7/26/2019 List Of Top 100 Travel Agents, Hotels & Destinations - A Report 2015
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/list-of-top-100-travel-agents-hotels-destinations-a-report-2015 1/13
7/26/2019 List Of Top 100 Travel Agents, Hotels & Destinations - A Report 2015
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/list-of-top-100-travel-agents-hotels-destinations-a-report-2015 2/13
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Meet the travel industry’s power brokers:a dozen experts with unparalleled
experience and a peerless ability todiscern what you want from your nexttrip.
her interest in anthropology.Lindblad works closely withexperts on the ground, piecingtogether complex, highlypersonalized itineraries thatmay include historianledwalking tours, shopping insouks, and Masaiguidedsafaris. !"hen # plan a trip, #consider the whole story$theraison d’%tre for goingsomewhere$as # develop eachindividual day,& Lindbladexplains.Trend watch 'n increasing
a private calligraphy lesson. Trend watch (ubin predicts growth in travel to )angzhouthanks to its preserved culturalheritage, natural beauty, andstellar 'man and *our +easonsproperties.
★ TOP HOTELS: *ind the
best hotels in ei-ing
Anne MorganScully
PriscillaAlexander
Known or )er ability to expertly
pair clients with one of her
hundreds of employees, but she
does more than manage.
'lexander loves talking to
travelers$both longstanding and
potential clients$about the details
of their trips. +he’s also constantly
on the road, often taking detours
from business trips to visit upand
coming destinations. 'fter a
recent visit to 'rgentina, she
spent three days in (io de /aneiro
to check in on the pre0lympics
progress1 on her way back from an
'mazon cruise, she stopped in
2anama 3ity. !#t’s important to be
an active participant in the
industry you’re promoting,& she
says. !"anderlust has never left
me.&
★ 4op )otels #n2anama 3ity
Trend watch !5verything old is new again,& 'lexander says.
5urope bookings are the strongest
she has seen in years, and not
only to #taly and other popular
"estern 5uropean countries:
5astern 5urope$especially
3roatia, Montenegro, and )ungary
$are resurgent a!ong luxury
tra"elers#
3ontact Protravel International,
New York City; 212/651-2101;
priscillaprotravelinc.co!.
$Maita%arrenechea6nown for )er local expertise andhandson approach to travel
management throughout
'rgentina, 3hile, and 7ruguay. !#
believe it takes discernment as
much as contacts,& arrenechea
says. !# can open doors, but more
importantly, # understand what
door to open for every traveler.&
arrenechea has done more than
follow regional travel trends in her
89year career, she has shaped
them$through supporting hotel
and estancia openings, promoting
responsible travel, and working
with organizations that preserve
cultural treasures.
Trend watch 7ruguay continues
to grow in popularity. 4ravelers
are planning trips to hotels, such
as 2laya ik and ahia ik in /os;
#gnacio, more than a year out.
4he coastal area of 3armelo,
known for its vineyards and polo
<elds, is also getting more
attention, with new bouti=ue inns
such as *inca y >ran-a ?arbona
and 2osada 3ampotinto.
&ontact "a#10, $%enos &ires;
5'-11/6(60-'060;!aita!ai10. co!.ar.
$ 'ac( S# E)on Known or 5zon is adept at
planning bespoke trips, but has
made his name by organizing
dozens of global celebrations
each year. )is little black book of
event contacts, from the best
@orists in (ome to choice wedding
photographers in the +outh of
*rance, gives him his competitive
edge, as does a team of dedicated
party planners that includes a
romance concierge for
honeymoons and anniversaries.
5zon is also an expert on >enA
and >enB vacationers, a fast
growing segment of the travel
market. 4hough these younger
travelers traditionally like to be
heavily involved in trip planning,
he notes a growing number are
handing the reins entirely over to
his team: !5ven the Millennials
are burned out on the C#A model.&
Trend watch 3lients are
willing to splurge when access is a
concern, 5zon notes, but they’re
still looking for good values,
especially during the shoulder
season. !4hey have no =ualms
pushing for the best price they
can get.&
3ontact )vation *acations, New
York City; 212/+2-(26(; eon
ovationtravel.co!.
$Lisa Lind*lad6nown for ringing an intellectual
approach to travel planning,
attributed sometimes to
number of single travelers,both male and female, areplanning entire -ourneysaround their interests andpassions. Lindblad -ustarranged a monthlong, golffocused trip to ?ew Dealand fora male client, and a global foodadventure for a woman on athreemonth sabbatical.3ontact isa inla ravel
3esi4n, New York City; 212/(6-
255'; lisalisalinla.co!.
$Mary Ann +a!sey Known or ' deep commitment
to extensive ontheground
research. (amsey travels to u,-
and-co!ing and in-de!and
destinations throughout the
year. #n each place, she makes a
point of staying in multiple hotels,
taking numerous guided tours,
and experiencing excursions from
several operators to <nd options
that best match the interests and
personalities of her clients. +he
also documents their longterm
dream trips Eshe calls herself !the
travel e=uivalent of a <nancial
planner&F and reports back on
destinations that make their
bucket lists.
Trend watch (amsey thinks that
wildlifefocused expedition
cruising is still in its infancy and
will gather even more interest in
the coming years.
3ontact $etty "aclean ravel,
Naples, la.; 2+/51+-0+++;
!aryannetty!acleantravel.
co!.
$uy +u*in6nown for eing one o the !ost
sought-ater tour o,erators in
&hina or luxury tra"el, a <eldthat has changed dramatically in
the GH years that he’s been in the
industry. (ubin exhaustively
researches new openings$the
anyan 4ree +hanghai1 the
Mandarin 0rientals in >uangzhou
and +hanghai$and cultivates
local contacts that lead to insider
experiences: a helicopter ride
from ei-ing to the >reat "all,
instruction in the game of wei7i,
or
6nown for ringing the right
people together when they travel.
+cully introduces her clients to
artists, chefs, historians, and
architects Edepending on their
interestsF to deepen the impact of
each -ourney. !Aou have to design
a trip based on who the client is,
not simply the destination.& +he is
also mindful of places that oIer
great value, acknowledging that
even the most aJuent travelers
appreciate this.
Trend watch More travelers are looking for villa rentals in 5urope,
especially in *rance. !4here are
incredible properties in wine
regions that are still close to
ma-or cities,& +cully says. !)aving
a private house is also an ideal
setup for families.&
3ontact "cCae 8orl ravel,
"cean, *a.; (0+/(62-5055;
anne !ccaeworl.co!.
$Palla"i ShahKnown or elieving that a
vacation begins the moment you
start planning it. +hah bringstravelers into the trip
development process to make
them feel invested in the
experience and to give them <nal
approval of every last detail. 0nce
her clients depart, she checks in
on them personally and through
ground operators to make sure
each hotel, tour, and restaurant is
to their liking.
Trend watch #n #ndia,
where +hah maintains a second
residence, she’s noticed a
growing number of re=uests for
!-ourneys that touch the soul,& asshe puts it. 4hat could mean
attending the "orld +u< +pirit
*estival, in /odhpur, or indulging
in ancient ayurvedic treatments
at a mountainside wellness
resort.
3ontact )%r Personal 9%est, New
York City; 6'6/2'-2'5'; op4ny
o%rpersonal4%est.co!.
7/26/2019 List Of Top 100 Travel Agents, Hotels & Destinations - A Report 2015
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402 57(025'?)045L+ L#+4
.athalie .agy#nsider clout ' parttime resident
of udapest, ?agy travels
fre=uently throughout the region.
#n ienna, she can coordinate
private visits to the heritage brand
Lobmeyr’s glass bouti=ue and
8erkstatt EworkshopF, where
artisans handcraft the city’s iconic
etched and painted glasswork.
Aears as agent GK. 0ther
specialty Mexico.
A-List europe
%o* Preston?ew favorite 4he 'uberge du /eu
de 2aume, -ust 8 minutes from
3harles de >aulle #nternational
'irport, backs onto the stunning
3hNteau de 3hantilly, one of
*rance’s most beautiful
properties. 4he 98room resort
has e=uestrian programs1 one of
its restaurants, La 4able du
3onn;table, was awarded a
Michelin star1 and its spa has
pampering winebasedtreatments.
★ Hotel watch/ 'ustria Aears as agent K.
0ther specialty #taly.
$ 0aron 0ari!i5xcited about 2aris’s 2uces de +t.
0uen @ea market, now home to
2hilippe +tarck’s Ma 3ocotte, a
trendy cafeteriastyle restaurant.
4he large dining room overlooks
an open kitchen where classic
2arisian dishes are prepared1
Aarimi encourages clients to head
to the terraces beside the second
@oor cocktail lounge for a view ofthe shoppers below.
Aears as agent 8O. 0ther specialty #taly.
3ontact rosc:, New York City;
212/('-0+1; yaron.yari!i
rosc:.co!.
>ermany
1irginia iordano ★?ew favorite erlin’s Proom Cas
+tue hotel, housed in the circa
G9Q’s former Canish 5mbassy.
#ts lobby and common spaces$by
turns playful and austere$weredecorated by +panish interior
designer 2atricia 7r=uiola. Con’t
miss +tue ar, where tapas and
cocktails are served in grand
rooms that face the 4iergarten,
erlin’s answer to 3entral 2ark.
Aears as agent G9.
)otel watch:>ermany
Elisa*eth Landry 4op tip #t is a >erman tradition to meet friends for coIee and cakein the afternoon. #n Munich, you’ll<nd the best pastries and a lively
atmosphere at 6aIee (ichard and
*orest torte,& Landry says. Aears as agent QR.
0ther specialty #taly.
★ Hotel watch/
Cenmark
>reece
Mina Agnos5xcited about 4he *unky >ourmet
restaurant, in 'thens, which oIers
creative, modern takes on >reek
classics Elamb yo%vetsi; :oriatiki
saladF. Cishes are beautifully
presented and served with high
design utensils. "ine pairings
often include >reek bottles.
Aears as agent G8.
0ther specialties #taly and
5gypt.
★ Hotel watch/ >reece
$Kelly Shea?ew favorite 4he 'manzoe,
'manresorts’ <rst property in
>reece. +urrounded by olive
groves on the 2eloponnese, the
QP freestanding pavilion rooms
have private pools and 'egean
+ea views. !4he hotel is also close
to many of the area’s key
archaeological sites$5pidaurus,
Mycenae, and ancient 3orinth,
among others,& +hea says.
Aears as agent 8H. 0therspecialty 4urkey.
3ontact <elly =:ea ravels,
Car!el, In.; +1(/05-5((0;
kellykellys:eatravels.co!.
&hristos Stergiou+pecial booking ' look at >reek
culture, past and present, that
included private tours of ancient
sites and lesserknown museums,
galleryhopping with a >reek art
expert, a traditional 3retan dinner
in the 0ld 4own of (ethymnon,
and a discussion of the origins of
the >reek <scal crisis over dinner
with +tergiou himself, a +tanford
trained <nancial expert.
Aears as agent 9.
0ther specialties 4urkey and
#taly.
3ontact r%e9reece, "aro%ssi,
9reece; 00/1(-(0;c:ristos tr%e4reece.co!.
property in 0ia, +antorini. ?inesuites Eand GR more on thewayF have white 3ycladicstyleinteriors and polishedconcretepools with cliIsideMediterranean views. Aears as agent G.
0ther specialty 4urkey.
3ontact >ellenic >oliays, New
York City; 212/''-2;
pissi!os:ellenic:oliays.co
!.
#reland
$&arol &ornell#nsider clout "ith more than R
trips to #reland under her belt,
3ornell knows how to put amateur
genealogists and ancestor
seekers in touch with historians,
church members who keep grave
records, and pub owners whose
establishments have historic
family ties. !# also set up dinners
with locals, so travelers can
couple discoveries from the past
with an understanding of #reland’s
present,& 3ornell says.
Aears as agent Q.
0ther specialty #taly.3ontact Covin4ton ravel, ort
8ayne, In.; 260/'+2-55;
carolccovin4tontravelinc.co
!.
#taly
2ili,,o &uringa ★+pecial booking 3uringa
arranged a dinner$
accompanied by a live orchestra
$at the feet of Michelangelo’s
3avi in the 'ccademia >allery
in *lorence, which was opened
afterhours exclusively for his
clients.
Aears as agent GK.3ontact I3I ravel, *enice;
+-0'1/5+-62; ?lippo
iitravel.co!.
$ 'oyce 2alcone 4op tip *alcone, cofounder of a
+low *ood chapter in her
hometown of 'spen, tells #taly
bound clients to look for the
c:iocciola EsnailF emblem that
+low *ood restaurants often place
on their doors or entryways to
signify their commitment to
regional produce and recipes.
Aears as agent GK. 0ther specialty +icily.
3ontact @oyce alconeA:e
Italian Concier4e, &spen,
Colo.; (0/5''-+(; ino
italianconcier4e.co!.
who will blend wines to theirspeci<cations, create bottleswith personalized labels, andsend cases back home. "hileat the vineyard, travelers mayalso experience a traditional
4uscan lunch with winepairings. Aears as agent QR.
0ther specialty +mallship
cruises.
7/26/2019 List Of Top 100 Travel Agents, Hotels & Destinations - A Report 2015
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3ontact @o%rneys Peak ravel,
Portlan, )re.; 66/2(-105;
cla!ontpeaktravel.co!.
'udy .uss*au!?ew favorite 4he villa and hotel
complex of Monteverdi, in the
village of 3astiglioncello del
4rinoro in 4uscany. #ts range of
options, from stylish hotel rooms
to a restored sixbedroom house,
can comfortably accommodate
both couples and families.
Aears as agent Q8.
0ther specialties *rance and cruises.
3ontact Bni7%e ravel o Pal!
$eac:, 3elray $eac:, la.; 561/
'5-5((5;
%yn%ni7%etrav.co!.
Andrea SertoliCiscovery 4he eightroom Monaci
delle 4erre ?ere, in +icily, which
sits on the slopes of the active
Mount 5tna volcano. 4he owner
has enormous respect for the
environment, and it shows: the
lush estate retains a rustic sense
of place and is partly fueled by
solar energy.
Aears as agent GP. 0ther
specialty 3roatia.
3ontact =elect Italy, C:ica4o;
00/((-1(55;
anreaselectitaly. co!.
Mar3orie Shaw+pecial booking "hen an
'merican wanted to make contact
with her longlost relatives in the
'bruzzo region southeast of
(ome, +haw managed to locate
the family and sent her client with
a driver and translator. 4he
'merican left with not only a
deeper connection to herancestors but also a secret recipe
for meat loaf that had been
passed down for generations.
Aears as agent 8R.
0ther specialty )oneymoons.
3ontact "arorie =:aws Insiers
Italy, $ronDville, N.Y.; 1'/'(0-
1612; inoinsiersitaly.co!.
(ussia
reg Te,,er5xcited about 2lyos, a charming
rural town <ve hours north of
Moscow where dachas, or summer
villas, dot the rolling countryside.
'merican travelers are -ust
discovering this remote gem. !4he
best way to explore the area is on
a sleigh ride in the winter or a
carriage ride along the river in the
summer,& 4epper advises.
Aears as agent G9.
0ther specialty 5astern 5urope.
3ontact EDeter International,
a!pa, la.; 1+/251-5+55;
4re4eDeterinternational.co
!.
+candinavia
&arol Ar(lind 4op tip #f you can’t get a
reservation at ?oma, try ror,
which was opened in 'pril by two
of ?oma’s former souschefs. 4he
RHseat restaurant is already
garnering stellar reviews for its
?orthern 5uropeanSinspiredcomfort foods, such as salted
pollock, a rich white <sh, served
with fennel.
Aears as agent 8R.
0ther specialty 7nited 6ingdom.
3ontact Caence, a @olla, Cali.;
25/+0-(0'; arktravel
caencetravel.co!.
Tor 'ensen+pecial booking /ensen recently
planned a fourman, threeweek
expedition across >reenland on
dogsleds. !4here were no stops
other than tented overnights onthe ice cap,& he says of the once
inalifetime adventure.
Aears as agent 8.
0ther specialty +outheast 'sia.
3ontact @ensen 8orl ravel,
8il!ette, Ill.; 00/5+-6(+6;
torensenworltravel.co!.
+cotland
&laire Schoeder+pecial booking +choeder threw
an overthetop party for a family
staying in a private castle in
#nverness. 4he entire clan was
<tted with traditional )ighland
dress for a day that includedwhisky tastings, falconry, bagpipe
lessons, and a formal dinner with
+cottish dancing on the castle
lawn. 4he next morning a piper
woke everyone for breakfast.
Aears as agent 8G.
0ther specialty 5ngland.
3ontact Cent%ry ravel, &tlanta;
'0'/+2'-'011;
clairecent%rytvl. co!.
+pain
1irginia 4rurita#nsider clout Madridbased #rurita
has strong ties to local chefs. *or
one food lover, she arranged a
day of mushroom foraging in
Caroca de (io-a, in northern
+pain, with chef #gnacio
5chapresto of the Michelinstarred
enta Moncalvillo, followed by a
private cooking class in
5chapresto’s kitchen.
Aears as agent GO.
0ther specialty *ood and wine.
3ontact "ae or =pain, "ari;
+'/1-''-(2(5; vir4inia
!aeorspain.co!.
'udith 5ol 5xcited about 4he (outes of
+efarad, a network of 8G cities
that highlights the history of the
/ews who lived in +pain before
the #n=uisition. 4he organizationis also an excellent resource for
<nding specialized guides and
ancient synagogues, and for
travelers looking to trace their
ancestral roots.
Aears as agent 8P.
0ther specialties 4urkey and #taly.
3ontact rosc: ravel, 3eer?el,
Ill.; '(/'-5+00; %it:.wol
rosc:.co!.
+pain and 2ortugal
'oel A# 6ac( =ee =%per-&4ents.
+witzerland
4lene Koenig?ew favorite 'dventure travelers
shouldn’t miss the 4itlis 3liI "alk
near 5ngelberg, the highest
suspension bridge in 5urope. #t’s
G, feet above sea level, QQ
feet long, and only <ve feet wide$
and it hovers G,O feet in the air
above a glacier.
Aears as agent 8P. 0therspecialty +kiing.
3ontact ets ravel Fa ivision o
Plaa ravelG, =anta "onica, Cali.;+10/'51-505, eDt. 125; ilene
letstravel-s!.co!.
europe A-List
4urkey
2rederic( Poe5xcited about 4he formerly
'rmenian city of 'ni, close to
4urkey’s eastern border, for its
windswept countryside and
incredible medieval ruins that
were only recently opened to
the public.
Aears as agent OQ.
0ther specialty 5astern 5urope.
3ontact Poe ravel, ittle Hock,
&rk.; 00/(2(-160; poe
poetravel.co!.
7nited 6ingdom
Ellen Le&o!,te+pecial booking Le3ompte, who
has a cottage in the 3otswolds,
loves to give clients a sense of
local ritish traditions by
arranging for them to attend
private events$ -ousting
matches1 horseracing trials1 car
rallies$at historic estates in the
5nglish countryside.
Aears as agent 88.
0ther specialty 'frica.3ontact $rownell ravel,
Hic:!on, *a.; 0'/+5+-00(5,
eDt. +;
ellenlrownelltravel.co!.
Linda M# +ay!er★5xcited about 4he /ewish Museum
London in 3amden, which
reopened a few years ago after a
TGO million renovation. #t traces
the /ewish community in ritain
back to the time of "illiam the
3on=ueror.
Aears as agent Q.0ther specialties +witzerland
and ?apa alley.
3ontact ravelink, &!erican
EDpress ravel, Nas:ville;
615/2((-51'6;
lina.ray!er
travelink.co!.
Susie 5orthy#nsider clout #f you want access,
"orthy delivers$and then some.
'fter her clients attended a
private dinner party at
uckingham 2alace, she rented
them a boat on the 4hames for a
frontrow seat at the Ciamond /ubilee 2ageant.
Aears as agent QH.
0ther specialty 2aris.
3ontact Note8ort:y, onon; ''-
20/+051-5165;
s%sienotewort:y. co.%k.
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A-List u.s. U canada
A Historic &orner King roo! at
the 5ythe Hotel7 in
5illia!s*urg7 %roo(lyn 8see
A!y lass9#
3ontact rosc:, =an "ateo,
Cali.; 650/+(+-''25;
e.p:illipsrosc:.co!.
★ 4op hotels in?apa alley,california
Michelle Murr:★
grits and sausage. Aears as agent G9.
0ther specialty +witzerland.
3ontact rosc: ravel, New York
City; 212/('-0265;
lina.kiak rosc:.co!.
★ 4op hotels in ?ew Aork city
A!y lass 4op tip +o many travelers limit themselves to Manhattan, but
rooklyn should be a re=uired
stop. 4o get a taste of the
borough’s diversity, >lass
suggests heading to 4anoreen, in
ay (idge, known for its authentic
2alestinian dishes. #f you want to
overnight in rooklyn, opt for a
room in the new Kroom "ythe
)otel, in "illiamsburg.
Aears as agent QO.
0ther specialty 3osta (ica.
3ontact Protravel International,
New York City; 212/'0-5'0;
a!yprotravelinc.co!.
"estern 7.+.
Harold &# 'en(ins
5xcited about 4he littleknown
town of uIalo, "yoming, tucked
into the foothills of the ig )orn
Mountains. +tay at the 0ccidental
)otel, steeped in 0ld "est history.
2ast guests include 4eddy
(oosevelt and 3alamity /ane, and
the GK rooms have names like
0utlaw and 2rairie 3owboy. #n the
)awaii
&arolyne%randon5xcited about 4he 7lupalakua ineyards, where rows of
grapes overlook the 2aci<c from
Maui’s mountains. ' handful of
the estate’s specialty wines,
such as the sparkling )ula 0
Maui, are made with local
pineapples.
Aears as agent QG. 0ther
specialty 3ruises.
3ontact <o%r &!erican EDpress
ravel, Newport $eac:, Cali.;
650/2'-2+'';
carolyne.ranon alto%r.co!.
;arlene
Mul(ewich 4op tip 0n the ig #sland, you can
cruise on *air "ind’s >%la <ai
luxury catamaran to a lovely spot
for snorkeling and scuba diving.
4hey’ll even lend you a standup paddleboard for theafternoon. Aears as agent 8H. 0therspecialty 'laska.
3ontact <o%r &!erican EDpress ravel, )ak $rook, Ill.; 00/5+5-
''5, eDt. 11;
arlene.!%lkewic: alto%r.co!.
Edward Philli,s
Ciscovery Musician )enry 6apono
plays at Cuke’s restaurant in
"aikiki on most +unday evenings.
!#t’s a scene right out of a /immy
uIett song: there’s tropical
music, fresh seafood, and fruity
cocktails$and a global crowd
dancing to 6apono’s island
inspired rhythms with a rockand
roll twist,& 2hillips says.
Aears as agent 8Q.
0ther specialty +pain.
#nsider clout Murr; likes to
combine ?apa alley’s food and
wine experiences with its
gorgeous natural surroundings by
sending clients to the /aIe 5state,
a winery that is closed to the
public but accessible to her
through personal connections.
4ravelers can sample the estate’s
extraordinary 3abernets, see the
professionalgrade telescope in
owner >ary /aIe’s private
observatory, and en-oy a private
dinner with wine pairings under
the stars.
Aears as agent 9. 0ther specialty #taly.
3ontact &%rine, =an rancisco;
'15/(6-+6; !ic:elle
a%rinetravel.co!.
?ew 0rleans
Linda Ki*a( ?ew favorite 4he )otel Mazarin, in
the heart of the *rench Vuarter,
where G8 rooms overlook either
the neighborhood’s historic
buildings or a =uiet 5uropeanstyle
interior courtyard. 4he
complimentary breakfast includes
+outhern staples such as
0ccidental +aloon, 8Q bullet holes
pepper the walls and ceiling$the
bartender has the whole story.
Aears as agent 8O.
0ther specialty +kiing.
3ontact Corporate *acations
&!erican EDpress, ake orest,
Ill.; 615/(1'-1(;
:arol.enkins
corpvacations.co!.
;e*orah Tre"ino+pecial booking 4revino reserved a
helicopter to drop a pair of
adventure enthusiasts at the top
of a remote ski run at 'lyeska(esort, in 'laska. 't the bottom of
the slopes, a dogsled waited to
take them to a romantic lunch in
the mountains1 with champagne
on hand to celebrate, the client
proposed to his girlfriend.
Aears as agent 8.
0ther specialty 'ustralia.
3ontact >oson ravel,
Naperville, Ill.; 6+0/+-
000;
trevino:osontravel.co!.
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mexico U central U south america A-List
Maita%arrenechea=ee =%per-&4ents.
'rgentina and 3hile
'ordan Har"ey ★#nsider clout )arvey, who once
lived on a 2atagonian dairy farm,
has relationships with many
familyowned haciendas and
vineyards that aren’t typically
open to the public. 't the /ulio
ouchon winery, in 3hile’s Maule
alley, travelers can dine with the
family and ride horses through
the 9GRacre property.
Aears as agent R.
0ther specialty 2eru.
W 4op )otels in
uenos 'ires'rgentina
razil
Martin2ran(en*erg?ew favorite 4he otani=ue )otel
U +pa, the <rst truly
sophisticated hotel in the
mountains outside of +Xo 2aulo.
4he sixsuite, GGvilla property is
not only architecturally striking
and ecoconscious, it also
showcases the area’s natural and
cultural draws: razilian music
plays in common areas1 therestaurant’s chef forages for
fresh fruits and vegetables1 and
along with pillow, wine, and cigar
menus, the hotel oIers a
selection of waters curated by a
local geologist.
Aears as agent G8.
0ther specialty illa rentals.
3ontact "at%ete, =o Pa%lo,
$rail; 66/(0-552;
!artin !at%ete.co!.
Paul 4r"ine#nsider clout 4o tap in to the
emerging visualarts scene in (io,
#rvine turns to internationally
renowned artist Marcos 3haves, a
bornandbred 3arioca and
current resident of the bohemian
+anta 4eresa neighborhood, to
lead tours of his favorite places,
including galleries, friends’
studios, and private homes.
Aears as agent G.
0ther specialty 'rgentina.
W 4op )otels in
+antiago 3hile
3hile
Sil3a Tor*org?ew favorite 4he (efugia hotel,
with G8 oceanfacing rooms, on
the 3hilo; archipelago oI central3hile. 4he architecture is smart
and sustainable, and includes
highdesign elements$<replaces,
furnishings, art$by local artisans.
' new airport has made the island
more accessible.
Aears as agent GK.
0ther specialty *ood and wine.
3ontact rails o C:ile, P%erto
*aras, C:ile; 56-65/566-6(1;
sila trailsoc:ile.cl.
5cuador
Tatiana 'ohnston5xcited about 4he rehabilitation of
(onda +treet Ealso called 3alle
MoralesF, a lovely colonial
thoroughfare in Vuito. 'fter much
investment, the oncedownonits
luck 0ld 4own artery is lined with
stylish bouti=ues and restaurants
as well as traditional sweetshops,
hardware stores, and local
markets.
Aears as agent GK.
0ther specialty 2eru.
3ontact $i4 ive o%rs J
EDpeitions, =t%art, la.; 00/
2''-+'+;
tatianai4?ve.co!.
>alYpagos #slands
%rian Morgan?ew favorite 4he GHpassenger
)cean =pray catamaran,
operated by )augan 3ruises,which sails on eightday
>alYpagos trips. #ts spacious
cabins have modern interiors and
private balconies. 4here’s also an
outdoor whirlpool, a large
sundeck and lounge, and a
restaurant with alfresco dining.
Aears as agent GR.
0ther specialty 2eru.
3ontact &vent%re ie, "isso%la,
"ont.; 00/+''-611;
4alapa4os avent%re-lie.co!.
Mexico
6achary +a*inorCiscovery 4he 88room hotel o, on the site of an 'rt Ceco building
in 3hiapas’s +an 3ristZbal de las
3asas. ' playful mashup of
Midcentury Modern furniture and
traditional design elements, the
hotel incorporates natural
materials from the surrounding
regions, giving it a strong sense of
place.
Aears as agent G.
0ther specialty 3entral 'merica.
3ontact @o%rney "eDico, P%erto
*allarta, "eDico; 00/51+-15(;
ac:o%rney!eDico.co!.
3entral and +outh 'merica
E!!anuel %urgio#nsider clout urgio organized a
trip for a renowned photographer
who wanted to take aerial shots
across +outh 'merica. 4hanks to
lue 2arallel’s close relationships
with national park directors and
country o[cials, urgio was able
to obtain permits to @y over
restricted areas in the >alYpagos
#slands, Machu 2icchu, and
Mayan ruins in the AucatYn.
Aears as agent GG.
0ther specialty 2rivate villas.
3ontact $l%e Parallel, Poto!ac,
".; 00/256-5+0(;
e!!an%el l%eparallel.co!.
MarisolMos<uera?ew favorite 2alacio ?azarenas
from 0rient5xpress, housed in a
GHthcentury former convent in
3uzco, 2eru. 4he OO rooms$all
oxygenated to provide relief from
the GG,foot altitude$have
2eruvianmarble bathrooms,
espresso bars, and native art and
historic artifacts. #t’s one of many
exciting developments in3uzco’s hotel scene. Aears as agent GH.
3ontact &racari ravel
Cons%ltin4, i!a, Per%;
+12/2+-(26;
!arisolaracari.co!.
+outh 'merica
&arlos L# 2ida5xcited about 'dventure travel
for all levels of experience$*ida
led a group of clients ranging in
age from 8P to K8$through
2atagonia, especially 3hile’s
4orres del 2aine ?ational 2ark.
*ida can set up mountainbiking,
kayaking, and hiking excursions,
as well as overnights in family
owned ranches and small hotels.
Aears as agent QO.
0ther specialty 'dventure.
3ontact Pan&!erican ravel
=ervices, =alt ake City;
00/+6'-'+5;
c?aw?ntl.co!.
%eth 'en(insCiscovery *or families, the all
inclusive Cos Lagos Lodge, on
the RR8,acre 3erro 3astillo
?ational (eserve in 3hilean
2atagonia. !#t’s only accessible
by boat or helicopter, making it
incredibly private, with activities
such as horseback riding,
<shing, and kayaking, keeping
all ages engaged,& /enkins says.
Aears as agent R.
0ther specialty )oneymoons.
W 4op )otels in 2unta
del 5ste 7ruguayEric Sheets+pecial booking +heets, whose
professional sweet spot is
combining the >alYpagos with
other +outh 'merican
destinations, planned a wedding
for a couple who wanted to marry
among Carwin’s famous islands
under a full moon. 4he chartered
yacht was e=uipped with a
violinist, band, and minister1 after
the ceremony, the couple @ew to
3artagena, 3olombia, for their
honeymoon.
Aears as agent GK. 0ther specialty 3uba.
3ontact atin EDc%rsions, $al
>aro%r, la.; +05/+56-',
eDt. 100;
ericlatineDc%rsions.co!.
+outh 'merican *ood U "ine
Li) &as(ey ★?ew favorite ocanariz, a hip
wine bar in +antiago’s ellas
'rtes
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'sia
;iane E# HilliardCiscovery 4he village of Mae )ong
+on, in northern 4hailand, where
you can ride elephants, visit a
local hill tribe by boat, and$best
of all$get a 4hai massage at 2hu
6lon 3ountry 3lub )ealth Mud +pa
for about TG.
Aears as agent RG.
0ther specialty Middle 5ast.
3ontact >illiar )laner ravel,
=tillwater, "inn.; 651/+0(-225;
iane:illiarolaner.co!.
'anet Moore5xcited about 4racing the urma
(oad from western 3hina to
(angoon, urma. 4ravelers make
their way through emeraldgreen
4n the lounge o the Palace
Hotel To(yo7ad3acent to the
city=s 4!,erialardens 8see
;u> Tri!*le9#
rice paddies, fertile valleys,and the >aoligong Mountains,known for their forests and<elds of sugarcane, coIee, andpapaya. +tops in urma
include +againg, famous for itsmonasteries, and the templestudded 2agan. Aears as agent 8P.
0ther specialty Middle 5ast.
3ontact 3istant >orions, on4
$eac:, Cali.; 00/+++-12'0;
anet!istant-:orions.co!.
3hina
Stan odwyn W#nsider clout *or a traveler
passionate about 3hinese
porcelains, >odwyn arranged a
visit to the private 0B 3ultureand 3eramics Museum, in Bi’an,where she met with the curatorand was able to examine$andin some cases even handle$pieces from the early Mingdynasty. Aears as agent G9.
0ther specialty +outheast 'sia.
3ontact ravel=tore, =acra!ento,
Cali.; 00/2+-2((2 eDt. 5511;
stan.4travelstore.co!.
Karin Hansen?ew favorite 4he QGQroom *our
+easons ei-ing, the company’s
seventh property in 3hina. !#t’s a
cut above the rest,& )ansen says,
noting the impeccable service,
the spacious suites, and the
hotel’s artwork, which showcases
the city’s contemporary art
scene.
Aears as agent QH.
0ther specialties 4hailand and
3ambodia.
3ontact rosc: ravel, 3eer?el,
Ill.; 00/+2+-12(6;
karin.:ansen rosc:.co!.
uy +u*in=ee =%per-&4ents.
Laura 5ooCiscovery ' )ong 6ong expert,"oo cautions clients not to
leave the city without sampling
a an tat, or egg tart, from 4ai
3heong akery, at Lyndhurst 4errace.
Locals line up around the blockfor the hot, @aky pastry. Aears as agent QG. 0ther
specialty )awaii.
3ontact 8est Bniversity ravel,
>o%ston; 21/'(-20; woo
:al-pc.or4.
Mei 6hang#nsider clout *or a prominent 7.+.
architect, Dhang planned a
designfocused trip in ei-ing that
included a private tour of the
?ational 3enter for the 2erforming
'rts Ea.k.a. the 5ggF, a discussion
with a feng shui expert at the
4emple of )eaven, and a private
tour of the (em 6oolhaasS
designed 334 building.
Aears as agent GQ.
0ther specialty 4ibet.3ontact 8ilC:ina, $eiin4;
/02-0; !ei.:an4
wilc:ina.co!.
#ndia
'onny %eal*y?ew favorite 4he ot%s, a luxury
houseboat in the backwaters of
6erala. 4he two rooms come with
W ?ew to list advisory board
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teak @oors and furniture,dhurrie rugs, observationwindows, and privateverandas. 4ravelers canarrange onboard yoga lessonsand ayurvedic massages, andborrow the boat’s mountainbikes to explore the area’stemples and coconut groves. Aears as agent GG.
0ther specialty 2akistan.
3ontact 8il rontiers, onon;
00/'5'-100;
onnywilrontiers. co!.
&arole A#&a!*ata+pecial booking3ambata personally hosted a trip
visiting (a-asthani sights by
3essna 3itation private -et. #n
/odhpur, the group met the city’s
former mahara-ah for tea and
sailed on Lake 2ichola in a GO
yearold royal boat. #n a village
outside /aipur, a local opened his
house to them for a rooftop
dinner accompanied by
musicians.
Aears as agent Q8. 0ther
specialty hutan.
3ontact 9reaves o%rs, >i4:lan
Park, I ll.; 00/+1-(01;
cca!ata 4reavestvl.co!.
Ellison Poe5xcited about 4he city of
'mritsar, in the 2un-ab region of
northwestern #ndia. 4here are
grand sites$including +ri
)armandir +ahib, or the >olden
4emple$and rewarding
voluntourism opportunities. 2oe
often arranges for guests tovolunteer at a +ikh lan4ar Efree
communal kitchenF that feeds
thousands of people a day.
Aears as agent Q.
0ther specialty +ri Lanka.
3ontact Poe ravel, ittle Hock,
&rk.; 00/(2(-160; epoe
poetravel.co!.
AshishSanghra3(a?ew favorite +anghra-ka
loves the abouttoopen anyan
4ree in 6erala, #ndia, one of the
region’s few highend eco
sensitive hotels. Located on a
private island, the resort’s rooms
overlook the southern state’s
serene backwaters.
Aears as agent GQ.0ther specialty 6enya.
3ontact $i4 ive o%rs JEDpeitions, =t%art, la.; 00/2''-
+'+; as:is:i4?ve.co!.
Palla"i Shah=ee =%per-&4ents.
%o* 5atson 4op tip #f you go to Celhi, take
a city tour with the +alaam alak
4rust. 4he organization’s student
guides$many rescued from life
on the streets$lead tours of
where they used to live, usually
through backroads and slums
seldom seen by travelers.
Aears as agent 8P.
0ther specialty +outheast 'sia.
3ontact *alerie 8ilson ravel,New York City; 1'/(01-+215;
ow vwti.co!.
/apan
.ori(oTownsend5xcited about 'kiotacho, a small
town in southwestern /apan, for its
artisans and soft adventure
opportunities. )ike past waterfalls
in a forest to the +andankyo
>orge, known for its dramatic
canyon walls. ack in 'kiotacho,
stop at Aokohata 3raft +hop for
gorgeous, handcarved kitchenutensils.
Aears as agent GP.
0ther specialty +outheast 'sia.
3ontact <o%r &!erican EDpress
ravel/@apan In =tyle, ort Collins,
Colo.; ((/(+(-16'(; noriko.
townsenalto%r.co!.
;u> Tri!*le?ew favorite 4he
2alace )otel 4okyo, where many
rooms have balconies
overlooking the #mperial 2alace
grounds, a rare frontrow seat in
the capital. 4he hotel also has
an excellent set of restaurants$
from the sixseat tempura bar,
4atsumi, to the *renchin@ected
3rown$and a buzzy, seeand
beseen atmosphere.
Aears as agent G8.
3ontact 8ai-=ai @apan,
oronto; 6'(/'((-1(11;
%K wai-
saiapan.co!.
+outheast 'sia
&atherine Heald
+pecial booking )ealdplanned an overthetop alinese
wedding for a razilian couple
that began with a traditional
)indu wedding ceremony on a
beach$the couple, in alinese
dress, arrived via helicopter$
before moving to the prince of
ali’s palace, where guests
danced in the dozens of pavilions
and gardens.
Aears as agent 9.
0ther specialty 'sia.
3ontact He!ote ans, New York
City; 6'6/'15-02; cat:erine.
:ealre!otelans.co!.
'arrod Ho*son+pecial booking )obson
Eknown as !the #ndonesia guy&
among colleaguesF chartered a
modern version of a traditional
wooden spicetrading boat for a
family traveling around
#ndonesia’s 3oral 4riangle$what
biologists call the 'mazon of the+eas. etween trips to island
villages, clients can snorkel right
oI the boat to see exotic corals,
clown <sh, and pygmy sea horses.
Aears as agent GP.
3ontact &sia ranspaci?c
@o%rneys, $o%ler, Colo.;
00/6'2-2('2, eDt. 22+;
arro at.co!.
Sandee Litwin 4op tip 4iming is everything when
it comes to visiting 3ambodia’s
'ngkor "at. !)ave a private
guide take you at R:Q in the
morning,& she says. !#t’s muchcooler, you’ll miss the crowds,
and you’ll see the sunrise over
the temple domes.&
Aears as agent QG. 0ther
specialty 5urope.
3ontact itwin ravel, os
&n4eles; +10/'(0-(202;
sanee litwintravel.co!.
+e*eccaMa))aro;iscovery 4he obscure but
fabulous balloon festival in central
urma’s 4aunggyi, which takesplace every ?ovember. 4ribal
villagers fashion handmade paper
hotair balloons Eshapes range
from roosters to l ife size
elephantsF that are loaded with
candles and <reworks, released,
and eventually catch <re and
explode into a light show.
Aears as agent GO.0ther specialty #ndia.3ontact &sia ranspaci?c
@o%rneys, $o%ler, Colo.; 00/
6'2-2('2, eDt. 2++; reecca
asiatranspaci?c.co!.
Patric( O=&onnell+pecial booking *or
clients who wanted to see
ietnam’s )a Long ay but didn’t
have much time, 0’3onnell
chartered a helicopter to and
from )anoi. ' private boat tour of
the bay’s islands was followed by
a candlelit dinner in a limestone
cave$they were back in the city
by late evening.
Aears as agent GR.
3ontact &sia ranspaci?c
asia A-List
@o%rneys, $o%ler, Colo.; 00/
6'2-2('2, eDt. 2'2;
patat.co!.
;arlene +a"in?ew favorite angkok’s +iam
)otel, surrounded by palaces and
temples, on the 3hao 2hraya
(iver. 'll Q9 suites and villas have
plunge pools, as well as personal
butlers and 'rt Ceco lighting
<xtures and furnishings. Con’t
miss a 4hai twist on whiskey sodaat 3hon 4hai (estaurant.
Aears as agent GO.
0ther specialties 'frica and+outh 'merica.
3ontact 8orlview ravel, =anta
&na, Cali.; +0+/2-((;
arleneravin4!ail.co!.
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A?ST+AL4AMost international visitors to 'ustralia land in its oldest and
largest city, +ydney, whose population of R.O million sprawls fromthe city center of +ydney )arbor Ehome of the iconic 0pera
)ouse and )arbour ridgeF and 3entral usiness Cistrict to the
outlying suburbs of 2arramatta, ondi /unction and the ?orth
ern eaches. +ydney is 'ustralia’s cosmopolitan hub of architec
ture, fashion and business$but has a laidback beach culture,
which is distinctly Cown 7nder.
0n the weekends, +ydneysiders head to the lue Mountains
for urban salvation. 4he lue Mountains are a "orld )eritage
+ite, a rugged range of abrupt cliIs and deep valleys blanketed
with eucalyptus. 4he region is sacred territory for six aboriginal
groups, where +onglines$paths across the land Eor sometimes
the skyF that describe the location of landmarks, waterholes and
other natural phenomena$can be followed with a local guide.
4hrillseekers can <nd refuge canyoning, mountain biking and
kayaking through the vast national park.
'ustralia’s second most populous city is Melbourne, which
feels acutely more 5uropean due to its devotion to the arts and
buzzing caf; culture. #t’s a walkable city, with the Aarra (iver @ow
ing through its center. *ederation +=uare is its central gathering
place, a piazza bordered by busy restaurants and bars. +everal an
nual art festivals and a burgeoning gallery scene have put Mel
bourne on the map, but locals pride themselves on being well
rounded and downtoearth, so visitors should also not miss a
local sporting event at the Melbourne 3ricket 3lub or a horse
race at *lemington (acecourse.
'n hour southwest of Melbourne is the town of 4or=uay,
which is the starting point for one of 'ustralia’s most pho
tographed regions, >reat 0cean (oad. 4he iconic drive traces
GO miles along the rugged coastline, with plenty of excuses to
stop along the way. )ike the >reat 0cean "alk, which culmi
nates at 4he 4welve 'postles rock formation towering over a penguin colony, or take a surf lesson in ells each.
'ustralia’s most visited beaches comprise the area north of
risbane, known as the >old 3oast. +imilar to the coast of
*lorida, the >old 3oast is a whitesandbeach refuge for many
'ussies Eyoung and oldF from down south, many of whom visit
the beach and decide to never leave. 5xpect a builtup beach lined
with highrise hotels, theme parks and golf courses.
2erhaps the premier bucketlist attraction of visiting 'us
tralia is diving on the >reat arrier (eef. +tretching more than
G,8 miles, the system of psychedelichued coral, schools of
neon <sh and cartoonlike giant clams turns novice divers into
snobby scuba addicts.
Excited a*out 5xperiencing +ydney by water on a +ea +ydney cruise. 4he O8foot 2aci<c motorboat makes its way from the urbancenter to the outskirts, passing landmarks such as the +ydney 0pera )ouse and )arbour ridge. 4ravelers can take in the sights, kayak, and sunbathe.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
O +4'( )045L+ #? +AC?5A
.ew a"orite 4he 88Oacre 6ingsford )omestead, on the edge of +outh 'ustralia’s arossa alley. 0riginally built in GPOH as a sheep
station, it now has seven suites with crystal chandeliers, and L’0ccitane amenities in spacious bathrooms. 4he slow roasted arossa lamb at the farm
totable restaurant is a musttry.
O +4'( )045L+ #? A(0? 'A★ ★ ★ ★ ★
.ew a"orite 4he GProom 3icada Lodge, on the 6atherine (iver in the remote ?orthern 4erritory, for its contemporary design paired with local
'boriginal art and unusual excursions. )elicopters are available to take guests to faraway swimming holes and ancient rockart sites.
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★ ★ ★ ★ ★
. O +4'( )045L+ #? >0LC 30'+4
Excited a*out 'ustralian tour company Luxury 0utback 4ours’ new outback excursions. 5xplore remote areas like the >ibb (iver (oad
Ein the northwestF and 3ape Aork Ein the northeastF in a customized ( with reclining leather seats and a full galley kitchen. ' support vehicle zips
ahead to set up plush, safaristyle tents for overnights in the bush.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
. O +4'( )045L+ #? M5L07(?5
4nsider clout 0ne of /eIerson’s clients spent a day horseback riding through a private high country sheep station on the +outh #sland. )e
then -oined the owner at his house for a meal of local rabbit and lamb with ?ew Dealand’s preeminent landscape artist, >rahame +ydney, and poet
laureate rian 4urner.
O +tar )otels #n >eelong★ ★ ★ ★ ★.
;onna Tho!as 4op tip 4homas loves suggesting unexpected side trips. *or people headed to the +outh #sland, for example, she recommends a short hike to the
pristine 0hau waterfalls, where they may <nd baby seals playing in the spray.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★.
Susanne Ha!er5xcited about 0n her last trip, )amer discovered Mihiarii 2earls, a fantastic shop along one of 2apeete’s backstreets. !4hey have boxes of loose pearls
in all price ranges. 3hoose your favorites and they’ll make any -ewelry you like on the spot.&
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
+o*in Turner 4op tip #nter3ontinental guests at any *rench 2olynesian property can en-oy the facilities$the locker room, showers, pools, and the beach$at the
#nter3ontinental (esort 4ahiti, *aa’a Ethe closest to the international airportF before taking the redeye back to L'B.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
O +tar )otels #n )obart
or %ll :otel pro?les, visit hotel#co!#au#
+ome agents work for agencies owned by or a[liated with 'merican 5xpress, the parent company of this magazine. *ourteen are members E4''F1 we have
noted this in their entries..
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