A few days ago we shared some of our experiences in Antarctica. It was a life-changing experience…the beauty and abundance of life there was astounding.

But, there was more to this trip. Our expedition to Antarctica was originally scheduled to depart from Ushuaia, but the state of the world rendered that port of embarkation impractical, prompting Silversea to switch to Porto Natales, Chile. I’m tempted to say “when life offers your lemons, make lemonade,” but the truth was that this offered us an incredible opportunity to follow our trip to one of the more amazing places on Earth with a visit to another of the more amazing places on Earth, Patagonia. And, thus, a plan was hatched.

Upon disembarking from the beautiful Silver Cloud in Punta Arenas, we (and two members of our “travel family”) were met by a van that took us on our three-hour drive to The Singular Patagonia, perhaps the most unique hotel we’ve ever visited (photos below). Situated just outside the fishing village of Porto Natales, the Singular is a clever reinvention of an abandoned cold storage facility. The history is fascinating…and on full display, with substantial part of the original facility still intact, serving as a museum of the industry and the machinery of a bygone era. Ensconced within the old factory is a luxurious hotel that offers exceptional comfort and outstanding dining. 

The hotel is situated very close to the world famous Torres del Paine National Park (https://parquetorresdelpaine.cl/en/home/). While our travel partners opted for a couple of days of strenuous hiking, including a puma trek, we settled into a more relaxed, though active, pace. With only three nights at the uber-cool Singular Santiago, one day was spent on an all-day driving tour, with a driver and guide…very knowledgable and professional. The sights were magnificent, and the day was punctuated by a  gourmet picnic lunch, replete with Chilean wines, served in the Park. 

While Torres del Paine is accessible by road vehicles, vast expanses are equally as wild as Antarctica. Glacier-fed lakes sit at the base of impossibly steep mountains, with glacial waters cascading over immense waterfalls. Condors abound, as do guanacos, members of the camelid family resembling llamas.  

The park encompasses approximately 550,000 acres (225,000 hectares) of pristine, untamed natural beauty, and hikers, bicyclists, and adventure motorcyclists have been known to spend weeks exploring this incredible land, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve known as the Eighth Natural Wonder of the World.   Our day tour was sensational, but we will be back…you could lose yourself for days or weeks in this amazing Park…and beyond, in greater Patagonia.  

Our second full day was fairly tame, encompassing a visit to the quaint, somewhat hardscrabble town of Porto Natales.  Life here, near the bottom of South America, is not so far from the Antarctic Circle. These days fishing remains the core of the economy, along with tourism. It’s reflected in the local abundance of incredible seafood such as sea bass and king crab, which are a large part of the local culinary offerings, along with lamb and other wood-fired dishes.  

We could have—should have—stayed much longer, but home was beckoning, so after our third night we hopped a flight to Santiago, Chile’s capital city. Our awaiting driver took us immediately to the Singular Santiago, another hotel that ranks high on the “Fantastico!” scale. Rooms are comfortable and the staff was beyond helpful. Our first stop after settling into our rooms was the rooftop bar and restaurant. As we had experienced in Patagonia, the food at the Singular Santiago was exceptional. 

The next two days were spent touring. Both days we were in the hands of Ynez, a woman with an encyclopedic knowledge of Santiago and Chilean history. Truth be told, Santiago offers some beautiful sights—gorgeous parks and historic buildings—along with the somewhat jarring reminders of the civil unrest of 2019, significant expanses of graffiti. 

Night life in the area around the Singular is animated, to say the least. Mere steps from the hotel…actually, just around the corner…each night brought a vibrant scene of outdoor dining, open air vendors of every variety, and street performances ranging from dance to singing. It’s more than entertaining; in every direction there’s something to see, hear or taste. And, it’s also safe…though pickpockets are something to be aware of, families with young children are a significant part of the crowd. Mind your wallet, but enjoy the panorama of humanity on the street.

Our second full day in Santiago saw us meeting up with Ynez again, then heading out of the city to tour the Santa Rita Winery. We’re not quite sure what magical spell Ynez cast over the staff at the ticket counter, but what was supposed to be a brief tour of the winemaking facility turned into a half day of touring the entire estate—vineyards, gardens, hotel, chapel, and, finally, a wine tasting experience in the historic tasting room of the Mansion. 

This was truly a treat…and touring with expert guides such as Ynez is always something we recommend to our clients. An outstanding private guide not only brings context and understanding to the sights you’re experiencing, but he or she can sometimes open doors that are closed to most visitors. 

The wines of Santa Rita are really outstanding, as were all of the Chilean wines we sampled during our visit. Winemaking is a large part of the country’s economy, and overall their outstanding vintages are a real bargain compared to most others. 

Our time in Santiago was truly filled to the brim…art, architecture, history, and wine…but we were ready to head home the next evening (flights from Santiago back to the States generally leave in the late evening). For once…the first time in memory…Mike actually slept on the overnight flight back to Houston.

Our visit to Chile capped one of the most diverse and spectacular trips of our lives, ranging from the urban experience of sophisticated, but sometimes raw, Santiago, to the untamed beauty of Antarctica (teaming with life), to the spectacular scenery of Patagonia and Torres del Paine (wild beyond words). And, true to the Elán credo to “Travel beyond,” we combined all of this with the expert guidance of Silversea’s incredible expedition staff and stays at two astoundingly unique Singular hotels. 

As we write this, we are packing our bags for Portugal, where we will visit, evaluate, and report back on one of the world’s hottest destinations. Later this spring we’ll be heading back to South America, visiting Peru and experiencing the Belmond touch as we make our way to Machu Picchu.  

There’s more on the agenda…Victoria has a board meeting in Iceland and Mike is kicking the tires for our BMW motorcycle tour of the American West. If we’re able to incorporate some partner properties into our itinerary as we make our way to the Grand Canyon we’ll share the rundown here. 

We feel fortunate to be able to share these experiences, and we urge those who have been hesitating to live their travel dreams to stop waiting. Partners such as those we worked with to make our most recent travel dreams come to life—Silversea, Singular Hotels, and Abercrombie & Kent—are key to crafting unforgettable travel experiences for our clients throughout the world, and we are exceedingly grateful for the opportunity to work with the world’s top travel suppliers, both for our personal travel and that of our clients.

The world has reopened. It’s time to travel beyond!

We’ve been on an epic adventure for the past two weeks or so, but our ability to update you on our travels was limited by sporadic to nonexistent connection to the internet. So, buckle up—you’re about to get two weeks’ worth of news in one dose. I invite you to peruse the slide show below; the magnitude of Antarctica is impossible to capture in mere words.

Our summary of travels to and in some of the world’s most wild and beautiful regions—Antarctica and Patagonia—follows. This post will focus on Antarctica, and we’ll follow up on our visit to Patagonia (as well as Santiago) next week.

This trip has been a long time in the making. We began planning our expedition to Antarctica over two years ago. It seemed a fitting way to mark the launch of Elan. But, as with many others’ plans, the advent of C19 threw a wrench into our initial plans. Working with Silversea’s incredible expedition specialists, we forged ahead, undaunted. In total, we saw three cancellations of our Antarctica expedition, and finally saw the possibility of success toward the last months of 2021, as the date of our late January embarkation approached.  We had asked others to join us, but with the schedule being a moving target some had to postpone their Antarctic ambitions. 

Nonetheless, we were accompanied by three other couples on this trip. It was an immense honor to travel with them and the time we spent together gave us the opportunity to expand our “travel family.” We hope that we will be able to share future trips with those who became truly special friends. 

Throughout the nearly two years from which we started planning for Antarctica, Silversea (as well as others who sail to the Seventh Continent) continued to explore ways to make it happen and ultimately found a winning approach. Changing our point of embarkation from Ushuaia, Argentina to Punta Arenas, Chile was the major factor that permitted Silversea to move ahead with our somewhat modified itinerary. So, on January 28, we flew from Chicago to Santiago, Chile to begin our incredible journey. 

Without belaboring the point, the COVID protocols adopted by the Chilean government were a challenge, but with the expert guidance of Silversea we were able to negotiate the complexities without any real difficulty. By the time we were permitted to board the Silver Cloud we had completed three COVID tests and undergone an exhaustive process of authenticating our vaccinations. Was it worth it? Without a doubt!

On January 29th, after a one-night stay in Santiago and a subsequent flight to Punta Arenas, the Silver Cloud pulled away from the dock. This, in itself, struck many of us as almost surreal. After two years of planning, frequent disappointments, and negotiating the Chilean bureaucracy, we could scarce believe we were underway.

That afternoon, we sailed through the Strait of Magellan, along Tiera del Fuego, and entered the Drake Passage. Even now, I get all goosebumpy, thinking of our transit through waters that I first studied in grade school…places that seemed impossibly exotic and remote.

The Drake Passage is a notorious body of water, the place where the waters of the Atlantic and Pacific meet. Combined with sometimes impressive winds, it can be a daunting experience. Our first few hours were admittedly a bit choppy, with waves of 20-plus feet. But, the Captain forged a path that soon became smooth, even serene. The two day sailing across the Drake remained uneventful. The first evening we were introduced to our butler and learned about the extensive array of Silversea amenities, from in-suite dining to daily laundry service. While the voyage was to introduce us to untouched lands and wildlife, our time on boarded the ship was marked by comfort and gracious service. Equally important, the ship’s many expedition specialists, scientists ranging from mammalogists to botanists, were constantly available and circulating around the ship. Conversations with them brought context to what we were experiencing, and are a key part of Silversea’s expedition offerings.

Our arrival in the South Shetland Islands…at the tip of the Antarctic Archipegalo…seemed almost magical. As we approached, the first sighting of whales occurred, and we prepared for our first trip ashore via the Silver Cloud’s fleet of Zodiac boats. Many of our fellow travelers shed a tear of joy at our arrival. It seemed nothing less than magical.

There are not enough superlatives.

It seemed to take forever for our first trip ashore—base layer, mid layer, waterproofs, boots, parka, and life preserver were de rigeur. Ultimately we got the hang of it, and what seemed like an hour-long process soon became reduced to minutes. It’s worth noting that Silversea and others operating in Antarctica require each passenger to undergo a serious sanitation process before venturing ashore. Prior to the first excursion, boots, poles and clothing are checked for possible contaminants and bio-tagged once cleared. Expeditioners walk through an antiseptic tray both upon departing and returning to the ship. And, boots and overpants are washed to ensure that no contaminants are transferred. It’s an impressive display of respect for the pristine ecosystem, one that is repeated each time anyone goes ashore.

If you don’t find the experience of setting foot on Antarctica for the first time to be emotional, you don’t have a beating heart. It is simply otherworldly.  We’ll let our photos tell the story, but every moment of our time in Antarctica was filled with wondrous sensations. It is as far from the frozen lifeless continent that many imagine. Rather, it is teaming with life—whales, seals, penguins, and a continuous array of avian species are on display. Beneath the surface of the water, Antarctica is blessed with an abundance of krill, tiny sea creatures that form the base of the food chain for the fish, mammals and birds that call Antarctica home. It’s claimed that 20% of the Earth’s biomass is found in Antarctica and its waters, a fact that is driven home by the observation that the places we visited provided a glimpse into an abundance of life.

Every day in Antarctica provided us a continuous panorama that nearly defies comprehension—blue icebergs (some immense), rising steam from volcanic sands, huge colonies of penguins, and feeding orcas come to mind. The experience is enhanced by an impressive crew of scientists who provided context to what we were seeing, and the others serving us—not the least of whom was our own butler—making life aboard the Silver Cloud extremely comfortable. Suites are well appointed, and nearly all feature a veranda, from which passengers can take in the sights of Antarctica. The vistas are incomprehensible in their majesty. 

Ultimately, after six days in Antarctica, with many trips ashore, we returned via the Drake Passage to Punta Arenas. As with our first passage, the first few hours saw us the ship rolling pretty noticeably. And, again, within a few hours we were back in calmer waters and smooth sailing. 

On February 8th we arrived back in Punta Arenas. Most of the ship’s passengers returned to Santiago via a chartered aircraft. However, we opted to extend our adventure, traveling on to Chile’s famed Patagonia region.  More on that in our next installation.

Before we turn to that next chapter, it’s worth offering a couple of general impressions. Exploring Antarctica is a close to visiting another planet as you can imagine. Each day you are met with a seemingly endless panorama of glaciers and dramatic mountains rising from the sea. Animal life is abundant, astonishingly so. And, it’s pristine. Apart from a few remnants from the whaling era and scattered scientific research stations, Antarctica remains a wild place. 

Perhaps more than any place we’ve ever traveled, Antarctica stole a piece of our hearts. It’s a creation that tests the limits of your senses, a blend of purity and wildness that penetrates your soul. Should you ever have the opportunity to visit, do not let it pass.

You’re going to have to pay attention, because this post has more flashbacks than “It’s a Wonderful Life.” We’ll start with the Victoria’s most recent travels, harken back to a couple of earlier travels, then wrap it all up with some final thoughts and tips.

​First, we need to acknowledge that 2021 has not always rewarded us with the limitless greener pastures we envisioned as 2020. We took a few hits ourselves. If nothing else, the challenges that have been thrown our way have taught us all lessons in resiliency. And, for many, it brought home the fact that we have a limited time to live our life’s dreams.

Overall, travel rebounded in an astounding manner among our clientele, but not everyone was as fortunate. Challenges remain, but if you’re willing to travel in the year ahead, we’d urge you to remember all those who take care of us while we’re on the road…the servers, the porters, the cleaners, and others have taken a huge hit. A little encouragement or extra generosity may make a real difference in their lives.

Victoria recently returned from a whirlwind trip to the French Riviera and Paris, where she evaluated several new or renovated properties, and participated in ILTM, one of the larger gatherings of luxury travel providers and advisors in the world. These types of trips are key to advising our clients, who expect a high level of current knowledge and personal insight into the choices with which they are faced.

She began her trip with a visit to the recently completed Maybourne Riviera, an astounding hotel built on the vertiginous cliffs overlooking the waters of the French Riviera. This beautiful property is located within a short distance to Eze and other gorgeous destinations within the region. 

From there, she went on to the Four Seasons Hotel du Cap Ferrat (where we stayed a couple of years ago) and the Hotel Martinez. The week at ILTM was followed by a visit to Paris, traveling on board the TGV train. In Paris, Victoria visited a number of new or recently updated hotels, including the sumptuous Le Bristol and the new Cheval Blanc Paris. We’ve posted a few photos below.

This trip followed an autumn trip to Italy where we combined family time with visits to some of Tuscany’s most incredible destinations. Other trips this past year included Mexico’s Riviera Nayarit, Hawaii’s Big Island, and a swing down the stunning California coast, including visits at some incredible properties.

In each instance, we were confronted with the same questions and COVID-related hurdles that our clients are facing, and learned some invaluable lessons. Primary among them is that the rewards of travel are perhaps even greater now than they have ever been.

Flashback to Italy: this was a wonderful journey, on which we were accompanied by some of our favorite people. We visited properties that are at the very top of their game, and we learned a bit about navigating Europe during a time when the rules were in flux. In spite of these somewhat minor challenges, this turned out to be a life-changing trip. Most of it was spent with our son Alex and his wife Aly, starting with a brief stay in Florence at the impeccable St. Regis, then traveling on to our villa just outside of the jaw-dropping city of Siena. Our villa was perfect, absolutely perfect. We struck up a friendship with our chef, Merope Harris, to the point that our son at one point declared “Merope is family.” Yep.

​Incomparable scenery, visits to world-class wineries, and dining at restaurants that displayed excellence with a nod to tradition were part of every day. There are no better words to sum up how amazing this trip was than the words of our daughter-in-law Aly, who said “Italy is my new favorite everything.” 

Similarly, our visits to Mexico and Hawaii illustrated that the world is still open to those who are prepared. 

What did we learn? First—and we know not everyone is overjoyed by this—it has become increasingly apparent that, at least for the foreseeable future, you should consider becoming “fully vaccinated.” Simply put, those who are not are now finding much of the world closed to them. For most adults, and even children, this means receiving the full series of jabs, including boosters. Americans, your CDC vaccination card is now as essential as a passport. 

Thoroughly researching your destination’s requirements is also a must—without going into excruciating detail, timing requirements and documentation of tests and immunizations are now every bit as important as your hotel reservations. Much of the value in working with the top professionals who are our partners lies in their ability to help us navigate these issues.  

On our recent trips we have used a range of specialty services to make (y)our travel more pleasurable. First, we have partnered with an incredible “meet and greet” service that will ease your arrival (and, if necessary, transfers) at many of the world’s largest airports. For Victoria’s trip to Cannes, where the fashion demands ranged from walking about cobblestone streets to attending elegant dinner parties, she used our luggage forwarding partner, Luggage Free, to forward most of her wardrobe. In a time when there are some extra hurdles to travel, accessing these tricks of the trade can make all the difference.

What do we see for 2022? Knowing that none of us can predict every possible twist and turn, we are optimistic about a continuing surge in travel. We saw this emerging throughout 2021, and it seems that governments are increasingly emphasizing a balanced approach to health concerns that is resulting in the easing of restrictions. Our travel calendar over the next six months presently includes visits to Antarctica, Patagonia, Peru, and Portugal. Beyond that, we are plotting for a possible return to Alaska and other destinations on our must-do list. If you’ve been waiting, we urge you to realistically evaluate whether 2022 may be the time for you to check off a destination or two from your bucket list. 

Please join us for a few snapshots from our 2021 travels, The Best Travel Year Of Our Lives….

We just returned from an incredible time in Tuscany, and we owe our faithful followers a report:

This trip was conceived two years ago, a process that involved sifting through dozens of villas and finding the one that was “just right.” Ultimately we decided on a villa near Siena, just outside the town of Pianella.  Everything was set…for September 2020. That, of course, didn’t happen, and the villa owner agreed to a postponement of a year. 

We, of course, had to wait; the world wasn’t open. But now that travel to places like Italy is once again possible, we can’t imagine waiting. The time to visit Italy is now; the conditions are ideal.

The day for our departure arrived, and we set off from O’Hare IAP with our son Alex and daughter-in-law Aly.  Travel on the airline was uneventful…just an additional check or two of COVID test results and vaccination records, but otherwise unremarkable. Throughout our visit we found that Italy was easy to navigate—light crowds and minimal restrictions. We all made sure to have our vaccination records with us when we ventured out, but over the span of our two week-plus visit we were asked to show those documents no more than around a half dozen times. As in the States, some people were wearing masks, but outside very few people did so.  Most of our meals were on patios—some covered and some not—and wearing masks was just not an issue. In museums and shops all were wearing masks. 

So, overall, we experienced very little inconvenience. For those who are fully vaccinated, Italy is truly a piece of cake to visit. It’s perhaps even a bit better to visit at this time because of the light crowds. But, on to the details of our visit….

Flying via Frankfurt, we arrived in Florence the morning following our departure and made our way to the beautiful St. Regis, situated along the Arno River.  Upon settling in, we immediately set off to visit our friend Claudio Meli, the GM of The Place, an exquisite small hotel in the heart of Florence. Claudio, the consummate host, treated us to what was absolutely the best gelato any of us had ever experienced. Later, we returned to The Place for an exquisite dinner on the outdoor patio. Really, a stunning setting.

The following morning we took a quick walking tour of the city, then set off to pick up our rental car and head for the heart of Tuscany. The drive was fairly uneventful, at least as uneventful as any drive in Italy can be, and we were just a little flabbergasted when we arrived at our beautiful villa, just outside of Siena. It was perfect.

Rather than droning on with a play-by-play, an overview, with a few highlights is probably best:

We spent a couple of days in the cities of Florence and Siena, each beautiful in its own way. It is just possible that Florence is our favorite city in the world. The concentration of history, art and architecture is unmatched, largely a result of the Medici family’s wealth and influence. 

Most days saw us jumping into our car and exploring Tuscany. We went in every direction from our villa, and within a very short drive there was inevitably a beautiful village to be seen, a winery to be visited, or a stunning vista to take away your breath.  It’s hard to envision the concentration of notable wineries and historic sites in every direction. And, wonder of wonders, there were three Michelin-star restaurants within minutes of our Villa.

A large part of our time in Tuscany was focused on visiting our industry partners, evaluating their properties, and discussing future joint plans with Elán.  First among these was the St. Regis in Florence. This elegant hotel combines notes of traditional luxury with the modern. It was a true treat to settle into this iconic hotel, which is supremely comfortable, but the highlight had to be seeing our daughter-in-law Aly doing the sabering of the champagne, a St. Regis tradition around the world.

Have you ever heard of The Place, a small property in Florence heralded as among the world’s finest hotels? It’s so nice, we visited twice! The first time to meet with our good friend, GM Claudio Meli, for a tour of their latest updates and what turns out to have been the best chocolate gelato of our trip, and the second time for an incredible dinner on the piazza. It’s one of our favorites of all the places we’ve visited in the world. The Place. Florence. It gets no better.

One of our first expeditions was to Rosewood’s Castiglion del Bosco, near Montalcino. One of the most comprehensive vineyard tours and wine tastings we’ve ever experienced was followed by a visit to a villa to grab some video for a client, and a meal that was out of this world. Castiglion del Bosco is a real treat, offering a wide range of sumptuous accommodations atop a mountain that affords vistas that seem endless. They are among the most highly trusted partners in Elán’s portfolio, and our visit cemented our adoration of this property.

The following day, we were treated to a lunchtime visit to Villa San Michele, where a Michelangelo-designed facade greeted us, followed by a cocktail in the stunning gardens that overlook Florence. The setting for our lunch—prior to our tour of the Uffizi and the Academia—was a “Wow!” in the true sense.

Later in the week we visited Tenuta Argentaia. This thousand-year-old compound had fallen into ruins and has been faithfully restored by its owner, a former trader on the New York Mercantile Exchange. It features tremendous privacy and expansive spaces, along with one of the foremost privately owned modern art collections in Europe. Look for a collaboration between Elán and this one of a kind property in the months ahead.

It’s hard to name any one of these properties as the top among those we visited, but it’s hard to imagine any place more beautiful and serene than Belmond’s Castello di Casole. Describing it as a hotel does not really do it justice, as it consists of a restored castle and all the elements of the surrounding town, now incorporated in the accommodations, dining venues, and other facilities of the resort.  GM Roberto Protezione is the consummate host, and his passion for gardening has created one of the most visually stunning places in all of Tuscany. Upon arrival, guests are greeted by the rose garden he conceived, with 4,000 rose bushes. Incredible! Throughout the property the gardeners have masterfully woven extravagant flowering plants into the fabric of this ancient town. Photos cannot do it justice.

One other property worth mentioning was one of our neighbors…Hotel La Fontanelle was just a couple hundred meters from the entrance to our villa. We crashed their party twice during our visit, the first time to meet with the GM and sales staff, and the second to enjoy a lunch on the pool patio. This family-owned hotel is an unheralded treasure, lovingly restored from ancient ruins and commanding an impressive place atop a Tuscan hill. The family owns and operates a nearby winery that is utterly state of the art. 

We were so privileged to visit these, and other, properties in Tuscany. We are developing Elán-specific programs with each of them, and truly could spend an extended holiday at any one of them. Alas, this is not to be…at least not now. It’s too invigorating to make the rounds, firm up plans, and look toward the future.

Our villa, a short distance from Siena, was fabulous. Comfortable and quiet, it provided a great home from which to conduct our many excursions. The household manager Salvatore (“Sati”) took great care of us, and our chef who came in daily, Merope Harris, really made our time at the villa special. We hope to partner with Merope in the future, and would suggest that she is a great choice for those who want to experience a level of true culinary excellence in their Tuscan home.  FWIW, our son Alex declared Merope “family,” and it was truly sad to bid her farewell.  

Apart from the visual splendor of Tuscany, the wines, and the food, that is what makes our travels so rewarding. The casual conversations. The shared stories. And the bonds that last forever. 

Now, more than ever, two words should guide each of us: “Don’t wait.” 

​Please enjoy the slideshow….

Elán has been very, very busy.  A good thing, reflecting the fact that people are traveling again and enjoying the world. We love helping others travel beyond their day-to-day, experiencing discovery and enjoyment. However, it’s time for us to grab a bit of relaxation.

Or close to it. We’ll be leaving for Italy this week, leaving behind a house occupied only by an armed guard or two, and will not return until nearly the end of September. We’re going to be staying in the Tuscan villa pictured above, doing a bit of touring, drinking a bit of Chianti, and enjoying one of the more pleasurable places on Earth.

Okay, to be totally honest, a lot of it will be work-related. We have several visits and consultations set up with our industry partners while in Italy, and we’ll share some of that here. Stay tuned in to this page and to our Facebook posts (https://www.facebook.com/102189984600211/) as we try to grab a bit of relaxation with our enjoyment of beautiful Tuscany.  

The best part of it is that we’ll be spending this time with family and friends…our son Alex, his wife Aly, and our wonderful friends, Chuck, Laura, and Alison. 

We’re turning off the computers, except to occasionally fire them up for an update on our travels, so we’ll be providing contact information for colleagues who will unerringly help you with any urgent travel needs during our absence. 

A few days ago we got a little giddy and shared a hint about an upcoming opportunity, referring to the the latitude of the Arctic Circle. We can now share the information: Elán has reserved a limited number of suites on the Inaugural Norwegian Journey of the Explora I, departing from Southampton and journeying along the stunning Norwegian Fjords, ultimately arriving at the Svartisen Glacier and the Arctic Circle. 

Explora is an entirely new venture, joining the Aponte family’s centuries of seafaring experience with many of the leading names in the world of refined travel. Our ship, the Explora I, captures the storied seagoing history of its creators and will take guests to unrivaled destinations in a style unmatched anywhere. We have been given a sneak preview, and to say it’s amazing is no exaggeration.

We’re really excited. Really excited. We’re among a handful who have been selected to offer this inaugural opportunity to our clients. It happens on 11 July 2023, and it promises to be beyond extraordinary.

Travel Beyond…with Elán and Explora.

To learn more, please email Victoria at vboomgarden@elantravel.net. We can’t wait to hear from you.​

You may recall that Victoria returned from Rwanda just a few weeks ago, where she experienced one of the more magical travel experiences on the planet…trekking into the jungle to spend time with the mountain gorillas.

Many of our clients asked for more information, so we’ve worked with our friends at Micato Safaris and the One&Only Resorts to bring you some further details. First, we’d like to share with you this brief profile of Prosper Uwingeli, the man principally responsible for the welfare of the mountain gorillas within Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park. He’s an incredible person, approaching the task with the conviction that he is saving the world for these magnificent animals….

These two properties are presently available during Festive. If these properties are of interest to you, you should consider acting immediately; properties of this size and quality are seldom available.

Three Bees (below, left) is a 13-bedroom compound available for Festive, and is inclusive with water toys and boats.

Cabo Velas (below, left) is available for Christmas week, fully inclusive with on-property horseback riding and full time naturalist guides. The Main House sleeps sixteen, and each of the four guest “ranchos” features two bedrooms.

Both Three Bees and Cabo Velas are extraordinarily beautiful, the perfect holiday destination for Festive. Do not delay in calling Victoria at 630.420.3538 or emailing her at vboomgarden@elantravel.net to secure your time at one of these extraordinary properties.

Links to the brochures for Three Bees and Cabo Velas may be found below….

Our apologies for going “radio silent” for the past few weeks. The truth is that it’s been an exceptionally busy time; our clients are taking full advantage of the fact that the world is awakening quickly from the near-universal lockdown that has affected travel since early 2020. Every day we receive news of more and more countries reopening their borders to international visitors, and those of our clients who are fully vaccinated are finding that the options are, finally, very expansive.  

This past week we kept it a bit more local, as in within the United States, when we took a week to experience quite a diverse range of destinations in the State of California. Incomparable wine, good food, and natural beauty were on the menu, but most importantly, we spent much of the week with the best friends imaginable. Also—and this may surprise some who know how we typically travel—we mixed it up a bit, starting and ending the trip in exceptional luxury resorts, with two nights at a cozy bed and breakfast sandwiched in between. Increasingly we are seeing that financially secure travelers are more focused on the quality of their experience, and not solely on lavish spending. 

We jetted from Chicago to San Francisco to start our trip. It is absolutely no surprise to see that  commercial flights are once again at or near full capacity, but flyers and crews seem to have gotten into the routine of dealing with masks, cleaning routines, and the continuous reminders of health concerns. We expect that we’ll be seeing this for a while, but it truly is good to see that there is an overwhelming impulse to return to our normal lives.

We picked up a rental car at the airport and headed north, skirting San Francisco, to the Montage Healdsburg. Most of the journey was on expressways, but once we got off and drove through the town of Healdsburg, both of us immediately vowed that we would have to spend more time in this charming town, which features wineries, a wide array of exceptional restaurants, and stores that offer truly beautiful handcrafted objects. 

About five minutes out of town, we turned toward Montage Healdsburg. Wow! Those familiar with this part of California know that it’s a rolling, arid landscape, yet the comfortable vibe of this modern masterpiece is apparent the moment you step up to the front door. The main lobby is chic, comfortable, and inviting, and the bar located there serves masterful cocktails alongside the area’s crazy-good wines. We immediately connected with friends who had rolled in before us, enjoying the cool comfort of the hotel’s public space before actually checking in to our room. Another Wow! The “rooms” are spread over an expansive landscape, with each room or suite being nearly entirely independent of the others. All feature balconies that are comfortably furnished with a gas fire pit, and offer views of the natural surroundings. In our case, we looked out on a range of mountains that offered a glowing wakeup call each morning.

Food? Well, you can only imagine. The restaurant features an open concept kitchen with a wide range of seating options indoors and outdoors. Every member of the restaurant staff knows their wine, and it was no surprise that we were offered a range of California’s best from the surrounding vineyards. And, speaking of vineyards, while they’re still in their infancy, much of the resort’s landscape is devoted to newly-planted vines; within the next couple of years, grapes grown on the property will be harvested and used to create signature wines.

As is often the case with travel days, we were a bit zonked by the time we finished dinner (we had, after all, gotten up at 2 a.m. California time to make our flight). The next morning we had a great breakfast—yes, the avocado toast is to die for—and we were whisked by luxury SUV to a “secret surprise” that the Montage had planned for us. We guessed endlessly…and, ultimately, didn’t even come close. The surprise was revealed as we pulled into the nearby airport to the sight of a gleaming Bell 407 helicopter. After a quick safety briefing, we lifted off and went for an hour-plus tour of the Russian River, the Alexander Valley, and the stunning Pacific coastline. As if that weren’t enough, our turbine-powered magic carpet took us to the grounds of the Robert Young winery. And, no, that’s not all folks…we were treated to a winery tour by one of the members of the Young family, followed by an expansive tasting and picnic that was packed in by the Montage. Golly!

That would have been a pretty full experience in itself, but after this, our luxury SUV was again waiting for us, and took us to Silver Oak Vineyards for another round of wine tasting. The Silver Oak winery is beyond impressive, LEED Platinum certified and entirely energy self-sufficient. Oh, yeah…they also produce very amazing wines.

That evening, we visited a rather fabulous restaurant, Vallette. Great, great food served up by two brothers who operate the restaurant jointly. It’s almost guaranteed that at some point, Bob Vallette, the dad of the proprietors, will stop by your table, swirling a glass of one of the region’s better wines, and engaging in casual confirmation. Bob, by the way, seems a laid-back gent, but you might be surprised that, at an age when most of us have settled into our favorite recliner, he is still flying wildfire suppression missions. One more example of our continuing experience that the best part of travel turns out to be the human connections you make.  

The next morning we said our farewells to our great friends and to a truly stunning resort, and hopped in our car to make our way to Carmel-on-the-Sea. Carmel is exquisite and worth an extended visit (and indeed we’ve done that previously, but we had miles to cover). 

A quick stop for a sandwich, and another “Wow!” awaited us. Rolling out of Carmel, you quickly join up with California Highway 1, certainly one of the most iconic drives in the world. The scenic beauty is beyond one’s capability to describe in words, with the asphalt ribbon of highway hugging a coastline where mountains meet the sea. Crashing waves. Redwoods. Spectacular vistas.  It’s a drive everyone should take at least once in their lifetime. It is indescribably beautiful. Utterly awe-inspiring.

There are many delights along this route, but as the coastline flattened out a bit and we approach Cambria, we came across one that’s pretty extraordinary…a beach that is the habitat of hundreds of elephant seals. The largest of these mammoth sea mammals top out at around 5,000 lbs! A few minutes enjoying their lazy antics, and we were on to our next stop, Cambria. 

From the time we left Carmel, it must have been three hours or so until we rolled into Cambria. Ah, Cambria. You are a joy. This town is not about being touristy. Located near Hearst Castle, Cambria is perfectly happy to be your friend, but also quite willing to let you do your thing. Probably the best way to convey this is to look at a few of the objective facts: if you want a coffee in town, you’re probably going to have to wait for the locals to open their doors at 8 a.m., or possibly 10 a.m. Want to shop for pottery? You’ll have to time it just right, because the “We’ll be back at XXX” sign keeps moving back in half hour increments every time you check it.  

In a place such as this, there’s no better place to settle in than in an authentic B&B, and we chose the Olallieberry Inn. This lovely little Victorian home is, by golly, about as comfy as you can imagine.  You will not find cutting edge designer furniture or trendy cocktails here. Uh-uh-uh. But, what you will find are comfortable sitting chairs, a porch you’ll want to sit on forever (overlooking a wildly exuberant garden), and a bed that will summon you into a slumber unlike any you’ve experienced since childhood. When we rolled in, it was toward the end of their complimentary wine hour, served every day with a choice of a nice local wine and a beautiful charcuterie/cheese board. This is generally the time when you can sit on the porch and make new friends of the guests, a fairly eclectic group with one common trait, the love of Cambria.

After awakening and wiping the sleep from your eyes, you may choose to shuffle toward the kitchen, where you will find Chef Dirk, a bundle of positivity, preparing what will soon become one of your all-time favorite breakfasts.  If you speak kindly to Dirk, he will offer you a mug of freshly brewed coffee and a brief chat, before returning to his culinary duties. Here’s the thing about Dirk: he has two jobs. One is making an incredible breakfast for the Inn’s guests every morning, and the other is cutting and chopping wood. He’s been doing it for over 20 years, and is a master. If his chopped wood is only half as good as his food….

We ate at a couple of good restaurants in town during our stay. No Michelin stars here…just solid, well-prepared food, and lots of dishes featuring the olallieberry, a locally developed hybrid. In one of our first meals, at Linn’s Restaurant, we had four, count ‘em, four dishes that somehow incorporated the olallieberry as an ingredient. 

Our only full day in Cambria was spent venturing to Daou Winery, a truly gorgeous winery atop Daou Mountain, near Paso Robles, where we had reserved a picnic that was truly sublime. There are many beautiful wineries in this region, but it would be hard to top Daou, not only for the winery itself, but for the views it offers, perched on top of a mountain. We were already fans of Daou wines, but we were introduced to some of their wines that we had not previously had, and ended up being rather fond of Eye of the Falcon, a Cabernet/Petit Verdot blend. And, of course, no visit to a winery can be deemed a success unless you join their club. We’re looking forward to our first delivery.

The next day saw us again hitting the road, en route to Carlsbad and the Park Hyatt Aviara. This beautiful resort, formerly a Four Seasons property, recently underwent a $100+ million renovation, and evokes a comfortable, luxurious SoCal vibe. Our suite was fantastic. Like most rooms at the Park Hyatt, the suite was exceptionally large and perfectly appointed. Even the smallest rooms at the Park Hyatt are impressive in size, and the designers have managed to capture a casual elegance that reflects Southern California perfectly

One of the more impressive meals of our trip was at Porto Lago, in the hotel. The imaginative food is prepared in a beautiful open kitchen, and features a Latino bent, as well as the ample use of an open wood fire. Our waiter was among the most knowledgeable we have ever encountered, and expertly guided us through our menu and wine choices…a gent who had trained for three years with master chefs, but decided to bring his considerable expertise in food and wine to the front of the house. Really impressive!

The Resort also features a world-class golf course, one of the stops on the LPGA tour. The clubhouse offers yet another beautiful restaurant, Ember and Rye.

Our second day in Southern California was largely spent at friends’ home in La Jolla, and that evening we visited the sister resort of the Park Hyatt, the Alila Marea Beach, and had dinner at Vaga, which is one of the hottest restaurants in this part of Southern California. Executive Chef Claudette Zepeda has created a truly outstanding menu that reflects the region’s cultural traditions, using locally sourced ingredients. After dinner there are few places more stunning than the adjacent bar, featuring firepits that will warm you while you watch the sun set over the Pacific.  

Sadly, this Kalifornia Kaleidoscope of a journey was only a week long, but it allowed us to experience a wide range of accommodations, dining, and sightseeing that served as a reminder of the State’s amazing wealth of natural beauty and of its rich array of quality resorts, exceptional dining, and incredible wines. It was really the ideal way to experience Coastal California, with the casual comfiness of our Cambria B&B sandwiched between two resorts that rank among the best in America, yet offer distinctly differing experiences.  

As we work with our clients to realize their travel dreams, we generally see that an amalgam of experiences such as ours is often the perfect realization of their vision. It’s the way we hope to help others in their quest to travel beyond….