Bespoke Travel - What is It?

In my Internet meanderings looking for travel deals and discounts for my travel blog, I ran across something called "bespoke" travel. I was confused not only by the name but by the grammar - shouldn't it be "bespoken" travel? (Can't help it - that's the editor in me.)

Apparently, bespoke travel companies arrange for travel that would be hard - if not impossible - to duplicate in a regular travel agency. The trips that bespoke companies arrange are deeply personal experiences that resonate with the individual traveler's dreams and aspirations while dealing with the realities of the road.

"Bespoke" is derived from the word "bespeak", which is a term used in ordering goods or services, indicating something asked for in advance. Bespoke travel, simply put, is travel arranged for in advance - travel that is customized, tailor-made, or individually designed. After more research, it appears that the term is used more often in Great Britain than in the States.

What Is a Bespoke Travel Trip Like?

Bespoke travel companies work with clients to design a trip based on their hobbies, interests, and passions. Have lunch with a celebrity tennis pro or take private Thai boxing lessons from a Thai boxing champion. Dance with the Maasai in Africa, or dine with a Maharajah in India. Attend a private ceremony with a shaman in the shadow of Macchu Picchu, or go to the Super Bowl and sit on the 50-yard line. Travel by dog sled in Antarctica, or drive through the Italian countryside in a Ferrari. Nothing is too much to ask. Nowhere is too far to go.

Two companies that I am familiar with who run bespoke trips are Kensington Tours, who specialize in travel to Africa, and AsiaTranspacific Journeys, who specialize in trips to Asian countries such as Japan, China, Indonesia, Thailand, Bhutan, and India, among others.

Why Do People Go on Bespoke Travel Trips?

Often, people go to bespoke travel companies when looking for trips that mark celebrations (anniversaries, honeymoon, family reunions), milestones in life (graduation, birthdays, coming of age), ceremonies (weddings, vow renewal), or once-in-a-lifetime dream vacations. Some corporations offer employees bespoke travel as incentives or awards and also use bespoke travel companies to plan conferences and events.

So if you are looking for a travel agent or company to put together a special vacation for you, your family, and/or your friends, try searching the Internet for "bespoke travel companies". For a special trip, I think private tours is really the only way to go.

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To learn more about travel destinations, deals, and discounts, go to my travel blog, Travel Nuggetz.