A year ago, Club Avandra existed as an idea and a conviction: that there were women who wanted to travel outside of their current circle of family and friends, without compromising on quality. That there was a community of women out there — curious, independent, done with compromising — who had been waiting for exactly this without necessarily knowing it.
We launched in London. Then Sydney. Then New York. And our members found us.
In twelve months, our founders - experts in travel and group curation, with insider access you won’t find anywhere else - have taken groups to Matera, Helsinki, Mallorca and a vineyard in Rye. We've thrown champagne-fuelled launch parties on three continents, hosted private evenings on the King's Road, wellness events in London and a riotous book launch with Kathy Lette. We've built a global community of women connected by one defining characteristic: they know exactly what they want from travel and have absolutely no intention of settling for less.
Matera was where it all began — cave hotels, private museum access, pasta-making in a working Masseria, and a group dynamic that materialises only when you put the right women in a remarkable place together.
"A trip of stunning surprises, incredible stories, much laughter and memories I'll treasure for years," says Rachel Barclay.
Helsinki followed — Nordic design, Michelin-starred dinners and movement workshops with the extraordinary Marja Putkisto. Then Mallorca by sailing boat: seven days, six women, 35-knot winds, the best paella any of us have eaten, and friendships that didn't exist a week before departure. Then Tillingham Vineyard in Sussex, which proved that you don't have to go far for something genuinely special.
"I was slightly nervous on my first Avandra trip as I didn't know my fellow travellers," admits Amanda Aymat. "I needn't have worried. The highlight was the company — a lovely bunch of like-minded ladies. I can't wait for the next one."
From Austin, Texas, author and menopause expert Ruthie Harper MD puts it best: "Club Avandra is far more than a luxury travel community. The conversations have become just as memorable as the beautiful destinations. They have created genuine friendships and reminded me that travel isn't simply about discovering new places — it's about discovering new possibilities within ourselves."
If year one proved the concept, year two is about doing it more - and in even more extraordinary places.
Verbier in March. Galicia in June — the Camino de Santiago, exceptional food and the Noite da Queima festival. Jordan in September: Petra, Wadi Rum, the Dead Sea. Then straight to Matera during Starry Sky, when the entire ancient city is lit by candlelight and open-air concerts fill the streets. Casablanca in October. Marrakesh on a fashion and shopping tip Malta with Lifestyle Director Marianne Jones. And our flagship private jet journey — eleven days, three destinations, zero compromises.
The Highlands, Jersey, Nashville and Somerset are also in the works. Tell us where you want to go. You might just find it appears on the programme.
And don’t miss our next event, which we are delighted to announce - An Evening With Alexandra Shulman. On Monday 23 November 6.30pm-8.30pm author, columnist and former Editor-in-Chief of Vogue, Alexandra Shulman will appear in conversation with our very own Marianne Jones to celebrate the launch of her new book, Black Coffee and Red Lipstick: Notes on Living. The members-only evening - held at the stunning Penthouse, Marylebone Square W1U 4FA - will feature cocktails, canapés, Club Avandra members - and, hopefully, you.
We said we'd celebrate properly - and we meant it!
We're giving away ten full year's memberships to Club Avandra. Ten women who've been thinking about joining. Ten new adventures waiting to happen.
To enter: follow us on Instagram, tag two women who should be members, and tell us where in the world you'd most like Club Avandra to take you.
Because this is also the best birthday present we can think of for our existing members - more extraordinary women in this community. Happy birthday to us — and thank you to every member who made the first year what it was.
You're the reason it worked.
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