Highlights in the Current Travel World

Dear Advisor Partners,

From time to time, I enjoy sharing what is happening in our destinations around the world. From exciting experiences, and WGS® guest assistance cases, to some of the really unique activities being planned, the travel landscape is definitely active. Here are a few of the goings on with guests on location in some of the popular areas across the globe.

In Ecuador, tea time at a historic hacienda within Cotopaxi National Park, where you can find the highest active volcano in the world, surely has to make the list. Mint tea just isn’t the same back home. Then you have bird watching in Mindo Cloud Forest for the avid bird lover. This is where the birds stop being a hobby and become part of the quintessential safari. It’s so good to see the Galapagos Islands making a comeback especially on the land based section where customization meets exploration. With the recent news that fully vaccinated guests no longer need a PCR test to enter the archipelago, it’s clear the renaissance is under way.

Colombia, the country which remains one of my first loves, was started on my watch. You see, when I came to Big Five 19 years ago, our other destinations were there and operating successfully. It thrills me to see clients exploring and discovering this culture rich country. After a graffiti stop in Bogota, it’s on to Medellin. On the docket next, paragliding, mango ice cream and communas. And we haven’t even reached Cartagena yet with a must stop at Pergamino.

Across the water in East Africa, we see trekking wild rhino on foot in Northern Kenya before heading to Mara River, where the dramatic animal herds can be witnessed. Crossing over into Tanzania to explore the Serengeti, guests are taking African safaris in a very different way. The timing is just perfect as the many zebra have crossed over the Mara River and Sand River into the Mara reserve, while the wildebeest are not too far behind. The culmination is gorilla trekking in the lower Bwindi forest, happening upon a troop of gorillas, observing a silverback watching over the group as the young play and the females rest.

Looking north, we have Egypt, another well-deserved hotspot. The anticipation of the Grand Egyptian Museum opening later this year is just amazing. I always knew Egypt was on everyone’s bucket list, however the sheer excitement of visiting Egypt is more than anyone could have imagined. It’s a testament to Egypt’s rich history. The interesting thing is our preferred method of visiting between Luxor and Aswan by road has become the more popular method for so many, even in a warm month like June.  I visited Egypt for the first time as a teenager and just fell in love with the rich history. And by the looks of it, others are having a similar reaction.

Each month, more of the world opens and one thing is clear, we haven’t forgotten how to do this, thank goodness! Enjoy the video and we’ll see you out there soon.