From sipping churros and chocolate in Valencia to cruising through the Strait of Gibraltar, this Oceania voyage revealed why smaller ships and strategic planning make all the difference. When my husband Lou and I set out on our 17-day journey across Western Europe and the Mediterranean, I wanted more than a vacation. I wanted to understand firsthand what it feels like to wake up in a new port nearly every day, to experience the seamless luxury of a mid-sized cruise ship, and

"From the Greek Isles to Sicily's volcanic vineyards, I discovered why the right cruise line transforms a Mediterranean voyage into something extraordinary." I've always wanted to experience the Mediterranean by sea, to understand firsthand what it feels like to wake up in a new port each morning and watch the islands drift by as the sun sets over ancient waters. When the opportunity came to sail with Crystal Cruises from Athens through the Greek Isles, Turkey, Sicily, and fi

"From Dublin to Iceland aboard an expedition ship, I discovered that adventure and elegance can sail together, and summer doesn't have to mean baking in the sun." I've always believed that the best way to understand a destination is to experience it myself. So when the opportunity came to sail aboard the Seabourn Venture from Dublin to Reykjavik, I knew I had to go. This wasn't just another cruise. It was a chance to explore the lesser traveled western coast of the United Kin

"Sometimes the most enlightening travel moments come from finding stillness in unexpected places. Here's what I discovered at the Commodore Perry Estate." I've always been curious about properties that manage to create a sense of retreat while sitting in the middle of a major city. When I had the opportunity to stay at the Commodore Perry Estate during a business trip to Austin, Texas, I knew it would be eye-opening. This Virtuoso property, tucked near the University of Texas

From watching a total solar eclipse at a vineyard to discovering the warmth of the Basque Country, Kristen shares the trip that forever changed how she plans Spanish adventures. I've always believed that the best travel stories come from experiences you didn't know you were looking for. When I planned a group trip to Spain centered around the 2026 total solar eclipse, I thought the celestial event would be the headline. I was wrong. Spain itself became the story, and the ecli

From elephants approaching our Jeep to baboons drinking from my private plunge pool, I discovered why South Africa offers something remarkable for every kind of traveler. I've always believed that to truly recommend a destination, you have to feel it for yourself. So when I had the opportunity to plan a group trip to South Africa and Zimbabwe with African Travel, I knew this was my chance to experience the African continent in a way that would transform how I serve my clients