Butterfield & Robinson 2023 Trip Catalogue | Luxury Travel

HOW TO TRAVEL WITH B&R

WHEREVER,

AND

Whether you want to join one of our small group Scheduled trips, go at your own pace on a Self-Guided adventure or take the reins and create a Bespoke journey with one of our expert Experience Designers, we have a flavour of adventure to suit every palate.

SCHEDULED GROUP TRIPS

TRAVEL WITH KINDRED SPIRITS

A great journey is made even better with great company, making our Scheduled trips perfect for those looking to share the adventure with kindred spirits. Expertly curated with our favourite experiences in each destination, these departures bring together a maximum of 16 travellers on pre-set dates.

PRIVATIZED GROUP TRIPS

A NEW WAY TO TRAVEL WITH YOUR CREW

Take any existing Scheduled trip and Privatize it for your own group. This is the easiest way to enjoy a private, flawlessly planned travel experience. And of course, we’re happy to make tweaks to ensure your adventure is perfect.

SELF-GUIDED TRIPS

TRAVEL OUR PATHS AT YOUR PACE

Looking for a little more intimacy? Like to be self-reliant? Self-Guided trips combine the hallmarks of any B&R itinerary (think excellent hotels, amazing local connections and expertly planned routes) with the freedom to pace each day exactly the way you like. Your B&R Local Host, who greets you on the first day, is always just a phone call away.

BESPOKE TRAVEL

TRAVEL WITH FRIENDS & FAMILY

Bespoke travel lets you imagine all the possibilities, and then we bring them to life. It’s travel that lets you call the shots – inviting who you’d like, deciding how and when to travel, wherever takes your fancy. We’ll provide the Experience Designer to pull it all together, adding a generous sprinkle of insider knowledge, awesome local contacts and a touch of magic, for a tailored trip that fits like a glove.

GO

HOWEVER

WITH WHOMEVER YOU WANT

CHOOSE YOUR B&R ACTIVITY

THREE WAYS TO GO BIKING

With unparalleled experiences around the world, you’re sure to find what you’re looking for. Here are some of the ways you can travel with us, but the possibilities are unlimited.

SEE THE WORLD ON TWO WHEELS

On a bike your world opens up around you, the sights, sounds and scents between villages and vineyards become delightful tangibles, no longer simply the stuff of dreams. Biking is our first love and remains our top method of seeing the world.

WALKING & HIKING

SEE THE WORLD ONE STEP AT A TIME

On routes that are scouted to take you off-grid and off Google, we’ve tried to stay true to the idea that arriving at a place from a unique angle allows you to experience where you are a little differently. Whether you’re meandering along ancient cobblestones or scrambling up a mountainside – putting one foot in front of the other leads to the most perfect views.

MULTI-ACTIVE

SEE THE WORLD IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE

We aren’t about confining anyone to a single mode of travel –the opposite, in fact. We love the opportunity to experience a region by whatever means makes sense. Want a combo of a bike and walk activity? Eager to splice in a camel ride here and a zip-line elsewhere? White water raft down some river rapids?

SOME OF THE OTHER WAYS WE TRAVEL

Slow Travel

BY EVERETT POTTER

“Slow Down to See the World” is what George Butterfield suggested more than 50 years ago, when he was encouraging people to walk or bike when they travelled. It not only became the motto for Butterfield & Robinson, it’s advice that seems timelier than ever now that most of us are moving all too quickly and often frantically through our daily lives.

George may well have been reacting to the “If It’s Tuesday, This Must be Belgium” kind of tourism that was then in vogue, when travellers were more inclined to visit seven cities in as many days, packed into a trip that was like an overweight suitcase.

His genius was counterintuitive, suggesting that instead, the best way to experience Europe was to spend a week in Bordeaux or Tuscany, but not racing from church to museum to monument. The days would be measured by walking or biking and experiencing the outdoors of a country that was foreign to us. It turned out to be a menu for savouring each day, enjoying each meal, treasuring each sip of wine, in the company of young and smart guides and some like-minded travellers.

Those were radical suggestions back then. While they’ve been copied by others over the ensuing years, they’ve rarely been bettered and they remain groundbreaking today. This is travel as a two-part formula. First, Slow Down. It sounds easy, but this may be the toughest suggestion of all. Most of us are not programmed to do that. Everywhere we turn, we’re encouraged to do things faster, quicker and then move on to the next thing. That’s the very antithesis of B&R, which has always advocated two’s: two wheels or two feet. Neither is especially fast. You will, however, slow down as a result.

Everett Potter is the editor of Everett Potter’s Travel Report, a contributor to Forbes, and an expert for National Geographic Expeditions. He focuses on adventure travel, luxury travel, and off-thebeaten-path destinations. His work has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Town & Country, Conde Nast Traveler, Martha Stewart Living and The Robb Report.

The second part of that equation is See the World. You can’t help but see the world if you’re moving slowly, on two wheels or two feet. You will find your day elevated by the sight of wildflowers in a French meadow, or observing the morning sun over a village in Andalucía, or marvelling at a double rainbow in the west of Ireland. When was the last time you spoke with an Italian winemaker, watched a chef create an amazing dish, or enjoyed a private tour of Vienna’s Spanish Riding School?

If we have learned anything these past two years, it’s the virtue of slowing down and smelling the roses. Life passes all too quickly, and too often in a blur. The concept of slowing down has morphed, and now we can do so aided by E-Bikes, or with a focus on wellness, on culture, or our extended families. Many B&R trips now take it a step further and base themselves in one place for a week, albeit a special, luxury-forward, comfortable place. Unpack once and stay longer.

On a B&R trip through Burgundy years ago, I don’t remember my mileage or even the name of the hotels I stayed in. I do recall a long, memorable lunch with George at winemaker Olivier LeFlaive’s landmark restaurant and the crisp, echoing sound of my footsteps on the gravel of a chateau’s cave in Savigny-lès-Beaune. I also remember pausing while walking on a narrow vineyard road to watch the exceptionally slow march of a battalion of Burgundian snails. That was Burgundy for me, and frankly, you can’t get any slower than that.

B&R TRAVELLERS ARE SIMPATICO

“I would never go on a group tour.”

It’s fair to say that the people who come on our Scheduled trips – often for the fifth or sixth time – would never go on a group tour. The idea of travelling with a group of strangers is anathema. And yet, B&R’s travellers are alike in many ways. Although most would not give two hoots if they’re the first to cross some imaginary finish line, make no mistake, our people are driven, accomplished and intellectually curious. They are pathfinders, not followers. Dinner conversation is often animated with subjects ranging from family to philosophy – always accompanied by laughter. Two couples from opposite coasts, who met on a B&R trip decades ago, have since started a winery named after the trip they met on. Stories like this are far from uncommon. While B&R travellers come in all shapes, colours and sizes, there are invisible threads that bind them. Note: it is often the shy couple off on their own for the first few days that proves to be among the most interesting.

YOU COULD NEVER DO THIS ON YOUR OWN

performance art – each character

How difficult is it to plan seven perfect days? Imagine a journey where there’s always something new and surprising around the next bend. A picture-perfect picnic comes into view, with blankets tucked under shade trees. An ice cold local beer. A charcuterie board with cheese, crusty bread and cured meats that arrived moments earlier from the tiny hill town on the horizon. A local guide who also happens to be a noted classical guitarist strums softly. Always choosing the perfect places to see or eat on ancient paths that many locals have forgotten. Never a misstep or a lost hour. Meanwhile, your luggage is already in your room at the next hotel. Whether joining a Scheduled departure, choosing a Self-guided trip or inviting us to help plan your perfect Bespoke adventure, a deep understanding of each region, access to people and places – gained over fifty-plus years – and flawless planning really do make all the difference.

“It’s like

and place appearing at just the right moment.”

People always say that the guides made the trip. And they say, how is it possible that they appear just when you need them? And where do you find these folks? The truth is, they often find us. It could be that they recognize a like-minded desire to peel back the layers and find the truth of a place. Maybe a friend simply said, it’s a cool place to work – check them out! Sometimes we find them when a particular set of skills or knowledge is required. In all cases, they are inspired by an abiding passion to share and champion the special places they love. These are extraordinarily accomplished people who can gracefully overcome unforeseen logistical issues without breaking a sweat, or give an impromptu architectural tour of a Palladian villa. Much of what they do happens behind the scenes, but their focus is always on doing whatever it takes to create a flawless carefree trip.

“We had our doubts but somehow Edo knew we could make it all the way to the top.”

GUIDING LIGHTS

THE

LOST ART OF SERENDIPITY

“Luciana’s Nonna shared a taste of her family’s Grappa.”

A morning’s walk on the beach leads to a chance invitation to hear a haunting remembered story of a villager’s experience during the landing in Normandy. A wrong turn down an ancient alleyway in Lecce and you’re sharing a glass of wine at an outdoor caffè with a local gossip from two Borgos over who loves to air his town’s dirty laundry – all while negotiating the price of handpressed olive oil with his friend. You are lost amid the colours and aromas of the spice street, dodging passing trays of tea in Istanbul’s souk – all without a care in the world. We know that the secret to travelling well is opening our hearts and minds to chance encounters that happen along the way. While it’s true that each B&R day is planned to perfection, our itineraries are structured to allow for the unexpected, and our guides encourage these singular moments.

ACCESS TO PEOPLE & PLACES

cellar

Pizza night with live jazz at a private home in the Chianti region of Tuscany with a family that will charm your socks off. Lunch on the terrace with one of the most breathtaking views in all of Italy at the stately home of a former British diplomat. A morning of truffle hunting in Périgord with one of France’s master diggers. Follow in the footsteps of the famous naturalist, Charles Darwin, in Australia’s Blue Mountains National Park with Chris, Darwin’s great-great-grandson. After more than fifty years of scouring the globe for one-of-a-kind experiences, B&R’s little black book is among the most coveted in the travel industry. The secret is pretty simple: we establish lasting friendships with extraordinary people who welcome us into their worlds – not as tourists, but as long lost family members. We know people.

“Henri’s

doesn’t have a website.”

WHERE WE STAY

room was the inspiration needed to get our home renovation back on track.”

You may find yourself warming beside a private outdoor fireplace at a wilderness lodge, located next to Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, where more than a third of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas find refuge. And you may find yourself on a private terrace in a superb familyrun Château exploring their 80-hectare estate alongside the vineyards of Burgundy. Or on horseback at a luxury eco retreat with a sustainable organic farm at the top of the Andalusian Serranía de Ronda. Or at a pristine white powder beach hotel in Vietnam surrounded by traditional rice paddy fields with dramatic hilltop views. Or you may find yourself in a historic farmhouse chalet in the Dolomites set on a small plateau with a breathtaking view of the valley below. Letting the days go by. Once in a lifetime.

“Our

FOOD & DRINK

lunch included a lecture about Tipo 00 flour.”

B&R trips have always been about eating well. What really inspires our palate is the opportunity to explore different cultures and connect with people. We search for authentic local cuisine, regional specialties, farm-to-table dining and zero kilometre food – all to experience the true taste of a place. We like getting knee-deep in grapes, or in the waters of a distant beach to shuck oysters. We’ve been known to scale vineyards on a volcanic mountainside and we don’t mind getting schooled in Burgundy by a passionate young biodynamic vintner. That doesn’t mean we avoid fresh market cuisine prepared by a Michelin-starred chef with perfect wine pairings, or exquisitely prepared scialatielli served by candlelight, but feel equally at home enjoying piping hot quattro formaggi at a local pizza joint. What really matters is finding the hidden gems – known only to locals – that reveal the very best each region has to offer.

“Our

Italy

A visit to Italy conjures images of crystal blue seas and ancient hilltop villages. But let’s not forget the truffle-laced forests and legendary hospitality. Indulge in a secret Italy that few others get to see. In fact, once you are embraced by Italy’s famously friendly people, historic architecture and celebrated cuisine, you may just forget to return home.

I will never forget Truffle day: a hunt for truffles in the morning, followed by an excellent evening at the Truffle Festa. A fantastic day full of local warmth and hospitality.

AMALFI COAST

After our morning hike on our first day in Capri, we sat down to a delicious lunch at a splendid restaurant with stunning views.

Kerry F.

PUGLIA

We enjoyed a wonderful lunch at Lilith, really excellent. And I loved biking through the olive groves and along the crystalline waters of the Adriatic coast.

So many memories: being surrounded by wildflowers on the first day of our hike, gorgeous mountain scenery, quality and variety of food, excellent and comfortable guidance.

Refuelling each day after your hike or bike trip with alpine cuisine at traditional rifugi (mountain huts), taking in the panoramic mountain views.

5 6

PIEMONTE

The pasta-making class and then dinner in a local wine cellar was a unique experience. And the Prosecco stop on our last ride was such a fun little send-off.

PORTOFINO & CINQUE TERRE

The views over Vernazza and Portofino were spectacular, and the impromptu pizza party on the veranda of our suite in La Torretta was particularly special!

Hiking from Camogli to San Rocco, enjoying a

where the Slow Food movement was born.

ITALIAN LAKES 7

Boat rides, strolling through Bellagio, the wine tasting with bites in that little restaurant were all perfect. Sitting outside by the lake for lunch was also wonderful.

8

SARDINIA

The dramatic views of La Maddalena archipelago and Bonifacio across the turquoisetinted water were magical, and the surprise concert was a fun experience.

When you least expect it, be entranced by a local men’s choir singing ancient, traditional songs of the region.

Mike D.

10 9

VENETO SICILY

A spectacular lunch at the Concetto’s almond farm exceeded expectations. So did seeing the sculpture of Salvatore Incorpora followed by a reception at his home!

Loved biking along quiet roads, taking in breathtaking scenery. Enjoyed the tortellini lunches, hotels steeped in history and the guides’ insights into local life and culture.

your

TRIPS Sicily Walking, Bespoke STARTING PRICE $1,000 (USD per person / per day )

More than Venice or sipping Prosecco, learn the local way of crafting tortellini and ravioli with

stand-in nonna while sipping wine grown in the back yard.

Hiking the monstrous Mount Etna to a special BBQ lunch on the trail, with stunning views of the volcano and Sicily’s landscapes.

France

France’s millennia of history would take too long to recount, so we’ll focus on the decades we’ve spent here. Spectacular biking through ancient vineyards, unforgettable walks across gorgeous plateaus and the most charming people we’ve ever encountered: in this country, where the food, the landscape, and the people all welcome indulgence, it’s hard to say ‘no.’ So, don’t.

BURGUNDY

Loved the stay at Domaine de Rymska – fantastic. As always, the biking is the highlight for me, but what really shines are all the amazing people we met along the way!

LOCAL

HIGHLIGHTS

PROVENCE & FRENCH RIVIERA

Beautiful routes, and the hotel accommodations were among the best. All the events, but most of all the picnic accompanied by a great jazz band, will last in our memories.

Wine tastings with Kelly, a larger-than-life American sommelier who’s been working in France for almost two decades.

Our lavish dinner at Auberge de L’ill was incredible and the surroundings were so beautiful! We couldn’t have asked for more.

Cycle past enchanting villages with the Vosges Mountains in the background, pausing en route to meet the region’s top female biodynamic winemakers.

BORDEAUX & DORDOGNE

We loved our day at an organic winemaker’s vineyard and exploring Rouffignac Cave with an archaeologist. In between, were vineyard rides through medieval towns.

CORSICA 5

The white cliffs outside Bonifacio and the walk into town were breathtaking. And the colour of the water in Calvi! Loved the beach picnic with Marya and her husband.

Jill M.

LOIRE VALLEY 7

Domaine de la Tortinière... wonderful guides, food, biking routes and views. Cycling with my husband through the sunny French countryside. Simple and breathtaking pleasures.

NORMANDY & BRITTANY

A local expert’s behind-thescenes tour of Mont SaintMichel was so special. Visiting Omaha Beach with a local historian made the D-Day landing come alive for us.

LOCAL

LOCAL

BEST TIME TO GO May – October

FAVOURITE PLACE TO STAY Les Sources de Cheverny

TRIPS Loire Chateaux Biking, Bespoke

STARTING PRICE $1,500 (USD per person / per day)

With a trio of famous cheeses, fabulous butter, great seafood and more cider and Calvados than the landing forces could drink, Normandy is a culinary paradise.

BEST TIME TO GO July - September

FAVOURITE PLACE TO STAY Villa Lara

TRIPS Normandy and Brittany Biking, Bespoke

STARTING PRICE $1,100 (USD per person / per day)

Linda H.

Annette Z.

Visiting Chenonceau castle with a local historian, then riding along the Cher River to a privately owned 18thC château estate, welcomed by the owner for wine tasting and lunch.

THE REST OF

Europe

Where to begin with all that Europe has to offer? Spectacular hikes and scenic biking adventures. Charming medieval cities and country villages. Delicious rustic fare and elegant cuisine. Historic architecture and breathtaking nature. And those special, off-the-radar experiences that only B&R’s renowned guides can provide.

2

BALTICS AUSTRIA

Cruising along the Danube without a worry in the world, gazing at the picturesque landscape of the Wachau Valley and its thousand-year-old vines, time seemed to stand still.

We sailed the Baltic on an old schooner, passing seals and flocks of birds, then indulged in homemade sashimi, salmon trout and rhubarb wine against a peaceful sunset.

Letting the fairy-tale architecture fade away as you cycle past emerald mountain lakes and ancient vineyards.

FAVOURITE PLACE TO STAY Hotel Sacher Vienna

TRIPS Prague to Vienna Biking, Bespoke

STARTING PRICE $1,250 (USD per person / per day)

Biking and hiking through untapped nature reserves, learning about Lithuania’s rich Jewish history and culture along the way.

FAVOURITE PLACE TO STAY Pädaste Manor

TRIPS Lithuania to Latvia Multi-Active, Bespoke

STARTING PRICE $1,250 (USD per person / per day)

Kathy W.

Mario K.

4 3

BELGIUM CZECH REPUBLIC

We explored the countryside in the company of a WWII expert as he brought the history of Europe’s most infamous battlefields to life.

Riding along the Danube, stopping for apricot tart; morning ride through vineyards and lunch at the winery; a horse carriage to the restaurant in Vienna – so memorable!

BEST TIME TO GO May – October

FAVOURITE PLACE TO STAY 1898 The Post, Ghent

TRIPS Bespoke

STARTING PRICE $1,250 (USD per person / per day)

BEST TIME TO GO May – October

FAVOURITE PLACE TO STAY Chateau Heralec, Heralec

TRIPS Prague to Vienna Biking, Berlin to Prague Active, Bespoke

STARTING PRICE $1,250 (USD per person / per day)

Maria G. Leo B.

Exploring medieval towns with fresh seafood, fries, chocolate and waffles around every turn.

LOCAL HIGHLIGHTS

Incredible walking through astounding cities and on hidden trails, full of rich histories.

LOCAL HIGHLIGHTS

cooking classes

Slowing down is best done in the Cotswolds, where honey-coloured villages and meandering sheep invite you to linger longer.

The incredible organic food and farm-to-table

brought out the flavours of England that I would never have imagined. A real eye-opener.

We hiked to the top of Creag Choinnich for a beautiful view of Braemar. It was my wife’s birthday and our phenomenal guide pulled out a fife and played for us!

Incredible hotels and restaurants, and great visits I would not have discovered on my own. With the mobile GPS, everyone enjoyed the exceptional bike rides at their own pace.

S.

hike on a private Highland estate with a remote mountain hut lunch, whisky tasting and a backcountry drive.

NORWAY NETHERLANDS

We loved the quintessential Dutch experiences – cycling, tulip bulb farm, Gouda wine and cheese tasting, tour of a working windmill and the Zeeland boat ride “picnic”.

Trollstigen Pass was the most scenic bike ride I have ever experienced. Truly amazing, as was the weather that day. Perfect in every way.

Philip H.

Meeting the family behind a local oyster farm, sampling and learning about this generational calling.

From paddling along majestic fjords to cycling through mountain passes, Norway brings you from sea to sky daily.

10 11

SWITZERLANDICELAND

Great memories – spectacular vistas, private lunch with accordion music after a challenging climb, tram ride up to a peak with a walking bridge and bobsled ride.

Ancient roads crossing creeks to see Thor Valley; glaciers and lava fields; and the Blue Lagoon! A jaw-dropping plunge into vast landscapes and welcoming people.

LOCAL HIGHLIGHTS

BEST TIME TO GO June – September

FAVOURITE PLACE TO STAY The Eiger

TRIPS Switzerland E-Biking, Bespoke

STARTING PRICE $1,165 (USD per person / per day)

Hike through otherworldly landscapes and learn about local folklore with your enthusiastic Icelandic guide.

BEST TIME TO GO All year FAVOURITE PLACE TO STAY The Retreat at Blue Lagoon TRIPS Bespoke

STARTING PRICE $1,000 (USD per person / per day)

Kenneth R. Sherry S.

LOCAL HIGHLIGHTS

CROATIA IRELAND

Through magical landscapes, each ride was memorable, and each event too – Champagne at the Cliffs, traditional Irish music, Duncan’s literary interlude and Eoin’s song.

Spectacular views and unforgettable sunsets. Swimming in the Adriatic was the perfect daily restorative activity. Wonderful meals and hospitality from the crew.

Eileen G.

Emily M.

Villa

Cycle to the craggy Cliffs of Moher for postcardperfect views, while crashing waves and flurrying birds offer an idyllic Irish soundtrack.

Meander through the Peljesac Peninsula, savouring views of cascading vines that plunge down to the sea.

GREECE 14

Enjoyed the beautiful Northern Greek mountains and incredible vistas. Loved the delicious appetizers. An underground tomb visit was an unexpected highlight.

Experiencing the spirit of the locals, their love of life and adventure and warm hospitality towards travellers.

Gerold K.

ROMANIA GERMANY

We wanted our hikes to last forever, surrounded by the breathtaking Carpathians, luscious green valleys and colourful homes, old and new. Unforgettable.

Everything was memorable –the guides dancing at lunch, shirts on the flagpole, the horse carriages, fireworks, wine and cocktails. And everything was included.

LOCAL HIGHLIGHTS

BEST TIME TO GO June, September

FAVOURITE PLACE TO STAY Bethlen Estates

TRIPS Bespoke

STARTING PRICE $1,000 (USD per person / per day)

Dig deep into history and tradition through stimulating experiences with locals, beer and food.

BEST TIME TO GO May – October

FAVOURITE PLACE TO STAY BEYOND in Munich

TRIPS Rhine River Cruise, Danube River Cruise, Berlin to Prague Biking, Bespoke

STARTING PRICE $1,250 (USD per person / per day)

Bridget F.

Linda C.

Romania hearkens back to an earlier time. Meadows and beech forests shelter ancient Saxon villages, horse-drawn wagons are a common sight, and people are friendly and welcoming.

TURKEY

At the top of my list was a private tour of the mosque and major cultural site, Hagia Sophia. Fabulous, but we had many such memorable moments.

GEORGIA

Learning about Georgian winemaking and exploring Tbilisi with a local historian immersed me in the rich culture. I felt a little more like a local by the end of the trip!

The intoxicating aromas and tastes of Turkish food will leave you yearning to get lost in the markets for just a few more days!

T.

John W.

Swanning up Mount Kazbek and hiking to the Gergiti Trinity Church.

SPAIN

Entering Santiago de Compostela and seeing the Cathedral of Santiago after a week on the Camino took my breath away. Like seeing the Grand Canyon for the first time.

Be welcomed by locals for an authentic farm-totable experience. You’ll feel like you've just spent time with long-lost family.

Total immersion into the culture. We admired the loving, hard-working, humble people, filled with pride. Add the unforgettable food and wine –all the senses awakened.

SLOVENIA

Effortless bike rides through magnificent scenery, with no worries about getting lost. We loved our dinners with locals, eating traditional foods with regional wine/schnapps!

Susan H.

Kathleen S.

Biking

Brda

Sampling

reds at a family-run farm, sharing stories over a home-cooked lunch.

Africa

From sand dunes to savannas, meerkats to silverbacks, camel rides to safaris, the continent’s dramatic landscapes, unique and varied wildlife, ancient cultures and traditions, are waiting for you to experience, the B&R way. Days filled with adventure and wide-eyed wonderment, evenings of sumptuous meals and relaxing with a drink admiring spectacular sunsets.

MOROCCO

We biked towards Marrakech along rolling hills through small Berber villages. We were treated to clear views of the snow-covered peaks of the High Atlas Mountains.

FAVOURITE PLACE TO STAY Kasbah Tamadot

TRIPS Morocco E-Biking, Morocco Active Expedition, Morocco Walking, Bespoke

STARTING PRICE $1,000 (USD per person / per day)

Claudio B.

Hike in the Atlas Mountains through ancient villages, stopping along the way to sample local honey amlou.

RWANDA

Our guides were caring, professional yet willing to share their realities with us, and vice versa. We learned so much and captured the real Rwanda over 8 days.

Visiting Two Fires Gallery in Rwanda’s gorillaviewing hub to learn about the country’s turbulent past through local photography.

4

KENYA BOTSWANA

The lodges were exceptional! We had so many unique experiences at each camp, from sleeping on the salt pans to all the incredible wildlife.

An evening with rhino trackers and encountering animals big and small were life-altering experiences. I’ll never forget evening cocktails watching unbelievable sunsets.

Life-changing animal encounters while exploring diverse ecosystems: the waterways of the Okavango, the saltpans of the Makgadikgadi, the drylands of the Kalahari.

Katherine F.

Frank A.

Losing yourself in the wild alongside celebrated Samburu warriors.

First climbing the big sand dune at Sossusvlei and then embarking on that awesome hot air balloon ride was an unforgettable bucket-list experience.

MADAGASCAR

Heading down the Avenue of the Baobabs and seeing these monstrous trees shooting up from the ground for the first time was the most scenic image I’ve ever experienced.

Jane R.

Vince H.

Witnessing enigmatic lemurs and fascinating endemic flora.

Learning the ancient wisdom of the Himba and San people and digging into prehistory gems like fossils and rock art.

8

TANZANIA SOUTH AFRICA

We enjoyed our safari so much! The kids’ favourite part was the rock-climbing and the time we spent at the glorious beach.

The game drives were really special. Our great guides got as excited as we did when we spotted animals. And we loved the opportunity to meet and interact with the Masai.

Tasting something you never thought you would: banana beer!

FAVOURITE PLACE TO STAY Grootbos

TRIPS Bespoke

Matthew

Delphine T.

Traverse through South Africa’s most picturesque biodiversity hotspot: Cape Floral Kingdom.

10 9

ZAMBIA ZIMBABWE

We loved sitting in our room, gazing at the Zambezi River. And returning from safari to a drawn bath on our deck with elephants rolling in the mud!

We pushed through the bush in the Matobo Hills to see the sunrise touch the surrounding hills. We surprised the zebras across a pond, reflected in the water between us.

FAVOURITE PLACE TO STAY Chisa Busanga Camp

TRIPS Bespoke

STARTING PRICE $1,350 (USD per person / per day)

Patricia S.

Hugo A.

Witnessing the grandeur and dramatic topography of Victoria Falls for the first time.

Canoeing the Zambezi River alongside exceptional safari guides as you catch glimpses of majestic wildlife.

Asia

A feast for the senses. Our Asian trips offer beautiful terrains, ancient ceremonies, culinary feasts, and, maybe most of all, the spirit of its people. Spectacular hikes, cooking classes, beautiful temples, and many unexpected and memorable local experiences. No surprise if your guide becomes a friend for life.

JAPAN

The hotel staff treated us like honoured guests keen to learn local customs. I never felt like an ‘annoying tourist’, and biking through the landscapes created lasting memories.

Visiting a fifth-generation sake brewery and sampling the finest sushi in a small town market.

INDIA INDONESIA

Our guide Rohit built a bonfire under the full moon, then played wonderful Indian music – a magical evening. We loved the warmth and vivacity of the people we met.

The Balinese are some of the most open and happy people I’ve met. Dinner at Gawa’s house, preparing delicious food, then eating as a family, is a memory I will cherish.

LOCAL HIGHLIGHTS

a snake’s movements.

BEST TIME TO GO January – March, October – December

FAVOURITE PLACE TO STAY Umaid Bhawan Jodhpur

TRIPS Bespoke

STARTING PRICE $1,000 (USD per person / per day)

LOCAL HIGHLIGHTS

Taste the flavours of Indonesia while preparing a traditional feast alongside our friend Dewa, who explains how our culinary choices impact tradition and culture.

BEST TIME TO GO April – November

FAVOURITE PLACE TO STAY Amankila

TRIPS Bespoke

STARTING PRICE $1,000 (USD per person / per day)

Jen R.

Marlene L.

The Kalbeliya tribe, known as snake charmers and catchers; women in flowing black skirts perform graceful steps and swirls replicating

4

CAMBODIA BHUTAN

Climbing to Tiger’s Nest was a highlight. Visiting the nunnery, seeing workers building their new temple and witnessing their ceremony were unexpected delights.

I will never forget the looks on my children’s faces as they watched the sun set on Angkor Wat. It was a truly magical moment.

In Bumthang’s picturesque “industrial zone” you’ll discover delicious cheeses and jams and the Bumthang Brewery, producing Bhutan’s tastiest beer.

Feel the ancient legacy of the Khmer empire seemingly rise from the jungles

Julie D.

Alicia L.

VIETNAM

I loved the Hoi An cooking class, morning market walk, visiting Cai Rang floating market, seeing water buffaloes and observing an ancestor remembrance ceremony.

An experience for the senses – incredible smells that greet you at every turn.

Patricia R.

JORDAN

The hikes were among the best I’ve done. The Bedouin guides were helpful and encouraging, and provided wonderful lunches – beautiful settings and great food.

A candle-lit walk down the Siq to Petra’s Treasury and a magical feast in the Wadi Rum at sunset.

8 9

OMAN THAILAND

The camel ride, the Champagne, the dunes as the sun set – magical! Our favourite meal was dinner at the desert camp – fantastic food and our group felt like old friends.

The biking, countryside, and the cooking school at Chiang Mai were all wonderful, and so was interacting with our terrific guide Oscar.

Nikolaus S. Christopher M.

FAVOURITE PLACE TO STAY Anantara Jebal Akhdar TRIPS Oman Hiking Expedition, Bespoke

PLACE TO STAY Howie’s Homestay

Indulge in tantalizing dishes on a night street food tour by tuk-tuk.

Walking across a balcony in the middle of Oman’s Grand Canyon.

Oceania

Australia and New Zealand beckon! Bespoke tours designed with our knowledgeable planners and guides. Hunt mud crabs on the beach with Indigenous elders. Kayak with turtles in the Great Barrier Reef. Explore the silent waterways of Fiordland. Helicopter rides over glaciers and sandy beaches. We’ll bring you closer to scenic wonders, and closer to the locals and their culture.

AUSTRALIA

How special to be hiking with Chris Darwin, great-greatgrandson of Charles Darwin. And I loved exploring the amazing wildlife on Kangaroo Island.

Don’t underestimate the great differences across the regions of Australia. Every corner brings a unique flavour and experience.

NEW ZEALAND

Views from the helicopter from Queenstown to Fiordland were magnificent. After a simply perfect lunch, we hit ecogolf balls into a scenic canyon!

Taking in the spectacular scenery of Fiordland while staying on a working sheep and deer farm.

Latin America

Rainforests, black lava, coastal ranges. Ecuador, a cruise away from Galapágos, and Uruguay, the home of Tannat wine making. All evocative of the southern latitudes, rich in culture, topography and new world entrepreneurship. Here music, art, dancing, food and the land all speak to and celebrate Indigenous origins. Not to be missed.

CHILE ARGENTINA COLOMBIA COSTA RICA ECUADOR & GALÁPAGOS

ARGENTINA

Riding with Gaucho was great and the food at the ranch was divine. Loved the wine tour, tasting grapes in the vineyard with our guide before the wine tasting!

A rare experience to visit the Indigenous people in the Palomino area and learn about their way of life. Fascinating trip to the reserve with the endangered Titi monkeys.

Jamie F.

Todd A.

Hiking up into the Sierra Nevada before descending the Rio Palomino by paddle boards against a backdrop of snow-capped mountains and the crystal-clear ocean.

Delve into the unparalleled local artistry, witnessing poncho weavers, musicians and ceramists create art from the earth.

COSTA RICA 5

I will talk about the birthday celebration at a chef’s home, with dancers and incredible food, for years to come. Our boys ate with the chef’s son and became great friends.

ECUADOR & GAL Á PAGOS

Cruising to the Galápagos Islands was like stepping foot on Mars! Multi-coloured crabs basking on black lava rocks, and baby sea lions sunbathing on the shores.

Elena B.

Taste the flavours of Costa Rica with specialty coffee and chocolate before hiking through cloud forests.

Snorkelling with the sea lions! They come so close, it’s like they want to play with you.

Most memorable moment –completing the Inca Trail, entering the sun temple and looking down on Machu Picchu. Emotional and spiritual, I wasn’t the only one who cried.

I met the artist Pablo Atchugarry, and only because our guides were in the know. Pablo autographed his book for me – I was speechless!

Julie G. Jim R.

Coastal riding from La Barra to José Ignacio, followed by a delicious oceanside lunch and a dip in the South Atlantic.

hike to Machu Picchu.

The Nature of Islands

BY LARRY OLMSTED

Hooper: “Well, uh, it doesn’t make much sense for a guy who hates the water to live on an island.”

Chief Brody: “It’s only an island if you look at it from the water.”

Jaws is one of my all-time favorite movies, even though the title character, a great white shark, is extremely unrealistic, and it takes place on a made up, fictional landmass, Amity Island. But despite this creative license, Jaws gets a lot of things about island living right, including the differing perspectives of Chief Brody, a transplanted “off islander” who can’t adjust, and the close-knit locals, who understand what living on an island means.

I belong to a golf club in Ireland called Ballyliffin that sits in the northernmost part of the Emerald Isle, on a peninsula in the Republic’s County Donegal that juts up above even Northern Ireland. When you tee it up it is impossible to forget you are on an island, as this rugged coast is exposed to nothing but the fierce North Atlantic, with whipping winds and waves crashing on rocky shores, open ocean for over 900 miles north to the next island – Iceland. When I eat fish and chips in the clubhouse, it’s locally caught cod, the fresh oysters Ireland is famous for come from Galway, and the whisky is almost all made in either the Bushmills or Jameson distilleries, both in port cities, as is Ireland’s most famed beverage, Guinness stout.

Likewise, for tourists, Ireland’s most famous landmarks all sit on the coast – The Cliffs of Moher, Giants Causeway, Ring of Kerry, Dingle Peninsula, Wild Atlantic Way, Dunluce Castle, Carrickfergus Castle, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, the charming towns of Waterford and Kinsale, the Aran Islands, the shipyard museum where the Titanic was built, every famous links golf course, and the biggest cities, Dublin, Belfast, Galway and Cork.

But there are also vast swaths of Ireland’s interior where you cannot see the whitecaps or the fishing boats, and for a moment it would seem possible to forget you are even on an island. But then you talk to someone, or buy something, or order food, and you are drawn back, because it is not the surfing or fishing or beaches that make an island special, it is the islanders.

I lived in New York City for many years without ever meeting my next-door neighbors, and their apartment doors were literally feet from mine – in a shared hallway. Islands are physically isolated by nature, but that kind of human isolation is not possible on an island, where communities are more tightly knit, and everyone is interdependent. In a way, island living is a slice of human history frozen in time, from back when everyone lived together in a village for mutual survival. While many islands are paradises, most also have their share of hardships, from potato famines to hurricanes, tsunamis to volcanoes, droughts to floods, and simply obtaining “stuff,” other than fish and tropical fruits, is often tricky and expensive. The power and cable and Wi-Fi go out more, the ferries break down, and things mainlanders take for granted, like getting their car serviced or going to a specialist doctor, can

Left Ireland Right Mallorca

be major endeavors. In places like St. Barts, if you want your kids to be educated beyond grade school, you have to ship them off to another country altogether.

The upside of this is community, and people actually know each other, a trait often lost on city dwellers. In Hawaii, information moves through the islands via word-ofmouth so quickly they call it the “Coconut wireless.” Once, back before there were cell phones, on a trip to Nassau in the Bahamas, I left my Filofax, which had all my contacts and calendar info, in a taxi. At the airport, I explained my predicament to the woman at the info desk, who asked me to describe my cabbie. When I did, she knew who he was by his signature cap, and assured me she would get my book back by the time I returned to fly out the next day, and she did. Try that at LAX.

The challenges create a unity among islanders, who work hard because they have to, and then play hard because they want to. In cities like New York and Milan, people famously live to work – and at a frenetic pace – while islanders work to live, and then share more simple pleasures, from a communal fish fry to pig roast. I’ve seen no equivalent on earth of Barbados’ ubiquitous “rum shops,” sort of neighborhood newsstands cum bodegas across the island where locals stop in to buy a newspaper, sit and play dominoes, sip a rum and catch up on the island news of the day, face to face. It’s a beautiful way to live. In Bermuda residents join together to sail, in the West Indies for cricket, in Ireland they take to the links, in

Fiji they dive, in Hawaii they surf, in Mallorca there is a huge cycling sub-culture, and so on. On many islands, even doing nothing is elevated to an art form, from linen clad sunset cocktails overlooking the water to an afternoon snooze in a hammock. Islanders take their laid-back lifestyle seriously and have perfected it to such a degree that they have claimed their own calendar, universally known as “island time.” Or as a good friend of mine who is a chef from the Dominican Republic explained, “In the DR manana doesn’t mean tomorrow, it just means not today.”

Of course, I’m generalizing, and every island is different, especially where size and climate are concerned. All of the five thousand odd people who live in the town of Sao Vicente on Madeira know each other through one or two degrees of separation, while the population of Honolulu does not. But the sense of community among island dwellers is very real, and it translates into a warmth and welcome that extends to visitors. When you travel to a big city, you are passing through, but when you visit many islands, you become a temporary resident. There is a reason that “Irish hospitality” is world famous, and it’s not just because the locals are Irish, it’s because they are islanders. I have been made to feel the same way in Mallorca, Fiji, Nevis, Abaco and many other places where both locals and visitors are thrust together and linked by the waters surrounding them in every direction. That is something worth traveling for, and circling back to Jaws, as the mayor proudly noted of his island, “Amity, as you know, means friendship.”

B&R Scheduled Island Trips

Adriatic Islands Active

Mallorca E-Biking

Greek Islands Active

Sicily Walking

Dalmatian Coast Active Ireland Biking

Sardinia & Corsica Biking

Japan Walking

Central Japan Biking & E-Biking

Southern Japan Biking

Larry Olmsted is an awardwinning travel and food writer and NY Times Bestselling author, cycling fan, golf fan and skiing junkie. He has travelled with B&R multiple times.

IT’S IN OUR DNA

B&R GUIDES: DEFYING DEFINITION

B&R guides are a diverse lot, but you needn’t look too closely to see the many ties that bind them. Each one possesses a drive for perfection, an insatiable curiosity and an appetite for fun. When they’re on the road, they wear more hats than Pharrell Williams: exceptional hosts, leaders, performers, promoters, managers, interpreters, mechanics, coaches and connoisseurs.

Among the ranks of B&R guides are trained architects, lawyers and environmental policy wonks, Olympic athletes, musicians, and even a veterinarian. In short: they’re exceptional travel companions of exemplary character.

Produces wine on his own domaine in Burgundy

Rode his bike to (almost) every Olympic Games in recent years

Owns his own bike gear company in Japan

Rode around the world on a folding bike – twice

PhD in particle physics

Dutch, now in Italy who, after living in the US, can recite almost every Seinfeld episode

Kite surfed from Corsica to Sardinia

Professor of mathematics Theatre set designer; music composer for the theatre; guitarist and saxophonist; carpenter in a fine furniture shop; log homes builder; music teacher; ranch foreman; sculptor; actor; dance performer; organic farmer.

Studying to be qualified as a Kikisake-shi (aka Master of Sake)

Former Olympian and short track speed skater who won the European Championships

MBA in international business

Tax consultant for Deloitte; project administrator in Pakistan and South Sudan for Doctors Without Borders.

Former investment banker, turned equine vet

Off-grid logistics manager in the Egyptian desert; also a film set builder

Trained horses in China; worked for missions in Kenya

Croatian pop star

Architect and designer

Expert in karate and Japanese drumming

Platoon leader, intelligence analyst and instructor in the reconnaissance force of the Belgian army –deployed to Afghanistan for six months.

OUR SCHEDULED TRIPS

BOOK TODAY AND START DREAMING!

Biking, Walking or Multi-Active? We have a Scheduled trip to suit every palate. To find out more about our Scheduled trips, check out our website at Butterfield.com or call us toll-free from anywhere in North America at 1 866 551 9090

ACTIVITY LEVELS

HOW FIT DO I NEED TO BE?

It’s one of the questions we get most often. The answer is simple: on any B&R trip, you do not have to be an athlete in any way, shape or form. We classify our active trips according to how far you’ll be travelling each day and how challenging the terrain is, with activity levels ranging from 1-5 (occasional to expert). This helps people choose the trip that’s right for them, because we understand activity level preferences vary among groups. Whether it’s adding mileage to a ride, skipping the afternoon hike to hit the spa, or opting for one of our top-of-the-line e-bikes for an extra boost uphill, we ensure travellers at any level can join a B&R trip together and hit the slow road at their own pace.

Walking

LEVEL 1 6-10 km (4-6 mi.) per day on country lanes, footpaths and coastal or forest trails, all on relatively flat terrain, perhaps with an occasional hill.

LEVEL 2 8-12 km (5-7 mi.) per day over relatively flat terrain, with occasional steeper climbs.

LEVEL 3 11-15 km (7-10 mi.) per day over rolling terrain on a variety of surfaces. Most days, one or two steeper climbs to spectacular viewpoints or places of interest.

LEVEL 4 11-15 km (7-10 mi.) over terrain that varies between rolling and hilly, with a few steeper climbs.

LEVEL 5 11-15 km (7-10 mi.) per day over fairly hilly terrain offering lots of challenges. Routes are along high meadow paths and/or wellmaintained cliffside or alpine trails, with a few steep ascents to make you feel invigorated.

Biking

LEVEL 1 40-50 km (25-30 mi.) per day over relatively flat terrain with a few small hills – all very manageable for people trying their first biking trip.

LEVEL 2 40-50 km (25-30 mi.) per day over terrain that’s relatively flat but will include inclines and the occasional climb or two.

LEVEL 3 40-50 km (25-30 mi.) per day in gently rolling countryside, with occasional longer climbs.

LEVEL 4 50 km (30 mi.) per day in consistently rolling countryside, with repeated climbs and longer options available.

LEVEL 5 50-60 km (30-37 mi.) per day over both level and tougher, hillier terrain, with multiple 100 km (62 mi.) options.

E-Bikes

ALL LEVELS Don’t be intimidated by our activity levels. Get a push up those difficult hills. Speed up to see the world on one of our e-bikes. The coolest people are doing it!