Vila Nova de Gaia waterfront with historic port wine lodges across the Douro River If you are planning a trip to Porto, here is the twist most first-timers do not expect: the best place to stay is not actually in Porto. It is across the river, in a town called Vila Nova de Gaia. Gaia (that is what everyone calls it, so we will too) is where the port wine world lives. It is where the historic wine lodges age their barrels, where the views of Porto's colorful skyline are honest

While some destinations give you privacy, The Seychelles gives you disappearance. This 115-island archipelago sitting in the middle of the Indian Ocean is where people who truly want to unplug actually go. Not Bali, not St. Barts. Here. We have been fielding more questions about it lately, so let me walk you through how to plan this trip. What is it? The Seychelles is an archipelago of 115 islands scattered across the Indian Ocean, roughly 1,000 miles off the east coast of Af

Bali keeps showing up on our clients' lists, and we understand exactly why. There is something about this island that earns its reputation not through hype alone, but through a genuine ability to deliver on the promise of feeling both alive and completely at ease at the same time. But Bali done well and Bali done hastily are two very different trips. This island rewards intention. The people who get the most from it are not the ones who cram in every region in ten days. They

Italy Beyond the First Trip LAKE COMO - LAKE GARDA - PUGLIA - CAPRI Italy is Calling, but not to Rome this time! Italy has a way of getting under your skin. You come back from Rome and the Amalfi Coast and immediately start thinking about when you can go again. That feeling is one of the most reliable signs you are a traveler, not just a tourist. The real second trip to Italy It's not about covering more ground. It is about going deeper into fewer places. The lakes. The heel

The French Riviera has a reputation — and it mostly deserves it. Superyachts. Film stars. Rosé before noon. But underneath all of that is a genuinely beautiful stretch of Mediterranean coast with interesting towns, incredible food, and a pace that rewards people who plan well and don't just wing it. Whether you've never been or you've already done Nice and Cannes and want to go deeper, here's how we're thinking about it right now. First timers to the French Riviera: Where to

The McKee Travel team is growing! We are absolutely thrilled to welcome a new travel advisor, Natalie Ring, to our family, and we think you are going to love getting to know her. The Rings in Portugal Natalie Ring joins us as someone who truly lives and breathes travel. From Caribbean cruises to the cobblestone streets of Europe to the wild remoteness of Antarctica, Natalie brings firsthand experience, genuine passion, and a heart for crafting trips that are as unique as the

Today we are highlighting another favorite: Greece. Greece gets romanticized more than almost any destination on earth, and honestly, it earns it. But that same romance brings crowds, confusion, and the very real possibility of spending your vacation on a ferry you didn't plan well, in a hotel that looked better in photos, or on an island that was not quite right for who you are as a traveler. It's hard to know how to plan Greece without being overwhelmed. So let's talk about

One European itinerary continues to come up again and again: Rome and the Amalfi Coast. It is a classic for a reason. You get history, food, culture, and then that shift to the coast where everything slows down and opens up. But this is also one of the easiest trips to get wrong if it is not planned thoughtfully. Done right, it feels seamless and elevated. Done poorly, it feels crowded, rushed, and logistically frustrating. Let’s walk through how to approach it differently de

We have been getting a lot of questions lately about combining Portugal and Spain into one trip. And honestly, I get it, and I've done it! Both countries keep showing up on bucket lists, and the instinct to knock them both out in one go makes a lot of sense on paper. But this pairing requires a real conversation before you start booking anything. Done well, it is one of the best trips you can take in Europe. You get the Atlantic mood of Lisbon, the dramatic cliffs of the Alga

New Entry/Exit System in Europe If you’re heading to Europe, there’s a small but important change happening at the border. It’s called the Entry/Exit System (EES), and while it may sound technical, the goal is simple: modernize how travelers enter and leave many European countries. Here’s what that means for you. What is the EES? The Entry/Exit System is a new digital border system being introduced across much of Europe. Instead of manually stamping passports, border official