Three cheers for a New Year! Pop the champagne! Light the sparklers, blow your horns, throw the confetti high into the air and CELEBRATE! It’s the beginning of a new chapter and the opportunity for a fresh start. Whether you’re ready to break an old habit, learn a fun TikTok dance (LOL!), or explore a new and exciting destination, 2022 is going to be YOUR year.
As I flipped the last page of my calendar from 2021 to 2022, I couldn’t help but look back on all the wonderful adventures during the past year, as well as the exciting adventures I created for many of you. All of them were fun-filled and awe-inspiring!
There are so many life changing places to visit in the world. Some are magical, some are ancient, and some are downright gorgeous. All will have you dreaming of them before you arrive. After you visit them, they become a part of you, forming lifelong memories and altering the way you see the world.
With that in mind, here are my Top 10 WOW’s and I hope they inspire you as much as they did me!
Panama – Trekking to the top of Volcán Barú
What an adventure! We woke up at 3:30am, gathered our day packs and ventured to the base of Volcán Barú. From there, we went off-roading in a jeep, trekking up STEEP hills and over volcanic rock to the top of the volcano to see the sun rise! At over 11,000 feet, Volcán Barú is the tallest mountain in Panama.
We had a clear picture-perfect morning. The views of the Pacific and Caribbean coasts were gorgeous.
I loved our simple “top of the volcano” breakfast of steamy hot chocolate, fresh brewed coffee, pastries, grilled cheese, fruit and other snacks! What I will remember most is the tasty hot chocolate in a green thermos. I had 3 cups. Not because the temperature was quite cold at 11,400 feet, but because Boquete is known for its chocolate products and Melissa, our guide, brought us only the best ingredients to make the perfect cup!
Bermuda – Crystal Caves
Here’s a secret treasure in Bermuda…Crystal Caves. They are a natural wonder.
Formed over a million years ago, these caves feature stunning azure underground pools and incredible formations of every size and shape imaginable.
As we peered into the water, we could see spectacular formations that seemed to be inches from the surface. But they are actually 50 feet below the surface, a testimony to the incredible clarity of the lake.
Above us were pristine white stalactites covered with crystalized soda straws that are affixed to the roof of the cave.
What a fascinating out of the ordinary adventure!
Egypt – The Temple of Karnak
We visited the Temple of Karnak which is the largest religious complex that was ever built. It’s a city of temples built over 2,000 years. The temple was dedicated to the god Amon Ra, the chief creator god in Egypt. Karnak Temple must have been awe-inspiring in its day! It is massive! The pillars touch the sky…ok…it sure seemed that way!
Turks & Caicos – WOW!! This water!
Turks and Caicos is a tropical paradise and is known for its stunning beaches with white powdery sand and clear turquoise waters. It’s the ultimate spot for divers, snorkelers, and beach lovers. This dreamy tropical destination is a part of the British Overseas Territory in the West Indies. It consists of two distinct islands 一Turks Islands and Caicos Islands. The archipelago has 40 islands and a number of small cays, but only 8 are inhabited.
It has some of the most beautiful waters I have seen in all of my travels! The weather is pleasant year-round with average temperatures in the 80’s but these islands do experience a rainy season from June to November. Despite traveling to many other Caribbean islands, it holds steady as one of my favorite beach destinations.
Morocco – The shimmer of the Sahara Desert
Visiting Morocco has always been a dream of mine. As soon as I landed in Casablanca, it was easy to notice that I was on the continent of Africa! From the golden-yellow sunsets to the dusty roads, to the delicious food, beautiful buildings and colorful tiles, Morocco was amazing!
I’ve always wanted to ride a camel in the shimmering Sahara Desert, explore maze-like souks, drink tea with Berbers and taste the country’s mouthwatering cuisine! And the fact that it is so close — just an eight-hour direct flight from New York City to Casablanca makes it a convenient destination to explore.
One of the highlights of our trip was spending an evening at Merzouga Luxury Desert Camp amid the dunes themselves. This was the perfect place to relax and gaze at the ever-changing colors of the desert.
We arrived just in time to ride the camels at dusk. As I sat on top of mine, I looked around and could not grasp with my mind the surreal landscape that surrounded us. I had never seen anything so magnificent. The color of the sand was a gorgeous golden yellow. The silence in the Sahara is like nothing else…with views of seemingly endless dunes from every angle.
Morocco is an incredible country to explore and a destination with many unforgettable experiences.
Canada – Lake Louise & Banff…SPECTACULAR!
It’s hard to find a more majestic and awe-inspiring place in the world than Lake Louise. It’s the crown jewel of Banff National Park. The lake is flanked by large mountains and has a spectacular backdrop with Mount Victoria topped by a massive glacier. Its natural beauty is breathtaking!
The lake can attribute its brilliant blue color to glacier waters full of rock flour (fine particle of rock) that refracts the light. There’s a short window of opportunity to see the brilliant turquoise water because it is frozen a majority of the year. I was lucky enough to see this picturesque lake in October and it really lived up to its hype!
South Africa, Zimbabwe & Zambia – Off to spot the BIG 5!
“There is no greater beauty or charm than what we can find in nature.” – Todd Romano
Africa offers so many once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Nowhere else in the world will you have the best wildlife viewing than here. Few experiences can beat the sheer thrill of a face-to-face encounter one of the BIG 5: Africa’s most dangerous animals – Lion, Rhino, Elephant, Cape Buffalo, and the ever-elusive Leopard.
On our recent trip to South Africa, Zimbabwe and Zambia we traveled across unique landscapes, saw spectacular wildlife, shared a meal at the home of a family in one of the villages, visited the winelands, rode in a gondola to the top of Table Mountain, hiked through Kruger National Park, saw and heard the power of Victoria Falls, made it to Cape of Good Hope, enjoyed beautiful sunrises and sunsets and so much more!
By going to Africa, you will embark on the adventure of a lifetime, as you explore this faraway place, surrounded by unique landscape and spectacular wildlife.
Dubai – An Innovative Experience at EXPO 2020
Visiting Dubai on its’ own is spectacular. Visiting Dubai while the World Expo is open is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I am sure the Eleazer family would agree. I’ve coordinated several trips recently for clients to visit and their experiences have been nothing short of extraordinary.
Last October, Dubai kicked off the World’s Greatest Show. Expo 2020 is a celebration of human brilliance and achievement to experience the best of art, culture, geography, science, technology, innovation and invention and to set into motion millions of new thoughts and ideas that will make a lasting impact in our lives. They are maintaining the year 2020 in the name as a nod to history and the Expo delay due to Covid.
Dubai has invested billions of dollars to create Expo 2020. There is something for everyone, and it is very family friendly. Think Disney World Epcot Center on steroids.
Sicily – Valley of the Temples
Look at that sunset! Perfect timing to visit The Valley of the Temples in Agrigento…one of Sicily’s oldest towns and an epicenter of ancient ruins. At the forefront of the ruins that dot the surrounding region is an outstanding example of ancient Greek architecture. The Temple of Concordia is one of the most well-preserved Doric temples in the world.
FUN FACT: Did you know that the façade of this temple was used to create the logo for UNESCO? The reason being…it is one of the only temples that is well preserved and intact.
Greece…Magical & Picture Perfect
Everyone knows that Greece equals culture and amazing scenery; where history and beauty blend together to form a marvelous, memorable experience. Greece is also a romantic and relaxing destination.
From the whitewashed buildings in Oia to the mosaics in Chios, Greece has a surprise at every turn. And the Greek cuisine is equally as famous! So are the sunsets, white sandy beaches and turquoise Mediterranean waters. Once you are there, you’ll never want to leave!
I loved meandering through the streets of Mykonos, Santorini, Lindos and Rhodes…looking at the colorful doors, shutters and windows! There were so many cute shops selling textiles, paintings, clothing and jewelry. And the beaches were oh so stunning!
Athens was a cultural mecca of food and history. We enjoyed a foodie walking tour with a chef and sampled many local specialties. We also trekked to the Acropolis which is an incredible site to see in person.
Greece – I will definitely be back…and soon! :>!!
HOW ABOUT JOINING US ON A LUXURY ADVENTURE TO EGYPT?
February 17-26, 2023
MARK YOUR CALENDARS:
I’ll be hosting a Zoom call on Sunday, January 16th at 5:00pm EST to share more about this exciting itinerary!
If interested, please reply to this newsletter so I can send you the link.
Is Egypt on your bucket list? If yes, then this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see this amazing destination with family and friends. Registration is already underway.
I will be hosting an exclusive small group to Egypt next year. You won’t want to miss this adventure, especially if you’ve always wanted to see the pyramids, the mummies, the temples (and so many other cool places) and sail down the Nile river on a luxury river cruise ship. The group will be limited to 16 travelers…couples and singles…are welcome. Come join us! If you think you want to go, sign up soon because there are only a handful of spots left.
Also, only $100 of the initial deposit is non-refundable so invite your friends to experience this life-changing trip with you!
I am so excited to be going back and and I hope you join me. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out.
Click the buttons above and check it out!
Below are some pictures from my trip to Egypt this past September that I hope inspire you as much as they do me. I am so excited to be going back and and I hope you join me. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out.
Our 10-Day Guided Tour will include Cairo, Luxor, Aswan plus a 4-night Nile Cruise, featuring all the best attractions of Egypt.
- The Pyramids of Giza, The Sphinx, and The Egyptian Museum.
- The ancient Necropolis of Saqqara and Mosque of Ibn Tulun, the oldest mosque in Cairo.
- The ancient City of Thebes, where we’ll immerse ourselves in its magnificent wonders.
- See the stunning colors while visiting The Valley of The Kings and The Tomb of King Tutankhamun.
- Enjoy the Nefertari Tomb at the Valley of the Queens.
- Ride in a hot-air balloon sunrise flight, the perfect way to experience the world’s largest open-air museum.
- Sail up the Nile on a luxury cruise for 4 nights and enjoy the sunset in a private Felluca.
- Visit to the magnificent Temple of Ramses II at Abu Simbel.
Here’s an overview of the itinerary and what it includes –
- Arrivals and departures, we’ll be greeted and escorted by our local English-Speaking Egyptologist tour guides and Egypt Unlimited Tour Staff.
- All meals are included (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner), with unlimited mineral water available during the entire tour.
- First two nights in Cairo at the magnificent Marriott Mena House Hotel with awesome views of the Pyramids.
- One night in Luxor at the Hilton Resort and Spa Luxor.
- Four nights on the MX MayFair Luxury Nile Cruise Line.
- Last two nights in Cairo at the Nile Ritz Carlton Hotel with views of the Nile.
- Entry Fees to all venues / sites and temples included in the tour.
- All transportation with Egypt, in a new air-conditioned bus.
- Round trip domestic flights from Cairo to Luxor and Aswan to Cairo.
- All baggage transfers.
- Free SIM Card with 10GB of included internet.
- All Gratuities / Tipping.
- All service charges and taxes.
- Local support and 24-hour emergency hotline.
There’s so much to see and do!
Follow along on my social media where I post highlights of my adventures.
Throughout the year, but especially during the holidays, we think about what we are most thankful for. I am thankful for your support and the trust you give me to plan your travel experiences and for continuing to give me the opportunities to deliver the best vacations possible.
From my family to yours, I wish you and your loved ones much happiness, good health and a very happy holiday!
