Why Opulent Travel
At Opulent Travel, we believe great journeys are about far more than ticking off countries, they’re about how a place makes you feel. For nearly two decades, we’ve designed personal, meaningful trips rooted in connection, curiosity, and care.
Today, we bring that same considered approach to the world. With a quiet nod to the romance and spirit of discovery that once defined travel’s golden age, we create journeys that balance timeless elegance with the unprecedented access and comfort possible now. Always personal. Always tailored. Always yours.
We’re a small, close-knit team with a passion for travel that’s as authentic as it is beautiful. Every journey we create is entirely bespoke whether you’re seeking a family adventure in Patagonia, a honeymoon in Japan, or time out on a Maldivian island, we design it around what really matters to you.
What sets us apart isn’t just our knowledge; it’s how we work. Our guides aren’t the ones you’ll find through hotel concierges. They’re experts and storytellers including photographers, conservationists, historians all with deep local roots and insider access that open doors to experiences most travellers never find.
Through our ‘May I Introduce You…’ approach, we connect you with the people who bring each place to life.
We work closely with boutique, often family-run properties – places with soul, and build every trip from scratch with handpicked experiences and attention to detail. Many of our clients have travelled with us for years, often referred by friends or family, and we never take that trust for granted.
Sustainability sits at the heart of everything we do from supporting conservation projects and championing local artisans to partnering with communities who care for their corner of the world as deeply as we do. For us, luxury and responsibility go hand in hand
We don’t believe in “one size fits all.” Just thoughtful, elegant travel that feels like it was made just for you.
Wherever your next journey takes you from the Atacama to the Maldives, the Serengeti to Kyoto we’ll help you travel deeper, explore better, and return with stories that stay with you forever.
Meet the Team
John
I started Opulent Travel with a simple idea: that great travel comes down to real connections, local insight, and personal service. After more than 35 years living, working, and travelling across Africa, I’ve built more than just knowledge, I’ve developed a love for the people, wildlife, and landscapes that make the continent so remarkable.
I’ve always been an adventurer at heart. I’ve guided clients through some of Africa’s most remote and unforgettable places, but I’ve also explored far beyond from the energy of India to quiet sunsets in the Maldives, from Moroccan souks to Argentine vineyards. Travel, for me, has never been about ticking boxes. It’s about how it makes you feel.
These days, I’m based in Florida, where I continue to lead Opulent Travel with the same mindset I had at the beginning: explore with care, respect every culture, and make every journey meaningful.
Whether it’s a safari in the Serengeti or a multi-stop adventure through South America, I stay involved in shaping each trip with insight and attention to detail. Many of our clients return year after year and over time, they’ve become friends. That’s what matters most.
Amanda
I’ve worked alongside John for over a decade, and over the years, designing personalised, seamless journeys has become second nature. From your first phone call to the moment you return home, I’m here to make sure every detail is taken care of with thought, care, and the kind of service our clients have come to rely on.
What I enjoy most about what we do is the relationships. Many of our clients come back year after year or are referred by friends and family and that kind of trust is something we never take for granted.
Africa is especially close to my heart. I’ve trekked with gorillas in Rwanda, canoed through the Okavango Delta, and floated above the Serengeti at sunrise. But travel has taken me all over the world from a year living in Germany to rafting in Nepal and wandering through the forests of Canada.
For me, the best journeys are those that feel just right, the right pace, the right places, and small moments that leave a lasting impression. I want every client to come home feeling rested, inspired, and full of stories.
“Travel for me is about experiences: be that a beautiful sunrise, an unexpected adventure, the luxury of time to absorb everything around you or seeing life from another perspective. There’s really nothing better!”
Jill
When I get asked what my favourite place is, I can never choose. Every trip gives you something different, and that’s what I love about travel. It always surprises you.
I’ve always loved discovering new places. For the past few years, I’ve worked alongside John and Amanda, helping bring our clients’ dream trips to life. Whether I’m answering questions, planning logistics, or sharing travel stories through social media, I’m here to help every journey feel exciting and completely personal.
My passion for travel really took off while I was living in Hong Kong, it opened the door to exploring so much of Asia and gave me a new perspective on how diverse and brilliant the world can be. Since then, I’ve hiked Mount Kinabalu, trekked to Machu Picchu, rafted the Zambezi, and dived in some incredible underwater spots.
Each trip adds a new layer. I got engaged in Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay, fell for the Maldives both as a couple and later with our kids, and recently rediscovered India in a completely new light while exploring Kerala. I’ve had rain-soaked adventures in New Zealand and unforgettable ones in Peru and I’m still finding new corners of the world that surprise me.
Africa holds a special place in my heart, but ask me to pick a favourite and I’ll hesitate (with good reason).
I also love the quieter side of travel: walking along the Great Wall, watching the sunset in the Maldives, and finding those small, grounding moments that really stay with you.
At Opulent Travel, I try to bring that same mix of adventure and care to every trip we help plan, balancing indulgence with meaning, and always making sure the experience feels right for you.