If you have been dreaming about a Caribbean getaway, there is a good chance a yacht vacation has crossed your mind at some point. It is one of the fastest growing ways to experience the Caribbean right now, and once you understand why, it is easy to see the appeal. This idea came up recently in the Charter Smarter newsletter, and it inspired me to share my own take on it. It Comes Down to Privacy and Flexibility A traditional resort trip usually means the same beach every day

Savannah Travel Designs Destinations | Curated Planning | Summer Travel Destinations JULY 2026 Edition The Art of the Summer Escape "Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer." As the warmth of June settles in, our thoughts naturally drift toward the azure waters and sun-drenched squares of the world’s most iconic summer retreats. This month, we are curating inspiration for your upcoming journeys, ensuring every detail, from where you stay to what you pack, is ha

You just said "I do." The flowers are wilting, the cake is gone, and now it's time for the part every couple has been quietly dreaming about since the engagement: the honeymoon. And if your Pinterest board has a suspicious number of infinity pools and rice terraces, we need to talk about Bali. Because here's the secret that savvy newlyweds already know: Bali delivers a five-star honeymoon experience at a fraction of what you'd spend in the Maldives, Santorini, or the Amalfi C

Everyone is talking about Portugal right now, and for good reason. It has somehow pulled off the rare travel trick of being genuinely stunning and still reasonably uncrowded in the right places, with food and wine that quietly humiliates most of Europe's more famous destinations. But "Portugal" is doing a lot of heavy lifting as a single word. Where you go matters enormously. Lisbon: The capital is electric. Hilly, tiled, golden-lit in the evenings, with a music scene (fado,

Listen, I say this with love. Some of you are out here suffering through travel when you should be thriving. And it doesn't have to be that way. Here are seven signs it's time to rethink how you plan trips: 1. You've spent more time in airports than at your actual destination. Routing matters. A lot. If your "quick trip to Europe" involved three layovers, a six-hour overnight in a terminal, and arriving exhausted on day one, that's not a you problem, it's a planning problem.

I get this question constantly. Couples planning a honeymoon or a big anniversary trip, staring at two sets of photos that both look like screensavers, wondering which one is actually worth it. Short answer: both are extraordinary, and they are not the same trip. Here's how to actually decide. Choose the Maldives if... You want total, uninterrupted seclusion. The Maldives is a nation of over 1,000 islands scattered across the Indian Ocean, and the luxury resort model there is

Let me paint you a picture. You're sitting on a sun-drenched terrace, a glass of limoncello sweating in your hand, looking out over cliffs that tumble dramatically into the most impossibly blue water you've ever seen. Your person is next to you. Nobody needs anything. There are no notifications that matter. That's the Amalfi Coast. And if you haven't been, I'm genuinely a little worried about you. Stretching along southern Italy's Sorrentine Peninsula, the Amalfi Coast is 30

There are trips that are beautiful. There are trips that are relaxing. And then there are trips that completely rewire how you see the world. A luxury safari is that trip. I have seen a lot of incredible destinations in my time as a travel advisor. Nothing quite prepares you for the moment you are sitting in complete silence watching a lion walk past your vehicle at sunrise with nothing between you and the African wilderness. It is one of those experiences that stays with you

There is a secret that experienced travelers have known for years and most people never figure out until after their first peak season trip to Europe. Shoulder season is better. Almost always. WHAT IS SHOULDER SEASON Shoulder season refers to the periods just before and after peak travel season at a destination. For most European destinations that means April, May, September, and October. For Caribbean destinations it typically means late spring and early fall. It is

I get it. Booking a trip yourself feels empowering. You are in control, you can compare every option, and you can spend hours going down the rabbit hole of reviews and price trackers. But here is what I have seen over and over again: the trips people book themselves are rarely as good as the ones they could have had. Here is why working with a travel advisor in 2026 is genuinely smarter. ONE — WE HAVE ACCESS TO THINGS YOU CANNOT GET ON YOUR OWN When you book a hotel d

After years of booking hotels for myself and my clients, I have learned that there is almost always more available to you than what you booked. Here is how to access it and how to get the most out of your travel with these luxury hotel hacks. ONE — BOOK DIRECTLY WITH THE HOTEL Online travel agencies like Expedia and Booking.com are convenient but they almost always offer the worst rates for upgrades and perks. When you book directly with the hotel you are typically eligib

I have packed for more trips than I can count, and I have learned every lesson the hard way so you do not have to. Here are the packing hacks that have genuinely changed how I travel. ONE — BUILD A CAPSULE WARDROBE, NOT AN OUTFIT LIST The biggest packing mistake people make is planning outfits instead of building a capsule. When you plan outfits you end up bringing 14 pieces for 7 days. When you build a capsule around a neutral color palette where everything mixes and mat

Every travel blog on the internet has a list of flight hacks. Most of them are recycled, outdated, or just flat out wrong. So let me give you the ones that actually work right now in 2026. THE ONES THAT ACTUALLY WORK FLY ON FRIDAYS (YES, REALLY) For the first time in over a decade, Friday has become the cheapest day of the week to both book and fly. Data from Expedia shows travelers who fly Friday instead of Sunday save up to 8% on average. If your schedule has any flexib

Your honeymoon is not just another vacation. It is the first trip you take as a married couple, and it sets the tone for a lifetime of adventures together. Getting it right matters. I have planned dozens of honeymoons and there are a few things I see again and again that make the difference between a good trip and an absolutely unforgettable one. MISTAKE NUMBER ONE: WAITING TOO LONG TO BOOK This is the most common honeymoon mistake I see. Couples get so focused on the w

There is a reason searches for "private villa" have surged to tens of thousands per month in 2026. Once you experience a luxury villa, it is nearly impossible to go back to a standard hotel room. And I am not just saying that as a travel advisor. I am saying it as someone who has seen firsthand how a private villa completely transforms a trip. WHAT MAKES A PRIVATE VILLA DIFFERENT A hotel, no matter how luxurious, is still a shared experience. You share the pool, the lob

If you have ever dreamed of a vacation that felt completely effortless — where every detail was handled, every experience was elevated, and all you had to do was show up and enjoy, you are in the right place! I am Savannah Gulian, independent travel advisor and founder of Savannah Travel Designs. I am based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and I specialize in designing luxury travel experiences for people who want more than a generic package deal. WHAT I DO I plan trips that