Concierge Vacations Inc.

01/06/2024

I have been wanting get fit and healthy for many years. I’ve studied all aspects of and traveled the world experiencing and learning about how I can live my healthiest happiest life.

One area that I have constantly struggled with is my weight. I have tried every diet, pill, patch and even Ozempic but as soon as I stopped doing the thing, the weight all came back.

So this year for Mother’s Day, I gifted myself one week at the newly opened . I’ve know about (based in Spain) for many years and it had been on my list to visit because of its approach to - including , , , and even aesthetic skin and body treatments.

Read my new blog post to follow my journey to sustainable wellness and how a week at the beach got me refocused on taking better care of my health and even shed few pounds to boot.

https://www.yourconciergevacations.com/blog/detox-weight-loss-at-sha-wellness-mexico

I have struggled with my weight for as long as I can remember. I’ve done every fad diet -South Beach, Keto, No Carb, Low Fat, South Beach- you name it, I’ve done it. As I entered Menopause, my...

12/08/2023

is my favorite island in Hawaii. I have so many wonderful memories over the years and my heart breaks for its people after the devastating fires.

I have been in touch with my hoteliers and travel partners in Maui and I’m told so many of the workers have lost their homes and their personal belongings.

The fires have ravaged Lahaina and most of this historic town has been destroyed.

Both the Governor and Hawaii Tourism are urging visitors to refrain from travel to Maui at least over the next few weeks so they can focus their resources on helping the local communities.

If you’d like to help the people of Maui, please consider donating to the fund set up by

It’s my hope that Maui will be as resilient as Lahaina’s 150 year old banyan tree and come back stronger than ever 💕

10/06/2023

is a great way to experience life in the old days when people turned to the waterways to buy everything from produce to handicrafts.

Hop on a long tailed boat and browse all the interesting stalls and boats full of fruits, vegetables and trinkets but save your actual purchases for the local night market, where you’ll get more authentic goods at a lower price. This one is predominantly for tourists!

07/06/2023

Let’s talk about . I truly feel that the guide can make or break an experience.

The right ones will give you insight and help you better understand the culture and customs of the places you visit. They will adapt and adjust your schedule to best suit our needs, extending your time where you are most interested and shorten times when you’re ready to go.

Instead of just facts and figures, they truly help you immerse yourself in the culture and answer your questions.

With a private guide, you also get to choose when to start and end your day, giving you the luxury of time.

07/06/2023

Markets can be found throughout but this one is unique.

This local market has expanded to take over a nearby railway track and vendors hustle to pull down their awnings in time for the train to pass.

Once it goes by, awnings are back up and they’re ready for business again!

05/06/2023

First stunning look as you enter your room and the Chao Praya River beckons from your floor to ceiling windows. Welcome to Bangkok!

05/06/2023

Thank you to Racha and the team for this very warm welcome for our family. The personal touches in celebrating my son’s birthday and university graduation are very much appreciated!

25/04/2023

We are thrilled to announce that Concierge Vacations, as an affiliate of Travel Experts Inc, has been named a Forbes Travel Guide-endorsed agency. FTG is the only independent global rating system for luxury hotels, restaurants, spas and ocean cruises. The coveted Five-Star, Four-Star and Recommended awards are earned through incognito inspections on FTG’s hundreds of exacting quality and service standards. We are honored to be recognized by the global authority on luxury hospitality for our commitment to providing our clients with exceptional experiences.

31/03/2023

Roadshow season continues…I’m back at Foreign Cinema in tonight where I had the pleasure of connecting with my friends . Thank you for bringing us together again!

From local getaways at and to chasing Caribbean dreams to exotic or the exquisite , I had the opportunity to catch up with industry colleagues who are the true stars that help me VIP my clients!

Planning your summer or even Christmas break getaway? Reach out and let me share the best of the best hotels and destinations with you.

Insider tip: is there a Rosewood Calistoga in the making??? 🤔

16/03/2023

Sometimes it takes reconnecting with colleagues to trigger my memory of all the beautiful options to suit each client’s preferences.

Thank you for the updates on some stunning resorts from the sunsets of to the mountains of and the beaches of .

I connected with some incredible industry friends who are ready to my clients as well as bring new insight for that perfect mountain, beach, or wine country getaway.

Ready for your escape from this dreary rainy weather? Get in touch and let’s explore the possibilities!

23/02/2023

Always wonderful to catch up with industry friends and colleagues.

This time we had the extra special treat of enjoying the culinary brilliance of Executive Chef Scot Livingston, Pastry Chef Kristin Davison and Wine Director Jillian Riley at The Meadowood Napa Valley.

Bellies and hearts are full!

10/02/2023

A wonderful evening meeting with some fabulous hoteliers from the Preferred Hotels & Resorts collection.

From beach clubs in Marbella to castles in Tuscany to our very own California hotels, a great selection all around.

It’s all about these relationships which allow me to get you the VIP treatment when you travel!

24/11/2022

So grateful for each and every one of you, your support and the trust you place in me to create memorable moments for you. 🙏🏽❤️

20/10/2022

One of my favorite places in the Bay Area and one of only 323 Forbes 5 Diamond hotels in the world, is the perfect weekend getaway when you need a quick break.

With stunning ocean views, hiking and biking trails as well as golf, tennis, kayaking and paddle boarding, there’s plenty to keep you and your crew busy.

If you’re looking to just relax and reset, head to their beautiful spa or relax with a cocktail around the fire pit as you watch the glorious sunset and listen to the bagpiper as he makes his way through the resort grounds.

With extra perks and VIP treatment, Julie and I will see to it that you’re treated like royalty.

20/10/2022

The much-awaited and completely stunning is now sailing!

An intimate experience extending the signature Ritz service to the sea.

With a variety of dining venues, spa, water sports platform and much more, this is the perfect way to enjoy in style.

Of course your experience will be enhanced with special touches as Richard Whitaker and I work together to ensure you have a most relaxing voyage!

20/10/2022

So wonderful to be back in person at this year’s Marriott Luxury event.

I’m catching up with old friends and making new ones.

Take a look at the stunning . Right on the grand canal with stunning views and a completely updated vibe.

With ’s help, my clients can get extra amenities and VIP treatment!

12/10/2022

By now you all know of my deep love of . I’m always on the lookout for hotels with the highest service levels, great food and an authentic sense of place that is indicative of each destination.

Today I had the pleasure of meeting with and learning about her boutique hotel collection in Europe and beyond.

These gorgeous hotels are perfectly located, intimate (think 20-40 rooms) and feature extraordinary design.

I cannot wait to share this collection of boutique hotels, villas, estates and apartments with you next time you think of Italy, Greece, France, Ireland and beyond.

Of course Katy will ensure that my clients receive treatment as well!

Reach out and let’s start planning!

02/10/2022

Twice a year (my birthday and Mother’s Day) I make it a point to step away from my normal routine and focus on taking care of me.

With all of life’s obligations constantly needing my attention, I tend to put my own needs last - much like many women I know.

Of course I try to build in healthy habits year round, but scheduling time away- whether a full day or a weekend away- allows me to stop, reflect, relax and focus only on me.

It’s a great reset and I always return refreshed and ready to get back at it!

22/09/2022

Just finished a wonderful 3 day session with Tahiti Tourisme at the annual Tahiti Specialist Conference and I’m reminiscing about our most epic family reunion in Bora Bora in 2018.

Just a few family members (45 to be exact), the crystal clear waters of the lagoon, the swaying palms and the most incredible time spent jet skiing, snorkeling, laughing and creating unforgettable memories with our fam.

If you haven’t experienced the magic of Tahiti, what’s holding you back?

Get in touch and let’s get you to paradise. Pictures don’t do it justice ❤️🏝☀️🐠

12/08/2022

Michelin restaurants are great but also take time to explore the local food scene.

After our stand up paddling adventure in North Shore, we stopped for lunch at a food truck area. There were a variety of options from Big Wave Shrimp (seen on ) to Mexican, burgers, Thai and even Korean BBQ. Something to appeal to everyone’s palate.

A great way to refuel before our ride back to the hotel.

09/08/2022

For those of you who think “ it’s just a room”, I respectfully disagree.

The space you return to after a long day of sightseeing or even an active day out in the sun and surf is your haven. It’s where you retreat to when you want a quiet place to relax or a glass of bubbly on the balcony to watch the sunset.

Choose wisely

07/08/2022

Sometimes it takes getting away from it all to appreciate the life you work so hard to create.

Give yourself the time to reflect and recharge and you’ll return completely renewed.

06/08/2022

If you thought turndown service was a thing of the past, think again. While many hotels are struggling to provide adequate service, still honors its guests by taking care of every detail. Whether it’s escorting guests through the property and directly to the guest elevator at check-in or leaving special notes at turndown, it’s the little things that go a long way and this hotel has service dialed in!

Of course, as with most , I can provide additional perks such as room upgrades, resort credit and complimentary breakfast. So what are you waiting for?

10/07/2022

The coveted hamper (wicker basket) filled with goodies from . If you are ever lucky enough to receive one, you don’t tuck it away. You display it prominently in your home just like another well-known blue box😉

04/07/2022

Not every tour has to include exclusive access. The Tower of London, for example, does offer early access and even private viewing of the Crown Jewels. However, if that’s not really of interest, I wouldn’t recommend using your budget for this experience. I would focus on matching the best guide for you who can bring the stories of the tower to life, whether it’s about the ravens of the tower or the torture chambers.

The best private guides are not focused on facts and figures, unless a client is specifically interested in them. They share stories about the people and events so you can imagine life within the tower walls. They also know which tower to go to first to avoid lines and also can point out secret places that you would otherwise miss.

Ultimately each trip is curated specifically for the client. It’s about understanding the client, what interests and motivates them, and having conversations about why they selected a particular destination. What’s their vision? Who are the traveling companions? How do they like to travel?

It’s also about understanding the budget and how to maximize it. I always recommend selecting a few special experiences based on specific interests and then finding the best-fit guides for the rest.

is all about efficiency and access. It’s about creating a seamless experience from start to finish and working behind the scenes with my travel partners to ensure each client can focus on enjoying the journey.

02/07/2022

When looking for a special occasion restaurant, consider The Oblix at The Shard. Located on the 32nd floor of the tallest building in the UK, the restaurant features jaw dropping views of London.

I selected The Oblix to celebrate our 27th wedding anniversary and it didn’t disappoint. From the lobster to the wagyu burger to the beef tenderloin, everything was incredible.

I will say the service was a bit disappointing but given the labor issues everyone is facing, I’ll give them some grace.

Request a table by the window and come late since the sun doesn’t set until nearly 10pm in the summer.

If you need help finding the best places to dine, reach out and I’ll take care of all the details for your next trip.

02/07/2022

As part of the special behind-the-scenes Changing of the Guard experience at Buckingham Palace to which my clients have exclusive access (see previous post), you are taken on a wonderful private tour of the Guards Museum by none other than the Curator of the museum.

Lee shares the differences in uniforms between the 5 guard regiments and weaves stories of the soldiers throughout the various wars. It’s a fascinating exploration led by a very engaging orator.

One of the exclusive experiences created by my travel partner Nic based on her close relationships in London.

When you’re ready to elevate your travels, reach out and allow me to show you the best of London.

02/07/2022

The Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace is usually on top of every first-timer’s list for London. How you experience this can be vastly different.

Most people will wake up at 7am, miss breakfast, rush to the palace gates where they will line up against the fences to peer through them and see the regiments change shifts. It’s nothing more than the yelling of a few commands between soldiers and off they go. Then you wait to push your way back through the thousands of spectators.

However, with exclusive behind-the-scenes access available only through my travel partner Nic and her relationships in London, you can arrive leisurely at 10:15am, actually be where the marching band and new regiment is preparing, watch the band play and see the uniform inspections. This is the main activity - not the actual switching of the guards itself. It’s all of the preparation for that brief event that’s worth experiencing.

Then you get an exclusive tour through the guards museum (more on this in a separate post).

Which side of the fence would you rather be on?

30/06/2022

London has an incredible array of restaurants from around the world.

When selecting which restaurants to recommend, I couple my independent research with the recommendations of the hotel concierge as well as my travel partners in country.

I then secure reservations well in advance to ensure my clients are always well taken care of.

For my own trip, I made sure that we included a different cuisine each evening. While there were some disappointments, the meal tonight was divine!

Everything we ordered, from sushi and sashimi to the Robata grilled meats were incredible. This place is highly recommended!

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30/06/2022

When designing a trip, it’s important to take into consideration the interests and intentions of each traveler.

I start by understanding who is traveling and their personal preferences so I can ensure every traveler has a portion of the itinerary to which he/she can look forward.

In the case of my family, I know my son is an avid shopper. His desire to visit Harrods was the impetus for our trip. So what better way to get him excited for London (and reward him for the museums and cultural tours) than to hire a fashion expert/stylist to guide us on a private shopping experience!

After providing Emily with a list of shops he frequents and his style preferences, we met up with her and were treated to a very specialized shopping adventure.

Not only did Emily take us to stores we would otherwise not have known about, but she acted as the expert when it came to putting outfits together and ensuring all of us, but our son and daughter specifically, had an amazing time.

There are so many incredible experiences available to really personalize each trip. The more I know about each traveler, the better I’m able to design a trip to cater to his/her interests.