Fork & Leaf Travel

Fork & Leaf Travel Designing custom luxury travel with a culinary & nature niche. Jenn Nix, CTA.

If Japan is on your list, Kyoto is non-negotiable. And within Kyoto, so is this.Hotel The Mitsui Kyoto opened on the sit...
06/01/2026

If Japan is on your list, Kyoto is non-negotiable. And within Kyoto, so is this.

Hotel The Mitsui Kyoto opened on the site of the Mitsui family estate near Nijo Castle, and the grounds reflect that history. A natural hot spring runs below the property, and the onsen program is among the most considered in Kyoto. The pool, spa, and quiet of the gardens set this apart from most city hotel experiences in Japan.

The location works well for everything Kyoto offers. Nijo Castle is steps away, Arashiyama is within easy reach, and the Gion district is close enough for an evening without requiring a taxi.

Ready to experience Japan? Message me to start planning!

South Africa is one of the most itinerary-flexible destinations in the world. Here's how I recommend experiencing it:Cap...
05/31/2026

South Africa is one of the most itinerary-flexible destinations in the world. Here's how I recommend experiencing it:

Cape Town first. It's one of the most visually striking cities on earth, and the design hotel and restaurant scene here has matured significantly. Table Mountain, the Atlantic Seaboard, the Cape Peninsula. Most clients who go for a few days wish they had more.

For wildlife: the private reserves around Sabi Sands share an unfenced border with Kruger National Park. Big Five sightings are among the most consistent on the continent, and the private reserve experience means dramatically fewer vehicles per sighting than in the public park.

For wine: Stellenbosch and Franschhoek are genuinely world-class. The estate stays in Franschhoek in particular, with long lunches, cellar visits, and mountain scenery that doesn't match most people's image of Africa at all.

Most itineraries I design for South Africa cover all three. If Africa is on your travel bucket list, let's talk through what makes sense for your trip.

Some travelers are planning with a different set of priorities right now. Destinations that feel stable, well-organized,...
05/30/2026

Some travelers are planning with a different set of priorities right now. Destinations that feel stable, well-organized, and deliver an excellent experience without uncertainty. A few I keep recommending:

Switzerland, for alpine adventures that are hard to match anywhere. In summer, gondola rides into the Alps, mountain coasters, and for the chocolate lovers, Geneva has an unlimited chocolate pass honored at the city's best artisanal chocolatiers.

Ireland and Scotland, for long summer days, the Wild Atlantic Way, and a hospitality culture that consistently surprises first-time visitors in the best way.

Japan, for cherry blossom season, world-class powder skiing, small-ship cruising along its coastline, and a level of cultural depth that clients say changed how they think about travel entirely.

Australia and New Zealand, for stunning natural landscapes, serious food culture, and a well-run English-speaking environment that works particularly well for first-time long-haul travelers. Book New Zealand now before its first Michelin Guide puts the best tables out of reach.

If this is the kind of trip you're planning, I'll help you find the right destination and design it properly.

I've sent many clients to Iguazú Falls. Not one has come back saying it wasn't worth it.Gran Meliá Iguazú is the only ho...
05/28/2026

I've sent many clients to Iguazú Falls. Not one has come back saying it wasn't worth it.

Gran Meliá Iguazú is the only hotel located inside the Argentine national park, putting guests closer to the falls than any other property in the area. That means early access before day visitors arrive and a completely different atmosphere once they leave.

Staying on the Argentine side also gives access to the Brazilian perspective, which offers a panoramic view that's entirely different from the up-close experience. The falls span nearly 2 miles and include 275 individual cascades.

Advisor Tip: Buenos Aires, the wine country of Mendoza, and Patagonia all connect well with a few nights here.

Message me to start planning!

Summer travel doesn't have to mean Europe. Some of the best itineraries I'm building right now are in Southeast Asia.The...
05/27/2026

Summer travel doesn't have to mean Europe. Some of the best itineraries I'm building right now are in Southeast Asia.

The island-hopping combination of Thailand and Indonesia is one of the strongest trips I put together. Private villas, boat charters through some of the most spectacular water in the world, extraordinary food, and a value proposition that Europe simply cannot compete with at the moment.

Thailand's Andaman islands, Koh Lanta, Koh Yao Noi, and the stretches well away from the main Phuket strip, set the tone beautifully before connecting into Bali as a second base. The Komodo Islands for diving and wildlife. Lombok for something calmer. Raja Ampat for some of the best marine biodiversity on earth.

Does travel feel more expensive right now? It's not your imagination, and it's not one thing.Demand at the top end of th...
05/26/2026

Does travel feel more expensive right now? It's not your imagination, and it's not one thing.

Demand at the top end of the market has grown considerably. More travelers competing for the same number of genuinely excellent hotels, private guides, and limited-access experiences means pricing has moved in one direction.

International premium cabin pricing has shifted significantly since 2022 and hasn't come back down. The windows where pricing softens are shorter than they used to be. Then there's the currency piece. A strong dollar helps in some markets and doesn't in others. Knowing where and when it matters is part of the planning.

What this means practically: the travelers who get the most out of their budget right now are planning further ahead, staying flexible with timing, and being strategic about where they spend well versus where it doesn't change the experience.

If you're trying to make sense of what a trip should actually cost right now, I'm happy to walk through it with you.

Cool-cations are officially trending this summer, and honestly, I've been recommending them for years.More travelers are...
05/24/2026

Cool-cations are officially trending this summer, and honestly, I've been recommending them for years.

More travelers are planning their peak season trips around comfort and experience rather than just the calendar. The result? Some of the most spectacular destinations in the world, with a fraction of the usual crowds and temperatures that actually make you want to spend time outside. A few of my favorites right now:

Norway's fjord country is most accessible in summer, and the quality of light at that latitude is something clients consistently say they weren't prepared for. Photographers plan entire trips around it.

Iceland in summer is genuinely extraordinary. Long days, dramatic landscapes, and none of the overcrowding that defines peak season in southern Europe.

Vancouver Island in British Columbia is one of the most underrated summer destinations in North America. Old-growth forests, incredible wildlife, world-class kayaking, and a coastal pace that is hard to find anywhere else.

Alaska in summer delivers some of the most beautiful scenery on earth. Glacier trekking, wildlife encounters, and long golden days that stretch well into the evening.

The Atacama Desert in Chile is one of the driest places on earth and one of the best stargazing destinations in the world. Days are warm rather than hot, nights are cool, and the landscape is unlike anything else.

And then there's Patagonia. Remote, dramatic, and one of the most distinctive trips I plan all year.

Peak season travel without the heat, the crowds, or the chaos. Reach out, and let's find the right one for you.

05/22/2026

Some of the best trips I plan aren't for couples or solo travelers. They're for three generations under one roof, or a family milestone that needed to be done properly.

The options are more varied than most families realize. Safari. Private villa. Small ship cruise. Ski chalet. Luxury ranch. Cultural journey with a private guide. The format matters less than the intention behind it.

The common thread in every great family trip I've planned: intentional design from the start.

If you're planning a family trip and want it to actually work, that's exactly what I do. Reach out to start the conversation.

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