top of page
Journal
Notes on properties, ships, and places I've come to know well. A luxury travel blog written by someone who books these trips, not just writes about them.


Is St. Lucia Worth It? Who It's Actually Right For (and Who Should Pick Turks and Caicos)
St. Lucia is one of my favorite islands to send people to, and the one I talk people out of most often. Here's who it suits, who should pick Turks and Caicos, and what to know about the transfer and the open-wall rooms.
Alex Ziselman
4 days ago4 min read


London and Paris in 10 Days: How to Split Your Time
For ten days in London and Paris, give Paris one more night than London. Here's how I split the time, where my clients stay, and how to plan around the Changing of the Guard.
Alex Ziselman
Oct 65 min read


Sicily for First-Timers: Taormina or Palermo as Your Base?
Most people who call me about Sicily have already picked Taormina. They saw San Domenico Palace on The White Lotus, or a friend came home talking about the Greek theater with Etna smoking behind it. For a lot of first trips, Taormina is the right call. But Sicily is a big island, and the town you pick decides how much of your week you spend in a car. So the base is the first thing I settle with anyone I'm sending there.
Alex Ziselman
Sep 294 min read


Caribbean Christmas at a Luxury Resort in 2026: Is It Too Late to Book?
The first call came on March 3rd this year. A client in New York wanted Christmas week somewhere warm, oceanfront, with two bedrooms. Then she asked the question I'll hear a few dozen more times before Halloween. Is it too late?
Alex Ziselman
Sep 223 min read


Multigenerational Italy: One Villa or Rooms at a Resort?
Nine people, eleven nights, and two quotes $150 apart. How I decide between a villa and rooms at a resort when a family travels Italy together.
Alex Ziselman
Sep 154 min read


Do You Need a Travel Advisor for a Caribbean Villa or All-Inclusive?
A resort has a front desk. A villa has a WhatsApp thread with a property manager who may or may not pick up on a Saturday. Where an advisor earns their keep on a Caribbean villa, where they don't on an all-inclusive, and what changes during hurricane season.
Alex Ziselman
Sep 75 min read


How Far in Advance Should You Book a Two-Week Italy Trip?
Twelve to fourteen months for summer, nine to twelve for spring and fall. But a two-week Italy trip gets booked in pieces, and the pieces open at wildly different times. What to lock first, what you cannot book early, and the three deadlines people miss.
Alex Ziselman
Aug 315 min read


Space Tourism Is (Really!) Near – Here’s What Travelers Can Expect
The countdown is on for a new era of suborbital adventure. Few places on Earth are out of reach for intrepid travelers with the motivation and the means, whether it’s the ice floes of Antarctica or the steppe of Mongolia. But for many, one idea has remained purely a dream: space tourism. If Richard Branson has anything to do with it, that’s all about to change. Virtuoso recently partnered with Branson’s space travel company, Virgin Galactic, to make a limited number of spacef
Alex Ziselman
Sep 8, 20224 min read


5 Reasons Curacao Needs To Be On Your Caribbean Radar
When it comes to planning a trip where the fun in the sun and beaches you only see on television are concerned, the Caribbean is one of the premier destinations in the world. It is an area that people flock from all over to admire the beauty and fun the Caribbean delivers. Often when people think about going to the Caribbean, they look into visiting St. Kitts, Grand Cayman, Saint Martin, or Antigua. These are amazing places that have so much to offer visitors, but they are no
Alex Ziselman
Aug 25, 20223 min read


The Dominican Republic: More Than Just Resorts
When many people think of the Caribbean, they think of great resorts, Jamaica, and Cuba. But what they don't realize is that the most popular destination in the Caribbean is the Dominican Republic. The Dominican Republic is on an island that is shared with Hispaniola and Haiti, and it sees over 6 million visitors a year. This results in 2 million more than Cuba. This Caribbean destination has a lot more to offer visitors than your run-of-the-mill resort. The Dominican Republ
Alex Ziselman
Aug 11, 20222 min read


The Culinary History of Spain & the Six Food Regions
Spanish food is known for being straightforward, comforting but most importantly, fresh. The ingredients are always of premium quality, and each dish is made with love, passion, and cultural pride. Spain’s cuisine reflects a country that was both conquered and has a long history of colonization. When North African Moors arrived in Spain in 711 CE, they shook things up on the culinary scene. Alcohol was banned for well over 345 years, meaning wine production halted.However,
Alex Ziselman
Jul 28, 20223 min read


Antigua: More Than Just The Beaches
Antigua is situated in the Caribbean east, southeast of St. Kitts and north of Guadeloupe and Dominica. It is a picturesque island that people dream of visiting when they fantasize about a Caribbean getaway. Antigua is categorized by its beautiful ocean views and turquoise blue waters. What most people don't realize is that there is a lot more to this island than just the beaches. There are beautiful beaches like Half Moon Bay, Dickenson Bay, Galley Bay, and Valley Church.
Alex Ziselman
Jul 14, 20222 min read


12 Best Greek Foods to Experience in Athens
You can expect fresh ingredients and loads of flavors whenever you indulge in some of the Greek foods found throughout the country. Their healthy traditional recipes will leave you wanting more, and fortunately, there are a ton of excellent restaurants, eateries, and cafes all over the city. To help you figure out what Greek dish you're going to order next, here are 12 of the best Greek foods to experience in your lifetime. Greek Meze Greek meze is a blend of bite-sized foods
Alex Ziselman
Jun 30, 20222 min read


Naxos: A Gem in the Cyclades
Thanks to a 2014 New York Times article declaring Naxos, Greece not to be missed, travel heavyweights have been including it year after year on their roundups of must-see destinations within the Cyclades. Unlike its neighbors Santorini and Mykonos, Naxos remains relatively unfazed by the North American hype – despite the fact that the picturesque island continues to surface on Greek island round-ups. Its low-key ambiance and quiet pace provide visitors with an authentic Greek
Alex Ziselman
May 26, 20223 min read


Top 5 Romantic Getaways
Northern Italy From the winding canals of Venice to the Dolomites' white-domed peaks, Northern Italy is a magnet for lovers of nature, art, and literature. The city of Verona is even the alleged backdrop for Romeo and Juliet's tragic love story. Besides museums and history galore in the renaissance capital of Florence, northern Italy offers a range of romantic day trips for couples, ranging from vintage car rentals to vineyard tours and cooking courses. For those seeking a lu
Alex Ziselman
May 18, 20222 min read


Rocky Mountain Trip Planning: What to Do in Canada’s Rockies
Canada’s Rocky Mountains are magnificent, imposing, and the turquoise waters and towering peaks are often thought of when considering a trip to Canada. From horseback riding in Jasper to paddling the still waters of Banff’s Moraine Lake, let’s dive into some of the best things to see and do in Canada’s Rockies! Banff National Park Gracing countless postcards for the Rockies is the crystal clear, aquamarine Moraine Lake, bordered by the Ten Peaks mountain range. An alpine lake
Alex Ziselman
Apr 21, 20222 min read
Eat Like a Local: France Edition
Food is one of the best ways to learn about a different culture, and in France, this couldn’t be more true. After all, cuisine, menu, and dessert are all French words! Try eating like a local for every meal to get a true taste (pun intended) of the French lifestyle. Breakfast / Le Petit-déjeuner While the traditions and customs vary somewhat in different regions of France, it's safe to say that breakfast will be the same wherever you go. Pour yourself a cup of coffee or tea,
Alex Ziselman
Apr 6, 20223 min read


A Food Lover's Guide Through A Traditional Greek Menu
With the magnificent climate and stunning scenery, it is easy to see why Greece is a top global destination, but the Greek cuisine raises a visitor’s experience to the next level. This delectable cuisine is influenced by Eastern and Western cultures with the 3 key ingredients are olive oil, wine, and wheat, often combined with fish, meat, yogurt, and vegetables to create a mouth-watering meal. Many herbs and spices are blended into Greek recipes, mostly including basil, thyme
Alex Ziselman
Mar 29, 20222 min read


Top 4 Bucket List Moments in Alaska
With staggering mountain peaks, enormous wildlife, and remote wilderness lodges – Alaska offers jaw-dropping experiences that every traveler should have on their bucket list. Read on for some of the most quintessential (and mind-blowing) Alaskan experiences. A Stay at Sheldon Chalet Accessible only by helicopter, Sheldon Chalet is the only five-star hotel inside of Denali, resting on the magnificent Ruth Glacier, having been grandfathered into the spot by Don Sheldon, who bui
Alex Ziselman
Jan 31, 20222 min read


Which Caribbean Destination is Right For You?
You may think sun, sand, tropical drinks – the Caribbean is all the same right? Wrong! There are countless unique islands, different cultures, food, and activities on offer in the Caribbean, from the legendary Mayan ruins to the flashy lights of Nassau’s Atlantis. Let’s examine a few of these stunning and sunny locales, so you can better determine which is the best fit for you! Aruba Affectionately coined One Happy Island, Aruba is a great vacation option for the entire famil
Alex Ziselman
Jan 25, 20224 min read
Chat with us
bottom of page