WhirlAway Travel

More fantastic news from Europe! Greece no longer requires masks outdoors and late night curfews have been lifted as virus numbers decline. Is this the best summer to book that last minute trip to Greece? In Athens the Acropolis is seeing 500 visitors a day compared to the usual 2000+. ... Greece is one of those destinations that never fails to delight clients. Is it time to book your trip?

FANTASTIC NEWS! Effective immediately, travelers from the US can enter Italy (without quarantining) with one of three documents: a certificate of full vaccination OR... a medical certificate showing recovery from COVID 19 OR a negative rapid antigenic or PCR test result taken within 48 hours of departure Yes! It just got a lot easier to visit Italy. There are so many beautiful places to visit in this enchanting country and the Italians are ready to welcome Americans with open arms, the best Pasta you’ve ever had, and an amazing glass of wine. Isn’t it time to experience la dolce vita?

Aloha! For the quintessential Waikiki Beach experience you can’t beat The First Lady of Waikiki. The Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa , which opened in 1901, was the first hotel in Waikiki. The premium beach location, the iconic banyan tree and the legendary history, along with contemporary amenities and outstanding service make this an excellent choice for your stay in Honolulu. ... WhirlAway clients receive exclusive valuable extras here including daily breakfast, resort credit, a special Moana keepsake book, and upon availability: room upgrade, early check in, and late check out. Thank you to clients traveling now who shared these beautiful photos! It’s getting much easier to travel to and around the Hawaiian Islands. Contact us for more info.

Bienvenue! France is now open to vaccinated travelers from the US. The museums and cafés are open. The wine is flowing. The cheeses - ahh the cheeses - and bread - remember bread? - are waiting for you. Whether it’s the glamour, history, romance, art, cuisine, wine culture, or that French ‘je ne sais quoi’ - a trip to France is always one to remember.... The City of Lights, mountains, charming villages, beautiful seaside resorts, chateau-dotted countrysides - France offers endless rewards to travelers.

Spain is now open to vaccinated travelers from the US! Barcelona, Madrid, or Seville? The beach life in Ibiza or Marbella? San Sebastian for incredible food?... The wine country of Rioja? Granada’s awe-inspiring Alhambra? Perhaps it’s tapas and flamenco? There are just so many fantastic things to see and do in Spain. It’s not only about the well-known cities and sites. They’re well worth visiting but we can also create unique off-the-beaten-path itineraries where you’ll discover so much more in this beautiful country.

‘Uptown luxury with a downtown edge’ is an apropos description of The Dominick , the only Five-Diamond hotel in SoHo NYC. It delivers luxurious amenities and excellent service in a beautifully designed atmosphere with a decidedly SoHo vibe. I used the word vibe a lot this weekend. The rooms have a sophisticated design and are large by NYC standards. Floor to ceiling windows offer great light and spectacular views. I recommend the higher floors with views of the Hudson River.... The bathrooms are gorgeous! Many rooms offer large (really large) soaking tubs with skyline views. The suites are real stunners and are truly value-priced. These are great options for families who prefer more space, privacy and luxury. At The Terrace on 7 (7th floor) you’ll find the pool and outdoor deck area with sun loungers, cabanas, Manhattan skyline views, a lively social scene and lots of Instagram potential. El Takoy New York provides modern Asian-Hawaiian cuisine and fun cocktails. Vestry is the Michelin-Star restaurant helmed by Chef Shaun Hergatt. There are more great vibes here and the small bites I enjoyed at the bar were interesting and well-executed. The seasonally-driven menu focuses on seafood and vegetables sourced mainly from local producers and foragers. While I loved the beautiful design of the hotel and the luxe amenities what really stood out for me was the staff. Every employee I encountered offered a friendly greeting and asked how they could help. From the pre-arrival assistance from Cullen at the concierge desk to the outstanding welcome from Chris who greeted us as we pulled up on arrival, the staff was absolutely terrific. The Dominick is one of our preferred partners so clients of WhirlAway Travel receive exclusive extras including complimentary breakfast, $100 hotel credit, complimentary Wi-Fi and, based on availability, room upgrade, early check in and late check out. SoHo is such a great neighborhood for a city weekend! The spa is expected to re-open soon and will offer Manhattan’s first traditional Turkish hammam with luxury spa services. I’m ready to plan my return visit.

At this moment there are many questions on the details of the latest CDC requirement for all passengers entering the US to provide a negative COVID-19 test taken within 3 days before their US bound flight. The effective date of the order is January 26th so if you are traveling internationally and returning to the US before January 26th the test is not required. It is important to keep in mind that these regulations are designed to keep people safe. Many destinations alre...ady have these procedures in place so we are accustomed to managing the process. We are monitoring the situation and working with our travel partners and feel confident that testing will be easily accessible in many destinations. Hoteliers and transportation companies have been preparing for this. Many already have testing partners in place. If you are scheduled to travel internationally within the next 60 days or are considering travel we’ll provide the answers and available options you need to make a good decision. For departure dates further in the future our recommendation is to wait a bit before changing plans. As we’ve learned over the past year, things change. The good news is that travel insurance providers, resorts, transportation companies, airlines and other suppliers have adapted their cancelation and change policies accordingly. After 35+ years in business and a year of COVID-19 we have the expertise to guide you through. See more

If you’re ready, the slopes are open and waiting for you! Just seven miles from Aspen, Snowmass is often considered one of the best ski areas in North America. From bunny slopes to double black diamonds, there are runs for all skill levels. Our Signature Travel Network partner, Viceroy Snowmass is consistently ranked as a favorite ski hotel. Sophistication and style are combined throughout to create an inviting mountainside retreat. Depending on the size of your group, ... accommodations range from a spacious King Studio to a fabulous Four Bedroom Penthouse at this luxurious ski in/ski out. Also on-site, the 7,000 square foot Spa is a tranquil oasis ready to re-charge your spirit. Whether you are looking for fine dining or a quick bite, there are ample choices that all highlight locally sourced ingredients. With over 90 different trails at Snowmass, there is ample space to practice social distancing. Safety and well-being are also a priority while inside the resort. In addition to the Viceroy's Promise of Cleanliness action plan, all travelers to the area are currently being required to produce a negative Covid Test taken within 72 hours of their arrival. See more

The past year has weighed heavy on my psyche. I have been desperate for a vacation. This time last year we were finalizing our plans for what we be our last vacation as a family - London. I had every minute of every day planned out - high tea on arrival to try and load the kids up with sugar to keep them up for a few hours, what restaurants we would visit, private guides set up, even an early morning photo shoot to take advantage of the sunrise. My fondest memory of the t...rip though? A last minute, spur of the moment expedition to find the bar that my dad loved to visit. Sipping a pint, knowing that years ago he was there too made the trip complete. On another trip with my husband the year prior I was on a mission to see and experience as much as possible in every port we visited on a Regent Seven Seas Cruises Mediterranean cruise. A private guide in Venice who conversed with my husband about the life of Marco Polo to a blissful lunch and wine tasting at Casa Emma in the Chianti region and the most entertaining guide in Pompeii who made it a point to show us the biggest in the historic site all made for wonderful memories. But what was most memorable about that trip was the day we decided not to go ashore. I lounged by the pool soaking in the Italian rays. He took cover in the shade and got lost in a book. W spent the afternoon in our cabin binging movies and ordering room service. It was perfection. This morning, in a bit of a funk realizing we have no concrete travel plans as a couple or family for the near future I decided to try and get myself out of it by cracking open the latest issue of Travel + Leisure that has been sitting on my desk for the past few weeks. Reading Cold Comfort was just what I needed to fan my travel fire. What really resonated was that travel and vacations are not about planning every single minute and expecting them to go exactly as planned like we do in our day to day lives. The memories we hold on to our those unplanned moments - finding that pub or doing nothing and not feeling guilty about it, that makes a vacation special and rejuvenating.

Jamie’s pick for a couple’s trip to plan now: Are you and your special someone ready to make some really special memories? Majestic mountains of Torres del Paine, stars like you’ve never seen, the unreal lunar landscape of the Atacama Desert, world class wineries, a world class culinary scene, and pink flamingos all await you in the incredible country of Chile. In the Atacama Desert region experience world-class hiking tours, desert bike rides, horseback adventures, and... excursions to geysers and petroglyphs. At night prepare to be astounded by the night sky in one of the top star gazing destinations in the world. We’ll be sure to consider the moon’s cycle in planning your trip! Chilean Patagonia offers endless activities in breathtaking settings. Mountains, fjords, glaciers, lakes, are your playground by day followed by evenings enjoying fantastic meals and excellent Chilean wines. Maybe you’ll spend a day - or two? - being pampered in the spa while gazing out at that incredible scenery. The Singular Hotels (The Singular Patagonia Puerto Bories) is one of our favorites. Chile’s wine regions are beautiful and varied. The Colchagua Valley, about 100 miles south of Santiago, is often compared to California’s Napa Valley. The Maipo Valley is home to Chile’s greatest Cabernet-based wines. The Casablanca Valley, is closer to the Pacific. White grapes (Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay) along with cool weather red varieties (Pinot Noir and Syrah) thrive here. Spread throughout this long, narrow and varied country, a winery is rarely far. Not so easy to visit (2,182 miles from central Chile) but a truly unforgettable experience, Chile’s Easter Island is home to the famous moai sculptures carved by the Rapa Nui people. These are just a few examples of the many adventures that await you in Chile. Summertime (November - March in the Southern Hemisphere) offers the most ideal weather but spring (September - November) and fall (March -May) can be also be good time for your travel. Now is the perfect time to plan this very special trip for the end of 2021 and into 2022. The sooner you plan, the sooner you have something amazing to look forward to! See more

Call it what you like: vision board, mood board, daily inspiration, daily reminder, motivation .... Along with the world map above my desk this large collage hangs in my office. It includes images of bucket list destinations and images that spark memories of trips that at one time were only hopes. One day in July when I was feeling particularly depressed about the lack of a boarding pass in my foreseeable future I removed all of the photos, crumpled them up and threw the...m away. The frame hung containing an ugly brown bulletin board with only thumbtack holes where dreams and memories had previously been. I left it like that for two months because I couldn’t stand looking at beautiful photos of far away places. It just made me angry. Then something changed. I can’t pin down the reason but maybe it was when I booked myself and a friend for an August 2021 river cruise? Or when people quickly responded to an offer for a special 2022 south of France trip? Hope. Excitement. The delightful anticipation of travel! So there I was, scissors in hand, back to my piles of travel magazines with renewed optimism and enthusiasm. There are so many amazing places to experience for the first time and so many calling for a return visit. For a couple of months now this board has been making me smile. I know that many of these images will be shifting from dream to fond memory and that I’ll be recreating the collage over and over again. Be sure to take note of the quote in the bottom left corner. Do or do not. There is no try. Happy new year. Happy new travels. Savor the anticipation. See more

Where can we actually travel? is a question that we hear often these days. The answer: plenty of wonderful places! Today we’re focusing on the many Caribbean destinations that are ready to welcome you. Most require a negative PCR test and that might be much easier to get than you thought. We work with a company that allows you to submit your sample via FedEx with reliable, quick results. There are some some amazing travel opportunities available right now and through th...e holiday season. Resorts and villas that are normally sold out for the holidays by September have some availability. Thinking ahead to Spring Break? Good idea - now is the time. Some of the great Caribbean destinations open now include: Antigua & Barbuda, Bermuda, Turks & Caicos, US Virgin Islands, St. Kitts & Nevis (Oct 31), Dominican Republic (no test required), Costa Rica (no test required), Belize, Mexico (no test required), St. Lucia, St. Bart’s, Martinique and Puerto Rico. Airlines are increasing the number flights to the Caribbean as more islands and resorts reopen. Prefer to fly privately? We can handle that. That warm, sunny beach is going to feel especially fabulous this winter. See more

Last week, I traveled to Los Cabos Mexico to attend the 2nd Annual Female Leaders in Travel Conclave. During the event, I networked with other travel professionals, discussed the future of travel, safety measures and visited some wonderful resorts ready to welcome our clients. I was also able to experience travel firsthand during a pandemic. I was so impressed with how well all American Airlines and all of the hotels and transfer companies have adjusted services to accommodate new safety measures. Traveling after a long hiatus was just what I needed! With lower occupancy and safety measures, now is the time to go!

ALOHA! Yes, it’s true. Hawaii is welcoming visitors from the US mainland. Beaches, volcanoes, golfing, biking, endless water activities, stunning landscapes, culture, art, fantastic food.... it’s all here. The aloha spirit is alive and well, and waiting for you.

Since Jamie is raving about her recent trip to Cabo we thought we’d share this from the online version of our Travel Magazine. There are still fabulous holiday opportunities available along with great prices on flights to Cabo, and Mexico does not require testing for entry. They are, however, following strict protocols to keep you and your family safe while you relax and enjoy.

A recent article in the Washington Post talked about the value and benefits of hiring an experienced travel professional. Unlike the average traveler, travel agents are constantly studying the industry. They’re surveying when an airline releases new routes, watching for updates on passport services, monitoring when countries open their borders to Americans. Then they digest that information and share what’s important with their clients. They are also focusing on new safety concerns. Some agencies coordinate rapid coronavirus testing for customers, or they provide updated safety information for travelers’ peace of mind. For example, Schmidt recently worked with a client to decide on an airline based on its covid-19 precautions and a car transfer that she knew followed social distancing strictly.

A couple of take-aways from a travel segment on the Today Show : 1) Yes, it’s smart to be booking travel now for 2021 & 2022 2) There is no one centralized source for the restrictions/requirements for all destinations. An experienced, professional travel advisor is the expert you need!

Think Big A Tiny House Resort was a big hit with this family! The goat walk may just have been one of the favorite activities during this family getaway in New York. Waterfalls, hiking, beautiful scenery, private fire pits and complimentary fresh eggs from the chickens are just a few of the things that make this place special. We love this choice for a unique, safe getaway where social distancing is super easy. Thank you to Jody Stern Lewis for sharing these great photos!

We’ve partnered with ImmunitiRX for pre-travel COVID testing and here’s an up-close (too close?) look at the process. This is a PCR test that is done from home. Place the order on line, test is sent via FedEx, send your specimen back via FedEx, and receive your results via email. It is important to get the timing right and to be sure that your destination accepts the test that you’re using. We can help with that.

Meet our very own Anatomie Escape Artist Jamie Jones ! Anatomie is the very best in travel clothing so they've partnered with Signature Travel Network to select the very best travel advisors as their featured Escape Artists. https://anatomie.com/blogs/escape-artists/jamie-jones

My first flight since February! I am honored to have been chosen as a Female Leader in Travel. I am headed to Cabo to learn, share, network, and recharge so WhirlAway Travel can continue to create amazing travel memories to last a lifetime! Follow me on Instagram to see what travel during COVID is really like. Instagram.com/whirlawaytravel

UPDATE! If you are interested in the amazing Ama Waterways offer that we posted yesterday, please contact us ASAP. This offer is being presented the public on Thursday and we don’t expect inventory to last long. If you don’t know what this is all about check out yesterday’s post!

We almost never post about special offers but this one is so incredible that we feel compelled to get the word out. We have an exclusive 2-for-1 offer with Ama Waterways for 4 great river cruises in Europe for next summer. Yes - two people sail for the price of one. Yes- that’s a cabin for two people at half the cost. This is an incredible opportunity to experience a luxury river cruise at half the cost. We’re big fans of Ama Waterways for so many reasons. If you want to... learn more, check out the webinar recording here: https://youtu.be/4zdxAHhUWss or contact us. This offer is only valid until October 31st and there are limited cabins available. Don’t hesitate on this one! See photo captions for itineraries and dates. See more

I was fortunate to stay in this beautiful hotel back in March of this year. Yes, the decor is exquisite. Yes, the food is fantastic. But what I remember most is the the attention to detail and the incredible service. The gentleman who stopped by my lounge chair to clean my sunglasses (yes) Thursday afternoon on the beach, recognized me and greeted me by name the following morning at breakfast. Truly exceptional service. And don’t even get me started about that breakfast spread! I can not wait to return to Dubai.