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7 Beautiful Places in Croatia That Belong on Your Travel List
7 Beautiful Places in Croatia That Belong on Your Travel List One of the best things about Croatia is that no two destinations feel quite the same. Some travelers picture...
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How Many Days Do You Really Need for a Trip to Croatia?
how many days in Croatia Spoiler alert: It’s probably more than you think. Croatia looks deceptively small on a map. Many travelers assume they can see the highlights in four...
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Why Croatia Is Such an Incredible Honeymoon Destination
Why Croatia Is Such an Incredible Honeymoon Destination When most couples start planning their honeymoon, destinations like Italy, Greece, or the Maldives often top the list. But there’s one European...
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Croatia Travel Guide
Croatia Travel Guide: Where to Go, What to See, and How Long to Stay Croatia has quietly become one of Europe’s most romantic honeymoon destinations. Picture medieval stone towns, crystal-clear...
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Best Time to Visit Croatia
The Best Time to Visit Croatia: A Month-by-Month Guide Croatia is one of those destinations that seems to have it all: beautiful islands, historic cities, turquoise Adriatic waters, excellent food...
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Let’s Touch Grass
Happy Friday! This week’s newsletter is dedicated to the myriad ways it’s possible to soak up the great outdoors: in Scandinavian urban oases, U.S. national parks, and the wild Peruvian...
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Summer in Greenland
Into the Tundra “You might be the first person in history to set foot on that particular place,” veteran mountain guide Phil Wickens told passengers on a recent Quark Expeditions...
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Spotlight On
Welcome to a special South Korea-focused edition of our newsletter. I’m just back from a week in Seoul for Virtuoso’s annual Symposium, a luxury-travel-industry meeting of the minds. My first...
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Ready, Set, Go
Sports lovers have long known that cheering on their faves IRL is an instant vacation upgrade. Our new feature series dedicated to sports travel goes all in on the fandom...
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Balearic Bliss
The vision I had in mind hinged on a scooter – hands holding Sam’s chest, chin resting on his shoulder as he drove us toward the lighthouse. Instead, while I...
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Hot on the Scene
Two hotels recently opened their doors along Venice’s canals, in time to welcome the well-heeled set flocking to the upcoming Biennale. We’re eyeing Airelles Palladio, Venezia and Orient Express Venezia...
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Just Add Water
Spring forward with the latest Virtuoso, The Magazine. We’re beaching it in the Adriatic, highlighting the joys of small-ship cruising, and catching up with chef Curtis Stone for his Playa...
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Urban Influence
For Virtuoso, The Magazine ’s City issue, we made a botanical splash at one of CDMX’s chicest hotels, Casa Polanco, before diving into the surrounding neighborhood’s modern arts scene. Writer...
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Piper Fenton
I LOVE TRAVEL! I have been in the travel industry for more than 25 years and have been working with Honeymooners and Romance Travel clients for the past 12 years.
Melanie Panther
With over 30 years of expertise in luxury travel design, I specialize in curating exceptional journeys for discerning travelers who seek more than just a vacation - they want an unforgettable, seamless, and deeply personal experience. My passion for the South Pacific began with my first visit to Fiji in 2003. Since then, I have developed extensive expertise in Fiji, French Polynesia, including Tahiti and Bora Bora, the Cook Islands, Hawaii, Mexico, Thailand, Bali, Japan, South Africa, Mauritius, and the Maldives. Through firsthand travel and continued professional education, I provide informed recommendations, insider knowledge, and thoughtfully curated experiences. I specialize in honeymoons, destination weddings, romantic escapes, multigenerational family journeys, wellness retreats, and milestone celebrations. Every itinerary is customized to reflect each client’s style, interests, and vision, blending refined luxury, authentic experiences, and personalized service that transforms travel into cherished memories. Based in Washington State, I offer flexible, appointment-based consultations and manage every detail with care from beginning to end.
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I have been in the travel industry since 1982 and I became a certified travel counselor (CTC) in. My main expertise at the beginning of my career was in corporate travel, but the last 15 years my focus has been more on leisure.
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7 Beautiful Places in Croatia That Belong on Your Travel List One of the best things about Croatia is that no two destinations feel quite the same. Some travelers picture medieval cities surrounded by ancient stone walls. Others dream of quiet fishing villages, hidden coves, vineyards, or lazy afternoons sailing from island to island. Rather than trying to see everything,...
how many days in Croatia Spoiler alert: It’s probably more than you think. Croatia looks deceptively small on a map. Many travelers assume they can see the highlights in four or five days before moving on to Italy or Greece. Then they start planning and discover something surprising—Croatia isn’t a destination you rush through. Between ferry schedules, scenic coastal drives,...
Why Croatia Is Such an Incredible Honeymoon Destination When most couples start planning their honeymoon, destinations like Italy, Greece, or the Maldives often top the list. But there’s one European gem that’s quietly stealing the spotlight—and for good reason. Croatia offers everything couples dream of for a romantic getaway: breathtaking coastlines, charming medieval towns, crystal-clear waters, incredible food, luxurious accommodations,...
Croatia Travel Guide: Where to Go, What to See, and How Long to Stay Croatia has quietly become one of Europe’s most romantic honeymoon destinations. Picture medieval stone towns, crystal-clear turquoise waters, secluded islands, breathtaking waterfalls, and sunsets that seem almost too beautiful to be real. Whether you’re dreaming of relaxing by the Adriatic Sea, exploring centuries-old cities, or island...
The Best Time to Visit Croatia: A Month-by-Month Guide Croatia is one of those destinations that seems to have it all: beautiful islands, historic cities, turquoise Adriatic waters, excellent food and wine, and dramatic coastal scenery. But when is the best time to visit Croatia? The answer depends on what you want from your trip. If you want long, sunny...
Happy Friday! This week’s newsletter is dedicated to the myriad ways it’s possible to soak up the great outdoors: in Scandinavian urban oases, U.S. national parks, and the wild Peruvian Amazon. Keep reading for more alfresco travel inspiration. Where to Find Stockholm’s Best-Kept Secret Inspired by similar community gardens in other parts of Europe, including Denmark, England, and Germany, Sweden’s...
Into the Tundra “You might be the first person in history to set foot on that particular place,” veteran mountain guide Phil Wickens told passengers on a recent Quark Expeditions cruise as they prepared for a helicopter excursion to a Greenland ice sheet. Our sustainability correspondent, Jen Rose Smith, was there to chronicle the entire adventure, including a campout in...
For our May Virtuoso, The Magazine cover story, writer Aaron Gulley and photographer Jen Judge spent time with 16-year-old eagle hunter and bona fide badass Aymoldyr Dayanbek, who became the second woman ever to win Mongolia’s Golden Eagle Festival in 2023. Their ten-day exploration of the country set the tone for our adventure issue, an edition full of expedition cruises...
Welcome to a special South Korea-focused edition of our newsletter. I’m just back from a week in Seoul for Virtuoso’s annual Symposium, a luxury-travel-industry meeting of the minds. My first visit to South Korea’s megacity – population 10 million! – was an immersion in K-beauty (top find at Olive Young, the country’s answer to Sephora: Round Lab Birch Juice sunscreen),...
Sports lovers have long known that cheering on their faves IRL is an instant vacation upgrade. Our new feature series dedicated to sports travel goes all in on the fandom – the Virtuoso way. Whether it’s securing a posh Grand Prix perch, picking up a racket at one of the world’s best resorts, or planning a getaway to an unexpectedly...
The vision I had in mind hinged on a scooter – hands holding Sam’s chest, chin resting on his shoulder as he drove us toward the lighthouse. Instead, while I guard our luggage near a ferry terminal and he makes our case to the rental attendant, my fantasy begins to fray at its edges. “I just need to know how...
Two hotels recently opened their doors along Venice’s canals, in time to welcome the well-heeled set flocking to the upcoming Biennale. We’re eyeing Airelles Palladio, Venezia and Orient Express Venezia for Euro summer this year, and elswhere, a Ritz-Carlton that’s camouflaged in the Riviera Nayarit jungle and Faena’s theatrical NYC debut. Catch up on the new properties we’re loving below,...
Spring forward with the latest Virtuoso, The Magazine. We’re beaching it in the Adriatic, highlighting the joys of small-ship cruising, and catching up with chef Curtis Stone for his Playa del Carmen recs. Scroll on to take the plunge. This Cruise Was the Best Way to Get a Taste of My Croatian Heritage At a wooden table inside a restaurant...
Every year around the same time (right now, to be precise), the season’s enduring chill leaves us craving a sunny respite. If you’re feeling the same – or just looking for a new weekend getaway – allow us to present a fresh batch of vacation ideas: an art deco escape in West Hollywood, a Bahamian beach trip with a side...
For Virtuoso, The Magazine ’s City issue, we made a botanical splash at one of CDMX’s chicest hotels, Casa Polanco, before diving into the surrounding neighborhood’s modern arts scene. Writer Alexandra Owens shares a compelling case for why art and design lovers should visit now. If fromage is more your thing, we’ve also got a new guide to eating your...
Happy New Year! We’re thrilled to return to your inboxes for another year of travel inspiration. Up first: the Euro ski break you didn’t know you needed, four great trips for a digital detox, high-fashion jewelry designer Titya Tin’s travel picks, and more. Where to Ski Next Andorra is tiny. Smaller than Luxembourg yet larger than Malta, the principality is...
Expedition cruising’s latest golden child, Western Australia’s Kimberley, delivers on natural marvels (a horizontal waterfall!) and up-close wildlife. Read about a recent adventure in the region below, along with next year’s must-watch cruise-ship debuts and packing picks from Mexico City-based fashion designer Olivia Villanti. Australia’s Kimberley Is Worth the Cruise An expedition cruise reveals the region’s billion-year-old landscapes. First light...
12 Better-than-Hallmark Holiday Season Escapes There’s no place like home for the holidays – but there might be someplace better. The platonic ideal of a December hotel, cruise, or tour doesn’t just take travelers from their ho-hum hangouts – it places them inside a faraway snow globe, perusing village markets and skating across frozen ponds. Or it transports them to...
Winter Is Secretly the Best Time to Visit These European Cities The world’s most discerning travelers are rethinking the seasons that shape their journeys. According to the 2025 Virtuoso Luxe Report, a majority of travel advisors now field requests for off-peak trips designed to dodge both congestion and heat waves. And as European vacations swell in popularity, much of the...
Virtuoso’s Best Travel Companies of 2025 Thousands of Virtuoso advisors voted for these hotels, cruise lines, and tour operators. Private yacht outings to barrier islands and concierge-curated beach days at the 153-room Dewberry Charleston echo the Lowcountry bons vivants lifestyle. Overlooking Marion Square from a onetime federal building, the property also winks at nostalgia with Stickley armoires and a brass...
Thrill-chasing Just off Panama’s Pacific coast, Islas Secas is a 32-guest island hideaway where the catch of the day makes it to the dinner table, and scuba trips reveal octopus, barracuda, and the occasional whale shark. Virtuoso, The Magazine managing editor Justin Paul recently visited the private-island resort – his story on the action-packed escape is below. Plus: What it’s...
On a recent trip to Casa de Campo in the Dominican Republic, I spent three blissful days doing – and thinking about – nothing. It was glorious. With my extended family in tow, I relished having no dinner plans to coordinate, no lunch tabs to split, and no Champagne budgets to track. The biggest debates: choosing between an afternoon at...
This August, Virtuoso Travel Week once again transformed Las Vegas into the global capital of luxury travel. More than 4,800 travel advisors, hoteliers, tour operators, cruise executives, and destination representatives gathered for a whirlwind of meetings, panels, announcements, parties, impromptu confabs, and a glittery gala night celebrating Virtuoso, The Magazine’s 25th anniversary. READ MORE 11 of This Year’s Splashiest New...
As Copenhagen’s Noma prepares to close, this windswept island steps into the spotlight, with chefs like Emil Thaarup and Nicolas Min Jørgensen leading a new wave of sustainable, farm-to-table dining that celebrates Denmark’s rich landscapes. Explore North Jutland's evolving food scene, where fresh seafood, coastal beauty, and rustic flavors create a distinct culinary experience. READ MORE City Guide: Mumbai Looks...
How to Do Rome the Right Way Experience Rome like never before with private guides who offer exclusive access to hidden sites and local secrets. Discover the city’s rich history, savor authentic Italian cuisine, and enjoy unique perspectives on iconic landmarks in just a few unforgettable days. READ MORE Explore how Manhattan, known for its hustle and bustle, has become...
