Leading two affinity travel companies, Jim Staples ’99 MBA has his pulse on the most fascinating and engaging destinations around the world. Here are some of his favorite itineraries from Orbridge’s 2026 portfolio — transformational tours that will ignite your inner explorer.
Alaska
This is one of Earth’s last frontiers — an incredible part of America, let alone the world. Our company has been operating small-ship, expedition-style cruises here for over 15 years, and I was lucky enough to bring my late mother along on one of our first sailings.
We were able to see humpback whales bubble-net feeding and pushing the waves, orcas hunting in their wolf packs, and coastal brown bears roaming the coastline — a truly up-close experience with some of our largest land and sea mammals.
Kenya
The chance to see endangered black rhinos, leopards, elephants, Cape buffalo and lions up close — what they call “The Big Five” — is a must for all nature lovers. Kenya’s natural landscapes are iconic, and some of my favorite travel experiences have been guided wildlife encounters in safari vehicles in those national parks, reserves and conservancies.
It’s a unique place in the world, a mini-Jurassic Park of sorts, where guests see hundreds of thousands of herbivores traveling in the Great Migration with predators lurking on the edges. It is a sight and vista that are seared into my memory.
Northern Italy
When people think of Italy, they often think of Rome and Florence, but there’s something special about Verona and its surrounding region. We spend a week at a restored 17th-century farmhouse and wine estate called Selva Capuzza on one of our “Flavors” tours. We love walking in the vineyard alongside the owners, learning about their family history and sustainable practices. Plus, the wine and cuisine are a feast for the senses.
Silk Road
One of the adventures I’m most looking forward to next year is seeing some of the cities and countries along the Silk Road, an ancient trade route that changed the world. We start in London and fly to Venice, then go through Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Georgia and Turkey — completing what was once a long journey in only 15 days on a private luxury jet.
The places we visit, along with the stories they tell, will open guests’ minds to a hugely important part of our globe.