• Apr6

    With almost 2,000 miles of coastline, Peru has some of the most stunning beaches in the world waiting for you to explore them. We’ve chosen four of our favorites and hope to take you there one day on a custom vacation!

    Huanchaco

    Huanchaco is a small town that lies on the northern coast of Peru just a few minutes from the city of Trujillo. After visiting the bustling city and the colonial archaeological sites of Trujillo, the beach at Huanchaco is a welcome change of pace. It is a peaceful, beautiful place to watch a sunset or simply be alone with your thoughts. You’ll not only enjoy the typical beach activities, but you’ll also love watching the fishermen go out in their traditional reed boats, or caballitos de totora—you can also take a ride in one if you please.

    Read More

  • Mar30

    Our travelers tell us that some of the most spectacular sights they see in their small group travel to Italy are her volcanoes. Their majesty awes, and their power amazes. We thought you’d like to know a little more about these incredible wonders of nature so we’re profiling the three most recognized volcanoes of Italy.

    Mount Vesuvius

    Located just a few miles from Naples, Mount Vesuvius is well known for the immense eruption in the year 79 that buried the city of Pompeii. What many people don’t know about that eruption is that it also altered the course of the Sarno River. Vesuvius is still an active volcano, and it is regarded as one of the most dangerous worldwide because its eruptions tend to be massive—and millions of people live nearby.

    Read More

  • Mar23

    When you’re in Italy, you want to eat the authentic cuisine the locals do so you can discover their local traditions, culture, and history through food. Here are some tips to help you find the true Italian cuisine you crave—and the authentic cultural adventure that goes along with it.

    Watch where the locals go.

    In every city and town, there are restaurants that visitors frequent, and there are eateries that the locals flock to. Watch who goes where, and you’ll know which restaurants to try and which ones to avoid.

    Read More

  • Mar16

    Preparing for a trip is exciting, exhilarating, and a tad anxiety provoking. One of the most common things we see when we guide small group travel is visitors doing incorrectly is making mistakes in their travel etiquette. Here are some of the most common errors.

    Not taking the time to learn the customs.

    As travel consultants, we strive to give our clients all the cultural information they need to have a fun, safe trip and respect the people and customs. Unfortunately, not everyone makes the time to go through the materials we provide, and sometimes they make mistakes. Learning the customs is a wonderful way to truly connect with the countries you visit, and it’s a lot of fun too!

    Read More

  • Mar15

    We are thrilled to share with you today’s guest interview with Andrea Spirov, the owner and editor of Inspiring Travellers, a blog she and her husband, John, began that shares the stories of their travel adventures and the interesting people they have met along the way! In this interview, Andrea shares her experiences traveling throughout Australia and New Zealand.
    See below for the interview (NOTE: All images throughout this post are owned by Andrea Spirov):

    Read More

  • Mar9

    The magic of Costa Rica is the sounds, sights, and smells of nature. Immerse yourself in Costa Rica by staying at one of these eco-friendly hotels, and prepare to be mesmerized by its beauty and simple sophistication. When luxury travel meets nature, both are enhanced.

    Lapa Rios, Osa Peninsula

    The jewel in the crown of the lovely Osa Peninsula, Lapa Rios features bamboo bungalows with romantic nets over the bed, private decks, and garden showers. It’s truly a place for newlyweds and lovers, with stunning views of the Golfo Dulce and gourmet meals prepared by local men who bring their culture to the table.

    Tiskita Jungle Lodge, Southern Pacific

    Known as “the best-kept secret in Costa Rica,” remote Tiskita Jungle Lodge is nestled in the rainforest amid tropical fruit orchards, and it boasts wilderness beaches teeming with wildlife. The cabins are simple yet lavish, the food is flavorful and fresh, and the activities include rainforest hikes, snorkeling, horseback riding, sea fishing, surfing, and bird watching.

    Arenas Del Mar Nature and Beach Resort, Central Pacific Coast

    A new arrival on the Costa Rica eco-friendly hotel scene, Arenas Del Mar Nature and Beach Resort was the first 100% sustainable development project in Costa Rica. Situated in a wildlife reserve, the resort features three types of accommodations: air-conditioned bedrooms with decks that overlook the rainforest, suites with living areas and private hot tubs, and premium suites with two bathrooms and a spacious deck.

    The Iguana Verde Tree House, Southern Caribbean

    Located in the Gandoca-Manzanillo wildlife refuge, you’ll find four tree houses owned by the Green Iguana Foundation. Each tree house features two bedrooms, a shower room, and a kitchen. You’ll love the rich hardwood, and your tree house is fully air-conditioned and contains a Jacuzzi and barbecue.

    You may be tempted to spend all your time enjoying the views from your treehouse, but you’d be missing the exciting activities surrounding you: surfing, whitewater rafting, yoga, and Cahuita National Park.

    Which hotel is your favorite, and why?

     

  • Mar2

    When you’ve been traveling on a luxury vacation you may not feel as if you look your best. That can be distracting you from enjoying yourself, and we have some ideas to help. This post will give tips to look your best when traveling for long periods across the world or just across the country!

    Smile. We listed this first because even if you don’t feel you look your best, a smile instantly makes you feel better. You’ve arrived at your destination, and that’s something to celebrate! Smiling releases endorphins that make you happy and everyone is more beautiful with a smile.

    Keep it simple. Consider putting on a minimum of makeup and wearing your hair in a simple style—you want to be as comfortable as possible while you’re traveling. It’s much easier to add makeup than to touch up what you’re already wearing, and if you feel your makeup doesn’t look right, you won’t be as happy and relaxed as you should be.

    Read More

  • Feb24

    Amsterdam’s museums are among the finest in the world, and visitors are always amazed by their elegance and beauty. Amsterdam is such a mixture of history and art that no matter which museum you choose to visit, you can’t go wrong. Here are five of our favorites.

    Amsterdam Museum, formerly Amsterdams Historisch Museum

    Amsterdam’s Historical Museum is located in the old city orphanage, built in the 16th century. The museum tells Amsterdam’s story from the Middle Ages forward. The first exhibit you’ll see is a computer-generated map of Amsterdam showing how the city has changed over the past several centuries. Along with plenty of paintings and photographs, you’ll find pieces of life, such as artifacts from the old orphanage and Rasp House, an old jail. You’ll want to play the carillon before you leave.

    Read More