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7.20.24 UnknownIslands WEB

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The Places

Australia’s Unknown Islands

Australia is the world’s only island continent and most know that along the immense coast of the North-Eastern state of Queensland lies the Great Barrier Reef, perhaps the most vivid set of jewels owned by Mother Earth. However many are less familiar with Australia’s other more discreet and frequently more dramatic set of island adornments.

In many places, immersing yourself means having a seat at the table—and if you’re lucky, lingering there all night.

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### Trip Description

One of our most sought after group journeys is back for it's third (and final) year.  

Unofficially named by Sir Edmund Hillary, this legendary home of a prominent Sherpa family is where the explorer returned year after year. Surrounded by pine trees and cloud-piercing mountains and a world away from the Everest industry that has evolved around Base Camp, Happy House—with its fluttering prayer flags and allegorical Tibetan frescoes—is a hub for peaceful inner contemplation and intrepid exploration. Participate in morning meditations with saffron-robed monks at a nearby monastery—founded by the great-great grandfather of Happy House’s builder—and gain rare access to the Mani Rimdu festival, which colorfully marks the founding of Buddhism. A three-day expedition to Pikey Peak to view Everest and other “eight-thousanders” is orchestrated by Ang Tshering Lama, the scion of this founding family, who oversees a household that supports local families and farms.

The Happy House was unofficially named by Sir Edmund Hillary,  who lived here during his annual visits to Nepal between 1974  and 2001. The fully restored house includes 2 suites and 8 deluxe rooms, one big living room with two fireplaces, library, meditation and yoga room with an in house yoga teacher, spa-sauna with massage therapist.

### PRICING DETAILS

In order to confirm your reservation, a 50% non-refundable deposit is required at the time of purchase. The remaining balance will be charged 120 days prior to the beginning of the trip. 

- Double Occupancy Room (2 people in 1 room): $10,975 per person
- Single Occupancy Room (1 person in 1 room): $13,890 per person

### TERMS & CONDITIONS

Please note, for this trip to proceed, a certain minimum number of people must reserve a place. We will provide confirmation once this number has been reached, so you may proceed with booking airfare and other forms of transportation.

If you choose to book airfare in advance of final confirmation, please book refundable fares or obtain travel insurance to protect yourself against additional charges should final dates change or cancelation occurs. 

PRIOR strongly recommends that each member purchase travel and cancelation insurance. In addition, we recommend purchasing a policy that covers loss of luggage, accidents, sickness, and emergency medical evacuation.

Please note, all efforts are made to provide the itinerary as presented, PRIOR reserves the right to make any changes to the final itinerary deemed necessary or due to reasons beyond our control (change in flights, cancelations, political disturbances, natural disasters/phenomena, etc).

Photographs or video recordings of members may be used for educational and promotional purposes by PRIOR or a host group/organization.


Nepal

From the Mani Rimdu festival to a Pikey Peak Trek, Sir Edmund Hillary's Happy House in the Himalayas hosts a mountain of a trip for wayfarers.

The Himalayan Happy House: A Mountain Excursion | PRIOR

High in the Himalayas with Happy House 2024

One of our most sought after group journeys is back for it's third (and final) year.  This legendary home of Sherpas is base camp for high-elevation explorations and a colorful Tibetan festival.

PRIOR Group Trips

### Trip Description

An enchanting  journey to discover some of the world’s most famous and enigmatic ancient treasures, our 8-night journey through Egypt explores the country’s tombs, temples, and museums. We will cruise up the mythical Nile for five nights on our own private dahabiya, a traditional sail boat.

We begin in Luxor, a veritable open air museum, where the exquisitely preserved complexes of Dendera and the Temple of Karnak offer a glimpse of former Pharaonic glory. Afterwards we will visit  the Valley of the Kings which holds hidden tombs, including that of the 9-year-old King Tutankhamun. Next embark on a historic wooden dahabiya and sail to the Temple of Edfu, with a walk through ancient sandstone quarries and fishing villages, then on to the temple of Kom Ombo dedicated to the crocodile-headed god, Sobek. Along the way stop at fisherman villages with bracing dips in the Nile. A private charter to Abu Simbel brings us to the astounding temples of Ramses II. 

*Note: Travelers who wish to visit Cairo for the Great Pyramids of Giza may opt to begin their journey there before transferring to Luxor.*

### PRICING DETAILS

In order to confirm your reservation, a 50% non-refundable deposit is required at the time of purchase. The remaining balance will be charged 90 days prior to the beginning of the trip. 

- Double Occupancy Room (2 people in 1 room): $12,785 per person
- Single Occupancy Room (1 person in 1 room): $17,895 per person

### Inclusions: 

- Private chartered flights between Aswan and Abu Simbel 
- Accommodations at Al Moudira in Luxor
- 5-night private charter of a traditional dahabyia
- All transportation noted in the itinerary 
- All tours and admission costs noted in itinerary 
- All meals noted in itinerary 
- Portage at airports and hotels
- Gratuities

### Exclusions: 

- International flights and entry visas to Egypt
- International arrival transfers 
- Arrival flight to Luxor 
- Departure flight from Abu Simbel
- Camera ticket at sites where allowed 
- Travel Insurance 
- Other meals and alcoholic beverages not stated in itinerary 

### TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Please note, for this trip to proceed, a certain minimum number of people must reserve a place. We will provide confirmation once this number has been reached, so you may proceed with booking airfare and other forms of transportation.  

If you choose to book airfare in advance of final confirmation, please book refundable fares or obtain travel insurance to protect yourself against additional charges should final dates change or cancelation occurs. 

PRIOR strongly recommends that each member purchase travel and cancelation insurance. In addition, we recommend purchasing a policy that covers loss of luggage, accidents, sickness, and emergency medical evacuation.

Please note, all efforts are made to provide the itinerary as presented, PRIOR reserves the right to make any changes to the final itinerary deemed necessary or due to reasons beyond our control (change in flights, cancelations, political disturbances, natural disasters/phenomena, etc).

Photographs or video recordings of members may be used for educational and promotional purposes by PRIOR or a host group/organization.


Egypt

Journey Into Egypt with PRIOR

An Enchanting Journey Through Ancient Egypt 2025

Starting in Luxor, we’ll explore tombs, temples and museums before taking an enchanting voyage up the Nile on a traditional dahabyia. 

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Merida Guide

Mérida

In PRIOR's Mérida travel guide, find the best food, things to do, and places to stay for an unforgettable trip.

Mérida Travel Guide: Best Food & Things to Do | PRIOR

In the thick jungles of the Mexican state of Yucatán, surrounded by sinkhole-sprinkled reserves and ancient Mayan ruins, Mérida is a city as dynamic as it is layered with history. What was once a seat of the Mayan empire, then a lavish conquistador playground, and then, in the early 20th century, a city where wealthy industrialists of the henequen trade staked their claim, has now emerged, after years of faded glory and abandoned haciendas, into a thriving artistic hub with a diverse creative community. In this relaxed city, where locals dance in leafy squares and sip cervezas in open-air bars, ornate colonial-era haciendas have been restored and reborn as stylish hotels, luxury boutiques featuring local designers and crafts makers, cultish taco stands, and contemporary art galleries. Artists, designers, and chefs have drawn inspiration from the many lures of the Yucatán Peninsula: its flamingo-dotted beaches, its mystical cenotes, its candy-colored buildings and grand cathedrals, scattered amidst remnants of the ancient world. But the Yucatán’s indigenous heritage has all but faded; whether through traditional chocolate farms, anthropological museum collections, or modern takes on traditional Mayan crafts, the Yucatán has worked as much to preserve what has historically given it its magic as it has to evolve into somewhere entirely unexpected. 

Piedmont 

In PRIOR's Piedmont travel guide, find the best food, things to do, and places to stay for an unforgettable trip.

Piedmont Travel Guide: Best Food & Things to Do | PRIOR

Coined Pedemontium, "at the foot of the mountain," in the early Middle Ages, Piedmont, a stretch of northwestern Italian wine country, situated between the snow-capped Alps and a scenic stretch of Ligurian coastline straddling the south of France and Tuscany — is a dense patchwork of Roman antiquity, truffle-laden wooded valleys and vineyards producing some of the most beautiful wines in the world.

Piedmont’s bustling capital, Turin, is the birthplace of two of Italy’s most-influential aesthetes: the House of Savoy, the country’s last reigning royal family, and the Italian architect Carlo Mollino, whose hidden 1960s apartment overlooking the River Po is now Museo Casa Mollino. Today, Turin continues to be a thrilling window into the country’s push-pull of tradition and transformation, mixing aristocratic architecture and an elegant café culture with a vibrant aperitivo scene spearheaded by a new generation of progressive oenophiles and apéritif aficionados. 

But it’s the Langhe, the hilly heart of Piedmont, that has long reigned as one of the world’s great gastronomic capitals. Here, in the region of Barolo and Barbaresco, terraced peaks are covered in nebbiolo vines, hazelnut groves are sources of gianduja treats and family-run trattorias serve pastas dusted with local white truffle that inspire chefs around the world. 

Piedmont

Balearics Guide

Balearics

Find the best food, things to do, and places to stay in the Balearics. Plan the perfect trip with our Balearic Islands travel guide. 

Balearic Islands Travel Guide: Best Food & Places to Stay | PRIOR

On the Balearic Islands, Spain’s Mediterranean archipelago, jagged cliffs are dotted with wild olive trees, forested hills with stony medieval villages and hidden coves punctuate the rocky coastline. The four main isles however, offer their own distinct flavor. Ibiza’s riotous reputation put the Balearics on the map, but these days the nightlife island is in the throes of a before-dark renaissance, thanks to a host of directional boutiques, holistic wellness retreats and new galleries. On Mallorca, palm-lined harbors give way to medieval cathedrals and textile artisans speaking Mallorquí, the local dialect of Catalan, collaborate with a new generation of young makers. Menorca, meanwhile, is setting a new standard for the relationship between contemporary art and contemporary conservation of the Mediterranean's graceful lowland flora. And then there is Formentera, the smallest and quietest of all the Balearic isles, which still feels virtually unchanged from its 1960s heyday, when bohemians flocked to its laid-back beach communes. But no matter the island, you're sure to find traditional bistros serving spiny lobster and *sobrassada*, a rolling coastal Spanish breeze and endless restorative relaxation.

Balearic Islands

Explore Oaxaca private tours, experiencing food and art behind the scenes with local experts. Discover the essence of a destination.

Oaxaca Private Tours | PRIOR

Oaxaca

In our Oaxaca travel guide, discover the best restaurants, places to stay, and things to do in Oaxaca and on the coast.

Oaxaca Travel Guide: Best Restaurants & Places to Stay | PRIOR

Set within the mountainous plateaus and surf-friendly shorelines of southwestern Mexico, Oaxaca is a melting pot of markets, mezcal, mole, and mysticism. Much of Oaxaca’s dense tapestry of Zapotec and Mixtec cultural traditions, natural marvels, and local delicacies feel untouched by modern life, but a new crop of  bars and boutique hotels are proof that the ancient Mexican state remains elastic and evolving. 

Napa and Sonoma Valleys

In PRIOR's Sonoma and Napa travel guide, find the best food, things to do, and places to stay for an unforgettable trip.

Sonoma & Napa Travel Guide: Best Food & Things to Do | PRIOR

America’s premier winemaking region, made up of laid-back towns like Napa, Sonoma, Healdsburg, and Yountville, is home to blue-chip wineries producing world-class blends and small batch upstarts experimenting with biodynamic techniques. After a day of tastings, sop it all up at some of the country’s most innovative restaurants.  

Napa & Sonoma Valleys

Explore Venice private tours, experiencing food and art behind the scenes with local experts. Discover the essence of a destination.

Venice

In our Venice travel guide, we reveal the best hotels, restaurants, and things to do in Venice, from unique to luxury options.

Venice Travel Guide: Hotels, Restaurants & Things to Do | PRIOR

World-class art centers housed in crumbling palazzi. Dazzling hotels along the Grand Canal. Buzzy Bellini bars tucked away in back alleys. For one of the world’s greatest historic cities, Venice nonetheless possesses a thrilling sense of nowness. Yes, the endless amount of aquatic antiquity on display makes the lagoon metropolis one of the most photogenic places on earth. But there is far more inside these waterways than mere aesthetics. Forward-thinking tourist entry fees designed to curb overcrowding, plus progressive biennales of art, architecture, film, and science are just two recent reminders that visitors should not merely bask in the floating city’s many charms, but learn from them, too.

New Orleans, USA guide

New Orleans

Find the best food, things to do, and places to stay in New Orleans. Plan the perfect trip with our New Orleans travel guide. 

New Orleans Travel Guide: Best Food & Places to Stay | PRIOR

A stroll through the French Quarter's cobblestone streets or the ancient oak-line paths of Audubon Park will confirm what the world’s greatest artists have long known to be true: In New Orleans, magic is in the air. 


Seville

Our comprehensive Seville travel guide reveals the best hotels, restaurants, and things to do in Seville, Spain. Find unique options for your trip.

Seville Travel Guide: Best Hotels, Restaurants & Things to Do | PRIOR

Seville is a city of bold and brilliant layers. Once the door to the Spanish empire’s transatlantic trade, the capital of Andalusia has seen many reigns — Phoenicians, Romans, Visigoths, Moors, and Christians, to name a few — impressing Seville with scents of orange blossoms, the sounds of flamenco, and an vibrant architectural style known as Mudejar. “Sevilla tiene un color especial,” goes the popular song — “Seville has a special color.” The city embodies a sensory experience that has become the image of Spain sold all over the world: the fiery bullfighter, the romantic guitarist, the tapas crawlers. All are a part of what make up this storybook city running along the Guadalquivir River, where life is lived slowly and in the winding cobblestoned streets, with a caña in one hand and a slice of jamón in the other.

Charleston & Savannah

Plan an exciting trip with PRIOR's Charleston and Savannah travel guide. Find the best things to do and the best places to eat and stay.

Charleston & Savannah Travel Guide | PRIOR

Canopies of Spanish moss, palmetto-lined rows of pastel homes, and dramatic church steeples piercing the cityscape: It’s no wonder Charleston and Savannah are two of the country’s most beloved cities. Whether you’re bathing in the shade of Savannah’s leafy squares, with only the faint sounds of birdsong and horses hooves clapping cobblestone, or tucking into some newfangled Low Country fare at one of Charleston’s innovative Southern restaurants, a visit to these towns provides ample opportunity for discovery. Winding alleys, historic mansions, crab-shack-dotted beaches and marshes, and a rich culinary scene mean that everywhere you go here, there’s something to discover from the past, present, and future.  

French Riviera

Plan the perfect trip to the South of France with our tips for the best restaurants, hotels and things to do in our South of France travel guide.

South of France Travel Guide: Hotels & Things to Do | PRIOR

The French Riviera invokes an eternal summer and remains the stomping ground for any true bon vivant. The Provence Alps and aquamarine Mediterranean Sea create a haven for artists, gourmands, and superyachts alike. Between the Cannes Film Festival and the parade of stars who have rubbed elbows here — everyone from Brigitte Bardot to F. Scott Fitzgerald have made their mark on its pebbled shores and cliffside villas, sipping Bandol and sharing a grand aïoli platter — the region has become synonymous with summertime glamour. In fact, it was practically invented here.

Marrakech

In this Marrakech travel guide, find the best hotels, restaurants, and things to do, whether you're looking for a luxury trip in Marrakech or something unique.

Marrakech Travel Guide: Hotels, Restaurants & Things to Do | PRIOR

Marrakech has attracted visitors for nearly a millennium, from the camel caravans that brought gold and salt from the Sahara, to the artisans who helped build the city’s palaces and mosques, to Europe’s bohemians, who came to soak up the sun and lifestyle. Today, visitors still come for the beguiling souks, which are home to some of the best artisans in the world, but also for the sunny climes and the laid-back vibes.   


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About PRIOR

Welcome to PRIOR, the curious traveler’s portal to a new world, where you’ll find inspiration and intel, bespoke trips and experiences, and access to a global community of like-minded people. 

A Gift for You

Australia’s Unknown Islands

Featured Group Trips

High in the Himalayas with Happy House 2024

An Enchanting Journey Through Ancient Egypt 2025

Mérida

Piedmont

Balearics

Oaxaca

Napa and Sonoma Valleys

Venice

New Orleans

Seville

Charleston & Savannah

French Riviera

Marrakech

Latest articles

About PRIOR