The holidays are coming, and with them comes that familiar question: What do I give the kids and grandkids this year? Another Xbox? Another sweater? Something they’ll enjoy for a while, then eventually forget who gave it to them? What if this year, instead of giving them more stuff, you gave them something far more meaningful? Time […]

There are two ways to plan a vacation. I often think the second approach leads to some of the most interesting trips. Timing affects far more than the temperature. It can determine what you’ll eat, what you’ll see, how crowded a destination feels, whether you’ll spend your days outside or enjoy a slow lunch, and […]

This year, I’ve seen more people waiting until the last minute to plan their vacations. Sadly, this often leads to higher prices, fewer options, or missing out on the hotels and experiences they really wanted. The best trips usually aren’t booked on a whim. They’re carefully planned, letting you pick where you want to stay, […]

I get the question a lot, usually from the same kind of client. They’ve heard me talk about expedition cruising for years. They’ve seen photos from Antarctica. And then they say some version of: “Shannon, I want that. But I get seasick just reading about the ocean.” Fair enough. The Drake Passage has earned its […]

Twenty years from now, people might forget the candle and the flowers, but they’ll remember the trip. They remember the restaurant in Lyon where the waiter brought another bottle of wine without being asked, and suddenly two hours were gone. They remember seeing their mother tear up in front of Monet’s Water Lily Pond, a […]

(if you missed Part 1 of this series, you can find it here) There’s a moment on every great family trip — usually somewhere between a shared meal and a view that takes your breath away — when you realize: this is what it’s all about. Not the souvenir magnets. Not the Instagram photos. The moment itself. […]

Summer is just around the corner. If you’re dreaming of sunshine, five-star comfort, and unforgettable moments with your kids, now is the perfect time to start planning your luxury family vacation. The best suites, cruise cabins, and premium flights are booked months in advance. If you wait too long, you might end up settling for what’s […]

The United States turning 250 isn’t just a historical milestone. It’s a reminder that we don’t always have to go far to have a meaningful trip. It’s a timely reminder that meaningful travel doesn’t always require crossing an ocean. This summer, many travelers are choosing trips that feel intentional, well-paced, and rewarding—without the added friction […]

If you’ve been thinking about a luxury cruise—whether to Norway’s fjords, Europe’s rivers, or checking the 7th continent (Antarctica) off your bucket list —January is your month. This is the moment the industry releases its strongest annual incentives people wait all year to book. This period, known as Wave Season, is the cruise industry’s version […]

(note: I’m based in Nashville, so wrote this from my personal perspective, but this blog can apply to many gateway cities in the U.S.) Spring break with the family doesn’t have to mean crowded beaches, long lines, or repeating last year’s trip. Thanks to new nonstop flights from Nashville and easy access to destinations in […]