Every journey we design begins with the simple belief that no two trips should ever feel the same. Each itinerary is shaped around the traveler, taking into consideration their pace, passions, and the moments they hope to remember long after returning home.
To make that possible, we don’t rely on secondhand recommendations to learn about destinations. Instead, we experience them ourselves. That means testing accommodations, activities, and routes so we can offer insight that’s grounded in reality. In 2025, our travel experts ventured across the globe on a series of discovery trips, uncovering places, experiences, and details that transform a good trip into an unforgettable one.
These three stories, inspired by those journeys, highlight all you could experience, why it felt special, and how thoughtful travel design makes all the difference.
Italy reveals itself best when contrasts are allowed to shape the journey. Moving through several regions at an unhurried pace, we experienced how shifts in landscape, cuisine, and rhythm create a trip that feels cohesive rather than rushed.
The journey began in the Spring along the shores of Lake Maggiore, where elegance and tranquility set the tone. In towns like Stresa, we enjoyed a slower pace with gentle boat rides, lakeside walks, and quiet evenings where the scenery took center stage. It was an ideal introduction for travelers who want to ease into Italy.
From there, the route continued into Piedmont’s Langhe region, where rolling vineyards define both the landscape and the experience. Wine tastings, time with local producers, and long meals in and around Alba showed how food-focused moments can anchor a stay and bring a destination to life.
The final days unfolded along the Ligurian coast, where villages like Portofino and Santa Margherita Ligure overlook the deep blue of the Gulf of Tigullio. Coastal walks, seaside lunches, and time exploring these colorful towns created a relaxed yet joyful ending to the journey.
What makes this journey so compelling is its flow. Each region enhances the next, offering variety without fatigue and indulgence without excess.
South Africa proves that a safari is never a single experience, but a collection of distinct moments. Traveling through different reserves and regions, we experienced how greatly each setting influences the feel of a journey.
In smaller, intimate camps, the focus was on immersion. Game drives with just a few guests, quiet afternoons watching elephants gather at a nearby waterhole, and evenings defined by the sounds of the bush created a strong sense of connection to the environment. These are the kinds of stays that appeal to travelers seeking privacy and atmosphere alongside wildlife encounters.
Larger lodges offered a contrasting experience. Here, exceptional service paired with reliable wildlife sightings made comfort part of the adventure. Watching giraffes or rhinos pass by from a terrace, then returning from a game drive to a beautifully prepared meal, showed how a safari can feel both effortless and indulgent.
Beyond the reserves, Cape Town added a dynamic shift in rhythm. Riding the cable car up Table Mountain, exploring the colorful streets of Bo-Kaap, and enjoying waterfront dining created a vibrant urban balance to time spent in nature. A stop in the winelands, particularly around Franschhoek, slowed things down again with scenic drives and relaxed lunches set against mountain backdrops.
What makes South Africa unforgettable is choice. With the right balance, a journey here can feel immersive, comfortable, and perfectly aligned with how you want to experience safaris and more.
Japan often leaves its strongest impressions in quieter settings, where daily life unfolds with intention and tradition is woven into ordinary moments. Traveling through lesser-visited regions of central Japan, we experienced how meaningful encounters emerge when the pace allows for participation rather than observation.
In towns known for their craft traditions, time spent in small workshops offered hands-on insight into skills passed down for generations. Trying washi papermaking firsthand transformed an abstract cultural idea into something tangible, creating a deeper connection to the place and people.
Stays in towns such as Inuyama and Gujo Hachiman offered a more intimate pace of travel. In Inuyama, the original wooden castle provides a sense of history, but it was everyday moments—sampling street food or joining a matcha ceremony—that brought the town to life. Gujo Hachiman felt especially personal, with uncrowded streets, scenic views, and small discoveries that happened naturally rather than by design.
Moving into the mountains added a reflective dimension to the experience. Snow-dusted landscapes formed the backdrop for quiet, resonant moments from attending a Buddhist fire ceremony to practicing zazen meditation. Here we found the space for stillness and insight into Japan’s spiritual foundations.
Hospitality in the mountain towns felt deeply personal. Sharing a home-cooked meal prepared alongside a local grandmother or exploring the area with a resident who knew every corner created genuine human connection. Today those memories are some of the most lasting from the entire journey.
Japan rewards travelers who engage with it directly. For those seeking cultural depth, personal connection, and moments of quiet discovery, this route offers an experience that feels both accessible and profoundly meaningful.
The common thread through all these journeys isn’t luxury or the idea of being somewhere “exotic.” It’s intention. When trips are created with care, it allows space for discovery, connection, and moments that feel uniquely your own.
Whether you’re dreaming of vineyard-covered hillsides, a safari full of wildlife, or a quiet conversation in a mountain town halfway across the world, the possibilities are endless. Whatever you imagine doing in 2026, we’re here to help turn that vision into a journey worth remembering.
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