Sample Itineraries
Turtle Nesting and Rainforests in Costa Rica
This 10 night, private guided tour will introduce you to some of Costa Rica's most accredited guides and naturalists. Unwind in the capitol city, San Jose for the first night before beginning the real wildlife adventure of a lifetime. During the summer season, the Caribbean coast plays host to thousands of sea turtles who come to lay their eggs. At the Mwamba Lodge in Tortuguero, you will have the chance to see these remarkable creatures digging their nests, laying their eggs and returning to sea without a glance back. After two nights enjoying the turtles along with floating safari's, nature hikes and up close encounters with tropical butterflies and frogs, you will continue on to the Volcano Lodge near Arenal Volcano for 2 nights. In Arenal, stay at the famed Tabacon Resort and Hot Springs and enjoy a wildlife hike in the rainforests around the Volcano. Next, sail across Lake Arenal and ride into the mountains for two nights at El Establo in the Monteverde Cloud Forest. During your stay, you will hit the heights of your adventure with a hanging bridge tour and ziplining as well as a very special visit to the wildlife reserve with a naturalist guide. From the highest mountains to the coast, you will travel south to Manuel Antonio set on the beach, yet tucked away in lush rain forest. This is your best place to spot Macaws! Spend three nights overlooking the ocean at luxurious La Mariposa. Your tours here include a guided visit to the park and a morning white water rafting excursion. Mountains, cloud forests, volcanoes, beaches, and estuaries, this private guided tour covers it all. Luxurious, affordable and the ultimate adventure.
Unforgettable France for Lovers
4 nights in Paris at the magnificent Hotel de Crillon in Paris and 2 nights at Domaine des Hauts de Loire, a breathtaking Chateaux in the picturesque Loire Valley. Fall in love all over again while enjoying the ultimate luxury getaway. In Paris, you will enjoy a private tour of the Louvre, a dinner cruise on the Siene, tickets to the famous Lido de Paris with a bottle of champagne and a 3 day city pass including all museum admissions including Versailles. Then, you will be whisked away by a private chauffeur to the Loire River Valley where you will spend two nights being pampered in one of France's most beautiful chateau's. Set on several acres of parkland, there are no shortage of activities to enjoy. Your stay will include a hot air balloon flight over the Loire Valley and Paris and a tour to visit two chateau's and a vineyard. Your stay also includes a gourmet dinner. Six nights of heaven in the city of romance that you will never stop thinking about.
Venetian Palaces: City and Suburbs
Venetian Palaces: City and Suburbs
One of the most unique cities in Europe, Venice is filled with mysteries and intrigue. Exploring its narrow, pedestrian streets, or sampling gelatos in a piazza, every hour in this city hold something old and new. Spend 5 nights at one of Venice's oldest hotels, the 5 star Luna Baglioni, which once housed the Knights Templar. During your stay, you will go on a walking tour featuring the Doge's Palace. A second tour will take you into one of Venice's most flamboyant pallazzo's, Ca'Rezzonico. What trip to Venice is complete without a private gondola ride with a serenading gondolier? A late night, moon light ride will take you through the most active canals and the open lagoon. You will also spend a morning having a hands on cooking class in a palace overlooking the Grand Canal. The highlight of your trip may be a full day with a private guide taking you to Venice's suburbs, where you will find some of Italy's most ornate private homes and buildings. You will visit at least one of these private estates and enjoy some countryside as well. This package can be tailored to include additional destinations in Italy, such as Rome, Florence, Lake Como or the Amalfi Coast, which are all easily accessible by train from Venice.
Vietnam & Cambodia
Southeast Asia captured my heart and I know that any who venture to experience it for themselves will be aptly awarded. Rich in culture, history and beauty, Vietnam has come a long way and warmly opens its arms to tourists. Their private guides are some of the best I have encountered and their luxury hotels are outstanding. Everything is easy and affordable, even hot stone massages for $20USD. Spend 9 nights exploring Vietnam from north to south. Start your visit with your private guide in Hanoi. You will spend 2 nights at the Daewoo Hotel and enjoy private guided visits to the Temple of Literature, Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum and residence, One Pillar Pagoda, Ethnology Museum, the Turtle Pagoda and more, as well as a visit to a busy marketplace and enjoy a traditional water puppet theater show. Take a full day trip through the countryside to Halong Bay for what will surely be a most memorable private cruise. A private crewed boat will sail through the rock formations, stopping to visit a cave. Enjoy fresh prepared seafood on board while sipping champagne. The long ride through the countryside between Hanoi and Halong Bay offers stunning views of rice paddies, flower fields and quaint towns. From Hanoi, take a hopper flight to Hue in Central Vietnam. Stay at La Residence resort and spa and take a cruise up the Perfume River to the Purple Pagoda and Second Emperors Palace. Also visit the notorious Citadel and its forbidden Purple City, based on the Forbidden City in Beijing. Finally, take a night time sail on the Perfume River to enjoy traditional music and release lanterns for good luck. Travel through the mountains and visit Danang to explore the Marble Mountains and China Beach and overnight in Hoi An, Vietnam's ancient capitol. Visit the ancient city with Vietnamese, Japanese and Chinese architecture and visit a Buddhist temple, a traditional home and a silk factory. Overnight at The Palms beach resort. You may want to add an additional night here to enjoy the beach and some mid-trip R&R. A morning flight from Danang will take you to Ho Chi Minh City for two nights exploring the modern capitol. Visit its colorful and fragrant marketplaces, the Jade Emperors Temple, Reunification Palace and more. Your last full day in Vietnam will take you into the southern countryside to visit the Mekong River Delta and Cu Chi Tunnels. Take a cruise through the Delta to a few of its islands and sample some local flavors before crawling through the vast tunnel system used by the Viet Kong during the Vietnam War. You will also visit a Cao Dai Temple to see the house of one of the worlds most colorful religions. A short hopper flight will take you from Saigon to Siem Reap, your home base in Cambodia. You will spend 4 nights at Raffles Grand Hotel D'Angkor, a 1920's safari lodge that lives up to every jungle fantasy. You will get a three day visitor permit to visit dozens of ruins spread over a 3 mile radius. Spend two full days with a private guide and chauffeur who will escort you through Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, Ta Prohm and Bantay Srei. Your guide will educate you on history, folklore and culture and also show you the best possible photo spots! You will also visit a floating village and busy marketplace. Your last day will be at leisure to either enjoy the Raffles, explore more temples or revisit the spots you already fell in love with. Your guide can also arrange for hot air balloon or sunset elephant rides. This private guides Vietnam and Cambodia package is also perfect to combine with onward visits to Thailand, Malaysia or Singapore.
Tiptoe Through the Tulips
Amsterdam is my favorite city in the world and there is no better time to enjoy it than the springtime. Experience the best Holland has to offer during its most colorful season and come home inspired to grow a garden, make your own shoes or just lead a more laid back lifestyle. This week long package includes a 7 night stay at the 4 star Convent Hotel in the center of this pedestrian and biker friendly city. You will receive a 48 hour I Amsterdam Card that will grant you admission at all the top museums, a free canal cruise, access to all public transportation and more. Your stay also includes an evening on the town, where you will enjoy a 3 course meal at the historic Heffer restaurant. Get to know the city with a Culinary Snack and Bike Tour and spend a day in the countryside visiting Edam, seaside villages and windmill country. Of course, the highlight is the tulips. Join a tour to the famous Keukenhof and see the world’s most breathtaking tulip gardens. Pass tulip fields along the way that stretch as far as the eye can see. You have the choice to spend 2, 5 or 7 hours enjoying the gardens and the activities they have to offer.
*Schedule your stay around mid April to experience the annual Flower Parade!
Peru - Highest Mountains and Lowest Deserts
Peru - Highest Mountains and Lowest Deserts
This 10 night, private guided Peruvian sampler takes you to the most spectacular and mystical sights this colorful country has to offer. After your evening arrival, overnight in Lima and prepare for a morning flight to Cuzco. Stay at the Palacio del Inka hotel and use this first day at leisure to adjust to the altitude and explore the Inca's capitol city. Your second day in Cuzco, a guide will take you to the outskirts to enjoy visits to the ruins ofSacsayhuauman. The next day, set out into the Sacred Valley where you will visit a marketplace in Pisac, a family run llama and alpaca farm, the ruins of Ollantaytambo and overnight at Hotel Pakaritampu, in the shadow of the ruins. Next, you will board the famed Orient Express Hiram Bingham train up to the lost Incan city of Machu Picchu. Overnight at the luxury hotel and wildlife reserve, Inka Terra, and enjoy a private guided visit of the ruins. The following day, you have at leisure to revisit the ruins or shop in town before hopping the train back to Cuzco for one more overnight at your luxury hotel. Next, you will continue on a scenic bus ride through the mountains, stopping at several sites and driving through Peru's highest passable road. Arrive in Puno, set on Lake Titikaka and stay at the Casa Andina hotel. Get ready for a morning sail on the worlds highest navigable lake. Visit the Uros, the mysterious islands built entirely of reeds and meet its colorful people and have the chance to enjoy their way of life for a day. You will be taken back to Lima on a short hopper flight. Sea level at last! Your coach will take you through the desert to the town of Ica where you will overnight at Mossone and enjoy a cruise to the Ballestas Islands where believe it or not, you will see penguins along with thousands of other nesting sea birds and sea lions. The last stop of your trip is Nazca, for a flight over the mysterious Nazca lines. A coach will take you back to Lima for your return flight home. An additional night may be required in Lima based on your flight times and coach schedule. This tour can be combined with a visit to Quito, Ecuador to pick up a Galapagos Island cruise. It can also be combined with a visit to the Peruvian Amazon.
Orlando VIP Behind the Scenes Explorer
Whether this is your first trip to Orlando or your 15th, I have put together a VIP package full of behind the scenes peeks, rare interactions and extra perks using one of my favorite hotels of all time and the most exclusive tours. On my custom VIP Orlando package you will spend 7 Nights in a Magic Kingdom View room at the Deluxe Polynesian Resort, transportation to and from the airport, 8 day Park Hopper Passes for the Disney Parks. At the Magic Kingdom, you will enjoy the Keys to the Kingdom Behind the Scenes Tour. At Animal Kingdom you will get a much closer look at the animals on the Wild Africa Trek. Spend a day park hopping and Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure on a VIP tour that allows you to skip the lines. You will also be a Trainer for a Day at Discovery Cove experiencing their signature dolphin swim, behind the scenes tour and enhanced animal interactions. In addition, you will have the a private taxi transportation between the Disney resort and other parks. I will also arrange your Disney dining and advance fast passes for top rides and give you a tutorial on using the My Disney Experience App to enhance your time in the parks and track your arrangements.
Girls Getaway in Punta Cana
Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, plays host to many top all inclusive resorts, but none are as fun as the Hard Rock. Get a group of friends together for a birthday, anniversary, graduation or bachlorette party to remember. With this package, you will receive round trip flights, 5 nights all inclusive accomodation in Rock Royalty Level suites at Hard Rock Punta Cana, private transfers to and from the airport and so much more. There are over a dozen fantastic restaurants and bars to choose from, 13 pools, Appointments at the Rock Spa will be confirmed for your party in advance. They offer many music inspired treatments and packages to choose from. Your group will also enjoy two half day trips. A relaxing catamaran snorkle cruise and an exciting ATV safari. This package can be customized in any way to fit your groups needs and preferences.
Chilean Explorer
This captivating 10 night tour covers Santiago, Patagonia and Easter Island, one of the most remote corners of the earth. The longest country in the world by longitude, Chile’s various microclimates and awe-inspiring nature are its biggest attractions. On this exciting Chile package you'll visit its dynamic and bustling capital of Santiago, explore the white sand beaches and relaxed ambiance of the tranquil seaside towns of the Pacific, before heading south to the extraordinary landscapes of the glacial region of Patagonia. With its six million inhabitants, dynamic cultural life, and countless attractions, Santiago is the true heart of Chile. The beautiful museums, buzzing plazas filled with street vendors, and effervescent nightlife will envelope you in a whirl of exciting activities as you explore this vibrant city. Head out to Valparaiso and Viña del Mar on the Pacific coast to enjoy the laid back atmosphere of these coastal towns believed to be among the most beautiful in the country. Revel in the bohemian feel of Valparaiso with its cheerful barrios filled with colorful architectural arrangements that create a chaotic yet warm environment. After soaking in the energy of Chile's bustling cities, the pristine and infinite landscapes of Patagonia will bring you back to nature and its wonders. Hike among gigantic glaciers, forests, and volcanoes, observe a unique display of wildlife, and sail across the deep-blue waters of the numerous lakes filling the area. Finally, you will fly to remote Easter Island. The wonders of Easter Island have captivated the imaginations of archaeologists and travelers alike. This remote and isolated island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean is home to over 600 archaeological sites and stunning scenery. You will wander the lush, volcanic landscape of this far away island, discovering its troubled past through the monuments that lie scattered across the verdant hills. Additional nights are available and this can be combined with other regions of Chile.
Here Comes Santa Claus: A North Pole Adventure
According to American folklore, Santa Claus lives in the North Pole, drives a reindeer pulled sleigh and runs a workshop of elves that mass produces toys for children. Did you ever dream you could go to the North Pole yourself and see the man in action? If visiting Santa at the local mall, or even Macy's Santa Land isn't enough for your family, I have a trip of a life time for you. A 8 night Scandinavian adventure that will make you feel like the magic of the holiday season really is something out of a story book. International flights, private airport transfers, accomodations and select activities are all included. Upon arrival in Helsinki, you will spend 3 nights Glo Hotel Art. You will receive a 2 day Helsinki Card which includes admission to top attractions and use of public transportation. Return to the airport for a short hopper flight to Rovaniemi. Your North Pole adventure begins here. You will be transported to Santa Claus Holiday Village in Rovaniemi for 3 nights in a cabin with private sauna, with meals included. They will also provide warm winter clothing for your stay. You will have a private visit with Santa including gifts, a dog sled ride, and a reindeer safari with visit to a reindeer farm. Your stay also include access to other winter activities such as tobogganing and sleigh rides. Then you will spend an additional 2 nights at Snowman Glass Resort in your very own glass domed apartment. Think of it as a very luxurious glass igloo, with your bed looking up to sky. Your room will feature a private sauna and hot spring outdoor hot spa, an aroma Sense shower. Rituals products (my favorite), a mini kitchen, bathrobes, wifi and more. Also included in your stay are breakfast and entrance tickets to Snowman World Winter Zone (December - March). This is the perfect place to watch the Northern Lights, and your visit will feature a Discovery Tour where you will trave by minibus into the peaceful nature away from the city lights. A photographer will take you to best viewing spots, but in case they are unable to find the Northern lights due to weather, they will concentrate on night photography of the beautiful Laplands. Finally, dine in the worlds only Ice Restaurant on the Snowman World property. After your north pole adventure, you will be transported back to the airport for your connecting flights home. This is all the Christmas spirit you could ever hope to find.
Harry Potter's England
Who wouldn't want to walk through the great dining hall at Hogwarts? Your family will spend 2 nights at The Milestone hotel in London and 3 nights in the countryside at a real castle! In London, you will have an official Harry Potter guide taking you to Kings Cross Station and a myriad of other sites used in the series. Then, immerse yourself in the spellbinding world of Harry Potter on a 6-hour trip to the Warner Bros. Studio Tour, just outside of London. Travel to the fabled Harry Potter studios in Leavesden by air-conditioned coach, and on arrival, trace the footsteps of Hogwarts’ student wizards at your leisure. Behold original sets such as Platform 9 ¾ and Diagon Alley; see the Hogwarts Express steam train; ride a broomstick like the cast; and uncover the behind-the-scenes secrets of the movies’ on-screen wizardry. You will also receive to your tickets of one West End show of your choice. Following your stay in London, you will spend 2 nights at Thornbury Castle. Built in 1511, the castle has played host to Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn and Queen Mary I. With most of the original building still intact, this lavish castle invites you to live its history. For 2 nights, you will call it home while exploring the English countryside and visiting filming locations from the Harry Potter movies. A private car will escort you from Thornbury to visit the university town of Oxford, where many of the Hogwart's interior scenes were shot. Featured are the Hogwarts dining hall and hospital wing. You will also visit Gloucester Abbey, which featured heavily in the Chamber of Secrets. This package also has a 3 night optional extenstion to Scotland to ride The Jacobite train. The train and its jawdropping scenic route were used as The Hogwarts Express. You'll come home a Harry Potter expert....and possibly a wizard!
Canadian Rockies Fantasy
The Canadian Rockies is the northwest wonderland of your dreams. Turquoise lakes, soaring mountain tops, challenging hikes, welcoming towns, and world class hotels. The Fairmont resorts are the queens of the Rockies, and with this tour you will experience 3 of them. Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, Fairmont Banff Springs and Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge. This 10 night package includes round trip flights to Calgary, a rental car for the duration of your stay, 3 nights in each Fairmont Resort and 1 night in Calgary, prior to your return flight home. At Chateau Lake Louise, you will enjoy a private guided hike of The Plain of Six Glaciers trail. In Banff, you will go for a cowboy cookout in the woods by horseback or covered wagon. And in Jasper you will join a small group for a tour of spectacular Maligne Canyon and a cruise on Maligne Lake to Spirit Island. Your visit also includes tickets to visit the Columbia Icefields via a unique all-terrain Ice Explorer. You'll have time to walk on the glacier and marvel at its haunting landscape. All dining and spa reservations will be made in advance on your behalf.
If you prefer not to drive yourself, I will work with Rocky Mountaineer Tours to put together a similiar itinerary using the same hotels and general activities. This options originates in Vancouver. When you travel with Rocky Mountaineer, part of your journey is a few days on a luxurious vista dome train with knowledgable commentary, food and drinks included. Once the train reaches Jasper, the second part of your adventure will be with a motorcoach. They also include additional guided sightseeing between each hotel, maximizing your time in the National Parks. This white glove option is the ultimate in Canadian luxury and hospitality.