Meet the founders and teams behind the luxury destination management companies (DMCs) Travel Kinship represents. Our webinars introduce travel advisors to a destination and the DMC that knows it best, and Voices of Kinship interviews go behind the scenes with the people who design the trips. Every video has its own page with a summary of what you will learn. Search by destination, DMC or speaker, or contact us for an introduction to any of our partners.
In this episode of Voices of Kinship, Travel Kinship's Kelly Tolliday talks to Frank Castro, founder of Adventure International. Frank explains how a Kilimanjaro climbing outfitter grew into a luxury adventure specialist working across Africa, the Himalayas, the Andes and North America, and what travel advisors should look for when they book a high altitude trek for their clients.
How it began. Adventure International started in Arusha, Tanzania, as a Kilimanjaro outfitter. Frank describes how fair pay, year round training and care for guides, porters and cooks became the foundation of the business.
How it grew. Working with local partners in Nepal, Peru and Ecuador, then adding glamping domes in Peru, a safari camp in Bardia, Nepal, where guests may see tigers, and luxury surf trips.
Choosing an adventure DMC. Why Frank says choosing on price alone is a mistake for a high altitude climb, and why risk management and a solution focused team on the ground matter most.
What clients really want. Iconic routes such as Kilimanjaro, Everest Base Camp and the Inca Trail are busy. Frank explains how to uncover whether a client wants the icon or a quieter, more remote trek.
Building the whole trip. Pairing a big climb with a high end safari, Zanzibar, or a privately guided Galápagos extension, so the itinerary is balanced rather than all adrenaline.
Families. Around 15 or 16 is the usual starting age for major high altitude climbs, while Tanzania, Peru, Ecuador and the Galápagos work well for younger children and multi generational groups.
The future of adventure travel. Why Frank sees adventure as a reset from screens and stress, and his plans for privately guided national park journeys in North America with Northern Journeys.
Frank Castro is the founder of Adventure International and has spent more than 15 years setting up adventure travel around the world. He is interviewed by Kelly Tolliday, Director of Sales and Marketing at Travel Kinship.
Travel Kinship represents Adventure International to travel advisors. Contact us to be introduced to Frank and his team, read our interview write up, Building a World of Adventure, or visit our Adventure International page.
A 35 minute Travel Kinship webinar for travel advisors. Claudia, Product Manager at Rolandia Bespoke, introduces Romania as a luxury destination: its regions, its standout experiences and the hotels Rolandia uses, with practical advice on trip length, season and getting there.
Why Romania appeals to luxury travellers. In Claudia's words, it is still largely undiscovered and free of mass tourism, it changes completely from region to region, and it is a friendly, Latin-speaking country where English is widely spoken.
Romania in three comparisons. The Saxon villages of medieval Germany, the mountain scenery of Switzerland and the folklore, craft and food of Italy.
A region by region tour. Bucharest and Wallachia, with Peleș Castle and Curtea de Argeș; Transylvania's fortified churches, Sibiu, Brașov and the Turda Salt Mine; the painted monasteries of Bucovina, including Voroneț, and the wooden churches and Merry Cemetery of Maramureș; and the Danube Delta for birdwatching and slow travel.
The Carpathians. Great forests, brown bears, wolves and lynx, and the Transfăgărășan, one of Europe's most famous mountain roads.
Where to stay. Hotels in Rolandia's portfolio, from Epoque and the InterContinental Athénée Palace in Bucharest to Matca, Magister Seven, Schuster Boarding House and Bethlen Estates in Transylvania.
Experiences. Workshops with local craftspeople, cooking classes, vineyard tastings, after dark tours of Bran Castle, wildlife watching and private concerts in a salt mine.
Planning. Claudia recommends at least seven days, with the best season from April to October. Romania is well connected to London, Frankfurt, Paris, Madrid and Istanbul, with a direct route between Bucharest and New York.
Rolandia Bespoke is a founder-led luxury destination management company in Romania that designs private, tailormade journeys and can combine Romania with Bulgaria, Hungary and Moldova. Travel Kinship represents Rolandia Bespoke to travel advisors. Contact us for an introduction, or read more on our Rolandia Bespoke page.
