Global Getaways

Global Getaways Travel that Transforms. Welcome! My name is Deena Gainor and I am the owner and founder of Global Getaways. Travel is one of our great passions.

We offer personalized, professional service to our valued clients, planning customized trips that are thoughtfully crafted and designed just for you by understanding your dreams and taking time to listen to what's important to you. My husband's name is Ryan and we work together to help create customized luxury and romance vacation itineraries you will love. As such, we are dedicated to making trav

el fun and rewarding for all of our clients. Our specialty is finding destinations that take your breath away. We have sought out the unique, the extraordinary, and the dream destinations both at home and abroad. Our favorite destinations are exclusive and amazing…some of the most beautiful places in the world. We can help you escape to an intimate romantic getaway, a unique luxury villa vacation, or an exotic Tahitian honeymoon in an over-water bungalow. The last few years, our clients have loved traveling to places like Thailand, East and South Africa, Chile/Patagonia, and Europe, especially Italy, France, Spain, and Portugal! Where would you like us to send you?

The Travel Edit: Exploring Europe’s Quieter Corners - Tallinn, EstoniaIn my last post, I shared that I was heading acros...
05/23/2026

The Travel Edit: Exploring Europe’s Quieter Corners - Tallinn, Estonia

In my last post, I shared that I was heading across the Atlantic to conduct firsthand research on four European countries I have never set foot in before.
Today, I am writing to you from our very first stop: Tallinn, Estonia. Over the next few weeks, this journey will take us through Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and finally, Denmark.

When designing high-end itineraries, my priority is always on the quality of the experience, the depth of the culture, and the standard of dining. To truly understand a destination, it's helpful to walk it yourself. This day began with an immersive three-hour walking tour of Tallinn’s remarkably preserved medieval Old Town, evaluating how the historical narrative connects with a modern traveler's expectations.

Part of my job while I am here is checking out the local hotels firsthand to see exactly how they take care of guests. This morning, that meant walking through four completely different properties. I visited Hotel Telegraaf, which has a very stately and polished feel, and the Schlössle Hotel, which is deeply historic and cozy. I also toured the new Nunne Boutique Hotel, which actually has a piece of the city's original 13th-century stone wall running right through the building, and The Burman Hotel, a beautifully restored 17-room gem that blends classic charm with really personal, attentive service.

Over the coming weeks, I will be using this space to give you a behind-the-scenes look at these specific hotel inspections. We will look through each region to discuss why these destinations are a great option to answer Europe's shifting travel landscape. And of course, as always, we will also focus on important experiences, the remarkable dining, and the local culture.

I look forward to sharing more detailed insights on each country as we move forward.

Behind the Scenes: Out of the office and officially on our way!If you are looking for me over the next couple of weeks, ...
05/19/2026

Behind the Scenes: Out of the office and officially on our way!

If you are looking for me over the next couple of weeks, you can find me somewhere over the Atlantic, or more specifically, exploring four European countries I have never set foot in before.

This trip is a mix of business and beautiful exploration. One of the core parts of how I design travel is making sure we visit the locations we sell, which is why I have a number of hotel site inspections set up along the way. There is no substitute for personally walking a property and meeting face-to-face with our incredible on-the-ground partners to make sure our clients will be taken care of.

But there is another big reason for this specific journey. Since the world opened back up, interest in Europe has absolutely skyrocketed. Many of the destinations we all know and love are becoming incredibly overwhelmed with visitors. While those places will always have a special place in my heart, I am also on the lookout for what is next.

Part of my job is finding those interesting and slightly quieter corners of the world where you can still experience incredible luxury and deep culture without fighting the massive crowds.

So, we are heading out to do some firsthand research on a few new-to-me spots. I would love to have you follow along to see where we land. Any guesses on which four countries are on the itinerary?

05/14/2026

La Jolla! When we lived in San Diego, La Jolla was one of our favorites. We spent so many hours here the first six years of our marriage, first as newlyweds and then eventually bringing three of our four kids along to explore.

It’s a place that holds so many special memories for us. We loved having the opportunity to return for a visit and I was once again tempted to stay!

05/14/2026

La Jolla! When we lived in San Diego, La Jolla was one of our favorites. We spent so many hours here the first six years of our marriage, first as newlyweds and then eventually bringing three of our four kids along to explore.

It’s a place that holds so many special memories for us. We loved having the opportunity to return for a visit and I was once again tempted to stay! Jolla

Palm Springs and Palm Desert provided a wonderful change of pace during our recent visit to the JW Marriott Desert Sprin...
05/13/2026

Palm Springs and Palm Desert provided a wonderful change of pace during our recent visit to the JW Marriott Desert Springs. Ryan and I especially enjoyed seeing the resident flamingos and black swans while admiring the views of the mountains across the water. It is a lovely property for anyone looking to enjoy the natural beauty of the desert in a refined setting. This is certainly a favorite recommendation of mine for a relaxing California getaway.

The Travel Edit: Is the "Best" Choice Actually the Right One for You?I see it almost every day in my local community gro...
04/10/2026

The Travel Edit: Is the "Best" Choice Actually the Right One for You?

I see it almost every day in my local community groups. A post pops up asking: "What’s the best resort in Italy?" or "Which Europen river cruise is the best?"
I usually stay quiet. It’s not because I’m shy, though I naturally am! It’s because the honest answer is almost always: "It depends."

Crowdsourcing is a fun way to get ideas, but there's a little trap involved. What your neighbor absolutely loved might be the one thing you’d prefer to avoid. We all have such unique travel DNA. What feels like a 5 star experience to one person might feel too crowded or too quiet for another.

To give you an example of how "the best" changes depending on who's asking, I’m currently helping four different couples plan a trip to the Nile. If they'd gone with the most popular name, they’d likely all be on the same ship. Instead, we have them on three totally different lines:

Prioritizing Value and Familiarity: One couple prioritized price. They didn't mind a larger ship or being part of bigger groups on excursions. They'd sailed this line before, liked the consistency, and were happy with the savings.

Focusing on the Itinerary: Another couple has a favorite company we usually love and book for them, but only offered a 4 night cruise. They wanted a full 7 night immersion on the Nile River itself, plus an extension into Jordan and Cairo. We moved them to a beautiful ship with a reputation for incredible service that fit their schedule perfectly.

Seeking Intimacy and Luxury: The last two couples wanted boutique. No crowds, smaller groups. We offered them a brand new ship sailing for the first time this fall. It's designed to be a "floating palace" with only 32 suites and floor to ceiling windows. It’s perfect for those who want to see Egypt in a more modern, quiet, and deeply personal way.

Finding these differences isn't about looking at a brochure; it comes from your
Travel Consultant taking time to understand what actually matters to you. When we connect, I’m going to ask a lot of questions that might seem small but change everything.

I’m asking about your morning coffee and whether you like to sleep in or hit the ground running. I want to know how you truly feel about crowds and what "luxury" actually means to you.

If your consultant isn't digging deep into those details and more, it’s hard to make sure you aren't just duplicating someone else’s favorite vacation. Especially when you’re headed somewhere exotic, it’s so helpful to have someone who can help you look past the most popular choice to find one that actually matches your heart. You and your neighbor might be the best of friends, but you probably have very different ideas of a dream vacation. That’s the beauty of travel.

Be honest: Are you guilty of crowdsourcing your next big adventure and stopping there? (It's okay, we’ve all done it!)

Friday Destination Spotlight: A Brief Transformation at the VaticanIn case you missed this announcement, I wanted to sha...
03/20/2026

Friday Destination Spotlight: A Brief Transformation at the Vatican

In case you missed this announcement, I wanted to share a small but important update regarding the Vatican Museums that might affect your plans if Italy is on your horizon for this spring. For those planning Italian itineraries in early 2026, a notable change in the visitor experience has been announced.

Beginning February 1, 2026, Michelangelo’s The Last Judgment will undergo essential conservation work. This process is expected to last approximately three months. While the Sistine Chapel itself remains open and accessible to visitors, a scaffolding structure will cover this specific masterpiece during the restoration.

When we are working together on a customized itinerary, my main goal is to provide clarity so there are no surprises. A couple of things to keep in mind if you are visiting during this window:

1. Explore the Galleries: This is an excellent time to spend more moments in the Raphael Rooms or the Gallery of Maps, which are often overshadowed by the Chapel.

2. Manage Your Expectations: If The Last Judgment is the primary reason for your visit, you may wish to consider timing your trip for the latter half of May or June.

These restorations are so important for preserving history for future generations. I want to make sure you have all the information needed to make the best decision for your journey.

Behind the Scenes: The Heart of Service and When the Gates Close!Continuing my series on what a luxury travel advisor do...
03/18/2026

Behind the Scenes: The Heart of Service and When the Gates Close!

Continuing my series on what a luxury travel advisor does behind the scenes, I wanted to share another real-world example. Sometimes, the most important work is for the moments that do not go exactly as planned.

Clients were flying Monday for their honeymoon, but their departing flight was delayed by over 3 hours, leaving them with a tiny 15-minute buffer to make their connection. They landed on time, but the gates had already closed. They stood there watching as their plane pulled away. By the time they walked off that first flight, however, several things had already happened:

1. Alternative travel discussed. We'd been tracking the delay and had already secured seats on a new flight departing just 2 hours later. It required 1 extra stop, but was the shortest and best way to get them to their destination.

2. Contingency plans pre-booked. Because there was a high risk of being stranded at the connection point and a plane full of other passengers potentially missing the same flight, I went ahead and booked a hotel room in that city. I wanted to make sure they had a place to sleep if they were stuck, rather than fighting for limited space.

3. Logistics were adjusted. Their private driver was rescheduled to meet the new arrival time, and their dinner reservations were canceled.

4. Arrival details were handled. I worked with the concierge at their final hotel to make sure they weren't marked as a "no-show." I also arranged for two delicious late-night meals to be waiting in their suite so they could eat and relax the moment they finally arrived. A special thank you to Nabil, who graciously assisted me with this!

From the client’s perspective, there were many variables and outcomes, and they were tired...but they knew every scenario was covered.

I want to be clear that this isn't a typical day. I deeply value a healthy work-life balance, but on those rare occasions when travel concerns rear their heads, the priority shifts. True luxury service is less about exclusive perks and more about lightening the load when travel concerns arise, providing the quiet confidence that you are not alone and that someone always has your back.

What this meant behind the scenes was starting my day at 5:00 AM when that first delay appeared. I stayed at my desk until 4:00 AM the next day, once I knew they had safely reached their destination. The work continued until the following evening to make sure their missing bags, which hadn't made that final connection, were delivered to their room.

I received a photo of my clients’ smiling faces on the beach and it was the best reward I could ask for, though I have to admit, I never thought a simple picture of delivered luggage could make me quite as happy!

I’m curious. We’ve all had those nightmare travel days. What is your most difficult travel story, and how did you handle it?

Some Good News for Your Next Trip HomeI know many of you have been keeping a close eye on the travel delays lately, so I...
03/11/2026

Some Good News for Your Next Trip Home

I know many of you have been keeping a close eye on the travel delays lately, so I wanted to share some truly welcome news: Global Entry is officially back up and running as of 5 a.m. this morning.

After a 17-day break due to the partial shutdown, those kiosks are finally back online. If you have international travel coming up soon, this should make your arrival back into the States much smoother.

A quick tip from my side: it's important to remember that the partial shutdown continues to impact overall staffing. To make sure your return journey is as smooth as possible, I still recommend arriving at the airport earlier than usual. It’s always better to have an extra 30 minutes for a coffee than to feel rushed at security.

I’m so glad to see this piece of the travel puzzle put back in place for you.

Safe travels!

Destination Spotlight: The Many Layers of KrakowIt's been a busy Friday at Global Getaways as our focus shifts to Poland...
03/10/2026

Destination Spotlight: The Many Layers of Krakow

It's been a busy Friday at Global Getaways as our focus shifts to Poland. My clients arrived in Krakow yesterday, and we have created a very full few days for them.

This particular couple loves to truly connect with the heartbeat of a destination. They enjoy moving past the typical tourist sights to meet the people who call the city home. To help them immerse themselves in that local warmth, we arranged a private, traditional Polish dinner party for just the two of them with a local family to start their journey.

Krakow is a city that rewards those who look a little deeper:

THE HEART OF THE CITY. Beyond the famous Main Market Square, some clients prefer a walk through the Kazimierz district. Once the Jewish Quarter, it is now the soul of the creative scene. It is where you find the most authentic local life tucked away in quiet courtyards and small galleries.

THE DEPTHS OF WIELICZKA. The Salt Mines are world-famous, and the scale is staggering. The entire network reaches a depth of over 1,000 feet, roughly the height of the Eiffel Tower. While it houses the magnificent Chapel of St. Kinga (a literal cathedral carved from salt), it also contains a natural health resort where the pure microclimate is used to treat respiratory ailments.

A PLACE OF REFLECTION. An in depth visit to Auschwitz is a heavy but necessary experience. We make sure our clients have the right private guide to provide the space and context needed for such a profound visit. It is about honoring the stories that stay with you long after you leave.

A LITTLE INSIDER TIP: Most visitors focus on the Royal Chambers at Wawel Castle, but some clients prefer to find a quiet corner in the Italianate courtyard. It is one of the most peaceful spots in the city to take in the Renaissance architecture before the afternoon crowds arrive.

Krakow is a collection of stories rather than just a place on a map. To our clients currently exploring these historic streets: we wish you a meaningful journey and a wonderful evening of Polish hospitality.

When you travel, do you prefer the vibrant energy of the city center, or do you find yourself drawn to the quieter, more reflective sites? I would love to hear which sounds like "you" in the comments.

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