using airline points | WTN - Sensi Nature and Spa | Highlight - The Great Barrier Reef 🐠

WHERE TO NEXT?

Dear Traveler,

Last week our daughter decided at last minute she wanted to come home for fall break – two days later. I looked into flights and luckily there were three seats left on her ideal flight. But for triple the price it usually is.

I could have simply bought the ticket, but I remembered the WSJ article I shared with you two weeks ago, The Buying Power of Your Credit-Card Points Is Tanking.

So I actually used my points.

I know I’m in good company as a point saver and not spender. Pre-pandemic, McKinsey estimated around 30 trillion unredeemed airline miles existed worldwide.

I’m now on a mission to use them more regularly.

Seeking an easy way to spend a lot of points? Book a flight to Australia. I did consider using points for my recent flight and it was over 600,000 points for a Delta One seat.

But instead I paid for mine. I think I’ll wait and splurge on one of the two cabins I’d like to try. The first – Qatar Airways Qsuite with a double bed. They are introducing the next generation of the Qsuite on their Boeing B777-9 aircraft in 2025. The new Qsuites will have a new “make my bed” feature (I’m not sure what that is but I’m curious).

The second – Singapore Airlines first class seats on the Airbus A380. Double beds and a swiveling, reclining armchair in a private space. It makes long haul travel so much more luxurious!

I was curious the points needed for the above, so I looked into two places on my list:

Raja Ampat – a private yacht charter to scuba dive and explore. Singapore Airlines. 1,281,489 points round trip.

Dubai and Jordan – experiencing the new and old history of the Middle East. 1,272,977 points round trip in the QSuite.

Just like there is no prize for having the most money in your bank account when you are gone, that is equally true for points. At a speech I did this summer on travel for a private wealth management group, one of the owners said “If you don’t start flying first class, your children will be.”

If, like me, you have a lot of points, start spending them. They are a depreciating asset!

Since our kids no longer live with us full time, we LOVE it when they come home. This weekend I had an extra benefit from Jessie’s presence – she taught me how to make reels. Below you can see the two I made on Sydney and the Outback.

Below you will read about my recent stay on the Great Barrier Reef. It was the first place I went scuba diving at 22 years old and I credit it with opening my eyes to the underwater world. A place to go with friends or with your family – there are a wide array of resorts and private villas, making it perfect for a couple to a larger multigenerational trip.

Seeing the expression on kids’ faces as they snorkel above Nemo or see a giant sea turtle swimming for the first time is priceless!

Last week’s most popular article was 11 Most Beautiful Hot-Springs Resorts in the U.S.. I find it curious the one on my personal list that I hope to visit in 2025 is not on there. And it’s amazing. Lists are never quite perfect.

This week’s inspirational articles include 61 unique travel experiences you need to try (for such a big list, it is remarkably well curated), why via ferratas are the new “it” adventure (as you know I love via ferratas!), the best food cities in the world and the best things to do in Australia for every season (so timely!) and Stanley Tucci’s favorite meals worldwide.

Also articles on the Berkshires, submarine adventures, Turkey, Maine, skiing and Madeira.

The informational articles include another article on scientists’ recent discovery that travel can slow aging(!!) and why planning a trip can help your mental health.

Where am I going next?

Jason and I are visiting Jessie and Trevor at college for homecoming this weekend. And as a bonus we’ll see my brother and sister in law. Football, tailgating, hiking and more fall colors.

Then I’m off to Chicago for a sold-out conference at my business school, the Kellogg Global Women’s Summit. With headliners like Oprah, the President of SpaceX, the former CEO of PepsiCo and lots of friends to see and other alumni to meet – I’m looking forward to it!

Have a wonderful week!

Warmly,

P.S. Reminder – the last year+ of newsletters are now fully searchable (the prior ones are just searchable on the title), so head over to this page and type in a destination you are interested in or a topic to see what’s been written about it.

Quick video recap of Sydney

Quick video recap of the Outback

Below:

Highlight – The Great Barrier Reef
Where to Next? Sensi Nature and Spa
Articles to Inspire+Inform

THE GREAT BARRIER REEF

“THE DROP OFF?!? THEY’RE GOING TO THE DROP OFF?!
WHAT – ARE YOU INSANE?”

That line from Finding Nemo is indelibly printed in my memory, as the movie came out when our kids were little and we watched it often.

It is a place of fear for the little clownfish from the reef, because it is where the big fish are.

And sharks.

It’s also a very exciting place to go snorkeling or scuba diving, because the marine life and coral are spectacular.

The first morning on Lizard Island I woke before sunrise and laid in bed listening to the lapping of the ocean. Wanting to see the first light motivated me to get up and walk to the glass doors, opening them up so I could sit on the deck in the quiet of the morning.

The swish of the waves. The slight movement of the palm leaves.

Other than that, there was nothing.

Most people like to sleep in on vacation. And for me even though I’m not on vacation, I also don’t sleep in on vacation.

Captivated by the sounds of the surf, I laid on the deck’s daybed for a while.

Eventually I had visitors. Two seagulls landed on the railing.

Just chilling.

Until a few minutes later when a third arrived. He was persona non grata and with boisterous charging and some squawks – he flew away for good.

“It’s time to motivate.” Today after breakfast we are going for a hike to a secluded beach for snorkeling. I love that this island has lots of hiking trails – starting from the same place as activities over and under the water. It’s a perfect and rare combination.

After another delicious flat white, we head out with Jasper, our very Aussie guide.

The hike is not too challenging, but it gets my heart rate up a bit. I see a mountaintop nearby and ask Jasper if that is Cook’s Look, the spot with the 360 degree views.

He confirms. I make a mental note to put that on the list for my return visit.

We walk along a gorgeous bluff with beautiful views over the coast and out to sea. So much life lives under the surface and from up on land you just have no idea.

Over a bridge to protect mangroves, passing the remnants of an old stone structure, we arrive.

Soft white sand, a swing hanging under the shade of a tree, crystal clear water.

This is paradise.

As I contemplate whether I want to put on my wetsuit (it really doesn’t seem necessary as it’s so warm!), one of my colleagues shouts “What is that?” pointing to a dark color in the shallow water just off the beach.

Hmmm. It’s definitely moving. But the form is such that we can’t make it out.

Jasper comes closer.

“It’s a turtle.”

Really?! I get ready a bit quicker so I can see for myself before he swims away.

It’s so incredible to see wild animals in the wild. In their natural homes living their lives.

The turtle gracefully paddles through the perfectly clear water as we watch him. A little nibble here a little nibble there, he is making a very small dent in the sea grass that sporadically sprouts up through the sand.

My curiosity is piqued for what is to come!

We set out for the darker underwater spots ahead. The color that signifies coral is below the surface. A little deeper with a lot of variety.

With mask on, I spy dozens of giant clams, as big as a small sofa! Their openings look like wavy lips made of deep purple velvet and others have green splotches dotting a leopard print pattern.

They are just waiting for something delicious to swim into their grapefruit-sized hole in their membrane.

I spot a little black fish hovering just above the hole. Watching quietly, I wait. I hope it will swim in and be swallowed up so I can see the clam in action.

No luck.

I move on.

Super sized sea cucumbers lay still in the sand 15 feet deep. In the 1860s sea cucumbers were the target of a business, set up here to harvest their delicacy from the ocean floor. It didn’t last. The remnant of the building we saw earlier was a part of that failed effort (and there’s a fascinating story behind it).

Like with the moment near Mt. Mulligan a few days ago, I try to imagine what it would have been like long ago for the residents to be here in this very spot.

A large coral that looks like an enormous tub, full of sand and embedded clams, mini versions of their giant cousins, brings me back to the the present moment.

A few feet away in the finger coral, sea anemones waving in the current line the grooves and crevasses. Like in Nemo, clownfish are hovering just on the tips of their tentacles, protected by their stinging cells called cnidocytes. The anemones and clownfish have a symbiotic relationship. A perfect natural science lesson if I was here with kids.

An angelfish glides by above them, while a school of tiny silver fish dart by.

The reef is healthy and strong, supporting the survival of abundant sea life off the coast of Lizard Island.

Underwater life is a magical other world. One I am happy I introduced my kids to long ago, and one I hope you have or will introduce yours to also.

A person who sees a clown fish, parrot fish, sea turtle or even a baby reef shark can’t help but be awed by their beauty – whether they are children, teenagers or adults.

I consider the Great Barrier Reef a ‘must visit’ on your Australian adventure. It spans almost 1500 miles off the coast! Many of the reefs surround the tiniest of sandy coral islands strewn about haphazardly. Sections of the reef are accessible from the mainland by plane, helicopter or boat.

With such a vast area, the perfect destination for you varies based on how much time you have, how close you want to be to the reef, what time of year it is and whether you are traveling with children (at several resorts kids must be 10+years old).

There is also the option to charter a private yacht overnight so you can explore even more of the most remote places. That is on the list for my return trip with our kids.

Figuring out the best place for you, as a couple or with your family, is a fun part of designing your trip.

Will it be…

close by the Whitsunday Islands with miles and miles of secluded, deserted white sand beaches?
near Heart Reef?
a secluded Robinson Caruso style bungalow?
a contemporary resort on a bustling island?
a villa perched at the top of a cliff with 360 degree views where Will Smith, Katy Perry and others have stayed, and where David Attenborough called the most beautiful place on Earth?

You might think Australia is so far away, you have to wait until just the right time to go. I do think having at least two weeks is important to be able to see the top highlights for you. But there are so many places to visit, that you can plan a trip to Australia anytime of the year.

And for any reason…

One of the managers told me “There have been a lot of marriage proposals here and no one has ever said no.”
A honeymoon
A babymoon – last night we had friends over for dinner who me that they went on a 2 week trip to Australia just before their first child was born. Sailing in the Great Barrier Reef was a highlight for them.
An active adventure with your college kids
A wildlife and educational focused trip with your younger kids
A fun multigenerational getaway with all ages
A cultural, artsy, culinary and wine tasting journey with friends

Whichever you choose, it will no doubt be one of the most memorable adventures of your lifetime!

🌟 Later this month, our clients will travel to the Azores and spend a few days at the beautiful, Sensi Nature & Spa.

Why is Sensi Nature & Spa so special?

This charming property, once an old farmhouse, is nestled in a protected area with breathtaking ocean views. Its isolation from neighboring properties ensures an unparalleled sense of privacy and tranquility.
With eight thoughtfully designed room types, guests can enjoy ultimate comfort alongside stunning vistas of lush gardens, picturesque landscapes, and the vast ocean. Many rooms feature private decks, and some include heated plunge pools.
Dine at Mômô Restaurant, where the menu showcases a delightful blend of Portuguese, Azorean, and international cuisines. The Bar offers a cozy living room vibe, complete with comfortable couches and a terrace that boasts stunning sunset views over the ocean.

Do as much or as little as you like:

Unwind in the sauna, hammam or indoor pool, and treat yourself to rejuvenating massages and spa treatments.
Engage in outdoor activities like horseback riding, hiking, or taking an exhilarating quad tour.
Get out on the water and experience the thrill of sailing, sport fishing or big game fishing. You can also swim with dolphins or manta rays or try diving for a closer look at marine life.
Try canyoning or coasteering for an adrenaline rush in stunning natural settings.

‼️ Don’t miss…. hiking the Lakes of Sete Cidades! This trail showcases breathtaking views of the iconic twin lakes—one blue and one green—nestled within a volcanic crater. The vibrant color contrast against the lush landscape is truly awe-inspiring.