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(Photo Credit: Getty Images) Will we ever get it right? If you are a traveler, you have to pack. As stylist Christina Burns says, “Your clothes become part of your travel story.” Packing can be annoying or exciting, a chore or giddy anticipation. Try our tips below from those in the Virtuoso family, all expert travelers. Create a Packing Spreadsheet This might work for only the most ambitious among us, but if you take Virtuoso travel advisor Jane Martz’s lead and create a packing spreadsheet – further divided by time of day and activity – you just might have the easiest trip of your life. Take inspiration from her spreadsheet, seen below. Prepare for Elegance “I always travel with one dress more elegant than plans call for, just in case I wind up with an invitation or opportunity where I would need to be elegant (and of course that means the shoes and purse, too!).” -Shelby Donley, Virtuoso travel advisor Do Laundry “I simply cannot bear the thought of a lost bag! I can get...

We’ve developed a strong relationship with our online streaming services lately. While there’s nothing wrong with diving into a little Tiger King and Ozark (guilty as charged), it’s worth noting that these platforms are full of knowledgeable, eye-opening, and inspiring sustainability content as well. We asked a few of our travel-industry friends to recommend their favorite sustainability documentaries  – here’s what they love about each, how they relate to sustainable tourism, and where you can stream them. Into the Okavango Stream It: Disney Plus “ Into the Okavango puts front and center what goes into real-deal conservation,” says Virtuoso agency executive Lila Fox . The National Geographic-produced documentary follows a group of conservationists and scientists on a four-month expedition across Africa as they learn how to save the river system that feeds the Okavango Delta – a once unspoiled water source that has become limited over time. “When a hotel or lodge shares their su...

For memorable family experiences, Québec’s largest city is in a class of its own. Europe will forever be a favorite destination for families. But when a trip to the Continent isn’t possible, Virtuoso travel advisor Ane Lowe of Austin, Texas, ranks Montréal as a top alternative, following her recent visit. The world’s fourth-largest French-speaking metropolis “is steeped in history,” she notes, and “offers the feel of a European city and culture, without the long-haul flight and overseas jet lag.” Better still, she adds, the Canadian exchange rate is much more favorable than Europe’s. Below, Lowe shares a few reasons why Montréal is a must for families. Your travel advisor can work with one of Virtuoso’s on-site tour connections to craft a customized journey tailored to your clan’s interests and tastes. Enfant  Friendly, Parent Approved Lowe raves about La Grande Roue de Montréal, the new 197-foot-high observation wheel along the Saint Lawrence River: “The views are breathtaking, it’...

How Do I Keep My Kids Happy On the Fly? Virtuoso travel advisors share their strategies for stress-free air travel. Chicago O’Hare’s children’s museum. “Travel through family-friendly airports . For example, London Heathrow has a family lounge and game zone, Hong Kong International features an activity-based learning theme park, and Chicago O’Hare offers a Nickelodeon-recommended interactive children’s museum. Some airlines also go the extra mile for little flyers. Etihad staffs dedicated ‘flying nannies’ with childcare training. Emirates, Cathay Pacific, Qatar, and Qantas have excellent inflight entertainment programming geared toward kids. Air New Zealand has three-seat rows that convert to couches, and Virgin Atlantic provides special infant seats.” — Mishelle Ying, travel advisor, El Segundo, California “It’s imperative to sign up for Global Entry , which provides expedited clearance at customs and includes TSA PreCheck. Not only will you get through security quicker, but...

Costas Christ, scouting new ecotourism locations in the Arctic. As one of the largest travel networks in the world, Virtuoso is guided by a philosophy of enriching lives through human connection, and the power of travel and tourism as a force for good. We believe that travel is a powerful catalyst to educate and protect natural and cultural heritage for future generations. The United Nations has declared 2017 the Year of Sustainable Tourism, which inspired Virtuoso CEO Matthew Upchurch and his family to rethink their vacation strategy. “We decided to focus our family vacations around destinations, hotels, and tour companies known for enlightened environmental practices and cultural preservation,” says Upchurch. Read more about the Upchurch family’s first trip to The Brando resort. Costas Christ, an award-winning travel writer and pioneer of sustainable travel practices, serves as Virtuoso’s director of sustainability. Here, he shares six easy tips to travel sustainably –...

Today’s travelers are increasingly savvy about their environmental impact on destinations.  In fact, according to the Center for Responsible Travel, green travel is expected to rise to 25% of the world’s travel market. “Consumers are demanding higher environmental standards in all parts of their lives, including travel,” says Emily Deemer, marketing and sustainability manager at Virtuoso tour operator Natural Habitat Adventures in Boulder, Colorado.  “Ecotourism makes business sense because it helps to preserve a travel company’s greatest assets: the environment, the culture, and the livelihood of host communities.”