Europe is still a fan favorite! The Caribbean islands are on everyone’s mind. And some prefer exploring close to home!
Hello everyone! I’m glad to be back in your inbox sharing travel inspiration. A warm welcome to many of you that are new to receiving my newsletter. I hope you enjoy reading it and are energized by all that I share on travel.
It’s hard to believe summer is coming to an end and fall is right around the corner. Where did the time go? I know for many of you, your children are back in school and the routine of packing lunches, homework, fall sports and carpooling is in full swing. I wish everyone a successful and memorable school year!
For those of us that are empty nesters, I know you love the flexibility and opportunity to travel anytime and anywhere. There’s no better time than now to explore a new destination.
And XOOM Tours travelers are leading the way. I love seeing everyone’s pictures and hearing their stories on how they are enriched by their adventures.
Here’s some great news! The demand for travel is still “extraordinary”. Many of you traveled to far off destinations this past spring and during the summer. Europe was a hot spot with Italy and Greece as the top two destinations. Why? The culture, food, history, architecture and the people.
But those weren’t the only 2 countries you visited. Many of you ventured to France, Spain, Portugal, Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary and Ireland. Some even traveled as far away as Egypt to climb the pyramids while others visited Alaska, Canada, the Dominican Republic, Disney World, Jamaica, Cancun and St. Lucia.
What did you do? You visited historical sites, tried new cuisines, hung out with the locals, took cooking classes, tasted wine from regions all over the world, traveled around by train, buses or with a private driver/guide, saw the Sphinx up close, swam in the Adriatic Sea, met Minnie Mouse, kayaked around glaciers in Alaska, learned about the 2 sides of Budapest, saw volcanoes, hiked or walked miles and most importantly bonded with your friends and family.
Thank you for trusting us with your most valuable asset…your travel memories. We were thrilled you partnered with us to create the trip of a lifetime!
“The best education you will ever get is traveling. Nothing teaches you more than exploring the world and accumulating experiences.”
Take a look below at some of our recent XOOM Travelers and see what they had to say about their adventures!
Kind Words from Happy XOOM Tours Travelers
Recently, Virtuoso, a network of agencies that specializes in experiential and luxury travel, conducted a survey and found that 45 percent of travelers are excited about traveling more now than ever. Where do they want to travel? Some still prefer to stay close to home. While others want to venture further to destinations such as Bora Bora, Patagonia, South Africa or Slovenia.
But with this surge in travel that will continue into the fall, comes limited availability, price increases, and less-flexible cancellation policies.
Now more than ever, it’s important to partner with an advisor like me, who can help you navigate today’s travel landscape.
Here are the Top Five Travel Destinations for this Fall
According to industry booking data, these are the most in-demand destinations for fall travel:
Number 1: The United States
Some travelers prefer to explore the United States since there are so many amazing places to see and visit. For them, a classic road trip may fill their desires. Many share they can’t wait to explore more under-the-radar National Parks, while others are looking forward to the start of ski season in destinations such as Park City, Telluride and Vail. Others love the colorful leaves and the scenic drives through Maine, New Hampshire, Michigan, Georgia and New Mexico. And Hawaii is high on the list because it’s a picture-perfect destination any time of year.
Number 2: Italy
Europe has been in demand all summer (one of the top ten most popular travel destinations), and with the Euro being fairly equal to the U.S. dollar, it continues to drive demand. Of course, Italy is a fan favorite, consistently at the top of many people’s bucket list. Its long Mediterranean coastline and world-famous cities like Rome, Vatican City, Florence, Venice, and Milan, each dominated by majestic cathedrals and soaked in history, simply astound every traveler. If a grand Italian tour is on your bucket list, then you need to plan ahead because availability is becoming more limited.
Number 3: Mexico
There’s a lot to love about Mexico: With fabulous beaches, ancient ruins, alluring culture, dynamic cities, and mouthwatering cuisine, Mexico is truly a tropical treasure and a destination that has something special for everyone.
All this variety is a short flight away from many cities in North America, making it easy to get away.
Number 4: France
France is another top destination. Why? They will be hosting the 2024 Olympics and have all sorts of fan fare in preparation for this world wide celebration.
In May 2024, 10,000 Torch Bearers will be forming a relay to celebrate the arrival of the Games in France. France will be welcoming the Torch again, after previously welcoming it for the Olympic Winter Games in Grenoble (1968) and the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Albertville (1992).
After being lit in Olympia, Greece, the Olympic Torch will start its journey at sea, on board the Bélem, a majestic three-masted ship, crossing the Mediterranean from Athens to Marseille. The Olympic Torch Relay will then set out across France, showcasing its various regions and communities, from the mainland to overseas departments and territories, offering everyone the possibility to see the Torch.
What a perfect time to visit many cities in France and catch the Olympic torch relay in action.
Fall river cruises down the Seine promise picturesque medieval villages and countless wine tasting opportunities. One of the highlights of river cruising is the opportunity to explore the charming, historical towns and cities in the various ports. In some areas, a river may even be the only access. This means that we as travelers get to travel directly into the heart of small villages and get an insider’s view of exotic locales otherwise hard to reach.
Some of my most memorable traveling experiences are when I hung out with the locals and learned more about their culture and heritage through their eyes.
Number 5: Turks & Caicos
Turks & Caicos have some of the best beaches in the world! Pristine white sand and crystal-clear ocean water with turquoise and blue hues define the coasts. And I’m not talking about one or two beaches…every island has miles of wonderful secluded beaches. The crown jewel is the award winning Grace Bay Beach on Providenciales.
One trend I have seen this summer: lots of travelers are seeking out restorative wellness escapes. There aren’t many better places to tune out than in a cabana on a pristine stretch of beach, and the Turks and Caicos Islands are home to plenty of them. And one huge bonus…there are many quick, 90-minute direct flights from Miami to Turks. So within a few hours you can have your toes in the sand and a drink in your hand! Sounds inviting, doesn’t it?!! :>
Need a little more Inspiration!
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“Take vacations, go as many places as you can. You can always make money, you can’t always make memories.”
It is so exciting to see everyone is traveling all over the world. It is an incredible feeling experiencing the sights and sounds of so many beautiful places. It’s hard to describe and something you need to experience yourself. So… on that note… where would you like to travel next?
The world is open and waiting for you! If it’s not the U.S., Italy, Mexico, France or Turks and Caicos, where would you like to go? How about Germany for Oktoberfest? Or the Canadian Rockies by train? Or an African Safari? Or a river cruise to see the Christmas Markets? In fact, anywhere sounds amazing to me!! How about you?
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 my exclusive global network of travel partners and suppliers.
If WOW is what you’re looking for, let’s get started!
