Martha Rhodes Travel

08/20/2026

My unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime encounter with His Majesty King Charles III! 👑✨

During my 3-night stay at the Fife Arms in Braemar, our in-the-know local guide Will Snow from Wilderness Scotland found out the King would be inspecting the Royal Regiment of Scotland during his annual August arrival at Balmoral Estate — and got me there in time for a front-row spot among the small crowd of mostly locals.

After observing the King's arrival and greeting of the troops, I was thrilled that he decided on a walkabout to greet the attendees. I mentioned that I was visiting from Virginia, knowing the King had recently visited in conjunction with America's 250th celebrations.

When His Majesty learned I was a Virginian, he lit up talking about his visit to Shenandoah National Park — recalling the scenic landscape and the beauty of the Shenandoah River, and his longing to return to see the Fall color. Sharing our mutual love of Virginia with the King, in the Scottish Highlands of all places, was a surreal moment I'll treasure forever.

Thank you to Governor Governor Abigail Spanberger
and Shenandoah National Park for showcasing the Commonwealth, leaving such a lasting impression on the King, and making me one PROUD Virginian! 🇬🇧🇺🇸

Highland Biking Brownell Shenandoah National Park

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08/19/2026

A truly unforgettable morning in the Scottish Highlands! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿✨
​While visiting Balmoral Castle during His Majesty’s summer retreat, we had the incredible privilege of witnessing King Charles III inspect the soldiers of the Balaklava Company, 5th Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland.
​From the precise drill movements to the sounds of the traditional bagpipes—and even an appearance by the Royal Regiment’s Shetland pony mascot, Corporal Cruachan IV—the pride and historic ceremony on display was remarkable. A breathtaking look at living history! 👑🥁
Stay tuned for the BEST PART: my conversation with His Majesty King Charles III !!

Highland Biking Brownell

HighlandTraditions

08/17/2026

Leaving the city behind and heading straight into the heart of the Highlands! The second stop on my Scotland Adventure brings me to Dun Aluinn, an incredible design-led luxury estate nestled on an elevated site overlooking the charming market town of Aberfeldy. The moment you drive through these gates, you are wrapped in total peace and Highland magic.

Originally built in 1909, this historic Queen Anne manor pairs grand architectural bones with warm woods, crackling fireplaces, and sleek Scandinavian furnishings.

Waking up in the main house was a dream—especially with floor-to-ceiling windows framing sweeping views of the Tay Valley and Perthshire hills. 🌿

Between incredible meals prepared by private chef John Christie and indulgent mornings featuring traditional Scottish porridge oats (with a touch of whisky!), we had the best fuel for exploring. We hiked directly from the estate up Kenmore Hill - with our wonderful guide, Sam, from Wilderness Scotland - taking in pine forests, purple heather, and stunning vistas over Loch Tay.

Ending the day on the stone terrace wrapped in cozy wool blankets beside the fire pit - pure bliss!

A huge thank you to our partners at Wilderness Scotland for helping arrange such an unforgettable stay at Dun Aluinn. ✨

08/14/2026

Greetings from Edinburgh! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

The first stop on my Scottish adventure, 100 Princes Street, is every bit as magical as I’d imagined. Nestled right in Edinburgh’s cultural heart and set within the historic former Royal Overseas League headquarters, this lovingly restored listed building has been transformed into an exclusive, private members’ club-style retreat. A proud part of Red Carnation Hotels and a favorite of our partners at Celebrated Experiences, it sets a whole new standard for luxury hospitality in Scotland. ✨

One of my favorite details in the entire property is the custom, hand-painted mural stretching five stories up the central staircase. Inspired by the brave Scottish botanists and explorers who once called this building home away from home, each section illustrates their journeys across the globe—from East Asia to the tropics. Set against black bronzed woodwork, this artistic masterpiece culminates at the top with an impressive custom chandelier shaped like an adventurer's hot air balloon, handcrafted by an artisan in the south of France. It feels like stepping right into a vintage, Victorian-era travel journal!

The Isobel Signature Suite was my home away from home for the evening. Named after Isobel Wylie Hutchison—the intrepid Scottish botanist and filmmaker who traveled solo across the Arctic—this stunning open-plan suite features soaring high ceilings, bespoke Scottish tartan paired with globally inspired decor, and a lavish marble-lined bathroom complete with a deep soaking tub and a walk-in rain shower. (Plus, every guest is welcomed with a complimentary glass of champagne upon arrival! )
There is truly nothing quite like relaxing by the floor-to-ceiling windows after a day spent exploring Edinburgh’s cobblestone streets. Positioned right next to the esteemed National Gallery, you wake up to what has to be the most spectacular, front-row view of Edinburgh Castle in the entire city. 🏰

To cap off the day, unwinding at The Wallace—the gastronomic heart of 100 Princes Street—is a must. Helmed by Chef Willhelm Maree, this plush dining room, library, and tasting room is where residents gather to enjoy hearty local fare prepared with love. Its intimate, wood-paneled bar offers direct castle views and features an astonishing selection of over 250 rare Scottish whiskies! 🥃

A huge thank you to our wonderful partners at Celebrated Experiences and Red Carnation Hotels for such an unforgettable stay.

08/10/2026

I'm thrilled to share that I've been named a Celebrated Legend by Celebrated Experiences! ✨
This is their highest honor, awarded to fewer than 150 advisors worldwide — the top 5% — and being included alongside such remarkable colleagues in luxury travel means the world.

What makes this recognition so meaningful is that it isn't about volume. It’s a testament to deep partnership, meticulous care, and the bespoke detail that goes into every itinerary behind the scenes.
Celebrated Experiences' exceptional portfolio of premier hotels, private guides, and vetted drivers allows the Martha Rhodes Travel team to continuously deliver the uncompromising, five-star standard our clients expect and deserve.
A heartfelt thank you to the Celebrated Experiences team for this honor — we are so grateful for our partnership, and I look forward to crafting many more unforgettable, elevated journeys together. 🥂

05/05/2026

Cheers to a true legend! 🥂✨
Today, the Martha Rhodes Travel family is celebrating a very special milestone: our Director of Travel Design, Jim Journigan, is turning 60! 🎂✈️
Jim is truly irreplaceable. Whether he’s mapping out a complex global itinerary or mentoring our team, he does it all with a level of patience and dedication that is second to none. His vast destination knowledge is the "secret sauce" behind so many of our clients' unforgettable memories, and we are so lucky to have his expertise leading the way.
Jim, thank you for your unwavering commitment to your work, our team, and our clients. You make the world a smaller, more beautiful place for all of us.
Wishing you the happiest of birthdays, Jim!

04/21/2026

A Love Letter to The Cotswolds: Part II 🌿✨

My journey through the heart of the English countryside continues, and I’ve found a place that feels less like a hotel and more like a beautifully curated dream!
The trip began with a wonderful night at Calcot & Spa (slide 1-4), a quintessential Cotswold manor set on 220 acres of meadowland, where the blend of honey-stone charm and modern spa luxury provided the most relaxing start to the adventure.

From there, I moved on to .england, a breathtaking 150-acre "village within a village." Founded and owned by the Hibbert family, this isn't just a destination—it’s a deeply personal, multi-generational labor of love. It’s a seamless blend of a farm, spa, cookery school, and restaurant, all built around a profound commitment to land stewardship and design. The Hibberts describe Thyme as an extension of their own family home, and you feel that warmth in every single corner.
Here are a few highlights from this magical stay (slides 5-13):
🌿The Gardens at Thyme: I had the absolute honor of touring the grounds with Caryn & Jeremy Hibbert, hearing the rich history of how this estate came to be.
👨‍🍳The Cookery School: Rolled up our sleeves for a pasta-making class with Charlie Hibbert—such a fantastic way to connect with the local flavors!
🐏 🍸The Baa: You can’t visit without grabbing a drink here. The iconic sheep stools are just as charming as you’d imagine.
🍽The Oxbarn: We ended our evenings with incredible dinners in this stunningly restored space.

We also ventured out the The Pig in the Cotswolds for a spectacular lunch (slides 14-20). Walking through the ornamental gardens designed by the legendary Rosemary Verey was a highlight, followed by their signature "25-mile menu" in their rustic restaurant. Between the Kitchen Garden produce and the cozy Village Pub atmosphere, it was perfection.

After a relaxing stay at Calcot and two nights immersed in the world of Thyme, I am officially enchanted.
Stay tuned for the final chapter of my Cotswolds immersion! 🇬🇧🌾

04/13/2026

The Cotswolds Chapter 1/3 ✨
Stepping Back in Time in Bath 🏛️
​There is something truly magical about the golden glow of Bath. We spent the most incredible day exploring this historic gem.
We started at Bath Abbey with a deep dive into history. A huge thank you to Donna from Essentially London —her stories made the Abbey come alive in a way I never expected.
​You can’t visit without seeing where it all began; The Roman Baths. Walking along the ancient stones is a total must-experience.
​We stopped at The Salamander for a delicious lunch, and ended the day wandering through iconic landmarks; The Circus & Royal Crescent. The scale of Georgian architecture here is simply breathtaking!

03/11/2026

03/10/2026

How exciting to be celebrating 15 years in the travel business with this announcement! 👏 Long before I ever envisioned a career planning luxury travel, I longed to be a traveler. My wanderlust was unfulfilled, and I satisfied it by devouring every monthly issue of Condé Nast Traveler magazine. I studied the top hotels in every destination (because of course that’s where I planned to stay!) and read articles about wonderful adventures to imagine for myself in fascinating places around the globe.

So, you can imagine how very much it means to me to now be in that same magazine and living that dream!!! Heady stuff for sure.

I thank my amazing team, Jim, Dotty, Joanna and Karla, who are equally responsible for our incredible success in the last few years and the accolades we receive from our beloved clients who trust us to deliver meaningful experiences and unforgettable family memories.

I also want to acknowledge the inspiring people we know in every destination who partner with us to design creative, thoughtful itineraries. They welcome our clients to their countries as honored guests and “friends of friends,” and their hospitality, kindness and dedication make all the difference.

What a joy it is to share this news!!!
Condé Nast Traveler Brownell Travel