Pikaia Lodge, in the Galápagos Islands, recom- mended by The A-List 2015 regional expert Brian Morgan.

Boating the backwaters of Kerala, . Seeing Tanzania’s Great Migration from a helicopter. Paddleboarding with locals off the coast of Colombia. A top travel advisor can help you turn a great vacation into a truly life-changing adventure. In Travel + Leisure’s 14th annual A-List, we showcase the best specialists in the business—the people who have firsthand knowledge of destinations on the rise, can get you in to sold-out hotels, and provide the best insider travel tips.

EDITED BY AMY FARLEY AND BROOKE PORTER KATZ

COURTESY OF PIKAIA LODGE PIKAIA OF COURTESY REPORTED BY STIRLING KELSO PHOTO CREDIT TEEKAY CREDIT PHOTO

THE A!LIST 2015 1 A-list travel to be an essential part lead China’s most sophisti- SUPER!AGENTS of any education and explores cated luxury tour operator. the world with his family at To keep up with the coun- Meet the travel industry’s all-stars: experts every opportunity. He prides try’s rapid transformation, with unparalleled experience and the himself on demonstrating to Rubin is constantly inspect- ability to turn any dream trip into a reality. clients the benefits of working ing new hotels—Chengdu has with an excellent travel advi- recently seen the arrival of sor—someone who has the Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis, Temple necessary industry relation- House, and Six Senses—and Maita Barrenechea Jack S. Ezon and experience to handle planning new excursions. In With three decades of on-the- Along with bespoke trips for canceled flights, sold-out hotels, Hangzhou, he can set up a vis- ground travel-management individuals, Ezon plans nearly or other unexpected situations. it to a practitioner of Chinese experience in Argentina, Chile, 45 celebrations around the Protravel International, New medicine; in Shanghai, he’ll and Uruguay, Barrenechea world every year. To pull off York City; 212-651-2102; patrick. arrange a nightlife tour that has the friends and the indus- these events, he has a party- [email protected]. explores the city’s jazz scene. try connections to arrange planning department with un- Imperial Tours, Beijing; 888-888- everything from an equestrian paralleled global connections, Lisa Lindblad 1970; [email protected]. getaway in Patagonia to a high though Ezon himself remains Lindblad’s background in an- roller’s beach weekend on heavily involved in the details, thropology comes through in Anne Morgan Scully the Uruguayan coast. She was from selecting bar mitzvah her itineraries, which frequent- Scully’s clients can expect also a pioneer in the estancia bands in St. Bart’s to picking ly include tours led by histo- seamless trips that are full of movement, helping struggling out St.-Tropez beach clubs for rians and experiences usually welcome surprises, from air- ranchers convert their proper- honeymooners. A former law- only available to in-the-know port transfers in luxury cars ties into luxury guesthouses. yer, he is an expert at negotiat- locals. Her recommendations to thoughtful extras such as She’s happy to see that travel- ing on behalf of his clients and are based on in-depth research, personalized shopping sugges- ers are showing increasing keeping up with the demand- conducted with the needs of tions and freshly cut flowers interest in lesser-known towns ing—and often last-minute— a specific client in mind. In in hotel rooms. She stresses and cities, including a string pace of today’s traveler. anticipation of a trip to Iceland, the importance of well-edu- of townships in the Pampas Ovation Vacations, New York Lindblad went with a team to cated guides who are fantastic outside Buenos Aires, home to City; 800-977-5893; jezon@ Reykjavík to vet the country’s storytellers and local taste- 1930s and 40s Italian-inspired ovationtravel.com. transportation options—snow- makers who can enrich a trip architecture and wildlife areas mobiles, Zodiacs, and helicop- with their insider knowledge. such as La Sistina, an island Patrick Fragale ters—and experience cave and Having watched the cruise in- estancia southwest of the capi- The president of Protravel glacier hikes firsthand. She sees dustry develop over the past tal where you may see ostrich- Inter national, Fragale oversees every journey as an opportu- 30 years, Scully is also an expert like rheas, guanacos (similar to an agency with more than nity for cultural exchange and on luxury ships, from ocean llamas), and fallow deer. 900 employees and has sat on personal development. liners and riverboats to private Mai10, Buenos Aires; 54-11- the boards of hotels, airlines, Lisa Lindblad Travel Design, . She’s the godmother to 4314-3390; maita@mai10. and other industry groups. As New York City; 212-876-2554; the Ingvi, a recently launched com.ar. a father of five, he considers [email protected]. Viking River Cruises . McCabe World Travel, McLean, Mary Ann Ramsey Va.; 703-762-5055; anne@ Ramsey, who is celebrating her mccabe world.com. 40th year in the travel industry, approaches her work with the Pallavi Shah mind-set of a financial planner, When Shah evaluates a des- meeting with clients to discuss tination, she goes beyond their long-term travel objec- simply checking out hotels and tives and develop an execution restaurants. She dives into strategy. She maintains a mas- historical context and cultural ter list of their dream trips, and background. She is especially uses her frequent travels to vet drawn to experiences that con- destinations and experiences. nect travelers with locals. Ramsey cruises regularly, and In India, for example, she asks creating personalized shore her favorite designers and excursions is one of her spe- craftspeople to open up their cialties. She also makes a point houses and studios and show of flying various airlines to guests the artistic process be- stay on top of new cabin lay- hind their textiles, clothes, and outs and designs. jewelry. Her clients have also Betty Maclean Travel, Naples, taken part in temple ceremo- Fla.; 800-865-8111; maryann@ nies and learned to play tradi- bettymacleantravel.com. tional musical instruments. Our Personal Guest, New York Guy Rubin City; 646-284-2454; opgny@our When Rubin moved to China personalguest.com. in 1994, he was surprised to find a dearth of resources for Jim Strong & discerning travelers in a coun- Nancy Strong India expert Pallavi try so rich in cultural heritage Attention to detail from the Shah is a fan of Jawai, a leopard camp and natural beauty. He and first meeting, accessibility in Rajasthan, India. his wife, Nancy Kim, set out (as a rule, their phone is

to change that, and they now answered on the first ring), SUJÁN OF COURTESY

4 THE A!LIST 2015 NEW TO LIST MEMBER OF T+L’S TAB* *T+L has a Travel Advisory Board of !" experts who provide insight on industry developments, emerging destinations, and more. and a contagious passion for travel define this mother-and- The Galleria Vittorio son team. They arm clients Emanuele II, in Milan. with both paper and digital copies of itineraries that are loaded with confirmation numbers and contacts for round-the-clock assistance. Strong Travel Services, Dallas; 214-361-0027; jim@strong travel.com and nstrong@strong travel.com.

Valerie Ann Wilson Wilson is an industry influenc- er with 16 o)ces around the United States and more than 30 years of experience. She’s chairman emeritus of Virtuoso’s advisory board and a valued advisor for half a dozen luxury hotels and travel brands. She’s also written two travel books and is on the road for more than a third of every year. Wilson and the staff of her top- notch agency (now also under the leadership of her daugh- ters, A-Listers Jennifer Wilson- Buttigieg and Kimberly Wilson Wetty) are well traveled and highly organized. But they still enjoy the collaborative nature of planning trips with clients. prides himself on delivering “Part of the fun is hearing their EUROPE EXPERTS exceptional access and experi- ideas and vicariously travel- ences (a cooking class with ing through our customers,” a chef at a Michelin-starred Wilson says. CENTRAL EUROPE dinner at a 14th-century castle restaurant, for instance). He Valerie Wilson Travel, New York outside Prague. knows the country’s tastemak- City; 212-532-3400; valeriew@ Nathalie Nagy OTHER SPECIALTIES India and ers and gets clients in to places vwti.com. Fluent in both Hungarian Western Europe. that are typically closed to and German, and a part-time Poe Travel, Little Rock, Ark.; 800- travelers, including a marquis’ Joel A. Zack resident of Budapest, Nagy 727-1960; epoe@poe travel.com. private estate just outside the Concentrating on a small shows her clients an insider’s City of Light. piece of the world—Portugal, perspective on well-known FRANCE OTHER SPECIALTY Switzerland. Morocco, South Africa, Spain, places like Prague and Vienna. Panache Voyage, Geneva; 888- and Turkey—and knowing But she also enjoys introduc- Murielle Blanchard 600- 6777; bob@panache. these destinations inside and ing travelers to off-the-beaten Never satisfied with second- voyage. out gives Zack his edge. A path destinations such as the hand reviews, this Paris dedicated team and network of vineyard-filled Goriška Brda re- native personally vets all GERMANY well-connected locals sustain gion of Slovenia or Brno in the her recommendations, from the business, which grew Czech Republic, where you can little-known auberges and Virginia Giordano out of Zack’s own curiosity and tour the Mies van der Rohe– shops to countryside festivals With her team of historians, expertise as an architect and designed Villa Tugendhat. and markets. Only after she architects, and special- historic preservationist. “We OTHER SPECIALTY Western gives a place an “A” rating ist guides, the Berlin-based focus on people perhaps even Europe. (as she did most recently to Giordano has access to private more than place,” he says of his Protravel International, New York the reopened Picasso Museum art collections, design studios, guides. They can open doors to City; 212-409-9562; nathalie. in Paris and Marseilles’ new and houses, and can arrange experiences ranging from late- [email protected]. Museum of European and introductions to personalities night jam sessions with musi- Mediterranean Civilizations) is from the country’s diplomatic, cians in Seville’s local bars Ellison Poe it worthy of one of her tailor- business, culinary, and cul- to after-hours tours of Hagia Central Europe is a second made itineraries. tural circles. Sophia, in Istanbul. home to Poe, who grew up in OTHER SPECIALTY Italy. Culture Trip Germany, Berlin; Heritage Tours Private Travel, Vienna and travels regularly Black Pearl Luxury Services, 49-30-305-3890; info@ culture New York City; 800-378-4555; to Austria and neighboring Salt Lake City; 801-483- trip.de. [email protected]. countries. Thanks to a lifetime 6533; murielle@ blackpearl spent in the travel industry services.com. GREECE (her parents founded Poe Travel 55 years ago), she has Bob Preston Mina Agnos numerous tricks up her sleeve A graduate of France’s #$%&'( Agnos, who spends six to for scoring last-minute tickets business school who has lived eight months a year in Greece, to the Vienna State Opera or in the French Alps, in Paris, builds her trips with an exact-

DAVE LAURIDSENDAVE planning events like a private and on the Côte d’Azur, Preston ing eye for detail. She makes

FOR EXPANDED PROFILES AND TOP TIPS FROM OUR A-LIST ADVISORS, VISIT TANDL.ME/ALIST2015. THE A!LIST 2015 5 both scheduled and incognito castles, and country houses islands off the Amalfi Coast RUSSIA visits to preferred hotels (up- but also knows which rooms by kayak. Grisdale also de- dating her list of go-to rooms, to book. He arms clients with veloped her own app so that Greg Tepper plus those to avoid) and meets lists of the country’s top res- clients can easily access their While Russia isn’t politically with her hand-selected guides taurants, from laid-back pubs evolving schedules. popular in the U.S. this year, and drivers. Agnos even to Michelin-starred dining IC Bellagio, Bellagio, Italy; Tepper notes that the ruble hangs out at regional airports rooms, as well as suggested 39- 031- 952-059; andrea@ic has dropped more than 50 to ensure that the pickup pro- routes for scenic road trips. bellagio.com. percent against the dollar, cess runs smoothly. Her staff Epstein can also set up private making it more affordable also experience it all firsthand whiskey tastings and bag seats Uri Harash than ever. He specializes in so they can share everything at sought-after sporting events. Harash, who settled in Rome the kind of genuine VIP expe- with clients, “down to the OTHER SPECIALTIES England in 2001, aims to immerse trav- riences that require serious views, sounds, and smells.” Re- and Scotland. elers in the culture of his ad- connections, like curator- cently, she traveled extensively Celebrated Experiences, Atlanta; opted country, using their own led tours of St. Petersburg’s through northern Greece, the 404-812-9298; jonathan@ interests as a starting point. Hermitage Museum and a Ionian Islands, the Saronic celebrated experiences.com. For painters, he can coordinate behind-the-scenes look at Coast, and the Peloponnese, classes with an artist in her Moscow’s Bolshoi Theater. He where new and renovated ho- ITALY private studio in the Roman founded Exeter while working tels (Amanzoe and Nikki Beach neighborhood of Trastevere. If and living in Russia, and now in Porto Heli, Grace Hotels’ Joyce Falcone you love wine, he can arrange travels to the country at least upcoming property in Kala- In the past few years alone, a tour of a second-century six times a year. mata) are fueling demand. Falcone has hiked her tunnel containing the cellar OTHER SPECIALTIES Central OTHER SPECIALTIES Turkey, way across Elba, skied the of the celebrated Don Alfonso Europe, Eastern Europe, and Spain, Italy, and Egypt. Dolomites, sailed from Sicily 1890 restaurant on the Amalfi Croatia. Travelive, Bloomfield, N.J.; 888- to Naples, rented villas in Coast. And no matter where his Exeter International, Tampa, 377-5483, ext. 1004; mina@ Lake Como and Tuscany, detailed itineraries take you, Fla.; 800-633-1008; greg@ travelive.com. and slept in innumerable he always makes sure there exeter international.com. boutique hotels—all for the are optimum opportunities for Christos Stergiou sake of delivering exceptional photographs. SCANDINAVIA AND ICELAND A champion of experiential insights to her clients. The Perfetto Traveler, Rome; 39- travel in off-the-beaten-path dual American and Italian 345-040-6396; info@perfetto Diane B. Eide areas of Greece, Stergiou has a citizen tailors trips to her traveler.com. Eide takes extensive research knack for introducing travelers clients’ interests (Slow Food, trips several times each year to small, independent hotels, art history, design), but also Beth Rubin so she can uncover the best private farms and wineries, makes a point of expanding While she can plan getaways experiences—glacier hik- and guides who have a talent their horizons. to Florence or Rome, Rubin ing in Iceland, farm stays in for storytelling. Based in a sub- The Italian Concierge, Far Hills, encourages travelers to look Norway—for all four seasons. urb of Athens, Stergiou—who N.J.; 888-674-3311; info@italian beyond popular destinations While she takes advantage of gave a TEDx talk about entre- concierge.com. to places like Calabria, where the hotel deals that her travel preneurship and the founding she has helped clients track industry connections afford of his company, TrueGreece— Emily FitzRoy their ancestors. Even on clas- her, she also encourages her cli- strives to meet clients in per- On her monthly visits to Italy, sic trips, Rubin tempts clients ents to embrace everyday mo- son when possible. FitzRoy hits the big cities as with unusual day trips or ments: watching children sled OTHER SPECIALTIES Turkey, well as lesser-known corners excursions. She also utilizes to school in tiny Norwegian Italy, Spain, and France. to find hidden gems. She can the many resources Select towns or taking public trans- TrueGreece, Athens; 800-817- lead you to the back streets of Italy—which has been piecing portation in Oslo to see com- 7098; [email protected]. Bari, where women sell fresh together custom itineraries muters with a briefcase in one orecchiette from their front loaded with insider tips since hand and skis in the other. Petros Zissimos doors. In Maremma, she has 1997—affords her. OTHER SPECIALTY Adventure. When Zissimos took over his an exclusive villa with private OTHER SPECIALTY Croatia. Travel Experts, Phoenix; 480- family business more than a access to the Tarot Garden. Select Italy, Chicago; 800-877- 759-8490; diane@ travel xperts. decade ago, he saw great poten- And, thanks to persistence and 1755; [email protected]. com. tial in Greece as an affordable- the right friends, she can open luxury destination. By relying the U)zi in Florence after Marjorie Shaw SCOTLAND on an extensive network of hours or rent a private palazzo Shaw’s Roman roots can be personal contacts rather than near Rome’s Spanish Steps. traced back to her grandfather, Claire Schoeder third-party planning compa- Bellini Travel, London; 44-20- who moved to the city from Schoeder opens doors through- nies, he can craft personalized 7602-7602; emily@bellini New York in 1919 to take up a out the country thanks to her vacations (surprise trips, travel.com. post at the American Embassy. network of plugged-in friends private cooking classes on a Shaw was raised in Rome and quarterly research trips. farm in Crete), often at a lower Andrea Grisdale and lives there now with her She can book private whisky- price than his competitors. “Anyone can book a Ferrari, husband and two children. cellar tours, falcon hunts, and OTHER SPECIALTY Turkey. helicopter ride, or yacht,” the Their frequent explorations overnights on family estates— Hellenic Holidays, New York Lake Como–based Grisdale of Italy have made her an but some of her favorite trips City; 212-944-8288; pzissimos@ says. Thanks to a knack for expert in family travel, though are relaxed drives with stops at hellenic holidays.com. innovation and a keen sense of honeymoon and group trips top restaurants. Visitors with what’s new, she goes one step are also in her wheelhouse. Scottish ancestry should ask IRELAND further, finding novel ways She can pull strings for private about her genealogy and clan- to personalize and enrich her food and wine experiences history guide. Jonathan Epstein itineraries, from offering a in Puglia and insider art and OTHER SPECIALTY England. Epstein approaches travel plan- behind-the-scenes look at the history tours in Venice. Century Travel, Atlanta; 800- ning with a keen eye for detail. historic Palio horse race in Insider’s Italy, Rome; 914-470- 533-6336, ext. 4011; claire@ He not only vets the best hotels, Siena to planning a tour of the 1612; [email protected]. centurytvl.com.

6 THE A!LIST 2015 NEW TO LIST MEMBER OF T+L’S TAB STEFAN RUIZ OTHER SPECIALTIES mishap. travel or other flight missed any with deal to ready on call, always is team Her Cádiz. in tastings sherry and Seville in crawls tapas ing arrang hostess, insider mate consum the is she writers, and architects professional including guides, traditional of non stable her Through lifestyle. laid-back and ture, cul history, country’s the for enthusiasm her share to a way as Spain for Made Madrid-based the founded Irurita banker, A former Virginia Irurita SPAIN the Turkish coast. ones, like sailing by Cappadocia) and discover new tinations (Istanbul, Ephesus, the experiences in major des at helping travelers navigate each year, and is equally skilled bespoke trips to the country and sights. He plans at least 10 for new hotels, restaurants, once a year, keeping an eye out a travel business. He returns to follow his passion and open company in 1997, he decided retired from a Fortune 500 and speaks Turkish fluently, in Turkey for three years When Huffman, who lived Huffman Tony TURKEY travel Calif.; 800-458-7477; ilene@lets Plaza Travel), Santa Monica, Let’s Travel (a division of sports. OTHER SPECIALTY accessible only by train. and Wengen, a car-free village high up in the Gotthard pass; low-key town of Andermatt, ing ritzy Zermatt; the more slopes inside and out, includ enthusiast, she knows the local a range of budgets. As a ski great deals and working within Koenig is skilled at finding expensive destination, but Switzerland is a notoriously Ilene Koenig SWITZERLAND See Super-Agents. Joel A. Zack SPAIN AND PORTUGAL spain.com. 448-7275; virginia@madefor Made for Spain, Madrid; 34-91- wine, Portugal. - sm.com. Winter Winter

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OTHER SPECIALTY See Super-Agents. Nancy Strong Jim Strong See Super-Agents. Anne Morgan Scully WESTERN EUROPE noteworthy.co.uk. 44-20-3051-5165; susie@ Events, London; NoteWorthy northern France. OTHER SPECIALTY to meet the actors. passes backstage with theater front-row seats at the Old Vic and Thames; the on parties boat private Club; Polo Guards the at a match and lunch ers: London-based advisor deliv this want, you activities sive If it’s high-end and exclu Susie Worthy [email protected]. Nashville; 615-277-5146; linda. Travel, Express American Privileged Journeys, Travelink, Switzerland. OTHER SPECIALTIES Tudor for a day. Lodge, where you can play to Queen Elizabeth’s Hunting Mini Cooper, and an excursion houses, a tour of London in a private dinners in country terward. She will put together self, and the stories you tell af planning process, the trip it she creates in three parts: the Raymer looks at each journey Linda M. Raymer ellen@lecompte Richmond, Va.; 804-510-0608; dent affiliate of Brownell, LeCompte Travel, an indepen OTHER SPECIALTY games. United Manchester at seats box secure and aristocracy, of the members prominent with tea arrange Abbey Downton where Castle, Highclere of tours special book can She Anglophile. zealous most the even satisfy will Cotswolds— the in cottage a 17th-century in part-time lives and England in school to went LeCompte—who Ellen LeCompte UNITED KINGDOM travel.com. 937-293-3399; tony@huffman Huffman Travel, Dayton, Ohio; sports. & travel.com. is filmed, filmed, is Paris and France. Winter

Italy and

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- CARIBBEAN EXPERTS hand@andavo Ala.; 888-234-0046; margie. Travel,Andavo Birmingham, weddings. OTHER SPECIALTY perks. other and credits, spa classes, yoga and trips sailing private grades, up room secure to able is ago, decades two honeymoon her on Caribbean the with love in fell first who diver scuba avid an Hand, spa.) the at day a spent women the while ing fish deep-sea went men (The Caicos. of and 17Turks in ily a for fam trip a recent like vacations, multigenerational planning in interest ticular par takes She Martin. St. and Nassau, Cayman, Grand Jamaica, including years, few past the just in islands 15 to traveled has Hand Margie Hand of Margie Hand. a Anguilla, new favorite Auberge Resort, in The an Malliouhana, travel.com. Destination - - - - provident 513-533-7867; jmclaugh Provident Travel, Cincinnati; OTHER SPECIALTY out. sold as everywhere that listed Bart’s was St. in group of clients into a resort miracles, including booking a ff o pull to known been also has McLaughlin raçao. And private diving trips on Cu Major Cay, Big of island and Bahamian the on pigs island with wild swimming Jamaica, in safari a camel arrange can She it. you name captains, private-yacht chefs, owners, gallerymanagers, hotel knows she places: right the all in friends has McLaughlin Janet McLaughlin travel.com. LIST 2015 LIST ! THE A Italy. lin@ -

7 8 to their clients aren’ttypi theirclients to endas, and estates available Manyvineyards,the of haci result?The insider contacts. of theirnetworkphers—became photogra and architects, chefs, friends—artists, their KnowmadAdventures, and theyfounded when Patagonia alivingon dairy in farm Harveywifewerehis and Jordan Harvey ARGENTINA AND CHILE of his competition, he doesn’t experiences, and unlike much when evaluating hotels and Matueté spare no expense Frankenberg and his staff at FrankenbergMartin BRAZIL See Super-Agents. Maita Barrenechea URUGUAY ARGENTINA, CHILE, AND knowmad ap Knowmad Adventures, Min the Galápagos. OTHER SPECIALTIES year.each of months forregion the to return three nowtheyMinnesota, in based Harveyfamilyhis and are While public. the to open cally SOUTH AMERICA EXPERTS MEXICO & CENTRAL &

olis; 877-616-8747; jordan@ THE A!LIST 2015 adventures.com. Peru and -

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OTHER SPECIALTY savings for his clients. heads that often translate into London, meaning lower over sive cities like New York and doesn’t have o)ces in expen will be away. The company when he knows the manager from sending clients to hotels chain brands, and refrains notch wine cellars over large forward properties with top- expat values small, design- founded Dehouche. The British moved to Rio, where he co turned down a finance job and Brazil’s remote regions, Irvine After a 10-day trip exploring Paul Irvine matuete.com. 866-709-5952; martin@ Matueté, São Paulo, Brazil; sand beaches. of the Amazon for its white- River, known as the Caribbean or the shores of the Tapajós king paradise in central Brazil, Chapada dos Veadeiros, a trek known corners, including excursions to Brazil’s lesser- season, he’ll also recommend or Hotel Fasano during peak Belmond Copacabana Palace secure ocean-view suites at the a São Paulo resident, can easily operators. While Frankenberg, (guides, drivers, etc.) to local outsource any of his services Argentina.

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with 24/7 concierge service on a private estancia—come family-friendly polo lessons Perito Moreno glacier to ice treks through Argentina’s the itineraries—from solo by members of his team. All tion of private villas, staffed adventure. It also has a collec that combine luxury and of-the-line bespoke getaways Parallel, specializes in top- Burgio’s travel company, Blue Emmanuel Burgio AMERICA CENTRAL AND SOUTH dehouche.com. 800-690-6899; paul.irvine@ Janeiro; de Rio Dehouche, way—including tasting wine testing all the stops along the bike itineraries, personally thousands of miles to develop Massachusetts, has cycled between Santiago and Hadley, Pearson, who splits his time Brian Pearson CHILE blue 301-263-6670; emmanuel@ Md.; Potomac, Parallel, Blue terranean. OTHER SPECIALTY constraints in mind. that keeps VIP needs and time parallel.com. The Medi

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NEW TO LIST and luxury cruise lines, includ tions and 50-plus small ships the region’s land accommoda knowledgeof in-depth Hehas boat transfers between islands. to diving scuba from thing everyarranging ease, with it do 23 of ff sta his and Morgan navigate—but to destination cult ) di a be can Galápagos the regulations, park changing constantly to Due Brian Morgan GALÁPAGOS ISLANDS travel.com. 904-6798; brian@upscape Upscape, Santiago, Chile; 802- and Uruguay. OTHER SPECIALTIES June through September. in the Andes that is open from clusive snowcat ski mountain also manages Ski Arpa, an ex nicking in peach orchards. He in private vineyards and pic perspective on the planning planning the on perspective which gives him an inside driver, guide, and logistician— ladder—he’s been a tour leader, industry the way his up worked founder of Journey Mexico The Puerto Vallarta–based Rabinor Zachary MEXICO adventure-life.com. 800-344-6118; go-galapagos@ Mont.; Missoula, Life, Adventure and Peru. OTHER SPECIALTIES activity options, and routes. ing each vessel’s comfort level,

Patagonia, Patagonia, in Torres Argentina and Argentina Chile MEMBER OF OF MEMBER specialist Jordan specialist Harvey Harvey is excited del Paine, Chile. about about the Awasi Argentina Ecuador T+L’S TAB

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COURTESY OF AWASI ALEX FARNUM Jenkins has made it a prior a it made has Jenkins fewyears, past the Over Beth Jenkins PERU AND BOLIVIA journey Mexico; 800-513-1587; zach@ Vallarta, Puerto Mexico, Journey America. OTHER SPECIALTY trip. per times three least at clients with in check personally ordinators co His Allende. de Miguel San in stays culture-filled to getaways Tulum focused wellness- from everything on hotels best country’s the with collaborates He process. 687-0340; [email protected]. periences, Santiago, Chile; 904- Liz Caskey & Wine Culinary Ex OTHER SPECIALTY of Mendoza vineyards. Lima, and set up private tours ervations in Buenos Aires and score coveted restaurant res olive-oil tastings in Colchagua, benefits: Caskey can arrange scene, and her clients reap the the region’s booming food Together, they keep up with husband and business partner. in Santiago with her Chilean cookbook author, Caskey lives A trained sommelier and Liz Caskey AND WINE SOUTH AMERICAN FOOD 651-2424; [email protected]. Aracari Travel, Lima, Peru; 51-1- OTHER SPECIALTY lagoon in the Peruvian Andes. fishing excursions in a remote Lake Titicaca, or guided fly- a homestay on the shores of home, achef’s in classes ing clients. This could mean cook thentic local experiences for au Mosqueracreates Lima, A Peruvian native living in Marisol Mosquera mccabe beth@ 703-762-5048; Va.; World Travel,McCabe McLean, moons. OTHER SPECIALTY a specialist for the first time. forusing fit asomeone great is styles of younger travelers, and cially in tune with the planning Patagonia). At 28, she is espe the classics (Galápagos Islands, also adept at arranging trips to Valley in Peru—though she is Lake District; and the Colca Honduras; Nicaragua; Chile’s destinations, including Roatán, lesser-known explore to ity mexico.com. world.com. Adventure. Galápagos. Honey Central

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------Hawaiian community. Hawaiian easytightlyno the featin knit evensource, locals— among tion has made her a trusted commitment to the destina Her sites. strong sacred and gardens, farms, museums, hikes, out and visits scouts hotels, inspects year—she she makes—typically four a and history. On every trip culture Hawaiian on exams passed and training on-site she’s had meaning islands, certifications for the six major Master Specialist Clark holds Marilyn Clark [email protected]. 650-248-2344; Calif.; Cupertino, Travel, Express Altour American OTHER SPECIALTY and education-based tours. lesser-known rain-forest hikes than a beach vacation, such as ers who are looking for more adventure-minded travel at uncovering activities for islands, and is especially good more than 70 trips to the local guides. She has made properties and secure popular to book rooms at sold-out outfitters, Brandon is able ’s top hotels and tour Thanks to her close ties with Carolyne Brandon HAWAII U.S. & CANADA EXPERTS CANADA & U.S. Cruising. - - and local connections. In her In connections. local and knowledge insider crave who savvytravelers of set younger caterto Experiences ato Knowthe createdIn Kaplan, Seth partner, her and Batkin Lia Batkin NEW YORK CITY travel.com. 796-3869; michelle@azurine Azurine, San Francisco; 415- OTHER SPECIALTY wine. and food, design, on notes reviews, with likeread mini- suggestions restaurant the itineraries, especiallyherOn for families. activities, outdoor and trails Napa’snature lesser-known recommend to quick also public—she’s the to open not wineries—manyat contacts with packed book black little a maintains she While region. wine preeminent country’s the in experiences and rants, restau hotels, new evaluate to Francisco San from drive the makesfrequently Murré Michelle Murré NAPA VALLEY marilyn@lighthouse 844-339-1774; Calif.; Beach, Travel, Huntington Lighthouse OTHER SPECIALTY Italy. Tahiti. travel.net. travel.net. -

pnwjourneys.com. pnwjourneys.com. Seattle; 800-935-9730; info@ Journeys, Northwest Pacific Iceland. Rockies, western Canada, and OTHER SPECIALTIES als in the San Juan Islands. Alsea River and exclusive rent kayaking trips along Oregon’s eraries include activities like detailed, 20-plus-page itin inns and vacation rentals. Her side of the major cities—new aren’t many quality hotels out rants, activities, and—as there keep her up to date on restau of plugged-in insiders who California, building a network Columbia, and northern Washington, Oregon, British Seattle resident has focused on For more than 20 years, the Sheri Doyle PACIFIC NORTHWEST lia@ intheknowexperiences.com. 212-776-1784; City; York New Experiences, Know the In Caribbean, and luxury travel. OTHER SPECIALTIES Nightthe showhit the at tables front-row (including events sold-out to tickets and stylist, apersonal day with shopping a reservations, restaurant coveted to access means that hometown of New York City, ). ). LIST 2015 LIST ! THE A Tom Scott Vineyard, Vineyard, Scott Tom in Napa Valley. Canadian Mexico, Queen of of Queen -

- 9 - - 10 -the-grid ffo -the-grid pioneering for known best safari-goers—is for site networking social a Safarious.com, of cofounder and Africa to Passage of CEO and cofounder Lorentz—the Michael Lorentz See Super-Agents. Lisa Lindblad go.com. 888-870-0903; sandy@outside Outside GO, Santa Fe, N. Mex.; and family travel. OTHER SPECIALTIES South Africa. fari that spans three camps in a private rhino-tracking sa it in action on, for example, see them help can and clients, with conservation of portance takes time to discuss the im to plan bespoke journeys. She settling in the United States husband for six years before run camps in Kenya with her the safari industry, having has worked on both sides of in Zimbabwe and South Africa, Cunningham, who was raised Sandy Cunningham AFRICA EAST EXPERTS MIDDLE THE & AFRICA

THE A!LIST 2015 Luxury Luxury - -

Achber, whose father is South South is father Achber, whose Dan Achber EAST AND SOUTHERN AFRICA society.com. 303-563-6225; dana@travel TravelThe Society, Denver; Zambia. across trips walking and Kilimanjaro, Mount up treks hiking Namibia, across safaris likeflying itineraries operators and guides to create ners with a very select group of fari and spot wildlife. She part travelers looking to take a sa advisor for adventure-minded go-to the Welchis Zambia, in manager lodge and in guide trekking former A Dana Welch to 27-82-895-8527; ml@passage Town; Cape Africa, to Passage ways worth it. zone—the experience is al push you outside your comfort Omo River Valley. Let him tribal ceremonies in Ethiopia’s Park or viewing rarely seen in Chad’s Zakouma National newly launched Camp Nomade adventures like stays at the africa.com.

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- the particular travel demands in Namibia—understands worked for Wilderness Safaris who was born in Kenya and The 33-year-old Gordon— Elizabeth Gordon volker@bigfive.com. 800-345-2445; Fla.; Stuart, Big Five Tours & Expeditions, cleanliness. kitchen camp and temperature, water fort, com bed includes checklist his thorough: are inspections accommodation His vation. preser on wildlife focus that tents— eight than fewer have books he lodges camps—most tented of smaller-scale pion a cham is Altvater wildlife. saving and lands traditional preserving for tools vital are believes he which vancies, conser community-based private, for passion his tures nur continuously and year, a twice Africa visits addict safari self-described The Volker Altvater 1272; dan@trufflepig.com. 416-628- Toronto; Trufflepig, one. agreat and camp agood between fference di the knows he camps—means safari 100 the factthathe’s vetted nearly time spent in the bush—and His Zimbabwe. and Botswana in lodges safari managing African, spenta few years A A tented guest room at Tanzania, a top pick of Sunit Sanghrajka. Kwihala Kwihala Camp, in - - - -

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NEW TO LIST OTHER SPECIALTY for Good. Tree Foundation and Goods board of directors of the Bodhi the on sits photographer, also accomplished an Lakin, rhinos. track and tag to team conservationa with up ing team or village local a in nets mosquito and lights powered include distributing solar- philanthropy.might safaris His journeys with on-the-ground bespoke marry to aims Lakin Road, Epic of cofounder As Mark Lakin [email protected]. York 800-403-6012; City; New Journeys, Extraordinary ment, and more. openings, changes in manage a year to stay on top of lodge visits Africa up to three times and independent-minded. She time-crunched, adventurous, of younger clients, who are adventuresinafrica.com. Denver; 866-778-1089; kent@ Africa Adventure Consultants, River crossing. seat for the Serengeti’s Mara game drives with a front-row nus, South Africa, and private watching flights off Herma ate the best rates for whale- rooibos tea. He can also negoti with South African wine and safari or a welcome basket like a complimentary walking amenities whenever possible, top of mind. He adds extra friendliness, and comfort cities, keeping safety, family- camps, guides, and layover the continent to evaluate Redding has traveled across safari guide in Tanzania, A former camp manager and Kent Redding [email protected]. 800-882-9453; Fla.; Lauderdale, Company, Fort Adventure Africa car and the Seychelles. OTHER SPECIALTIES itinerary. new every improve it to using seriously, very counting) and travelers 10,000 than more (from feedback client takes he And owners. lodge and guides with relationships strong and region of the knowledge Countries, dium compen of Thethe author African safaris—literally. on book the wrote Nolting Mark William Nolting [email protected]. 580-3050; Epic Road, New York City; 646- Africa’s Top Wildlife Wildlife Top Africa’s

he has in-depth in-depth has he MEMBER OF OF MEMBER

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COURTESY OF KWIHALA CAMP Jackie Rush to see gorillas in Rwanda. She SOUTH AFRICA Explore, Inc., Steamboat Rush, who often leads trips can also set up family-friendly Springs, Colo.; 888-596-6377; herself, has traveled through- volunteering opportunities in Tamsyn Fricker [email protected]. out the continent for more southern Africa. Fricker approaches trip plan- than 39 years, building strong OTHER SPECIALTY Honeymoon ning as an art form—one Julian Harrison and lasting connections with safaris. that involves learning about Born and raised in South lodge owners and private Rothschild Safaris, Denver; 800- her clients’ concerns, desires, Africa, this former game ranger guides. She promotes camps 405-9463; leora@roths child and interests before even and co-author of Fodor’s Afri- and reserves that are at the safaris.com. discussing the destination. can Safari knows when to visit forefront of efforts to save ele- The keyed-in University of certain destinations to maxi- phants and rhinos from poach- ISRAEL South Africa graduate has mize wildlife viewing, keeping ing, and, in her free time, strong connections with sup- factors such as rain, migratory she fund-raises for Save the Rachel Epstein pliers (drivers, lodge owners, patterns, and vegetation in Elephants, a charity headed up At a time when travelers have a guides, and porters), and she mind. Over the past few years, by Iain Douglas-Hamilton. lot of questions about travel to also frequently taps into her Harrison—who can arrange OTHER SPECIALTIES Jordan, Israel, Epstein serves as an in- network of plugged-in locals. home visits with scientists and , and Myanmar. valuable resource. She travels In case of an emergency, conservationists—has boated Connoisseur Travel, Washington, to the country about five times there is a South Africa–based the Okavango Delta, gone D.C.; 610-343-1694; jackie. a year and knows it from every team to provide round-the- gorilla trekking in Congo, and [email protected]. angle: adventure, cultural, clock support, and Fricker fished in Malawi. faith-based, and political. She herself is available 24/7. OTHER SPECIALTIES East and Sunit Sanghrajka leads many of her own trips, OTHER SPECIALTIES Southern central Africa and the Indian This fourth-generation Kenyan and has planned bar- and Africa and East Africa. Ocean islands. designs safaris that showcase bat mitzvah celebrations, Travel Artistry Africa, Houston; Premier Tours, Philadelphia; sustainable tourism and dem- private masses and baptisms, 281-974-3662; tamsyn@travel 800-545-1910; julianh@premier onstrate how conflicts between wedding-vow renewals, and artistry africa.com. tours.com. humans and wildlife can be history-focused vacations. successfully managed. A found- OTHER SPECIALTIES Spain and SOUTHERN AFRICA Teresa Sullivan ing member of Safari Pros, he group travel. Since founding Mango African seeks out camps and lodges— Frosch, New York City; 800-866- Craig Beal Safaris 16 years ago with like Wilderness Safaris’ Hoanib 1623; rachel. epstein@frosch. A former nuclear engineer and her business partner Casey Skeleton Coast Camp, in com. submarine o)cer, Beal knows Hermansen, Sullivan has Namibia—that focus on con- how to pay close attention to intensively vetted each experi- servation and deliver excellent MOROCCO detail. His South African– ence they offer, spending game viewing. He introduces born mother founded Travel weeks at a time on the ground. guests to local friends who Michael Diamond Beyond, taking him on his first She has hitchhiked, taken work in the safari industry and With a keen interest in cul- safari at age four. He’s adept trains, and ridden camels, are using tourism to transform tural and experiential travel, at navigating the complicated horses, and elephants, always the continent for the better. Diamond plans everything logistics of getting clients to seeking out what’s around Alluring Africa, Winter Park, Fla.; from cooking classes in a Fez and from remote safari desti- the next corner. Sullivan pays 800-510-6059; sunit@alluring riad to hikes and horseback nations, and he briefs them be- particular attention to the pac- africa.com. rides through the country’s forehand on any backup plans. ing of a trip, limiting the num- scenic southern deserts. One When he isn’t in Africa, he’s ber of one- and two-night stays EGYPT special touch: all of his clients talking about it at conferences at safari camps, and is adept at are given cell phones dur- as a cofounder of Safari Pros booking travel during the Malaka Hilton ing the trip so that they can or in online forums such as more affordable green season. Hilton, whose father was born call guides, drivers, and the TripAdvisor and FlyerTalk. OTHER SPECIALTIES East Africa in Egypt, has an extensive Marrakesh o)ce of his com- OTHER SPECIALTIES Rwanda and the Indian Ocean islands. network of friends and family pany at any time. and Kenya. Mango African Safaris, Portland, throughout the country, which OTHER SPECIALTY Turkey. Travel Beyond, Wayzata, Minn.; Ore.; 888-406-2646; teresa@ translates into insider experi- Heritage Tours Private Travel, 800-876-3131; craigb@travel mangosafari.com. ences such as meals in local New York City; 800-378-4555; beyond.com. homes, golf at exclusive cours- [email protected]. UNITED ARAB EMIRATES es, and private-yacht rentals. Cherri Briggs She once organized a dinner at NAMIBIA Briggs has houses in Zambia Amalia Lazarov the foot of the Pyramids. and Botswana, and spends six A former tour leader for rock OTHER SPECIALTIES Jordan and Chris Liebenberg to nine months a year travel- bands and performers, the United Arab Emirates. A Namibian national parks ing the continent, with recent Lazarov fell in love with the Admiral Travel International, contractor turned travel advi- trips to Gabon, Cameroon, Middle East—its art and Sarasota, Fla.; 888-722-3401; sor, Liebenberg has lived in Ethiopia, and Sudan. This architecture, cuisine and sense [email protected]. every major destination in legwork allows her to bypass of hospitality—years ago. Namibia and driven almost destination-management Lazarov’s clients appreciate her FAMILY SAFARIS every road (often with his fam- companies and book every attention to their particular in- ily) to test self-guided safari hotel, lodge, transfer, guide, terests, whether it’s squeezing Leora Rothschild options. He has also worked on and driver personally, often in museum and gallery visits Rothschild, a South Africa anti-rhino-poaching missions reducing the overall cost. between business meetings or native, has experienced every- and elephant and lion con- Briggs and her husband have visiting Dubai’s gold markets thing that she plans for her servation projects in Etosha also founded a slew of com- with a private shopper. clients: canoeing with her chil- National Park. munity development projects OTHER SPECIALTIES Corporate dren on Zambia’s Lower Zam- OTHER SPECIALTY Botswana. in Zambia, including solar- travel and Asia. bezi, taking family to Kenya’s Piper & Heath Travel, San Diego; powered irrigation systems. Protravel International, New Mara River crossing during the 888-897-2634; chris@piperand OTHER SPECIALTIES Uganda York City; 646-747-9356; Great Migration, and trekking heath.com. and Rwanda. [email protected].

THE A!LIST 2015 11 12 English-speaking guides. extremely knowledgeable, temples of Angkor and hiring aries to avoid crowds at the specialty is tailoring itiner its profits to local schools. His ABOUTAsia, which donates the bespoke tour operator moved to Siem Reap to found industry, British-born Booth marginally from the travel dians were only benefiting After realizing that Cambo Andrew Booth CAMBODIA Myanmar, and North Korea. OTHER SPECIALTIES behind the movie jie, the landscape inspiration national parks, like Zhangjia plore some of China’s stunning out to the countryside to ex pecially adept at getting people its Tibetan culture. She is es northwestern China, known for ing destinations like Xiahe in and Beijing and introduc the hidden sides of Shanghai the beaten path, showing off to take travelers away from WildChina with a mission Based in Beijing, Zhang formed Mei Zhang CHINA AND TIBET See Super-Agents. Guy Rubin store.com. 916-830-5511; stan.g@travel Calif.; TravelStore, Sacramento, Asia. OTHER SPECIALTY try is changing so rapidly. essential, he says, as the coun in Beijing. Regular visits are changes and gridlocked tra)c such as unannounced flight managing common hiccups of history, while also nimbly itineraries with a great sense which means he can deliver on Chinese archaeology— in anthropology with a focus province and has a master’s darin, has lived in Shanxi Godwyn, who speaks Man Stan Godwyn CHINA [email protected]. 855-12-338-872; Cambodia; ABOUTAsia Travel, Siem Reap, on Cambodia’s iconic temples. Angkor Guidebook, He’s also the co-author of ASIA EXPERTS

THE A!LIST 2015 Southeast Avatar a handbook Bhutan, . - The - - - - -

- - greavestvl.com. Ill.; 800-318-7801; ccambata@ Greaves Tours, Highland Park, OTHER SPECIALTY trips and exotic honeymoons. skilled at planning wellness polo in Jaipur. She’s also day, they’re playing elephant tour in Hyderabad; the next out on a fearless street-food layers. Her clients might head Subcontinent’s rich cultural don’t lose sight of the Indian building hassle-free trips that Tours earns her accolades by The president of Greaves Carole A. Cambata INDIA AND See Super-Agents. Pallavi Shah wildfrontiers.co.uk. 44-20-7736-3968; jonny@ London; Frontiers, Wild OTHER SPECIALTY Nubra Valley—is unparalleled. in the Indus Valley, and the northern Indian locales—Leh, countryside. His knowledge of at private-house hotels in the can just as easily open doors ents in grand palace hotels, but point of passion. He’ll put cli less-frequented rural areas, his Jaipur, Delhi, Mumbai—with popular destinations—Agra, is a pro at pairing India’s most This former travel journalist Jonny Bealby INDIA 281-497-8820; [email protected]. Travel, West Houston; University and Macao. OTHER SPECIALTIES buses. and funiculars, trains, ferries, city’s of the outs and ins the knows also She beaches. sand on white- relax and carvings rock ancient see can travelers where Chau, Cheung like islands to Territories New tial residen the from outskirts, city’s the with familiar very She’s hotels. and restaurants, shops, new uncover to town home her to often returns Woo Kong, Hong in Raised Laura Woo HONG KONG china.com. 902-8808; mei.zhang@wild WildChina, Beijing; 888- Bhutan. Central Asia. Hawaii

- - - you to Ubud’s best restaurants. and wildlife highlights and lead through the complex geography especially . He’ll walk you the country’s 17,508 islands, the go-to advisor for trips to by his colleagues, Hobson is Known as “the guy” Jarrod Hobson INDONESIA ashish@bigfive.com. 800-244-3483; Fla.; Stuart, Big Five Tours & Expeditions, OTHER SPECIALTY the jungles of Madhya Pradesh. Jodhpur or open-air lodges in hotels on the outskirts of include stays at small boutique tailor-made itineraries might travelers don’t often see. His to parts of the country that year, loves introducing clients visiting family in India every Sanghrajka, who grew up Ashish Sanghrajka always finding new hotels and cities and small villages. She’s to explore Japan’s popular Townsend, an Aomori native, At least two trips a year allow Noriko Townsend JAPAN jarrod@asiatranspacific.com. Boulder, Colo.; 800-642-2742; Transpacific Journeys, Asia Asia. OTHER SPECIALTY treks to remote villages. a school he helped found and He can also arrange a visit to One&Only Reethi Rah. books clients at the Parkinson often Maldive expert Justin

Kenya. Southeast

NEW TO LIST takes the same approach in foreigners seldom visit. He scouting trips to areas that able time and resources on Trimble invests consider what he calls the “lost Japan,” to authentic traditions in In an effort to introduce guests Duff Trimble [email protected]. Colo.; 855-678-1512; noriko. Japan In Style, Fort Collins, Altour American Express Travel/ Asia. OTHER SPECIALTY known for its anime exhibits. concerts or the Ghibli Museum, teens, she recommends J-pop Koyasan. For families with on a mountaintop temple in meditate with a monk at dawn she might arrange for them to about Japanese Buddhism, When travelers want to learn appeal to her clients’ interests. uncovering experiences that bathroom amenities to the the to amenities bathroom of brand the tributes—from at of 100-plus a checklist against property each ing evaluat resorts, 35 about in stayed has Parkinson Justin Parkinson MALDIVES wabi ton, Ont.; 647-477-1711; duff@ Singhamp Japan, Wabi-Sabi artists, and designers. togethers with sake brewers, hidden finds and planning get- Tokyo and Kyoto, mapping out - sabi

japan.com. MEMBER OF OF MEMBER Southeast T+L’S TAB - - - -

COURTESY OF ONE&ONLY REETHI RAH CARL CHAPMAN at top hotels, thanks to per can get clients the best rooms mar’s secluded corners and knows where to find Myan undeveloped, destination. She popular, though still relatively sively through this increasingly traveled exten has Mazzaro Rebecca Mazzaro MYANMAR travel.com. 800-335-6033; justin@linara Travel, Linara Eagle, Idaho; Arab Emirates. OTHER SPECIALTY stay. a dream with client each match perfectly can he menus—so excursion absolute 212-627-1950; hmona Travel, Absolute New York City; Asia, India, and North Africa. OTHER SPECIALTIES try’s diverse culinary scene. coun the navigate restrictions with food allergies or dietary an expert at helping travelers mooners. A vegan herself, she’s the-grid island ideas for honey ff or o - clients for adventurous the country’s culture-rich north can recommend biking trails in travel throughout . She a year and returns annually to for in lived Monahan Holly Monahan THAILAND journeys-within.com. Calif.; 877-454-3672; andrea@ Journeys Within, Truckee, village-run cooking class. a in part taking or school a at like volunteering aspects philanthropic include also company, Journeys Within, Myanmar. Many trips by her tries such as Cambodia and in rapidly developing coun cruises—especially important ties like jungle hikes and river hotels, and evaluate activi to vet guides, check out new region multiple times a year decade and now travels to the Ross lived in Siem Reap for a Andrea Ross SOUTHEAST ASIA rebecca@asiatranspacific.com. Boulder, Colo.; 800-642-2742; Transpacific Journeys, Asia OTHER SPECIALTY the scenic Shan state. Lake, or a biking trip through a guided longboat tour of Inle hot-air-balloon ride over Bagan, managers. She can set up a sonal relationships with on-site travel.com. India. The United

Southeast han@ - - -

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- - [email protected]. Australia; 800-536-5328; suzy. Touring Treasures, Brighton, Zealand. OTHER SPECIALTY over international chain hotels. dent boutique hotels and lodges lunch. She also favors indepen trek followed by a champagne Sunshine Coast or a rain-forest vorite cafés along Queensland’s fa her at stops as such prises, offsur with -the-beaten-path oftenitinerary scratch,from Mercien-Feroleach creates Suzy Mercien-Ferol travel.com. cassandra 602-889-5902; Diego; San Travel, Odyssey Camelback Zealand. OTHER SPECIALTY Sydney.outside farmlands the in wineries boutique and fés ca newpop-up and beach, the snorkelcan elers off right WesternAustralia,wheretrav discoveries:Ningalooin Reef, Melbourne.and A few recent favoritesSydneyold as such explore newwaysto and tions fordestina up-and-coming year,always lookoutthe on countrytwoaor times three Bookholder hervisits native Cassandra Bookholder AUSTRALIA THE SOUTH PACIFIC THE SOUTH EXPERTS AUSTRALIA, & coast of Queensland, Australia. The Great Barrier Reef, off the b@camelback New New

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- - - - aexp.com. robin.l.turner@ 83207; ext. Chicago; 866-901-1234, Travel, Express American Maldives. OTHER SPECIALTY leopard-ray-filledand waters. Bora-Bora’sin trips turtle- Huahinesnorkelingand Island on treksarchaeologist-led schedule can vacation:she you’reforlooking activean Turnproperties. top herto if islands’the at value options heruncoverit to mission ashe’sis splurge,so made herthat edges area expertiseof This A-Listveteran acknowl Robin L. Turner travelstore.com. 310-689-5411; susanne.h@ TravelStore, Angeles; Los Maldives and the Seychelles. OTHER SPECIALTIES explorebeyondto hotel. the looking travelers for detours) airport-layoverand taurants, res shops, (pearl finds radar and privacy and scouts off-the- overwater bungalows for views trips, she seeks out the best Hamer involved. On biannual you get someone creative like can feel packaged—unless Vacations to the South Pacific Susanne Hamer FRENCH The The

- - aol.com. nztravel@ 800-367-5494; Pa.; Travel, New Zealand Langhorne, OTHER SPECIALTY destination. task in this once-in-a-lifetime her clients’ budgets, a di)cult savvy about staying within itineraries. She’s particularly to incorporate into her detailed sandwich shops, golfing tips— play, pups roadside fur-seal where ideas—waterfalls and places downalways and jots visits 70-plus her on Islands South and North the of corner Thomas has explored every Donna Thomas ahipara.com. 447-3558; jean-michel@ Otago, New Zealand; 64-3- Travel, Central Luxury Ahipara your side. outing with a photographer by an He’llarrange landscapes? famous country’s the of tos pho snap Eagerto contact. exclusive the Hehas boat? jet a Want driveclients. to his of behalf on tap can he friends the among guides fly-fishing and artists, Kiwi tribesmen, Maori advisor,counts who this South Island–based travel No request is off-limits for Jean-Michel Jefferson NEW ZEALAND LIST 2015 LIST ! THE A Australia.

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13 14 major river system in Europe. Nile, the Yangtze, and every He’s also traveled along the self-guided tours in each one. taurants, shops, and private or recommend excursions, res and South America, and can port cities in Europe, Asia, acquainted with hundreds of rather than the ship. He is well attraction is the destination, travelers who believe the main Niskanen excels at advising Paul Niskanen CRUISING cruising. OTHER SPECIALTY Equity Fights AIDS charity. tion with the Broadway Cares/ Russia organized in conjunc to the Baltics, Scandinavia, and such as a classical-music trip group and themed cruises, and families, Kertes designs with vacations for couples hotel night really costs. Along much that “free” pre-cruise all-inclusives: he’ll tell you how plaining the fine print behind He’s especially good at ex rooms, activities, and more. analysis of boats, itineraries, to give clients a comprehensive major cruise line, allowing him Kertes has sailed on every Scott Kertes LUXURY CRUISING 334-260-2482; [email protected]. Associates, Montgomery, Ala.; World Travel/Sutton & Alabama and river cruising. OTHER SPECIALTIES or Barcelona’s Sagrada Família. Vatican the like sites popular at line in neverstand clients herand guides, speaking English- and transportation privatearrange can she sions, excur port For goes. she ever wher service on emphasis an placing hand, in checklist sive exten an with ports and ships newvisits Sutton Associates, World& Travel/Sutton Alabama of president The Liz Sadie Sutton See Super-Agents. Ann Mary Ramsey voyages.com. 800-848-7120; pauln@fine Ore.; Portland, Advisors, Travel Masters/Concierge Cruise Africa. OTHER SPECIALTY CRUISING EXPERTS

THE A!LIST 2015 Group Southern Caribbean

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- - - - - ovationtravel.com. 212-329-7260; mrappoport@ Ovation Travel, New York City; travel. OTHER SPECIALTY tains, and customized tours. come gifts, dinners with cap for her clients, including wel highly personalized voyages in the industry translate into value. Her deep relationships and when to book for the best as advise travelers on how coveted staterooms, as well on sold-out ships and secure happen. She can book cabins for making the impossible cruises, Rappoport is known When it comes to luxury Marcella Rappoport 800-874-1743; [email protected]. Hurley Direct Travel, Naples, Fla.; cruising and celebrations. OTHER SPECIALTIES combination packages. ing seamless land-and-water also become an expert in creat post-cruise trips, Patton has ents are now booking pre- and vide egg-crate pads!). Since cli problem (ask the ship to pro beds, and how to remedy the you which rooms have hard night’s rest? She can even tell Worried about getting a good book for a romantic dinner. lar ports, and the top tables to watch the sunset over particu corners for reading, where to can recommend the best quiet No matter the ship, Patton Betsy Patton SMALL SHIPS travel.com. 817-732-6991; ruth@cruises Etc., FortTex.; Worth, Cruises right cruise. matching them with just the looking for, she has a knack for with no idea of what they’re And when clients come to her ences among ships and lines. standing of the crucial differ giving her a strong under more than 180 ocean voyages, 36 years ago, Turpin has taken cruise-focused agency some Since founding her luxury- Ruth Turpin hartfordholidays.com. N.Y.; 800-828-4813; scott@ Holidays Travel, Garden City, @ Hartford Vacations by Design Private-jet Luxury Luxury - etc ------

built his business at bespoke has He Thailand. Tanzania to from everywhere leaders lage in , and vil Iceland, a professional explorer includes a top volcanologist in Marchant’s enviable Rolodex Marchant Tom absolute 212-627-1950; bgarnett@ Travel, Absolute New York City; OTHER SPECIALTY purely indulgent moments. lia—she doesn’t shy away from Austra in diveswhale-shark Desert, Atacama the through packed—horsebackrides usuallyaction- are itineraries a tiny Thai island.While her dive master on Ko Phi Phi Don, ciation for travel working asa Garnett developed her appre Brooke Garnett See Super-Agents. Patrick Fragale jo@ betty 404-254-5677; Atlanta; Travels & Co. Currie Unlimited, OTHER SPECIALTY waters ofKerala, India. Andes or boatingontheback tures like hikingthePeruvian destinations through adven to connectpeoplefar-flung clients travel. Her missionis superior servicewherever her globe, which translates into tegic partnershipsaround the personal networks andstra Currie focuses onmaintaining Jo Betty Currie ADVENTURE EXPERTS INTEREST ! SPECIAL Norway’s Lofoten Islands. heli Betty Jo Currie can plan curriecotravels.com. copter copter rides over

travel.com. Africa. Australia.

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NEW TO LIST SmartFlyer, New York City; and Asia. OTHER SPECIALTIES logistics head-on. unglamorous transportation and addresses complicated, leisure and business trips of advisory firm that crafts effort to create a new breed launched SmartFlyer in an business-class fares. Holtz deep discounts on first- and agencies, which translates into don’t show up on online travel access to ticket pools that Holtz’s connections give him Michael Holtz AIR TRAVEL poitraveler.com. Colo.; 970-925-5855; susan@ Aspen, Travel, Interest of Points Asia. OTHER SPECIALTY prepared. are clients non-adrenaline-junkie her ensure to trails and of paths quality and incline, altitude, studies She trips. adventure biking and hiking planning when levels culty ) di to attention close on paying herself agent—prides travel a with experience pointing a disap after company own her launched Sparks—who Susan Sparks tomato.com. 646-558-3644; tom@black Tomato,Black New York City; ways to experience a place. ground, always looking for new Tomato with an ear to the luxury travel company Black

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YADID LEVY 212-268-9088; michael@smart OTHER SPECIALTY Europe. father to postings in Central namesake company to combine flyer.com. Rudi Steele Travel, Dallas; 214- and South America. Today, his two passions: travel and 522-2782; margery@rudisteele. the 20-year fly-fishing veteran golf. He’s played at hundreds BUSINESS TRAVEL com. explores the world through of courses in more than 30 its rivers, leading expeditions countries, and he can get his Bryan Leibman DESTINATION CELEBRATIONS and planning private trips to clients on exclusive private- Leibman earned an MD before Montana, Zambia, and beyond. club greens. In addition, hotel deciding to join the family Jody Bear OTHER SPECIALTY Adventure. managers receive a personal- business at Frosch. He has cul- Bear typically works with a Camelback Odyssey Travel, ized playbook noting client tivated relationships with air- discerning clientele who de- Phoenix; 602-889-5909; preferences, from pillows and lines, tour operators, and ma- pend on her to create once-in- betsyd@ camelbacktravel.com. music to favorite drinks. jor hotel chains and boutique a-lifetime events, so she makes OTHER SPECIALTY Luxury properties, and is equally as a point of knowing destina- Mollie Fitzgerald travel. focused on providing business tions intimately. In prepara- Annual trips to emerging and Chad Clark Travel Ventures, clients with a luxury travel tion for a family of six travel- bucket-list angler destina- Phoenix; 602-228-2928; experience as he is on coming ing to South Africa to celebrate tions like Russia, Iceland, and [email protected]. up with ways to add value and Christmas, Bear jumped on a Norway make Fitzgerald an increase savings. plane to handpick their guides, expert on when and where to Jani Miller Frosch, New York City; 212- restaurants, and hotels. fish. She provides packing tips An avid golfer who has played 784-0218; bryan.leibman@ OTHER SPECIALTY Family that are unique to the sport, all over the world, Miller has frosch.com. travel. like bringing an electric bug firsthand knowledge of courses Bear & Bear Travel/Tzell, swatter and making sure to and resorts from Ireland to Steve Orens New York City; 212-340-0301; have the best flies for the river. China. Thanks to concierge Orens is known for his stream- [email protected]. OTHER SPECIALTY India. and private club connections, lined itineraries—destination Frontiers International Travel, she can score coveted reserva- details, check-in links, baggage John Clifford Gibsonia, Pa.; 724-935-1577; tions at milestone greens like requirements—and he is con- Clifford’s little black book— [email protected]. the Old Course at St. Andrews, stantly checking for upgrades. filled with nearly 30 years’ Scotland, and Diamante Cabo His company, Plaza Travel, is a worth of contacts—makes FOOD AND WINE San Lucas, in Mexico. preferred partner with brands him the type of party plan- OTHER SPECIALTY Adventure. like Four Seasons, Rosewood, ner who can book the Peggy Lynda Turley Garrett Central Travel, Toledo, Ohio; and Jumeirah, so his clients Guggenheim Collection in Garrett plans entire journeys 800-633-5577; jani@central get the best rooms and special Venice for an after-hours tour. around meals—not to mention travel.com. amenities. In Northern Ireland, he con- food festivals, cooking classes, OTHER SPECIALTIES Family nected a client’s family with and market tours. In each HOTELS travel and Hawaii. a genealogist who introduced destination she visits (recently Plaza Travel, Encino, Calif.; them to distant relatives. Napa, Paris, Melbourne, and Peter S. Carideo 818-990-4053; steve@plaza OTHER SPECIALTIES Hotels and northern India), she makes it a Carideo and his team are vigi- travel.com. LGBT travel. priority to try both Michelin- lant about visiting hotels not International Travel Manage- starred restaurants and neigh- only after they open but Jennifer Wilson-Buttigieg ment, San Diego; 619-299- borhood joints. And she’s never also following renovations and Wilson-Buttigieg is praised 2359; john@internationaltravel used the same itinerary twice. brand and management chang- for her discreet service, and management.com. OTHER SPECIALTIES Australia es. He sees a property’s worst she understands the pres- and New Zealand. rooms first, and carries out sures and priorities of travel- Jack S. Ezon Alpine Travel of Saratoga, lengthy assessments that cover ers who visit three cities in See Super-Agents. Saratoga, Calif.; 831-708-4030; linen quality, bedside lighting, three days or who are away [email protected]. how long food trays linger in two weeks a month. A self- DIVING the hallways, and more. described road warrior, she Keith Waldon OTHER SPECIALTY Multi- plans destination board meet- Robert Becker Waldon—known for his generational travel. ings and executive-education Becker, a PADI Divemaster, tailored, food-centric trips— CRC Travel, Chicago; 773-525- programs in addition to has visited Myanmar, South began his career at Rosewood 3800, ext. 22; peter@crctravel. working with individuals. Water Caye in Belize, and Hotels before working as com. OTHER SPECIALTY Family Hawaii’s Puna Coast over the an executive at the Virtuoso travel. past 12 months. He is adept at travel network. The creator Valerie Ann Wilson Valerie Wilson Travel, pairing diving opportunities of the survey tool Travel See Super-Agents. New York City; 212-592-1210; with cultural destinations, and Persona, he’s an expert at [email protected]. strives to work with operators addressing compatibility Bobby Zur who support local economies issues that might arise on a Zur regularly travels the world CULTURE AND EDUCATION and are serious about conser- trip. Waldon also owns the to inspect properties and con- vation and sustainable travel. Departure Lounge in Austin, nect with hotelier friends— Margery Hunter OTHER SPECIALTY Adventure. Texas, a wine and coffee bar and he’s always up to date on In the past five years, Hunter Protravel International/ that doubles as a Virtuoso room layouts, amenities, and has visited more than two Beckersphere, New York City; travel agency. activities. Clients fill out exten- dozen countries—always on 212-409-9527; robert.becker@ Departure Lounge, Austin, sive surveys before Zur pairs the lookout for new ways to in- protravelinc.com. Tex.; 512-750-1012; kwaldon@ them with destinations and re- corporate history and culture departure lounge.com. sorts; honeymooning couples into her itineraries. In Rome, FLY-FISHING complete them separately. she’ll not only direct clients GOLF OTHER SPECIALTY Southern to Bernini’s Ecstasy of Saint Betsy Donley Africa. Teresa but also give them the Donley’s adventures began in Chad Clark Travel Artistry, Franklin Lakes, reading material to bring the childhood, when she accom- After a career in sports-televi- N.J.; 201-848-4113; bobby@ statue to life. panied her plant pathologist sion sales, Clark launched his travelartistry.com.

THE A!LIST 2015 15 LGBT TRAVEL SPAS AND WELLNESS FAMILY!TRAVEL David Rubin Karen Benson Rubin left a successful law Whether you’re looking for a EXPERTS practice to found DavidTravel, restorative retreat or just a lit- and he still draws on his legal tle pampering, Benson knows background: listening with an where to turn. She has planned Julie Danziger She joined her father’s travel analytic ear, negotiating rates, ayurveda getaways to India, Danziger makes it her mission advisor business in 2008 with and anticipating and heading hikes in Bhutan, and cultural to eliminate the irritations that a focus on planning multigen- off problems. He frequently ar- and spiritual experiences in can arise when traveling with erational trips to celebrate spe- ranges dinners with prominent Arizona. She knows not only children. She’ll make sure your cial occasions. To execute these members of gay communities, which treatments to book but hotel room has a step stool sometimes high-pressure jour- even in less tolerant countries also the best practitioners. for the sink, and if she knows neys, she turns to her consulting like Kenya and Egypt. OTHER SPECIALTY Adventure. amenities like Bulgari are too background, which trained her OTHER SPECIALTY Destination Camelback Odyssey Travel, fragrant for the kids, she’ll ask how to ask the right questions celebrations. Phoenix; 602-889-5862; the hotel for a tot-friendly al- to uncover what her clients DavidTravel, Corona del Mar, [email protected]. ternative. She also has a knack really want—even when they Calif.; 949-427-0199; david@ for designing family-friendly can’t articulate it themselves. davidtravel.com. WEDDINGS AND HONEYMOONS experiences that are both OTHER SPECIALTY Italy. entertaining and educational, Huffman Travel, Chicago; 312- LUXURY TRAVEL Harlan deBell & such as a scavenger hunt 257-2988; shawna@huffman Kara Bebell through the Vatican. travel.com. David Lowy This brother-and-sister team OTHER SPECIALTIES Honey- Lowy is known for his ability has deep relationships in the moons and adventure. Sam McClure to curate extraordinary experi- wedding industry, including Ovation Vacations, New York McClure’s forte is planning ences: private viewings of the florists, caterers, and con- City; 212-329-7289; julied@ for families who take extended Sphinx in Egypt or a chance fectioners. They are often on ovation travel.com. trips, “using the world as their to sit in Churchill’s chair in site at destination weddings, classroom.” While her on-staff the Cabinet War Rooms in and have planned everything Julia P. Douglas curriculum consultant arrang- London. His name guarantees from an intimate party in Douglas, who holds dual es the educational components VIP treatment at hotels around Marrakesh, Morocco, to a big, American and German citizen- of the journey, McClure maps the world, especially at Four medieval-themed wedding in ship, travels constantly with out the lengthy itineraries with Seasons properties, where he Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. her two young children and a keen understanding of the is a preferred partner. OTHER SPECIALTY Pet travel. is attentive to the particular challenges of crossing time OTHER SPECIALTY Private-jet The Travel Siblings at Tzell needs of families on the road, zones with children in tow. travel. Travel Group, New York City; from seamless transfers to ap- Small World Travel, Austin, Tex.; Renshaw Travel, Vancouver, 212-340-0316; harland@tzell. propriate dining options. Her 512-495-9495; sam@small 800-745-7753; dlowy@renshaw com and [email protected]. arsenal includes waltz lessons world.travel. travel.com. in Vienna, paddling Peter Lloyd in Polynesia, and even a cage Kathryn Sudeikis Andrea Malis The president of Century dive off the coast of Cape Town Sudeikis uses her own ex- Like Jerry Maguire, Malis has Travel, Lloyd left a career in with a shark expert. tended family (65 strong) as made “Fewer clients, more software sales to dedicate him- OTHER SPECIALTY Europe. her test group, and is a master attention” her motto. She can self to travel planning. He pays Jet Set World Travel, Chicago; at choosing hotels and restau- book destination celebrations, close attention to details, and 312-574-1181; julia@jetset rants that deliver on all counts. romantic getaways, family always incorporates surprises world travel.com. She’s also skilled at planning trips, and more, and earns into his itineraries. Lloyd is a reunions, offering everything praise for her attention to problem solver who’s quick on Jessica Griscavage from cruises and safaris to handling logistical challenges. his feet, once arranging last- Griscavage is particularly skilled dude ranches and Disney. As For example, for a seasickness- minute transport for a at planning multigenerational she puts it, they “aren’t just for prone family she arranged a wedding cake to St. Martin. trips, most recently an all-out backyards anymore.” land-only Galápagos trip that OTHER SPECIALTIES Italy and Disney getaway during which OTHER SPECIALTY India. rivaled any luxury cruise. cruises. guests stayed at the new Four Acendas, Mission, Kans.; 913- Camelback Odyssey Travel, Century Travel, Atlanta; 800- Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt 671-7700, ext. 325; ksudeikis@ Tucson, Ariz.; 602-266-4000; 533-6336; peter@centurytvl. Disney World Resort. And she acendas.com. [email protected]. com. has plenty of personal experi- ence with family travel, having Kimberly Wilson Wetty Stacy Small Kristen Korey Pike taken her young son throughout The copresident of Valerie This former editor of a private- After growing up in Europe the Caribbean and to Hawaii. Wilson Travel has clients who jet magazine travels more than and the Middle East, Pike OTHER SPECIALTY Honey- have relied on her expertise half the year to ensure that she became a travel addict. Her moons. for two decades. She logs their personally experiences every bespoke itineraries are con- McCabe World Travel, McLean, travel history, understands hotel, yacht, and tour she rec- stantly reevaluated and recon- Va.; 800-747-8401; jessica@ their goals, and keeps track ommends. She’s well versed in firmed, and her honeymoons mccabeworld.com. of their interests so that she the distinct needs of high-net- range from classic (vineyard can make the right suggestion, worth clients, and she’s a pro tours in Tuscany) to adventur- Shawna Huffman Owen whether it’s a relaxed Caribbe- at scoring last-minute room ous (shark cage dives Raised for her first four years in an getaway, a culture-focused and restaurant reservations. in Gansbaai, South Africa). Istanbul, Huffman Owen grew European trip, or an adventur- OTHER SPECIALTY Hotels. OTHER SPECIALTY Middle East. up traveling—first with her ous vacation in Australia. Elite Travel International, Los KK Travels Worldwide, Atlanta; globe-trotting family, then as OTHER SPECIALTY Cruises. Angeles; 310-826-2939; stacy@ 404-458-6800; kristen@ a study-abroad student in high Valerie Wilson Travel, New York elitetravelinternational.com. kktww.com. school and college, and later City; 212-592-1218; kimberly as a management consultant. [email protected].

16 THE A!LIST 2015 NEW TO LIST MEMBER OF T+L’S TAB