Cover One of the biggest benefits of enlisting the help of a travel concierge is the chance to discover destinations less familiar to Singaporeans, such as the Torres del Paine National Park in Chile's Patagonia region
One of the biggest benefits of enlisting the help of a travel concierge is the chance to discover destinations less familiar to Singaporeans, such as the Torres del Paine National Park in Chile's Patagonia region
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Dedicated service and attention to detail are what makes every trip with the bespoke travel specialist memorable
Imagine this: You were on your annual ski vacation in the Swiss Alps. You heard the whirring of a helicopter overhead. You looked up, assuming that it was the arrival of fellow powder chasers, here to enjoy the slopes. Instead, you saw two dozen bottles dangling below the chopper from a cargo hook. It was the Cristal champagne you had requested.
This is a true story from the archives of Wondergolander, a bespoke travel concierge that specialises in exceptional, off-the-beaten-track experiences. On this particular occasion, the request for Cristal champagne had come in at the last minute. Unable to find enough bottles from the nearest suppliers, the Wondergolander team sourced them from neighbouring towns and flew them in for the client.
Above While most visitors camped out, you'd arrive at the music festival bright-eyed-and-bushy-tailed after a good night's rest at your customised luxury accommodation
While most visitors camped out, you'd arrive at the music festival bright-eyed-and-bushy-tailed after a good night's rest at your customised luxury accommodation
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Wondergolander prides itself on always orchestrating wonder–not only through big trips and grand adventures, but also by paying attention to every single minute detail. No mountain is too high, and no road too long and winding, to get a bottle–or 24–of Cristal to its clients.
On another occasion, it was a set of ceramic poker chips, personally hand-delivered by co-founder Javiny Lim to a penthouse in Barcelona. It was for a long-time client who was on a holiday with some friends spanning the Americas and Europe. He was struck by a sudden urge to entertain differently, yet after weighing several options for new sets, he decided that he preferred her personal set and convinced her to bring it along on her impending journey to Europe.
From staying up all night to snag hard-to-get tickets to pioneering built-to-order luxury accommodation at a music festival where camping–not even glamping–was the order of the day, the Wondergolander team has been there, done that, and is eager to do better and do more.
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Above Co-founders Lim Hui-Juan (left) and Javiny Lim
Co-founders Lim Hui-Juan (left) and Javiny Lim
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Wondergolander began 16 years ago as Quotient Travel Planner in 2007. It was founded by Javiny and Lim Hui-Juan, both avid travellers who have always preferred the challenge and flexibility of creating their own itineraries over the convenience of mass group tours.
After a bold rebranding to become Wondergolander during the pandemic, the company is now more focused than ever on transformative holidays that are not only memorable for the traveller, but also beneficial to host communities. No two holidays with the luxury travel specialist are ever the same; fixed itineraries are eschewed for experiences that are always bespoke, personal, and unique. A mediocre experience simply wouldn’t sit right with the team, when “go big or go home” is Wondergolander’s motto.
Here, the team shares three destination-specific experiences that may inspire your next bespoke holiday.
1. For the adrenalin seekers
Above The Transfăgărășan Highway in Romania is known as one of the best roads in the world to drive on
The Transfăgărășan Highway in Romania is known as one of the best roads in the world to drive on
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Spend an exhilarating afternoon speeding down the Transfăgărășan Highway in Romania, which has been voted one of the best roads in the world to drive on by former Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson. You’d conquer hairpin turns in sleek machines such as the Lamborghini Aventador, Maserati Gran Turismo, and Ferrari F12 Berlinetta against a spectacular backdrop of towering peaks and grand valleys.
The entire route measures 150km and you could have it all to yourself for three whole hours–Wondergolander has a local partner that can facilitate closing off a section or the whole stretch of the highway. To refuel during or after the long drive, arrangements can be made to have a private chef prepare local delights at a live cooking station.
2. For the romantics
Above See the night sky like you've never before at Dark Sky Alqueva
See the night sky like you've never before at Dark Sky Alqueva
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Whisk your significant other by helicopter into the heart of Portugal’s Alentejo region, where rolling hills and majestic landscapes beckon. Typically departing from Lisbon, the flight will take you over the Portuguese Riviera passing cities such as Cascais, Sintra and Estoril. Back on land, soak up the charms of the ancient hilltop medieval town of Monsaraz, before refuelling with a private dinner prepared by a Michelin-starred chef. The night ends with a stargazing session in Dark Sky Alqueva, a UNESCO-approved Starlight destination where low light pollution offers unparalleled opportunities to view the night sky. Your experience will be enhanced by the guidance of a constellation expert. After a good night’s sleep in a luxury cottage on a 200-year-old farm estate, end your romantic getaway on a high with a hot-air balloon ride.
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3. For the gourmets
Above Experience Scotland's culinary landscapes while exploring its natural ones
Experience Scotland's culinary landscapes while exploring its natural ones
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Discover Scotland’s culinary landscape by sampling street food and gourmet specialities. You’d picnic in the highlands, savour island larders, and work your way through the country’s 10 Michelin-starred restaurants. Of course, no trip to the birthplace of the single malt is complete without a visit to a whisky distillery. Wondergolander ups the ante with a truly immersive experience at one of the top family-owned whisky distilleries in the world. You’d not only get to enjoy a tour and tasting session featuring its rarest collectors’ bottles, but also an exclusive overnight stay in the family’s private lodge.
Wondergolander | 328 North Bridge Road, #02-20 Raffles Hotel Arcade, Singapore 188719 | +65 6435 0922
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