We asked: Can you ask your son-in-law to skip a family vacation? Our travel advice column responds to a viral post about planning trips for nuclear families only. December 12, 2025 By Natalie B. Compton Traveling has always come with complications. Our By The Way Concierge column will take your travel dilemmas to the experts toContinue reading “@Washington Post article quote – read my contribution! 12/12/25”
Author Archives: Travelista Alli
Destination Diary: TURKEY
WHY TURKEY: At the crossroads of history, you will find Turkey, a vibrant blend of East and West where ancient history meets modern culture. Cultures, continents, and religions have intersected in this beautiful country for millennia. Turkey has been home to diverse faiths—Islam, Christianity, Judaism—and empires like the Romans, Byzantines, and Ottomans have left theirContinue reading “Destination Diary: TURKEY”
LA Times Article on Safari Honeymoons – read my contributions!
I’m thrilled to be featured in the LA Times sharing my insights on planning the ultimate luxury safari honeymoon! From spotting the Big Five to indulging in lavish lodges under the African stars, I reveal how to turn your dream safari honeymoon into an unforgettable adventure. Whether you’re seeking romance, adventure, or a blend ofContinue reading “LA Times Article on Safari Honeymoons – read my contributions!”
Destination Diary: RWANDA
WHY RWANDA: Known as the “Land of a Thousand Hills,” Rwanda is a beautifully lush country in East-Central Africa, west of Tanzania and south of Uganda. It is a country blessed with incredible biodiversity and is one of the only places in the world where you can have close encounters with mountain gorillas. Rwanda hasContinue reading “Destination Diary: RWANDA”
Destination Diary: MEDELLIN
WHY MEDELLIN: Located in Colombia, South America, Medellin is renowned for its painful history, incredible transformation, and cultural renaissance. Once considered unsafe, the city has reinvented itself as a vibrant hub of innovation filled with charming streets, bustling markets, and lovely public spaces. Perfect for those seeking a mix of urban energy, stunning landscapes, andContinue reading “Destination Diary: MEDELLIN”
Destination Diary: PRAGUE
WHY PRAGUE: Prague is a city where the Gothic architecture of the past is set amidst the vibrant energy of the present. Known as the “City of a Hundred Spires,” its charm stems from a mesmerizing blend of baroque buildings, medieval cobbled lanes, and an artistic spirit that ranges from classical to quirky. This “hiddenContinue reading “Destination Diary: PRAGUE”
Destination Diary: BUENOS AIRES
November 7, 2024 WHY BUENOS AIRES: This beautiful city perfectly blends European elegance with passionate Latin American vibes, making it a unique destination for travel enthusiasts. With its rich history, impressive architecture, and eclectic cultural scene, Buenos Aires is a city where you can indulge in the amazing coffee culture (don’t miss Cafe Tortoni), strollContinue reading “Destination Diary: BUENOS AIRES”
Destination Diary: MOROCCO
WHY MOROCCO: Imagine a place where ancient history flows seamlessly into vibrant modern life. Morocco is that and more! This North African gem is a melting pot of culture, cuisine, and stunning landscapes. From the towering Atlas Mountains to the rolling sands of the Sahara, each corner beckons with stories to be told. Indulge inContinue reading “Destination Diary: MOROCCO”
The Ultimate Guide to Gorilla Trekking in 2024
Few experiences are quite as transformative as witnessing critically endangered mountain gorillas up close. Did you know less than 1,000 of these gentle giants remain in the wild? A trip to Rwanda means you could have the privilege of admiring these awe-inspiring creatures in their natural habitat, nurturing their young, foraging for food, and going about theirContinue reading “The Ultimate Guide to Gorilla Trekking in 2024”
Not Just Any Award
Musings of a Conde’ Nast Traveler Top Travel Specialist for 2023 … Being selected by Conde’ Nast Traveler as a Top Travel Specialist for 2023 is an incredible honor! It takes a great deal of expertise, robust relationships in the travel industry, passion for learning, and creativity to be successful as a luxury travel advisor,Continue reading “Not Just Any Award”
A Little Ditty
Musings from a Happy Travel Advisor There once was a traveler named Sally Who worked with an advisor named Alli Together they worked, discussed, and planned Should Sally go to Croatia, Peru or Japan? The budget, weather, and activities were explored Along with the bedding, food, tours, and more They went back and forth, narrowingContinue reading “A Little Ditty”
Africa is calling. Can you hear the roar?
If Africa calls, I hope you heed the enticing roar. Your visit there will be life-altering in the best possible way. I will never pass up an opportunity to go to Africa, and I hope you won’t either! If you even have an ounce of desire to go, please reach out. I promise, you will thank me!
Energizing Your Travel Bucket List
Musings of a Virtuoso Travel Advisor … If you have a bucket list, like many people do, at some point, when the time is right, you’ll need to choose where to go next. How long is your bucket list of dream destinations? If it’s like mine, it’s a mile long, but I think you canContinue reading “Energizing Your Travel Bucket List”
Why Should You Use A Travel Advisor?
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What I See From My Window
The travel industry is changing. There will be a new normal.
My Heart Belongs to Africa
Musings of a Virtuoso Travel Advisor … My heart raced as I followed the female leopard and her two cubs searching for a lost third cub. Waving in and out through the brush on the edge of the open grassland, they walked near a stand of trees, unaware that they were inching closer and closerContinue reading “My Heart Belongs to Africa”