The Private South America

Forbes Life, Spring 2012 Summary

Ann Abel profiles Emmanuel Burgio and Blue Parallel’s ultra-exclusive journeys across South America, highlighting bespoke adventures in Patagonia, José Ignacio, Guatemala, Brazil’s beautiful coastal regions of Trancoso and Fernando de Noronha, and Ecuador‘s iconic Galapagos Islands, arranging impossible access such as private island buyouts and kayaking alongside Olympic athletes.

Key Quotes

“For the client who wanted a four-day party in Argentina, Emmanuel Burgio transformed the only hotel on a remote island, flying in an interior designer, a chef, a pâtissier, and a sommelier, who poured wines from the cave that Burgio had restocked with requested favorites.”

“When another client suddenly wanted to go river kayaking in Uruguay, Burgio had the kayaks delivered across the gulflike Río de la Plata-on Christmas Day.”

“I enjoy doing things that are out of the ordinary,' says Burgio, who, in 2002, founded Blue Parallel, an outfit that arranges private adventure trips to destinations such as Patagonia and the volcanoes of Guatemala, and manages a portfolio of 21 private villas. 'Our travelers have tended to be people with eccentric requests. That makes it exciting.”