…in a very special category reserved for those seeking the next chapter in adventure-driven, soul-stirring travel.

While we’ll always be fans of perennial favorites like Italy and France, as a community, SmartFlyer travel advisors are equally drawn to destinations that feel refreshingly under the radar and, in the best instances, unclaimed by social media. In a world that feels increasingly discovered, a Madagascar vacation presents the chance to uncover a rich and complex history set against a remarkably untouched landscape teeming with options for adventure. It is a place where conservation blends with your wildest castaway fantasy, and as such, we’re placing a Madagascar vacation in a very special category reserved for those seeking the next chapter in adventure-driven, soul-stirring travel.

Why Plan a Trip to Madagascar?

Madagascar offers something entirely different: a chance to experience nature and ancient culture in its most surreal form.

For the well-explored traveler who has already tracked the Big Five in Botswana and soaked up barefoot glamour in Sumba or the Seychelles, Madagascar offers something entirely different: a chance to experience nature and ancient culture in its most surreal form. Having broken off from the Indian subcontinent some 88 million years ago, Madagascar’s isolation has given rise to ecosystems found nowhere else on Earth. In fact, over 90 percent of its wildlife is endemic, giving you the chance to discover wildlife that’s distinct to this part of the world.

Where to Stay in Madagascar: Our Short List

• Ultra Luxury: Miavana by Time + Tide, Nosy Ankao | Reached by private helicopter over its famed red highlands and swirls of mangrove forest, Miavana redefines what “remote” means. The lodge offers just fourteen expansive beachfront villas, each designed to disappear into the landscape. It was immediately added to our list of one of the most exclusive private island properties in the world after our recent scouting trip.
• Bohemian Luxury: Tsara Komba Lodge, Nosy Komba | A boutique luxury eco-lodge perched on the lush volcanic island of Nosy Komba, Tsara Komba blends nature and nuance in a way that feels deeply restorative. With just eight suites carved into the hillside, each framed by tropical gardens and sea views, this is where you come to fully disconnect—and quietly recalibrate.
• Barefoot Luxury: Voaara, Sainte Marie Island | Voaara is a true barefoot luxury escape, tucked between the rainforest and the reef on Sainte Marie Island’s quiet north coast. The aesthetic is minimalist and modern, yet it’s rooted deeply in Malagasy tradition and built with a light footprint. With just eight beachfront villas opening directly onto the sea, the experience at Voaara is intimate, design-forward, and intentionally slow.

What To Do in Madagascar

If a Madagascar vacation isn’t already on your bucket list, it should be. The ultimate destination for adventurous souls, there are more than enough things to do here to justify a week-long Madagascar vacation. Equally, you’d be just as justified if you choose to do absolutely nothing at all and simply immerse yourself in the beauty that is l’isola. With that said, these are some of our favorite things to do on this very special island:

• Track Lemurs in the Wild | Get up close with Madagascar’s most iconic residents on guided treks through lush rainforests or dry deciduous reserves. Spot the wide-eyed mouse lemur, the smallest primate on Earth, or the elusive aye-aye with its long, skeletal fingers and nocturnal habits. In Anjajavy or Andasibe, listen for the haunting calls of the indri, Madagascar’s largest lemur, or observe the graceful leaps of sifakas—known for their almost balletic movement through the trees.
• All. The. Water. Sports. | Snorkel over vibrant coral gardens, dive into the deep with turtles and rays, paddle through mangrove forests, or try your hand at deep-sea fishing in the crystalline waters off Nosy Be or Nosy Ankao. Madagascar’s marine life is as rich and unspoiled as its land-based wonders, with visibility and biodiversity that rival those anywhere in the Indian Ocean. Cap off a morning on the water with a private island picnic.
• Ancient Baobabs | Venture inland to witness these towering, centuries-old trees that look straight out of a fairytale. The Avenue of the Baobabs is one of (if not the most!) photographed parts of the island, and is best experienced at golden hour—an experience your SmartFlyer travel advisor can help arrange ahead of your arrival.
• Support Conservation Efforts | Connect with the deeper story of Madagascar by participating in local conservation programs. Depending on your lodge of choice, you might help plant native species, learn about lemur rehabilitation, or visit a community-led sea turtle sanctuary.
• Helicopter adventures | For a completely different perspective, we love chartering a private helicopter to fly over the limestone pinnacles of Tsingy de Bemaraha or the dramatic coastline of Nosy Ankao.

Best Time to Visit Madagascar

If you’re looking for the best time to visit, the dry season, which runs from April to November, is ideal for both land and sea adventures for a Madagascar vacation. Wildlife is easier to spot, trails are more accessible, and beach days are reliably sun-soaked. Whale watching peaks between July and September, while snorkeling and diving are best from October onward, when water clarity is at its finest. The wet season, from December to March, brings heavy rains to many regions—especially in the east—during which some properties temporarily close.

When it comes to timing for optimal wildlife viewings, Madagascar’s wildlife is extraordinary year-round, but certain months offer especially magical encounters. From October to November, travelers can witness the arrival of baby lemurs, adding a tender and playful energy to the island’s forests. This same window is also prime time for swimming with whale sharks off the coast of Nosy Be, an awe-inspiring experience for marine life enthusiasts. Meanwhile, whale watching along the eastern coast reaches its peak between July and September, when humpback whales migrate through the warm waters to breed and calve.

How to Get to Madagascar

While it may feel remote, Madagascar is more connected than you’d expect. Travelers typically arrive via Paris or Johannesburg, both of which offer direct flights into Antananarivo. There are also options via Nosy Be through Johannesburg and Addis Ababa.

Ready to plan your luxury Madagascar vacation or combine it with a safari in East or South Africa?

Our team of SmartFlyer travel advisors recently returned and is ready to guide you through the intricacies of planning your own Madagascar vacation.

• Duration: 4 nights, 5 days
• We Love it For: those looking for a combination of city vacation and a country getaway
• Trip Style: adventure + foodie
• Agent Notes: we love Ireland for its accessibility, the amazing locavore food scene, and a wide breadth of outdoor adventure

Video Credit: Elysium Productions

Where to Stay: Adare Manor & The Shelbourne

With so many fantastic properties throughout Ireland, choosing the hotels for our team’s itinerary was no small feat. The conclusion of an impressive renovation to countryside favorite Adare Manor was perfectly timed with our visit, making it a no-brainer. After checking out the newly refreshed property, we rounded out our trip with a stay at a Dublin legend, The Shelbourne.

Adare Manor (Limerick, Ireland)

Maintaining the estate’s neo-Gothic architectural heritage and stonework was just one component of the fantastic overhaul at 840-acre Adare Manor. The five-star resort reopened its doors in November 2017 following an18-month renovation project that resulted in the addition of a bedroom wing, bringing the accommodation count to 104, besides offering a beguiling ballroom, a state-of-the-art La Mer spa, swimming pool with relaxation area and a cinema. Additionally, world-famous golf architect Tom Fazio is overseeing the development of an incredible “new” golf course at Adare Manor, which is primed to become one of the continent’s finest courses. | Book Here >>>

Amenities: Complimentary upgrade on arrival, subject to availability; Complimentary valet parking; Complimentary full Irish breakfast; Afternoon Tea for two once during your stay, served in the Gallery; Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability; Complimentary Wi-Fi.

The Shelbourne (Dublin, Ireland)

Set in a hundreds-year-old majestic building, is the premier city centre hotel in Dublin. The award-winning restaurants offer an array of options, from the most tender steak and freshest seafood to an impeccable High Tea. Just outside of the hotel, all of Dublin awaits you. The hotel overlooks St. Stephen’s Green, and is minutes from Dublin’s most famous attractions. | Book Here >>>

Amenities: Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability; Complimentary Buffet Breakfast for two daily for duration of the stay served in restaurant (additional charge for room service); A complimentary lunch or dinner for up to two people per room, excluding alcohol, taxes and gratuities once during stay (must be 3 course minimum with a minimum value of $100 USD equivalent); Early check-in/ late check out, subject to availability; Complimentary Wi-Fi.

Trip Highlights

1. Touring the Cliffs of Moher.
2. Hiking The Burren National Park.
3. Horse and hounds arrival at Adare Manor.
4. Walking tour of Dublin with Celebrated Experiences.
5. Visit to the Guinness Storehouse and its Connoisseur signature experience.
6. Private dinner at The Shelbourne’s Constitution Room.

4 Nights, 5 Days Itinerary

Day 1: Adare Manor

Morning arrival into Dublin Airport and transfer to Adare Manor, approximately a 2.5 hour drive. Voted “Best Hotel” by Virtuoso Travel in 2018, the sprawling property is sure to impress. Adare Manor is also known for its adventure activities, making it the perfect place to find your inner explorer.

Upon arrival, check-in to your room and head to the picturesque town of Adare for lunch at a local pub. With quaint architecture at every corner, Adare’s main street is punctuated with beautiful stone buildings, medieval monasteries, ruins and a picturesque village park.

After lunch, walk back to the hotel and over to the Walled Garden for activities like archery and falconry right on Adare Manor’s property. Enjoy your dinner this evening in one of Ireland’s most beautiful rooms, the Gallery.

Day 2: Adare Manor

Following breakfast, depart Adare Manor for one of Ireland’s most iconic sites, the Cliffs of Moher. Towering over the Atlantic, the cliffs have been featured in many films and is a must visit for anyone staying in the Shannon region. Sea life and birds life abounds here, and you can take a walk along the cliffs edge.

Stop for lunch at Gregan’s Castle, a charming family owned and operated country house hotel. After lunch, meet with Shane Connolly, a sheep and cattle farmer, archeologist, geologist, botanist and your guide for the afternoon. Enjoy an escorted hike through Burren National Park‘s moon-like landscape where you’ll get a peek into Ireland’s unique climate.

Return to Adare Manor for some free time to enjoy the property. Reconvene for drinks and dinner in the Oak Room Restaurant for the finest contemporary Irish cuisine. Of course, the night wouldn’t be complete with a pub experience! Walk into the village to enjoy an authentic local pub.

Day 3: The Shelbourne

After a morning at leisure, including an Irish breakfast, it’s time to regroup for a transfer back to Dublin. Check-in to your room at The Shelbourne, one of Europe’s best city hotels, located in the heart of the city. Take some time for a light lunch and perhaps some afternoon tea. The Lord Mayor’s Lounge (the hotel’s drawing room) is the perfect spot to pick your favorite blend paired with a classic buttermilk scone.

Mid-afternoon, prepare to visit Dublin’s most touristed site, The Guinness Storehouse. But rather than take the typical tour, link up with a senior archivist to hear more in-depth history on how this craft beverage on a small island became one of the world’s most fascinating brands. Continue on to test out “The Guinness Connoisseur Experience” in a private room to learn, sample and pour your own Guinness pint.

Return to The Shelbourne for some rest before cocktails and dinner. Head over to The Westbury’s newly redesigned Sidecar Bar for a fun lesson on the gin renaissance happening throughout Europe. Learn why Ireland is sitting at the forefront of the artisan movement and perfect your own gin and tonic tastebuds with some sampling.

Transition to one of Dublin’s top spots, Wilde, for a relaxing dinner. Located on the second floor of the Westbury, this spot is so much more than a hotel restaurant. Wrap up the evening with a nightcap at a local pub.

Day 4: The Shelbourne

With the morning at leisure, you can take some time to explore Dublin’s shopping district or even just dive into a book in a cozy nook of the hotel. If you decide to go out and about, your list of stops is surely going to get long quickly! While certain spots are best reserved for a guided tour (for instance, the Guinness Storehouse) we recommend doing some exploring on your own through Grafton Street. Here, you’ll find colorful shops, market stalls and inevitably, some pubs.

Regroup around noon with a walking guide for an afternoon visiting some favorite spots in the city. Head over to Cliff Townhouse for an Irish oyster tasting! Learn about why Ireland is famous for its oysters as you sample some alongside tapas before checking out Grafton Street and the Molly Malone statue. Walk a short distance to the Dingle Whiskey Bar where you’ll be educated on “uisce beathe” (Galelic for “the water of life”) and learn why a worldwide whiskey boom is happening right now.

Pop into The National Gallery of Ireland to find out about Ireland’s contribution to art history, particularly painting and fine art. Located in the heart of Dublin, the National Gallery has over 15,000 works of art. Here you’ll find fine pieces by Brueghel, Caravaggio, Goya, Monet, Picasso, Van Gogh, and Velazquez, just to name just a handful of the notable artists.

Don’t forget to check out the Oscar Wilde Monument before stopping at the Louise Kennedy flagship store, an ode to internationally-renowned Irish fashion designer Louise Kennedy. Since the creation of her label in 1983, Louise has been renowned for creating high quality, sophisticated clothes. Her label has dressed many members of the British, European and Middle Eastern Royal families, as well as many celebrities.

Be sure to view some of the famous “Georgian Doors” as you stroll to Sheridan’s, an artisan cheese shop focusing on local products. Indulge in a tasting to find out more about how Irish cheeses compete with other international favorites. Wash it all down with a pint at Kehoe’s, one of Dublin’s most authentic and historic pubs before heading back to The Shelbourne.

Reconvene for drinks (you are in Ireland, after all!) at the hotel’s world famous Horseshoe Bar. Dine in one of the country’s most well-known rooms, The Constitution Suite, where the Irish Constitution was drafted. It’s your last night here, so you know what comes next: one more Irish pub for a farewell pour!

Day 5: Departure

Unfortunately, it’s time to pack up. The only question is when you’ll be back to Ireland next.

Photo Credit: Leila Brewster Photography

Our Team

Our SmartFlyer team continues to reach new heights as our clients recognize us for dependability, immediate service, industry clout, and our ability to keep up with current trends. To say travel excites us would be an understatement. Being able to share our wealth of knowledge on cultures around the globe is our passion.  Having the ability to create true, once in a lifetime experiences for our clients is what drives us to keep our maps open and discover that road less traveled by. With agents spread throughout the United States and globally, our network of experts is robust with the ability to  share our knowledge of world travel on a 24/7 basis.

Our Aim

The aim of this retreat is to focus on the art of selling, while enriching both industry and client relationships. Known for being industry trendsetters, we are always looking for new ways to enhance the way we think about travel.

focus on the art of selling, while enriching both industry and client relationships

With this retreat, our team had the rare opportunity to be in the same space and share insight on what it’s like to curate this, ethereal affair with wanderlust for our clients.

From the art of trend-spotting to making sure our clients are getting the best possible outcome, methods were shared and many ‘a discussions were had. We’re happy to report that with our partners and advisors combined, this gathering was nothing less than fruitful. 

Our Partners

From our hotel partners, suppliers on the ground, and vehicles up in the air, we pull our relationships from every edge of the luxury travel world. Our partners are exponentially crucial to our process, as we rely on them to provide top notch services with an added personal touch. We trust them to uphold our same passion, to create once in a lifetime experiences for our clients, and a seamless booking process throughout. Without our industry friends, we would not be where we are today. The SmartFlyer CORE retreat allows the opportunity to strengthen these coveted relationships, as we learn and grow together in a fun and creative environment.

The concept of Majorelle was inspired by Yves Saint Laurent’s infamous Majorelle Garden in Marrakech. It took famous french painter, Jaques Majorelle forty years to design this 12-acre botanical garden where travelers now flock to experience his impeccably designed oasis right in the heart of the city. Much like the garden, The Lowell‘s Majorelle restaurant plucks New Yorkers and visitors alike from the bustling city streets to a calm, serene, garden-like environment where they can enjoy Chef Richard Brower‘s French cuisine with a Mediterranean touch. However, the biggest tribute, perhaps, to the Majorelle Garden, are the decadent floral arrangements that are strategically placed in almost every corner of the restaurant’s space.

The design of Majorelle’s space comes from Michael S. Smith, who’s also known for his impeccable work on homes for names like, President Barack Obama, Harrison Ford and Cindy Crawford. As a repeat guest at The Lowell, it made sense to have Smith design their restaurant space (and their newly renovated suites). With Masson’s mission in mind, Smith fully delivered on creating a space that would reflect the same serenity of the Majorelle Garden. Details like the classic marble columns, etched glass-work, alabaster chandeliers and the Emilio Thierry marble floors and the French (hand-painted) paneling in the bar and club room, give the newly renovated a space a feel as though it’s always been this way, giving way to the subtle Art Deco concept throughout the hotel. Not to mention, the glass covered garden with walls and tables dripping in lush greenery, the garden effect is certainly not lost.

What most may not know is that while Charles Masson may be more famously known as a NYC restaurateur, behind the scenes he’s also known as an extraordinary florist. Growing up with a father who enthused in the art of horticulture, Charles has defined the term “green thumb” with his natural ability to give flowers a life expansion for as long as an entire month. And, lucky for us, we got to spend the day with him learning a few tricks of the trade for our own!

In order to reach their full potential, flowers need to be conditioned before you start working with them.  And, after spending the morning through the Chelsea flower market and at The Lowell hotel with Charles, we took away a few tips to share with you. 

10 tips on how to get the most out of your flowers at home: 

1. Give those buds the same kind of environment that makes them feel at home. Roses grow in a hot weather, thus they love hot water.  Charles have been known to dip his roses for a few seconds in boiling water (yes, really!) to get them to open up.
2. The same goes for floral’s in a cold environment!
3. A few drops of white vinegar to the water while they’re conditioning for longer vase life.
4. When cutting the stems, cut diagonally so the flowers can “slurp” the water easier.
5. When you’re ready to put your flowers in a bouquet, you can add sugar to extend their lifeline.
6. Refresh the water in your vase on a daily basis.
7. No decorative leaves in the water, this actually does more harm than good.
8. Do not take off any leaves, buds or hanging parts from the stem that are above the water because, like a straw, if there is a hole then all of the water wont make it to the top and will cause the flower to die to soon.
9. On the same note, make sure that you take off the leaves and buds off of the part of the stems that will go under water.
10. A happy home means happy, long-living flowers (Charles likes to sing and talk to his bouquets, just to remind them how beautiful they are!)