Elite Traveler November-December 2017

EXPLORE THE HOT LIST

by Samantha Coles and Kristen Shirley

THE GREAT GAME OFFERS A MYSTERIOUS TRIP LIKE NO OTHER, THE NEW LOUIS VUITTON EXHIBIT CALLS TO LUGGAGE LOVERS, A WEEK ON AN EXCLUSIVE PRIVATE ISLAND INCLUDES A $150,000 TREASURE HUNT AND THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS HAVE NEVER BEEN SO LUXE

The great game

Even on vacation we struggle to unglue ourselves from smart devices and connect with our surroundings. Resorts now offer digital detoxes and phone-free dinners, but Brown + Hudson’s latest package, The Great Game, goes against the trend by using bespoke apps, computer games, augmented reality, traditional board games and role-playing to create a one-of-a-kind adventure. We spoke to senior trip planner Chris Brunning about the process: first, Chris asked a series of questions. Most were fairly straightforward (who would you invite to a dinner party?), some a bit morbid (what would you do on your last day on Earth?) and some a bit deeper (what makes you happy?). These questions were then analyzed by an expert game designer to create an entirely bespoke game package. Chris revealed that a trip takes an average of 90 hours to construct —and the game they put together especially for Elite Traveler has multiple choices that lead players through the Andes…

From top: The dramatic landscape of the Andes; your private plane takes off from the salt pans; the Mercado de Hechicería, also known as the Witchcraft Market

Photo Patrick Galabert