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Amanda L Gordon

Nikki Ekstein

Want to do a little networking on your next vacation? Pick your

destination strategically. We’ve asked eight influential financiers to reveal their

favorite places to unwind—and offered our own advice on how to recreate their

trips. We can’t promise whether they’ll return season after season, but we can

promise you’ll have an excellent trip … and plenty to chat about at the next

cocktail party.

An Epic Adventure in Kenya

Whitney Tilson, founder of Kase Capital Management

Arijiju, a private estate that you can rent for a safari in Kenya. Source: Arijiju

"Every other December holiday, we go to Kenya to visit my parents and sister

who live there," said Whitney Tilson. "Sometimes we go on safari; this year we

climbed Mount Kenya. Every time we end up for a week at my parents’ beach

house in the island paradise of Lamu.”

Highlights: Tilson and his family spent beach days in Lamu tubing, sand-

yachting, and watching dhow races from their boat. In Nairobi, they visited an

elephant orphanage and a giraffe sanctuary. "The funniest thing was holding a

food pellet in our mouths and letting the giraffe kiss us," said Tilson.

Do it yourself: Stay at the Giraffe Manor, an iconic property in the Nairobi

suburb of Karen, and you’ll get to feed the titular creatures from your breakfast

table—they’re known to stick their long necks through the hotel’s dining room

windows. Arijiju and Angama Mara are the plushest retreats if you want to go on

safari in the Masai Mara; if you opt to trek Mount Kenya instead, book with

African Ascents, the company Tilson used. And when you finally make it to the

beach, book his family home for yourself. It’s available here.

An Especially Remote Spot in the South Pacific

James Vanasek, principal at VN Capital Management LLC

The beautiful Le Meridien hotel in Isle of Pines, a tiny island in New Caledonia, west of Fiji. Source:

Starwood Hotels & Resorts

The little-known Isle of Pines, one of several islets roughly 800 miles west of Fiji

in French-governed New Caledonia, feels "totally removed from everything,"

said James Vanasek, who traveled here a few weeks ago with his wife and two

kids. "Think unspoiled white sand beaches that you pretty much have to

yourself,” he said, explaining that there are only 2,000 inhabitants on the island

—and very strict restrictions on development.

Highlights: Besides sailing, snorkeling, diving, and hiking, the Vanaseks loved

swimming in a pristine natural tidal pool in Oro Bay. It was surrounded by coral

cliffs and chock-full of tropical fish, like "being in the tank at the National

Aquarium,” said Vanasek.

Do it yourself: Getting to the Isle of Pines isn’t easy. From New York, for

instance, you’ll have to fly to Noumea, New Caledonia’s capital, which requires

two connections—and a full 24 hours of flying. If you happen to be in Sydney, it's

much quicker: Daily direct flights take just three hours. From Noumea, take the

two-hour ferry ride to Isle of Pines, where you can check into a beautiful Le

Meridien hotel: it has just 48 rooms and bungalows on the east side of the island,

right near Oro Bay.

Reconnecting in Israel

Elisha Wiesel, chief information officer at Goldman Sachs

The ancient fortification of Masada in Israel. Photographer: Reynold Mainse/Getty Images

On his most recent trip to Israel, Elisha Wiesel said Kaddish, the Jewish prayer of

mourning, for his father Elie Wiesel. (You may know the latter as the Nobel Prize

for Peace winner who died in July.) "I always feel like I’m coming home," Wiesel

said of his trips to the land of milk and honey. The family toured the country for

10 days, with the kids floating in the Dead Sea, going to the top of Masada,

picking kumquats, and eating falafel. "You have a high-tech industry sitting

footsteps from archaeological digs," said Wiesel of the country’s appeal.

Highlights: Israeli food is taking over the U.S., but it was a French meal at Shiri

Bistro near Tel Aviv that Wiesel recalls most fondly—that and seeing his son

forge a deep connection with the country. As for the best souvenir? Wiesel’s wife

brought home fragrant flowers she collected on the trip. "They’re still at the

dinner table, filling the air with the scent of oranges," he said.

Do it yourself: The Wiesels stayed at the David Citadel in Jerusalem, the Dan

Accadia in the beach town of Herzliya, the Royal Hotel Dead Sea, and then the

Wadi Rosh Pina private house at Pina Parosh, outside Tel Aviv. They drove from

place to place but found Waze’s directions to be glitchy—despite the app being

headquartered in Israel. So if you’d prefer to arrange for a car and driver (or

simply turn your itinerary over to a travel agent, for logistical purposes), reach

out to local specialist Rachel Epstein.

A Whirlwind Trip to India

Marc Rowan, co-founder of Apollo Global Management

A classic view of the Taj Mahal. Photographer: Tetra Images - Bryan Mullennix/Getty Images

Many assume a trip to India requires at least a full week on the ground. But Marc

Rowan, co-founder of Apollo Global Management, and his family—including

designer wife Carolyn Rowan and their three kids—did it in just five days with

the help of a top-notch guide. They focused on the state of Rajasthan, where they

visited Jaipur and Udaipur, and then visited the Taj Mahal at Agra in the nearby

state of Uttar Pradesh.

Highlights: The Rowans witnessed the art of Jal Sanjhvi (drawing on water using

colored powder), walked through markets, and took battery-powered tuk-tuks to

local restaurants, where they stuffed themselves silly with naan. At their hotels

—mostly Oberois—they were greeted with "namaste" and given dots on their

foreheads. But seeing the Taj Mahal was the overwhelming standout. It was

"awe-inspiring for its scale, symmetry, and gem-inlaid detail," said Carolyn.

Do it yourself: Book with Indagare, the travel outfitter that helped Carolyn plan

the trip, or stitch together an itinerary including their favorite hotels: the

Rombagh Palace in Jaipur and the Oberoi hotels in Agra and Udaipur. Their

beloved guide, Sameer, can be found here.

The Ultimate Golfing Vacation in Scotland

Mike Jackson, executive vice president of capital markets at Supernova

Companies

The 145th Open Championship at Royal Troon, Scotland. Photographer: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

Chicago-based Mike Jackson took a two-week golf trip to Scotland with three

good buddies last summer. "All golfers have to make it there at least once,"

Jackson said. They planned their trip for July so they could make it to the Open

championship at Royal Troon; a friend at Comcast hooked them up with seats in

the Golf Channel tower, where they watched the final round in VIP style.

Highlights: Aside from the exclusive access to the open, Jackson and his friends

played five courses: St. Andrews, Royal Aberdeen, Trump Turnberry, Trump

Aberdeen, and Cruden Bay. Cruden made the biggest impression. "We got

everything we came for,” said Jackson. “It was bitter cold—in the 30s—and the

rain was sideways, with over 40-mile-an-hour winds. The caddies never

flinched. It was the worst time I’ve ever had on a golf course, as well as one of the

best." One regret: not trying haggis.

Do it yourself: Do as Jackson did, and split your stay among three places:

Turnberry Resort, Macleod House, and Fairmont St. Andrews. Sleeping near the

courses is the easiest way to secure guaranteed tee times, so it’s worth moving

around.

Schussing Down the Slopes in Whistler

William Ettelson, portfolio manager of Wolfe Global Capital

Skiing in Whistler, where you can also go on excellent hikes, come summertime. Photographer: Karl

Weatherly/Getty Images

This Canadian mountain town north of Vancouver has a low-key, international

vibe that appeals to William Ettelson and his family. His wife, Adelina Wong

Ettelson, head of residences marketing at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group,

told Bloomberg about their family trip there in December. "Christmas time at

Whistler is magical," she said. But the family loves going in the summer, too,

when they can have fun hiking, biking, zip-lining, and kayaking. "Summer is

even better than the winter."

Highlights: This winter, the Ettelsons loved such activities as Santa Skate at the

Olympic Park rink and making maple syrup lollipops. Après ski: a round of

Manhattans at the Fairmont’s Mallard Lounge or pints at the Dublin Gate.

Do it yourself: The Ettelsons rave about the

Whistler Sports Academy for both kids and

adults, summer and winter. They contact

Jamie Grant or Oliver Nixon there for

summer sports camps and private ski

lessons. Go for slope-side lunches at the

Trattoria di Umberto in Whistler Village.

For “the best ever” pizza, head to

Creekbread. Date night is at Scandinave

Spas after a day on the slopes. Then retreat to your own chalet, courtesy of

Whistler Platinum.

Lending a Hand in South Africa

Andrew Klaber, an analyst at Paulson & Co.

Honeywood in Port Shepstone, where Andrew Klaber likes to stay. Source: Honeywood

Andrew Klaber said he loves to go to the coastal province of KwaZulu Natal, in

South Africa, to explore the natural beauty and visit education programs funded

by the nonprofit Even Ground, which he started in 2002. For additional R&R, he

tacks on a few days in Durban. "The promenade along the Indian Ocean is

beautiful," Klaber said of the under-appreciated South African city.

Highlights: On a recent trip, Klaber joined Jackie Carter, a vice president at

Goldman Sachs, and a few others, to see school lessons in progress; at another

school, the students sang and danced in honor of their visit. Then they toured a

monastery with Sister Priscilla Dlamini, whom Carter described as "a force of

nature in old-school high heels."

Do it yourself: Travelers interested in participating with Even Ground can reach

out about opportunities. Stay at the six-room Honeywood in Port Shepstone,

which Klaber personally recommends. It's an ideal base for great golf and

abundant nature reserves, such as Oribi Gorge and Lake Eland. In Durban, stay

at the Concierge, another little hotel with big style points.

The French Riviera—but Not by Yacht

Peter Nolan, head of loan syndication, sales, and trading at Antares Capital

The bay of Villefranche, roughly 20 minutes from Nice on the French Riviera. Photographer: sjoeman/Getty

Images

"The coastline and countryside [of the French Riviera] are beautiful," said Peter

Nolan, who likes to rent a villa there with family and friends for a few relaxing

days. The terrorist attack in Nice in July "should not dissuade people from

visiting," he added.

Highlights: There’s nothing like a summer walk along the Promenade des

Anglais, the main beachside thoroughfare in Nice, said Nolan. To mix it up, the

family takes day-trips to Aix-en-Provence, Eze, and Grasse. Then, for more of a

cosmopolitan feel, the family does day trips to Cannes and Monte Carlo, Monaco.

Do it yourself: The key, said Nolan, is to make sure that your house rental

includes the services of a dedicated chef. La Mediterranée and St. Paul de Vence,

two homes listed by Villas of Distinction, would make great candidates for a trip

this summer.

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