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Looking for a Safe Haven Getaway?

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 15:32:28 GMT

Luxury Travel’s Best-Kept Secret Isn’t in Europe

South America has long played second fiddle to Europe on the luxury travel circuit, and we think that's about to change. It offers many of the experiences travellers want most: beautiful hotels, standout cuisine, extraordinary scenery, and meaningful cultural moments, yet often at a better value and with fewer crowds than many headline destinations. Europe will always have its magic, but if you’re ready for something fresh, read on.

Few countries pack as much wonder into one destination as Peru . Fly into Lima, its capital, for fantastic high-end hotels and a mind-blowing culinary scene. Once you've had your fill of the city's beaches and restaurants (and picked up a few gorgeous baby alpaca sweaters) fly into Cusco for adventure in the Andes. The region's luxury properties are some of the finest we've seen, and a spectacular vintage train journey to Machu Picchu makes for an arrival you'll never forget.

Colombia rewards travellers with beaches on two coasts, the Caribbean and Pacific, and the Amazon rainforest to the south. Learn some dance moves in the self-proclaimed world capital of salsa: the music you'll hear in Cali's bars and even on the streets makes it hard not to start moving your feet. The picturesque walled city of Cartagena is a must-visit for its high-end boutique hotels and Caribbean-inspired seafood cuisine. Shop for a traditional Colombian sombrero vueltiao and wear the hat home as a reminder of this unforgettable country.

Argentina offers so much as well. In Mendoza province, miles of vineyards stretch as far as the eye can see, with boutique hotels sitting amongst the grapevines. Head south to Patagonia for glacial splendour in some of the most dramatic landscapes on earth, then lose yourself in Buenos Aires, where you might find us wandering the stacks of one of the world's most beautiful bookstores: El Ateneo Grand Splendid in the Recoleta neighbourhood. Argentina also gets you closer to the world-famous Iguazu Falls, found on the border with Brazil in the midst of a lush rainforest.

Ask us which corner of South America fits your travel style best.

These Safe Haven Destinations Deliver Comfort, Confidence, and Peace of Mind

Travel looks a little different these days, and travellers are reevaluating destinations based on a whole new set of needs: What feels safe? Where can we find peace of mind? How far do we want to travel at this time?

There’s no need to curtail your adventures; the benefits of travel still outweigh the worries. And we can help you work through these questions to find destinations that work for you. In fact, it might be the best time of all to discover new places, cultures, and experiences around the world.

In Europe, we love Switzerland right now for its alpine adventures. In the summer, gondola rides up into the Alps take visitors to breathtaking viewpoints, hiking trails, and sometimes giant swings (which make great photos with an entire valley at your feet). Book a ride on a mountain coaster to zoom back down the hillside. Chocoholics should spend time in Geneva, where the city sells an unlimited chocolate-eating pass that’s honoured at the city’s many artisanal chocolatiers.

Flying into Ireland , start in Dublin where the craic (Irish for good times!) begins once the live music starts playing in just about every pub in town. Learn to pour the perfect pint of Guinness at the city’s legendary brewery, then head out into the countryside on a road trip up the Wild Atlantic Way to discover traditional weavers and the Cliffs of Moher. (Watch out for the sheep along the way.)

Want to fly further afield? Consider Australia , where unforgettable scenery is best experienced alongside some of the world’s most luxurious hoteliers. Down Under, your dollar goes further, making regional flights between must-see destinations such as Uluru in the Red Center and the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland especially appealing. Food lovers should also take a closer look at New Zealand , as the country is about to receive its own Michelin Guide. Visit the nation’s top chefs’ tables before they are booked out for months. We’re looking at you, Tala, for headline-grabbing Samoan cuisine in Auckland.

Japan is a perennial favourite, whether you’re sailing around its perimeter on a luxury small ship cruise, skiing the island’s fantastic powder resorts, or soaking up the culture and the cuisine across its islands. Plan ahead and book next season’s cherry blossom, or Sakura, season now, as the ethereal beauty is a once-in-a-lifetime thrill that must be seen to be believed.

Wherever peace of mind takes priority, we’re here to guide the way.

Why Working With an Advisor Matters Right Now

With so much uncertainty in the world today and its impact on markets, pricing, and travel costs, many travellers are wondering how to make their next trip more financially feasible. Others are unsure when to book a much-needed escape, or whether the special vacation they have been dreaming about for years still feels within reach. These are exactly the moments when working with a travel advisor becomes most valuable. Our insight, experience, and proven strategies can help turn uncertainty into a smart plan.

Today’s travel landscape can be difficult to navigate alone. Dynamic pricing, hidden add-on fees, changing visa requirements, and shifting airline schedules can challenge even experienced travellers. That is why savvy travellers rely on expert guidance to avoid unnecessary stress and costly mistakes. We can help you decide when to book, where flexibility matters most, and how to maximize value throughout your journey. We can help make travel smoother, smarter, and more rewarding.

Better travel begins with the right guidance.

Eight Places the In-the-Know Are Booking Now

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 15:16:10 GMT

Why Savvy Travellers are Skipping the Obvious

Call them what you like: under-the-radar, ahead of the curve, the road less travelled. More and more seasoned travellers are choosing these places on purpose, not as a fallback but as the trip itself, because they still hold their atmosphere, cost noticeably less, and tend to have a room in the villa or design-led hotel you actually want, on the dates you actually want it. In Greece, let everyone else jostle for sunset selfies on Santorini and set your sights on Milos instead; you won't be sharing it with a cruise-ship crowd.

In place of Kyoto's temple queues, Takayama gives you the same old-world Japan at half the volume. Spend a morning in the Sanmachi quarter, where Edo-era sake breweries hang cedar balls over their doors to signal the season's new brew, and most will pour you a tasting. The Miyagawa riverside market is where to try Hida beef done as nigiri, and the town makes an ideal base for the thatched farmhouses of Shirakawa-go and the open-air onsen of Okuhida. Time your visit for the Takayama Matsuri in mid-April or early October, and you'll see carved festival floats that rival anything in Kyoto.

Bali lovers, meet Sumba: a wild, soulful island just east of the crowds. Here, megalithic tombs and dramatic peaked-roof villages speak to a living ancestral culture, surfers chase a legendary left-hand break, and one of the world's most lauded resorts sits above an all-but-empty stretch of coast. It's the Indonesia of a generation ago: untamed, ceremonial, and unforgettable.

For Indian Ocean water every bit the equal of the Maldives, look to Mozambique's Bazaruto Archipelago. These dune-fringed islands rise from some of the Indian Ocean's clearest water, ringed by reefs where you might snorkel alongside whale sharks, manta rays, and the rare, gentle dugong. A handful of exclusive lodges mean the powder-soft sand feels like your own. Because, more or less, it is.

If Iceland is on your list, the Faroe Islands deliver the same jaw-dropping drama with a fraction of the footfall. Emerald cliffs plunge into the North Atlantic, the Múlafossur waterfall spills straight into the sea, grass-roofed houses dot the hillsides, and a lake seems to hover above the ocean. Sheep outnumber people, the seabird colonies are spectacular, and tiny Tórshavn, one of the world's smallest capitals, even hides a celebrated Michelin-starred table.

Cape Town will always dazzle, but the Winelands village of Franschhoek, an hour east, is where South Africa eats and drinks best. Skip the rental car and ride the hop-on, hop-off Wine Tram between estates like Babylonstoren, with its vast edible garden, and historic Boschendal. The valley packs in some of the country's finest tables, from Le Coin Français to La Petite Colombe. Aim for July if you want the town's Bastille Festival, a nod to its French Huguenot roots, in full swing.

Skip Phuket's crowds for Koh Kood, one of Thailand's last truly unspoiled islands, near the Cambodian border. It's the rare large Thai island with no nightlife strip and no traffic, just empty bays, jungle, and the swimmable Khlong Chao waterfall. Soneva Kiri anchors the high end with its own airstrip, while smaller hideaways line beaches like Ao Tapao and Ao Phrao. Go between November and April when the sea is calm and everything's open, and build in a snorkelling trip out to Koh Rang.

In Mexico, look past the resort strips of Cancún and Tulum to two calmer alternatives. Car-free Isla Holbox is all sandy lanes, hammocks strung over the shallows, flamingos, and (in season) whale sharks gliding just offshore. Inland, Bacalar's "Lagoon of Seven Colors" shimmers in impossible shades of blue, fed by cenotes and watched over by a tiny pirate-era fort.

Go somewhere with a little more personality, a little more room, and a story worth bringing home.

DYT

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 10:37:49 GMT

The Edge of the World Awaits

There are few places left on Earth where nature still commands absolute reverence. Greenland is one of them.

Picture yourself sailing through a vast cathedral of ice, where ancient glaciers calve thunderously into crystalline waters and the midnight sun washes the sky in soft shades of amber and rose. Time slows here. Silence feels profound. This is not simply a destination—it is a transformation.

In partnership with Greenland’s most prestigious adventure specialists, we present an extraordinary 10-day journey that blends exhilarating exploration with moments of deep stillness. From remote fjords and drifting icebergs to intimate cultural encounters and wilderness retreats, every detail has been carefully curated to reveal Greenland at its most powerful, poetic, and rare.

YOUR JOURNEY AT A GLANCE

Days 1-2: Nuuk - Gateway to the Arctic

Begin your journey in Nuuk, Greenland’s charming and unexpectedly vibrant capital, where colourful Nordic houses cling to rocky hillsides overlooking the sea and Sermitsiaq mountain rises dramatically in the distance. This is a city where modern Arctic life and ancient traditions exist side by side.

Your adventure begins on the water with an intimate Icefjord Serenity cruise, gliding quietly past towering icebergs sculpted by wind and time. As you drift through these frozen giants, savour refined Greenlandic tapas prepared by a private chef on board—a memorable introduction to the flavours of the Arctic, enjoyed against one of the most extraordinary backdrops on Earth.

Continue to the hauntingly beautiful abandoned settlement of Kangeq, once home to thriving fishing families and now preserved in silence. Weathered wooden houses stand as poignant reminders of a life shaped by the sea, offering a powerful and reflective glimpse into Greenland’s recent history.

A captivating beginning that sets the tone for the wild beauty, cultural depth, and quiet magic that lies ahead.

Days 3-4: Qooqqut - Wilderness Immersion

Sail deep into the fjords to your private cabin retreat in Qooqqut, one of Greenland’s most remote and spectacular wilderness settings. With no roads and little trace of modern life, this is a place where nature dictates the rhythm of the day.

Here, the agenda is wonderfully simple. Set out on guided hikes through untouched landscapes of granite peaks, tundra, and mirror-still waters. Cast a line into the fjord and fish for your supper—your guide preparing the day’s catch that evening, served fresh and simply, just as it has been for generations. As night falls, sink into the outdoor jacuzzi beneath the vast Arctic sky, perhaps catching sight of the midnight sun or the first stars emerging in the crystalline air.

This is Greenland at its most elemental and exclusive—a rare wilderness immersion experienced by very few, and remembered forever.

Days 5-6: Nuuk to Ilulissat - The Iceberg Capital

Return to Nuuk for a deeper cultural immersion, beginning at the National Museum of Greenland, home to the remarkably preserved Inuit mummies—one of the Arctic’s most poignant and evocative collections. Continue on foot through the city’s creative quarter, where colourful buildings, galleries, and local workshops reveal Greenland’s contemporary artistic spirit alongside its ancient traditions.

Later, fly north to Ilulissat, gateway to the UNESCO-listed Ilulissat Icefjord. This extraordinary natural wonder is fed by the mighty Sermeq Kujalleq, one of the fastest-moving glaciers on Earth and responsible for producing around 10% of Greenland’s icebergs.

On your first evening, step aboard a private sunset cruise, gliding silently through a maze of monumental ice sculptures drifting in hues of blue, white, and rose. With champagne in hand and the Arctic light dancing across the frozen giants, this is an unforgettable introduction to one of the planet’s most breath taking landscapes.

Days 7-8: Ilulissat - Ice & Heritage

Meet Greenland’s iconic sled dogs, an enduring symbol of Arctic life, before setting out to the enchanting fishing settlement of Ilimanaq, where traditional ways of life continue against a backdrop of vast skies and drifting ice. This beautifully restored hamlet offers an intimate glimpse into Greenlandic heritage, framed by the quiet rhythm of the sea.

Continue by boat to the spectacular Eqi Glacier, one of Greenland’s most active calving glaciers. From the water, witness immense slabs of ice breaking away and crashing thunderously into the sea—a raw and unforgettable display of nature’s power, best experienced from the quiet vantage point of the fjord.

Conclude the day with a hike through the ancient Sermermiut Valley, a remarkably preserved site inhabited for over 4,000 years. As you walk among layered turf ruins overlooking the Icefjord, your guide brings to life the stories of the Inuit cultures who thrived here, surrounded by one of the most dramatic landscapes on Earth.

A day that seamlessly blends living culture, deep history, and Greenland’s most awe-inspiring natural wonders.

Days 9-10: Final Moments & Farewell

Your final full day in Nuuk is left beautifully unhurried—time to reflect and savour the stillness of the Arctic. Perhaps unwind with a restorative sauna experience, a deeply rooted Nordic ritual, or enjoy a last leisurely wander through the city’s galleries and cultural spaces, where contemporary Greenlandic art offers a thoughtful counterpoint to the landscapes you’ve explored.

As your journey draws to a close, you depart with far more than photographs—carrying with you a profound sense of place, moments of rare beauty, and memories that will linger long after you return home.

Some journeys change the way you see the world.

Let us curate your unforgettable 10-day Greenland adventure

Cool-Cations

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 12:31:40 GMT

Why ‘Cool-cations’ Are The Hottest Ticket This Summer

Travellers are rethinking old habits and seeking new destinations this summer. New “cooler” destinations in both senses of the word. Vacations where adventures are enjoyed without worrying about air conditioning or heat exhaustion. The travel industry has jumped on the trend, and we have refreshing new areas to explore.

Norway’s famous fjords are a feast for the eyes, and one of the best ways to see them is from the decks of a small ship. Hurtigruten’s Coastal Express, or the newer Norwegian line Havila, offers a real taste of local life as it travels the historic coastal route up and down the western coast. Some itineraries extend to Svalbard , one of the northernmost inhabited places in the world. Watch for grazing reindeer in the capital, Longyearbyen .

In summer, enjoy the novelty of a midnight sunset in the Lofoten islands near the Arctic Circle; the island community is one of the country’s most idyllic locales for sauna culture. Sweden, another Nordic country, is home to one of the region’s most engaging cities. Stockholm has fewer than a million people and punches above its weight with world-class museums, a working royal palace to tour, and an enchanting, pedestrian old town full of cobblestone streets, lively markets, and shopping.

Escape Europe’s soaring temperatures this summer by heading to the southern hemisphere, where the seasons flip. In northern Chile, the Atacama Desert is a relatively undiscovered gem that never gets too hot thanks to its higher altitude. Think highs of 72 F (around 22 C) from June through August. Here, visitors find unique natural landscapes, flamingos in salt flats, rare wildflowers, and incredible bird life. Ask us about the standout luxury accommodations in the Atacama.

For skiers, the bragging rights of skiing in July and August never get old, consider Bariloche, Argentina , or Portillo, Chile . Add layovers in the remarkable cities of Santiago or Buenos Aires to get a real feel for South American culture and its cuisine.

Visitors to Vancouver Island in British Columbia will find old-growth forests and misty rainforests along the coast. An ultra-small-ship sailing cruise into the province’s inside passage offers exceptional wildlife viewing and stunning natural beauty.

Farther north, the state of Alaska awaits with its many glaciers and dramatic mountain ranges that extend right to the shoreline. This is where water-based exploration excels, consider kayaking trips from a luxury lodge on Fox Island (near Seward) or hiking and wildlife viewing with a bucket-list overnight trip in Denali National Park .

Don’t sweat it!

We know the best cool-cations for your summer vacation.

Abroad

Sun, 26 Apr 2026 11:55:39 GMT

The Places Everyone Will Be Booking Next

We’ve looked into the future and noticed a few destinations are about to get very popular. Our advice? Visit these areas on the cusp of change, and get there before they change forever.

Italy has more than one destination on the rise right now. Puglia , the “heel” of the boot, has long been a favourite for those in the know, with whitewashed villages, Adriatic coastline, and family-run hotels offering a more relaxed alternative to Tuscany. That window may not last, especially with a Four Seasons beachside retreat set to open in 2028.

Sicily is also gaining momentum. The White Lotus may have introduced it to a wider audience, but it still feels relatively undiscovered compared to other coastal hotspots. New openings, including Rocco Forte’s intimate 31-room palace in Noto, signal what’s next. Nearby, Ischia is gaining attention as a more relaxed island destination, known for its thermal waters and spa culture. Ask us about the new Relais and Châteaux property and ideal booking timing.

Laos , the country surrounded by Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand, is brimming with Buddhist monuments and culture, unforgettable food, and a welcoming people, but it has not yet been overwhelmed with tourists like its neighbours. Some call it the “silent sibling of Southeast Asia.” That’s slowly changing, and several luxury brands are upgrading and improving existing hotels.

Okinawa offers a different side of Japan, where subtropical islands, clear blue water, and a slower pace shaped by the Ryukyu Kingdom’s distinct culture set the tone. The region has long flown under the radar, but that’s beginning to shift. Ultra-luxury brands are already making moves, with the recent opening of Rosewood Miyakojima setting a new benchmark for the destination.

Let us guide you to what’s next,

before everyone else catches on.

Small Hotels with a Big Point of View

Have you heard the maxim, “money talks but luxury whispers”? Well, lean in, we’re about to reveal a few secrets. The best boutique hotels, those with fewer than, say, 50 rooms, can offer the kind of genuine hospitality and personalised attention that’s often missing from the big box brands that focus on points, status, and award upgrades.

One of the biggest differences is the connection to the destination. Boutique properties are often locally owned or deeply rooted in the area, which shows up in everything from the architecture and interiors to the food and experiences offered. You’re not getting the same hotel in a different location. You’re getting something that reflects exactly where you are.

Privacy plays a role as well. Fewer rooms, more space, and a lower guest count naturally create a more comfortable environment. For many travellers, that alone is reason enough to choose a boutique stay over a larger resort.

Boutique hotels also tend to unlock a more insider level of access. Smaller properties work closely with local guides, drivers, and experience providers, which can lead to more intimate excursions, better timing, and experiences that feel less transactional and more tailored to how you like to travel.

Design is another factor that often gets overlooked. Boutique hotels tend to have a stronger point of view, expressed through restored historic spaces, modern architectural statements, or designs that reflect the surrounding landscape. The result is a stay that feels more considered and far less interchangeable.

Not every boutique hotel delivers on all of this. Knowing which properties consistently deliver the right experience and which are best suited to your travel style is what makes the difference between a good stay and the right one.

Share your preferences,

and we’ll match you with the right boutique stay.

Have You Experienced the True Art of Hospitality?

Travellers may not think too much about the art of hospitality, but they sure know when it is missing or gone awry. How are they greeted when arriving exhausted and a little flustered at their hotel? Are staff picking up on a guest’s preferences and unspoken clues to make a stay seamless? Can a moment of surprise and delight be offered during their visit? Staying at the best hotels means a guest feels no friction; these properties have trained staff to make hospitality inclusive, warm, and almost invisible.

Travel advisors approach travel in much the same way. Beyond logistics, it’s about understanding what matters to you and shaping each detail with intention. Every element is considered so your experience feels seamless from beginning to end, from selecting the right property to anticipating the moments that will define your trip.

Working together allows us to get a clear sense of what matters most to you, often in ways that go beyond what you initially had in mind. To us, that’s the art of hospitality, anticipating needs, introducing you to experiences you wouldn’t have discovered on your own, and handling the details so you can fully relax and enjoy.