It was announced today that MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences by The Travel Corporation (TTC) and its family of brands has been named an honoree in the Corporate Social Responsibility category of Fast Company’s 2021 World Changing Idea Awards. Fast Company is the world’s leading business media brand, with an editorial focus on innovation in technology, leadership, world changing ideas, inspiring readers to lead with purpose and embrace change. Now in its fifth year, the Fast Company Award honors ground-breaking ideas launched in 2020 that are deeply committed to pursuing innovation for the good of society and the planet.

Selected from thousands of applicants, we are honored our MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences have been recognized along with the other notable individuals and brands doing incredible, world-changing work. MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences were developed as a tool for TTC’s brands to advance positive change around the world through the direct participation of travelers. They’re meant to transform the way we think about the travel experience, for the mutual benefit of travelers and the people and places they visit. It is our hope this transformation can shift the way we travel for good, through long-lasting and meaningful impact.

Our everyday choices and actions have an impact on the world around us, and the way we travel is no exception. This has never been clearer than in the present era of COVID-19, with the entire world experiencing an unprecedented pause in travel. Never before have people across the globe collectively appreciated the gift of travel in its absence, in addition to its economic value to communities worldwide.

What sets MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences apart from other travel experiences?

MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences are chosen for the ways in which they directly advance the United Nations Global Goals (UNSDGs), widely accepted as the blueprint to address issues such as poverty, inequality, biodiversity and more. Established in 2016, the goals were quickly adopted by governments, businesses and society as those we should all be working towards. We used the UNSDG’s and their specific indicators to develop a set of our own criteria, endorsed by leading industry sustainable development experts, which allow our family of brands to identify transformative experiences that go beyond being a feel-good experience. This means we are building travel experiences that display genuine social and environmental good.

To identify MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences, we built a proprietary assessment tool that identifies if an experience meets a Global Goal, and if so, which goal or goals it supports.

How Can an Experience Change the World?

Choices are critical. From the clothes you buy, the food you eat and the businesses you support, to the trip you’ve been waiting to take since COVID-19 made itself known. Our portfolio of MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences can change the travel industry, which is one of the world’s largest, accounting for 10.3% of the global GDP (WTTC, 2019). By choosing to participate in one of these experiences and actively seeking out travel designed to make a positive impact, you are helping us to prioritise community-based enterprises – from supporting women-owned businesses, experiencing unique farm stays that utilize regenerative agriculture practices or learning about ancient cultures that carry on their traditions by sharing their stories with others. You have the power to choose these experiences and support sustainable practices, while setting the tone for the purpose-driven offering you expect of the wider travel industry.

Why and how are MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences designed around the Global Goals?

Our goal in developing our MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences was to positively impact broader environmental and social issues, so it was a natural fit to look to the United Nations Global Goals to help narrow our focus and ladder up to international efforts.

MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®

How you can start today

As part of our sustainability strategy How We Tread Right, our goal at Luxury Gold is to include at least 1 MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience on 50% of our itineraries worldwide by 2022, and we are well on our way there. For your next adventure when travel resumes, browse our MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences and join us in making travel a force for good.

DISCOVER OUR FAVORITE MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® EXPERIENCES

Andean Textiles, Peru

Meet Center for Traditional Textiles Founder Nilda Callañaupa and learn how she’s working to empower Quechuan women and men by preserving and teaching textile traditions.

Pink City Rickshaw, India

Take a ride with Jaipur’s Pink City Rickshaw and help local female drivers discover their newfound economic independence.

Traditional Artisans, Italy

Discover how weavers are preserving the medieval tradition of loom-weaving at their artisan workshop in Perugia while speaking with Marta, recipient of a TreadRight Foundation grant.

Are you ready to go on a journey with us as we explain what sets Luxury Gold apart? Well dust off your virtual passport, sit back and let us whet your wanderlust. No need for luggage on this trip just a comfortable seat and some imagination.

At Luxury Gold, it is our pleasure to make your next journey extraordinary. We invite you to indulge your passions on immersive, small group VIP guided vacations. With never more than 40 guests and an average of just 28 you will be able to enjoy the perfect blend of guided and independent exploration with like-minded individuals. With smaller groups you benefit from less queuing whilst embarking and disembarking and more personal service from your Traveling Concierge and Well-Being Director , all while retaining a comfortable physical distance.

At Luxury Gold we are very proud of our Traveling Concierges, expertly trained our Traveling Concierges are with you during your entire vacation. Master planners they deepen your connection to a destination. Imagine the best five-star concierge you’ve ever met, the person that makes dreams a reality. Fluent in the local language, with an extensive list of contacts to enrich your trip. Your Traveling Concierge is there from the beginning, understanding your preferences and desires before your journey, as well as on hand throughout, to personalize details that make your vacation unforgettable.

Our Traveling Concierges are able to build your dream vacation around the magnificent luxury hotels you’ll stay in with Luxury Gold. Our guests stay at acclaimed properties that offer outstanding levels of service in fantastic locations. We understand the importance of comfort and as such beautifully appointed rooms with everything you might need, luxurious touches to elevate your stay and staff who make hospitality personal, are all elements of each hotel we choose for your journey.

On our Castles and Kingdoms tour you’ll stay at the truly spectacular Ashford Castle. Whilst there your traveling concierge can book spa treatments or a guided tour of the gardens. Of course we also have VIP experiences where you’re able to enjoy inclusions Your Way, choose between a unique falconry experience or a guided historical tour of the Castle.

Discover other unique VIP Experiences that are only available to Luxury Gold guests. A memorable part of each journey, VIP Experiences bring you joy, laughter and genuine awe, transforming the standard sights into moments of gold.

VIP AFTER-HOURS VISIT TO SCHÖNBRUNN PALACE

Harmony of Central Europe

Enjoy a private guided walk through the former summer home of the Habsburg dynasty. Appreciate the grandeur of one of the most important cultural assets of Austria on this tranquil tour with no other travelers around.

VIP AFTER-HOURS TOUR OF HERMITAGE MUSEUM

Remarkable Russia

The palace of the tsars opens just to you for a private, after-hours visit. Enjoy the regal ambience as you explore the treasures of the Hermitage Museum with an art historian.

At Luxury Gold we like to indulge in the exceptional and as such on some of our trips we offer Chairman’s Collection departures. These elite experiences have been personally curated by our Chairman, Mr. Stanley Tollman, and call upon his extensive connections and are inspired by his life in travel. Expect to mingle with legendary locals, including European nobility such as Her Grace, the Duchess of Northumberland, as she personally welcomes you for a private tour of her beloved Alnwick Castle Gardens on our British Royale tour. Or Country Hall of Fame musician Charlie McCoy for a special introduction to Nashville’s impressive music history on our Southern Grace vacation.

You might be asking yourself how we are able to offer such impressive inclusions? Our answer would be a simple one, it is the legacy of the Tollman family, our founders. With now over 100 years in hospitality the Tollman family have dedicated their lives to bringing their incomparable attention to detail to make guests feel truly welcome. To make every journey truly extraordinary – turning travel into gold.

The Tollman family are also strong believers in using travel as a force for good and Luxury Gold is a proud partner of The TreadRight Foundation. TreadRight has supported over 50 sustainable tourism projects worldwide, while also guiding our business on matters that reflect our sustainable values – from implementing a pioneering animal welfare policy to an industry leading ban on avoidable single-use plastics. How We Tread Right is TTC’s new five-year sustainability strategy, which sets the mandate on sustainability at Luxury Gold and our sister travel companies. Our strategy is based on 11 measurable goals, anchored to the United Nations’ Global Goals, and were developed to address Luxury Gold’s impact on People, the Planet and Wildlife.

Feeling inspired? Below you’ll find some of our most popular vacations to feed your wanderlust.

Elegance of the Nile

The father of African rivers the Nile has long been a reflection of Egypt’s history and destiny – an economic lifeline, a great highway to conquest and a source of inspiration throughout the centuries.

Majesty of the Rockies

Take in the majesty of the Rocky Mountains as you travel in luxurious comfort to the most dazzling national parks, glaciers and historic villages of Western Canada. Savor delicious local cuisine in trendy Vancouver and meet passionate Local Experts, as you discover Mother Nature’s bounties from the Rockies to the waters of Alaska.

Ultimate Italy

Step into the ancient world, as a Local Expert shows you the cobblestone alleyways of Pompeii, the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel in VIP style, and the gravity-defying Tower of Pisa.

British Royale

Uncover the very essence of Britain and go to significant destinations that were once frequented by the likes of Shakespeare and notorious kings.

Inspiring Australia

From the Great Barrier Reef to the Red Centre of the Outback, Australia boasts a plethora of extraordinary natural wonders. This immersive journey is a showcase of vast tropical rainforests, otherworldly rock formations and ancient indigenous culture. Listen to the sounds of the didgeridoo at a hosted starlit dinner in Uluṟu and take in the iconic sights of Sydney aboard a yacht.

When you think of a European luxury guided tour, it’s likely that famous landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower in Paris, Buckingham Palace in London and St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome spring to mind first. While these are all worthy destinations in their own right,  over-tourism can be an issue, so we’re choosing to highlight places where your tourist dollar can provide support. This is part of our commitment to more sustainable travel options that travelers are seeking.

Many travelers are keen to learn the stories behind some of the world’s most fascinating buildings, and how they were dreamt into existence. Innovative and interesting design is a magnet for art lovers, engineers, and those with a discerning eye. Luckily visitors to Europe are spoiled for choice, from ancient religious monuments to futuristic masterpieces in every grand city.

Luxury Gold travelers have the opportunity to delve deeper into a destination, with VIP experiences to beautiful architectural landmarks such as the Schönbrunn Palace. If you have a passion for architecture, be sure to inform you Traveling Concierge so they can further shape your journey to suit your tastes and identify point of interest along the way. Now, let us ignite your imagination and introduce you to the most unusual architectural marvels in Europe.

The Dancing House, Prague

Photo by thewonderalice

Prague is renowned for its magnificent architecture, from the Baroque splendor of St. Nicholas’ Church to the high-tech architecture of Zizkov TV Tower, with its giant metal babies climbing its frame. However, its most unusual architectural offering is that of The Dancing House on the Rasinovo Embankment.

An interesting history surrounds the site where the Nationale Nederlanden building, as it is formally known, stands. The previous building was destroyed by the Allies at the end of World War II. The site stood empty during the Communist era, but writer and philosopher, Václav Havel, who later became president of the Czech Republic, had a plan. He wanted a new building that leaned out over the crossroads to represent democracy as the country evolved. The Dutch company who bought the building heard of Havel’s idea, and merged it with their own for a modern headquarters designed by an internationally accomplished architect, so Frank Gehry was brought in.

The result is a postmodern masterpiece with 99 alternative shaped façade panels with two front towers that resemble a dancing couple. Once nicknamed “Fred and Ginger” after Astaire and Rogers, now it has become “The Dancing House” with its own identity in the city. Visitors can admire it from the outside, take in the outstanding views across Prague from its rooftop terrace or explore the art gallery on the ground floor. Luxury Gold guests begin the Harmony of Central Europe tour in Prague making it easy to add it to your itinerary.

Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao

Photo by Willian Juste de Vasconcello

Another audacious design by the renowned Frank Gehry, the Guggenheim Bilbao sits on the bank of the Nervion river. When the influential architect first presented his plans, he used rolled up paper taped together to demonstrate the image he imagined for the museum. In fact, conventional construction methods would have prevented his dream from becoming a reality. It was only with advanced aerospace software that it became possible. The result is an iridescent swirling sculpture that curves along the riverside, both a complement to the city and a bold statement in itself.

The seeming chaos of the building is resolved inside where cathedral-like ceilings and ever-changing light work perfectly for the galleries housed within. In fact, it is easy to move around to the rooms of different sizes and appreciate how functional this astounding form is. However, the true beauty of the museum is found when viewing it from the outside, seeing how the exceptionally thin titanium sheets reflect the weather and light. Qualified guides are available at the Guggenheim to take you on a special tour.

The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao took four years to complete and was opened to the public in 1997. It was a symbol of the cultural rebirth of the city and has grown to be a must-visit for art lovers visiting the city. It’s definitely worth adding a day or two onto your Spain & Portugal In Style tour to check out the Guggenheim and there are other modern architectural delights in the city to be discovered too.

The Hundertwasser House, Vienna

Photo by widewalls.ch

Completed between 1983 – 1985, this residential building is the creation of visionary artist and architect, Friedensreich Hundertwasser, who wanted to prove that more harmony can be found between nature and architecture. He saw it as “a conversation with nature … an oasis of humanity,”. It is certainly an eccentric choice for a municipal building, but the 50 apartments within are inhabited to this day and draw many tourists to view the colorful exterior. In fact, when a resident moves into the building, he can choose what color he’d like his exterior to be. It’s a quirky site and unlike anything you’ll find on the other streets of Venice, or indeed any other European city. Hundertwasser didn’t accept payment for the building but extracted a promise from the council that nothing ugly would ever be built in place of the building.

When enjoying Vienna Your Way, perhaps take some time out at the kitsch Hundertwasser Village to walk across curved floors, see the unusual fountain and admire the abundance of foliage that springs from the 19 rooftop gardens of the main house. You can even have a drink at the bar under which a stream flows. Fans of Hundertwasser may also like to visit the KunstHausWien just five minutes away, which showcases more of the artist’s typical style.

The keen environmentalist is also behind the golden domed-municipal waste incineration plant, Spittelau, which looks like something straight off a cartoon movie set.

Casa Battló, Barcelona

Photo by Ruggiero Calabrese

Those embarking on the Spain & Portugal In Style tour will likely pay a visit to the famous La Sagrada Familia, Gaudi’s unfinished basilica in Barcelona. However, the genius architect has other remarkable gems well worth visiting within the city. One of these being Casa Battlo at 43 Paseo de Gracia, also known as the Illa de la Discòrdia, due to the irreverent buildings that line this boulevard.

Originally owned by prominent businessman Josep Battlo y Casanovas, the house was initially scheduled for demolition, but Gaudi’s ambitious plans removed that need. The Catalan architect managed to redesign the entire façade as well as the interiors, creating a highly functional and beautiful piece of liveable art. The house has gained many nicknames from locals, including “House of Bones”, which some associate with the skeletal appearance of the frontage. The roof looks like a dragon, and there’s a textural harmony to the discs and glass that decorates the façade that recalls the works of impressionist, Claude Monet.

In 2005, Casa Battlo was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and cultural guided tours are offered to guests who want to immerse themselves in Gaudi’s dreamlike, yet practical design. It’s possible to visit the noble floor, the attic and the terrace, and your Traveling Concierge would be happy to organize a guided tour of this architectural wonder.

The City of Arts and Sciences, Valencia

Photo by Ana Abad

Those hungry for architecture usually head to Barcelona and Granada, but the often overlooked city of Valencia has plenty of amazing buildings, from the Gothic 15th century Silk Market to the attractive North Train Station. However, the City of Arts and Sciences is a futuristic paradise and a must-see for those interested in architecture, particularly the work of Santiago Calatrava, Valencian engineer, sculptor and architect.

A collection of buildings rather than just a singular monument, the City of Arts and Sciences is the largest cultural and scientific complex of its kind in Europe. Located in the former bed of the river Turia, Calatrava decided to make water a major element in the design, also making it a mirror for the architecture of the buildings. Each construction is breathtaking in its form, from the curved Oceanografic, which houses Europe’s largest aquarium to the towering L’Agora, where the Valencia Open tennis tournament was held.  It’s arguable which edifice creates the most spectacle but the opera house, Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia is an exquisite monument of cantilevered steel covered in white trencadis, a ceramic shard mosaic favored by predecessor Gaudi.

Guests traveling on Spain & Portugal In Style will reach Valencia on Day 3 on their tour, and we recommend taking some time to explore the City of Arts and Sciences.

Krzywy Domek, Sopot

Photo by idesignarch

Poland is known for the Brutalist architecture that is prevalent across its cities, but Krzywy Domek is a far cry from that. The name translates as crooked house, which is fitting for this cartoonish commercial building. The design inspiration came from the paintings of Jan Marcin Szancer and Per Dahlberg, Polish illustrators, but the Szotynscy & Zaleski team brought it to life in 2004.

Situated just by the corner of Monte Cassino Street and Morska Street, Krzywy Domek houses salons, stores and a radio station. It’s fascinating because no matter how long you look at it, it’s still difficult to know how it works! Polish people even have a joke that if you’ve been out enjoying their specialty Zubrowska and the building appears normal to you, it’s time to call it a night.

Krzywy Domek also contains a Wall of Fame with signatures from famous Polish celebrities. If you’d like to spend a few more days exploring Poland after the Harmony of Central Europe tour ends in Warsaw, then add Sopot and this postmodern spectacle to your list.

Book Your Own Tailor-Made Luxury Tour

While this list is by no means exhaustive, we hope it provides some inspiration for your next European tour with Luxury Gold. Remember, we also offer Tailor-Made Group tours, so if you’d like a guided tour to take in the most interesting architectural sights in Europe, we can design a journey just for your group.