Clare Dos Santos Travel

29/08/2026

There’s no doubt that Tennessee has lost one of its most iconic figures this week, with the passing of Dolly Parton.

And it got me thinking about a part of Tennessee that I absolutely loved visiting — East Tennessee.

When most people think of Tennessee, they think of Memphis, Nashville, country music and whiskey… but head east, and you discover something completely different.

We spent time in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, right in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains, and this side of Tennessee feels so incredibly real and authentic.

It’s mountain cabins, incredible scenery, Southern hospitality, local food, live music… and that unmistakable Appalachian charm.

And of course, we couldn’t come all this way without visiting Dollywood — Dolly’s very own theme park in Pigeon Forge.

But what I loved most was that Dollywood feels like so much more than a theme park. It’s a celebration of the place Dolly came from, the people she loved, the music she grew up with and the Smoky Mountains that were always such a huge part of her story.

And the best part? East Tennessee is incredibly easy to add to a USA itinerary.

It’s only around a 3½-hour drive from Nashville, or you can fly directly into Knoxville and pick up a car from there.

We recommend allowing at least 3–4 nights to really experience East Tennessee — from the Smoky Mountains and Gatlinburg to Pigeon Forge and, of course, Dollywood.

So while we remember Dolly this week, I thought it was the perfect time to shine a little light on her Tennessee.

Because if Nashville or Memphis are already on your USA bucket list… keep heading east. You might just discover your new favourite part of Tennessee. 🤍

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☎️ 0428 776 649

28/08/2026

🌴 Behind the scenes at Envoyage Conference 2026 ✈️

Earlier this month, Clare headed to Cairns for the Envoyage Conference — and while it may look like a few days of sunshine, networking and travel talk, there’s a much bigger reason we invest in opportunities like this…

It’s all about making your holidays better. ✨

The travel industry is constantly changing, and staying connected, informed and ahead of the curve means we can bring more knowledge, better opportunities and stronger relationships to your holiday planning.

🤝 Building supplier relationships
Meeting face-to-face with cruise lines, hotels, tour operators and destination partners gives us direct connections with the people who help make your trips happen — and those relationships can make a real difference when we’re creating your itinerary.

🎤 Learning from industry leaders
Hearing from Dean Long, CEO of ATIA, reinforced the importance of having a strong, professional travel industry that advocates for both travel advisors and travellers. We’re proud to be an ATIA member.

✨ Fresh inspiration
Motivational speaker Lucy Bloom provided plenty of inspiration and a reminder that growth comes from continually learning, adapting and challenging ourselves.

💻 New technology
We also got an exciting preview of what’s coming to Envoyage, with new technology designed to help us work smarter and enhance the way we plan and manage your travels.

Ultimately, events like this mean we come back with more knowledge, more connections and more tools to put to work for you.

Because your holiday should never be “just a booking”. It should be thoughtfully planned, expertly organised and tailored around what matters to you. ❤️

24/08/2026

Brand USA Ambassadors share how travel advisors can turn traveller uncertainty about US entry, costs and planning into confidence and bookings.

18/08/2026

HUBBARD GLACIER 🧊❄️

Hubbard Glacier is technically a sea day… unless you book an excursion!

As part of our Seabourn Encore Alaska journey, this was a sightseeing day through Yakutat Bay, with the ship getting us up close to the incredible Hubbard Glacier. But we decided we wanted to get even closer… so we booked a kayak excursion! 🛶

And WOW. Getting out on the water and paddling towards Hubbard Glacier was such a surreal experience. We spotted bald eagles and seals along the way, surrounded by towering mountains, floating ice and the most incredible Alaskan scenery. 🦅🦭

After our kayak adventure, we spent the rest of the afternoon back onboard Seabourn Encore, watching the glacier and scenery unfold around us — hot chocolate in hand, of course! ☕️

One of those days where you really don’t need an itinerary… just somewhere to sit, something warm to drink and a view like this. 💙

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☎️ 0428 776 649

13/08/2026

LIFE ON BOARD: SEABOURN ENCORE 🚢✨

If there’s one thing that truly elevated our Alaska journey, it was life onboard the Seabourn Encore — a small ship that delivers serious luxury in the most effortless way. 💫

This isn’t your typical cruise experience. With fewer guests onboard, everything feels more personal, more relaxed, and far more refined. It’s the kind of ship where you quickly forget how big the world is outside… because everything you need is right here.

Think all-suite accommodation, and yes — most suites come with their own private balcony. Perfect for those slow mornings with a coffee watching glaciers drift by. ☕❄️

The bathrooms? Pure indulgence. Marble finishes, spacious layouts, and that boutique-hotel feel at sea. It’s luxury done properly.

Dining and drinks are where Seabourn really shines. Unlimited caviar on demand (yes, really), free-flowing premium beverages, and incredible food available whenever you feel like it — no rigid schedules, no fuss, just quality at every turn. 🥂🍽️

And the food… honestly, it was fantastic throughout. What made it even more special was how Alaska was woven into the dining experience on certain nights, with beautifully curated menus inspired by the region. Think fresh, local flavours, seafood done properly, and dishes that genuinely reflected where we were sailing — it made the whole journey feel even more immersive.

What we loved most though is the focus on destination-led cruising. The ship doesn’t just take you places — it enhances the experience of being there. Every detail feels designed to connect you to Alaska in a meaningful way, while still wrapping you in absolute comfort onboard.

💌 [email protected]
☎️ 0428 776 649

12/08/2026

STOP 2: SITKA, ALASKA 🇺🇸🗻

Sitka was our second stop — and honestly, one of our favourites. ❤️

It’s not featured on a huge number of cruise itineraries, but maybe that’s part of the magic. Sitka felt like a real Alaskan town, rather than somewhere that exists purely for tourists.

We started the day with a half-day hike through some seriously spectacular scenery — lakes, waterfalls, banana slugs 🐌 and snow-capped mountains.

Now, anyone who knows us knows that we are not exactly fitness enthusiasts 😂 So yes… the hike pushed us! But every huff, puff and questionable life decision was absolutely worth it. The scenery was incredible.

We had the afternoon free to wander around Sitka, explore the town and soak up the local atmosphere. And because apparently walking around a new destination counts as exercise, we decided we had earned ourselves a visit to Ernie’s Old Time Saloon.

A game of pool, a few drinks… and, of course, we couldn’t visit Ernie’s without trying their famous Duck Fart shots. 🦆💥

Yes. You read that correctly.

A Duck Fart. In Alaska. At a saloon. 😂 I do recommend! And honestly, after the morning we’d had, it felt very well deserved.

Adventure → food → drinks → repeat.

Sitka, you were an absolute surprise favourite. ❤️ if you’d like to see what cruises are available for you to visit Sitka, or just want to know more, feel free to reach out!

💌 [email protected]
☎️ 0428 776 649

07/08/2026

🦅 FIRST PORT: KETCHIKAN, ALASKA 🦀

Our first taste of Alaska had to be a good one… and Ketchikan certainly delivered!

We started the day off the beaten track on an ATV adventure, winding our way through the Alaskan wilderness until we reached a beautiful, secluded lake. The kind of place that makes you stop, take a breath and realise just how incredible this part of the world really is. 🌲🏔️

Then it was time for one of Alaska’s essential experiences… crab lunch! 🦀 And as if the day couldn’t get any better, we were treated to a little wildlife encounter of our own — watching an eagle swoop down and grab a fish straight from the ocean. 🦅🌊

We’d deliberately chosen a tour that still gave us plenty of time to explore Ketchikan afterwards, because experiencing the town itself was just as important to us.

And being docked right in the heart of Ketchikan with Seabourn made it so easy to step straight off the ship and soak up the charm of this colourful little Alaskan town.

We wandered through historic Creek Street, explored the streets and took in the atmosphere before heading back to the ship.

Adventure ✔️
Wildlife ✔️
Crab ✔️
A little taste of Ketchikan ✔️

And this was only our first port… Alaska, you’ve got our attention. ❄️

💌 [email protected]
☎️ 0428 776 649

04/08/2026

Last week we headed off on an incredible adventure — sailing with Seabourn on a one-way voyage from Vancouver to Juneau, Alaska. 🏔️🚢

Before we even stepped on board, we spent two nights exploring Vancouver, and I was reminded why this city deserves so much more than being thought of as just a cruise departure port.

We based ourselves at the beautiful Fairmont Pacific Rim and spent our time wandering through Granville Island Public Market, walking high amongst the trees at Capilano Suspension Bridge, taking in the incredible views from Grouse Mountain, exploring the historic streets of Gastown, shopping along Robson Street, and discovering the beauty of Stanley Park.

There is genuinely so much to see and do here, whether you’re adding a few nights before or after your cruise, or making Vancouver a destination in its own right.

So, what did we learn and see?
🍁 Is Vancouver worth extending your stay for before an Alaska cruise?
🍁 Which experiences are genuinely worth your time?
🍁 Where should you stay?

Vancouver is one of those cities that really rewards a little extra time, and the options can feel overwhelming when you’re trying to plan it all yourself.

If you’re thinking about adding Vancouver into your Alaska cruise plans, or want the most up-to-date advice on where to stay and what to do, just get in touch — we’d love to help you plan it properly. 🇨🇦

💌 [email protected]
☎️ 0428 776 649

19/07/2026

EXCLUSIVE: My Role As A Brand USA Ambassador
I sat down and had a chat with Travel Talk Media all about my new role as a Brand USA Ambassador 🇺🇸
You can read about it here:

Clare Dos Santos is among a group of Aussie advisors chosen to be part of Brand USA’s 2026 Ambassador Program. Here she reveals what she hopes to bring to the role.

19/07/2026

This is exactly why I spend so much time inspecting hotels when I travel.

We’re currently working with a new collection of boutique hotels, which brought us to this beautiful property in Venice… and within minutes I was completely sold.

It doesn’t rely on chandeliers or over-the-top luxury. Instead, it’s all about thoughtful design.

Soft Venetian pinks, rich timber beams, terrazzo floors, custom furnishings, brass finishes, cosy reading nooks, oversized headboards and beautiful natural light. Every space feels intentional, with little details that make you stop and look twice. Even the door handles deserved a photo. 🤍

Set away from the busiest parts of Venice in one of the city’s more local neighbourhoods, it feels peaceful, creative and effortlessly stylish, while still being close enough to wander to all of the places you’ll want to explore.

These are the kinds of properties I love recommending.

Not because they’re the most expensive.
Not because they’re the most famous.

But because they create an experience you’ll remember long after you’ve unpacked your suitcase.

Sometimes the hotel really does become part of the destination. ❤️

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