Juli Hall

Portugal has quickly become my favorite country in Europe and after three visits in almost as many years, my passion for exploring this special country full of character and charm knows no bounds. Whether you love beaches or cities, wine country or dramatic landscapes, whether you travel to devour new foods or absorb in all the history, Portugal has something for everyone.

Perfect for families, couples, solo travelers and group travel, this ten day itinerary through Portugal can be done in a variety of routes and travel plans can be customized based on your personal interests and travel style.

There are so many places to love in Portugal, but one of my favorites is the Douro Valley. Here you can combine peaceful scenery, delicious food, culture, history and of course, a chance to get on the calm waters of the Douro River. There are many ways to experience this area, whether via road, train or river, but to capture its true essence to its fullest, I recommend combining multiple modes of transportation.

The Douro Valley is perfect for wine lovers and makes a great escape for a romantic getaway or celebration for a milestone event with your favorite people. It’s a way to experience Portugal in its most authentic form and break away from the crowds.

Visiting the Douro Valley could make for its own trip to Portugal flying in and out of Porto or an extension as you explore cities like Porto and Lisbon. If you are looking for a place to escape and find serenity amidst stunning views, local culture and connect with authentic makers then I recommend at least five days in Portugal’s wine country. If time only allows for a quick visit, it’s still worth going because what I can promise is that once you experience the magic of the Douro Valley, you’ll be planning your next visit before you know it. Each trip I plan for clients is as unique and individual as them. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you would like help planning a custom trip to Portugal’s wine country.

The St. Regis' tag line is "The best address in Atlanta," and I have to admit after touring this hotel, they might be right! This is a true five-star hotel complete with everything you need — exceptional service and walking distance to shopping, dining, theater and more. Every space is classic, beautiful and inviting, with contemporary design and a sophisticated vibe. Throughout the hotel you will find original pieces of art from the owner's private collection, which is rotated twice a year. Fun fact: The owner of the hotel owns two of the three "Wall Street" bulls, including the one in NYC. Throughout the hotel, you will find small statues of the bull, particularly in the suites. 

After booking many Viking cruises for others and becoming a certified Viking agent, I finally had the opportunity to take a cruise myself this July. While I went for personal reasons, this trip was a great opportunity to learn about everything Viking has to offer and experience first hand.

We sailed down the Douro River of Portugal and spoiler alert: it did not disappoint. It was truly a five star experience from start to finish.

In this trip report, I will highlight the many features and experiences of the trip as well as a few tips I learned along the way.

For many, the Galapagos Islands are a destination that define the allure and fascination of travel and for us that absolutely proved to be true. From the warm and inviting people of Ecuador to the diverse and fiercely protected eco-systems of the islands, a vacation to the Galapagos Islands helped us develop a deeper understanding and appreciation for our world's environment and the importance of protecting it. Not only were we surrounded by natural beauty at every turn but having a chance to go off-grid for seven-days, allowed us with a family (with two teens) to reconnect and be present. When you are in Ecuador, you are removed from all the hustle of life and transported to a destination that you will never forget.

Our family's travel plans were to return to Europe this summer, but we wanted to explore a city that was new to us and had plans to focus on Northern European cities. We love to visit cities that are walkable, have places that are interesting to teenagers, have a great food scene and allow us to be active and outside as much as possible. Copenhagen checked all those boxes and offered a fews surprises along the way. In this guide, I'll be sharing our favorite finds in this great city and why I think it should be on everyone's travel list!

Peru, especially its most famed destination Machu Picchu is an excellent chance to develop a deeper understanding of the traditions and values of the Peruvian people. Whether it's the vast landscape, small villages, artisan demonstrations or local chefs, you will walk away from this trip with a better connection and respect for this incredible country.

The US Open is the final grand slam tournament in professional tennis and it is hosted every year in New York City. If you love tennis and the energy of Manhattan, then you should absolutely consider attending the US Open for a long weekend!

The US Open starts in late August and runs for two weeks. The tournament is fast-paced, and energetic, and is all tennis, day and night. The US Open is held at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, which is located in Queens, a borough of New York City. It truly makes for a perfect balance of sporting event and fun in the city.

I've attended the US Open three times so far and it is truly one of my favorite tennis events. Steeped in tradition and excitement for the sport, it is absolutely an event every tennis fan should experience at least once!

In this guide, I will share a suggested long weekend itinerary and some tips and tricks to make your visit to the US Open and New York City stress-free and fun!

Patagonia is known for its vast landscapes, remarkable mountain views and wildlife - and for being one of the most protected and treasured spots on Earth. Earlier this year, with my husband and two teens, we ventured out to explore all that Patagonia has to offer. Our two-week journey started in Buenos Aires, continued through Argentina and then ended with a week-long stay in Torres del Paine.

Patagonia is the definition of adventure - whether it's getting from point A to point B or going to see the views for yourself, every element requires planning and preparation but your hard work will pay off when your feet are on the ground and you are taking in the stunning scenery for yourself.

The days were physical and sometimes long so we found the best way to balance our time was to partake in our favorite kind of travel: adventure by day and luxury by night. After a good meal and a solid night's sleep, we were ready for whatever the next day held for us.

In this guide, I am going to share with you the route we followed, some lessons we learned, and hopefully inspire you to embark on a Patagonia Adventure yourself. Before we start, it's important to know that this trip requires extensive planning and should not be booked last minute.

Whitefish may not be the first city you think of when you think of Montana but if you love small ski towns, outdoor adventure, local shops and easy access to a ski-resort then Whitefish needs to be on your radar. Home to Whitefish Mountain Resort and twenty minutes to Glacier National Park, Whitefish, Montana is the ultimate winter destination if you are looking to get away with your family and avoid the crowds common to ski resorts in the Western US. While skiing and snowboarding are popular activities in Whitefish, there are truly so many ways to enjoy the season and landscape of this area.

If you love art, history, architecture and delicious authentic Spanish cuisine, Barcelona needs to be on your bucket-list. For most, Barcelona is synonymous with Antoni Gaudi, since it is home to Sagrada Familia and fourteen other Gaudi-designed buildings. His works are scattered throughout the city (and beyond) and are all mesmerizing and haunting at the same time. Barcelona is a great city to visit for families of all ages because of the parks, beaches, shopping, history, architecture, ice cream shops and more. Whether you enjoy tours and diving into the history of a city or you prefer to spend time exploring outdoors, Barcelona has something for everyone.

Madrid is a must-see city if you are visiting Spain for the first time. Rich with history, art and architecture as well as green spaces and delicious food, Madrid is a great European destination for families of all ages. Whether you are searching for local fare like Jamón Iberico or Paella or if you want to take in all the museums the city has to offer, you will find that you can cover a lot in three days thanks to Madrid being a very walkable city with a great transit system. You will find this itinerary has a great balance of activities, sights and places to let the kids roam and play.