Vol 5, No 25 - Chasing tornados in a luxury RV, A private estate on Lake Como, 11 Amazing Experiences For 2019, 2020 and beyond

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Vol. 5, No. 25
11 Amazing Experiences for 2019, 2020 and Beyond...

Check out our DGAE Library featuring:

Insider reviews of unique experiences from VIP supercar tours of Italy, treks to see the Polar Bears, safaris in Africa, Cuba by private jet and previews of top suites and villas at hotels and resorts across the USA, Hawaii, the Caribbean, Canada, Mexico, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Brasil, Cambodia, China, Costa Rica, Ecuador, England, Fiji, France, French Polynesia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Maldives, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Oman, Panama, Philippines, Portugal, Qatar, Russia, Seychelles, Scotland, Singapore, Spain, South Africa, Switzerland, Tahiti, Thailand, Turkey, UAE, Vietnam, plus on the high seas aboard Regent Seven Seas Explorer, Seaboard Encore, Crystal Esprit, Crystal Mozart, Crystal Symphony, Norwegian Breakaway, Celebrity Edge, and Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas

Best of Luxury for 2019, 2020 and beyond...

A couple of weeks ago I was in Las Vegas for Virtuoso Travel Week and was allowed to take part in a special track of presentations for the group’s travel advisors who were previewing the hottest luxury travel experiences you will be reading about - or if you read this issue, maybe you will experience first hand.

No Dinosaur

As an aside - and with all due respect to Bill Gates who incorrectly predicted travel agents were going to be replaced by Expedia, Travelocity, and other online travel agencies, it hasn’t turned out that way, particularly for high-end travel.

Virtuoso is a network of independently owned travel agencies that together have more than 20,000 travel advisors. They sold more than $26 billion in luxury travel last year, a five-fold increase from their $5 billion output in 2009.

If you want to find one who specializes in what you’re looking for, you can find a list by expertise here.

I hope all of your travels are amazing!

All the best,

Doug Gollan

Founder/Editor
dougollan@dgamazingexperiences.com

Find The Best Private Aviation Solutions For You

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Subscribe today and we can help you and your team make sure you and your company are finding the best private aviation solutions for your unique flying needs.

What you get:

– Best Charter Brokers Guide – A curated guide to on-demand charter brokers that identifies 84 brokers and floating fleet operators that exceed industry standards.

– Jet Card Comparisons Guide – Comparison by 65+ variables of over 300 Jet Card programs, including sourcing standards for aircraft and pilots, service areas, Wifi availability, hourly rates, and hidden charges.

– Quick Compare Flight Pricing – A comparison of Jet Card pricing for over 150 national fixed-rate jet card programs. It calculates hourly rates plus daily and segment minimums, taxes, taxi time, memberships fees, peak day surcharges, fuel surcharges, and deicing so users can contrast fully loaded flight costs in second.

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— VIP Jet Card Decider — Our personal service available to help you figure out which solutions and providers are right for you and your company.

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Table of Contents

A. Private Aviation Headlines, including
B Private Jet Performance Guide ranking over 150 aircraft by size, range, speed, cabin, and baggage space
C. Before You Buy Reports - Jets, Yachts, Villas
D. The Ultimate Restaurant Guide for Private Jet Travelers
Eleven Amazing Experiences For 2019, 2020 and Beyond
1. Around the World with Geoffrey Kent: An Inspiring Expedition by Private Jet
2. A Private Estate Takeover on Lake Como
3. Take A Safari, Educate A Child In Africa
4. Origami Meets Augmented Reality
5. Safari Off The Beaten Path
6. Kayaking and Fine Dining in Patagonia
7. Tornado Chasing in a Luxury RV
8. Firing The Guns of HMS Belfast
9. A VIP Start To Your Australian Odyssey
10. Let Your Star Shine in Los Angeles
11. A Luxury Residence in French Polynesia
12. Executive Security Report
13. Jet Card Insider Reports
14. Best Of DG Amazing Experiences Library

A. Private Aviation Headlines

1. Exclusive: NetJets is adding two new jet cards
2.   Flexjet ad campaign targets NetJets’ customers
3.   Best private options to avoid the BA strike
4.   Vista Global’s XO opens empty legs to non-members
5. Why do some private jets always hug the coast?
5. NetJets signs yacht charter partnership with Northrop & Johnson
6. Dumont folds ProspAir's jet card into its Santos program
7.   The Jetlux CEO who apparently brokered flights for the Kardashians is out of jail on $500,000 bond
8 Jet cards show their value during Dorian
10. Private jet charters: If the price is too good to be true
11.  NetJets, Flexjet, VistaJet - Comparing the branded large cabin options
10.  Is NetJets worth the price?

Jet Card Buyer’s Tips

1. Buyer’s Tip #1 Know the company behind your program
2. Buyer’s Tip #2 Fixed rates or dynamic pricing?
3. Buyer’s Tip #3 Do I need guaranteed availability?
4. Buyer’s Tip #4 Make sure your program’s Primary Service Area matches your flight
5. Buyer’s Tip #5 What you need to know about Peak Days
6. Buyer’s Tip #6 Roundtrip and one-way pricing

B. Private Jet Performance Guides
(provided by Conklin & de Decker)

Range
Compare Light Jets by range
Compare Midsize Jets by range
Compare Large Cabin Jets by range

B. Before You Buy Reports

1. Before you charter a superyacht
2. Before you rent a villa
3. Before you charter a private jet
4. Before you buy a jet card

Partner Promotion:
Los Cabos Villa Spotlight from Elegant Mexico

Casa Fryzer is one of the most unique homes in Los Cabos. The sheer size of the contoured infinity swimming pool with swim-up bar and inset lounging areas is simply astounding. Indoors, you will find a home theater, wine cellar, office with a pool table, an ocean-view fitness room and Wi-Fi throughout the home. The interiors of Casa Fryzer are elegant and modern. Six bedrooms accommodate up to 12 guests and children are welcome. Each of the bedrooms includes an en-suite bathroom, air conditioning, and satellite television. Two suites have direct access to their own expansive outdoor space with private spa. Housekeeping, security, a manager and a butler are included with your reservation. Located in the private resort community of Villas Del Mar this home has welcomed many high profile guests, from celebrity entertainers and royalty to Fortune 500 CEOs, looking for the privacy and anonymity that cannot be found at traditional resorts. For more information, click this link or call +1 949.388.8590 ext. 200.

C. The Ultimate Restaurant Guide for Private Jet Travelers

With the help of our friends, we’ve curated a list of 143 restaurants in 60 cities around-the-world that each has memorable views, cuisine to match, and are all located on the top floors or rooftops of leading hotels.

In other words, if you are on a tight schedule, don’t worry about fighting traffic. Dinner (or lunch) is just an elevator ride away, like your private jet, saving you time. For the entire list, click here.

Partner Promotion:
Turks & Caicos Villa Spotlight from HostedVillas

The opulent La Dolce Vita Villa sits on the shores of Provo’s Long Bay Beach. Featuring a striking modern design both inside and out, the villa stretches out over more than 12,300 sq. ft. and offers more than 430 feet of beachfront. With 2 oceanfront pools and 2 oceanfront hot tubs, chances are you’ll find yourself frequently gazing out to sea, either watching the sunrise with your morning coffee or watching it set, all the time surrounded by family and friends. And as this villa features a total of 9 bedrooms, there’s certainly room for everyone. Take a 3-D Tour or for more information visit HostedVillas or contact Aurélie Gilles, Experience Manager, aurelie@hostedvillas.com mobile 647-523-4275 or office 1-800-374-6637 Ext. 310

11 Amazing Adventures for 2019, 2020 and Beyond

Overview

A week ago I was in Las Vegas for Virtuoso Travel Week and allowed to take part in a special track of presentations for the group’s travel advisors previewing the hottest luxury travel experiences you will be reading about - or if you read this issue, maybe you will experience them first hand.

1. Around the World with Geoffrey Kent: An Inspiring Expedition by Private Jet

While Abercrombie & Kent has run over 50 private jet trips, in 2020 the company’s founder Geoffrey Kent is planning to personally escort this 26-day journey that will take advantage of its private Boeing 757 to visit places that would be hard to reach on commercial airlines.

Don’t worry that some of the places you will be visiting may not have luxury accommodations. “Whatever is missing we bring,” said Ann Epting, senior vice president of private jet and special interest travel. In some cases, it's quality bed linens. In other cases, it’s the beds!

On this trip Chamba Camp Thiksey in India didn’t have enough luxury tents, so A&K is commissioning nine new ones that will be ready when its group arrives next fall. It usually takes about three years to plan an itinerary taking into account the logistics.

For this trip, you start in Seattle and fly to Kanazawa where you will have a private dining experience with geisha, then after visiting the war prison nicknamed the “Hanoi Hilton” in Vietnam, you will helicopter to a private yacht for a cruise of Ha Long Bay.

In Laos, you’ll be blessed by a monk, then jet off to the Maldives to go kayaking and fishing, and you'll make stops in Eritrea, Benin and remote areas of Brazil before returning to New Orleans for a Mardi Gras-style celebration. Price is $160,000 per person, and the trip is already nearly sold out after going on sale just two weeks ago.

The full itinerary is here.

2. A Private Estate Takeover on Lake Como

Dating from 1573, set against the base of a steep mountain, Villa Pliniana offers access by boat and helicopter, and spectacular 180 degrees views of Lake Como. You can play billiards on the same table as Napolean, one of its many famous guests, and so can your friends.

The private resort is only available for full takeovers and its 17 bedrooms spread across several buildings accommodate 34 guests. It’s managed by the same owners as nearby Il Sereno and Le Sereno in St. Barts. If you want, the team from Michelin star Ristorante Berton Al Lago will oversee your kitchen.

Because of the layout with different buildings, it’s ideal for smaller groups as well, however, the rate is 20,000 Euros per night either way.

3. Take A Safari, Educate A Child In Africa

For clients where private flights and iced bottles of Dom Perignon are not enough, Micato Safaris delivers trips “that completely remove any stress” said a company official. Voted nine times to Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best list, there is valet laundry service every day, everywhere.

Before you go, you provide your dietary preferences so all your meals will be aligned with what you like, even in the wilds of Africa, and yes, all vehicles have Wi-Fi. For every safari it sells, Micato funds the education for an African child.

4. Origami Meets Augmented Reality

If you are looking for something beyond the ordinary, Windows to Japan probably has the answer. Working exclusively through travel advisors, it creates one-off experiences around culture, food and craft.

As an example, for one family that wanted to experience the juxtaposition of Japan’s strong traditions and modern technology, the company created an excursion where they learned the art of origami from a family that has been practicing it for more than 700 years before turning their works into an augmented reality app they could share with their friends.

Other experiences include learning how to create a Japanese garden, a session with calligraphy specialist, sword crafting, sumo, archery, bonsai making, and virtually any type of artist or expert matched to your interest.

5. Safari Off The Beaten Path

For those of you who have been there, done that, or aren’t driven to stay in Africa’s many highly regarded and sometimes hard to get a reservation at luxury lodges, Wilderness Safaris specializes in what it calls “the luxury of space and exclusivity.” Some of its camps are limited to as few as six guests at one time. Still, you will be pampered. There just won't be many other people.

6. Kayaking and Fine Dining in Patagonia

Former investment banker Emmanuel Burgio combines his passion for Latin America and the Med – he’s French and his wife is from Argentina – with UNESCO World Heritage Sites, soft adventure and gourmet dining.

A recent private trip by Blue Parallel to Patagonia included riding horses, then kayaking to a remote beach where guests had a famous chef cook for them. Another trip included biking through Croatia’s wine country before dinner in a villa. Your change of clothes was of course transported and waiting for you so you could shower and freshen up first. “Outdoor adventure, white-glove service, and privacy,” he told the advisors.

7. Tornado Chasing in a Luxury RV

For Excursionist, getting you backstage to meet the cast of Hamilton or a gourmet mountaintop lunch served by a Michelin star chef might be almost run-of-the-mill.

In addition to tours of corporate headquarters such as Google and Facebook, or behind the scenes at the Supreme Court, consider glamping in National Park or something it recently pulled off for the CEO of a major company, tornado chasing in a luxury RV with an expert who advised in making the movie Twister.

8. Firing The Guns of HMS Belfast

London-based NoteWorthy specializes in the U.K., Ireland and Paris and its tricks including getting clients front row seats and viewing at major Royal and sold-out sports events.

The destination specialist can arrange for you to actually fire one of the guns on HMS Belfast and while you’re doing so, they’ll raise your own personal flag to the top of this most significant surviving WWII Royal warship, now docked on the Thames in Central London.

Of course, that’s just the start. The company can arrange private visits with many notable figures, you just have to ask discreetly. “We have a very interesting black book of contacts,” Nicola Butler, owner of NoteWorthy told me.

9. A VIP Start To Your Australian Odyssey

Most flights from the U.S. to Australia arrive around six o’clock in the morning, and unless you want to pay for the night before, with high occupancy rates at Sydney’s top luxury hotels, chances are you will be snoozing in an armchair in the lobby.

Instead, let Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley pick you up at the airport in a helicopter and whisk you 30 minutes to its rustic location on the Great Dividing Range between the Wollemi National Park and the Gardens of Stone National Park, within the World Heritage-listed Greater Blue Mountains.

The 4,413 sq. ft. Wolgan Villa will give you plenty of space to relax and unwind and work off the jet lag with hikes through the brush, horseback riding, biking, bird watching, a private campfire under the stars, and maybe a trip to its award-winning spa. You even have your own private pool (pictured below).

James Wyndham, the resort’s general manager says you’ll also be able to skip Sydney’s famous zoo, having seen a good deal of Oz’s famous wildlife while you were unwinding and getting ready for your Down Under adventure.

10. Let Your Star Shine in Los Angeles

Celebrities who truly don’t want to be seen don’t go through the regular airline terminals at Los Angeles International Airport, they use The Private Suite, a heavily fortified VIP compound on the south side of the airport, located behind several layers of secured walls.

Once inside, you get your own private room with lounge chairs and sofa, full bar, toilet with shower, and where you can arrange a massage. If you need anything, just pick up the phone and somebody will be there in seconds.

When it’s time to get on your flight, there is private TSA security on site, and then you are driven privately of course to your flight, where you can choose to either board first or last from the jet bridge so you never enter the terminal.

Arriving, you will be met at the door of your plane and whisked to the Private Suite where your luggage will be brought and loaded into your car while you wait in your private suite, of course.

If you are coming in from overseas, no worries. It has its own immigration and customs officers located onsite. If you live in La La Land and left your car, they will detail it while you are away. And if you want to get some fresh air while you are waiting, there is an outdoor lounge area with fire pits as well as a playground for the youngsters.

Instead of the typical 2,200 steps, you’ll cut your count down to just 70 using The Private Suite. Non-members pay $3,500 for up to three people for arrival or departure on a domestic flight and $4,500 for international trips.

11. A Luxury Residence in French Polynesia

To visit The Brando in French Polynesia you have to take a 20-minute flight from Papeete. And while the luxury villas on the sustainable island where Marlon Brando once lived have won shelves of awards, the new 3,000 sq. ft. three-bedroom Brando Residence takes things to the next level providing a full luxury home experience.

There’s even a fourth bedroom for nannies or your own personal chef if that’s how you travel. Don’t worry about mosquitoes or pesticides typically used in many places. The resort releases sterile males and after they mate, you won't be bothered to put it politely.

There’s a minimum stay of two night and five nights during the festive season. The nightly rate for the residence starts at 15,000 Euros. Of course, even spa treatments are included.

12. Executive Security Reports

1.   What you should consider before you get behind the wheel in Cuba
2.   Preventing a robbery while traveling
3.   How to survive a terrorist attack
4.   Seven ways your flight crew can improve security
5.   Six travel security scenarios you should be prepared for
6.   Family travel safety and security advice
7.   Four trends in executive travel security

13. Jet Card Insider Program Reviews

1.   Air Partner
2.   Airstream Jets
3.   Flexjet
4.   Delta Private Jets (new)
5.   JetSuite (updated)
6.   Jet Aviation
7.   Jet Linx Aviation
8.   Magellan Jets
9. NetJets
10. Private Jet Services (PJS) Group
11. Prive Jets
12. ProspAir
13. Sentient Jet (Updated)
14. StraightLine Private Air
15. Wheels Up (Updated)
16. XOJET

14. Our Most Popular Special Reports

If you are looking for more ideas and inspiration, check out some of our most popular Special Reports below...

Seven hot superyachts for charter this Summer

We checked in with Northrop & Johnson’s top brokers to find out which superyachts are hot for the charter market this summer, and in our report are eight picks for both Europe and North America. For each superyacht, you’ll find a summary of length, builder, launch and renovation dates, capacity for guests, number of cabins, range of rates, where each boat will be based for the winter season, minimum charter length, captain as well as a list of toys. Read more...

Crystal Esprit is perfect for groups up to 64

Crystal Esprit sits in the wide gap between chartering a superyacht and even the smaller luxury cruise ships that take 200-300 passengers. There are 91 crew and 62 guests, and the passenger areas are spread across four decks.

Explore hidden harbors and out of the way island beaches, swim to shore, splash out on wave runners, water toys and your own private submarine. Crystal Esprit is a 5-star floating resort for just 62 guests. You even can charter the entire yacht for celebrations or meetings. Read more…

Tour Italy Like a VVIP By Super Car

100 All’ Ora combines its insider auto industry connections with the best of Italian luxury experiences. They arrange everything from hotels to restaurant reservations, sourcing the specific supercar types you want and accompany your group providing VVIP service.

They will also video your experience, including filming by drones, providing you with a memorable look back at your adventure. They arrange factory tours and behind the scenes visits to wineries, ateliers and museums. Below is a sample four-day itinerary, but in the end, they will do whatever you want, wherever you want in Italy. Read more…

Sentosa Villa on the famous Grace Bay

Enjoy direct beachfront access at this outstanding 8-bedroom villa located on the famed Grace Bay Beach. Perfect for special events, such as a family reunion, wedding or other milestone celebration, revel in the perfect ocean views and soak in the lovely ambiance at Sentosa.

The main house holds 6 bedrooms, while the other 2 are in the guest house. Just about every room has a large opening that lets light and ocean breezes flow freely throughout. Outside, the terrace and beach offer lots of comfortable lounge chairs and sunbeds alongside the infinity pool and ocean. Read more...

Five bedrooms of luxury in Turks & Caicos

A gorgeous getaway for your group of family and friends, the 5-bedroom Beach Enclave offers luxury-filled days and nights. Furnished to the highest standards, enjoy a bespoke private villa experience with your stay here.

From the moment you arrive, you’ll find yourself slipping into the natural island rhythm. Inspired by an open Caribbean living concept, the villa features wide glass doors and multiple terraces that together allow the indoors and out to blend seamlessly. Spend days relaxing with a good book, cooling off in the pool, snorkeling in the ocean, or flying high on a kiteboard. Read more...

Why Waikiki is back as a luxury destination

Waikiki is back as a destination for luxury travelers. The Ritz-Carlton Residences Waikiki Beach has joined the Halekulani, Royal Hawaiian, and Trump International as 5-star options. But the real change is that both Waikiki and Honolulu have become a destination fit for foodies, adding to the increasing quotient of luxury shopping. Most importantly, and often overlooked, a quick drive to the other side of Oahu and you will find deserted beaches, hiking, biking and all sorts of soft adventure on par with Hawaii’s outer islands. Read more...

Five stunning villas in Los Cabos

Located next to One&Only Palmilla, Del Mar Los Cabos is a luxury gated. Expansive homes up to 12,000 sq. ft. are built to the highest standards of construction, and you have your own butler and private chef. Elegant Mexico handles all pre-arrival planning and concierge services. You get your own golf cart, Club Ninety-Six beach club and kids club access, Club Espiritu fitness club and spa, Offsite activity coordination services, in-residence spa services, 24-hour gated security, and 24-hour emergency medical response are all included. Read more...

Luxury on the Bund in Shanghai

If you are visiting on leisure or have extra time, or this is your first time coming to Shanghai, The Peninsula should be at the top of your consideration set. It also has a board meeting room with stunning views of The Bund on the west bank Huangpu River. The area is notable for its beautiful waterfront buildings, many of which have been restored. If you are doing a product launch, there is some nice rooftop space, indoors and outside. Read more…

Fine and Fun Skyscraper Dining in Bangkok

lebua at State Tower in Bangkok has become the epicenter of Thailand’s move to award-winning internationalizing, with 2-star Michelin restaurant Mezzaluna, Breeze, Sirocco, and soon Chef’s Table under the direction Vincent Thierry of the 3-star Michelin Caprice in Hong Kong. Of course, the nightlife is not restricted to restaurants with a multitude of specialty bars from The Flute A Perrier Jouet and Alfresco 64, a Chivas bar, lebua No. 3, with its caviar shooters and of course the bar that launched a worldwide trend, Skybar (pictured left). Read more...

Views of the lake in Geneva

In the center of Geneva, convenient to private banks and the United Nations, Hotel D'Angleterre is a hotel with a view of Lake Leman, both from its top suites and fine dining restaurant. Part of the Red Carnation group of boutique luxury hotels, each suite and room has its own unique decor. Don’t forget to check out its new cigar lounge. Read more...

About DG Amazing Experiences

My name is Doug Gollan. I am a strong advocate of the private aviation industry. You can read my frequent coverage of private jets and luxury travel at Forbes.com.

I’ve chosen you to receive DG Amazing Experiences because I believe you share my passion for both business aviation and the best travel and luxury experiences in the world.

DG Amazing Experiences is your e-newsletter guide to the best places and experiences for private jet travelers like yourself. The content is personally selected by me with the help of some of the smartest and best travel advisors in the world. My goal is to give you a look ahead at what's new, what's hot, and the best of the best. To make it easy for you, the stories are short but detailed, and I provide plentiful links to additional, relevant information.

If you are looking for private aviation solutions from on-demand charter to jet cards, fractional and even full ownership, please visit our sister website Private Jet Card Comparisons to access our buyer’s guide to over 250 jet card programs and our exclusive on-demand charter guide. Our VIP assistance program can help you decide which solutions are optimal for you.

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