Unveiling New Luxury: Escape Crowds. Discover Hidden Gems

Forget the bucket list! Instead of dreaming about 'someday’ and ‘what ifs’ wishes, let's create a list of actionable adventures and getaways for the here and now! Let's make it happen.

If your list looks like mine, it changes as “new” destinations open up for visitors. While traditional popular destinations become more and more crowded, alternative hidden gem destinations are being discovered.

Are you wondering where to go next? Here are a couple of ideas that combine both a popular destination and an emerging destination. How about pairing Italy with Slovenia in Europe, and for another option in Asia, consider Japan and Taiwan?

How many days do we need for those combinations, you may ask. Just as with any travel, we can tailor it to your preferences. However, my recommendation would be a minimum of 10 days to enjoy the destinations and the experience.

For a combination of Italy and Slovenia, consider visiting Venice and Trieste and traveling to the Slovenian capital city, Ljubljana and off to Velika Planina. Start with an enchanting journey through Italy, where you'll be swept away by the romantic allure of Venetian art and the mesmerizing charm of its unique canal routes steeped in centuries of history. And for an unforgettable experience, don't miss the chance to explore Trieste, home to Italy's most stunning and impeccably preserved castles!

Ljubljana, Slovenia, is also called Dragon City, with dragon sculptures found in various spots in the city. As many capital cities, you’ll learn the complex history of the region. In contrast to the city filled with history, Velika Planina offers its beautiful landscape in the high plateau mountain region. It is known as a herdsman’s settlement, and the view of pasture and the mountains is absolutely breathtaking. If you like outdoor experiences and activities, this would be a great destination to enjoy the fresh air.

Now, if Japan is on your list for fall colors or cherry blossoms season but you want to avoid the crowds, no worries! There are many ways to avoid crowds within Japan, but there are other neighboring countries where you can enjoy cherry blossoms. Just like many flowers, cherry blossoms bloom at different times in different regions. The southern part of Japan starts the blooms in late February and moves towards the northern regions until April.

With that in mind, consider the peak season of Cherry Blossoms in Taiwan, which is from early February to March. I would start from Taiwan and travel to Japan, perhaps Kyushu, Shikoku, and/or the southern part of Honshu. Taiwan is the best-kept secret in eastern Asia, with the reputation of being a Happy People Country! In addition to amazing food culture, it has breathtaking natural wonders to explore!

There are many other alternative destinations where you can avoid crowds. If you have an idea how you’d like to spend your vacation, give me a call. I’d love to help you so you can enjoy your dream vacation without waiting for your bucket list to be filled.