As a longtime freelance travel writer and now travel advisor with FORA, I love helping clients make lasting memories and inspiring dream vacations – featuring a destination hotel stay or luxury boutique cruise.
A luxury travel agent like me is sought out for the best deals and ultimate VIP perks, but clients often find the most value in my travel expertise and personal knowledge of destinations – to help craft trips tailored to their unique preferences and needs. Whether it’s a family with young kids, a couple’s getaway, or a solo adventurer, the details of the right destination can transform a forgettable vacation into lifetime memories. Here are six traveler profiles and destination ideas for a memorable vacation.
1. The Multigenerational Family
- Client Type: Families spanning grandparents to grandkids, looking for a stress-free getaway that includes relaxation and family bonding time with no added costs.
- Perfect Destinations: All-Inclusive Grand Velas Los Cabos or Grand Velas Riviera Maya
- All-inclusive luxury resorts in Los Cabos or Cancun/Playa del Carmen provide excellent value for money. These resorts often include meals, entertainment, and beach activities in one affordable package.
- Activities: Snorkeling in cenotes, visiting Mayan ruins, or relaxing by the beach.
2. The Honeymooners or Romantic Couple
- Client Type: Newlyweds or couples seeking romance and luxury.
- Perfect Destination: Greece – Santorini, Milos, Paros
- Known for its breathtaking sunsets, cliffside villas, and intimate wineries, Santorini is a dream destination for couples. Stay in the small town of Imerovigli, nestled between the larger, tourist cities of Oia and Fira. The islands of Milos and Paros also provide adventure and rustic Greek charm – with hiking, ancient villages, and fantastic beaches.
- Activities: A private catamaran cruise, culinary exploration, wine tasting, and visiting picturesque fishing villages.
- Hotel Favorites for Couples: Paros Agnanti Resort and Spa, White Pebble Suites Milos, Amaze Suites Santorini
- Perfect Destination: South end of Tulum
- Known for its creamy Caribbean sands and aquamarine waters, the magic of Tulum begins with its many boutique hotels, often with less then 12 rooms.
- Activities: Backed up to a jungle, watch rooftop sunsets, explore ruins, and dip into a different cenote each day to stay cool. Tacos in your beach palapa, on repeat! Tulum makes a romantic long weekend possible due to convenient flights from most major cities. Consider Xela Tulum, Lula Tulum, Nomade, Nest and more.
- Perfect Destination: Los Cabos – Grand Velas Cabo Boutique Hotel
- Cabo San Lucas is an easy flight from most major cities, and a favorite romantic coastal destination. There is no need to leave this new all-inclusive boutique property – with poolside food and drinks, 24-hour butler service, and expansive oceanfront suites – unless you want to venture next door for more restaurant and spa options at Grand Velas Los Cabos.
- Activities: Watch the whales cruise by while enjoying a stellar assortment of tacos. Participate in complimentary culinary experiences like Mexican wine and cheese pairing or a Mezcal and chocolate pairing.
3. The Thrill-Seeking Adventurer
- Client Type: Anyone craving excitement, education, and wildlife exploration.
- Perfect Destination: Galapagos Islands expedition yacht with Ecoventura
- Choose a bucket list adventure like Ecoventura Galapagos, aboard one of three Relais and Chateaux expedition yachts with less than 20 guests and at least as many crew. Cruise into several islands each day to observe animals in their natural setting, many found nowhere else in the world. Deepwater snorkel and hike to explore these volcanic islands off of Ecuador, to truly be amazed at the fearless endemic species.
- Perfect Destination: Iceland circumnavigation on Windstar Cruises
- A perfect way to travel with an older parent or friend/partner, Windstar offers many adventurous options in each port to get a personalized experience in this Nordic Nation dripping in waterfalls. From experiencing over 30 humpback whales in a fjord on a 12-person rib boat, to eating fresh sushi Viking style off the back of a fishing trawler, each excursion will leave you in awe.
- Perfect Destination: Riverboat adventure with Pure Amazon
- This new offering launches in 2025, on 3, 4, and 7-night itineraries, with 22 guests or less and a staff to guest ratio of 1 to 1. Just 12 cabins, there is no need to worry about seasickness on this calm but exciting river cruise. Expect private guides, exceptional food, flexibility, and customization of daily activities.
4. The Wellness-Seeking Solo Traveler
- Client Type: Solo travelers looking for cultural immersion combined with nature and Zen.
- Perfect Destination: Slovenia
- A solo traveler can safely explore the nature and wellness offerings that abound – such as staying in a treehouse or hayrack, climbing to the treetops in Rogla in an observation tower, forest bathing, and connecting with the land at energy parks, a monastery and wineries. Most hotels offer thermal waters and therapeutic spa possibilities, even sauna sessions enhanced with music and scents.
- Don’t miss: The capital Ljubljana, Julian Alps, Lake Bled, Lake Bohinj, and numerous caves in the underworld like Postojna Caves and the Predjama Castle, a cave castle.
- Perfect Destination: Banff, Canada
- The Northern Lights in October will delight everyone, with colors streaming across the starry sky. It’s easy to connect with nature here in the fresh mountain air and water. Hike to tea house, boat on Lake Louise, or ride the gondolier up to the summit of Sulphur Mountain for dinner.
- Perfect Destination: Wellness Cruise with Swan Hellenic
- The ultimate luxury expedition cruise offers wellness experiences in a holistic and immersive wellbeing escape, including daily yoga, breathwork, sound baths, Chopra-certified-led workshops, journaling (with a booklet and journal to guide oneself), Ayurveda-inspired menu options, and cultural excursions. There are various itineraries around the world. Astronomers and experts onboard enrich the voyage, as Swan Hellenic’s Motto is: Go where others can’t.
5. Californication Escape
Client Type: Friends, couples or solo travelers who want to get away from city life
- Perfect Destination:Smaller towns in California
- Sometimes the best way to revitalize is to leave town for a long weekend. Even two nights away can help reset the soul. Choose from some of our favorite boutique California hotel destinations – both brand new and longstanding.
- Laguna Beach Surf Lodge or Casa Loma Beach Hotel for a SoCal stunner. Both new hotels are located oceanside, steps from the beach and minutes to town.
- Inn at Mattei’s Tavern, in the central coast town of Los Olivos, is an Auberge property in the heart of Santa Ynez wine country. Walk 1 minute to shops, cafes, and tasting rooms.
- Hotel Atwater on Catalina Island is newly renovated. Return to explore the new Hidden Ranch in the interior, sip craft brews at Fix Biergarten, or take a self-guided tour of the “Casino.
- L’Horizon Resort and Spa in Palm Springs or the uber-exclusive Hermann Bungalows (hidden within the L’Horizon Resort) will surely step up the romance for couples.
- Borrego Valley Inn in Anza Borrego Desert State Park will wow nature lovers with slot canyon and desert palm oasis hikes, grand desert sculptures scattered throughout the land, and stargazing in this designated Dark Sky Community.
- Malibu Beach Inn sits on its own private beach in view of the Malibu Pier. For an exclusive secluded getaway, rooms hang atop the ocean along with the hotel’s on-site restaurant.
- Solvang’s booming dining scene is now a prime reason to visit, so stay in town at the New Haven Inn or The Winston to walk to all the fun.
6. The Curious Culture Seeker
Client Type: Solo travelers, couples, and friends
Perfect Destination: Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Sarajevo and Mostar might feel like stepping back in time, but the Balkan Peninsula in southeastern Europe is ripe for exploration – with medieval villages, rivers and lakes, and well-preserved old quarters, 16th century mosques, and Ottoman-era landmarks.
Perfect Destination: Croatia and Montenegro
- Croatia may be teeming with tourists these days, but work with a travel advisor to discover fabulous, lesser-known islands and coastal medieval villages, to make the most of your time. Yachts are great for bonding but small yachts (less than 150ft) like Karizma (part of the Goolets portfolio) are perfect for exploration down the Adriatic Coast, as they can slip into many port towns that larger ships cannot. Hvar and Korcula are favorites.
- Montenegro is the Jewel of the Adriatic, where medieval villages on the water – like Perast – may be the best kept secret in all of Europe. Cruise the Bay of Kotor to slurp mussels and admire Our Lady of the Rocks. Don’t miss the new cable car ride zooming guests up above the Bay.
By matching the right destination details with each traveler, I help to create unforgettable experiences. Whether it’s romance, adventure, or family bonding, there’s a perfect trip waiting to be planned. I am ready to assist you in making your 2025 dreams into reality! Message me through my website.
