Tell us about you and your company.

We run Bog & Thunder, an eco-travel company specializing in food tours of Ireland. In addition to creating custom itineraries for private trips, we also curate small group tours that are food-based and organized around a theme such as wellness & spirituality, outdoor adventures, and music. Our ideal customers are people who love great food and appreciate artisans and producers, but are also looking for deeper social, cultural, and nature-based experiences when they travel. 

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Tell us about you and your company.

Butterfield & Robinson is an active luxury travel company founded in 1966 by three friends from Toronto. Originally specializing in cycling tours across Europe, the company has since evolved to offer a wide range of active and experiential journeys, now operating in over 60 countries worldwide. As an Experience Designer and Region Manager, I oversee our North American portfolio, which includes Canada, the U.S., and Mexico. I began my career with B&R in 2012 as a biking and hiking guide, and as a planner, I have spent nearly a decade crafting unique, once-in-a-lifetime experiences for private and small group travellers. 

Here’s a bit more about me.

What’s the entry level to talk to you? (a trip cost minimum, a planning fee, a membership fee?)

Trips in North America generally start around US $1,000 per person, per day. We ask for a trip development fee of $1,000 to get the private trip planning process underway. This fee is seen as a deposit and is ultimately credited towards the final cost of the trip. 

What is the sweet spot of your expertise?

Finding the balance between raw adventure, epic scenery, immersive cultural experiences and the creature comforts where they matter most. 

Can you share a few favorite trips/itineraries you’ve planned in Canada that best represent your philosophy?

For families – British Columbia’s West Coast is an ideal destination for a multi-active adventure suited to all ages. Most journeys begin in the vibrant city of Vancouver, known for its dynamic food scene—highlighted by Granville Island Market and the Richmond Night Market—and its easy access to nature, including the old-growth forests and beaches of Stanley Park. From here, a scenic seaplane flight takes us to Vancouver Island’s wild West Coast, where we settle into the renowned Wickaninnish Inn, a Relais & Châteaux property perched on a rocky point in Tofino, Canada’s surf capital. In addition to surfing, we explore by bike and on foot through ancient cedar forests, head out on bear and whale-watching excursions, and enjoy interpretive beach walks with a Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation guide. The adventure continues with a private boat charter into remote Clayoquot Sound, where we stay at the luxurious Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge. From this 5-star tented retreat, guests can enjoy everything from sea kayaking and canyoning to horseback riding, mountain biking, and rock climbing.

For foodies – Visiting Québec feels like a trip to Europe—without the transatlantic flight. The food is a major highlight, from Montréal’s diverse, world-class restaurants to the cozy French bistros and old-world bakeries of Québec City. Beyond the cities, regions like the Eastern Townships offer a chance to sample some of the Northeast’s finest wines and produce from its Agritourism Trail. Further along the St. Lawrence River, areas like Baie-Saint-Paul and Île d’Orléans are dotted with orchards perfect for farmhouse picnics, as well as goat farms and artisanal cheese-makers ideal for tasting stops on a scenic countryside bike ride. In season, we can also visit a traditional sugar shack, where maple syrup is harvested and hearty Québécois meals—think pea soup, baked beans, cretons, ham, sausages, and pancakes—are served in a rustic, festive setting.

For serious adventurers – The Canadian Rockies are my top recommendation for travelers seeking epic adventure. While iconic sites like Banff and Lake Louise deliver bucket-list moments—think surreal turquoise lakes framed by jagged, snow-capped peaks—it’s the vast, untamed backcountry that truly sets this region apart. Highlights include heli-hiking into remote alpine terrain to traverse wildflower-filled meadows and sweeping ridgelines without the slog; trekking across one of North America’s largest glaciers with a First Nations guide, gaining insight into the cultural and historical significance of the Icefields through an Indigenous lens; traversing Mount Norquay’s via ferrata—Italian for “iron road”—on a guided cliff-side climbing experience; and horseback riding past glacier-fed lakes to a century-old teahouse built by Swiss mountaineers during the golden age of exploration.

For cultural immersion – Newfoundland, a rugged island off Canada’s East Coast, is my top pick for cultural immersion in Canada—largely thanks to its disarmingly warm and welcoming people. On a B&R trip, you experience the soul of Newfoundland through its locals—fishermen, chefs, artists, and musicians—who share stories, traditions, and a way of life shaped by the sea and salt air. Once a British dominion, Newfoundland was the last province to join Canadian Confederation in 1949, and a visit here often feels more like a journey to the west coast of England, Ireland or Scotland, from where many of its residents trace their roots. Music plays a central role in local culture, especially during traditional kitchen parties—lively, communal gatherings filled with food, song, and dance. In the province’s remote corners, you find opportunities to witness and engage with long-lost cottage industries—many now enjoying a revival—including traditional woodworking, punt building, quilting, rug hooking and hand weaving, canning, preserving and salting cod.

A couple of favorite hotels/lodges/houses in your region(s) that you love and go back to again and again…

Fogo Island Inn, Newfoundland – This property has a compelling origin story, and its founder, Zita Cobb, is a visionary hotelier in my view. Created with the goal of revitalizing the local economy and preserving traditional ways of life in Newfoundland, the hotel is as meaningful as it is beautiful. Architecturally, it’s one of Canada’s most striking, reimagining the humble fishing shack through a lens of bold, contemporary design. Perched at what feels like the edge of the earth, its remote setting only enhances the impact of its luxurious amenities and world-class dining.

Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge, British Columbia – One of the best-executed tented lodges in North America, hands down. The accommodations offer all the creature comforts of a plush five-star stay, yet remain deeply connected to the surrounding wilderness—perhaps it’s the outdoor showers tucked beneath towering old-growth cedars. The food and drink program is exceptional, far surpassing that of similar properties I’ve experienced. Surrounded by epic scenery and a profound sense of seclusion, it feels worlds away—yet it’s just a short, scenic seaplane flight from Vancouver or a quick boat ride from Tofino.

The most memorable meal you’ve had while traveling…

A B&R picnic is a quintessential part of any Butterfield & Robinson journey and often one of my most memorable meals on the trip. In Newfoundland, we venture out to see icebergs, whales, and the abandoned offshore settlements of the Bonavista Peninsula before returning to dry land for a seafood feast accompanied by a live fiddler on the docks of a working fishing shack. In the Canadian Rockies, an expert forager joins us to identify native wild edibles, which we then enjoy as part of a refined picnic by a remote subalpine lake—followed by an invigorating cold plunge. In Québec, instead of a traditional sit-down picnic, we bike along the province’s agritourism route, stopping at markets, wineries, cheesemakers, orchards, and vegetable farms to sample the region’s finest fare in delightful small bites. 

A not-to-be-missed favorite experience in your region of expertise…

Hiking in the alpine regions of the Canadian Rockies offers a rare sense of solitude and the thrill of exploring seemingly untouched wilderness. Jagged peaks, turquoise lakes, and rushing creeks set a dramatic scene, while iconic wildlife—grizzlies, elk, bighorn sheep, and cougars—adds to the sense of awe. For those eager to earn the views, trails like Yoho National Park’s Iceline Trail deliver unforgettable rewards. But reaching the alpine doesn’t always require a strenuous trek: take a helicopter into Kananaskis Country, ride horseback to the Plain of Six Glaciers, or hop on a gondola to Sunshine Meadows for a high-elevation adventure with a lighter lift.

Underrated location, overrated location, personal favorite, recent discovery?

Underrated – Atlantic Canada is a beloved destination for many Canadians, yet places like Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland remain relatively undiscovered by our neighbours to the south. From traditional lobster boils and sweeping sand dune beaches to charming antiques shops, lively pubs, and billion-year-old rock formations—some of the oldest on Earth—this region offers something for everyone.

Recent discovery – On a recent scouting trip to Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, I was struck by how much the windswept landscapes reminded me of Donegal, Ireland, and was equally fascinated by the distinct Francophone culture of the Acadians. It’s a region rich with opportunity for exploration, offering exceptional biking, coastal hiking, and an authentic slice of East Coast life.

Overrated – I would hardly call the more easily accessed trails of Banff National Park overrated, but there are many opportunities beyond the usual tourist circuit that offer the chance to connect with nature in a more meaningful way. We’ve got access to areas of the National Parks where few venture.

Personal favorite – As someone who lives in British Columbia, I am partial to the endless beauty and opportunity for adventure in Western Canada.

The hardest-working item you always pack…

Whether you’re on the windswept coast or high in the rugged interior mountains, it always pays to be prepared for sudden shifts in weather, so I always recommend my travelers prepare for all four seasons. My lightweight hooded Patagonia down jacket is a must have on-trip for that reason. It packs up into a small pouch and takes up almost no room in a small daypack.

What do you think Americans most misunderstand about travel in Canada?

While Canada is famous for its vast, epic wilderness, many Americans may overlook the country’s rich and unique cultural experiences. Canada’s vibrant cultural landscape is shaped by Indigenous heritage, French and British colonial history, and diverse waves of immigration. From the soulful rhythms of First Nations powwows and Inuit throat singing in the Arctic to the lively winter festivals of Quebec and the multicultural culinary scenes of Toronto and Vancouver, Canada offers a cultural tapestry that rivals its stunning natural beauty.

How would you like people to reach out to you?

dane.tredway@butterfield.com

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I was raised between Rome and New York City, and for as long as I can remember the precarious future of artisanship has been a prevalent topic of conversation in Italy. Now more than ever, artisans struggle to remain competitive in an economic landscape that favors scalability over quality, and utility over artistry. Convinced that opportunities still existed for master artisans to flourish in the global marketplace, I launched L’Arte Nascosta in January of 2020 to build a bridge between the workshops of Master Artisans in Italy and patrons from the U.S. and around the world. 

What became clear to me was that the supply-side of the equation was well covered. Despite alarming statistics that attest to the decline in Italian artisanship in recent decades, there is still an abundance of artisans all over Italy. The demand-side is what needed our attention; not for a lack of interest, but because of a simple information gap: many luxury consumers are interested in artisan-made goods and works of art, but don’t know how or where to find them. Education has become a central theme of our practice; we share our artisans’ stories, the techniques of their crafts and the historic and cultural contexts they operate in. As our role as researchers, curators, mediators, and educators came into focus, it was a very natural progression for my long-time friend, Francesco Soldi, and I to team up to offer custom immersive travel experiences in Tuscany—to further involve L’Arte Nascosta’s community of patrons and connoisseurs in this dynamic, but oftentimes overlooked, world. After all, l’arte nascosta means “the hidden art” in Italian, and it’s our job to help our community discover it! 

We’re based between NYC and Florence, and in addition to producing handmade, bespoke artisanal heirlooms, we curate and host travel experiences in Tuscany through our travel service called AION by L’Arte Nascosta. 

What’s the entry level to talk to you? 

Since our experiences are tailor-made for each booking, our prices vary from one experience to the other. Full-day excursions that include a morning tour in Florence’s city center with museum and artisan visits, lunch and an afternoon wine tasting in the countryside usually cost about $2500 for a couple. For single-day excursions, we ask for a non-refundable $100 consultation fee, which is deducted from the total price of the experience. For more extended, multiple-day experiences, we similarly ask for a $500 deposit. 

What is the sweet spot of your expertise?

The primary focus of our research (in the artisanal commissions we facilitate and the custom tours we curate) is centered on Renaissance and Medieval art, architecture and history. 

Rather than share a laundry list of locations and works of art on our tours, we synthesize our research to illustrate specific themes that are relatable to a contemporary visitor and animate Florence’s 2,000-year history while providing context for the ancient crafts that our Artisan Partners practice to this day. 

While it is impossible to cover the breadth of Florentine history in just a few hours, or even in a few days, our goal is to provide a first taste that will leave our guests inspired to discover more – be it through research of their own, or even on a future tour with us! 

A favorite experience/trip/itinerary you’ve planned that best represents your philosophy… 

Last April, we had a special opportunity to partner with our friends at The Armoury, a menswear brand based in NYC and Hong Kong, to curate a 3-day retreat for a group of their clients. What we devised was an immersive experience called “The Maker’s Retreat,” through which our guests had the opportunity to meet and interact directly with various makers between Florence, the Tuscan countryside and Perugia. 

The afternoons were spent visiting villas, drinking wine, and tasting olive oil, while mornings were spent in some of our Artisan Partners’ workshops, where our guests saw firsthand that the many specialized techniques employed to produce precious jacquard fabrics, stone marquetry mosaics, or even jewelry have hardly changed at all since the Renaissance. 

A favorite hotel/lodge/house you love and go back to again and again…

The Portrait Hotel and Sina Villa Medici in Florence. Both places always feel like a home-away-from-home. The Portrait for their ability to accommodate any preference their guests might have; and Sina Villa Medici for that uniquely Italian flavor of hospitality that the General Manager, Fernando Pane, and his staff manage to convey as soon as you enter the hotel.

The most memorable meal you’ve had while traveling…

Last winter, my good friend and Artisan Partner of L’Arte Nascosta, Alessandro Penko, introduced me to a restaurant tucked away in the Tuscan countryside about 30 minutes from Florence. It’s called “La Fattoria,” or “The Farm,” and I couldn’t imagine a more fitting name. It’s a prime example of what I like to call function-based dining. 

The owners and their staff show up every day to cook and serve their guests. The guests show up to eat and have a good time. That’s it. No branding concepts, no experimental dining, no fluff. Just good, traditional, hardy Tuscan fare and a palpable sense of passion and pride that emanates from the vast wood burning griglia, where they prepare their Florentine steaks. 

It’s a bare-bones restaurant where the food takes center stage.  My favorite part? A dollop of lemon-and sage-flavored sorbet that was served in ceramic cups between our appetizer of fried vegetables and our Florentine steak main course… Totally unexpected, and just enough to gently clean the palate before we tucked into our steaks – all the proof I needed to attest to the cook’s love of his craft. 

A not-to-be-missed favorite experience in your region(s) of expertise…

Tuscany offers such an abundance of unique and enriching experiences that it’s nearly impossible to pick a favorite, but if I were to choose just one it would be the hands-on experiences we organize in our Artisan Partners’ workshops. Whether hand-binding a journal, mixing custom perfume, or even minting a Florin coin under the guidance of Master Goldsmiths in Paolo Penko’s bottega, our “Artisan for a Day” experiences offer guests the opportunity to try their hand at the highly specialized crafts that our collective of artisans have mastered.

Plus, what better souvenir is there than one you’ve made yourself!?  

What is a place we should consider traveling to that could really use our dollars, and what is a place we should put on hold because, even though we love it, it sees too many tourists?

Small-scale, family-owned makers!!! Whether artisan workshops or small farms, there is a wealth of small-scale businesses throughout Tuscany that go perfectly unnoticed by most visitors, simply because they are located off the beaten path. They are Tuscany’s best-kept secrets and are certainly worth the extra legwork (and possibly car time) to discover. 

While I wouldn’t suggest putting it on hold, Florence’s city center certainly does see a tremendous influx of tourists every year. The crowds can be overwhelming, and if not appropriately planned for might even detract from the enjoyment of your visit. To avoid this problem, we encourage our guests to go beyond the obvious.

For example, while a visit to the Uffizi gallery is an art lover’s “must” despite the crowds, why not counterbalance that with a visit to one of Florence’s less famous museums, such as the Horne Museum, which conserves a priceless collection of 16^th Century artwork displayed in such a way that is consistent with an aristocrat’s home of the same period? Best of all… no crowds! 

Underrated location, overrated location, personal favorite, recent discovery?

Tourism in Florence is such a well-oiled machine that it might be difficult to imagine that any stone has been left unturned; however, the truth is that large-scale tourism companies tend to reduce their offering to the most famous museums and destinations. As a result, minor museums such as Palazzo Davanzati are oftentimes totally overlooked. As it happens, Palazzo Davanzati is actually one of my favorite museums in Florence – located in a palazzo constructed in the 14^th Century by a banker-merchant family, the museum presents a collection of furniture and everyday material goods that effectively convey what the private life of a wealthy family would have been like in medieval Florence. To visit the Palazzo Davanzati Museum is to encounter pre-Renaissance Florence firsthand: arguably the most exciting period of Florentine history as it laid the foundation upon which the Renaissance was built about a century later. 

I couldn’t possibly say that even the most visited museums in Florence are actually “overrated.”  The priceless works that are conserved in the Uffizi Galleries do warrant a visit, as does Michelangelo’s David in the Accademia Gallery. What is overrated, though, is the checklist approach to travel that has unfortunately become so popular among tourists in recent years. Set your camera and phone aside, and don’t worry about visiting every historic location that Florence is famous for. Rather, focus your energy on truly connecting with the few places you do visit; immerse yourself in the history, extrapolate themes that pertain to your life and your personal experience… I promise that, in this way, your time spent traveling will be more relaxing and – most of all – more fulfilling! 

A recent discovery that I’m very much looking forward to offering through AION is a local artist that specializes in painting frescoes. He has mastered the traditional techniques of the craft, and even offers immersive experiences during which guests paint a fresco of their own, which they can take home with them as a souvenir! 

What is something you wished we all knew or were better at as travelers?

Less is more! I tend to agree with my grandfather who would often claim that not even several lifetimes would be sufficient to truly know Italy and all its nooks and crannies. It’s an incredibly rich country whose history (which spans millennia) and culture, which has been enriched by influences from all over the world, have something to offer to everyone. With such an abundance of choice, your best bet is to narrow your filter. Stay in one city for two weeks, visit the local market, get to know the barista at the nearby bar, buy the morning paper from the local edicola. Connect with the locals!

You won’t get a taste for all of Italy this way, but you will certainly lay the foundation for a lasting connection to the place you choose to visit. Whether Rome, Naples, Catania or Florence, it will always be there waiting to welcome you again like an old friend whenever you choose to return!  

How do you want people to reach out to you?
Feel free to discover more about L’Arte Nascosta and AION through our website. And please don’t hesitate to connect with me directly by sending a DM through our instagram, @lartenascosta or @aion.tours.

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Tell us about you and your company, Where Should I Go?.

We started ‘Where Should I Go?’ because we wished there was a similar service in every city we visited: a personalized insider’s guide to the places only locals know. We’re not into the typical tourist stuff, like visiting monuments or places that have gone viral on social media. What we’re interested in is getting a real taste of the place, feeling the pulse of a city, finding out what its inhabitants love, how they live, where they go on a night out. In short, we want to experience it like a local.

Our custom itineraries for Paris (and now Zurich, too!) are designed for people like us: travelers who don’t want to be tourists. Think of us as your local friends giving you the inside scoop on the best places in town. We come from different backgrounds—Jérémie worked in the culinary field and Linda was (and still is, when she gets around to it) a novelist. Neither of us have worked in the tourism industry before. We’re just two locals who love to go out and want to share our favorite places with like-minded travelers.

What’s the entry level to talk to you?

Our process is really straightforward and affordable—we create bespoke itineraries starting at 300 euros, as well as custom digital guidebooks starting at 99 euros for one day. We also sell affordable, pre-made downloadable guides that focus on certain neighborhoods or themes, like “Paris in the rain”. Just fill out a short form on our website with your interests and the details of your trip, and we’ll take care of the rest. For those who prefer face-to-face interaction, there’s also the option of a free introductory call. 

What’s the sweet spot of your expertise?

Each itinerary is unique and tailored to our clients’ wishes. Our little black book contains over 1,500 tried-and-approved addresses across categories and budgets, from street food to haute cuisine, from classical concerts to underground raves, from it-places to hidden gems, from art galleries to architectural sites, flea markets to couture. Whatever your style and interests, we know the right places for you.

A favorite experience/trip/itinerary you’ve planned that represents your philosophy…

While most of our clients have fairly straightforward ideas and requests for their itineraries —standout restaurants, under-the-radar local boutiques, museum visits, and hands-on creative workshops—we also receive our fair share of unusual ones. One client was obsessed with a French TV series and asked us to track down its filming locations. We thought, why stop there? So we arranged a meeting with the show’s producer. Another wanted a truly local fashion moment, so we set up a private shopping experience inside a designer’s personal home. And for one person curious about real Parisian nightlife, we scored them an invite to a “soirée appart” – aka a house party. These kinds of one-off moments are what turn a great trip into an unforgettable one, and that’s exactly what we’re here for. We want our clients to leave loving Paris as much as we do.

Our favorite kind of traveler are the ones who say: “I’ve been to Paris countless times. I feel like I know everything. Show me something new.” Even locals have booked with us. Some needed fresh ideas for visiting friends, others just wanted to rediscover their own city.

A favorite hotel/lodge/house you love and go back to again and again…

In Paris, we like to treat ourselves to a little staycation at MK2 Hotel Paradiso from time to time. It’s a cinema hotel with big screens in every room. Then we order room service, eat in bed, and watch one movie after the other. If we were visiting the city as tourists, though, we’d probably stay at either Les Deux Gares or Château Voltaire, but it’s hard to choose—Paris has many fantastic hotels.

Outside of France, our favorite hotel is the Chedi Andermatt in Switzerland. It strikes the perfect balance between cozy and luxurious.

The most memorable meal you’ve had while traveling….

We’re still thinking about the Timut pepper cream with beetroot powder from Restaurant AT in the 5th. Chef Atsushi Tanaka’s 13-course tasting menu is a masterclass from start to finish, but that dessert? Absolutely next level. Maybe the best we’ve ever had.

For a more casual meal, we love Linda Granebring’s gnocchi at her restaurant, Åke. They’re pillowy and irresistible, and you’ll always find a different, seasonal version of the dish.

A not-to-be-missed favorite experience…

Find a nice terrace and make yourself comfortable with a glass of wine and a good book (pick up a used copy from San Francisco Book Company, if you forgot to bring one). Linger for a few hours—reading, people-watching, and chatting with your table neighbors. La Fontaine in Belleville is perfect for this. It’s a beautiful, typical Parisian café with a striking blue façade, tiled floors, and a large terrace that spills out onto a small square. The relaxed staff and cool patrons make it a great spot for people-watching and soaking in the pace of neighborhood life. Though Paris may seem hectic at times, it’s all about slow moments like these.

Underrated location, overrated location, personal favorite, recent discovery?

Underrated: The Batignolles neighborhood in the 17th arrondissement might not be a secret to Parisians, but it still manages to stay under the radar for most visitors. And honestly? That’s part of its charm. It feels like a mini village tucked inside the city—full of indie boutiques, cute cafés, great restaurants, and two lovely parks. It was once a working-class district and is now more refined, but still keeps its cool, boho edge.

Overrated: Visiting the so-called “must-see” places. We see so many tourists on the Champs-Elysées, in front of the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower. We see them standing in line to get into substandard restaurants, drinking terrible and overpriced coffee in the tourist traps around the main sights, and then they leave without having really experienced Paris. 

Personal favorite: Now that the sun’s finally out, you’ll find us poolside at the legendary Hôtel Molitor. This Art Deco beauty is pure old-school glam, and yes, it’s a bit of a splurge (you need to book a spa treatment or a room to get access), but trust us, few things beat a slow Sunday spent lounging by that iconic pool, especially if there’s a massage involved.

Recent discovery: Le Garage Litho is one of just four lithography studios left in Paris. Moé and Martin use a semi-automatic press from 1920 to bring contemporary prints to life. The artists they work with come from all over the world, but the vibe is quintessentially Parisian: timeless craft meets modern creativity.

The hardest-working item you always pack…

Our Uniqlo thermo vests really come in handy during the colder months. We try to travel light, so instead of bringing a heavy coat, we wear this under a leather jacket.

What is something you wished we all knew or were better at as travelers?

Don’t rely on social media when planning your trip. It’s easy to be seduced by the endless stream of posts claiming each place is more amazing than the next—when it happens to us, we always end up disappointed. 

How do you want people to reach out to you?

They can get in touch directly via the form on our website http://whereshouldigo.travel  or say hi by mail contact@whereshouldigo.fr or on Instagram: @whereshouldigo.paris 

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Kevin Jackson CEO and Founder, EXP Journeys

Tell us about you and your company.

EXP Journeys is a leader in creating private and custom immersive travel experiences throughout the Americas, with an emphasis on the National Parks. With seasoned guides and local connections, we take clients off the beaten path, creating tailor-made adventures (for families, corporate retreats, couples, etc), including luxury guided hiking and dude ranch vacations.

I got into the travel industry because I love sharing my passion and enjoyment. I was taking an MBA course in Australia and knew my passion was not in consulting, so wrote a business plan for a travel company and decided to make my dream a reality. I wanted to share my love for accomplishment and connectedness that travel can bring when there is a challenge or task at hand. I started in 2007, possibly the worst time to start a travel company during a financial crisis, and had to adjust my offerings from South America exclusively to focus locally in the US. To keep going, I started guided trips up Mt. Kilimanjaro in Africa and Aconcagua in South America, while continuing to refine our niche for US departures. We were one of the first to offer privately guided experiences in the US with an emphasis on the National Parks.

What I realized was that the most impactful thing about travel is the connection with people, which I felt with the guests when I was guiding. I saw this first-hand when leading trips up Kilimanjaro, and how revered the role was. As we began to gain traction here in the US, our mission was to make the role of the guide revered, and the guide an essential part of the experiences we were offering.

What’s the entry level to talk to you?

EXP Journeys start at $1,500 per person per day. The price point is a function of the accommodations, touring, and experiences that are built into the trip.

What is the sweet spot of your expertise?

EXP offers fully guided journeys to the US National Parks and areas that surround these spectacular locations, and our sweet spot is when our guides are able to deliver these experiences. Our guides are lawyers, engineers, MBA graduates, financial advisors, teachers, and scientists. All of them have studied the flora, fauna, geology, and natural history of the regions we explore, but are also more than just guides. They are trip leaders, managers of the flow, masters of scenario planning and overall great people to travel with. Our expertise is of course knowing the regions we are guiding in intimately, but more importantly we are masters of seamless execution.

 In addition, EXP has developed a luxury tented camp set up in areas where traditional accommodation (lodges, resorts, ranches etc.) do not exist. Because EXP is permitted to operate in so many National Parks and other federal land agencies, offering our guests an opportunity to experience nature in luxury was something we wanted to create. All our camps are completely private and set up in the National Forests and BLM areas that surround the National Parks. Each camp is created from scratch and built exclusively for the family or group that is arriving. All meals are custom for each group and the activities from camp are designed based on their preferences. The camps are typically set up at the North and South Rim of the Grand Canyon, Moab area, Zion, Escalante, Monument Valley, Yellowstone and Paradise Valley. The camp is different from any other camp in that it is always exclusive and private and built for the guests. The camp is 100% leave no trace and EXP is working on eliminating all plastics.

A favorite experience/trip/itinerary you’ve planned that best represents your philosophy?

EXP had a request from a client who wanted to experience the National Parks in a very unique way. The guests were sent a letter from Teddy Roosevelt requesting their services to find the “Secrets of the National Parks.” The first 3 days we departed from The Lodge at Blue Sky in Utah, and the rest of the trip departed from Jackson Hole, WY. Each day the guests used a Bell 429 Helicopter to take them to and from each destination.

The guests visited Moab first, to learn about the dinosaurs from a paleontologist, then continued on to Bryce to learn from the Native Americans about how they view the land. Following this, the guests explored the Grand Canyon with a guide cast to play John Wesley Powell—a one-armed military vet who was also a geologist looking to discover the west, credited with being the first explorer to navigate the Colorado River, from Wyoming to Grand Wash (what is now Lake Mead). His story is not only a great tale of exploration and discovery but also reveals a lot about the geology of the canyon. Next, they went to Grand Teton National Park to meet with John D. Rockefeller. (Struck by the beauty of the Tetons when he visited Jackson Hole in 1926 and concerned that they would be lost to unchecked development, he quietly bought up thousands of acres of land in the valley that he later donated to the federal government—in 1950, that land became part of the expanded Grand Teton National Park.) The trip finished at Roosevelt Arch in Northern Yellowstone. After spending the day with a wolf tracker, we had someone who looked like Teddy Roosevelt ride down on a horse and present the guests with a gift. The overarching theme that was the “Secrets of the National Parks” was conversation. The focus was to make each destination tell a story through time (Moab (paleontology), Bryce Canyon (Native Americans). Grand Canyon (Explorers), Grand Teton (conservation), Yellowstone (wildlife ecology).

Not all our trips are like this, though! A few trips we’ve done for families include a 70^th birthday celebration on the Colorado River, the Monument valley Annular Solar Eclipse, and a guys’ trip to Alaska in summer.

A favorite hotel/lodge/house you love and go back to again and again…

Camp Sarika at Amangiri – The desert setting is one of my favorite places to explore.

Vermejo Park Ranch in New Mexico is one of my favorites, as it combines luxury with nature.

I also really like Sheldon Chalet. The owners are wonderful people, and they have created something truly special in Alaska.

The most memorable meal you’ve had while traveling…

Lunch on top of Tower Butte with Chef Shon Foster. Chef Shon is a self-taught chef from Kanab, Utah who has created some of the most spectacular meals for our groups over the years. He has travelled with us to the Bahamas, Patagonia, Alaska and Hawaii, as well as all over the Southwest and Old West. The meal was his version of Navajo tacos and traditional southwest salads and small plates. The entire meal was cooked in Dutch ovens on the top of the tower.

A not-to-be-missed favorite experience in your region(s) of expertise…

Spending a few nights at the EXP Luxury tented camp is one of my favorite experiences. I particularly love the nights spent in Monument Valley and connecting with the Navajo on their land is very special. The camp is in the heart of the valley, and we have Navajo storytellers come to camp, as well as on occasion we’ve had a Navajo Code Talker come to camp and tell stories and teach the guests the Navajo Code from WWII.

What is a place we should consider traveling to that could really use our dollars, and what is a place we should put on hold because, even though we love it, it sees too many tourists?

A place we should consider traveling to that could use tourism support is Peru. Peru’s tourism has fluctuated due to political instability and the pandemic. Its indigenous communities and small businesses benefit greatly from responsible tourism. While places such as Machu Picchu still see high numbers of visitors, the lesser traveled destinations need tourism support. Following this I would suggest venturing out from Machu Picchu and spending touring dollars in other parts of Peru such as the Amazon, Nazca and Puno.

Underrated location, overrated location, personal favorite, recent discovery?

Underrated location for me is Capitol Reef National Park. This is a National Park in Utah close to the town of Torrey, UT. Also known as the water pocket fold, this park has incredible hiking, canyoneering and fly-fishing along the Escalante River. It’s underrated as it’s not as easily accessible as places such as Grand Teton, Yellowstone or Zion. There are incredible petroglyph panels here, but overall, I think the best thing about it is the lack of crowds in comparison to other parks.

Overrated location, and this is purely due to the level of crowds, is Lake Louise. I love spending time there, but it’s become so busy it takes away from its wow factor.

Personal favorite is Lake Powell National Recreation Area. The Lake has over 2,000 miles of coastline and hundreds of slot canyons that allow us to discover new places with our guests. The Lake’s fluctuating water levels also make for a new experience each and every time we go out there. There are dinosaur tracks that are exposed at certain water levels, and beaches that are tucked away in the back of canyon that feels like your own private canyon. There are endless hiking options as there are very few real trails, and we discover new routes regularly. The Lake can be accessed from a few marinas and EXP works with the local concessionaires to coordinate charter boats, jet skis and wake -surfing boats. Having guided and planned 100s of trips to the Southwest, the vast majority of the time our guests come to this region for the allure of the Grand Canyon and other parks, and leave having Lake Powell be the highlight of the trip.

Recent Discovery is Reid Creek Lodge at Wagonhound, a private ranch situated on over 300,000 acres of land in eastern Wyoming. This ranch is buyout only, and the entire experience is custom to each guest’s preferences. The Ranch is one of the only ones we have come across that is a complete blank slate of what the guests are interested in.

The ranch feels very authentic and wild, and the land is so vast you really get to explore the property. They have an amazing equestrian center, and the horseback riding is top notch.

The hardest-working item you always pack…

My Prana Stretch Zion Pants. I have worn these hiking in all climates, canyoneering and biking. Additionally, I always have my Suunto Ambit watch, which has been with me on every trip since 2012 (when they first came out with it) and other than a few strap replacements, it’s still going strong.

What is something you wished we all knew or were better at as travelers?

EXP’s mission is to create authentic travel experiences that enrich lives and transform perspectives. This is not only a commitment we make to their clients and partners, but also to the destinations in which we travel. We feel a responsibility to enrich and transform them for the better as well. To that end, EXP donates a portion of the cost of every journey to local, non-profit organizations in our most traveled destinations. EXP Journeys takes a small percentage of each trip cost and puts it towards the EXP Foundation.

Are you concerned about the potential closing of some of the US National Parks this summer? What can we all do to ensure these parks remain protected and available for all to enjoy?

With regards to the National Parks and their access for the summer, we do not believe at this point they will be closed but are closely monitoring the situation and considering alternatives should this happen. To support the National Parks, the best way is to visit them and or volunteer for various programs the parks offer. They are certainty going to be shorthanded, so any volunteers will help support the general operations of the parks.

How do you want people to reach out to you?

People can reach me via e-mail kevin@expjourneys.com or through our website at www.expjourneys.com

The post Kevin Jackson appeared first on Yolo Journal.

Torunn Tronsvang, Founder & CEO of Up Norway

Tell us about you and your company.

I started Up Norway in 2016 with the goal of offering Norway to international travelers in a more interesting way than what was currently being done. While what was offered was mainly based around Oslo, the Northern Lights and Hurtigruten, and marketing was based on geography, I wanted to build concepts around people’s unique interests and introduce them to the best of Norway, which I felt was currently not being sold.

We had business from the moment our website went live, and have catered to travelers from all over the world since. We specialize in tailored journeys which are presented to individual—mainly leisure—travelers in a digital itinerary where we act as a personal concierge through chat while they travel, if they need us. Our journeys and concepts are more and more value driven, with the goal of enriching our travelers’ lives by introducing them to our favorite people and places, offering inspiration and new learning and sending them home motivated to make positive change in their own lives and the lives of people around them, as well as the world we live in. 

A lot of my inspiration comes from my time with Aman in Bhutan, where I was able to take a pivotal role in experience development in a country which probably focuses more on quality over quantity and on values and sustainability than any other. Furthermore, in Dubai I was able to specialize in quality assurance while working with Jumeirah, and in both Thailand and the Maldives I have been lucky to get to take part in new concept development at hotel pre-opening projects. I feel that all my previous experience can be utilized in Up Norway. We’ve now become the go-to travel curator for crafting unforgettable, sustainable luxury experiences in Norway and the Nordic countries. 

What’s the entry level to talk to you?

We ask for a NOK 3500 (~$300) trip planning fee before we start detailing itineraries, confirming availability and prices. This increases to NOK 6000 (~$500) for journeys longer than 10 days, and to 9000 (~$840) for last-minute requests. The amount goes towards the final journey cost. We are happy to offer a call before clients commit to plan their journey with us through payment. The goal of this call is to get the best possible starting point to tailor the journey to that particular traveler’s unique needs and interests.  

What is the sweet spot of your expertise?

I believe our team of passionate insiders, experts in understanding travelers’ interests, a deep knowledge of the region, and a commitment to quality, authenticity, and sustainability truly sets us apart. Acknowledgement of our commitment to high standards include our B Corp certification, and our recognitions on the Travel + Leisure Travel Specialist A-List, and as a Condé Nast Top Travel Specialist.

A favorite experience/trip/itinerary you’ve planned that best represents your philosophy… 

We currently have guests traveling with us who chose Norway for three particular reasons: architecture (especially Peter Zumthor), art (especially Munch, Gustav and Emmanuel Vigeland) and nature. They wanted quality time together as a family after the husband had retired following many years of hard work. We created a journey consisting of, for example, private tours at the very special Emmanuel Vigeland mausoleum and Gustav Vigeland’s apartment, the Munch and Kon-Tiki Museum, as well as the legendary Neseblod record store, which was on top of the teenagers’ to-do list. 

They continued to Varanger, where we introduced them to the breathtaking Arctic nature and our indigenous sami culture, the dark history behind Peter Zumthor and Louise Bourgeois’ Steilneset witch monument, and the incredible local birdlife. A Michelin chef and the local sami hosts, who is also a king crab fisherman, used top local produce such as freshly caught cod and crab and newly foraged molte—cloudberries—to dish up incredible meals for them while there.

To top that, their journey ended with a mini-expedition at Svalbard, to experience more explorer history and wildlife such as polar bears, seals, walruses, whales etc. The never-ending daylight radiates energy in the summertime, inviting travelers to enjoy active outdoor adventures and quality kos time, long into the nights. 

A favorite hotel/lodge/house you love and go back to again and again…

Hattvika Lodge in the Lofoten islands, especially in the autumn with crisp and clear days that can be used for hiking the majestic mountains, constant and unpredictable weather changes, starry nights when the Northern Lights sometimes appear, evenings of kos in front of the fire while sharing a meal in a fangst (seafood) restaurant with good friends and partners. 

Another gem is Storfjord Hotel, part of our partner 62° Nord’s collection. Their junior suites with forest views are my personal favourite—they make me feel at home every time I visit. Picture this: You wake up in the softest bed, grab a freshly brewed coffee, and slip back under the duvet. With the press of a button, the fireplace flickers to life, casting a warm glow across the room. Outside, snow-covered trees stand still in the quiet morning light. Inside, the fire crackles as night gently fades into day.

The most memorable meal you’ve had while traveling…

This past year it must have been the rustic homemade meal we were served by host and explorer Randi Skaug and her team at Naustholmen island in July.  We were seated outside in the warmth of the evening sun and were served fish with traditional condiments such as seasonal potatoes, melted butter, cucumber salad and local beer. A nostalgic simple meal, but with high quality produce, and served family style. There were great conversations around the table and Randi topped the night when she brought out the keyboard and started playing Northern Norwegian tunes. The setting was magical with mountains, sea and sky surrounding us. Just after we watched the midnight sun almost go down, then turn and go back up, we took the boat to the local harbor pub and kept the conversation going until the early morning in the neverending midnight sunlight. 

A not-to-be-missed favorite experience in your region(s) of expertise…

A visit to a local dairy farm to meet the passionate Norwegian farmers and understand why Norway has such good animal health and welfare, and why we continue to win the world cheese awards year after year. And also to understand why Norway’s summer pasture farm culture has achieved UNESCO status as of December 2024.

What is a place we should consider traveling to that could really use our dollars, and what is a place we should put on hold because, even though we love it, it sees too many tourists?

Spend dollars in other months than June-August and December! This is when one can contribute to businesses so that people can get all-year rather than seasonal jobs, but it is also when local hosts truly have time to get to know you, and you get a sense of what local life is like. Summertime and Christmas can tend to get a touristy feel in several locations. 

Don’t go to Polar Park to kiss wolves or insist on swimming with orcas. Wolves are not supposed to be tame in captivity, and killer-whales are not meant to be this close to humans. 

Underrated location, overrated location, personal favorite, recent discovery?

Underrated: Rjukan! Industrial history may sound boring to many, but the stories you’re introduced to there – WOW. Heroes from WW2, pioneering engineering art, UNESCO heritage, you name it! 

Overrated: Flåm in Summer – too many people, not what you imagine it to be.

Personal favorite: Mountain village Lom—timber log buildings, the food, the mountains! 

Recent discovery: All the buzzing restaurants in Oslo: Bar Amour, Hos Peder, Restaurant 200, Bistro Fourrage! 

The hardest-working item you always pack…

A bathing suit to be prepared for a cold plunge and Nordic sauna anywhere and at anytime

What is something you wished we all knew or were better at as travelers?

Actively engage in conversation with local host to gain the most important asset of travel—new perspectives

How do you want people to reach out to you?

upnorway.com, or send an inquiry through Tailor My Journey. +47 57 11 99 88

The post Torunn Tronsvang appeared first on Yolo Journal.

Tell us about you and your brand.

My passion for travel comes from my parents. When I was young, they wrote a book about beautiful rural stays in Catalunya, the region we’re from, and later founded Behomm, a home exchange community for creative people. Through home exchanges we’ve had the most incredible experiences and connections, and they are one of my favorite ways to travel. Thanks to my parents’ journey and our family trips, I developed a passion for travel and aesthetics.

After years of collecting addresses and sharing recommendations with friends, I launched OUTLIERS in 2020—a platform that shares beautiful and unique places to stay around the world. It started as a map, then it became an Instagram account, and finally evolved into a website where I highlight extensively researched outliers: places that stand apart in their design, authenticity and soul. 

For me, where I stay is more than just a place to sleep—it defines the entire travel experience. I often plan trips around accommodations, attracted by their aesthetics and the stories behind them. I really value places that possess character and soul, and transcend the old notion of luxury. On OUTLIERS, you’ll find a mix of high-end hotels, exquisitely designed houses, charming rural stays and laid-back retreats. 

What is the sweet spot of your expertise? 

Finding beautiful, unique, destination-specific places to stay, eat, and explore. I also try to support small projects that have a positive impact on the development of the place I’m visiting, usually related to arts and crafts. 

A favorite trip/itinerary that best represents your approach to travel… 

Last June I visited Ladakh in Northern India, a region that is not yet widely popular amongst Western travelers, but one we really loved. The Himalayan landscapes are unimaginable, Buddhist culture is present everywhere, the people are exceptionally nice, and the food is great. We stayed in luxury accommodations like Shel and Nimmu House, but also camped with a nomadic community at 4,000m altitude and spent a night in the very simple guest house of Phuktal Monastery.  

One of the highlights of the trip was visiting We Are Kal, a project founded by Angktak, a Ladakhi born and raised in a nomadic community, and Catherine, a German textile researcher who came to Ladakh to study their wool and textiles. We visited their home and studio, then traveled together to the nomadic community where they source their wool. Another highlight was staying at a hospitality project in a tiny village called Tar, which can only be reached by an hour-and-a-half hike. A young local guy is building homestays in the remaining houses there to create revenue and try to revitalize the place.  

We planned everything on our own, but worked with two different guides, Lobzang and Tashi, who I highly recommend. Lobzang Wangtak is an entrepreneur, environmental conservationist, and filmmaker involved in many projects that are all focused on helping people. From day one, traveling with him felt like being with a friend, rather than a guide. Tashi, who helped organize our stay with the nomads in the mountains, made sure it was as comfortable as such a remote place could be. He is also very involved in educational work and helping the youth of Ladakh. 

A few favorite hotels/lodges/houses you love and go back to again and again… 

My favorite accommodations around the world are very different from each other in terms of style and price range, but they share a certain sensitivity, authenticity and essence. I’m not particularly interested in luxury for its own sake—I tend to seek out places that are unique because of their location, the individuals behind them, or for their original aesthetic. Here are some favorites:

Adrére Amellal in Siwa, Egypt – It takes 10 hours to drive here from Cairo, and in some way the long journey makes staying here even more magical. It’s hard to describe without giving away too much, but without a doubt it’s the most special place I’ve ever stayed, both because of its surroundings and the people who run it. There is no electricity, so all the light comes from candles and every day dinner is served in a different secret spot. The entire hotel is built with local materials, situated in an oasis in the middle of nowhere, in this vast, dry landscape where suddenly you come across palm trees and saltwater pools.

Casa En La Piedra on Lake Atitlán – I arrived at this house planning to stay for three days and ended up staying for six. Lake Atitlán is already a very special place, but staying in this house elevates the experience even more for those looking to be away from everything, surrounded by the most spectacular views. It’s an Airbnb located in the village of Jaibalito, which is not part of the usual tourist circuit around the lake. The only downside is that getting to the other towns is a bit more expensive, because you have to connect through one of the larger towns by boat. (In Atitlán, you get from town to town by boat, but there are only direct boat trips to the major villages.). But I wouldn’t hesitate for a second (and the house is only $60/night). 

Vismaya Lake Heritage in Kerala – I just returned from a trip to Kerala, and I will forever cherish the memories of celebrating my 30th birthday at Vismaya with my parents and my friends. This is an absolutely gorgeous 400-year-old house restored by Swiss-German architect Karl Damschen. It has two bedrooms and a pool, in an unbeatable location right by a lake. Beyond the beautiful interiors and the magic of the surrounding nature, Vinod, who runs it, has an incredible sensitivity. He has been the manager for 12 years, and takes care of every detail of guests’ stay. What fascinated us the most was his passion for floral arrangements, which were all over the house, and at every meal—which were, by the way, delicious.

Casa Paz in Oaxaca, Mexico – Another one of the hidden gems I’ve discovered recently. In 2024, I went to Mexico with my friends, and while searching for a place on the coast of Oaxaca far from the crowds, we found this house on La Boquilla beach. It’s a two-story cabin on a cliff overlooking the sea, with no cell signal or Wi-Fi. It has a private beach on one side, and on the other side is La Boquilla beach, where we saw baby turtles hatching and even whales in the distance. In La Boquilla there’s a small hotel and restaurant (Bahía de la Luna), where we ate lunch and dinner almost every day. The house is near the famous towns of Mazunte and San Agustinillo, but we didn’t see anything because it was literally impossible to leave this place.

Jalakara in the Andaman Islands – I discovered Jalakara seven years ago during one of my deep-dive research sessions, when I used to dream of traveling online. In January 2025, I finally got to visit these remote Indian islands and stay at Jalakara. The islands are far from mainland India, closer to Myanmar. In my mind, I thought that traveling to such a distant place would feel incredibly remote, but the stay at Jalakara was warm and welcoming. It’s located on Havelock, the most beautiful island, where you can eat wonderful food and truly relax. There are only seven rooms, each with its own style and personality. It’s the project of an English couple, and you really feel as though you’re in someone’s home, being looked after so you can fully unwind. We loved the food at Jalakara—lots of local dishes featuring fish and lobster and also simpler preparations, which were perfect after spending 10 days eating curry in Kerala. The massages are amazing and they also offer various activities, we especially liked the boat trip to explore the coastline and go snorkeling. And above all, the service from the staff is absolutely wonderful.

In Catalunya, where I’m from, I always go back to Casa Boumort. It’s in Pallars Jussà, a relatively unknown area in Catalunya. There are many hikes and walks around the house, and young people are opening up restaurants like All Negre or El Raier. Casa Boumort is simply fantastic, as are the guys who run it. 

Every few years my family goes back to Casa Cusa or Mas Illa de Riu in Delta del Ebre, also in Catalunya. The big and a small house (one fits 20 people, the other just 4) are both surrounded by rice fields. When we go there, we rent bikes and just relax. 

Four more favorites: Nimmu House in Ladakh, India; Casa No Tempo in Alentejo, Portugal; Mashpi Lodge in Ecuador; and Gilles House in Lamu, Kenya.

The most memorable meal you’ve had while traveling… 

At Adrére Amellal Egypt, the homemade elevated food in an excellent setting (each meal is served in a different location of the hotel) surrounded by unbeatable company (my family). We had oranges with a caramelized sauce, a tomato filled with vegetables, and this delicious vegetable pie. Most of my family is vegetarian and we really appreciated their efforts to make such a varied menu for us.

I also remember the ravioli we ate when we arrived at Shel Ladakh, after a long and very tough trip in Zanskar. The in-house cook is superb. 

Where is your spiritual home? 

It’s usually not the place but the people I go with. My two friends, Anais and Nacor, make everything feel spiritual, no matter where we are in the world. 

Other than that, we went together to Ladakh and we went deeper in our spiritual journey, not only because of them but thanks to our guide, Lobzang Wangtak, one of the most amazing people I’ve met. 

Your favorite spa or wellness destination? 

It’s not something I specifically look for in my trips, but last summer I went to São Lourenço do Barrocal in Alentejo, Portugal, a place where you just want to stay put and be taken care of. We didn’t leave the hotel for two days, and spent a lot of time reading by the pool, walking around the property, horseback riding, and enjoying wonderful meals. 

Underrated location, overrated location, personal favorite, recent discovery? 

Underrated location: I want to visit places like Poland or Romania, which I used to underrate. Recently, I did some research on Romania and found incredibly unique accommodations in Transylvania, like the guesthouses run by Experience Transylvania, which aims to preserve local traditions and culture, while steering away from the Dracula imagery we associate with the region. Other beautiful places to stay in Transylvania are Bethlen Estates, Viscri 125 and Viscri 32. 

Overrated location: I don’t think there are overrated locations, because I believe that two trips to the same destination can vary a lot depending on what you do, where you stay, and who you meet. But I think what is happening in places like Bali and Tulum is terrible.   

Personal favorite: My favorite destinations tend to be places I went without many expectations. Lamu, Kenya, for example, isn’t known for the best beaches or food, and there aren’t many things to see and do, but I spent one of my favorite holidays with my family there. We did a home exchange through my parents’ home exchange community, Behomm, and stayed in a Swahili style house in the middle of Lamu Town for 10 days. Mbogo, the guy who takes care of the house, would cook meals for us (amazing mango salads!), and we would spend very lazy days exploring Lamu at our own pace. I loved the Swahili architecture and visiting different houses to learn more about it. We took a short boat ride  to Peponi Hotel in Shela for lunch, dinner, and beers, which was a lot of fun. One morning, we also sailed on a dhow (traditional Swahili boat) to see the sunrise. There are no cars on the island, only donkeys to carry things (and sometimes people). With its narrow streets, Lamu reminded me a bit of Marrakech.

Recent discovery: Ecuador, beyond the Galápagos. I went with no expectations and very little knowledge about the country and it surprised me in every way. The food is amazing, the landscapes are very diverse, and people are super welcoming. We visited Mashpi Lodge, a conservation and hospitality project tucked away in the lush rainforest. From the moment you check in you’re immersed in nature, spending much of your time exploring the forest under the guidance of their amazing team who inspire a genuine passion for everything you see. They have thrilling activities, such as a skybike and The Dragonfly (an open-air gondola), which let you take in the vast landscape from above. Every time we returned from a morning or evening excursion—often wet and tired—we were welcomed back with a delicious meal and the utmost comfort in our room. Mashpi is truly a destination in its own right, and I highly recommend it to anyone extending their trip beyond the Galápagos. It’s only a three-hour drive from Quito, so it’s an easy and worthwhile addition to your itinerary.

Hacienda Zuleta was another wonderful stay. This historic residence of a former Ecuadorian president, located in the Andes, feels like staying in a home of real significance—it’s an expansive property filled with impressive artwork, large paintings and family photographs. Despite its grandness, it remains warm, cozy, and designed for comfort. One of the highlights here is the food: each meal is served at beautifully set tables, making every dining experience special. We especially loved locro, a traditional Ecuadorian potato soup. While you’re there, be sure to explore Hacienda Zuleta’s cheese factory and the condor rehabilitation program, which add cultural and environmental depth to an already luxurious stay.

And lastly, one of my super favourite things in Ecuador was the museum La Capilla del Hombre by Guayasamin in Quito.

Where do you want to go next and why?  

In 2025 I’m going on a big, 4-month long trip mainly through Latin America. I will be uncovering each destination during the trip, but I’m really excited to explore Nicaragua. I’m very interested in countries that are in the shadow of big destinations (in this case, Costa Rica). 

What is something you wished we all knew or were better at as travelers? 

From my own experience when traveling—it’s better to visit fewer places in the same trip and let yourself savor it all.

The post Júlia Juste appeared first on Yolo Journal.

Agustina Lagos Marmol, Founder & Managing Director, Dolomite Mountains

Tell us about you and your company.

I grew up on my family’s ranch in Patagonia, immersed in nature with activities like horseback riding, fly fishing, swimming, skiing on the lake, and hiking in the surrounding mountains. I loved outdoor camping and spending nights under the trees. After studying fashion design and photography in Los Angeles, I moved to Toronto, where I worked in operations and guided tours for Butterfield & Robinson. I then moved to the Dolomites in 1996, where I met my first husband, an alpinist and professional UIAGM/IFMGA mountain guide. Together, we built an adventure company focused on challenging expeditions for the Italian market, including hiking, climbing in the Himalayas, Patagonia, Peru and Bolivia, and even organized hardcore expeditions for the Italian army.

Throughout this time, I built connections with professional guides worldwide, which has been invaluable for my own company, Dolomite Mountains. When my daughter was young, I wanted to limit my travel abroad, so I saw an opportunity to create a locally based company in the Dolomites with deep expertise. I launched Dolomite Mountains in 2009 after separating from my husband.

Since then, we have expanded to offer year-round travel experiences in the Dolomites, South Tyrol, Lake Garda, and Sardinia, where I’ve frequently travelled for my own adventures. Our Sardinia offering showcases a more experiential, adventure-focused side of the island. We specialize in activities like hiking, biking, climbing, skiing, and via ferrata, all led by local guides and supported by local drivers and family-owned accommodations.

We are members of The Long Run sustainable travel organization, and make a conscious effort to give back in everything we do: from employing sustainable practices in our daily office operations and selecting local partners in our mountain community, to building relationships with global companies that share our core values and protecting the environment and reducing our impact.

What’s the entry level to talk to you?

There is no minimum planning or membership fee, but we offer packages (hotel, transfers, guides, experiences, meals etc.), not single experiences. We work b2b and b2c.

What is the sweet spot of your expertise?

Experiential adventure travel through the lens of local expertise. We offer all levels of adventure, from mellow to extreme: hiking, biking, climbing, via ferrata, canyoning, skiing, snowshoeing, ice climbing. Plus, our local guides are the best as they know the area where they work.

A favorite experience/trip/itinerary you’ve planned that represents your philosophy…

I would say our Ski Safari Experiences and our summer valley-to-valley hiking trips. The Dolomites are the biggest ski area in the world—12 ski resorts, 1200kms of slopes, 1 ski pass. On a ski safari, you’ll move from valley to valley each day on skis, enjoying different accommodations most nights. For lunch, the guide will book a rifugio ahead of time, where you can taste local specialties—some rifugios are more upscale than others, but the food is always great and fully serviced. Each evening, you’ll experience the welcoming atmosphere of hotels and rifugi—alpine inns set high atop the mountains, where you can savour the excellent culture and cuisine unique to the region. The area is a UNESCO heritage site, and the mountain backdrop is majestic.

We have two types of ski safaris. An on-piste, hotel-to-hotel ski safari from valley to valley, where you ski 6-8 different ski resorts and stay overnight in the hotels, changing every two/three nights. Luggage is transferred for you from one hotel to the other. The clients ski with the guide on the slopes—if snow conditions are good, we can also organize off-piste or ski touring. Ski equipment can be rented on arrival and on the last day of the trip the guide will take the skis back to the first valley they started.

The other is an off-piste ski safari staying in rifugios. It’s the same concept, skiing from valley to valley, fully guided, the first two nights and last night in a hotel, with luggage delivered for you. For the nights in the rifugios, we give clients a duffle for their clothes, toothbrush etc, so it’s easy to pack and unpack during the ski safari. Duffels are transferred by our local drivers (in each valley we work with a different driving local company—it’s a great network and a way of giving work to all the community). While skiing from area to area, sometimes you pass through mountain villages, or you get a 10-minute transfer to keep on moving to the next area. It’s like skiing inside a postcard.

A favorite hotel/lodge/house you love and go back to again and again…

Ninety-five percent of the properties in the Dolomites are family owned, so when you stay you can often meet the family. It is a more relaxed atmosphere that I really enjoy.

Hotel Gardena – Grodherhof in Val Gardena is superb. It’s a Relais & Chateaux and family owned, with great spa and cuisine and a lovely staff.

Hotel La Perla in Val Badia. Also family owned, with more rustic mountain decoration and excellent cuisine.

Rifugio Fuciade – It’s one of our favorites, especially for ski safaris, where we usually do a minimum stay of two nights. It is more of a mountain hotel, with 7 rooms and a cabin. The cuisine is superb as is the wine cellar.

Rifugio Kostner – A real mountain rifugio with superb views, excellent local cuisine with curated simple ingredients, nice simple rooms, dormitory style with shared bathrooms.

The most memorable meal you’ve had while traveling….

The tris di canederli at Rifugio Pian di Cengia, in the Dolomiti di Sesto area – beetroot canederli, cheese and speck canederli, and spinach canederli—my favorite! Also the tris di pasta at the Rifugio Averau – three types of pastas with different sauces. Great for lunch after doing the Via Ferrata Averau, or hiking the Cinque Torri area, where the rifugio is located.

A not-to-be-missed favorite experience…
In the summer, be sure to combine your hiking trip with a via ferrata. The network was created in WW1 so soldiers could scale the mountains without being shot. Today it’s a sport. There are hundreds of via ferratas in the area, from easy to hard. A guide is key for this, as they know the area and you can do it safely.

Underrated location, overrated location, personal favorite, recent discovery?

Underrated: The Prosecco area between Venice and the Dolomites. The hills of Prosecco became UNESCO-protected in 2019. There are fantastic wine cellars to visit, with walks and biking all over the area (in fact, the Giro d’Italia goes through the area every year), and beautiful towns to visit. There are a few lovely 5-star family-run hotels that we work with. I think because it is between Venice and the Dolomites, people tend to pass through this area without stopping. We are working every year a bit more with them and with time it will grow more popular. It’s amazing in the spring and fall, when the Dolomites are closed. Or a great spot to stay one or two nights upon arrival from overseas for jet lag. 

Overrated: Venice.

Personal favorite: The east coast of Sardinia. I’ve been going to this area for over 25 years—it’s spectacular to climb and then go for a swim. The area has yet to be discovered by the high-end market, so it is a small hidden jewel. It is still very authentic, with local communities and shepherds. There is amazing hiking along the coast, you can use ropes to cross sections and belay down, have lunch on the rocks, and then get a boat to go for a swim. There are a few 4-star hotels we work with. (Our Untouched and Idyllic Sardinia covers this area.)

Recent discovery: The west coast of Sardinia – I’ve been there before, but not in this specific area called Piscinas. It’s an amazing location, with an incredible 6 km-long beach with beautiful sea and the dunes all around. Totally wild and nothing there except one small hotel and a nude beach. Lots of space and quiet. I call Sardinia the Patagonia of Italy, and it is—there are so many areas with no people and little construction. An amazing island! 

The hardest-working item you always pack…

My Chanel tweed jacket and a Patagonia fleece that you use when climbing or hiking. I feel like the combo summarizes elegance and the outdoors.

What is something you wished we all knew or were better at as travelers?

Patience and respect for foreign countries. You can’t assume that when traveling somewhere else people will adapt to your customs. On the contrary, when we travel, we should respect and enjoy the places we go and interact with the local people.

How do you want people to reach out to you?

agustina@dolomitemountains.com; dolomitemountains.com 

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Tell us about you and your company.

We operate two companies… Banyan Tours is an India luxury travel specialist and destination management company, and Shakti Himalaya is a luxury Indian Himalaya experiential specialist, operating high-end, immersive walking and soft adventure holidays in the Indian Himalaya in style and comfort (Kumaon/Sikkim and Ladakh). Using their own village houses, Shakti offer private journeys that are unrivaled in the Indian Himalayas.

My first job was as a Tea Planter in Upper Assam (no one else would offer an English literature graduate a job in those days), and then after three years I returned to my native Bombay, much against my parents’ wishes. (“NO one will give you a job!”) My mother was one of six sisters and a few of them played bridge. I used to stand in as a fourth whenever one of their friends dropped out and learnt to play the game. I started to play bridge with a group of older friends during the six months I was unemployed and one of them—a senior manager in a blue-chip company—pulled me aside and said that they employed three senior management trainees every three years and if I cut my hair and wore shoes I could appear for an interview with them. So I met up with the Deputy Managing Director of the firm who, within a few minutes, gave me a choice of departments… shipping, freight clearing and forwarding or travel & tourism. I chose the latter—and the rest is history.

Both companies came about because I had been exposed to mass tourism at its worst and I wanted to zero in on the independent, open-minded luxury traveler—which we did first with Banyan in 1996 and later with Shakti in 2006, both of which today operate journeys in India that go that much deeper, ethically and sustainably showcasing the best India has to offer.

What’s the entry level to talk to you?

Our Shakti Village Walks start from USD $3700 per person for 4 nights, and for Banyan Tours, a good trip would start from approx. US $800 per person per day (for two people).

What is the sweet spot of your expertise?

Knowing what our guests want before they know themselves!

A favorite experience/itinerary you’ve planned that best represents your philosophy…

Too many to mention, but one that comes to mind is where we have created this glorious morning in Jaipur, Rajasthan, where you rise before the sun for laughing yoga in the public park, a stroll through the flower market arriving in time for the devotional prayers at the Govind Dev Ji Temple, which throngs with people early in the morning—an energy that cannot be recreated. The morning ends with a visit to a small temple, where the priest conducts a private prayer ceremony—it’s a morning of access, peacefulness and uplifts the spirit in a way that would be difficult to recreate well without my team’s gentle hand-holding. 

A favorite hotel/lodge/house you love and go back to again and again…

Taj Lake Palace in Udaipur – I am an old romantic at heart

The most memorable meal you’ve had while traveling…

A dinner in Milan in a tiny restaurant many years ago, when I think I lost my heart and soul to Italy!

A not-to-be-missed favorite experience in your region(s) of expertise…

Early morning visit to Thiksey Monastery in Ladakh for the daily prayers held on the rooftop of the monastery. We have recently opened one of our Shakti village houses a short walk away – being there in the early morning light is one of my favorite moments not to miss in the Himalayas.

What is a place we should consider traveling to that could really use our dollars, and what is a place we should put on hold because, even though we love it, it sees too many tourists?

In terms of where to travel to—I am of course biased, but we started Shakti Himalaya to provide access to hard-to-reach parts of the Himalayas and in turn only employ locally in areas where there was no employment at all. This opportunity allowed the staff we employ from these tiny villages to stay back and not leave for the big cities. Spending time amongst these wonderful people, in these almost untouched parts of remote India is an unforgettable and gratifying experience.

I will be shot for saying this, but I think the Kerala backwaters around Alleppey, while beautiful, is now overrun with tourists—there are other ways to explore Kerala without being on a houseboat pumping diesel and refuse into the waterways.

Underrated location, overrated location, personal favorite, recent discovery?

A recent discovery is a remote piece of land I have found in Kumaon that has majestic views of the Himalayas that are truly hard to beat—I am very excited to be building our next project there, Shakti Prana (working title), which will open in Spring 2025.

Underrated location—the southern state of Tamil Nadu is certainly a lesser-visited area by the sophisticated traveler compared to Kerala, but in my mind has so much more to offer.

Personal favorite would be the Indian Himalayas, but specifically the regions of Kumaon and Sikkim, both of which I find enchanting.

Overrated location—the British hill stations, which now are no longer representative of the romanticized glory days of the Raj. They are overrun with visitors in the summer months and festival season (October/ November) and this has left its mark on these once-popular towns that are bursting at the seams with unplanned development.

What is something you wished we all knew or were better at as travelers?

 Kindness to staff in the service industry.

How do you want people to reach out to you?

info@shaktihimalaya.com, @shaktihimalaya. 

For Banyan Tours, we work with tour operators who we know do Rajasthan/India very well, including Cazenove+Loyd, Black Tomato and PRIOR.

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Tell us about you and your company.

Experience Piemonte is a luxury travel company, focused on the wine region of Piemonte called the Langhe. It is home to the famous Barolo and Barbaresco wines, as well as the coveted Alba white truffle. I started Experience Piemonte in 2017 after having worked for 25 years in the fashion industry. I was looking for something new to do, and a dear friend from California came to visit me in the region. I put together an itinerary for her, and she suggested this was the perfect next adventure for me.

We are still an undiscovered part of Italy, and this makes travel here still very intimate and experiential. Since becoming a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2014, the Langhe region became a designated spot on every foodie traveler’s map. But there is more than just food and wine to discover. The Langhe is in an amazing geographical position: between the mountains, the sea and the great Italian lakes region. If you spend a week here, you can have a wide range of travel experiences within an hour in any direction. 

A day trip to Torino, the first Italian capital, offers a mix of history, culture and culinary treats. Here you can’t miss the royal palace, the Egyptian museum, and a stroll through the city center with its aristocratic architecture and elegant palaces. A summer’s day trip to Varigotti in Liguria, a charming seaside village on the Italian Riviera, promises stunning coastal views and a swim in crystal-clear waters before a meal of fresh seafood in a local trattoria on the beach.

A vacation in the Langhe can be perfectly combined with Milan, Lake Como, Portofino or even the French Riviera, being all the above locations within a 2-hour drive.

What’s the entry level to talk to you?

A tour starts at 1500 euros per day.

What is the sweet spot of your expertise?

Each trip that I plan is highly dependent on the guest and what they are looking for when they arrive in the area. I have the most fun, and the most experience, in being able to truly personalize a trip. I think because of my background, I can make almost anything happen for those traveling with me. 

I was born in the area and have lived here my entire life. My mother’s family owns a renowned winery and a 3 Michelin-star restaurant. I also have a deep connection to America and American clients. As a kid I went to summer camp in Maine, and then to summer college at Cornell. I travel frequently to the US to visit with friends and travel advisors. Not knowing how to cook, I go out every night and therefore have very close and personal relationships with the chefs, sommeliers and the winemakers. Thanks to all these connections, my clients can live authentic experiences as if they were locals. For wine lovers, I can take my guests on a visit to a big winery, and then meet a boutique winemaker that has yet to be discovered internationally. I can help navigate the different vintages, and also direct towards some new releases that will achieve their own goals, but the focus is always the same.

I want to help my guests make a personal connection with the people that make Piemonte so magical. I have planned everything from one-day trips for guests arriving by helicopter from Florence, to month-long stays in luxury villas in nearby villages. For the guests who stayed a month, we threw a dinner party with all of my friends and the guests’ new friends. For the day-trippers, we met with their favorite winemaker and toured the vineyards privately, followed by an amazing dinner in a restaurant that is home to one of the best cellars in Europe. I want to create something unique for each visit, because that’s what makes this job so exciting for me. 

A favorite experience/trip/itinerary you’ve planned that best represents your philosophy?

Start your day having breakfast admiring the fog roll over the hills from your hotel, then go on a private truffle hunt with the truffle hunter and his faithful dog. Stroll through the village of Barbaresco before arriving at Osteria Antica Torre for handmade tajarin, the tagliatelle pasta made with 40 egg yolks, accompanied by a glass of Barbaresco. After lunch, drive the rolling hills towards Monforte for a winery visit in the Barolo wine-growing area. Settle into the hotel for a nice spa treatment. Meet for dinner at a tiny 10-seat restaurant owned and operated by a husband-and-wife team. It truly feels like you’ve been invited into someone’s home. Start on their patio with a glass of Alta Langa, a sparkling wine produced with chardonnay and pinot noir grown on the high hills of the Langhe region, then enjoy a 4-course dinner in front of a fireplace with a spit. Although the area has more than 20 Michelin-star-rated restaurants, I find that some of the best evenings for guests are when you sit in a small dining room, in a town off the beaten path, eating more simple but intimate meals. 

A not-to-be-missed favorite experience in your region(s) of expertise…

I recommend riding your Vespa or E-bike or bicycle up and down the beautiful hills of Barolo and Barbaresco vineyards. Moving from one enchanted medieval village to the next one among stunning landscapes. There is no better way to see it.

A favorite hotel/lodge/house you love and go back to again and again…

Dai Gresy in Langa is my favorite hotel in the area. It’s not a five-star, but an authentic expression of the modern Langhe region with very good service. I like the simplicity and at the same time elegance of the decor of the 11 rooms and the lounge area. The outside patio and the infinity pool have breathtaking views over the Barbaresco vineyards. The à la carte breakfast and the dishes that are served with the aperitif are made with locally sourced ingredients or farmed on the property. 

A couple of the most memorable meals in your region…

The chef’s table at Piazza Duomo by chef Enrico Crippa, a 3 Michelin-star restaurant in the center of Alba. Or dinner/Sunday lunch at Da Filippo Oste in Albaretto Torre, a small 10-seat restaurant run and owned by Filippo and his wife, Silvia. The table in front of the fireplace with the rabbit or baby goat on the spit is an absolute must! 

What is something you wished we all knew or were better at as travelers?

As travelers we should always try to immerse ourselves in the culture and the habits of the locals and try to understand their history and their way of living. It’s the essence of travel.

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