Passages of Distinction

02/07/2025

This spring, catch the beginning of fall in , and in particular, the beautiful Bariloche. Bariloche is a stunning destination in the autumn months (March-May), as the Patagonian landscape transforms with vibrant red, orange, and yellow foliage. Our DMC partner, GOAT DMC, can help your clients explore Bariloche’s lakes, forests, and mountains. 🍂🗻

Visit Cerro Campanario for one of the best panoramic viewpoints in Patagonia, or take a boat tour to Isla Victoria & Bosque de Arrayanes to see the cinnamon-colored trees that inspired Disney’s Bambi!

Learn more: https://passagesofdistinction.com/passage/goat/

02/05/2025

Most travelers seek East Africa for the wildlife and incredible adventure — and with Nziza Hospitality, you can benefit from their affiliation with a portfolio of luxury boutique properties in East and Southern Africa. This DMC has so much in store in 2025, and we’re excited to introduce you to Bernard and his team that cover South Africa, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda.

Learn more: https://passagesofdistinction.com/passage/nziza-hospitality/

02/04/2025

No matter where you go in , you’ll find the traditional Bhutanese architecture, plenty of Buddhist temples, drastic valleys, and a sense of peace that is unique to this Kingdom.🇧🇹

For a once-in-a-lifetime spiritual adventure, we can’t recommend Bhutan enough. Discover more by visiting Department of Tourism, Bhutan, or DM us for any inquiries. 💌

https://passagesofdistinction.com/passage/bhutan-tourism/

02/01/2025

There are few cities in the world as timeless as London, and we’re thrilled to have a classic luxury boutique hotel right in the heart of Mayfair. Cozy up after a long day of sightseeing, shopping and exploring at St James's Hotel and Club, London, and enjoy a truly authentic British experience. 🇬🇧🏨

Learn more: https://passagesofdistinction.com/passage/st-jamess-hotel-club/

01/31/2025

We had the immense pleasure of meeting some very talented Santa Barbara Travel advisors last night, sharing travel stories and learning about one another. The sense of community and passion for travel was palpable, and we hope to see everyone again soon! ✈️

01/29/2025

One of French Promise’s top picks for 2025 is Burgundy, located just south of Paris. With exciting new hotels opening, has slowly begun to open up their wine houses, and French Promise has relationships with some of the most prominent ones, allowing your clients to meet the famous region’s wine growers and having access to areas that only few have experienced. 🍇

We had so much fun chatting with Philip Haslett and learning more about France’s up-and-coming destinations for VIP travellers!

Learn more about French Promise: https://passagesofdistinction.com/passage/french-promise/

01/27/2025

Happy International Port Wine Day! 🍷

Twice a year, the world raises a glass to Port wine, a drink steeped in history and rich in flavor. Today (January 27th) marks International Port Wine Day, a celebration launched in 2012 by the Center for Wine Origins.

Port wine isn’t produced like other wine—it is made with a twist in tradition. Fermentation is halted early with a splash of neutral wine brandy, locking in its signature sweetness and strength. This alchemy creates a wine like no other: bold, sweet, and irresistibly smooth. 🍷

Our luxury DMC partner, Portuguese Ways, can create fantastic Port-themed itineraries in Porto and beyond for your wine and foodie clientele looking to explore this breathtaking country and enjoy its gastronomy to the fullest.

Learn more: https://passagesofdistinction.com/passage/portuguese-ways/

01/23/2025

Your home away from home in St. Barth’s awaits at Villa Aqua & Bleu, two identical 6-bedroom villas sitting adjacent Le Barthélemy Hotel & Spa. With room for the whole family, complete privacy, and access to the hotel’s facilities, amenities, perks, and couture hospitality, these villas are often booked straight through the season, so we highly recommend requesting them in advance!

Learn more: https://www.lebarthelemyhotel.com/en/luxury-villas-aqua-bleu

01/18/2025

Clients will find their bliss and privacy when you book a villa through Lebarth_villas. You’ll enjoy the flexibility to choose from over 200 villas that suit your needs. Whether you need space for a group, multi-gen family, or a couple on their honeymoon, the team at Le Barth Villa Rental makes a magical vacation to St. Barth’s effortless. From enjoying the perks and amenities of Le Barthélemy Hotel & Spa, to having transportation, activities, or help with reservations—no task is too large or too small for their concierge team.

Learn more: https://passagesofdistinction.com/passage/le-barth-villa-rental/

01/16/2025

Marseille, France’s oldest city and a vibrant port on the Mediterranean, offers a blend of history, culture, and stunning coastal scenery. With the help of French Promise, you can plan a luxurious adventure that includes fine dining, art & culture, and the natural beauty of Marseille and the surrounding Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region.

Clients can discover Calanques National Park by boat, which features dramatic limestone cliffs and turquoise waters, and explore famous calanques like Sormiou and En-Vau.

Get inspired by French Promise’s itinerary ideas:

https://passagesofdistinction.com/passage/french-promise/

01/13/2025

From sunrise to sunset, Crete captivates the senses with gorgeous views, authentic architecture and Greek design, delicious fresh food (all grown on the island), and signature Cretan hospitality.

At St. Nicolas Bay, guests can enjoy everything that epitomizes Crete on one resort. The hotel and Thalassa Villas were meticulously designed by the owner, a well-known architect, with the traditional Cretan village as his motif. This Virtuoso hotel is a true hidden gem, and we know your clients will love it as much as we do! 💙🇬🇷

Learn more: https://passagesofdistinction.com/passage/st-nicolas-bay-resort/

01/10/2025

Porto, Portugal’s second-largest city, is known for its rich history, stunning architecture, and vibrant culture. Nestled along the Douro River, Porto is famous for its charming old town, Ribeira, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where narrow cobbled streets wind past colorful buildings. The city is globally renowned for its port wine, with historic wine cellars lining the riverbanks in Vila Nova de Gaia.

With its blend of history, gastronomy, and scenic beauty, Porto offers a unique, upscale experience perfect for luxury travelers. We recommend Portuguese Ways as a trusted partner to help you plan a tailored itinerary for your clients who are looking for an authentic, upscale experience in this fabulous city!

Learn more: https://passagesofdistinction.com/passage/portuguese-ways/

01/09/2025

Thrilled to share an editorial in Condé Nast Traveller UK about the writer’s first-hand experience at Chenot Palace Weggis, Switzerland!

Each guest is unique, and, though Chenot’s protocols on the one hand are precise, no one week-long stay is the same for each person. The medically-trained staff take time to test, analyze, and customize their program to address their specific imbalances. We loved reading Jessica’s story, as it is an authentic review that helps readers understand what makes Chenot so special and effective!

Read the article:

Six months of grappling with an invisible health condition left one writer feeling helpless, until a visit to this Swiss wellness retreat

01/08/2025

Dubrovnik, Split, and Zagreb, Croatia’s capital, are all growing in popularity—and catering to the luxury travel market more and more. The country as a whole is a fabulous destination for travelers looking to do it all: relaxing on a yacht or villa, outdoor activities, eating delicious authentic cuisine, visiting historical sites, wine tasting, and so much more!

On Thursday, January 9th, we invite you to meet our DMC partner, AndAdventure Holidays, for a live webinar at 12pm EST.

You will learn what types of amazing experiences they can curate, and what travelers to can look forward to in 2025.

Register here:

We sit down with founder Vese Huljic to talk about some of the incredible itinerary ideas throughout Croatia for your discerning clients.

01/06/2025

For clients looking to escape ‘winter wonderland’ (especially today in New York!🥶), we recommend a healthy dose of vitamin bleu with a stay at Le Barthélemy Hotel & Spa, a beachfront oasis of tranquility, vibrant food, incredible champagne, and plenty of ways to enjoy the clear turquoise waters — all with exceptional couture hospitality.

Learn more: https://passagesofdistinction.com/passage/le-barthelemy-hotel-spa/

01/03/2025

For clients who love France but want to explore somewhere new this year, we recommend Île de Ré, a small island off the west coast, that has drawn sophisticated European clientele for decades. Our boutique hotel partner, Hôtel de Toiras, offers just as much charm and authenticity as the island, and is perfectly located in the heart of the town Saint-Martin-de-Ré.

Learn more: https://passagesofdistinction.com/passage/hotel-de-toiras/