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OUR TRIP DESIGNERS:
90% Genius
8% Insanity
THE B&R TRAVEL EXPERT DIRECTORY
2% Espresso
Prepare to
be amazed.
Only a select few are invited to design trips for B&R. Twenty-seven, in fact. Sure they need travel planning chops. But this is B&R. So they also need an architect’s mastery of function and form. A wedding planner’s problem-solving skills (and appreciation for high stakes). An engineer’s delight in puzzles. A historian’s love of deep dives. A landscape artist's facility for beauty. A jazz drummer’s rhythm. And above all, they must have a fervent, abiding love of the region—a love surpassed only by the desire to make it come alive for others, too. Keep reading to meet the 27 Trip Designers who made the cut. The magic of every B&R adventure starts with them! If you’d like to chat about what a custom-designed Bespoke trip might look like for you, please feel free to reach out to them directly. They can’t wait for a blank canvas.
Meet our Trip Designers
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Michele Harvey Southern Africa With 200 B&R trips in the books, calling this South Africa native "impressive" is a criminal understatement. Just one of her claims to fame? Spontaneously conspiring with Nepali locals to surprise her American B&R travellers with Thanksgiving turkey— at an altitude of 9000 feet. Recent Bespoke trip: A family of six rocked an epic trip across southern Africa— from surfing the Skeleton coast to floating down the Zambezi and soaking up a private tour at the MOCAA in Cape Town. Favourite Scheduled trip: Zimbabwe Active Expedition
Contact Michele at: michele.harvey@butterfield.com
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TA NZ A N IA
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LO I RE VA LLE Y
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Jérôme Boré France The question isn't "Should I go on a Jérôme-designed trip?" The question is: "How will I return to normal life after?" This native Frenchman's B&R trips are infamous for their passion, decadence, and non-stop, shiver-worthy thrills—visual, oenological, and gastronomic. Ooh. La. La. Recent Bespoke trip: Grandparents took the whole fam damily to the Loire to celebrate their 50th and do some private châteaux-hopping. The kids were in heaven—fencing, ropes courses, riding—while the parents got the royal treatment. Favourite Scheduled trip: Loire Valley Family Adventure
Contact Jérôme: jerome.bore@butterfield.com
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Tom Abraham Mediterranean Europe, Romania, Bulgaria Affectionately known as B&R’s Indiana Jones, Tom has visited 40 countries, lived in six, and has a finely honed sense of how to knock travellers’ socks clean off the continent. Tom’s odysseys (his word, not ours) are known for being 97% life-giving… 3% crazy. (Warning: may reverse aging.) Recent Bespoke trip: Designed for four couples and a 25th wedding anniversary: the Greek Islands, via private yacht. Must haves: a skipper, a great chef, and local guides. Favourite Scheduled trip: Dalmatian Coast Biking
Contact Tom at: tom.abraham@butterfield.com
C ROATIA
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Steph Gulledge Latin America After studying in Canada, Spain and France, Steph decided the best way to continue her education was to be constantly on the move. Could she have found a better institute for higher learning than B&R? And her syllabus? Wildly varying. Visually stunning. And positively delicious. Recent Bespoke trip: A group of 12 wanted the best of Brazil: an Amazon cruise, Iguazú Falls, Salvador, vineyards in the south‌ fortunately it was BYOP (bring your own plane). Favourite Scheduled trip: Chile Biking
Contact Steph at: steph.gulledge@butterfield.com
B R A ZI L
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A M A LF I C OAST
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Courtney Mundy Amalfi, Tuscany, Umbria When it comes to local immersion, no one tops Courtney. Pennsylvania-born, she’s now so entrenched in Tuscany that the locals consider her one of their own. At home wherever the Chianti and olive oil flow freely, she’s planned trips across Europe, but Italy remains her first and truest love. Recent Bespoke trip: The directors of a Napa wine company experienced the best Super Tuscans, Brunellos and Chiantis of Tuscany—with a mix of biking, walking, golf and tennis thrown in… to help them work up a thirst each day. Favourite Scheduled trip: Amalfi Coast Walking
Contact Courtney at: courtney.mundy@butterfield.com
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Veronika Macas Galapagos, Peru, Patagonia Slowing down to see the world is in Veronika's blood: she had her own frequent flyer number by the age of six months. She also goes big as a B&R Trip Designer. Big grandeur. Big wilderness. Big tortoises (she is our Galapagos guru, after all). And big stories for the grandkids.
Contact Veronika at: veronika.macas@butterfield.com
PE RU
Ana Figueroa Argentina, Bolivia Ana is well into her second decade of crafting journeys that capture the heart and soul of Argentina, her home country, and Bolivia, her second love. She can hook you up with the best bikes and hikes on the planet, but if you really want next level, ask her for an equine adventure.
A RG E NTI N A
Contact Ana: ana.figueroa@butterfield.com
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Oscar Biedma Rioja, Portugal
After guiding B&R trips in every nook and cranny of western Europe, it was time for Oscar to start writing his own stories. Now a master storyteller, all you have to do is give him a few details, and he’ll whip you up an epic poem, a gripping novel, an unforgettable aria—whatever moves you. Contact Oscar at: oscar.biedma@butterfield.com
P O R T U GA L
Rob Grieve New Zealand Definitely the B&R Trip Designer with the cutest accent, this native Kiwi loves nothing more than showing off his stomping grounds: he's been our (wildly popular) New Zealand expert for 11+ years. But beware: Rob's sincere, open, heart-onsleeve journeys have left many misty-eyed.
NEW ZEAL AND
Contact Rob at: rob.grieve@butterfield.com
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Orsolya Kako Iceland, Japan, Morocco This lifelong rover's trips— backed by 15 years experience—have compelled gasps, cries of joy, and even the odd proposal (yes, really). Will your Orsolya moment be melt-in-your-mouth sukiyaki in Kyoto? Or aperitifs atop a sunbathed kasbah under the Skoura sky? There's only one way to find out... Recent Bespoke trip: Three families. Eight rambunctious teenagers. And an insatiable appetite for a March break adventure like no other. No problem. Surf’s up. In Morocco. Favourite Scheduled trip: Japan E-Biking
Contact Orsolya: orsolya.kako@butterfield.com
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JA PA N
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Mario Koch Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Netherlands As a former film producer, Mario knows how to put on a great show—with you the star, of course. As a former journalist, he stops at nothing to get the information he needs. And as a former sous-chef in a world class resto? Let’s just say he knows where all the great chefs are. Want a taste? Recent Bespoke trip: A big, energetic family wanted the best of Bavaria, laden with activities for the kids, book-ended with Bayern Munich soccer games and Michelin stars. Favourite Scheduled trip: Berlin to Prague Biking
Contact Mario at: mario.koch@butterfield.com
AUSTRIA
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Nathan Lane
Southeast Asia, Jordan, Oman, Sri Lanka Sure, he's planned over a hundred trips. Sure, Condé Nast Traveler named him Vietnam's Top Travel Expert. Sure, he knows 17 regions— from Puglia to Sri Lanka—so well you'd think he was born there. But does that really mean you should have Nathan design a trip for you? Well... yes! Recent Bespoke trip: Four couples—including two chefs—tasted their way around Thailand and Vietnam, with deliciously authentic in-home cooking lessons along the way. Favourite Scheduled trip: Indochina Biking
Contact Nathan at: nathan.lane@butterfield.com
V I E TN A M
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Annik Boulva Burgundy, Normandy, Brittany, California This lifelong jetsetter and competitive skier is a bloodhound for beautiful experiences— whether it’s finding the most adorable village in Normandy, or tracking down the richest, most buttery chardonnay in the Napa Valley. Travellers say her trips don’t just wow you—they whoa you.
Contact Annik at: annik.boulva@butterfield.com
B U RG U N DY
Chris Litt Mongolia A global nomad, it’s no surprise Mongolia stirred Chris’ heart. Chris weaves wild, magical journeys through the Gobi and across the open country. He’s friends with everyone from herders to historians, and can get you from one spectacular setting to another on camels, horses and kayaks.
M O N G O LI A
Contact Chris at: chris.litt@butterfield.com
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Christina Cain Puglia, Basilicata If it's off the beaten path, quiet, and soul-stirring—it's probably Christina's doing. This Italy aficionado loves to zig when others zag, whether it’s a Prosecco tasting at brunch (surprisingly transcendent) or Tuscany at Christmas (David Copperfield-level magic).
Contact Christina at: christina.cain@butterfield.com
PU G LI A
Dana Quinn Cinque Terre, Provence, Sicily, Italian Lakes With a travel career spanning nearly two decades, expat Dana Quinn has left few stones unturned in Europe. And underneath those stones? Under-the-radar gems like mountain pine grappa and a Sicilian cave that whispers to you.
C I N Q U E TE R R E
Contact Dana at: dana.quinn@butterfield.com
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Dane Tredway England, Ireland, Scotland Eastern Canada Dane’s personal connections are the stuff of legend. (Seriously: this is the guy who got by on the kindness of locals when his credit card was blocked for the duration of a trip across Thailand.) Fortunately, his connections can be yours: all of Dane’s trips are infused with deep cultural immersion. Recent Bespoke trip: A mixed doubles tennis group will start in London, hit the Cotswolds, and end up at Wimbledon 2019. Pimm’s anyone? Favourite Scheduled trip: Ireland Biking
Contact Dane: dane.tredway@butterfield.com
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C OTSWO LDS
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AUSTR A LIA
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Annalise Andrews Australia If there's one standout quality of this Australia native's trips, it's childlike wonder. Her big secret? Test-driving everything on a literal child (her 9-year-old daughter, Charlotte). Expect isolated white sand beaches, lemon tarts with fresh Tasmanian cream, and communion with wombats. Recent Bespoke trip: A mom with a biz trip to Oz brought the whole family and tacked on three weeks of national parks, vineyards, surfing, coral reefs and rain forests. Talk about rapt.
Contact Annalise at: annalise.andrews@butterfield.com
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Georgia Yuill Dolomites, Sardinia, Veneto Georgia joined B&R in order to spend one summer as a guide before getting a "real" job. That was 20 years ago. Now this Milan-based Italophile is our resident expert on la dolce vita, with 150 beautiful, breathless, one-of-a-kind trips under her (fine Italian leather) belt.
Contact Georgia at: georgia.yuill@butterfield.com
D O LO M ITES
Steve Wilson Latin America After contracting a severe case of wanderlust, Steve said adios to finance, trekked all over Latin America, and then jumped into the travel industry. His specialty? Extended trips via private jet. His trademark? Every day of exploring—no matter how remote—ends with a great meal (and even better wine).
C OSTA R I CA
Contact Steve at: steve.wilson@butterfield.com
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Christine Tucker East Africa, Spain When we found out Christine had been to Paris 10+ times and never gone up the Eiffel Tower, we knew she was a keeper. With an MA in sustainable tourism to draw on, she elevates "the road less travelled" to a religion: plotting eclectic trips everywhere from Spain to Tanzania.
Contact Christine at: christine.tucker@butterfield.com
RWA N DA
Marya Valli Corsica, Denmark, Piemonte & Portofino, Sweden, Switzerland With 15 years experience, this Corsica local's trips are more poem than itinerary. We know, we know, that sounds a bit much: but when you're sipping Barolo in Piemonte and watching the willow trail its branches in the serene Po river, you'll get it. And so much more.
SW IT Z E R L A N D
Contact Marya at: marya.valli@butterfield.com
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Karen MacRae South Asia Karen's first trip to Asia lasted three months. Her second trip? Ten years. Our resident expert on India, Bhutan, Bali and Thailand, Karen's B&R journeys are revelations. (Don't blame us if you end up in a tiny, converted Bhutanese farmhouse, sipping ngaja and looking up local property values.) Recent Bespoke trip: A couple kicked off retirement with a sweeping walking journey through Southern India, with gorgeous boutique hotels and the odd short flight to pick up the pace. Favourite Scheduled trip: Nepal Walking
Contact Karen at: karen.macrae@butterfield.com
BA LI
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Lewis Evans Camino de Santiago, Costa Brava How do we describe Lewis? Perhaps: the gentle sincerity of Marie Kondo meets the unbridled joy of an escaped goat. Lewis' enthusiasm for local culture is bar none (he's lived in nine countries just to get his fill)—and incredibly infectious. Just give him a call: you'll see. Recent Bespoke trip: How else should six partners celebrate the sale of their company? By sailing the Costa Brava, stopping along the way for biking (and feasting on tapas and cava). Favourite Scheduled trip: Costa Brava Biking
Contact Lewis at: lewis.evans@butterfield.com
C OSTA B R AVA
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B RITISH C O LU M B IA
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Marianne Abraham Western Canada, Hawaii, Alaska Marianne is half of the first brother-sister duo to work their magic at B&R since our founders Martha and Sidney Robinson. A spectacular skier, chef and adventurer, no one knows more about going off-piste, off-menu and off-Google than Marianne. Travel + Leisure agrees. She’s on their "A-List." Recent Bespoke trip: For their honeymoon, two west coasters wanted real Alaskan dog sledding by day, and Pinot Noir by night. With Marianne, all they had to do was say “Mush!"
Contact Marianne: marianne.abraham@butterfield.com
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Gabriella Brundu Norway, Finland Gabriella insists the best way to get to know a region is to run through it, so it’s no surprise she’s run marathons all over northern Europe. Now she helps others find their footing (albeit at a more tranquil pace) in Norway and Finland, which she will convince you are the two most stunning countries in the world. Recent Bespoke trip: For a graduation present, a family of Norwegian descent is about to discover their inner Viking—by foot, by bike and by kayak. From Oslo to the western fjords.
Contact Gabriella at: gabriella.brundu@butterfield.com
N O RWAY
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Dale Sherrow Central America, Mexico, Southwest US After surfing his way around the world, Dale decided to hang ten in Costa Rica and Mexico, the two places he loves most. But make no mistake, this is no surfer dude. He is deeply connected to the people, culture and cuisine here, and every trip he crafts feels like a refined piece of art. Recent Bespoke trip: A group of birders experienced the extraordinary biological diversity of the rain forest jungles of Chiapas. Their guide? The top ornithologist in all of Mexico.
Contact Dale at: dale.sherrow@butterfield.com
M E XIC O
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Trip Designers by Region
AFRICA & MIDDLE EAST
Every B&R Trip Designer is downright crazy about their region. Drop them even the slightest hint that you’re thinking about exploring their stomping grounds, and they’ll shift right into creative mode. They have the most fun job in the world, so don’t hesitate to put them to it.
Michele Harvey Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe michele.harvey@butterfield.com
Christine Tucker Kenya, Rwanda, Seychelles, Tanzania, Uganda christine.tucker@butterfield.com
Orsolya Kako Morocco orsolya.kako@butterfield.com
ASIA PACIFIC Annalise Andrews Australia annalise.andrews@butterfield.com Chris Litt Mongolia chris.litt@butterfield.com Karen MacRae Bali, Borneo, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Thailand, Myanmar karen.macrae@butterfield.com Orsolya Kako Japan orsolya.kako@butterfield.com Nathan Lane Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Sri Lanka nathan.lane@butterfield.com Rob Grieve Australia, New Zealand rob.grieve@butterfield.com Steve Wilson India steve.wilson@butterfield.com
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FRANCE Annik Boulva Brittany, Burgundy, Normandy annik.boulva@butterfield.com Dana Quinn Provence dana.quinn@butterfield.com Jérôme Boré Alsace, Bordeaux, Champagne, Dordogne, Loire jerome.bore@butterfield.com Marya Valli Corsica marya.valli@butterfield.com
ITALY Christina Cain Basilicata, Puglia christina.cain@butterfield.com Courtney Mundy Amalfi, Tuscany, Umbria courtney.mundy@butterfield.com Dana Quinn Cinque Terre, Italian Lakes, Sicily dana.quinn@butterfield.com Georgia Yuill Dolomites, Sardinia, Veneto georgia.yuill@butterfield.com Marya Valli Piemonte marya.valli@butterfield.com
SPAIN & PORTUGAL Christine Tucker Andalucia, Basque Country, Mallorca christine.tucker@butterfield.com
Lewis Evans Camino de Santiago, Costa Brava lewis.evans@butterfield.com
Marianne Abraham British Columbia, Rocky Mountains, Alaska, Hawaii marianne.abraham@butterfield.com
Oscar Biedma Portugal, Rioja oscar.biedma@butterfield.com
EUROPE
LATIN AMERICA
Dane Tredway England, Ireland, Scotland dane.tredway@butterfield.com
Ana Figueroa Argentina, Bolivia ana.figueroa@butterfield.com
Gabriella Brundu Finland, Norway gabriella.brundu@butterfield.com
Dale Sherrow Costa Rica, Mexico, Panama, Guatamala dale.sherrow@butterfield.com
Mario Koch Austria, Czech, Germany, Hungary, Netherlands mario.koch@butterfield.com
Steph Gulledge Brazil, Chile, Colombia steph.gulledge@butterfield.com
Marya Valli Denmark, Sweden, Switzerland marya.valli@butterfield.com
Steve Wilson Argentina, Costa Rica, Uruguay steve.wilson@butterfield.com Veronika Macas Ecuador, Galapagos, Peru, Patagonia veronika.macas@butterfield.com
NORTH AMERICA Annik Boulva California annik.boulva@butterfield.com Dale Sherrow Southwest US dale.sherrow@butterfield.com Dane Tredway Newfoundland, Quebec dane.tredway@butterfield.com
Orsolya Kako Iceland orsolya.kako@butterfield.com Tom Abraham Croatia, Greece, Romania, Slovenia, Bulgaria tom.abraham@butterfield.com
Go Bespoke. Come back Bespeechless.
Something big on the horizon you'd like to celebrate? Have an idea for a customized trip bouncing around in your head? Wondering what kind of Bespoke extraordinariness a B&R Trip Designer could conjure up for you and your gang? Don’t be shy! Reach out. Wherever they are, whether it’s on a mountain top or deep in a wine cellar, they’d love to hear from you.
1.866.902.8977 | butterfield.com/bespoke
PHOTO CREDITS: Dwayne Senior, Simon Elliott, Nimmo Bay Resort, Kari Medig, Phil Haemmerle, Peter Lusztyk, Rosapaola Lucibelli, Longitude 131, Ossian Lindholm, Graham Tingle, Phil Dera, Glyn Manwaring-Jones DESIGN & COPYWRITING: Key Gordon Communications PRINTING: Andora Graphics Inc. THE FINE PRINT: All of our trips are offered subject to Butterfield & Robinson’s terms and conditions, which are found at butterfield.com/terms-conditions, in our trip materials and by request. Please review these terms and conditions carefully prior to completing your reservation.
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