Recommended Travel Specialists
When we’re not in China, one of the questions we’re asked most is: who do you trust elsewhere?
Our answer is a small, carefully chosen group of owner-led travel businesses who share our values and curiosity. They’re experts at looking past the obvious to find the stories, meals and moments that make a place feel real. If you’re after a deeper, more thoughtful way of travelling beyond China, these are the people we happily recommend.
Janice Kirkwood and Sue Dempsey launched Eating Adventures following a decade of deep culinary forays into Tokyo. Both come from a hospitality background, having run their own New Zealand ventures before translating that expertise into curated tours.
Their itineraries are built on long-term local connections to the markets, kitchens, chefs and producers who define the places they love. Whether in the neighbourhoods of Lima, the wine regions of Georgia, or the backstreets of Tokyo, Janice and Sue lead small group tours that balance curated events with the freedom to explore independently.
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As the editor of New Zealand’s Nourish Magazine, Vicki Ravlich-Horan spent years developing a nose for local food stories before launching Taste of Tours to do the same on a global stage. Her whole approach is built on a belief that food is the quickest way to understand a destination's history, culture and soul.
Hers are deep-dive culinary experiences designed to take you where larger groups simply can't go – from truffle hunting in Piedmont to back-alley tuk-tuk tours in Colombo. If you want a taste of place guided by a professional palate, Vicki is the one to take you there.
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After navigating India over 30 times – including establishing Mumbai’s Tourism New Zealand office – Sarah Meikle designs truly unique, expert-led experiences.
Her itineraries are grounded in long-standing relationships with the local guides, artisans and hoteliers she returns to year after year, bypassing a ‘big group’ feel in favour of curated, small-scale luxury. Whether it’s a haveli heritage stay, a Bollywood masterclass, or a deep-dive into the Subcontinent’s spiritual heart, this is India with all the pain of planning removed.
Kathryn Carrington-Czerniak has been navigating Vietnam since 2002, originally arriving for luxury fashion manufacturing and staying for the culture. After 20 years on the ground, she doesn't just 'book tours', she provides an insider’s map to a region she fondly calls her second home.
Black Belt is a true specialist: they only do Vietnam and Cambodia and offer clients personalised itineraries. Whether it’s a high-octane culinary deep-dive or navigating new business opportunities in the region, Kathryn uses her deep local knowledge to bypass the surface in favour of experiences that matter.
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