Michele Rhudy

Victoria Falls stirs awe and emotion in equal measure. Standing near the edge of the world’s widest waterfall, feeling the mist on your face and hearing the thunder of the Zambezi, it’s impossible not to feel small in the best kind of way. But what makes this place stick with you long after you leave isn’t just the natural beauty—it’s the quiet moments: monkeys swinging through the trees at breakfast, the warm local hospitality, and a sunset over a watering hole. Our time here made us feel connected, grounded, and deeply grateful.

If you are going to explore the Southern African countries for a safari, three to four days in Cape Town, South Africa, provides the perfect start. With abundant international flights arriving daily, this fascinating city offers natural wonders, great food and wine, and deep history worth taking the time to understand. Our family hired a private guide to explore the Cape Town region in three parts, leaving with a true introduction to “the Mother City.”

The Bernina Express had been on my travel wish list for years—one of those epic, “pinch-me” train journeys that looked almost too beautiful to be real. When we finally rode it as a multigenerational group, it exceeded every expectation. From the cheerful Italian town of Tirano to the alpine elegance of St. Moritz, the route winds past glaciers, viaducts, and tiny villages that feel plucked from a storybook.

What I loved most was the accessibility of the experience, with no need to book a tour or rent a car. This unforgettable ride is easily bookable through the Swiss rail site, and it’s perfect for travelers of all ages. I curated this itinerary to help others plan a seamless and spectacular journey, whether you’re looking to sit back and watch the scenery or stop and explore charming towns along the way.

In our family of five, we have an inflatable beach ball imprinted with the globe. We’ve used it to visualize visiting more than 25 countries, and one particular year we’d had a tough season. Throwing caution to the wind, we spun the globe and decided to go at destiny’s whim. Lucky for us, we landed on Papeete, Tahiti, French Polynesia. Digging into research, we quickly learned that island hopping is easiest by boat, and no one does it better than the French luxury cruise line Paul Gauguin. With roughly 300 guests and 209 crew, the well-equipped vessel is small enough to navigate idyllic ports but large enough to buffer from the extremes of the South Pacific sea. Featuring three restaurants and truly all-inclusive service (including gratuities and alcohol). This luxurious journey offers just enough to be entertained while not being overwhelmed. Local Tahitians – Les Gauguins and Les Gauguines — work onboard as hosts and entertainers, immersing guests in the beautiful culture. We designed our two-week adventure centered around a 10-day cruise with a post-cruise splurge in the famously Instagrammable overwater bungalows in Moorea.

Lugano was the perfect day trip during our time on Lake Como — just over the border, yet a whole new world. From the peaceful lakeside to the panoramic views on Monte San Salvatore, the day was filled with fresh air, great food and a little chocolate-fueled shopping. Lugano lets you dip into Swiss serenity without sacrificing any of the Italian warmth and is the kind of outing that blends adventure and indulgence in all the best ways.

Tuscany has a way of slowing you down in the best way. Our home base in Lucca gave us access to rolling vineyards, Renaissance cities and the colorful cliffs of Cinque Terre. Whether we were hiring a private chef at our place, wandering the Uffizi or taking wrong turns that turned into right ones, this trip reminded us how joyful travel can be when you lean into the unexpected. It’s the perfect itinerary for families, foodies and curious travelers who want it all (without packing up and moving every two days).

Lake Como swept me off my feet the moment we arrived. The views are a watercolor painting brought to life. It’s a place that blends old-world charm with breathtaking natural beauty. You can sip espresso by the lake in the morning and hike through the Alps in the afternoon. Whether you're ferry-hopping between fairytale villages or picnicking in the hills above Varenna, this is a destination that invites you to slow down and savor everything. I can’t imagine a more idyllic place to return to again and again.

Thailand is having a well-deserved moment. With affordable luxury, fabulous fresh food and scenery worthy of an HBO series, what’s not to love? Our family spent a week exploring the energy, sites and culture of Bangkok and Chiang Mai. We left vowing to return to the country that earns its nickname as “The Land of Smiles.”

Our visit to Siem Reap spanned only four days, so we wanted to balance homage to the Angkor Temples with a dose of culture, relaxation and fun. Our family of five found that balance by focusing on the major temples, while saving time for quad bikes, getting massages and visiting Pub Street at night. The result was memories for a lifetime we savor today.

Vietnam’s largest city is magical, with incredible culture, history, food, scenery, spas and, most notably, incredible people. Our family spent several days exploring Saigon’s history while relishing its fresh and healthy cuisine. No matter your interests, HCMC has something for everyone.

Just two short hours from the bustle of Hanoi sits Ha Long Bay – a place where 1,600 islands and inlets emerge from emerald water, small villages exist as in centuries past and pictures just can’t do it justice. Our family of five spent three days in Ha Long Bay aboard Emperor Cruises Legacy Ha Long, the first 5-star cruise in Vietnam.

Our family of five found Hanoi to be a feast for the senses, where every alley and walkway revealed new surprises. Incredible shopping and spa treatments combined with history, culture and amazing food made our first stop in Southeast Asia nothing short of magical.

Dubai is a bucket-list destination known worldwide for opulent shopping and luxurious experiences. It’s also hot in the summer — think “123 degrees Fahrenheit” hot. Our family of five spent a week in the Middle East on a route to Southeast Asia in the middle of July. With realistic goals and plenty of water breaks, we banked countless memories and even more laughs from the city to the desert in UAE.

Qatar is a place of contradictions, delicately suspended between old and new. Visitors are immersed in ancient times, but with the world’s most modern advancements. Qatar can be a natural destination when traveling from West to East, as our U.S.-based family did, spending a week in the Middle East on a route to Southeast Asia. With our feet rooted in Doha, we learned what makes Qatar intriguing, exciting, and, at times, even a bit shocking. Discover top attractions, food and day trips in this detailed guide.