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Those of us who work at Hideaways share a love of exceptional travel. Over the years, we’ve covered the globe—more than once!—and have encountered our share of shortcomings, to be sure, but mostly we’ve been fortunate enough to enjoy some genuinely amazing travel pleasures.
It was hard to choose, but here, several Hideaways staff members share some of our favorite travel experiences with you.
When you’re ready to plan an escape that’s destined to be a future favorite, get in touch with a Travel Specialist at Hideaways Travel Services (toll-free: 800-843-4433). Much like a matchmaker, our expert agents will introduce you to the travel experience that’s best suited for your personal style and budget. Try us once, and you’ll never “go it alone” again.
Mike Thiel, Founder/President of Hideaways International
The Azores, Portugal
 We travel so much, it’s hard to pick any one place as a favorite. One of my tests of a place is, “Would I go again?” And for the Azores, Portugal’s mid-Atlantic archipelago, the answer is an emphatic “Yes!” For starters, there are nine main islands—all rather different in geology, attractions, and culture—and we’ve only visited two, São Miguel and Terceira. That leaves seven more to experience. I would best describe the island group as a hyrid between Ireland—they are green and generally bucolic—and Hawaii, volcanic with sensational scenery, but minus the beautiful white beaches.
Never mind that. Between the scenery, botanical wonders, quaint towns, great hikes, whale-watching, deep-sea fishing, native crafts, and local festivals, there’s something for most everyone. And, with an economy based on fishing, dairy farming, and livestock ranching, you’ll be eating heartily and interestingly. Final pluses: the islands enjoy mild weather year-round, are relatively inexpensive, and are an easy escape and a different taste of Europe with short (about four hours), relatively inexpensive flights from a Boston gateway on SATA Airlines. And now SATA, through interline agreements with Virgin America and US Airways, offers the ability to provide discounted fares on one ticket from many parts of the U.S., and usually some attractive air+hotel packages. These are best handled through a travel agent, so call Hideaways Travel Services to plan your Azores escape.
Hideaways recommends: Any of the Bensaude Turismo Hotels collection on the islands of São Miguel, Terceira, or Faial
Hideaways Aficionado Club members are invited to read “The Azores: So Near, and Yet So Far.” Not yet a member? Join now and don’t miss any of our great insight, or our member-only privileges and perks!
Gail Richard, V. P. of Hideaways International
Ireland Self-Drive Tour
 Yes, there really are a thousand shades of green here, as dazzling as a leprechaun’s pot of gold. And even though “liquid sunshine” often was the order of the day, we thoroughly enjoyed touring around the Irish countryside in our rental car—on the left, of course. To me, the best things about Ireland are its castles, cottages, and country homes, its people and pubs, its history and hospitality. We experienced all of that as we drove through the country’s amazing and diverse landscape: rocky burren, sandy beaches, rolling hills, lush pastureland. And sheep—lots and lots of sheep!
By the way, this is the year to experience The Gathering Ireland 2013, the country’s “welcome home” invitation to friends and family around the world who want to celebrate all things Irish with a year of festive parties, sporting events, and cultural activities.
Hideaways recommends: Dromoland Castle, Co. Clare; Adare Manor, Co. Limerick; Ashford Castle, Co. Mayo.
Hideaways Aficionado Club members are invited to read “An Irish State of Mind” and “Two for the Road, Hideaways Style.” Not yet a member? Join now and don’t miss any of our great insight, or our member-only privileges and perks!
Andrew Thiel, Director of Business Development
Costa Rica by Road
 They say getting there is half the fun, and nowhere is that more true than in Costa Rica, where the country’s notoriously bumpy “roads” make for a somewhat jarring yet exhilarating experience, complete with nearly impassable jungle trails and "pot-hole slaloms” offering tantalizing valley views. Here’s the thing: If you have the right vehicle—and more important, the right attitude—driving in Costa Rica can be one of the highlights of your trip. It certainly was for my wife and me, where those old roads led to new and exciting experiences, from a “crash-course” in surfing at Playa Santa Teresa to our surprisingly great meal at one of the many cevicherias (small open-air restaurants) that dot the roadsides.
Hideaways recommends: Lapa Rios Ecolodge [where Hideaways members receive a waterfall luncheon with min. 3-night stay] and Hotel Punta Islita
Hideaways Aficionado Club members are invited to read “Costa Rica: Adventure on Steroids” and “The Rugged Road to Luxury in Costa Rica.” Not yet a member? Join now and don’t miss any of our great insight, or our member-only privileges and perks!
Darcy Allen, Travel Services Manager
Australian Honeymoon
 After designing clients’ dream holidays to Australia for about a decade, it was finally time to plan my own in the form of a honeymoon. Because Australia is the size of the lower 48 states, I knew it was impossible to cover the entire country in just one visit, so we decided to start with the basics. Of course, at Hideaways we don’t do typical, so I found the very best to explore in each region.
Our whirlwind tour included vegging out at Kewarra Beach Resort, keeping our distance from hungry crocs at Hartley’s Crocodile Farm, exploring the amazing scenery at Uluru (the official Aboriginal name for Ayers Rock), taking a harbor cruise in Sydney, and venturing out to the Blue Mountains, which really do look blue—apparently, the sun dissipates eucalyptus oil from the plants' leaves into the air, creating a blue haze that's quite impressive . . . just like the country itself.
Hideaways recommends: Shangri-la Hotel, Sydney; Lilianfels Blue Mountains Resort & Spa, Katoomba
Hideaways Aficionado Club members are invited to read “An Aussie Walkabout.” Not yet a member? Join now and don’t miss any of our great insight, or our member-only privileges and perks!
June Ahmed, Member Services Manager
The Dominican Republic
 As anyone traveling with an active 11-year-old can attest to, variety isn’t just the spice of life, it’s the sanity of family travel! So I felt quite comfortable heading to Casa de Campo in the DR. You see, this sprawling resort is really more like a 7,000-acre playground, with so much to do that no one could possibly get bored—not even an 11-year-old.
Let me take a moment to point out that it’s a good thing a golf cart is included with all villas for getting around, or you'd be exhausted your first day. Casa de Campo has 20 restaurants (yes, 20!), a beautiful beach, and a popular Kidz Club, which is broken out by age-appropriate groups. While Aaron was enjoying its ‘tween program, I went to the Cygalle Healing Spa. It’s tastefully done, and I could feel the stress and tension melt away the moment I walked into this oasis. The best part? Hideaways members get a $200 spa credit when staying there!
Hideaways recommends: Casa de Campo
Hideaways Aficionado Club members are invited to read “Casa de Campo: Great Family Fun for All.” Not yet a member? Join now and don’t miss any of our great insight, or our member-only privileges and perks!
Pat Chaudoin, Managing Editor
China
 The prospect of language difficulties, converting yuan to U.S. dollars, standing out like a sore thumb with my blonde hair, even using squat toilets . . . none of this could have subdued my enthusiasm for visiting China a few years ago. And what an eye-opener it was! Somewhere between a trip through a canal-side market—where I saw unrefrigerated bins of slimy snails and some sort of animal brain—and flirting with adorable Chinese children eating their snack of pineapple on a stick, I fell in love with the whole experience of this quirky, foreign-to-me country. And I’d go back in a heartbeat!
Hideaways recommends: Tauck World Discovery for its wide selection of land and river tours in China.
Hideaways Aficionado Club members are invited to read “Impressions of China.” Not yet a member? Join now and don’t miss any of our great insight, or our member-only privileges and perks!
Kristyn Lak Miller, Contributing Writer
U.S. Wine Country
 Several years ago, my husband and I were fortunate enough to visit the top five U.S. wine-producing states—California, Washington, Oregon, New York, and Texas—within 12 months. It’s certainly been our most toast-worthy travel year to date! Because the best travel is a multi-sensory experience, wine country makes an ideal vacation backdrop, with days spent enjoying vineyard views while bellying up to tasting counters to see, smell, swirl, sip, and savor myriad vintages and varieties. We discovered dining options that ranged from impromptu picnics to 4-star dinners you need to reserve months in advance. And then there are those unforgettable wine-country hideaways. Finally, one of our most eagerly anticipated parts of traveling to a wine region is, of course, returning home with wine. Whenever we bring a bottle up from the cellar, it's a great excuse to recall our trip and offer a toast to those winery visits to come.
Hideaways recommends: Auberge du Soleil (Rutherford, CA), Cave B Inn (Quincy, WA), Hotel Lucia (Portland, OR), Mirbeau Inn and Spa (Skaneateles, NY), Lake Austin Spa Resort (Austin, TX). Since Kristyn’s last visit to Oregon’s Willamette Valley, the area now has two luxury hotels which she can’t wait to experience . . . and review for you.
Hideaways Aficionado Club members are invited to read “As You Like It: U.S. Wineries.” Not yet a member? Join now and don’t miss any of our great insight, or our member-only privileges and perks!
Paul Hoogeveen, IT
Stockholm Honeymoon
 My trip to Stockholm, Sweden, with new wife Sarah was both a honeymoon and the fulfillment of childhood pact with my late father. But it was so much more as well! Gamla Stan (the “Old Town” quarter) is an exemplar of meticulously preserved medieval architecture, and the city features more than 80 cultural and historical museums—most notably the Vasa Museum, which houses the perfectly preserved, 16th-century warship, Vasa. Add to that a cosmopolitan atmosphere, Bohemian neighborhoods rich with street music, vibrant nightlife, endless shopping, and, of course, Vikings—that is, a Viking-themed restaurant, replete with longboats, goatskins, and delicious mead—and we soon found our list of planned activities growing too long to achieve in our eight days there. We could see and do only a fraction of what this wonderfully charming city and its environs had to offer, and plan to return for more!
Hideaways recommends: Ett Hem, Grand Hotel Stockholm, and The Lydmar Hotel
Hideaways Aficionado Club members are invited to read “A Swede Honeymoon.” Not yet a member? Join now and don’t miss any of our great insight, or our member-only privileges and perks!
Vance Stephenson, Ambassador
Alaskan Dream Cruises
 My wife and I had always wanted to experience Alaska—the wildlife, the hiking, mixing with the locals, and plenty of culture—but doing it on a cruise had never really entered our minds until we heard about Alaskan Dream Cruises from Hideaways. The recommendation was brilliant, and we had the time of our lives visiting small villages, kayaking deserted Hobart Bay, zipping through the hills of a logging camp on ATVs, and getting to know our crew and fellow passengers like they were extended family. And the ship was so small, we could get amazingly close to calving glaciers for a thrill that’s hard to put into words. If you like the idea of a cruise that packs in plenty of close-up wildlife and off-the-beaten-path adventures, then this is the way to go. [Hideaways members receive a $100 shipboard credit per stateroom and a gift membership in Hideaways Aficionado Club.]
Hideaways recommends: Alaskan Dream Cruises for an adventurous voyage hosted by real Alaskans who know and love the state—and it shows.
Hideaways Aficionado Club members are invited to read “Alaska at Last.” Not yet a member? Join now and don’t miss any of our great insight, or our member-only privileges and perks!
Don’t forget! The best way to have your own personal-favorite travel experience is to leave the planning to us. Just call your Hideaways Travel Specialist at 800-843-4433, or request more information about your dream destination.
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