Are we there yet? If you’re like me, you’re craving a change of scenery and feeling the pull of your favorite summer activities. As the world begins to carefully reopen, I’ve been busy gathering ideas for that first vacation when social distancing will be on everyone’s mind. You don’t even need to go far from home to have an amazing adventure – in comfort and style. Here’s a list of ways to wander this year that will give you space, privacy, and truly unforgettable, happier memories!
Private Yachts
Ever watch the TV show Below Deck and fantasize about a staffed vessel all to yourself for your family or friends? Chartering a yacht is more affordable than you think! Picture yourself on a private, intimate catamaran (basically a floating house!) sailing around the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Seychelles, Tahiti, Belize, or Brazil, where you set your own schedule, stay overnight and get to experience each destination including its nightlife, unlike larger ships that sail at night. Your sail itinerary is customized just for you, without any preset excursions. Of course, I can arrange adventures on shore for you too!
Glamping
You’ve heard of glamping (camping with more glamorous comforts), but have you tried it? This may be the perfect summer for it! An incredible Black Hills glamping trip for the whole family can include views of Mount Rushmore, starry skies, healthy dining, and luxurious private tents with en suite bathrooms, king size beds, housekeeping daily, and wood-burning stoves. Or head to Colorado’s ruggedly beautiful San Juan Mountains to glam in a picturesque meadow steps from the Dolores River. Sleep comfortably in a safari-style tent set on a wooden platform and enjoy all the amenities of a luxury hotel like hot water, towel warmers, shower, and a six-foot soaker tub. Where would you like to fire up your s’mores this summer? Top glamping sites include North Rim of Grand Canyon, Canyonlands National Park, Zion National Park, Lake Powell, Yellowstone National Park, and Escalante National Monument.
Private Villas
Another style of travel that offers incredible value is renting a luxury villa, perfect for any travel party size. From a romantic getaway to a larger gathering like a wedding or vow renewal celebration, family reunion, or friends trip, your home could have two to twenty bedrooms and a private pool too. A villa vacation is more private and pampered – like when your personal chef prepares your four-course dinner as you’re off exploring Mayan ruins. You can even have your favorite foods and beverages prestocked in the kitchen when you arrive. When you work with Nine Muses Travel for your villa stay, you’ll get even more VIP treatment at many properties with free Wi-Fi, early check-in/late check-out (subject to availability) and a $200 USD Concierge Services Credit!
Private Jets
Maximize your travel time on your next trip by chartering your own private jet for you and your gang. Your flight options are expanded with worldwide access to thousands of aircraft of all categories, and I can help you access empty-leg specials on repositioning flights too.
Private Guides
Whether you reach your destination by air, land, or sea, you’ll love having a private guide dedicated to showing you and your companions around. Nine Muses Travel has access to specialist guides in all areas – history, nature, arts, culture, and more. You’ll receive in-depth expertise, personalized attention, and local recommendations tailored to your tastes and interests. And you may make a new friend in town while you’re at it!
Trusted Hotels
Nine Muses Travel works with tour operators who require stringent safety measures. For example, one of the domestic (US and Canada) tour operators I work with has its hotels blocking extra time between guests to fully sanitize rooms, reducing overall capacity, offering remote and touchless check-in systems and focusing on outdoor dining and limited capacity indoor dining while giving more in-room dining options. All-inclusive Club Med is adding protocols like temperature checks for entry into kids’ clubs and strengthening its deep-cleaning. The most impressive efforts I’ve seen yet belong to Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts for collaborating with Johns Hopkins Medicine International to validate its new global health and safety program, Lead With Care. With that extraordinary level of oversight from health experts, you can definitely still sleep easy at any Four Seasons property, worldwide.
Amtrak: Sleeper Cabins & Auto Train
For going the distance, Amtrak sleeper cars are where it’s at for solo travelers, couples, and even families. Upgrade to a Bedroom for your own in-room toilet and shower, plus you get all meals included - and delivered right to your cabin! Or board the Auto Train; it's the only one of its kind in the U.S. and runs between Washington, D.C. and Orlando. Load up your car like it were your suitcase, and save yourself the traffic hassles and gas money on this epic road trip! We can customize your itinerary to any Amtrak destination in North America for any dates or length of trip. You can take the train from your nearest station at home, or fly to another town to board there. Last week's blog post is all about Amtrak, so check it out!
Contact me when you're ready to venture out on your next trip!