Essence of Elegance Travel

10/30/2026

One perk of working with a travel advisor: I don’t just stay at the hotels I recommend, I inspect them. I just wrapped two nights at The Charles Hotel in Munich, a Rocco Forte property built on a British-meets-Italian concept that comes through in every detail.

The suites were recently refreshed with new scents and a residential feel, bookshelves included. The Signature Park View Suite has circular windows with 180-degree panoramic views, the Family Suite offers connecting rooms, and the Monforte Royal Suite comes with its own butler. Add a spa stocked with products from Sicily and a location steps from Königsplatz and a short walk to Neuhauser Straße, and it’s easy to see why I wanted to experience it firsthand.

Is Munich on your radar? Send me a message and let’s talk about where you should stay.

10/29/2026

Explore Japan through contemporary art on remote islands, centuries-old bathhouses, and restaurants serving impeccably fresh seafood and seasonal ingredients. 🇯🇵✨

From Honshu to Hokkaido and Kyushu, let’s work together to plan a journey that showcases the many sides of Japan ➡️ https://virtuoso.com/advisor/rachvelt80257/travel/destinations/asia/Japan

10/28/2026

I had the opportunity to meet here in Raleigh with Ben, the General Manager, with Xigera (pronounced "kee-jera") Safari Lodge in Botswana 🇧🇼.

I was very impressed with their options for exploring the "soul of the Okavango". I loved the safari options that included both water and land travel, indoor and outdoor suites (I am not an outdoor camper!), and the "Baobab Treehouse" sleepout to watch the stars.

Here are a few other takeaways that I feel would make for a wonderful experience for those interested in exploring a different part of Africa:

🌿 Prime location: In the heart of the Okavango Delta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with Two MICHELIN Keys to its name.

🌿 Spacious suites: 12 individually designed, 180m² suites, each with private decks overlooking the floodplains.

🌿 A living art gallery: The largest privately owned collection of contemporary African art in hospitality. Over 80 African artists were commissioned.

🌿 Your safari, your way: No set schedules. Game drives, mokoro trips, boat cruises, bush walks, art tours, soulful sundowners, and helicopter flights. Plus jsut the time and space to relax and take it all in.

🌿 Environmental focus: 92% solar-powered, free of single-use plastics, and partnered with local conservation groups protecting the Delta's w

As a token of appreciation for learning more about Xigera, they made a donation for each of us for the care of the elephant Joy who is at the Elephant Haven, Botswana's only elephant orphanage.

The Okavango Delta, Botswana and the Xigera Safari Lodge are at the top of my bucket list! Who is ready to explore this part of Africa? DM to get started.

10/27/2026

Three years already since I launched my dream business and it wouldn't have been possible without all my wonderful clients, friends and family! Thank you for trusting me with planning your dream vacations and being a part of helping you form lasting memories exploring this wonderful world of ours!

Let's continue to "Unlock the World ~ Embrace the Journey".

Warmly,
Rachel, Owner/Travel Advisor of Essence of Elegance Travel

10/27/2026

The nostalgic Paris-to-Istanbul sleeper is getting a new chapter in 2027. L’Orient Express will retrace the legendary route of its predecessor, bringing the romance of classic rail travel into a new era of luxury. 🚂🇫🇷

Read more, then reach out to plan your next getaway ⬇️

📷: Maxime D’Angeac and Martin Darzacq

The Paris-to-Istanbul train reboots with modern design and a luxe onboard experience.

10/22/2026

Ever come home from a trip and think, "there's no way that was only five days"? In the best possible way?

That feeling isn't an accident. It's usually the result of a handful of planning decisions made months before anyone ever packed a bag, and none of them require more PTO.

Tomorrow I'm sharing the specific things I think about when planning a trip to make the days feel fuller without adding a single extra night to the itinerary: how a stay gets structured, which flights actually matter, and a couple of small habits once you're there that make a bigger difference than you'd expect.

Same number of vacation days. A completely different feeling.

🕐 Newsletter's dropping tomorrow. Link in bio if you want it waiting in your inbox.

10/22/2026

Could the hotel library be the new hotel bar? From intimate author talks to art-filled reading rooms, these literary spaces are giving travelers a new reason to gather, stay awhile, and see a destination from a different perspective. 📚🌍

Read more, then let's plan your next stay ⬇️

From Switzerland to Malaysia, luxury hotels are turning their book collections into literary salons, author talks, and social hubs.

10/20/2026

For travelers who plan their trips around unforgettable meals, Lima deserves a place on the itinerary for your next getaway. Chef Pía León maps out three days of dining across Peru’s vibrant capital, showcasing the ingredients, traditions and creativity that make its culinary scene so distinctive. 🇵🇪✨

Read the guide, then reach out to plan a Lima journey of your own.

📷: Camila Novoa

The award-winning chef and owner of Kjolle (and Central Restaurant Lima alum) shares her favorite spots for Peruvian nikkei cuisine, coffee, pastries, and more.

10/18/2026

Two final nights in Munich 🇩🇪

After our AmaWaterways cruise, we ended our time in Europe with two nights in Munich. Our first time and it was one of my favorite cities.

First we did a Bavarian food and b**r tour 🥨🍺. We tried traditional Bavarian dishes (a lot of sausage!) and some of Munich’s best-known b**rs, including:

- Augustiner Bräu München. Munich’s oldest brewery, dating back to 1328.
- Paulaner Münchner Hell. A crisp, golden l***r and a true local favorite.
- And a few others along the way 😉 (honestly, I'm more of a w**e gal)

Day two: A private Old Town history tour 🏛️. I love these type of tours where you see the sites and learn about important facts for the area.

- Marienplatz. The heart of Munich since the city’s founding in 1158.
- The Rathuis-Glockenspiel. Its 43 bells and 32 figures put on a show (like a music box) at the New Town Hall. Beautiful building!
- St. Peter’s Church. The oldest parish church in the city. It had has eight clocks on it single tower.
- Frauenkirche. Munich’s largest church, complete with the legend of the “devil’s footprint.”
- Viktualienmarkt. Munich’s central food market, on the same spot since 1807. I got some great souvenirs there.
- The Hofbräuhaus. Founded in 1589 by Duke Wilhelm V as a court brewery.

A private guide makes all the difference. You get the stories behind the sights, not just the sights themselves.

What a way to wrap up an unforgettable trip. Danke, Munich! 💛 DM to start planning your river cruise and post-cruise extension in Munich

10/15/2026

"Is it safe there?"

It's one of the most common questions I get as a travel advisor, and also one of the hardest to answer with a simple yes or no.

Between 24/7 news coverage and social media, it's easy to feel nervous about a destination without any real sense of what's actually happening on the ground, or whether it applies to the part of the country you'd even be visiting.

Tomorrow's newsletter walks through how I actually think through that question with clients: what a travel advisory does and doesn't tell you, why the destination is only part of the picture, and why two people can look at the exact same information and reach completely different conclusions.

Spoiler: I can't promise anyone a destination is "100% safe." But I can help you make a decision based on more than a scary headline.

Want it in your inbox tomorrow? Link in bio to get signed up.