the insider: july 2023
Abbay (King) Lovell
Travel Advisor | Entrepreneur | Helping professionals and busy families plan seamless travel | Inactive CPA
Hi,
Welcome to the insider, our monthly newsletter, sharing the latest "insider" knowledge from my world of luxury travel ??.
Each month, you can expect:
I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoy curating travel experiences for my clients!
an update from Abbay's desk
I'm recently back from the most incredible trip to the Azores! You might be thinking where is that? Well, the?Azores?are a pristine, nine-island archipelago in the North Atlantic - between America and Europe. It's an autonomous region of Portugal, so Portuguese is the official language.
It's also known as “the Hawaii of Europe” or known for sharing strong similarities with the likes of Iceland or New Zealand. I would agree with each of these comparisons! Ultimately, it's a haven for those who love nature and adventure mixed with a bit of Europe.?
I spent 7 days exploring four of the islands (Faial, Pico, S?o Miguel and Terceira) and learning highlights of the others.?I left captivated by the unspoiled beauty, charming Pico homes made of lava rock, vineyards lined with lava stone walls to protect the growing grape vines from the sea mist, natural rock swimming pools, and the warmth of the people.?Highlights for me were off-roading in the Land Rover and canyoning down waterfalls (pictured above).
Who should go to the Azores?
The islands are a paradise for nature enthusiasts, active travelers, and adventure seekers - from hiking volcanic peaks to mountain biking around the forests to dipping in the azure blue lakes or the sea.
It's also a great option for travelers who are short on time. Don't have two weeks to go to New Zealand but can swing 7 nights paired with a 5 hour non-stop from Boston? This might be the perfect destination for you!
What can perfect in the?Azores look like??
For me, wake early for breakfast before heading out on a RIB boat for whale watching and dolphin spotting.?Enjoy being on the water looking back at the incredible coastline.?After this, head back to the hotel and order lunch poolside.?After this, take a scenic drive on the way for a dip in one of the natural rock pools ideally situated on the sea.?Later this afternoon, arrive at a local vineyard for a wine tasting and stay for dinner. For dinner, I recommend grilled limpets as a starter and fresh-caught fish as a main.
How long should I plan to visit the Azores?
It’s a destination worthy of 7 to 9 nights on its own (visiting 2-3 islands) or
as a 3-4 night stopover on your way to mainland Portugal or another European destination.
Do you need more reasons to visit the Azores?
If you still aren't convinced, I'm listing 10 compelling reasons to visit the Azores in my blog post below - check it out
latest travel news
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blog posts you'll love
10 reasons to visit the Azores
Have you heard of the Azores?
This was a new-to-me destination not so long ago, but the more I learned about this hidden gem, the more my curiosity grew!
Click?here?to keep reading.
A secret to traveling well
While there are many ways to travel well, I’m focusing on one today that most people, especially millennials, don’t know about. Ready for it?
The secret lies in a network called Virtuoso....
Click?here?to keep reading.
upcoming client trips
Looking for inspiration? Check out where some of my clients are traveling this month:
Inspired? Want to learn more? Get in touch!
client love
Best Travel Agent!! “Abbay was so easy to work with. She listened for exactly what we wanted to come out of our trip, and she made it happen. 10/10 would recommend her to ANYONE!!!!?” A. Smith, Apr 2023
Check out our?Reviews and Recommendations?page to read more about what our clients are saying.
That's all for this month. I hope you've enjoyed it!
Writer / Editor & Tourism Content Specialist
1 年Nice one Abbay.
Consultant at Abbay's Escapes | Independent Affiliate of Brownell Travel
1 年Looks great ??