Sublime Travel

Peak season in Europe doesn't have to mean crowds. It means knowing where not to go.

A few destinations that deliver the quality of Europe's best without the experience of its most visited:

Madeira: A sub-tropical island off the coast of Morocco that most travelers underestimate. Not to miss: the hiking trails along the levadas and the food scene in Funchal.

The Azores: Nine volcanic islands in the mid-Atlantic with crater lakes, whale watching, thermal springs, and landscapes that feel unlike anywhere else in Europe. Still largely under the radar.

Slovenia: Ljubljana is one of the most pleasant small capitals in Europe, and Lake Bled is the kind of destination that photographs cannot do justice to.

Norway: The fjords in summer deliver some of the most beautiful scenery on the continent, and the quality of light at northern latitudes in June is something clients consistently say they weren't prepared for.

Vienna. Consistently overlooked in favor of Prague and Budapest. The museums, the coffee house culture, the concert season, and the food scene are all at a level that Vienna's reputation doesn't fully convey.

Ready to experience Europe without the crowds? Let’s start planning!

Explora Journeys is not your average cruise. Not even close.

Smaller ships. More time in port. No assigned dining times. An onboard experience that feels like a boutique hotel that happens to be moving. And itineraries that reach places the larger ships simply can't.

The Monaco Grand Prix itinerary is one of the most requested experiences we book: race weekend access, the right vantage point, and a ship positioned in the harbor where the view is part of the event.

If cruising has never quite been your thing, this is worth a second look. Get in touch.

If a beach trip is on your mind, this one is worth a look.

St. Regis Punta Mita is on a private peninsula about 45 minutes north of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, and the recognition speaks for itself: Forbes Four-Star, AAA Five Diamond, and ranked among the top resorts in Western Mexico by Condé Nast Traveler readers.

A few of our favorites: Bahia, the main restaurant, is one of the best dining experiences on the Riviera Nayarit with seafood pulled fresh from the Pacific daily. The two Jack Nicklaus-designed golf courses include the famous Tail of the Whale hole, an island green only accessible at low tide. And every villa comes with a dedicated butler.

Advisor Tip: Sayulita is 20 minutes away and worth an afternoon. Bohemian surf town, great tacos, a farmers market on Sundays.

If Mexico is on your calendar, reach out and let's start planning.

Wine, olive oil, and a coastline most people haven't found yet. Here's your sign.

Meneghetti is a Relais & Châteaux property in the southwestern corner of Istria, Croatia, on a working wine and olive oil estate that has been producing here for decades. The hotel is small and deliberate: 18 rooms and suites, a pool surrounded by century-old olive trees, and a restaurant built around the estate's own production.

The wine program is a standout: tastings in the cellar, access to the winemaking team, and a list that extends well beyond what the estate produces into the best of the Istrian region.

Istria also delivers on its own terms as a destination. Hill towns like Motovun and Groznjan, truffles that rival anything found in Italy, and a coastline that rewards the detour every time.

Ready to discover Croatia? Get in touch to start planning!

Some travelers are planning with a different set of priorities right now. Destinations that feel stable, well-organized, and deliver an excellent experience without uncertainty. A few we keep recommending:

Switzerland, for alpine adventures that are hard to match anywhere. In summer, gondola rides into the Alps, mountain coasters, and for the chocolate lovers, Geneva has an unlimited chocolate pass honored at the city's best artisanal chocolatiers.

Ireland and Scotland, for long summer days, the Wild Atlantic Way, and a hospitality culture that consistently surprises first-time visitors in the best way.

Japan, for cherry blossom season, world-class powder skiing, small-ship cruising along its coastline, and a level of cultural depth that clients say changed how they think about travel entirely.

Australia and New Zealand, for stunning natural landscapes, serious food culture, and a well-run English-speaking environment that works particularly well for first-time long-haul travelers. Book New Zealand now before its first Michelin Guide puts the best tables out of reach.

If this is the kind of trip you're planning, we'll help you find the right destination and design it properly.