Logistics in Madagascar are notoriously tricky, which is exactly why luxury travel matters here. It’s the difference between fighting the island and simply falling into it. I spent seven days exploring Madagascar, and by day one I’d already imagined never leaving.
I started at Miavana by Time + Tide (pictured here) on Nosy Ankao, the largest island located in a remote, protected archipelago off Madagascar’s northeastern coast. The best way I can describe the experience is if a safari and a Galápagos trip had a baby.
Madagascar is the fourth-largest island on Earth, ringed by a constellation of smaller islands. Its mix of endemic wildlife and plant life spans forest to reef, making it one of the greatest biodiversity hotspots on the planet.
Our days were filled with snorkeling the coral reef, trekking for lemurs and hiking through landscapes unlike anything I’ve seen. We explored Ankarana National Park and the otherworldly Tsingy Rouge, hiking among razor-sharp limestone spires and red laterite formations. We found sportive lemurs dozing in the trees while crowned lemurs hopped through the canopy overhead. Snorkeling brought its own theater of sea turtles gliding past, octopus draped across the coral, rock lobsters tucked into reef crevices and purple-and-yellow sea goldies flitting everywhere we looked. We even got in some sport fishing! Steve landed a giant trevally.
From there, we crossed turquoise seas and emerald forest to Tattersall Camp in Daraina, a community conservation project. This is one of the only places on Earth to see the golden-crowned sifaka, a critically endangered species found nowhere else. Watching them bound through the trees was pure joy and a reminder of just how vital the conservation work happening here really is.
Our grand finale was Anjahakely, where we spotted four different lemur species in a single outing: the sportive lemur, the crowned lemur, Sanford’s brown lemur (my favorite because he looks like he just rolled out of bed with a permanent case of bedhead) and the Perrier’s sifaka, which doesn’t so much walk as dance sideways across the ground and across the trees.
Rarely do I return to the same destination twice. I’m always chasing the next corner of the map. But Madagascar exceeded even my famously high expectations, and I’m already plotting my trip to this magical place.
Hit the Rails on a Spectacular Train GetawayThere is a particular kind of luxury in unhurried movement, in landscapes unfolding at the pace of a train window. Long before travel became about speed, it was about romance. The anticipation of a journey can be as rich as the destination itself. Belmond’s collection of legendary trains revives that spirit for a new generation of travelers, turning transit into the occasion.
The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express carries guests between Europe’s most captivating cities in interiors that pair storied craftsmanship with contemporary comfort. Featuring the kind of detail that rewards a traveler willing to slow down and soak it in, its six Grand Suites are named for a city along the train’s original route. These luxurious cars capture the character of Paris, Venice, Istanbul, Vienna, Prague and Budapest. For something rarer still, L’Observatoire, a carriage suite conceived by artist JR, offers a private tearoom, a curated vinyl collection and round-the-clock cabin steward service.
Britannic Explorer turns the British countryside itself into the main event. Three itineraries provide an artistic immersion in Cornwall, a wellbeing journey through Wales, and a culinary adventure in the Lake District. Rare access is threaded throughout, from a private visit to Barbara Hepworth’s St Ives studio to an experience on farm-to-fork pioneer Simon Rogan’s Cumbrian farm and dinner at Alain Roux’s three-Michelin-starred Waterside Inn. Between stops, Wildsmith wellness rituals and inventive pours in the apothecary-inspired Observation Car keep the unhurried mood alive on board.
For a taste of classic Britain without leaving London, British Pullman remains the city’s most legendary day trip, offering a chance to pause and observe the quiet formality of a bygone era. In a round trip to and from London Victoria, journeys wind through the English countryside to destinations like Bath, Canterbury and Highclere Castle, as well as historic country estates and marquee events like Royal Ascot. In June, the train introduced Celia, a new dining and events carriage designed by Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin within an original 1932 Pullman carriage. With its own cocktail bar, lounge and room for up to 12 guests, it’s the most intimate way yet to experience one of Britain’s classic trains.
No matter which train getaway you choose, each carriage, cabin and dining car is composed with the same care as its finest hotels, proof that how you arrive can matter just as much as where.
New International FlightsUnited Airlines just announced 10 new international routes starting in 2027, extending the carrier’s flight network to new destinations in Europe and Asia.
United’s new international routes are:
Pro Tip! Passport ReminderBefore you book, double-check your passport. Most countries require your passport to remain valid for at least six months beyond your return date and many also require at least three blank visa pages for entry stamps.
Falling short on either requirement can mean denied boarding or entry, even with a confirmed reservation. If your passport is nearing expiration or running low on blank pages, now’s the time to renew! Happy travels!
Why Do You Travel?I just returned from the trip of a lifetime to Madagascar and South Africa and I honestly didn’t want it to end. It was pure magic: making new friends, reconnecting with old ones and crossing paths with some incredible wildlife along the way. This jaunt was truly a slice of heaven.
It got me thinking about what makes a trip once-in-a-lifetime or truly exceptional for you? Whatever that looks like, I’m here to make the planning and the trip itself feel effortless and truly enchanting. Where do you want to go next? Let’s chat!
