Experiences We’ve Curated
These are just a few of many inspiring trips we’ve planned. Our experts will help you plan a perfect trip for any occasion.
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Surfing in Hawaii
An action packed couples trip on the Big Island. Hawaii expert, Cathay, directed the pair to one of the island’s best design hotels — the Waikiki Edition — for its lively pool scene, nightclub and Morimoto restaurant, as well as organized a private surfing lesson. The member, who’s a frequent business traveler, described Cathay’s spot-on recommendation as one of his “top 5 hotels of all time”
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Wine and Olive Oil on the Italian Coast
High-luxury for a couple who wanted to honeymoon along the Amalfi Coast and Cinque Terre mixed with rustic B&Bs recommendations in picturesque off-the-beaten-path destinations. Debra also recommended authentic olive oil and wine tasting tours. One highlight: A meal of hand-rolled pici pasta at Conte Mascetti Ristorante in Florence.
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Temples and Markets of Southeast Asia
Brandon put together the ultimate Southeast Asia itinerary for honeymooners. The journey began in Hanoi with an excursion to the UNESCO World Heritage Site Halong Bay, then moved on to Cambodia and the temples of Siem Reap. In Bangkok, the Chatuchak Market and a “khlong” canal tour are a must. Along the way, the Hôtel de la Paix and the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok made for peaceful hideaways.
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Meandering through Santorini
A honeymoon in the Greek Islands meant romance and privacy at a boutique hotel on Mykonos and a hillside escape on Santorini, plus a packed itinerary of sailing excursions, cultural tours and day trips to neighboring islands.
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Thailand: Elephants and Cooking Lessons
A tour of Thailand, with stops in Bangkok, Koh Samui and Chiang Mai. The trip included a cooking school, excursions with the Elephant Nature Foundation and visits to the floating market, capped with two nights in the idyllic Hillcrest Pool Villa at Banyan Tree Koh Samui.
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Making it Romantic in the Maldives
A Jetsetter member was traveling around the world for a year (not a bad job if you can get it). With his girlfriend coming for a week in the Maldives, he wanted a romantic hotel with overwater bungalows. Our expert recommended several amazing properties including Cocoa Island, with just 34 private villas, outdoor showers and hammocks for two swaying over the Indian Ocean.
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Ancient Ruins of Belize
Relaxation at Xanadu Resort and the Ka’ana Boutique Resort with cultural excursions to Mayan Ruins such as former royal residence Cahal Pech above San Igancio, the “Stone Woman” Xunantunich and the impressive Tikal ruins in neighborhing Guatemala. For adventure, Matt Link suggested rainforest horseback riding, the Belize Zoo & Tropical Education Center (to spot rare black howler monkeys and jaguars) and snorkeling the Hol Chan Marine Reserve.
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LGBT Trip Through Alaska
A seven day graduation trip included LGBT-friendly bed-and-breakfasts (such as the Copper Whale Inn and the Alaska Wildflower Inn) and nightlife spots around Anchorage. Matt Link recommended restaurants like the Snow City Café for omelets stuffed with Alaskan Dungeness crab and side trips along the Seward Highway to view the area’s majestic landscape.
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Australia by Air
A three-week R&R in Australia for a marine serving in Afghanistan, mixed adventure and relaxation from coast to countryside. Laurie highlighted the best foodie spots in Sydney, arranged a seaplane excursion to a remote restaurant off of the harbor, picked a wine tour in Cradle Mountain, and shared the secrets of laid-back Lady Elliot Island. The trip included stays at Manta Bargara in Queensland and The Como in Melbourne.
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Nordic Road Trip
Brandon organized a month-long motorcycle route around Iceland with a focus on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, Myvatn, Husavik and the wild Westfjords, with stops along the way to experience local specialties (like fish stew at the Settlement Museum restaurant in Borgarnes). The trip included stays at boutique hideaways in Denmark (Nimb; Bertrams Hotel; Axel Hotel) and Stockholm (Lydmar Hotel).
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Volcano Trekking and Beach Hopping
A group traveling to Nicaragua got the inside scoop from Paul about where to stay (they chose Granada’s Hotel La Bocono for its airy rooms & four-poster beds) as well as suggestions for island excursions to Isla de Ometepe and San Jose del Sur and a trek on an active volcano.
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Hang-Gliding and Samba Dancing in Brazil
A comprehensive nine-day itinerary honed in on the country’s best bed-and-breakfasts, charming pousadas like Casa Beleza, traditional restaurants, after dark spots such as Trapiche Gamboa, which is a great, off-the-beaten-path samba club. Also on the list: two excellent local guides, hand-gliding over Rio and side trips to Ilha Grande, Paraty and the beach towns of Saquarema and Arraial do Cabo.
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Around the World in 70 Days
In honor of a 60th birthday, Paul crafted a family trip around the globe, divided into two five-week excursions to the East and the West. The itinerary included a cruise along Australia’s Kimberly Coast and a tour of Asia with stops in Hong Kong, Thailand, Laos and Cambodia.
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Turkey’s Bazaars and Natural Chimneys
A couple explored the best of Turkey in two weeks. Highlights included Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque and Spice Bazaar, the ruins of the ancient city of Ephesus and a stay in a “cave hotel” made of soft volcanic rock in Cappadocia. Day trip options ranged from the picturesque Princes’ Islands to a boat trip to Büyükada, with a lunch stop to savor meze at Cicek Pasaji.
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Ancient Architecture in Scandinavia
A 10-day trip split mostly between Stockholm and Copenhagen, designed by Paul. The mother-daughter pair stayed several days at the Renaissance Malmo Hotel, explored Scandinavia’s largest cathedral in Uppsala, the 12-th century castle in Kalmar and the Romanesque Lund Cathedral, and spent a day cruising around some of Stockholm’s 24,000 islands.
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Local Living in Vienna and Budapest
Becca’s insider’s guide to Vienna included a list of must-taste regional delicacies, the best cafes for lingering like a local and how to narrow down the city’s dizzying number of art galleries. In Budapest, the Intercontinental Budapest served as a great base; here, it was all about getting to know the city’s distinctive neighborhoods on walking tours, plus a hot spring spa experience and a wine tasting or two.
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Sipping Malbec in Argentina
A couple celebrated their 10-year wedding anniversary with a trip to Buenos Aires and the heart of Argentina wine country. Paul helped plan a stay at a wine estate outside of Mendoza to explore vineyards that produce their favorite wine, Malbec, and secured an invitation to a private wine tour with the President of the Argentine Sommelier Association.
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Czech Republic and Germany by Train
Paul enhanced a train trip through the Czech Republic and Germany with insider recommendations for restaurants and must-see sites along the way. A few from his short list: In Frankfurt, Chef Hans Haas prepares some of the country’s best Bavarian food at Tantris; and a side trip from Prague to Karlstejn Castle. The trip included stays at Mamaison Hotel Pachtuv Palace in Prague and Hotel Königshof in Munich.
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Graduating to Europe
A group of graduating high school girls wanted to tour Europe, with 10 stops over a month. They wanted centrally located hotels that still had the cool factor required by teens and the safety factor their parents demanded. Our expert recommended properties like Das Triest in Vienna, a stylish, reinvented 300-year-old hotel, and London’s Pavilion Hotel, an affordable choice where every room has its own theme.
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Explore Family Heritage in the Ukraine
An authentic experience that spanned from the capital of Kiev to the beach town of Odessa with stays at the Intercontinental Kiev and Hotel Morskoy in Odessa. (Here, one spot for a great meal: Kumanetz, close to the main Derebassovskaya street.) Elina also recommended a guide to help the family search for their relatives in a small, remote village in the Western part of the country.
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San Francisco Playground
For a frequent business traveler to San Francisco and his kids, expert John Vlahides put together a list of off-the-beaten path activities in San Francisco. Insider spots such as the planetarium at the Academy of Sciences, a large-scale camera obscura behind the Cliff House Restaurant, and a seaplane tour that departs from Pier 39 for a birds-eye-view over the city made the cut.
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Beachside Turks and Caicos
Laurie recommended a stay at the Grace Bay Club, Turks & Caicos, which is easily accessible and has an excellent spa with six treatment rooms and a menu of customizable massages. The airy Villa Suites have private sitting areas and balconies with views of the ocean.
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The Best of Family-Friendly Hawaii
A family celebrating a college graduation was looking for the best of Hawaii in just seven days. Cathay recommended spending four days on the Big Island (at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel for its excellent beach and access to surf lessons), with cooking lessons at Hawaiian Oasis Cooking Classes for the mother who was a chef, and the remaining three days on Lanai.
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The Best of Reykjavik
A family-friendly trip to Iceland with a stay at a centrally located hotel, plus a ferry tour to Videy Island to view native birds, a soak in the area’s geothermal pools, a full-day at the wellness-oriented Blue Lagoon and horse riding. Debra also shared her favorite local delicacies (skyrr with bramble berries; Stori Dimon, a slow-ripened Brie; chocolates from the country’s oldest confectioner) and top restaurants.
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