We’re all familiar with the phrase, “Dear Abby,” synonymous with a persona offering sound advice to those seeking guidance. But do you know the true history? It started in 1956, when a 37-year-old woman named Pauline Esther Phillips told the editor of the San Francisco Chronicle that she could write a better advice column than he could.

With no work experience, she was handed a stack of letters from the editor, and immediately started guiding readers on principles she had learned from the Bible and U.S President Martin Van Buren. Writing under the penname, Abigail Van Buren, “Dear Abby” was born, eventually becoming the most widely syndicated newspaper column in the world, appearing in 1,400 newspapers with 110 million readers.

It was the late 1970s when I first stepped into the Kona Village on the Big Island of Hawaii. Long before it was A Rosewood Resort, I was mesmerized by the natural beauty of the place—the deep blue water, the wild bougainvillea, the dramatic landscape—to the point I considered it one of my favorite places on earth.

Now, having circumnavigated the globe, I can still say that Kona Village has a special place in my heart, not because of what it was, but more so because of what it has become. From the Polynesian settlers who found the sacred land of Kahuwai Bay, to Johnno Jackson who landed on the abandoned village in 1965, Kona Village has a rich history built on lofty dreams and an unwavering spirit.

Adventure doesn’t have to be uncomfortable. If you know me well, you know I don’t like to suffer, even for the benefit of self-improvement. Cardio, diets, and “flash sales” are not my top priorities, whereas first class, fine wines, and spa treatments have my number on speed dial. While I try my best to integrate balance, sometimes a martini simply outweighs a trip to the gym. But then came Backroads, the leader in active travel since 1979.

Pinned in over 50 countries on the map, Backroads sets the benchmark for active vacations. They grabbed my attention with trips that are never subcontracted, targeting a 55+ clientele that explores the world by bike and by foot. Adding to their checklist are professional guides, meticulous trip design, elegant hotels, and world-class dining.

California’s past winter was historic, with day after day of “atmospheric river” deluges and a deep cold that settled into the bones. I desperately longed for summer. When an invitation emerged to escape the madness, I “took one for the team” and embarked on Oceania’s Sirena ship for 10 glorious days in the Caribbean.

With an adventure-packed journey through some of the Caribbean’s most stunning destinations, it was time to grab my snorkel gear and start exploring!

Personalized and interactive, it felt like a private yacht-meets-luxury summer school. From the moment we stepped aboard, I knew we were in for an enlightening experience. We were greeted by naturalists (versus butlers) who were eager to brief us on our first island landing.

By zodiac, we arrived at a shallow lagoon where a white sandy beach and shorebirds stole the show. As our first dip in the Pacific, we tested our snorkel gear that would guide our underwater dreams teaming with sea lions. Like underwater dogs fetching joy, they darted between ocean and land, piercing the aqua horizon to greet salt-loving succulents and land iguanas.

At Travel Concierge, we continually aim high to bring you the most unique and sought-after travel experiences. It is in that same spirit of dedication we chose a distinctive lineup of suppliers to co-host an in-person travel event last month in San Diego. For those of you who were unable to join us, we thought we’d bring the event to you. . .

Perched atop a seaside bluff along one of Southern California's most dramatic stretches of coastline sits the Alila Marea resort. It was there in Encinitas where I walked into the dramatic foyer on March 30th, and found myself soon surrounded by a group of 50 like-minded travelers ready to be inspired. What we had in common was our love for the world around us, eager to live out the dreams inside our nomadic minds.

I think we can all agree that wine should taste good. Not much room for argument on this. And sometimes that’s all I ask of wine — just taste good.

But then there are times when wine casts a spell on me and transports me somewhere else. These occasions usually take me by surprise. Maybe they have to. Maybe my senses have to be “relaxed” and therefore not expecting the instantaneous journey that comes my way.

I remember the first time a wine told me, “Pack your bags. We’re going on a trip.” Many years ago my wife and I moved our young family from Slovenia to Italy. I wasn’t exactly a wine collector back then, but I brought some bottles of wine from Slovenia to our new home in Italy.

As a world traveler, I had put one destination on hold until three things aligned: finances, timing, and motivation. But with rumors of a travel ban on the horizon, I accepted the reality that money burns, time melts, and memories are the only impressions we can brand on our minds.

Before masked smiles and elbow bumps became an international form of communication, my husband Benjamin and I stacked hands on Turkey, going all in on what would be our last trip for 18 months. We’d been craving the sub rosa side of Turkey by dividing our trip into three parts: city, country, coastal. It was our own geographical version of Eat, Love, Pray without the soul-searching.

A Journey with Kris. My husband Glenn and I are frequent travelers, determined to see as much of the world as possible. Whether we’re planning a new itinerary, or have just returned from the last, our destinations seem to suddenly appear — or reappear — before our eyes. Maybe it’s in the news, in a movie, or in a book we’re reading, but without fail, those places in our hearts continue to rest at the forefront of our minds.

For example, last month Berlin was in the news for its citywide power-reserve program when scorching summer temperatures spread across Europe. Around that same time, Helsinki’s Prime Minister made international headlines for being questioned about her right to have a party-filled social life.

When we launched Travel Concierge, we knew we wanted to give back to the most vulnerable children in need around the world. That’s why we’ve partnered with Compassion International, the world’s leading authority in holistic child development through sponsorship. We are committed to contributing to the needs of these little ones, that’s why with each booked travel experience, Travel Concierge donates a portion of profits to this powerful sponsorship program. Currently, we support 10 children in countries around the world including Tanzania, Ecuador, and Uganda.

In this month’s Lavender Report, one of Travel Concierge’s own shares her personal path to giving back.

As a travel expert, I’ve always known that Hawaii is a safe bet for travelers. It’s consistently stunning and never disappoints. One can feel worlds away in the tropics, without the hassle of adjusting to culture shock in a foreign land. In 2020, however, Covid pushed pause on Hawaiian escapes for vacationers. This left millions of travelers counting the days until they could once again savor the sunshine.

Well, finally their day has arrived. On March 25, 2022, the State of Hawaii's Safe Travels restrictions ended, meaning travelers are no longer required to complete a Safe Travels application (or be vaccinated) to enter the Hawaiian Islands. How “normal” was life back on the island? Well, last month we sent several members of our Travel Concierge Team to test the waters. What they found was not only encouraging, but frankly, rather mind-blowing!

When I first heard the term “expedition,” I pictured an action-packed trip of rock climbing, rappelling, whitewater rafting, and cliff-jumping. Several travelers in the know convinced me that expeditions were, in fact, nothing like my preconceived notions of REI models on steroids.

Let’s face it. My idea of adventure is wine tasting blindfolded or perhaps a Thai massage. But Silversea luxury cruises changed all that by opening my eyes to a new standard of travel during my recent Silversea cruise to Greenland. Gone were the fear factors and adrenaline rushes. In their place was a thrilling, awe-inspiring, and humbling experience of uncompromised luxury. 

If you’ve been following me on social media, you know I embarked on the trip of a lifetime to Greenland. And if you know me personally, you probably also know that I gravitate toward sunshine, 5-star hotels, and of course champagne.

In 2018, Silversea unveiled their expedition ship Silver Wind. They took the vessel up a notch — literally — in November 2021 with a full refurbish that prepared her to power through ice blocks and navigate polar regions in Antarctica. 

That’s where I came in. As a luxury-hunter, I’m on a constant quest to find relaxing adventures for clients seeking unparalleled experiences. In my search, I find that I too, often need a reminder of why I travel . . . to reboot my body and awaken my soul.

As a world traveler who spent part of my career in Europe, river cruising is a familiar chapter in my travel playbook. In fact, the story is well-read, dating back to the 1800s when ships were mainly used for transporting cargo. In 1818, The Black Ball Line pioneered the first sail-steam-powered ship to offer passenger service between Liverpool, England, and New York. They later added the ports of Boston and Philadelphia to their roster.

In 1975, however, river cruising made a major improvement thanks to AmaWaterways Co-Founder and President, Rudi Schreiner. While traveling through South America, he built his first “ship” — a homemade raft — crafted from materials he found along the Amazon river. For the next seven months, he explored the rich waterway, vowing to share his discovery with the world.