ABOUT
Inspired Travel Advisors
Decades Creating Personal Travel Relationships & Experiences For a Lifetime of Memories
Indulge in Exclusive & Exciting Locations
What Does Appellation Travel Stand For?
We chose the name Appellation because it represents more than just a place - It symbolizes the essence of authenticity. In French, appellation d'origine contrôlée defines the exact region and meticulous process behind the world’s finest wines, cheeses, and artisanal products, capturing the true spirit of their origin. At Appellation, this is our purpose. To go deeper, to understand not just the destination, but the culture, the people, and the stories that make each journey unique.
Just like the carefully crafted products that bear the appellation label, we believe in curating experiences that reflect the authenticity and craftsmanship of the places we explore.
CURATED TRAVEL PLANNING
Why Work With Us?
Our values lie in deep connection with our clients (who are mostly repeat clients or referred from other clients!), and our trusted relationships with unique destinations, ground partners and handpicked properties you won’t find on typical booking sites. These are people and places we’ve personally researched, experienced and can’t wait to share with you. By getting to know you and your travel inspirations, we can intuitively plan every detail and craft extraordinary journeys that connect you to the perfect travel itinerary for you.
SEAMLESS END-TO-END JOURNEYS
Not Just About the Destination - It’s About Your Entire Journey
It’s about more than just where you’re going - It’s about the feeling all along the way. You may have seen travel itineraries online, but you’ve never experienced one that has been created just for you.
Goals
We’re here to curate seamless travel experiences that reveal the heart and soul of a destination, helping you discover the very best it has to offer. Just as every great vintage tells the story of its terroir, we craft journeys that let you savor the unique character of each place you visit.
Efforts
We are relentless in our pursuit of creating unique and highly personalized experiences. Whatever your style, every detail is meticulously planned, so you can relax and take off to your dream destination. Our commitment extends beyond managing travel logistics - We strive to craft meaningful core memories that last a lifetime.
Vision
We are redefining the travel experience. We are making exceptional travel accessible with the experienced guidance of someone who truly understands their journey. Our difference is the personal touch we bring to travel planning, no matter your travel style.
Claire Hughes, Founder & Travel Advisor
Appellation Travel’s founder, Claire Hughes, got her first taste of independent travel at 20, working at an Australian ski resort and toughing it out in a damp sheep shearing shed.
Her next adventure was a nine-month overland trip through Africa, starting in the red sands of the Moroccan Sahara and ending in the verdant Nile River Valley in Egypt. She ventured through the thriving city of Dakar, Senegal, the voodoo markets in Togo, and the mountain gorillas in what was then Zaire, being a few of the stops along the way. It goes without saying, Claire has traveled to places that make “off the beaten path” seem like a five-star hotel!
Since then, she has traveled to 59 countries and worked as a guide and regional manager for one of the world’s largest active travel companies. Now, Claire plans a multitude of trips for private families and VIP travel experiences for her returning travel clients.
Whether she’s planning trips to tried and true destinations or to those that are lesser-known, Claire founded Appellation Travel to share two things; her deep knowledge of travel and the joy she gets from planning and executing one-of-a-kind adventures!
Scott Nair, Travel Advisor
Travel Advisor
Scott’s journey of exploration began at 11, when his father, a US Navy officer stationed in Naples, Italy, said, “Take me to Switzerland.” That summer sparked a lifelong passion for navigating, discovering, and crafting unforgettable travel experiences. Growing up in a military family immersed him in diverse cultures, deepening his love for travel.
With over two decades in luxury, active, and culinary travel, Scott’s passion has only grown. From sipping cappuccinos at Italian cafés to enjoying pints in cozy pubs with live folk music, and rolling dolmades with a Ya-Ya in Crete, he’s explored five continents of unique cultures and landscapes.
Today, he channels that joy of adventure into designing journeys that reflect his deep experience and excitement for exploration. Whether guiding clients to iconic destinations or hidden gems, his goal remains the same: to craft personalized travel experiences as unique and enriching as the places themselves.
How We Met
Scott and Claire met over 20 years ago while leading Backroads trips in Tuscany. As they navigated the rolling hills, charming villages, and picturesque vineyards, they bonded over their mutual passion for adventure travel, reading maps and spending far too long figuring out how to fly with miles and points.
Their teamwork on trips grew into a lasting friendship, built up with bike rides up Mt Ventoux, long dinners in the French countryside and most of all their shared sense of wanderlust. While their paths diverged from Backroads for several years, and Appellation Travel expanded, Claire knew Scott was a fit to join her team of experienced travel advisors.
With a combined travel lifetime of over 50 years, Claire & Scott are excited to start planning your unforgettable travel journey with you.
Now, it’s our turn to get to know you…