Expertly curated for the discerning traveler, our journeys offer an unparalleled travel experience, with every detail taken care of. Above and beyond iconic landmarks and sublime destinations, you may be wondering what exactly does a Luxury Gold journey include before you sign on the dotted line. To help you out, here’s everything you need to know.

You may be interested to read: How Luxury Gold Journeys Go Above and Beyond with Expert Karen Gower

Magnificent Stays

When we say luxurious accommodations, we’re not just meaning somewhere to rest your head. We’re talking about a carefully curated selection of boutique properties, historic gems and 5-star hotels in select locations that you will be talking about long after you return home.

A true immersion in each destination, enjoy superior service from partners like Belmond, JW Marriott, Intercontinental, and Red Carnation Hotels, along with a sensational array of one-of-a-kind boutique stays.

Guests enjoy the 5-star Marriot Mena House Hotel in Cairo, as featured on Elegance of the Nile.

At the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel in Peru, you’re invited into a storybook world. This exceptional retreat is set high in the Cloud Forest, in its own intimate Andean village. In the heart of Old Québec, Canada Fairmont Le Château Frontenac  is an iconic property that has been standing for over a century overlooking the mighty St. Lawrence River. Sleep like a movie star at the exquisite  Hotel Quisisana on Italy’s glamorous Isle of Capri, a favorite of nobility and celebrities, while the 11th century Ashford Castle in Ireland once home to the Guinness family will leave you feeling like royalty.

In Ireland, the magnificent Ashford Castle stands proud on Loch Corrib, a featured stay on Ultimate Ireland.

Read more about one of our exceptional hotels Step inside Peru’s blissful Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel

Exceptional Dining

A daily breakfast and many of your dinners are included on your Luxury Gold journey. Thoughtfully chosen, these culinary experiences are more than nourishment, they are highlights.

We integrate the best fine dining and local gastronomic tours into our itineraries, for the perfect blend of curated meals and foodie experiences, along with the freedom to also explore your palate as you choose.

Dinner is served at the Hotel D’Angleterre in Geneva, as featured on Majestic Switzerland.

Michelin Star and Acclaimed Restaurants – Skip the waiting lists and dine in Michelin-starred and acclaimed restaurants. Enjoy delicious menus from top rated chefs, some sensational locations and experience the pinnacle of sustainable dining.

Some of our favorite restaurants include the Michelin-starred L’Antic Moli in Spain, a hidden gem where Head Chef Vincent Guimerà places local produce at the center of his menus and Fotografiska in Stockholm, a bastion of Swedish cuisine that holds a Michelin Green Star for its focus on reducing waste. Showcasing Peruvian gastronomy at its finest, MAP Café in Cusco delights with a surprise filled menu, and in South Africa, dining on the freshest catch in Cape Town’s award-winning Salsify, alongside the Atlantic Ocean is something that you’ll be talking about long after you return home.

L’Antic Moli’s Head Chef puts finishing touched to plates, as featured on Spain & Portugal in Style. Image credit: @lanticmoli on Instagram

Gastronomic Variety – Variety is always on the menu, with local produce and traditional dishes always favored on our trips. Depending on which tour you choose, you’ll also have the opportunity to learn from local gourmands on foodie street tours, create delicious favorites with cookery masterclasses and indulge at winery picnics. These experiences often allow you to meet local characters with stories to tell, something you wouldn’t get when travelling alone.

In Room Breakfasts – On days with Relaxed Starts you can set your clock a little later and enjoy a continental breakfast in bed with complimentary room service.

Step inside a Michelin-starred restaurant: Meet Michelin-star chef Vicent Guimerà of Spain’s L’Antic Molí restaurant

Concierge Services

Included on every Luxury Gold journey, our concierge services ensure a flawless personal service, tailored to you and always enjoyed in a small group setting. Features include:

Your Personal Travel Concierge – Taking care of every detail and at your service 24/7, your Travel Concierge is an expert on your destination and your happiness. They’ll get to know you, and then know what you need before you need it. No ask too great, their little black book of contacts and recommendations is second to none, whether you’re looking for a Ferrari ride in the Tuscan hills or a private dining experience in the gastronomic city of Bordeaux. Included within the price of your journey, they also take care of tips for services on trip by dining-room staff, chambermaids and porters at hotels, airports, docks and train stations.

A Luxury Gold Travel Concierge welcomes guests to their hotel.

Private Door-to-Door Transfer Service – Relax right from the start with an uninterrupted, seamless journey to your departure airport. At the end of your vacation, on arrival at your chosen airport, you will be greeted inside the terminal for a smooth and comfortable journey directly back home. The private door-to-door transfer service is available for guests in the UK, US and Australia, within a 50-mile radius of major international airports.

Full-Service Porterage – For your ease and comfort, full-service in-room porterage is always included. Your luggage will seamlessly be delivered from the coach into your hotel room, and on departure days, the porters will call your room to personally assist with the transport of your bags, so you won’t need to worry about your suitcase’

Personal Service within a small group setting – Always enjoy a bespoke experience within an intimate setting of an average of 20 guests, meaning a personal one-to-one experience. With our small groups, you benefit from more personalized service from your Travel Concierge and gain access to people and places that are closed to larger groups.

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Curated Experiences

Curated travel with VIP access and unique luxury experiences at your fingertips – each itinerary is thoughtfully crafted with the discerning traveler in mind to include:

Extraordinary VIP experiences – Front-of-the-queue priority, behind-the-scenes access, before and after-hours visits. We invite you to enjoy rare insights into majestic landmarks, with personal anecdotes from those in the know. Egypt’s Temple of Luxor is lit up for you, after hours and in England, enjoy exclusive access to the Tower of London before witnessing the ancient Ceremony of the Keys. Dine with a former All Black rugby player in New Zealand and learn about life on one of the most successful teams in the world, while in Italy enjoy a VIP visit to the magnificent Doges Palace in Venice.

On Elegance of the Nile, experience the Temple of Luxor after-hours, without the crowds.

Personalize Your Days with a Choice of Inclusions – On many days you can enjoy a choice of included experiences to personalize your journey. Plus, your personal Travel Concierge combines insider knowledge with a flair for knowing what guests want, to further customize your trip during your free time at your destinations.

MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences – Our sustainable travel experiences are included on all of our Limited-edition Small Group Journeys. Enlighten your senses, support local communities and enjoy exclusive invitations behind the scenes. Each experience supports up to 2 of 11 specific United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals​ and leaves a positive impact as you travel.

On Treasures of the Incas, meet Peruvian artisans protecting heritage crafts for future generations.

You may also enjoy reading: After Hours: Travel Like a VIP With These Exclusive Experiences

The Gold Standard in Travel

Setting the gold standard for travel, we want you to feel like a VIP every day of your Luxury Gold tour. Our first-class coaches ensure you arrive at each destination refreshed and entertained – your Luxury Gold coach is specially customized for smaller groups, with double the legroom and personal space. Complimentary wi-fi on board means you can stay in touch as you travel.

Guests relax on a private cruise in Capri, a feature on Ultimate Italy.

You can relax throughout your Luxury Gold journey knowing that you have 24/7 Support, with our on-the-road and remote support team available round the clock to assist you. Alongside your expert Travel Concierge, you’ll also benefit from highly skilled coach drivers and best-in-class Local Experts bringing each destination to life. This support also includes any queries before you leave and once you return.

Does a Luxury Gold journey sound like the vacation you’ve been dreaming of? Take a look at our full collection of Limited-edition Small Group Tours and choose from Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas for your next luxurious getaway.

Distinct, stirring and evocative. The rousing sound of bagpipes is recognized all over the world. An exclusive audience with Highland Piper Andy Coulter is a highlight of our British Royale journey, so we sat down with him to learn more about this revered instrument and his royal connections.

Enjoy an exclusive audience with Andy on: British Royale

Piping through the generations

“I’m what you call an Ulster Scot, I was born in Northern Ireland and now live near Edinburgh,” says Andy. “My father was a piper, my grandfather and my great grandfather. I started when I was 10 years old.

“After school I joined the army and spent many years in the Drums and Pipes. So, I’ve been a Pipe Major a long time. When I left, I worked for Mohammad Al Fayed as close protection security, and he asked me to get a Harrods’s pipe band going. We piped in the store and for dignitaries, as well as at his castle in Scotland.”

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An instrument of war and heritage

“The pipes date back to the 14^th century are basically a war instrument, although they haven’t been played in combat now for over 40 years, since the Falklands War.” Andy tells us. “A lot of Clan chiefs had pipes or a personal piper to pipe them into battle. They would also pipe them into dinner and pipe them into the grave!

“I play the pipes at lots of funerals and lots of weddings, it’s a very traditional thing here. They are preserving Scottish and Gaelic music and heritage for future generations.”

My royal resume

“When I was in the army my ceremonial work consisted of The Trooping of the Colour and state occasions like the Queen’s Birthday parade,” Andy tells us. He has piped in military tattoos in Denmark, Canada, Germany and France, and at the famous Edinburgh Military Tattoo. “I also piped at state banquets for Buckingham Palace and the British Royal Family. When a President, King or Queen from another country was visiting, pipers would play around the table.”

For more royal tales: Secret islands and snowy retreats: 5 hotspots loved by the British Royal family

Enduring connections

“I was piping at a state banquet at Buckingham Palace for King Juan Carlos of Spain and his wife Queen Sofia, hosted by Queen Elizabeth II,” says Highland Piper Andy. “Following our traditional performance, I was asked to play a solo for the Queen Mother. It was a very unexpected and memorable occasion and I find that Luxury Gold guests love hearing all about this.

“I also met the Queen Mother on another occasion, whilst on guard duty at Windsor Castle. This is an amusing story that I share with guest when I meet them in Edinburgh. Suffice to say she left quite an impression on me.”

An exclusive audience for Luxury Gold guests

Andy delights in sharing the details of his encounters with the Queen Mother with Luxury Gold guests, after they dine at the exclusive Royal Scots Club in Edinburgh. A grand finale to their time in the vibrant Scottish capital, Highland Piper Andy tells us “I go in and play a couple of tunes and introduce myself. We then talk, share a few stories and I answer any questions that guests might have. I’ll also get them to join in a bit with me. It is always lots of fun. I find that people are very interested in the bagpipes and piping, I think it resonates with everyone.”

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A cherished heirloom

“My pipes belonged to my great grandfather, and he bought them in 1888,” explains Andy, adding that they gain in value as they are handed down through the generations. “The bag itself is perishable and you also change the reeds when needed. But the pipes themselves are what you pay for. The wood is a very hard brittle wood called Mpingo. It is an African Blackwood, the best wood you can find and is worth around $20,000 a meter.

“When I first meet guests, they are often very intrigued and impressed by my uniform. The question I am asked most is how much does it weigh? It’s heavy because of the traditional Eight Yard kilt, the bonnet, shoes and pipes and comes in at 22 kilos which is about 45 lbs.”

Read how we make British Royale is exceptional: How Travel Concierge Michael Gives a Royal Welcome in the UK

A sound that resonates across the globe

“The Great Highland Pipes that I play originated in Scotland. But there are around 70 different types of bagpipes throughout the world,” says Andy. “There are Scottish Small Pipes and Scottish Parlor Pipes for example. There’s the Northumbrian Pipe and in Ireland the Uilleann Pipes. In Brittany in France, you have the Bretton pipers. They’re all Celtic nations. Pipers also played a similar looking pipe in Northern Spain, and even in Romania and places like that you can find pipes. They all have different styles of course.

“The Great Highland Bagpipes were the musical symbol of war; they were played in battle. My great grandfather played in battle in the Boer War, my grandfather played in the battle in the Somme and at Gallipoli.”

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The next generation

“Pipes will never go out of fashion,” Highland Piper Andy says. “In Scotland the collieries all have pipe bands and that’s where they all stem back to. They are taught in school as well. Every Scottish High School in Scotland has a band or at least a few pipers. New Zealand has more pipers and pipe bands per population than anywhere else in the world and some of the best competition pipe bands can be found in Canada.

“With bagpipes found all over the world, they resonate for so many people. It’s also such a versatile instrument, associated with everything from weddings and dancing to military processions and funerals. Be it a highland fling or the haunting melody of Amazing Grace, when the pipes start playing, they always raise the hairs on the back of your neck.”

For the opportunity to meet Andy Coulter for yourself and hear the unforgettable sound of the Highland Bagpipes, take a look at our British Royale luxury tour.

To whet the palate: Exceptional Dining with Luxury Gold

Where do truffles grow?

One reason truffles are so expensive is that they don’t grow in every part of the world. Historically speaking, truffles were largely only found naturally in European countries like Italy, France, Spain and Slovenia. In recent years, some other countries in North America, South America and Asia have successfully started growing their own.  

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How do truffles grow?

Truffles grow beneath trees in a symbiotic relationship by attaching their spores to the tree roots. The transfer of nutrients enables them both to grow. Most truffles grow beneath specific tree species, including hazelnut and poplar, which influence their taste and scent. 

Why are truffles expensive?

Truffles are expensive because they’re so rare to harvest. Grown naturally only in a few European countries, truffle hunting is a centuries-old practice in which truffle hunters rarely share their hunting grounds with anyone else. The most expensive truffles are white truffles found in Italy’s Piedmont region. The International Alba White Truffle Fair is the preeminent truffle fair where you’ll find the largest, most expensive truffles for sale.

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Where can I hunt for truffles with truffle hunters? 

Luxury Gold’s Croatia & the Dalmatian Coast tour is a two week itinerary filled with unforgettable activities, including hunting for truffles with a local farmer in Istria. You can also hunt for truffles on our Ultimate Italy tour in Florence. Keep in mind that the best time to harvest white truffles is typically between September and November, though peak season may alter based on the summer season’s temperatures, spring’s rainfall, and if the holes where the prior year’s truffles were found were filled properly. Black truffle harvest is between April and October in some areas like Slovenia, and their bounty is also impacted by seasonal climate fluctuations.

Read more about truffle hunting: A day in the life of one of Croatia’s top truffle hunters

Where can I taste a truffle?

Although only found in select countries, you can taste truffles at restaurants across the world. Casa di Langa, a hotel just outside of Alba, Italy, has a restaurant with a case of fresh truffles you can choose from. Restaurant Zigante in Livade, Croatia, is another fantastic dining destination where truffles are blended in delicious ways, including in truffle ice cream.

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Italy

Italy is the epicenter for truffles. When the most expensive truffles are up for auction, it’s likely that they were found in the Italian countryside. Truffle hunters stay silent about where they find these fungi in Le Marche, Tuscany, Piedmont, and Umbria, but the restaurants in these regions aren’t shy about featuring them in both fine and rustic dishes. 

Truffle hunting on the Ultimate Italy tour is the ultimate way to find and taste fresh Italian truffles.

Croatia

Italy may stay in the limelight for having the most expensive truffles, but Croatia’s Istria region has a bounty of its own worthy of your attention. The truffle capital of Croatia wasn’t lauded as such pre-1999, until a hunter and his dog dug up what became the largest white truffle in the world. Now, the Istrian Peninsula is regarded as a popular destination for truffle hunting and sampling.

Get off the beaten path and uncover gems like fresh truffles on the Croatia & the Dalmatian Coast tour.

Spain

The majority of Spain’s truffles are black truffles and its black winter truffles are especially popular, but that wasn’t always the case. In fact, it was until the mid-1900s that truffle hunters from France started seeking out the black diamond truffles they knew in the hills of Spain. When Spanish farmers realized how valuable these truffles were, they seized the opportunity and have since become the world’s largest producer of black winter truffles. 

Discover Iberia on: Spain & Portugal in Style

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France 

It should be no surprise that anything grown in French soil is delectable; that includes truffles. France produces nearly one-third of the world’s truffles. The “black diamond” is a popular truffle found in Provence and Southwest France. Also known as the Périgord truffle, black diamond truffles are known for their strong scent and distinctive taste.

Sample truffle-infused dishes as you explore the French countryside on our Ultimate Southern France tour.  

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Slovenia

Slovenia shares a small piece of the Istrian Peninsula with Croatia. With Italy as its adjacent neighbor, one shouldn’t be shocked to learn that Slovenia is an underrated destination for truffle hunting and dining. One of the unique experiences you can have in Slovenia that you seldom can elsewhere is hunting for the rare spring white bianchetti truffle which is harvested around March each year. 

With Exceptional Dining a hallmark of every Luxury Gold journey, see how you can enjoy a truffle-infused vacation, or other gastronomical pleasures with our worldwide collection of luxury tours.