Hailey is a master at designing European sojourns that feel like a vacation for both adults and kids—not an easy feat. Her choice this summer was Corsica, where the family enjoyed both the luxury of resort life and the freedom of a villa stay.
The pinnacle of the trip was renting a boat to explore the island’s rugged, secluded coastline—many of Corsica’s most beautiful beaches are magically accessible only by boat or on foot. Some culinary highlights included a leisurely lunch at Le Ferme on Cavallo Island, a lunch trip to La Maddalena in nearby Sardinia, and discovering charming open-air grocery markets.
Hailey and the kids burned off energy paddleboarding and snorkeling, while her husband cycled the island’s scenic routes. Everyone exhaled and unwound at the Sea Lounge beach club on Palombaggia Beach. They even added a bit of culture in Porto-Vecchio and explored the historic city of Bonifacio, making for a perfectly balanced family escape full of play and local flavor.
Belize: On our radar For winter
Darren recently returned from Belize—a country that surprised him at every turn. Among the highlights: time spent at several of Francis Ford Coppola’s properties. And really…who can argue with FFC? When the master filmmaker scouts a place he loves, he invests in it deeply, and it showed. From the thoughtful design to the immersive experiences, his imprint elevated every aspect of the stay.
Beyond the resorts themselves, Belize as a destination punches far above its weight. For a country of just 600,000 people, it offers astonishing biodiversity, adventure, and cultural richness. It is home to the second-largest barrier reef in the world, spectacular marine life, ancient Mayan ruins, and wild jungle adventures straight out of an Indiana Jones film. Add in its colonial legacy, warm hospitality, and ease of travel—and it’s a destination that’s as navigable as it is unforgettable.
Darren enjoyed everything from tea blending in the jungle to hands-on, garden-to-fork cooking sessions with local chefs. There was even a custom rum blending experience, and believe it or not—some of the best Neapolitan pizza Darren has ever had in the Western Hemisphere, was consumed right there in Belize.
This is a place where nature, history, and storytelling converge—and we can't wait to help you experience it. The time is NOW to book your winter escape, so reach out!
introducing astro travel:
Where Science Meets the Stars
At Travel Sommelier, we believe the most meaningful journeys are those that connect us deeply to the world around us, and above us. That’s why we’re thrilled to announce a new partnership with the Maria Mitchell Association, the storied nonprofit on Nantucket honoring America’s first female astronomer. Together, we’re launching a series of science-forward, soul-stirring experiences inspired by astronomy, natural history, and the spirit of exploration.
The first adventure in this new series begins in September 2025 with a one-of-a-kind birding experience in Central Park, guided by renowned ornithologists. From there, we are offering spectacular itineraries around the 2026 eclipse in Spain and the 2027 eclipse in Egypt, as well as a coast-to-coast scalloping and stargazing weekend on Nantucket Island this Fall.
Each trip includes thoughtfully selected accommodations, immersive programming, and rare access to what we like to call “the ungoogleable” experiences you simply won't find anywhere else.
These are highly curated offerings with limited space. If you are interested in learning more, email us at info@travelsommelier.com.
the heartbeat at our feet
We recently said goodbye to Napa—our beloved office dog, loyal companion, and TS’s head of food and beverage, who brought so much love, laughter, and comfort to our days.
A few words from Darren: “To a puppy who has been by my side for 14 years…if I were writing a full eulogy for her, it would be long and deeply emotive. But there are a few things that will always define her: her head resting on my forearm as I shifted gears in the stick-shift Wrangler—every change of gear earning a look that said, ‘Pick a gear, any gear…but just stick to it.’ Yet her head never drifted.
And her constant presence: her chin on my feet beneath the desk in my study, or nestled on top of me in bed (pre-Caitlin).
Pets—why do we do it? Why do we put ourselves through this heartbreak? Because it is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.”
