Elizabeth Gudrais

Ibiza is a music lover’s paradise. While it’s known for its party scene, there’s another side to the island. Travelers who only visit the nightclubs (and dayclubs) miss out on the island’s natural wonders and fascinating cultural history. The island isn’t just for adults, either; especially on the eastern end, the island has a more family-friendly vibe with hotels, restaurants and activities that cater to kids as well as their parents. Ibiza has a special place in my heart, and I love to help travelers of all ages get the most out of their visit by helping them just the right balance of music, nature, relaxation and exploration according to their unique preferences.

Melbourne is a playground of delights for foodies as well as anyone who loves the arts. With many different neighborhoods to explore—each with its own distinctive flavor—it has plenty to keep you busy within the city limits. However, it’s also a gateway to some of Australia’s most stunning and memorable natural and historical attractions. We spent a week in this area during a five-week Australian trip, and that wasn’t nearly enough time. We are eager to return! If clients are asking me whether they should include Melbourne in their Australia itinerary, my answer is always a wholehearted yes!

For a world-class city with a population exceeding 5 million, Sydney feels charmingly small and easy to navigate. Not only is the city center quite walkable, but the city also has easy-to-use public transportation to reach outlying areas. Numerous inlets and fingers of land form a lengthy coastline in Sydney Harbour—but this maritime city also has plenty of other beaches and bays to explore along its eastern shore. In Sydney, you’re never far away from the relaxing environment of wetlands, wildlife, and walks along the shore; if time allows, I recommend a stay in one of these areas for some beach time before or after your cruise.

A lush, green wilderness with flora and fauna beyond your wildest imagination—welcome to Australia’s Daintree Rainforest. Located in Far North Queensland, the rainforest is off the beaten path of most Australia itineraries, but is well worth making the trip. Where else in the world can you step back centuries in time to see prehistoric plant species, learn about indigenous traditions, and glimpse the vivid colors of marine life on the Great Barrier Reef all in the space of a brief trip? Read on for an introduction to this wonderland of unexpected delights.

Rent a car in Miami or Fort Lauderdale, then drive just 90 minutes to Homestead to enter a different world. Everglades National Park offers a glimpse of the unique ecosystem that forms where land and water meet. You'll have opportunities to observe and learn about marine life as you drive all the way down the Florida Keys. Once you reach Key West, the focus is on culture and history—plus live music and fantastic food. Optional side trips to Dry Tortugas National Park and Havana, Cuba, contribute additional historical and cultural learning. Too many people visit Florida without ever experiencing the Keys, where you can get a taste of the Caribbean within the United States.

This itinerary follows the trip I took in September 2024 with Intrepid Travel. There are many different Camino de Santiago routes that all converge in Santiago de Compostela; this one describes the Portuguese Camino starting in Porto. Distinguishing features of this route include breathtaking coastal views and affordable, fresh seafood at every meal. Intrepid offers an experience with 24/7 support in the form of a dedicated guide for your small group of hikers, as well as an elevated level of lodging (hotels with en suite bathrooms, rather than bunkhouses). However, there are many different ways to experience the Camino – from roughing it to relative comfort, from spontaneous to meticulously planned. Having experienced it for myself, I would be honored to help you craft your own Camino experience.

In September 2024, I participated in a group trip with Intrepid Travel on the Portuguese Camino itinerary. It began with hiking 150 km north through Spain’s Galicia region to finish in Santiago de Compostela. The hike took place over eight days with one rest day (so seven hiking days in all). Daily hiking distance ranges from 17 to 24 km (10 to 15 miles). The pace was generally quite manageable. We had a small group of six (plus our guide) and we all stayed together, although the faster hikers would often walk ahead and then stop to wait for the rest of the group to catch up. We would typically hike for about a two-hour stretch before stopping for a break.

It’s a travesty that so many tourists end up in Venice on a single-day stopover as part of a cruise. This city on an island (or, technically, a set of connected islands) has so many things to do and such a rich history that I recommend to come and stay for at least a week. Whether you love food, art, architecture, history, or all of the above, Venice has more than enough to keep you entertained and your mind engaged. It’s worth making Venice your main destination rather than an afterthought simply to have more time to spend in this enchanting city.

Elevated lodging choices can take your National Parks experience from an enjoyable experience to the truly unforgettable trip of a lifetime. Spring and fall are the best times to take this trip to ensure comfortable hiking temperatures. Book early since prime lodging choices tend to fill well in advance; work with me to coordinate it all, tailor this itinerary to your group size and individual preferences—and to get extra perks in some cases.

A day excursion from a cruise ship doesn’t begin to touch St. Thomas’s charm. You’ll see a different side of the island when you make a dedicated trip to this destination. The convenience factor is key: the island is on the U.S. dollar and offers passport-free travel – as well as relatively short flights — for U.S. residents, making it a suitable destination for a long-weekend trip. But there’s enough to do that you could easily spend a whole week or more, especially if you’re in the mood to relax and slow down to the speed of island time. Fill your days with snorkeling, sailing and hiking — with a side of culture and history — then unwind with a spa treatment, a walk along the harbor, the freshest seafood and live music with the caress of an ocean breeze.

Even though I'm a professional writer, words fail me when I try to describe just how special of a place Iceland is. From the rock formations to the multicolored moss to the angle of the light, everything just feels different than anywhere else I've seen. You simply need to go there and experience it. While Iceland's small villages are charming and the rural areas breathtaking, an unpredictable climate lends an element of risk to travel in remote areas anytime outside the relatively short summer. Reykjavik, on the other hand, is a world-class destination for any time of year. It's a thoroughly modern and immensely walkable city. It has a very authentic feel, with fewer of the large chains and omnipresent tourist traps you'll find in most global capitals. Spending time there, you can really get a feel for Icelandic culture and character, with all of its delightful quirks. It's lovely to visit during the endless summer nights, but even better in the dark of winter. You'll see how friendly, warm and welcoming the locals can be. Experience for yourself all the ways they keep warm and pass the long winter, from basking in a steamy geothermal pool. to savoring food, drinks and excellent coffee. As a certified destination specialist for Iceland, I have access to information that helps me stay on top of what's new. I'd be honored to help you book a memorable trip to one of my favorite places.