As the pandemic ebbs, the Loop and nearby neighborhoods have roared back to life. Here, eight great spots to hit while the weather’s hot.

In these uncertain times, some travelers are finding comfort in booking two trips for the same time frame: One they most want to take, and another that serves as a backup in case their first choice isn’t open to them.

True, our vision of France always includes Paris, the Riviera, Normandy, and macarons, but that’s not all there is! Be it for your first trip or tenth trip to France, we always love to suggest off-the-beaten-path areas that will make you fall for France even stronger.

Below are some of these unique destinations we hope you’ll discover with us.

Despite a global pandemic, investors, decorators, and visionary hoteliers have been busy preparing for a new wave of authentic, luxury hotels throughout Italy. Here are some of our favorite properties we can’t wait for you to discover.

We have scouted the country from the top of the boot to the tip of the toe for inspiring and unforgettable ways to make every trip impress itself forever on the minds and hearts of its guests. Here are just seven of our favorite Italian experiences. 

21 Experiences of a Lifetime

Costa Rica is a country overflowing with incredible national parks, gorgeous scenery, adrenaline-fueled adventures such as zip-lining, canyoning and rafting, and unique wildlife. Best of all, Costa Rica is easily accessible to visitors with few travel restrictions. I recently spent a week exploring this Central American gem and wanted to share my experiences to highlight why Costa Rica is a perfect destination to visit right now. 

As travel options open again, you should be prepared to take advantage of opportunities to travel abroad. It pays to check all your documents as soon as possible and secure renewed passports, if necessary. Passports need to be valid 6 months after your trip for most destinations, but be sure to check the specific rules for countries you intend to visit.  

Over the past few weeks, we have started receiving a high number of travel requests, and it seems to be continuing (thank you!). We are confident this is just the beginning. Once vaccines become more available, everyone will start making summer plans. By that time it may be too late.

The time to book summer travel is now, and we’d like to help you keep ahead of the pack.

The unprecedented events of 2020 have turned the trip of a lifetime into the trip you should take in the months ahead.

Now that Covid-19 has reshaped our world, responsible travel takes on a new meaning. We believe quite strongly that those who are ready to travel can – and should. Our own team has endeavored to lead the way on this front while working with you to do the same, and our collective experience has helped us come up with a new “Rule Book” for travel now.

Last October, when Alison Corazzini realized that she and her 14-year-old son, Jack, could take their work and homeschool routines on the road, they went for it. The human resources executive called up her Virtuoso travel advisor, Geoffrey Ravoire, to help map out a ten-state, 2,964-mile adventure from their home in Richmond, Virginia.

There has been no other year in modern history that affected travel plans like 2020, and we thank you for weathering the storm with us. We see the light at the end of the tunnel and are so happy to be working with you to plan soul-satisfying travel once again.

Being a family business allows us to lead with values dear to us and to keep them alive even when times are tough. In a year that was challenging for our industry, to say the least, we took pride in keeping our commitment to “doing the right thing” and hope to have contributed to making tourism smarter and more sustainable. 

Palm Beach - a destination unlike any other - regularly plays host to many of the world’s most discerning tastemakers yet retains a distinctive warmth and charm. The tiny island is home to some and a home-away-from-home to many. For me, Palm Beach always lives up to its legacy of luxury, elegance, and idyllic settings. Even a pandemic can’t diminish the attractiveness of this oasis and I wanted to share some of my best kept secrets... 

As excited as everyone is to close the 2020 chapter, it’s important to remember that this year gave us some unique opportunities to travel to new places and take advantage of fantastic rates, empty flights, and last-minute availability. This summer has been very successful with domestic trips and as the year comes to a close, we can slowly (and thoughtfully) travel abroad again and celebrate quality time with loved ones.

Did you know Uruguay is just across the water from Buenos Aires? I keep on going back to Buenos Aires and fall in love with Argentina a little more each time. But Buenos Aires is not the star of this piece, Uruguay is! 

Uruguay may be the second smallest country in South America, but it is one of its true gems. Very safe, economically stable, and relatively under the radar compared to neighbors Argentina and Brazil, Uruguay is rapidly becoming a favorite among the well-traveled. 

We’ve always loved the privacy, safety, and charm of a private island. Be it in the Caribbean or the middle of the Indian Ocean, we share with you some of our favorite retreats and resorts located on their own private island. Exclusive remoteness may be more accessible than you think.