The Weekly Travel Edit
The art of the perfect trip, Chase's new Reserve cards, and more
Welcome back to The Weekly Travel Edit: a leisurely letter packed with travel news, hidden gems, and more from my travel desk.
As I am planning milestone trips for clients — several big birthday celebrations to Europe, anniversaries, and even a once-in-a-lifetime 20-day trip to New Zealand and Australia, I’ve been thinking a lot about what truly makes a trip extraordinary.
There’s always a temptation to pack in as much as possible, especially when you’ve invested in traveling far from home. But the most memorable journeys strike a balance and feel completely tailored to you.
When designing an exceptional itinerary, these are a few essentials I always guide my clients toward:
✨ Seamlessly curated days: Thoughtfully planned experiences for the moments you want to get just right — like a private tour of an iconic museum, skip-the-line access to a place like Versailles or The Vatican, or a guided sightseeing excursion with a private driver. In busy destinations, private airport transfers are also a must to avoid extra chaos during long travel days.
✨ Unscripted moments: Your itinerary should also have built-in time to simply enjoy your accommodations and allow for spontaneity. We all have stories of stumbling into a hidden cafe for the best meal or coffee of our lives, or finding a keepsake in a shop that brings us back to that place for years to come. It’s these unscripted discoveries that make a trip truly yours, and it’s essential to leave space for them.
✨Hotels and homes that shape the story: Where you stay should be far more than just a place to sleep — it’s often the heart of the trip’s atmosphere and story. It’s tempting to think “we’ll hardly spend any time there,” but in reality, the right property becomes part of the experience. There’s something special about unwinding with a cocktail in the lobby bar or lingering over dinner at the hotel restaurant after a full day of exploring, especially when these spaces are designed to be memorable in their own right. When you choose to invest in where you stay, it always pays off.
To your next adventure,
Lindsey
Weekly recommendations
GP spills on all things travel and the places that changed her (podcast). Also this.
The US has issued a rare global travel alert. Here’s what it means for you.
Loved this reel from a fellow Fora advisor on under-the-radar Italian hotels.
Chase revealed major changes to its Reserve card this week, and, as usual, The Points Guy has cut through the noise to help us know what to think. My take: This is still an irreplaceable card for my points strategy.
A foodie guide to Austin from The Defined Dish.
I have always found that faraway journeys are worth it. Here’s a list of a few to consider.
Where to go when you really really want to get away.
Hotel on my radar
Estelle Manor, Oxfordshire, England
Estelle Manor, set on the grand Eynsham Hall estate in Oxfordshire, is a go‑to luxury destination for families seeking both elegance and ease. Its 108 thoughtfully designed rooms, including cottages and private houses, make it ideal for family and group getaways. Food at Estelle is a true highlight: diners can enjoy seasonal British classics in the marble‑clad Brasserie, dim‑sum and Peking duck in the jewel‑toned Billiards Room, and vibrant sharing menus sourced from the walled garden in the Glasshouse. The estate’s culinary ethos, led by a Michelin‑trained team, strikes the perfect balance between refined dining and relaxed, family‑friendly fare.
📰 In case you missed it…
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Photos courtesy of Estelle Manor