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 […]

I recently attended the ASTA Travel Advisor Conference, where one of the most talked-about topics was expedition cruising — a travel style rapidly gaining ground among travelers who want something more meaningful than a traditional vacation. As more people check off classic bucket-list trips, they’re seeking deeper connections, unforgettable wildlife encounters, and access to places […]

Most of my clients carry a mental list. Machu Picchu is usually on it. So is a safari. The Taj Mahal. The pyramids at Giza. Easter Island, for the adventurous ones who’ve seen the photos and wondered what it actually feels like to stand in front of those stone faces. The problem isn’t ambition — […]

Every client asks for Lake Como. I get it: name recognition, Instagram, Clooney, beauty. I’d never talk anyone out of it. But here’s what I tell my most discerning clients: if Como is the lake you know for its fame, Garda is the lake you’ve been missing for its variety and unique experiences that Como […]

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 […]

I’ll be honest: India wasn’t on my bucket list. For years, I had filed it under someday, maybe. Too remote. Too vast. Too chaotic. Too far outside my comfort zone. I was convinced I wouldn’t find anything to eat. I’m not a fan of Indian food. Curry isn’t my thing. I genuinely pictured myself picking at […]

I hear this a lot: “We’re excited, but we’re going to wait a few months and see how things look.” I get it. The world feels uncertain. Prices seem unpredictable. Waiting feels like the cautious move. Hint: It’s usually not. Let’s talk about why. What you’re actually doing when you wait. You’re not avoiding risk — […]

The way people travel is changing—and it’s happening faster than ever. Across the travel industry, one message is becoming clear: travelers want more than just a vacation. They want experiences that feel meaningful, immersive, and unforgettable. After speaking with global travel suppliers at the Montecito Village Travel annual conference, one theme kept coming up again and again. […]

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. And who you shared it with. Multi-generational travel is booming, and it’s easy […]

St. Lucia surprised me, not because of the usual sightseeing, but because each side of the island feels and works so differently. I spent my recent short visit in the southwest, where the scenery, pace, and resort experiences are intentional. The north, with Castries and Gros Islet, has a completely different vibe, and this contrast […]