SUITCASE SERIES: YVONNE VERSTANDIG FOUNDER OF Y TRAVEL
This week we caught up with Yvonne Verstandig the Founder of Y Travel a luxury boutique travel agency, to find out what she never travels without, their packing tips, and what their most memorable trip has been so far…
With over two decades dedicated to transforming wanderlust into reality, Yvonne Verstandig quite literally epitomises Mark Twain’s famous quote: “The key to success is to make your vocation your vacation”. Transitioning from a career in pharmacy over 20 years ago, Yvonne now creates alchemy of a different kind with her infectious zest for life, and passionate approach to curating incredible immersive travel experiences for every single client.
As a fervent explorer, Yvonne immerses herself in experiencing destinations across the globe, cultivating vast professional networks, nurturing crucial supplier relations, and staying at the forefront of new industry trends. Yvonne’s tireless pursuit of excellence places her at the forefront of Australia’s travel industry, where she influences as a member of the boards of prestige brands such as Belmond and Silversea Cruises. In establishing Y Travel in 2020, after more than three decades in the industry, Yvonne has pioneered a unique approach to luxury travel, introducing the brand’s Y Factors — the eight experiential ‘pillars of passion’ that guide the agency’s approach to creating remarkable, bespoke journeys for every single client.
In this week’s Suitcase Series, we take a sneak peek into Yvonne’s travel psyche…
What’s been your most memorable trip and why?
I was lucky enough to spend a month in East Africa to celebrate a special birthday of mine, with some family and friends. Our very immersive adventure started in Rwanda with a magical gorilla trek in the Volcanoes National Park. We then crossed the border into Uganda to see the chimpanzees and hike to the edge of the Great Rift Valley. Next, we stopped multiple times in Kenya for a variety of experiences, including two different safaris: in the Masai National Park and in the Mara Conservancy.
In the middle of Kenya, in Laikipia, we went on a couple of incredible hikes, spent some time with the local Masai warriors and had the most amazing seven-hour helicopter adventure up to the country’s north. For the final week of our trip, we met up with my mother and mother-in-law in the Seychelles to enjoy some downtime at two stunning private island resorts – a totally different African experience to what usually comes to mind!
What’s your favourite ever hotel?
It’s tough to answer this question, as I spend about four months of the year travelling internationally as part of my job, and I’m lucky to stay at some of the most incredible properties around the world. Here are just a few that come to mind:
- Laucala Private Island in Fiji – nothing compares to this decadent private island in Northern Fiji. It starts with their private jet transfer from Nadi, to an island full of activities to choose from and a delicious culinary selection to match. Everything is so bespoke to each individual that you are guaranteed a trip to remember forever!
- Singita Boulders Lodge in South Africa’s Sabi Sands game reserve makes my list for its conservation efforts with local communities, abundant wildlife, and magnificent safari-style fit out – all within a stunning African setting.
- Soneva Jani’s four bedroom residence in the Maldives blew our minds. This ultra-luxe over-water villa is even kitted out with a personal slide straight into the glittering Indian Ocean.
- Kasbah Tamadot in the Atlas Mountains boasts Bedouin tents with Jacuzzis on the deck overlooking the magical ravine. It feels otherworldly!
- The Eleven Experience chalets in Saint Foye in France: Chalet Pelerin and Chalet Hibout. All their inclusions were so fabulous that I’m facilitating hotel buyouts for a ski group tour I run in March 2025.
- One & Only Kéa Island in Greece, where I was one of the first guests to experience this brand new hotel for One & Only, arriving on June 2, 2024 (opening date being June 1). What a spectacular resort – an architectural and engineering feat! Stunning decor, incredible facilities, sensational food and a truly authentic island experience.
Where or what is your escape?
Whether I am home or abroad, I escape by combining my two favourite things – exercise and being out in nature. Kayaking, skiing, cycling, trekking, essentially any activity where I can get my heart rate up and also have a gorgeous view is the perfect escape for me.
If you could go anywhere tomorrow it would be…
Uganda! My childhood friend, Suzy Zail, and I were set to embark on a very special, women’s-only tour to Uganda in 2020, which we sadly had to cancel due to COVID. Suzy’s personal experience with Ugandan girls, after travelling there following the kidnapping of nearly 300 schoolgirls in 2014, inspired her to write the novel I Am Change. Her book, in turn, inspired me to create our exclusive ‘Travel the Y Way through Uganda’ experience, which blends Suzy’s insights with my love of adventure.
I’m thrilled to announce that we’ve rescheduled for June 2026, so this is a journey nearly six years in the making and will absolutely be worth the wait! The trip will be a combination of purpose-led travel, with unique, once-in-a-lifetime experiences and the very best accommodation options Uganda has to offer, such as Latitude 0° in Kampala, Kulu Ora Lodge in Murchison Falls, and The Clouds Mountain Gorilla lodge is an optional extension. While we’re thrilled that a few of our original travellers from 2020 are still able to join us, we are also on the lookout for a few more fabulous women to round out our group of 10. I’ve had this journey in my mind for so long now—if I could be there tomorrow, I absolutely would!
What’s your idea of a luxury wellness holiday?
When I think of luxury wellness I think of a 5-star experience within a beautiful, natural setting where I can enjoy as much physical exercise as possible, be immersed in a fabulous spa with varied treatments to choose from, eat healthy and be surrounded by nature.
The luxury travel space has definitely recognised that travellers are craving these wellness retreats as a break from the stresses of their daily lives, and as a result there are so many incredible wellness resorts to choose from, all around the world. Whether it be a medical spa, a holistic wellness retreat or a nature retreat – there is an option for each type of wellbeing enthusiast.
My top bucket-list destination is…
I’m so fortunate to have been able to cross off so many amazing adventures from my bucket list, and the nature of my work is that as soon as I cross one off, I add another three! I would still really love to do an Antarctic experience with high-end experiential brand White Desert, staying in their luxurious eco-retreats. This brand represents many of our Y Factors – our ‘pillars of passion’ that drive Y Travel – such as Adventure, Nature & Sustainability, and The Unexpected, all wrapped up in a purpose-driven bespoke experience in one of the most unique and pristine places on earth.
I am also dreaming about Lençóis Maranhenses National Park in Brazil, which has recently jumped to the top of my bucket list. The vast expanse of pristine white sand dunes stretching over 1500 square kilometres is transformed during the rainy season into a mesmerising patchwork of crystal-clear turquoise lagoons contrasting with the bright white sand. It’s a stunningly beautiful, surreal landscape that looks like it’s from another planet – and as an adventure lover, the thought of boarding down those dunes or dipping into those fresh-water pools is just too enticing!
If you could sit next to anyone – dead or alive – on a long-haul flight, who would it be?
At the risk of sounding anti-social, being on a long haul flight is one of the few opportunities I get to actually switch off and NOT have to interact with anyone. I have my little in-flight routine, where I get settled in amongst the clouds, pop in my air pods to listen to music, drink a glass of champagne while I get through uninterrupted work then I actually catch up on some much-needed sleep.
I know that when I reach my destination I’ll be in a new time zone, and often have to ‘hit the ground running’, so I rest up in anticipation of what’s ahead. Having said that, if George Clooney happened to be across the aisle, I might make an exception and say a quick hello – although I suspect he’d be on his private jet, so it’s probably not a dilemma I’m ever going to have to grapple with!
What is your jet-lag recovery tip?
Where possible I try to book my flight to arrive at a destination later in the day, so I can check into my accommodation, have a bite to eat, and try to get straight into adjusting to the local timezone. For the first few days I take melatonin at night to help get my body’s circadian rhythm back on track.
What is your suitcase stalwart?
An Airtag. At least I can know where my luggage has gone, even though the airline may not!
What is your number one packing tip?
I’m very organised, so individual packing cubes are an essential way for me to know exactly what I’ve packed and where I can find it. I also have one large rectangular sleeve, where I lay out delicate items of clothing and place a layer of tissue paper between each to prevent them from getting wrinkled in transit. This is a trick I learned on a Silversea cruise when they packed my bag for me, and it works brilliantly!
I never travel without…
All my technology, as I’m usually combining travel with work – my ipad, laptop, phone, headphones, and of course chargers and an extra charging pack. I also always pack my gym gear, so that no matter where I am in the world I can fit exercise into my day.
In my beauty / toiletry bag I always bring…
I have two toiletry bags that are specifically dedicated to travel. One goes in my carry-on, with all my inflight essentials – an ultra-hydrating face and eye mask cream, earplugs, a nasal spray and Vicks inhaler stick, face mist, lip balm and my Joali silk eye mask.
The other is my fantastic hanging toiletry bag by Tonic – It’s fabulous for small hotel bathrooms where bench space is an issue – I can just hook it up and access anything I need.
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