our year in review

As 2023 draws to a close, our team is reflecting on our personal journeys through the travel industry. The end of the year is a great time to reflect on where we’ve been (literally), and what’s on the horizon (also, literally). We asked our team to share their highlights of this year, as well as the things that are most exciting about 2024!

See if you can spot Tom in this video from the G Adventures Changemakers Summit!

Michelle and her husband, Kevin, fell in love with Barbados this year!

What was the biggest highlight of your Year in Travel for 2023?

Tom Carpenter: We traveled a lot this year. For me, the highlights were less about where we went, but about the new partnerships we developed and the longstanding relationships that we cultivated. Our agency is now part of Hyatt Privé, and we’ve got some new hotel partnerships in the works through our Uniglobe network. We experienced an amazing Arctic expedition on Aurora Expeditions, and did our first clipper ship sailing on Star Clippers —both are phenomenal supplier partners for us, though they’re very different. I was privileged to be invited to attend the G Adventures Changemakers Summit and World Community Travel Summit, and we were invited to the world’s leading luxury travel marketplace — ILTM — for the first time ever this year.

Jaime Weinberg: Honestly, there have been so many to choose from. But if you insist that I pick, I'd say spending 7 days on the Queen Mary 2 was a supreme highlight. I never expected that my first large-scale cruising experience would be on the flagship of the Cunard Line and the largest ocean liner ever built. I love everything about the ship and all of its old-school charm. 

Michelle Fink: My favorite travel experience was Barbados! I spent five days there in February, and it was amazing in every way. The island breeze, the warmth of the people, and the beauty were incomparable. While I still have a lot of the world left to see, I know I'll be returning to that beautiful island again sooner rather than later.

Erin Richards: I have so many “best of” moments for 2023, but the overriding highlight of each trip and every experience was spending it with friends and family. I got to sail down the Rhine River and visit European Christmas markets with my dad, tour the high Utah desert, Rocky Mountains, and Colorado River while riding the rails with my mom, scope out Austin, Texas, and a new (to me) resort with one of my best friends from college, run the ATL for a week with all of my favorite industry partners and colleagues, explore Disney’s newest ship, the Wish with brand new friends as we hit up Castaway Cay & Nassau, and make ship happen on Virgin Voyages for the third time with my brothers, parents, and part of my Huckleberry family! Travel with those you love, because memories, inside jokes, and shared experiences make every moment a highlight.

We’re so excited to have Jesús join our team!

Jesús Meléndez: Launching my start in the travel industry as an advisor with Huckleberry Travel! I've learned so much from our team and our colleagues at Uniglobe and Virtuoso! I feel so blessed to be a part of the Huckleberry team and plan unforgettable experiences for my clients. The Philippines, Italy, and Finland are all on the docket for my clients in 2024! This will be a huge year for me in terms of planning international travel and learning about the best our global partners have to offer!

David Slivken: Traveling to the Arctic Circle with Aurora Expeditions, seeing polar bears, visiting Svalbard, and doing an Arctic plunge was an incredible once-in-a-lifetime type of experience... I was completely unprepared for what a great adventure the trip was.

What new (to you) supplier partner did you meet in 2023, that you're really excited about sharing with your clients?

Michelle’s not alone in her love for Virgin Voyages — Erin and the rest of us love Virgin, too!

Michelle: I fell in love with Virgin Voyages! The energy on the ships is unlike any others I've experienced! The cast and crew are all warm and professional as well as fun. They seem to really love their jobs, and it's reflected in how they take care of the passengers.

Erin: The Auberge Collection and the Miraval properties – sometimes you need a good “stay-cation” and sometimes you just want to get away without having to go away. Auberge and Miraval offer ah-mazing places to do just that. With properties from California to the Berkshires and many spots in between you’ll be pampered, rejuvenated, and free from stress!

Jaime: HE Travel! Regenerative Travel, Mirival (where our clients get Privé amenities!), Inside Japan.

Jesús: As a new sub-agent, I've enjoyed engaging with tour operators and suppliers through ToursbyLocals and Project Expedition the most! There is nothing more energizing than working with accessible suppliers that are reliable and trustworthy! 

Tom and David: These aren’t really new to us, but we’ve yet to send clients to the Waldorf-Astoria Pedregal in Los Cabos, and it’s just such a gorgeous resort — we’re fairly obsessed with it. We’re also over the moon about the Ted Turner Reserve properties in New Mexico — it’s something that you won’t find anywhere else, and I’m desperate to find a client that’s a good match for that stunning experience.

Are there any destinations that you predict are going to really "pop" in 2024?

David: Many people traveled to what I consider Europe's "Big 5" destination countries in 2023 (Italy, France, Greece, Spain, UK), but I expect 2024 will see a lot more travel to places a bit more off the beaten path like Portugal and the Baltics! I also think people will be looking for longer trips that are further away like Australia/New Zealand and Southeast Asia.

Jaime: Estonia! I already have a request for 2024 Holiday Markets! 

Jesús: El Salvador, The Philippines, Thailand, and Lake Como, Italy! I can see Scotland really booming as well! 

Erin: Central and South America! I’m seeing lots of interest in Costa Rica, Honduras, Belize Colombia, Chile, and Peru! Also, France with the Olympics, D-Day Anniversary, and several new river cruise itineraries.

Michelle: While I know Iceland is already a big travel destination, I believe they will experience a big jump in numbers of US travelers. I believe the same will be true of Croatia. It's been one of the best-kept secrets.

Tom: We’ll be posting our “5 Places to Go in 2024” list, shortly, and since I make the call on that list (sorry, team!), I’ll stay mum on this question until that list comes out.

Do you have any personal travel planned for the upcoming year? Where are you most excited to go in 2024?

Jaime’s looking forward to continuing to explore domestic destinations in 2024 — as well as some far-flung locations!

Erin: My first trip to Asia will be in 2024 – I’m going on a river cruise down the Mekong (through Vietnam and Cambodia) with Ama Waterways. I cannot wait! I’ve been planning a trip to Asia – anywhere in Asia – in some form or another since 2020 and I’m excited to finally make it happen. I’ve also got trips planned to Ireland, New York, Texas, and at least one cruise on Virgin Voyages.

Jesús: I'd really love to visit Punta Cana or El Salvador! 

Jaime: Antarctica! Tom and I are traveling to the Great White Continent in February with Seabourn. I never could have imagined that my journey in the travel industry would take me to the ends of the earth. But I'm super excited for my upcoming time in Mexico and all of the domestic travel I have planned. And of course I'll be planning Iceland in 2025!

David: Japan! I've had Japan on my personal list for many years, and we're finally planning a trip there in the fall of 2024. I can't wait!

Tom: I’m super excited to re-visit Antarctica with Jaime in 2024, of course. But I’m also over the moon to be traveling to the Canary Islands and Madeira with our friends at Windstar Cruises. Windstar is such a good partner to Huckleberry Travel, and we’re so grateful for everything they do to support our business and take good care of our clients. And I’m really excited to be going back to Japan in the fall, with a small group we’re hosting. Hit us up, if you want to get in on the ground floor of that!

Michelle: I am cruising on a European Virgin Voyages trip in September, and I've never been to Europe. I'll get to experience parts of England, France and Spain. We have friends (whom we met on a WindStar cruise) near the port town in England, who we'll also spend time with. They plan to show us Stonehenge and other iconic historical places. I'm crazy excited about that entire adventure!

Tom and David attended the Travel Weekly Readers’ Choice Awards this year, thanks to our friends at Windstar Cruises — winner of the Best Small Ship Cruise Line award!

If you had to pick a buzzword for travel in 2024 -- what's your word?

Jaime: I am fighting the urge to say “magical.” I'd like "regenerative" to become more commonplace, in reference to personal travel motivation/style and macro impact. 

Tom: If Jaime’s not going to take it, I’m going to say, “magical.” It’s one of Jaime’s favorite words, and it’s totally rubbed off on me, so … “magical.”

Michelle: Indulgent!

David: Revitalization!

Erin: Gig-tripping: going someplace amazing to see a favorite band or artist – Swifties in Switzerland, Beyonce in Brazil, and Metallica in Majorca – can also be applied to sports teams (NFL in England), and events like the Olympics (where the venue/location changes).

Jesús: Transformational!

Well, if you’re ready for a magical, transformational, indulgent trip — perhaps with a focus on revitalization or regenerative travel, or maybe you’re into gig-tripping — let us know! We’re ready to help you plan your next great adventure!