Virtuoso Travel Week 2019

Last month our advisor's attended Virtuoso Travel Week and spent the week meeting and socializing with representatives from more than 2,200 hotels, tour operators and more to scope out which popular, new and one of a kind travel experiences are best for our clients. It’s like the Fashion Week of Travel where advisors sit front row to shop for travelers. While it's impossible to meet with all of our wonderful partners around the world, below are just a few updates and highlights from my week.

One&Only Nyungwe House & Gorilla’s Nest

Located alongside the rain forest on a working tea plantation, One&Only Nyungwe House offers an amazing experience into Africa’s wildlife and culture. The other new resort in Rwanda is Gorilla’s Nest, cushioned in the foothills of Africa’s oldest national park; Volcanoes National Park gives guests access to nearly 250,000 acres of land. These lodges work great paired together and both offer unique activities in different parts of the country.

Remote Lands

If you’re looking for the ultimate off the beaten path authentic luxury experience in Asia, Remote Lands creates unique trips that match your passions and exceed expectations. From the Gulf Mask Festival in Papua New Guinea to skiing the back-country in Karakol, Kyrgyzstan or exploring the fascinating culture in Torajaland, Indonesia.

Ted Turner Expeditions

Ted Turner has a beautiful appreciation for our earth and its creatures and works tirelessly to protect and conserve our environment. He wishes to share his love of nature with all generations to develop an appreciation of what Earth has to offer along with a responsibility of well-being. The properties in New Mexico; Turner’s Ladder, Armendaris and Vermejo offer unique adventures that deliver insightful restorative experiences and let guests experience their own exclusive “national park.”

Aman

One of the world’s most exclusive hotel chains, Aman means “peaceful” in Sanskrit. Its minimalist designs and high-quality architecture along with a level of service where being one step ahead of guests is a cultivated art and science; no detail is too small. In November 2019 they will be opening a new secret garden escape in Kyoto located in a secluded setting at one with the city's artistic soul and in 2020 they will be opening their first urban sanctuary and residences in Manhattan where guests can experience harmony within the midst of the most dynamic city on earth.

Nihi Sumba

The five key elements of the Nihi experience are cultural immersion, integrated philanthropy, experiential activities, human connection and luxury accommodations. A haven for the adventurer that offers a vacation with a purpose where rugged luxury meets complete freedom.

Rosewood Hong Kong

One of the most exciting luxury hotel openings for the city in the last decade, Rosewood Hong Kong with its prime location offers panoramic views of the skyline from over 80% of the rooms. Its beautifully designed rooms are combined with a splendid contemporary art collection and the best dining experiences.

Sea Song Tours

Imagine exploring Istanbul with one of the most knowledgeable guides while visiting all of the “must see” sites and finding a special neighborhood to have a Turkish Coffee or doing a private yacht cruise on the Bosphorus. From Cappadocia with its lunar landscape that cannot be seen anywhere else in the world to the ancient city of Ephesus and its wonderfully restored antiquities, Sea Song Tours offers one of a kind experiences and expertise throughout incredible Turkey.

Mandarin Oriental Lago di Como

Newly reopened in April after Mandarin took over and renovated the former resort, the 18th century neoclassical villa is the centerpiece of the hotel which was the home of opera singer Giuditta Pasta. During the renovation the rooms were opened up to include unobstructed panoramic views of Lake Como.

Minaret Station

This private ranch is located on a glacial valley in New Zealand’s southern Alps and is only accessible by helicopter offering the ultimate remote, luxury experience. Set outside Queenstown, Minaret is lavish and the epitome of comfort mixed with adventure.

Six Senses Zighy Bay

“Marhaba,” meaning welcome in Arabic greets you at the resort. This romantic, rugged and remote hotel in the gorgeous, cultural Oman offers one of a kind experiences. Set between the Hajar Mountains among the opal blue waters of Musandam’s fjords. The only hotel in the world where you can choose to arrive by speedboat, car or paragliding onto the beach where a glass of champagne awaits you.