A Word Before You Pack
I've been a travel advisor for over a decade, and I've personally walked the streets of Lisbon at 6am when the city belongs only to you, negotiated a room upgrade in a Dubai five-star at midnight, and eaten the best satay of my life from a roadside stall in Kuala Lumpur. This guide isn't from a brochure — it's from my own passport.
These are the destinations I send my clients to most, the ones I know like old friends, and the insider notes I only share because I want you to travel the way I do: deeply, comfortably, and without regrets.
🇵🇹 Portugal — My Backyard, My Favourite Secret
I'm based in Lisbon, which means Portugal isn't just a destination for me — it's home. And yet, every time I take a client through the narrow streets of Alfama, I see it fresh through their eyes.
My insider notes: Don't stay in the tourist corridor of Baixa. Instead, book a boutique hotel in Príncipe Real or Mouraria — you'll have the views without the crowds. The Alentejo wine region is criminally underrated; a weekend there is one of the best-value luxury experiences in Europe. And for beaches, skip Algarve in July — go in September when the light is golden and the prices drop 40%.
Don't miss: A private Fado dinner in a family-run tasca in Alfama. I can arrange it. It will change you.
🇬🇧 United Kingdom — Beyond London's Postcard
London is brilliant, but the clients I send to the Cotswolds, to Edinburgh in August, or to the dramatic cliffs of Cornwall come back saying it was the best trip of their lives.
My insider notes: For London, I always recommend a hotel in Marylebone or South Kensington over Mayfair — better neighbourhood feel, same quality, lower rate. Book afternoon tea at Claridge's at least 3 weeks ahead. Scotland's Isle of Skye is a must for anyone who loves dramatic landscapes; pair it with a whisky distillery tour and two nights in a converted castle.
Luxury tip: The Pig hotel group around England is one of the best-kept secrets in British hospitality. Local, seasonal, effortlessly stylish.
🇮🇹 Italy — Every Region Is a Different Country
Italy rewards the traveller who slows down. My rule: never try to do more than two regions in one trip.
My insider notes: Rome is best in November — mild weather, thin crowds, no queues at the Vatican if you book an early private tour. The Amalfi Coast is stunning but the roads are terrifying in a rental car; always hire a driver. For luxury, Puglia (the heel of the boot) is having a moment — masseria stays, infinity pools, and some of the best food in the country.
Hidden gem: Matera, in Basilicata — ancient cave dwellings turned into extraordinary boutique hotels. I've sent honeymooners there and they've cried with gratitude.
🇺🇸 USA — A Continent Disguised as a Country
The mistake most international travellers make with the USA is trying to do too much. Pick a coast. Pick a mood. I help clients fall in love with one place rather than skim across ten.
My insider notes: New York City is non-negotiable at least once, but stay in the West Village or Tribeca for a local experience. For nature, the American Southwest (Sedona, Zion, Grand Canyon) is one of the most cinematically beautiful places on Earth. Nashville for music lovers. New Orleans for those who want to eat and feel deeply alive.
Road trip pick: Pacific Coast Highway from San Francisco to Los Angeles. I've done it twice and would do it ten more times.
🇳🇱🇧🇪 Netherlands & Belgium — Small Countries, Enormous Character
Both countries are spectacular for long weekends. Amsterdam is obvious but Haarlem, Utrecht, and Leiden are my personal favourites for a slower Dutch experience.
Belgium secret: Ghent. Not Bruges (though Bruges is lovely) — Ghent is a living city, full of students and life, with medieval architecture and a world-class food scene. I recommend it to every client who asks about Belgium, and they always thank me.
Travel note: The Netherlands in tulip season (April) books out months in advance. Plan early; I can secure the right hotels in Lisse or Keukenhof before they're gone.
🇹🇷 Turkey — Where East Meets West in the Most Spectacular Way
Turkey is one of the most underpriced luxury destinations in the world right now. My clients consistently say it was the trip that surprised them most.
My insider notes: Istanbul is a 5-day city minimum — don't do it in two. Stay in Beyoğlu or Nişantaşı rather than Sultanahmet (too touristy). Cappadocia hot air balloon at sunrise over the fairy chimneys is a once-in-a-lifetime moment; I always book the premium operators. The Turquoise Coast (Ölüdeniz, Göcek) is perfect for a gulet yacht charter — I arrange private sailings regularly.
Luxury pick: Museum Hotel in Cappadocia. Cave rooms, infinity pool, impossible views. One of the most beautiful hotels I've ever visited.
🇲🇾 Malaysia — Asia's Most Underrated Destination
Kuala Lumpur is a world-class city that gets overlooked in favour of Bangkok or Singapore. That's a mistake I'm always happy to correct for my clients.
My insider notes: KL has extraordinary food — the hawker centres in Jalan Alor and Petaling Street are where I eat until I can't move. Penang is a must for history and street food. For nature, the Taman Negara rainforest is one of the oldest in the world; a two-night jungle lodge stay is something no five-star hotel can replicate.
Island tip: The Perhentian Islands for backpackers, the Langkawi Four Seasons for luxury lovers. Both are superb.
🌙 GCC Countries — Luxury Redefined
The Gulf is my second home. I've worked with clients across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Riyadh, Muscat, Kuwait, and Bahrain — and each one surprises people who think they already know what to expect.
Dubai: Beyond the Burj and the malls. Desert camping under the stars, private dhow dinners on the Creek, and the old gold and spice souks of Deira are the Dubai I show my clients. For hotels, the One&Only The Palm and Atlantis The Royal are exceptional; for something more intimate, try a boutique stay in Al Seef.
Oman: The crown jewel of the GCC for travellers who want authenticity alongside luxury. Muscat is elegant and uncrowded. Wadi Shab and Jebel Akhdar are breathtaking. The Alila Jabal Akhdar resort sits 2,000 metres above sea level with views that make every other hotel feel ordinary.
Qatar: Doha's design scene and museum culture (the Museum of Islamic Art alone is worth the flight) are world-class. A great stopover destination or a genuine 4-day cultural escape.
Saudi Arabia: Rapidly opening up to tourism and I'm already sending early-adopter clients to AlUla — the rock formations are extraordinary, the Banyan Tree AlUla is stunning, and they'll say they were there before everyone else.
How I Plan Trips Differently
I don't just book hotels and flights. I build experiences — with carefully vetted local guides, private transfers, restaurant reservations at places that don't take walk-ins, and a support line that's actually me, on the other end, ready if anything goes sideways.
If any of these destinations are on your list, I'd love to help you plan it properly. Reach out via my personal page and let's start the conversation.
— Ramy Sharara, Travel Advisor | Lisbon, Portugal