October Trip Ideas: Traveler Reviews to Inspire You
24 min readOctober is widely considered one of the best months to travel, and for good reason. While summer’s peak crowds disperse, winter’s chill remains at bay and autumn descends as gently as leaves in the Northern Hemisphere, with mild weather, vibrant landscapes, and savory meals. Cooler temperatures make outdoor exploration more comfortable—hiking the Alps, touring cities ...
The post October Trip Ideas: Traveler Reviews to Inspire You appeared first on Wendy Perrin.
October is widely considered one of the best months to travel, and for good reason. While summer’s peak crowds disperse, winter’s chill remains at bay and autumn descends as gently as leaves in the Northern Hemisphere, with mild weather, vibrant landscapes, and savory meals. Cooler temperatures make outdoor exploration more comfortable—hiking the Alps, touring cities to the south—while Mediterranean and Adriatic travels offer lingering warmth without the sweltering heat of summer.
These travelers all booked their trips the WOW way: Their trips were optimized for the month of October by the local fixers on our WOW List of Trusted Travel Experts (and those we are testing for The WOW List). You’ll find even more ideas in the October installment of our Where to Go When series, and you’ll find more traveler reviews here.
Unsure where to go in October? Click the black button below for our help.
Italy for historical sites, artisans, and sidestepping crowds with savvy guides
Florence: “Despite the crowds, we were able to thoroughly enjoy the major historical sights due to the superb guides.” Photo: Shutterstock
“We recently completed a wonderful two-week October trip to Venice, Florence, Rome and Positano, all of which was expertly designed and executed by Andrea and her team. It’s been well-documented that Italy has been very crowded with tourists, and this has seemingly extended the peak travel season into October. Despite the crowds, we were able to thoroughly enjoy the major historical sights due to the superb guides we were paired with. Advance reservations allowed us to skip most of the lines, and our guides were very savvy about finding ways to lessen the impact of the many tourists. Beyond helping us to navigate the crowds, our guides were historical experts, adding lots of background and insights about each place we visited and giving us a sense of life in Italy then and now.
Apart from the traditional historical spots, the experiences that Andrea suggested and arranged were a major highlight of our trip. There were too many to list them all here, but they included a private demonstration with a master glassblower and a visit to a weaving factory in Venice, a culinary food tour in Bologna while in transit from Venice to Florence, a Tuscan cooking class at the home of a chef in Florence, a hike in the hills outside of Florence ending with an amazing picnic lunch at the villa of a family with a historical and current connection to local art, and a full-day tour of small-town areas near Positano—including an excellent private lunch in Tramonti. Extra bonus—thanks to lots of walking, we enjoyed all of these food experiences without gaining a pound!” —Roger and Cheryl Fiery
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Greece for island-hopping “rest and relaxation” during a quieter month
Santorini is more subdued in October, after summer’s crowds and heat abate. Photo: Shutterstock
“With so many Greek islands to choose from, I quickly became overwhelmed, especially when I tried to also figure out the logistics of island hopping. Marianna on Maria’s team came to the rescue! She worked with me to custom-plan an itinerary that would allow us to visit five islands and also to get some needed rest and relaxation by structuring our trip to take advantage of beach time at the beginning and to do more excursions toward the middle and end.
From the moment we landed in Athens we were treated like rock stars. She had someone waiting for us right after we deplaned who took us on the fast track, past all the people waiting in line at customs, and got us right through in about two minutes.
We then went to the Mykonos Grand, which was an absolutely delightful property on a bay and one that captured my heart. When we checked in, we were told that our accommodations had been upgraded. Little did we know that this was going to become a common theme.
In Santorini we took a sunset cruise that Marianna booked for us and that was one of the highlights of the trip. On Corfu, we enjoyed three wonderful nights at the Olivar Suites, where we also were upgraded upon check-in (as we were in Paros and in Santorini). While on Corfu we did a private olive oil tour that Marianna booked for us and that was another highlight of our vacation.” —Beth Jaworski and Mark Blumenberg
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Japan for meeting artisans, waterfall meditation, and vaulting down the red torii gates by the sea
Motonosumi Inari Shrine’s 123 red torii gates overlook the Sea of Japan.
“I am forever grateful to Andrea for helping me with designing my dream trip to Japan. Having lived in Japan as a child, I wanted to go where few tourists go and engage in activities that would be a challenge to arrange. 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.
* 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; 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.
* 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.
* 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.” —Lynn Savarese
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Turkey for fall ballooning and “aha moments”
A colorful ride over Cappadocia. Photo: Traveler Lary Barton
“We started in Istanbul, then to Cappadocia, Izmir/Ephesus, and Bodrum. Earl had it all taken care of! Each city had an amazing tour guide, luxury transportation, great drivers, and lots of aha moments. There were four total in our group, and we all agreed the balloon ride in Cappadocia was truly the top. The pilot actually landed the balloon basket on the trailer that would take the balloon away. None of the other 156 balloons made that magnificent landing.
The food! The wine! The people! The water! The mountains! I will use Wendy Perrin for all future travels, and we continue to recommend your amazing company.” —Lary Barton
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Canada for optimal timing to view polar bears on foot
“We are so thankful to have experienced polar bears in the wild.” Photo: Shutterstock
“I’d been thinking about seeing polar bears for years and imagined traveling in tundra buggies outside of Churchill looking for bears. Thank goodness I reached out to Marc! Marc suggested a walking safari at a remote camp. He also helped determine the optimal time and best experience based on our interests. It was amazing! The camp is 60 km north of Churchill, we flew in on an 8-passenger plane and saw a polar bear from the air!
The entire time we were at the lodge there were 3 bears around the camp. We had so many opportunities to see them from the lodge, from the viewing decks outside, and walking on the tundra. Equipment was provided and very much appreciated for protecting us from the Arctic winds. We were also lucky enough to see an amazing show of the northern lights. We are so thankful to have experienced polar bears in the wild with a small group on foot.” —Deborah Wente
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Southern France for temperate fall vineyard visits
Aiguines castle is surrounded by vineyards and the turquoise St-Croix Lake. Photo: Shutterstock
“We spent four days in Provence and were based in historic Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, a charming and easily walkable little village. We stayed at the Hotel de Tourrel, a beautifully renovated 17th-century palace and our favorite hotel of the trip. Our first day of touring took us to Arles for a little history and then to the Camargue region to visit a working manade. We weren’t aware that ‘bull fighting’ (which is more like tag football with a bull, and no one gets hurt) was popular in France, but the form that is practiced there has a huge following in the South. It was fascinating to learn the history of the sport and see the farm where the French cowboys raise the bulls.
On our way to Lyon, our guide, Sebastien, picked us up at the train station and took us to Beaujolais. The scenery was absolutely breathtaking, as it had been raining and the sun was peeking out behind the mist over the vineyards. Sebastien asked if we wanted to stop for lunch or pick up cheese and charcuterie and head straight for the winery we were scheduled to visit. Our preference was the latter, but when we asked if that would be OK with the winery, Sebastien grinned and said, ‘I’m the owner and I have the keys.’ We spent an absolutely delightful afternoon tasting amazing Beaujolais wines and learning about owning a small family winery in that part of France. From there we visited Lyon, where walking through the old city felt like being on a movie set—it was so French it didn’t look real!” —Lisa and Bruce Rosenfeld
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Australia for “glorious” beach weeks and wildlife
Crowds have waned in October but sun and surf are still epic on Bondi Beach. Photo: Shutterstock
“We cannot thank Stuart and Jacki enough for arranging the most wonderful, memorable trip for my 18-year-old son and me—two-and-a-half glorious weeks running around beautiful Australia. They both spent real time talking to us about our likes and hopes. Every element of the itinerary they came back with was flawlessly executed and fun-filled, tailored perfectly to our quirky interests. We loved it—wow! It was nonstop terrific. Highlights especially were our time at Arkaba Station, our day at MONA and walking in Mt Field in Tasmania, and—so touristy, but oh boy so fun—petting all those kangaroos at the wildlife reserve near Hobart. Who knew kangaroos were like dogs, just wanting a cuddle and scratch?
My son adds that he also especially loved surfing on Bondi Beach, climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and taking a cocktail mixology class at Saffire. In addition to the thoughtful itinerary, Jacki and Stuart paired us with some truly terrific guides, very well matched to us. For example, in Sydney, they found us a professor of architecture to give us a tour of the wonderful architecture there. It is such a beautiful country, and we can tell we only just dipped our toes in. We will certainly be back for more, with the whole family next time.” —Cate Bradley
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Ireland for cliffs & countryside, artisans & distilleries, and crystal-laid banquets
Travel Vicky Pendell and family at Dublin’s Pearse Lyons Distillery, which is housed in a former church.
“There were ten of us, ranging in age from early 40s to mid 70s. Jonathan and Katie suggested a variety of activities that made everyone happy, including a falconry walk at our first hotel, Dromoland, a 16th-century castle that truly set the tone for what a spectacular trip this was going to be.
Our outing to the Cliffs of Moher was truly breathtaking…and en route, the countryside alone was worth the trip. A trip to a farm provided us with an incredible sheepdog demonstration, followed by our getting to know the pups up close and personal, followed by artisanal cheeses and hot toddies served in a charming back room of the farm shop.
Weather was beautiful for us our first few days, but the day that our daughter and sons were set to play Dooks, one of the oldest golf courses in Ireland, winds kicked up and rain pelted down, yet they played anyway and said they would do it all again for the experience of playing that course!
We sadly left Dromoland after two nights and went to Killarney for three nights where we completely enjoyed all of the amenities offered at The Europe Hotel & Resort. Every one of us utilized the fitness center, spa treatments, pools, hot tubs, steam rooms, all while enjoying the most gorgeous views from our rooms overlooking Lough Leane….
On to Dublin for our last three nights and the Shelbourne Hotel did not disappoint either—incredible staff, a sumptuous high tea service, delicious foods and drink, and within walking distance to some very cool parts of the city. Seeing The Book of Kells and the ‘Long Room’ (the massive library at Trinity College) nearly had us in tears; the books are shelved floor-to-ceiling, and it was a sight never to be repeated, at least not in my mind.
Our final evening here, Nikita helped me arrange a special dinner in a private room for our family, next to a smaller room alongside where an Irish duo came to entertain us before dinner. The Irish pipes and the violinist were incredible—we were clapping, laughing, singing, playing flutes along with the duo, and ended up dancing before they were done! The dinner was exquisite, with a gorgeous linen-laid table, crystal, and servers timing the ‘reveal’ of each dish just perfectly. We felt like royalty. What a way to end our time together!!” —Vicky Pendell
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
South Korea for city sights, decadent dining, and the “quietude” of Buddhist temples
A tea sommelier leads a tasting at Rakkojae Seoul Bukchon Village Hanok Hotel. Photo: Traveler Michael Ruma
“Drawn to Seoul to attend a business meeting, we decided to extend our Korean journey to explore a loop of the southern half of the country. Our first stop was the Park Hyatt Seoul, which was a stunning and well-situated hotel with superb service. Greeted by our guide the following day, we oriented ourselves to the massive city, hitting all the major sightseeing stops and learning how to manage the Seoul subway with the ever-convenient transit card included in our booking. During our time in the Korean capital, we sampled the highest quality Korean BBQ, innumerable variations of seafood, a tea tasting and a Korean liquor tasting.
Following Seoul, we travelled to Jeonju. After an efficient high-speed train ride, we checked into the Lahan Hotel overlooking the traditional Hanok village, which allowed for an easy stroll to any of the shops or restaurants that make this area a UNESCO City of Gastronomy. Following the recommendation from the chef who taught us how to make beef bulgogi in Seoul, we went to her favorite place for bibimbap and seafood pajeon.
After eating and drinking our way around Jeonju, we traveled by car to Gwanju in the southwestern portion of the country. On our drive, we were immersed in the beauty of the Korean countryside, taking a moment to stretch our legs with a nice autumn walk at Hwaeomsa temple. A stunningly beautiful site of quietude, we wandered the numerous Buddhist temple buildings and pagodas with each vantage point offering a better view of the surrounding mountains. Informed by our guide that guests are allowed to reside overnight in this special place, we plan to come back soon to try out a ‘temple stay.’
We were pleasantly surprised by our visit to Korea’s second largest city, Busan. Located on the water with sublime city views, we checked into the Park Hyatt Busan, which rivaled the service of its sister hotel in Seoul. While in Busan, we took in incredible oceanside views, decadent dining, and a bit of relaxation at the hotel spa. While uncertain what Korea would hold, we were delighted by its massive, clean, and well-organized cities, its infinite delicious dining, and its helpful, caring, and thoughtful people.” —Michael Ruma
This trip was arranged by a WOW List candidate. Here’s what that means.
Madagascar for lemur sightings and snorkeling with whale sharks
Ring-tailed lemurs are the unofficial mascots of Madagascar. Photo: Shutterstock
“Just back from a 12-day trip to Madagascar to see the lemurs. Madagascar is extremely poor, and road conditions and travel can be quite something. We asked to minimize as much as possible while maximizing our opportunities to see the lemurs and enjoy the best of Madagascar. Elise on Cherri’s team chose four great properties—Maison Gallieni in Antananarivo, Mantadia Lodge, Anjajavy le Lodge and Tsara Komba Lodge—also arranging a private driver, shared charter flight, and private charter flight to lessen road travel and scheduled flights (a few people we had spoken to had lost luggage and cancelled flights with the national carrier).
We loved all the lemur sightings and felt that we were given premium villas at two of the lodges. Most of all, we felt safe and looked after, and had great activities to fulfill our wishes! Surprisingly, food and beverage was extremely good at all our locations, and the snorkeling around Nosy Be (Tsara Komba Lodge) was outstanding, especially the whale sharks where Elise had organized a private excursion, which is really the way to do it.” —Judy Calvert
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Vietnam and Cambodia for Angkor Wat and breezy evening Vespa-tour “heaven”
Cambodia’s Angkor Wat temple complex is filled with intricate carvings. Photo: Traveler Joe McBrine
“We travel to see the world, experience other cultures, and meet those who live like us but only differently. Sandy and Ethan provided us with the opportunities to do that. Each experience forced us out of our comfort zone as passive tourists and made us engage in the best possible way.
The Vespa tour of Ho Chi Minh City was beyond. At first I was a bit anxious at the thought of getting on a Vespa. It was hot and I was worried we might have a collision—or, worse, I’d fall off. However the drivers were expert and put us instantly at ease. Once we set off and felt the breeze against our skin, took in the beautiful twinkling lights, and smelled the aromas of this city—including all the delicious food we tried at the three different restaurants we stopped at—we were in heaven. One particularly memorable moment occurred as we zipped down a small alleyway passing by residents cooking their evening meals, eating, and socializing—a sight familiar no matter where one is in the world. Amazing. Additionally, the flower market was also especially beautiful at night.
In Cambodia, one of the highlights of our trip was getting up before dawn and being able to enjoy sunrise at the awe-inspiring Angkor Wat. Seeing this beautiful and immense temple complex appear out of the mist as the sun rises is an experience too ethereal and intense for words. Along those lines, we visited a Cambodian Buddhist monastery for blessings and prayers with a young Buddhist monk. Truly a trip to remember, and we owe that to Sandy and Ethan.” —Joe McBrine
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Switzerland in fall for uncrowded hiking, local customs, and luxe watches
Farmers bring their cows down from the Alps in the autumn. Photo: Pixabay
“We just came home from a wonderful trip in Switzerland. October is a fabulous time to visit. We ran into very few tourists, got to see the beautiful green countryside, and still experienced enough snow by visiting the Matterhorn and other sites. Nina, Ana, and Simon created a perfect itinerary that enabled us to visit Zurich, Appenzellerland, the Rheinfall, Zermatt and Lucerne in our short 7-day trip.
In Zurich, we took an informative ‘insider’ walking tour our first day and felt completely oriented to the city by the end of our 3 hours. We also had a special WOW Moment dinner in a private vineyard hut overlooking the city. The rain only added to the romantic ambiance of the evening. Appenzellerland was very special and very Swiss! We saw cows returning from the Alps, were invited into local homes and marveled at the customs and traditions of this region. We loved our time in Zermatt. The recommended hotel was unusual (our bed was suspended in glass over the main floor) but charming and our guide took us on a hike that resulted in the PERFECT photo of the Matterhorn. Lucerne was a very quick visit, but the stop at Chronoswiss was very special, and expensive after we fell in love with these unique Swiss watches.” —Lynn Herrick
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Brazil and Argentina for seeing Iguaçu Falls (minus the crowds!)
Stay the night within the national park for virtually private viewings of Iguaçu Falls. Photo: Shutterstock
“Paul and his team did an excellent job in planning our trip to Brazil and Argentina. He listened to our requests, such as keeping our tours to no more than four hours a day to give us time each afternoon to relax. The guides that Paul was able to arrange for us in each location (São Paulo, Paraty, Rio, Iguaçu Falls and Buenos Aires) were all excellent. Getting to know them and their personal stories was very interesting.
One of the highlights was the fact that Paul arranged for us to stay in Iguaçu Falls at the Belmond Hotel das Cataratas, which was located in the national park overlooking the falls. I was able to see the falls early in the morning before the park opened and after 5pm when the park closed to the public. Seeing the falls without the crowds was truly special.” —Shawn Rosenzweig
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Croatia for cooking classes, wine and oyster tastings, and swimming in the Adriatic Sea
Traveler Donna Praskach and a friend exploring the Elaphiti Islands, near Dubrovnik, by private sailboat.
“My girlfriend and I just returned from a most PERFECT and fabulous trip to Croatia. I can’t express enough how amazing the guides, drivers, hotels, etc. were. Our guides were some of the most incredible people during our visit to beautiful Croatia. I was so impressed with the knowledge of not only their country, but history, economics, culture, language, religions and so willing to answer any question we had. It truly was an interactive experience with them.
The agent that we worked with, Ala, was just a wealth of knowledge. She arranged cooking classes, wine tastings, walking tours, visiting an oyster farm and having a private oyster and mussel tasting, but still plenty of time to relax and swim in the Adriatic Sea. It really was a trip of a lifetime and one of the most enjoyable trips I’ve taken abroad. And everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, came together without one hiccup. Truly, a PERFECT experience.
My friend had used WendyPerrin.com previously and, therefore, we were granted a WOW Moment and, oh my goodness, was it a WOW Moment! Probably the highlight of our trip. We had a gorgeous private sailboat to sail around the Elaphiti Islands right off the coast of Dubrovnik. What an over-the-top experience that was for us and culminated our trip on the last day. It couldn’t have been more perfect!” —Donna Praskach
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Norway for glacier hikes, fishing in a 160-year-old rowboat, and cabin-cooked meals
Norway is an outdoor paradise; this is Veitastrondsvatnet Lake. Photo: Norwegian Adventures
“This was by far the best vacation we’ve ever experienced–and to such a beautiful country. Jan planned every aspect perfectly: It was creative, interesting, adventurous and fun. From hiking on a glacier, to having a traditional lunch prepared by a charming woman in her quaint cabin, to fishing in a small, 160-year-old Oselvar rowboat with an amazing guide and his dog. Not to mention catching fish and having him fry it up on shore, along with a hot pot of coffee!
Incredible sites and attractions, either by private RIB, ferries, hiking, or driving. Beautiful, charming accommodations with lovely meals. I could go on and on. We miss Norway and look forward to returning.” —Patti and Don Maltase
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Germany for Bavarian food, hikes, and lager amid the changing color of the trees
A Bavarian band playing at the Braeustueberl Tegernsee beer garden. Photo: Traveler Michael Ruma
“Impromptu trip planned to visit friends stationed in the area turned out to be a well-needed time for relaxation and a stunning experience of Bavaria’s autumn colors and culture. Gwen and her team curated a delightful itinerary based on our requests for a few city tours, hiking, wine tasting and excellent food. What evolved from there really was a sublimely pleasing trip.
I’ll highlight just a few of the many wonderful perks we experienced traveling across Bavaria with Gwen’s assistance. First, we received complimentary upgrades at two of the four hotels where we stayed, with more space, gorgeous balcony views and little treats every night. Second, we had really extraordinary guides in each locale giving us the inside scoop on the finest restaurants, hidden museums and the best ways to enjoy each city.
With superb itinerary planning, smooth transportation and a watchful guide wherever and whenever we needed it, we were left with the freedom to simply relax and immerse ourselves into each site we visited. What this meant to us included walks each morning along the beautifully forested river walk, the Lichtentaler Allee, admiring the changing colors of the trees, spending half a day soaking at a thermal spa, wondering how much more grand Neuschwanstein Castle could be from a bridge suspended hundreds of feet above a roaring waterfall, sampling fine chocolates in Strasbourg, learning about riesling quality designations from our wine-loving guide, finding the local spot for wild boar and dumplings, and hiking over ten miles high above Lake Tegernsee and enjoying a crisp German lager to celebrate the view of the Alps at the local brewery with a live Bavarian band playing next to us.” —Michael Ruma
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
The Galápagos Islands for a small-ship experience of diverse wildlife and rich geography
Blue-footed boobies in the Galápagos Islands. Photo: Shutterstock
“We just returned from Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands celebrating our 50th anniversary. We shared with Allie our desire to focus on the Galápagos: the variety of wildlife, geography, and culture. We were interested in cruising on a small ship but were also concerned about seasickness. Allie suggested we select a catamaran.
The trip was wonderful. Celeste, our mainland guide, met us at the airport and checked us in at the Hilton Colon Guayaquil. Our room, on the executive floor, was decorated with rose petals covering the bed and an assortment of chocolates in celebration of our anniversary (thanks, Allie).
We flew to the Islands and boarded the Endemic, a 16-passenger catamaran with floor-to-ceiling windows and balconies in each large stateroom. Carlos, a native of the Galápagos Islands, was our terrific naturalist guide. We visited the islands of Santa Cruz, Santiago, Bartolome, Isabella, Fernandina, and Rabida. We snorkeled with marine iguanas, crabs, sharks, penguins, green Pacific turtles, flightless cormorants, and sea lions. We also saw land iguanas, flamingos, blue-footed and Nazca boobies, giant tortoises, pelicans, hawks, frigatebirds and many other endemic species. We took numerous hikes learning about the geology and geography of the Islands and viewing wildlife. Carlos kept us very busy, with four planned activities each day, including hiking, snorkeling, kayaking, paddleboarding, and panga rides. Guests were welcome to stay and relax onboard if they wanted to skip an activity.
Celeste escorted us from the Guayaquil airport to the Hotel del Parque on our return to the mainland. We were greeted in our suite with a bouquet of five dozen roses and a bottle of wine in celebration of our anniversary. With Allie’s advice and help, this was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.” —Scott and Lorna Conroy
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Sicily for autumn sailing, biking, and food & wine experiences
“The weather was perfect and the crowds were present, but certainly less than high season.” Photo: Shutterstock
“We just returned from a fantastic trip to Sicily planned by Matteo and Marcello. We spent 3 nights in Palermo, 2 nights in Agrigento, and 4 nights in Siracusa. October is a great time to visit Sicily. The weather was perfect and the crowds were present but certainly less than high season.
We wanted a food tour of the Sicily markets—Matteo got us a fantastic guide for a great Street Food tour. We wanted to shop and cook with a chef—Matteo arranged this with a charismatic great chef. We wanted a day on the water to sail and enjoy the sea—Matteo arranged a phenomenal afternoon and sunset sail with Salvo, a very special person who set up an amazing afternoon for us. We wanted an e-bike tour and this too was arranged for us. The vulcanologist on Mt Etna, the archeologist who led us through the Villa Romana del Casale, and the guide at the Agrigento temples were all also fantastic.
A few suggestions for other travelers considering Sicily. Listen to Matteo and Marcello about Palermo. It was very interesting to visit and the market tour is a must. Spend an evening in the town of Agrigento and have dinner there. It’s a very quaint town with very nice shops and restaurants. We are glad we stayed at the (very expensive) Villa Athena with an amazing view of the temples (15 min from town); this is a unique property with a great restaurant that is a bit formal, so another dinner experience in the city of Agrigento is worth it. We had two wine tastings with lunch. These were not winery visits like we have experienced in the U.S., Tuscany, France or Istria. No tour of the vineyards or facilities, no meeting the winemaker; just tasting the wines and a brief description with your meal. The meals and wine were good and we are glad we booked these, but just be aware of this kind of experience..” —Jonathan Scharfstein
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Chile for hiking amid a “bucket list” of natural beauty
A view from Explora’s lodge in Torres del Paine. Photo: Explora
“Patagonia, specifically Torres del Paine, has been a bucket-list destination for as long as I can remember. So there was a bit of pressure to get everything just right for our trip to the end of the Earth. During the initial planning phase, Jordan listened carefully and helped us narrow our options for how to explore the area’s beauty. After careful consideration and with his and Krista’s guidance, we expanded our trip to include the Atacama Desert to see more of Chile’s beauty. Additional conversations led us to pick Explora for our lodgings. Explora was the perfect mix of luxurious and laid-back, with a friendly vibe that led us to meet other travelers, which added to our experience. The hikes led by the Explora staff were challenging and rewarding. We saw and learned new things that helped us realize a lifelong dream of visiting a place we’d only read about in travel magazines. Krista also helped us enjoy our brief stay in Santiago with personal recommendations for where to stay, eat, and enjoy the best pisco sours.
Thanks to Jordan and team, our bucket-list trip was everything we hoped it would be. For anyone who has ever considered seeing the beauty of Chile, we say ‘just go,’ and go with Jordan.” —David Dubow
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Malaysia and Indonesia for waterfalls, cultural experiences, and ceremonies
The Schoenfelds on the Kinabatangan River in Borneo, looking for proboscis monkeys. Photo: Traveler Barbara Schoenfeld
“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.
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 freshwater 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.
The trip was all we hoped for and more—to gain an understanding of the countries and cultures we visited, enjoying discovery on a special vacation.”—Barbara Schoenfeld
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
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