Jordan Harvey, a South America specialist, plans treks in the Andes passing alpaca- and llama-filled pastures.

Te more unpredict- able our natural and political land- scapes become, the more we feel the urge to visit places untouched by the news cycle. So, as we continue to support and keep a close watch on those areas hit hardest by a rash of hurri- canes, fires, and foreign- policy blunders, we’re craving the kind of life- and perspec- tive-changing travel that’s made all the more magical when planned by the pros—no matter how fearless and self- sufcient we some- times feel. Because surviving in, say, the Bolivian jungle one day and meeting with the hottest artists in Lima the next re- quires both grit and access—to say nothing of a netork of on-the-ground 2017 know-how that you quite literally can’t live without in some T R AVEL SPECIALISTS places. Here are the experts, fixers, and experience makers you’ll want

in your foxhole. JérômeGalland Photographby

46 Condé Nast Traveler / 12.17 by PAUL BRADY and CHRISTINE CANTERA TRAVEL SPECIALISTS

Forces officers, Ryan Hilton archaeologists, chefs, AuthentEscapes AFRICA AND THE and other insiders. He’s planned photogra- phy workshops in the MIDDLE EAST MOROCCO Michael Diamond bush, connected travel- Cobblestone Private ers with antipoaching Travel teams, and coordinated His travelers meet with a 10-day, 62-mile walk- women’s rights NGOs ing safari through raw in the Ourika Valley, get wilderness. CENTR AL, EASTER N, the best rooms at Teresa Sullivan AND SOUTHER N AFR ICA in-demand riads in Mango African Safaris Cherri Briggs Marrakech, and do tast- Sullivan knows which Explore, Inc. ing tours through Fès. routes, camps, and Briggs has spent more game reserves are best than two decades Mike Korn Heritage Tours suited to families, and planning trips to she’s coordinated mul- Africa, and her latest If you want to try dune boarding in the Sahara tiday walks in the focus is lesser-known Kenyan bush. but awe-inspiring or see the blue-walled places like Cameroon, city of Chefchaouen, go Phoebe Weinberg the Central African with Korn. He’s also Greatways Travel Republic, and Zambia. got great guides in Fès Weinberg can and Marrakech. get you the best rooms Michael Lorentz (like No. 6 at Singita Passage to Africa OMAN Sean Nelson Lebombo Lodge or No. 1 Lorentz shines at back- at Vumbura Plains), of-beyond trips Oman Expeditions He knows the best plus over-the-top to Ethiopia and mobile extras like helicopter safaris in Botswana, climbing and canyon- eering routes; the flights above the where you’ll spot Okavango Delta. meerkat, hyena, and most exhilarating dune- other wildlife. bashing and quad- biking spots; and the Henrietta Loyd perfect stretches Cazenove + Loyd of coast for surfing, She’ll arrange art tours diving, and sailing. ASIA in Cape Town, meet- ings with politicos in SOUTHERN AFRICA Ethiopia, and safaris Dan Achber through tribal regions Trufflepig of Kenya. Achber knows Botswana particularly Mark Nolting well—he’s organized The Africa Adventure BHUTAN multiday paddles Brent Olson Company on the Selinda Spillway GeoEx For off-the-map safaris and game counts Sean Nelson, an Oman specialist, knows his way around the Hajar Mountains. Olson knows where led by researchers with zebra researchers to stay (Amankora, in places like the rarely working in the Zhiwa Ling Heritage) visited Mabuasehube family safaris, and she’s including the three experience in North Makgadikgadi Pans. Game Reserve, Nolting and how to duck also expert at gorilla major pyramids and Africa and the Deborah Calmeyer is our guy. crowds, and can tracking in Rwanda. the Sphinx. Middle East, and has Roar Africa arrange meditation Nina Wennersten and fixers who can speak Wil Smith and ETHIOPIA With her far-reaching retreats with Daniel Saperstein Karen Zulauf Will Jones to everything from network that includes Buddhist monks. Hippo Creek Safaris Deeper Africa Journeys by Design ancient ruins to con- some of the region’s This duo pulls off spec- temporary politics. BHUTAN, INDIA, AND They take walking A native of Africa, savviest guides, she can NEPAL tacular trips in Kenya safaris seriously, pair- Jones has been work- ISRAEL get you into private Antonia “Toni” Neubauer (to the Segera Retreat, ing you up with leading ing in safaris since Susan Weissberg homes, gardens, and Myths and Mountains for example), South researchers, game 1994, managing camps, Wyllys Professional art collections you Her trips go way off the Africa (where they’ll wardens, antipoaching guiding trips, and Travel can’t otherwise see. beaten track into arrange private teams, and guides planning way-out-there She knows the Julian Harrison villages for homestays wine tastings), and for itineraries in Kenya, expeditions into contemporary art that give you an unvar- Tanzania (where Premier Tours Tanzania, Uganda, and tribal villages and scene in Jaffa He’s arranged nished look at real they recommend beyond. stretches of untouched and the right guides trips with wildlife film- life in the countryside. Roving Bushtops). wilderness. for a deep dive EGYPT makers Dereck CAMBODIA into Jewish history. EASTERN AFRICA Rami Girgis IRAN AND TUNISIA and Beverly Joubert, Andy Booth Linda Friedman Abercrombie & Kent Jerry Sorkin Joe Yudin as well as with lion AboutAsia Custom Safaris Girgis can get you pri- Iconic Journeys Touring Israel and rhino researchers. Booth is particularly She’s planned lots of vate access to the Worldwide Yudin can connect you handy around Tonlé

multigenerational entire Giza Plateau, He’s got decades of with Israel Defense Sap Lake, where his Murray + Paola Photographby

48 Condé Nast Traveler / 12.17 TRAVEL SPECIALISTS

guests can watch wild- Bertie and Victoria Dyer MYANMAR tours; in Vietnam, they FIJI AND PAPUA life and navigate floating Tyler Dillon introduce travelers NEW GUINEA India Beat Lynette Wilson villages aboard a pri- The Jaipur-based Trufflepig to veterans of the war AUSTRALIA Destination World vate wooden boat. He’s couple has organized He’s constructed pop- for a local perspective AND THE She’s the ultimate go- also figured out the elephant-tracking up hotels along on the conflict. SOUTH PACIFIC to in the region for best times to visit trips, visits to polo remote hiking routes G. W. “Sandy” Ferguson scuba diving, water- ancient complexes like matches, and and planned street- Asia Desk view villas, and Angkor Thom to avoid gallery tours led by food tours. Dillon He can make intros off-the-grid hiking. jostling with crowds. curators at spots can also set up meet- to artists in Thailand, like Delhi’s National ings with activists conservationists in NEW ZEALAND CENTRAL ASIA Donna Thomas Zulya Rajabova Handicrafts and and officials for time- Siem Reap, archaeolo- ly briefings on the New Zealand Travel Silk Road Treasure Tours Handlooms Museum. gists in Angkor, AUSTRALIA She plans hikes Rajabova knows the top country’s political and monks in Luang Drew Kluska INDIA AND PAKISTAN with the best guide in guides at the incredi- Jonny Bealby landscape. Prabang. The Tailor the Papamoa Hills, ble Gur-e-Amir complex Wild Frontiers Maximilian Horsley Kluska’s roster of Catherine Heald evenings with Maori in Samarkand (a sort Bealby is a logistics Arakan Travel winemakers, fashion Remote Lands elders, and wine of Silk Road Taj Mahal) mastermind who He takes travelers insiders, and Olympic Heald is at her best tastings at the coun- and the best hotels has planned expedi- deep into the country- medalists adds next- with multi country Asia try’s top vineyards. across the region. tions through side for market tours, trips, coordinating level insights to trips. Trevor Thomas the Hindu Kush and monastery visits, drivers, guides, and Pedro O’Connor CHINA Southern Crossings Gerald Hatherly Kashmir. and encounters with private tours, Epic Private Journeys Thomas scours his Abercrombie & Kent hill tribes and with whether you’re going He’s planned INDONESIA home country for new Thanks to decades Diane Embree insiders who can con- to remote villages in private-jet adventures lodges, camps, and spent on the ground Bali Barong Tours textualize the coun- Myanmar, the that hopscotch the villas (like the suites at here (and his perfect Think Bali is overtour- try’s ongoing internal Borobudur Buddhist country and led scuba Mahu Whenua), and Mandarin), Hatherly isted? She’ll guide conflicts. temple on Java, divers to the adventures like boating can pull off seemingly you to spots that don’t or on rain forest treks Great Barrier Reef. SOUTHEAST ASIA through fords. impossible access even appear on April Cole and through Borneo. Stuart Rigg to the Forbidden City maps and set you up Andrea Ross Southern Crossings SOUTH PACIFIC ISLANDS VIETNAM Kleon Howe and Xi’an’s Terracotta at luxury hotels Journeys Within Tour Nathan Lane Go behind the scenes The Art of Travel Army site. almost nobody’s heard Company Butterfield & Robinson at some of Australia’s Howe knows every inch Mei Zhang about. This pair is well- Lane is a pro at pulling most famous of the islands : which WildChina connected across the together cycling vineyards, charter JAPAN resorts are worth book- She’s a Chinese-food Nancy Craft region: In Cambodia, trips through villages yachts to the Great ing (Vahine Island and expert, plotting Esprit Travel & Tours they can make your in the Red River Barrier Reef, and the Hotel Kia Ora), which quests for prosciutto- She helps open Angkor Wat excursion Delta, Vespa tours in explore the wild, raw Saturday farmers’ like ham in Yunnan doors to artists, chefs, pop; in Thailand, they Saigon, and sails Northern Territory market is worth a detour and fiery mapo tofu in craftspeople, musi- arrange street-food off the coast of Hoi An. with Rigg’s help. (Avarua’s), and which Chengdu. She’s cians, Shinto priests, windsurfing spots have also built a network and Buddhist abbots. the best breeze (he of experts who add THE MALDIVES likes the Aitutaki lagoon). context to trips Lindsey Wallace throughout the country. Linara Travel THE HIMALAYAS He knows which Sanjay Saxena resorts have the best Nomadic Expeditions service and which CENTRAL AND He’ll handle all that offer the quickest SOUTH byzantine paperwork access to snorkeling “THIS SEASON WE’RE DOING AMERICA to secure trekking in the United permits, arrange flight- Nations–protected THE FIRST-EVER YACHT- seeing over the Hanifaru Bay. He Himalayas, and set up also knows Mauritius BASED HELI-SKIING TO one-on-ones with and the Seychelles. scholars, philanthro- ANTARCTICA’S INNER PEAKS. MONGOLIA pists, climbers, Jalsa Urubshurow WE ACTUALLY CHARTERED and craftspeople. Nomadic Expeditions ARGENTINA Maita Barrenechea INDIA He’ll get you riding TWO VESSELS, SO TWO Lucy Davison horses, watching tra- Mai 10 Banyan Tours & Travels ditional wrestling HELICOPTERS CAN TRAVEL She was among the Davison works and archery, shooting WITH THE MOTHER SHIP.” first to offer fly-fishing across the country, incredible photos trips to Patagonia planning treks in in the Gobi Desert, Tim Soper, expedition ships specialist and to open estancias mountainous Ladakh, and touring the to guests for horse- palace tours in highlights of Mongolia’s back riding. She’s still Jaipur, and visits to fes- rapidly modernizing our go-to for both. tivals in Tamil Nadu. capital.

Condé Nast Traveler / 12.17 49 TRAVEL SPECIALISTS

ARGENTINA, CHILE, Kathleen Sheridan AND COLOMBIA Harry Hastings McCabe World Travel Sheridan knows Plan South America the top castle hotels Hastings has intel and countryside on top-notch estancias manors (like Sheen and can connect you “I HAD A CLIENT, A PRO CRICKET UMPIRE, Falls and Ballyfin), and with all sorts of inter- has clued-in guides esting locals, from WHO WANTED TO CALL A GAME AT who lead seaside hikes, emerald miners to fishing trips, and rock-star chefs. THE FAMOUS NEWLANDS STADIUM IN horseback rides. ARGENTINA, CHILE, CAPE TOWN. I ARRANGED IT—AND AND PERU ITALY Jordan Harvey DINNER WITH SOUTH AFRICA’S NATIONAL Brian Dore and Maria Knowmad Adventures Gabriella Landers He’s scoured the CRICKET TEAM.” CIU Travel They’ve arranged whole of Chile, scram- Deborah Calmeyer, Southern Africa specialist bled all over Machu a prime viewing spot Picchu, and searched for the iconic Palio the cities and race, the best rooms pampas of Argentina at small-but-lovely to find the top Sicilian inns, and tours hikes and best hotels. CHILE knowledge and an Leftheris Papageorgiou of privately owned Brian Pearson extensive network of Hellenic Adventures Palladian villas that BOLIVIA AND PERU Upscape EUROPE personal contacts Go behind the scenes Marisol Mosquera aren’t normally open He knows the top bou- who open their homes at artists’ studios to visitors. Aracari tique hotels (like Casa to his guests. and archaeological digs Andrea Grisdale She taps insiders Bouchon), the Sno-Cat with Papageorgiou. Pascale Bernasse IC Bellagio like museum curators, guides who’ll have you He’ll even set up chats French Wine Explorers She has behind- chefs (like Pedro skiing chutes, and the with experts on She’s got the connec- the-scenes access at Miguel Schiaffino of cycling routes for rid- contemporary Greek tions and clout to fashion houses (like Lima’s Malabar), ers of all fitness levels. politics (if geeking out get the most exclusive Gucci and Zegna) and and even jungle-survival is your thing). experts for her trips. COLOMBIA CENTRAL EUROPE tours of legendary iconic sites like the Boris Seckovic Gwen Kozlowski estates, often from Christos Stergiou Vatican and the Uffizi, BRAZIL Amakuna Exeter International TrueTrips Martin Frankenberg family members where she’ll make sure Seckovic can make it all Kozlowski can score whose names are on Stergiou can pull you never wait in line. Matueté happen: street-art tours of the Spanish the bottles. off private, after-hours Adamarie King Frankenberg is dialed tours through Medellín’s Riding School, open access to museums, Connoisseur’s Travel in with incredible villas, once-dangerous comu- doors to crafts work- GERMANY organize catamaran Marion Harbison She’ll have you baking Amazon River charter nas, dark-roast tasting shops in the Czech trips around the yachts, and expeditions Brownell Travel alongside locals in at a coffee farm, or Republic, or plan mul- Cyclades, and find to the dunes of Harbison will take you Sicily, touring private a visit to lesser-known tiday tasting trips to quality hotel rooms, Lençóis Maranhenses to normally over- art collections, visiting villages like Mompós. family-owned wineries even in high season. National Park. looked (but supremely ceramicists and furni- COSTA RICA in the Wachau Valley. Paul Irvine stunning) castles ICELAND ture makers, or sailing Irene Edwards Ellison Poe and coordinate Chris Gordon the Venetian Lagoon. Dehouche GreenSpot Travel Icepedition Poe Travel fascinating tours Gary Portuesi He’s planned exclusive She can pull off helicop- He’s the guy to call if She’ll arrange for the of centuries-old Authentic Italy workshops with a ter flights over you want to kayak best tables at under- abbeys and wineries. He’s our go-to for local fashion designer, volcanoes or a day at among icebergs, go the-radar restaurants tooling through Parma cooking classes with a sloth sanctuary. GREECE horseback riding in Vienna and private and Modena to sample chef Felipe Bronze Mina Agnos on an Arctic Ocean of Oro, art tours, jag- COSTA RICA, NICARAGUA, tours of legendary Parmigiano-Reggiano, AND PANAMA Travel2Greece by beach, or spend Habsburg palaces. balsamic vinegar, uar tracking, and Pierre Gedeon Travelive the night under the and prosciutto; flying samba dancing lessons. Nicaragua Adventures CROATIA Her on-the-ground ops Aurora Borealis. Jill Siegel He’s clutch when it Wanda S. Radetti team can handle com- from Rome to Capri VisitCroatia.com plex multi-island itiner- IRELAND for lunch (back in time South American comes to multicountry Geraldine Murtagh Tap Radetti for the aries with private for dinner); or having Escapes trips that combine run- Elegant Ireland latest intel on boat and helicopter a private picnic on the If you want the best ning rapids with She has an insane the best hotels (like transfers to spots Sicilian island of Mozia. seats at the Carnaval relaxing at retreats Rolodex—dukes and the Lešić Dimitri like Ios and Koufonisia. Rudston Steward parade, a trip up like Nekupe. duchesses, Palace), wineries, the Amazon in search Ronnie Liadis historians, politicians, Trufflepig ECUADOR AND PERU restaurants, and yacht of pink dolphins, or Tom Damon Liadis Travel mountain climbers, He’s sussed out amazing charters along food (and places to stay) a yacht charter off the Southwind Adventures She’s secured access artists—all of whom coast of Paraty, His focus is active the Adriatic Coast. to otherwise off- look after her in lesser-known corners of Italy, like the Aeolian Siegel can hook you up. travel with guides like FRANCE limits ancient sites and travelers. She also has the grandson of one of Anthony Bay wineries that aren’t a can’t-find-it-any- Islands, Tuscany’s Monte the Peruvians who Anthony Bay Is Europe open to the public, and where-else roster of Amiata, and towns took Hiram Bingham to He has extraordinary chartered boats amazing castles like Matera in Basilicata. Machu Picchu. historical and regional around Santorini. and estates for rent.

50 Condé Nast Traveler / 12.17 TRAVEL SPECIALISTS

THE NETHERLANDS David Tobin THE UNITED KINGDOM ride horses with legit CANADA Harmina Mulder Dream Escape Nicola Butler cowboys, or just shack Marc Télio The Travel Society Tobin’s an ace at getting NoteWorthy NORTH AMERICA up in a Pacific-side Entrée Destinations She’s got major pull at inside private castles She’s one of the most AND THE hotel, she’ll plan it all. He’s got logistics all the top hotels, and estates, and he’s connected people experts across the CARIBBEAN BERMUDA and she’ll score tables well connected with in the country, whether Vicky McGlynn country to make at the country’s best you want to meet sure ski vacations, all the top guides in the Travelong of Summit restaurants, like De Kas CBEs, score courtside road trips, paddling Highlands. She’s been visiting the and Librije’s Zusje. Wimbledon seats, expeditions, and island since childhood, SPAIN or get into otherwise wildlife watching all PORTUGAL Sebastian Lapostol and can often get closed museums. go off without a hitch. Gonçalo Correia Trufflepig travelers access to pri- He also knows Alaska. Tours for You He’s got friends in Jonathan Epstein vate clubs, or even A MER ICAN NATIONAL He’s arranged Celebrated Experiences CUBA the right places: mycol- PARKS parliament, in addition dinner with a former ogists who lead truffle Epstein knows which Marty Behr to the best rooms at Alison Coelho president of Portugal, of The Torridon’s InsightCuba hunts near Barcelona, National Parks Revealed hotels like the Loren at a private concert rooms have the best Coelho has long- flamenco musicians Behr has arranged Pink Beach. with one of the coun- lake views, and how established contacts in Jerez de la Frontera, Monument Valley hikes, try’s top fado to score upgrades at CALIFOR NIA WINE at Cuba’s government and field biologists flight-seeing over COUNTRY singers, and cocktails Gleneagles, and can Ania Gatto ministries, and she who know all the great San Francisco Bay, and at the studio of sneak you into the top Wine Country Concierge can hook you up with birding spots. hikes to untrammeled artist João Figueiredo. hotels in Edinburgh She’s pulled off rooms at the most Ally Lewing corners of classics PORTUGAL AND SPAIN and London, even at after-hours tastings desirable hotels—a Heritage Tours like the Grand Canyon, Virginia Irurita peak times. at top wineries, necessity in a country With Lewing, you’ll see Yellowstone, and Made for Spain & Jane McCrum opened doors to invita- with limited options. some of Spain’s most Yosemite. Portugal popular sights, includ- In Any Event Tours tion-only cellars, Michael Sykes Irurita has thrilled ing the Mezquita in McCrum can book you AMERICAN WEST and has the scoop on Cuba Cultural Travel clients with coastal Córdoba and Seville’s a stay at castles and Caroline Bach Wood what’s reopened Sykes connects trav- hikes along the cliffs Alcázar, after hours palatial country homes, Caroline Travel after this fall’s fires. elers with fascinating near Sagres, access to on private tours. so you can live like Whether you want to locals, like Cristina members-only clubs an aristocrat, if only shoot photos in Escobar Domínguez, in Porto, and private SWITZERLAND for your trip. Utah’s slot canyons, a journalist and Christopher ChurchillPhotographby flamenco shows and Jack Shaw wine tastings. Epic Europe Shaw knows the top RUSSIA AND EASTERN EUROPE ski instructors and heli Greg Tepper guides, plans high- Exeter International altitude hikes with stays Linda Friedman, an Eastern Africa specialist, can take you gorilla trekking in Rwanda. Whether you want to at mountain refugios, tour the Kremlin or and has contacts at luxe get behind the curtain watchmakers (in case at St. Petersburg’s you need a new piece).

Vaganova Ballet TURKEY Academy, where both Karen Fedorko Sefer Balanchine and Sea Song Tours Baryshnikov danced, Fedorko Sefer will get he’s got you covered. you into historical sites SCANDINAVIA before they open to Jan Sortland the public, book the Norwegian Adventures very best hotel rooms, Sortland plans climbing and get you aboard expeditions, glacier some of Turkey’s top treks, sea kayaking, charter yachts. and even dogsledding Earl Starkey adventures. Protravel International SCOTLAND Starkey can pull off a Camilla Davidson private visit to the NoteWorthy Hagia Sophia, organize She’s plugged in to dinner at the Ephesus Scotland’s sizzling food archaeological site, and scene and has contacts introduce you to at the best distilleries, fixers like Riza Yenice, world-famous golf links, the kind of person and even private hunt- you’re happy spending ing estates. a week with.

For more on the incredible experiences these specialists can deliver, and for their contact info, visit cntraveler.com/ travel-specialists.

52 Condé Nast Traveler / 12.17 TRAVEL SPECIALISTS

broadcaster, and private gardens, Mary Jean Tully FRANCE Victor Marín, an archi- wine tastings, and bik- Tully Luxury Travel Erica Berman tectural historian. ing tours. Because of her rela- Haven In tionships at Crystal, Berman is best known MEXICO EXPEDITION SHIPS for fully serviced Paris Zachary Rabinor Sharon Keating Regent, Seabourn, and rentals that come with Journey Mexico Polar Cruises Viking, she can stocked fridges, fresh He’ll coordinate tours She’s booked travelers “ C H I N A ’ S finesse excursions (mini flowers, and a driver on with celebrated chefs, on ships sailing Russia’s safaris, private Great EXPANDING call. Her firm has devise a multiday hike far east; around Wall tours) you couldn’t recently added homes through the Copper Spitsbergen, Norway; otherwise arrange. NETWORK in Versailles Canyon area (with luxe and to the Falklands, Angela Turen and Provence, too. camps along the South Georgia, and OF BULLET Churchill & Turen way), or get you surfing Antarctica. She gets travelers on Gail Boisclair TRAINS IS Perfectly Paris on beaches you’ll have Thomas Lennartz lines like Regent or She has nearly 20 all to yourself. Quark Expeditions Silversea stateroom SUCH AN years of experience Stephanie Schneiderman He’s got access to upgrades, spa treat- renting gorgeous Tia Stephanie Tours nuclear-powered IMPORTANT ments, and perks like flats in Montmartre Many of her itineraries icebreakers in Russia free drinks that seem and its surrounding focus on traditional (for real) and luxury CHANGE. to magically appear. arrondissements. handmade crafts, tex- yachts that do IT OPENS UP YACHT CHARTERS tile design, and folk private charters to Mary T. Crowley Nick Westwood art. She can also hook Antarctica, and SO MANY Ocean Voyages Red Savannah you up with cooking he’s pulled off hot-air If it floats, Crowley can He’s the one to call classes and visits to ballooning over AREAS, AND figure a way to charter for homes along the mezcal distilleries. icebergs, spectacular it, whether you need Côte d’Azur, as well wildlife watching, I THINK a phinisi in Indonesia, a as in France’s unsung PACIFIC NORTHWEST Sheri Doyle and trips led by world- catamaran in Raiatea, corners, like Cap THE BUSINESS Ferret, the coastal Pacific Northwest class photographers. or a sloop in the Lesser retreat near Journeys Ashton Palmer CLASS IS Antilles. Bordeaux. The go-to for wildlife ExpeditionTrips expeditions, boat A former expedition THE MOST FRANCE, ITALY, AND SPAIN charters, impossible- leader, Palmer special- COMFORTABLE Cédric Reversade to-get hotel and izes in small-ship VILLAS and Paul-Maxime Koskas restaurant reserva- cruises aboard some WAY TO Unique Properties tions, and road-trip of the world’s top & Events advice in the U.S. as vessels to the polar TRAVEL THE They’ve recently well as British regions, as well added new properties Columbia and the as the Galápagos. COUNTRY.” in Formentera and Pantelleria, as well as Canadian Rockies. Todd Smith Gerald Hatherly, China specialist CALIFORNIA WINE COUNTRY yoga retreats to AdventureSmith Liza Graves homes in Mallorca and Explorations BeautifulPlaces Umbria; they can His trips to Alaska She’s based in Sonoma, also charter yachts. CRUISES and the Galápagos are which means she’s aboard small ships FRANCE, SPAIN, AND THE Seabourn, and Viking. RIVER CRUISES got on-the-ground intel UNITED KINGDOM and charter yachts She knows which Richard Bruce Turen about what’s open Adam Coats like the National staterooms have the Churchill & Turen and what’s not after the Red Savannah Geographic Orion or best views (and the Turen is a master at fires this fall. She Coats personally the Sea Wolf, a least noise), and crafting in-depth tours also has first dibs on inspects every one of historic wooden she can often secure of ports like Prague, the region’s top his villas, including that minesweeper. EUROPEAN BARGE CRUISES free upgrades calling on a network of homes, not to mention 300-acre estate on Jill Jergel Tim Soper and other extra perks. journalists, expats, impossible reserva- Menorca with its own Frontiers International EYOS Expeditions tions and private wine Tom Baker and other insiders who private cove and those Travel He’s taken travelers offer greater context tastings. stately Cotswolds CruiseCenter She can get you cabins to climate research beyond rote historical manors where the only Baker’s got a lock on THE CARIBBEAN on intimate vessels, stations in Antarctica, facts. He also knows neighbors are sheep. the best rooms on Tim Roney as well as the top ships through the oceangoing lines, like big ships, and he’s an LaCure GREECE that bigger river Northwest Passage, Crystal and Regent expert at planning Roney leans on 35 Ileana von Hirsch cruise lines operate and on cultural Seven Seas. over-the-top pre- and years of experience Five Star Greece throughout Europe. immersion trips to post-sail tours, SMALL SHIPS when he recommends She knows Mykonos places like Papua Ellen Sack like a walk through Leslie Fambrini homes (and entire and Santorini, of New Guinea. The Barge Lady the Vatican Personalized Travel private islands) across course, but von Hirsch Sack will pair you LARGE SHIPS cloisters during a Consultants the region, in places is more keen on with the right charter, Linda Allen Med cruise. Fambrini has major like Barbados, Jamaica, less-visited Corfu, and her bespoke Cruises by Linda pull with luxury lines, and the many coun- where some excursions are second Allen has major clout including Crystal, tries that are back up homes have spectacu- to none: truffle hunts with lines including Paul Gauguin, Silversea, and running after lar pools, and in Burgundy, visits to Celebrity, Norwegian, and Windstar. this year’s hurricanes. the Ionian islands.

Condé Nast Traveler / 12.17 53 TRAVEL SPECIALISTS

HAWAII ST. BARTS Matthews for private a private palace in Ethiopia, India, and the Ryne Holliday Peg Walsh homes (plus local Jaipur, a castle in United Arab Emirates. Hawaii Hideaways St. Barth Properties staff). She knows prop- SPECIAL Northern Ireland, and Holliday has listings Walsh has the latest on MILES AND POINTS erties in Cambodia and INTEREST some of Italy’s most Gary Leff across the major what’s available in St. Vietnam, too. stunning luxury hotels. islands, including plenty Barts right now—homes Book Your Award SPAIN DISNEY One of the original of beachfront homes ranging from surpris- Mary Vaira with killer views and ingly reasonable Michelle Allen points hackers, Leff has El Sol Villas rural retreats, like one to completely over-the- Travel Magic a handle on the She’s got access to situated between two top—and those that You could try to figure ins and outs of every the chicest villas and waterfalls. will be restored in the out the best ways to program and how apartments, plus AIRLINE ASSISTANCE coming months. beat the crowds, skip to maximize your miles ITALY hyperlocal tours, like Brett Snyder lines, book the right to get into one of Cranky Concierge Countess Simonetta ST. MARTIN AND SINT an up-close look restaurants, and tackle Etihad’s in-air “suites,” Brandolini d’Adda MAARTEN at the production of Snyder’s able to Sonja van der Drift all the ancillary or how to upgrade The Best in Italy jamón Ibérico. suggest the ideal airline BlueOceanVillas Disney logistics. Or to business-class seats Her portfolio includes for any given route, you could just tap for next to nothing. private estates and She’s got properties THE UNITED K INGDOM and his team monitors AND IRELAND Allen, who’s got it all opulent, historic villas; on both sides of the Andrew Loyd flights in real time OVER-THE-TOP TRIPS island, and she’s able to on lock. Kate Doty she’ll also coordinate Loyd & Townsend Rose to provide updates on help you navigate a wine tastings, lavish A one-time butler, gate changes and FAMILY TRAVEL GeoEx post–Hurricane Irma Kay Merrill Doty knows which lunches, and curator- he organizes not delays. They’ll also trip this winter. Are We There Yet? airstrips can led gallery tours. just rental estates rebook you in a flash. Family Adventures accommodate your Chiara Guidi SOUTH AMERICA but also activities DESTINATION Merrill is a pro at keep- private jet, how to Red Savannah Luisa Ladron de Guevara like sporting-clay CELEBRATIONS ing families with older score access to top Originally from Oasis Collections shooting, croquet, Jack S. Ezon children happy, running diplomats, and the Florence, Guidi is Her properties in cities garden tours, Ovation Vacations guided hikes on the best ways to see back- particularly strong in including Buenos Aires, falconry, Scottish folk Ezon has tight relation- Camino de Santiago, of-beyond spots like Central Italy, with Cartagena, Mexico City, dancing, and private ships with hotels— surfing expeditions Chad, the D.R.C., or homes in the Maremma and Rio de Janeiro tours of distilleries. meaning he can often to Peru, or polo-play- Indonesia’s out islands. as well as offerings have all the amenities snag upgraded rooms WORLDWIDE or other perks—and ing adventures in in Umbrian villages you’d expect and Marina Gratsos Kathy Obbish also come with passes he’s planned parties on Argentina. Custom Safaris & like Bevagna and Carpe Diem to nearby gyms, Necker Island and even Leslie Overton Explorations Montefalco. Luxury Travel private clubs, and a local a 350-person wedding Passported She plans incredible Patrice Salezze For when you abso- concierge who can at Versailles. Overton specializes in wildlife-focused trips in Papavero Villa Rentals lutely have to have that help plan tours or snag immersive cultural Kenya, Rwanda, and She’s got properties 12th-century castle DESTINATION WEDDINGS restaurant reservations. experiences, like cook- Tanzania, as well as across the country and or a private island of Harlan deBell ing classes, dance or adventure-minded itin- a network of guides, SOUTHEAST ASIA your own, the well- and Kara Bebell music lessons, weaving eraries in places like some of whom she’s Melissa Matthews connected Gratsos is The Travel Siblings or pottery classes, Australia’s Outback and worked with for 15 Red Savannah the person to call. They’ve organized wed- years, who can arrange If you’ve already done dings and receptions in Latin America and the Canadian Rockies. Southeast Asia. wine tastings, every Bali resort, tap at incredible venues, like SCUBA DIVING bike trips, or in-depth FLY-FISHING Meg Austin museum tours. Mollie Fitzgerald The Travel Society Mara Solomon Frontiers She’s been planning Homebase Abroad International Travel adventure trips Solomon has access to She’s got exclusive for more than 30 years, some of Italy’s most access to some of and she knows every luxurious estates, many the world’s finest fish- cave, reef, and wreck— of which are ideal for “IN TUSCANY’S VAL D’ORCIA, ing, in places like plus quality hotels big groups or destina- Bhutan and Russia, in every port for when tion celebrations, like WHERE EVERYONE VISITS and knows all the you’re done diving birthdays or weddings, best spots to cast in for the day. THE SAME PECORINO MAKER New Zealand, and a concierge team WINE to arrange Ferrari test Scotland, the U.S., Larry Martin IN PIENZA, I INSTEAD SEND and pretty much drives or opera tickets. Food & Wine Trails everywhere else. NEW ZEALAND CLIENTS TO THE VIRTUALLY Martin has spent Jacqui Spice LGBTQ TRIPS his whole life in Sonoma Touch of Spice UNKNOWN CASTELLO DI David Rubin County, which is still Her portfolio includes DavidTravel recovering from devas- sprawling countryside POTENTINO TO SEE MY A rock star when it tating fires, and he’s retreats, private CHEESE-MAKING FRIENDS comes to destination got close contacts at islands, and other celebrations or mile- every big-time wine escapes, plus all FRANCESCA AND LORENZO.” stone birthdays, he’s producer in California. sorts of staff—private Rudston Steward, Italy specialist got a global network He can also take you drivers, yoga teachers, that’s pulled off dream deep into on-the-cusp chefs—to help trips for guests regions in Croatia, round out your trip. in places like Egypt, Germany, or Slovenia.

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