I hope you had a fun-filled week! If you’ve been following me on social media, you know I travel personally and virtually to many new places researching destinations for my clients. In fact, I’m touring in Israel right now (WOW! What an amazing life-changing journey!) and posting about my experience. If you aren’t following along, click on my social media icons below so you can check out the 20+ countries and hundreds of photos featured just in the past year.
2023 has started with a bang and the demand for travel is at an all-time high! We’re all chasing the thrill that comes with discovering a new place or revisiting a favorite destination in an unexpected way. I recently came across an article written by fellow travelers Amy Cassell and Emma Franke for Virtuoso, profiling some interesting new destinations that I think you’ll enjoy.
Virtuoso is the leading global network of luxury travel advisors, who work with top destinations and a vetted portfolio of the best travel brands globally. Travelers who have a Virtuoso Advisor like XOOM Tours can tap into a world of in-the-know expertise, unbelievable travel perks, support throughout their travels, and – most importantly – warmer welcomes, deeper connections, and superior experiences in the places they visit.
Virtuoso travel advisors reveal the under-the-radar spots on their Wanderlists.
It’s exciting to discover a new destination or revisit a favorite place in an unexpected way. We asked Virtuoso travel advisors and industry pros to tell us about the locales that have them packing their bags. They gave us a peek inside their Wanderlists, plus shared the lowdown on where you’ll find more locals than tourists beside you on the beach, where you can see cherry blossoms without the throngs, and how to take in stark desert expanses from the cocktail car of a Victorian-era train. Their secrets and sound advice make for a year’s worth of grand adventure – we’ll see you out there.
As your Travel Advisor, I make sure you don’t miss out on extraordinary experiences that you may not be aware of or cannot get on your own, as they are only available through our exclusive global network of travel partners and suppliers.
I’ll use inside information to arrange behind the scene tours, secure access into exclusive events, have your tours and excursions scheduled at the best times, provide upgrades and amenities when available and more.
My goal is that you return from your vacation saying, “WOW! That was an amazing experience!”
If WOW is what you’re looking for, let’s get started!
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, 2023 is going to be YOUR year.
As I flipped the last page of my calendar from 2022 to 2023, I couldn’t help but look back on the exciting adventures I created for many of you, as well as my own adventures. They were memorable, fun-filled, awe-inspiring and even life changing!
As we kick-off the new year, I’d like to give a special welcome to those of you that are new this week to receiving my newsletter. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do writing it.
“So much of who we are is where we have been!” -William Langewiesche
This year we saw the return of travel come back fast and furiously, with an immense uptick around the world. Based on my current bookings, 2023 is going to set a record. Perhaps more than any year prior, 2023 deserves expansive horizons—be they crystal blue, history or heritage harboring, multi-generational, or ice covered. Coming out of the last few years, we all need one of those vacations that jumpstarts your personal renaissance.
As you’ve come to know me, I’m never short on inspiring places and experiences for you. 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.
However, with all the excitement, we need to move quickly and seize the opportunity, as demand is strong, and the availability is becoming more and more limited in certain destinations.
Below is a glimpse into a few of the 100+ fun filled and awe-inspiring XOOM Tours adventures enjoyed in 2022. I hope they inspire you to act like they inspire me.
Canadian Rockies
Great adventures & good friends!
Canada is one beautiful country with breathtaking views in every direction! I led a small group tour on a spectacular train adventure through the snowcapped Canadian Rockies starting in Vancouver with stops in Kamloops, Jasper, Lake Louise (a fan favorite!), Banff and Calgary. One of the best parts of the trip was sharing this beautiful country with friends!
Céad Míle Fáilte…A Hundred Thousand Welcomes!
Ireland…the land of roving green countryside, dramatic coastline, the Titanic, shamrocks, leprechauns, St. Patrick’s Day, prehistoric stone megaliths, medieval castles, Guiness, lively music, traditional dancing and oh so yummy food! John, Cathy, Ken and Mary spent the afternoon at Bronagh’s home in the countryside north of Dublin, where she taught them how to prepare and bake traditional Irish buttermilk scones and lemon drizzle cakes. They enjoyed their sweet treats while sipping a cup of freshly made tea and a warm bowl of potato leek soup. So delicious!!
Ciao Italia
Italy was a popular favorite in 2022 and still is as we head into 2023. From Venice to Florence, Pisa, Siena, San Gimignano, Rome, the Amalfi Coast, Positano, Ravello, Isle of Capri and Naples…there is so much history, an abundance of cultural experiences, fabulous food and wine, incredible museums, beautiful countryside and a wealth of artistic masterpieces all throughout the country.
Here Daniel, Kristin, Addie & Ansley enjoyed a private Venetian mask making workshop with a local artisan. They learned the history of the mask while creating their masterpieces out of paper mache, gold leaf, plumes and tulle. They loved the mask making along with a Chianti wine tour and tasting in San Gimignano, pizza making class in Florence, pasta making class in Rome, and a chartered boat tour from Positano to Capri.
The Beauty of the Greek Isles
Greece is also another one of our top destinations. The mainland has thousands of years of history, culture, food, wine and beaches. Then add in 227 beautiful islands that are also part of the country and it becomes obvious why its at the top of many people’s bucket list.
Honeymooners, Madidi and Jesse, enjoyed a “Flavor of Athens” food tour and then a private guided visit to the Acropolis. They also jumped on a plane and spent a few days on Mykonos, visiting the iconic windmills which stand facing the sea. The windmills were used to grind grain into flour until the early 20th century.
They also stopped by the scenic corners of the island…Alefkántra or “Little Venice” an 18th century district, dominated by grand captains’ mansions with colorful balconies and stylish windows. It has been said that behind these doors above the waterline, pirates would store their loot. Today they have been converted to bars and restaurants and the view of the sparkling Aegean Sea from their balconies is dazzling.
They ended their honeymoon on the picturesque island of Santorini, resting, relaxing, swimming and relishing the beautiful views from their resort. Their favorite part was the sunset cruise on their last night in Santorini.
Cruising the Mighty Mississippi River
What a fun way to travel…on a luxurious steamboat to experience the history, culture, traditions, and American authenticity that can only be found along the shores of the Mississippi River. What’s really neat is that the American Queen has a true steam engine that’s used to drive the paddle wheel. It’s also is the only ship in their fleet that has a calliope.
It was fun visiting Nottoway, the largest Antebellum Mansion in the south, stopping at Angola Prison to learn how Burl Cain, the prison warden, became committed to bringing hope to the prisoners, stopping in Natchez to learn how to make the best biscuits from the renowned chef Regina Charboneau and ending in Nashville with a visit to Graceland. It’s was an all-out American adventure!
The Beauty of the Alaskan Wilderness
Alaska, known as “The Last Frontier”, is an outdoor mecca to experience beautiful, untouched land. There’s no shortage of wild mountain landscapes, beautiful glaciers, an abundant wildlife that will pull you in with its beauty and refuse to let you go from its icy grip.
The highlight was viewing Mendenhall Glacier from the windows of a helicopter and then landing on top. We strapped on our grampons and walked around, being careful not to get caught in one of the deep crevices. We also found a stream of glacier water, filled our water bottles and tasted the most refreshing icy cold water! Truly an incredibly peaceful and awe-inspiring experience!
Our Nation’s Capital – Washington, DC
There’s no better place to learn about the history of the United States than in Washington, DC.
Mika, Davy & Davis stopped at Mt. Vernon first to visit George Washington’s estate and then headed to the city for a private guided tour of the U.S. Capitol. They loved the scavenger hunt I created which led them to find artifacts around the city and in the many Smithsonian’s.
One of their highlights was touring the war memorials and presidential monuments with Joann, a local guide, not by walking but by riding on a Segway. What a fun way to move from site to site!
Davis was also fascinated by all the neat things in the International Spy Museum.
They ended their visit by watching the changing of the guards at Arlington National Cemetery…quite the moving ceremony.
The Natural Beauty of St. Croix
St. Croix is one of the U.S. Virgin Islands in the Caribbean. It’s known for its gorgeous beaches, fine dining, golf courses and world class recreational activities.
Jake and Laurie celebrated their honeymoon on St. Croix where they spent the week relaxing and enjoying each other’s company. They also enjoyed “off roading” through the rainforest and then hiking down the cliff so they could swim in the tide pools.
I love this picture of them snorkeling in the crystal-clear blue waters of the Caribbean. They found this beautiful spot while on an all-day catamaran adventure to Buck Island.
Exploring their family’s Polish Heritage
Poland is a wonderful European country with vast landscapes, castles that tower over picturesque cities, incredible food from their cultural roots, sandy beaches, folk art villages and beautifully preserved traditions. It’s also a country of historical and personal significance to Karen, Dave, their 3 sons and their wives.
To celebrate their family heritage, they traveled on an epic 14-day journey visiting many of the cities and villages that were significant to their grandmother and their ancestors. Here is a photo of them at a cooking school in Warsaw, where they learned how to make many of their family favorites from a local Polish chef! They said is was definitely something that made their trip special.
Off to Charleston…another Educational Journey
There’s no doubt that travel is an incredible teacher. It allows you to bring the lessons learned in the classroom to life in powerful, even life-changing ways. It fosters curiosity, strengthens friendships, and even sparks new ones.
I love taking students on educational journeys and watching them connect the dots from what they learn. Charleston, SC and Washington, DC are 2 of our favorite places to share with students. There is so much history, culture and engaging activities for everyone in both cities!
“Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory.” – Dr. Seuss
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 very thankful for you and the support and trust you give me to plan your travel experiences and for continuing to give me the opportunities to deliver the best vacations possible.
As we begin this new year, may the sun rise and shine its’ light on new opportunities, perspectives, and adventures ahead! This is the year to turn your daydreams into extraordinary adventures! From exploring the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu to an exceptional adventure at sea, let’s discover new experiences in 2023!
From my family to yours, I wish you and your loved ones much happiness, great health and a very Happy and Prosperous New Year!
Very Best,
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