Eager to explore the unfamiliar? For those with an appetite for travel, here are the best ways to make unforgettable memories as you enjoy your trips abroad
Experiential, transformative and conscious travel—the terms fall in and out of favour faster than an influencer gains and loses loyalty. What you need to know is that the best travel experiences can be life-changing for you as well as those around you. In the swirl of travelgrams, overtourism and sharing economies, the well-off and curious are increasingly looking for deep-dive encounters, ones that take them out of their comfort zone, even in familiar destinations.
“We’re living in an age where people are much more open than ever to embracing opportunities that truly better themselves,” says Tom Marchant, co-founder of luxury travel company Black Tomato. “The role travel plays in helping them along that journey is only going to grow.” The company claims to have consistently exceeded 200 per cent year-on-year sales growth. That’s no surprise when, according to a 2018 Skift research report, more than half of travellers rank transformative travel as very important, and more than half also place value on this type of travel.
What’s possible these days is limited only by one’s imagination and budget, with virtually every corner of the globe within reach for unique, knock-your-kit-off journeys. “We have a brilliant network of contacts around the globe that reaches far beyond the travel industry,” says Geordie Mackay Lewis, co-founder of Pelorus. “So we can ensure guests are accompanied by whoever knows the region best, be that an expert marine biologist, ornithologist or photographer. Whatever it may be, we can make it happen.” Take it away with these three.
(Related: Tatler Asia's Guide to the Best Places to Travel in 2020)
Black Tomato
Long before #traveldeeper became a thing, there was Black Tomato. Founded by three peripatetic Australians, the company was among the first to systematically craft experiences that went well beyond the norms of luxury travel. The company has evolved from headline-grabbing treks to the top of Mount Everest to offer a breadth of experiences spanning all seven continents, suitable for diverse age groups and interests. Among their top picks for 2020 are a hands-on food and wine experience in London and the UK’s Lake District with English chef Simon Rogan, and a Blink experience in Semuc Champey, Guatemala. The latter is next-level glamping, with luxury tents set up for the duration of your stay, then dismantled, leaving no trace of your presence.
(Related: The Tatler 10: Luxury Glamping Sites Around The World)