Beyond cruises: where else I send people

Here's where those 40 countries fall, and where on this page I cover them:

Europe: England, Ireland, France, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Croatia, Slovenia, Greece, Norway and the Netherlands — the places I know best, and the stories below.

The Pacific: Hawaii, where I've been 10 times across 4 islands, plus Tahiti and the South Pacific islands I cruise and send clients to.

The Americas: Mexico, from Los Cabos to Cancun, plus Canada and Alaska by ship.

Asia and beyond: Japan and Thailand, the Caribbean, and the Galápagos and Machu Picchu I'm still planning for myself.

What I love about England, Scotland and Ireland is that they speak English. You feel a little bit at home, but you're in a foreign country. The history is amazing, and in the castles you step back in time, without the stress of not speaking the language. They drive on the other side of the road, which is kind of fun, and there are lots of direct flights from the U.S.

Dan and I went to Ireland for our 30th anniversary in 2023, and I went back again in May 2026. It's green and beautiful, the people are some of the friendliest in Europe, and the price is good. You can golf, hike, see the animals or do a pub crawl, and it's easy to get to from London. (That's us at Ashford Castle.)

I first went to Interlaken at 19 with my dad. I went back with my dad and Dan in 1998, and Dan and I returned again recently. My dad is no longer with us, so that trip meant a lot.

Switzerland is clean, the food is outstanding and the hotels are fantastic. People speak several languages, but their English is very good. You don't get prettier views than you do in Switzerland.

I first went to Austria at 19 with my dad, then again in 1998 with Dan and my dad. My dad picked up a BMW through European delivery in Munich, and we drove through Austria, Switzerland and France. We went back in 2024 on our river cruise.

We've been to Salzburg twice now, and it feels like Christmas. Honestly, every city in Austria does. The food is wonderful, and the watch shops are amazing.

I've never quite compared the Netherlands to anywhere else. It's just unique. People ride their bikes like they're driving an Indy car, and they're outside no matter what: hot, cold or pouring rain.

The cities are old, the people are beautiful, the food is great, and the candy and sweets are wonderful.

I went to Croatia in 2022 and sailed the coast on a private yacht. People call it the way Italy used to be, and you can see why: it's not as crowded, and it's full of old towns and castles. Game of Thrones was filmed there, and we did some of those tours. It's beautiful.

Slovenia, in 2024, surprised me most. It's much less expensive than most of Europe, and honestly maybe even more beautiful. We stayed in a castle, explored Ljubljana and went to Lake Bled. I could not believe how beautiful it was.

I would go back in a heartbeat, probably more than any other place on this page.

We spent a week in Greece before our Seabourn cruise: Athens, Crete and Santorini. Many people skip Athens, and I think they miss out. I absolutely loved it.

In Santorini we stayed at Canaves Oia Suites, the most beautiful hotel, with a pool, and we walked all the way down the caldera to get to our room. And the tomatoes are some of the best in the world. They taste like candy.

We sailed Norway on Seabourn Ovation in 2025 and saw so many ports. It's beautiful and clean, the food was great, and it's magical. If you loved Alaska, you'll love Norway. It's a lot like it.

I've been to Paris 4 times, and we've driven from Strasbourg to Paris through the French countryside. There's probably not a prettier city than Paris, and the food is beautiful. And there's a nonstop from Phoenix to Paris on Air France now, which makes it so much easier.

Italy is the number 1 destination people call me about, and the number 1 place they go back to. Most first trips mix Rome, Florence and Tuscany, and Venice. For the coast, it's the Amalfi Coast. For the lakes, Lake Como.

Tell me what you love most (food, wine, art, history, the water) and I'll build the trip around it.

It's peaceful, calm and not as crowded. My favorite hotel is the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel on the Kohala Coast, and its beach is one of the best in the world. You can snorkel right off the sand. We also went to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, which is amazing, and we snorkeled with manta rays at night.

Don't miss: a night snorkel with manta rays off Kona, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, stargazing on Maunakea, and a Kona coffee farm tasting.

I've been to Maui 5 times. My favorite hotel is the Fairmont Kea Lani in Wailea. I stayed there in fall 2026, and the food is fantastic. My favorite thing is walking the Wailea Beach Path along the ocean.

Don't miss: sunrise or sunset at Haleakalā, the Road to Hāna, whale watching (December to May, peak January to early April), and snorkeling at Molokini.

Kauai, the Garden Isle, is so green and beautiful, and the waterfalls are quiet. I love the 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay on the North Shore. We took a helicopter ride over the Nā Pali Coast, and I'd tell anyone to do the same.

Don't miss: the Nā Pali Coast by helicopter, Waimea Canyon (the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific"), and Hanalei Bay at sunset.

On Oahu we drove the entire island, which we loved, went snorkeling, and visited Pearl Harbor. Turtle Bay on the North Shore is one of my top hotels. In Waikīkī, I like the Sheraton and the Moana Surfrider.

Don't miss: Pearl Harbor (reserve tickets ahead), hiking Diamond Head, ʻIolani Palace, and the North Shore's big winter waves.

For a week to 10 days, I keep it to 2 islands. For 2 weeks, up to 3. My favorite combinations: Oahu and Maui for first-timers, Kauai and the Big Island for quiet and green, and Maui and the Big Island, the 2 islands I love most.

Los Cabos is my go-to for Mexico. It's a nonstop from Phoenix, so it's one of the easiest luxury getaways you can take. I plan stays at the best resorts in Cabo San Lucas, San José del Cabo and along the Tourist Corridor, for long weekends, anniversaries and family trips.

Tell me what you want, whether that's the spa, golf, great food or just a quiet beach, and I'll match you with the right resort.

Japan is the number 1 request I'm getting right now. My clients say it's clean, the food is fantastic, it's modern, and people treat you so well.

Most first trips combine Tokyo and Kyoto, often with a night in Hakone for hot springs and views of Mount Fuji, and the bullet train makes it easy to get between them. Cherry blossom season (late March to early April) and fall color (November) are the most popular times.

Most trips combine Bangkok with Chiang Mai in the north and a beach island like Phuket or Koh Samui. The cooler, drier months, roughly November to February, are the most popular time to go.

Tell me what you're dreaming of and I'll put it together.

If you love adventure, you'll love South America. I love planning the Galápagos in Ecuador and Machu Picchu in Peru. I haven't been myself yet, but I know the best ships for the Galápagos and how to pair it with Machu Picchu.

For Peru, most trips start in Lima, then head to Cusco and the Sacred Valley before Machu Picchu. The drier months, about May to September, are the most popular. The Galápagos is great year-round: warmer and calmer December to May, cooler with lots of marine life June to November.