As the winter chill settles in, there's no better time to escape to a sun-drenched destination that offers the warmth, beauty and relaxation we’re all craving. And if you’re looking ahead at spring break, I’ve curated a selection of family-friendly resorts, where every generation can find something to love. When you reach out, I’ll share exclusive benefits, like welcome gifts and late check-out at world-renowned resorts, you’ll find nowhere else.
For centuries, the Galapagos Islands have captured the imagination of explorers, scientists, and travelers seeking a connection to one of the world’s most pristine and unique natural habitats. Famous for its extraordinary biodiversity, where species like the blue-footed booby and giant tortoise thrive, this Pacific paradise has been an iconic destination for adventurers and nature enthusiasts alike. Now, the Galapagos is redefining its appeal—not just as a haven for wildlife lovers but also as a playground for those seeking the pinnacle of luxury. Enter the HERMES GALAPAGOS, a 157-foot ultra-luxury mega catamaran that elevates the Galapagos experience to unprecedented heights.
Spring break is just around the corner; who else is ready for Caribbean bliss? Whether you seek the tranquility of secluded pools or an exciting kids club for your little ones, there’s no better time to plan than now. Reach out soon, and we’ll begin crafting your family’s ultimate beach getaway.
If spring is nature's celebration of life, then Hawaii is earth's greatest luau. There are few places on this planet that the four elements — air, fire, water, and earth — are on such spectacular display.
Spring is our annual reminder that the natural world always finds the perfect balance, and after the last year, you're likely feeling ready to get back into your element. My recommendation? A well-deserved Hawaiian spring break to make your aloha spirit soar.
Travel is for the young at heart, and below are four elemental reasons why you should consider a grown-up spring break escape to Hawaii. This adventure is easier than you may think: simply get in touch with me and get pre-tested before you fly (a requirement of all travelers to Hawaii). You deserve unparalleled travel experiences, and I look forward to helping you travel safely and exceptionally to your island of choice when you're ready.
I’m excited to share OLTRE’s Wild Issue, filled with travel ideas and inspiration, from Indonesia to Africa and other noteworthy spots in between. Plus, you’ll find a roundup of biophilic hotels and an immersive expedition cruise. Free time is our most valuable nonrenewable asset, and I can help you make the most of it.
Embark on a journey of opulence and relaxation as you set sail through the pristine waters of the British Virgin Islands and French West Indies aboard your private SeaDream yacht. This exclusive 7-day Leeward Islands Discovery offers a perfect blend of secluded tropical isles, vibrant capitals, and unparalleled luxury. With limited-time savings and the promise of the best stateroom availability, now is the time to reserve your spot and experience the epitome of indulgence.
If spring is nature's celebration of life, then Hawaii is earth's greatest luau. There are few places on this planet that the four elements — air, fire, water, and earth — are on such spectacular display.
Spring is our annual reminder that the natural world always finds the perfect balance, and after the last year, you're likely feeling ready to get back into your element. My recommendation? A well-deserved Hawaiian spring break to make your aloha spirit soar.
Travel is for the young at heart, and below are four elemental reasons why you should consider a grown-up spring break escape to Hawaii. This adventure is easier than you may think: simply get in touch with me and get pre-tested before you fly (a requirement of all travelers to Hawaii). You deserve unparalleled travel experiences, and I look forward to helping you travel safely and exceptionally to your island of choice when you're ready.
I’m excited to share OLTRE’s Wild Issue, filled with travel ideas and inspiration, from Indonesia to Africa and other noteworthy spots in between. Plus, you’ll find a roundup of biophilic hotels and an immersive expedition cruise. Free time is our most valuable nonrenewable asset, and I can help you make the most of it.
The Alps’ summit-ready towns — Lech, St. Moritz and Chamonix, to name a few — make quite the convincing case to embrace the cold. Whether you’re a seasoned skier in pursuit of the world’s gnarliest peaks or a spa-goer chasing a treatment-heavy itinerary, here are my top destinations for exploring Europe’s high-altitude adventures.
They say family is everything, but when you plan your annual family vacation, do you take the easy road (for the sake of keeping your sanity) or the road less traveled (for the sake of enriching your experience)?
We suggest getting the best of both worlds with the support of a professional travel planner. Below are four slightly out-of-the-box family vacation ideas with opportunities for education, cultural immersion, and of course, photo albums filled front to back with precious memories.
Discovering travel deals is a breeze when you know the optimal booking period. For cruise enthusiasts, the dawn of the new year marks an ideal time to secure attractive fares. This period, known as "wave season," spans from January through March and is renowned for the significant deals and discounts offered by cruise lines.
Dive into the heart of Wave Season, the optimal time of the year for securing the most attractive cruise deals, extending into sailings through 2025. Whether you're a cruise aficionado or setting sail for the first time, wave season is your golden ticket. Running from January to March annually, this is when the cruise industry rolls out its most enticing offers. In 2024, the stakes are higher than ever, with leading cruise companies unveiling substantial discounts, potentially saving you thousands, alongside complimentary upgrades for staterooms and suites, and generous onboard credit allowances to enhance your cruising experience.
WHICH ISLAND WOULD YOU CHOOSE?
Hello Travelers!
The American writer Henry Miller famously said, "One's destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things." Doesn't that quote capture Hawaii perfectly? The Aloha Spirit, literally meaning, "the presence of breath," is the philosophy of living with love, compassion and grace for others. This makes Hawaii the perfect environment to create meaningful memories with friends and family... no matter which (if not all) of her picture perfect islands you choose to experience. With that said, if you have Hawaii in mind for the winter holidays, now is time to be thinking about reserving your space for festive travel. Please get in touch soon, as availability is quickly becoming extremely limited for many popular warm-weather destinations.
OAHU: SNORKELING AT HANAUMA BAY
If you want to get acquainted with hundreds of tropical fish and marine life, no matter your snorkeling level, take a 20-minute transfer from The Kahala Hotel & Resort to the famous Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve. “Hana" is the Hawaiian word for "Bay" and "Uma" refers to the curves of the indigenous canoes. The bay was declared a protected marine life conservation area and underwater park in 1967. It remained one of the premier destinations in Oahu, featuring majestic green sea turtles, vibrant parrotfish, and more. When you return to the resort, continue getting up close and personal with sea life at their private dolphin lagoon.
KAUAI: A HAWAII & SOUTH PACIFIC CRUISE
CRYSTAL CRUISES
Wrapped in magnificent beaches, draped in lush rainforest and kissed by translucent waters, the gem-like islands of Hawaii and the South Pacific have long been the treasured muses of great artists, captivating all with their serene natural beauty. On this journey of locales, you’ll pause in Kauai, better known by its well-deserved nickname, the "Garden Isle." Fewer people live here than on the larger neighboring islands, but Hawaiian residents and out-of-state visitors alike are attracted to its acclaimed beaches, rugged emerald-colored cliffs, cascading waterfalls and magnificent sandy shores. Secluded coves are found all along the island's irregular coastline and a luxuriant rainforest flourishes on the "wet" side of the island, Kauai being one of the wettest spots on earth.
LANAI & BEYOND: ISLAND HOPPING IN FIVE STAR LUXURY
FOUR SEASONS RESORTS HAWAII
Island hopping has never been more of a necessity when you have the opportunity to experience four distinctly unforgettable island settings with unparalleled Four Seasons luxury, cuisine and service. Furthest north, the authentic yet contemporary Oahu property is nestled in the upscale vacation community of Ko Olina, known for its gorgeous sunsets and lagoons. In Lanai, explore the rugged terrain of this unspoiled island on horseback or ATV before Maui takes you in with her lush tropical landscapes and prime views for epic whale watching. And lastly, the beautiful Hualalai property is a natural sanctuary set on the exclusive Kona-Kohala coast of The Big Island.
THE BIG ISLAND: LAVA & RAINBOW FALLS EXCURSION SHORETRIPS
If you love nature, history and drama, this 5 1/2 hour tour might be a perfect add-on for your Hawaiian adventure. Located in Hilo, Hawaii, Rainbow Falls (known in the Hawaiian language as “rainbow water”) is an 80 ft tall masterpiece where the Wailuku River rushes down into a large pool below. On sunny mornings, this natural phenomenon projects rainbows as it flows over a natural lava cave. From here, you will head down the older back roads of Hawaii through mango groves before arriving at the lava flow that caused an evacuation of the town of Pahoa in 2018. Although at first glance it can look slow moving and harmless, lava can be incredibly hard to contain. At Kaimu, you will have the chance to walk on old lava flows that covered what was once a small beach town with beautiful black sand beaches. Lastly, in one of the most unique spots on the island, you’ll see where lava once burst out of fissures onto Ohia trees, leaving fascinating lava molds.
MICHAEL SHANE STEPHENS
Curated Global Travel
An affiliate of Protravel
michael@curatedglobaltravel.com
310.691.7461
curatedglobaltravel.com
We all could use a little reset. Whether your 2024 resolution is to embrace a more mindful lifestyle or to check more destinations off your bucket list (I love that one), the below hotels and resorts are a great place to start. I’m here to assist you in booking when you’re ready to get a breath of the cleanest air, soak up some sunshine and pump up the serotonin.
On the eve of 2024, you can rest assured a variety of grand, new getaways await; it is predicted more luxury hotels will open in the new year than in any other year before. Whether you’re craving the beaches of Mexico, the mountains of Austria, the skyscrapers of Thailand or the rolling tropics of Malaysia, here’s a look at some of the world’s most anticipated openings.
EMBRACE THE WONDER OF WINTER AT THESE RESORTS
They say no two snowflakes are alike, and we believe the same to be true for each traveler. While some head to warmer weather during the colder months, others flock straight to the mountains with their own unique visions of a snowy retreat. If views of sparkling white landscapes warm you from the inside out, there is still plenty of time to plan a visit to one of the many luxury resorts in our portfolio of U.S. hotels before the winter season ends. Enjoy the snowy ambiance of idealistic destinations along with gourmet cuisine, exceptional service, outdoor resort activities, and of course, VIP perks fit for royalty.
ST. REGIS DEER VALLEY
Set amidst the picturesque Wasatch Mountains, this refined Park City resort offers convenient ski-in/ski-out access as well as its own private ski beach and ski valet. Even better, take advantage of the private Funicular to get to the top of the slopes without delay. After a full day in the snow, you still have more to look forward to — book a signature treatment at Remède Spa, take a dip in the hotel's heated split-level infinity-edge pool (the views are to die for), or dine on an exquisite meal followed by a dessert of roasted s'mores at the fire pit.
Private Perks: Upgrade upon arrival, complimentary daily breakfast for two, early check-in/late check-out, $100 resort credit to indulge further, and more.
BRUSH CREEK RANCH LODGE & SPA
Discover the authentic spirit of the West during a stay at an intimate, all-inclusive luxury ranch resort in Wyoming's famous Platte River Valley. Your rustic accommodations tie into the surrounding Rocky Mountain wilderness and create a haven to reconnect with nature and indulge in unlimited adventure. If you love the thrill of snow activities, you'll be hard-pressed to find a moment of boredom — enjoy horseback riding, cross-country skiing, snowboarding, ice fishing, ice skating, sledding, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and tubing — all unfolding across 30,000 acres. Indoor indulgences range from a visit to The Trailhead Spa for relaxing treatments, The Saloon for swinging doors and jukeboxes, and The Spirit Vault for an elite barrel-tasting experience (accessible via a secret entrance).
Private Perks: Upgrade upon arrival, complimentary daily breakfast, early check-in/late check-out, $150 credit per person toward any premium activity, and more.
THE RESORT AT PAWS UP
From John Steinbeck to F. Scott Fitzgerald to even Abraham Lincoln himself, there is no shortage of those who have been quoted paying homage to the breathtaking state of Montana. At The Resort at Paws Up, surrounded by 37,000 acres of snow-covered land and icy rivers, you'll find yourself at the crossroads of incomparable luxury and unspoiled wilderness. The perfectly curated snow activities (like racing through the wilds on a tube towed by your own snowmobile chauffeur) will surely work up your appetite for the resort's authentically seasonal winter menu. In fact, you may even catch a glimpse of the executive chef foraging for rose hips or juniper berries in the snow.
Private Perks: Upgrade upon arrival, welcome bottle of wine, complimentary daily breakfast, round-trip private airport transfers, early check-in/late check-out, $300 activity credit, and more.
THE RITZ-CARLTON BACHELOR GULCH
Inspired by a traditional mountain lodge, this retreat offers seclusion amid towering pines and majestic landscapes with the unparalleled amenities you can expect from The Ritz-Carlton. Take advantage of convenient ski-in/ski-out access right into Beaver Creek Ski Resort before hitting up the spa for the signature Miner's Mineral mud wrap (it includes Colorado mine-sourced activated charcoal). Next, enjoy regional brews at Buffalos gastropub while the children enjoy ski classes and in-room camping as part of the Ritz Kids program.
Private Perks: Upgrade upon arrival, complimentary daily breakfast for two, $100 resort credit to treat yourself, early check-in/late check-out, and more.
MICHAEL SHANE STEPHENS
Curated Global Travel
An affiliate of Protravel
michael@curatedglobaltravel.com
310.691.7461
curatedglobaltravel.com
