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- I Swore I’d Never Return to this City
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When I first arrived in this place, I was a wide-eyed teenager with a Eurail pass and zero clue what I was doing.
Let's just say the city didn't exactly roll out the red carpet.
There was drizzle, confusion, and a comically bad youth hostel that smelled like regret.
The museums were on strike. The locals weren't particularly thrilled to see us. And within 12 hours, I was on the next train out.
For years, Amsterdam stayed on my "only if I have to" list. But then… I had to.
And this time, I came back with a client itinerary in hand and a very different version of myself in tow.
That return changed everything.
The city felt open, poetic, curious. Like someone who no longer needs to prove anything.
Amsterdam didn't beg for attention; it offered texture. Rhythm. Surprise.
It took me years to realize: surely the city had evolved. I had too.
As professionals, we often talk about destinations in terms of "what's new" or "what's trending." But what I've learned is that the real alchemy happens when people and places meet at the right moment.
A client turns 50 and finally understands Kyoto.
A family returns to Rome with grown kids and sees it with fresh eyes.
And sometimes, you give a city a second shot, and fall in love. I did.
This year, Amsterdam celebrates 750 years.
Not of staying the same, but of evolving, reflecting, and redefining itself again and again.
Travel makes people change their perception and evolve.
Travel Industry News & Trends
Hawaii Introduces Climate Tax for Tourists
Starting now, Hawaii adds a 0.75% "climate fee" on all hotel and vacation rentals, bringing the total accommodation tax to nearly 19%. Cruise ships will face an 11% tax beginning in 2026. The goal? To fund wildfire prevention, beach restoration, and nature conservation. THE GUARDIAN (Paywall)
Paradise now comes with a surcharge, for the planet’s sake.
Photo by Luke McKeown
British Travelers Still in E-Gate Limbo
Despite EU deals, UK citizens won’t have guaranteed e-gate access this summer. The full rollout of the new Entry/Exit System (EES) is now pushed to October 2025. For now, it’s up to each country and airport. Pack patience. THE TIMES (Paywall)
Brexit: the gift that keeps on queuing.
Longevity Is on the Menu at Palazzo di Varignana
The luxurious hilltop retreat near Bologna is expanding its Ginkgo Longevity & Lifestyle program with four new science-backed menus. Designed with doctors and nutritionists, the dishes are tailored for metabolism, anti-aging, and cognitive wellness — all served with views of olive groves and infinity pools. LUXURY TRAVEL ADVISOR
Maybe detox hits different when there’s burrata involved.
Move Over Bridesmaids, It’s All About the Solorette
According to Vogue, solo bachelorette trips — dubbed solorettes — are the latest bridal trend. Brides are skipping the group chaos and heading off alone to “find themselves” before finding the aisle. Top picks? Bali, Amsterdam, and anywhere with a rooftop plunge pool and good lighting. VOGUE
Who needs drama when you’ve got room service and a sea view?
The key to a $1.3T opportunity
A new trend in real estate is making the most expensive properties obtainable. It’s called co-ownership, and it’s revolutionizing the $1.3T vacation home market.
The company leading the trend? Pacaso. Created by the founder of Zillow, Pacaso turns underutilized luxury properties into fully-managed assets and makes them accessible to the broadest possible market.
The result? More than $1b in transactions, 2,000+ happy homeowners, and over $110m in gross profits for Pacaso.
With rapid international growth and 41% gross profit growth last year, Pacaso is ready for what’s next. They even recently reserved the Nasdaq ticker PCSO.
But the real opportunity is now, before public markets. Until 5/29, you can join leading investors like SoftBank and Maveron for just $2.80/share.
This is a paid advertisement for Pacaso’s Regulation A offering. Please read the offering circular at invest.pacaso.com. Reserving a ticker symbol is not a guarantee that the company will go public. Listing on the NASDAQ is subject to approvals. Under Regulation A+, a company has the ability to change its share price by up to 20%, without requalifying the offering with the SEC.
Destination Experts | Albania
Your curated guide to the world’s most exceptional Destination Management Companies (DMCs) specializing in luxury travel.
Albania is quietly becoming Europe’s next great off-the-radar escape — with Riviera coastlines, Ottoman architecture, and raw, untouched landscapes. But it’s still an emerging destination for the ultra-luxury segment, and choosing the right DMC is crucial.
These three boutique operators stand out for their ability to create tailor-made, culturally immersive experiences with the level of care and flexibility HNW clients expect, especially those seeking authenticity over opulence.
🇦🇱 Albania Holidays DMC
The most established high-end DMC in the country — and the only one featured on XO Private — Albania Holidays delivers seamless, personalized travel and event services across Albania and the Western Balkans. ALBANIA HOLIDAYS
🇦🇱 Fine Travel Albania
Boutique, bilingual, and refreshingly detail-oriented, Fine Travel Albania specializes in private, culturally rooted itineraries for sophisticated travelers. Think vineyard tastings, heritage stays, and scenic road trips with depth. FINE TRAVEL ALBANIA
🇦🇱 Balkan Pearls Tour Operator
While not a classic “luxury” DMC, Balkan Pearls excels at crafting meaningful journeys. Their strength lies in personal service and access to Albania’s hidden soul — ideal for clients seeking depth, not flash. BALKAN PEARLS
Other DMCs in Albania:
For mid-range, group, or adventure-focused travel needs, these DMCs may be worth exploring depending on your client profile.
Elite Travel Albania – One of the country’s longest-running operators, offering sustainable group and FIT travel across the Balkans.
🔗 elitetravel-albania.comAlbania DMC – Award-winning multi-office operator with a focus on MICE and multi-country itineraries, more corporate than custom.
🔗 dmc-albania.comDISPO Travel – Primarily focused on transport logistics and day tours; limited luxury or FIT customization.
🔗 dispo.travel/dmc-albaniaTalas Travel – A B2B travel provider covering Albania and the Balkans with pre-set packages; less focus on personalized luxury.
🔗 talastravel.com
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The Expert’s Guild Marketing Corner
Smart tools and strategies to grow your brand, one step at a time.
Your Next Guide, Retreat, or Group Trip Deserves a Stronger Launch
Most luxury travel pros put a ton of work into their products, then post about them once or twice and… Hope for the best.
Let’s fix that.
This week’s resource is a mini guide to help you promote your next big offer — whether it’s a curated itinerary, a hosted journey, or a downloadable guide using a simple but strategic 5-Post Launch Sequence.
You’ll learn:
How to build curiosity before your launch
What to post when you’re ready to start selling
Why your last post matters most
Exactly when to post with a 10-day timeline
This is the same formula used by top newsletter operators, content creators, and high-ticket travel sellers — adapted for your business.
📥 Download the 5-Post Launch Sequence Here
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Did you enjoy this week's Newsletter? |
The Savvy Traveler Guide to Amsterdam is here — crafted for travelers who’ve already seen the sights and now want the soul. A 4-day, off-the-beaten-path itinerary packed with hidden gems, boutique stays, and curated dining. |  |
I've been exploring some deeper thoughts about authentic business relationships and the cost of digital noise over at my personal newsletter, Diamonds in the Rough. If you're interested in the philosophy and human relationships beyond the tactics, you might find it worth a read. |  |
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