Elizabeth Gudrais

In early December 2025, I had a chance to sail on Star of the Seas, Royal Caribbean’s newest ship, which had only been in service for a few short months. Considering the ship’s capacity, it felt surprisingly relaxed and uncrowded. The ship has a variety of environments to explore and alluring features that will appeal to both experienced cruisers and newcomers.

This itinerary follows the trip I took in September 2024 with Intrepid Travel. There are many different Camino de Santiago routes that all converge in Santiago de Compostela; this one describes the Portuguese Camino starting in Porto. Distinguishing features of this route include breathtaking coastal views and affordable, fresh seafood at every meal. Intrepid offers an experience with 24/7 support in the form of a dedicated guide for your small group of hikers, as well as an elevated level of lodging (hotels with en suite bathrooms, rather than bunkhouses). However, there are many different ways to experience the Camino – from roughing it to relative comfort, from spontaneous to meticulously planned. Having experienced it for myself, I would be honored to help you craft your own Camino experience.

Barcelona has a multilayered past. From the early Phoenician and Carthaginian settlers to the Visigoth, Roman, and Moorish conquerors, every group that passed through has left traces that can still be detected today in the city’s architecture, food, and culture. Local identity and pride run strong here; look around just about anywhere in the city and you’ll easily spot a Catalan flag. A more modern layer comes from the work of influential architect and local hero Antoni Gaudí, who left a mark on the city with his unique style. Despite the headlines in recent years about anti-tourism protests, I have personally found the locals to be very welcoming of visitors interested in learning about their city. In contrast to some cruise ports that feel like soulless theme parks, Barcelona’s heart beats close to the surface—a gritty, vibrant city that is part of Spain but has an energy all its own.

For a relatively small country, Jordan packs in an incredibly diverse range of sights and environments. From the Dead Sea and sacred sites for Christianity and Judaism to the bustling metropolis of Amman, where a harmonized call to prayer rings out from hundreds of mosques across the city five times a day; from Roman ruins and a crusader castle to the city at Petra built by Nabatean traders; from the Wadi Rum desert to the Gulf of Aqaba—Jordan has a world of history and nature to explore within its borders.

From castles, cathedrals and mosques to sun-drenched beach towns, the Andalusia region of Spain offers the perfect combination of history, culture and relaxation to provide for a well-balanced vacation that’s both engaging and restorative. Visit museums and take in music and dance performances to reflect on the influences of the various religious and cultural groups whose presence has shaped the unique cultures of this region—then replenish your energy with culinary treasures from seafood to jamón ibérico, washed down with sangria or locally produced sherry.

The cerulean blue of the water is reason enough to visit this small city at the intersection of Lakes Superior, Huron, and Michigan. Marvel at the fascinating history of shipping on the Great Lakes—where, still to this day, iron ore and grain are transported in freighters so massive it defies all understanding that they float. Watch the ships rise up and drop down in the locks, and take a boat tour to see the locks from inside and experience this wonder of modern engineering for yourself. Learn about all the people who have inhabited this area, from Native Americans and French explorers to the industrialists whose homes line the main street of this tiny, walkable downtown. The power of nature is never far from your field of awareness during a visit here. In the warm months, get out in a kayak and let yourself be rocked by the gentle lapping of the waves. All year long, various museums and memorials pay tribute to the lives lost when conditions turn less gentle; the 80-mile stretch of coast just west of Sault Ste. Marie is believed to the be the site of at least 200 shipwrecks over the years.

When people visit the Great Barrier Reef, they often fly directly into Cairns, but if you have time for a self-drive adventure, there is so much to see along the way from Sydney. Australia takes pride in highlighting Indigenous experiences, featuring local producers, and prioritizing conservation of the natural environment—and the major emphasis it’s placed on developing tourism means it is relatively easy to find your way around (good signage will help you locate out-of-the-way places). With a common language, it’s easy for English-speaking tourists to find their way around. If you’re coming from the US, you’ll just need a bit of practice driving on the left! The locals are generally quite friendly, eager to help, and impressed with the long distance you’ve traveled to visit their beautiful country. From the vineyards of Hunter Valley to world-class surfing beaches, from prehistoric rainforests to the freshest seafood, you’ll find an incredibly diverse range of attractions along this stretch of the Australian coast—if you take the time to slow down and see the sights.

For a world-class city with a population exceeding 5 million, Sydney feels charmingly small and easy to navigate. Not only is the city center quite walkable, but the city also has easy-to-use public transportation to reach outlying areas. Numerous inlets and fingers of land form a lengthy coastline in Sydney Harbour—but this maritime city also has plenty of other beaches and bays to explore along its eastern shore. In Sydney, you’re never far away from the relaxing environment of wetlands, wildlife, and walks along the shore; if time allows, I recommend a stay in one of these areas for some beach time before or after your cruise.

Melbourne is a playground of delights for foodies as well as anyone who loves the arts. With many different neighborhoods to explore—each with its own distinctive flavor—it has plenty to keep you busy within the city limits. However, it’s also a gateway to some of Australia’s most stunning and memorable natural and historical attractions. We spent a week in this area during a five-week Australian trip, and that wasn’t nearly enough time. We are eager to return! If clients are asking me whether they should include Melbourne in their Australia itinerary, my answer is always a wholehearted yes!

A lush, green wilderness with flora and fauna beyond your wildest imagination—welcome to Australia’s Daintree Rainforest. Located in Far North Queensland, the rainforest is off the beaten path of most Australia itineraries, but is well worth making the trip. Where else in the world can you step back centuries in time to see prehistoric plant species, learn about indigenous traditions, and glimpse the vivid colors of marine life on the Great Barrier Reef all in the space of a brief trip? Read on for an introduction to this wonderland of unexpected delights.

Ibiza is a music lover’s paradise. While it’s known for its party scene, there’s another side to the island. Travelers who only visit the nightclubs (and dayclubs) miss out on the island’s natural wonders and fascinating cultural history. The island isn’t just for adults, either; especially on the eastern end, the island has a more family-friendly vibe with hotels, restaurants and activities that cater to kids as well as their parents. Ibiza has a special place in my heart, and I love to help travelers of all ages get the most out of their visit by helping them just the right balance of music, nature, relaxation and exploration according to their unique preferences.

Rent a car in Miami or Fort Lauderdale, then drive just 90 minutes to Homestead to enter a different world. Everglades National Park offers a glimpse of the unique ecosystem that forms where land and water meet. You'll have opportunities to observe and learn about marine life as you drive all the way down the Florida Keys. Once you reach Key West, the focus is on culture and history—plus live music and fantastic food. Optional side trips to Dry Tortugas National Park and Havana, Cuba, contribute additional historical and cultural learning. Too many people visit Florida without ever experiencing the Keys, where you can get a taste of the Caribbean within the United States.

In September 2024, I participated in a group trip with Intrepid Travel on the Portuguese Camino itinerary. It began with hiking 150 km north through Spain’s Galicia region to finish in Santiago de Compostela. The hike took place over eight days with one rest day (so seven hiking days in all). Daily hiking distance ranges from 17 to 24 km (10 to 15 miles). The pace was generally quite manageable. We had a small group of six (plus our guide) and we all stayed together, although the faster hikers would often walk ahead and then stop to wait for the rest of the group to catch up. We would typically hike for about a two-hour stretch before stopping for a break.

It’s a travesty that so many tourists end up in Venice on a single-day stopover as part of a cruise. This city on an island (or, technically, a set of connected islands) has so many things to do and such a rich history that I recommend to come and stay for at least a week. Whether you love food, art, architecture, history, or all of the above, Venice has more than enough to keep you entertained and your mind engaged. It’s worth making Venice your main destination rather than an afterthought simply to have more time to spend in this enchanting city.

Elevated lodging choices can take your National Parks experience from an enjoyable experience to the truly unforgettable trip of a lifetime. Spring and fall are the best times to take this trip to ensure comfortable hiking temperatures. Book early since prime lodging choices tend to fill well in advance; work with me to coordinate it all, tailor this itinerary to your group size and individual preferences—and to get extra perks in some cases.

A day excursion from a cruise ship doesn’t begin to touch St. Thomas’s charm. You’ll see a different side of the island when you make a dedicated trip to this destination. The convenience factor is key: the island is on the U.S. dollar and offers passport-free travel – as well as relatively short flights — for U.S. residents, making it a suitable destination for a long-weekend trip. But there’s enough to do that you could easily spend a whole week or more, especially if you’re in the mood to relax and slow down to the speed of island time. Fill your days with snorkeling, sailing and hiking — with a side of culture and history — then unwind with a spa treatment, a walk along the harbor, the freshest seafood and live music with the caress of an ocean breeze.

Even though I'm a professional writer, words fail me when I try to describe just how special of a place Iceland is. From the rock formations to the multicolored moss to the angle of the light, everything just feels different than anywhere else I've seen. You simply need to go there and experience it. While Iceland's small villages are charming and the rural areas breathtaking, an unpredictable climate lends an element of risk to travel in remote areas anytime outside the relatively short summer. Reykjavik, on the other hand, is a world-class destination for any time of year. It's a thoroughly modern and immensely walkable city. It has a very authentic feel, with fewer of the large chains and omnipresent tourist traps you'll find in most global capitals. Spending time there, you can really get a feel for Icelandic culture and character, with all of its delightful quirks. It's lovely to visit during the endless summer nights, but even better in the dark of winter. You'll see how friendly, warm and welcoming the locals can be. Experience for yourself all the ways they keep warm and pass the long winter, from basking in a steamy geothermal pool. to savoring food, drinks and excellent coffee. As a certified destination specialist for Iceland, I have access to information that helps me stay on top of what's new. I'd be honored to help you book a memorable trip to one of my favorite places.