You may have already seen our prior post with our year-end stats of where our clients traveled. But what about our personal travel highlights? We’ve got a lot to say. Here are some of the call-outs from David, Jaime, Michelle, Erin, Brandon and Tom from the past year.

Cover photo: (c) G Adventures

Personal Travel Highlight of 2024

Erin made friends with a giraffe on safari in South Africa!

David: My personal highlight had to be our trip to Japan. Aside from simply being amazed by the country in general, the experience of traveling as part of a small group with G Adventures was fantastic. Our guide/CEO ("Chief Experience Officer") took care of us from start to finish and really helped us have immersive experiences in every place we visited.

Tom: The Canary Islands wasn’t really on my bingo card for 2024, but when our friends at Windstar Cruises invited us to join them on the President’s sailing, how could we say “no.” It’s a destination that’s not necessarily on the radar of many North American travelers, but I loved every minute of that trip, and the bonus stop in Madeira was just the cherry on the sundae of that trip. Stunning scenery, incredible experiences, amazing wine culture — it was a great trip.

Brandon: Spending time in London is always a highlight. This year was terrific since it did not rain once during my stay which always makes the time there more pleasant, even though London in the rain can be charming.

Erin: A completely unexpected trip to South Africa resulted in my favorite travel moments - elephants outside my room at night, lions sleeping, cheetahs within petting distance, a last minute leopard sighting (with her babies!) on the last day, and perhaps the best highlight of them all - the people! I loved everyone I encountered and I cannot wait to go back - Cape Town is someplace I could very well see myself living - absolutely the kindest, warmest, friendliest, most down-to-earth people on the planet.

Jaime: Glacier kayaking, volcanic spires, thousands of penguins, apex predators, whale pod sightings, learning about sustainable/eco-conscious practices, and a polar plunge that led to a champagne toast in an outdoor hot tub rounded out my experience on the Seabourn Pursuit in Antarctica. And my final big trip of the year was a "shoulder season" tour de force curated by one of our destination management partners, Eclectic Greece. There were archeological explorations, private yachts, seemingly endless meals, divine dips in the Aegean, and the most revitalizing green-certified spa experience I've ever had.

Michelle: My most favorite trip of 2024 was a Virgin Voyages cruise I took with most of my family. It was so much fun, and everyone felt spoiled! We WILL be doing that again!

Trip you're most looking forward to in 2025:

Michelle: I'm going on a Gorilla Trek and Safari in Africa with G Adventures! That's a dream come true, and I can barely contain the excitement!

Tom: I’m really looking forward to our quick getaway to the Waldorf-Astoria Pedregal in Los Cabos. It’s a gorgeous property built into the side of a cliff - the entrance is through a tunnel and the resort just opens up as you arrive. I can hardly wait to experience it, since the team there has been so kind and generous to us over the years. Not to mention their phenomenal culinary program.

Brandon: My first cruise (ever) to Bermuda on Virgin Voyages in September, and maybe even a cruise before then!

Jaime: I'm starting the year strong with my first "come with me" trip! Friends and clients have signed up to join me on a Northern Lights adventure tour in Iceland in January. I plan to balance that with family fun in the sun in Curaçao for spring break.

Erin: Finally getting to do a Mermaiden on Virgin Voyages! And not just that, but on their newest ship, Brilliant Lady, out of New York!

David: I am counting down the days until we get to travel with Aurora Expeditions to Antarctica! After sailing with them to the Arctic in 2023, I know how incredible this trip will be. Stay tuned for many penguin pictures!

Jaime’s Northern Lights trip to Iceland with G Adventures will be magical! Photo credit: G Adventures

Destination that you're predicting is going to "pop" in 2025:

Jaime: I hope travelers continue to lean into the "slow" travel trend while seeking ways to explore and regenerate. I think more people will be journeying to farther destinations like the Faroe Islands and French Polynesia.

Brandon: Seems like it’s happening now, but Portugal feels like it may be a very popular destination.

David: Southeast Asia is ready for travelers again and travelers are ready to make the trip! I expect to see interest in this part of the world grow exponentially over the next year.

Erin: South Korea! I've already had a few inquiries for next year, and I see a lot more people looking at South Korea over Japan and even Thailand. It's a fantastic alternative with its own unique culture and beautiful landscapes.

Tom: Patagonia. I think it’s just starting to come on people’s radar, but there are some incredible eco-lodges in the region, the landscapes are gorgeous, and the range of activities and excursions are really exceptional. I think it’s the “sleeper” destination of 2024.

Michelle: I said it for 2024, and I'm still saying it for 2025 - Croatia because I believe it's still an undiscovered jewel for most US folks.

Explora Patagonia National Park is the only lodge inside the National Park, and is set in the Chacabuco Valley.

Supplier partner you’re most excited about for 2025:

Erin: Explora! - unique itineraries, amazing food, and a Rolex store (with one-of-a-kind pieces you can take home!) onboard. Feels like a resort that happens to be in every place you want to be - unpack once and "explora" the world (they should hire me for marketing)

Brandon: A Viking Cruise though Greece is high on my list to book.

David: I need to book someone on a sailing with Ponant. The luxury experience of small ship sailing they offer is reason enough for me to want to book clients with them, but their underwater Blue Eye Lounge is what I'm really obsessed with! Imagine sipping cocktails, or just relaxing next to huge eye-shaped portholes watching marine life under the water line... If that sounds as incredible to you as it does to me let me know!

Michelle: The luxury river cruise lines are so intriguing to me. I'd love to send clients on them. Frankly, I'd love to experience them myself. Every time I meet with someone who sells any of those products, and I see their cabin pictures, I feel like I'm missing out on something really special.

Jaime: I'm excited about our partnership with Queen of Clubs Lifestyle Luxury Services because of their bespoke tours and exclusive event access in Europe, and I can't wait to work with them. I'd also love for my clients to experience a different style of cruising with suppliers like Windstar and Avalon Waterways.

Tom: I have a short list of hotels and resorts that I’m obsessed with booking, and high on that list is Carton House in County Kildare. It’s just spectacular, and since it opened a couple of years ago, I’ve been fairly desperate to send someone there. If you come to me to plan an Ireland trip, don’t be surprised if I push hard to send you there.