Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou at West Lake; Photo: Four Seasons

After more than three decades in the industry, I’ve learned that the most valued luxury isn’t opulence – it’s seamlessness. The world’s most discerning travellers want to move through the world effortlessly, without disruption.

They want access to the extraordinary, but without spectacle. They expect their preferences to be anticipated, and every detail managed flawlessly, before they even realise it needs to be done.

It’s the seamless choreography behind every journey and every experience that truly makes the magic, from collecting luggage a day before departure, direct access to the aircraft steps via our private fleet, the child’s correct car seat already installed, the hotel room already adjusted to personal temperature preferences – this is just as precious to our clients (and us) as the trip itself.

Minerva Private Travel was founded in 1999 as an invitation-only service for a select global clientele. Our clients include leading figures in film and entertainment, prominent entrepreneurs, legal professionals and industry chiefs, many of whom I now consider extended family.

Every experience we craft is entirely unique. There are no one-size-fits-all templates, and we never send our clients anywhere unless it has been meticulously experienced and vetted by me or my expert team.

Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou at West Lake; Photo: Four Seasons

No matter the trip, at Minerva, every journey begins with a one-on-one conversation that goes far beyond logistics. It’s about uncovering passions, preferences, habits and even dreams.

From dietary requirements to personal tastes, hobbies and even fears, we take it all ‘on board’. Whether it’s a milestone celebration, a restorative break or a spontaneous escape, the experience is tailored from the ground up.

We’ve intentionally remained focused, growing organically through high-value referrals and repeat clients. This deliberate approach allows us to deepen relationships and refine every element of what we offer.

Over the years, we’ve amassed a trusted network of highly valued partners who meet our exacting standards, ensuring we consistently deliver the utmost service and truly exceptional experiences for our elite clientele.

YACHTING ESCAPES

Yacht charter and sailing holidays remain a top priority for our clients, and we don’t see that changing. There’s something about time spent at sea that perfectly blends adventure with unparalleled luxury.

From a romantic honeymoon on a luxury charter in the Aegean to a week-long, multi-generational family getaway exploring the British Virgin Islands, yachts provide sanctuary, freedom and the feeling of ‘home’ in equal measure.

The 55m Purpose is among yachting options

For a completely customised experience, you could explore Thailand’s myriad of islands onboard the stunning 55m Trinity superyacht Purpose. From Koh Tao’s crystal-clear waters teeming with vibrant marine life and abundant coral reefs to savouring the local culture and cuisine, a luxury yacht holiday creates unforgettable memories.

When it comes to Caribbean escapes, the itineraries crafted by Ritz-Carlton’s all-suite yacht Evrima are beloved for blending luxury with discovery. And for the ultimate adventure in the Galápagos, Grace by Quasar Expeditions is a top choice. This glamorous, 16-guest yacht (once a gift to Grace Kelly) offers a refined, sustainable journey to remote islands and incredible wildlife.

We also love Asia’s largest wooden sailing yacht, Lamima, the epitome of traditional Indonesian craftsmanship, adorned with modern luxury, complete with expert local crews and bespoke itineraries from Bali to Raja Ampat.

ASIAN DESTINATIONS

As for destinations, Asian gems continue to dazzle, with clients drawn to its rich diversity and exceptional experiences, from turquoise waters to lush jungles.

For instance, the exclusive Amanwana camp on Indonesia’s Moyo Island offers a secluded, tented sanctuary in the middle of the jungle. Our families delight in the seaplane journey from Bali, and then the ride in a vintage jeep to camp. It’s a wonderful blend of understated luxury and nature with plenty of child-friendly activities and lifelong memories to be made.

Similarly, Nihi on Sumba Island epitomises laid-back luxury in a surfer’s paradise, with pristine beaches, world-class waves and family-sized villa estates. It provides a soulful, barefoot-chic retreat that perfectly balances relaxation and adventure.

The Nihi resort on Sumba Island; Photo: Nihi

For a touch of unparalleled Japanese hospitality, we love The Shinmonzen. Nestled on the Shirakawa River in Kyoto’s historic Gion district, this discreet, ultra-luxury haven offers authentic, exclusive experiences with geishas, private tea ceremonies and zen meditation in hidden temples.

For serene escapes in China, Yangshuo Sugar House in Guilin is a unique, contemporary resort born from a historic sugar mill, beautifully blending industrial heritage with the region’s glorious mountains.

Further east, the Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou at West Lake blends classical Chinese elegance with modern luxury, offering private lake cruises and chef-curated banquets on a private pavilion, perfectly tailored for our clients.

THE WELLNESS WAY

While destination choice is crucial, it’s the deeper intention behind each journey that truly guides us. Increasingly, wellness is becoming a central theme in how our clients choose to travel. Wellness tourism is expected to hit a value of US$1.3 trillion by 2025, and Minerva clients are emblematic of this trend.

Where holidays were once seen as indulgent escapes, they are now viewed as essential to both health and longevity. We’ve seen a year-on-year uptick in travellers seeking wellness-focused itineraries, be it healing retreats, medi-spas, personalised longevity programmes or wellness sabbaticals.

We now regularly plan immersive stays at wellness resorts that integrate ancient healing traditions with cutting-edge science, often within spectacular natural settings.

The Nihi resort on Sumba Island; Photo: Nihi

Even infrastructure is catching up. Airports are already incorporating wellness features into their main passenger areas. Some premium lounges go a little further, whether it’s an oxygen lounge at Tokyo’s

Narita Airport, a yoga room in San Francisco, or a sauna in the Finnair lounge in Helsinki.

Airlines are reviewing their wellness offerings, investing in state-of-the-art technologies including on-board wellness zones. On Qantas’ Project Sunrise planes, six first-class suites now offer customised lighting, allowing you to choose which time zone you wish to fly in.

GOOD CONNECTIONS

Sustainability is another defining expectation. Today’s ultra-high-net-worth traveller wants to leave a lighter footprint, give back in meaningful ways, and know that they are enriching the local ecosystem. We work with eco-lodges in Africa, conservation-led resorts in Southeast Asia, and heritage hotels in Bhutan.

For some clients, that might mean donating to reforestation projects; for others, visiting a local artisan or school supported by their hotel stay. We see this not as a trend but as the new standard, so that luxury and responsibility must coexist for the people that call each destination home.

While destinations and travel motives evolve, the expectations remain constant: perfection, discretion and precision. Of course, some requests are a higher mountain to climb, and access to exclusive experiences is in demand, although I prefer to move away from the phrase ‘hard to secure’.

While these experiences may be challenging for most to access, they’re rarely out of reach for us. If a client has a specific request, whether it’s centre court at Wimbledon, a private suite at the Monaco Grand Prix, front-row concert seats, or entry to a members-only event, then nine times out of ten, I will secure it.

What we offer is more than service. It’s a partnership. Sometimes that means seeing a client off at the airport or escorting the entire trip. Sometimes it means fielding a call at 3am. That’s the invisible part. And that’s what makes it seamless.

theminervatravelgroup.com

AMANDA TEALE

Teale is founder and Managing Director of Minerva Private Travel, a luxury travel and lifestyle management company with offices in the UK, Italy and USA, and a fleet of executive vehicles. Working on a referral-only basis and focused on complete discretion and exclusivity, Teale offers meticulously tailored travel arrangements and bespoke services to UHNWIs and public figures. The Minerva team provides 24/7 concierge support as clients benefit from VIP airport services around the world including direct tarmac access, luxury limousines and private lounges. Teale has recently been recognised in Conde Nast Traveller, Fortune and Inside Hook.