With new journeys spanning Norway’s High Arctic, Scandinavia’s cultural capitals and Panama’s lush rainforests, Blue Parallel is doubling down on its signature formula: insider access, world-class comfort and meaningful immersion.
We caught up with Blue Parallel Founder Emmanuel Burgio to learn what defines the Blue Parallel experience for your most discerning clients.
Recommend: What guiding idea or inspiration drives Blue Parallel’s approach to travel?
Emmanuel Burgio: From the very beginning, our inspiration has been UNESCO World Heritage sites and places of extraordinary natural beauty and cultural significance. We curate once-in-a-lifetime journeys that allow travelers who are used to the very best in life to check off their most ambitious bucket-list experiences, always in a way that feels private, seamless, and deeply meaningful.
Recommend: How would you describe what sets the brand apart at its core?
Burgio: Our edge lies in insider access. From day one, we’ve worked exclusively at the ultra-luxury level, cultivating relationships that open doors usually closed to the public. We have developed invaluable relationships with esteemed scholars, acclaimed artists, Olympic athletes, renowned chefs, directors of historical and natural landmarks, as well as with local leaders in politics and business, to name just a few examples.
Recommend: What inspired Blue Parallel to expand into Norway’s High Arctic, and how do these journeys differ from your other adventure offerings?
Burgio: Blue Parallel collaborated with National Geographic on a one-of-a-kind project showcasing the Arctic Circle in the aerial photography book “Through the Eyes of the Vikings.” This was our first experience in Northern Norway, and the region’s raw beauty and cultural history left us eager to return and create journeys that would bring this part of the world to life for our clients. Our first tours to Norway were to the fjord region, the Lofoten Islands, Oslo and Bergen, but when a new luxury property opened in the High Arctic, we explored it ourselves and knew it had to be part of our portfolio. This region and new journey mirror our existing “winter wonderland” journeys in Iceland and Sweden, but with its own distinct identity. This tour opens the door to the elusive Northern Lights and invites travelers to try epic Arctic adventures such as dog sledding, snowmobiling and snowshoeing. Guests can even stay at the incredible Igloo Hotel. It’s a region that feels both adventurous and deeply immersive, and we designed this sample itinerary to be experienced at the highest level of comfort and exclusivity.
Recommend: How is the Copenhagen–Stockholm–Oslo trifecta designed to appeal to culturally curious travelers—and how can advisors best position it?
Burgio: Copenhagen, Stockholm and Oslo all blend natural beauty with layered cultural history. Once connected under the Kalmar Union, each city has evolved in fascinatingly different ways and this is showcased through its architecture, artistry and gastronomy. What ties it together is our exclusive access: private entry to Stockholm’s Vasa Museum after hours, a behind-the-scenes visit to Oslo’s Fram and Kon-Tiki museums, a curated Copenhagen design tour with personal visits to artists and designers, or an evening tour of Copenhagen’s Christiansborg Palace after it is closed to the public. Advisors can position it as an immersive way to experience Scandinavia’s capitals in depth, with privileged access that goes far beyond the standard highlights.
Recommend: What kind of traveler do you see gravitating toward the new Panama–Colombia program, and how does the Emberá community visit fit into that experience?
Burgio: This journey appeals to travelers fascinated by both man-made and natural wonders. The Panama Canal comes alive with our special insider access, which includes a VIP tour of the Panama Canal, as well as the option of a partial crossing in a private yacht accompanied by an expert engineer. Meanwhile, Cartagena offers the magic of a UNESCO-listed Old Town where travelers can enjoy cultural experiences such as an exclusive salsa class in a privately owned 16th-century home. Guests can also explore pristine rainforests and meet the indigenous Emberá community for a meaningful and immersive experience, including interacting with the community shaman, a dance and craft demonstration, a walk with a botanist to learn about medical plants, a traditional indigenous lunch and a canoe ride. A luxury stay in the Rosario archipelago ensures the trip offers authentic Caribbean leisure.
Recommend: What level of customization can travelers expect with these new itineraries?
Burgio: Every journey we design is 100 percent custom-made. We provide sample itineraries as inspiration, but every detail is tailored to the traveler’s preferences, whether that’s adjusting the pace, adding private air or layering in unique insider access experiences.
Recommend: How do these expansions align with Blue Parallel’s overall growth strategy for 2026?
Burgio: Our growth strategy for 2026 is about depth. We aim to consolidate our existing destinations and add new programs where we already have a strong presence. It’s about refining and expanding within regions we are experts in and know intimately, rather than spreading thin.
Recommend: Are you seeing increased demand for remote, culturally immersive travel, and how is that shaping your product design?
Burgio: Since the pandemic, we’ve seen families and groups of friends place even more value on time together in remote, untouched destinations. Whether it’s staying at a Patagonia lodge deep inside a national park or venturing into the heart of the Amazon, our travelers prioritize privacy and authenticity. Even in urban settings like Lisbon or Stockholm, where it’s typically challenging to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, we enable our guests to enjoy immersive moments in peace by designing itineraries focused on immersion and including experiences that avoid crowds and lines.
Recommend: From your perspective, how do different generations approach travel today?
Burgio: Baby boomers and our more mature clients tend to prefer extended journeys as they are often retired and have more time to explore. They will travel for longer, and sometimes explore multiple destinations at a slower pace. Our younger travelers value efficiency and prefer maximum experiences in less time. They often incorporate private air to reduce air time and charter private yachts to move between locations at their own pace. Across generations, though, our clients remain highly active and engaged, and they want journeys that open the door to new adventures.
