Condé Nast Traveler
August 2013
“Perrin’s People: The pros to turn to when a trip has to be perfect.”
The custom trip designers collected here represent the best blend of destination knowledge, insider connections, consumer advocacy, and value for your dollar that I’ve found in more than two decades of scrutinizing the travel industry for this magazine. They have the expertise and clout to get you the rooms with the best views and the savviest English-speaking guides, not to mention VIP perks. They have almost all been road-tested by Condé Nast Traveler readers, editors, or both. Of the more than 10,000 travel agents and tour operators who have tried to break onto this list since its inception 14 years ago, only a tiny fraction have made the grade—this year, 146 specialists. Getting into this group is, statistically speaking, tougher than getting into Harvard. Staying on it is tougher still: It requires not only an absence of valid reader complaints but also ongoing positive assessments.
Todd Smith, AdventureSmith Explorations
Smith arranges “adventure cruising” on 150-passenger-or-less vessels in nature-rich locations (think Alaska or Central America) – including on boats you’ve never heard of and didn’t realize exist – with active days spent exploring far from overbuilt ports and busloads of tourists. (530-583-1775; cntrvlr.com/todd)
