The World's 25 Best Travel Experiences

The winners were announced during a sold-out interactive event at Lily Lounge at the Bellagio in Las Vegas on August 13 in front of leading travel industry professionals. The CHAD CLARK CERTIFIED 25 winners include travel experiences and products from across the globe, from Bhutan to Hawaii to Europe and beyond with customizable adventures unlike any other.

Featured experiences include a journey to a pop-up volcano led by one of the world’s leading volcanologists, a stay in an ancient Irish castle, an exclusive behind-the-scenes, VIP look at the iconic, “Changing of the Guards” ceremony in London, the opportunity to be an interactive part of the cast of the Broadway musical, “Natacha, Pierre and The Great Comet of 1812,” starring Josh Groban and much more.

The complete list of the CHAD CLARK CERTIFIED 25 winners:

• Amankora Bhutan

This experience consists of a spiritual and cultural safari where guests walk through ancient rhododendron forests watching endangered black necked cranes, soaking in a hot stone bath, interacting with saffron robed novice monks and dining in a rustic stone potato shed—all in the Kingdom of Bhutan.

• Ashford Castle

A fairy-tale inspired experience, Ashford Castle includes a luxurious stay in a medieval Irish castle where guests are invited to take part in authentic Irish activities throughout the castle and its picturesque grounds.

• The Beaumont Hotel

This award-winning London hotel offers a ‘do-it-yourself’ ice cream sundae with 300 potential permutations in the resort’s Colony Grill Room. At The Beaumont, everything is tailor-made, entirely personal to each client and crafted with their input.

• Brush Creek Ranch

Platte Canyon Overnight Camp at Brush Creek Ranch is a luxurious camping experience that includes private outdoor activities, gourmet meals around an open fire, a large yurt and two traditional teepees with large decks located over the North Platte River in Wyoming.

• The Chatwal Hotel

The Chatwal Hotel invites guests to enjoy Broadway like an actor from the landmark building once home to the oldest theatrical club of America. Guests enjoy insider access and have the opportunity to be part of the cast of a Broadway show.

• Dolomite Mountains/Rosa Alpina

This experience takes guests on a journey through the picturesque Dolomite Mountains where guests hike in luxury from “hut to hut” while enjoying the gourmet food and wines of Italy.

• Dunton Hot Springs

Limited only by the imagination, Colorado’s Dunton Hot Springs offers customizable experiences that are specifically tailored for each guest’s interests, whether it’s cattle driving, horseback riding or beyond.

• Flytographer

Flytographer connects travelers with vetted local photographers for short, candid vacation shoots in over 200 cities around the world, providing both an authentic travel experience and unforgettable souvenirs.

• Four Seasons Hualalai

The Ultimate Pop-Up Volcano Adventure begins with a private helicopter journey over the big island of Hawaii and continues with a trip to a Rainforest Cottage Hideaway where guests hike, swim, explore the area around the volcano and participate in exclusive activities.

• The Greenwich Hotel

The Greenwich is one of the first hotels to offer a fully complimentary minibar (excluding alcohol) in all rooms. They have created a bountiful selection of “vintage favorite goodies” reminiscent of childhood combined with trendy new snacks that are customizable to offer all-natural, vegan and gluten-free options.

• G-RO Luggage

G-RO is redefining the companion bag. Each piece is specifically designed to accompany on-the-go travelers whether they are traveling around the block or around the globe.

• Imperial Tours

With Imperial Tours, guests soar by helicopter over the Great Wall of China and across one of China’s most famous mountain views, landing at a spectacular section of the wall where, in an isolated tower, they enjoy a gourmet banquet. Guests are joined by one of China’s leading conservationists who helped draft the law protecting the inspirational beauty of this iconic site.

• Le Bristol Paris

Guests are invited to indulge in a progressive Parisian culinary journey at Le Bristol Paris, where they experience the French Art de Vivre, a decadent breakfast, a tailor made picnic and a once-in-a-lifetime dinner at Michelin three-star restaurant, Epicure.

• Le Pres D'Eugenie-Michel Guerard

Every experience at Les Prés d'Eugénie captures the essence of French luxury, style, grace and elegance in a sumptuous setting.

• Local Eyes Sydney/The Tailor

Local Eyes Sydney offers the quintessential Sydney experience, as husband and wife team Jamie and Alex invite guests to their home for lunch and onboard their classic cruiser, Iluka to sail up close to Sydney Harbor’s icons. This authentic taste of Australian life also includes a native bush walk and opportunities to surf, stroll or perform yoga at the world famous Manly Beach.

• Metropolitan Touring

This experience includes a nighttime walk through the forest in search of nocturnal amphibians and insects, ending with a surprise picnic in the midst of the natural environment.

• Minaret Station

Guests experience the otherwise inaccessible and breathtaking wilderness of the Southern Alps of New Zealand by helicopter and touch down in a deserted alpine meadow. They subsequently enjoy a gourmet spread of lobster pulled fresh from the sea, Minaret Station-sourced beef and lamb, and award-winning New Zealand wines.

• Nomadic Expeditions

Nomadic Expeditions affords guests the opportunity to watch the legendary Kazakh hunters at the Golden Eagle Festival in the remote Altai Mountains, as these skilled hunters and their highly-trained eagles compete for the top prize.

• Noteworthy

Noteworthy provides the exclusive opportunity to view London’s most iconic event, the “Changing of the Guards.” Guests who partake in this rare behind-the-scenes experience are able to capture rare photographs and avoid crowds.

• Palazzo Avino

Palazzo Avino’s “Sea of Love” dining experience aims to suspend guests between land and sea. The exclusive candlelit dinner comes complete with sparkling sea, stars and music.

• Peru Empire

Experience the mystical other-worldly beauty of Lake Titicaca, the cradle of Andean civilization. From exclusive visits to a traditional community on the picturesque island of Taquile, to hiking ancient trails surrounded by stunning snow-capped mountain landscapes.

• Singita

Singita offers exclusive, first-hand, behind-the-scenes insight into the work of the Anti-Poaching Unit. This once in-a-lifetime conservation safari experience takes guests on a journey through projects that are the life force behind their conservation success in the Serengeti.

• The Ultimate Traveling Camp

Guests are invited to enjoy a day “on top of the world” where they are immersed in the region's unique rituals, exposed to the ancient sport of Polo, have the opportunity to try their hand at archery, raft down the Indus River and enjoy a delicious picnic lunch set amidst a dramatic and breath-taking landscape.

• True North

True North conducts adventure-cruises in Australia’s stunning Kimberley region, featuring unparalleled access and daily off-ship activities (some via the ship’s onboard helicopter) that enable guests to truly experience the destination.

• Waldorf Astoria Park City

Waldorf Astoria Park City offers beautiful snow-covered views of the largest ski and snowboard resort in the United States. Their signature vanilla mint chapstick is the most sought after item at the hotel for guests to take on all adventures.

Clark has been traveling for as long as he can remember, seeking out the world’s most interesting and exciting experiences, and now he’s providing a platform for the best in travel to share theirs.

The CHAD CLARK CERTIFIED 25 will return in 2018 with another set of top-notch travel experiences and products. A call for submissions will be announced at a later date.

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For more information on CHAD CLARK CERTIFIED 25, please visit ChadClarkCertified.com.