Distinctive Journeys

Sometimes the ultimate luxury is simply feeling like the rest of the world is very far away.

For Janie’s Favorites: Asia & the South Pacific, these two extraordinary island escapes deliver exactly that.

Soneva Jani | Maldives
Extraordinary overwater villas, turquoise lagoons, imaginative experiences and a wonderfully relaxed approach to luxury take the Maldives experience to another level.
https://www.virtuoso.com/member/distinctivejourneys/travel/luxury-hotels/16220498/soneva-jani

Laucala Island | Fiji
This remarkable private island retreat offers privacy, spectacular natural beauty and a genuine feeling of escape. It’s the kind of place where your own corner of Fiji doesn't feel like much of an exaggeration.
https://www.laucala.com/

And when you're planning a stay this special, the Distinctive Difference matters. Through Distinctive Journeys, participating luxury hotels and resorts may offer preferred rates and availability, daily breakfast for two, resort credits and exclusive amenities, plus upgrades, early check-in and late checkout when available.

Already dreaming about an overwater villa or private island? Talk with us before booking. We’ll help make sure you're taking advantage of every benefit available to you.

Soneva Jani | Virtuoso The indulgent escapism of a sparkling turquoise lagoon makes Soneva Jani irresistible to experience seekers. Stay in iconic over-water villas or vast island residences, with unparalleled access to marine experiences and exhilarating watersports.

Italy or Greece? With hotels like these, choosing may be the hardest part.

Two European standouts make Janie’s Favorites list:

Caruso, A Belmond Hotel | Ravello, Italy
Perched high above the Amalfi Coast, Caruso combines breathtaking views, centuries of history and the unmistakable service of Belmond. It’s the kind of property that reminds you exactly why Italy keeps calling travelers back.
https://www.virtuoso.com/member/distinctivejourneys/travel/luxury-hotels/6164317/caruso-a-belmond-hotel-amalfi-coast

Canaves Oia Suites | Santorini, Greece
Whitewashed architecture, beautifully designed suites and those legendary Santorini views. Romantic, sophisticated and perfectly positioned for enjoying Oia, Canaves captures so much of what travelers dream about when imagining the Greek Islands.
https://www.virtuoso.com/member/distinctivejourneys/travel/luxury-hotels/14364908/canaves-oia-suites

Then there’s the Distinctive Difference...At participating hotels, Distinctive Journeys clients may receive preferred rates, daily breakfast for two, hotel credits and exclusive amenities, along with upgrades, early check-in and late checkout when available. So, before you click “book,” ask us what additional benefits may be available. A great European hotel stay can become even better when it’s booked the right way.

Caruso, A Belmond Hotel, Amalfi Coast | Virtuoso It’s easy to see why Ravello, and the entire Amalfi Coast, has inspired the likes of Richard Wagner, D.H. Lawrence, and Gore Vidal. The Caruso has long been a favorite of discerning globetrotters. Just 50 guest rooms and suites make for an intimate ambience, and most of the rooms have a sea view, ...

Some places are memorable. Others become part of the reason you want to return.

For Janie’s Favorites: Africa, two exceptional South African safari lodges make the list.

andBeyond Tengile River Lodge | Sabi Sand, South Africa
Privacy, beautiful river views and exceptional wildlife experiences come together in one of Africa’s most celebrated safari destinations. Here, the lodge is every bit as much a part of the adventure as the game drives.
https://www.andbeyond.com/places-to-stay/africa/south-africa/sabi-sand-game-reserve/tengile-river-lodge/

Singita Lebombo Lodge | Kruger National Park, South Africa
Contemporary design meets extraordinary wilderness at this longtime favorite, where remarkable guides, incredible wildlife and Singita’s legendary service create an experience that is difficult to match.
https://www.virtuoso.com/member/distinctivejourneys/travel/luxury-hotels/6164163/singita-singita-kruger-national-park

And remember — how you book matters.

At participating luxury properties, booking through Distinctive Journeys can provide preferred rates and availability, daily breakfast for two, hotel or resort credits, exclusive amenities, plus room upgrades, early check-in and late checkout when available. Even if you already know where you want to stay, check with us before booking. There may be valuable benefits you won't receive on your own.

Singita - Singita Kruger National Park | Virtuoso With conservation at its core, Singita’s enduring purpose is to preserve and protect large areas of African wilderness for future generations. Set in 33,000 acres of pristine wilderness in the world-renowned Kruger National Park, this exclusive concession offers a richly diverse habitat teeming wi...

One of the greatest names in travel is returning to the rails.

In 2027, L’Orient Express will begin a remarkable new chapter aboard 17 original Orient Express cars dating back to the 1920s and 1930s — beautifully reimagined for a new era of luxury travel.

Think glamorous suites, extraordinary dining, an elegant bar car and interiors inspired by the golden age of rail travel, all brought to life with contemporary comfort and exceptional craftsmanship.

For travelers who believe the journey should be every bit as memorable as the destination, this is one to watch.

Discover what we know so far about the return of L’Orient Express:
https://www.virtuoso.com/member/distinctivejourneys/travel/articles/what-we-know-about-orient-express-new-train-launching-in-2027

And when you're ready to experience the world's most extraordinary journeys, let Distinctive Journeys take care of every detail.

Some of the world’s most extraordinary places just received one of travel’s highest honors.

UNESCO added 25 new World Heritage Sites to its list in 2026 — celebrating remarkable destinations for their history, culture, architecture, natural beauty, and importance to future generations. And several of these newly recognized places are already on our radar for 2027.

For us, this is what makes travel so rewarding: not simply seeing somewhere new, but understanding the stories, people, landscapes, and traditions that make a destination truly special.

Take a look at some of the newest UNESCO World Heritage Sites we’re excited to experience in 2027:

https://www.virtuoso.com/member/distinctivejourneys/travel/articles/the-new-unesco-world-heritage-sites-were-visiting-in-2027

Breaking down the differences (and similarities) in voyages to the two polar regions, plus how to get there on an immersive adventure with National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions.. Read more in the first comment below...

Antarctic vs. Arctic Cruising: Which Is Best for You? | Virtuoso Whether you’re looking for penguin colonies or culture-rich coastlines, polar-region specialist National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions has a cruise for you.

What We Learned at Virtuoso Travel Week 2026: Fallcations, destinationmaxxing, megayacht cruises, and more – top trends from luxury travel’s biggest event of the year.

Read more:

Virtuoso Travel Week 2026: Trends, Hotels, Cruises, and the Destinations to Watch | Virtuoso The biggest takeaways from luxury travel’s annual gathering in Las Vegas – from fallcations and destinationmaxxing to wellness travel, astrotourism, and megayacht cruises.

If you’ve followed us for a while, you probably already know that Explora Journeys is our favorite luxury cruise line — and the arrival of EXPLORA III gives us even more to love.

The newest ship in the Explora fleet takes everything that makes the experience so special and elevates it: more space, beautifully designed suites and residences, exceptional dining, expanded wellness experiences, and that relaxed, sophisticated atmosphere that feels much more like a luxury resort at sea than a traditional cruise ship.

Take a first look inside EXPLORA III and see why we’re so excited about the next chapter for one of our absolute favorite ways to travel.

https://bit.ly/4cEbftg

What does a wellness vacation look like to you? 🌿✈️

Maybe it’s a morning yoga session overlooking the ocean. A few days dedicated to incredible spa treatments. Hiking somewhere spectacular. Eating fresh, locally inspired food. Or simply finding a beautiful place where you can truly unplug, slow down and recharge.

The best part? There’s no single way to travel well.

This Virtuoso feature explores six of our favorite types of wellness vacations — and there may be a few that surprise you.

👉 Read more: https://bit.ly/4gxz6x1

When you’re ready for a vacation that leaves you feeling as good as the destination looks, Distinctive Journeys can help you find the experience that fits you.

Summer in Greenland: Tundra Camping, Heli-Hiking, and Indigenous Connection.

Read more:

On a Greenland Expedition Cruise, Inuit Culture Offers a Warm Welcome | Virtuoso A Quark Expeditions sailing stars a helicopter trip to an ice sheet, a locally sourced meal in Aappilattoq, and tundra camping.