About Us – Portmanteau Travel

About Portmanteau

What makes us different is that we ask questions, ask more questions and listen, deeply. By doing so, we aim to get a clear insight into what makes your world special and what you envisage. We then make it better, by designing a journey around you, not around a destination, to reflect your interests and aspirations. This starts with possibility and with the help of some of the best gurus in the business – cultural experts, scientists and conservationists, masters of their craft. They provide us with their secrets, wisdom and treasures and, with them, we create and deliver what we are absolutely sure will be your perfect immersive journey.

This journey, experiential adventure, is created for you alone and no two experiences are ever the same.

What unites them all is conscious travel, authenticity and the extraordinary.

Portmanteau Travel deliver remarkable handcrafted journeys combining deep expertise, rare access and meticulous attention to detail to create experiences beyond the ordinary.

By gaining a thorough appreciation of our clients’ needs we expertly tailor what will become a uniquely memorable experience. We achieve this by knowing the most stylish and remarkable locations on earth and the most valued and trusted global experts.

The name and the journey

portmanteau

[pɔːrtmænˈtoʊ]

NOUN

1. a large travelling bag, typically made of stiff leather and opening into two equal parts.

We think we are rather exclusive, just like a portmanteau!

Portmanteau Travel began with a party. In 1999, Emma McCallum, then based in the UK, hired an entire château on a tiny island near Honfleur, France, for a decadent three-day celebration to welcome the new millennium. Forty-five friends gathered for an occasion that remains a treasured memory for all and the inspiration for what would, eventually, become Portmanteau Travel.

For 15 years, Emma lived in Notting Hill, London, where her career in television distribution took her around the world, selling programmes including Mr Bean, Baywatch and Pop Idol to broadcasters across Africa, Scandinavia and the Benelux countries. The role brought extensive international travel, a wealth of contacts and a deep appreciation of different cultures. Alongside her corporate career, she continued to organise memorable parties, weddings and adventures for friends.

In 2014, seven years after having moved to Australia and while still travelling internationally for work, Emma decided to devote herself full-time to her passion for creating exceptional, tailor-made travel experiences. Today, Portmanteau Travel works with a discerning international clientele, most of whom are based in Europe, the United States and Australia.

“When preparing to travel, lay out all your clothes and all your money. Then take half the clothes and twice the money!”
– Susan Heller

The Team

Portmanteau’s team brings together some extremely talented people in Australia and a carefully chosen network of creative specialists around the world. With their own local knowledge and exceptional connections, they turn good ideas into something quite special, bringing the same thoughtfulness and attention to detail that define every journey.

We are fortunate to work with Australian naturalist Simon Mustoe, author of Wildlife in the Balance, to present a selection of exceptional wildlife experiences. For 30 years, Simon has worked around the world as an ecologist, expeditioner and conservationist. His expertise in underwater ecology and marine life, together with his extensive network, connects us with knowledgeable, inspiring and committed experts in the field.

Over the years, we have cultivated lasting relationships and a trusted black book of contacts. These connections open the door to rare opportunities and distinctive experiences, guided by people who know their places intimately.

Our Values

Integrity

We believe in honest and transparent relationships with our clients and our team. We encourage courtesy to promote positive interactions and to provide us with a supported and committed company.

Empathy

We endeavour to understand what our clients care about and the challenges they may face. We work with a respectful attitude always and show consideration to those we work with.

Outstanding

We are meticulous in everything we do and dynamic in our decision making. We are dependable and continually exceed expectations.

Professional

We derive great satisfaction in achieving high standards of professionalism. This creates an environment in which excellent relations with both clients and business partners form the basis of our business.

All about our app...

Your itinerary is available on-line, as a pdf and with an easy to use traveller app. The app will automatically and immediately sync any updates to the itinerary and you will also have offline access when required. If you do not wish to use the app, any changes to your itinerary will also sync on-line. There is also a direct link to enable you to easily email or phone for anything you may want or need at any time.

“With age, comes wisdom. With travel, comes understanding.” – Sandra Lake

What Our Clients Say About Us

A huge thank you for a very special holiday with a wide variety of events that flowed easily and were amazing. You are an absolute star.

An international holiday can be a large investment and it is the attention to all the small details that make the experience totally memorable. We feel this company is unique in its field in that it offers a completely individualised service at the very top of the business. We thoroughly recommend Portmanteau Travel; they are innovative and thoughtful.

You put together a fantastic experience that gave us time to see the sites, relax and explore new places with the variety we were looking for. Your attention to detail, while asking the right questions of us while planning, delivered a wonderful experience. Thank you!

It was an absolute treat to find a company that consistently goes over and above to ensure client satisfaction. The trip to Europe was organised with exceptional attention to detail … perfect!

Just don’t leave home without them!

My trip to France was expertly tailored to my requirements and delivered in a way that was over and above my expectations. Thank you for organising everything for me - even the things I hadn't realised I needed! Definitely a forever memory.

I recently returned from the most superb trip, expertly planned by Portmanteau Travel. I visited England and Scotland and then on the way home, Wakatobi, in Indonesia. I never would have known about the hotels I stayed in, all so unique and so perfect for me, especially in Scotland, where I stayed in the most beautiful castle. I had the whole place to myself and stayed in the same room as Winston Churchill stayed in! The activities planned for me were amazing and the attention to detail extremely impressive. Looking forward to the next trip and many more planned by Emma and her team.