Trips by Simone

08/05/2025

Rain or shine, Ireland’s west coast has a way of catching your heart off guard. Follow winding roads to windswept cliffs, candlelit manor houses, and Wi-Fi-free pubs that invite you to unplug truly. This is travel that slows you down in all the right ways. 🌧️🐑

Read on to learn what makes this corner of the Emerald Isle unforgettable. ⬇️

📷: Richard James Taylor

Theatrical weather, stunning walks, and raptors stir the heart on the Emerald Isle.

08/05/2025

Some trips stay with you forever, not just for the views but for the flavors.

What’s been your favorite food experience while traveling? And where’s your palate taking you next?

Love food? So do I. That’s why I design trips where you roll pasta with a Michelin-starred chef in Tuscany, explore sunrise markets in Bangkok with a local guide, and score seats at Paris’s hardest-to-book chef’s tables. The kind of moments that stay with you long after dessert.

Ready to plan your next culinary adventure? Let’s make it delicious.

08/04/2025

Where do you go when you want luxury with a side of adventure? Here.

Alaska’s wild beauty feels larger than life, and Stillpoint Lodge puts you right in the middle of it.

Accessible only by boat or helicopter, this private retreat is all about the outdoor experiences: kayak alongside playful sea otters, take a heli-hiking trip across glacier-carved peaks, or reel in your own catch on a private salmon fishing excursion (the chef will turn it into the freshest dinner of your life). Back at the lodge, soak in a cedar sauna, sip cocktails by the fire, and enjoy multi-course farm-to-table meals.

Adventure and luxury don’t have to be opposites—let's book both.

08/04/2025

💫 We enjoyed the doting service (all about Dolce & Kai ), felt so welcome and (I) dined on delicious lemon tagliatelle, sipped divine Negroni (master classes during the week), and why not a clarified Pina Colada (learned and tasted something new) since 1915 ❤️ 🍋 🍝

07/31/2025

In Cape Town, art is everywhere, from museums and hotel corridors to even your dinner plate. Explore South Africa’s rich creative scene with private tours, artist studios, and cultural day trips just outside the city. Read more for an insider’s guide to this dynamic destination. 🖼️🍷

📷: Wianelle Briers

Don’t miss these museums, galleries, and private collections.

07/31/2025

Some destinations come with bragging rights—and a UNESCO badge.

It’s one thing to see the Pyramids or the Terracotta Army in a textbook, another to walk alongside them with a private historian. UNESCO World Heritage Sites aren’t just well-preserved, they’re alive with stories, textures, and traditions passed down over centuries.

I’ll connect you to expert-led tours, boutique hotels that echo the local culture, and once-in-a-lifetime moments.

Let’s make the past feel present. Your story starts now.

07/30/2025

No algorithm can replicate what travel advisors bring to the table, because we don’t just plan travel, we live it.

Every itinerary I create is backed by years of real-world experience, on-the-ground connections, and an obsession with uncovering what makes each destination truly special.

I’ve stayed at the hotels. I’ve dined with the chefs. I’ve wandered down alleyways that led to my favorite finds. And I bring all of that to your trip, not just to book logistics, but to build something that feels seamless, thoughtful, and completely your own.

If you’re craving a trip that feels curated, not cookie-cutter, you’re in the right place. Let’s create a journey you didn’t even know you needed.

07/29/2025

Welcome to andBeyond Suyian, 44,000 acres of wild Northern Kenya, where elegance and adventure go hand in hand ✨

Unwind, explore, and reconnect with the wild. Your safari begins here 🦒

Discover more: https://virtuoso.com/advisor/simonemckinney/travel/luxury-hotels/18104198/andbeyond-kenya

07/29/2025

It starts with a spark. Maybe a destination you’ve been daydreaming about, or just a feeling you want to chase.

I'm here to take that spark and shape it into something real. I take your ideas (even the half-formed ones) and turn them into something extraordinary, with every detail handled behind the scenes.
• Private transfers and fast-track perks? Covered.
• Chef’s table dinners, local makers, and guides who feel like old friends? Done.
• Support before, during, and after your trip? Always.

This is travel without the guesswork. Let’s build something unforgettable; I'm ready whenever you are!

07/28/2025

One glimpse of the Dolomites at sunrise and you’ll understand why this UNESCO-listed wonder is trending.

Towering limestone peaks blush pink at dawn, alpine meadows burst with wildflowers by day, and high-altitude lakes like Lago di Braies reflect drama at every turn.

I'll plan a trip that matches the magic: boutique alpine stays, private guides, lift tickets, and mountaintop dinners included. Get in touch to learn more!

07/27/2025

If a Nile River Cruise isn’t on your bucket list, it should be.

Golden temples, ancient tombs and markets are just the beginning. With AmaWaterways, you'll explore it all in comfort: small-group excursions, expert Egyptologists, fine dining, and seamless service throughout. Expect market strolls, sunrise temple visits, and evenings under the stars, all curated to feel personal and effortless.

Get in touch to learn more!

07/26/2025

You know Santorini. You’ve heard of Mykonos. But the most exciting new stay in the Cyclades? That’s Gundari on Folegandros.

With only 27 suites (plus two ultra-private villas) sculpted into the cliffside, this place was built for travelers who appreciate rare views and even rarer privacy. The infinity pool with its solar‑powered swim‑up bar? Pure showstopper, and the subterranean spa taps into ancient Greek rituals with wild‑harvested botanicals.

Chef Lefteris Lazarou brings fresh-from-the-garden flavor to Orizon, with menus starring seasonal ingredients and Aegean seafood—served under skies that turn from brilliant blue to rose‑gold over that cliffside terrace.

Ready to claim your private corner of Folegandros? Reach out to me to start your retreat.