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 you envisage and then make it better. With the help of the best travel gurus in the business, who provide us with their secrets, wisdom and treasures, we create and deliver what we are absolutely sure will be perfect for you. You will not find any fixed itineraries on our website, only suggestions to inspire you, as each trip is created for you alone by meticulously tailoring your time away, based on the things you like. If discretion and privacy are important, you may prefer to stay in private homes as opposed to hotels, or have a viewing of a museum all to yourself … you may even require private air travel. Whatever it is that you need is what we will strive to provide.
Portmanteau Travel plan, design and deliver luxurious travel experiences for discerning and affluent clients who seek exceptional quality and enjoy the extraordinary.
By gaining a thorough appreciation of our clients’ needs we expertly tailor what will become a truly memorable experience. We achieve this by knowing the most stylish and remarkable locations on earth through meticulous research by our global team.
The name and the journey
portmanteau
[pɔːrtmænˈtoʊ]
NOUN
1. a large travelling bag, typically made of stiff leather and opening into two equal parts.
The journey started in 1999 when founder, Emma McCallum, then UK based, exclusively hired a large chateau on a tiny island near Honfleur, France, for 3 days during the millennium. It was a decadent, luxuriously action packed holiday for 45 friends from the UK, still a great memory for all and inspiration to later create what is now Portmanteau Travel.
For 15 years Emma lived in Notting Hill, London, juggling a busy corporate job involving a great deal of travel, with organising some fabulous parties, weddings and special adventures. Travelling so much around the world provided a wealth of experience and a solid base from which to build the company.
In 2013, having lived in Australia for 5 years, she decided to focus full time on her passion for creating expertly tailored travel experiences and now has some wonderful clients in Europe, USA 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 is made up of some extremely talented people in Sydney as well as influential and very creative consultants in different continents. They are experts in what and who they know, such as Meenal in Kenya who has been designing very special safaris for many fortunate guests and Michael in Athens who knows the best of the best in Greece and is a connoisseur when it comes to beautiful vessels that float in European waters. We are also extremely fortunate to have teamed up with Australian naturalist and author of ‘Wildlife in the Balance’, Simon Mustoe, to present you a breathtaking selection of wildlife experiences. For 30 years, Simon has worked all over the world as an ecologist, expeditioner and conservationist which gives us connections to many of the world’s most knowledgeable, inspiring and committed naturalists and nature guides.
Through many years we have cultivated relationships and accumulated an enviable black book of contacts; these unique connections mean that we can provide you with unparalleled opportunities, offered from those with the best knowledge and the best experiences.
Our Values
Integrity
courtesy to promote positive interactions and to provide us with a supported and
committed company.
Empathy
work with a respectful attitude always and show consideration to those we work with.
Outstanding
and continually exceed expectations.
Professional
environment in which excellent relations with both clients and business partners form the basis of
our business.
All about our app...
Your detailed itinerary will not only be available as a document, but it will also be uploaded to the app with a private login. Any changes that are made during your trip will be immediately uploaded to ensure everything is up to date.
You will also find a direct link to enable you to easily email or phone for anything you may want or need at any time.
If you do not wish to use the app, any changes to your itinerary will be emailed to you.
“With age, comes wisdom. With travel, comes understanding.”
– Sandra Lake
What Our Clients Say About Us
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