TORONTO — “It’s the nuances that matter.” These wise words, spoken yesterday by John Boulding, CEO of Insight Vacations and Luxury Gold at a media luncheon in Toronto, are at the heart of what luxury travel is all about. And according to Boulding, no one else on the market can compete with Insight when it comes to delivering these extra special details.

Luxury Gold by Insight Vacations, which the CEO referred to as one of the company’s “big success stories”, features 38 escorted journeys that deliver private VIP experiences across Europe, North and South America, India, Southeast Asia and Australasia. Launched in 2015, the program includes “simple itineraries and small groups”, and is based on the idea of “hospitality moulded on quality and unique experiences.”

These experiences include everything from private tours of museums and decadent stays at five-star hotels, to intimate dinners with local chefs in the privacy of their own homes. In fact, cuisine plays a big role in every curated itinerary, with most meals taking place at local restaurants. Guests are also treated to Michelin-star evenings, a welcome dinner and a special farewell celebration on each tour.

Itineraries for 2017 include the best-selling 13-day ‘Ultimate Italy’, the 14-day ‘Imperial Rajasthan’, the 11-day ‘Magnificent Nepal & Bhutan’, and the 19-day ‘Inspiring Indochina’. To entice clients to book, Luxury Gold is offering a free flight for companions on air-inclusive Southeast Asia Journeys, plus 5% off 2017 Europe escorted journeys if booked and paid in full by April 27.

The success of Luxury Gold mirrors that of Insight Vacations’ product across the board. Boulding said it’s been “the best year ever out of Canada”, with business back to booming and people travelling again. Even Egypt, which has struggled in recent years due to terror attacks, is slowly recovering; Boulding went so far as to suggest that now is the perfect time to go, when crowds are non-existent and photo ops in front of the Pyramids are unobstructed.

Cris David, President of Insight Vacations Canada, also noted that domestic travel in Canada is way up, thanks in large part to Canada’s 150th anniversary. Citing British Columbia and the Maritimes as big sellers, David said the milestone anniversary has led to a revival of interest among Canadians who wish to explore their own backyard this year.

And whether clients are travelling within Canada or abroad on an Insight Vacations trip or one with Luxury Gold, one thing’s for sure: they’ll enjoy the finer things in life from start to finish. This, said Boulding, is the whole point of travel. More often than not, experiences are downgraded because people today will go on vacation and buy on price, he said. “Why would you want less when you travel?”