Happy Thursday Hidden Gem Travel community!
It’s been a winter- weathery week in the northeast and across the country which means many people are looking to plan vacation.
If you find yourself mulling your next great escape, click the button below to get the ball rolling and beat the rush. If you have more than 7-10 days, consider traveling further than Europe, perhaps to Australia/New Zealand, an African safari, a country in Asia you’ve never explored, or even Latin America (Argentina and Peru are hot destinations).
One important aspect of traveling is capturing your experiences in photos and videos. The amazing thing about our cell phones is the quality of the camera is such that if you’re not a skilled photographer, you’re still able to take some incredible photos.
As an amateur iPhone photographer, I love so many of the photos I’ve taken at Golden Hour (aka sunset) and at nighttime. I recently purchased an Aura digital picture frame which allows me to see my thousands of photos daily! If you don’t have one, reply to this email and ask me about mine.
Read on for the scoop about the beauty of sunset and nighttime photos…
Reflections at Night
I was amazed at how gorgeous my photos turned out at night in Amsterdam’s Jordaan neighborhood. It had just rained so the lights twinkled and the streets and canals glistened. Later that week, I was in Gouda in the Netherlands and was able to snap a surprisingly colorful photo while strolling.
💎Hidden Gem Tip: While I don’t have quality photos, I’ve gone on two night safaris. One was in Tanzania to look for nocturnal animals and the other was in New Zealand in search of the elusive Kiwi bird. Very cool experiences!
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Sunset – Golden Hour
When on safari, having a sundowner, which is a cocktail (or mocktail), is a delight at sunset. The photos you’ll get are amazing!! I love helping clients pick the BEST safari experience.
The sunsets in New Zealand were amazing – the middle photo above is one of my favorites. The lighting on the Rosewood Kauri Cliffs main building made it glow.
Another iconic sunset location is Santorini, Greece. My clients love the catamaran sailing at sunset that I recommend – after my personal experience!
Local Photographers
While I took the above photos myself in Paris, London, and Sydney, I highly recommend hiring a local, professional photographer to get your Christmas card photo – or a photo that you’d like to frame. They know the best spots, times, and poses to capture your experience! I have contacts in most destinations, so my clients can take advantage of these connections. I get rave reviews from clients who work with them!
Ready to begin 2025 travel planning? Respond to this email or click on the links above or below to get started!
Wishing you amazing travel adventures,
Susan
Travel News You Can Use
💎 Hidden Gem Tip: Photography Tips
Here are a few travel photography tips (note I’m an amateur photographer who uses an iPhone)
Be ready to take photos at sunrise and sunset for the best lighting.
Pre-plan where you want to take photos and what clothing you’ll wear that will pop.
Go beyond the usual poses.
If you’re using your cell phone, review iPhone/Android photography tips before you go.
Ask me to connect you with a professional, local photographer for a keepsake photo. The shoots can take only 30 minutes!
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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| Hidden Gem Travel clients get some fab perks at many premium and luxury hotels around the world! Want to book a hotel on your own and get upgrades and perks? Follow this link: https://www.virtuoso.com/advisor/SusanWilson?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=dinner_and_a_show&utm_term=2023-05-11 Follow my Facebook & Instagram pages for more curated travel inspiration: www.facebook.com/hiddengemtravelconsulting www.instagram.com/hidden.gem.travel Virtuoso Wanderlist SpecialistHidden Gem Travel Consulting is proud to be one of the first travel businesses to be certified in Virtuoso Wanderlist, a unique and exclusive consulting service designed to turn travel dreams into reality through the creation of a strategic plan – called a travel portfolio. Much like wealth advisors manage investment portfolios, Wanderlist Advisors manage an equally important asset – our leisure time. Wanderlist marries “Netflix-style” technology with the deep expertise of a travel advisor. Wanderlist helps families live a life filled with anticipation and special memories. |
