Travel Diary: Around The World in 22 Days

The Club’s Once-in-a-Lifetime Journey, Around the World by Private Jet, was the perfect way to make up for lost travel time. Over the course of 22 days, Members had dozens of life-changing travel experiences across six different continents. The ultimate bucket list vacation, this epic journey included the perfect mix of nature and culture. Our immersive itinerary was filled with incredible opportunities for wildlife encounters, fascinating historic sites, and stops at both remote islands and culture-rich cities. Here are the top moments from each destination.

JAPAN

In Kyoto we explored the Nijō Castle, Noh Theatre, and the famed Golden Temple, enjoyed meditation sessions at a Zen Buddhist Monastery, took a trip to Shinto Temple (the red arches from Memoirs of a Geisha), and had dinner at the Heian Jingu Shrine including a sake tasting and surprise visit and performance from four geishas.

VIETNAM

We enjoyed a countryside bike ride followed by herbal foot and shoulder massages, visited a market, were treated to an over-the-top event at a rice paddy field, and danced and partied the night away in new, custom-designed outfits.

KATHMANDU

We visited and toured the Boudhanath Stupa (a place of pilgrimage for Tibetan and Nepali Buddhists), visited the Pashupatinath Temple (a holy site for the Hindu faith), chartered a private plane to The Kingdom of Bhutan (only 40 pilots in the world can land at this airport in Bhutan), flew by the incomparable Mt. Everest, enjoyed an afternoon of sightseeing at the city's historic fortress and Paro Dzong monastery, hiked the iconic Tiger's Nest (a three-mile trek ending with 760 stairs!), traveled to the capital city of Thimphu, and participated in a lunar celebration where 15,000 people gather and pray together.

THE MALDIVES

We enjoyed crystal-clear turquoise waters, took a 30-minute boat ride to the luxurious Anantara Resort, participated in snorkeling with nurse sharks, zenned out at the resort's spa, and celebrated the full moon with a BBQ on the beach.

KENYA

We were transferred by bush plane to camps on the Mara, spotted breathtaking animals that occupy the conservancy, glimpsed the Big Five (Lion, Cape Buffalo, Elephant, Cheetah, Rhino), heard from a world-renowned Paleontologist and Anthropologist — Louis Leaky, visited a local Maasai Village and Market, were greeted with a traditional welcome ceremony, toured huts of the locals, and shopped for jewelry and artwork from the Maasai people.

JORDAN

Visited the lost city of Petra, hiked to the top of the Siq and got an aerial view of the Treasury (the iconic facade of Petra), toured through the infamous Siq (a split in the rock created by flooding and erosion) with an expert Jordanian guide, rode camels, climbed 900 stairs up to the Monastery, enjoyed a private dinner in the atrium of our hotel where local Bedouin musicians put on an incredible performance of traditional dances, and feasted on local cuisine including some of the best hummus you've ever had and a whole lamb.

EGYPT

Explored the pyramids and Egyptian Antiquities Museum, wandered the King Tut exhibit, went to Giza, dined under the stars with lit pyramids in the background, journeyed to the Great Pyramids, and visited the Sphinx.

MOROCCO

We explored Marrakesh with a City Highlights tour, visited the Medina, Yves Saint-Laurent Gardens, and the Bahia Palace, wandered around souks (markets), hiked the Atlas Mountains through small villages, bought Argan oil from local women, and celebrated our final night with a farewell dinner in a grand garden lit by lanterns and candlelight featuring a performance from belly dancers.

And that's a wrap! One might think that after three weeks of group travel, early wakeup calls, and full days, that our Members were ready to get home, but in reality, I would say that the decent majority didn't want the adventure to end. A true testament to the spirit of our Members and the hard work of the team. Until August 2023, farewell from the Around the World by Private Jet!