KNOWN FOR: GOURMET TRAILS, OF COURSE
IT TAKES A FOODIE to start a bespoke travel brand aimed at other foodies. The home-grown Gourmet Trails was founded in 2011 by Pamela Tan (who founded parent company Reveplanner) and has gone on to satisfy many hungry Singaporeans since.
Food is the focus. Staff will go out of their way to make sure your cravings are catered to, whether you’re in a Michelin-starred restaurant in San Francisco, the Provence countryside, or the Peruvian jungle.
The team believes that good food doesn’t always mean fancy restaurants and white tablecloths, and it tries to pick places that support the local community. It can also arrange for you to meet the producers and artisans themselves, such as the truffle hunters of Croatia. “It’s a little ironic that Croatia produces some of the best white truffles, which then get exported to Italy,” says Pamela.
For an authentic ryokan stay that isn’t in Kyoto, head to Japan’s southern island of Kyushu, where the best ryokans – known only to locals – serve seasonal produce in true washoku style. While the ryokan staff don’t speak English, everything is taken care of by the team to ensure you get the most authentic and enjoyable experience.
Dietary or religious restrictions aren’t an issue, as personal assistant Irene Chua, 48, found out during a trip to Croatia. “My travelling companion had religious dietary constraints, but the team conducted thorough research to ensure we ate at halal restaurants or halal-friendly places. I’ve continued to use their services in Japan (twice), Hong Kong, Croatia and Slovenia and have always been impressed, given our specific budget,” says Irene.
Food for thought, then.
3 + 4. Ryokans in Japan’s southern island of Kyushu serve traditional washoku (seasonal Japanese food assembled as a full meal).
Superfly Ways to Join the Jet-set
FOUR SEASONS PRIVATE JET
Book a round-the-world trip on Four Seasons’ private Boeing 757 jet, with stays at the hospitality company’s properties. The leather seats are handcrafted in Italy, your blanket is woven from Mongolian cashmere, and the carpet is handwoven in Amsterdam. A travel concierge is on hand 24/7, with a travel planner, on-board chef, and doctor every step of the way.
The trips run from two to three weeks and span multiple continents. Chope quickly – all 2019 trips are fully booked. The next, “International Intrigue”, is in February 2020. From $194,000 a person. www.fourseasons.com/ privatejet
SPACE ADVENTURES
To infinity and beyond! If travelling around earth is too pedestrian for you, sign up for a trip to the International Space Station and do your moonwalk in space. Space Adventures is the only company sending tourists to space, having partnered with Russian space-flight corporation Roscosmos. The price, however, is astronomical (pun intended), at $50 million.
QUINTESSENTIALLY LIFESTYLE & TRAVEL
KNOWN FOR: GETTING YOU VIP ACCESS
THE TRAVEL ARM of the luxury lifestyle group provides VIP access to concerts, restaurants and more. It has arranged a private photo shoot in Versailles with no one around to photobomb shots; a supercar drive on ice in Iceland; and last-minute tickets to smashhit musical Hamilton.
It helps that the company has more than 60 offices worldwide, with experts specialising in art, aviation, events and other areas. “Our strength is our unparalleled ability to execute requests large and small,” says lifestyle manager Emmilia Yahaya. For instance, history buffs can revel in private, hosted access to the Vatican and Louvre, while fashion enthusiasts can view the archives of brands like Hermes and Chanel.
Entrepreneur Mila Huang went to Canada and the US, where she was able to literally eat breakfast at Tiffany’s and take a VIP helicopter tour of Manhattan and the Brooklyn Bridge.
“I’ve used other bespoke agencies, but none had the expertise and resources Quintessentially has. We were treated like royalty; I loved the pre-opening private tour of the Met, and dinner at three Michelin-starred Chef’s Table at Brooklyn Fare. A top stylist took us shopping, and we had access to a behind-the-scenes tour of Broadway,” raves Mila.
Emmilia says the company will arrange more expeditions to Africa and South America – hosted by award-winning conservationists and photographers – to keep up with increasing demand for philanthropic and purpose-driven travel where guests play an active part in research, observation, local outreach and education efforts.
JACADA TRAVEL
KNOWN FOR: ENVIRONMENTALLYCONSCIOUS TRAVELS
HELLO, GUILT-FREE TRAVEL – Jacada donates a portion of its profits from all trips to off set its carbon footprint not only on ground logistics and accommodation, but also international flights, in partnership with global NGO Sustainable Travel International.
Its responsible travel itineraries range from sojourns at organic coffee and chocolate farms in Costa Rica to stays at award-winning luxury eco-lodges in Kenya – with wildlife conservation projects that are done with and in support of the local communities.
“We teamed up with champion free diver and ocean conservationist Hanli Prinsloo (founder of ocean conservation trust I Am Water) to offer visitors to South Africa the chance to swim with humpback whales or dolphins, and give you an in-depth look at the amazing wildlife under the sea (in a sustainable way, of course),” says head of marketing for Asia, Samantha Wordsworth.
Travel blogger Lynn Yeo was impressed by her first trip with Jacada to South Africa, and engaged it for another trip to Tanzania. “Like many Singaporeans, I was worried I’d be eaten by lions or kidnapped, so asked Jacada to arrange my trip. I wanted to see as much of the country as possible during my first trip, which was meticulously planned. In Tanzania, my focus was watching the wildebeests crossing the Mara River,” says Lynn.
Lynn says that in addition to making sure the trip went smoothly, the guide was invaluable in helping her spot animals to photograph: “One moment I won’t forget is when we managed to get close to a lioness and her cub. She was so tired from moving her cubs through the night that she soon fell asleep on a rock, and the cub snuggled up to her face. It was so sweet.”
7. Local guides will ensure you have the best timing and location when you want to photograph the wildlife on the Tanzanian plains.
Budget | $20,000 for two people, including car and four/five-star hotels, or $40,000++ for luxury lodges, chauffeur and chartered flights/helicopters Website | www.jacadatravel.com
SCOTT DUNN
KNOWN FOR: THE MOST SPECIALISED ITINERARIES
SCOTT DUNN, one of the world’s largest bespoke travel agencies, is also recognised by The Telegraph as one of the best, and it emerged the winner in the Specialist Tour Operator category at Conde Nast Traveler’s 2018 Readers’ Travel Awards.
Aspiring shutterbugs should take advantage of Scott Dunn’s latest partnership with award-winning photographer Scott Woodward, who’ll coach you on achieving that perfect shot, whether you’re living with the gauchos in the wilds of Argentina, or marvelling at the spear-throwing festivities during Pasola in Sumba, Indonesia.
“We have brilliant relationships with the ground handlers in each destination to ensure we use the very best guides. Each travel consultant spends time visiting the countries they specialise in to develop first-hand knowledge of the area. We’re able to offer 24-hour service thanks to our global network,” says Sheena Seah, its worldwide travel specialist.
If traipsing through the wilderness isn’t your thing, head for Versailles, France, where the company can easily arrange a sumptuous meal by Alain Ducasse (whose restaurants have won many Michelin stars); your banquet table’s exquisite “Grand Siecle” centrepieces will add to an unforgettable dining experience. After that, tour the chateau for a nightcap.
8. Dine as nature intended in the Sossusvlei desert (where there’s no light pollution) before heading to Namibia’s Skeleton Coast.
ANTIPODEAN LUXURY TRAVEL
KNOWN FOR: JOURNEYS IN NEW ZEALAND AND AUSTRALIA
HOBBITS FRODO AND SAM may have had a hard time getting around Middle Earth, but you won’t if you traverse New Zealand (where The Lord of the Rings was filmed) and Australia with this Singapore-based company.
Have two weeks and lottery winnings to spare? The team will start you off at a private luxury camp in Antarctica to observe the polar bears before flying you to the stunning Otago region on New Zealand’s South Island for jetboating, hiking, wine tasting and stargazing. From there, a private plane takes you over Uluru, Australia, before immersing you in Aboriginal culture. Finish your trip with VIP private shopping in Sydney, a private cruise in Darling Harbour, and a party.
“Our company is run by New Zealanders who have lived in Australia, so we have in-depth knowledge of the region and get to know our guests so we can tailor the trip to their interests,” says CEO Alexandra Stewart.
“The term ‘luxury travel’ did intimidate me and my husband as we had a budget, but we went ahead with Antipodean. It was the right choice – bespoke luxury travel can cater for average people like us,” says former air import billing executive Adeline Wong, on her first time using a bespoke travel service.
9. A private photo shoot in Waitomo’s glowing caves can be sorted easily.
10. Antipodean guarantees no orcs in your Hobbiton adventure.
Let Your Hobby Decide Your Holiday
LIKE PHOTOGRAPHY?
You can book a photography workshop through Magnum Photos, or a travel photography masterclass with the pros from National Geographic. The Magnum ones are site-specific: You book a class you like (portraits, nature) and attend it in whichever city it’s conducted in. The Nat Geo trips take you to places that are, well, Nat Geo-ish.
LIKE NOT DYING?
Bear Grylls (Man Vs Wild) conducts survival courses that cater to either solo adventurers or families looking for outdoor fun. No, you won’t have to suffer a jungle trek (unless you want to), but you can take primal survival courses and water-rafting trips.
www.beargrylls.com/ survival-academy
Superfly Ways to Join the Jet-set
FOUR SEASONS PRIVATE JET
Book a round-the-world trip on Four Seasons’ private Boeing 757 jet, with stays at the hospitality company’s properties. The leather seats are handcrafted in Italy, your blanket is woven from Mongolian cashmere, and the carpet is handwoven in Amsterdam. A travel concierge is on hand 24/7, with a travel planner, on-board chef, and doctor every step of the way.
The trips run from two to three weeks and span multiple continents. Chope quickly – all 2019 trips are fully booked. The next, “International Intrigue”, is in February 2020. From $194,000 a person. www.fourseasons.com/ privatejet
SPACE ADVENTURES
To infinity and beyond! If travelling around earth is too pedestrian for you, sign up for a trip to the International Space Station and do your moonwalk in space. Space Adventures is the only company sending tourists to space, having partnered with Russian space-flight corporation Roscosmos. The price, however, is astronomical (pun intended), at $50 million. www.spaceadventures.com
