Co-Founder & Director at Butterfield & Robinson Travel
Founded in 1966 by George, his wife Martha and his brother-in-law Sidney Robinson, Butterfield & Robinson now offers more than 100 exhilarating biking and walking trips in India, Morocco, Indochina and the Amalfi Coast and around the world. B&R is also well known for its charity and philanthropy in over 30 countries. Because of his accomplishments, George was awarded the Order of Canada in 2006. When George isn’t at the B&R headquarters in Toronto brainstorming new trips, you can find him in France or Bermuda with his family.
Le Travelist chats with George as he reveals his top travel essentials, tips and destinations.
5 essential travel items
I like to keep it simple: passport, credit card, cash, reading glasses and great earphones.
Most memorable vacation
I travel a great deal, so I am usually most enthusiastic about the last trip I have taken. One of the memorable moments from a recent trip to South Africa was getting a bit lost with my wife Martha hiking down Table Mountain. It was much more challenging than we anticipated and it turned into a wonderful adventure.
Favourite travel destination
France. Many years ago I decided to locate the B&R headquarters in Burgundy in the heart of France and it is still my favorite destination; it is the best biking in the world.
Favourite hotel and why
I don’t have a favourite hotel, but we have a wonderful pied-a-terre in Beaune called the Bastion Ste Anne. It is set within the medieval walls of Beaune and has a wonderful ‘secret’ garden.
Describe your dream vacation
A vacation with my family to an un-touristy part of the world which offers fun activities, unique cultural experiences.
First thing you check out when checking into a hotel room
To see if the window opens – I love fresh air.
Favourite city to live
Toronto
Favourite hotel amenity/luxury extra
A Balcony – I love to be able to sit on the terrace and look out.
Where will you go on your next vacation
Martha and I are talking about taking our granddaughter to the Loire Valley. We are also thinking about Madagascar and about going back to Myanmar.
Best city for…
shopping: Paris
food: Paris
art & culture: Paris
nature: Cape Town
Photo credit: George Butterfield
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