Just Back From … the Cycladic Islands

November 18, 2025

WhirlAway’s Denise Booth shares three only-in-Greece experiences that left a lasting impression.

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.

 1. Cooking with a Local Family in Naxos

“This is the type of place where the son of the owner welcomes you with an aperitif and freshly made tzatziki and pita, then his father takes you to the farm to show you where all of the ingredients are sourced. Then his mother interrupts our tour, saying, ‘Stop talking, it's time to cook,’ and she takes you around back into her little kitchen. Long tables are set up for our cooking class. Her sister is helping her teach the class and her nephew is cleaning all the bowls and utensils. The cooking class wasn't just a hands-on experience—it was to see the way that the entire family works together. They can't wait to help you to not only taste, but experience what it's like to cook real Greek food. We made tzatziki, meatballs, zucchini balls, lamb shank with stuffed vegetables. Not to sound quaint, but you just felt good eating this food.”


2. A Meander Through Paros

“Paros is so picturesque, it’s one of the most Instagrammed locations in Greece. All the houses are required to be white by law, and they’re set against the colorful flowers and colorful boats—everything is so beautiful. It’s so spectacular for many reasons. Yes, the wine and the seafood, but even the shopping feels more special than in other port towns—these shops do not feel like souvenir shops. Another perfect way to spend the day there is on a sail to Antiparos. You can stop at the Blue Lagoons for swimming, have a late lunch, and just float in the water. And all of these boats have flotation devices not just for safety, but for relaxation.”


3. A Stay at Cape Sounio on the Athenian Riviera

“Usually you have to fly into Athens before you get to the islands, so most people think of Athens as your starting point. They stay there for a night, they see the Acropolis, and then they move on. But the Athenian Riviera is another really incredible opportunity just 45 minutes outside of Athens. I stayed there at the end of my trip rather than in Athens. The minute I arrived, my whole heart rate came down. The beaches are amazing, the wine is amazing, the spa and treatment rooms are amazing, even the breakfast is amazing. It’s a great destination for wellness—Gwyneth Paltrow recently stayed there too!”

A Roar-Worthy Safari Specialist

April 3, 2026
For the fifth year in a row, WhirlAway Travel’s Jamie Jones has been named a Condé Nast Traveler Top Travel Specialist—a prestigious honor reserved for advisors with extensive expertise, trusted global connections, and a deep understanding of how to craft truly tailored journeys. It’s a distinction she’s earned through her focus on African safaris and her ability to create meaningful, insider experiences. Jamie’s philosophy is simple: “I have always believed that travel is essential for the future of our world. It connects us to nature, to different cultures, and most importantly to one another.” That approach comes to life on every African safari she curates. And that’s just one reason why she’s so exceptional at what she does. 1. She Knows Safaris Inside & Out Jamie has traveled to Africa more than 15 times over the past 12 years, earning her Signature Travel Network’s Select Safari Specialist designation—an exclusive recognition for highly vetted advisors with “feet on the ground” knowledge and proven expertise in creating luxury, customized African safaris. For Jamie, it’s about so much more than the wildlife: “I continually return because of the people I have met, friendships created, cultures I have learned from, and the peace that fills my soul with every journey.” And through WhirlAway’s Africa Apprentice Program, Jamie also helps train the next generation of safari specialists, providing extensive education and hands-on experience in planning these journeys, ensuring every client benefits from a highly personalized approach.

Multi-Gen Magic

March 20, 2026
Multi-generational travel is booming—and it’s easy to see why. Families are seeking curated journeys where every generation—from grandparents to grandchildren—can experience the world together, yet on their own terms. At WhirlAway Travel, that means private excursions, seamless logistics, and experiences that let everyone focus on what matters: connection. Denise Booth is one of WhirlAway’s multi-gen travel experts. She leverages her insider access and relationships with global partners to create itineraries perfectly suited for every age and interest. “Travel does not have to be all or nothing,” she says. “We craft experiences that can be enjoyed by each person, from modified activities or alternatives for those who cannot participate.” Here are three recent journeys planned by Denise and the WhirlAway team.

Just Back From … Japan with WhirlAway’s Stacey Blum

March 11, 2026
Why Japan & Why Now The neon-lit energy of Tokyo, the zen temples of Kyoto, and the restorative calm of mountain onsen towns define this unique journey across time. “It’s a place that feels both ancient and futuristic at once,” Stacey says. Japan also rewards travelers who slow down. For Stacey, early mornings—what the Japanese call the “blue hour”—were especially poignant. Known as the time just before sunrise or after sunset when the sky turns a deep indigo, the serene, otherworldly atmosphere is the perfect window for photography in cities like Tokyo and Kyoto, capturing the magical light over temple roofs, as locals cycle along rivers, and as shops open their doors. To fully appreciate Japan’s diversity, Stacey recommends giving yourself at least 10 days in the destination (plus two days of travel) and visiting three distinct regions. Stacey’s Takeaway: “Japan is not a place you try to see it all in one trip. It’s somewhere you’ll want to return to again and again.”

Sail Beyond the Expected

February 17, 2026
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!

Just Back From … Northern Italy with WhirlAway’s Sara Samuel

February 12, 2026
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.

Just Ask Jamie …

January 21, 2026
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.

2026 is the Time!

January 14, 2026
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.

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!
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