Travel + Leisure USA - 09.2019

84 TRAVEL+LEISURE | SEPTEMBER 2019

PARIS, NORMANDY,

SCOTLAND

Camilla Davidson
Based in London, Davidson
spends half the year on the
road, scouting up-and-
coming destinations like
northern Scotland, where her
clients request road trips
along the scenic North Coast

For those seeking a
Parisian sojourn, Davidson
can arrange stays at luxury
hotels, such as Le Bristol, and
special experiences at the
Louvre. Minimum daily spend:
$600; 44-203-051-5165;
[email protected].

PORTUGAL

Helene Zinck
Zinck, whose team arranges
650 trips to Portugal each
year, creates custom
itineraries that showcase the
best the country has to offer.
Go horseback riding in the
Algarve; embark on a sailing
expedition along the
southern coast; or opt for a
culinary tour of the medieval
town of Faro, stopping at
family restaurants and
sampling traditional dishes.
Minimum daily spend: $145;
351-289-009-580; travel@
algarve-lifestyle.com.

RUSSIA

Greg Tepper
The founder of Exeter
International, Tepper creates
itineraries with activities
in Russia’s main cities—
touring Catherine the Great’s
palace, near St. Petersburg;
seeing the collection of
Fabergé eggs at the Kremlin,
in Moscow—and in the
countryside, like riding
the Trans-Siberian Express
on the Golden Eagle.
Additional specialties:
Baltic states, Ukraine, and
Georgia; minimum daily
spend: $500 per person;
813-251-5355; greg@exeter
international.com.

SCANDINAVIA,

ICELAND

Melissa Lee Scandinavia and Iceland have never been more popular, but Lee’s passion for this part of the world goes beyond current trends. She pairs clients with the destinations that best match their interests, from Denmark’s design districts to Norway’s stunning fjords. She has noted an upswing in travel to Finland, with its unique lodgings and vibrant capital, Helsinki. Minimum daily spend: none; 773-350- 8209; [email protected].

SPAIN, PORTUGAL

Nigel Hack Hack’s itineraries in Spain and Portugal incorporate history, gastronomy, art, music, and more. He taps into a vast network of insiders, from fashion designers and Spanish nobility to members of the Romany community. The experiences he curates run the gamut from visits to the home studios of art restorers to encounters with flamenco- guitar makers. Minimum daily spend: $1,100; 34-697-194- 672; nigel@madrid and beyond.com.

TURKEY

Engin Kadaster Istanbul, Cappadocia, and Bodrum are some of Kadaster’s most requested destinations, but she shines at planning trips to Turkey’s undiscovered locales, from the ancient city of Sagalassos to towns along the Georgian border. Thanks to her background as a tour guide, she’s plugged in to the country’s most authentic happenings—like private dinners in a 150-year-old stone house in the Turkish countryside. Minimum daily

spend: $300; 949-717-6784; engin@turkey atitsbest.net.

TURKEY,

THE BALKANS

Edward Granville It’s more popular than ever to charter a private gulet along the coast of Croatia, and Granville, who inspects the Balkans’ newest seafaring vessels annually, is the best person to book them. The Oxford-educated advisor can direct clients to the most stunning natural wonders in Slovenia, Montenegro, and beyond. Additional specialties: Japan, Oman, and Myanmar; minimum daily spend: $200 per person; 44-1242-787-820; egranville@ redsavannah.com.

U.K. & IRELAND

Nicola Butler Butler’s itineraries are filled with special activities—think going behind the scenes of the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace or firing the guns on board the HMS Belfast, the first ship to arrive on the coast of France on D-Day. She even invites clients into her own home to enrich their stays in London. Additional specialties: Paris and Normandy; minimum daily spend: $700; 44-20- 3051-5165; nicola@ noteworthy.co.uk.

Jonathan Epstein Epstein is based in Atlanta but has offices in the London suburbs and in Cork, Ireland. His specialty is super-luxe estate hotels, and he has connections at the best, including Ashford Castle and Adare Manor. He can tell you which rooms have the most impressive views and help you select Michelin-starred restaurants to splurge on. Minimum daily spend: $500 per person; 404-812-9298;

jonathan@celebrated experiences.com.

Ellen LeCompte Themed adventures in the U.K. and Ireland are among the specialties of this Virginia-based travel consultant, who lives part- time in the Cotswolds. She has organized Tudor- centered itineraries, trips inspired by the life of Winston Churchill, and even a journey in commemoration of the 400th anniversary of the death of Pocahontas. Additional specialties: Europe and Africa; minimum daily spend: $800 per person; 804-510-0608; ellen@ lecompte travel.com.

Siobhan Byrne Learat Learat can organize VIP experiences throughout Ireland, like helicopter rides over the Cliffs of Moher and stays at exquisite country castles and manors, including Ballyfin and Dromoland. Her other specialty is Kenya; she recently built an itinerary that included an overnight stay with members of the Samburu tribe and a wildlife tour hosted by a documentary filmmaker. Minimum daily spend: $800; 353-8623-29932; siobhan@ adams and butler.com.

David Tobin Born in London, Tobin cofounded Dream Escape with his wife, Holly, in 2005. They create trips to Scotland, Ireland, and England with a focus on out-of-the-ordinary experiences, such as intimate tastings at whiskey distilleries, castle tours, and visits to private gardens. In Scotland, shake hands with the Duke of Argyll; in London, take a spin through the Historic Royal Palaces with curators. Minimum daily spend: $750; 44-8452-601-085; david@ dream escape.co.uk.