A Grand (Slam) Time!

September 12, 2025

The US Open may have just ended, but now is the time to book your trip to the 2026 tournaments. 

Grand Slam tournaments are the crown jewels of tennis—and notoriously elusive to access. Tickets disappear instantly, VIP passes are closely guarded, and logistics can be overwhelming. That’s where WhirlAway comes in—with guaranteed seats, exclusive perks, and insider access to the world’s most prestigious matches.

MELBOURNE: AUSTRALIAN OPEN 

January 12 to February 1, 2026


The Scoop: The first major of the year is known for its festive and boisterous vibe (Roger Federer nicknamed it the “Happy Slam”), not to mention the extreme heat. This is Australia’s summer, and court temperatures can get into the 100° F territory. Luckily, three of the stadium courts have retractable roofs. 


The Ticket Situation: Similar to trying to snag tickets to an Oasis concert, you have to sit in a queue on the Ticketmaster website and wait (and hope) for your turn. That fiasco will begin in October, but WhirlAway Travel has early access to the Australian Open and can secure your tickets as we speak. 



Where to Stay: The Ritz-Carlton, Melbourne is a luxe haven in the sky, tucked away in the top 15 floors of an 80-story building with sweeping views of Victoria Harbour and the Dandenong Ranges. It’s conveniently located in downtown’s CBD (Central Business District), just three miles from Melbourne Park and steps from the city’s best restaurants and shopping.


The A-List Experience:  Club 1905—named for the year the Australian Open began—is where the VIP (and VVIP) crowd take in the tournament from the best seats in the house. The membership-only space includes prime tickets to every match (often front-row), three-course meals prepared by Michelin-Starred chef Simon Rogan, and premium cocktails in the private lounge.


PARIS: ROLAND-GARROS (FRENCH OPEN)

May 18 to June 7, 2026


The Scoop: Named not for a tennis player, but for a French aviator, Roland-Garros is the only Grand Slam played on clay courts, which make for lengthy rallies and slower play. Translation: longer matches, which die-hard fans adore. 


The Ticket Situation: WhirlAway Travel’s Jamie Jones has curated several trips to Paris for Roland-Garros, and points out that tickets must be arranged through an authorized broker or directly through Roland-Garros (ticket resale is banned in France). “The box seats, which are called loges, are for groups of four and hard to come by,” she says. “But we know how to secure them.”

Where to Stay: The Left Bank’s Mandarin Oriental Lutetia is one of Jamie’s favorite hotels in Paris, and she knows which suite has the very best view of the Eiffel Tower. Another stellar choice is the exclusive 1, Place Vendome—the first hotel from luxury jeweler Chopard—while the private townhomes at Saint James are wonderful for families. 


The A-List Experience:  Are the VIP lounges at Roland-Garros worth it? Jamie has one word: YES! There are different levels of exclusivity so they can get complicated to reserve, but she understands the ins and outs. Another insider tip? Before the championship match, have lunch on one of the city’s chic terraces—Jamie’s favorites are at Loulou, Baronne, and Laurent. “They’re a real vibe in the summer months,” she says. “We’ll make your reservation and arrange for a driver to pick you up and take you right to the match.”

LONDON: WIMBLEDON 

June 29 to July 12, 2026


The Scoop: Ahh, strawberries and cream, Pimm’s Cups, and royals sightings. Oh yes, and tennis! Founded in 1877, this is the oldest of the Grand Slams and the only one played on grass courts—said to be kept cut to an exact height of eight millimeters. 


The Ticket Situation: This tournament can also be tricky. The most traditional ticket route is the public ballot, run by the All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club. It’s free to enter, but ticket requests are chosen at random, and you can’t select specific courts or match days. In other words, let WhirlAway handle it!


Where to Stay:  We love the Broadwick Soho and The Twenty Two, both buzzy boutique hotels in the heart of the city. The Berkeley London offers a cool, modern vibe (and Michelin-starred dining), while The Stafford London is a jewel box of a hotel that feels British in every way—their afternoon tea must be experienced. For families, The Rubens at the Palace provides spacious rooms and a prime location near Buckingham Palace.


The A-List Experience:  Debenture tickets are the most sought-after, granting seats on Centre Court or No. 1 Court for the entire tournament, plus VIP access to private lounges and restaurants. The catch? The tickets are only issued every five years and the process is complex. We’ve got you.


NEW YORK CITY: US OPEN
August 24 to September 5, 2026


The Scoop: The final Grand Slam of the year, the US Open is New York’s summer swan song. The crowds are electric, the people-watching is unmatched, and the signature Honey Deuce cocktail is legendary. As for the late-night matches in Arthur Ashe Stadium? Expect tennis like you’ve never experienced.



The Ticket Situation: Most tickets won’t officially go on sale until a few months before the tournament, but WhirlAway Travel is already tracking VIP seats and premium packages—and the options are plentiful: Luxury suites…The Overlook…Courtside Premier…the 1968 Room. All indeed amazing, but also a little overwhelming.


Where to Stay:  On the Upper East Side, the iconic Surrey, A Corinthia Hotel has just been reimagined, and it’s spectacular. A few blocks away, The Mark is where Art Deco design meets celebrity cachet (you never know who you’ll spot in the lobby). Downtown, Nine Orchard is the latest darling of the Lower East Side with perhaps the best rooftop space in Manhattan. Bonus: We’ll get you exclusive perks and benefits at all three properties.


The A-List Experience:  The most coveted ticket options are private luxury suites and courtside premier packages, some of which unlock rare on-court access. The Player Café, for one, provides a private courtside experience for up to 32 guests, plus front-row Arthur Ashe Stadium seats, premium bar, passed hors d’oeuvres, chef’s table, and US Open gifts.

Beyond the Fairway: The World’s Most Unforgettable Golf Journeys

August 20, 2025
Golf, in its purest form, is about more than a scorecard. It’s about the stories the game collects: the putt sunk against a backdrop of crashing waves, a winning moment that lingers long after sunset, the shared adventure that bonds a group for life. For WhirlAway Travel, these moments are the very heart of curated golf vacations. As a Luxury Travel Advisor, Alison Warner specializes in golf vacations. Here, she shares five reasons why you should start planning your next golf escape.

Why You Should Take a Mother-Son Trip to Utah

August 12, 2025
Over six packed days, they went fly fishing, biked mountain trails, raced UTVs, and rappelled through canyons—all at Zayne’s direction. He planned the itinerary (nonstop action), curated the meals (burgers and sushi, please), and even selected their rental car: a white Ford Mustang. They spent the first four nights in the luxe comfort of Montage Deer Valley, then roadtripped to Zion and glamped for two nights at Under Canvas Zion. Here, Jamie and Zayne share their favorite moments, their biggest laughs, and why mother-son travel just might be the ultimate bonding experience.

Top 5 Safari Do’s & Don’ts

July 17, 2025
1. Do listen to your guide. Your safari guide is basically a wilderness wizard. If they say “stay in the vehicle,” this is not the time for a TikTok dance in front of a lion. Guides have years of training, they know the behavior of animals intimately, and they know how to reverse a Land Rover faster than you can say, “Is that a leopard?” >>Don’t run. Ever. You are not faster than a lion. You are not faster than a zebra. Honestly, you are probably not even faster than a warthog. Running triggers a predator response. Translation: You could go from tourist with binoculars to buffet item in three seconds flat. This is a hard no.

We're Just Back From: South Africa

July 11, 2025
Everyone talks about going on safari. But not everyone tells you how it feels—to experience a languid afternoon with winemakers who forgo the norm, to watch a lioness cradle her cub across the plains, to luxuriate in a Versace-drenched suite in the Winelands where the bathtub rivals the size of a Manhattan studio. WhirlAway’s Stacey Blum (whose job is to vet the best of the best) recently spent two weeks on an indelible journey through South Africa with Abercrombie & Kent. She discovered a symphony of wow factors—equal parts city, bush, and bliss. These five moments rose to the top as her most exclusive, most unexpected, and most unforgettable.

Just Back From: Turkey

June 12, 2025
A land where empires rose and fell, Turkey is capturing the attention of the world’s most discerning travelers. What to expect? Quiet luxury, epicurean surprises, and indelible landscapes that stretch from the Aegean coast to Cappadocia's sculpted valleys. Michelin stars are landing in Istanbul, new yacht marinas sparkle along the Turquoise Coast, and restored Ottoman mansions offer world-class hospitality with a sense of place. Offering authenticity without sacrificing elegance, Turkey delivers both. Now is the moment to go—after just returning from her recent trip, WhirlAway Travel Luxury Advisor Anna Dunleavy lists 10 reasons to say YES to this enchanting country.

5 Unexpected & Unforgettable Experiences in Italy

May 29, 2025
1. A VIP visit to the Colonna Palace in Rome “It was completely closed to the public when we visited. They rarely do this level of private tour so it was truly a unique experience that no one can just click and book. It was extraordinary—we were literally invited into the home of Prince Prospero Colonna. We walked through room after room after room and not only got an art history lesson, but also learned about the history of the family. It was mind blowing, magical, and profoundly moving being surrounded by priceless works of art and Baroque masterpieces, exploring opulent galleries and salons, serene gardens, and discovering the Colonna family’s legacy—and having it all to ourselves! I don’t know a lot about art and our guide was able to speak to my level and also to someone who was a major art lover. It ended up being a bucket-list experience for me.”

An Insider’s Guide to Tulip Season in the Netherlands

May 9, 2025
The backstory: Her grandfather was a wholesale flower grower in Southeastern Pennsylvania and her dad grew up working in his greenhouses. Years later, Sara and her sister often rode along on deliveries, helping load and unload flats of flowers. Their grandfather received his bulbs from a man they called “the Dutchman,” whose shipments sometimes came packed along with a special pair of wooden shoes (Sara still has hers). Later in life, her father dreamed of visiting the Netherlands during “tulip time” with his two daughters. In April, they made it a reality with a next-level trip and customized itinerary featuring a deep dive into the flower business during peak bloom. Here, Sara shares her insider tips for taking it all in.

Just Back From … The Ranch at Rock Creek in Montana

April 7, 2025
In February, WhirlAway’s Stacey Blum spent three nights at this all-inclusive guest ranch with a group of fellow travel advisors, where they played, relaxed, wined, and dined. The 6,600-acre property, which has been a working ranch since the 1800s, features dozens of fun and authentic activities that vary with the season, each one customized to the traveler’s skill level. Stacey chose to go cross-country skiing and snowmobiling one day, and sapphire mining and horseback riding the next. Oregon-based Purple Hands winery was on site during her stay, pairing wines with a six-course meal, and offering special tastings alongside ice skating, picnics, and campfires. Here, she shares her experience.

Where to? All About April Travel

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