Condé Nast Names Four B&R Trip Designers on Their List of Top Travel Specialists 2020
We’ve been saying for years that our talented Trip Designers are the very best in the world at what they do. But we have to admit: it feels even better to hear someone else say it.
That’s why we’re honoured to learn that four of our experts—Nathan Lane, Georgia Yuill, Courtney Mundy and Kathy Stewart—have been named Top Travel Specialists by Condé Nast Traveler magazine.
Nathan Lane
Top Travel Specialist, Vietnam
A Top Travel Specialist for the fourth time in a row is B&R’s Nathan Lane, who CN Traveler has recognized for his 15+ years of experience creating incredible adventures in Vietnam.
Nathan started guiding with B&R in 2001 and has come a long way since we found him leading tours of the Colosseum in Rome. He quickly made the leap from Italy to Asia, where he has spent the past decade immersing himself in Vietnam and its neighbours in the continent’s Southeast.
Get to Know Nathan
Check out the video below to learn more about Nathan and see his passion, expertise and sense of humour for yourself.
One of Nathan’s Favourite Trip Planning Moments
“I put together a family trip to Vietnam and Cambodia that went out with a bang. Timed to coincide with the setting sun, the travellers arrived at an ancient temple from the Angkorian time period, set within Angkor Wat park. In the half-light, the 1000-year-old relics crowded around a private, after-hours, cocktail reception.”
Georgia Yuill
Top Travel Specialist, the Dolomites
Over 20 years ago, Georgia joined the B&R family for what was supposed to be a summer gig working as a guide. Clearly, we won her over (either that or we refused to let her go). Now based in Milan, Georgia is our go-to source for the Dolomites in Italy.
Whether she’s planning a self-guided adventure for intrepid travellers or a multi-generational family adventure, Georgia’s knowledge of this mountainous region is second to none: she frequents the area almost every weekend with her family and is relentless in her search to find the next thrilling hiking trail or cozy rifugio to fuel up on hearty local fare.
Georgia also specializes in other Italian regions, including Sardinia and Tuscany.
One of Georgia’s Favourite Trip Planning Moments
“A vow renewal I planned in Tuscany. The couple gathered their closest friends and family for a stay in a beautiful villa and its stunning gardens. Each day we planned varied activities: walking, biking, a Vespa tour, cooking demos and more. One day was dedicated to the ceremony which was set in the villa’s gardens (imagine a gorgeous pergola with the couple blessed beneath its fabulous flowers) followed by a catered meal set in an adjacent garden poolside with live string music.”
Courtney Mundy
Top Travel Specialist, Italy
Courtney’s love of travel started young when she left home at 14 years old to venture across the United States with a drum and bugle corps. She’s since touched down in most corners of the world and has guided over 100 trips for B&R—from Belize to the Baltics—but now calls the hills of Tuscany her home.
Tap into Courtney’s insight and genuine passion for her adopted home when planning your next trip to Tuscany or the Amalfi Coast.
One of Courtney’s Favourite Trip Planning Moments
“A family trip in a really out-of-this-world Tuscan villa. We had all generations, from young kids to an elderly grandmother. The fun part was finding a way for each of them to stay entertained while enjoying quality time together. Activities included biking, hiking, medieval flag throwing, pizza making, pecorino cheese lessons and much, much more.”
Kathy Stewart
Top Travel Specialist, Azores
Kathy comes by her love of travel honestly. By age 18, she’d already visited more than 30 countries thanks to her parents who worked in the Foreign Service. Kathy’s been with B&R since 1994, and now oversees trip planning across the company.
She still dabbles in some trip design herself, most recently diving deeper into Portugal, earning her the title of Top Travel Specialist for the Azores. Kathy has also been recognized by Travel + Leisure and is on their A-List for travel to France.
One of Kathy’s Favourite Trip Planning Moments
Kathy hit the road to map out the details for our Azores small group trip. “The region offers some of the most incredible landscapes I’ve ever seen and has all the makings for a perfectly well-rounded trip. We get to relax on beaches and do some water activities, hike to natural volcanic hot springs and dine in tucked-away oceanside restaurants for fresh seafood paired with a view.“