Discover jo•vage®: Our Specialities, Partners, & Emblematic Experiences
Enjoying la vie in Joy’s favorite city of Paris (during an Engagement shoot, compliments of Sarah Annie Photographie), Photo © 2021 (Joy de Voyage, LLC)
Bonjour everyone! As you may have seen on our jo•vage Partners page, where we introduced some of our preferred partners and consortiums, we created this article to expound upon that and discuss in a bit more detail our partners (and exclusive accesses), our specialities, and finally a few emblematic experience highlights, which we can create for our incredible clientele. Though it remains important to note that first and foremost we serve our clients and their unique vision while ensuring our personal standards of providing a highly customized, luxurious and authentic experience — especially for those seeking especial travel or romantic escapes, always with a touch of our signature French-inspiration.
Specialities
Joy in Venice, one of her favorite Italian cities, Photo © 2018 (Joy de Voyage, LLC)
First and foremost we specialize in Europe (more specifically France and Germany as well as Western, Northern, and Southern Europe), though we can most often serve the entirety of Europe as well. Our secondary theaters of speciality include East Asia (Northeast and Southeast) as well as North Africa, the Caribbean, and Hawaii (where Joy works on occasion) plus Oceania respectively. In East Asia, our services focus on Japan, Vietnam, and South Korea, as well as Thailand, Cambodia, in addition to Laos plus Singapore and Indonesia. We are generally well-versed in the Caribbean plus Hawaii and broadly in Oceania. We also work with curated partners that specifically serve other parts of the world as well (from India to Australia and South America to Central Asia). Of our specialty regions, North Africa might be the least visited by our American clients; however, our personal travels in Morocco and Tunisia in particular afford helpful insights should our clients opt to visit. (And we also have connections to trusted tour operators in Egypt specifically.) And as it pertains to journeys on the sea, we specialize in luxurious and intimate authentic voyages. As we seek to provide global experiences, should we not prove the best fit for a client’s ideal specific travel, we have also established a growing Travel Advisor referral network to best enable our clients’ dream journey. Finally, we do have a penchant for honeymoons and anniversaries — and on occasion can assist with destination weddings.
Partners
Again as listed, our preferred hotel consortiums include Relais & Chateaux, Small Luxury Hotels of the World and Design Hotels (as well as Marriott and Hilton) — though we also know and can book an extensive variety of other luxury and boutique properties. While jo•vage’s hallmark and central focus remain providing highly customized journeys — accordingly we leverage on our own patent expertise and highly selective network of partners, tour operators, and travel suppliers. These trusted business partners offer everything from:
Ultra-luxury private jet journeys through Thailand and beyond
Yacht charters, exclusive event access, or sublimely charming private villa stays
Expert guided private excursions from France and Austria to South Africa and beyond
Incredibly authentic yet indulgent global adventures from Peru to Japan and more
Whereby the only way we can create this amazing network, to include affording access to travel opportunities not available to the general public, is by being an accredited travel agency in the luxury travel sector. Additionally, we also source amazing smaller tour companies to offer our clients a wide range of options and experiences across prices ranges. We also share some such highly customized travel itinerary examples with our clients via our newsletter; thus if interested feel free to subscribe to learn more.
Also as mentioned, we adore smaller scale luxury waterway journeys. Accordingly, we are similarly very selective about the type of companies we partner and engage with — from Ritz Carlton Yacht Collection (whose global glamorous journeys across three incredible ships we can readily book for our clients) to an intimate and delectable Virtuoso French waterway sailing for only 8-12 passengers. Additionally, we have (and continue to grow) our exclusive Travel Advisor referral network. This enables us to refer our clients to other esteemed colleagues in the travel industry who might better fit their desired travel goals for a specific trip — for example on an incredible African safari. (And we can also provide our clients with additional tour operators to consider that might provide the exact type of experience they seek, such as adventure tourism companies for example.)
Joy at a village outside Siem Reap, Cambodia, Photo © 2018 (Joy de Voyage, LLC)
A beautiful Mediterranean sunset befell Tunis’ Dar El Jeld while Joy dined rooftop, Photo © 2019 (Joy de Voyage, LLC)
Joy visiting her grandmother’s family homeland of Sweden in Stockholm, Photo © 2016 (Joy de Voyage, LLC)
Emblematic Experiences
Finally, to give an overarching idea with some details and specific experiences that go into our travel design, here is an overview of three incredible locations we absolutely love — complete with a few restaurants, cities, as well as other key places and excursions each can provide. And of course if interested to learn more or to help plan your getaway, feel free to contact us at anytime.
Croatia — Dubrovnik & Beyond
Joy’s First Visit to Dubrovnik — Old Town Harbor Photo © 2011 (Joy de Voyage, LLC)
Envelop in luxury with a stay at Hotel Bellevue Dubrovnik (Joy’s preferred Croatian retreat). Relish in the panoramic vistas of this five-star cliffside oasis and journey to the famed 6th-century Old Town for a superb local dinner chez Proto (another of Joy’s favorites), naturally from this Michelin recommended restaurant’s most inviting terrace. You can also take the local gondola to enjoy an incredible view of the city below whilst enjoying a deserving cocktail. And don’t forget to indulge in a seafront beach club and iconic sail. For history aficionados, explore Old Town and then cross the border to discover Mostar. And for the more adventurous, venture to some of the region’s local waterfalls (which can be paired with a visit to Mostar) — affording a full but lovely day trip not far from this exquisite Adriatic city.
France — From Champagne to Sea
One of Joy’s visits to Reims chez Taittinger © 2018 (Joy de Voyage, LLC)
Although it’s impossible to select a singular location in France, perhaps two of our most beloved regions suffice (coincidentally both where Joy studied French). First, for fellow champagne lovers there is naturally no better place to explore than Champagne. Stay in our preferred chateau properties from Domaine les Crayères or Château de Corcelles (where Joy lodged) and explore the region’s incredible champagneries — from the most famous, such as Moët & Chandon as well as Taittinger (and our favorite Veuve Clicquot), to smaller locales, even via our preferred expert guides. And for those seeking the Mediterranean à la française, explore the historic and glamorous French Riviera. Dine at the famed (and Michelin starred) la Chèvre d'or in one of our favorite petite villages and stay at five-star hotels such as le Majestic or Five Seas and les Roches Rouges (where Joy stayed at the latter two). Bask in the inviting French sun from the beach and close out your evening in our preferred Cannes restaurant we can’t wait to return to, La Môme.
Japan — Tokyo & Storied Kyoto
Joy’s Inaugural Visit to Kyoto’s sacred Torii Gates, Kyoto Rêve Photo © 2023 (Joy de Voyage, LLC)
Finally, explore one of our favorite countries, including its current capital and its iconic former capital city of Kyoto. Upon arrival in Tokyo, as Mount Fuji beautifully greets you, there is seemingly no end to what this incredible city has to offer — from Japan’s distinct and incredibly delectable cuisine to its iconic onsens (natural hot springs) and multiple quarters, such as Harajuku (which famously forges trends, amalgamating fashion and kawaii culture) and Ginza offering prestigious shopping (and our personal favorite crêpes!). You can also explore the famed Tsukiji fish market, which although resident a new location, still hosts its globally renowned tuna auctions. Otherwise opt to visit seaside Kamakura (just south of Tokyo) or tranquilly discover the city’s many sacred sites, such as the Meiji-jingu Shinto shrine. Kyoto is also a most incredible and steeply historic place to explore. It is easily accessible via Shinkansen (Japan’s high-speed railway) while a recommended stay in a Ryokan delivers a traditional take on the Japanese inn. Finally, don’t miss the city’s many incredible landmarks, sacred shrines, and garden oases to discover its enduring appeal and timeless beauty.
