Brilliant Escapes

Every so often, a trip comes across my desk that reminds me exactly why I do this work. This one was a milestone anniversary — two weeks, three countries, and a route I'd happily take myself: the Julian Alps of Slovenia, the sun-warmed coast of Istria, and Venice as the finale. It's the kind of itinerary that sounds ambitious on paper and feels effortless in practice, which is really the whole point of working with an advisor instead of stitching it together yourself.

Planning a trip to multiple countries usually feels overwhelming, so there’s something special about a trip that moves through three countries without a single hiccup. You wake up on a quiet Thai island, and six days later you're watching the sun rise over Angkor Wat, with lantern-lit evenings in Vietnam in between  — and it all feels like it simply unfolded…

There's a particular kind of magic that happens in Europe every December. Cobblestone squares glow gold under strings of lights. The air smells like roasted chestnuts and mulled wine. Centuries-old buildings, dressed for the season, frame market stalls selling hand-carved ornaments and hot glühwein in commemorative mugs you'll want to bring home.

Ask most travelers what comes to mind when they picture Vietnam, and you'll likely hear about street food stalls (picture the small, colorful stools) or backpacker trails. The culinary traditions of Vietnam are one of the primary reasons many of my clients want to travel to this incredible country, but it’s not the only cultural highlight.

Mention Germany to most people, and you'll get the same three words back: beer, pretzels, Oktoberfest. It's a fair association — but it's also a bit like summing up France as "baguettes and berets." Germany is one of Europe's richest cultural destinations, and for travelers who know where to look, it rewards curiosity in a way few countries can match.

For many travelers, Singapore is simply a connection point.

It's where you spend one night before boarding a cruise, heading to Bali, or flying home from Southeast Asia. The assumption is often the same: there's not enough to do to justify staying longer.

After spending three nights in Singapore following a trip to Malaysia, I can confidently say that's a mistake