Debbie Rackard Travel

There's a version of the Caribbean that doesn't involve a packed resort corridor, a beach chair you had to claim by 7am, or a cocktail that's more umbrella than drink.

COMO Parrot Cay is that version. A private island in the Turks and Caicos with no day visitors, a beach that comes up in client conversations for years after the trip, and a COMO Shambhala spa program that runs on longer protocols than most Caribbean spas offer.

The privacy here is real in a way that's increasingly rare in this part of the world. The combination of natural setting and COMO's approach to wellness and hospitality has made this one of the most consistent recommendations I make anywhere in the Caribbean.

Ready for Turks and Caicos? Let's start planning.

Wondering where you can spend two weeks in Italy and never once feel like you're sharing it with everyone else? (Hint: You just have to go south.)

Vista Ostuni is a masseria property in the Valle d'Itria, perfectly positioned to experience everything Puglia has to offer. Ostuni's whitewashed hilltop streets are minutes away, the trulli of Alberobello are within easy reach, the sea caves at Polignano a Mare are worth the drive, and the coastline here is some of the most beautiful in Italy.

The property also delivers on what Puglia does best: local produce and some of the finest olive oil in Italy. And somehow, despite the growing word of mouth, it hasn't tipped into the kind of overtourism that has changed the experience elsewhere in Italy.

Ready to explore southern Italy? Message me to start planning.

Peak season in Europe doesn't have to mean crowds. It means knowing where not to go.

A few destinations that deliver the quality of Europe's best without the experience of its most visited:

Madeira: A subtropical island off the coast of Morocco that most travelers underestimate. Not to miss: the hiking trails along the levadas and the food scene in Funchal.

The Azores: Nine volcanic islands in the mid-Atlantic with crater lakes, whale watching, thermal springs, and landscapes that feel unlike anywhere else in Europe. Still largely under the radar.

Slovenia: Ljubljana is one of the most pleasant small capitals in Europe, and Lake Bled is the kind of destination that photographs cannot do justice to.

Norway: The fjords in summer deliver some of the most beautiful scenery on the continent, and the quality of light at northern latitudes in June is something clients consistently say they weren't prepared for.

Vienna. Consistently overlooked in favor of Prague and Budapest. The museums, the coffeehouse culture, the concert season, and the food scene are all at a level that Vienna's reputation doesn't fully convey.

Ready to experience Europe without the crowds? Let’s start planning!

Some travelers are planning with a different set of priorities right now. Destinations that feel stable, well-organized, and deliver an excellent experience without uncertainty. A few I keep recommending:

Switzerland, for alpine adventures that are hard to match anywhere. In summer, gondola rides into the Alps, mountain coasters, and for the chocolate lovers, Geneva has an unlimited chocolate pass honored at the city's best artisanal chocolatiers.

Ireland and Scotland, for long summer days, the Wild Atlantic Way, and a hospitality culture that consistently surprises first-time visitors in the best way.

Japan, for cherry blossom season, world-class powder skiing, small-ship cruising along its coastline, and a level of cultural depth that clients say changed how they think about travel entirely.

Australia and New Zealand, for stunning natural landscapes, serious food culture, and a well-run English-speaking environment that works particularly well for first-time long-haul travelers. Book New Zealand now before its first Michelin Guide puts the best tables out of reach.

If this is the kind of trip you're planning, I'll help you find the right destination and design it properly.