The Places We Go on the First Day of the Rest of Our Lives

Latest Luxury Travel News

🌿 Wellness Is the New Status Symbol

Three new hotels are redefining “healthy luxury,” and they're not messing around. From a Moroccan retreat with cryotherapy and IV drips on demand, to a Goan sanctuary that treats emotional fatigue as seriously as physical, these properties are blurring the line between spa day and spiritual reboot. If your idea of a souvenir is inner peace, consider this your new hit list. CNTRAVELER (Paywall)

Warning: Your next vacation might include more breathwork than beach cocktails.

⚡ Sonoma Gets a Sparkling New Stay

A new all-electric resort just opened in California wine country, and yes, it’s gorgeous. The River Electric in Guerneville blends high-design cabins, forest vibes, and serious sustainability creds. Think Scandi-chic meets solar-powered sanctuary, EV chargers, outdoor soaking tubs, and a wine bar. Only 33 cabins, so exclusivity is built in. TRAVEL+LEISURE

Finally, a place where “off-grid” doesn’t mean off-style.

🛬 Etihad Plots Surprise Landing in Charlotte

Etihad Airways has announced a new direct route connecting Charlotte, NC to Abu Dhabi, starting May 4, 2026, and no one saw it coming. Even Charlotte airport officials reportedly learned about it the day before the public announcement. The four-times-weekly flight will operate on a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, offering seamless access to the UAE and beyond. It’s the first time the Queen City has been directly linked to the Middle East, and it’s about time. TRAVEL+LEISURE

Etihad just gave Charlotte a direct line to the desert and a whole new definition of long-haul luxury.

🎞️ Fairmont’s New Campaign Honors the Glamorous Past and Future

Fairmont just launched a sweeping global campaign titled “Experience the Grandest of Feelings,” a tribute to its legacy of elegance across five continents.
Filmed at 10 of its most iconic properties (yes, The Plaza makes a cameo), the cinematic short film celebrates 100+ years of hospitality history, from classic ballrooms to modern wellness retreats. The tone? Pure grand-hotel romance, updated for the new luxury traveler. LUXURY DAILY

Watch it and try not to book a suite at The Savoy in London. We dare you.

Watch the campaign here: ⬇️

The Savvy Traveler | Graduation Travel

From the cobblestone streets of Lisbon to the vibrant markets of Bogotá, today's graduates are charting their paths. Whether it's a solo backpacking adventure or a cultural immersion, the journey post-graduation is as diverse as the destinations themselves.

But some graduations involve caps and gowns. Others happen in silence, after quitting a job, healing from heartbreak, starting over at 40, or simply waking up and deciding you’re ready for more.

No matter what kind of chapter you’ve just closed… The next one deserves a destination.

Where Should You Go Next?

5 Quick Questions to Match You with Your Perfect Next Destination":

1. Your ideal travel pace is…
A) Slow and relaxing — I’m here to breathe.
B) Active exploration — give me secret alleys and hidden spots.
C) Balanced — some adventure, some downtime.
D) Fast and thrilling — I want unforgettable moments.

2. What’s your idea of a perfect meal?
A) Long, scenic lunches with local wines.
B) Street food that tells a story.
C) A chef’s tasting menu in a tiny hidden restaurant.
D) Anything I have to hunt down — the more authentic, the better!

3. What kind of photos fill your camera roll?
A) Landscapes and sunsets.
B) Colorful street scenes and markets.
C) Artistic shots of architecture and unique details.
D) Wild adventures and me doing epic things.

4. Your must-have travel souvenir is…
A) A special bottle of local wine or olive oil.
B) Handcrafted local art or textiles.
C) A journal filled with notes and sketches.
D) A crazy story and maybe a tattoo.

5. How do you want to feel when you come back home?
A) Completely relaxed and recharged.
B) Like I’ve lived a different life for a week.
C) Creatively inspired.
D) Proud I said yes to everything adventurous.

Ready for the answers?

✈️ The Savvy Traveler Guides

For Those Who’ve Been There, Done That… and Are Back for the Good Stuff.

Skip the tourist traps. Forget the influencer checklists. Our guides are written for travelers who already know the basics and are ready to discover what everyone else missed.

✔️ Curated hidden gems and unforgettable experiences
✔️ Iconic spots reimagined through a fresh, insider lens
✔️ Crafted with taste, wit, and a deep love for authentic travel

Whether you’re planning your next escape or just love knowing where to go when the time is right, The Savvy Traveler Guides have you covered.

👉 Explore the Guides - Because you’re not here for the obvious.

Global Events to Keep on Your Radar

May 21st – June 22nd, 2025

Sports

🏎️ Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix
📍 Circuit de Monaco, Monaco | 🗓️ May 23–25, 2025
The crown jewel of F1 returns with its iconic street circuit, tight corners, and glamorous backdrop. A new regulation mandates at least two pit stops, promising strategic shake-ups and potential surprises.

🎾 French Open (Roland-Garros)
📍 Paris, France | 🗓️ May 26 – June 8, 2025
Clay-court legends, dramatic drop shots, and that electric Parisian crowd — Roland-Garros is where tennis turns into theater. The only Grand Slam played on clay is as elegant as it is intense.

⚽ UEFA Champions League Final
📍 Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany | 🗓️ May 31, 2025
The biggest night in European football lands in Bavaria. Whether you’re team chaos or team strategy, there’s no bigger stage for club soccer.

🏎️ Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix
📍 Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Spain | 🗓️ May 30 – June 1, 2025
A favorite among drivers and fans alike, this race combines challenging turns with passionate crowds. The Spanish Grand Prix often serves as a barometer for mid-season form.

🏎️ Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix
📍 Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Montreal, Canada | 🗓️ June 13–15, 2025
One of F1’s fastest street circuits returns with wall-hugging corners and downtown Montreal energy. Expect champagne, drama, and possibly a flying squirrel on track.

Music & Entertainment

🎭 Primavera Sound Festival
📍 Barcelona, Spain | 🗓️ May 29 – June 2, 2025
Hipster heaven by the sea. From alt-rock icons to breakthrough DJs, this beachfront fest mixes grit, glitter, and genius lineups with sangria on tap.

🎤 Adele – Munich Residency
📍 Messe München, Munich, Germany | 🗓️ Select dates through August
Adele’s only continental European stop — performed in an open-air custom stadium. Intimate vocals, massive scale, and no dry eyes.

🎻 Spoleto Festival USA
📍 Charleston, South Carolina, USA | 🗓️ May 22 – June 8, 2025
Opera, theater, jazz, and dance collide in the American South’s most elegant cultural event. Think of it as Charleston's answer to Edinburgh — but with more oysters.

Cultural Events & Celebrations

🎐 Gion Matsuri (Pre-Festival Events)
📍 Kyoto, Japan | 🗓️ Begin June 18, 2025
One of Japan’s most celebrated festivals begins its early rituals. Expect lantern-lit streets, ornate floats under construction, and ancient Shinto energy stirring in the summer air.

Let us make our future now, and let us make our dreams tomorrow’s reality.

Malala Yousafzai