Susan's Travel Services

10/09/2026

What happens when you cross a classic safari with the Australian Outback?

You get Bamurru Plains, a ten-bungalow camp on a private station in Australia's Top End. The early wake-ups and the sundowners made the trip from Africa. Everything else is pure Australia.

Game drives by airboat, flying over floodplains at speed with your guide spotting wildlife the whole way. Wild buffalo on the banks and saltwater crocs in the shallows, sometimes close enough to count their teeth. And serious birdlife, over 230 species on this one station, including sunrise takeoffs of magpie geese by the thousands.

Back at camp, the bungalows are raised above the wetlands with mesh walls in place of glass, so you fall asleep to the sounds of the floodplain and wake up to wallabies grazing below your deck.

The season runs roughly May through October, and I like to pair it with Kakadu's ancient rock art and a night or two in Darwin. Message me to start planning.

10/09/2026

Catch the 2027 total solar eclipse on land or at sea, with the moon’s shadow tracing a path across Spain, North Africa, and the Arabian Peninsula. With some destinations set to experience five to six minutes of totality, this rare celestial event is one to plan well in advance. 🌑✨

Reach out to plan your journey to witness this celestial show ⬇️

📷: Getty Images

These luxury cruises and hotels lie in the path of the August 2, 2027, solar eclipse, which will trace the eastern Atlantic, Spain, North Africa, and the Arabian Peninsula.

10/09/2026

Antarctica feels impossibly far away until, over the course of just a few hours, travelers are walking across the tarmac, taking off, watching the world turn to ice through the window, and touching down on King George Island.​
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That’s the advantage of an Antarctica Fly Cruise: less time crossing open water, more time on the continent itself—with Zodiac landings, expert-led exploration, and evenings spent in a spacious ocean-view suite with butler service.​
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Sail Antarctica with Silversea:​
https://inspires.to/experiences/antarctica-52gv4

10/09/2026

Tahiti or Fiji? Which South Pacific destination is actually right for you?

At first glance, they seem to offer many of the same things: turquoise water, beautiful beaches, incredible resorts and the opportunity to completely disconnect. But having traveled to both, I can tell you that the experience of visiting Tahiti is very different from the experience of visiting Fiji.

Tahiti might be the right fit if you’ve always dreamed of an overwater bungalow, want to experience several islands in one trip or have Bora Bora firmly planted on your bucket list. Fiji, on the other hand, can be incredible for travelers who want to settle into an exceptional resort, experience genuine Fijian hospitality and feel like they’ve escaped into their own little corner of the world.

Neither is “better.” The right destination depends on what you want your trip to feel like.

As a Fiji, Tahiti and South Pacific travel specialist, this is one of my favorite conversations to have with clients. I’ve experienced both destinations firsthand, and there are so many details beyond simply choosing Fiji or Tahiti that can completely change your trip, including which islands you visit and which resort you choose.

I broke down some of the biggest differences in my latest article, “Tahiti vs. Fiji: Which South Pacific Destination Is Right for You?” And if you had to choose today, which one would you pick: Tahiti or Fiji?

Read the full blog post here: https://susanstravelservices.com/2026/09/tahiti-vs-fiji-which-south-pacific-destination-is-right-for-you/

09/09/2026

A trend I fully support: skipping the winery day trip and just sleeping at the winery.

Villa Cordevigo is a 16th-century Venetian villa in the hills above Lake Garda's eastern shore, surrounded by 100 hectares of its own vineyards and olive groves. The estate grows, presses, and pours everything itself, so the wine at dinner and the olive oil at breakfast were made a short stroll from your room.

And this is no farmhouse. The villa has been in noble hands since the 1600s. Frescoed ceilings, a private chapel where counts once heard Mass, gardens laid out with Italian precision, and a pool that looks straight down the vine rows. Dinner is at Oseleta, where a Michelin-starred kitchen cooks from the harvest happening outside the door.

Advisor tip: Verona sits 30 minutes down the road, which puts the Roman Arena, Juliet's balcony, and Italy's best aperitivo hour within easy reach of any stay.

Reach out, and I'll start planning.

09/09/2026

Salt Lake City is a highlight of the three-day Canyon Spirit journey, where you can begin or end your adventure between Salt Lake City and Denver. 🏙️🚂

With majestic mountain views just minutes from downtown and a vibrant arts and culinary scene, it’s the perfect city to explore before or after your rail adventure.

📩 Contact me to learn more about Canyon Spirit! (480) 360-0309 [email protected]

08/09/2026

Provence has a different rhythm when you experience it from the river. 🇫🇷

A journey along the Rhône with AmaWaterways pairs vineyard-dotted landscapes, historic cities, and unhurried mornings on a private balcony with evenings spent savoring regional cuisine and celebrated wines.

From Avignon to Arles, the Colors of Provence itinerary offers an immersive way to experience one of France’s most captivating regions. ✨

Discover more here:

08/09/2026

Clients always ask me when to visit Norway. It’s a trick question.

Summer: the midnight sun, fjords carved a mile deep, and the Lofoten Islands, where red fishing cabins face beaches that look borrowed from the Caribbean.

Winter: the northern lights, dog sledding through silent forests, and coastal sailings past snow-covered peaks that drop straight into the sea.

Either way, the new generation of design hotels and fjord-side lodges means you never trade comfort for scenery.

Two Norways, both worth the trip. The only hard part is choosing, and that’s a conversation I’d love to have.

08/09/2026

Next year, the S.S. Audrey will be setting sail along the Rhine River and its tributaries in Belgium and the Netherlands. The ship is inspired by beloved actress Audrey Hepburn, who was born in this region. Beautiful onboard spaces pay homage to Hepburn’s life and works, with elements of her iconic style imbued throughout.

07/09/2026

Close to 40% of Explora Journeys guests choose to travel again, and EXPLORA III gives returning travellers something new to experience.

From new spaces like The Cellar, the newest wine bar at sea, and the comfort of staying in the new Ocean Residence designed by architect Patricia Urquiola, EXPLORA III brings the consistency of Explora Journeys hospitality with a new ship and new destinations to discover.

Whether this will be your second Journey or one of many, let me help you choose where EXPLORA III takes you next.