Your Six-Continent Itinerary
From embracing the convivial warmth of Ireland to tackling the fearless nature of New Zealand, these world-class agents have journeyed far and wide to channel the best of the globe within their own communities nationwide.
“Living in Sweden, it’s as though the whole country is your family.”
Growing up in Stockholm, San Francisco agent Malin Giddings says, “Summer in Sweden is like nowhere else. The sound of water fills the air, and the sunlight is endless.” Blissful days of freshwater swimming and horseback riding give way to midnight dinners of Aquavit and just-caught crayfish, all cast in a luminous glow. “May through September is simply magic; the cloud formations are astonishingly dramatic, and the food is otherworldly — yet nowhere you go is crowded.”
Eventually, Giddings departed for New York, eager to expand her scope. There, she served as a tour guide for European travelers — despite never having been to many of the stops herself! “I read up on every city the night before we arrived,” she remembers, likening her early career to her fruitful real estate business. “To this day, I provide people with guidance — just as I’ve done since arriving in this wonderful country so many years ago.”
One If by Land…
Scandinavia-bound? Giddings shares how best to spend 48 hours in her hometown.
By bike “Ride down the Strandvägen — the city’s main boulevard, stopping at open-air museum and zoo Skansen Park, a testament to Swedish history and culture; the Abba Museum; and the Vasa Ship, a 17th-century sunken watercraft that has since been restored.”
By boat Comprising 14 islands on the Baltic Sea, Stockholm is known as the “Venice of the North.” Giddings’ advice? “Spend a day enjoying the city from the water.” Swedish tour operator Stromma offers a variety of routes ranging from 30 minutes to overnight.
“Once you step foot in Ireland, you instantly feel at home.”
Los Angeles agent Stephanie Younger’s affinity for the Emerald Isle stemmed from a more literal love affair: “My husband — a writer and literature professor — did his MA and PhD in Dublin, so I visited many times during his studies,” she says. Over the years, the couple led numerous groups of students through Cork, Galway, and Belfast. Between tours, they immersed themselves in the sights of their Dublin base: cobblestoned Trinity College, verdant St. Stephen’s Green park, the bustling shops of downtown Grafton Street, and the charming 19th-century Ha’penny Bridge.
“My sense of ‘home’ has been very much influenced by Irish hospitality,” she says. “In fact, it was while living there that I prepared for my first real estate exam!” Today, Younger strives to impart a sense of history and place to every Westchester ranch, Playa del Rey bungalow, and Playa Vista condo she encounters: “To me, a home’s value is marked by whether people feel welcome. Isn’t that its true purpose after all?”
Shutter Island
In this photogenic nation, the Instagram potential is unlimited. Here, Younger shares the quintessential shots you can’t miss.
“There are no doors more beautiful than in Dublin,” declares Younger. “The Georgian architecture and vibrant colors make every entryway so inviting.” #doorsofireland
“Of all the classic pub foods, nothing beats a bowl steeped with steaming, aromatic mussels.” Sited on the western coast, the harbor town of Galway presents gourmet photo ops aplenty. #instafood
“Low, hand-constructed limestone walls canvass the countryside, delineating property lines and farm plots.” While examples are ubiquitous, a particularly high concentration can be found in the Aran Islands, just off the western shore. #getlost
“Whether it’s architecture, the outdoors, or wine, Argentina has something for everyone.”
After graduating from the University of Buenos Aires, Miami agent Pavel Gonzalez started his sales career at a winery in Mendoza, capital of the Andean province famed for its inky Malbecs. “Argentina features a variety of terroirs and altitudes, which yield an incredible diversity of wine,” he explains. “While Mendoza proper tops nearly every wine tourist’s list, I highly recommend the region’s less-frequented Maipu and Uco Valleys.”
Today, Gonzalez credits this experience with his success in the Miami market. “Working in wine taught me how to read people’s tastes,” he explains. “More than anything, it was this that led me to real estate.”
Vintage, Inspired
A professed wine connoisseur, Gonzalez picks the best Argentinean bottle for every occasion.
For a celebratory feast…
“Achaval Ferrer, a small, traditional winery in Mendoza. Their Malbec — bright and fruit-forward — garnered 91 points from Wine Advocate.”
For a weekend cookout…
“O. Fournier is incredible not only for their Urban Uco Malbec, but for the modern, Bórmida & Yanzón-designed architecture at their San Carlos winery.”
For a weeknight dinner…
“For dinners of seared ojo de bife (ribeye) or pappardelle with rich ragú de Cordero (a hearty lamb sauce), the combination of Uco Valley-grown Malbec and Cabernet Franc and La Vendimia-sourced Bonarda in Bodegas Alma Negra M Blend makes it my go-to.”
“No package tour could replicate the experience of living among Namibia’s tribes.”
In 2003, New York agent Gavin Hammon traveled with a small group into the East African desert. “I knew a shaman who journeyed to bring native seeds to indigenous people,” he explains. “If you live in a remote location, the means to grow sustenance-producing crops is a tremendous gift.”
Venturing into the far reaches of the Kunene region, the volunteers spent their days delivering grain to the semi-nomadic Himba people; their nights, sleeping under the roof tents of Toyota Land Cruisers.
In exchange, they were granted access to a way of life most Westerners never see: “Every evening, we would build a ceremonial fire around which they would sing and dance to show thanks,” Hammon recalls. “The experience provided me with a sense of scope. Today, I try to channel that calmness, empathy, and worldly perspective into every client interaction.”
Off the Beaten Path
Whether you volunteer like Hammon or sight-see your way around the country, be sure to hit these Namibian national treasures.
Etosha National Park
With its well-maintained roads and excellent visibility, it’s ideal for a self-driven safari. Park and watch as elephants, cheetahs, and rhinos wander by.
Lüderitz
Appreciate the Art Nouveau architecture of this 19th-century, Bavarian-style town, then turn your sights to the penguins and flamingos roosting in the surrounding coastline.
Kaokoveld
Drive through these isolated desert mountains, home of the Himba. See the 120-foot cascades of Epupa Falls and Otjinjange, the arid, ochre grassland in the northwest.
“Driving through Central Europe allowed complete freedom for exploration.”
When it came time for Santa Barbara agent Pamela Regan to buy a new BMW 550, she decided to make the most of the event. “The company’s European Delivery option allows you to pick up the vehicle in Munich, tour the continent as long as you like, and drop it off in one of several cities to be shipped to your home,” she explains.
Starting in the Bavarian town of Füssen, Regan navigated the winding roads and tunnels of the Alps, arriving in northern Italy. “Lake Como is charming, with little villages scattered around the shore — just park and wander by foot. Next, we drove to the French-Italian border, exploring the limestone Grimaldi Caves before ascending to the cliff top French Riviera village of Èze,” she says. “Its similarity to Santa Barbara’s Riviera neighborhood was striking and reminded me why I love helping people discover our town.”
Notes from the Road
Mapping a trip of your own? Benefit from Regan’s experience and invest in this one essential tool.
“If you plan to drive while abroad, buy GPS for the countries where you’re traveling. I struggled with printed maps, especially in the big cities, and we did get lost on occasion. The silver lining? We ended up stumbling upon some amazing towns — Starnberg, Germany, and Castellar, France, for example!” Unlike systems such as Google Maps, which require costly data to function, the CoPilot mobile app downloads selected map data onto your phone for offline use.
“South Africa gave me a deep appreciation for diversity, hospitality, and places of extraordinary physical beauty.”
Hailing from Benoni, a small town outside Johannesburg, Hamptons agent Debby Koster spent two decades in her dynamic homeland: “From spending lazy summer evenings enjoying braaivleis — the South African version of a barbecue — to swimming in the Indian Ocean, the country brims with breathtaking topography and amazing cuisine,” she says.
Here, ornate Cape Dutch architecture and cricket championships contrast with rugged bushland, curio markets, and bucolic vineyards. “You can embark on a safari one day, and indulge in a cage dive with great white sharks the next,” notes Koster. “The landscape lends itself to an incredibly diverse range of activities — much like New York’s East End.”
Southern Exposure
Experience the country’s best, as recommended by one of its own.
Start with a night at Johannesburg‘s Saxon Hotel, known for its contemporary African design. Nelson Mandela stayed here while writing his autobiography.
Head to Kruger Park for a five-night safari, staying in the aerial suites overlooking the N’Wanetsi River at Singita Lebombo lodge.
From there, depart for trendy Camps Bay in Cape Town. Visit Cape Point, the southernmost tip of Africa; tour the vineyards of Constantia; eat the fresh-battered hake and chips on the Hout Bay dock; and watch the surfers in Jeffrey’s Bay.
Conclude with a few days in Durban — South Africa’s version of the Caribbean — and stay at the famous Oyster Box hotel, where you can watch dolphins play in the Indian Ocean waves from its shorefront setting.
“My three weeks in New Zealand were a highlight of a two-month, around-the-world journey.”
Five years ago, Washington DC agent David Shotwell spent three weeks driving across New Zealand’s vertiginous peaks, azure shores, and ethereal glaciers. “I started with the North Island, visiting Wellington and Auckland; the second leg was spent on the South Island, home of Christchurch and Queenstown,” he says.
While there, Shotwell partook of the country’s many adrenaline-spiking offerings: “Outside Rotorua, I tried zorbing — you roll through the landscape encased in a giant transparent orb — and sledging, which is essentially white-water rafting on a boogie board.” In Queenstown, he bungee-jumped off the Kawarau Bridge and skydived over the Remarkables mountain range. But perhaps most exhilarating? “It was on this trip — mid-free fall, in fact! — that I decided to devote myself to real estate,” Shotwell says. “And it’s been an amazing ride ever since.”
The Extra Mile
Follow in Shotwell’s footsteps and take on one of the island nation’s most popular treks.
During his stay on the South Island, Shotwell hiked Fiordland National Park’s much-lauded Milford Track, one of the world’s most scenic routes. An expansive network of fiords, the park’s glacially-formed cliffs can top 4,000 feet, with the crown jewel being Milford Sound. Thanks to well-trod paths and access to heated, furnished huts along the way, the four-day trek welcomes hikers of all levels. Up for the challenge? Visit the New Zealand Department of Conservation’s site for details.
“In North America, you can ski, climb, raft, and hike in some of the most beautiful places on Earth.”
Following college, Aspen agent Lane Johnson moved to the Rockies to work as a ski coach and mountain guide. “During the off -season, I was able to gallivant around the country, fly-fishing in Missoula and rafting the Grand Canyon,” he says. “My desire to share these experiences led me to start a travel outfitter.”
Soon after, Atlas Hands Adventure Travel was born. “Whether it’s heliskiing in British Columbia or backpacking through the Pacific Northwest’s Cascade National Park, every trip is tailored to the traveler,” he explains. Still, he cites his home base chief among his own favorite destinations: “I can take clients on a ski outing, bike ride, or casual climb, followed by a property tour. These excursions connect their favorite activities with the Aspen neighborhood that best suits them!”
Course of Nature
“From June through August, Aspen off ers an abundance of outdoor activities,” says Johnson. Here, he maps out an ideal day.
6am Drive up Independence Pass and ski the 4th of July Bowl; at 12,000 feet, it retains snow all year.
10am On the way back, stop to scale the Grotto Wall’s 10+ routes, surrounded by ice caves.
12pm Raft down the Roaring Fork River’s famed class-IV section, Slaughterhouse Falls.
3pm Board the gondola, downhill mountain bikes in tow! Snowmass offers 50+ miles of lift-served single track and freeride terrain.
5pm Surf, paddle board, or kayak the G-wave, the Colorado River’s first man-made rapid.
“Although I’ve visited Greek and Turkish ruins, for me, it’s Sicily that holds the most memories.”
Boston-area agent Bonny Lamb first fell in love with ancient civilizations in college. “Some years ago, I traveled to Sicily, having read there were more ruins there than in all of Greece,” she explains. She embarked on a tour of the island’s most significant sights, even witnessing a bit of modern-day history being made on the island of Ortygia, off the coast of Siracusa: “When I awoke the first morning, the town was covered in dust,” she recalls. “Just an hour away, Mt. Etna had erupted, triggering several earthquakes in its wake.”
Today, her passion for history serves her well: “While we don’t have ancient ruins, Boston does date back to the 1600s,” she says. “We Cantabrigians share a deep respect for the descendent Colonial, Greek Revival, and Federalist houses we so proudly represent.”
Sites to Behold
Considering a self-guided tour of the island? Be inspired by Lamb’s itinerary to create your own.
Day 1–2 Start your tour in Taormina. “While there, I visited Piazza Armerina, an ancient villa that boasts the best-preserved mosaics on earth.”
Day 3–5 Head south to Siracusa and stay on the ancient island of Ortygia. “It’s near Archimedes’ home and the Ear of Dionysius, a cave with flawless acoustics.”
Day 6–7 From there, travel to Agrigento: “Home of the Valle dei Templi, the impressive remains of several temples are lit at night.”
Day 8–9 Make Erice, site of the Temple of Segesta, your final stop before Paderno. “Even roofless, it is the best-preserved Greek temple in the world.”
