Ever wondered about those special ingredients that go into creating a Luxury Gold tour? From selecting the most appealing destinations, finding exceptional hotels and exclusive experiences, to thinking of every moment that weaves your journey together, it takes a special person to make such a special journey. Combining expertise with passion and dedication, we spoke to tour planner Karen Gower, to find out more.

For travel inspiration take a look at our collection of small group journeys

First and Foremost, I Think Like a Guest

Karen joined Luxury Gold at its inception over ten years ago, initially as a Travel Concierge before taking on the role of Travel Experiences Manager Europe in 2024. “I fell in love with the product, and it’s been my life ever since,” she says with pride.

“I don’t think that there’s anybody in the company that has had the privilege to get to know as many Luxury Gold guests as I have personally. Eating with them, spending time with them and walking them through itineraries. So, I’m able to put myself in their shoes.

“I ensure this personal touch permeates throughout a Luxury Gold itinerary, a true understanding of who the guest is and what their expectations are. And it’s of course all cemented together by your Travel Concierge, the master of ceremonies at the helm of every journey.”

You may also be interested to read: The 7 secret skills of every Luxury Gold Travel Concierge

Tailoring Each Journey, Your Travel Concierge

“I encourage each Travel Concierge to carefully consider each guest as an individual,” says Karen, “making a note of their interests and what excites them. Through this they can look for how we can make their trip personal to them. It is the little extras that make the difference, small, noticeable touches can affect a guest’s time with us and make their trip extra special.

“The other thing that is so important to our guests is not to have to think while they are with us. We take care of everything they need and think of everything they haven’t even thought of. You leave your luggage for the porter, and it magically appears in your next hotel room. We take care of special diets, so guests don’t have to explain every time to a restaurant. It is a seamless way to travel, you are even picked up from home and taken to the airport.”

Meet one of our exceptional Travel Concierges: How Travel Concierge Elena Makes Italy Sparkle

Luxury Takes Many Forms

When creating new itineraries and experiences, Karen tells us she focuses on the unexpected. “I’m always looking for something that’s a bit different, something that guests wouldn’t do on their own,” she says.

“That’s the benefit of traveling with Luxury Gold. We show you things that you wouldn’t otherwise come across, such as that little local bakery behind the hotel that sells the most exquisite pastries, but nobody writes about because its local.”

“Authenticity is also a luxury. For example, it might not be appropriate to have a fine dining experience, if that’s not the local food. But the opportunity to dine on traditional local fare at a small local restaurant, tasting traditional recipes and the local wine is a truly exceptional experience.

Bookmark for later: 10 of the World’s Best Luxury Resorts to Stay at This Year

Connection and Passion are Key

“We hear a lot from guests about how much they love contact with local people,” Karen says. “Passionate local people with a story to tell. Maybe they’re preserving their cultural heritage or sharing their cooking skills. This is a luxury when you explore new places. Everyone can tick things off their bucket list, but you never forget that personal contact and that passion that somebody has shown for something that you might not have even known about.”

“The traditional Moll farm that we visit in Norway on Timeless Scandinavia is a great example,” she tells us of one of our MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences, adding that nobody would ever go up there without us knowing about it. “We meet the owner whose family has been there for generations and are invited into her home. She sings to our guests, gives them the apple cake made from their apples by the local bakery makes and talks about the historic paintings that she’s got in the rooms of her house. She tells us the significance of her home and how she’s preserving a way of life. That is so important, and it is probably not mentioned in any of the guidebooks.”

Discover this on: Timeless Scandinavia

We’re The Envy of Other Travelers

“Luxury also means exclusivity, which I weave this into every Luxury Gold journey” explains Karen, citing the after-hours VIP visit to Doges Palace in Venice as an example, a highlight of our Ultimate Italy itinerary. “Like a film star, you cruise down the Grand Canal in a water taxi past the spectacular buildings. Its towards the end of the day so most tourists have gone home. We meet our Local Expert, Silvia in Saint Mark’s Square and make our way over to the old doors of the palace which swing open, just for us, which is incredible.

“Often there will be a few people in the square who will approach because they think the palace is opening, and we have to say “I’m really sorry, we’d love to help but we have a Luxury Gold private tour, and then we waltz into the palace!

“It’s an exclusive moment to the extent that in on massive room, you stop in one corner and jump slightly on the floor and, because all of Venice is floating, you can actually feel the floor moving, which is something you couldn’t do if it were open to the public. So that is an incredible experience.”

Of course, exclusivity and authenticity don’t mean that any big moments are missed. “On all of our journeys you will see the big experiences you would expect of the location,” says Karen. “We ride the Glacier Express on Majestic Switzerland and enjoy a VIP after-hours visit to the Tower of London on British Royale.

Discover this on: Majestic Switzerland and British Royale 

You may also be interested to read: After Hours: Travel Like a VIP With These Exclusive Experiences

Sustainability is at the Core of Every Journey

“For Luxury Gold, and all our sister brands at The Travel Corporation, responsible travel is a core base of our journeys,” Karen says. “The goal of our How We Tread Right sustainability strategy is to include a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience on at least 50% of itineraries by 2025, but we’re proud to say we have already surpassed this. Every journey has at least one MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, with some tours featuring many more.

“These experiences give something back and leave a positive impact on the places we visit. They also offer exclusive opportunities to meet some amazing people We also responsibly source all hotels and experiences, ensuring our impact is positive everywhere we go.”

Karen cites meeting Tracey from Tracey’s Farmhouse on Ultimate Ireland as a highlight for guests and in Perugia, Italy, “fourth generation weaver Marta who we meet on Ultimate Italy has an incredible story to tell about preserving her craft, and is an amazing person who our guests just fall in love with.”

Read more about our commitment to responsible travel: 100% Meaningful, 100% Memorable: Why Every Luxury Gold Journey Matters

Time to Enjoy, and Time to Personalize

“When planning a tour, it is very important to keep the pace of the tour in mind at all times,” Karen explains. “With Luxury Gold we’re aiming to cover everything, but make sure that the guests don’t feel rushed or indeed too tired. Afterall time is the ultimate luxury.

“Personalization and Luxury Gold go hand in hand, and true to that a key feature of our journeys is that guests have enough free time to be able to tailor their tours. Our expert Travel Concierge’s are on hand to assist with recommendations, be that for dining, excursions or just a special moment. It’s a more personal service because there are a maximum 24, average of 18 guests on our luxury small group tours. In their free time, guests might be looking to continue with sightseeing, or simply to rest and enjoy the amenities of our fabulous hotels. They may have a spa treatment booked by their Travel Concierge or wish to join them in a surprise little extra walk or talk.”

 You may also be interested to read: How Travel Concierge Shona Goes Above and Beyond

Our Collection of Luxury Gold Hotels

With these carefully selected properties a hallmark of Luxury Gold journeys, Karen tells us “We definitely favor two or three nights stays on our itineraries,” adding that exceptionally there are some one-night stays when it is a comfort stop in order to avoid an overly long or tiring travel day. “Each tour fits together like a puzzle. It’s a synergy – the sum of the whole greater than each of its parts and a crucial part of that puzzle are the hotels,” she says.

Ranging from heritage properties, boutique city stays to extravagant castles and rural properties with sensational views, Luxury Gold hotels are a destination in themselves. Karen explains that a great deal of thought and care goes into their selection, with each looking to “add something extra to every itinerary.”

“As a rule, our hotels are five-star when available, and always in a great location,” she says, explaining that if 5 star is not available, as in some more rural locations, a high-end four star will be sourced and usually with upgraded rooms. “For example, the Hotel Union overlooking Norway’s sensational Geirangerfjord is a 4-star hotel, with its fjord view rooms offering the most breathtaking views you won’t want to leave – pictures just don’t do it justice.”

“Each property is considered on a case-by-case basis, and from a personal view. Generally, a central location is preferable to somewhere on the outside of the city, but if the quality of the hotel warrants being slightly outside and doesn’t put our guests at any disadvantage, I would choose the better property. Guests also need to be able to go out and about easily. But superior quality is always front of mind.”

Learn more about this sensational hotel: How to Spend 48 Hours in One of Norway’s Most Scenic Hotels

Exceptional Dining Binds Each Journey

Who can talk about guided touring without talking about dining? Offering a chance to taste the flavors of a region, guests can learn about history through food, connecting with each other and the locals.

“These are the moments that bring everyone together,” says Karen. “Guests often underestimate the friendships they will make on a tour. I often hear from those who have decided to travel together in the future, or who visit each other when they return home. They most certainly start as strangers and finish as friends, and dining is a key part of that.”

Michelin Star and acclaimed restaurants of course lead the way. But more than sitting down for meals, join expert locals on foodie street tours, learn to cook, enjoy winery picnics and breakfast in bed.

“Our cooking classes are often underrated by guests, until they try one,” says Karen with a smile. “Especially those of our guests that don’t usually do a lot of cooking!”

“The class on Ultimate Italy takes place in an old hunting lodge of the Medici family, in the middle of the vineyards and Alessio is our chef is incredible. You’re looking out of these huge windows across rolling hillsides and vines as you’re making your pasta. I mean, there can’t be anything that’s more typically Italian yet so intimate.”

Discover this on: Ultimate Italy

Bookmark for later: 7 ways you’ll celebrate Tuscan food when you travel with Luxury Gold

One Eye Always on the Future

“There are so many pinch me moments in this job,” says Karen, adding that she is happily never really off duty. “Even when I’m on my own holiday I’m always looking for inspiration for our journeys. My daughters often travel with me but are wise to my motives – they often ask if I will be taking my guests there.”

“I’m always looking at roads to see if coaches can get down them, where they would stop and the impression new destinations would have on guests. If I walk into a fabulous restaurant my mind would be racing to see if I can design a new itinerary in order to go there!

“Designing a new itinerary is a little bit like going shopping. I am looking for a Michelin dinner, a series of 5-star hotels, a VIP experience, something cultural or part of the local heritage. I then put it all in my basket and make sure that it fits together in a comfortable, balanced and luxurious way, showcasing the best that destination has to offer.”

To experience just how special a Luxury Gold tour is for yourself, take a look at our worldwide collection of small group journeys

You may know it as the ancient land of the Incas, but much of the culture and heritage of Peru – arguably South America’s top bucket-list destination – is shrouded in mystery. One way to tap into the rest of Peruvian history and culture is to stay at one of the country’s most authentic lodges, hotels that wear their conservation of tradition as a badge of honor. 

Two of the most committed properties are Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo, near the Incan citadel of the same name (the epicentre of Peruvian history), and Palacio del Inka in Cusco. Guests on Luxury Gold’s in-depth Treasures of the Incas tour will get the chance to stay a leisurely two nights at each property, each stay a chance to really get under the skin of Peruvian culture. Atmospheric and filled with local detail, each property aims to conserve Peruvian history and educate their guests on how people lived, then and now. Here’s what you can expect from a stay.

The walkway at Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo

Finding the Lost City

Inkaterra’s founders championed ecotourism long before it was a travel buzzword. Starting with a lodge in the Amazon rainforest, José Koechlin von Stein then opened the brand’s Machu Picchu property in the 1990s, determined to hire local people, assess and protect local wildlife and biodiversity, and create a captivating experience for guests visiting the Incan citadel.

The feeling of stepping back in time starts on arrival. Styled like a traditional Andean mountain village of 83 casitas, the hotel is tucked into 12.3 acres of pristine cloud forest. Rooms with private terraces and plunge pools have little touches such as fireplaces, cotton robes and Andean slippers crafted from recycled materials. In the authentic Unu Spa (meaning “water” in the native Quechua language), only 100% natural ingredients are used; Andean species including mint, eucalyptus and orchids are used to tap into traditional cures and therapies used throughout Peruvian history. After a day seeing the archaeological site, you can retreat to the Andean Sauna, a small, thatched mound heated by warmed river stones and infused with eucalyptus. 

Rustic interiors at the Inkaterra Machu Picchu lodge

On top of this, Inkaterra Cafe is working on reclaiming Peru’s pre-Hispanic cuisines, and the property has a programme to rescue the country’s beloved Spectacled Bears (that’s Paddington to you and me). Working with the Peruvian National Institute of Natural Resources (INRENA), Inkaterra hotel group works to rehabilitate some of these bears – South America’s only bear species – who have been negatively impacted by human communities, and release them into the wild. They can also be sighted occasionally in the countryside around the Machu Picchu lodge.

Excursions to Machu Picchu itself are a must-do, of course; but other excursions include getting to know the local orchids (Inkaterra has a garden of some 372 species. Local festivals like August’s Pachamama are marked by shaman-led ceremonies where guests are encouraged to join in.

We also think you’ll like: Embrace The Spirituality of The Incas in Peru’s Sacred Valley

A historic courtyard at Palacio del Inka, Cusco

Palace of the Incas

The traditional feel starts with the facade of this 500-year-old building, a listed landmark which was once the home of Francisco Pizarro, Peru’s first Spanish governor. It also sits across from Cusco’s Qoricancha (Temple of the Sun), built around the year 1200. Decor here is more focused on Peru’s Spanish-colonial history, from gilded columns, polished antique furniture, valuable mirrors and vases decorating rooms and halls to lavish painted tiling above beds, arches and courtyards in the architecture. Opulent oil paintings are collected from the Cusqueña Art School, prominent in Peruvian history. Request a suite in the Casona de los Cuatro Bustos area of the building to stay in what was once the 15th-century residence.

But the Spirit Spa here puts the hotel firmly in the Peruvian Andes, with indigenous treatments dating back hundreds of years. From a grape-skin bath that takes advantage of the antioxidants in the fruit to an Inca-style mud wrap, they range from rustic to deluxe (the gold-leaf-infused Temple of the Sun treatment). Parts of an ancient Incan wall also run through the hotel’s Rumi Bar – ask staff for the full history. Daily guided tours of the Palacio can enlighten you as to the historic significance of each part of the building and grounds.

The restaurant at Palacio del Inka

In terms of food, Inti Raymi restaurant is a whirlwind through Peruvian culinary history, from zingy ceviche to grilled alpaca, and Pisco sours served in terracotta tumblers with an array of local botanical seasonings. One real highlight is the hotel’s own Pisco sour masterclass, where expert mixologists will talk you through the local spirit, made from fermented grape juice, and how it interweaves with Peruvian history, as well as how to mix the perfect pour.

Even the Palacio’s location puts you right at the heart of the Sacred Valley’s history, with the colonial architecture of Plaza de Armas all around, and shops selling traditional handicrafts to take home (the hotel concierge can point you in the right direction). The city’s cathedral, its Inka Museum and Saqsaywaman archaeological site should all be on your to-do list.

We also think you’ll like: Inside the home and studio of Peru’s most famous sculptor, Victor Delfin

The best luxury resorts in the world are of course glorious places to stay, but there is so much more to them than their guest rooms – they’re gateways to destinations, and they’re entire destinations in themselves. Whether they happen to be located in the middle of national parks, private white sand beaches, wine country, ski slopes, cities or small towns, they tell a unique story about their place. Here are 10 of our favorites right now.

For billabong swims and hammock time: Silky Oaks Lodge, Queensland

Forty ‘treehouses’ sit snugly in the world’s oldest living rainforest, surrounded by fronds and vines, ferns and mosses. It’s hard not to think of Eden as you lie in your hammock following a dazzling blue Ulysses butterfly or a chattering of palm cockatoos with your eyes. Guests have the chance to learn about the Indigenous culture of the local Kuku Yalanji people who have lived in the Daintree Rainforest continuously, and have a deep connection with it.

 

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For tranquility and connecting with nature: Hoshino Resorts Oirase Keiryu Hotel

In the mountains of north Japan, this tranquil ryokan is the only resort built on the shore of the Orase Gorge, part of the Towada-Hachimantai National Park, a protected area teeming with lushness: beech, katsura and Japanese horse chestnut trees, plus over 300 species of moss. Rooms overlook the stream and waterfalls; it’s an unparallelled vantage point for witnessing the changing seasons. Lots of significance is placed on the onsen experience in the hot springs from Mount Hakkoda – the concept behind the resort is “Keiru slow living”. Stay here on our Majestic Japan journey. 

For sumptuous living in the city: The Leela Palace, Chennai

One of the best luxury resorts on our Essence of India journey, this is almost five acres of sheer opulence and romance where the Bay of Bengal meets the Adyar river. There are brunches fit for royalty, sea-view sundowners, marble corridors, chandeliers and silk ruching wherever you look, even a cake shop, whose counters are filled with handcrafted macarons, chocolates and cheesecakes. Rooms and suites are haven-like, golden and glorious but it’s worth tearing yourself out of them to lounge by the enormous pool. 

 

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For icon status in the great Canadian outdoors: Fairmont Banff Springs

Known as Canada’s “Castle in the Rockies” this world-famous resort with its steep copper roofs, dormers and gables, is located in the majestic Banff National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Besides absurd levels of beauty and various walking trails, the park itself offers opportunities for horseback riding, rock climbing, biking, glacier walking and skiing. On the resort itself, there’s a 27-hole championship golf course and an award-winning spa, not to mention wildflower cocktails in the timeless Rundle Bar. 

Stay here on our Majesty of the Rockies journey.

 

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For serenity (and celebrity) by the beach: Copacabana Palace, Rio

As far as world class locations go, Copacabana Beach is hard to beat. This imposing white Carrara marble icon has been in situ since 1923, when French architect Joseph Gire took influence from the Negresco in Nice and the Carlton in Cannes. Since then, celebrities passing through have included Walt Disney, Brigitte Bardot, Princess Diana and Madonna. Away from the high energy of the beach and the city streets, the interiors offer soothing white linens, mahogany furnishings and arguably the best balconies in the world. 

This hotel is on our Classic South America journey.

 

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For Tuscan frescoes and flowers: Four Seasons Firenze

This is an urban retreat of Florentine proportions, housed across the 15th-century Palazzo della Gherardesca and the 16th-century convent, La Villa. The creamy interiors feature frescoes, paintings and sculptures, plus elaborate floral displays and golden light seemingly sent from the heavens. The Renaissance theme continues through the Michelin star restaurant, wine cellar and into the relaxation center, with its ancient Italian spa treatments and garden-based yoga. All a 15-minute walk from the Duomo.  

For English charm and Swiss hospitality: Hotel d’Angleterre, Geneva

On the shore of the glittering Lake Geneva, the Angleterre is a grand old dame to behold, but – as one of the best luxury resorts in the world – it’s also more intimate than you might expect. No two rooms are the same – there’s masterful quilting and upholstery, with playfulness coming through in the occasional leopard print cushion, striped drape, silk-covered wall or original Miró sketch. There’s afternoon tea, of course, plus decanters of port, cognac and whisky. It’s a masterclass in refined luxury, and it’s best enjoyed as part of Majestic Switzerland. 

For easy living in The Big Easy: The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans

At the edge of the French quarter, the swish Maison Blanche building which occupies a whole city block is a retreat from the hubbub, but a very assuredly New Orleanian one. After a dinner of farm-to-table Louisiana cuisine (blue crab beignets, seafood gumbo, shrimp and grits), guests can listen to jazz musician Jeremy Davenport playing the lounge named after him, while sipping Davenportinis. It’s always a joyful stop on our Southern Grace journey. The spaces are ritzy and glamorous – lots of black leather and velvet.

 

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For untouchable private island solitude: Song Saa, Cambodia

This is the kind of unfathomable paradise we couldn’t not put on a list of the best luxury resorts. On Cambodia’s Koh Rong Archipelago, 45 minutes by speedboat from Sihanoukville, Song Saa is arranged across two small islands. It’s got everything you’d expect – palm-thatched villas with four-poster beds and sea-view plunge pools and an open-air spa made up of various pavilions, and plenty you’d never dreamed of too (it’s surprisingly family-friendly!). The owners are committed to the environment – they’ve set up a marine reserve and employ conservation staff.

For stylish safaris with heart: Londolozi, South Africa

In the Sabi Sand Game Reserve within the Greater Kruger National Park, Londolozi is all for healing the land. The Varty family behind it believe it “should inspire a desire to live in deeper connection with each other and the natural world”. Each of the exquisite camps tells a story – the Founders camp honors the past, Tree Camp is lantern-lit, and sanctuary-like, and Varty Camp is the heart and soul – it’s been hosting family-friendly campfires for over 100 years. The rooms and suites are richly layered under thatched roofs, each with expansive decks on which to do yoga, bathe or sip champagne.

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