Happy Thursday Hidden Gem Travel community! You may notice that I’ve given the newsletter a little face-lift. The look may be new but the content is still the same, written by me with the goal of sharing compelling travel ideas that come across my desk as well as my personal and client travel experiences. It’s essentially your peek inside the global travel scene. I’m always open to topic suggestions, so feel free to reply to this email with what’s on your mind.
Tomorrow is July 25th and the honorary ‘Christmas in July’ day which I think is a handy reminder that thinking about holiday gifting well in advance make festive season far less stressful. As you know I’m a planner, so this concept is right up my alley. This year’s gift under my family’s tree is a bucket list trip to Japan planned by me and my favorite local partner who takes exceptional care of my clients. Of course you will hear the highlights and top tips right here.
Would your family appreciate a bucket list travel experience in place of a slew of tangible gifts? This idea will also save you a lot of time and headache if you’re the main shopper for your family. Read on for the Christmas in July scoop…
Idea…Destination Reveal
Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, or anything else at the end of the year, the gift of a trip will be a home-run for your family.
If your family will miss opening gifts, then I suggest pairing this idea with some themed items relating to the trip. Do a destination reveal to build excitement! For example, for my trip to Japan I might wrap chopsticks, a sake set, or hand-held fan. Muji is a store in the US where you can get these and other fun items from Japan.
Family Safari
Another fantastic family trip – including multi-generations like grandparents, parents, and kids together – is a safari in Africa.
As I’ve mentioned in past newsletters, there are many different safari options, and the key is to carefully design the trip based on everyone’s interests. We will work together to create the perfect safari for your family.
Themed gifts ideas could be items on a typical packing list such as a shirt in a neutral color, buff or bandana, a book about The Great Migration or whichever safari type you’ve selected.
💎 Hidden Gem Tip: Does ancient history light you up more than wildlife? Consider one of my favorite ‘learncation’ destinations that will exceed your expectations – Egypt!
Try Expedition
An Expedition style vacation is another sure-fire hit for families. I spent 15 hours last week learning all things Expedition cruises and will be sharing this information with you soon. Every single family I’ve sent on an Expedition style trip has raved about their experience.
Expedition cruise destinations range from Alaska – to the Galapagos Islands – to Antarctic – to the Arctic! There are more options that you realize. Like safari, items relating to an Expedition packing list like binoculars will be fun to open before the big reveal!
To travel is to live… here’s to late 2025 and 2026 being unforgettable and amazing years for new travel adventures! Let’s go…
Susan
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