Destinations We Adore

February 8, 2025

Let’s celebrate Valentine’s Day with some travel love. It’s never easy playing favorites, but we did it anyway! Here are seven of our most cherished places on earth. 

Provence: The Luberon Region
Rolling vineyards, lavender fields, and hilltop villages that are the stuff of fairytales. This is France’s Luberon region, and we don’t think it could get any more charming. We love to spend our days meandering artisan markets, truffle hunting, and wine tasting (Gordes and Roussillon are a couple of our favorite villages). Come evening, it’s off to a Michelin-starred restaurant. There are seven of them in this region so the options are plentiful—we always go back to Le Champ des Lunes and Auberge la Fenière. As for where to stay, we’re devoted to Arielles Gordes, La Bastide, a luxurious Gordes hideaway with a history that dates back more than 500 years.


Greece: Beyond Santorini & Mykonos

Santorini and Mykonos might be Greece’s bold-faced names, but it’s the lesser-known isles that are stealing our hearts. Topping our list is Kéa Island, a decidedly laid-back island that’s the closest one to Athens. So why not visit both? Spend a few days exploring the famous archaeological sites of The Acropolis and shopping along the glitzy Athens Riviera, then take a short boat ride over to Kéa for some serious seaside relaxation. This little island is celebrated for its pristine beaches, miles of hiking, and the ancient Lion of Kéa sculpture that’s known as the island protector. It’s worth the trek to see it—trust us. It’s also not far from the One&Only Kea Island—one of the most anticipated recent hotel openings. Hugging the coast with its own private beach, this cliffside retreat epitomizes barefoot luxury.



Ecuador: Choco Rain Forest 

A unique blend of biodiversity and luxury, “the Chocó,” one of the world’s most ecologically rich regions, is home to rare wildlife, cloud forests, and private eco-lodges with every five-star comfort and amenity you can dream of. Most notably: Mashpi Lodge, one of our all-time favorite places. Tucked deep in the rainforest of Quito, this resort offers majestic views, comfort, and activities with every turn. Be sure to go on a birdwatching adventure, take a guided jungle expedition, and experience the country’s gourmet cuisine served right in the middle of this pristine nature. Bonus points for a private yacht cruise to the Galápagos!



Italy: The Dolomites

The grand Dolomites have it all: natural beauty, big adventure, ultimate luxury, and some of the best food and wine in the world. Famous for its dramatic peaks, stunning alpine lakes, and world-class skiing, this Italian region is also known for five-star mountain resorts, Michelin-starred dining, and exclusive spa retreats. A private heli-skiing experience is one for the books, not to mention a guided hike through the mountainous UNESCO heritage sites. With one charming village after the next, the Dolomites are picture-perfect during all four seasons. Be sure to visit the town of Cortina d'Ampezzo, while Corvara is home to La Perla, the dreamiest alpine retreat with an incredible wine cellar and restaurant.


Botswana: Okavango Delta

In our opinion, this is the pinnacle of the African safari experience. A UNESCO-listed oasis, the iconic Okavango Delta in Botswana is the best choice for private game drives, excursions through winding waterways in traditional canoes called mokoros, helicopter safaris, and ultra-luxe lodges. For a magical stay, Wilderness Vumbura Plains features private suites set along the edge of the Delta waterways, each with its own viewing deck and plunge pool. Every day brings front-row access to wildlife sightings, from elephants to lions to rare birds. Top that with VIP service and private guides for anything you can imagine, and you’ll fall in love over and over again with this region.


South America: Patagonia

Spanning both Chile and Argentina, Patagonia is a true escape into untrammeled beauty—a rarity today. With dramatic glaciers, pristine lakes, and rugged peaks, the region is a playground for privately guided treks in Torres del Paine National Park, heli-hiking,  glacial cruises, horseback adventures, and wildlife galore. The Singular Patagonia and Explora Torres del Paine are two unsurpassed stays, both with incredibly immersive experiences and some of the best guides we’ve experienced. 


Switzerland: By Rail

Discover Switzerland by luxury train and it’s impossible not to fall head over heels for the country. Iconic trains like the Glacier Express and the GoldenPass Line reveal opulent journeys through postcard-worthy landscapes with 360-degree views of snow-capped peaks, emerald lakes, and charming villages. In first-class carriages, you’ll be spoiled with gourmet cuisine, personalized service, and private off-train excursions. For very-VIP stays along the way, we vote for Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa in Interlaken, The Chedi in Andermatt, and Baur au Lac in Zurich. Be sure to save time for a gondola tour from Interlaken to Jungfraujoch on the Eiger Express, as well as a hike to Staubbachfall Waterfall in Lauterbrunnen and a boat cruise on Lake Lugano.

Just Back From … Italy’s Puglia Region

December 15, 2025
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.

’Tis the Season for Travel!

December 15, 2025
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!

Just Back From … the Cycladic Islands

November 18, 2025
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.

Greece: Wellness Capital of the World

November 17, 2025
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.

Sailing into Retirement

October 6, 2025
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.

Cheers to You!

October 3, 2025
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.”

A Summer to Remember

September 18, 2025
“What did you do for summer vacation?” With back-to-school and back-to-business in full swing, this seems to be a favorite conversation starter in September. In celebration of our clients’ favorite trips (and there were many!), we’ve created a highlight reel so you can begin dreaming and planning your ultimate 2026 summer vacation.

A Grand (Slam) Time!

September 12, 2025
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.

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.