PHOTO: Horseback riding through Colombia's coffee region (courtesy Blue Parallel)

Blue Parallel, a bespoke travel boutique that offers experiences in Latin America and the Mediterranean Basin, just added Colombia as its newest destination in June.

The company, which was founded in 2002 by Emmanuel Burgio, has been providing custom-designed adventures throughout the two regions for years. Clients can go on guided tours in Bogota’s most renowned museums, go on a three-hour horseback riding adventure through coffee fields and farm lands of a private estate in Armenia, learn about coffee plantations with an expert guide in open-top Jeep Wranglers, discover the Old Town of Cartagena, go on a private yachting expedition to the archipelago of the Islas del Rosario and more.

And it all started with an international trip Burgio took.

Burgio used to be an investment banker in New York City. One day, he decided to fulfill his dream of traveling the world. He explored the historic site of Machu Picchu, adventured through the picturesque glaciers in Patagonia and discovered Australia, among other destinations. Blue Parallel was formed shortly thereafter.

“I always had this dream to travel around the world,” Burgio said. So, after a couple of years of working in investment banking, I decided that now was the time. I traveled as a backpacker for about a year, and this is when I really got exposed to sites that moved me. When I came back from my trip, I told myself maybe there’s an interesting concept here. I told myself it would be a good idea to be able to create a company that would focus on specific natural and cultural wonders that are part of the UNESCO World Heritage list.”

Burgio said there are two things that set Blue Parallel apart from other luxury travel companies.

One, Blue Parallel offers high-end insider access, forming relationships with international park directors, artists, former Olympian athletes, politicians, business leaders and world-renowned chefs along the way.

Secondly, the company provides the kind of service and flexibility that someone that worked in investment banking would know all about. Blue Parallel has a high ratio of staff to travelers, from hosts and hostesses to personal drivers to personal chefs and gourmet assistants for outdoor picnics. Beyond that, it has done things like open up worldwide tourist spot Alhambra in Granada exclusively for its clients, offer the chance to have a drink with the mayor of Buenos Aires or get special permits to fly over Mayan and Inca sites like Chichen Itza, Tulum and Machu Picchu.

Given the nature of the company, it’s safe to say Blue Parallel has several current trends pegged down, too. That includes personalization, customization and an experiential focus.

“The key ingredient of any Blue Parallel trip is a combination of adventure, discovery and exploration, with luxury and insider access,” Burgio said. “Often we have historians or professors or biologists who have a part in any Blue Parallel trip.

Family travel has also become a big part of Blue Parallel’s focus.

“I think it’s an industry that evolves a lot over time,” Burgio said. “One trend we’re seeing is family travel. It’s a common theme for multiple generations to travel together.”

Blue Parallel will offer simultaneous adventures for the family in a single day, such as fly-fishing for Dad, rafting for the whole family and horseback riding for the kids. Then family members reunite at the end of the day, have an open-fire meal and talks about their experiences.

Burgio also noted that the definition of luxury is not what it used to be. The company now prefers to work with boutique hotels over grand establishments.

“The notion of luxury has shifted over time,” he said. “We prefer to work with small boutique properties that may be remote, but have a unique feel.”

That may include a meal in the Amazon rainforest or stays at an Argentina property with views of Nahuel Huapi Lake or a Colombia private estate with four rooms.

Burgio said Blue Parallel clientele average 30 to 50 years of age that are “successful individuals who work hard for their clients and expect the same service in return.”

Blue Parallel also works with travel agents.

For more information, visit www.BlueParallel.com.

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