Nan Knows Travel

10/29/2026

https://www.travelweekly.com/River-Cruising/Advisors-enthusiastic-Explora-river-cruise-venture

“My travel clients like things a little Bougie—preferably with a butler.” 🥂
Bougie (pronounced “BOO-zhee”): slang for upscale, fancy, or luxurious. Around here, we simply call it knowing our clientele. 😉

Explora Journeys plans to bring its impeccable luxury style to Europe’s rivers have certainly caught my attention. Details are still coming, so the butler remains on my wish list but consider me officially intrigued.

European villages, beautiful scenery, and a little extra pampering? Now you’re speaking my language.
Nan Knows Travel ✨
“It’s all about the details.”

Advisors who sell Explora's ocean cruises say the entry of a boutique, luxury river line in Europe fills a gap in the market.

09/22/2026

Some journeys are about seeing the world. Others are about discovering where you came from.
My dear travel clients/friends were off to Warsaw beginning an A&K tour through Kraków, Budapest, Vienna, and Prague. With a few extra days beforehand, those “extra days” quickly became something much more meaningful.
Within hours of their departure from the U.S., we created a very personal journey to Riga, Latvia, and Pušalotas, Lithuania, tracing his family roots through the generations. Arranged a stay at the Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga, in a Grand Suite, a private driver and heritage guide in Lithuania, and tickets to the Ballet at the Latvian National Opera.
In Pušalotas, a visit to the village where his great-great-grandfather once lived—then came the moment-they were able to locate his grave. I have goosebumps.
This is one of the reasons I love what I do. Sometimes the most memorable journeys aren’t the ones planned years or months in advance. Sometimes they begin with, “We have a few extra days…what should we do?”
And suddenly, those few days become a connection to family, history, and a past that’s waiting to be rediscovered.
These photos were taken in both Riga Latvia and Pušalotas, Lithuania, on a day I don’t think any of us will soon forget.

09/09/2026

Nan Knows Travel: Choosing Airport to hotel/ship car service

You generally have three options for airport transfers: an online platform such as Blacklane, a full-service chauffeured company such as Carey International or similar or your luxury hotel concierge.
So what’s the difference you asked?
Blacklane is convenient, easy to book and often less expensive. But it’s an online platform using local providers, so the pickup can sometimes be more “find your driver” than “your driver finds you.”
In Rome, my Blacklane car was parked so far away that I dragged my luggage across streets and through a garage. I thought I had booked transportation—not the Rome Marathon.

A full-service company such as Carey International usually costs more, but provides more personal coordination, luggage assistance and a properly managed airport meet-and-greet.

My Nan Knows Travel advice:

Blacklane: Good for simple transfers and independent travelers.
Carey or another full-service company: Better when you want seamless service—especially after a long international flight.
A 5-Star Hotel Concierge I find most reliable and comforting especially if traveling solo. I find the hotel tends to have the room ready earlier, in many cases!

Sometimes the extra cost is not for the car. It’s for avoiding the hike.

Nan Knows Travel
It’s all about the details—and knowing where your driver is waiting.

08/31/2026

Tasting two fine white Burgundy wines at The Little Nell in Aspen.
Naturally, I launched a rigorous clinical trial focused on the cardiovascular, emotional, and spiritual health benefits of fine wine—administered simultaneously, because @ one glass is no longer considered a serious dosage. 😂. The winner the glass on the right.

Defaix Vaudésir Grand Cru

08/27/2026

Love them bears bears everywhere in Aspen Colorado.
Aspen

08/26/2026

Aspen in summer may be one of travel’s best-kept secrets.
Think cool mountain air, spectacular scenery, wildflowers, fabulous restaurants, music, hiking and outdoor dining.
Lunch at The Little Nell or Hotel Jerome, dinner at Ajax Tavern, Sant Ambroeus, Clark’s or White Elephant, followed by an evening at the Aspen Music Festival. Tough assignment, but someone has to do it.
Then there’s the wildlife. One morning, a very large bear casually strolled in front of the home where we were staying—as if he, too, had dinner reservations. Add deer and foxes, and you quickly realize Aspen’s farm-to-table scene has some local competition.
From a travel advisor’s perspective, Aspen delivers that rare combination of nature, activity and serious luxury—all without leaving the USA.
Come for the mountains, stay for the lifestyle…and whatever you do, guard your picnic basket.

08/18/2026

This week we’ll be suited up like glamorous yellow astronauts. Bees will work hard buzzing in sync producing honey at an educational hands-on beekeeping tour at a farm in Colorado. Looks like the stylish beehive hairdos could qualify as luxury condos for queen bees.

06/14/2026

This is why Italy will always be Italy.
Where else can your day begin with a nearly 2,000-year-old Colosseum still standing after emperors, gladiators, earthquakes nearly ruined it. Now it is ruins. “Is this where Russell Crowe worked?” And imagine hearing Pope Leo pray the Sunday Angelus, his traditional noon prayer and address from St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican.
My special clients have spent the few weeks traveling from Venice to Sicily to Rome, and their celebrity sightings have been better than the Oscars.
First, Helen Mirren in Taormina, Sicily, casually getting out of her car waving to them like a queen. Hmm or was she shooing them off? Ancient ruins, movie royalty, and the Pope — all before hotel check-in. Italy is not just a destination. It is a full production of history, beauty, food, faith, drama, celebrities, espresso, and moments you could never plan if you tried.

06/05/2026

Your sanctuary at sea awaits. Step aboard Crystal for elegant evenings, world-class dining, and unforgettable destinations—where the crew knows you by name. Explore the voyage of a lifetime here: https://inspires.to/experiences/the-crystal-experience-the-voyage-of-a-lifetime-pj708k

Welcome to your sanctuary at sea

06/05/2026

Breathless views