Case Studies

Culinary Tour with celebrity Chef

Our Client: Holy Land Travel

A group tour of 45 people led by a celebrity Chef and his parish priest

The Brief: We were asked to provide a tour that encompassed the Catholic Heritage and sites of Israel as well as engaged with the Culinary scene in Israel.

Our Delivery:

We recognised early on that we needed to address 3 key elements:

  1. We had to provide a guide who could address both the Culinary & Spiritual Catholic sides of the tour
  2. We had to carefully manage the tour to achieve the right balance between the two aspects of the tour and the two group leaders
  3. We had to construct an itinerary that included memorable culinary and spiritual experiences.

The Outcome:

Each day included at least one culinary highlight. This included meetings with local chefs and food producers. Each day also included at least one meal that was a culinary event that provided memorable experiences and hands on participation or behind the scenes insights.

Each day also included at least one spiritual highlight. We made sure to arrange this in a unique and significant location with detailed advance preparation.

We wove into the itinerary insights into the symbolism of Biblical foods such a wine and Olive Oil and their role in rituals and daily life, past and present.  

Large Catholic Pilgrimage Group

Our Client: USA based leading Operator of Catholic Pilgrimage tours

The Brief: To plan a Pilgrimage Tour for 200 people, arriving from many countries, with evening meetings and Seminars.

The Objective: To provide extensive touring during the daytime, with 200 people congregating together each day for lunch, on site lectures, Mass and evening sessions.

Our Delivery:

Arrivals: 200 pax arriving on 18 different flights & seamless check in at hotels with hospitality team assisting check-in and dealing with any issues and issues.

  • Daily touring, meals, lectures carefully co-ordinated with 5 guides and coaches.
  • Baggage Transported by separate luggage vehicle.
  • All bags placed in each room ahead of arrival at each hotel.
  • All 5 coaches had to meet up each day at a fixed time for a group lecture on site using Whisper Headsets, so careful planning and co-ordination was essential.
  • The Highlight of the tour was a special Mass arranged at the Tomb of Christ in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre with opportunity for the whole group to visit Tomb afterwards.

Outcome:

We delivered a faultless operation which made every group member feel looked after and part of a personal tour without waiting or delays.

Tour of Israel for Family arriving by Private Jet

Our Client: Ker & Downey Experiential Luxury Travel

The Brief: A family group of 12 compromising 3 generations, travelling by Private Jet, desiring a special tour of Israel.

Our Delivery:

We recognised the need to arrange a tour that appealed to the young members of the family as well as the older members. The key to success was:

  • To provide the a guide who could engage with all ages
  • To prepare the right itinerary and to be ready to respond at short notice to make changes to keep things fresh
  • Attend to every detail and anticipate the need to make changes to address family dynamics
  • Provide a variety of meals that would appeal to all

Outcome:

The matriarch of the family who paid for the whole trip had the trip of a lifetime just as she wanted with her extended family.  

Catholic Pilgrimage

Our Client: The Napa Institute

The Brief: To provide a Catholic Tour of Israel to a group of sophisticated travellers that combined a spiritual dimension coupled with fine dining, wine tasting and social functions.

Our Delivery:

  • Required extreme attention to detail
  • Acted on every individual request
  • Created the right elements for a positive group dynamic
  • Secured Prime spots for Mass and teachings each day.
  • Carefully selected restaurants and menus to make the meals a social event. Each venue and menu was checked in advance and format for every function was decided in advance.

Abercrombie & Kent

Our Client:

Abercrombie & Kent Luxury Travel. To rigorously apply the mandated procedures and quality standards, as well as promote and protect their brand at all times.

Our Delivery:

  • Each and every tour is reviewed in advance by a senior manager. Itinerary and all services are checked to make sure they suit the clients and the guide is provided with a detailed briefing.
  • All materials and hand- outs only feature the A&K brand. This includes vehicles signage, welcome packs, staff name tags and much more.
  • Our staff represent A&K and are trained to apply A&K policies to all situations
  • All suppliers such as hotel staff, guides, restaurants, drivers are continuously briefed to promote the A&K brand and standards.
  • Our staff, and Guides in particular are constantly briefed on how to represent A&K and educated on the expectations of A&K clients and on how to exceed those.

Outcome:

We have represented A&K for over 25 years.