WHERE TO NEXT?

Dear Traveler,


Happy summer! It's not quite Memorial Day, but when the weather is sunny and 80 in NH, it feels like summer has arrived and I'm happy!


Jessie and I are just back from the Riviera Maya and it was a great trip! Perfect (hot, sunny) beach weather, lots of relaxing, eating tacos, drinking margaritas and mojitos, swimming laps in the ocean, meditation and yoga classes.


I learned that I am not a 100% plant based eater for a sustained period of time. But if you are, or you simply like healthy food, a wellness focused beach destination that offers classes on yoga, sound healing, mantras, drawing, meditation, mind control (a type of meditation) and a wonderful spa with temazcal, and luxurious body treatments, Palmaïa might be the place for you.


It was low season, so the resort was about 40% full. The other guests included small groups of girlfriends, couples, solo travelers, parents with adult daughters and a couple of families with babies. I learned from one of my friends that the Peloton instructor Robin Arzon likes to vacation there. It was a great spot for Jessie and I, but it wouldn't be a great fit for my 17 year old son.


One of the bartenders introduced me to his favorite Mezcal and I loved the name as much as I loved the taste of my Mezcal margarita. The Lost Explorer. If you like Mezcal, I encourage you to try this one.


I would like to share more with you about my site visits to Belmond Maroma, Etereo and Hotel Esencia. As I began writing up my notes, it became quite lengthy, so I'm instead going to write a page in the Truvay Travel Journal and will share that with you in the near future.


It's hard for me to believe that I'm about to leave again. Friday morning I head on a scouting trip to the Azores - a cluster of nine volcanic islands in the North Atlantic Ocean.


Why there? I've been (and loved) Portugal, but I've not been to the Azores. For my clients who have already been a lot of places and are seeking new, off the beaten path destinations - the Azores are a great option and I wanted to experience the islands in person. They are an ideal place for active travelers who enjoy being outside in nature and love great food and wine.


We will be hiking, kayaking, canyoning, going on Jeep tours, whale watching, wine tasting, visiting caves and calderas and experiencing life with locals. Just looking at the pictures below gets me excited for this trip! I look forward to sharing all about it with you!

3 PSAs this week...


  1. For those of you who have TSA Precheck but your teenagers don't, the TSA just announced that they may go with you through the TSA Precheck line. See the article below.
  2. Also below is an article about travelers getting scammed when booking their trips. However you choose to book your travel, make sure to have a referral from a trusted source so you don't become a victim.
  3. The reports from my clients and partners recently on the ground in Europe are that, as expected, it is crowded. One partner shared "We had clients at Giverny (Monet's garden) today with our guide with prebooked tickets and it still took them 90 minutes to get in. In 20 years the guide had never seen so many people at Giverny." As with last year, the best way to prepare yourself is to set expectations, pre-book tickets and dining reservations, go places with a guide and channel your patience. If going to Paris and not planning a guided tour of the Eiffel Tower, check out the article below. It offers tips for visiting the Eiffel Tower without the crowds.


This week's curated list of inspiring and informative travel articles also includes 5 of the world's epic walking trails and the newest trend in active and adventure travel.


If you are still seeking a summer vacation place, you’ll find articles on 9 less-crowded destinations and 10 of the most luxurious vacation destinations in the world.


If you have thought about, but not acted on, how to talk with your children about money and wealth, check out the article on how to introduce your children to your family wealth in a constructive way. 

Enjoy your Memorial Day weekend!

Warmly,

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Below:

  • This week's highlight - floating markets in Thailand
  • Where to Next? Adare Manor
  • Where in the World is Jessie? Home!
  • Articles to Inspire+Inform

FLOATING MARKETS IN THAILAND

I had a client inquire about a trip to Thailand last week and it inspired me to take a little walk down memory lane.


We took a family vacation to Thailand over winter vacation in 2017. Given the distance, it's nice to have 2+ weeks for such a far away destination. The kids and I started off in Bangkok, went up to Chiang Mai to go trekking and see elephants and then met Jason in Phuket where we chartered a catamaran for a week of island hopping through the Andaman Sea.


We loved Thailand!


The food, the people, the culture, the elephants, the chaos of Bangkok, giving monks alms, cooking classes, James Bond island, scuba diving and the markets!


There are markets all over Thailand and you definitely want to include them on your trip. One of our favorite types were the floating markets. Like Bangkok, they can be a bit chaotic, but floating around on a canoe-like boat watching the locals (and tourists) do business, tasting lots of Thai foods and exotic fruits is an experience the whole family will love.


There are many within driving distance of Bangkok, some more touristy than others. Of course we'll choose one for you that has a more authentic feel and lots of opportunities to sample foods and meet locals.

🌟 Earlier this month, I spent a week in Ireland with Jason and our dear friends. After a few days of golfing, we spent two nights at Adare Manor, a castle hotel on a stunning 840 acre estate.  I loved it so much!

 

Why is Adare Manor so special?

  • The castle may originate from the 1880’s but it feels brand new. The restoration was so well done that it oozes history - through the architecture, portraits, tapestries and stained glass.
  • When you get out of your car, you're warmly welcomed by Liam in a top hat and tales making you feel like you stepped back in time. 
  • It's perfect for couples or extended families and friends. Have your choice of beautifully appointed rooms and suites (I loved ours on the 5th floor with a balcony overlooking the golf course) in the manor house, storybook 2 bedroom cottages and 2-4 bedroom manor lodges. 

 

 Do as much or as little as you like:

  • Enjoy a round at the 18 hole championship golf course, where the 2027 Ryder Cup will be played.
  • Hop in a helicopter (the helipad is next to the driving range - big enough to accommodate 4 helicopters because there are so many coming and going) to get whisked to one of the many other championship courses in southern Ireland. Instead of a 3-4 hour drive, it will take you 30 minutes and you can squeeze in one more round of golf.
  • Activities on property include archery, falconry, fishing, clay pigeon shooting, gun dog training, garden tours, biking and woodland walks.
  • Relax at the 17-meter swimming pool with sauna and steam room. Exercise at the gym, play a round of paddle tennis or meditate in the contemplative studio.
  • Spend time perfecting your game at the driving range or indoor golf simulators - with or without a golf coach.

 

‼️ Don’t miss….. a whiskey tasting experience in The Tack Room. The whiskey collection includes over 100 rare quality bottles from around the world. We loved this space - cozily tucked in the basement. A perfect spot for an after dinner drink.


In addition to the usual perks including breakfast, a credit to use as you wish and possible rupgrades, as a Truvay Travel client you will also be treated to afternoon tea served in the Gallery (the second longest public room in Ireland after the library at Trinity College where the Book of Kells is located). Enjoy petite cut sandwiches, miniature pastries, warm scones, lemon curd and blended teas pairings from around the world in this stunning room. 


I think staying in a castle is the absolute best way to end your visit to Ireland!


If you'd like to learn more, watch or listen to my podcast episode on Adare. It's hard to believe I recorded it two years ago.

📷 Adare Manor

(For those new to the newsletter, Jessie is our 19 year old daughter on a gap year. She spent the fall exploring Europe and is now adventuring around South America)


Jessie is back home in HANOVER, NH! And we are so happy to have her here!


Before we arrived in the US, we enjoyed our time together on the Riviera Maya. She was particularly appreciative of having a queen sized bed to herself in an air conditioned room. Understandable given the hostel life she'd been living for three months.


We swam in cenotes, biked to dinners, chilled at the beach and pool bars, meditated and did yoga in a beachside tent, swam in the ocean, went on beach walks and ate lots of plant based foods. It was a perfect way for her to end her gap year. I loved hearing so many stories about the people she met and the experiences she had. She is so tan that more often than not, people assumed she was South American when they first met her. It's clear she's grown a lot this year and become a very good salsa dancer!


If you have kids contemplating a gap year, I highly suggest encouraging the experience. Jessie would tell you she is 100% happy she did it!


And now she's back to real life at home, today starting her summer job, while also training for a half marathon and getting ready to go to college.

INSPIRATION


15 of the world's epic walking trails, Wanderlust


How ‘White Lotus’ and Other TV Shows Are Helping Millennials and Gen Z Choose Their Next Vacation, Robb Report


Exploring Mike White’s Top 5 Four Seasons Resorts for The White Lotus: Luxury and Drama in Exotic Locations, Pursuitist


The Newest Trend In Active And Adventure Travel - Boat Trips And Cruises, Forbes


Italy, the Virtuoso Way, Virtuoso


9 less-crowded summer vacation destinations, Washington Post


Lin-Manuel Miranda’s San Juan, Puerto Rico, NYT


The 10 Most Luxurious Vacation Destinations in the World,

Luxury Travel Magazine


The Joy of Walking through Paris, Virtuoso



INFORMATION


Introducing Your Children To Your Family Wealth, The Colony Group


All of Our Best Packing Lists in One Place, Condé Nast


Air Travel Delays and Cancellations: What To Expect This Summer and How To Prepare for Your Flight, Travel Pulse


Tips for Visiting the Eiffel Tower Without the Crowds, AFAR


The Masterclasses 2023: 10 practical tips to help you succeed as a travel photographer, National Geographic


It’s Not Your Imagination: First Class Is Getting Bigger, NYT


TSA PreCheck Is Now Free for Teenagers Traveling With Their Parents, Condé Nast Traveler


1 in 3 Travelers Scammed When Booking Their Trips, McAfee


(If you aren't able to access an NYT or Washington Post article, send me a note and I'll send it to you in a PDF.)

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