In search of the Big Five: A family safari to Kenya with WSJ+

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We’re working with WSJ+ to create entirely customizable and private trips for you, their members. Our Travel Experts are here to inspire you before working with you to make your trip entirely your own. This month, we’re introducing a new highlight itinerary to Kenya that you can embark on today. Totally private, take it ‘as is’ or customize it to your heart’s content. This is what we do.


The original safari destination, Kenya is the perfect spot for a luxury family adventure. Beyond the abundant wildlife of the Maasai Mara, there is much to explore – from hands-on conservation efforts to cultural immersions. See your family’s eyes light up as they tick off the Big Five on a game drive, before delighting in the smaller details on alternative safaris that will see you travel by foot, horseback or mountain bike. You’ll watch the sunset from the original inspiration for Lion King’s Pride Rock, and there’s a fun introduction to Maasai culture with the chance to enroll in Maasai Warrior School. Packed full of unique experiences, this is the ultimate family safari.

To add extra magic to your time away, WSJ+ members will enjoy a complimentary Maasai beading lesson for the whole family. Learning techniques passed down through the generations and their importance to Maasai culture, this fun and interactive experience will also leave you with a unique souvenir of your time in Kenya.

Exclusive to WSJ+ members

This trip has been designed exclusively for WSJ+ members, drawing on our travel experts’ in-depth knowledge of Kenya and family travel. The experience, however, is yours and yours alone, with all of our trips private and customizable. What you’ll find below, therefore, is simply a suggestion. Our Travel Experts will work with you to devise an itinerary based on your inquiry, budget, group size, and desires. Typically, this will include everything from the experiences you do (and the guides that will take you there) to the hotels you’ll bed down in and the trains, planes and automobiles that will take you in between. We can also help with international flights, if you like.

WSJ+ members will receive:

  • Immersive experiences tailored to your interests. This could include anything from birding-focused safaris to conservation initiatives devised to protect the local rhino population.
  • Exclusive benefits to elevate your experience, including a complimentary Maasai beading lesson for the whole family.
  • Stays in Kenya’s most luxurious hotels, lodges and safari camps.
  • Access to expert guides throughout.
  • Unrivalled expertise in planning your trip to Kenya.

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Madrid & Andalucia: A Cultural Family Journey through Spain

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Spain is a country of rich tradition and colorful culture, all rolled into a relatively small package. Surrealist art, mouth-watering plates of tapas, fervent flamenco – the list goes on. But what stands out the most is the real zest for life here – and who better to share this with than family. On this ten-night journey through some of our favorite Spanish cities, you’ll experience it all together – from the bustling capital of Madrid and Granada’s awe-inspiring Alhambra to Seville’s historic center and the picturesque ‘pueblos blancos’ of Casares. It’s jam-packed full of history, culture, flavor and some time for relaxation, too – so there’s something for every traveler, in every family.

Local Life and History in Madrid

First things first, you’ll check in at Rosewood Villa Magna – a beautiful oasis in the heart of the city, and your home for the next three nights. From there, you’ll be immediately immersed in the buzz of Madrid, meeting with a local expert to stroll the streets, visit local food market Mercado de la Paz, and enjoy the atmosphere as you get a feeling for what it’s like to live as a Madrid local. From patatas bravas to albondigas and tortilla, it wouldn’t be a trip to Spain without tapas and we’ll then take you to one of the city’s best spots to sample and learn the secrets of each dish.

Tomorrow, you’ll explore the city’s history and heritage on a fun and interactive tour of the city, led by a private guide. From modern architectural wonders to 17th Century Baroque buildings and the old city’s famous Plaza Mayor – you’ll learn about its history and evolution, and enjoy panoramic views along the way. Together, you’ll also walk the hallowed halls of the Royal Palace, with its works by Velázquez, Goya, and Caravaggio.

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Kenya: The Ultimate Family Safari

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The first safari is one of those long anticipated moments in the family travel calendar. It’s the vacation you talk for years about taking and that, on return, reminisce over fondly. Yet planning it can be laden with questions and queries. Thankfully, our Africa travel experts have been planning family safaris for years, and have road-tested with their own families in tow. They therefore know exactly what it takes to create the perfect family safari – and how to tailor it to yours.

To inspire you, we’ve rolled out the map to showcase this eight-night immersive adventure through Kenya. Frequently lauded as the ideal first time safari destination, it’s a great choice for your family safari, no matter your children’s ages. To get you started, we’ve handpicked our favorite luxury camps and lodges and paired them with family-friendly experiences that will bring the plains of the Maasai Mara and Laikipia to life. See your family’s eyes light up as they tick off the Big Five on a game drive, but you’ll also delight in the smaller details on alternative safaris that will see you travel by foot, horseback or mountain bike. There’s a fun introduction to Maasai culture too with the chance to enrol in Maasai Warrior School. Packed full of fun, unique experiences, this truly is the ultimate family safari.

Meet the Wildlife of Nairobi

A bustling, cosmopolitan city, Nairobi is the perfect place to start your safari. It’s well connected too meaning that getting here is a breeze. You’ll have two nights at the boutique Hemingways Nairobi to settle in and decompress, but that’s not to say you’re left waiting for your wildlife experience to begin. Tomorrow morning, we’ll take you to the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust for a visit to their elephant orphanage. Here, you’ll be able to spend time with the rescued baby elephants, lending the keepers a hand at feeding time and watching them play. It’s a great opportunity to see conservation in action, with the orphans hand reared until they are ready to be reintroduced into the wild. From there, continue onto the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife giraffe center. Originally a breeding programme for the endangered Rothschilds giraffes, you’ll spend time with these gentle giants, joining in at feeding time, and listening in to current conservation initiatives.

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A first edition experience of the life of James Joyce with WSJ+

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We’re working with WSJ+ to create entirely customizable and private trips for you, their members. Our Travel Experts are here to make your trip entirely your own. Private, customizable, and totally flexible. This is what we do. This month, we’re introducing a new highlight experience in Ireland and pairing it with a suggested itinerary that you can embark on today. Take it ‘as is’ or customize it to your heart’s content.


Take a literary deep dive into the life and work of James Joyce on this exclusive experience through the streets of Dublin. Alongside an expert literary guide, you’ll explore the politics, arts and culture that informed Joyce’s work before joining the Director of the Museum of Literature of Ireland on a ‘white glove’ tour of rare archival materials, including a priceless first-ever copy of Ulysses. Elsewhere in Ireland, you’ll have a week to experience the best the Emerald Isle has to offer, from a bespoke food tour of culinary Kenmare to outdoor pursuits in County Clare.

To add extra magic to your time away, WSJ+ members will enjoy a complimentary private whiskey tasting at the Jameson Distillery in Dublin. Sampling exclusive blends not available anywhere else, you’ll have unparalleled access into the world of Irish whiskey.

Exclusive to WSJ+ members

This trip has been designed exclusively for WSJ+ members, drawing on our travel experts’ in-depth knowledge of Ireland. The experience, however, is yours and yours alone, with all of our trips private and customizable. What you’ll find below, therefore, is simply a suggestion. Our Travel Experts will work with you to devise an itinerary based on your inquiry, budget, group size, and desires. Typically, this will include everything from the experiences you do (and the guides that will take you there) to the hotels you’ll bed down in and the trains, planes and automobiles that will take you in between. We can also help with international flights, if you like.

WSJ+ members will receive:

  • Immersive experiences tailored to your interests. This could include anything from culinary masterclasses to kayaking the River Liffey.
  • Exclusive benefits to elevate your experience, including a complimentary private whiskey tasting at the Jameson Distillery.
  • Stays in Ireland’s most luxurious hotels.
  • Access to expert guides throughout.
  • Up-to-date COVID travel advice – including arrangements for any required PCR or antigen testing whilst traveling.
  • Unrivalled expertise in planning your trip to Ireland.

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Athens, Mykonos and Crete: A Luxury Family Discovery in Greece

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Ancient ruins are the backdrop to venturesome days and peaceful evenings on this jam-packed family getaway in Greece. Our Travel Experts, with their families in tow, have perfected this Greek odyssey that’ll immerse you in welcoming cities, white stone ruins and secluded isles. From adventurous outings uncovering the myths and mysteries of ancient Greece to days spent unwinding on sunny sandy beaches, this trip – which will take you from Athens to Mykonos to Crete – has something for everyone. As ever, it’s adaptable to suit families of all shapes and sizes, ensuring your trip is totally tailored to you. Every family is different, after all.

Athens: A historical adventure

Your first stop is Athens: an ancient place with a modern heart. Iconic archaeological sites go hand-in-hand with a succession of effortlessly chic restaurants, shops and hotels here. You’ll feel this duality immediately checking in at AthensWas, your home for the first four nights. Situated on a beautiful pedestrian street with boutiques, local tavernas and snaking side streets aplenty, AthensWas oozes contemporary cool.

You’ll be fully immersed in the historical remnants of Greece’s glorious past, firstly on a private day tour of Argolis, including a visit to the theater at Epidaurus – one of the best preserved classical Greek buildings still used today, famous for its astonishing acoustics. The following day, after a scenic drive through mountains and fertile valleys of olive groves, you’ll arrive at Delphi – a UNESCO-listed archaeological site. Considered the ‘center of the world’ in ancient Greece, your private guide will walk you through the Temple of Apollo and the Navel of the Earth, before you discover long-lost wonders together at the Delphi Museum.

The next day, you’ll embark on an interactive family tour of the world-famous Acropolis, discovering its history from a mythological perspective, through the stories of Greek gods, goddesses and heroes. You’ll then say goodbye to Athens, but it doesn’t end here, as you jump on a quick flight over to the mystical island of Mykonos in the heart of the South Aegean.

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Experience La Dolce Vita in Italy with WSJ+

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We’re working with WSJ+ to create entirely customizable and private trips for you, their members. Our Travel Experts are here to make your trip entirely your own. Private, customizable, and totally flexible. This is what we do. This month, we’re introducing a new highlight itinerary to Italy that you can embark on today. Take it ‘as is’ or customize it to your heart’s content.


Rolling hills, lustrous waters and food fit for the gods; Tuscany, Sorrento and Amalfi make an irresistible trio. On this eight-night escape, you’ll wind your way from verdant landscapes punctuated by cypress trees down to cliffsides in crumbling hues of pastel. Along the way, sample award-winning wines, cruise across the Mediterranean on a private yacht to Capri and learn to cook the Neapolitan way. An undeniably Italian escape, you really will be living la dolce vita.

To add extra magic to your time away, WSJ+ members will enjoy complimentary rental of a vintage Alfa Romeo Spider. The perfect way to explore the Tuscan hillsides, we’ll send you out with a map and a picnic basket and leave the rest up to you.

Exclusive to WSJ+ members

This trip has been designed exclusively for WSJ+ members, drawing on our travel experts’ in-depth knowledge of Italy. The experience, however, is yours and yours alone, with all of our trips private and customisable. What you’ll find below, therefore, is simply a suggestion. Our Travel Experts will work with you to devise an itinerary based on your inquiry, budget, group size, and desires. Typically, this will include everything from the experiences you do (and the guides that will take you there) to the hotels you’ll bed down in and the trains, planes and automobiles that will take you in between. We can also help with international flights, if you like.

WSJ+ members will receive:

  • Immersive experiences tailored to your interests. This could include anything from closed-door cellar access to private yacht trips.
  • Exclusive benefits to elevate your experience, including complimentary rental of a vintage Alfa Romeo Spider.
  • Stays in Italy’s most luxurious hotels.
  • Access to expert guides throughout.
  • Up-to-date COVID travel advice – including arrangements for any required PCR or antigen testing whilst traveling.
  • Unrivalled expertise in planning your trip to Italy.

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Best of Turkey: A Luxury Family Odyssey

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The first to yawn awake in the spring and the last to settle into slumber come autumn, Turkey offers the ideal Mediterranean family escape. Journey through continents and cultures on this 10-night immersion into the best that Turkey has to offer. Perfect for the active and the curious, you’ll sail the Bosphorus, float above the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia on a sunrise hot air balloon flight and journey back in time to ancient Ephesus. Along the way, dine on traditional delicacies, such as tantuni and Gözleme, and bed down in luxurious hotels as our expert guides take you from the Ottoman empire to the Turquoise Coast.

A Walking Tour of the Ottoman Empire

Flying into Istanbul, you’ll be met at the gate and whisked through airport security in no time. A short drive later and you’ll arrive at the opulent Çırağan Palace Kempinski, your home for the next four nights. Perched on the banks of the Bosphorus in the bustling Beşiktaş neighborhood, you’ll be perfectly placed for your discovery of the ancient Ottoman empire.

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Journey through the Culture of Peru with WSJ+

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We’re working with WSJ+ to create entirely customizable and private trips for you, their members. Our Travel Experts are here to make your trip entirely your own. Private, customizable, and totally flexible. This is what we do. This month, we’re introducing a new highlight itinerary to Peru that you can embark on today. Take it ‘as is’ or customize it to your heart’s content.


Ancient cultures and modern cuisine collide on this ten-night journey through Peru. Travel through history alongside a host of expert guides and gain insider access to iconic sites as you skip the crowds of Machu Picchu and sail into the floating islands of Lake Titicaca. You’ll embrace local life too, as you pay tribute to Pachamama with a traditional shaman and meet the people playing a role in Peru’s culinary revolution.

To add extra magic to your time away, WSJ+ members will enjoy a complimentary Pachamanca lunch in the historic town of Ollantaytambo. Embrace Peruvian culture with this traditional dining experience where local ingredients are cooked subway using the heat of the earth.

Exclusive to WSJ+ members

This trip has been designed exclusively for WSJ+ members, drawing on our travel experts’ in-depth knowledge of Peru. The experience, however, is yours and yours alone, with all of our trips private and customisable. What you’ll find below, therefore, is simply a suggestion. Our Travel Experts will work with you to devise an itinerary based on your inquiry, budget, group size, and desires. Typically, this will include everything from the experiences you do (and the guides that will take you there) to the hotels you’ll stay in and the trains, planes and automobiles that will take you in between. We can also help with international flights, if you like.

WSJ+ members will receive:

  • Immersive experiences tailored to your interests. This could include anything from anthropologist-led tours to Michelin-starred culinary immersions.
  • Exclusive benefits to elevate your trip, including a complimentary traditional dining experience.
  • Stays in Peru’s most luxurious hotels.
  • Access to expert guides throughout.
  • Unrivalled expertise in planning your trip to Peru.

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A Gourmet Discovery of Northern Italy with WSJ+

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We’re working with WSJ+ to create entirely customizable and private trips for you, their members. Our Travel Experts are here to make your trip entirely your own. Private, customizable, and totally flexible. This is what we do. This month, we’re introducing a new highlight itinerary to Italy that you can embark on today. Take it ‘as is’ or customize it to your heart’s content.


Tucked away in the foothills of the Alps, Piedmont does not allow Italy’s gourmet reputation to falter. Far from it. This seven-night journey will see you traverse Lake Orta and the UNESCO Langhe Valley in pursuit of the finest culinary experiences. You’ll do it all in the highest luxury, with vintage cars and sleek boats to take you into unknown corners –and Michelin stars and Aperitivos to greet you when you get there. Come Fall, this corner of Italy is at its most enigmatic as Barolo and Barbaresco come into harvest and Tabui dogs unearth prized black truffles.

To add extra magic to your time away, WSJ+ members will enjoy complimentary rental of a vintage Alfa Romeo Spider. The perfect way to explore the quiet hillsides of Piedmont, we’ll send you out with a map and a picnic basket and leave the rest up to you.

Exclusive to WSJ+ members

This trip has been designed exclusively for WSJ+ members, drawing on our travel experts’ in-depth knowledge of Italy. The experience, however, is yours and yours alone, with all of our trips private and customisable. What you’ll find below, therefore, is simply a suggestion. Our Travel Experts will work with you to devise an itinerary based on your inquiry, budget, group size, and desires. Typically, this will include everything from the experiences you do (and the guides that will take you there) to the hotels you’ll bed down in and the trains, planes and automobiles that will take you in between. We can also help with international flights, if you like.

WSJ+ members will receive:

  • Immersive experiences tailored to your interests. This could include anything from closed-door cellar access to after-hours tours in Milan.
  • Exclusive benefits to elevate your experience, including complimentary rental of a vintage Alfa Romeo Spider.
  • Stays in Italy’s most luxurious hotels.
  • Access to expert guides throughout.
  • Unrivalled expertise in planning your trip to Italy.

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Andalucia: enjoy exclusive sunset access to the Alhambra & La Mezquita

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At 9.12 pm on a balmy August evening, the sun over Granada fades into the Sierra Nevada mountains. In the hour leading up to that moment, however, the city is bathed in a syrupy golden light. It slows time. A perpetual moment. We take in from high up in the Torre de la Vela, the watchtower of the Alcazaba fortress. Around us, the nightingale sings its song. Beneath us lies the stillness of the Alhambra. We stroll slowly back through the Nasrid Palaces, through hidden courtyard gardens and filigreed arches, feeling a kinship with bygone Emirs in this palace we, for a brief moment in time, call our own.

Over the past eighteen months, our cities have lain dormant. Unloved and neglected. So there’s no better way to mark our glorious return than with this exclusive journey to Spanish Andalucia and its legendary provinces. Seville. Granada. Cordoba. And then, filled with culture, a moment to repair on the island of Ibiza.

But that’s not all. For this year only, we’re throwing open the doors of Granada’s fabled Alhambra Palace and Cordoba’s La Mezquita Mosque-Cathedral, where you will enjoy exclusive, private access – without queues or crowds. Just you, the stones, and the golden light of the setting sun.

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