Cathy 
The White Lotus has a gift. It takes a place — Hawaii, Sicily, now Thailand — and turns it into the only place in the world you want to be. Never mind the scheming, the dramatic irony, the bodies. The locations are impeccable. And Season 3’s Thailand is the most gorgeous setting the show has ever used.
— and if you’ve seen the show, you already understand why.
There’s a moment in Outlander — probably different for everyone — when Scotland stops being a backdrop and becomes a destination. I read the books long before the series came out, and I was in awe of the production. Maybe it’s the first time Claire steps through the standing stones at Craigh na Dun, the mist rolling across the moorland, ancient and wild and completely irresistible. Maybe it’s Jamie Fraser on horseback against a Highland sky. Maybe it’s just the cumulative effect of eight seasons of some of the most atmospheric scenery ever committed to television.
— but after enough miles, enough countries, and enough trips that went sideways and sideways-in-the-best-way, I feel like I owe you the truth.
I have logged a lot of miles. A lot. And I have many more to come 🤣
And while I wouldn’t trade a single stamp in my passport, there are things I know now that I absolutely did not know in the beginning — things that would have saved me time, stress, and more than a few moments of standing in the wrong place wondering what went sideways.
Everyone knows Paris. Everyone has been to Rome.
And honestly? Everyone is a little tired of fighting the crowds at the Trevi Fountain.
Europe is a continent of jaw-dropping beauty, extraordinary food, and stories that stretch back centuries. But the most memorable experiences? They rarely happen where the tour buses stop.
As a luxury travel advisor, I spend a lot of time steering my clients away from the obvious — and toward the extraordinary. The places that make you catch your breath. The ones you come home raving about, that your friends have never heard of.
Here are five hidden gems that belong on every discerning traveler’s radar this season.
Everyone knows Paris. Everyone has been to Rome.
And honestly? Everyone is a little tired of fighting the crowds at the Trevi Fountain.
Europe is a continent of jaw-dropping beauty, extraordinary food, and stories that stretch back centuries. But the most memorable experiences? They rarely happen where the tour buses stop.
As a luxury travel advisor, I spend a lot of time steering my clients away from the obvious — and toward the extraordinary. The places that make you catch your breath. The ones you come home raving about, that your friends have never heard of.
Here are five hidden gems that belong on every discerning traveler’s radar this season.
Packing for a luxury European trip? A Fort Collins luxury travel advisor shares what to bring, what to leave home, and the smart additions that make all the difference. Read the full guide.
Japan has become one of the most talked-about destinations in the world right now. The images are stunning — cherry blossoms over ancient temples, bullet trains cutting through misty mountains, lantern-lit streets in Kyoto’s Gion district. Everything about it looks magical, almost effortless. And that is exactly where most travelers get into trouble.
Japan is one of the most rewarding destinations on earth. It rewards patience, cultural sensitivity, and meticulous planning. What it does not reward is winging it. The gap between a good Japan trip and a truly extraordinary one isn’t budget or luck — it’s preparation and local knowledge, the kind that takes years to build.
There’s something very different about seeing Europe from a river.
You don’t arrive in a city the way you do by plane or train. Instead, you slowly drift into town early in the morning while the city is just waking up. Church bells ring somewhere in the distance, cafés are setting up their outdoor tables, and the river is usually calm and quiet.
There’s something very different about seeing Europe from a river.
You don’t arrive in a city the way you do by plane or train. Instead, you slowly drift into town early in the morning while the city is just waking up. Church bells ring somewhere in the distance, cafés are setting up their outdoor tables, and the river is usually calm and quiet.
There’s a soft knock on the door…
It’s still dark outside, the air is cool, and the lodge is quiet except for the distant sounds of the bush beginning to wake up. I pull on a sweater and walk toward the main lodge where a small group of guests gathers for a quick coffee and a pastry before heading out. It’s a strange mix of sleepy and excited. You know you’re about to head into the wild, and anything could happen.