Around the World with Geoffrey Kent: An Inspiring Expedition by Private Jet

Drenched in Hollywood stardust and spilling over with creativity and energy, California’s sun-kissed city on the Pacific Coast is filled with vistas worthy of the silver screen, from watching the skaters at Venice Beach to admiring the view from Runyon Canyon. Arriving in Los Angeles, the adventure kicks off at The Peninsula Beverly Hills, where you meet your tour leadership team and fellow guests over cocktails and a gala welcome dinner.

Touching down on Rarotonga in the Cook Islands immerses you in a place of emerald forests and crystalline waters, where frangipani perfumes the air, colonies of sea turtles thrive and varieties of colorful fish and corals make every snorkel and dive a one-of-a-kind spectacle. Spend a day exploring the Aitutaki island with its protected marine reserve, swimming with tropical fish and seeing giant clams on the seabed. Pause for a freshly prepared barbecue lunch a visit to One Foot Island, home to the most celebrated beach in the Pacific. One evening features a journey back in time at Highland Paradise Cultural Center, a glimpse of life on the islands as it was lived 600 years ago, complete with an umu dinner and traditional dance performances.

When it comes to meshing culture, natural beauty and outstanding food and wine, Adelaide sets a standard that’s hard to top. Your visit begins with a chance to taste South Australia's finest cool-climate wines and stroll through lush gardens, just a few minutes’ drive from downtown Adelaide but a world away in feel. Experience the thrill of shark cage diving and swimming with Australian sea lions and dolphins. Encounter native wildlife up close at a sanctuary, where you can see koalas, kangaroos, wombats and more. Finally, visit Kangaroo Island, widely regarded as Australia’s Galápagos and brimming with diverse wildlife and natural beauty.

With ecosystems ranging from tropical rainforests to peat swamps and mangroves, Sumatra is an unlikely but undeniable paradise for wildlife watchers, and the heart of the action is Way Kambas. This protected forest harbors the Sumatran rhino, a nearly extinct species more closely resembling a prehistoric wooly rhino. Arrive at the park by helicopter to search for its most famous resident, as well as an impressive list of cats, including clouded leopards, marbled cats and the highly elusive flat-headed cat. Meet a rhino expert who guides you on a visit to the onsite veterinary clinic, where the park’s animals are cared for.

Arrive to a lively welcome of drummers and dancers, followed by cocktails and dinner at Voyager Trail by Miguel Arcanjo, an artful fusion of Goan and Portuguese flavors. Visit the magnificent churches in Old Goa and Panjim, known for its well-preserved Portuguese heritage, and experience a grand evening at Figueiredo Mansion, with a traditional welcome, mansion tour and dinner. Stroll through South Goa to witness local village life, including fishermen, toddy tappers and bakers. Enjoy an exclusive hands-on experience and tasting of the finest feni (a traditional local liqueur) at the 300-year-old Cazulo Distillery, followed by lunch. End the evening with a gala dinner at the Beach Lawns, accompanied by live performances from local artists.

Mozambique’s Bazaruto archipelago well earns its nickname “Pearl of the Indian Ocean,” and its crown jewel is the island of Bazaruto itself, a pristine haven of sugar-white beaches and a kaleidoscope of undersea life awaiting exploration. Over a day or more of island hopping around sandbars and the islands, take to the water for an exciting fishing excursion, enjoy cocktails on a sunset dhow cruise or ride horses along the beach. Embark on an ocean safari, pausing for a picnic lunch at Pansy Island. You might visit rural inland villages to discover the unique flora, fauna and people of Bazaruto, or explore the majesty of the largest dunes in Southeast Africa for dune boarding or just a walk. Biking, bird watching, tennis kayaking and paddleboarding are also just a few of the countless options here, along with a rejuvenating spa treatment.

Deservedly dubbed “the Paris of West Africa,” Abidjan opens visitors’ eyes with a dynamic blend of the traditional and the modern, with skyscrapers and bustling markets, along with active cultural and nightlife scenes. Start at the former French colonial capital of Grand-Bassam, named a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its outstanding French architecture. Visit the National Museum of Costume, take a guided tour through the old quarter and join in a local dyeing workshop. A charter flight takes you to Korhogo, where village visits introduce you to Senufo culture and practices and where you take part in a drumming and dance workshop. Explore Korhogo Market for local crafts and visit a blacksmith’s shop. Return to Abidjan for an African gala dinner and a cultural performance of dancing, singing and drumming you’re free to join.

Noteworthy for much more than its namesake wine, Madeira possesses an exuberant and surprising nature and rich in majestic scenery and rare beauty, both on land and at the sea. Hike along dramatic cliffs, through verdant forests and wildflower-laced meadows to see beautiful waterfalls; explore the city of Funchal and visit the colorful market; or take the cable car up to Monte to explore the beautiful gardens and parish church. Sample amber-hued Madeira wine at various vineyards and wine cellars, enjoying tastings along with scenic views of the island’s vineyards and coast. Visit Santana’s traditional thatched-roof houses, built by Portuguese sailors in the early 1400s; learn about soccer giant Cristiano Ronaldo at the CR7 Museum. Other options include canyoning for adrenaline seekers or relaxing on board a catamaran while searching for whales and dolphins.

Boston is a lively cultural capital, a red-bricked romp through the nation’s history from the birth of the American Revolution (follow the Freedom Trail through the city) to the founding of the Red Sox.