Spring is in the air, and summer travel is right around the corner, so now is the perfect time to start planning your clients’ upcoming getaways. To help inspire your recommendations and itinerary planning, we’ve curated a list of destinations and experiences for clients looking for relaxation, excitement or immersion in local culture.
Spring in Saba
Tiny Saba has been called a hidden gem in the Caribbean and for good reason: it’s small, unspoiled and offers visitors amazing hiking trails, pristine dive sites and charming villages. If your clients are looking for an off-the-beaten-path destination that combines beautiful landscapes, culture, friendly people and a commitment to sustainability, this is where their adventure begins.
The Saba Tourism Board has declared April to be the first-ever Saba Art Month in celebration of the island’s artistic community and heritage through various workshops, exhibitions and competitions. Visitors can participate in community mural projects, learn traditional Saba Lace techniques and try their hand at pottery and glass blowing. An afternoon Jazz & Art Exhibition in the local park and a live art competition featuring the iconic Mt. Scenery cloud top as the subject adds to the month’s highlights.
Of note: WinAir (the airline that carries travelers from St. Maarten to Saba) and Princess Juliana Airport have partnered to create a new exclusive day trip special. From now through July 31, you can book your clients on flights to Saba and Statia (Sint Eustatius) for only $79 and swanky St. Barths for only $99.
Luxury Golf & Tennis Travel
Kensington Tours has introduced exclusive golf and tennis itineraries, allowing your discerning clients to combine sports with luxury and cultural exploration. These limited-time trips include attending the Wimbledon Semi Finals and playing on world-renowned golf courses in Ireland, Scotland and New Zealand.
Kensington’s Destination Experts, who are passionate golf enthusiasts, can customize each itinerary to your client’s interests. The four sample itineraries include the 7-day Wimbledon that includes premium seats at the Wimbledon Semi-Finals; Golfing the Emerald Isle, eight days through Ireland’s golf courses with immersion in the region’s history, culture and whiskey distilleries; the 8-day Golf, Whiskey and Castles, a Scottish adventure that includes play on historic courses; and the 14-day New Zealand: Ultimate Golf Experience, with a chance to play the countries top courses.
For more information, visit kensingtontours.com.
Summer Travel in Greece
Summer Senses, a family-friendly resort in Greece, is a seasonal property that opens on May 2 and closes on Oct. 6, 2024. The resort has 100 contemporary guestrooms, ranging from premium to luxurious suites with private pools and views of the Aegean Sea.
Your clients can unwind at the two large freeform swimming pools while the kids enjoy the lounge pool. Wellness and fitness are available at Anassa Spa by Idolo and the Anassa Gym, and gourmet dining can be had at its Michelin-starred collaboration, Galazia Hytra, and the new GAIA Restaurant, showcasing authentic Cycladic cuisine. The Irida Lounge Bar and Hydor Pool Bar offer poolside refreshments.
Ask about the Stay Longer Offer, where you can book clients for four nights, and they get the fifth for free for stays from May 2—June 14 and Aug. 24—Oct. 5. Even longer stays booking six nights can receive the seventh one free from June 15—Aug. 23, 2024.
For more information, visit summersenses.gr.
Getaway in The Catskills
Antrim Streamside, a boutique resort in The Catskills, offers the Go Streamside package for a fun summer getaway just two hours from NYC. Set along Willowemoc Creek in Livingston Manor, the property features 250 acres of hiking trails, private access to a popular trout stream, on-site wellness activities, cooking classes and wine and spirits tastings. Accommodations range from cozy studios to three-bedroom cabins, all with full kitchens. The Go Streamside package includes a guided hike, a yoga class for two, an in-room cocktail or mocktail bar, a summer-themed gift basket and two nights in a luxury cabin. Available mid-week from June 1 to September 30.
For more information, visit antrimstreamside.com.
Pied-a-Terre in Portugal
Savoy Signature, located in the heart of Funchal, offers an unparalleled experience for clients who want to enjoy themselves to the max at the Madeira Flower Festival. The properties provide a perfect pied-a-terre during the festivities, and the dedicated team offers luxury hospitality and white-glove service.
The brand has several properties catering to everyone on your client list, including The Reserve for luxury seekers, Savoy Palace for families, Saccharum for wellness enthusiasts, and NEXT for digital nomads and younger generations.
The Madeira Flower Festival lasts from May 2 to 26, 2024, and features the Wall of Hope ceremony, where children march to construct a symbolic wall for world peace. The festival’s highlight is the Flower Parade, which floods the streets of Funchal with floats, dancers and musicians. Additional events include flower concerts and markets offering plants and regional cuisine. A week later, the Madeira Auto Parade showcases classic cars adorned with floral arrangements.
For more information, visit savoysignature.com.
A Red Savannah Summer
Croatia’s Villa Dubrovnik reopens on June 15th, offering a fabulous base for exploring the Dalmatian Coast. Clare Watkins from Red Savannah suggests island-hopping by helicopter or visiting the Peljesac peninsula for wine tastings. Combine a stay at the villa with a charter to discover hidden coves and tavernas on islands like Vis, Hvar and Korcula.
In Botswana, June offers reliable weather and exceptional game viewing without peak season crowds. Samantha Gordon from Red Savannah recommends activities such as mokoro rides in the Okavango Delta, quad biking on the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, and cultural experiences with San Bushmen. Their Classic Botswana Safari covers Victoria Falls, Linyanti floodplains, Chobe National Park and the Okavango Delta.
For more information, visit redsavannah.com.
Hanging With the Whales in Maui
PacWhale Eco-Adventures offers exciting marine life cruises to celebrate National Ocean Month this June. Your clients can enjoy 35 percent off when bundling two or more of their award-winning adventures, including the Molokini and Turtle Arches Snorkel, where participants explore the unique marine wildlife of the Molokini reef, and the Lana’i Snorkel and Dolphin Watch, which takes visitors to the scenic coastline of Lanaʻi island to snorkel a coral reef and spot various species of wild dolphins. As a social enterprise owned by the non-profit Pacific Whale Foundation, PacWhale Eco-Adventures supports ocean protection through science, advocacy and environmental stewardship.
For more information, visit pacwhale.com.
Make Mine Maldives
Vakkaru Maldives, a jaw-droppingly beautiful secluded resort in the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll, invites your clients to celebrate National Ocean Month with various water activities and sports this June. Here, your clients can indulge in a fun summer travel experience that includes snorkeling, dolphin quests, sunset fishing, big game fishing, jet ski tours, water skiing, wakeboarding, paddleboarding, kayaking, sailing courses, kite surfing, coral adoption programs and marine biology presentations. Accessible by a 30-minute seaplane ride from Velana International Airport, the resort features 113 well-appointed overwater and beach villas, six restaurants, two bars and a wine cellar.
For more information, visit vakkarumaldives.com.
Six Senses Summer
This month marks the opening of Six Senses Kyoto, marking the brand’s second urban property. This luxurious retreat in the heart of Kyoto caters to your most discerning clients who want to immerse themselves in the city’s culture, history and famous culinary delights. June is a perfect time for summer travel, thanks to great weather and the fact that the crowds from the cherry blossom season will have dissipated by that time, making it much easier to explore the city’s numerous temples, museums, gardens and parks. Six Senses Kyoto is a tranquil sanctuary complete with a range of wellness facilities and bespoke experiences.
For more information, visit sixsenses.com.
Summer travel doesn’t always mean summer heat. Travel advisors with clients wanting to “go within” can recommend the How to Be the CEO of Your Mind retreat at Six Senses Crans-Montana, a transformative and restorative experience in the Swiss Alps. Hosted by therapist and author Marisa Peer, this 3-day retreat from June 6-9 offers workshops, wellness sessions and outdoor activities designed to restore balance, provide clarity and promote personal growth. Participants will enjoy accommodations in a Superior Terrace Room, full board dining and unlimited access to the Six Senses Spa. The resort’s prime location allows easy access to skiing and the fun village scene.
For more information, visit sixsenses.com.
Here There Be Dragons
For something completely out of the ordinary, consider recommending summer travel to Hong Kong to witness their yearly June Dragon Boat Festival. As the birthplace of modern dragon boat racing, Hong Kong welcomes visitors to witness the excitement of top teams worldwide competing in elaborately decorated boats. Remote Lands, a luxury travel company specializing in personalized Asian holidays, offers a Classic Hong Kong itinerary that includes the Dragon Boat Festival and guided experiences such as sampan rides, dim sum tastings and market visits, all customized by their knowledgeable travel specialists.
For more information, visit remotelands.com.
Love is Love
Kimpton Hotel Eventi offers a Celebrate Love & Equality Package to clients visiting New York City during Pride Month in June. The hotel, located in the heart of it all, offers a month-long package for summer travel with celebratory cocktails, a food and beverage credit, waived amenity fees and a Pride Welcome Kit containing a subway card, snacks and Pride-themed accessories. Kimpton Hotel Eventi will also donate to The Trevor Project for each booking. With its prime location near top attractions, extensive art collection and evening social hour, the hotel provides an ideal base for exploring the city and celebrating Pride.
For more information, visit hoteleventi.com.
Uplevel With Champions in Costa Rica
This is a summer travel experience for the ages. Las Catalinas, a seaside, mostly car-free town in Guanacaste, Costa Rica, is set to host two major sporting and fitness events in 2024. From May 7-9, your clients can join surf legend Laird Hamilton (AKA Waterman), former professional athlete Gabby Reece and the XPT Team for a 3-day ultimate fitness adventure suitable for all fitness levels. Participants will learn about the XPT lifestyle through performance breathing, underwater workouts, gym training, nature workouts, ice-heat sessions, recovery work, advisor lectures and XPT lifestyle education. The retreat includes accommodations at the boutique Santarena Hotel, various workouts and activities, a surfing session with Laird Hamilton, lectures on human performance and wellness, meals and the XPT Heat and Ice Recovery Program.
Later in the year, from Aug. 23-25, Las Catalinas will host the XTERRA Costa Rica, an off-road multisport endurance competition featuring a full-distance triathlon, sprint triathlon, team relay, trail runs, open-water swimming races and a children’s race. The event, organized by Las Catalinas and Coopenae, will be a 3-day sports and family festival offering activities for both adults and children. Las Catalinas has been home to the Tri Las Catalinas, one of Costa Rica’s most celebrated triathlons, since 2013, with past winners including Olympian Leo Chacon and XTERRA Champion Rom Akerson.
For more information, visit lascatalinascr.com/xpt-experience and xterraplanet.com.
