Category: Japan

Summer 2026 Travel Trends: Where to Go & How to Plan Your Luxury Vacation

Hidden Gem Travel Consulting clients are already booking Summer 2026 travel to top destinations across Europe, Asia, and the United States — and now is the time to start planning your own trip. From Italy, France, and Japan to Alaska cruises, Hawaii, and U.S. national parks, demand for luxury travel experiences is high, and the best hotels, guides, and itineraries

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Trip Report: Incredible Japan!

Have you been watching the Winter Olympics in northern Italy? If Italy is on your 2026 travel list, now is the time to start planning — the best luxury hotels, private guides, and unique experiences book well in advance. But today, I’m taking you to Japan — where I spent an unforgettable Thanksgiving trading turkey for sushi. This past fall,

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The Best Cities to Explore in 2026—and Why Now Is the Time to Start Planning

When winter weather settles in across much of the country, it’s easy to dream about your next escape. And honestly? This is the ideal time to start planning your next vacation. Thoughtful planning now means better options, better experiences, and a trip that feels seamless from start to finish. If you love city travel, you’re not alone. Exploring vibrant cities—whether

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The very best gift this holiday season

Happy Thursday Hidden Gem Travel community! I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and are now looking forward to the holiday season no matter what and how you celebrate. I’m just back from a big trip to Japan which I will be sharing with you soon. Japan continues to be HOT for travel, so it was time for me to

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Guess where I’m traveling next?

Happy Thursday Hidden Gem Travel community! What a crazy few weeks it’s been in travel land from the airline meltdown to record-breaking crowds across Europe. Requests for 2025 trips have been brisk, so be sure to reach out to me soon to get the planning process started. I’ve had to turn away helping people with last minute trips this year

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Are you culturally curious? Consider Japan!

Happy Thursday Hidden Gem Travel community! Do you consider yourself culturally curious? If you love to learn about and experience places where the locals have cultural backgrounds, perspectives, and life experiences that are different from your own, you may consider yourself culturally curious.  Many people who travel internationally fall into this camp and prioritize having a variety of authentic travel

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Kicking off your 2024 travel year right

Happy 1st Thursday of 2024 Hidden Gem Travel community! I hope the new year is off to a great start for you. Did you set a resolution or assign a key word for 2024? If so, how do you keep yourself accountable since often the best intentions in January are deprioritized or forgotten by the end of the month? My

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Top 3 – Let’s go next year!

Happy Thursday Hidden Gem Travel community! Recently someone asked me, “What was the best meal you had in your travels this year?” Now, I’m not a foodie so I don’t tend to remember in all honesty, but when I was in Budapest in March, I had an unforgettable dining experience at the new Spago, the newest Wolfgang Puck’s signature restaurant.

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Guess where’s hot for 2023 travel?

Happy Thursday Hidden Gem Travel community! Question – do you feel more motivated to travel internationally than ever before? If your answer is yes, then you’re not alone. It continues to be very busy here in ‘travel land’ with clients planning their 2023 vacations abroad now. In years past, the floodgates opened in mid-January but savvy travelers know that planning

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My Post-Olympic Wish

Happy Thursday Hidden Gem Travel community! As mentioned last week, I’m in the middle of Virtuoso’s annual travel week conference (virtually) where I learn all about the latest in the very best of travel. My meetings and seminars have recalled this mantra: “Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer.” – Unknown I’ll have curated highlights from

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Hi, I'm Susan Wilson

I’m the founder of Hidden Gem Travel Consulting. As your personal travel advisor, I craft custom worldwide itineraries that astound and inspire you.

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