The search for the perfect family holiday often leads to a crossroads: the predictability of a hotel or the allure of a private villa. For those seeking an escape that combines luxury with authentic local experiences, and caters to the independently minded, The Thinking Traveller emerges as a premier choice. Moving beyond the conventional, this London and New York-based company specializes in curating exceptional villa holidays across five stunning Mediterranean destinations: Sicily, Corsica, the Sporades Islands, Puglia, and the Ionian Islands. From idyllic sunsets to bespoke local experiences, my own journey with The Thinking Traveller at Villa Alessia in Lefkada, Greece, unveiled a vacation experience so seamless and enriching, it sparked a desire to understand the philosophy behind this distinctive approach to travel.
The Genesis of The Thinking Traveller: A Passion for Authentic Sicily
The story of The Thinking Traveller began in 2000, fueled by a shared epiphany in a dramatic setting. Founders Rosella and Huw Beaugie, then based in Paris, experienced a transformative night on the volcanic island of Stromboli. Witnessing the eruption and then diving into the Tyrrhenian Sea at dawn, they realized their future lay in Sicily, Rosella’s homeland. Their vision was clear: to create a travel experience that immersed “discerning, independent-minded travellers” – the thinking traveller in the truest sense – in the beauty, culture, and history of Sicily. This passion materialized in 2002 with the launch of The Thinking Traveller, pioneering luxury villa holidays in a then-underappreciated Sicilian landscape.
