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Three Safaris Worthy Of Your Wanderlist

Posted in Blog Post, Travel Destinations, on 5 June 2025, by , 0 Comments

THREE SAFARIS WORTHY OF YOUR WANDERLIST

Written by Dayna Engberg from  www.travelleaders.com

Experiencing the wild wonders of Africa right is highly important. For a once-in-a-lifetime journey, it’s worth it to double-down to get the absolute most out of your vacation. With a luxury safari, everything will be included: airport pickup, handpicked luxury accommodations, and authentic local cuisine.

Sunrise on the African plain is a symphony for the senses. Approaching dawn signals a constant hum of chirping birds and awakening wildlife. As the sun crowns above the horizon, the sky is bathed in fiery golden hues, creating dramatic silhouettes of everything in its path—sprawling acacia trees, the dusty trail behind a pack of wandering wildebeest, a lone giraffe strolling across the plain. Early mornings provide some of the most fruitful game drives on an African safari—a time when elephants can be seen congregating at the watering hole or big cats can be seen enjoying the harvest of their evening hunts. In the day’s opening hours, the air warms by the minute as the rising sun casts a heat mirage across the horizon. It comes as no surprise that this is one of the most sought-after vacation experiences for even the most accomplished world travelers. The landscapes, the wildlife, and the cultures encountered on an African safari are equaled by no other destination on earth.

A family of elephants ambles past a safari

On a luxury-focused safari, everything will be included: airport pickup, handpicked luxury accommodations, and authentic local cuisine. You won’t have to worry about paying park fees (which add up quickly) or being crammed in a bus with a dozen other people. Instead, you’ll enjoy a private 4×4 Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof all to yourself, the only other people onboard being a professional naturalist and an expert driver skilled in getting you closest to the wildlife. With a luxury safari, leave your wallet in the room safe until check-out and unwind knowing that all of the planning is already taken care of. The only thing you’ll have to choose is where to go. Need inspiration? Read on for three once-in-a-lifetime safari experiences worth splurging for.

The great wildebeest migration is one of the greatest natural sights on earth

THE GREAT WILDEBEEST MIGRATION

From the Serengeti Plains to the Ngorongoro Crater, East Africa is the classic postcard image of the African continent. With vast grasslands backed by the majestic purple Mount Kilimanjaro peaking above the clouds, these landscapes are the darling of Hollywood for good reason. This is the setting of an annual event that should top the bucket list of every animal lover, wildlife photographer and safari enthusiast, without question. Between July and October, over two million wildebeest, zebra and antelope make their famed annual pilgrimage: The Great Migration. Hear the thundering hoofs of thousands of animals moving en masse from the Serengeti plains of Tanzania, across the mighty Mara River, and North into the Maasai Mara of Kenya— a phenomenal spectacle unparalleled anywhere on earth.

THE ANNUAL FLOOD OF THE OKAVANGO RIVER DELTA

Just as impressive as Eastern Africa are the diverse landscapes in the Southern part of the continent. See monstrous hippos splashing in the waters of the mighty Zambezi River. Take a helicopter over the roaring Victoria Falls between Zambia and Zimbabwe. Explore Namibia, where butterscotch dunes plunge and rise like an earthen ocean. Or for a truly extraordinary experience, head to Botswana. 

Meandering from the lush Angolan highlands to the arid Kalahari Desert, The Okavango Delta is Botswana’s stunning watery playground and the largest inland delta in the world. Between June and August, the Delta swells three-fold, exploding with verdant vegetation and attracting one of the largest concentrations of wildlife in Africa. The landscapes provide various ways to explore, from floating through the wetlands aboard a traditional mokoro dugout canoe, gliding overhead in a hot air balloon, or taking a land-based game drive as thunderstorms rumble in the distance.

Our next two days were spent at the Sanctuary Swala, located in a secluded area of Tarangire National Park, where we continued to view elephants and birds in flight. A quick flight off-shore brought us to Zanzibar, which dazzled our senses with the Arabic influences and empty miles of pristine white-sand beaches. Here we stayed at the Xanadu Villas, an hour drive from exotic Stonetown. My takeaways: 1. Don’t overthink traveling abroad! The economic impact that even one group of tourists can bring to an area is significant for families around the world who are in dire need. 2. Now is the perfect time to travel with cleaner-than-ever planes and accommodations. 3. Getting outside of our bubble helps restore our vision of humanity and why tourism matters!

Contact us to book your own Safari adventure in Africa.

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A Tale Of Two Safaris

Posted in Blog Post, Travel Destinations, on 30 May 2025, by , 0 Comments

A TALE OF TWO SAFARIS

Written by a Guest Contributor from  https://www.travelleaders.com/

Lions roaring, elephants mud wallowing and leopards gracefully walking through the open wetlands to grab a drink before they disappear up a tree. All of this is happening right now, and you might just forget about the past year’s struggles while you are out enjoying it! Check out these two unique safari experiences from our expert travel advisors who were among the first to return to Africa’s national wildlife parks.

[Travel note: Most African countries are accepting international travelers with proof of negative COVID-19 tests. Alternatively, all air passengers coming to the United States, including U.S. citizens and fully vaccinated people, are required to have a negative COVID-19 test result no more than 3 days before travel. Talk to your travel advisor for more details.]

BEAUTY IN BOTSWANA

Last month, a team of safari experts was fortunate to head across the world to the beautiful country of Botswana to see and experience some new lodges – Duba Explorer Camp and Selinda Camp.

Our team — Shelby L., Nick L. and Debbie F. — last month headed to Africa, our home away from home. Once we landed in Johannesburg, our PCR test from the U.S. was verified, and we continued to customs just like every other trip before COVID. The safety protocols in Africa are top notch – at every door, outside every building and around all the lodges there are sanitation stations and hand sanitizer dispensers. As soon as we landed in Botswana to head out on safari, we were greeted by the safari lodge staff with mini safety bags with hand sanitizer, custom masks and towelettes inside.

Our Feeding a baby elephant at camp

After such an amazing in-camp sighting, we made our way back to our beautiful, airy rooms. The plunge pool catches your eye as you walk up the steps to your covered deck. As you walk through the vintage stone doors into your room, the natural lighting and soft tones of the room are so inviting. You have your bed in the middle of the room with bold leather chairs off to the side, a full mini bar and vanity and then as you continue through the room you make your way into the cozy, spacious bathroom with African art and a giant brass tub overlooking the water below. The room is hard to leave but heading out on a game drive is such a rush we freshened up and headed out for an exciting adventure.

Morning safaris can be slow and peaceful or they can be exhilarating and wake you up quicker than any cup of coffee! On our first full morning on game drive, we were driving along when our vehicle came to an abrupt stop as we eyed a male leopard lying in the middle of the road in the sand. We stopped and admired him and quickly realized he was on the hunt for a morning snack. As impala made their way through the grass, we followed along as this leopard attempted multiple attacks. Sadly, he was unsuccessful but was not about to give up. After resting for an hour, we followed along as he attempted to grab a warthog. Even though he wasn’t able to catch his morning snack, four hours sure fly by when you’re off-roading and chasing leopard, impala and warthogs!

When we returned to camp late in the morning, we would sit and have brunch and cocktails. After lunch you are free to go and shop around the boutique on-site, get a massage either at the spa or in your room or kick your feet up for an afternoon snooze. Then you head back out on safari mid-afternoon to see what the animals are stirring up before they lose their daylight and begin settling in for the night. To end each day, we also traditionally stop for what we call “sundowners” – we get everyone’s favorite drink of choice, small snacks and appetizers and say “Cheers!” to a beautiful day in the bush!

The greatest thing about our safari destinations is you are outside in nature, breathing fresh air with space to move and feel safe and having your closest interactions with animals in the wild.

TREKKING IN TANZANIA

Safari expert Angela H. just returned from an 11-day safari experience in Tanzania, Africa, with a stop at the breathtaking beaches of Zanzibar. 

While most people take months if not a year to plan a luxury safari, we knew we had to jump across the pond and get to the Serengeti while the national parks were empty of tourists and the borders were open. Two weeks later, we were on Qatar Airways out of an empty JFK airport connecting in Qatar, Doha, and touching down in Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro airport. We arrived in Arusha and were quickly transported to the Legendary Lodge. Set on the lush tropical gardens of a working coffee farm just outside Arusha, the Legendary Lodge dazzles with its beautiful garden cottages with private verandas. We relaxed, rode bikes through the farm and enjoyed the food and spa massages on site.

A quick one-hour air flight from Arusha to the dirt airstrip of Kogatende landed us in the Northern Serengeti with jeeps waiting for us. One of our main goals of the trip was to witness the wildebeest crossing on the Mara River, often called the great migration. Our expert guide, Cloude, recognized the animal movement patterns and immediately took us over to the crossing point on the Mara River. From there we were able to observe the amazing drama of the mass-movement of wildebeest and zebras making their way to the Ndutu Plains.

A tower of giraffes near Nimali Mara Camp

For the next two nights, we checked into the gorgeous Nimali Mara Camp, a small, intimate safari camp with only 10 tents. I soaked in a beautiful, copper tub with windows open, overlooking the savannah. The camp fits naturally into its surroundings amongst the trees and boulders, with an infinity pool set within a natural cave. I woke up to giraffes and zebras roaming in front of my room. I appreciated the energy-efficient lighting and solar power that the hotel used, as well as the sustainable materials keeping it eco-friendly. 

Next, we moved to the Nyumbani Camp, a luxury camp in the central Serengeti, where we searched for big lions and cats for two days. We tracked lion, leopard, elephant and buffalo who share the park with cheetah, Thomson’s and Grant’s gazelle, topi, eland, waterbuck, hyena, baboon, impala, African wild dog and giraffe, to name a few. We later visited the spectacular Retina Hippo Pool with over 200 lazy, playful hippos splashing around.

On the fringe of the park is the Ngorongoro Crater, where we searched unsuccessfully for the near extinct rhino. We stayed on the outer slopes of the crater at the luscious, tropical Gibb’s Farm founded in the 1920s as a coffee plantation.

An early start to a great day on safari

Our next two days were spent at the Sanctuary Swala, located in a secluded area of Tarangire National Park, where we continued to view elephants and birds in flight. A quick flight off-shore brought us to Zanzibar, which dazzled our senses with the Arabic influences and empty miles of pristine white-sand beaches. Here we stayed at the Xanadu Villas, an hour drive from exotic Stonetown. My takeaways: 1. Don’t overthink traveling abroad! The economic impact that even one group of tourists can bring to an area is significant for families around the world who are in dire need. 2. Now is the perfect time to travel with cleaner-than-ever planes and accommodations. 3. Getting outside of our bubble helps restore our vision of humanity and why tourism matters!

Contact us to book your own Safari adventure in Africa.

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Where to Eat, Stay & Play in Rome

Posted in Blog Post, Travel Destinations, on 1 May 2025, by , 0 Comments

Where to Eat, Stay & Play in Rome

“How often do you think about the Roman Empire?” If the viral 2023 TikTok trend — where women asked men in their lives this question — is anything to go by, the answer is “surprisingly frequently.” And it’s no wonder: the Romans are responsible for some of the world’s most impressive innovations, from complex aqueduct systems to architectural marvels like the Colosseum. From gladiators to emperors and world-famous statues, Rome, the heart of the sprawling empire, delivers drama in droves. Today, this legacy lives on, intertwined seamlessly with a vibrant nightlife, cutting-edge hotels and a restaurant scene like no other.

2025 is a year of Jubilee as decreed by the Pope. This event only occurs every 25 years and draws Catholics from all over the world. In preparation, Rome is giving its beloved marble structures a scrub — everything from the magnificent Monument to Victor Emmanuel II statue to Bernini’s sculptures — ahead of the momentous occasion. The locus of activity will be St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, with mapped pilgrimage paths channeling visitors to churches across the city. And thanks to new tours, guided walks and hotel openings, there’s never been a better time to visit the Eternal City.

History

Relics, cloisters, sacred shrines and monuments are abundant in the city that was, according to myth, founded by brothers Romulus and Remus. Avoid the crowds by heading out early on a 2.5-mile walking tour led by art historian and fitness instructor Isabella Calidonna of ArcheoRunning. The first stop is the foot of the Spanish Steps, where Isabella points out the Fontana della Barcaccia (Fountain of the Boat), a work started by renowned sculptor Pietro, was completed after his death in 1629 by his son Gian Lorenzo. The marble vessel marks the spot where the flooded River Tiber deposited a fishing boat on Christmas Day in 1598. Continue on to Via dei Condotti, one of the most fashionable streets in Rome, home to a wealth of luxury boutiques and high-end stores, with celebrated Italian brands represented here including Prada, Gucci, Salvatore Ferragamo and Dolce & Gabbana. At 86 Via dei Condotti is Antico Caffè Greco, the oldest coffeehouse in Rome, which, over the years has hosted such literary luminaries as Mark Twain, Hans Christian Andersen, Ralph Waldo Emerson and James Joyce.

On our way to Piazza Navona and its trio of baroque fountains, we stop to admire open-air archaeological site Largo di Torre Argentina, home to four temples dating to the second and third centuries BCE. Covering a city block, its crumbling columns, decaying frescoes and a bust of the fertility goddess Feronia can be seen from a sidewalk vantage point. The campus doubles as a sanctuary for a contingent of Rome’s stray cats. We conclude the tour at Piazza Navona, which is home to the ruins of the Stadium of Domitian, which once upon a time hosted Olympic-style competitions. Our leisurely loop around the plaza allows us to behold its spectacular centerpiece, the Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi (Fountain of the Four Rivers), designed in 1651 by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, as well as the beautifully carved Fountain of Neptune and Fountain of the Moor.

ART

For more Bernini, head to the Galleria Borghese art gallery. Housed in the 16th-century former Villa Borghese Pinciana, set in the sprawling Borghese Gardens Park, the collection features important works by both Bernini and painter Caravaggio. Both artists depict the Biblical story of David and Goliath, one in stone and one on canvas. Caravaggio’s dramatic painting of David holding the severed head of Goliath complements Bernini’s intense, lifelike depiction of David as he launches his formidable slingshot.

At Galleria Borghese, visitors can observe the emotion on the goddess Proserpina’s face as she fights to escape the clutches of underworld god Pluto, masterfully executed by Bernini, then 23 years old. Another marble masterwork is Apollo and Daphne, which depicts the nymph Daphne’s transformation into a laurel tree to escape Apollo’s unrelenting attention. The sculpture was the last of a series of works commissioned by Cardinal Scipione Borghese at the start of Bernini’s career. Tickets are limited — only 360 visitors are permitted at a time due to the museum’s compact size — so prebooking is essential. Guided tours are recommended.

FOOD & DRINK

In his 1998 book Pasta and Pizza, anthropologist Franco La Cecla notes the symbolic importance of pasta, saying it “begins to unwind like a ball of yarn and wrap itself around the Italian identity.” Carbonara — a spaghetti dish with a sauce made of eggs, pecorino romano and parmesan cheeses, black pepper and guanciale (salt-cured pork) — has traditionally been associated with the city of Rome. At Fortunato al Pantheon, next to the Pantheon, enjoy a lunch of classic pastas and seasonal dishes like Roman-style artichokes and roasted lobster. If you’re still hungry, head to Emma, a pizzeria on Via del Monte della Farina that serves crunchy, thin, Roman-style pizza with toppings such as zucchini flowers, anchovies and Parma ham. The menu includes both red (with tomato sauce) and white (without) pizzas — all made with the same organic flour and finished in a woodfired oven. For those who prefer a more hands-on experience, Fabiolous Cooking Day offers group classes that teach you how to make a host of classic Italian dishes. Roll up your sleeves to knead two types of pasta dough: one to make traditional egg pasta for ravioli using semolina flour, and a no-egg version using 00 durum wheat flour for cavatelli, which is part of a meaty ragu. Chop, trim, portion and sample the ingredients before sitting down to enjoy the fruits of your labor with your fellow classmates.

In search of the perfect gelato? Author David Winner, in his book Al Dente: Madness, Beauty and the Food of Rome, tells the story of Giovanni Fassi who bet big on gelato back in 1880. Fassi rode the wave of the frozen confection’s popularity and opened what was at the time the largest venue dedicated to dessert in the city: Palazzo del Freddo di Giovanni Fassi. Located a few blocks beyond Piazza Vittorio Emmanuele II, the illustrious ice cream shop has 24 flavors on the menu, including a few whose names pay tribute to the founder — among them, Crema Fassi, Gusto di Andrea Fassi and Pistacchio di Giuseppina Fassi.

EXCURSION

Around 37 miles north of Rome, surrounded by hazelnut orchards and shepherd caves dating to the Etruscan period, is the hilltop village of Vignanello. Here sits Castello Ruspoli — a 16th-century medieval fortress complete with drawbridge that’s been the ancestral home of the Ruspoli family since 847. Claudia Ruspoli is the current resident owner and gives tours of her home and its grounds — one of the finest examples of a Renaissance garden in Europe, which includes a family tree painted on an interior wall. Using it for reference, Claudia relates the tale of influential female forebear Vittoria Ruspoli who ordered a chapel to be constructed with the intention of attracting a visit from the Pope. The expensive renovations paid off and her husband was ultimately awarded the title of “prince” by the pontiff. On another branch on the family tree is Ottavia Orsini, who built the first garden here in 1611.

DON’T MISS

Journey through the Forum of Caesar, a new, immersive multimedia display that transports visitors to the Rome of 2,000 years ago. Films and reconstructions projected onto the historic ruins accompanied by narration make it easy to visualize the role of the Forum in the daily lives of ancient Romans. This space was first excavated in 1803, and it took over a century to be fully uncovered. It once hosted a mix of government officials, military leaders and civilians among its gardens, public toilets, senatorial offices and food markets. Digital reconstructions show how the Curia, the headquarters of the Roman Senate — once located on this site — might have looked back then. There are two shows; the Forum of Augustus Light Show, which tells the story of the first Emperor; and the Forum of Caesar Light Show, which depicts Julius Caesar and his infamous role in Ancient Rome. Check online for tickets and showtimes.

HOTEL

Stay at the Sofitel Roma Villa Borghese, where apartment-style suites overlook the expansive Villa Borghese gardens. A former 19th-century palazzo, the five-star property is within walking distance of the Trevi Fountain, Villa Medici and the Spanish Steps. Each guest room features a baroque-inspired ceiling panel that creates an illusion of blue sky. Marble baths and signature bedding offer the perfect respite after a day of pounding the cobblestones.

Contact our agency to book your trip to Rome.

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Extend Your Vietnam Stay In Regal Hue

Posted in Blog Post, Travel Destinations, on 4 April 2025, by , 0 Comments

Extend your Vietnam stay in regal Hue

From the UNESCO-protected Hue Citadel and magnificent imperial tombs to the regal cuisine, Vietnam’s former capital is fit for a king. Thanks to its coastal location, Hue experiences relatively mild temperatures year-round. Navigate central Hue, including the Imperial Citadel, by foot, but take a taxi to farther-flung attractions including the royal tombs. Read our guide to the majestic city of Hue.

Set on the Perfume River, whose sobriquet is said to come from fragrant flowers falling into the water in autumn and being carried downstream, Hue is synonymous with opulence. Vietnam’s last royal capital promises visitors a rare peek into the imperial past, starting with the city’s centerpiece, the walled citadel, where for just shy of 150 years the Nguyen dynasty administered the country. Follow the emperor’s footsteps through the Purple Forbidden City, then explore the string of lavish mausoleums on Hue’s fringes where each successive leader was laid to rest. Court music, woodblock printing and needlework are among Hue’s living cultural traditions, showcased in the city’s museums and spotlighted at the biennial Hue Festival, next scheduled for April 2024.

It might be tempting to think of Hue as a memory box, but time marches on and the city matches its historical monuments and ancient pagodas with modern markets, contemporary galleries and a superlative street food scene. Many of Hue’s signature dishes — fragrant soups, delicate dumplings and seafood specialties — were dreamed up in the palace scullery before being exported around Vietnam.

Today, the city is home to around half a million people. It’s an unrushed interlude between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, helped by its location in the coastal Thua Thien Hue province, almost exactly halfway between the two metropolises. Backed by limestone and granite mountains and with a run of tranquil beaches on its doorstep, it doubles as a base for exploring Central Vietnam’s most spectacular landscapes.

History

As capital of the Dang Trong region from 1738 to 1775 and the national capital from 1802 to 1945 — serving as the administrative hub until Ho Chi Minh evoked the Democratic Republic and shifted the center of power to Hanoi — Hue is unrivaled as a gateway to discovering dynastic Vietnam.

Everything refers back to the Nguyens, who reigned sovereign from 1802 to 1883 and continued exercising nominal power over select territories throughout the French colonial period. The Nguyens’ ancestral seat until 1945, the Imperial City is situated inside the Hue Citadel or Dai Noi, a vast complex of palaces, gates, temples and elegant pavilions separated from the rest of Hue by a moat.

Dedicate at least two hours to wandering the labyrinthine grounds, entering via the grand Meridian Gate. Highlights include Can Thanh Palace, with its luminous red and gold niches, and the Hien Lam Pavilion, home to nine bronze urns cast in tribute to the nonet of emperors. The once-impenetrable Purple Forbidden City, an inner sanctum encased by nine-foot-high walls, contains the sublime Palace of Supreme Harmony (currently under renovation and set to reopen in August 2025).

As impressive as Hue’s royal living quarters are, they’re rivaled by the ornate edifices fashioned as final resting places for the Nguyen emperors. Known collectively as the imperial tombs, there are seven mausoleums flung across Hue’s pastoral countryside, and each one offers a glimpse into the character and leadership style of its interred ruler.

Continue to the outskirts of Hue to cross the Thanh Toan Bridge, an 18th-century wooden structure with a tiled roof, and to tour the An Dinh Palace, Emperor Bao Dai’s private residence before he abdicated the throne. It doesn’t require much imagination to conjure up images of courtiers in their flowing ao dai tunics and khan van turbans promenading on the Nam Giao Esplanade, a huge ceremonial ground built in 1803 as a stage for the emperor’s springtime rituals.

CULTURE

Serving as Vietnam’s capital for over a century cemented Hue’s position at the helm of education and politics. The city’s royal pedigree enticed artists and intellectuals from around the country, making Hue an important center of culture. Nha nhac, traditional Vietnamese court music, floats through the streets. Attend a formal recital of nha nhac cung dinh Hue (Hue royal court music) featuring the two-stringed erhu and traditional flute at the Duyet Thi Duong Royal Theater.

Learn about Hue’s heritage of handicrafts at the Museum of Royal Antiquities, where an extensive exhibition of ceramics, textiles and dynastic dress awaits. Drop into the XQ Hand Embroidery Art Museum for fine examples of hand-stitched still lifes, a fresh take on an honored Hue genre, and view contemporary canvases by Hue-born Le Ba Dang at his eponymous art museum.

Once reserved for the emperor’s hunting trips, traditional dragon boats now ply the Perfume River, taking visitors to Thien Mu Pagoda. Meandering paths invite lingering walks through the ornamental gardens and pine forests here, culminating with the seven-story Phuoc Duyen tower, which is the unofficial symbol of Hue.

FOOD + DRINK

In a country often lauded as a foodie’s paradise, Hue distinguishes itself with a sophisticated cuisine contrived to titillate the discerning taste buds of the royal court. Some spreads for a Nguyen emperor are said to have possibly included 300 dishes or more — Kim Long Fine Dining at Ancient Hue Garden Houses presents a tamer version of the Hue Imperial Banquet, fusing local produce with European techniques for a modern take on the signature feast.

Several of Vietnam’s street food staples were born here, including bun bo Hue, a sumptuous noodle soup featuring beef shank simmered in lemongrass-scented broth. This rich dish also often includes the likes of pork knuckle and oxtail, and various garnishes. Try it at Bun Bo Hue O Phuong, where the proprietress has spent 20 years finessing the balance of banana blossom, cilantro and perilla. Maison Trang dishes out one of the city’s best banh beo Hue, steamed rice cakes presented in single-serve dishes and dressed with fried shrimp and scallion oil, while banh bot loc, shrimp and pork belly parcels encased in chewy tapioca, is ubiquitous. Head to Com Hen, an islet in the Perfume River, to savor com hen, rice crowned with flash-cooked basket clams and fresh herbs and vegetables.

Alternatively, do as the locals do and grab a bite at buzzing Dong Ba, a covered market built during the reign of Emperor Gia Long. Nem lui, ground pork marinated in fish sauce, black pepper and garlic, molded around a shard of lemongrass then charred to perfection, is a popular evening snack and ideal market fare. Cap it off with a glass of ca phe muoi — salted coffee — a Hue-style digestif made by filtering strong drip coffee over a foamy mix of fermented milk, salt and sugar. The eponymous Ca Phe Muoi café lays claim to the original recipe.

PARADISE

Positioned at one of Vietnam’s narrowest points, Hue enjoys the best of both worlds, with unfettered access to the coast and the rugged mountains that define the western frontier. Formed where the Perfume River spills out into the South China Sea, Tam Giang is part of Southeast Asia’s largest lagoon system. Make a pilgrimage to one of the many viewpoints to watch the sun set, or explore the Ru Cha littoral park, where the arced arms of ancient mangroves shade the boardwalks. White-sand swimming beaches edge the entire isthmus, with Thuan An a crowd favorite for its seafood restaurants and traditional fishing boats picturesquely arranged along the shore.

Traveling inland, the Truong Son mountains can be reached in less than an hour. Burrowed in the foothills, the Thanh Tan Hot Springs were first discovered in the 1920s by French military doctor Albert Sallet. Plunge into the network of pools that snakes through the forest, fed by magnesium and calcium-rich thermal waters. Other adventure activities in the area include a zip line and a highwire.

HOTELS

Facing the citadel from the opposite bank of the river, the twin districts of Vinh Ninh and Phu Hoi offer local restaurants and easy access to the old city via lively Le Loi Park. To immerse yourself in Hue’s colonial charms, reserve a room at striking hotel Azerai La Residence, the former French Resident-Superieure’s villa whose rooms preserve 1930s art deco flourishes. There’s also a saltwater pool overlooking the Perfume River. For modern luxury, the Melia Vinpearl is located in a 34-story building and sports a heated rooftop pool, sky terrace and suites with panoramic city views. Travelers seeking royal treatment should book inner-city Alba Spa Hotel, where the wellness center uses mineral waters sourced from the Truong Son geothermal springs.

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2025 Hot Destinations for Your To-Go List

Posted in Blog Post, Travel Destinations, on 14 March 2025, by , 0 Comments

2025 Hot Destinations for Your To-Go List

Besides the old tried-and-true promise to exercise more, New Year’s resolutions are often about restriction: eat less, drink less, work less, stress less. It’s time to flip that around for 2025 and promise yourself more: more cultures to explore, more flavors to enjoy, more world-famous sites to see and more sand between your toes. Here are some hot-to-go destinations for each month, giving you the ideal targets for your resolutions.

January
Hobart, Tasmania

While Sydney and Melbourne attract the most attention from travelers, Hobart deserves some of that spotlight too. This gem of a city on the wild and gorgeous island of Tasmania is packed with charm, from the interesting exhibits at the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) to the art on display on the Battery Point Sculpture Trail. Two must-do’s: summit 4,170-foot Mount Wellington for an amazing view and shop at the wildly popular Salamanca Market held every Saturday.

February
Fajardo, Puerto Rico

Located on the eastern tip of the island, Fajardo is the ideal home base to explore this tropical slice of paradise. From here, you can go waterfall hunting across El Yunque National Forest, snorkel in the clear waters over the long strips of reef of the Cordillera Nature Reserve and daytrip to nearby islands like Culebra and Vieques. The star attraction here is boating on Laguna Grande Bioluminescent Bay, one of only five “bio bays” in the world (three are in Puerto Rico!).

March
Placencia, Belize

You can get away from it all in Placencia. Located at the southern tip of the Placencia Peninsula in the southeastern corner of the country, this tranquil fishing village is flanked by a mangrove-lined lagoon on one side and the Caribbean Sea on the other, giving you relaxing views in all directions. In town, you can admire the colorful murals and artwork along the 4,000-foot-long pedestrian-only main street. Or leave the village to spot whale sharks while snorkeling the southern barrier reef or howler monkeys while cruising down Monkey River. 

April
Kyoto, Japan

Located on the eastern tip of the island, Fajardo is the ideal home base to explore this tropical slice of paradise. From here, you can go waterfall hunting across El Yunque National Forest, snorkel in the clear waters over the long strips of reef of the Cordillera Nature Reserve and daytrip to nearby islands like Culebra and Vieques. The star attraction here is boating on Laguna Grande Bioluminescent Bay, one of only five “bio bays” in the world (three are in Puerto Rico!).

May
Cologne, Germany

Of Germany’s 10 “Magic Cities” — so called because they offer an enticing blend of historical appeal, cultural vibrancy and delectable cuisine — Cologne stands out. As the oldest of the country’s metropolises, it’s home to a wealth of worthy attractions, from the Cologne Cathedral to the Chocolate Museum, as well as a very active art scene and one of the world’s oldest art fairs. In fact, art is everywhere here, for Cologne is one of Germany’s hotspots for street art, which you can see in neighborhoods such as Ehrenfeld and the Belgian Quarter.

June
Lima, Peru

Located on the eastern tip of the island, Fajardo is the ideal home base to explore this tropical slice of paradise. From here, you can go waterfall hunting across El Yunque National Forest, snorkel in the clear waters over the long strips of reef of the Cordillera Nature Reserve and daytrip to nearby islands like Culebra and Vieques. The star attraction here is boating on Laguna Grande Bioluminescent Bay, one of only five “bio bays” in the world (three are in Puerto Rico!).

July
Juneau, Alaska

Exceptionally picturesque, Juneau sits in the heart of the Gastineau Channel, satisfyingly surrounded by snow-topped mountains, massive glaciers and alpine forests. This is where you come to experience the truly unforgettable, whether that’s taking a dogsled ride atop the surreally blue Mendenhall Glacier, watching humpback whales breach near your boat or hiking in Tongass National Forest, the largest intact temperate rainforest in the world and the largest national forest in the United States. Whatever you do, don’t miss out on a large bucket at Tracy’s King Crab Shack down by the water.

August
Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya

Between July and October, over 2 million wildebeest, zebra and antelope species make their famed annual pilgrimage, known as the Great Migration. To hear the thundering hoofs of thousands of animals moving en masse from the Serengeti plains of Tanzania, across the mighty Mara River and north into Kenya, is a phenomenal spectacle unparalleled anywhere on Earth. August, in particular, is the best time to witness the dramatic river crossings into the Maasai Mara, a wildlife conservation and wilderness area that is home to lions, leopards, cheetahs and African elephants.

September
Split, Croatia

The second-largest city in Croatia is second to none when it comes to beauty, history and charm. The ancient city on the Dalmatian coast was born because Roman Emperor Diocletian built his palace here roughly 1,700 years ago. But “palace” may not be the right term, for it’s more of a sprawling estate that sits nearly unchanged today. After your history lesson, head over to Marjan, a nearly 600-foot hill that is home to hiking and biking trails, rock-carved churches and numerous benches to rest and enjoy the breathtaking views.

October
Kaua’i, Hawaii

As your plane descends onto Kaua’i, the oldest and northernmost island in the state, you’ll quickly realize why it’s called the Garden Island. Draped in emerald valleys, the island is brilliantly contoured by sharp mountain spires and jagged cliffs separated by forking rivers and cascading waterfalls. More than just jaw-dropping beauty, Kaua’i is home to numerous ways to enjoy its natural gifts: kayak the Wailua River, snorkel on Po’ipu Beach, hike the trails of Koke’e State Park or go ziplining above Kaua’i’s lush valleys. Whatever you do, the ocean will always call you back to relax on its shimmering white-sand beaches and feel at one with the world.

November
Antarctica

Antarctica — its name alone conjures up fantastical images of wind-sculpted icebergs, snow-blanketed landscapes and bustling penguin colonies. The best window to visit begins in November, when “warmer” weather (it’s still pretty cold) means the wildlife is more active, sea ice is not a problem and the sun stays out for most of the day. Modern-day adventurers prefer to visit the white continent via a fly-cruise. Fly from Punta Arenas to King George Island — skipping over the turbulent Drake Passage — to begin your cruise in calmer waters.

December
Vienna, Austria

From late November to late December, from the Middle Ages to modern times, Christmas markets have filled European streets with a festive bombardment of the senses. Vienna has embraced this tradition for centuries, culminating in the traditional Vienna Magic of Advent, which turns the City Hall Square into a shining fairytale land. Here you’ll find Christmas gifts, tempting sweets and warming drinks — as well as a historic carousel — to put you in the holiday mood. Another market can be found in front of Schönbrunn Palace, giving the festivities an imperial backdrop.

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