Journal

All-inclusive hotels and resorts are quite popular with so many travelers. I can understand why, because there are quite a few benefits when you choose an all inclusive vacation. Many travelers love paying a price that includes everything for their vacation including food, drinks, entertainment, activities, and nightlife are all part of the package. However, there are times when you can have an even better experience when you choose a luxury resort property that isn’t all-inc

If you ask 100 people to name their top choice for a Honeymoon or "Milestone Anniversary" destination, at least 30 of them would name Hawaii, according to a recent study. Visions of tropical palm trees swaying in the breeze, drinks in coconut shells and sexy hula dancers create a very romantic image! I belong to some travel agent Facebook groups and always cringe when I see someone ask: "What is the best island/resort for Honeymooners in Hawaii?" There are so many different a

If you’ll be traveling to the spectacular Hawaiian Islands, you probably already know that attending a luau is a must. Not only will you have the chance to try a variety of fabulous traditional dishes, but you’ll enjoy it all while taking in a show filled with Hawaiian music and dance – usually topped off by a couple of complimentary Mai Tais. To appreciate the experience even more, you may want to know a little about the history of this ancient tradition. Ancient luau practi

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

You are TOTALLY Worth It! I certainly understand that sticking to a budget can be extremely important when booking a vacation, but did you know that there are several not-so-expensive upgrades you can purchase that can really make a huge impact on the quality of your trip? 1. Private airport transfers Somehow there is nothing more relieving than passing through customs after a long overnight flight to Europe and seeing a driver standing there with a sign bearing your last nam

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

I have sailed on the Celebrity Summit twice. It is a great ship that was built in 2001 but was refreshed and modernized in 2019 during the $500 million dollar fleet-wide Celebrity Revolution program. During the refresh "The Retreat" was added which includes a suite only sundeck and lounge. The Retreat Sundeck is a luxurious outdoor area that rivals any high-end resort. Designed by Kelly Hoppen, MBE, this spacious lounge area makes it easy to unplug with plush, stylish furni

Do you love to travel, but the thought of the TSA security lines and the long waits at US Immigration and Customs are holding you back? I have a great tip to simplify your life – and it’s called Global Entry. Whenever you travel by air, you can use the TSA PreCheck lines at security which move so much quicker because you are not required to strip (belts, jewelry and even shoes can stay where they belong!) or remove your laptop and toiletry baggie from your carry-on luggage. T

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

Alaska is the largest state in the United States in terms of area. It has the most glaciers in the nation, including the Hubbard glacier – the largest tidewater glacier in North America. If Manhattan had the same population density as Alaska, only 28 people would inhabit the island. But there would be a whole lot of bears! Almost everywhere the backdrop is composed of spectacular mountains with waterfalls, creeks and rivers, and the occasional volcano. The coastline is scatte

Imagine enjoying a Hawaiian beach day with several of your closest friends or family and then returning to your temporary “home” at the end of the day to shower, rest and share a “Pau Hana” (Happy Hour) Mai Tai on the lanai while your own chef prepares an amazing dinner with fish that was caught that very day. Or, imagine spending the day touring some wineries in the Tuscany or Chianti region of Italy with several of your buddies and getting “home” in time to take an afternoo

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

Hawaii is such a unique and diverse vacation destination and US travelers are rushing to plan their trips there during this time when domestic travel feels “safer”. After all, Hawaii can actually feel like an exotic, international vacation without ever leaving the good ole USA. There is so much to do in the Hawaiian Islands – a wide range of activities and experiences – however I always like to share my top things NOT to do when visiting my favorite vacation destination. Here

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

The Allure of Upcountry Maui Ahhh...Maui! Almost everybody’s favorite island! It always lands at the top of travel polls in magazines like Travel & Leisure and Conde Nast. The beaches are amazing, the restaurants world-class and some of the most luxurious resorts in the world are located there. While I will be the first person to take you up on an invitation to lounge poolside at the Four Seasons or dine at Mama’s Fish house, my favorite way to spend the day on Maui has nothi

Packing Light – especially on an itinerary where you will be moving and changing locations a good bit – cannot be underestimated. In fact, it can be the difference between an enjoyable vacation and a miserable one! You will never meet anyone who says “I wish I had packed heavier” when they return from a journey. Rick Steves, the Public TV European travel guru, only allows the members of his escorted tours to bring 1 carry-on size piece of luggage per person...even when the t

Reality TV shows love a trip to the Aloha State. The best thing about it is that the reality stars stay at hotels and resorts that people who live their lives outside of the spotlight can stay at, too. Relive the drama at these five Hawaiian spots. Four Seasons Resort Lanai In season two of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, the group heads to Lanai to celebrate the birthday of Kyle’s husband Mauricio, who may be one of the best househusbands across the entire franchise. T

Hawaii’s tropical island paradise isn’t really the fountain of youth, but it’s close. Hawaiians not only live longer, but they’re also less stressed and happier than residents of any other state. According to the Centers for Disease Control research, the average life expectancy for people living in Hawaii is 81.2 years, versus 75.6 years in, for example, Mississippi. And in addition to living longer lives, Hawaiians are getting happier as time goes on. For the past four years

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

Most commonly thought of in Europe, on the Rhine, Danube, Seine, Douro and even Po rivers, River Cruising is also extending itself to Russia, China, Vietnam & Cambodia and – yes...even the United States (although US River Cruising is a whole different animal). Many of the voyages are “themed”, for special interests such as “wine immersion”, “Tulip Time”, “Jewish Heritage”, a popular “beer tasting cruise” along the Rhine, and the ever-popular “Christmas Markets” cruises during