Welcome to the first in our series of Skylark Journeys, where we showcase a spectacular itinerary we recently put together for a Skylark member. First up: a trip to Iceland for a woman in her 30s, who wanted a solo adventure to see the Northern Lights before they go dim.
We know: It seems crazy to even think about the holiday season in May, never mind plan it. But hear us out. Hotels fill up way faster than you think. In fact, most are booked solid by July. So while your family gathers for Memorial Day weekend, start talking about where you want to go in December. Read below for some places that have availability and still-reasonable rates—plus our pointers on how to book smart.
To check real-time availability and pricing, visit our website.
Apparently, poor Bono and the boys still haven’t found what they’re looking for—even 30 years after releasing The Joshua Tree. If you don’t know what we’re talking about, crawl out from under that rock and get yourself tickets to see U2’s Joshua Tree 2017 Tour, which will have the band performing the classic album in 26 cities across North America and, starting in July, Europe. We’ve had several clients ask us to help plan a European vacation around the concerts, so here’s a little guide to doing it yourself. Go ahead, reach out and touch the flame.
(Tickets? Well, we got ours a while ago, but if you’re looking for a miracle, reach out to one of our agents and we’ll see what we can do.)
We keep seeing more and more interest from clients about visiting Portugal, and it’s easy to see the reason why. Make that reasons, plural: It’s one of Europe’s most easy-going and affordable destinations. Lisbon’s old-world charm is intact but there’s also an exciting contemporary design scene. The food is fantastic (exceptional seafood, succulent, Alentejo pork, sweet custard tarts called pasteis de nata) and the wine even better. Abundant sunshine warms Portugal’s many beaches—Lisbon has more sunny days per year than Athens.
So how to do it right? Here’s what we usually recommend:
Effortlessly sexy and elegant, the Amalfi Coast summons all the sepia-tinged nostalgia we have for the days of Federico Fellini and Sophia Loren. It’s Italy at its most joyfully Italian—think colorful buildings, twisting cliffside roads, bronzed Italians basking under bright yellow umbrellas. With designer sunglasses on your face and an aperol spritz in your hand, you'll fit right in.
Paul Tumpowsky, Skylark's globe-trotting CEO, just got back from a stay at The Breakers in sunny Palm Beach. Here is his report.
Hey Animal Lover! Instead of spending your spare time scanning Instagram for videos of yodeling huskies or adorable baby sloths, why not plan a real wildlife encounter? You don’t have to go to Africa, either: Here are three favorite (an unexpected) wild kingdoms where you can get up close and personal with some magnificent creatures.
Okay, shoulder season in Europe isn't exactly a secret, but most travelers ignore the lower-cost period between high season hordes and low season doldrums—to their detriment. Want to see the Acropolis without crowds? Visit the South of France in full bloom? Ski in a t-shirt in the Swiss Alps? We've got your back.
When some bemoan the slushy streets, others bounce down them on the balls of their feet. Frozen toes mean just one thing to this crowd—the powder days are coming. We've said it before, but this season's snowfall is record-breaking—and spring is coming, so get it while you can. Here are our favorite places to stay on the slopes—and where to head if the snow makes you shudder.