Condé Nast Awards Four B&R Experience Designers on Their List of Top Travel Specialists 2021

Whether the agenda calls for biking through the Dolomites or island-hopping your way around Greece, our roster of A-list Trip Designers consistently manage to pull off the impossible while providing exclusive access to each region’s bewildering secrets.

The votes are in, and 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 fifth 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.

What have you been doing to keep the spirit of travel alive in 2020?

“I’ve been staying in touch with our team in Vietnam and have been trying to keep them busy. In September, we took them out to make this cute video of one of the bike rides on the Vietnam biking trip.”

What is one destination you’re dying to visit once travel restrictions lift? Why?

“I can’t wait to be back in Vietnam. Honestly, I want to see how this very tourism-dependent country has survived and changed, and I would like to figure out how B&R can be a force of sustainable positive change here in post-pandemic travel.”

What travel trends can you see shaping the next year?

“I think the plane journey will become less appealing, so I anticipate folks will be looking for longer and more immersive trips.”

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). Georgia spends her home time split between Milan and the Dolomites and is our go-to source for this mountainous region.

Whether she’s planning a self-guided adventure for intrepid travellers or a multi-generational family adventure, Georgia’s knowledge of the Dolomites 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 Veneto.

What have you been doing to keep the spirit of travel alive in 2020?

“Restrictions during August in Italy lightened up, which allowed for a catamaran trip around Sicily’s Aeolian Islands with my family and close friends—that was a huge treat. Very inspired to design a similar holiday for B&R travellers.”

What is one destination you’re dying to visit once travel restrictions lift? Why?

“Venice. I was due to spend Easter 2020 in Venice, sadly cancelled, so I’m delighted to be in the unique open-air museum that it is with few fellow visitors, be with Venetian friends and rethink novel, responsible ways for our travellers to experience it.”

Have you noticed any travel innovations that were born out of the pandemic? If so, are there any, in particular, you’re looking forward to?

“Quality over quantity. Perhaps fewer getaways but longer and mindful of the destinations (fewer cities, more open spaces, private chalet, villas and boats).”

What travel trends can you see shaping the next year?

“Celebrations—families reuniting; friends regrouping.”

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.

What have you been doing to keep the spirit of travel alive in 2020?

“I was very fortunate to be able to travel in 2020. After the initial, very strict lockdown in Italy, the country gradually opened up to domestic travel, and my family took full advantage of our unexpectedly clear calendars to travel. We went to Sardegna in both June and September and experienced some of the most beautiful beaches and crystal clear turquoise waters reminiscent of the Caribbean. We also travelled throughout Tuscany and loved having the city of Florence without quite as many visitors—we spent most days exploring the historic centre by bike, which in pre-pandemic years would have been impossible due to the crowds. I also went on a work trip to the Amalfi Coast in October to scout some villas, and it was amazing to be back and see old friends and even swim in the sea–it was that warm!”

What is one destination you’re dying to visit once travel restrictions lift? Why?

“Ready to get back to the US to see my family. And really looking forward to taking the kids on an African safari in the next few years.”

Have you noticed any travel innovations born out of the pandemic? If so, are there any, in particular, you’re looking forward to?

“Yes, travellers are ready to come back and are eager for longer stays. I have several groups who have chosen private villas over hotels; I think for the sense of privacy and exclusivity as well as knowing everyone staying at the property. People are also booking longer stays–I just confirmed a luxurious Florentine apartment overlooking the Ponte Vecchio for 3 weeks in September for travellers who want to live like locals and soak up the culture. And another guest will celebrate a milestone birthday in a series of villas for 6 weeks this fall.”

What travel trends can you see shaping the next year?

“Villas and longer stays. The industry is also turning its attention to sustainable tourism, and I’m excited to see where that takes us in the next year.”

Kathy Stewart

Top Travel Specialist, Europe

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. In her role as the company’s Co-CEO, she still dabbles in some trip design and particularly enjoys crafting family adventures across Europe. Kathy has also been recognized by Travel + Leisure and is on their A-List for travel to France. 

What have you been doing to keep the spirit of travel alive in 2020?

“I have taken to walking every day–looking at birds–who knew! I also love seeing my old B&R friends on a daily zoom yoga class.”

What is one destination you’re dying to visit once travel restrictions lift? Why?

“I was supposed to be visiting Greece and the island of Paros last June. As soon as I can go, that will be my first trip!”

Have you noticed any travel innovations born out of the pandemic? If so, are there any, in particular, you’re looking forward to?

“People are definitely thinking about staying longer and going deeper. I think people are thinking about their impact on local communities–avoiding places that are over-touristed and discovering authentic experiences in smaller, lesser-known regions.”

What travel trends can you see shaping the next year?

“Milestone trips–all those birthdays and anniversaries that people missed still need to be celebrated!”