Spotlight on NZ | WTN - Naples Beach Club | Highlight - Baan Rim Pa

WHERE TO NEXT?

Dear Traveler,

It’s been far too long since I’ve written you and I miss it. The busiest season in travel planning has kept my schedule overly full – your trips and mine both. I also co-hosted a webinar on multi-generational travel planning, which was so fun. I’ll share some of the insights in a future newsletter.

You’ll notice the favorite articles list near the bottom is a long one. Lots of catching up to do.

Below I’m sharing more about my time in New Zealand with Jessie. It’s such a beautiful country – safe, easy to navigate, endless outdoor activities, with delicious food, kiwi spotting, golf, fishing, glaciers, spectacular scenery and some of the world’s great luxury lodges.

The question isn’t whether you should go to New Zealand.
It’s when.

I’ve been to NZ before, but this trip reminded me again how much I love it. And since Jason has never been, I’ve already started crafting a plan for us to spend a month there next winter. I’m counting the days. Read on for why I love it so much – and why you should get yourself there.

On a different note – you’ve likely heard that airport travel lately has been… complicated. This morning I woke at 2:30am and arrived 3 1/2 hours early to Boston Logan for a domestic flight. I have CLEAR and TSA PreCheck, but it’s the first of three flights getting me to Bali and I wasn’t going to chance missing it. The lanes at 5:30am were only partially full, and happily the CLEAR TSA PreCheck line was empty. With reports of long lines across the country, you need to use every resource and bit of savviness at your disposal. Did you know some airports actually don’t even use TSA agents? For those that do, read on for a good tip.

TIP: Do you have TSA PreCheck? Do you know about the new Touchless system? It’s not in every airport, but if it is, you want it.

On my recent departure from Atlanta, the Touchless line had no wait. The regular TSA PreCheck line took 45 minutes. I had Touchless. Jason didn’t. You can add it directly in your airline app – but do it well ahead of time. If you’re already in line when you add it, it won’t be applied in time.

I suggest you do it now. It might save you on your next flight.

It’s also good to get prepared for upcoming European Travel. This BBC article, Going to Europe this summer? Prepare for a long queue, gives a realistic perspective about need for longer layovers and what the arrival experience might be like.

“Once you’ve registered with EES at the border checkpoint, your biometric data remains on file for three years before it needs to be renewed. But even if you’ve already travelled through Europe during the rollout and completed registration, you’ll still join the same non-EU passport-control queue as first-timers, so don’t assume you’re in the clear and cut things close.

The impact has varied widely depending on the destination, time of day and passenger volumes.”

Have you heard about the Sudoku packing method? Pack 9 items, get 27 outfits. Check out a quick overview here and if you try it on your next trip, let me know how well it worked for you!

The last newsletter’s most popular article was AFAR’s These Epic Family Vacations Turn Your Kid’s Passions Into Real-Life Adventures.

This week’s inspirational articles include the most exclusive resort in the US, 5 beautiful hikes that belong on your bucket list and how the ultra rich travel.

Also articles on chasing the Northern Lights, lots on wellness and new spa openings, Namibia, Kenya, Thailand, Japan, India and Spain.

The informational articles include AFAR’s What a Travel Advisor Really Does and Why You Need One, travel trends, new non-stop international flight routes, 6 tips to move abroad and a hack to make World Cup Travel more fun.

Warmly,

Below:

Highlight – Baan Rim Pa in Phuket
Just back from… New Zealand
Where to Next? Naples Beach Club, A Four Seasons Resort
Inspiration + Information

A few of the articles in this latest newsletter are about:

Cruising through Indonesia in search for Komodo dragons **
Snorkeling between volcanic vents in Dominica
Sailing Croatia’s Adriatic ports
Walking the wave crashing coast of Britain

** This one is particularly exciting because I will be on this boat next week! As someone who is not a “cruiser,” I don’t go on large cruises, but I am absolutely game for expedition cruises, river barges and chartering yachts and catamarans (our family’s favorite way to explore!). You can see the article here. I will be on this exact same itinerary and can’t wait to share all about the experience with you when I return. Or follow along on instagram.

BAAN RIM PA

A couple we recently sent to Thailand stopped in Singapore en route – they’d never been, and it was on the way. A perfect rationale in my mind. We’ll save their favorite hotel of the trip for a future newsletter. Today I’m highlighting their favorite restaurant of the trip: Baan Rim Pa in Phuket.

The setting overlooks the Andaman Sea at sunset. Perfectly romantic.

The menu is full of local favorites and I’ve already made my list for my next visit — Goong Lai Sarong – tiger prawns rolled with yellow Phuket noodles, green curry with Andaman lobster and mango sticky rice. There’s also a full vegetarian menu.

If Thailand is on your list, add Baan Rim Pa to your itinerary.

NEW ZEALAND

New Zealand is 8,989 miles from my house. Quite literally on the other side of the world. And while I was there, I had six small world moments – those serendipitous times when you’re as far from home as you can possibly be and run into someone you’re closely connected to. I love when that happens.

Jessie and I went because she had a couple of weeks before her semester studying abroad in Sydney began, and I hadn’t been to New Zealand in years so I wanted to refresh my firsthand knowledge.

New Zealand’s natural environment is a spectacular mix of massive mountains, stunning fjords, glaciers, meadows of fluffy white sheep and islands scattered off the coast. Add Māori culture, wineries stretching for miles and Auckland’s vibrant shopping and restaurant scene.

And then there’s the accommodations that range from remote high mountain farms to rustic (but lovely) fishing camps to glass pods to beautiful luxury lodges and you have a destination that is a perfect fit for my clients.

Together Jessie and I went multi-day trekking, mountain biking, jet boating, fishing, hiking and scaled a via ferrata. We played pickleball, ate and drank our way through local food and wine and we even found a great Mexican restaurant in Queenstown. The trip gave us the experience of a lifetime. Together.

Your New Zealand might look different. More fishing, epic golf, helicopters, relaxation – or some combination of all of it. The point is designing the trip that’s exactly right for you.

Here are some highlights from ours…

The moment we dropped our luggage we headed straight to the Queenstown waterfront. Perky’s Floating Bar is the perfect spot to take your college-aged kids. We arrived to find three people we’d met on the plane (ages 21–26) already there, and spent an hour lounging in the sunshine catching up with our new friends.

Finding delicious Latin food anywhere in the world is always a bonus for me. Margo’s had the spiciest margarita I have ever tasted.

Our morning mountain/gravel biking was a good example of travel compromise. Mountain biking is one of my favorite things to do. Jessie – not so much. But she went along. Later in the trip when we arrived on the North Island she gave me a gracious “No thank you” when I proposed it again, so we went gravel biking together and I mountain biked on my own. Everyone happy.

Hugo’s tunnel is a fascinating piece of history! It’s a 350 foot long historic mining tunnel in Queenstown, designed in the late 1800s to divert the Shotover River for gold mining. It’s just opened after a restoration and learning about it while biking through it is a unique experience.

Jet boating on the Shotover River was a highlight (at least for me!). Jessie may have a different opinion.

One of my favorite active adventures anywhere is a via ferrata. This one, outside Wanaka, had us scaling around, and dipping into, a waterfall up the face of a cliff. There are three levels. We did level 2, which was perfect for the time we had. But level 3 ends at the very top, and the only way down is by helicopter. Next time.

Site visits are always part of my trips – getting firsthand knowledge of where I send my clients is something I take seriously, and some of my favorites are discovered this way.

Two standouts near Queenstown: Blanket Bay and Roki.

Blanket Bay sits on the shores of Lake Wakatipu with the Mount Bonpland as its backdrop. A short drive from Queenstown, it feels genuinely remote – and puts you at the doorstep of some incredible day hikes. Our clients love it.

Roki is perfectly positioned – walking distance from town but removed from the busyness of it. The views are breathtaking, and their tasting menu is the best meal in Queenstown. I highlighted it separately in this newsletter. It’s brand new.

Although they are very different types of places, both are on my shortlist.

Milford Sound. Iconic New Zealand.

Getting there is part of the decision – you can drive (long, and I don’t recommend it), fly in by fixed-wing plane or helicopter, or hike in over multiple days on one of New Zealand’s most celebrated trails.

We flew in by fixed-wing and took a cruise around the sound on arrival. The scenery reminded me of Norway’s fjords. So striking.

After adventuring around the South Island, we set off on the three-day Routeburn Track – one of New Zealand’s Great Walks. Book this well in advance.

The accommodations are not luxurious by any traditional measure. But after six+ hours of hiking, sometimes in steady rain, a private room, a hot shower and dinner with new friends over wine felt like exactly that.

Day 1
It started misty. Within minutes the rain was falling and kept up all…day…long.

Day 2
The most exposed – ridge lines almost the whole way. We lucked out with spectacular weather and views that made the previous day’s rain worth powering through.

A look at our room – and the most effective drying room I have ever encountered. The entire room is heated and everything dries overnight. After a day of hiking in the rain, this is key.

Day 3. We woke to pouring rain.
Yes, that makes it a little – actually, a lot – harder to leave a cozy, warm, dry bed. But the rain makes the waterfalls even more beautiful. Silver linings.

The Routeburn is not for everyone. But for those with an adventurous spirit, a love of the outdoors and a willingness to trade typical luxuries for something more raw – it is absolutely worth it.

Not ready for three days? You can experience the Routeburn on a day hike and still get a taste of what makes it special.

After hiking 20 miles over mountains – two days of which were in the rain, with no wifi or cell service – our group emerged from the wilderness and went to the nearest pub. Chips and beer to celebrate our accomplishment.

We lucked out. Five minutes after we sat down, the Peach Bowl kicked off. Indiana vs. Oregon. Our hiking companions – a mix of Aussies, New Zealanders, Europeans and just a couple Americans – were considerably less invested, so there was no waiting around. We hopped on the shuttle back to Queenstown, carried our bag of wet clothes straight to a sports bar we’d scoped out before we left, and found a group of Indiana alums watching the second half.

We toasted a victory, picked up our luggage and headed to the airport for our flight to the North Island.

Finally. The more relaxing part of our adventure.

The next four days we spent in a Lodge Suite on the Waikato River at Huka Lodge. The rooms, the lodge, the setting – all stunning. There are many splurge-worthy places to stay in New Zealand. Huka Lodge is one of the best.

Our only planned activity was a massage for each of us. Everything else we decided in the moment.

We played pickleball, went e-biking, I snuck in some mountain biking, read books and lounged by the river watching ducks and swans drift past. Every evening we gathered on the terrace for pre-dinner cocktails and canapés overlooking the river. The food was delicious. The pace was exactly right.

If I had been here with Jason, fly fishing and golf would have been on the agenda.

Some of the beautiful falls in the Waikato River…

Sitting on the terrace with a glass of rosé and canapés – a lovely way to transition from day to evening.

The menus with wine pairings changed daily and the kitchen prepared a special vegetarian menu for Jessie every night. That kind of attention is what sets a great lodge apart.

Our last evening we had a private dinner beside the outdoor fireplace. We loved it! Huka Lodge offers several different settings to choose from.

The moment finally came for Jessie to leave for Sydney. After a sad goodbye, I distracted myself around Auckland.

I loved staying at the Britomart – centrally located, stylish and with a vibey evening scene that invites you to linger.

Just after I arrived I hopped on the ferry to Waiheke Island, which had been described to me as the perfect day trip from the city. I rented an e-bike and rode around the periphery of the island as fast as I could to make the 4pm ferry back in time to meet up with colleagues.

On the ferry back, a traveler asked if the seat across from me was free. We started talking. Small world moment number six. He lives a few blocks from me in Hanover. He’s the partner of someone I know. Such a special moment to meet him far from home.

That evening I met up with my New Zealand partners over local wine and apps – the Landings Rosé was lovely, and I’ve added the winery to my list to visit on my next trip. Then dinner at Alma, a mezcal-forward restaurant doing something I hadn’t expected: kiwi-Spanish cuisine.

When I mentioned to the bartender that there were too many things I wanted to try, he let me in on a secret – almost everything on the menu can be ordered in half portions.

Done.

Tuna crudo with piquillo pepper.

Leek, manchego and guindilla tostada.

Queso fresco, honey and rosemary empanada.

I loved every bit of it.

Duck Island is also a must for ice cream.

🌟Our clients recently spent a long weekend at the beautiful Naples Beach Club, A Four Seasons Resort and couldn’t stop talking about how relaxing and beautiful it was. She shared: “It feels polished and luxurious, but still completely laid-back. The beach, the sunsets, the service…everything just works.”

Why is the Naples Beach Club so special?

Located directly on the Gulf of Mexico, the resort blends classic Florida coastal charm with signature service and elegance Four Seasons is known for.
A gorgeous beachfront infinity pool and private stretch of white, sand beach is reserved exclusively for guests.
Warm, attentive service makes it feel more like a private club than a large resort.
The Merchant Room restaurant is outstanding. Breakfast is served here and is fantastic. For fresh, regional seafood try HBs on the beach. The Sunset Bar is fun and lively with great views.

Do as much or as little as you like:

Join a yoga or meditation session right on the beach as the sun rises. Or visit the gym. Our client said, “They have the best hotel gym I have ever seen. Its huge with the latest equipment. They also have a room with virtual Pilates reformers”.
Relax by the infinity pool or settle into a lounger on the private beach for a full day of sunshine and sea breezes.
Head out to explore Naples’ charming downtown, browse local boutiques, or take a sunset cruise along the coast.

‼️ Don’t miss…sunset at the beach. Sunset begins with the blowing of the conch shell, a traditional way to mark the day’s end. Order a cocktail, sink your toes into the sand and watch the sky turn shades of pink and gold over the Gulf of Mexico. It’s simple, beautiful and exactly what a Florida escape should feel like. Of course when we book your stay it comes with the exclusive VIP perks.