Cheers to You!
October 3, 2025
Raising a glass to the WhirlAway story.
Forty incredible years, 110 inspiring guests, one newly christened retiree, and countless magical moments. Such was the scene at WhirlAway Travel’s sparkling party at Radnor Hunt in Malvern, Pennsylvania. Suppliers, clients, friends, and family gathered with the WhirlAway team for cocktails, dinner, and a live auction. Up for bid was a pair of coveted cruises donated by AmaWaterways and Explora Journeys, raising $16,000 for the Travel Elevates
foundation. The unforgettable evening ended with toasts to WhirlAway’s founder Patty Jefferis as she embarks on her next great adventure of retirement. “It was a celebration filled with heartfelt stories, inspiration, and gratitude for a true trailblazer,” said Jody Rollins, a longtime friend and client of WhirlAway. “Patty is a true legacy of leadership, innovation, and connection.”
Here’s to WhirlAway’s next 40 years of inspiration, innovation, and excellence!
No summer travel plans yet? Consider this your fast track to an experience that ticks all the boxes for value, ease, culture, scenery, and laid-back luxury. What: A seven-night Mediterranean cruise aboard Silver Nova with Silversea and Signature Travel Network. Where: Roundtrip from Athens, visiting seven ports throughout Greece and Turkey. When: August 16-23, 2026. Why: It’s a remarkable blend of epic history, island charm, and elegant cruising. You’ll visit spots that feel straight out of a postcard, from the delightful seaside town of Gythion and the Olympic roots of Katakolon to Santorini’s bucket-list sunsets and the lively markets of Bodrum. Onboard, the suites are beautifully spacious, the butler service is effortlessly attentive, and the all-inclusive approach is indulgent yet smart, inviting you to savor the experience without a second thought. Yes, please!
Recently back from an immersive journey through Verona, Venice, and Trieste, WhirlAway’s Sara Samuel discovered a trio of destinations that feel worlds apart yet effortlessly connected. From Shakespearean streets and quaint canals to culture shaped by shifting borders, this is Italy beyond the expected.
Why stay home for the holidays when you can discover chocolate, castles, and Christmas decorations across Europe? That’s just what WhirlAway’s Jamie Jones had in mind when she took her family on a holiday river trip through Amsterdam, the Netherlands, Brussels, and Antwerp. Here’s what happened along the way.
If “someday” is starting to sound suspiciously like “never,” this is your sign. From polar ice to private yachts, safaris to southern skies, these six monumental journeys are proof that the best trips happen when they’re meticulously planned with insider expertise.
Nestled in the heel of Italy, these spots have long been Italian favorites and are now drawing travelers from around the world. But visit in the fall or winter, and it still feels like you have them all to yourself. Sara says it was nearly impossible to choose favorites—and she could easily share dozens more—but here are the places and experiences she loved most.
In 2025, WhirlAway planned dozens of amazing vacations for the holiday season, and we’re sharing a few of our favorites. Consider this your cheat sheet to the dreamiest destinations, including a sun-kissed sojourn to Costa Rica, a multi-gen escape to South Africa, an Antarctica cruise, and the best of Turks and Caicos, and London. Happy holidays, and even happier travels!
What makes the Cycladic Islands feel so singular? For Luxury Travel Advisor Denise Booth, it’s the blend of warm hospitality, luminous landscapes, and quietly luxurious living. Fresh off her journey through Naxos, Paros, and the Athenian Riviera, she shares three experiences that showcase Greece beyond the guidebooks—intimate, delicious, and endlessly photogenic.
Luxury Travel Advisor Stacey Blum is our expert in all things wellness. Before joining the WhirlAway team, she worked as a health coach and is now a Signature Travel Expert Select in Wellness. And her favorite destination for wellness, in every sense of the word, is Greece. While she’s visited the country three times (and counting), she’s planned so many trips for clients that she says it feels like she’s been there dozens of times: This past summer alone, she curated 12 different trips! “Every part of Greece—the food, the water, the people—invites you to take a deep breath and just be,” she says. “You come here for a break, but you leave with a lighter heart, a clearer mind, and a deeper sense of gratitude.” Here, Stacey shares how the beautiful country is a master in the art of slowing down.
On the eve of her retirement party, Patty Jefferis, founder of WhirlAway Travel, is reflecting on her most recent adventure: a voyage through the Eastern Mediterranean with Tauck. After spending the past 40 years curating journeys for clients, this adventure was all her own. Aboard Le Bougainville , a sleek Ponant yacht chartered exclusively by Tauck, she explored Corsica, Sardinia, Sicily, and Malta. Read on for all her dreamy moments.
