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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.


What a Suite Actually Buys You on a River Cruise Ship
Two travelers can pay the same suite premium on two different river cruises and get very different things for it. Here's what the upgrade actually buys, and when I tell clients to skip it.
Alex Ziselman
Aug 185 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


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


15 Reasons to Use a Professional Travel Advisor to book your next vacation
1. You already hire experts to get a better result We are all quick to call an expert when we are in a jam or out of our skillset; mechanic, accountant, attorney, dentist, or plumber. From cutting our hair to preparing our taxes, there are just some tasks that are better left for the pros. Travel is one of the biggest three purchases you’ll make in your life after a home and car (or college tuition if that’s in the cards for you). You use experts to save yourself time and s
Alex Ziselman
Jan 5, 20228 min read


Top 5 Luxury Trains in the World
With a large variety of trains available to explore the world, the choices may seem overwhelming. Although some people choose to focus solely on the destination, the train can play an essential role in the journey. No matter if you are looking for something vintage or something a little more modern, keep reading to discover some of the top luxury trains located around the world. The Belmond Andean ExplorerLocated in the beautiful country of Peru, The Belmond Andean Explorer i
Alex Ziselman
Dec 14, 20212 min read


Top 10 Destinations for Adventure Travel for Everyone
Adventure travel destinations aren't for thrill-seekers alone. They're an excellent opportunity for exploration, embracing the outdoors, seeing wildlife, and more. Check out this top 10 list of destinations for travel adventure for everyone! 1: India Beyond that of navigating a different culture, the country gives adventure travelers many opportunities to go on wildlife safaris in the heart of India's tiger country to trekking the Himalayan foothills. You'll find snow-capped
Alex Ziselman
Nov 29, 20212 min read


Top 10 Adventure Travel Destinations
If you know where to look, adventure is everywhere. The adventures you and your family take are an excellent way to bring your family closer together, expand your worldview, and help you feel young and vibrant. 1: Antarctica Traveling to Antarctica is the pinnacle of exploration, from crossing the world's most treacherous sea to seeing pristine ecosystems. If you're feeling particularly adventurous, trekking across glaciers or the polar plunge is considered a right of passage
Alex Ziselman
Nov 4, 20212 min read


Discover the Next Evolution of Galápagos Cruises - Silver Origin
Guests on the new Silver Origin explore the islands with a team of Ecuadorian guides and the highest crew-to-guest ratio in the islands. Snorkeling tops the list of popular activities on many expedition cruises. But snorkeling in the Galápagos Islands – whether from a Zodiac or a deserted beach – will have you hooting through your snorkel. “Sea lion pups want to play with you, penguins sometimes cruise by underwater, and sea turtles aren’t even bothered by our presence,” says
Alex Ziselman
Sep 27, 20213 min read


Planning a St. Lucia Vacation? Choose Sugar Beach for an amazing Experience!
Sugar Beach is a Viceroy Resort located in St. Lucia. This iconic and luxurious resort has been a mainstay on this Caribbean Island for many years, dating all the way back to when it was originally a sugar plantation. However, the resort has recently embarked on a few upgrades to make your stay better than ever! From the day Sugar Beach originally opened, guests have been able to walk along the soft pristine sand of St. Lucia’s infamous Sugar Beach. In the distance, the twin
Alex Ziselman
Aug 23, 20213 min read


Sugar Beach in St Lucia
ISLAND SECLUSION, MAJESTIC VIEWS It’s clear from your first walk on the soft white sand: This luxury St. Lucia resort is here to renew you. Enjoy the privacy and beauty of 100 acres of pristine rainforest on the Caribbean Sea. It’s all at the site of an 18th-century sugar plantation and in the embrace of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Pitons. Seek seclusion in private accommodations amid vibrant gardens and soaring trees. Take the opportunity to reconnect and reflect as you
Alex Ziselman
Jun 14, 20211 min read


Daios Cove - Luxury Resort and Villas on Crete, Greece
Crete is the largest of the Greek islands and is in the Mediterranean Sea between the Sea of Crete and the Libyan Sea, south of the Peloponnese. Crete is approximately 160 miles long and 37 miles wide. If there was a beauty contest for Greek islands, Crete would surely be among the favorites. Indeed, some say there is no place on earth like Crete. Crete is well known for its seas and beaches but it has a very contrasting landscape. The island goes from fertile coastal plain
Alex Ziselman
May 30, 20214 min read


Would you like to stay in an underwater villa?
You can at the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island...Or you can dine underwater! The Muraka Experience Above water, enjoy living and dining areas fitting of one of the world’s most exclusive residences. * Two bedrooms and a bathroom with ocean-facing tub * Outdoor deck with infinity pool * Private 24-hour butler and private chef * On-call fitness trainer and spa treatments * Private jet skis Make your way down the spiral staircase or elevator to your private underwater aquarium an
Alex Ziselman
May 9, 20212 min read


My Review of The Chanler at Cliff Walk in Newport Rhode Island
While choosing our first vacation in over a year we considered several options but decided on Newport, RI. It is one of our favorite places to visit. Newport is a seaside city on Aquidneck Island in Newport County, Rhode Island. It is located in Narragansett Bay approximately 74 miles south of Boston and 180 miles northeast of New York City. It is known as a New England summer resort town and is famous for its historic mansions and its rich sailing history. It was the locat
Alex Ziselman
Apr 19, 20215 min read


What To Do After Your Galapagos Cruise?
Cruising the Galapagos Islands is an experience that appears on many bucket lists(Including mine). It is an amazing experience and the only place in the world where the wildlife shows no fear of humans, meaning you can observe it from just a few feet away. Before or after a Galapagos cruise many clients request to add on Machu Picchu. Although this is quite popular I would recommend against it because it does involve quite a bit of flying. I would recommend visiting Machu
Alex Ziselman
Apr 3, 20213 min read


Twin Farms, a Bucket List Worthy Resort in Vermont
Situated about two-and-half hours from Boston, five hours from New York City, and one-and-a-half hours from the nearest commercial airport in Burlington, the journey into the bucolic landscape surrounding Barnard, Vermont begins the Twin Farms experience. Allow time to dine on lunch and peruse antique shops in Woodstock, visit the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park and tour a working farm, or watch artists shape fine glassware at the Simon Pearce workshop in
Alex Ziselman
Feb 27, 20212 min read


5 Reasons Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi Resort Should Be on Your Bucket List
I am excited to get back to ultra-luxe bucket list travel. The Maldives are open for tourism with reasonable and safe Covid-19 protocols currently in place. The Maldives is a nation of islands in the Indian ocean that spans across the equator. They have coral reefs that account for 5% of the planet's reefs which offer vivid bands of color. The small islands have white, soft sand surrounded by the clearest shallow waters imaginable. This is the perfect destination for a buc
Alex Ziselman
Nov 8, 20202 min read
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