list of top 100 travel agents, hotels & destinations - a report 2015

7/26/2019 List Of Top 100 Travel Agents, Hotels & Destinations - A Report 2015

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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!.

http://www.hotel.com.au/beijing.htm



http://www.hotel.com.au/panama-city.htm








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.

http://www.hotel.com.au/bycountry.htm


http://www.hotel.com.au/Country/austria.htm

http://www.hotel.com.au/Country/germany.htm

http://www.hotel.com.au/Country/denmark.htm

http://www.hotel.com.au/Country/greece.htm



http://www.hotel.com.au/Country/austria.htm

http://www.hotel.com.au/Country/germany.htm

http://www.hotel.com.au/Country/denmark.htm

http://www.hotel.com.au/Country/greece.htm



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.



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 &lto%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 &lto%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!.

http://www.hotel.com.au/napa.htm



http://www.hotel.com.au/new-york.htm









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.


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.


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

http://www.hotel.com.au/buenos-aires.htm



http://www.hotel.com.au/santiago.htm


http://www.hotel.com.au/punta-del-este.htm











'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.


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

http://www.hotel.com.au/tokyo.htm





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.


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.


3ontact &lto%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!.



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.

http://www.hotel.com.au/sydney/5-star-sydney-hotels.htm

http://www.hotel.com.au/byron-bay/5-star-byron-bay-hotels.htm

http://www.hotel.com.au/sydney/5-star-sydney-hotels.htm

http://www.hotel.com.au/byron-bay/5-star-byron-bay-hotels.htm



★ ★ ★ ★ ★

. 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..

http://www.hotel.com.au/gold-coast/5-star-gold-coast-hotels.htm

http://www.hotel.com.au/melbourne.htm

http://www.hotel.com.au/geelong.htm

http://www.hotel.com.au/hobart.htm

http://www.hotel.com.au/gold-coast/5-star-gold-coast-hotels.htm

http://www.hotel.com.au/melbourne.htm

http://www.hotel.com.au/geelong.htm

http://www.hotel.com.au/hobart.htm

list of top 100 travel agents, hotels & destinations - a report 2015

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