Asia
Whether it's a tranquil ryokan in Kyoto, a sunrise balloon flight over Cappadocia, the vibrant streets of Vietnam, the temples of Bhutan, or the tropical shores of Thailand and Indonesia, Asia rewards those who travel with curiosity, patience, and the guidance of exceptional local experts.
Asia is where I most insist on the right local partner. The countries are too large, too varied, too foreign, well, too foreign, lovingly meant, for the brief to be filled from Toronto without a guide on the ground who has lived the trip first.
I work most often in Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, and Turkiye. Each has a different temperament. Japan rewards quiet planning and deference. Vietnam rewards a longer arc, a real two-week trip, not a sampler. Thailand rewards specificity, which island, which hotel, which time of year. Turkiye, increasingly, rewards a contrarian eye and a guide who knows the country east of Istanbul.
Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, and Laos I take on selectively, in partnership with operators I have visited and trust the guidance of exceptional local experts.
Countries and corners we know best.
- Japan, Kyoto, Tokyo, the Setouchi Triennale, the high mountains
- Vietnam, a two-week arc from Hanoi to the Mekong Delta
- Thailand, Bangkok briefly, then the right island for the season
- Turkiye, Istanbul, Cappadocia, the Aegean coast, ancient Lycia
- Bhutan and Sri Lanka, selectively, with a trusted operator
How trips here tend to take shape.
Itineraries that have worked for recent clients. Yours will be its own thing, but these are good places to begin.
- 01Ten nights in Japan: Kyoto, a ryokan in Hakone, Tokyo
- 02Two weeks in Vietnam, north to south, ending on Phu Quoc
- 03Turkiye in shoulder season: Istanbul, Cappadocia by balloon
- 04A bespoke Bhutan trek timed to the autumn festivals
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