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Women's Wellness Journey

Calling all ladies- are you in need of a wellness journey that focuses on female empowerment and bonding? At Elliott Exquisite Vacations, we believe that there is nothing quite like the transformative power of travel, especially when it comes to strengthening our bond with our fellow sisters.

Every woman needs her tribe- a group of women who support her, lift her up, and remind her of her worth. A wellness journey is an incredible way to strengthen these connections and come back refreshed and rejuvenated. It's a chance to step away from our daily routines and focus on ourselves and our relationships.

So, what can you expect from a women's wellness journey with Elliott Exquisite Vacations? The answer is simple- anything you want. From a relaxing beach getaway to an adventurous hiking and camping trip, the possibilities are endless. We can work with you to create a personalized experience that caters to your individual needs and interests.

Don't have anyone to travel with? No problem! Our team can help you join a group of like-minded women on a similar journey. It's a wonderful opportunity to meet new friends and form those supportive connections that we all crave.

At Elliott Exquisite Vacations, we believe that every woman is a big deal, and we are here to help you embrace that power. Plan a trip with us in 2024, gather your tribe, and embark on a wellness journey that will change your life. Do it for yourself. Do it for your sisters. Let's travel together.

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River Cruising at it's Finest

 

The Benefits of River Cruises

When you think of cruises, do you think of tiny cabins, lukewarm buffets, and crowded pool decks? Think again. Cruising itself may have gotten a bad rap, but it’s not all bad food and tacky tour bus excursions. In the last ten years, river cruise bookings have increased a whopping 250%. Whether you’re new to a vacation on the high seas, or a long-time cruising aficionado, here’s why you should consider a river cruise for your next holiday

Access

Having unfettered access to waterways inaccessible by large cruise vessels means that you’re not restricted to crowded port cities. On a river cruise, you’ll visit unique destinations and dock where the action is, in the center of town.

With unique and imaginative itineraries, you’re often able to visit a handful of different countries, without having to pack and unpack your suitcase in between.

Intimacy

Smaller ships = fewer guests. On average, river cruise ships host 120 guests versus the thousands housed on ocean liners. Fewer travelers on board not only appeal to covid-conscious travelers but those who simply do not enjoy crowds. You’re not going to find auditoriums and large-scale entertainment productions here, rather bespoke restaurants, cozy areas for relaxation, and plenty of space to relax. 

You can forget about dark windowless staterooms. Smaller ships mean less space for cabins, so the staterooms on riverboats generally run the perimeter of the ship, and the upper decks provide stunning views.

Dining

Cooking for fewer guests means chefs can up the ante, and showcase creative menus with fresh and local ingredients. While you’ve been off exploring the sights, the onboard chefs have been visiting markets and sourcing regional fare.

Don’t worry about packing your three-piece suit and evening gown for dinner. The dress code for meals is often more casual than larger cruise ships and offers guests a relaxed, all-inclusive experience.  Not only are the meals included in the price, but as are alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, and shore excursions on most boats.

Explorations

While you may think of river cruises as suitable only for those preferring a slower pace, river cruising can offer ample excitement. From visiting a new city each day to discovering the local way of life through an intimate cultural excursion – passengers have the chance to be educated, inspired, and entirely immersed in a new destination.

Europe remains the biggest hub for river cruises, but there are plenty of other regions (and rivers!) to explore. Cruise down the Nile River in Egypt, the Yangtze River in China, the transboundary Mekong River, Russia’s Volga River, or the Ganges and Brahmaputra Rivers in India. Wherever you choose to explore, if you’re aboard a river cruise, prepare to have an unforgettable time!

If you’re thinking about booking a river cruise and don’t know where to begin, you can reach out to me here. I’d love to help you!

Luxury Vacations for Your Bucket List

 

Add THESE Luxury Vacations to Your Bucket List

Whether you’ve hit the jackpot, have spent years saving for a trip of a lifetime, or simply have a generous annual travel budget, you won’t want to miss these luxe ideas for a trip you’ll never forget.

Yachting in the Med

One of the best ways to explore Europe is by boat, but if you’d rather have your own captain and crew instead of sharing staff (and amenities) on a large vessel – then a Mediterranean yacht charter could be for you.

These luxurious floating hotels offer five-star service paired with jaw-dropping scenic views. Drop anchor along scenic coastlines and go for a dip, enjoy a gourmet picnic set among a crumbling fortress, or relax on your sundeck with a drink in hand. While each boat differs, most come equipped with gyms, hot tubs, dining rooms, and beautiful master suites. Water-sport enthusiasts will rejoice over the ample options for frolicking in the Med, from enormous waterslides to jet skis and overwater trampolines.

Mediterranean yacht charters generally run from April to October, and one of the best times to visit the Med is in September, when the crowds die down, kids go back to school, but the weather is still warm (sometimes hot, depending on where you are).

Renting a Private Island

It doesn’t get much more luxurious than a private island, and if you’re looking for the ultimate in privacy, luxury, and discretion – a private island is for you. Options abound, from thatched-roof cottages set amongst the trees in Canada’s Pacific Northwest to luxurious and sprawling villas in tropical climates.

One of the best destinations for private island rentals is the Caribbean, home to the famous Necker Island (owned by Virgin founder and business mogul Richard Branson). Located in the British Virgin Islands, this 74-acre paradise can accommodate up to 54 guests comfortably. With multiple properties scattered throughout the island, guests can opt to rent a room, villa, or the entire island.

Another Caribbean island available for rent is Musha Cay, located in the southern Bahamas Exuma Chain. Available for one party at a time, visitors have exclusive access to Musha Cay and its wealth of amenities for the duration of their stay. With over 150 acres of powder-soft beaches, a fleet of outdoor water toys, and elegant accommodations, visitors to Musha Cay receive the finest five-star treatment. With 30 staff members to a maximum of 24 guests, vacationers here will want for nothing.

A Cozy Winter Villa

Imagine curling up in front of a roaring fire, getting snug under a blanket as the snow silently falls outside, or warming up in an outdoor jacuzzi as you’re delivered a flute of champagne. These are part and parcel when renting a mountain villa or luxury chalet.

While not all come fully staffed, it’s an easy adjustment to include a chef, butler, daily housekeeper, even a yoga instructor!

If you’re a ski or snowboard buff, staying at a villa in Whistler, British Columbia is an easy decision. The Belmont Estate in Whistler’s exclusive Stonebridge enclave rests on 7 acres of wilderness and can accommodate groups of up to 14. The helipad allows for a discreet arrival and departure, as well as access to off-piste terrain, and your private driver is available to whisk you away to the lifts each day should you wish to stick to groomed slopes.

An Alaskan Wilderness Lodge 

Have you always wanted to explore the Last Frontier, but in style? No two Alaskan wilderness lodges are alike, and there are a select few that provide elegant luxury in rugged Alaskan surroundings. The crème de la crème, Sheldon Chalet, combines jaw-dropping views with gourmet dining, and fly-in-only access. It doesn’t get more luxurious (or remote) than this!

Sheldon Chalet is a five-star lodge resting on a nunatak in the Don Sheldon Amphitheater of Denali's magnificent Ruth Glacier. Days spent at the chalet are yours to explore, and activities include snow cavern spelunking, sledding, rappelling, or crevasse exploration. Nights usher in magnificent light shows, as you watch the Aurora Borealis dance across the sky from the comfort of your observation deck or sauna. Dining at Sheldon Chalet is top-notch, complete with a celebrity chef who has been selected to cook for the likes of Barak Obama and Neil Young.

An African Safari

With countless luxury resorts and safari experiences to choose from across Africa, it may seem impossible to narrow it down! But, if you must pick just one, venture deep into the heart of Kenya for a stay at one of the finest lodges in all of Africa.

Nestled on the edge of the Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya is Angama Mara, overlooking the Great Rift Valley. This owner-run safari lodge offers two intimate camps with only fifteen luxurious tented suites each, a private airstrip, and ample wildlife roaming free. Gracing the silver screen as the location for the Oscar-award-winning movie Out of Africa, the romance of this resort and region itself is undeniable.  Complemented by the lodge is the Angama Safari Camp, an exclusive-use mobile tented campsite located deep in the Mara triangle, where you can spot prides of lion, cheetah, leopard, large elephant herds, and buffalo, and perfectly positioned for a front-row seat to the annual migration.

While I’ve only mentioned five luxury experiences, countless others across the globe are not to be missed! If you’d like support planning your next luxurious getaway, don’t hesitate to reach out to me here.

Your Guide to Northern Lights in North America

 

Your Guide to Northern Lights in North  America

If the northern lights are on your bucket list, there are ample places to spot them across the globe. This magical and natural occurrence draws tens of thousands of visitors a year to places like Iceland, Greenland, Norway, and Sweden. Want to stay a little closer to home? Great news: There are a few places right here in North America that are considered some of the best aurora borealis viewing in the world.

 Fairbanks, Alaska

Situated directly under the Auroral Oval lies the town of Fairbanks, Alaska, in the perfect position for northern lights viewing. In addition to its prime location, Fairbanks receives very little precipitation, resulting in many clear night skies.

Fairbanks aurora season runs from August to April and generally can be seen four or five nights over any seven-night period. It is said that visitors who stay three nights or more have a 90% chance of witnessing the lights. Spot the lights on a guided tour, on a deck under a blanket, or venture out yourself in the wee hours to try and catch a glimpse.

Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada

Also located under the Auroral Oval is Yellowknife, in Canada’s Northwest Territories. Some of the world's best northern lights viewing are said to be in Yellowknife, with over 200 nights a year for visitors to choose from.

There are two northern lights seasons in Canada’s Northwest Territories, with the first in the autumn, and the second in the winter. From mid-August until the end of September is the fall season, with the temperatures on land and water both (comparatively) warm. The winter season for aurora viewing runs from mid-November until early April, and while the temperatures drop substantially, there’s something magical about witnessing the northern lights dance above a blanket of snow and ice.

 Idaho Panhandle National Forest, Idaho

Set against a stunning mountain backdrop, the Idaho Panhandle National Forest provides visitors with aurora borealis displays each winter. One of the most reliable places to spot them (and also the most popular) is Priest Lake, roughly 50 miles south of the Canadian border. Photographers and northern lights enthusiasts flock to this

Unbeknownst to many, the northern lights are active throughout the year, but only visible in certain months. Optimal viewing in Idaho is from September through to March, on dry and clear nights.

Churchill, MB Canada

Another region located directly under the Auroral Oval is the northern Canadian town of Churchill, Manitoba. Early fall (August and September) or late winter/early spring (end of January through to April) presents the best aurora viewing opportunities in Churchill.                                             

One of the best things about aurora borealis viewing in Churchill is the wildlife viewing opportunities during the day, specifically polar bears. Often referred to as “lords of the Arctic”, these gentle giants can be spotted frolicking among bright pink fireweed in the summer months and hunting for seals on the icy Hudson Bay during the winter. It’s hard to imagine a more magical vacation, with days spent spotting these magnificent creatures in the wild, and nights marveling at mother nature’s greatest light show – the northern lights.

Want to cross the northern lights off of your bucket list? Reach out to me here, and I can make it happen!

Tokyo

 Tokyo is one of the most alluring places on this planet.

The high energy of the city and its attractions are enough to add Tokyo to your bucket list.

So when you finally take action to visit the capital of Japan, make sure you have an itinerary so you can visit as many of the city's most significant locations and landmarks as possible.

To make planning your trip simpler, below, you will find 15 of Tokyo's top attractions.

                     

                      •        Check Out Themed Cafes- Japan is known for its exciting niche cafes.

Dine with monkeys or get served by your favorite cartoon characters. If you can fathom it, there's likely a café for it

           •           Relax in a Shrine- Not only can you relax in a shrine, but you can spend the night in one too.

 

            •           Attend a Sumo Match- Sumo is an admired sport in Japan.

 

If you can, go to a match or watch the Sumo wrestlers practice in the mornings.

 

            •           Partake in a Tea Ceremony- Tea ceremonies, especially Matcha tea ceremonies, are insanely popular.

 

            •           Go to an Anime Convention- Manga and anime are huge in Japan.

 

 On the island of Odaiba from August to December, you can attend the largest convention in the country, Comiket.

 

            •           Shop in Asakusa- The Asakusa District is the best place to find a traditional kimono and to enjoy a little shopping.

 

            •           Sleep at a Ryokan- Staying at one of these inns is one of the most magnificent and intimate ways to experience Japanese hospitality.

 

            •           Experience a Festival- Matsuris (festivals) are extremely exciting and a fantastic way to indulge in the Japanese culture.

 

 Enjoy street food, geishas, parades, dancing, music, and lots of bright colors.

 

            •           Soak in Natural Spring Water- An onsen is a natural hot spring that many come to soak and relax in.

 

            •           Visit Izakaya Alleys- Izakaya alleys are Japanese gastropubs where the residents go to have drinks and snacks in the afternoon.

 

            •           Check Out an Art Museum- There are dozens of art museums in Tokyo. Try to visit a few, including the Mori Art Museum.

 

            •           Experience Hanami- It is a tradition to picnic under the cherry blossoms after they bloom in the spring.

 

            •           Wander Through the Sensoji Temple- Nestled in the Asakusa district, the Sensoji Temple is undoubtedly an ancient sight to behold.

 

            •           Enjoy City Views from the Tokyo Tower- Go to the main observation deck of the Tokyo Tower for a breathtaking sight of the city.

 

            •           Join a Mario Kart Race- Go-karting is popular in Tokyo and mainly if it includes dressing up as your favorite Mario character.

With so many spectacular places to experience in Tokyo, there's no end to the diversity of adventures to be had.

Be sure to contact us for your Tokyo vacation.