Our Travel Edit

The Art of Travelling with Teenagers

Chalets and Resorts Defining Ski Season 2026/27

There's a particular kind of excitement that builds as the first cold snap hits and the resorts start posting early snowfall photos. If you're someone who plans a ski trip the way other people plan a wedding, this is the season to get your calendar out. The 2026/27 winter is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in years, with new properties, upgraded childcare, and resort variety for every kind of skier, from first timers wanting a gentle introduction to powder hunters chasing untouched lines. What's changed this year isn't just the properties on offer. It's the whole experience around them. Families want more flexible childcare, groups want architecturally striking chalets that feel like a destination in their own right, and everyone wants a trip that runs without a hitch from the moment they land to the moment they're back on the plane home. This season delivers on all three. Properties To Know This Season Some resorts and hotels are simply worth knowing about, whichever region you're drawn to, and the picks below show why. For a festive base with real atmosphere, Le Coucou in Méribel brings a contemporary edge to the traditional mountain chalet, a stylish ski-in ski-out hotel with just 55 rooms and suites and two chalets, a spa with a hammam, sauna, jacuzzi and two pools, and access to the vast slopes of Méribel, Courchevel and Val Thorens. St. Antoner Hof in St. Anton channels traditional Tyrolean warmth instead, a boutique five-star family-run hotel where the Raffl family's hospitality and attention to detail run through every part of the stay. Grace La Margna in St. Moritz rounds things out with a restored art nouveau wing paired with a cutting-edge contemporary annex, lake and mountain views, and a spa built around pioneering skincare and body treatments. Among the hotels, Hotel Tyrol in Selva, Val Gardena has the kind of warming, traditional alpine atmosphere that comes from a passionate, family-run team, direct access to the Sella Ronda ski lift, and Ladin cuisine served across three restaurants. Hotel Les Suites in Tignes is the resort's first five-star hotel, a boutique property of 25 luxurious suites just steps from the slopes with a strong focus on gastronomy. And Les Barmes de l'Ours in Val d'Isère sits right at the foot of the Face de Bellevarde piste, blending state-of-the-art facilities with the warmth of a traditional alpine mountain hotel, along with one of the Alps' largest spas. Then there are the chalets, for those who want their own private slice of the mountain. Chalet Inoko in Val d'Isère has a magical alpine setting surrounded by snowy forest, comfortably sleeping up to 14 guests across six elegant bedrooms. Chalet Artemis in St. Anton sits in the quiet Nasserein area with fabulous valley views, and comes with its own hot tub, cinema, indoor pool and sauna for up to 12 guests. And Chalet Pierre in Méribel is an exceptional ski-in ski-out chalet with eight elegant bedrooms, a private spa, cinema, and access to an indoor pool and gym, in one of the finest locations in the Three Valleys. Chalet Inoko in Val d’Isère, France. New For This Year: Childcare That Actually Fits Your Holiday One of the biggest additions this season is the expansion of the Explorers Private Nanny Service, now available across Val d'Isère, Tignes, Courchevel, Méribel and Val Thorens. Rather than dropping your children off at a set time and hoping the schedule works for everyone, you get a private, highly trained nanny for up to eight hours a day, six days a week, with the flexibility to split those hours around your own plans. Ski school drop-off in the morning, lunch and afternoon activities covered, then time free in the evening to actually enjoy your holiday. It's childcare built around your family's rhythm rather than the other way round. Méribel and Val d'Isère have also seen dedicated new childcare offerings introduced this year, adding to an already strong lineup of family support in the Alps. And for those staying at Portetta in Courchevel, the beloved Explorers Club remains exactly the reliable, well-loved option families have come to count on, still delivering the same standard of care that's made it a favorite for years. Why Scott Dunn for Ski Choosing where to stay is only half the equation. The other half is who's helping you get there, and this is where Scott Dunn plays a clear role: it brings decades of ski expertise to your trip. Scott Dunn actually started as a ski company forty years ago, long before it became a name associated with luxury travel more broadly. That heritage shows up in the details, the resort relationships, and the sheer depth of knowledge the team brings to every ski trip. That expertise translates into a concierge service that takes the friction out of a ski holiday. Our sales support teams can book restaurants, arrange spa treatments, sort ski passes and lift passes, and pre-arrange ski gear and boot fittings so everything is ready before you even arrive. It's the kind of behind-the-scenes work that means your first morning on the mountain starts with skiing, not queuing. Scott Dunn’s Explorers Private Nanny Service Ready to Plan Your Season? With early booking already picking up pace across the best chalets and hotels, now is the moment to start shaping your 2026/27 ski trip. Speak to one of our ski specialists to find the right property, lock in childcare, and get every detail arranged well before the peak booking rush begins.  

September and October are Europe's Best Kept Secret

Something shifts in Europe once the summer crowds thin out. The light softens, the beaches empty a little, and places that felt frantic in August start to breathe again. Lunches run long, coastal walks don't require dodging other people, and sightseeing stops feeling like a queue and starts feeling like, well, sightseeing. Anyone who travels often will tell you September and October were never a consolation prize. Some of the best weather, the best hotels, and the most room to actually enjoy yourself show up in these two months, often for less money than you'd pay in July. Most of Europe's top luxury properties stay open right through, running the same service and experiences at a friendlier price. So whether it's a last family trip before the year turns cold or a quieter romantic break closer to home, autumn has a strong case to make. Family trips that suit the season Traveling with kids gets easier once September rolls around. Temperatures drop to something more comfortable, crowds thin, and the Explorers Kids Clubs at Scott Dunn's family favorites keep running exactly as they do in peak summer. That means parents still get their slow breakfast, their spa hour, their quiet stretch by the pool. The Mediterranean holds its warmth well into autumn, so Greece and Portugal still deliver proper beach days, just without the midsummer heat bearing down on everyone. In Greece, Costa Navarino runs a well-established Explorers programs, as does Daios Cove over in Crete. In Portugal, Pine Cliffs Resort on the Algarve pairs its own Explorers Kids Club with golf and tennis for the grown-ups. Kids settle into age-grouped activities; parents get an actual break. Cooler weather also makes exploring more bearable. Wandering old towns, browsing local markets, taking the family out on a hike — all of it works better without the midday sun flattening everyone. Coastal coves, vineyard cycling routes, dinners outside that don't end in a heat headache; everything just gets a bit easier. If a good family holiday means some downtime alongside the adventure, shoulder season tends to deliver both. There's more room, more flexibility, and something that starts to feel like seeing a place the way locals do, once the busiest weeks have passed. Pine Cliffs, Algarve, Portugal Good for a short trip too A common assumption about luxury travel is that it needs a long-haul flight or weeks off work. It doesn't. A few days somewhere well-chosen can do the job. And plenty of European destinations offer that reset without much travel time at all. In Germany, Brenners Park-Hotel & Spa in Baden-Baden pairs serious wellness credentials with a wooded, unhurried setting. Munich's The Charles Hotel is a better fit for anyone wanting a lively city base with galleries, gardens and good restaurants nearby. France holds up well past summer, too. Maybourne Riviera, perched above the Mediterranean, has the sea views and the glamour to match, with Monaco and the Italian coast both an easy drive away. In Sicily, Villa Igiea in Palermo brings history and coastline together — the sort of hotel built for long breakfasts, evening aperitivos and afternoons with nowhere particular to be. And for island time, Grace Santorini is a different experience once the summer rush clears out. The whitewashed villages are easier to wander, the sunset spots aren't jammed with tripods, and the Aegean stays warm enough to swim well into autumn. Brenners Park Hotel & Spa in Baden-Baden, Germany, winner of Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards 2017, 2019, 2022. Europe's quieter landscapes For those who'd rather trade cities for nature, autumn is arguably the better season to see Europe's wilder corners. Norway's Storfjord Hotel sits among fjords and forests just starting to turn gold, with cold, clear mornings that make every walk memorable and evenings best spent by the fire. Iceland looks different this time of year too. Eleven Deplar Farm mixes serious adventure—hiking, fishing, geothermal pools—with equally serious comfort, and longer nights raise the odds of catching the Northern Lights. In Portugal, a stay at Six Senses Douro Valley times perfectly with harvest season. The vineyards turn gold and amber, the wineries are busy with activity, and the whole valley slows down. It's a strong pick for couples who want good food and wine without rushing anything. Further north, Finland's Balder Luxury Lodge sits deep in untouched wilderness complete with quiet forests, still lakes, and not much else, which is rather the point. Closer to home, Louma Country Hotel in Dorset makes the case that you don't need to leave the UK for a proper autumn break. Coastal walks, a cozy interior and genuinely good local food make it a solid choice for a long weekend away. Louma Country Hotel in West Dorset. Worth planning now Part of what makes September and October feel special is that sense of being let in on something: enjoying Europe's best hotels at a calmer time of year, with the weather still very much cooperating. That said, availability doesn't hang around indefinitely. These hotels still fill up fast, especially around school holidays and autumn half term. Booking early means more choice of hotel, room, and dates. If one more trip before winter is on the cards, Europe's shoulder season is worth serious consideration. It has most of what makes a luxury holiday worthwhile, plus a bit more space to actually enjoy it. So, what are you waiting for? The best of Europe's autumn is still ahead of you — get in touch with one of our European Specialists today.

Why Teens are the Future of Family Travel

Na Pali Coast: Should You Explore by Helicopter or Boat?

Kauai’s Na Pali Coast is one of the most breathtaking stretches of coastline on earth. Sixteen miles of fluted sea cliffs, cathedral valleys, and emerald waterfalls plunging into the Pacific, it is the kind of scenery that demands to be witnessed in person, not just pinned to a wishlist. The question is: how? Unless you are a seasoned hiker willing to tackle the legendary Kalalau Trail, the two defining ways to experience Na Pali are from the air by helicopter or from the water by boat. Both are spectacular. Both are unforgettable. But they offer very different perspectives, and the right choice depends entirely on who you are and what you want from the journey. Here is what you need to know before you decide.  By Air: The Helicopter Experience  The Case For It  Nothing matches a helicopter for sheer visual drama. Doors-off charters place you at eye level with the ridgelines, allowing you to peer deep into the hanging valleys, including places like Kalalau and Honopu, that are entirely inaccessible by sea or trail. The perspective is intimate and cinematic at the same time. Pilots are typically knowledgeable guides, narrating the geology and mythology of each formation as it unfolds below you. Flight times are short, usually 45 to 60 minutes for a full Kauai circle-island tour, which makes the helicopter an ideal choice for guests with limited time or those who are not comfortable on the water. Weather windows can also open and close quickly on Kauai, and a good operator will time your flight to maximise visibility over the coast.  Na Pali Coast from a helicopter The Case Against It  The helicopter experience is brief by design, and some guests find it almost too exhilarating to absorb. You are moving fast, the views are changing constantly, and there is little time to simply sit and take it all in. Motion sensitivity can be a factor for some travellers, particularly in turbulent coastal air. Doors-off flights, while extraordinary, are not for everyone. Cost is also a meaningful consideration, as a premium private charter over Na Pali represents a significant investment. And while the aerial views of the cliffs and waterfalls are unmatched, the ocean itself, the wildlife, the sea caves, the surf, remains out of reach.  By Sea: The Boat Experience  The Case For It  Experiencing Na Pali from the water gives you an entirely different sense of scale. At sea level, the cliffs tower above you in a way that makes you feel genuinely small, and that feeling of awe is something no aerial view can replicate. Smaller craft can venture directly into the sea caves carved into the base of the cliffs, offering an up-close intimacy with the coastline that is hard to match. Boat tours depart from both the north and south shores of Kauai, giving guests flexibility depending on where they are staying, and the longer duration means you have real time to soak in the scenery rather than race past it. Wildlife encounters are virtually guaranteed: dolphins are a near-constant presence in summer, humpback whales appear in winter, and most charters include a snorkel stop where sea turtles are a regular sighting. Na Pali Coast from a boat The Case Against It  Getting to the departure point is a commitment in itself, as both the north and south shore launch sites involve a meaningful drive from many parts of the island. Once underway, the Na Pali coast is exposed ocean, and conditions can be genuinely rough, particularly in winter when swells build, making this a poor choice for anyone prone to seasickness. It is also worth noting that the coast is a popular destination, and the number of boats working the same stretch of shoreline and gathering at snorkel spots can make the experience feel less exclusive than some guests expect.  The Verdict  If you only have one opportunity to see the Na Pali Coast, choose based on what matters most to you. For the most dramatic visual perspective and the greatest flexibility around a short stay, the helicopter is hard to beat. For immersion, pacing, and a richer connection with the ocean and its wildlife, the boat offers something deeper and more memorable.  “Exploring the Na Pali Coast by boat or helicopter will give you different experiences that will be a highlight of any journey to Kauai. However, if you have the time, I actually recommend including both as you will get the best of both worlds and truly enjoy one of the most scenic landscapes in Hawaii.”  -Sam Barlow, North America Travel Specialist, Scott Dunn  Ready to see Na Pali for yourself? Our North America Travel Specialists know Kauai intimately and will plan every detail around you, from choosing the right charter to crafting the rest of your Hawaii holiday. Start planning your journey.

Tennis Courts Worth Travelling For This Summer

There’s something about tennis in summer that feels elemental — the crack of a racket in warm air, the stretch of a long rally, the satisfying collapse into a courtside chair with cold water and sun on your skin. It’s a sport that rewards the setting as much as the swing. As we prepare to support the Giorgio Armani Tennis Classic at The Hurlingham Club this summer, we’re celebrating the places where tennis becomes part of the journey — not just the holiday. Because the right court, in the right corner of the world, can turn a casual knock-up into a memory you carry home alongside your tan. From clay courts overlooking the Serengeti to clifftop baselines above the Amalfi Coast, these are the tennis destinations we love most — and the ones our guests keep coming back to. Singita Sasakwa, Tanzania Tennis on the Serengeti Some courts have a view. This one has a skyline of acacia trees, drifting giraffes, and the vast golden sweep of the Serengeti stretching to the horizon. Singita Sasakwa’s two courts — one clay, one synthetic — feel almost surreal, a place where your backhand comes second to whatever just moved in the long grass beyond the baseline. It’s tennis slowed down, made meditative, wrapped in the sounds of the African bush. Combine it with early-morning game drives, spa rituals overlooking the plains, and Singita’s deeply considered approach to conservation, and you have something no other tennis experience comes close to. For couples and families looking for a setting that rewrites the rules entirely. The Ritz-Carlton, Abama — Tenerife European sunshine, world-class coaching Warm Canarian light, volcanic coastline, and the kind of year-round conditions that make every serve feel sharper. The Ritz-Carlton, Abama is home to the Annabel Croft Tennis Academy — a draw for families and keen players who want to genuinely improve their game. Multiple courts, professional coaching at every level, and a resort that wraps around you when the rackets come down: Michelin-starred dining, subtropical gardens tumbling towards the Atlantic, and that distinctive Moorish-inspired architecture glowing amber at golden hour. It’s a place where tennis and indulgence sit comfortably side by side. Costa Navarino, Greece Home of the Mouratoglou Tennis Center Twelve courts — clay, hard, and natural grass — plus padel and pickleball, set within one of the Mediterranean’s most thoughtfully designed resort landscapes. Costa Navarino is the first European home of the Mouratoglou Tennis Center, bringing Patrick Mouratoglou’s elite coaching methodology to the Peloponnese: serious programmes, tournament-grade facilities, and coaching that satisfies competitive players and curious beginners alike. But this isn’t a sports camp. The Peloponnese coastline wraps around olive groves and wild herbs, the architecture is low-slung and sensitive to the land, and the sustainability ethos runs deep. For active families and groups who want to play hard and still have long, unhurried evenings by the sea. Costa Navarino, Greece One&Only Reethi Rah, Maldives A rally between the palms Two floodlit courts surrounded by dense tropical greenery, the Indian Ocean glinting through the trees. At One&Only Reethi Rah, tennis comes with a soundtrack of waves and the faint rustle of coconut palms — a setting so beautiful it almost feels indulgent just to pick up a racket. Professional coaching is available year-round, and the rest of the island unfolds in equally generous fashion: overwater villas with glass floors, spa treatments rooted in island botanicals, and ocean adventures from reef snorkelling to sunset dolphin cruises. For couples and honeymooners who want activity woven into their escape — not a choice between the two. Forte Village, Sardinia A tennis academy with serious pedigree Thirteen courts — clay, synthetic, and natural grass — and a tennis academy that has welcomed former Grand Slam champions as guest coaches. Forte Village is where young players and seasoned enthusiasts come to sharpen their game in the Mediterranean sun — and where families find an energy that’s hard to replicate elsewhere. Off-court, the resort hums with life: white-sand beaches, Italian trattorias, and that particular Sardinian quality of light that turns everything golden by late afternoon. It’s competitive, it’s fun, and it comes with some of the best hospitality in the Med. Jumby Bay Island, Antigua Private island play No cars, no crowds, no rush. Jumby Bay is an island apart — literally — reached by boat across turquoise Caribbean shallows. Three floodlit courts sit at the heart of it, with a resident Davis Cup veteran pro and clinics available for every level. But the magic is in the contrast: the focused intensity of a match followed by the slow dissolve of an afternoon spent sailing, snorkelling, or doing absolutely nothing on a beach that feels entirely your own. Sand between your toes, salt in the air, and the kind of barefoot luxury that Antigua does better than almost anywhere. For couples, families, and groups who value privacy as much as play. Puente Romano, Marbella — Spain A legendary tennis club on the Costa del Sol Few tennis venues carry the pedigree of Puente Romano. This is a club with genuine history — a place that has hosted ATP and WTA events and drawn serious players for decades. Multiple courts, high-level coaching, and a social atmosphere that spills from the baseline to the beachfront restaurants and into the warm Marbella night. It’s tennis with a pulse — Mediterranean glamour, excellent food, and the kind of energy that keeps guests coming back summer after summer. For those who want their sport with a side of nightlife and a generous pour of Spanish sunshine. Puente Romano, Spain Sani Resort, Greece Family-friendly tennis excellence Home to the Rafa Nadal Tennis Centre, Sani Resort brings world-class coaching to one of Greece’s most beautiful stretches of coastline. Programmes run for adults and children alike — structured enough to build real skill, relaxed enough to feel like a holiday. Beyond the courts, Sani unfolds across wetlands, pine forests, and long sandy beaches, with a sustainability commitment that shapes everything from the architecture to the kitchen. It’s a place where families can be active together without the schedule feeling rigid, and where the evenings are as rewarding as the rallies. Il San Pietro di Positano, Italy Tennis on a cliffside dreamscape Tucked into the rocks at sea level on the Amalfi Coast, reachable by a private elevator cut through the cliff face — this is arguably the most dramatic tennis court in the world. Il San Pietro doesn’t offer academy-level coaching or tournament facilities. What it offers is something rarer: the sheer, cinematic joy of hitting a ball with the Tyrrhenian Sea just metres away, sheer cliffs rising above you, and the pastel tumble of Positano in the distance. It’s tennis for the romance of it, for the story of it, for the photograph you’ll frame. A court for couples, for dreamers, for anyone who believes the setting is half the game. Your serve Whether you’re inspired by the grass courts of Hurlingham or dreaming of a rally at the edge of the Serengeti, our Travel Specialists can craft a tennis-infused summer escape made just for you. Tell us where you want to play — we’ll take care of the rest.

A Rail Journey Through Peru: Two Nights on the Belmond Andean Explorer

A Lifetime of Memories: Celebrating the Journeys That Shape Us

There is a particular kind of memory that doesn’t fade. Not the kind you have to reach for or reconstruct, but the kind that simply returns—whole and vivid — years after the moment that made it. A first glimpse of the Serengeti at dawn. A late dinner on a terrace somewhere warm, the kind that stretches into the small hours because no one can quite bring themselves to leave. The look on a child’s face the moment something extraordinary becomes real to them for the first time. Travel makes these memories because being somewhere unfamiliar—somewhere that asks something of you, that surprises you, that refuses to let your attention drift—changes the way experience registers. These are the moments that endure. And for forty years, crafting them has been Scott Dunn's job. A couple on safari in Kenya Why These Memories Last Psychologists describe “core memories” as the vivid, emotionally charged experiences that quietly shape how we see ourselves and what we want from life. They are disproportionately made while travelling. The reason is physiological as much as anything else: when the brain encounters the genuinely new—unfamiliar sounds, a different quality of light, the low-level effort of navigating somewhere you’ve never been, it pays attention in a way it simply doesn’t at home, where everything is known and little needs to be processed. Novelty deepens experience. Experience becomes memory. Memory becomes story. And it’s the stories that stay. The ones that resurface at family dinners, that get told to children and grandchildren, that mark the before and after of a life. Ask someone to tell you about a journey that mattered and watch what happens: they don’t reach for their phone to check the details because they already know them, all of it still sitting there years later in a way that most of ordinary life simply isn’t. A Lifetime of Travel: How Memory-Making Evolves The memories travel creates change as life does. Each stage opens a different kind of door. The Early Years A child on their first proper journey abroad is quietly forming ideas about how large the world is and what it might hold for them—ideas that tend to stay with a person long into adulthood. The first swim in a warm sea. The first animal encountered in the wild. The first meal that tastes entirely unlike anything from home. These discoveries land differently for children: fully, without reservation. And when travel is organized with their experience in mind—with the right level of support, the right pacing, the right moments of genuine adventure—they become the foundations of a curiosity that lasts a lifetime. Costa Navarino, Greece Growing Families A few years on, when children are older and more opinionated and more fully themselves, travel produces a different kind of memory: looser, funnier, shaped by whatever actually happened rather than what anyone planned. The wildlife encounter that went sideways became the best story of the trip. The afternoon when the itinerary was abandoned and something better took its place. These are the “remember when” moments that siblings trade for decades, that form the texture of a family’s shared history. Multigenerational Journeys There is something particular that happens when three generations travel together well. Grandparents and grandchildren get real time with each other,  not the fractured, distracted kind that ordinary life tends to produce, but hours and days in a place that is new to all of them, where the usual demands have been left at home, and connection is simply what’s available. These journeys require thought and care to work properly. When they do, they create memories that belong to everyone who was there. Multigenerational family in South Africa Milestones and New Chapters And then there are the journeys that mark a turning point: a honeymoon, a significant anniversary, the first adventure taken after children have left home. These trips carry a weight that a week away can’t always hold unless someone has carefully thought about what they need to be. They are not just holidays. They are the way a chapter gets written; the experience that makes a moment in a life feel as significant as it is. Forty Years of Crafting Stories Scott Dunn has been building journeys since 1986. Some of the families travelling with us today were brought along as children by their own parents. That continuity is not something we take lightly. It is, in many ways, what we are for. The expertise behind every itinerary is specific and earned in the way that only comes from a very long time of paying close attention. Knowing that a particular guide in the Okavango will show you something no one else will. That there is a specific week in a corner of Italy when everything about the place aligns in a way that makes it feel like genuine discovery rather than a well-worn destination. That the difference between a family villa that works and one that doesn’t is felt in the first hour and quietly shapes everything that follows. This is what forty years of caring about the details actually looks like.  A guided tour in Morocco How We Make It Happen Every journey Scott Dunn creates is tailor-made, because the memories that last are never generic. They come from the right place at the right time, shaped around the people who are going and what they need the experience to be. Our Explorers Clubs give children a proper program—run by people who are genuinely brilliant with young people—which means parents get real stretches of time to themselves rather than stolen moments between supervising. Our CREW program places dedicated staff in villas and chalets, so that a large family arriving somewhere with a lot of moving parts finds everything ready, everything considered, and space to be together from the moment they arrive. None of this happens by accident. It is the result of deep destination knowledge, relationships built over decades, and an unwillingness to settle for merely good when an extraordinary trip is possible. The access we offer (to experiences, to places, to moments that couldn’t have been found or arranged any other way) is what elevates a holiday into something a family is still talking about ten years later. Ready to Make More Memories? You probably already have a sense of what the next journey looks like. The place that keeps coming up in conversation. The people you’ve been meaning to bring together. The milestone that deserves more than a dinner reservation. The trip that has been sitting at the back of someone’s mind for years, waiting for the moment someone decides to book it. These are the journeys that become stories. The experiences that mark a chapter and stay with the people who shared them long after they’ve come home. Scott Dunn has been helping families write those chapters for forty years. When you’re ready to write yours, we’re here.

Meet Scott Dunn’s Award‑Winning US Travel Specialists

Every Scott Dunn journey is deeply personal, shaped not just by where you go, but by who brings it to life. A specialist who knows a destination beyond the guidebooks, understands what moves you, and reveals experiences you would never think to ask for.  From shared meals at local family table enjoying recipes passed down through generations, to time spent with Indigenous communities where you step beyond observation into lived culture. Honeymoons that begin lifelong stories, later revisited with children in tow. Journeys that become tradition, connecting families and friends across time and distance.  These are the moments we value most: travel that feels deeply personal, shaped by the knowledge and care of our specialists. We’re proud to introduce our award-winning team, recognized among the world’s best luxury travel advisors in 2026 — from the Condé Nast Traveler Top Travel Specialists to the Travel + Leisure A-List.  We asked them to share what they’re seeing in travel right now, and how they’re helping guests experience the world in more meaningful ways. Because a Lifetime of Memories is not created by chance, but by people who make every moment count.  What do you specialize in, and what makes your approach unique?  Livia: European escapes, honeymoons, and ski adventures. Having been born and raised in Rome, I love sharing my perspective as a local, giving guests first-hand insight into what it’s really like to travel through Europe in an authentic and meaningful way.  Bjorn: Family, multi-generational, and special occasion safaris. My approach is rooted in my own family travel experiences and the feedback I’ve gathered over the years. Having travelled extensively through Africa for more than 35 years, including as a parent, gives me a unique perspective that helps guests travel more seamlessly and confidently as a family.  Simon: All things Central and South America. I most enjoy creating adventurous, wildlife-focused itineraries inspired by my own active travel experiences and my academic background in Biological Sciences. Jackie: I specialize in designing bespoke luxury journeys throughout the Middle East, with a particular focus on Egypt, Jordan, and Oman. Every itinerary is thoughtfully designed to reflect each client’s individual interests, pace, and travel style.   Julie: I specialize in truly knowing my members inside and out. While my geographical expertise lies in Europe and Southeast Asia, my approach is centred on understanding each traveller’s preferences and personality so every trip feels deeply personal and thoughtfully designed.   Simon in the Atacama Desert, Chile What trends or shifts are you seeing in how people want to travel right now?  Livia: Travelers are taking a more mindful approach to Europe, focusing less on hopping between countries and more on spending meaningful time in one destination or region. There’s a growing desire to slow down, minimize logistics, and truly enjoy a place rather than rushing through it.  Bjorn: Slow travel continues to shape the luxury space. While comfort and high-end experiences remain important, guests are increasingly valuing exclusivity, meaningful experiences, and the opportunity to connect more deeply with a destination.  Simon: More mindful and intentional travel is booming, with travellers choosing fewer destinations and staying longer to really get under the skin of a place. There’s also a growing appetite for immersive, meaningful experiences that have a positive impact, particularly those connected to nature and wildlife.  Jackie: I’ve noticed a major shift toward guests beginning with a feeling rather than a destination. Whether it’s nostalgia travel, ancestry and heritage journeys, or milestone celebrations, people are increasingly planning trips around personal meaning and emotion, which opens the door to more unexpected destinations.  Julie: Guests are viewing the journey itself as part of the experience. Many are choosing destinations based on access to exceptional airlines and suites, while others are gravitating toward private villas, yachts, and secluded luxury retreats that offer privacy, quality family time, and a true sense of escape.   Julie in the Dolomites What destinations, experiences, or hotels are emerging as clear favourites among your guests right now?  Livia: Ischia in Italy is becoming increasingly popular as a more laid-back alternative to Capri. Guests are also gravitating toward Forestis Hotel in the Dolomites for its contemporary alpine design and spectacular mountain views, while Switzerland continues to be a favourite for exciting ski adventures.   Bjorn: Cape Town remains a standout thanks to its vibrant food and wine scene, while Botswana continues to draw guests seeking exceptional game viewing and exclusive safari experiences. Madagascar is also gaining attention for travellers looking for truly off-the-beaten-path beach escapes.  Simon: Brazil’s Pantanal is becoming more widely recognized as one of the best wildlife destinations in the world, despite remaining far less visited than traditional African safaris or the Galápagos Islands. Caiman Lodge in the Southern Pantanal is a standout, offering incredible wildlife encounters, including elusive jaguar sightings, alongside hands-on conservation experiences with local NGOs working to protect the region’s species.  Jackie: Turkey has been an especially popular request in 2026. Guests are drawn to its rich cultural heritage and strong identity, while also appreciating the European influences and exceptional cuisine that make it feel exciting, comfortable and accessible for Western travellers.  Julie: Aqua Expeditions has emerged as a favourite among many of our most well-travelled guests. Travelers are increasingly seeking smaller, more intimate expedition-style cruising experiences that offer privacy, personalized service, and access to extraordinary destinations without the scale of a large ship.  Livia on Mount Etna, Italy What destinations should travellers have on their radar, and why?  Livia: Germany is emerging as a standout destination for summer and fall travel in 2026 and 2027. It offers a more understated style of luxury, where the focus is less on “see and be seen” and more on exceptional high-end properties, day trips to castles, medieval villages, and, of course, Oktoberfest.   Bjorn: Mozambique is poised to be the next big thing, thanks to a growing collection of luxury beach properties and emerging safari experiences.  Simon: Brazil is increasingly becoming a destination travellers are curious about, and for good reason. Its sheer scale allows for an extraordinary range of experiences, from the biodiversity of the Amazon rainforest and Pantanal to buzzing cities, rich cultural heritage, and picturesque beaches. Improved infrastructure and the arrival of new luxury accommodations in remote regions suggest that a boom in popularity is imminent!    Jackie: More travellers should have Oman on their radar. It is authentic and less commercialized, with a focus on true experiences over sightseeing. Oman retains a sense of the “Old Middle East,” paired with some of the friendliest people I have ever encountered in all of my travels.     Julie: Raja Ampat in Indonesia was once a hidden oasis, with just a few small hotels and some of the most well-preserved reefs on the planet.  Now one of the most exciting luxury expedition destinations in the region, it’s attracting exceptional charter experiences from operators like Rascal Voyages and Vela, not to mention bigger players like Amandira (Aman’s Indonesia sailing yacht) and Aqua Blue.   Jackie at the Grand Mosque, Muscat, Oman What’s something you can unlock for clients that they wouldn’t find on their own?   Livia: I love elevating trips with thoughtful surprises. One example was a couple traveling to the Amalfi Coast to celebrate their 30th anniversary. They asked if it would be possible to renew their vows somewhere romantic. Together with our local ground team, we arranged a private boat excursion along the coastline, with a surprise detour to pick up an officiant. They’ll renew their vows at sea against the backdrop of Positano and the dramatic Amalfi coastline.  Bjorn: In Africa, a guide can make or break your safari. With our trusted connections, we’re able to match specialist guides based on how well they will suit each traveller. This could be related to an interest in specific wildlife, desired pace of safari or simply if they’re great with younger families. Whilst the safari properties are important, it’s the guides that will shape your connection to the African bush.   Simon: One of the most valuable things we can unlock is privileged, after-hours access to iconic museums and galleries alongside local experts. From the Anthropology Museum or Frida Kahlo Museum in Mexico City, to the Gold Museum or Botero Gallery in Medellín, or the Larco Museum in Lima, experiences like these transform a standard visit into something far more transformative.  Jackie: If I had to choose one exceptional experience, it would be arranging a private visit to the restoration rooms at the Grand Egyptian Museum, the world’s largest archaeological museum which only officially opened in November 2025. This experience takes guests far beyond what the average visitor sees. Alongside PhD-level geologists, archaeologists, and scientists, are actively uncovering Egyptian artifacts! Think goggles, gloves, white protective suits, and absolutely no phones allowed. A true “pinch-me” experience.  Julie: One unforgettable experience I’ve arranged was special behind-the-scenes access at Angkor Wat alongside one of the site’s archaeologists. It gave guests a rare opportunity to understand the history, preservation, and ongoing discoveries of the temples.   Bjorn in Cape Town, South Africa What’s one keepsake you love to bring home after a journey?  Livia: A few thoughtful little knick-knacks or gifts to bring back for friends.  Bjorn: A great photograph that I can print and frame.  Simon: Either a 'best food’ story to share with friends or a local soccer jersey.  Jackie: I tend to choose practical keepsakes rather than collecting the same thing everywhere. It could be a ceramic cup from Turkey or beautifully crafted linen towels from Denmark, all pieces I’ll genuinely use at home.  Julie: Something I’ll use regularly that instantly brings me back to the trip. It might be kitchen utensils from Italy, a painting I fell in love with, or a Panama hat from Ecuador (which, fun fact, is actually where Panama hats originate).  What’s worth the splurge (or  what isn't)?  Livia: Worth it: a great massage after a long flight. Not worth it: a Michelin-starred dinner on your very first night, hit up a local gem instead.  Bjorn:  A private safari vehicle is worth the splurge, especially for families. Simon: It’s always worth ordering the extra dishes on a local menu and trying everything you can, even if you can’t finish it all.   Jackie: You’ll never regret investing in a truly special cultural immersion or meaningful local experience over an extravagant reservation.  Julie: Worth it: hiring a photographer for a special experience so you can stay present and still come home with incredible memories. Not worth it: the overhyped restaurant everyone saw on Instagram (there are usually ten better insider-favourite local spots without the crowds). Ready to start planning your next journey? Speak to one of our award‑winning specialists and discover where your story could take you next.

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A Scott Dunn guide to Sun Gardens Dubrovnik

There are some hotels that tick the boxes. And then there are the ones that stop you in your tracks the moment you arrive. Sun Gardens Dubrovnik is firmly in the second category. Our team has been recommending it for years, and the guests who go tend to return. Here's why. A setting that does a lot of the work Start with where it is. The resort sits on the Dalmatian coast, about 40 minutes from Dubrovnik Airport, facing directly out to the Elaphiti Islands. The islands look beautiful, but they're also doing something useful: sheltering the bay and keeping the water calm, which matters if you have children swimming or you're planning a couple of hours on a paddleboard. A shuttle boat runs from the hotel marina into Dubrovnik's old port, so you can be walking the city walls or sitting in a restaurant tucked into a medieval building within 20 minutes of leaving the resort. Back at the hotel, the gardens run down to the shoreline, and the whole property is thoughtfully laid out, so everything is always within easy reach.  Facilities that cover everything Whatever you feel like doing on any given day, Sun Gardens Dubrovnik has probably thought of it. Three pools, Nuku Beach with VIP cabanas and a beach bar that gets going in the afternoon, clay tennis courts, squash, a five-a-side pitch, a Technogym, and cycling and running trails along the coast. Families with younger children tend to find the pool areas—splash zones, smoothie bars, and ice cream stations—and not move far for the rest of the week, which is a perfectly valid holiday strategy. The spa offers Thai massage, reflexology, hot stone therapies, Ayurveda, and couples' treatments, and Nougatine Paris runs dedicated treatments for children and teenagers, too, so there's no reason for anyone to miss out. If you want to get into the surrounding area, there's hiking, cycling, oyster harvesting in nearby bays, and wine tours through vineyards that have been producing for centuries. Cabanas at NUKU Beach, Sun Gardens Dubrovnik Room to spread out The accommodation covers a lot of ground, and for families, the Residences are usually the answer. The one-, two- and three-bedroom options have full kitchens, proper lounges and private terraces; It’s spacious enough that a family of four won’t be living on top of each other by Wednesday. Sea View Residences face the islands; Garden Residences are shaded and open onto the grounds. Club Floor rooms come with a private breakfast terrace overlooking the water, which turns out to be a surprisingly effective reason to get up early. Standard hotel rooms and suites are also available for anyone travelling with fewer bags and fewer people. Food that takes Croatia seriously Croatian food doesn't get nearly enough credit, and Sun Gardens Dubrovnik makes a decent case for why it should. Scott Dunn guests get an exclusive half-board arrangement, and with the range of restaurants here, that's not a small thing. The Market serves fresh seafood and Mediterranean dishes made with local ingredients, with no unnecessary fuss. Cilantro is set up for lunch under olive trees right by the water: oysters, seafood linguine, truffle chips. It’s the sort of meal where you look up and realise two hours have passed. La Pasta does wood-fired pizzas and an octopus ragu that tends to convert people who arrived fairly confident they wouldn't enjoy octopus ragu. For an unhurried dinner, Tavern Veranda does blue crab pasta, seafood risotto, and wines from Istria and Dalmatia that are worth slowing down for. Finally, Butcher’s Grill is a “must visit” eatery for meat lovers. With a live kitchen and the highest quality meats from all over the world, you are guaranteed a delicious meal. Between June and September, the FESTA outdoor dining and entertainment series runs in the evenings and is included in the Scott Dunn half-board plan. Cilantro, Sun Gardens Dubrovnik What Scott Dunn does differently This is where it gets interesting. The Scott Dunn Explorers kids club programme runs exclusively for Scott Dunn guests (no other operator offers it at this resort) and it's the thing families bring up most when they get back. Our in-resort team and Guest Relations Manager are there from the moment you arrive, taking care of the details that have a habit of eating into a holiday when nobody's paying attention. Families with babies and toddlers arrive to find cots, bottle warmers, and everything else already in place, so the first afternoon is spent at the beach rather than sourcing a travel cot from reception. Younger children have a dedicated space with unique daily activities in the club and around the resort, along with direct beach access. Older children are given more independence, with opportunities to try the indoor climbing wall, take part in football coaching, go snorkelling, and set out on island explorations. For teenagers, the CREW programme for 11 and over has the best itinerary: sea-kayak safaris to the blue caves of Kolocep, stand-up paddleboarding in Zaton Bay, SCUBA try-dives, sailing to beaches that don't get much traffic, and mountain biking on the outer islands with a picnic at the end. The kind of days that come up at dinner months later, when someone asks about the holiday, and the teenagers actually answer. Paddle Boarding in Dubrovnik   Many Scott Dunn guests book their next visit before the current one is over. It tends to have that effect. Ready to make unforgettable family memories on the Adriatic? Our Family Travel Specialists will design an Explorers holiday at Sun Gardens Dubrovnik that’s tailored entirely to you.