summer fun! | WTN - Four Seasons Golden Triangle | Spotlight on...Tasmania

WHERE TO NEXT?

Dear Traveler,

I’ve missed writing to you. Life got full this summer in ways both hard and wonderful, and somewhere in the middle of it, this newsletter had to wait. I’m happy to be back at my (virtual) desk writing to you from Las Vegas.

Today we’ll focus on the good stuff. First up – the World Cup finals – Spain vs. Argentina. Two days before the game I decided to take my son, Trevor. Logistically it was a bit of a challenge, but since my job regularly involves solving complicated logistics, I figured it out.

We arrived wrapped up in our Spanish flags and Spanish flag tattoos – left over from our year living in Madrid in 2018. For me – it was a perfect match up – two Latin teams – so the stadium was full of Spanish speakers and I enjoyed many impromptu conversations with people from all over.

The stadium was heavy on Argentina fans and they were loud! After a game where Spain dominated, but didn’t score, they ended in a tie, forcing overtime. Spain pulled it out with a thrilling goal in the 106th minute.

“Buy the ticket. Take the ride”

I heard that expression this summer. And on this World Cup day we lived it. Going to a Wold Cup game had been on my list of once in a lifetime experiences to have (truth be told I would have been happy with a playoff game). But I loved it so much, that since next World Cup is played between Morocco, Portugal and Spain, with the final game in Santiago Bernabéu in Madrid – I just may have to go again!

Was it worth it?

Absolutely! Big experiences like this are great punctuations to the everyday moments we enjoyed this summer.

Trevor and I also road tripped to the midwest together – 14 hours of driving in one day. Yes, it was long, but how often do you get to be secluded with one of your kids for that length of time? Conversations, music, stops for snacks – I loved it all.

Since our trip I learned about the website Make My Drive Fun. It gives you a list of fun stops along your route – many quite quirky. I learned we missed out places like the International Boxing Hall of Fame and the world largest bobblehead. Would either of these be reason for a trip or a big detour? No, but if you are driving your kids back to college, it’s worth checking out what’s on your route. I’m sure many of them will create a fun memory for you both one day.

Another highlight of my summer – our daughter, Jessica, fresh off her semester in Sydney, has been interning for Truvay Travel. We’ve filled up her time with special projects like working on elevating our client experience, helping design itineraries to Spain, Scotland, Italy, Colombia, Croatia, Vienna & Prague, Iceland, Alaska, China and more, and connecting her with industry players to learn the dynamics of how the luxury travel world works from many angles.

And we did site visits to the Aman NYC (booking the spa suite for a half or full day is a worthy splurge!) and Twin Farms (An historic property and the the closest luxury accommodations to where we live. An absolute favorite for being out in nature, while also enjoying amazing food, wine and art). Twin Farm’s repeat visitor rate is an incredible 45%! If you haven’t been, it belongs on your list. It is an example of a luxury all-inclusive where you feel cared for from the moment we book your room, throughout your whole time on property.

Jessica also is a guest contributor this week – see Spotlight on… Tasmania below to read about her suggestions for visiting this Australian island. I am looking forward to finding out what she chooses to do after graduation!

We also had lots of family fun – Noah Kahan concerts (somehow I lucked out when they went on sale and got seats this close!), visiting our daughter, Allison, in Denver for hiking and fly fishing, weekly outdoor concerts at a golf course near our home and also climbing my first 14er in southern Colorado – more on that in a future newsletter.

Jessica’s last assignment is to join me at Virtuoso Travel Week – the largest annual luxury travel conference in the world. In Las Vegas. We arrived yesterday and it’s 111 degrees!

I’m not a Vegas gal, nor am I usually up for huge conferences or 100+ degree temperatures. But, this is the place to be to see the largest concentration of our partners and colleagues from around the world.

We are most looking forward to meeting with our partners from our clients’ favorite destinations – Africa, Italy, all over Europe, New Zealand, Australia, South America, Egypt, Japan and other active places.

Here’s a short list of some of the specifics – &Beyond, DuVine, Backroads, the Old Course at St. Andrews, Singita, Airelles, many Four Seasons, Huka Lodge, Deplar Farm, Castle Hot Springs, Wilderness Africa, NatGeo Lindblad, Enchantment, Canaves (my favorite hotel brand in Greece), Ritz Carlton, Ashford Castle, Awasi and TCS World Travel (small group private jet trips hopping from continent to continent).

We’re going to learn all the latest insights on exclusive local experiences, the best new hotel openings and what off the beaten path places are most up and coming.

If you have specific questions I can get answered for you this week – send me a note.

My hope is you are also having a wonderful summer – with both the everyday moments and some special memorable experiences.

The latest issue of Virtuoso Magazine is out. Tuscany, Paris, the French Riviera, Patagonia, Hong Kong and South Korea are just a few of the places they dive into. Click the image below to read the digital issue.

The last newsletter’s most popular article was What It’s Like to Stay at the Most Exclusive Resort in the United States. I’m excited for our clients’ who are arriving there this week! It’s on my personal list so I need to find a time to get out to Utah.

This week’s inspirational articles include the best fall luxury destinations, a Scottish resort (where next month both my clients and I will be staying), luxury hotels with fly fishing and the best adults-only all-inclusive resorts in the US.

Also articles on Kenya, London, St. Tropez, Isle of Skye and more.

The informational articles include national parks, micro retreats and why parents aren’t waiting to pass down their wealth.

Below:

Where to Next? Four Seasons Golden Triangle
Spotlight on… Tasmania
Inspiration + Information

🌟Our clients went on an adventure traveling through Thailand and Singapore. One of their favorite destinations was at the Four Seasons Tented Camp in Chiang Rai. The camp sits in the Golden Triangle, where Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet.

Why is Four Seasons Chiang Rai so special?

Guests arrive by traditional long-tail boat, gliding along the river into a secluded bamboo jungle where the camp feels more like an intimate African safari lodge than a traditional Thai resort. With just a small collection of luxury tents, the atmosphere is quite private, peaceful and exclusive.
Don’t let the “tents” fool you. Each spacious tent features handcrafted furnishing , hardwood floors, air conditioning, outdoor rain showers, expansive decks overlooking the jungle or river and in some, private hot tubs. They are inviting, comfortable and luxurious.
Unlike most Four Seasons resorts, nearly everything in included. Accommodations, gourmet meals, beverages, transfers, guided activities and many excursions are part of the price and experience. It allows you to simply relax and enjoy your stay.

Do as much or as little as you like:

Connect with rescued elephants through thoughtful, conservation focused experiences. Walk alongside them, observe their daily routines, help feed them and learn about their care.
Indulge in the open-air spa, where treatments are enjoyed in tranquil bamboo salas surrounded by the sounds of the forest.
Discover northern Thailand through authentic experiences such as fishing with a local guide, cycling through rural villages, enjoying a riverside picnic, exploring the temples and markets of Chiang Rai or taking a hands-on Thai cooking class.

‼️ Don’t miss…. cruising the Mekong River aboard a long-tail boat with a private guide, passing the borders of Thailand, Laos and Myanmar. Visit riverside temples and local markets and stand at the exact point where the three countries meet.

📷 Four Seasons Golden Triangle

Reach out to plan your visit to

Thailand

TASMANIA

Walking through the port town on a beautiful fall day, I spotted sign after sign for “Fresh Lobster Rolls 🦞.” It felt like I was in Portland, Maine. But Portland was over 10,000 miles away.

I was in Hobart, the capital of Tasmania, just off a short, 2-hour flight from Sydney. The Aussie’s love to shorten names for things, so to sound like a local, refer to it as Tassie.

After traveling hours across the Pacific Ocean to get down under, travelers flock to well-known destinations like Sydney, the Great Barrier Reef or New Zealand.

Those places are 100% worth a visit, but adding off the beaten path destinations bring another dimension to your trip that few people are fortunate, or adventurous, enough to experience. Tasmania offers the laid-back Aussie lifestyle and stunning hikes, all with far fewer crowds.

My idea of a perfect weekend in Tassie:
Before you depart for the island, make two reservations – the first for one of the four seatings at Dier Makr and the second at Templo.

Arriving on a Friday, drop your bags at your hotel in the quaint city of Hobart on the southeast coast – a well located homebase for exploring the island.

Put on your walking shoes and take a stroll around Battery Point, a neighborhood known for its charming character homes.

For dinner you have a reservation for the tasting menu at Dier Makr. The walk back to the hotel is just 5 minutes.

Saturday morning choose between stopping at Daci Daci for a flat white and pastry (menu) or go straight to the Salamanca Markets. The markets feature local artisans, vendors selling fresh cheeses, vegetables and wallaby burgers (yes, you read that right) stretch for blocks. Enjoy wandering and tasting authentic local foods as the city comes to life with locals and tourists alike.

After your leisurely urban morning walk, next up is a hike just a short drive outside of the city. Scale Mount Wellington for an impressive view of Hobart nestled between surrounding mountains at sunset. Or drive up for ease and flexibility. It can be chillier up there, so don’t forget layers for the top.

Tonight you have a late reservation for Templo, a “tiny neighborhood restaurant tucked away in the back streets of Hobart.” Nourish yourselves with local flavors of the season.

On Sunday head to Hobart’s Brooke Street Pier. This is the takeoff point for the high-speed catamaran to the world-renowned MONA Art Gallery. The gallery is a unique experience, and their personalized app, the O, helped to guide me through the many floors, tunnels and exhibits. David Walsh, the curator, describes the museum as his playground where he invites you to come wonder and experiment as he combines old and new art.

Throughout the day there are several live exhibitions. One example – at 4pm an orchestra performs an original symphony piece that was crafted by the conductor that very day. Before the live performance, the orchestra has never seen or practiced the piece.

I recommend carving out at least three hours for your visit. If you overlap with a mealtime, MONA has several restaurants and bars on-site where both the food and atmosphere are infused with art.

During the week, Hobart is a great homebase for many day trips around the island, easily accessed by car or with your driver. Popular trips include visiting the picturesque Wineglass Bay (3 1/2 hour drive) or Bruny Island (just 30 minutes away).

My personal favorite day trip was without a doubt Maria Island (pronounced like Mariah Carey). I learned about this special place when I saw a photo of a wombat on an Instagram story. I immediately had to know where I could find it myself. “OMG WHERE DID YOU SEE THIS?!” I asked.

Next thing I knew I was booking my flight to Tasmania, and my shuttle and ferry to Maria Island.

Since picking them for my Australian animal of focus for a 3rd grade project, seeing a wombat in real life has been on my bucket list. They did not disappoint.

Wombats are warm, fuzzy creatures, and because of this they prefer cooler temperatures, so Tasmania’s moderate climate and abundance of nature is perfect for them.

I lucked out early. My first glimpse of a wild wombat was just as I arrived on the early morning ferry.

As the temperatures rose, wombats disappeared into shadier spots. During the wombat-lull part of the day, I explored the island. Renting a bike is key for two reasons – the island is car-less and biking allows you to have ample time to see the Fossil Cliffs, Painted Cliffs, and many wallabies and birds along the way.

In the early afternoon, the heat of the day had settled, and more wombats began to emerge. I was even lucky enough to see a mother with her baby!

I came to Maria Island in search of wombats, but as with most travels I learned so much more. I was surprised to find out that the island used to serve as an original probation station of convicts sent to Australia. It is one of 11 convict sites recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. You can read about and enter old penitentiary buildings still intact on the island. If you are super adventurous, which I was not for this particular experience, you can even spend the night in one!

I was fortunate to have five days in Tasmania, but it still wasn’t enough! I chose to prioritize markets and animals, yet if you are looking for New Zealand-like hikes and views, Cradle Mountain, located in the northern part of the island, is a must. After hours of climbing to the summit, you will be rewarded with a stunning lake framed by vast mountains.

If you are keen to squeeze in both hiking and animal viewings, there are frequent sightings of wombats reported along the trails at both dusk and dawn.

When you plan your vacation down under, I highly recommend you add at least a few days in Tasmania to your trip. If you can spare a week – I have many more suggestions, including toone of the top luxury lodges in Australia. If you love the feeling of fall like I do, go during the breathtaking autumn months from March through May!