One of the biggest trends in travel this year is in private experiences, particularly villas, charters, and off-the-beaten-path places. Accommodations range from spacious homes in Hawaii to family takeovers in the remote wilderness of Alaska, to yacht charters from the Caribbean to the Mediterranean.

Private places allow you, your family, and your "pod" to enjoy the feeling of a vacation again--without worries. Each place is well-researched, intensely vetted, and offers all the benefits of a hotel--staff ranging from chefs to yoga instructors, and amenities like cars or bicycles on hand for private exploration.

Keeping in mind villas are all about personalization and there is no one-size-fits-all approach, the list here is short and by no means showcases every destination or property. Below are a few of the places that inspire that sense of wanderlust in me right now. The best part? Every one of those listed is open and ready for travelers now.

Villas & Homes

Experience the great outdoors at one of North America’s most pristine private reserves.

Ladder

Caballo, NM

Ted Turner operates his empire by a simple motto, “Save Everything” – and once you lay eyes on Ladder, a Ted Turner Reserve, you’ll understand why. The conservationist has diligently preserved the diverse ecosystems comprising his 156,000-acre Ladder Ranch, in south-central New Mexico; the four tributaries of the Rio Grande that traverse the land support abundant flora and fauna, such as historic bison. Turner’s four-bedroom family home features personal mementos; an on-site chef prepares meals to your taste. Expeditions are individually crafted, and all activities are included in your stay.

Clients booking with Leslie Swanson Travel receive: $100 property credit; Early check-in/late check-out; Complimentary Wi-Fi

Hawksbill

Turks & Caicos

This 8-bedroom, beachfront villa on the renowned Grace Bay Beach is designed with multi-generational Caribbean retreats in mind. Inside, you'll find various bedroom configurations, a large family space with games and a big-screen TV, and endless things to do for all ages, including a massive pool, private gym, and even a tennis court. There are also paddleboards, kayaks, and snorkeling equipment for the water sports enthusiasts and a private dock to pick up guests for boat excursions!

Sopris House

Crested Butte, CO

Sopris House is full of history and character, just like the town of Crested Butte. The original 1882 building infamously became the Spritzer Bar, a saloon bought by Martin Spritzer in 1924 and operated by Slovenian immigrants. The intimate, four-bedroom home still has its original tin ceiling and mountain town touches like a massive buffalo head in the dining room and a private saloon. If you need an outdoor fix, Crested Butte is the place to get it. Considered a mountain biking mecca, the area boasts the largest single track system in the U.S. Hike or bike through alpine meadows carpeted in technicolor blooms or forested trails canopied in autumnal gold. There’s no itinerary. Choose your own adventure, from float trips where you’ll angle for rainbow trout, to afternoons rock climbing the high granite cliffs of the Taylor Canyon.

Yachts

Seamlessly blending adventure with safety, flexibility with personalization, charters are a great way to experience a destination on your own terms. This year, popular charters include sailings in Antigua, St. Barths, and the Bahamas. From un-crewed sailing vessels to fully crewed yachts with all the amenities and recreational equipment, there are options for every interest and need. Get in touch to learn more and find the right fit for you!

Off-The-Beaten-Path Places

Islas Secas

Chiriquí, Panamá

Islas Secas is an archipelago of effortlessly beautiful islands in the Gulf of Chiriquí on the Pacific coast of Panama. An inspired eco-destination befitting the most intrepid traveller, the resort combines the wonders of Panama’s incredible natural land and seascape with genuinely sustainable hospitality and once-in-a-lifetime opportunities for adventure.

Created with a passion to protect the extraordinary forest and marine environment of the Gulf of Chiriquí, this small, secluded resort – just 24 guests, 14 islands and countless reefs, glassy bays and tree-swathed hills to explore – is the ultimate sustainable playground.

View of Volcanoes National Park from the Junior Master Suite at Kataza House.

Tutka Bay Lodge

Kachemak Bay, Alaska

Tutka Bay Lodge is at the entrance to a nine-mile fjord at the southern end of Kachemak Bay, near Homer, Alaska. Watch whales and otters from the main lodge, where guests gather for award-winning cuisine. Try hiking through an old-growth forest or sea kayaking, before settling into a cooking class in the evening. The hotel offers guided deep-sea fishing or bear viewing on the Katmai Coast and evening wildlife tours on the bay. Six cozy cabins offer sweeping views and rustic seaside luxury. Tutka Bay Lodge offers complimentary massage, yoga, cooking classes, as well as wine and cheese tastings in its peaceful cove.

Clients booking with Leslie Swanson Travel receive: Complimentary Breakfast daily; a gift valued at $100; Complimentary Wi-Fi

Kataza House

Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda

Set right on the edge of Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, where more than a third of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas live in high-altitude cloud forests, Singita Kwitonda Lodge and the exclusive-use Kataza House provide the perfect springboard for life-changing gorilla-trekking experiences.

Sharing a 1.2km border with the Park, the lodge and villa are the only offerings in such close proximity to the natural habitat of the ‘gentle giants of the forest’ and the Park’s headquarters, where treks commence, is less than 10 minutes away.

Taking its cue from Rwanda’s rich cultural heritage, as well as the conservation of these majestic animals, Singita Volcanoes National Park provides a nurturing environment from where to appreciate life-changing encounters with the gorillas.

The creative inspiration provided by the gorillas translates to an authentically African experience that is layered in textures, tones and décor elements that reflect their strength as well as their gentle nature.