Charly’s Team is delighted to introduce you to some rare individuals, for a special getaway, to a destination that can be far away or close by. Our mission is to map out routes, design itineraries and prepare you to set off on an adventure – with local teams on standby at all times. On this occasion, we would like to introduce you to Paul: a one-man band, equally at home behind a stove, or at a table in the dark corner of a bar, or explaining a road map with charming anecdotes. That’s right, Paul is a very resourceful man who can help us design a trip around you, who will come to know you “better than you know yourself”, ensuring you come home with the best memories.

Let’s travel to Japan, but off the beaten track,

and allow Paul to tempt us with some mouth-watering dishes.

“Islands, volcanoes, mountains and rivers. Imagine a string of small villages, making a gentle impression on the unspoiled landscape, with immediate access to springs and forests. Everything is calm. They grow crops of vegetables, citrus fruits, buckwheat and rice here. From coastal villages teeming with fish, to volcanic areas sprinkled with a network of lush vegetation, to a wild urban sprawl: Japan intrigues visitors with its coexistence of contrasting worlds. Savour a freshly-made sashimi in a small fishing port from times gone by. Loose yourself in the incredible landscapes of its mountainous islands, then sip sake on a rooftop bar in a supercity. Dine in a restaurant with refined design, located in the middle of a rice paddy; enjoy a coffee whilst sitting on a tatami mat in a cabinet-maker’s workshop, hidden deep in the forest. Off the beaten track, Japan is a country that will surprise, astonish and dazzle you.”

Born in New Caledonia, Paul has had a keen sense of adventure and a passion for travelling off the beaten track since childhood. Once a journalist and French professor at Baikal University, Paul traded in his chalk for a knife. He went off to train at L’Astrance, a three-Michelin-starred restaurant in Paris, where the produce is the true star of the show. A place where the senses are sharpened, in order to better determine gestures and measures, with the elegance and vivacious curiosity that define the work of chef Pascal Barbot.
Having benefited from this life-changing experience, Paul then set off to discover new techniques and knowledge, in France, Italy, Russia, the Caucasus and Japan, training in the three-Michelin-starred Hyo Tei in Kyoto, and the one-Michelin-starred Elsa in Monaco. Exploring markets along the way, he visited Eastern Siberia, Armenia, Adjara (Georgia), Xinjiang (western China), Hong Kong, and so on. From simple sandwiches to more complex dishes, from the sea to the mountains, for Paul the only true marker of sophistication is the emotion food transmits. Sharing a moment of pleasure, around the table or outdoors, discovering extraordinary artisans and stories: with its unifying force, food becomes a pretext for the rest, and a reflection of the world around us. With Paul, food tasting becomes a way to understand and discover a region, and those who live and work there every day.

What’s more… 

We can organise a service to provide a chef like Paul as a guide, whatever your destination.

He can also act as a sort of “culinary concierge” for travellers.

In the spirit of discovery, cruise the “land below the wind”.

Situated between the Pacific and Indian oceans, Indonesia is composed of 14,000 islands located below the Equator. The ideal playground at any time of year, and easy to explore by boat. Climb aboard and visit the islands one after the other aboard the Silolona, for an authentic long-distance voyage. In 2004, this 50-metre Phinisi sailing boat was meticulously designed and constructed by hand in Sulawesi. It is made from the best tropical hardwoods, from its hull to its interiors. Inspired by the vessels that traded on the spice route in Indonesia, Silolona evokes a rich tradition. The crew are renowned for their expertise in ancestral culture and customs. This all began with her American owner, who was promoting cultural exchanges, arranging for charitable medical aid to be delivered to remote islands, and organising excursions to local communities… Most of the crew members were proud to be able to participate in her construction, and are currently involved in her maintenance. The experiences on offer here include free diving along the pristine reefs teeming with hundreds of corals and thousands of species of fish, including Manta rays, sharks, dolphins and giant turtles. In Flores, meeting the members of a tribe, being welcomed and protected through a sharing ceremony, forms part of the many traditions of Indonesian culture. Life revolves around daily offerings to the gods and tribal dances. Other rituals prepare young men for war, celebrate the union between two families during a wedding, or evoke the primordial moment of sowing seeds.

By supporting the local economy in a fair manner, at Kilima Camp, Maasai Mara, Kenya.

Located on an escarpment overhanging the Mara plains and river, the camp offers exceptional experiences, with only 15 tents over an area of 200 hectares, with free access for the wildlife. Safaris on foot, on horseback, in a hot air balloon, and of course with specialised 4×4 vehicles, with studies currently being carried out in order to switch to electric vehicles… A camp with classic charm? Not really, because the estate is being leased from the Maasai community, who receive rent and will become the owners of the lodge once the lease agreement expires. 90% of the staff come from the surroundings villages and are trained in Nairobi. The lodge is self-sufficient in terms of water, and run by 95% on solar and wind power. The food served is local and organic, and even the mozzarella is made on site!

By enjoying nature, in Chile.

Around twenty kilometres from Castro in Chile, overlooking the islands of the Chiloé archipelago and the imposing Andes mountain range, the silhouette of Tierra Chiloé blends into the landscape. Respectful of its environment, this haven for travellers looking for authentic experiences merges architectural achievement with local traditions. The building is inspired by the houses on stilts that are emblematic of this island. Glass, cement and larch feature on the exterior, whereas the interior pays homage to the local craft of woodworking with its cladding made of indigenous cypress. In a special location, far away from the hubbub and pollution of the city, the boilers powered with biomass pellets provide the hot water.
The architectural design, for its part, ensures cross ventilation, to cool the spaces without using electricity. All of the windows with solar panels are equipped with “low E” technology, preserving 66% of the heat that is usually lost. The hotel, just like its two sister properties, the Atacama and the Patagonia, has been designed to allow in as much natural light as possible, to avoid unnecessary consumption of electricity.

Prioritise encounters and experiences = Mongolia on horseback.

To nourish body and soul, crossing Mongolia requires meticulous preparation. But immersion in its exceptional landscapes, in combination with heartfelt exchanges, promotes personal development through unique human experiences. The Mongolian people are traditionally pastoral nomads, with their character having been forged by the fragility of the central Asian steppes, a harsh climate and a density of less than one inhabitant per square kilometre. The result is an unparalleled humanity and culture of hospitality. So why not do this journey on horseback?
You will encounter hordes of restless foals, farmers riding towards you to greet you, nomads walking with goats and sheep across verdant, rolling pastures.
Find comfort in the evenings in a yurt with your host, in the middle of nowhere. The digital detox is complete, as you will be isolated in the middle of vast plains, where the traditional Mongolian songs and the calls of the eagles reverberate all around you.
Here, each meeting has a purpose, especially because sharing the everyday life of a family over several days turns into a spiritual quest. The calendar is interspersed with several holidays, during which the nomads meet up with their relatives and neighbours, and continue traditions that span several generations.