Santorini, Greece - Morning on the narrow streets in Oia, located on the Northwest side of the island.
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Dear Traveler,
Choosing when to travel is just as crucial as choosing where. Here's why the timing dictates your experience:
☀️ Peak Season (July & August)
This is high summer (think bustling Greek Islands).
• Pros: Best weather, lively atmosphere
• Cons: Maximum crowds, highest prices, and extreme heat, making touring uncomfortable.
The Trade-Off: Vibrant, but expect long waits and limited flexibility.
🌸 Shoulder Season (April–June & September–October)
These months offer the perfect balance (think tranquil Amalfi Coast).
• Pros: Fewer crowds, better value, better service, and still-great weather.
• Cons: Variable weather, shorter daylight hours.
The Advantage: Refined, effortless travel where you can truly relax and enjoy the scenery.
Our Strategic Choice:
We believe the Shoulder Season offers the best return for luxury travelers. It maximizes value and minimizes crowds.
That’s why our signature Amalfi Coast and Greek Islands trips are scheduled during this time—to ensure a tranquil, authentic, and fully immersive escape.
Can't be flexible? We specialize in customizing itineraries, even during Peak Season. By planning early, we use our local connections to secure the best access and reservations, ensuring your trip is defined by unique details, not crowds.
Ready to lock in your 2026 dates? Now is the time!
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Customer Travel Spotlight ~ Romancing Greece 🩵
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Paros 5 nights:
Excellent roomy hotel for comfort at Parilio which was beautiful. Transfers and taxis needed for most dining. Excursions included; 1) private tour of the island 2) semi-private full day sailing trip to Antiparos 3) Greek cooking class with wine (so fun) and included wine as well! 4) Ferry to Naxos with private tour. All were exceptional, and we would highly recommend all of them!
Santorini 3 nights:
Hotel Katikies Karini, amazingly beautiful with stunning views on the cliff side. This hotel is walkable to Oia town and a perfect choice. As excursions we did; 1) wine, adventure, with 12 tastings at three different wineries 2) private tour of the island. Both were perfect, and we would recommend them.
Athens 1 night:
New Hotel (yes, that is really its name!) was centrally located in very walkable to the Acropolis and excursion. Wasn’t our favorite hotel but it was great for one night in this location. We did the food tour for our excursion. this was really fun and wine and food were plentiful.
In summary, you lined up a perfect 11 day vacation for us and we couldn’t be happier. We’ve already started recommending you to others. We will certainly use Allora' Scapes in the future and to anybody who’s interested in a perfect vacation planning by a true professional!
~Kelly and Stephen K
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Ready for your own world-class journey? We offer exclusive access to preferred partner rates and guaranteed perks at these and over 2,000 properties worldwide. Simply reply to this email to begin curating your next trip. 🌎✈️
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Allora'Scapes Hosted Trip Highlight!
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Unforgettable Journeys: Amalfi Coast & Greek Islands
Dreaming of a breathtaking escape? We’ve crafted two extraordinary, all-inclusive journeys to Italy and Greece designed for travelers seeking authentic connections, insider experiences, and effortless exploration.
Italy: Amalfi Coast Luxury (May 30 - June 5, 2026)
Experience the Amalfi Coast like an insider. Settle into a private villa, enjoy elegant meals prepared by a private chef, and explore the stunning coast by private boat and private driver. Limited to just 12 guests, this exclusive experience ensures every detail is tailored for luxury, authenticity, and unforgettable memories among the colorful, cliffside towns and lemon orchards.
Greece: Cyclades Sailing Adventure (September 4 - 12, 2026)
Set sail for a stress-free island-hopping adventure through the Greek Cyclades. The journey begins with a night in Athens before boarding your private catamaran. Visit six enchanting islands at a relaxed pace, waking up to a new horizon each day. No sailing experience is required—just the desire to unwind, swim at hidden beaches, and savor relaxed dinners in whitewashed villages.
Whether you choose the dramatic cliffs and luxury of the Amalfi Coast or the laid-back freedom of the Aegean, both trips promise exclusivity, ease, and immersive travel.
Which unforgettable escape is calling your name?
Itinerary Pricing and Overview:
Contact Anca or Bruce to reserve your next destination with Allora'Scapes!
☀️ ✈️ 🇮🇹 More on the horizon... for 2026, we’ll also be unveiling two indulgent Food & Wine Tours—one in Tuscany, where rolling vineyards, medieval towns, and world-class wines await, and another in Sicily, where vibrant flavors and rich cultural heritage create a feast for all the senses. Stay tuned for more details—your next journey of discovery may be closer than you think.
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As your travel concierge, we want to bring your attention to a critical update regarding entry requirements for much of Europe. The European Union (EU) is commencing the rollout of its new Entry/Exit System (EES), a significant technological shift that will fundamentally change how non-EU travelers are processed at the border.
The New Process and Timeline
Biometric Requirement: Instead of receiving a passport stamp, visitors entering and departing the 29 participating Schengen countries* will be required to provide biometric data: a scan of their fingerprints and a photograph of their face. The system will also automatically record personal information from your documents, as well as the date and place of each entry and exit.
Rollout Start: The implementation began its phased rollout on October 12th. Croatia and Estonia are among the first countries to start using the system at all points of entry. Other countries, such as Spain and Germany, are adopting a more gradual approach, starting at select major airports.
Full Implementation: The EES is anticipated to be fully operational across all 29 countries by April 2026. While passport stamps may continue during the ramp-up period, they will be eliminated entirely once the system is fully active.
The Upside for Travelers
The primary goal of the EES is to enhance border security and efficiency. The EU anticipates that the new system—which utilizes automated technology like eGates—will lead to significantly faster processing and shorter lines at the border, ultimately making your airport experience smoother.
Important Details & Exemptions
Denied Entry for Refusal: It is crucial to be prepared - Refusal to provide the required biometric data will result in denial of entry into the participating countries.
Data Handling: Your personal data is collected for security, immigration, and visa control purposes and may be kept for up to five years. This data may be accessible to EU law enforcement and relevant border/immigration authorities.
Exemptions: Children 12 years old and younger are exempt from fingerprint scanning. Additionally, non-EU nationals who hold a residence or long-stay visa for an EU country are generally not required to participate in the EES.
This shift toward biometric identification is part of a global trend—seen even with the increasing use of TSA PreCheck Touchless ID in the U.S.—aimed at modernizing travel. We will continue to monitor the EES implementation closely to ensure your future trips are seamless.
*The 29 Participating EES Countries
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia (Czech Republic), Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
Safe travels!
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