Marvel at the Northern Lights in Iceland.
Relax on a volcanic beach in St. Lucia.
Sniff out the best whiskey in Scotland.
It’s a new year and with it comes plenty of new opportunities to travel the world and make memories to last a lifetime. Whether you’re vacationing with friends, that special someone, or your children (or grandchildren), a getaway is a great excuse to try new things, encounter new cultures, and savor new cuisines—and, this year, the US dollar is stronger than ever, giving you much more bang for each buck.
In other words, now’s the time to travel!
With so many wonderful experiences just waiting for you to discover in diverse destinations around the globe, where do you begin? With Travel by Darcy, of course! As you know, I’ve spent my life traveling the world, and my passion is matching people with their just-right vacations. Here, I help narrow down your where-to-go list to just those places that are prime for a first visit, or revisit, in the year ahead.
ITALY
Roughly the size of Arizona, this European country tempts with delightful diversity, from the snow-covered Alps in the north to the sunny shores of Sicily in the south—along with only-here spots like the rolling hills of Tuscany and the watery streets of Venice. Based on your travel style, let me help you customize an itinerary; the two of you might want to visit cities like Rome, Milan, and Florence, staying in boutique hotels in the middle of the action, or you and your family might want to rent a villa in the country, within walking distance to town yet far enough away to provide utter relaxation. Now is the time to book a trip to Italy for this summer, so start planning today.
ICELAND
A year-round destination, this Nordic island nation was seemingly created for adventure, from its hot springs and lava fields to its geysers and volcanoes—it’s also breathtakingly beautiful, in the winter you can marvel at the Northern Lights and in the summer you can marvel at the midnight sun. For those who want a trip filled with adrenalin, let me match you with your ideal organized tour or adventure trip; for those who prefer a more refined take on travel, let me help you plan a stay at Reykjavik, the country’s cultured capital (of course, we can plan a trip that includes a bit of both).
THAILAND
Tucked away in Southeast Asia, the Kingdom of Thailand makes you feel like royalty as it spoils you with, well, everything: modern cities, beautiful beaches, quiet countrysides, towering mountains, elaborate temples, truly ancient ruins, royal palaces, and really (really!) exquisite food. To experience it all, let me help you plan a best-of vacation, with stops in a city (perhaps Bangkok), mountains (possibly Chiang Mai), and beach (maybe Phuket). Thailand is the ideal destination for those looking for romance, adventure or a little of both!
ST LUCIA
With so many islands to choose from, this Eastern Caribbean island is my top pick for 2017 because it’s simply perfect for families, friends, and couples. St. Lucia offers plenty of activities in the mountains (rainforests, waterfalls, and the dramatically tapered Pitons which define the island) and the beach (sleeping fishing villages, world-class diving sites, and volcanic beaches); it also has a wide range of resort and condo options. In other words, once I get to know what you want from a Caribbean island vacation, I can most likely make all your wishes come true on St. Lucia.
SCOTLAND
This most northern country in the United Kingdom is defined by its Highlands, valleys, lakes, and rugged coastline—and Scottish English, that oh-so-delightful dialect. From historic sites to vibrant cities, there’s much to explore here, so I suggest a self-drive vacation, where you can wander from place to place, meeting friendly locals, eating in pubs, staying in castles, and taking on the mighty (and important) challenge of finding your new-favorite Scottish whiskey.
PANAMA
The Republic of Panama is a Central American country with a very famous canal that cuts through its center, linking the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. But there’s so much more to it than that, from coffee farms and cloud forests to island-hopping and city nightlife. With its blend of all kinds of excellent activities, it’s fast becoming an all-inclusive resort destination, and my advice is to get there now before the next dozen resorts are built, word gets out, and prices go up—there are excellent values to be found for 2017, and all-inclusive resorts are fantastic when you want to travel without worry of ever-mounting costs.
GREECE
In this southeastern European country, you can party all night in a glittering city, tip-toe through history in an ancient landmark, and then zig-zag through its countless islands on some fabulous boat as you feast on olives and feta, stopping whenever the mood strikes to take a dip in the glorious sea. A perfect destination for a honeymoon, it’s just as lovely for an anniversary trip, girls-only getaway, or family escape. The most popular choice is a combination trip, with visits to Athens, Santorini, and Mykonos, but together we can come up with a combo that’s in line with your preferences. The best time to travel to Greece is May through October, so book now.
BONUS: CRUISING
Unfortunately, many people equate cruising with a ride on the kind of massive ship that’s more of a floating city. There’s something to be said for size and diversity, but I encourage you to consider a different type of cruising with, say, a river cruise in Europe (you’ll absolutely love the intimate boat size, slow pace, and interactions with locals) or an expedition cruise (what a memorable way to get to the Polar Regions). Trust me when I tell you that there are cruises out there that are just right for couples, families, friends, everyone, and I can match you with the cruise line, ship, and itinerary that’s best for you. Some cruises book up to a year in advance, so if you’re thinking of taking the plunge this year, get in touch with me soon.
2017 is the year to add at least one new stamp to your passport! Remember, I can help you get anywhere in the world—whether it’s on the list above or not—and I can guarantee to get you the best value for your vacation dollar.
P.S. You’re not a travel agent, so stop acting like one. Trying to plan a perfect trip with the information you find on-line is risky at best. Get in touch with me, and enjoy the absolute pleasure of having a travel professional ask the right questions and match you with your ideal experiences—as an added bonus, I’ll help you save time and money. Together, we’ll plan one once-in-a-lifetime trip after another.