expedition planning.