Eight journeys that continue to inspire the travelers who spend their lives helping others explore the world.

When it comes to travel advisor recommendations, travelers often expect to hear about the newest destinations and emerging trends. But when we asked our advisors where they would travel next if they could pack their bags tomorrow, several chose places they have already experienced and loved. Their answers reveal an important truth about exceptional travel: the most meaningful journeys are not always about discovering somewhere new. Sometimes they’re about returning to a destination that continues to inspire you long after you’ve returned home.

French Polynesia. Botswana. The Cotswolds. Sicily. Even the same river cruise itinerary through France.

At first glance, that may seem unexpected. After all, travel advisors spend their careers researching new destinations, touring hotels, sailing ships, and staying on top of emerging trends. Yet many of the journeys that topped our wish lists were places we know well.

The answers reveal something important about what makes a trip truly memorable: the best journeys don’t always leave you wanting something different. Sometimes, they leave you wanting to return.

Some Places Stay with You

Certain destinations create a lasting connection. Long after you’ve unpacked your suitcase and returned to everyday life, they linger in your memory.

For Barbi Partlow, that place is French Polynesia. Despite having visited before, she still dreams about returning aboard the intimate Paul Gauguin cruise ship to explore the Marquesas, Tuamotus, and Society Islands.

For Karen Kilyk, it’s Botswana. She vividly recalls hearing lions in the night, watching elephants cross the landscape, and witnessing wildlife encounters that felt almost surreal in their intensity.

Fiona Crowley Ailor feels the same pull toward Sicily, where thousands of years of history are layered into every corner of the island, from ancient Greek temples to olive groves and vineyard-covered slopes beneath Mt. Etna.

And Kim Sonderman’s dream vacation is much quieter. The Cotswolds isn’t about checking landmarks off a list. It’s about slowing down, wandering storybook villages, sharing a meal at a cozy pub, and revisiting the feeling that makes the English countryside so special.

These travel experiences are very different, but they have one thing in common: they create an emotional connection.

Travel Maestro Tip: If a destination keeps coming to mind months or years after you’ve returned, pay attention. The places that stay with you often make the most rewarding return visits.

Experience Matters More Than Checklists

Many travelers approach vacation planning with a checklist mentality. See the landmark. Visit the attraction. Check the box. Move on. Experienced travelers often think differently.

Rosemary Hodges has sailed the same Rhône River itinerary in France twice and would happily do it again. Why? Because the value wasn’t in simply seeing the destinations once. It was in experiencing them more deeply. The charming riverside towns, exceptional food and wine, local culture, and unhurried pace offered something new with every visit.

Likewise, Cindi Brewer dreams of embarking on a world cruise with Regent Seven Seas. While the itinerary spans continents and dozens of destinations, the appeal isn’t about accumulating passport stamps. It’s about experiencing the world in a way that is immersive, effortless, and deeply enriching.

The more people travel, the more they tend to shift from collecting destinations to collecting meaningful experiences.

Travel Maestro Tip: Rather than asking, “Where haven’t I been?” try asking, “What experience do I want next?” Then ask your travel advisor for recommendations.

The Common Thread Behind Dream Trips

When we looked at all eight advisor selections together, another pattern emerged. Whether it was Spain, Norway, Sicily, Botswana, or French Polynesia, none of these choices were driven by a desire to simply see famous places. Each destination offered something deeper.

Vanessa Eastham Jenkins selected Spain because of its remarkable diversity. She is drawn to the country’s distinct regions, cultures, landscapes, and traditions, from cosmopolitan cities to the rugged beauty of the north.

Jean Riekers chose Norway for its breathtaking fjords, dramatic scenery, and unforgettable moments that remind travelers how extraordinary the natural world can be.

Others were inspired by wildlife, cultural history, cuisine, or simply the opportunity to slow down and reconnect. While every advisor’s dream destination was unique, the underlying motivations were remarkably similar:

• Authentic cultural experiences
• Extraordinary natural beauty
• Meaningful personal connections
• Opportunities to learn and discover
• Moments that create lasting memories

These qualities are often what distinguish a good vacation from one that becomes part of your life story.

Travel Advisors Think Differently

One of the most rewarding aspects of working in travel is seeing how differently people define a dream trip. For some, it’s a luxury villa in the countryside. For others, it’s standing among penguins in Antarctica or sailing through the South Pacific.

Travel advisors spend years helping clients uncover what inspires them most. That experience naturally shapes how we think about our own travels. We don’t necessarily chase the newest destination or the biggest trend. We look for places that align with our interests, inspire our curiosity, and deliver unforgettable experiences. That’s why you’ll find everything from a world cruise to a quiet English village on our collective wish list.

Great travel isn’t about finding the “best” destination. It’s about finding the right destination for you.

Travel Maestro Tip: The question isn’t whether a destination is popular. The real question is whether it matches the way you want to experience the world.

The Trips We Dream About, and the Ones You Will Too

Perhaps the most surprising lesson from our luxury travel advisors’ wish lists isn’t where we want to go. It’s why.

While some of us dream of exploring somewhere new, many of us hope to revisit destinations we’ve already experienced and loved. That’s because truly exceptional travel isn’t about checking places off a list. It’s about discovering places that keep inspiring you long after you’ve returned home.

Whether you’re planning your first safari, contemplating a river cruise, longing to explore Europe, or considering a return to a favorite destination, the right journey is the one that speaks to you.

And if you’re not quite sure where that is yet, we’re always happy to help you dream.