I recently had the opportunity to speak with New York Times travel columnist Elaine Glusac for her Travel 101 piece, “How to Plan an African Safari.”
We covered a lot of ground, but one of the things I emphasized was that I don’t think of a great safari simply in terms of where you’ll see the most animals. The best itineraries often combine distinctly different experiences, landscapes, and perspectives.
Twenty-eight years after my first visit to India as a college student, I returned as a husband, father, photographer, and travel advisor. What I found was a country of extraordinary contrasts: tigers and temples, palaces and poverty, chaos and spirituality. LONG ROAD is a reflection on travel, perspective, memory, and what it means to return to a place as a completely different person than the one who first arrived.
Most travel advice today comes from unverified reviews and the AI tools that aggregate them. The problem is, information isn’t the same as judgment. This piece explores that difference, when those tools are useful, and why experience, relationships, and context ultimately matter most.
On a trip through Norway, one of our clients slipped and broke her wrist just days into the journey. In an instant, a $50,000 vacation became something very different.
Travel is extraordinary, but things happen. In this edition, I share a simple rule many travelers miss about travel protection, pre-existing medical conditions, and why timing matters more than most people realize.
Airlines are changing again, and extracting value from loyalty programs is becoming increasingly difficult. One client recently avoided losing $48,000 in airline credits because of how we structured their tickets. Another time, I was rebooked on a new flight within ten minutes of a cancellation. This edition explores why having an air strategy matters more than ever.
I’ve posted the images. I’ve shared the reels. Now I want to talk about what Antarctica actually feels like.
This week’s newsletter goes beyond the photographs to explore why Antarctica is the ultimate luxury destination, not because of what it offers, but because of what it removes.
Africa stays with you long after the photographs fade. It reveals its meaning slowly, through people, patience, and perspective. More than any destination I know, Africa has shaped how I travel, photograph, and experience the world.
I wrote this after a journey through Croatia that stayed with me longer than most. Recently, while sharing new images from Hvar and Dubrovnik, I realized how much of what I felt then still holds true now. Experience changes perspective, but some places continue to reward patience, return visits, and a slower pace. This felt like the right moment to bring this story back into view.
From the very first zodiac ride to the marine iguanas sunning on black volcanic rock, it was clear: this was going to be one of
Picture this: the world’s top spa, set on one of the planet’s top ten beaches (Belmond Cap Juluca), a golf course ranked second in the Caribbean (and arguably in the world’s top 100) at Aurora, which also leads a cutting-edge sustainability movement. Add to that the timeless elegance of Malliouhana, a Caribbean grand dame, and the sleek, L.A.-inspired sophistication of the Four Seasons.
The apex of travel volatility resides in airline delays/cancelations, we advise you don’t take on that risk alone.
How relationships and expertise create the unique and extraordinary experiences we all seek when traveling. Envision a personal visit with the granddaughter of the “Spanish Schindler” at her home and lunch with a Marquise at her castle, a location that was featured in Game of Thrones. These are just a couple of the unique experiences our partner in Spain has arranged through their exclusive connections.
Explora’s unique journeys are a first cousin to Safari experiences in Africa. Explora allows you to fully immerse yourself in seven remote locations across South America, ensuring an authentic experience from beginning to end. Our unforgettable experience with Explora in Patagonia inspired us to name our company, The Opulent Explorer.
Rustic Elegance Unveiled: A Journey Through the Enchanting French Countryside. Immerse yourself in the beauty of France, from the vineyards of Burgundy to the charming landscapes of Provence. Enjoy the privilege of exclusive access to some of LVMH’s premium vineyards and Champagne houses. Private chefs are ready to craft bespoke menus, catering to a wide range of dietary requirements. – The Opulent Explorer
“Safari” is a Swahili word meaning “journey,” our Australian adventures are the incredible experiential journeys you’ve come to expect and are distinct cousins to an African safari. See what a luxury travel advisor learned in his 7.5 weeks there that guided countless trips booked for clients since. – The Opulent Explorer
Ten things to consider when you are considering traveling in 2024 and beyond: (1) Start with the experience and back into the location – This method has a much higher rate of success. For example, some say, “I want to make this trip about scuba diving and always wanted to go to Costa Rica, so this is a win-win.” Not really. Costa is not well known for it’s diving, whereas its cousin Belize is a top diving destination. We’d ask, “What is it about Costa Rica that appeals to you and does that exist in Belize? continue to the article