Private Air New York

www.privateairny.com Private Air | Summer 2020 94 TAKE THE PATH LESS TRAVELED By: Mandi Keighran Ariodante Travel crafts some of the most exclusive and luxurious travel experiences in the world, from inside access to cultural treasures and iconic sites closed to the public to immersive events that bring history to life. These bespoke experiences take luxury travel to a whole new level. PASSPORT I magine getting a behind- the-scenes glimpse into the production of a world-class opera, from the set design to the premiere, or visiting the private villa where Henri Matisse created some of his best-known masterpieces, or even following in the footsteps of the 5th Earl of Carnarvon from Highclere Castle in the UK to explore the hidden wonders of the Valley of the Kings in Egypt… Ariodante Travel taps into the passions of discerning travelers to bring their unimagined dreams to life, tailoring unforgettable bespoke experiences across the world. Founded by famed Colombian composer and conductor, Ricardo Araujo, Ariodante Travel is more than a luxury travel agent. It is a unique travel concierge service that specializes in arts, culture, and history from around the world. Araujo's passion for art, music, and culture defines each itinerary, and his specialist contacts help to realize some of the world's most exclusive experiences for the most discerning travelers. "Our best and most meaningful creations are international experiences following an artist or historical figure through different regions and countries, instead of a trip to just one location," says Araujo. He recalls one recent experience, for example, that was curated to indulge a client's interest in the French Revolution. "We visited the main landmarks and then opened the French National Archives vault, which was a true privilege," reveals Araujo. "Our clients saw the original declaration of human rights – and they were able to touch it – and several other priceless original manuscripts of the Revolution. We then had a private gastronomic dining experience inside the French National Library after seeing some of their most precious manuscripts of that period, including a document with the blood of Marat from when he was killed during the Revolution." ese bespoke itineraries elevate luxury travel to previously unimagined heights. e dedicated team at Ariodante Travel not only deliver exclusive access – think a private visit to the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican or the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles with a bespoke three Michelin star dining experience – but also meetings with luminaries who can offer unequaled insights. From Nobel Prize winners to renowned historians, curators, artists and the descendants of key historical figures, these are the voices that bring the stories and locations to life. "is is simply not done by other travel concierge services," says Araujo. e Ariodante Travel team are currently working on a number of exciting new bespoke cultural experiences, each of which is tailored to a client's individual desires and interests. One is a journey exploring the life of Vincent van Gogh, from his childhood home in the Netherlands, through sites in Mons, Montmartre, and Arles that were significant to his artistic career, to Auvers-Sur-Oise, where

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