Wondering what a WOW trip looks like? Read the trip reviews below, all written in your fellow travelers’ own words. WOW trips are custom-tailored exactly to your interests, maximizing your experience, minimizing logistics, whisking you past lines, and avoiding crowds (yes, even this summer in Europe—read on to see how that’s possible).

Learn how to get your own WOW trip. Then, browse our WOW List of Trusted Travel Experts to find the right specialist for the trip you’re dreaming of. If you’d like help figuring out where to go or how to plan it, write to Ask Wendy. And you’ll find lots of other ideas in our other compilations of traveler reviews.

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Japan: a wish list checked—sumo wrestling & samurai swordsmanship—and dietary needs met with ease

CONRAD AND SANDI EHRLICH | JANUARY 25, 2025

We were so pleased with the detailed planning efforts and suggestions of Andrea and his staff that we fully intend to engage his services the next time we are in his territory. Ours was not a typical trip to Tokyo, as we had limited time and specific interests that we knew would be challenging to arrange. This was due to our flying there on January 10th, only three days before embarking on the Silversea 2025 World Cruise on the 13th.

Our wish list included private sumo wrestling lessons and lunch with sumo wrestlers, securing Box Seats (which are extremely difficult to obtain) for the opening day of the Sumo Grand Championship Match at Ryogoku Kokugikan, learning the art of Samurai swordsmanship, participating in a private traditional tea ceremony with a Tea Master, having lunch at Tokyo Skytree, and witnessing the Shibuya Scramble Crossing firsthand—at street level during rush hour and from above, first at Shibuya Sky and later while dining at Shunsai, the restaurant in the Shibuya Excel Hotel that directly overlooks the Crossing.

In addition to piecing together all these elements, which Andrea, Stefano, and the other people at their company accomplished masterfully, my wife Sandi and I made their job even more challenging by requiring afternoon naps and my following an annoying pescatarian, non-dairy, low-salt diet. Despite this, Andrea and his team orchestrated everything seamlessly. Andrea personally spent considerable time speaking to the restaurants ahead of time, conveying my dietary restrictions, and even explaining what I should say upon arrival.

One of the real perks of working with Andrea’s team was their use of WhatsApp for what they call their “Guardian Angel” service, which allowed us to communicate with them and request help at any time. This feature proved invaluable when we had trouble finding the entrance to the location for the sumo lessons and lunch. We simply uploaded a photo of where we thought the entrance was, and Andrea’s assistant Marilyn promptly responded, letting us know we were just around the corner. Knowing that help was immediately available gave us a great sense of relief and security in a country where we couldn’t read or speak the language.

I would wholeheartedly recommend Andrea to anyone wishing to plan a customized trip to Japan, and I truly appreciate your having him on your list of experts. We are big fans of your website and tell everyone about it.

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New Zealand: a warm welcome to revisit a meaningful place & share it with a spouse

BRENT LARSEN | JANUARY 22, 2025

Okay, here it is—a straight and true impression of our trip to New Zealand (Aotearoa), using Felicity as our planner through Wendy Perrin: It was simply great. Felicity and her team were awesome. Felicity worked tirelessly with me in designing the perfect trip to share New Zealand with my wife. I had served as missionary for my church as young man 1971-73. I fell in love with the people of New Zealand; the Māori and Polynesians are a fabulous people to work and live with. I wanted my wife to experience that same feeling I have carried in my heart for 52 years.

It was a great honor to be part of the traditional welcoming ceremony inviting us into the tribe and the Māori community, and to hold the pounamu. Dane Tumahai told us that the pounamu club was his great, great grandfather’s, I believe, and has been passed down to the sons for generations. He also stated that his father was a chief within the tribe and had used it in welcoming ceremonies and other ceremonies all of his life. Having lived among the peoples of Aotearoa for 2 years only intensified the feelings of the moment for me personally and for my wife. It was a beautiful and heartwarming experience I will never forget.

Felicity just knocked it out of the ball park. From every detail, from the pre-arrival planning and suggestions to sending a program to review the driving laws of New Zealand, to the last night in Auckland. The hotels, B&Bs, the individual tours, and dinner suggestions were all top class, without breaking the bank. I gave Felicity my budget and what she did with that budget was amazing.

I could not have believed all this was possible! What a WOW trip at every turn. You will not regret it.

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Antarctica: enrichment onboard, hiking and kayaking off-ship, and quiet white “majesty” from the balcony

JEANNIE MULLEN | JANUARY 22, 2025

After two reluctant postponements, this long-awaited cruise to Antarctica on Scenic Cruise lines finally happened. Ashton Palmer was instrumental in helping me decide which cruise and which cruise line best suited my interests. He truly is a cruise expert. Gretchen was also terrific when I needed help with decisions which arose during the lead up to the day of departure. She also worked hand in hand with a separate travel planner that I used (also a Wendy Perrin travel “fixer”) on a separate trip prior to this cruise.

I would absolutely use them again on any future cruises. And I would have no hesitation booking on Scenic again. Everything about the cruise ship, the staff, the outdoor activities (helicopter excursions… totally worth the price and then some… I went up twice), hour-long hikes, kayaking (and paddle boarding), indoor activities (enrichment lectures, end of the day recaps, evening entertainment, photo contests, movies, the polar plunge, etc.), the amenities and the restaurants, was exceptional. The sense of adventure that the entire staff woke up with and carried throughout the day was infectious.

Antarctica is having a moment (and has been for the last several years). A lot has been written about out it, including recently on this website. This is what I can say that is different… Antarctica is like no other place I have travelled to and words don’t do any description justice… its majesty and vastness is impossible to capture… photos and most particularly videos come closest.

The first morning after we’d made it through Drake’s Passage and reached the peninsula was unforgettable… I woke up early, went to the door to my balcony and stepped out to take in the majesty of the quiet inlet (we’d anchored at the Melchior Islands for the night)… standing there in my robe and slippers with my first cup of coffee the first thing that I noticed was how perfectly quiet it was and WHITE… everywhere… there was the occasional sound of ice cracking… gradually the inlet came to life… humpback whales came to the surface and blew from across the inlet, crab eater seals barked across ice flows to one another, and colonies of gentoo penguins swam right by me on the hunt for their breakfast. It was like being on another planet. It’s been a long time since a travel destination has distinguished itself like this for me.

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Uruguay: Sprawling estancias, boho-chic beach towns, rolling farmland, gaucho culture…

JEANNIE MULLEN | JANUARY 21, 2025

Uruguay is a SLEEPER! … while it may fly under the radar with most Americans, in-the-know South Americans spend their vacations in this small country that packs a really big punch. Brazilians and Argentinians also apparently invest there because the Uruguayan economy is so strong. Paul and Lucinda planned an outstanding, diverse, and well-paced 12-day trip for me over the Christmas holidays, and coordinated a smooth transition with a separately planned cruise to Antarctica which followed immediately thereafter.

Universally described as “muy tranquilo”… Uruguay boasts fantastic family-owned wineries, distinctive restaurants with world-renowned chefs, unique and interesting hotels and resorts, beautiful boho chic beach towns, sprawling estancias with an authentic gaucho culture, rolling farm country, the second largest river on the continent, a penchant for all things vintage, and history, art and architecture. After spending time in Carmelo, historic Colonia del Sacramento, Montevideo, Punta del Este and the unforgettable Jose Ignacio, I’ve decided that if I ever decide to live outside the United States, I’m heading to Uruguay.

Many thanks to Lucinda for paying incredible attention to the many details of a holiday trip with a lot of moving parts, but most particularly for springing into action at the last minute to rearrange airport transfers in Buenos Aires in order to get me home before an historic snow storm hit Atlanta and the mountains in Highlands.

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Morocco: VIP access to top sites & off-the-beaten-path treats in Casablanca, Marrakech, Volubilis, and Fes

AIMEE RUBIN | JANUARY 21, 2025

In September, 2024, my husband and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary in Morocco with the help of Helen and her team. We traveled throughout Morocco with an outstanding full-time guide, Mr. Jaouad Lahani, and excellent driver, Abdul. Helen planned our trip after asking us many detailed questions to ensure that what we experienced would be exactly what we had hoped for. To say that she succeeded in doing so would be a major understatement. The personal and VIP treatment we received throughout the entire trip was incredible. Helen vastly exceeded our expectations and we highly recommend her to anyone looking to experience an incredible time in Morocco!

Jaouad, our guide, took exceptional care of us. He met us each morning at our riad/hotel and showed us incredibly special areas of Morocco. After arriving in Casablanca, we saw the incredible Mosque Hassan II, then traveled to Rabat, Volubilis, and then to Fes, where Jaouad is from. He knew everyone and everyone knew him. He was able to bring us to places that were completely off the beaten path as well as the places one would expect to see. After Fes, we traveled to the Olinto Mountains, followed by a few days in Marrakech. Jaouad’s knowledge of the history of each place we visited was exceptional, and we learned more than we had ever expected.

We were treated so well during our visit, and Jaouad was certain that we never waited on a line and we went right to the front of each queue. We will never forget how, after exploring Fes’ medina for a number of hours, we felt like we were in the center of a giant labyrinth, only to emerge from the winding passages onto a street, where Abdul and the car were waiting to whisk us away to the next location. Clearly, Jaouad and Abdul had been communicating, making sure that Abdul knew where we were and was ready with the car, but that was never apparent to us, and was more like a joyful surprise when he appeared with the car when we least expected it. Helen’s choice of Jaouad and Abdul was perfect!

Being on this trip to celebrate our anniversary was never overlooked. Helen must have informed the riads and hotels that we stayed in, because upon check-in, each wished us a happy anniversary—our last hotel (in Casablanca) even adorned the room with rose petals! My husband’s birthday also took place during our trip and although I hadn’t mentioned it to Helen or the hotel, he was serenaded with the “Happy Birthday” song by the waitstaff during our dinner that night. This is one of many examples of special touches that Helen orchestrated during our trip. She was extremely thoughtful and paid incredible attention to detail.

Helen’s suggestion of places to stay were spectacular. One in particular, Olinto, in the Atlas Mountains, was extraordinary. The grounds, the rooms, the restaurant, the staff, all were incredible. They thought of everything. Helen is very friendly with the owner’s partner, who graciously gave us a tour and had drinks with us in their gorgeous home on the property. It was such a wonderful personal touch. Other outstanding activities arranged by Helen included a guided hike and exceptional cliff-side picnic lunch in the Atlas Mountains. In addition, she arranged for a trip into the Agafay Desert where we rode camels, enjoyed a delicious traditional al fresco dinner, and learned about the stars and planets from an astronomer using a high range telescope.

Helen ensured that our travel was comfortable, safe, and efficient. She arranged a “fast pass” service through the Moroccan airports where our airport guide whisked us through the airport, avoiding all lines and crowds. When we traveled from Fes to Marrakesh, we took an intra-Moroccan flight, while Abdul drove the car with our bags, meeting us at the Marrakesh airport. This way, we only had hand bags with us. Jaouad traveled with us on the plane, thereby guiding us through the airports and knowing the ins and outs of the flights. In addition, Abdul drove us to and from restaurants each night. We felt very safe and cared for by both Jaouad and Abdul.

I recommend Helen without reservation. She planned an incredible trip for us—one that we surely will never forget.

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Ecuador: hacienda hiking and horseback, rainforest canoeing, Galapagos flora & fauna

BARBRA AND GENE HIRSH | JANUARY 20, 2025

My wife and I are in our 70’s and are experienced travelers so it means a lot when we can tell you that Allie did a fantastic job of planning and arranging our trip to Ecuador last month, December 3-19. We asked her to include time in Quito, the Andes, the Ecuadorian rain forest and the Galapagos Islands. She did it all with accommodations and guides that were exceptional.

We arrived in Quito late and stayed overnight at the beautiful Wyndham Airport Hotel, from where we were picked up the next morning by Christina, our guide, and a driver who took us via some scenic stops at mountain lakes, a condor park, street markets, a weaving factory, and a wonderful lunch to our destination at Hacienda Pinsaqui. It is a beautiful large home and ranch where we stayed for 3 nights enjoying history, hiking, horseback riding and great food. We were picked up at the hacienda and returned to the airport hotel from where, the following morning, we travelled into the amazing rain forest with a short flight east from Quito, a 2-hour motorized canoe trip down the Napo River, which flows into the Amazon River, then a shorter paddle canoe trip to the La Selva Lodge.

The Lodge is magnificent, and this is a great learning experience. Each day we were accompanied by 2 native guides and a naturalist guide to explore the myriad ecosystems of lakes, rivers and forests, as well as a nearby village. Paul is an outstanding, personable and knowledgeable guide who did not miss a thing. The lectures were most informative, the Lodge staff are fantastic, and the food is wonderful. After 3 nights we returned to Quito, then left for Galapagos the next morning. We were greeted at the airport on Baltra Island by Daniel, our superb guide, and the delightful staff of the Endemic. This is a gorgeous, motorized catamaran that can accommodate 16 passengers, but had only us and one other couple from the US booked for a 5-night journey.

It was the first 2 weeks of December with fewer visitors than usual. The attention, service, food, activities and company were wonderful and, as you can imagine, quite personalized throughout. A tour of the Galapagos Islands is truly an extraordinary experience. Daniel introduced the next day’s activities/options each evening before dinner. From the magnificent tortoises to sea lions, penguins, blue and red-footed boobies, frigate birds, falcons, flamingoes, sharks, sea turtles and so many other species of flora and fauna, these islands are unique in the world. On the 6th day we returned to Quito, stayed at the beautiful Casa El Eden boutique Hotel, hosted by the exceptionally hospitable Blanca and Mario, and were joined the next day by Christina, our excellent guide, for a tour of Quito and the strange features of latitude 00.00’. There were no questions unanswered and we were most comfortable every step of the way. All in all, a great trip!

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Chile: managing multigenerational interests with desert, ranch, hiking, horses, and “lodge life”

LAUREN SCHOR | JANUARY 16, 2025

Our multigenerational family of eight just returned from a two-week trip to Chile over the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. From our first conversation, I knew that Jordan understood exactly what we were looking for and the challenges of traveling with both teenagers and grandparents. We take two-week trips every December together, so I’ve learned what is important to us when choosing how to navigate our trips. Jordan was very responsive and super patient—we had multiple phone conversations about the different options and destinations within Chile, and the pros and cons of each during the initial planning stage.

Once we had the itinerary down, Jordan handed me to Olivia on his team for all of the detail planning. Olivia was fabulous and always quick to respond, even to all of my last-minute trivial questions! Chile is a big country and I was initially skeptical of all the traveling and domestic flights. But I trusted Jordan’s expertise and he put together the perfect itinerary, building in just the right amount of buffers between places so we never felt like it was too much moving around, even though we took six flights and stayed in five places over the course of two weeks.

We LOVED all of our destinations and accommodations that Jordan suggested. Each of the places we visited was totally different and unique from the others. We started with four nights in the Atacama Desert in the northern part of the country at Explora, which was amazing. Explora has so many activities to choose from and we planned our itinerary once we arrived—moon valley, mars valley, the geysers, Cejar Salt Lagoon, Rainbow Valley, stargazing at Explora’s onsite observatory, and a hike to Explora’s private hot springs! Next we traveled all the way south to Patagonia and stayed at Cerra Guido, a ranch just outside of Torres Del Paine National Park for another four nights. Jordan suggested we stay here when I told him that we really like to experience a country’s culture, food and people when we travel. And Cerra Guido ended up being our favorite place we stayed on our trip!

Again, we didn’t plan our activities until we arrived, and they were super accommodating to everyone’s activity level and physical abilities—we even split up a couple of the days so everyone could do what they wanted. My sister-in-law and I did the iconic ten-hour hike to the base of the towers in Torres Del Paine, two of the teenagers went horseback riding with a gaucho, my husband and niece rode e-bikes, and my in-laws were taken by car to meet up with them. Then we also did some easier hikes and walks all together. We really enjoyed the lodge life and meeting other guests, not having to always dress up for dinner (sometimes even going to meals still in our hiking gear) and not having to worry about anything.

We were sad to leave Patagonia, but our next stop was a day and a half in Santiago (including New Year’s Eve) at Hotel Magnolia, which was a great boutique hotel and we had just enough time for a city tour and some good meals. On New Year’s Day we were driven about 2.5 hours to the Colchagua wine valley and one of the most special places we have ever experienced anywhere in the world. Clos Apalta is a gem, and once we arrived, we never wanted to leave. Jordan had told me it was a very special place and we almost passed on it for a closer wine region but again, Jordan was right! The villas and grounds are stunning and we all loved our two nights and three days here with the most amazing food and wine.

The food at all the places we stayed was incredible, the activities were amazing, and we even had a few once in a lifetime experiences! Standouts include running down the sand dunes in Mars Valley in the Atacama Desert, hiking to the base of the towers in Torres del Paine in Patagonia, and staying at Clos Apalta. I was initially worried the teens would get bored on this trip, and boy was I wrong! I’m looking forward to visiting other parts of South America and will definitely be calling Jordan when it’s time!

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Argentina: Patagonia, glamping in Bariloche, and a “hidden gem” estancia near Buenos Aires

AIMEE KLEIMAN | JANUARY 15, 2025

Argentina is magical. Having been there before over the winter holidays, we knew we wanted to focus on Buenos Aires for the first half and then Bariloche for the second half. What we did not anticipate was that Lucinda would introduce us to a hidden gem just a couple hours outside of Buenos Aires, Estancia La Madrugada Areco, that was truly the most perfect way to begin our two week Argentina adventure. We were thrilled with everything starting on day one.

Spending the first three nights at Estancia La Madrugada Areco was the perfect way to start the trip and I would recommend it to anyone looking to quickly ease into vacation mode or even to end there as a calming end to a trip if traveling extensively around the country. Within hours it felt that we had been there for days. The energy is calm, the land is stunning, and the farm house is lovely and comfortable. Having a private experience with just our family allowed us to get to know the staff and have an extremely personalized experience. We went out horseback riding each day and Cucho made me feel safe as an inexperienced rider and gave my daughter free reign to gallop through meadows as an experienced rider. We each got exactly what we needed. The food was excellent and we even had a cooking class with the chefs to learn to make empanadas. When we weren’t on horseback, there was plenty of space on the property to walk, play or read in the game room, or just sit by the pool. The horses walking around the property add a level of whimsy and fun. The time at the estancia was our most unique experience on this trip as we had an opportunity to learn about the gaucho culture and spend time with gauchos. One evening a lovely man from a famous gaucho family came to sing us folk songs around a fire and share stories with us. He only spoke Spanish, so some of us could understand, while others just listened, but it didn’t matter. He had so much passion and the music was so beautiful.

We went into the city of San Antonio de Areco, which was absolutely lovely! In addition to the outside market and gorgeous river, the streets are lined with beautiful boutiques for a fun day of shopping. Don’t miss the chocolate shop and the original gaucho bar that is over 200 years old! As a new destination within Argentina for us, I am grateful to have stayed there and highly recommend it. Additionally, Bariloche is my favorite city in Argentina, so I would highly encourage anyone visiting this beautiful country to make a trip to Bariloche in Patagonia. Views that can barely even be imagined, incredible hikes of varying difficulty for all types of people, and delicious restaurants. A new experience in Bariloche that was shockingly beautiful was our day swimming in the river at a glamping property near the Chilean border.

Lucinda was amazing from the start! Before the trip, she was an excellent communicator and offered us excellent options for activities and restaurants. Once in Argentina, Lucinda was still in touch regularly (as needed) and was able to help us any time we needed to make any changes, even last minute when we were running very late for a dinner reservation. I would recommend anyone use Lucinda for their Argentina adventure!

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Panama: The thrill of going “backstage” to view the canal with unparalleled access

TAMMY FROST | JANUARY 15, 2025

Pierre was amazing and very proactive in his communications. I decided I wanted to travel between Christmas & New Years pretty late (only 2 months before the holiday). Initially I was attempting to do the travel arrangements myself, with no luck in being able to make reservations, when I came onto Wendy’s site & in desperation filled out the survey. Pierre got back to me quickly and was able to put together an itinerary.

On the day of traveling down to Panama we were stuck sitting on our plane on the tarmac, and I reached out to Pierre to let him know & he communicated with the transportation company so that they were there when we finally arrived. Unfortunately, only 2 days into our trip, 2 of the 3 people traveling got very sick & I was in constant contact with him & he was helping as best he could remotely. I had to cancel one of our tours, but even though we were sick, we felt strongly that when in Panama, you have to see the canal.

So we kept that prearranged tour and boy was it worth it. He had mentioned that he was going to try for the “backstage pass.” Well he was able to pull it off & what an experience it was! We got to go beyond the locked fences where the rest of the people were forced to stay, and we were maybe 15 feet from the edge of the canal. We were told by the tour guide and the managing employee of the canal who got us into the restricted area that only dignitaries, royalty & very important people were given that privilege. Then to top it off, we were lucky enough to be there when a massive cruise ship entered the canal and we watched it move through the first 2 locks and got amazing photos. So it was so worth it to drag ourselves out of bed no matter how we felt since that experience couldn’t be duplicated!!!

Definitely recommend Pierre’s company and I would definitely use Wendy’s website to find other great tour operators in other countries. Thanks!

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Peru: macaws at the clay lick, relaxing in the Sacred Valley, meeting the people of Lamay

AUDREY MOORE | JANUARY 14, 2025

Our trip to Peru was one my family will remember forever. We started in the Amazon rainforest, and saw so much wildlife at the Tambopata Research Center. This really felt like a special place, and we felt very far away from civilization. My kids loved the birds, monkeys and boat rides. The food was great, our guide Dino was wonderful, and we had a great experience. The morning watching the macaws at the clay lick was a highlight. But we were pretty ready to escape the heat and the bugs after 3 days and get to the cooler air in the Andes.

We absolutely loved our time in the Sacred Valley and Cusco. The resort at Sol Y Luna was so nice that we had to force ourselves to leave to go adventuring each day. Our favorite day of the trip was the day we spent at the Lamay Village. It was so special to make friends and see how people live a simpler life high in the Andes. We also loved our one-day hike on the Inca trail into Machu Picchu—incredible! My family could have spent several more days exploring Cusco as well.

Every hotel on this trip was perfection. Our guide Rogers and driver Jose were both incredible. The locals treated us with such kindness everywhere we went. There is so much to see and do in Peru…10 days just wasn’t enough time!

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Bruges, Dresden & Prague: a “hybrid approach” to hopscotching among Christmas markets with travel planners

JACK DICKENS | JANUARY 12, 2025

My wife and I had never used a travel specialist but decided to enlist the help of one on a trip to visit Christmas markets in three European countries. Through Wendy’s website, we connected with Gwen. Wow, what a difference Gwen and her team made! Gwen’s expertise allowed us to make the most of our days while leaving our nights free to visit the Christmas markets.

Since we were new at this, and to determine the value of using a specialist, we planned the first leg of the trip ourselves (Bruges), used a hybrid approach with the second (Dresden), and relied on a travel specialist exclusively for the third (Prague). The trip that Gwen planned was by far the most enjoyable, stress-free and fulfilling.

The private tours that Gwen scheduled in Dresden provided helpful historical context and local insight. We visited well-known sites such as the Green Vault and the Old Masters Gallery, but also visited neighborhoods to see works by local artists. A particular highlight was visiting the site memorialized in Kurt Vonnegut’s Slaughterhouse Five. Just as important, we connected with our tour guides (Cosima and Klaus) on a personal level. What we learned from the stories our guides shared is not something that we would’ve learned on our own.

The private transfers arranged for us in Prague were top tier. We didn’t know how much that would mean to us until we got off the train. After arriving very late in Prague following delays with the train from Dresden, we found our driver, Lucas, waiting for us on the platform right at the exit of our train car. What a relief to not worry about navigating through a train station to find him!

The hotel that Gwen recommended in Prague was perfect for us. We had planned to stay near Old Town closer to the Christmas markets, but Gwen convinced us that a hotel in Lesser Town was the better choice, and she was right. The Aria Hotel kept us close to the markets and away from the crowds. We also got a room upgrade!

Our tour guide in Prague (Eva) ensured that we made the most of the two days that we spent with her. We visited the Strahov Monastery that included a private tour of the library. It was an amazing experience to be alone among books dating from the early 1100s. At the Lobkowicz Palace, we saw, among other things, a musical score handwritten by Mozart and an original score of Beethoven’s.

Prague was VERY crowded, and we were unaware that Prague does not have “skip-the-line” tickets. A few of the sites we intended to visit had lines that would have required us to wait for hours to get in, so Eva took us to other interesting landmarks and areas of town. For example, we hopped on a tram to visit a Christmas market that catered to locals that we would never have found on our own. While there, Eva explained local holiday traditions and the proper way to eat a Trdelnik!

After this experience, we’re firm believers in using a travel specialist. Every hotel, every guide, and every driver that was part of our trip contributed to an experience that felt both genuine and highly personalized. We’ll certainly be excited to work with Gwen and her team again!

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Oman & Dubai: beach at “Instagram-able” Zighy Bay, dune buggies in Sharjah, Dubai’s Burj Khalifa

JOHN BEVERIDGE | JANUARY 10, 2025

Overall, my family and I were very happy with our destination choices, which were all suggested by our travel planner. We spent three days on the beach in Oman, two days in the desert area of Ras Al-Khaimah and four days exploring Dubai—a great introduction to this part of the Middle East which also appealed to our teens who can get tired of museums, etc. pretty quickly.

In particular, Six Senses’ property at Zighy Bay stood out in terms of its uniqueness, luxury and physical plant/location. The resort only offers pool villas, which are incredibly well-designed/thought out, and once you step out the door of each and every one of them your toes are in the sand. There are no hallways or buildings really at this resort. The food is tremendous (albeit tremendously expensive) and the services and activities, including a world-class spa with hammam, and microlights/paragliders which the whole family flew on, shine as well. There may not be a more “Instagram-able” resort in the world—just visit the website for a few minutes. It is an utterly exotic place, as is the road getting there…!

Next we traveled into the desert and stayed at the Ritz-Carlton, Ras Al-Khaimah where we spent Xmas Eve and Xmas. A completely different idea in terms of a resort (think overly ornate, marble floors, etc.) but at the edge of the desert in a nature conservancy complete with animals walking around the grounds. It was a treat to climb a few dunes, ride camels and put our toes in the sand. As always, food at the Ritz was top-notch as well. The only thing we will say about this resort is that despite the amazing staff, services, food, activities and spa, and very nice, spacious rooms, the exterior of the place needs a refurb/upgrade. Lots of paint peeling on the outside of the hotel, a bit dirty here and there and some of the fountains seemed to be out of order (strange for a Ritz). On our way to Dubai we rented dune buggies and sand boarded in the dunes of Sharjah for a few hours which was also a blast.

Dubai was fantastic and interesting. At our agent’s suggestion, we did a full day tour of the city including visiting the spice and gold souks, riding a ferry across the “creek,” touring through old Dubai, and a trip to the top of the Burj Khalifa. Make sure you factor in traffic when moving around Dubai as during the festive season it is particularly crazy. Even our tour guide was annoyed by it!

Our agent suggested staying at the Ritz-Carlton JBR, which I would also strongly recommend if you have teens as it is located right along the JBR walk with shops and restaurants they can explore on their own in this very safe city. The Ritz JBR is located on the relatively uncrowded and very wide beach just west of the Palm Jumeirah. The beach to the west of the Ritz (at the Rixos and further down) really narrows right down to the water’s edge and was completely packed with people. We are so happy we stayed at the Ritz there for the beach alone, let alone their amazing tiki bar restaurant on the beach. Once again the food was very much up to Ritz standards and the company is clearly investing in this resort.

The trip was amazing; I am so sad it is over because I thought about it for nine months before going!

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Australia & New Zealand: a breadth of island, city, and cultural exploration in a mere 12 days

JESSE DEUTSCH | JANUARY 9, 2025

New Zealand and Australia are truly magnificent destinations, and my recent trip with my wife Alison was nothing short of extraordinary and expertly organized by Stuart’s local team, Sara and Jacki. It has been on our bucket list for 30 years and we went for our sesquicentennial (both turning 60 and 30 years of marriage). Our adventure began in Auckland, where we were captivated by the stunning skyline and vibrant culture. We explored the picturesque waterfront, indulged in local cuisine, and even took a ferry to Waiheke Island for some hiking and wine tasting under the sun.

Next, we traveled to Queenstown, the adventure capital of New Zealand. Surrounded by breathtaking mountains, we embraced the thrill of jet boating and took a scenic cruise on Lake Wakatipu. The adrenaline rush was matched only by the stunning views as we took a helicopter to Milford Sound and a boat ride on the sound, making it a highlight of our trip. We also hiked the Routeburn track and Lake Alta.

After a quick flight to Australia, we landed in Melbourne for a great couple of days touring the city and having some great food at Vue du Monde. Our journey continued to Kangaroo Island, a nature lover’s paradise. We marveled at the stunning landscapes, and encountered koalas and kangaroos in their natural habitat.. The resort at Southern Oceans was spectacular. A quick stop in Adelaide for wine tasting and then off to the Great Barrier Reef and Lizard Island. The resort was spectacular and we went snorkeling each day to a whole new world of life under the water. From there our final stop was Sydney. The iconic Sydney Opera House took our breath away, and we enjoyed dinner and a show there. We also made sure to visit Bondi Beach, where we soaked up the sun and savored delicious seafood at a nearby café. A boat ride on the harbor and a tour of the beaches up to Palm Beach were highlights.

Overall, a great experience with all the details organized for us. Stuart and his team were very flexible in crafting our agenda to get as much in as we could.

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Japan: snowboarding and Snow Monkey Park, Yudanaka hot springs, Gibli and Sanrio in Tokyo

JENNIFER CHENG | JANUARY 8, 2025

When my two teens and pre-teen told me they wanted to visit Tokyo and go snowboarding in Japan, I started researching the trip and got quickly overwhelmed trying to plan a trip for 5. I had engaged a Wendy Perrin travel planner for our trip to Hawaii, so I felt confident that another Wendy Perrin travel planner would be helpful. I didn’t expect that Andrea and his team would be essential to a very successful and memorable trip! Shoutout to Bernice and Juliana for coordinating all the little details and being our WhatsApp guardian angels!

In our first meeting, I threw out all the usual things families do in Tokyo: TeamLab, Ghibli, Disney, Sanrio, Ginza shopping (all of which was scheduled and thoroughly enjoyed). But then Andrea told me that when my family went snowboarding, I had to see the snow monkeys, and he was right! Honestly, I was a little skeptical, but my day with the snow monkeys was magical, a highlight of my trip. I loved seeing my family off on the slopes and then making my way by bus and then through the woods to the Snow Monkey Park where the snow monkeys were enjoying the hot springs while the snow fell, ending my visit with a yummy ramen and matcha latte. I then had a beautiful walk through the snowy town to our ryokan where I enjoyed our room’s private balcony onsen and then very special dinner. Truly, our mid-trip detour to Yudanaka was my favorite part of the trip, and I would not have had such a lovely experience without the expertise of Andrea and team.

The first and last legs of our trip were in two locations in Tokyo, the Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel in Shibuya and the Tsuki Tokyo in Ginza, both great for families and very well-located. We loved our guide Juliana at the beginning of the trip, as she was a delightful addition to our family, like the best fun auntie. After our two days with Juliana, the kids missed her the rest of the trip. She taught us how to navigate the trains and helped us pick places to eat and shop and find some face wash the girls forgot! Having all the tips and transportation details sorted helped tremendously and eliminated frustration for sure. I cannot imagine navigating Tokyo station with all 5 of us and all our luggage without our helpers. During the trip, I marveled at all the moving parts and was so thankful for all the planning from Andrea and the team. As the kids say, it was epic!

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Scandinavia: Oslo’s Christmas market, Northern Lights in Alta, up close to Sami culture

LAURA PROBST | JANUARY 6, 2025

Torunn billed this as our Scandinavian Christmas Fairytale Adventure. And it truly was!

We wanted to do something out of the ordinary, unique, and unlike anything we’d planned before. From the start,
Torunn helped us choose Christmas time for what we were looking for—Northern Lights, unique animal encounters, authentic local interactions.

We visited Oslo, then went up to Finnmark and trekked along the areas of Alta, Karasjok and Nesseby Bay above the Arctic Circle, drove a bit through the Laplands and ended with a few days in Helsinki. This gave us everything we hoped for and more!

Arriving the day after Christmas, we were still in time to visit Oslo’s festive Christmas market and enjoy some of the city’s holiday decor and seasonal foods. Then getting to Alta, we stayed in beautifully small lodges with exceptional hospitality and got to see the Northern Lights almost every night. We also got to really understand Sami culture, as Torunn arranged really special experiences like New Years Eve with a Sami family…who after cooking us reindeer stew for dinner, packed us up on their covered snowmobile to go for an adventure in the woods to make a hot chocolate pit in snow and feed baby reindeer (after taking us to the best view to see the Northern Lights show for the night). We loved the hospitality at the Bjornfjell Mountain Lodge, where the staff took our kids sledding as late as they wanted every night (pulling them on a sleigh from their snowmobile about a mile up the hill). There are only a handful of cabins there and tons of activities like snow shoeing, ice sculpting, and reindeer rides.

Torunn knew we didn’t want to spend our whole trip on planes or on long car rides getting from point to point, and so broke up our moves with special activities like dog sledding at Trasti & Trine (in between Alta and Karasjok). Hannah and her team there are AMAZING with the pups and gave us such fantastic education about dog mushing, helped get perfectly geared up for maximum comfort, then letting us prep the sleds and take care of the dogs before letting us each drive our own sleds, highly recommend this!

We then moved to the Engholm Husky Lodge where the owner Sven has hand-crafted all 8 lodges along with every furnishing and decoration in each. We could not stop taking photos of every unique fixture and item there—all so cool and smart. And living with the dogs and going out with the local Samis there was incredible.

Torunn encouraged us to go to Nesseby Bay on the Varangerfjord for our last stop in Finnmark and I’m so glad she did. There are only two cabins and a sauna there, and we had the place to ourselves with our host Edgar. The cabins are pods with glass sides that look out at the bay—Edgar makes everything himself, and we spent our days crab fishing, relaxing in our sauna, visiting the local reindeer sanctuary and using Edgar’s skate-sleds to move around the quiet roads along the bay. We could sit and look at the moon and Saturn and every constellation starting by 1pm every day, and just felt like we were on another planet. It was incredible!

Torunn did a really great job listening to what we liked and recommending accommodations and curating activities that were perfectly aligned to our interests. Multiple times throughout the trip we found ourselves exclaiming how much we loved what we had just experienced. She also made sure we packed everything we needed to be comfortable on an Arctic trip.

We have done many trips with Wendy’s planners and this was definitely one of the best. So unique and special—we will be talking about it for years to come.

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Colombia: Christmas in Medellin, cooking in Cartagena, hiking the coffee triangle, beaching in Baru

JULIE STONBERG | JANUARY 6, 2025

Our trip to Columbia was fabulous—we did and saw so much. I had contacted our travel planner Boris with the idea to spend some time in Cartagena and then maybe at a beach, and he really convinced me to see more of the country, which I’m so thankful for. We had about 11 days so we chose three destinations and then two days at a beach resort. We were traveling as a family of five—three young adult kids and then my son’s girlfriend who joined for Cartagena.

After speaking with Boris a few times about us and how we travel and what we like to see and do (incorporating everyone’s interests—a challenge sometimes!) he came up with a tentative itinerary which we then finalized together over the next few weeks. He had amazing suggestions and also really listened to any concerns I had. His team basically planned/took care of everything from that point on—two internal domestic flights, my son leaving on an earlier flight from Medellin to meet his girlfriend, all airport pick-ups and transfers, and amazing professional guides in each place we visited—the coffee region, Medellin, and Cartagena (and then Baru). We felt totally supported and taken care of at all times—members of Boris’ team are in touch easily throughout the stay in-country and very responsive if I had any questions. The four properties we stayed at I thought were exceptional. We had so many amazing and varied experiences I would totally recommend working with Boris to visit Colombia.

Specifically: Trip was amazing. Spending time in Medellin over Christmas was a little tricky because not a lot was open, but we were able to have a full day of touring in the city and then took a day trip outside the city on Christmas Day. The hotel we stayed in was helpful in finding a restaurant that was open that night that was fabulous. We unfortunately didn’t get to really see the Christmas lights which I wanted to because it was POURING and we were tired and no one was up for walking the length of them in the rain. (We saw from the car.) Honestly we had so many great experiences in each place. The hike and bike ride in the coffee triangle were both great. We saw things by bike that we couldn’t have seen any other way, including families preparing to roast pigs for Christmas Eve. We loved touring Medellin, riding the cable cars, touring District 13 and learning about the history of the city, especially the recent history. We had two really fun cooking classes—one in Medellin, one in Cartagena, and both very different. The chocolate and rum tasting in Cartagena that Boris arranged was fabulous as was the boat day snorkeling around the Rosario islands, and the street art / food tour the final day. We had two fabulous lunches in the coffee region, one at the coffee farm and one in Finlandia.

We did so much that when we got to the Sofitel Baru we just basically relaxed on the beach for the last few days. I couldn’t have done this trip without Boris and his company—there is no way.

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Norway: private yacht tour, Michelin dining, seaweed & wool farms, “magical” arctic islands

ROBYN AND DAN NEEDHAM | JANUARY 1, 2025

We visited Norway for the first time over American Thanksgiving week. Our trip was magical. It was just my husband and me and we both left saying it was the best trip we have taken. And that says a lot because we have been fortunate to have made many memorable trips around the world and around North America.

Our Norway trek began in Stavanger, Norway’s fourth largest city, but keep in mind even with that stat, it is a very charming small city of about 150,000 people. A church still stands and is used to this day from the medieval times. Stavanger also has an amazing museum dedicated to the oil industry that has been a vital part of the Norwegian economy. However, one thing you probably don’t expect is that we had some of our best culinary experiences ever in Stavanger. We ate at a Michelin star rated restaurant, Renaa, that was fabulous. But we also ate at another restaurant not Michelin rated, yet, that was just as fabulous named Tango. Not only was the food fabulous, but the sommelier, Jonathan, created the most enthusiastic experience we have had anywhere. We highly recommend both places.

During our stay in Stavanger, we stayed at the Eilert Smith Hotel. Our room was amazing with lots of space, a kitchenette, dining table where we were served breakfast each morning and a bath with double sinks and fantastic shower. The location was perfect in the heart of Stavanger with everything downtown in easy walking distance. Renaa also had its restaurant in the bottom floor of the Eilert Smith, which made it an awesome experience to spend 4 hours at an amazing dinner and walk upstairs to our fantastic room. We highly recommend this place to stay. The staff was amazing and most accommodating with any requests.

Our stay in Stavanger also featured a private yacht tour of Lysefjord from Stavanger. We cruised on Helge’s 70+ foot yacht that was simply amazing. This also was our only day of significant sunshine on our trip and we took advantage with amazing views of Lysefjord from the top deck of the yacht. We also enjoyed a picnic lunch with Sparkling Wine on the back of the yacht enclosed with comfortable heating to make the experience one of a kind. We highly recommend the experience. You will be treated to the most amazing experience!

We then toured the Lysefjord and surrounding areas by car with a private guide. We visited a couple local markets and viewed an amazing boulder field in the surrounding mountains. The end of the day we finished with a dinner at a charming local restaurant before checking in at The Bolder lodges that overlook Lysefjord. Our tour guide was also an experienced hiker and my husband joined him on a hike the following day up to the top of the cliffs overlooking Lysefjord. It was a hiking trail only known to locals and proved to be well worth the effort with the view from the top.

Our next destination was to the arctic circle in the Lofoten islands. After four flights, we arrived in Leknes on our way to Hattvika Lodge in Ballstad. Three hours of daylight in this most magical place. Kristian, the owner along with his wife of Hattvika Lodge was an amazing host that took us on walking tours of the historic fishing village of Ballstad; a visit to a sheep farm where they weave their own wool clothing (Lofoten Wool); a visit to Lofoten Seaweed (the water was too rough to harvest our own seaweed that day) where we met the owner that has developed health products, food products, etc. using the sustainable benefits of seaweed; and a nighttime search for the elusive Northern Lights, which Kristian found unbelievably in a short window of clear skies before clouds rolled in again. Our cabin at Hattvika was part of the fishing village that is now converted into lodging. We had an amazing two bedroom, two bath cabin with a wood burning stove and kitchen. Hattvika also provided a tasting of Cod Liver Oil along with the history of its use and benefits. The lodge also had an amazing restaurant, Fangst. Fangst translates to catch, or catch of the day, and the meals highlighted the local fish offerings, which we amazing. We ate our all our meals there while staying and did not repeat one entrée during our stay. The Hattvika lodge is surrounded by the inlet bay in Ballstad and the views were incredible eating at Fangst and from our cabin. We highly recommend visiting Kristian and the team at Hattvika Lodge. You will not be disappointed.

From Ballstad, we departed by car to Kvitnes Gard with a stop in Livland Gard. Livland Gard is a sheep farm owned by Roy and his wife. Roy is a unique individual with lots of creative ideas. At Livland Gard, Roy has had local IT experts create a 3D experience of local history pursuing mining of iron ore. From the 3D historic record of the mines to the railroads and ships at the port, he will enthrall you with local history in his large viewing room. From there, Roy actually takes you physically into the surrounding area to actually view in person the sites he had recreated in 3D. it is an amazing experience in a beautiful part of Norway. Once all the touring is done, Roy and his wife treat you to an amazing charcuterie board consisting of local meats, cheeses and seafood. They then top it all off to Roy’s own ice cream brand they make locally on the farm. A hidden gem that we highly recommend everyone to see. You will come away enriched beyond your expectations.

Final destination via car was Kvitnes Gard. A local sustainable farm that offers both a lodge and a Michelin type experience (they are still seeking official star rating) at dinner in the amazing farmhouse. You enjoy a 20+ course culinary experience in a charming farmhouse and amazing staff serving dishes provided by the farm and local area. And then at the end of the meal, all you have to do is climb the stairs to a charming room to stay the night. The next day we even enjoyed helping the staff feed the animals including chickens, pigs, sheep and cows.

We flew to our final destination of Bergen before we had to head home. Bergen was the original capital of Norway and was established in the 11th century. A city that is a sister city to Seattle and it will absolutely remind you so much of Seattle. We stayed at the posh Opus XVI. Our room was a junior suite that was well apportioned. The history of Bergen is unmatched and buildings still exist from its early days, and the fort at the entrance to the harbor is a site that must be visited.

Norway is a beautiful country, with water and mountains that highlight that beauty, but we walked away experiencing the beauty of its culture and people. We met the most engaging and interesting people. That is what made our trip most magical and memorable.

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Morocco: sunrise balloon over Marrakesh, city sidecar tour, sunset camel ride & desert dinner

JOE MCBRINE | JANUARY 1, 2025

My boyfriend and I were in Marrakesh, Morocco (November 17-23 ) enjoying a trip put together by Helen and her team. If you’re wondering whether Morocco is a good place to go in November, it is! The weather is manageable (temps on average 58-80F) and the crowds are noticeably thinner than high season. This was my second trip organized by this amazing team of travel specialists, as they put together a wonderful trip for us to Egypt in 2021. This time around I had perhaps an unusual request—this was to be a birthday trip for both of us (I was turning 50)—and we wanted a trip that was a bit slower paced than what we were normally used to. BUT—we still wanted to see everything that we could fit into our time there.

I really connected with Helen—(and turns out she was celebrating her 50th the same week!)—who put great thought into our trip. We stayed at the beautiful Amanjena in Marrakech for the first part of our trip followed by a stay at the gorgeous and private Olinto Resort in the Atlas Mountain region for the latter portion. Simo our guide and Tuareg our driver were phenomenal.

In our short time in Morocco we enjoyed a private sunrise balloon ride over Marrakesh, took a motorcycle/side car tour of the city which included a private tour of a beautiful art deco home—its owner was both lovely and gracious. We had a spa day with a traditional hammam experience along with a relaxing massage afterwards. The highlight however was a wonderful WOW Moment put together by Wendy and her team. We enjoyed a sunset camel ride in the nearby Agafay desert followed by an exquisite dinner in the desert, complete with live Moroccan musicians playing traditional music, as well as an after dinner astronomy lesson from a local expert. It was truly beyond from start to finish and we were very grateful for the experience.

The last portion of our trip in the Atlas Mountains was also memorable and included a guided private hike with a professional mountain climber as well as relaxing times in our private heated pool at the Olinto Resort. 5 stars to Helen and her team!

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Argentina & Uruguay: trekking and cycling, tasting at boutique vineyards, estancias with home-cooked meals

LINDA SHOREY | DECEMBER 29, 2024

We recently returned from a trip to Argentina and Uruguay planned for us by Jordan Harvey and his travel company. We used them for our Covid-twice-postponed trip to Chile in 2023 and returned to them after we stumbled on a very good business class fare on American Airlines from JFK to EZE for 18 days this December. Initially we thought this would be just a trip to Argentina. Then we saw how close Uruguay was to Buenos Aires—just a short ferry ride away! This eventually led to Uruguay being the focus of the trip.

We decided to find out what life was like in rural Uruguay. Two estancias were identified, one which offered an opportunity for Spanish lessons, as well as trekking, bicycling, and horseback riding. We passed on riding the horses, as old bones break more easily, but much enjoyed the bicycling and trekking opportunities. Estancias in Uruguay are working farms, so one should not choose them if expecting to be coddled. They were perfect for this farm girl and would be for those who love animals and birds! And the home cooked food at both was delicious, with local items used to make wonderful salads and stews, as well as the delicious grilled carne.

Jordan highly recommended we stay at the Narbona Winery Lodge in Carmelo, and we did. It was a lovely, quiet place where one can walk or bike through the vineyards and surrounding dirt roads with almost no traffic. Jordan’s team arranged for two very enjoyable boutique vineyard visits for us while at Narbona, in addition to the wine tasting at Narbona. Uruguay wines are very good, although almost impossible to find in the US. We loved the 100% Tannats and red blends.

We also spent three days in Montevideo. It is a quiet city but has a La Rambla that provides a great walking and biking opportunity of 24 km along the Atlantic Ocean. Also while in Montevideo, Jordan’s team arranged a visit with Lobo Nunez, a world renown drummer, who can make music using anything. It was a participatory visit where we made music using some interesting items!

Jordan’s team also was able to arrange visits to some unique places in Uruguay that we wanted to visit. They even arranged for one, a geographic UNESCO site—Grutas del Palacio—normally closed on the day we were near it, to be opened just for us. We enjoyed a private tour with two of the sites guides. They also were able to arrange a tour of an ancient archaeological site called Valle del Hilo de la Vida located on the land of a private owner, which was most interesting.

And we did spend three nights in Buenos Aires at a wonderful, tiny, boutique hotel that Jordan recommended, located in a quiet residential neighborhood with nice cafes where we sampled regional cuisine, local beers, and delicious flan.

Jordan and his staff are easy to work with and we recommend his company for consideration when thinking about travel to Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, and surrounding countries.

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Belize: private jungle cruise, night hike & morning birdwatch, catamaran snorkeling

LAURIE SCHUFTAN | DECEMBER 28, 2024

My husband Michael and I had a wonderful time celebrating our 30th anniversary in Belize! Initially, I knew very little about Belize, however, after my face-to-face call with our trip planner Patricia, I was intrigued and excited to visit. We had one week to travel, and Patricia pointed out the non-stop flights between Newark and Belize City. We traveled from December 7th through the 14th. With Patricia’s guidance, I opted to spend three nights in the jungle and four nights in the beach area. We spent four fabulous days with our driver, David, who met us at the airport and took us to our first hotel.

Our private villa at the Lodge at Chaa Creek was beautifully appointed and set amid the lushness of the jungle. Anniversary wishes, fresh fruit, and a ready-to-hatch butterfly pupa greeted us in the villa. For the next three days, David expertly navigated the very rustic roads to our private jungle cruise on a pontoon boat, tours of Xunantunich, Cahal Pech & Barton Creek Cave, and down to Placencia. David was a great guide and very personable. He knew people everywhere! In addition to David, we had Nadir guide us down the river, and Leo paddle us through and tell us about the cave. Michael and I had limited time to take advantage of all the opportunities available at the amazing Lodge at Chaa Creek. Still, we managed a night hike, a morning birdwatch tour, and a visit to the Butterfly Farm.

Our home for the last four nights was a gorgeous beach side villa at Naia Resort & Spa. Again, we were greeted with anniversary wishes, flowers and balloons. The next day, we had a fantastic day on a private catamaran to Moho Caye, where we snorkeled and our guide Mike and Captain Leo (different Leo) grilled a delicious BBQ lunch on the beach. The next day, we had an evening food tour in Placencia. Rego took us to many local spots and explained all of the tasty foods and drinks we enjoyed along the way. He also pointed out other spots to try out on our own. Fortunately, I had previously decided to cancel the excursion I had planned for our final day in Belize. Michael and I spent that day in Placencia taking in more of the tastes of the town and souvenir shopping.

From the moment we arrived in Belize, Patricia’s staff were in contact with us. They established a WhatsApp chat with Michael and me, greeted us on arrival, answered any questions we posed, and provided updates every step of our trip. We found Belize to be an enchanting country with its diversity of topographies and cultures and very warm, welcoming people.

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Antarctica: a “phenomenal” expedition team on the Sylvia Earle, and pre-trip excursion to Uruguay

TERRY AND DOUG MACDONALD | DECEMBER 26, 2024

We are grateful for the advice & expertise offered by Ashton and his staff assisting my husband Doug & myself in organizing a pre-trip excursion to Uruguay along with a three-week Antarctic Expedition on Aurora Expeditions Sylvia Earle. This type of travel requires a level of expertise that first timers do not have, and I appreciate their input & knowledge of the area in advising us on a longer itinerary than we were considering. It was a wonderful experience.

Our initial trip was scheduled during Covid in 2021, which of course was canceled along with our second attempt at this bucket list trip in 2023 due to a medical injury. Ashton’s team assisted us each time with new plans, transferring our deposit and handling our insurance promptly to consider new options during each attempt. Their professionalism was exceptional as it was over a four-year planning time frame to actually experience this trip. Having dealt with numerous advisors during our three attempts at planning this expedition, each person we were in contact with was prompt in responding to our questions and concerns. Ashton has a great staff!

The wait was well worth the journey! We knew we would only be able to travel to this region of the world once due to our age & the significant expense of the expedition. Ashton helped us with the ship & itinerary selection, which included the Falkland Islands, South Georgia Islands and Antarctica to give us the broadest experience in visiting the wildlife & history of this amazing area. His recommendation of Aurora Expeditions was spot on for our travel style, and since we kept postponing our trip, we were able to ultimately travel on their newest ship Sylvia Earle, which allowed for some adventurous options in a comfortable and modern expedition ship.

The expedition team on the Sylvia Earle was phenomenal, providing multiple zodiac stops at each area we visited with informative lectures to enhance our experience. There were a number of travel planners from various international travel companies taking the early season trip with our ship that were enthusiastic about the quality of the staff & the level of activities we were exposed to, so even though it was our first & only trip to the region, we really felt we were on the best ship sailing at that time! Our expedition leader on the Sylvia Earle had lived in South Georgia Islands for a few years and was well connected with the region, so many zodiac stops included hikes to areas that were not visited by other ships. Her knowledge of this part of the world greatly influenced the success of our trip, in both the flexibility of the itinerary and the knowledge of the conditions we were sailing in. Lucky for us the weather was also beautiful each day over the 20-day sailing and very few times that the ocean crossing was unpleasant.

The additional week in Uruguay prior to our expedition departure was actually organized through Ashton with another WOW Lister we had used on a previous trip through Argentina. They helped us plan an itinerary that allowed us to see some of the highlights of this small country, starting in Montevideo and traveling to the coastal regions of Punte del Este and Jose Ignacio, with the last few days spent relaxing in a gorgeous winery in Carmelo, Narbona Wine Lodge.

We travel extensively and over the years have done most of our travel itineraries on our own with great success. However, the times we have used Wendy’s WOW Listers in the past few years have consistently been some of our best trips. We highly recommend Ashton & intend to contact him again on a future trip to the Arctic.

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Africa: two safaris most days, private time with baby elephants, surrounded by “kind and genuinely happy” people

DAWN CRITCHLEY | DECEMBER 21, 2024

Dawn Critchley here. Just back from a marvelous trip to East Africa…Kenya and Tanzania. I went as a solo traveler November 2-29, dividing my time between the two countries. And what a trip it was. All put together by Cherri and her team… Frankie and Katie. All lodges /camps were so unique, special, and private. Transfers (usually small aircraft) between destinations were seamless. Food was absolutely scrumptious, and so beautifully and thoughtfully prepared. My guides were unbelievably knowledgeable in all aspects of nature. I have deep respect and appreciation for them. My days were filled with such joy and wonder, words don’t do it justice. The people are so welcoming, kind, and genuinely happy.

This adventure was truly mind blowing, and I find it difficult to single out a few memorable times. Safaris were spectacular! Kenya: Amboseli National Park, Lewa Conservancy, the Maasai Mara; Tanzania: The Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater. The Acacia trees, open grasslands and savannahs, and the kopjes, were breathtaking… being able to turn 360 degrees and see nothing but sky. To be able to look as far as the eye can see, and see nobody else…. Indescribable. The wildlife was stunning!!! The big five and so much more. To name a few: Cheetah and cubs, Grevy’s Zebra, hippos, Serval, Caracal, Bat-eared fox, Jackals, Hyenas, herds of Wildebeasts…. I went on two safaris most days.

While in the Lewa Conservancy, I had a surprise breakfast prepared out in the bush after an early morning safari. And to top it off, a surprise camel ride back to the lodge!!! It was a blast…I loved it!

I experienced fly camping, where I did a walking safari from one camp to another. My companions were my guide, Josphat, and an armed ranger, Naurori. Jamelex drove ahead in a jeep in case needed for an unforeseen event. On arrival, a private fly camp had been set up. A glorious fire was going. We had our sundowners, roasted marshmallows on the fire, great conversation and a wonderful dinner prepared. A bucket shower and sleeping in a dome tent was so much fun and such an experience. And to be able to see a night sky alive with stars was a sight to behold.

My private visit to the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in Nairobi was such a unique and intimate experience. I learned in more detail their work and challenges facing elephants in Kenya. And, their mission of rescuing and rehabbing elephants and rhinos who have been orphaned (mainly by poaching) or injured, as well as caring for other wildlife in need. I was able to have a private encounter with the baby elephants and interact with them as they were frolicking in the mud pools, ending up splattered in mud myself! So much fun with these darlings.

A visit to a Maasai village in Ngorongoro was so informative and truly amazing. The Maasai are some of the happiest people I’ve encountered.

A visit to the Lake Eyasi area and interactions with the Hadzabe, Datoga and Blacksmith tribes was truly eye-opening and humbling. I was fortunate to be able to go on a hunt in the bush with the Hadzabe and witness their superb skills with bow and arrow, then build a fire, and prepare their catch. They are one of the last hunter-gatherer tribes in Tanzania. They live truly at one with nature.

This review was such a small sampling of what I experienced in these remarkable countries. Every day was special as well as an adventure. I could never have planned a trip of this magnitude with such variety and without any glitches without Cherri and her team.

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Sicily: touring an almond farm, granita tasting in Noto, and cooking with a chef in Siracusa

VIRGINIA SOCOLOF | DECEMBER 18, 2024

Much needed R&R in Sicily!

My husband and I needed a relaxing mid-October trip to celebrate our only daughter’s departure for college, and after reading Matteo and Marcello’s profile on Wendy’s website, we chose Sicily. We can’t imagine a better decision! Matteo asked me what we wanted to do, and we told him to plan a highlights tour of his favorites with an emphasis on food, wine, and enough history to keep us awake.

Every day a guide and/or driver appeared to take us somewhere new, and we learned a lot about Sicily as we toured a Roman villa, Mount Etna, a few churches, 2 wineries, and an almond farm. We had lovely hotels in both Palermo and Siracusa—Matteo did a great job of finding properties with a gym that were still specifically Sicilian. Both of us gained weight despite a lot of walking, as the food was incredible. Our guides were top-notch, spoke perfect English, and seemed to genuinely enjoy their work. There were no hiccups in the travel arrangements and both of us completely relaxed—the only way we could tell the day of the week was to look at the itinerary!

Matteo checked in with us by phone, tweaked our itinerary when there was an issue with a guide so we missed none of our planned activities, and even met us on the last day for a granita tasting in Noto. Perhaps our favorite evening was spent with Chef Maurizio, an award-winning chef in Siracusa. We had a “market tour” in his restaurant kitchen, chose our ingredients, and cooked a delicious meal using techniques that I brought back home. Maurizio is hilariously entertaining as well as a superb chef, and we loved our experience at Macalle. I’m already thinking about another trip to Sicily as there are nonstops to Catania from the East Coast starting spring 2025—this time I want to spend more time in Noto and go up into southern Italy on the ferry. Thank you Matteo, Marcello, and Wendy!!

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Argentina: asado barbecue dining, meeting with artists, wine pairing—and recipe sharing—with chefs

PEGGY MURPHY | DECEMBER 16, 2024

We have just returned from a wonderful two-week birthday trip to Argentina planned by Maita and Malena. During the planning session we told Maita we wanted to experience the “real” Argentina through food, art, people, and nature. She listened and then planned an exceptional trip that exceed our expectations.

The tone of our trip was set the minute we landed as we were lucky to see the Jacarandas trees in full bloom. This natural beauty was repeated throughout our adventures in Buenos Aries, Lujan de Cuyo Valley and Uco Valley in Mendoza, and finally Calafate. To see the glaciers up close was an incredible experience. Maita and Malena created many unforgettable moments for this special trip which included birthday wishes at every restaurant and resort. Wonderful guides/drivers, Gloria (food tour), Victoria (fantastic day tour), and Marcos (fun and engaging driver/guide) shared with us their love for their country. We also enjoyed a variety of restaurants that showed us the many layers of Argentina. Each restaurant was better than the last. One of our favorite dining experiences was at the Asado where all the food was cooked by women chefs! We are looking forwarded to sharing some of our favorites with our family back in the States, as the team was kind enough to send recipes!

We were also grateful for Maita and Malena’s suggestions where to stay in each location. We loved the seclusion of Eolo and the beauty of Cavas Wine Lodge. Cavas quickly became our favorite resort as we sat on our terrace looking at the sunset sipping wine! Also, the special birthday dinner on our terrace at Cavas with a fire, the sunset, and a sampling of the foods and wines of Argentina will be a memory to last a long time!

Highlights of our trip included meeting two very talented artists: visual artist Sergio Roggerone and his lovely wife Marina and silversmith Juan Carlos Pallarols. Each of these artists were generous with their time. We enjoyed talking with them, learning about their art, and sharing common experiences. We also enjoyed our visit to the Monastery of the Preaching Christ and spending time with Father Diego and his dog! And of course what would a trip to Argentina be without a little (or in our case a lot) of wine tastings. We most enjoyed wine tasting when it was paired with delicious lunches at Lagarde Winery, Zuccardi Piedra Infinita Winery and our WOW Moment of a gourmet picnic lunch on the grounds of another beautiful winery. We look forward to sharing our wine purchases with friends and family back home!

It was also nice to receive consistent communication during our trip from Maita, Malena and the team. They used WhatsApp to provide driver information, pick up time, boarding passes, and to ask about our day. We are thankful for all the planning and attention to detail that Maita, Malena and the team provided. Even after our trip was over, Maita continues to help us on a purchase we made. Thanks for making this birthday trip a very memorable adventure!

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Italy: oceanfront in Sestri Levante, boating the Bay of Poets, Piedmont truffle-hunting & cooking class

JEFF STENGEL | DECEMBER 15, 2024

We recently returned from a trip to Italy. Our trip began with our attendance at a 6 day destination birthday party at a large villa in Tuscany for good friends we met when living in Switzerland about 20 years ago.

Following the birthday party we continued on to northern Italy on a trip we planned with Emanuela and her team. Our first stop was Sestri Levante. We stayed at a fantastic hotel right on the water. The ocean views, the people and the restaurants were wonderful and while very close to Cinque Terra we avoided all the crowds associated with it. One of the highlights of this stay was to be a 7 hour private boat tour of the Cinque Terra coast. On our drive from Tuscany we had encountered significant rain and high winds. When arriving at our hotel Emanuela contacted us to let us know the boat’s captain had determined the seas were predicted to be way too rough for the next few days for this boat tour. Emanuela reacted quickly and suggested an alternative boat tour of the Bay of Poets which is close to Cinque Terra but protected from the open seas. She arranged a great boat and captain, Marco.

Marco took us on a great tour of the Bay of Poets, seeing several fishing villages, some massive yachts, the Italian Naval Academy, great scenery and a stop at Porto Venere. We explored the small town and had an excellent lunch at an ocean front restaurant. Marco also took us on a very short ride outside of the Bay to show us how rough the open sea was, and we all agreed that the 7 hour boat trip in 15 foot swells would not have been a good idea.

While in Sestri Levante we also had a chance to visit Portofino and had a great lunch at a beach club close to town. Leaving Sestri Levante we headed north to the Langhe area of Piedmont. We stayed at a modern resort which included its own winery in the middle of the vineyards close to Costigliole d’Asti. The views from our patio looking out over the vineyards at the many hilltop towns was fantastic. On several clear days we could see the snow-capped Alps off in the distance.

While in Langhe, Emanuela had planned many excellent adventures. We visited some very prestigious wineries. We tasted fantastic Barolo and Barbaresco wines and met some very interesting and engaging wine makers. Driving through the hills of the region and experiencing the ancient hill towns was like no other wine region we had visited before. We also visited had a chance to explore the Asti region and visited the caves dug by local winemakers starting in the 16th century and still used today to age their wines. The sparkling wines were great as well as the lunch we had at Casa Crippa in Canelli.

Our adventures did not end with wine. We went truffle hunting with Vittoria, one of the few female truffle hunters in the region with her dog “Alba.” It was lots of fun following Alba though the woods searching for truffles. She found three nice sized black truffles on our hunting trip. After the hunt we had a two hour truffle lunch at Vittoria’s family home, which was fantastic; “truffles five ways.” One of the other highlights of our trip was a private cooking class in a local chef’s home. With the chef we prepared several traditional Piedmont recipes. It was very hands-on so we were comfortable when we got back home we could recreate the dishes. The dinner was great with local cheeses and wine made by her son-in-law at a local winery. We wrapped up our last day in Piedmont visiting a local cheese maker and a local hazelnut farmer and learning about their processes and tasting their products.

We had a very enjoyable trip eating and drinking our way through the Piedmont region. Based on Emanuela’s plan we really felt like we got a real understanding of the region and its people as well.

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China: snowy picturesque Dali, making tie-dyed samples, dining on food grown on site

KATHRYN WILSON | DECEMBER 12, 2024

Our family spent Thanksgiving in the gorgeous province of Yunnan, China. Our trip was expertly planned by Alice with two guides on the ground in our first stop of Guangzhou and then in three different stops in beautiful Yunnan. Our drivers were excellent navigating city traffic and mountain roads alike. We saw historic, cultural and natural sights in days that were full, but not overly crowded.

The small, hands-on experiences we had were most memorable. We saw indigo plants, stirred indigo dye, and then made our own tie-dyed samples. We made cheese, rolled out local flat bread, and prepared flower cakes with roses at a rose farm. We had a visit with a village shaman. We traveled to a small village where we had a fabulous dinner of food grown on site and then were treated to music, folk lore and dance, at the end of which we were invited to join in the dancing!

Our hotels were comfortable and we enjoyed all that we ate. A highlight was seeing the sun hit the snow on the peaks of mountains around Dali, with the lake shining at the bottom. An incredible trip!

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Colombia: coffee plantation & cacao farm private tours, and a large unique orchid collection…

KEN GERSTEIN | DECEMBER 9, 2024

What a trip! We recently returned from a 10-day family trip to Colombia (with our adult children). Boris’ team provided excellent insight and guidance in planning our trip—helping us to decide which cities to visit, where to stay and what to do—and planned an itinerary based on our interests and requirements. I have to say that we were extremely satisfied with the results.

We visited Bogota, the Coffee Region, Medellin, and Cartagena. Our guides in each city were very knowledgeable, helpful, and informative, and were effective in providing us with an understanding of Colombia, its people, and its history. The hotels Boris recommended, and at which we stayed (generally, smaller boutique hotels), were excellent. Particularly noteworthy was our stay at Hacienda Bambusa in the Coffee Region. It’s off the beaten path (i.e., a 20-minute drive down a bumpy dirt road) and situated on a large farm with scenic views of the surrounding mountains. The hacienda itself is a beautiful building of traditional Colombian design, and our rooms each had spacious terraces with pools. The staff were all friendly and accommodating, and dinners were served each evening at a different outdoor location, with two guitar players providing musical entertainment one of those evenings.

Among the many activities included in our itinerary were private tours of a coffee plantation, a cacao farm, and a large and unique orchid collection. Each was very special and personalized. We also had a private cooking class at a restaurant in Cartagena. The chef there and the rest of the kitchen crew made it a fun-filled experience. Plus, we got to dine on the products of our labors for lunch, which was the best meal we had on our trip. Our boat trip to the Rosario Islands (south of Cartagena) was enjoyable and a relaxing way to spend our last day in Colombia.

Everything during our trip ran smoothly. Both before and during our trip we received ongoing support from Boris’ company that was always helpful, timely and responsive. One example of the level of service was on the morning of our departure from Cartagena, when no cars were allowed into the old city due to the Iron Man race being held that day. We had two scheduled pickups from our hotel that were affected by this, and (with coordination from the company) our guide walked to our hotel for each pickup so that he could help with our luggage and walk us outside the city walls to where our van was waiting.

Colombia is a very large country and there are many places that we couldn’t get to see and things we didn’t get to do during our trip. However, when we’re ready for a return visit, we will be calling on Boris’ team again to plan our trip and handle our travel arrangements.

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Chile: penguins in Punta Arenas, pumas in Torres del Paine, horseback & e-bike rides on a ranch

AMY EVERS | DECEMBER 7, 2024

We just returned from an amazing trip to Chile. We had nothing but wonderful experiences. Jordan did a great job talking to us in the beginning to get a feel for what we wanted to do and see. He made suggestions, we discussed and we made a plan. It actually came together quickly since we contacted him less than 2 months prior to departure. Jordan made excellent suggestions for accommodations and restaurants. Everything went off smoothly. We really didn’t have any logistical hiccups and we were incredibly lucky with regard to the weather! We enjoyed 2 days in Santiago on arrival. Then went to Punta Arenas to experience the penguins!

From there we enjoyed 5 days near Torres del Paine National Park. We explored the park, rode horses and E-bikes, we hiked, we saw 3 pumas (!), and we learned about the culture and conservation efforts being made there. We even learned how to make a pisco sour the Estancia Cerro Guido way. We had the pleasure of being spoiled by a WOW Moment here too. On that day we went out with our private guide to explore the ranch, rode E-bikes to a delectable lunch, with lots of wine, under a tree, on a hill full of flowers and a view of the towers, while having servers at our fingertips. We rode our E-bikes back, and then went on a gorgeous horseback ride. Not only was everything executed perfectly, even the weather was perfect! WOW doesn’t describe how special this day really was! Thank you!

Our last stop was 2 nights in wine country, staying in the most incredible villa, with all the wine our hearts could desire, amazing food, and plenty of time for relaxation. It was the perfect ending.

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India: sunrise aarti by the Ganges, chai tasting & block printing, up close with wildlife

RICHARD MITCHELL | DECEMBER 5, 2024

We have traveled all over the world and had several “trips of a lifetime,” but the trip to India we went on with Victoria’s team tops them all. The initial planning with with her was easy, and she quickly “got us” and set out a plan that was great. Once that was done, we dealt with Diggi and the in-country staff to finalize the details, again with ease.

From the moment we arrived until the time we left we were in great hands. Our guide Harsh was prompt, organized, friendly, incredibly knowledgeable, and willing to intelligently discuss any aspects of India from ancient history, Hindu rituals and beliefs, architecture, botany and wildlife to modern day politics. He expertly guided us through throngs in Delhi and Varanasi and through the countryside to places like the Jain temple in Ranakpur. We learned a LOT about chai and tasted it in various places and forms.

Highlights included sunset and sunrise visits to the Ganges in Varanasi for aarti, a block printing tour and class, an early morning visit to the Jaipur food markets, and a very up close and personal tiger encounter at Ranthambore. There were monkeys EVERYWHERE in India—even in the middle of the big cities. We had expressed interest in doing a bike tour at some point along the way, and the company arranged a great one in Udaipur. When there was an occasional hiccup that affected our plan (a dispute among the royal family in Udaipur making the palace inaccessible, for instance), Diggi and Harsh came up with a great alternative for an extra day in Jaipur which included one of our favorite temple visits. We always felt we were in great hands, especially with our driver Rishiraj who seamlessly negotiated the chaos that is traffic in India (including a brahma bull running down the highway). Harsh and Rishiraj were always attentive to our comfort and we felt very taken care of.

The team was just spot on, and we got to go places and see things we never would have even known about, let alone found, on our own. We cannot recommend them highly enough for your India adventure.

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Antarctica: sea kayaking & snowshoeing a “magnificent icy landscape” from a spacious, well-designed ship

SUSAN CRANDELL | DECEMBER 5, 2024

Booking our Antarctica cruise with Ashton was a confident experience, for two reasons. My family had booked two previous adventure cruises with Ashton, to Alaska and the Galapagos. And, because Ashton had worked in Antarctica, he was able to advise us based on personal experience.

Our three-generation party of four sailed on the Lindblad/National Geographic ship, Endurance, on November 22. We were lucky to have relatively calm crossings of the Drake Passage, and decent weather in Antarctica, including one glorious day of clear blue sky. We sea kayaked, cross-country skied, and snowshoed though the magnificent icy landscape. Endurance was pricier than the other Lindblad/National Geographic ship, Explorer, but it proved to be well worth the upcharge. Staterooms were well designed, the public areas were spacious and comfortable, the food was fantastic, and the service was stellar. Specially designed for polar voyages, the Endurance has stabilizers and an unusual bow design that limit the effects of pitch and roll in an unruly ocean.

Antarctica is like nowhere else on Earth. It cannot fail to capture any adventurer’s heart.

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Italy: private gondola at dusk in Venice, Florence’s Piazza Michelangelo via e-bike, Rome by golf cart

GLORIA WALLACE | DECEMBER 4, 2024

Our family group of four adults worked with Jennifer and her team to plan a long-awaited trip to take my daughter to see Italy, the land her 91-year-old grandmother immigrated from years ago. In the past we always arranged our own travel. We arrived in Venice on 11/20/2024 for 3 days and were met by our driver at the airport for the drive to the private speedboat ride to our hotel. Right at that point I knew we were going to be happy that we worked thru a WOW planner rather than doing it ourselves. Having the transfer arrangements handled in advance removed a pinch point in personal travel that allowed us to spend every moment enjoying our surroundings and sharing every moment with our family. Without the distractions of finding our way out of a strange airport and thru the hassles of public transportation, the trip started off great.

In Venice we had arranged three private tours. The private gondola ride at dusk, led by a 3-generation gondolieri, was a highlight for us as our guide led us thru the main canals but also the private quiet local canals. He did an excellent job of explaining (in English) what we were seeing but also knew when to be quiet so we could just enjoy the moment. The next day my daughter and her partner really enjoyed the private rowing lesson on a barca and at the end they looked relaxed and confident in their skills. Of course we had a guide to see the highlights of the city (shout out to Alvisi!) along with just enough historical context to make it interesting without making us feel like we were back in school.

Jennifer’s team upgraded us to first class seats on the train to Florence with drivers to the train station and to our hotel in Florence where we stayed for 3 nights. Again each tour guide was friendly, knowledgeable, timely and reliable. The highlight for us was the bike tour through Florence. We are all cyclists on the flat ground and wide sidewalks of our native Michigan, but were nervous to ride through the hilly crowded streets of Florence. Our guide was friendly and skilled at leading us thru the busy streets to Piazza Michelangelo across the Arno on eBikes that made it a breeze to cycle uphill. We had been to the Piazza before, but our guide took us further up the hill to the 10th century monastery above the Piazza for a more stunning view and more importantly without the crowd of people (even in November). We were able to enter the monastery church and it was a unique moment that we would not have found on our own. Also shout out to our guide Veronica, who took us on a walking tour of Florence while a major Marathon was held in the old city, closing off and blocking many streets and adding to the incredible amount of crowding. She had studied the map of the race and managed to walk us to all our destinations while avoiding closures and the majority of the crowds. And by skill or luck got us to clear point next to the race barricades just in time to see the police escorting the lead racer along the route near the finish line!

We took two days to rent a car ourselves and drive to the town of my ancestors and visit with remaining relatives. This part of the trip, not managed by Jennifer, was full of the minor delays and difficulties that we usually experience in traveling ourselves. It made us appreciate our travel planner’s skill at smoothing away the bumps of travel. We found our own way back to Rome and into the hands of our WOW guides and were grateful!

A highlight of our four nights in Rome was the golf cart tour of the city at dusk with Danielle. He was fun, knowledgeable, and really good at showing us parts of the city we had never seen before. Also skilled at finding points in the city that were less crowded but provided perfect spots for pictures.

Finally, on the last day of our trip, 12/1/2024, we went to check in online for our flight (we had made our own flight arrangements thru Delta and their partner KLM) and KLM’s website was down. We spent almost two hours that day on the phone with Delta and KLM customer service representatives trying to assure we would be able to check-in at the airport in time for our 6 am flight the next day. We have experienced times when arriving early at airports for 6 am flights only to find the airport was not yet open that early. We were especially concerned because we expected to find the airport crowded as it was the Monday after Thanksgiving, and it was! In desperation we called Jennifer’s emergency line for help (even though they did not make the flight arrangements) and they came thru for us. Within 1/2 hour they called us back with two options for making sure we made our flight on time. We chose to have one of their airport experts meet us at drop off and help us through the process. We were glad we did as there were crowds and delays for us through security that he helped smooth for us.

We will definitely use WOW’s Jennifer and her company when we travel.

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Japan: Tokyo temples & towers, post town paths of the samurai in Kiso Valley, green tea tasting in Shizuoka

MICHAEL RUMA | DECEMBER 2, 2024

Japan: Until We Meet Again

We flew to Tokyo on October 4 and traveled by bullet train to Kiso, Kyoto, Shizuoka, and by ferry across Suruga Bay to Toi Izu returning home on October 18, 2024. At the top of many published travel lists, Japan ranked highly for us as the travel distance would be equitable for our friends meeting us from Saipan. Leaning on Wendy and her trusted list of trip planners, she put us in touch with Andrea and his colleague, Floriana. We visited virtually to detail interests, ideas, and idiosyncrasies to develop the perfect itinerary. Andrea and Floriana created a journey embarking from Tokyo, traveling by high-speed train to the Kiso Valley, reuniting with our friends in Kyoto, and then parting ways to continue our trip south to the Izu Peninsula curating a selection of superb hotels, excellent drivers, and amazing guides.

Landing late in Tokyo, we made it through immigration and customs and were whisked to the Tokyo Toranomon Edition Hotel. We enjoyed a night cap at the spectacular lobby bar and called it an evening after a long day of international travel. Awakening to a memorable view of Tokyo Tower, we prepared to explore all the offerings of the most populous city in the world.

From temples to towers, sushi to sake, and crowds to calm, Tokyo did not disappoint during our brief three-night stay. We enjoyed our first bullet train experience heading west to Kiso Fukushima. Appreciating the big city, but always attracted to the close connections made spending time in rural locales, we grew excited to settle into a traditional Japanese ryokan for the next few days. At the small inn, we learned to lounge in jinbei and yukata, dined on the delectable daily breakfast and divine dinners, and ventured throughout the countryside with our guide, Sachi.

The highlight of our time in the Kiso Valley is difficult to choose as we hiked to many ethereal shrines and wandered the path of the samurai through post towns, however we will never forget our opportunity to take part in the century’s old tradition of takigyo, meditating under a freezing cold waterfall, and then sharing the same moment with a local family at Shintaki Falls.

Filled with gratitude and innumerable memories, we left the Japanese Alps and traveled to Kyoto to meet our friends. With our intrepid guide, Mina, we navigated the bustling city by bus, taxi, and subway to visit numerous cultural sites with ease. Understandably crowded at times in the most popular spots, we escaped to a serene family temple with a private tea ceremony and contemplated the Zen gardens by Shigemori Mirei.

Over four days in Kyoto, we enjoyed learning history of the Samurai, mastering sword technique, and wide-ranging dining from yakiniku to yakitori. As the saying goes…time flies when you’re having fun…and we sadly had to say goodbye. Our friends headed back to Tokyo, and we traveled south to Shizuoka for the remainder of our trip.

For the last few days of our trip, we asked to get off the beaten path and find a quiet, relaxing place. Andrea and Floriana did not disappoint…coordinating a mountain green tea tasting in Shizuoka, a ferry ride with awe-inspiring views of Mt. Fuji, and a sanctuary stay in a historic mansion in Nishi-Izu.

We spent the remaining days strolling quiet seaside towns, visiting a secluded organic wasabi farm, and soaking in our private onsen.

It is without question…we could never have planned an experience in Japan like this without the assistance of a brilliant travel orchestrator. Enchanting our minds and our senses, we wait patiently for our next journey to Japan.

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Egypt: nighttime hike up Mt. Sinai for sunrise, private time at the Sphinx’s paws, well tipped on tipping

KRISTEN MACLEOD AND PETER ALTHAUSEN | DECEMBER 2, 2024

Just back from an outstanding two week trip to Egypt (11/6-11/20/2024) through Jim Berkley and his colleague Seema. My husband and I explored all along the Nile River Valley from Cairo south to Aswan and Abu Simbel, including Edfu and Luxor. We even hopped over to Sharm El Sheikh on the Red Sea for diving and a spectacular, not to be missed, nighttime hike up Mt Sinai for sunrise. First of all, if you have considered Egypt, but are hesitant given the unsettled Middle East, we say, “Just go!” We felt 100% safe the entire time. The Egyptian people are wonderful hosts, and their sophisticated country has too many treasures to be explored in just 2 weeks.

Our trip was absolutely smooth from beginning to end. Jim and Seema’s hotel recommendations and the Nile cruise ship they booked were fantastic and gave us a nice mix of historical properties and a few days of just plain luxury. This turned out to be critical given how fast-paced our itinerary was after over 24 hours of travel to get to Egypt. We had 6 in-country flights in order to fit everything in, and that meant some early days and late evenings. The hotel comfort, quality, location and amenities were spot on. Jim advised us to pay a little extra to travel first class in-country as the large tourist crowds can be overwhelming. Normally, I wouldn’t do that for such short flights, but the few hundred dollars actually made a significant difference given the number of flights we had and how busy it is.

As we have found in previous Wendy trips, the biggest benefit is in how Jim and Seema connected us to spectacular local drivers, guides and Egyptologists through South Sinai Travel. You cannot underestimate how critical that is in a big, busy country where you don’t know the customs, don’t speak the language, and can’t even recognize the alphabet! They were always early to meet us, never late and they are with you all the way through the check in and out procedures at each flight and hotel, even checking you in the day before for your in-country flights.

The highlights of our trip include the midnight hike up Mt Sinai with our Bedouin guide to watch the sunrise in peace with people from all over the world and every religion. The fresh Bedouin bread hot off the griddle and dripping with local honey along with a cup of hot tea fueled through our hike and kept us warm. It’s freezing up at 4am at 6,700 feet! A half day spent in Coptic Cairo quarter was fascinating with incredible architecture and history and peaceful compared to the rest of Cairo. Cairo is crazy, but the energy is very positive and riding through those busy streets is an experience not to be missed! The three major museums are all worth seeing and will make your head ache from trying to process the sophistication of a culture well over 4,000 years old. We paid extra to have private time at the paws of the Sphinx in Giza. It’s hard to describe the awe we felt standing alone at its base. Our Egyptologist, Raymonda, was as excited about it as we were! For us this extra cost was well worth it.

Overall, my husband and I both felt that paying for the private Egyptologists made our time at the very busy tourist sites way more meaningful. The Valley of the Kings and Luxor would not have been half as interesting without our Egyptologist, Mahmoud. Must-dos: The hike up Mt Sinai. Yes, you’ll be tired, but you will never regret it. Take a horse and carriage through the streets of Edfu to the Temple of Horus. It was the only time in my life when I have hit speed bumps while riding in a carriage with cars and motorcycles whizzing past me. You see a lot of Egyptian life when you move more slowly through the streets in an open carriage. Pay for the extra tombs at the Valley of the Kings. They are less crowded and beautifully preserved. Spend at least two nights in Aswan at The Old Cataract Hotel. We aren’t usually ones to rave about a hotel, but the setting and historical colonial elegance combined with the modern amenities make it very special. In fact, the slower pace and friendly, laidback Nubian feel of Aswan is a great addition to a busy trip. Wait to buy your spices and cotton/linen until you are in Aswan. This is where they come from.

Things to be prepared for: Tipping is ubiquitous and expected for everything. Seema advised me on amounts even going so far as to break it down by day and event so that we were ready ahead of time. The Egyptians have experienced 400% inflation since 2011. US dollars were very welcome for larger tips (guide, driver, Egyptologist). Cash is still king in Egypt although the nicer shops and hotels may take credit card. Bring more US cash than you think you will use, and bring some smaller bills. Be prepared for the onslaught of merchants trying to sell you souvenirs at the major tourist sites. It can be overwhelming. Outside of the areas right at the sites, we were not approached at all. Finally, I would like to say how safe I felt as a woman. I was not hassled at all, and I saw no younger tourist women getting hassled. The Egyptians are tolerant, respectful, and like to laugh.

We left feeling like we had made a deep connection to Egypt and its people. This is 100% attributable to the local connections provided by Jim and Seema. We can’t wait to go back and see the Siwa Oasis and Alexandria and journey to Petra. Jim and his crew will be our first call when we start to plan!

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Argentina: the lakes of Bariloche, and the Perito Moreno glacier, and Peninsula Valdes wildlife

SHEILA AND DAVID CAHNMAN | DECEMBER 1, 2024

We just completed a wonderful 14 day trip to Argentina planned by Paul & Lucinda. They suggested four different locales that represented Argentinian highlights where we could tour, hike, bike without being too strenuous, and also have time for my passion— sketching. The trip started with four nights in Buenos Aires including a private architecture tour and Jewish sites tour with very knowledgeable guides. I loved the Japanese garden and Rosedal in Palermo. We then went for a few days of sailing, hiking and biking in Bariloche which was very similar to the Bavarian Alps. Not a “must see,” but very pleasant. Next we headed to EOLO resort in El Calafate and the magnificent Perito Moreno glacier. Make sure to spend a full day hiking there!

Our last stop was Peninsula Valdes : Rincon Chico, the 8 bed lodge and conservation area, is a 3 hour drive from the Trelew airport. The 3 days we spent there were a cross between a safari and the Galapagos. We especially enjoyed when our hosts took us four couples to see 600,000 Magellanic penguins nesting on their private property.

Paul and Lucinda’s company communicates through their own app, which listed updates to our itinerary and also boarding passes etc. Two minor glitches in transportation arrival were handled through the app: in one case they negotiated a full refund for late arrival at a tango show, and in the other we received complementary massages. Also was impressed that all our flights throughout the country were direct and did not require a return to Buenos Aires like many other fellow travelers.

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Thailand, Laos & Vietnam: experiencing the elephants, weaving silk, home-cooked meals with Uncles and Aunties

LORI AND JACK ANSALDI | DECEMBER 1, 2024

We planned our trip with Ethan and Sandy—we told them where we wanted to go and they took it from there. They suggested the timetable, flights, sights, hotels, and scheduled the most amazing hosts in each location. Everything was well coordinated and at the same time flexible to our requirements. As we traveled and experienced flight delays or lost luggage, Ethan and Sandy—as well as our local hosts—were on it. They went above and beyond, having a host meet us at arrival in the local Saigon terminal to walk us 10 minutes to the International terminal, confirm we were checked in, and on our way back to the USA. We can’t thank Ethan and Sandy’s company enough. They were terrific to work with from start to finish.

We explored places and people and dealt with traffic and heat. All good and part of the experience. Warm friendly people, exotic temples, superb boutique accommodations, and new food flavors and tastes. We started our trip in Bangkok, flew to Chiang Mai and learned about rescuing the elephants and feeding these incredible loving creatures in Laos, as well as making paper and weaving silk or making a batik. Very hands on.

From there we picked up a Viking River Cruise in Hanoi. Stopped in Siem Reap to see Angkor Wat, sail down the Mekong River and end up in Ho Chi Minh City. Although we saw a lot and enjoyed the river cruise, we preferred the smaller more intimate touring with local hosts.

Some of the most memorable experiences included visiting the Hmong people, meeting our host’s families and being blessed by the Uncles and Aunties, seeing their homes, experiencing their lifestyle, and enjoying a home cooked meal. Some of the best meals. The tour in Hoi An was fabulous. We biked the rice fields, said hello to the water buffalo, learned about farming from an 86-year-old farmer, tilling the dirt, planting the lettuce, watering the plants. Then hopping on a boat, catching fish with nets, and venturing through the coconut flower groves on the bucket boat. So much fun!! And a new appreciation for the people and their hard work.

We’ve traveled many places, but this was the trip of a lifetime. We can’t wait to work with Wendy Perrin again.

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Chile: exploring Rapa Nui’s sites and statues, visiting island of the Birdman competition, laughing with locals

JEANNIE MULLEN | DECEMBER 1, 2024

Just back from pre-Thanksgiving holiday to Easter Island … this was my third or fourth time using Tom Damon for solo travel trip planning to South America. I was paired with Martin Hey, a fantastic local Rapa Nui guide… a great story teller who wove science, history and Rapa Nui lore into every single day of the trip. This was also my third attempt since the pandemic to try to schedule a trip to this remote island. It did not disappoint. Not only did Martin bring the platforms and statues to life through his storytelling, he also knew how and when to enjoy them with very few if any other groups around. Many times we had the sites to ourselves for extended periods of time. Interspersed with day trips to the local Moai sites were several long hikes and one particular boat trip out to the Birdman competition islands which enabled us to share stories and meet other locals with whom we could share experiences and a good bit of laughter. Importantly, the pacing of the trip enabled me to enjoy my time on the island without being harried or racing from one site to another. Thank you Martin, Tom and Wendy for yet another fantastic trip.

I cannot fail to mention the great lengths to which Tom and his contacts went to make sure that I made my VERY tight return connection in Santiago. LATAM airlines changed the connecting flight time out of Easter Island at the last minute which made my international flight connection in Santiago very risky. If I didn’t make that connection I would not have been able to leave for another 24 hours, which would have resulted in me missing Thanksgiving with my family. Tom arranged RAC concierge service which vastly expedited the 1 1/2 hour immigration line that my fellow passengers reported they endured before making the same connection. So, Tom, I thank you and my family thanks you!

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Nepal: flightseeing Everest with narration by a sherpa, and guided tour of old Kathmandu

CHRISTINE STOLL | NOVEMBER 28, 2024

In 1996 I went to a presentation by the late David Breashears where he spoke about and showed raw footage of his experience on Mount Everest during the climbing disaster earlier that year. The filming of his eventual summiting became the IMAX movie, Everest. I was captivated. Although I was never a candidate to climb the mountain, it was my goal to see it in person. So, I contacted Sanjay and explained how important this experience was to me. Sanjay was a personal friend of David Breashears, giving me another personal connection and an understanding of how important this was to me.

So, Sanjay crafted a 5-day stay in Nepal for my husband and our friends. We were all on our way to India. He offered 3 options for seeing the mountain. We chose the flightseeing, a 20-passenger plane where everyone has a window seat. He scheduled us on the flight, but arranged the trip so that, if the weather was bad, we could reschedule for any of the other days. As soon as we arrived, we were told that we would be going the next morning as that was the best weather opportunity. At 5:00 A.M the next morning we were seated on the plane with the flight still up-in-the-air. It sure looked cloudy. After sitting on the runway for some time, we finally got the okay to take off. We kept going up through clouds until we finally burst out to a sight I can’t put into words. It was stunning, awe-inspiring, jaw-dropping and whatever other superlative you can think of. Sanjay had arranged for us to have a sherpa with us, who had summited Everest. Phula pointed out peaks, routes, and other features to make our time richer. When we finished, he went to breakfast with us. He answered our many, many questions. Phula’s experience was fascinating, and I got a better understanding of the sherpa community and their special connection to the mountain. It took me the rest of the day to “come down off the mountain” and finally catch my breath.

Our other days in Nepal were crafted by Sanjay with equal care. We had a city guide, Arjun, who walked us through old Kathmandu and shared his love of it. The devastation from the 2015 earthquake was still visible, but he was so proud of his country’s rebuilding efforts. The festival of Tihar had just finished, and the city brightly decorated. We went to a Nepalese Welcome Dinner, a small affair with several courses of delicious food and local musicians and dancers. We were definitely made to feel welcome.

Shortly before we left home, Nepal suffered a terrible rainstorm which caused severe flooding. The resort where we were supposed to spend a night suffered severe damage. Sanjay told us he was working on a substitute. What a substitute!! It was a stunning property with eye-popping views at sunrise, sunset, and throughout the day. We were pampered and fed food created by a culinary artist. Nepal is a special place, and Sanjay arranged 5 days to love.

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Belize: a sentimental return visit with Mayan sites, canoeing in caves, and cooking with a local family

ELAINE PATTERSON | NOVEMBER 24, 2024

My husband and I recently contacted Patricia to design a very sentimental return trip to Belize. We had visited in 1978 while in grad school and finally decided to go back, but we wanted help in order to explore all the places and experiences that exist today.

Patricia totally embraced the spirit of this return trip and she designed a fabulous itinerary with time in the Cayo District and beach. Her hotel selection in Cayo was magical (Gaia Riverlodge) with the most stunning setting, staff, and service, and she matched us with a fantastic local guide (Brainard) who spent 5 days with us. He shepherded us through Mayan sites (Caracol and Xunantunich are not to be missed!), canoeing in caves, looking around San Ignacio for sites we would recognize from ‘78, and accompanying us to a memorable cooking experience with a local family. The three of us never stopped talking; he had info and answers on every topic—Mayan history, local culture and politics, farming, food, and forests.

Throughout the trip, Patricia and her team were in touch with us to make sure things were going smoothly. When we rather suddenly realized that going to a beach resort in the middle of Tropical Storm Sara was not our best move, and opted to fly out that morning, her team and Brainard smoothly got us back to the airport.

We had such a wonderful time—and were so charmed by Belize—that we’re already working with Patricia to return later this winter. There’s more to see, we’ll have our beach weekend after all, and we couldn’t be in better hands than with Patricia and her team.

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Puglia: olive tasting in the grove, cooking class and pasta-making, embroidery looms in action at a textile factory

VANESSA HULME | NOVEMBER 20, 2024

Alison and Elisa put together a marvelous itinerary for our first trip to Puglia. Although we have traveled extensively in other parts of Italy, we had never been to Puglia and needed both advice and suggestions on how to make the best of the trip. Alison and Elisa excelled on both counts. They really listened to the type of itinerary we wanted, and took into account our likes and dislikes.

From the time we were met at the airport in Bari until we departed 10 days later, everything worked like clockwork. The hotels they suggested suited us perfectly (especially their suggestion that we MUST spend our last few days at Palazzo Margherita—this hotel was so very, very special that we are very happy we didn’t pass on this). In all of the accommodations, we were treated incredibly well; it was obvious their company had relationships with them. Their drivers were excellent—always on time and very professional, and the guides are some of the best we have had on our travels.

There were so many highlights on this trip, it would take ages to list them all, but a few were: a guided tour sampling Bari’s local street food; a visit to Casamassella to visit a textile factory where products are made using the centuries-old hands-on method on embroidery looms; a walk through fields of ancient olive trees (1000+ years old) with an olive oil tasting and incredible lunch prepared especially for us; a cooking class with two excellent chefs where we participated in making the dinner (including a chance to make our own pasta!); an opportunity to see the Puglian countryside as we drove a vintage Fiat 500 for hours, and an evening visit to Alberobello where the trulli houses really came to life.

Our visit to Matera was very insightful as we learned a great deal of the history of the cave dwellings and the people who lived there and their day-to-day lives. Especially interesting were the ancient churches and learning how they were carved into the landscape. This entire complex is truly awe-inspiring. The most special part of this visit was our WOW Moment at Sextantio Albergo Diffuso Le Grotte della Civita! Imagine having an ancient church turned restaurant all to ourselves at lunch, lit only by candlelight, with our own private chef and exquisite food and wine—this really was a WOW+ moment. Thanks, Wendy, for pulling yet another amazing experience out of the hat!

We are so very glad we enlisted Alison and Elisa for this trip. Their knowledge of the area and their relationships with providers in Puglia make this a stellar vacation for us. We would have absolutely no hesitation in utilizing their services again.

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France: exploring wine regions, a private cruise on the Seine, a mix of Michelin-star dining & cozy bistros

JOE LYLE | NOVEMBER 16, 2024

We’ve been using Wendy Perrin’s team for our travels over the past decade, and when it came time to plan our first trip to France, we felt confident in choosing the WOW List representative, Philip. Our goal was to explore several wine regions and indulge in great food—and we certainly achieved that. The team listened closely to our wishes and crafted a three-week itinerary that began in Paris, then took us to the Loire Valley, Bordeaux, St. Emilion, Provence, and Burgundy.

We loved being able to stroll through charming villages, and the boutique hotels were perfectly located for us to interact with locals and enjoy the markets. To satisfy our culinary desires, the trip included a wonderful mix of Michelin-starred dining and cozy local bistros. One highlight was Le Cinq—an extraordinary dining experience in Paris. At Resources in Bordeaux, we were thrilled as the chef presented his innovative creations of his choosing, showcasing the freshest local ingredients.

A few standout moments included a cooking class where we shopped at a local market for fresh provisions, and our WOW Moment in the home of a talented pastry chef. We also enjoyed a romantic private cruise down the Seine on a sunny day, which offered a breathtaking view of Paris. A private tour of the Louvre, along with truffle and chocolate tastings, were pure joy and left us in high spirits.

The visits to the wine chateaus were guided by experts and experienced sommeliers. We especially appreciated the opportunity to explore small, boutique wineries and engage in insightful discussions about the different wine regions. We gained a deeper understanding of French wines and the distinctive qualities of each region.

Thanks to Wendy and her WOW List, we had an unforgettable experience that helped us fall even more in love with France.

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Southeast Asia: canoe tour of Phuket, Angor Wat at sunrise, Hanoi by scooter, the limestone mountains of Ha Long Bay

JEFF AND LISA WELLEN | NOVEMBER 13, 2024

What a fantastic and incredible vacation to Southeast Asia thanks to Dan and his entire team. This is the fourth time we have used travel advisors recommended by Wendy and it is the fourth time they have exceeded our expectations.

From the first phone call with Dan and Raphael until the last host helped us get on our plane back home to the States, the entire team was outstanding. During the planning stages, Raphael listened to our needs, made necessary adjustments, and gave us wonderful guidance to ensure the trip was tailored to our needs and desires.

We started our trip in Bangkok with our wonderful host Nemo. Her passion and energy were contagious. She made adjustments based on weather and current events, and blended all of our tours to create one seamless incredible experience. The most significant of those adjustments was she made sure we saw The King’s Royal Barge Procession, which is a significant cultural event in Thailand that takes place on the Chao Phraya River, which was right next to our hotel.

Next we were off to Phuket. The Surin Resort was just outstanding. The views from the hillside resort were awesome and the staff were exceptional. Raphael’s suggestion of the John Grey Sea Canoe tour and the speedboat ride to Phi Phi Islands were great.

We then traveled to Siem Reap, Cambodia, where Vuthy showed us around Angkor Wat and other temples. Angkor Wat at sunrise was an indescribably beautiful experience. The next day we biked through the rice fields and countryside of Cambodia and finished with a private boat ride and picnic lunch on board around Tonlé Sap lake. The temples were awesome but getting out of the city is something you must do if you visit Siem Reap.

Then we were off to Hoi An where Vien showed us a wonderful time in the Old Quarter whether that was eating street food, shopping, or riding around town on scooters. We also did a cooking class where we prepared and cooked a meal, then ate the meal on the side of a beautiful river and finally received a foot and back massage. It was a trifecta of fun.

Finally, we ended our trip in Hanoi where Dat showed us a great time. One of the craziest things we did was ride scooters around Hanoi. An exhilarating experience to say the least. Then we went to Ha Long Bay for a one-night boat trip around the picturesque limestone mountains that rise out of the waters. It was a wonderful way to end our 16 days in Southeast Asia. Another great suggestion from Raphael.

Dan and his team have put together fantastic tours but the best thing was how the hosts made the black and white words on the itinerary pages come alive. His handpicked team of hosts made us feel special from the moment we met to our hugs when saying goodbye.

Finally, I want to thank Wendy, Dan and Raphael for the unforgettable WOW Moment they gave to my wife and me. They arranged a beautiful candle lite dinner on the Surin beach for our 31st wedding anniversary. The hotel staff was amazing, and it is a memory that will last a lifetime and such a fantastic way to celebrate our special day.

Dan and his team showed once again why everybody should use Wendy’s WOW List. THANK YOU!!

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South Pacific: Hong Kong and Singapore, river excursions in Borneo, a Balinese blessing ceremony

BARBARA SCHOENFELD | NOVEMBER 13, 2024

Andrea organized a fantastic trip across the South Pacific for my husband and me. Over a three-week period, we visited Hong Kong, Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore. Although we approached the consultation with ideas of where we wanted to go, Andrea’s suggestions for itinerary design were considerably better. For example, he advised that we visit Borobudur, near Yogyakarta, in Indonesia. We did, and it was a highlight. It was never on my to-visit list, but I’m so grateful we went. All of the guides he provided were knowledgeable, but of just as much interest to us, were open to sharing their personal perspectives.

We especially appreciated the time he spent on a couple of iterations mapping out the trip. In particular, we wanted to go to Borneo and initially he proposed a short river cruise. We found it unappealing, so he reoriented to the Sukau Rainforest Lodge—with river excursions—a favorite of our trip.

The hotel choices were terrific. Besides being comfortable and super well-run, they were in excellent locations, allowing us to maximize our enjoyment of our unstructured time. One special experience was the Sala Waterfall Temple in Bali. It went beyond most of the Balinese blessing ceremonies because it involved wading in a fresh water spring, led by a guide, stopping at 21 stations to undertake ritual cleansing steps and prayers. It culminates in climbing to a rushing waterfall, where you stick your head under the cascade and scream three times. It’s a surprisingly calming experience.

Overall, the trip was all we hoped for and more—to gain understanding of the countries and cultures we visited, enjoying discovery on a special vacation.

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Sweden: hot springs and saunas, helicopter to private island inn, lobster fishing excursion

ROBYN AND DAN NEEDHAM | NOVEMBER 13, 2024

My husband and I toured Sweden just recently from September 29 through October 6. We started the first 3 nights in Gothenburg, mixing work and vacation. Our trip was planned by Torunn and her company, and we stayed at The Dorsia Hotel to start. A fabulous hotel and one of the best experiences we have ever had. The room was incredible, and the food was awesome from a late-night dinner on the evening of arrival after a long trip to the wonderful breakfasts included in our package.

Early the next morning we met a young amazing artist quickly becoming a Swedish sensation at an arranged private tour of a local art gallery. The next two days we explored the immaculate city of Gothenburg including the old walled city with the Fish Church. Definitely recommend a visit to this city and a tour of Volvo World.

We departed Gothenburg for a one-night stay at Ästad, a wellness hot springs in the country, just an hour by private car. There we enjoyed the various saunas before an amazing dinner experience at Restaurant Ang, a Michelin-rated eatery with food and ambiance unparalleled. It is safe to say a definite top culinary experience for the two of us.

The next morning we departed Ästad by private helicopter to a private island that was once a working lighthouse and now an island getaway inn called Pater Noster. We were greeted with champagne upon landing on the island by the inn manager and amazing staff on the island. The inn has 9 rooms and we shared our one evening with one other amazing couple and the inn’s proprietor. A setting to relax, but also a lighthouse to explore and a seafood dinner enjoyed with new friends. Such an amazing and unique experience.

After eating a fantastic breakfast, we left via a RIB that swiftly took us to town to connect with a 3-hour lobster fishing excursion. After a private car transfer, we spent our last night in a castle room at Nääs Slott.

We definitely recommend visiting Sweden with wonderful people and a most beautiful and amazingly clean country!

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Sicily: small-town visits, personal culinary experiences, lunch at Zio Pippo’s vineyard

TIM TRICHE | NOVEMBER 12, 2024

Sicily is a special place, the crossroads of history and Western civilization, and the sense of a continuous living history is everywhere. We have been four times now, and will likely return yet again. The possibilities are seemingly endless. The small towns and their people are steeped in that history, the food is unforgettable, landscape rugged and rocky and beautiful, and the freedom to simply soak it all in is perhaps the best part of the trip.

We chose our destinations based on things we had not seen before, and we were not disappointed. We focused on destinations away from the crowds and in the process met wonderful people, both the Sicilians and the guides. The food was amazing, and helping prepare at least three meals in different locations was special. Late Fall is definitely a great time to go; the weather was perfect. Our travel adviser, Laura, and her associates were pretty incredible; they were available at any time and were truly interested in making our trip memorable. There were so many unique destinations she chose based on our interview before the trip that it would be difficult to single out only one, but the way the trip evolved, from small Baroque towns on the southeast coast to the interior and Villa Romana (a spectacular don’t-miss destination) and Agrigento, and finally Taormina and environs was perfect, leading to a crescendo finish.

Each of the luncheons was special in its own right, but the ones at Motta Camastra (with Le Mamme del Borgo) where we prepared the macaroni, and Zio Pippo’s vineyard were something to remember. At his place we enjoyed simple food prepared by his wife and accompanied by his wine. Both are something you don’t forget. These people have been living there for 7,000 years, and it shows in their food, their wine, their engaging friendliness and their homes and land. The entire trip was a treat, but the hidden jewels were the small town visits and sitting down and eating with the local population.

This trip was arranged by a WOW List candidate. Here’s what that means.

Ask Wendy

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India: a week in the Golden Triangle, seeing artisans at work, private access to buying uncut gems

GISELLE AND ALAN WEISSMAN | NOVEMBER 11, 2024

Sanjay helped us plan a great weeklong trip to the Golden Triangle in India for November 2024. With his help, we planned a very interesting and efficient trip which included both the standard highlights of these great places (Agra, Jaipur, and Delhi), but also a few off the beaten path places (hidden temples, private block printing at an old factory, watching a street vendor make clay cups on his wheel to sell for people to us at the temple across the street, opening up a jewelry store late at night to buy uncut jems in Jaipur, to name a few). We were worried about not being able to see everything with only a week’s time, but with Sanjay’s help we managed to not only see the main highlights but many other sites we didn’t even know about!

We stayed at fantastic hotels and received excellent service at all of them. Our guide, Garish, was incredible. He knew so much and was able to give us the history and current insight in a very entertaining and engaging way. Our driver, Mr. Singh, was also an expert at dodging traffic and knowing just what routes would be the best. We could not have planned a more wonderful and amazing trip. We highly recommend Sanjay’s company for any trip to India. We plan on using him again to see more of India in the future.

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Italy: Lake Albano, uncrowded Papal gardens, Orvieto’s “precursor to the Sistine Chapel”…

KATHY DECARLO | NOVEMBER 8, 2024

This was our third trip with Jennifer. The first two were in France and based on the exceptional experience we had with her we asked Jennifer to organize our Rome and Veneto trip. We have been to Italy many times over the past 30 years, so we were looking for ease of travel, unique experiences, and few crowds. Tall order for Rome and Venice/Veneto but Jennifer pulled it off.

We met with Jennifer and Guilia, via Zoom, in January and identified the priorities. Over the next few months and a few more calls we were able to solidify the trip. From the moment we stepped off the plane we were whisked through baggage, immigration, and into our waiting car. That is the peace of mind we needed. Jennifer’s team provided daily texts which helped us with the names, times, and emergency numbers. Great to know you have someone to contact—just in case something goes amiss.

For many years I always wanted to visit the House of Augustus and Livia and Case Romane. The guide took us the back way into the Forum, avoiding crowds and explained in a humorous way the history of early Rome and Augustus. Although I always wanted to visit the Vatican Gardens, Jennifer wisely guided us to the Castel Gandolfo (Pope’s summer palace) with its magnificent and uncrowded Papal Gardens. Seeing the enormous gardens by golf cart was essential—it also allowed us time to walk through the private areas where the Popes meditated. Jennifer also reserved lunch for us at Pagnanelli on Lake Albano. We had a front row view of Lake Albano. The food was amazing. After lunch we toured the neighboring villages and castle. I now understand why the Italians vacation in this area.

Jennifer thought Orvieto would be a good day trip. It was. What a magnificent setting. The guide walked us through the Church with its precursor to the Sistine Chapel. The guide was so amazing he drew a crowd, which he graciously moved away from us. He toured the village with us and took us to another delicious restaurant Jennifer chose for us.

We were staying at the St. Regis Rome, one of our favorite hotels in Rome. We took the train from Rome Termini to Venice Santa Lucia in Executive Class (it costs a bit more but worth every penny). When Jennifer suggested we book a private car and baggage handling, the price seemed a bit expensive. The St. Regis Rome is only 5 minutes from Termini station. But when we arrived at the train station, we understood why it cost some extra money—Termini is crazy busy! And we really did need all that assistance. It was worth every penny.

Venice—our dream come true. Again, we and our luggage were escorted off the train to the water taxi to the Gritti Palace. No stress—just ease and comfort. Our goal in Venice and the Veneto area was to see the area from multiple perspectives and eat. Jennifer selected Sara as our guide. When the concierge at the Gritti Palace told us she was an incredible guide, we knew Jennifer put us with the best person for this trip. The View from the Top (St. Marks Bell Tower, Fondaco dei Tedeschi and San Giorgio Bell Tower) was the perfect way to see Venice and the surrounding islands.

We toured Venice with a side trip to the Aman Hotel—Sara used to work there so we had an insider story. We met the Count whose family owns the Aman villa—only Jennifer could pull that off. The visit to the outer Lagoon islands (Burano, Torcello and San Francesco del Deserto) gave us a good understanding of the history of Venice. The Palladian tour of La Rotonda was so magnificent it was difficult to take all the beauty in—and it is privately owned. Padua, the Scrovegni Chapel, and the Arqua Petrarca gave us a lesson of the power of Venetian families and how they used it to create beauty and knowledge.

Who doesn’t love Verona? What a city. So full of life and young people. And Amarone wine. Jennifer selected all of the restaurants, and the food was delicious—never had to decide where to go to get an outstanding meal.

We ended the trip with the car service and Meet/Greet. Worth every penny.

We cannot wait to plan our fourth trip with Jennifer and her team. Perfect planning. Perfect trip.

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Egypt: Nile cruise on a private dahabiya, Cairo & Luxor “brought to life” by passionate guides

JULIE SILBERMANN | NOVEMBER 8, 2024

Egypt in October 2024 was our 3rd Wendy Perrin trip and once again we had THE BEST trip planner. Arlene and her team created the trip of a lifetime for us!

We were a group of 5 and from the minute we landed in Cairo until our last minute in Egypt, Arlene and her staff made sure we were always well cared for and kept very busy! We felt safe the entire trip and never worried about our activities. We started in Cairo and had Ahmed as our Egyptologist. There couldn’t have been a more passionate guide who brought ancient Egypt to life for us. He accompanied us to Alexandria and Sakkara as well as ferried us throughout Cairo. We then flew to Luxor and were met by Ramy, our new Egyptologist. Ramy knew absolutely everything about Egypt and was very happy to answer our endless questions. After touring Luxor, Ramy joined us on our 4-night Nile cruise on our private dahabiya from Luxor to Aswan and then flew with us to Abu Simbel and then back to Aswan.

Arlene and her team work with an Egyptian tour group, and they provided excellent representatives to help shepherd us through airports, hotels, etc. In fact, when we had a small hiccup with our Nile cruise, Jim and Arlene and their Egypt tour group solved our issue very quickly and efficiently. I highly recommend Arlene and Jim for your once-in-a-lifetime trip to Egypt!

Our itinerary was packed and we felt like we didn’t miss one tomb, artifact, or old Egyptian rock!

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China: going beyond major historical sites, experiencing culture & history, plus a typhoon

JILL BOERGER | NOVEMBER 6, 2024

My husband and I had a wonderful trip to China planned by Mei’s team. I knew we wanted to see the major historical sites such as the Great Wall and the Terra Cotta Warriors, but after a zoom call with Mei, I realized we could really experience China, its history, culture, cuisine, and more. We spent 17 days in China with stops in Beijing, Xian, Dali, Shaxi, Lijiang, and Shanghai. All the guides were terrific and spoke excellent English.

During our stay in Shanghai, a super typhoon hit the city with over 7 inches of rain in 30 hours. Fortunately, our travel planner and guide were able to move some things around on our schedule and found museums to visit while it poured outside.

I would highly recommend Mei and her company for planning a trip to China.

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Japan: waterfall meditation with monks, Japan’s largest stalactite cave, climbing to sacred & sheer Sanbutsuji Temple

LYNN SAVARESE | NOVEMBER 4, 2024

I am forever grateful to Andrea’s team for helping me with designing my dream trip to Japan. Having lived in Japan as a child and had occasion to visit the country several times since, I knew when working with the team that I was asking for a lot in wanting an off-the-beaten path itinerary. For much of the trip I had in mind, I wanted to go where few tourists go and engage in activities that would be a challenge to arrange. I also wanted to compress as much as possible into my two weeks in the country.

Working with me by email and face-to-face zoom calls, the team strove to understand what I wanted while also offering up wonderful suggestions themselves. In virtually every respect, they surpassed my hopes and expectations!

There are almost too many highlights of my customized trip to Japan to even list, let alone describe, but here are a handful:

Vaulting down through Motonosumi Inari Shrine’s 123 brilliant red torii gates to a cliff overlooking the Sea of Japan.

Clinging to ancient tree roots and chains to climb to the top of the sacred Mt. Mitojusan to reach Sanbutsuji Temple, a wooden prayer hall built into the mouth of a cave on a sheer precipice of the mountain and completed in 849. Known as the most dangerous national treasure in Japan, it remains unfathomable how it could have been built on such an inhospitable site.

Climbing the massive sand dunes at the edge of the Sea in Japan in Tottori, and hiking along the beautiful shoreline there.

Practicing “takigyo” (waterfall meditation) with two Buddhist monks, by standing directly beneath a sacred waterfall—its strong cold water taking one’s breath away as it pelts one’s head and shoulders—before being revived and uplifted by its force.

Meeting with so many artisans: potters in Hagi who showed me their hand-built kilns and exquisite Hagi ware; elderly basket weavers at a bamboo basket weaving studio exhibiting their exquisite baskets and demonstrating their craft; a glass crystal etching expert who instructed me in producing an etched crystal glass of my own; and masters of indigo dying who helped me create my own dyed tee-shirt in their studio workshop.

Wandering through the Akiyoshi Cave, Japan’s largest stalactite cave, more than 100 meters underground, marveling at the wondrous and mysterious limestone features formed over tens of millions of years.

Rising at dawn to walk out and photograph the Itsukushima Shrine’s massive red torii gate at low tide.

Hiking some of the Hagi Okan trail with an expert guide who not only shared with me some of its important history, but also belted out songs sung by samurai to ready themselves for battle.

In the home of a fisherman’s wife, learning how to make several classic fish dishes and then sharing a delightful meal with her and my guide—three older women exchanging intimate life stories while dining on the dishes we’d prepared.

After a profoundly moving afternoon spent in Hiroshima at the Peace Memorial Museum and Peace Park, taking a ferry to the nearby magical island of Miyajima, making it up Mt. Misen for a spectacular view.

Revisiting favorite sites in Kyoto—the Golden and Silver Pavilions and gardens (Kinkaku-ji and Gingaku-ji Temples); the trail of red torii gates up Mt. Inari (Fushimi Inari); the Kiyomizudera Temple with its stunning views; the Sagano Bamboo Forest in nearby Arashiyama; and my all-time favorite: the Ryoan-ji Zen temple and rock garden.

Strolling through Kyoto’s Gion district, and enjoying a private tea ceremony and dance performance there by a young maiko (an apprentice geisha), and being given the opportunity to ask her candid questions about her life and her art.

A full day of shopping in Tokyo—for local artisanal goods in Aki-Oka Artisan alley; traditional crafts in Ayoyama Square; exceptional kitchenware in “Kitchen Town” (Kappbasji); an unparalleled offering of stationery and calligraphy goods at the legendary Ginza Itoya stationery store; and fine art at galleries in Ginza and Rappongi.

A day trip to Yokohama for a stroll down memory lane, visiting my old home there, as well as the nearby Sankeien Garden where I regularly wandered in my youth and which remains one of Japan’s most beautiful gardens, and stopping by Kamakura on the way to admire the Great Buddha that I first photographed as a 12-year-old.

Visiting as many waterfalls as possible in the beautiful mountainous region of Nikko, led by a local canyoning guide, as well as some of Nikko’s magnificent World heritage Site shrines and temples.

One can’t expect most travel experts to be willing or able to create such a packed, customized, and unique itinerary. The logistics, careful planning, and creative out-of-the-box thinking required to pull off this dream trip to Japan was truly daunting, with so many advance reservations required to handle all of for my transportation needs, lodging, and activities, and so many guides that had to be lined up!

A huge thank you to the team for managing to make all of this happen for me—seamlessly and without any hitches—and providing me with truly fabulous guides who, for the most part, spoke English with enough fluency to allow for insightful and free-ranging discussions, and who were deeply knowledgeable about the places we visited—their history and enduring significance.

Andrea’s company also arranged for me to stay in a number of truly exquisite lodgings. The Ryokan Otozure outside of Yamaguchi is out-of-this-world sublime, with its exquisitely beautiful architecture and design; its gracious and attentive staff; and the truly fine dining to be had in its restaurant. The small luxury hotel in Kyoto’s Gion district was also enchanting, with beautiful rooms, gracious staff, and a fabulous restaurant. And the newly built Ritz Carlton in Nikko was fantastic as well, with its extraordinary attention to detail in its design, furnishings, and art.

Traveling on my own for most of the trip, I was also especially grateful to the company for keeping me connected with a WhatsApp group of “Guardian Angels”—staff members who were available by text or phone call, 24/7, to answer any questions or concerns I might have, and to help with any arrangements or modifications I might want or need. Happily, these Guardian Angels were invariably responsive and helpful on the few occasions when I reached out to them.

Thanks to the team, my two weeks in Japan were everything I wanted them to be—and so much more!

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Southern France & Northern Italy: wine regions, medieval villages, and green verdant hills

JANICE YONKO | NOVEMBER 4, 2024

We recently returned from an incredible journey through much of the southern half of France and northern region of Italy. Jennifer and her team helped us plan a a truly unforgettable 3-week trip that highlighted some of the best wine regions in both countries, along with a great deal of historical sites. We began in Bordeaux at the beautiful Les Sources de Caudalie. Apparently the spring had brought an overabundance of rain which translated into very green and healthy landscapes wherever we went, an unexpected bonus!

Jennifer helped us plan an itinerary that covered the Left Bank and Right Bank regions of Bordeaux with a highlight on St. Emilion, a beautiful medieval town. Next, Jennifer encouraged us to visit the medieval village of Carcassone. We were so happy she did! It is the largest and most heavily fortified medieval village in Europe—very impressive! We also visited Montpellier and the lovely Camargue region known for their indigenous white horses and pink salt, staying at the gorgeous Domaine du Verchant. Our next stop was Provence, including stays at two truly lovely but different hotels, Villa La Coste and La Bastide de Gordes, once again thanks to Jennifer’s encouragement. We enjoyed a lovely and delicious picnic in the forest overlooking an ancient bridge hosted by a burgeoning young chef/farmer, as well as a very interesting tour of the asylum where Van Gogh spent many years of his life.

From Provence, we drove through the beautiful French Alps into the Barolo/Barbaresco region and stayed at the stunning Casa di Langa. We spent our time there discovering the wines of the region among the green verdant hills. Our final stop at Lake Maggiore and Villa Aminta was truly magical! The lake is every bit as beautiful as Lake Como but so much less crowded! The highlight was our day spent on a private boat touring both Isola Madre and Isola Bella. Each island boasted the most amazing private homes (more like museums!) built by the Borromeo family. Each was so incredibly beautiful and well preserved and were surrounded by gorgeous gardens.

Each of the hotels that Jennifer helped us find was unique, luxurious, and welcoming. The restaurants she helped us choose were outstanding! Our drivers and guides were some of the very best we have ever had the pleasure of using. We couldn’t have created the same experience without the help of Jennifer and her dedicated team!

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Barcelona: walking tour of the old town, private cooking class, stained-glass church at sunset

COLE JENNINGS | NOVEMBER 1, 2024

My husband and I recently spent 3 days in Barcelona prior to a cruise. I reached out to Ivan from Wendy’s Wow list, who answered me quickly to set up a call to talk about what we were interested in doing and seeing. We had previously been to Barcelona and so wanted to do different things this trip. Ivan quickly came up with suggestions that we loved.

On the day we arrived Ivan arranged a driver to meet us at the airport. We were quickly taken to our Hotel the El Palace which we loved. That evening we were met with our fabulous guide Nestor. We spent a couple hours on a walking tour of the old town and then went to a couple tapas bars. Nestor truly loves his city and is very knowledgeable about everything in it, we learned so much. The tapas bars were much better than the restaurants I booked on my own. The next morning we were met at our hotel by Chef Ricard for a private cooking class and visit to a local market. The cooking class was so much fun and the food was delicious. I’m looking forward to getting the recipes and trying to cook it ourselves.

Later that afternoon we were meet by Nestor at our hotel to tour Park Güell and the church of La Sagrada Familia. We had previously been to both places, but this time we learned so much more. We arrived at La Sagrada Familia in time for sunset. The church was stunning with all the stained glass windows and the perfect time to go. Nestor then escorted us to the restaurant that I had booked and asked the waiter to make sure we got to Taxi for the return to the hotel. This was on his time and not included in the tour.

On our last day Nestor again met us at the hotel with a driver to tour a family winery in the Penedes wine region. We were treated like royalty and given a wonderful tour. Nestor recommended a great lunch spot in the small town before we headed back to Barcelona. Nestor was a great guide and now friend, and Ivan definitely booked the best of the best for us and handled everything perfectly. He also checked in every day to make sure everything was going as planned and if we were happy. I look forward to booking another tour with him in the future!

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* Although we have compiled and reviewed these reviews for trip planners to earn a spot on The  WOW List, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or truthfulness of the reviews we receive and cannot assure that all travelers will have the same experience.