Recap 2025
Where did the year go?! In 2025, we were once again busy exploring the world for you – from Baku to New York, from Bali to Costa Rica. And just like that, twelve months have flown by. Luckily, we captured our favorite moments along the way. Here’s a (very) small selection of our many amazing trips. Come take a little memory lane stroll with us!
Recap 2025
Where did the year go?! In 2025, we were once again busy exploring the world for you – from Baku to New York, from Bali to Costa Rica. And just like that, twelve months have flown by. Luckily, we captured our favorite moments along the way. Here’s a (very) small selection of our many amazing trips. Come take a little memory lane stroll with us!
Big City Move
After nine great years in Hamburg's HafenCity, it’s time to say goodbye to the waterfront and hello to city life! Instead of packing suitcases, we’re kicking off the year with moving boxes. Thankfully, we travel light – MacBook under the arm, and off we go. In our new downtown office, the LuxuryWise crew is now rubbing shoulders with luxury labels. Dangerous? Only for our wallets. Follow us on Insta, LinkedIn, and FB for a peek behind the scenes!
LuxuryWise Fam Dubai
In April, Senior Editor Cathrin joined a seriously awesome crew of travel advisors on the LuxuryWise fam trip to Dubai. The itinerary? A glam lineup of sleek new hotels – including the brand-new Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab – plus sightseeing, a spin through the (now massive!) ATM, and a few epic ATM parties. And for you, dear readers, Cathrin even braved the world’s tallest observation wheel, Ain Dubai – despite her fear of heights. Worth it for that killer view!
Fam Trip Ponant
Mel had the honor of joining Ponant’s three-day fam trip aboard Le Lapérouse, sailing with a global crowd of 60 top cruise pros – from the Netherlands to NYC, Thailand and Ukraine. Think savoir-vivre with sun-soaked Mediterranean vibes, gourmet bites, exchange of ideas, and magical sundowner moments along the French coast. A breezy blend of elegance, expertise, and effortless networking – with Mel soaking up every moment.
ITB Berlin – Fairground
All together, that puts us at 60 ITBs – that’s what happens when you start really young…
ITB Berlin – Unique Tradeshow
The perfect warm-up for the ITB madness: the Unique Party on Monday night. ITB? Mel’s ready!
ITB Berlin – Windrose Finest Travel
Windrose is also hosting its partners on Monday night — including a nice little champagne bar. We like!
ITB Berlin – Airtours
TUI's luxury tour operator brand invites partners to the stylish World of TUI offices — welcome to the Airtours universe!
ITB Berlin – Saudi-Arabia
The CEO himself: an interview on trending destination Saudi Arabia. Our Middle East pro Cathrin handles that with ease!
ITB Berlin – Kempinski
The legendary kitchen party: live music and the best food at ITB — the perfect way to celebrate day one!
ITB Berlin – Peru Booth
Llama love, anyone? These fluffy charmers have won Cathrin’s heart just as much as South America’s dazzling destinations.
ITB Berlin – Belmond
Belmond’s current motto is all about slow travel – so naturally, their reception takes place in a bookstore. Yep, really!
ITB Berlin – Cube Travel & Loop
A little chat with Qatar Airways: we’d really love to know why we never seem to snag the Q Suite!
ITB Berlin – Cube Travel & Loop
A little kiss for the best industry in the world — we truly love our job! Just in case we hadn’t mentioned it yet.
Hotel Opening Portugal
Vanessa checked out the brand-new MS Collection Arouca – a former monastery now reborn as a wonderful stylish hideaway in Portugal’s lush green hills. Picture calm, airy rooms, a chic spa, delicious local bites, and thrill-worthy adventures like the 516 Arouca Bridge just down the road. It’s where history, nature, and modern comfort mingle effortlessly. Vanessa’s verdict: a charming little gem that’s only just getting started.
Waldorf Astoria New York
🎶 Start spreading the news… 🎶 After eight long years of waiting, NYC-superfan Iris M. Köpke finally got her moment: The Waldorf Astoria New York reopened in August after its never-ending renovation – and we were the first German media invited to stay! The rooms? Solid and beautifully refreshed. The public spaces? Absolutely spectacular. Plus, partnerships with spots like Top of the Rock (pictured) let guests enjoy VIP access far from the crowds.
Fam Fenides Liveaboard
Mel’s little heart does a happy dance the moment she steps onto Asian soil – and stylish sailing yachts get her every time. The combo? Jackpot! Motor-powered instead of under sail, but still a barefoot dream in Indonesia’s mesmerizing waters. A mini fam trip with just six agents felt like a chic friends-only getaway and is definitely a 2025 highlight. And honestly: a touch of refined slow-down is exactly what a little LuxuryWise Lady needs.
Loop Beyond Borders
Exotic destinations? LuxuryWise is always in. So Cathrin joined the Lobster Experience team for Loop Beyond Borders in Azerbaijan – and yes, it was fantastic. The show, which welcomed buyers from the CIS and CEE markets, was impeccably organized. And the lesser-known destination – the city of Baku – surprised everyone: clean, stylish, historic, and home to seriously good food. We like! Plus, the Formula 1 buzz each September is the ultimate cool factor on top.
Airtours Discovery MRU
Another true heart-trip for Mel – but for a very different reason. There was a life before LuxuryWise, after all, and it felt simply wonderful to travel with so many fantastic "old" co-workers from the TUI world and familiar faces from the top Airtours agencies. German actor Harald Schmidt always says about his role on the German TV cruise series ‘Das Traumschiff‘: "Destination beats script." But for Melli on the Airtours Discovery Tour, one thing was clear: people beat destination.
Brenners Park-Hotel
Iris checked into the newly renovated Brenners Park-Hotel & Spa – the grand dame of Baden-Baden, now shining brighter than ever. Elegant rooms, lush park views, standout dining, and a medical spa that makes you look forward to your next check-up. History and modern comfort blend seamlessly throughout the property. The Service is warm, polished, and delightfully old-school in the best way. Iris’ verdict: timeless luxury done right, and absolutely worth the hype.
Fam Trip Costa Rica
Pura Vida! A stylish yet adventure-packed fam trip – complete with splashy boat rides along Costa Rica’s wild southern Pacific coast – absolutely enchanted Cathrin. Wildlife, nature, and the warmth of the locals pulled out all the stops, making sure this destination will land on luxury clients’ wish lists far more often. No surprise with those chic boutique hotels… tried & tested for you! And where else do you meet macaws, tapirs, sloths, monkeys, and coatis all in one place?
Cairo‘s New GEM
Iris found herself swept away by the sheer scale and magic of the new Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) in Cairo – the world’s largest archaeological museum, just a stone’s throw from the pyramids. Walking beneath towering ancient statues and gazing at artifacts makes history feel truly alive. The mix of state-of-the-art presentation and timeless relics gives GEM a thrilling vibe of past meets present. A must-see epicenter for culture lovers with wow-factor written all over it!
ILTM Cannes
Aaaand it’s a wrap! The final business trip of the year took Cathrin and Iris to ILTM in Cannes — the mother of all luxury trade shows. And everyone was there: hoteliers, cruise pros, beloved sales people, destination experts, and top travel advisors — all in the very best spirits, ready to wrap up the year in style. And yes, we now know both the streets of Cannes and the show floor inside out, because we walked every inch of them: together we clocked an impressive 130,997 steps!
As this wonderfully bustling travel year slowly heads toward its finale, the festive season is already shimmering on the horizon. We’re looking forward to twinkling lights and mulled wine, and to taking a deep breath – while at the same time, we can’t wait to dive into 2026. With trusted partners, cherished readers, and all the wonderful faces that make this industry shine a little brighter every single day.
Yours truly, the LuxuryWise Ladies
