As 2021 draws to a close, it’s time to plan ahead and start compiling your wishlist for where to travel in the new year. Get inspired with my guide to the best places to travel in 2022.  

Portugal

Somewhat overshadowed by its neighbors, Portugal is slowly but surely capturing the attention of travelers hungry for a different perspective of Southern Europe. The culture of Portugal blends festivals, folk music, and rustic villages with an artistic spirit. My insider tip is to anchor your itinerary around the country’s premier wine region, the Douro Valley, which fuses together the best of Portugal. You can always extend your trip to Portugal with a visit to the subtropical island of Madeira, a mere 90-minute flight from Lisbon. 

Best time to travel: Anytime. 

Hawaii

Particularly for West Coast residents, Hawaii is one of our most easily accessible vacation destinations. When choosing your island it can be easy to default to the volcanic Big Island or the buzzing resort of Waikiki. However, if you’re contemplating traveling to Hawaii next year, consider getting off the beaten track. Connect with local fables on Lanai or tackle the Road to Hana (Hana Highway) on Maui, which also happens to be the most luxurious island within the archipelago. 

Best time to travel: March to October. 

What are you thankful for this Thanksgiving?  As next week brings the Thanksgiving holiday, we reflect on what we are thankful for this year.  It has been another year in a pandemic, but there are still many things to be thankful for.  Here are the five things I am thankful for this year.

1. I am thankful for spending time with my father.  Some of you may know that my father has an aggressive form of Parkinson’s disease, which has been very challenging for him and my stepmother to deal with, but they are navigating their way through.  I have been doing my best to spend time with them each week to have as many laughs as possible and create memories that we will cherish forever.

2. I am thankful to be enjoying my girls growing up.  My oldest will be going off to college next fall, and it is incredible to be going through the college visiting and application process.  I am very fortunate that Montana is a driven, dedicated student who knows what she wants to do when she goes off to college (nursing is her passion).  Then my youngest daughter Sierra is now a freshman and doing amazing in school. She has found a love of running and did great in the first cross country season and is now looking forward to winter track. I feel fortunate that the pandemic slowed my business down to a point where I spent quality time with my girls and realized that this is a blessing to be present and do things together before they grow up and create their own amazing futures.

Antarctica is the final frontier in travel and the ultimate bucket list destination for many intrepid explorers. Despite its remote setting, traveling to the South Pole is a possibility that might be easier than you think. Here are 7 things to know before you travel to Antarctica.

1. The best way to visit our southernmost continent is as part of a live-aboard cruise. Expedition vessels typically depart from and conclude at Ushuaia, Argentina. You will need to factor in your flight to the relevant meeting point on top of your cruise package. Alternatively, you can fly from Punta Arenas, Chile, to King George Island and start your exploration from there. 

2. Polar routes navigate you through dramatic stretches of open water before you are invited to disembark and explore the scenery, nature, and communities of the polar region. South Georgia is the location of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s grave as well as remarkable flora that blooms during the summer months. Both South Georgia and the Falkland Islands beam a spotlight on the biological diversity, with an abundance of penguins, albatross, seals, and birdlife. The South Shetland Island comprises a cluster of research stations and museums as well as the volcanic Deception Island and Penguin Island, a hit with fans of the waddling birds!

3. Antarctic cruises include a crossing of the Drake Passage, rumored to be the roughest stretch of sea on the planet. This is due to the convergence of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Southern Seas. While you might want to keep a seasickness remedy to hand, modern expedition vessels are equipped with stabilizing technology to keep the queasiness at bay.

With its beguiling ancient ruins, mysterious customs, and exotic souks and bazaars, few countries can contend with Egypt. When vacationing in the land of the pharaohs, hopping aboard a cruise of the Nile is the most practical and luxurious way to encounter the history of the region and create lasting memories.

Flowing northwards through 11 North African countries before meeting the Mediterranean Sea, the Nile provides irrigation water, food, and transport. A cruise will introduce you to Egypt’s past while gleaning insight into contemporary society. This is what you can look forward to on your trip.

Treasures of the Nile River 

A typical Nile cruise itinerary will take you from Cairo in the north as far as Luxor, some 400 miles (644 km) south of the Egyptian capital. During the trip, you will visit the iconic valleys, pyramids, and temples of Egypt. 

The Giza Plateau at the site of the old capital of Memphis is where you’ll clap eyes upon the Great Sphinx of Giza and the three Pyramids of Giza. The oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the pyramids were constructed between 2589 and 2504 BC. In a further testament to the Egyptians unique beliefs in the afterlife, you will roam the Valley of the Kings where pharaohs were laid to rest and the Valley of the Queens, the burial grounds of the wives.  

Weave your way through the 28 columns that form the Great Colonnade Hall of the Luxor Temple, once the largest and most significant religious center in ancient Egypt. Another highlight of Luxor is the chance to learn about the historic art of papyrus making in the city’s museums. Traveling the Nile River as part of a cruise will include the expertise of a guide who specializes in Egyptology to make sense of the legendary landmarks.
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