Unveiling a World of Exquisite Journeys: Immersing Yourself in the Essence of 'Y'
Our beloved partner, Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH), just launched their latest global campaign, Hotels as Characterful as You, an initiative that celebrates the individuality and character of its properties. The campaign aims to align each SLH property's unique qualities with its guests' personalities, and we thought what better way to introduce you to each of our team members than by doing the same.
What follows here is a deep exploration of our Y Travel Team, their favourite Hotels, Resorts or Experiences in the world, and which Y Factor resonates the most strongly with their choice. A brilliant deep dive into the many things that make our team spectacular, and what frames their individual connection to each of the portals of passion that make up the ethos of the Y Travel brand. Prepare to be captivated by the extraordinary world of Y Travel, where each journey unfolds as a masterful symphony of bespoke luxury. We invite you to embark on an exploration of your passions and purpose through the lens of our revolutionary concept: the Y Factors.
Step into a realm where travel transcends mere destination hopping and delves into the very essence of your desires. At Y Travel, we celebrate the artistry of crafting experiences that ignite the senses and resonate with your soul. Immerse yourself in the boundless possibilities offered by our Y Factors: Artistry, Sustainability & Nature, Culture & Community, Adventure, The Unexpected, Generosity, Well-Being, and Taste.
Today, we invite you on a journey like no other. Our team of seasoned travellers and connoisseurs of the extraordinary will be your guides. They'll share their personal revelations and unveil the destinations, resorts, and experiences that embody the very spirit of our Y Factors.
From the secluded oasis of private island resorts that effortlessly blend sustainability with natural marvels, to culturally immersive encounters that forge connections with local communities, and culinary delights that elevate taste to an art form, this is a showcase of the pinnacle of luxury travel.
So, prepare to be enchanted as we unlock the doors to a world of breathtaking wonders and unveil the hidden treasures that align with your passions and purpose. Join us on these immersive journeys and let the essence of 'Y' ignite your wanderlust like never before.
Experiences that are as Characterful as ‘US’
TRACY WILSON
Explore East & West wellness at Rakxa, Bangkok
Rakxa offers wellness programmes with a unique combination of Eastern and Western treatments to immerse all the senses—taste, touch, sight, smell and sound. Where health is wealth, you leave with new found knowledge on how to improve, balance and prioritise wellness in your daily life. One of Tracy’s go-to reset spaces.
Y FACTORS : WELL-BEING
PINA AZZARO
A life-changing experience at Mumbo Island, Malawi
“Although I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to visit some amazing places, hotels and cities…….one of the places that the memory of always makes me smile, is Mumbo Island in Malawi. It’s a small, natural, pristine island in the waters of the Lake Malawi National Park, and it was just heaven! We stayed in tents that were lodged on massive rocks on the islands edge, and it felt like you were the only one there. Truly a unique and magical stay!”
Y FACTORS : NATURE & SUSTAINABILITY
LEORA HART
Immersion at Longitude 131, Northern Territory
“Staying in the luxury tented pavilions with direct views to breathtaking Uluru would have to be one of the most special immersive experiences I could never have imagined. The connection with nature, the red-dust dunes all around, the magnificent indigenous artworks, the fantastic food and the knowledgeable staff and guides all added to the most magical three-gen-trip with my family.”
Y FACTORS : THE UNEXPECTED & ARTISTRY
DANA MICHAEL
Travelling the Y way with Belmond's Venice-Simplon-Orient-Express
“Venice-Simplon-Orient-Express: Travel the Y Way with us on this incredible train journey with Belmond. The journey allows one to sit back and watch the world go and to marvel at the ever changing terrain and scenery. It’s a truly magical and unique experience whereby you feel as though you have stepped back in time. You’ll get to dress up, to socialise and relive the golden age of travel. A wonderful time capsule where accommodation, food and service is of the highest standard.”
Y FACTORS : ADVENTURE & TASTE
RUTH MACKENZIE
Silversea Silver Cloud expedition cruise via North East Canada
“Maybe my first time to East Africa. Maybe the pure joy of a holiday on Lake Como. Maybe the luxury of spending 2-3 weeks in 1 one like Paris. But at the end day I landed on the Silversea Silver Cloud Expedition Cruise via North East Canada and then down the East coast of USA to Miami. Incomparable.”
Y FACTOR : THE UNEXPECTED
SHELLEY MCWHINNEY
Experiencing Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe
Visiting Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe and staying at the iconic Victoria Falls Hotel, built in 1904 by the British as accommodation for workers on the Cape to Cairo railway, was a travel highlight for me. The actual Victoria Falls are one of the world’s Seven Natural Wonders. Activities range from a helicopter flight over the falls, to sundowner cruises on the Zambezi River, to white water rafting, bungee jumping, ziplining, and visiting local villages.
Y FACTORS : ADVENTURE
LINDA COHEN
Family exploration trips back to Berlin to rediscover legacies.
“Learning about my mother’s German heritage and our connection with the LGBTQ+ community in Berlin through years of family legacies left, was truly iconic.”
Y FACTORS : COMMUNITY & CULTURE
SARAH NIKAKIS
Travelling through the famed Australian Outback as a family.
“Travelling through the Australian Outback with my family, getting off the beaten path. Swimming with whalesharks at Nigaloo Reef in WA, hiking the many walking trails in Kakadu National Park in N.T & Karijini National Park, WA. Exploring the magical wonders of Uluru & Kata Tjuta. Embracing and educating ourselves in our First Nations culture. Visiting & staying in local communties and watching the elders create wonderful art and then having them share the dreatime stories behind the artworks with my family.”
Y FACTORS : ARTISTRY, COMMUNITY & CULTURE, THE UNEXPECTED
CATE CAVE
Touring Hong Kong with Mandarin Oriental and Cathay Pacific.
“My recent trip to Hong Kong with Cathay Pacific and Mandarin Oriental hotels was beyond brilliant. Michelin star restaurants, walking tours through the local back streets, seeing how the locals lived and beyond all of that, the culture!”
Y FACTORS : CULTURE & COMMUNITY
FRANCOISE GELB
Road tripping through Lucerne and the Swiss Alps
“Lucerne and the Swiss Alps! Recently discovered more about my mother land through a driving holiday in the Swiss Alps. Nature has a way to make you feel instantly connected to the land and the local culture, it was a huge bowl of fresh air! Make sure to visit UNESCO BIosphere Entlebuch, Lucerne's Wild West. Lots of hikes, swimming in mountain lakes and rivers, waterfalls, cows, cheese and chocolate! Also went to what is known as Heidiland by Wallensee for a great summer hike in ski area Flumserberg.
Y FACTORS : EACH & EVERY Y FACTOR
ALLAN VERSTANDIG
My journey through Kenya
“From the stunning camps, magnificent countryside, the local tribes, traditional cuisine (being offered kidneys still warm out of the body of a goat), coming within touching distance of lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants & more and watching a kill up close. There is nothing like being completely immersed in raw nature & spending some special time with local tribes far from "our world". Ending each day with the sundowners made it a perfect way to finish a magical day.”
Y FACTORS : CULTURE & COMMUNITY AND NATURE & SUSTAINABILITY
YVONNE VERSTANDIG
A transformational journey through the ‘Land of the Midnight Sun’
My trip to Norway with PURE Pursuits back in 2018 was a trip that will stay with me forever. PURE Pursuits was designed to transform the travel industry through in-depth, peer-to-peer discussions, insightful workshops and exhilarating challenges with a curated group of owners and director-level visionaries.
The intense physical challenge that pushed us beyond our boundaries combined with daily stimulating discussions kept us focused and driven. Was it the element of the unknown? The 15km kayak, the cycle trip past avalanches, the 10km ski-touring experience, lunches out in the wild, camping out on the snow or at the edge of the glacier, or all those mind-stimulating talks where we were kept guessing where the next one would be. Would it be in a teepee at the edge of our campsite overlooking the Geirangerfjord? Or in a 128 year-old classroom? Or in the most remote location out on the snow during our ski-touring day?
This trip to the “Land of the Midnight Sun” consolidated my vision for a new travel concept in the luxury travel space and further highlighted that by pushing oneself outside their comfort zone is when magic happens. This journey through Norway certainly was a transformational journey for me on so many levels.
Y FACTORS : ADVENTURE, NATURE & SUSTAINABILITY, THE UNEXPECTED AND WELL-BEING