We interview ultra-luxury travel designer Anthony Lassman, founder of Nota Bene Global private client travel service. Anthony has been designing trips for 30 years for international clients including Michael Kors and David Lauren. He plans trips to the world’s most exceptional destinations, knowing the best room, villa, beach, or table in a restaurant and also and organizes unique specially requested experiences – for example he recently organized for a client to meet the Pope.
Where do you recommend to go to escape the jet-set?
For alternatives to traditional jet-set ‘fashionable’ destinations, choose Nantucket over the Hamptons; Paxos over Corfu: Sifnos, Tinos and Antiparos over Mykonos.
How do you mix comfort and luxury with the spectacular and remote for ‘super-travelers’ ?
Some examples of what we have arranged include: Japan with a private ryokan, lunch with the Ama pearl divers, ninja/samurai/kendo/taiko private classes, private diner with a real geisha, cherry blossom heli experience, Japanese private country cooking, private Fresh tuna auctions at the Tsukiji Market – this one is quite unique as it is forbidden for tourists. Cambodia for a private visit to top temples, private experience with monks, private breakfast at the Temples of the Forest, private countryside lunch and quad exploration, behind-the–scenes of Angkor Wat, private cruise and sunset drinks at Angkor Thom. Additional destinations have included Vietnam, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Panama, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Ecuador, Galapagos (3 days private boat charter to explore the different islands), Peru - Presidential carriage on board of Inca Princess train to go to Machu Picchu, Chile and Argentina.
Tell us about the trend for travel to buy art?
There has been growth in interest in contemporary art and collectors who want to be a part of annual fairs as well as auctions and shows in the important art capitals of London, New York, Los Angeles, Paris, Berlin and Hong Kong. We know all the big parties to attend: Serpentine Party, Larry Gagosian’s St Barths and Capri parties; and important summer social art gatherings on the Greek island of Hydra.
What do you do for UHNW travel security?
We have just teamed up with trained bodyguard Kate Bright’s security company UMBRA to protect individuals and their families when traveling, enabling them to travel at the highest levels of privacy with the highest level of discreet, unobtrusive and invisible security.
What are the ultimate travel souvenirs?
Increasingly our clients are requesting a collector’s mission. For example, we recently planned a trip to Papua New Guinea to collect tribal masks.
