Happy last Thursday of 2024 Hidden Gem Travel community! And happy Boxing Day for those who celebrate. Whether you celebrated Christmas or Hanukkah this week, I hope you enjoyed the time with family and friends and made cherished memories.
With 2025 only a few short days away, I’d like to take a minute to reflect on 2024 before it’s firmly in the rearview mirror. Read on for the scoop for my 2024 year in review…
My 2024 Highlights
The highlight of my 2024 travels was a 2.5 week trip to New Zealand which was offered by my incredible local travel partner and Rosewood hotels. If you love stunning natural beauty, exploring an English-speaking country, delightful wines, hyper-local fresh food, The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings, and friendly locals, New Zealand is the place for you.
The long flight should NOT be a deterrent, especially if you fly Air New Zealand which begins the kiwi flavor from the moment you step onboard. If you love outdoor adventure, NZ offers world class both soft and more strenuous activities. The luxury lodges offer so many onsite experiences that you could stay a full week. Their summer and peak travel season is our winter, so why not escape the cold by exploring down under?
I also had a fantastic time traveling through Holland and Belgium by land and river cruise. In fact, I spent four days at a River Cruise Expo in Amsterdam which was a deep-dive into river cruising. If you haven’t tried a river cruise, I highly encourage you to ask me more.
For Christmas lovers, inquire now about December 2025 as the Christmas Market river cruises sell out quickly! It’s so festive to be in Europe during the holidays. River cruising is one of the fastest growing segments in travel – but did you know that there’s also barge cruising? As I always say, the term ‘cruising’ is generic for many types of travel on the water.
Other highlights included frequent events to meet hotels reps to keep my knowledge current on the MANY global options. The most memorable was the Hyatt Roadshow where I won a 4 night stay next time I’m in London! My clients get some awesome preferred partner perks at the more upscale Hyatt brands.
Client 2024 Highlights
The list of destinations is too long to bullet here, but generally Hidden Gem Travel clients explored the globe:
*Europe -truly all over!
*Asia – Japan was the most popular by far
*Africa – Safari countries (Interested? Ask for my Safari Guide)
*USA – Hawaii and Alaska always win
*Central America – Costa Rica
*South America – Peru
*Caribbean – Aruba
Types of trips included custom itineraries, ocean and river cruises, small guided tours, celebration and multi-generational trips.
💎Hidden Gem Tip: For your next trip, ask yourself if you can think of anyone else who you’d like to travel with be it friends or family?
Looking ahead to 2025
The international travel outlook for 2025 is very bright! Post-pandemic momentum is strong whether it’s revenge travel or just the salient memory of not being able to travel four years ago. Due to demand, I encourage you to think about where you’d like to go sooner rather than later as last-minute planning often leads to disappointment. It’s hard to coordinate schedules understandably but when it’s less than 4 months out, flexibility will be needed.
💎Hidden Gem Tip: Consider off-the-beaten path places that aren’t experiencing over-tourism (perhaps a destination dupe) OR travel outside of peak periods if you can.
Inspired? Reach out to me now to get your questions answered and begin the planning process for your next vacation. Make 2025 a year to go somewhere you’ve never been before!
Wishing you amazing travel adventures,
Susan
Travel News You Can Use
💎 Hidden Gem Tip: Lessons from 2024
A few takeaways from behind the scenes after many client trip debriefs…
*Summer and peak season travel – plan for crowds and weather. Crowds are now to be expected every year in popular places as is the possibility of extreme/changeable weather.
*Pack as light as possible. This involves careful planning but you will be so glad you didn’t bring things you didn’t end up needing.
*Be flexible and upbeat when unexpected things happen (and use a travel advisor who will help you sort things out and potentially salvage your vacation!)
About Hidden Gem Travel Consulting
Hidden Gem Travel Consulting was founded by Susan Wilson. After decades of traveling the world and working for Fortune 50 companies and global nonprofits, she opened her own travel business which is affiliated with Virtuoso – the leading global network of agencies specializing in luxury and experiential travel.
Through her deep network and signature consultative process, she designs customized travel itineraries that elevate your escape and speak to what will wow everyone on the trip.
It’s a new way to travel – a vacation that allows you to feel the full vibrancy of the destination while giving you access to perks, amenities, and experiences that are “ungoogleable.”
Enriching. Experiential. Effortless. Hidden Gem Travel Consulting is your trusted travel advisor.
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