From cooking up regional recipes in a chef’s home to learning old-world crafts in an artisan’s workshop to getting invited to a traditional wedding, there are many ways to meet noteworthy local characters (as well as normal, everyday people) and gain a much deeper understanding of the culture and traditions of the places we explore. Our Trusted Travel Experts shine at making these connections that enrich travel. The reviews below illustrate just a handful of the people you can meet and friends you can make when you have a savvy travel fixer in your corner. Here’s how to get your own WOW trip.
Malta: visits with artists, curators, farmers and wine makers, private musical performances
Traveler Elaine Patterson and her husband enjoyed a private tour and operatic performance at Manoel Theatre.
“Malta is magical—and Damon is the magician! We gave him free rein to come up with an itinerary focusing on experiences and he/his team exceeded our expectations in every way.
Damon created a trip that was incredibly creative, personal, and filled with a mix of experiences that we loved. From private after-hours visits to major cathedrals and palaces (with musicians in the background, just for us!), to visits with artists, art restorers, and artisan food/wine makers and farmers, to countryside walks, e-bike rides, and bocce with locals—all fabulous. Every event turned into much more than we imagined.
For our WOW Moment, we had a private recital in the theater with a surprise visit from Damon bearing champagne. He matched us to guides and drivers who were wonderful travel companions and through our different experiences, we met a lot of Maltese people, who could not have been more warm and welcoming.
Damon and our guides showed their passion for Malta and for delivering incredible visitor experiences every day. We highly recommend visiting Malta and letting Damon design something equally special for you!” —Elaine Patterson
Norway: crafts with Sámi artist, meeting a dog-musher and reindeer herder, town snowball fight
Visitors meet a dog-musher and learn to drive husky teams. Photo: Traveler Katherine Sanders
“Our goal was to experience the Arctic and see the Northern Lights as part of a spring break trip with our family. Torunn and team completely delivered. After a couple of days in Oslo to adjust, we traveled far north to the breathtaking Varanger Lodge, right on the edge of the Fjord. Everything we ate was either caught or harvested by our host Edgar (or he knew who had), from the freshest of seafood, reindeer and moose, wild berries and jams, and homemade breads. Michelin-quality food in the coziest of settings, plus whale watching, reindeer, and a phenomenal WOW Moment with a local Sami craftswoman who sang traditional songs, taught us crafts, and gave us a gorgeous pair of handmade Sami reindeer mittens.
Edgar’s team also took us up to Vardo, where we joined the town kickoff of its annual snowball fight, the entire town singing and dancing in the sleeting snow to start the event. These are the kinds of experiences we never would have found without the WOW List—personal, impactful, and deeply local while still being spectacular.
We then traveled deep into the arctic pine forest to Engholm Husky Lodge, where we drove husky teams (the most fun ever), spent time meeting a Sami herder and her herd of reindeer on a high plateau, and went nighttime snowshoeing deep onto a mountain where we sat around a bonfire talking with an incredible dog-musher who had recently finished a six-month adventure driving her own team of dogs across the entirety of Finnmark. We felt like we were with close friends in a glorious setting (every cabin was handmade by Sven Engholm, and it’s magical).
We finished up our trip at the cozy Bjornfjell Mountain Lodge, where the team was incredibly warm and gracious. Oh—and Northern Lights? Breathtaking. But in hindsight, the connections we made with people in northern Norway blew them away.” —Katherine Sanders
Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia: community cooking, dining, and dancing thanks to local experts
Observing village life along the river was a trip highlight. Photo: Ethan Crowley
“We had an incredible time on our trip to Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia. Every one of Ethan’s suggestions (from hotels to activities) was spot-on! In Chiang Mai we did a cooking class with Pea and we met a monk to learn more about Buddhism and the life of a monk. Both were fun and eye-opening.
We took a private boat from Thailand to Laos, observing village life along the way. This was definitely a trip highlight! The ride itself was beautiful, relaxing, and it was interesting to see people fishing or panning for gold. The true value of our local guide was evident when we arrived in the local villages. Due to his relationships, we had the most unique experiences. In one village, we joined in a drinking party with a group of women taking a break from the fields. In another village, we participated in preparing for a ceremony honoring a deceased family member.
In Laos we went to our guide’s house for dinner with his family. We ate traditional foods, were blessed by all his relatives, traded off singing Lao and American songs, and danced together! Our final morning, we woke up early with our guide to give alms to the monks. Another really authentic experience.
Our last trip highlight was our Wendy Perrin WOW Moment—we had a private dinner at a world-renowned Cambodian chef’s home. Chef Nak sat with us during our five-course dinner and explained how she is traveling around the world trying to elevate Cambodian cuisine and culture. It was a really special night!” —Debbie Kasle
Cuba: home-cooked meal with a local family, admiring the arts and the “resilience” of the people
Culture, arts, and dining with a local family were trip highlights for traveler Stacey Rozen and her family. Photo: Terraversed
“We decided that our family trip this year would be to Havana. We reached out to Wendy Perrin, as we have done many times before, and she put us in touch with Rob, who created a ‘For the People’ three-day tour of Havana for our family of five. It was short but packed with art tours, a private dance performance, private musical performances, tours of the city, religious learning opportunities, a cooking class, a cocktail class and a cigar rolling class.
The most incredible moment was a special lunch with a Cuban family in their home and the opportunity to discuss life in Cuba, their love of their country, and their struggles. Learning about the politics, the culture, the food and, most importantly, the beautiful people was a highlight. We were blessed to meet such wonderful people and get to enjoy an incredible spread of homemade Cuban food. It’s impossible for me to put into words how strong, resilient, kind and grateful the Cuban friends we met were. We came home with a love, respect and admiration for Cuban people and their culture.
I cannot say enough about Rob and his on-the-ground team. We were not rushed, but our itinerary was packed with just enough learning opportunities, enough entertainment, and plenty of food and drink. Our accommodations were amazing, and I wish every hotel I stay at would have such attentive and respectful service. We just loved this trip, and I can honestly say that this country changed all of our lives more than any other travel we have done.” —Stacey Rozen
Vietnam and Cambodia: an itinerary balanced among museum visits, food tasting, and the opportunities to meet the people
At the Vietnam Military History Museum in Hanoi, traveler Nancy Dinar and friends met uniformed veterans.
“First of all, let me thank my travel planners for all the hard work they put into making our trip such a wonderful adventure. We all know how difficult the situation can become when Mother Nature interferes with all your well-oiled plans. Obviously, we were disappointed not to see Hue, My Son, and Hoi An but feel lucky that we weren’t there when the floods hit. The substitute plans that the team was able to provide for us gave us the opportunity to see things we would have missed otherwise.
Although we had heard the Cu Chi Tunnels were touristy, I was glad we ended up seeing them. Going first thing in the morning, before the bus loads arrived, was key to getting the feeling of what jungle fighting was about. Also, getting to see the Ho Chi Minh mausoleum was a plus, not so much for seeing the body but for seeing how the people revere him.
I loved that our itinerary was balanced among museum visits, food tasting, and the opportunities to meet the people and learn about the cultures. One of the highlights for me was totally unscripted: We were returning from Mr. Kiet’s Ancient House (and an absolutely amazing meal) when we heard music coming from a village house. After our host, Thuy, asked the family if we could see their home, we were greeted by this warm, friendly family, who was enjoying their karaoke and encouraged us to participate. They offered us beer and fruit and we danced with them as they played their karaoke machine. It was a chance to meet and chat (through Thuy and with lots of gestures) and see what life is like.
Another chance meeting, this one at the Vietnam Military History Museum in Hanoi, was where we met two men, wearing their uniforms, who had fought in the war. One of them was wearing a 40-year medal as a member of the Communist Party. They were warm and welcoming and wanted to take photos with us. They were charming.
I also loved our two visits to the Buddhist temples in Cambodia. Hearing the monks chant and allowing us to be part of the morning meditation was especially meaningful.
I would be remiss if I did not rave about each of our hosts and drivers. They were all extremely knowledgeable and we all began to feel like each of them was “family” because of their warmth and caring.
Again, let me commend the team for their expertise and for their ability to seamlessly reorganize our trip when Mother Nature threw us such a monkey wrench.” —Nancy Dinar
Kenya: visiting three camps and a women’s community center, farm, and self-help organization
Traveler Deborah Wente and friends visited Laikipia in the north as well as Maasai Mara in the south.
“We had eight women traveling together for two weeks and everything went smoothly: no lost luggage, no missed flights, greeted and guided through the airports, drivers waiting to take us where we needed. Our trip was fantastic.
We visited three safari camps in Kenya and had amazing game drives. In fact, we saw the Big Five within the first day in Lewa Wilderness! We then traveled to Laikipia and had the great fortune to see the black leopard that can only be found in that part of Africa (also in Asia).
Cherri and Katie worked with us to set up a stay at Ewaso Camp and in the Maasai Mara. Our group is still floating from the incredible experiences we had—both animal encounters and cultural interactions. Especially special was the opportunity to interact with a group of women in Laikipia who have a self-help organization. We visited their farm, community center and a traditional home they built. Given the chance, a visit with the Chui Mamas is highly recommended.
I have used trip planners from The WOW List more than 15 times and highly value their expertise and knowledge. They make it very easy to have a special, efficient, memorable trip.” —Deborah Wente
Ecuador: greeted “like family” for a private demonstration at a master weaver’s workshop
Meeting a master weaver at his workshop was a trip highlight for traveler Victoria Jones.
“There are not enough superlatives to describe the experiences we had with Allie on our recent trip to Ecuador. A highlight of our time in Quito was our WOW Moment. We had mentioned to Allie that we enjoyed visiting with local people and were on the lookout for high-quality artisanal products. Allie arranged for us to have a private visit at master weaver Miguel Andrango’s workshop, whose family weaves products that are highly sought after throughout Ecuador.
They greeted us as if we were family members, with Ecuadorian homemade tortillas and coffee. After a short weaving demonstration, we then visited their showroom which had their own incredible woven products…and where we bought more than we should have! We are proud owners of beautiful woven table runners, sweaters, and placemats.
When we got ready to leave, we were presented with stunning scarves for my sister and me, as well as an incredible belt for my husband—gifts from Allie. This was a complete surprise to add to the items which we had already purchased. What an incredible opportunity Allie had arranged. Exactly what we wanted.” —Victoria Jones
Spain: a private tour of a castle with its owner offers glimpses of history, passion
Traveler Cole Jennings had a personal narration of Almodóvar Castle’s restoration.
“In Córdoba Pablo arranged for a private tour with the owner of Almodóvar Castle. This was the highlight of our trip and such an honor to be shown around the castle by Eva. Eva’s dedication, love for the castle, history, passion, restoration work and honoring her husband’s history radiate through her. We also treasure our time spent after the tour getting to know her better. We now have a new beautiful friend!
We had one of the best private eight-course tasting meals I’ve ever had in Córdoba. In Ronda we had a great guide who showed us all the highlights and got us into a wonderful restaurant with incredible views. In Granada we met a passionate guide who recommended a wonderful local restaurant for a late lunch.
This was our 6th Wendy Perrin WOW trip. We have two more trips planned in August.” —Cole Jennings
Sicily: Cooking with a family sharing stories & recipes in an intimate setting…
“In a small Sicilian village, we cooked alongside an extended family and their children.” Photo: Adobe Stock
“Our family just returned from a magical 10-day trip to Sicily, and I can’t say enough about how exceptional the experience was. I have to give credit to Laura, the owner of the trip planning company, who lives in Palermo. From our very first conversation it was clear that she is an incredible listener, genuinely dedicated to creating a personalized experience. Her connections on the island run deep, and it truly showed in the unique and meaningful experiences we enjoyed.
One of the highlights was our time in a small Sicilian village, where we cooked alongside an extended family and their children. Sharing stories and recipes in such an intimate setting made us feel like part of the community. Another remarkable experience was visiting a Sicilian cart maker’s workshop and participating in a painting tutorial led by a master artisan who also creates textiles for Dolce & Gabbana. It was fascinating, and my sons were particularly enthralled by the Archimedes studio outside of Siracusa. There, they learned about the scholar’s inventions with real-life replicas, bringing ancient ingenuity to life in a way that still has them talking about it.
In Palermo, we had the privilege of meeting one of the last remaining puppet makers (pupari) on the island. Not only was the art of puppet making more captivating than we ever imagined, but the experience was also deeply moving. The generosity and passion shared during that visit left a lasting impression on all of us.
This trip to Sicily was not just about sightseeing; it was about forming connections and understanding the heart of the island. Laura and our guide Maria made sure we experienced Sicily from a local’s perspective, which made every moment feel so much more profound. We will always remember our time in this extraordinary place!” —Gina Melton
The Silk Road: friendly people, a “wealth” of sites, lunch with a multigenerational family
“The local people were extremely friendly. I felt extremely safe, even walking around at night…” Photo: Timothy Baker
“I have just returned from a wonderful trip to Uzbekistan focused on Silk Road history and culture. Zulya and her staff provided an excellent experience. The local people were extremely friendly. I felt extremely safe throughout the entire trip, even walking around at night.
The country has a wealth of amazing sites, without the crowds and the expense of Europe. Everything was very clean, from my hotel rooms to historical sites, mosques, and cities.
One of the highlights was having lunch with Zulya’s multigenerational family. I adore them all, especially her mother, who is in her 80s. She said that she has adopted me as her fifth son!” —Chris Ng
India: joining in the community’s spring festival, pulled into a spontaneous engagement celebration
Ron Klausner, his wife, and two friends joined in the community’s Hindu festival of Holi.
“My wife and I are avid travelers and have visited over 70 countries, but we have always avoided going to India for fear of getting intestinal problems. We finally bit the bullet and decided to go, did not get sick, and loved India! The people, the people, the people.
We went for three weeks with another couple in March. Although we were between earning WOW Moments, I feel Sanjay made our entire trip a WOW Moment. In Varanasi we had private sunset and sunrise boat cruises on the Ganges River, and a sitar concert at the home of Ravi Shankar’s cousin. We also participated in Holi, where we celebrated spring by joining different groups of locals and covering each other with paint and water and then dancing together in joy.
In Jaipur we had dinner at the home of a very special family. They are royalty, but what makes them special is the parents have one biological child and adopted nine children from age 8 to 19! The children, all girls, were abandoned as babies because their biological parents wanted boys, not girls. This family is now raising them as their own. We ate, we sang, and we all danced together. What joy!
One of our most memorable moments occurred when we saw a bunch of women, all dressed in magnificent yellow, dancing on a side street. One of the women gestured for my wife to join her. The women were celebrating because one of them just had a daughter who got engaged. They went down the street knocking on doors, and neighbors kept joining. My wife had a wonderful time.
Without reservation, I implore you to visit India if you have not already done so.” —Ron Klausner
East Africa: cooking with families, hearing locals’ stories, seeing grandmothers’ farming venture
A red colobus monkey in the Jozani Forest, Zanzibar. Photo: Kim Segal
“We just returned from our first family safari planned by Dan. We loved our private game drives with Emmanuel at Lewa Wilderness! We got along so well that we invited his wife and children to join us on our final game drive. It was truly such a special experience to get to meet his family and have them see their dad/partner doing what he loves.
Following Lewa we went to Zanzibar for a few nights of R&R. Dan recommended an excellent beachfront resort where the staff went above and beyond for us, providing my husband with mosquito protection at night when he wore shorts to dinner and serving spiked coconut water poolside.
Our final stop was Nairobi, where we did a private, behind-the-scenes tour at Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, spent the night at Giraffe Manor, and had a chance to do a few cultural tours. Worth noting is the walking tour of downtown Nairobi: The guide is a former street child who tells about their experience growing up, and it was highly impactful and allows you to see the REAL Nairobi—not just the posh Karen district that most travelers frequent.
We also did a super-fun tour where we drove to a village and met local grandmothers who are raising pigs to help bring income to their families. This was my husband’s favorite experience in Kenya, as we hung out with locals, saw their daily lives, cooked a delicious meal together, heard their stories, and our kids played soccer with the grandchildren. There were hugs all around when it was time to say goodbye.” —Kim Segal
Peru: spending a day in the Lamay Village, and seeing how the people live in the high Andes
“It was so special to make friends and see how people live a simpler life high in the Andes.”
“Our trip to Peru was one my family will remember forever. We started in the Amazon rainforest and saw so much wildlife at the Tambopata Research Center. This really felt like a special place, and we felt very far away from civilization. My kids loved the birds, monkeys and boat rides.
We absolutely loved our time in the Sacred Valley and Cusco. The resort at Sol y Luna was so nice that we had to force ourselves to leave to go adventuring each day. Our favorite day of the trip was the day we spent at the Lamay village. It was so special to make friends and see how people live a simpler life high in the Andes. We also loved our one-day hike on the Inca trail into Machu Picchu—incredible!
The locals treated us with such kindness everywhere we went. There is so much to see and do in Peru…10 days just wasn’t enough!” —Audrey Moore
Romania: truffle hunting (and dining) with a forager guide, talking with caretakers for the synagogues and other “lovely locals”
Connecting with locals includes their places of worship, including this synagogue in Targu Mures. Photo: Timothy Baker
“My husband and I just returned from a 10-day trip to Romania. We spent most of our time in Transylvania, which is both scenic and uniquely interesting. Our major reason for traveling to this part of the world was to visit the city of Cluj, where my husband’s father lived before emigrating to the U.S. in the 1930s. Our trip planners, Raluca and Malvina, did a great job of incorporating this into our itinerary and also providing experiences that gave us a deeper appreciation of the overall history of Romania and Transylvania, particularly that of the Jews. It was very moving to visit the few synagogues that have been preserved and to meet the people who take care of them.
And it was extremely interesting to tour the medieval citadels and fortified churches that dot Transylvania and to spend time in the mostly preserved traditional Saxon village of Viscri. We felt transported back in time watching the horse drawn carts, geese, goats, sheep and cows that wander through the streets of this picturesque place, and we enjoyed the simple but delicious traditional foods that are truly farm-to-table. We also loved going truffle hunting and enjoying the truffle pasta dinner prepared for us by our truffle guide, as well as our beautiful horseback ride through lovely meadows and forests. And it was great to spend time chatting with the lovely local people we met who provided insights into various aspects of life in this intriguing country.”—Linda Green
Japan: learning to make classic fish dishes In the home of a fisherman’s wife, and exchanging life stories over the meal
“Motonosumi Inari Shrine’s 123 brilliant red torii gates to a cliff overlooking the Sea of Japan.”
“I am forever grateful to Andrea for helping me with designing my dream trip to Japan. Having lived in Japan as a child and had occasion to visit the country several times since, I knew that I was asking for a lot in wanting an off-the-beaten-path itinerary. I wanted to go where few tourists go and engage in activities that would be a challenge to arrange. There are almost too many highlights of my customized trip to Japan to even list, let alone describe, but here are a handful:
* Vaulting down through Motonosumi Inari Shrine’s 123 brilliant red torii gates to a cliff overlooking the Sea of Japan.
* Practicing ‘takigyo’ (waterfall meditation) with two Buddhist monks, by standing directly beneath a sacred waterfall—its strong cold water taking one’s breath away as it pelts one’s head and shoulders—before being revived and uplifted by its force.
* Meeting with so many artisans: potters in Hagi who showed me their hand-built kilns and exquisite Hagi ware; elderly basket weavers at a bamboo-basket-weaving studio exhibiting their exquisite baskets and demonstrating their craft; a glass-crystal-etching expert who instructed me in producing an etched crystal glass of my own; and masters of indigo dying who helped me create my own dyed tee-shirt in their studio workshop.
* In the home of a fisherman’s wife, learning how to make several classic fish dishes and then sharing a delightful meal with her and my guide—three older women exchanging intimate life stories while dining on the dishes we’d prepared.
* Strolling through Kyoto’s Gion district and enjoying a private tea ceremony and dance performance there by a young maiko (an apprentice geisha), and being given the opportunity to ask her candid questions about her life and her art.
A huge thank-you to Andrea’s team for managing to make all of this happen for me.” —Lynn Savarese
Andalusia, Spain: Meeting with master artisans, tile makers, olive-oil producers, paella chefs…
Traveler SueAnne Robinson found palace, cathedral, and mosque visits to be “more meaningful” with a great guide.
“We met with Ivan over Facetime and told him that we like to learn about culture through food, art, crafts, architecture and stories. Our itinerary included Seville, Cordoba, Granada and a day trip to the coast. Highlights included a visit to a fruit plantation, a visit to a premium producer of Olive Oil and a cooking lesson with a chef where we chose ingredients and he prepared an Andalusian lunch for us including paella, fish prepared two ways and a berry dessert, all while sampling local wines and sherries.
We even got to spend a half-day with Ivan himself where he brought us to visit very special artisans involved in creating works for the Easter Processions. This included gold embroidery and gold leaf. These were true artisans who would not have been available without Ivan’s connections. Meeting with them, we learned how important the Easter Processions are to the fabric of Seville and we got to see firsthand these masters at work. We capped this off with a visit to a modern-day pottery and tile studio.
We enjoyed and learned a lot from every guide Ivan arranged for us. To visit the Alhambra, the Alcazar, The Grand Mosque Cathedral with an expert made the experience so much more meaningful than just walking through.” —SueAnne Robinson
Copenhagen: watching furniture makers and artists at work, Easter dinner in a local home…
Cari Bender and her family with the dinner’s local hosts in Copenhagen, Denmark.
“We just returned from a wonderful trip to Copenhagen to visit our daughter who is studying abroad there. Mads helped us plan a lovely vacation where we got to explore all over the area. We learned about Danish food on a food tour and loved seeing the city from a private boat excursion along the canal.
Our favorite day was the Danish design day! We love Danish design, and Mads arranged for us to have a private tour of a furniture manufacturer and meet some current local artists in their own studio. It was a special and memorable day. My son and I probably took 1,000 photographs, and we all loved learning about the history of prominent furniture design. We had a terrific hotel right in Nyhavn, the famous canal with the colored buildings that was centrally located and super charming.
The other incredibly memorable adventure was Dine with Danes, where we had a truly special evening at the home of a local couple. They prepared a Danish Easter dinner for us—they must have cooked for two days! We simply adored them and we had a wonderful evening together. It was very special.” —Cari Bender
New Zealand: one-on-one time with Maori artisans…
Maori jade Koru pendant. Photo: Shutterstock
“We just completed an absolutely fabulous month-long trip to New Zealand. With his extensive relationships, especially with the Maori, Jean-Michel crafted a truly unique trip that we would never have been able to create on our own. Besides cruising Milford Sound, we had three major interests for our trip: interacting with Maori to learn about their culture, going to the MacKenzie-designated Dark Sky region to stargaze, and being on a glacier.
Instead of going to touristy places to see the Maori, Jean-Michel set us up with several unbelievable one-on-one days with individual Maori, including Tom Loughlin, who cooked us a fabulous traditional Hangi meal in the ground at his 5,000-acre wilderness cabin; Delani Brown, a famous master carver who creates enormous masterpieces of complexly intricate carved wood scenes of Maori culture; and Bevan Climo, a master pounamu (New Zealand greenstone or jade) carver, who took us to his tribe’s portion of the Arahura River, where I found a lovely piece of greenstone!
For our Dark Sky experience, Jean-Michel arranged for a privately guided astral viewing at the Matuka Lodge in Twizel where we were staying. The stargazing was fabulous, and to not to have to do the 3-hour roundtrip to the St. John’s Observatory was priceless.
As for the glacier, Jean-Michel again came up with an amazing intimate experience in the Whitcombe Valley, instead of the over-touristy Franz Josef Glacier. Matt, our helicopter pilot, came with over 30 years of flying experience and was even the pilot for Tom Cruise when he was filming in the region! Matt created a once-in-a-lifetime experience, with views of numerous glaciers and glacier lakes, highlighted by a landing at a glacier that we walked up to and sat on! Talk about being at the top of the world and having your dream come true!” —Mary Lou Voytko
Belize: “A local family served us a traditional Mayan lunch, nouvelle-style. And Patricia met us there for lunch…”
WOW Lister Patricia Johnson joined Salena and Allen Kern for lunch one day.
“My criteria was a direct flight from Newark, warmth, a place we’d never been to with lots to do if we wished, and a Wendy Perrin advisor. It took about a minute to find Belize and Patricia. And we were off…. Patricia recommended a few places to stay, and two of the resorts (one in the jungle and the other on the beach) were owned by Francis Ford Coppola. Who knew? Not I, for sure. Well, my husband was an extra in Apocalypse Now many years ago and that was that. He was thrilled to be seeing what Coppola had created in Belize. Both resorts were beautiful but Blancaneaux Lodge was one of the nicest places I have stayed in my life.
We climbed ruins, rafted through a cave that should have been a cathedral, and visited an entrepreneurial coffee “factory” amongst other things. Most important to me, however, was that we got to know something about the current economy of this young country and much about its varied cultures. On our first full day, we were surprised by our WOW Moment. At this most beautiful site, overlooking a series of waterfalls, we were served lunch by a local family (now, Patricia did know that I am a bit of a foodie) who served us a traditional Mayan lunch, nouvelle-style. The family has a catering company called U Janal Masewal, Ancient Recipes for a Modern World. That sort of sums up my worldview too. We were happy! And Patricia met us there for lunch. Thank you, Patricia and Wendy.
This lunch opened our eyes to what was happening in the local communities. The Mayan culture isn’t stuck in the past or lost, as it is in Chiapas, Mexico, where I visited last year. The Belizeans are creating a wonderful and mixed culture ripe for all sorts of tourism. Our week in Belize was full of surprises. I would recommend it to older people like us, to young families, well, to anyone who likes travel.” —Salena Kern
East Africa: hunting with bushmen, visiting a local women’s organization…
Traveler Jeannie Mullen snapped a selfie with local kids during a community visit to the Mukundusi Village in Tanzania.
“I just returned from a trip to East Africa planned by Cherri and her team. The lodges and their phenomenal staffs, the wildlife, the guides, the available local activities, the holiday and birthday celebrations along with numerous personal touches…I cannot say enough about the locals that I met and the recurring personal interactions I had.
Normally I schedule every day of a trip down to the minute. Since this trip was so long (and as I get older!) I left some time open in the itinerary in the event that I just needed to chill here and there. Doing so enabled me to schedule some additional, non-game-viewing activities at each location which really enriched my overall experience. Highlights included: Following bushmen on a game hunt (and taste-testing the grilled results!) in Tanzania, participating in an anti-poaching demonstration (I played the poacher and hid out in the bush) at Sirikoi in Kenya, multiple community/village visits, and a visit to an inspiring women’s organization (Ride 4 A Woman) in Uganda.
On New Year’s Eve I was at &Beyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge in Tanzania. At the conclusion of a tribal dance ritual at the north lodge, we all followed their torch-lit procession (singing, chanting and dancing the entire way) down to the south lodge where the Maasai then put on a spectacular dance demonstration which told the story of their customs and rituals.” —Jeannie Mullen
Italy: fishing and cheesemaking with locals, watching glass artisans at work…
Scenic overlook of the Tyrrhenian Sea along the Amalfi Coast of Italy. Photo: Shutterstock
“From the moment we were picked up in Rome to the time we were dropped at the airport after 15 days in this beautiful country, we would have changed nothing! The food and wine were incredible, the hotels were spectacular and the guides and their tours were unforgettable. While the trip was overall the most memorable experience of our lifetimes, there are a few things that we cannot go without highlighting:
1. The boat ride along the Amalfi Coast was nothing short of spectacular, and our captain and first mate made it truly enjoyable. Swimming in the Mediterranean Sea is something we will never forget;
2. The cooking class and lunch with Mrs. Luciana and Maria Cristina were so incredibly enjoyable and delicious that we wished we could have stayed forever;
3. Watching Benedetto create his masterpiece of mozzarella and burrata cheese and tasting the delicious virgin olive oils, followed by the private tour of his amazing lemon orchard, was an unforgettable experience.
4. Our visit to Murano and the Vetreria Estevan Rossetto glass factory was inspirational. To see the centuries-old workmanship of glass making and learning the history of this profession was incredible. We actually purchased artworks made by two of the most prominent glass artisans known to Italy, Walter Furan and Amedeo Rossetto. Our guides, Daria and Piero, were so knowledgeable and spent hours teaching us about glass making and the history behind it. Piero is the grandson of Walter Furan, and being able to purchase one of his grandfather’s pieces was truly special.
5. And finally, only to keep this review from being too lengthy, trout fishing with Luca. While I did not catch a monster, the beautiful little brown trout I did catch brought a smile to my face, and the lunch we shared and our time together was terrific.
We would like to thank Wendy, Maria Gabriella, Maria Cristina, our fabulous guides, our amazing drivers, and all of the employees and staff at the hotels in which we stayed for their incredible hospitality. We cannot wait for our next WOW experience.” —Lizzy and Jay Bryan
Oman and Jordan: “It is always good to learn more, have more awareness and to become better global citizens…”
Amy Evers and her husband talking world politics with Omani locals over coffee and dates.
“Our trip to Oman and Jordan October 14th- Nov. 1st, 2023, was extraordinary! Even with the slight unease regarding the war, while in Oman and Jordan, all was well and safe. There did seem to be some extra military presence in Amman but that didn’t interfere with our trip. We are very happy we did not cancel!
Out trip planner, Daniel, did a wonderful job talking through everything with us ahead of time. He was honest about his thoughts about things that are worth it and that aren’t. Some of the highlights of our trip were:
Oman: Eating and drinking dates and Omani coffee with locals, dinner with a local family in Muscat, learning about the culture, talking with a local at the Grand Mosque to learn more about Islam, swimming and exploring Wadi Shaab and Wadi Bani Khalid, dune bashing in Wahiba Sands, the via ferrata course in Jebel Akhdar, biking down the mountains in Jabel Shams, the random barber shop experience for my husband to get his beard trimmed (hilarious and wonderful cultural experience), and the balcony hike in Jebel Shams.
Jordan: Petra during the day/night and the back door hike in, SCUBA diving the wreck in the Red Sea (not organized by Dan), ‘soft’ canyoning in Wadi Al Mujib, floating in the Dead Sea (so unique and funny!), and discussions about current issues with our guide.
I feel very lucky to have experienced this trip, especially in today’s political climate. It is always good to learn more, have more awareness and to become better global citizens. Thank you!” —Amy Evers
Morocco: learning history and culture from scholars and artisans…
Milinda Martin’s guide AbdulRahman outside his family home in Tangier’s Medina. Photo: Traveler Milinda Martin
“It had been 20 years since I had visited Morocco, and I have to say, the country is going through such a positive time. People are happy there! The government is building tons of affordable housing, redoing the waterfront areas, and spiffing up all the cities. It’s a good time to visit.
Thanks to Radia and her team, I was able to indulge my desire to learn more about the history of this country, especially the Berber culture, the invasion of the Arabs, and the long history of the Moors and Jews. Radia did not disappoint; all of my guides were experts and very willing to discuss the benefits and challenges of being such a rich land where everyone wants to be. My guide in Tangier, AbdulRahman, was OUTSTANDING. He was born in the Medina and his family still lived there, and he was able to share stories of how Tangier has changed over the centuries with all the invaders. He shared the local delicacies — mint tea and amazing cookies — with me, and we truly felt like friends by the time I moved on to Chefchaouen.
With Radia’s guidance, I visited Casablanca, and the amazing Hassan II mosque, with a Muslim scholar who could really immerse me in the religion, far beyond the 5 pillars. The trip ended in Marrakesh, where I had the most unique experience of learning how to make mosaics. This wasn’t a “tourist activity”; this was a visit to a gentleman’s workshop where we cut the tiles, arranged the mosaics and eventually plastered the mosaics into place. Radia provided a translator because the artist — having mastered this trade 40 years ago — did not speak English.
And I have to give a strong shout-out to my driver, Rachid. Throughout my tour, he was always on time, always kind, always conversational, and a great driver to boot. This is what I like about planning with Wendy Perrin: meeting the people and seeing life like a local. We visited the communal bakery and the hammam, two vital components of life for every Moroccan. I was able to go hiking in the Atlas Mountains, obtain early entry to the Majorelle Gardens, and have someone guide me through the mazes of the Medinas. The riad in Marrakesh was truly divine! Unlike other tours that whisk you here and there, in international hotels, where you never meet a local, Radia and her team ensured that I felt like a Moroccan from the very start.” —Milinda Martin
Norway: meeting a local fisherman, reindeer herder, and even an acclaimed actress
Jeannie Mullen suited up to fish for king crab and halibut with boat captain Albert.
“Just returned from a solo trip to Norway September 11-20, 2023. After my pet sitter bailed on me at the last minute, I reached out to Jan to see what he could do to adjust the 3-week driving itinerary through Norway that he and I had just finalized. Jan was very flexible, gave me several options to choose from and before long we had whittled a 21-day trip down to 10, maintaining the main focus of trip…seeing the northern lights.
I started out at Sorrisniva Wilderness Lodge in Alta, above the Arctic Circle in the northern fjords. By day I was entertained with king-crab fishing in Storekorsnes, lunch with and storytelling by a local reindeer herder, a visit to the nearby UNESCO site featuring northern Europe’s largest concentration of petroglyphs (rock art) made by hunter-gathers dating back 2000-7000 years, and a boat ride on the Alta River with Tor, one of the lodge owners. Each night after dinner I was driven to different locations to search for the lights…. It was such a great experience. I had been coached beforehand that not everyone gets to see the lights every night and sometimes not at all over a period of several nights. Fortunately I saw them each of the four nights that I was there and got some great photos. On my last night in Alta I came back early enough to see the lights with a cup of hot chocolate from the warmth of my bed. It was an experience that I will never forget.
I had shared with Jan that I had a very broad range of interests coming into this trip, so the tenor and tempo changed quickly when I arrived back in Oslo. At my request, it was all about art, architecture, history and culture. In a very fun surprise, I was treated to a WOW Moment as I walked out of the elevator my first morning there. Jan knew from our trip-planning discussions that I am involved with a professional theatre company in my hometown and had made arrangements for his sister-in-law, Ingjerd Egeberg, a Norwegian actress (and national treasure), to spend an hour with me prior to the start of my planned day. Over coffee we had a lovely discussion about the theatre and then walked across the street together to the National Theatre for a backstage tour. It was truly delightful! Thank you again, Jan and Wendy! And THEN the day started.… The museums, art, architecture and parks in Oslo were beautiful…the Munch (The Scream) Museum, City Hall, the Opera House, the Deichman Bjorvika (the world’s best new public library), the Nobel Peace Center, the Harbour Promenade in Oslo Fjord, the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History and the Vigeland Sculpture Park. The next day was spent away from the city at the Kistefos Museum in Jevnaker, one of the most important outdoor sculpture parks for contemporary art.
And then it was time to head home. I cannot say enough about Wendy’s suggestion to use Jan.… His detailed planning, choice of hotels, guides, drivers, and restaurant suggestions were all spot-on. I enjoyed myself so much on this trip that I had Jan plan a 10-day itinerary to Denmark for the fast-approaching Thanksgiving holidays. And next summer I’ll work in the driving portion of the Norway trip that I missed out on this year.” —Jeannie Mullen
Poland & Austria: master classes in amber jewelry, pierogis, Christmas ornaments…
Krakow market square in Poland. Photo: Shutterstock
“Gwen knows we have traveled the world on all seven continents. Many of our trips (at least eighteen) have been curated by Wendy’s trip specialists. Gwen knows we increasingly value experiences over mere sightseeing. This itinerary included many hands-on and personal experiences. In Gdansk, we visited an amber workshop and created our own amber jewelry using the workshop’s professional tools overseen by a friendly jeweler. We took home the two amber pendants we made.
In Warsaw, Gwen had another wonderful special experience for us: a visit with an artisanal nalewka (pronounced na lef ka) producer. This cordial is made in many homes. But this producer elevates the quality to the nth degree. Made of macerated fruits (or flowers or pine shoots or even milk), water, alcohol and sugar, the mixture sits in huge glass jars in his backyard for at least ten months, then matures in huge plastic barrels for at least three years before bottling. While visiting with this fascinating man, we tasted twelve of his varieties. We brought home two bottles and wish we’d brought a lot more.
In Krakow, we had a great lesson on how to make one of Poland’s national foods, pierogis (filled dumplings.) The private class was in the home of the woman who runs the annual Krakow Pierogi Festival. We had such a good time with her that we stayed far beyond our scheduled time.
Also in Krakow, we visited a small workshop that makes hand-painted glass Christmas ornaments. My husband and I each painted our own ornaments with direction from the chief painter. We ended up bringing a dozen or so ornaments home. In Vienna, we had a great food safari that took us off the tourist circuit and introduced us to stores and producers of traditional Viennese foods.” —Jan Heininger
Italy: Palio horse race with local family, outing with a truffle hunter and lunch at his farmhouse…
Palio horse race in Italy. Photo: Traveler Jessica Tolmach
“Four special highlights that Maria secured for our group during our Tuscany stay: A spectacularly situated apartment in Siena overlooking the town square for perfect viewing of the wild, medieval, spectacular Palio horse race and dinner with the family who graciously opened their home, shared wine, food and stories of the history of the races over the centuries.
Another highlight was an outing with a truffle hunter and his dog into the hills and woods where the dog found truffles and after we were hosted at their farmhouse overlooking the valley while they served us a multi-course lunch of truffle-focused dishes that were scrumptious, along with their own wines. We also adored a private tour and lunch prepared for us at a little-known but spectacular vineyard in Chianti, with tastings paired with each course.
And, last but not least, we will all remember forever our lunch at an agriturismo farm with a most generous host and chef that happily went on for hours, on a glorious afternoon, on their patio on the edge of their fields, where we were served mind-blowing grilled meats and the best lasagna and tiramisu any of us has ever tasted. My boys wanted to stay and work on the farm and never come home! And I got his grandmother’s recipes!” —Jessica Tolmach
Croatia, Italy, Slovenia, Switzerland: cooking lesson in the chef’s home, charming family-run inn…
Lisa Redburn during a cooking lesson at Tatjana Ciciliani’s home in Trojir, Croatia. Photo: Tom Redburn
“Lisa and I have had a lot of wonderful adventures in our more than 50 years together, but for our 50th wedding anniversary trip to Italy, Croatia, Slovenia and Switzerland, the extraordinary planning of Claudia and Luisa took our travel experience to a whole new level. It’s true that Europe was already getting overrun with tourists during our six-week trip, but we rarely felt it because time after time Claudia and Luisa arranged guides and outings that took us away from the crowds and to hidden corners we never would have found on our own.
There are too many highlights to include all of them, but some of our most memorable moments were a gastronomic walking tour of Bologna with Giacomo, a guided E-bike ride along the Appian Way in Rome with Gioia, who spontaneously added in a visit to the multi-layered Church of San Clemente when we expressed interest in it, a guided cable car ride and walk to the top of Anacapri with Melania, and two hikes in the Dolomites with Paola, who revised her plans to reflect our own capacities for strenuous walking (there’s a theme here: nearly all our best guides were women). And that’s just Italy.
In Croatia and Slovenia, we enjoyed a guided walk up Mt. Srd above Dubrovnik, where two women from Piknik Dubrovnik had set up an extraordinary sunset picnic dinner just for us, two guided trips (one by E-bike, the other walking) in the backcountry of the islands of Korcula and Hvar that both included amazing private lunches far from the madding crowds, and an extraordinary tour by the charismatic Mario Bartulovic of his family’s winery and steep-sided vineyard on one of our only rainy days. We nearly cancelled but are so thankful that we didn’t. We also had a food shopping and cooking session with the charming Tatjana Ciciliani at her home in Trojir, near Split.
And the discovery of the trip, for us, was Slovenia, where we dined at the famous Hisa Franko (a 3 1/2-hour, 18-course tasting menu from chef Ana Ros), with a stay at tiny Chalets Nebesa, which is not to be missed if you are anywhere in the area. Four-room Nebesa (reserve far in advance!) is owned and run by Ana’s charming mother, father, sister and brother-in-law, and enjoys an extraordinary view in the Julian Alps over Kobarid, where there are still trenches from the devastating fighting along a front of World War I.
I could go on and on, but suffice it to say that, with only one or two exceptions, every guide was sensational, just about every accommodation was terrific, and nearly all the reserved dinners were a delight. And that’s not to mention our WOW Moment from Wendy of a lunch and wine tasting at the extraordinary BIBICh Winery, on a day when we traveled from Split to Zadar, right after visiting Krka National Park.
Luisa and Claudia took my idea of following in some of the footsteps of our original honeymoon trip to Europe (10 months on $6,000 in 1973-74 to Italy, Yugoslavia, Austria, Greece, Switzerland and France) and built it into an equally memorable highlight in our lives together. We spent our actual anniversary at a pension in the car-free Fex Valley in the Engadin that was one of the top places we stayed on our honeymoon. Our trip lived up to everything I had been dreaming about since we first thought of the idea more than two years in advance.” —Tom Redburn
Northern Ireland & Ireland: making soda bread, helping shear sheep, a lesson in hurling…
Sheep in a green field in Ireland. Photo: Shutterstock
“It was Jonathan’s strong suggestion that we include Northern Ireland in our itinerary instead of just Ireland, and we are glad that we did. Our experience in Northern Ireland was the soul of our trip, and we could never have understood the country without that experience and the help of our guide for three days while there, Mark Murphy. His authenticity was palpable, in addition to being a consummate professional.
For example, he not only took us through a small Catholic village to watch children learning the Irish sport of hurling on a field surrounded by Irish national flags, but then took out his equipment so we could all give the game a try on an adjacent field. Every experience with Mark was like that, including his lessons on tasting Irish Whiskey at Bushmills and getting me the opportunity to hold the great Northern Irish golfer Rory McIlroy’s PGA championship trophy at his home golf club in Belfast!
We also spent a morning at Tracey’s Farmhouse Kitchen, making (and eating) delicious soda bread, along with other delectables. Like all the folks we encountered, Tracey was an absolute delight, and we loved getting to go out to the countryside and spend some quality time with people who were so happy to share their lives with us.
We then went on to spend three days in Dublin, staying at a classic property called The Shelbourne. This gorgeous masterpiece offered impeccable service and a perfect location. One of the benefits of working through Jonathan are some small perks offered to you at each of the hotels, and we enjoyed oysters and Guinness in the beautiful lobby bar at the Shelbourne one early evening before heading to dinner.
Galway was our next stop, and we used that as the base for our exploration of the Connemara National Park and the Cliffs of Moher. Another absolute highlight of the trip is the Killary Sheep Farm. It’s on an absolutely beautiful fjord, and it’s fascinating to watch the sheepdogs in action and to participate in shearing the wool off the sheep. Tom, a third-generation proprietor, is eager to share his place, and it helps keep the lights on for these family businesses.
Our last stop was Dromoland Castle. At this point we had been on the move constantly for 10 days, and I think it was brilliant planning to let us decompress at this gorgeous castle for a few days before returning home.” —Michael Kelberman
Oman: Bedouin women, pottery artisans, wedding prep with an Omani bride, meals in new friends’ homes…
A dhow cruise off the coast of Oman. Photo: Shutterstock
“My friend and I are active 60-plus-year-old women who enjoy traveling and immersing ourselves into the countries that we visit. We don’t want to just see a UNESCO World Heritage Site but want to meet the locals and see how they live—which is what we get when we use Wendy’s WOW List travel specialists.
We flew to Muscat and traveled around Oman for about two weeks. Dan listened to what we wanted to see and experience, and he or his office was with us via email, phone, and/or text every day of our visit. Our guide, Fahad, heard I was a potter and took us to a pottery factory. He took us to his brother’s home for a typical Omani lunch and to see how they live. At this house we met his newborn niece and received the traditional gift of Frankincense. Fahad also took us to his friend’s home who was getting married that evening. We spent a few hours with the women in their traditional garb and experienced their welcome foods… dates, coffee, apples, oranges, chickpeas and other delicacies.
We also went to a local family’s home for another typical Omani meal on the floor and got to speak with their children. The father worked in the Ministry and the wife worked in the travel business setting up trips for Omanis. Quite stimulating conversations!
We visited souqs, fish markets, experienced the dhow-making process, lunched at the Chedi Hotel (a must!), visited mosques, learned about the Frankincense tree, swam in Hawiyat Najm Sink Hole (a must!), drove through wadis, learned about the date trees, photographed wild donkeys, had our feet ‘cleaned’ in the Sink Hole by the little fish, rode camels in the desert, met and dressed like Bedouin women, dune bashed in Wahiba Sands, experienced a sand storm, saw how Kumas are made, played soccer with an eight-year-old, saw goats climb trees, enjoyed a warm herbal compress massage at the Alila Jabal Akhdar (our favorite hotel!), had an impromptu donkey ride, went grocery shopping at the Hypermarket, and snorkeled with sea turtles in the Daymaniyat Islands (a must!).
We felt so welcomed in Oman and felt that the Omani people were kind, interesting and curious about us. It was another WONDERFUL adventure using Wendy’s travel specialists!” —Maureen Ferrari
Colombia: a gallery opening with eminent artists, a private cooking class, a salsa dancing lesson…
Bogota, Colombia, is an easy nonstop flight from New York City. Photo: Shutterstock
“Contrary to what people may think based on past history, Colombia was very safe. Our trip started in Bogota with an easy direct day flight from New York. Three nights there allowed us to explore the city, its food, and the amazing gold museum. Boris arranged a private art tour which included access to a private opening of the works of the famous Colombian artist Jim Amaral, where we met him and his more famous wife Olga de Amaral. For a change in pace, we then spent a night in Villa de Leyva, a national heritage site with a stop in Zipaquira to see the spectacular underground salt cathedral.
Next stop was Medellin, with visits to Comuna 13, with an understanding of conflict and cacao, and a visit to a large orchid collection. Four nights in the coffee country, staying in a wonderful hacienda, allowed us to explore that area, including a rafting trip, a visit to a coffee plantation, and a day out with an excellent birding guide. The final stop was Cartagena, where we stayed in the Casa San Augustin in the middle of the old city; great for walking around the old areas with activities such as a rum and chocolate tasting, a private cooking class in one of the best restaurants, and a salsa dancing lesson. An easy 5-hour direct day flight took us back to New York. Colombia is a country well worth a visit—even though it does not seem to be on the radar screens of many of our acquaintances—and Boris and his team are a great asset for organizing a diverse and interesting trip.” —Tony Ford-Hutchinson
Southeast Asia for spending time with families, farmers, villagers, weavers
Traveler Milinda Martin rides with a farmer in Siem Reap, where water buffalo are used as draft animals.
“My uncle served and died in Vietnam in 1968 and I wanted to really understand the war with far greater context. Tu, my guide in Central Vietnam, introduced me to many locals who remembered the Tet Offensive, whose relatives served on both sides of the civil war, and who spoke of the good things that came out of that terrible time.
Ethan and Corban really delivered in providing outstanding guides who are now new friends. I went into their homes, met their families, and saw parts of their hometowns that are far off the tourist track. I loved Hanoi as seen through the eyes of my guide Long, and enjoyed Ho Chi Minh City with my new friend Thuy, including riding around on the back of her motorbike.
Si Len in Cambodia was charming and took me to many local villages to meet people and learn about their lives. We wove baskets and met textile weavers and visited farms. In Laos, Paan took me to her home to meet all of her relatives and prepare dinner plus meals for the monks at the local temple.
My favorite part of travel, aside from learning the history, is connecting with locals, and that really is the difference that Ethan’s company and Wendy Perrin provide. Whether it’s an outstanding guide who shares their life with you, or walks you through a village so you can meet a local farmer and spend time plowing their field with them, these are the memories that stay with you for a lifetime.” —Milinda Martin
Canada: townspeople at a fair, musicians and storytellers, a screech-in at a local pub…
Newfoundlanders welcome travelers into their homes (and lighthouses). Photo: Maxxim Vacations
“Jill organized an eight-day trip for four couples, best friends for the last 30 years. It was a trip full of great adventure, hiking, fishing, good food, and fantastic people. In Cape Breton our local guide caught our vibe from the minute she met us and took us to her own town’s annual fair. She introduced us to some of the families there, and we instantly felt the warmth and kindness—we didn’t want to leave!
In Newfoundland, we stayed in Woody Point in Gros Morne National Park. The townspeople were, again, warm and welcoming (a common characteristic in this part of Canada). The local pub, The Merchant Warehouse, had great food, and the owner’s daughter plays her guitar and sings up a storm (don’t miss it). We had our screech-in there as well with the incomparable Aunt Sophie!!! The hikes were unrivalled; accurately marked and well-kept, the unique landscapes and terrain were breathtaking. We will be back to conquer Gros Morne itself!
Finally, we ended our vacation in Corner Brook at the beautiful Hew & Draw Hotel. The highlight here was our time with Darren, who took us out in his dory to his cabin on the water for a dinner of mussels and cod, with an evening tour of the surrounding region by boat. His mom had even baked us an apple pie! The stories he told us of his family and the region were again just part of the local hospitality. We have traveled to many places in the world, and the Canadian Maritimes is indeed a treasure.” —Barbara Palter
Mexico City: an expert-led taco tour, meals with private chefs, off-the-beaten-path shopping…
An expert-led taco tour is a must-do in Mexico City. Photo: Shutterstock
“We wanted to explore neighborhoods and culture and avoid crowded museums and other tourist sites. Zach and his team delivered right on point. We were able to visit the historic downtown, stroll through neighborhoods like Roma, Condessa and Polanca in the heart of Mexico City, and visit the district of Coyoacan with the charming Colonia del Carmen neighborhood and village center with our guide Amalia.
If you are a foodie, you will love your options: We had a wonderful taco tour with Frederico and two wonderful meals with private chefs Alfredo and Graciela. Everything was absolutely delicious. Another highlight was a shopping afternoon with Cristina, who took us to wonderful off-the-beaten-path shops where we were able to purchase items we will cherish forever and a beautiful selection of clothing for my wife. We had a wonderful time and will definitely use Zach next time we go to Mexico.” —Susan and Blake Hancock
Be a smarter traveler: Sign up for Wendy’s weekly newsletter to stay in the know. Read real travelers’ reviews, then use the black CONTACT buttons on Wendy’s WOW List to reach out to the right local fixer for your trip.