Redefining Luxury Travel: Insights from Devaki Das on Crafting Unique Travel Experiences

As the award-winning founder of Weave a Thousand Journeys (WATJ), Devaki Das has carved out a niche in crafting highly exclusive and tailored vacations that emphasize cultural immersion, unique architecture, the finest cuisines, incredible history, and local art.

With a background in architecture and a passion for culinary arts, Devaki and her team transform ordinary trips into extraordinary adventures, meticulously designed to reflect the unique interests and desires of each traveler.

We had the opportunity to dive deep into the world of luxury travel with Devaki, exploring how her company, WATJ, creates unforgettable journeys. She shared insights with us on emerging destinations and luxury travel trends, as well as the intricacies of culinary and wine-centric travel, the allure of architectural and art-focused journeys, and the increasing popularity of multi-generational travel.

Check out our full interview with Devaki Das below!

Devaki Das

What inspired you to start Weave a Thousand Journeys, and how does your background in architecture influence your approach to travel planning?

Devaki Das: The birth of Weave A Thousand Journeys is a story of change and passion. Around 2010, during the financial crash, I realized it wasn’t the best time for me to stay in architecture and construction. Coming from a family of architects and marrying into one, I pondered deeply about what I would do if I didn’t stick with architecture.

Reflecting on my passions and the things I loved was enlightening. I’ve always had a love for the culinary arts—ever since I took my first steps into a kitchen at the age of 8! It’s a passion I carried through my architecture studies and graduate school. Additionally, I’ve been traveling around the world from a very young age, exploring Australasia with my family during my university years and then later with my husband, Shamit.

In 2011, while vacationing in a villa in Tuscany with some of our closest friends, we noticed how challenging it was to cater to everyone’s different desires and interests. The vacation that was supposed to be easy and seamless turned out to be quite chaotic because everyone had different interests and wanted to go their own way. This experience sparked the idea of Weave A Thousand Journeys. It made me realize that even best friends might struggle to travel harmoniously together. So, our mission is to connect like-minded travelers and create bespoke experiences that celebrate the beauty of architecture, food, wine, and culture for our luxury private clients.

Devaki Das: Among the top travel trends for our high-end clients we have noticed the focus to be on spending time with loved ones; family travel, celebration travel, and multigenerational travel are definitely on the top of the list.

In addition, I’ve noticed that more and more of our clients are traveling off-season. For example, November and December are wonderful times to be in Rome, which is just delightful, with temperatures in the 50s and low 60s during the day. Prices are lower. Everything is less crowded—museums, restaurants and shops. It feels more authentic because the pace of travel is much slower, and you’re not dealing with wall-to-wall tourists as you would in the peak summer months in the sweltering heat. Cultural immersion continues to be at the core of all our vacations, of course!

How do you incorporate culinary experiences into your tailored vacations, and what makes them unique?

Devaki Das: Unforgettable culinary experiences are truly the heart and soul of our tailored vacations at Weave A Thousand Journeys! I believe that food is a gateway to understanding a culture and its people.

Depending on our client’s interests, we can organize a private cooking class with a renowned chef in a Tuscan villa or… in Puglia, for example, we went to a village outside Matera where we went into the home and cooking studio of a Chef and made hand rolled orecchiette pasta and learned his family recipe for Pugliese Sunday sauce! These aren’t just classes; they’re immersive experiences. Spending the day with local food artisans and Chefs in Tuscany or Provence or Burgundy, it is not just about tasting the food but understanding the people and the stories behind them.

For example, during a trip to Morocco, we would not only visit ancient spice markets in the old Medina but also use the ingredients we picked up in the market to do a traditional cooking class in a historical riad or my favorite venue in Marrakesh, AMAL.

AMAL is a non-profit run by women for women, empowering women and training them for jobs in the culinary arts so they can support themselves and their families. It’s where I will be taking my group for a cooking class in 2025!

What are some of the most architecturally fascinating destinations you recommend to your clients?

Devaki Das: This question is almost impossible to answer when you consider that architecture and the built environment has been part of civilization since the dawn of time. Not to mention the diversity of architecture all over the world. There’s just so much splendor out there!

So, when working with a client, I focus on the destination they want to go to and then make suggestions accordingly. For example, in Barcelona, how can one overlook the Modernist architectural wonderland with Gaudí’s whimsical Sagrada Familia and Park Güell? The one thing I always recommend to my clients is to spend a few hours with an architect who specializes in Gaudi’s work. You’ll see Gaudi in a whole new light, and it makes the city so much more special when you view it through a filter of knowledge.

Matthias Church

Matthias Church is one of my favorite buildings in the Buda side of Budapest, Hungary and is an incredible example of Gothic architecture with its ornate exterior with the stunning colored glass tiles but also the breathtaking interior with the pigments on the walls and ornate wood work.

In Rome, yes, everyone must at least once in their life experience the breathtaking splendor of the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica, but the building that keeps me coming back year after year and one I make sure all my clients go to visit is the small architectural gem of the Basilica of San Clemente. Just a few minutes from the Colosseum, you can walk past it and completely overlook it. But it is spectacular because in just one building, as in no other place in Rome, you can visit and experience different eras of Rome’s past. Descending below the present church, one enters a 4th-century church containing some of the world’s finest medieval frescos, dating from the 8th to the 11th century. Going down a lower level, one enters the 1st-century building area with its Mithraic temple. Above the excavation stands the present 12th-century Basilica, with its magnificent mosaics and early Renaissance frescoes. The colors and the pigments on the walls are all just awe-inspiring to me and keep me coming back year after year.

Can you tell us about a particularly memorable art-focused journey you’ve crafted for a client?

Devaki Das: One of our most memorable art-focused journeys was crafted for our clients who had a passion for sculpting and intricate craftsmanship. This journey took them to one of my favorite places in Southern Italy, Puglia, where we introduced them to the incredible work of Renzo Buttazzo.

Renzo Buttazzo is a renowned sculptor whose work with Lecce stone—locally known as Pietra Leccese—is nothing short of mesmerizing. We crafted an immersive experience that allowed our client to not only witness Renzo’s artistry but also to engage with it on a personal level.

They were able to spend half a day with Renzo and his apprentice in a private workshop at his studio, where our client had the rare opportunity to observe Renzo at work and also work with their hands, beginning with a block of Leccese stone and using simple tools to design their own personal work on art. A private viewing of Renzo’s work in his studio followed by a picnic lunch in the garden with a cold lunch featuring delicious Pugliese produce, breads, cheeses, wines, honey and figs made for a perfect day!

This art-focused journey not only allowed our client to immerse themselves in the rich artistic heritage of Puglia but also to connect deeply with the local culture and its contemporary expressions. It was profoundly fulfilling for them and a testament to the enriching experiences we strive to create at Weave A Thousand Journeys.

What are some hidden gems in Europe or Northern Africa that you believe more travelers should explore?

Devaki Das: Gosh! That’s such a tough question. It’s like asking me to choose a favorite among my kids!

Once again, unless my clients are first-time travelers to a country, I try to steer them away from the usual destinations. For example, if you’ve already visited the highlights in Italy, it’s time to talk about Emilia Romagna, Sicily, Puglia, and more. All these destinations in Italy are unique in their own way.

Emilia Romagna is a must do for food lovers – it’s home to the culinary trinity! Balsamico, Parmigiano Reggiano cheese & Proscuitto di Parma (DOP).

Caltagirone stairway
Caltagirone stairway / Photo Credit: Restuccia Giancarlo

In Sicily, I love for them to visit the whole region but also stop at lesser-known towns like Caltagirone, which is home to incredible ceramics and has a staircase of 142 steps that was constructed in 1608. It’s famous for its unique ceramic tiles, each step adorned with hand-painted majolica tiles that depict Sicily’s rich cultural heritage. It’s really something to see in person!

In Portugal, Sintra is famous for its fairytale castles and by all means visit there but don’t forget visiting gorgeous little towns like Óbidos is a picturesque medieval town famous for its charming cobblestone streets, whitewashed houses, and impressive castle. A must-visit for history buffs and romantics alike.

In Morocco, Instagram has made the blue city of Chefchaouen famous, but I’d rather you visit the stunning ksars (fortified villages) of Ait Ben Haddou and Ouarzazate.

As you can see, I can go on and on, country by country!

How do you tailor experiences for multi-generational groups to ensure everyone’s interests are met?

Devaki Das: It all begins with a conversation, listening, and then taking a deep dive to figure out what each of the family members are interested in. We then offer the family different choices of activities based on their interests.

Right now, we have a family of 10 who are on tour in Europe, and the family has members ranging from age 76 to an 11-year-old. We have planned a range of activities for everyone, from exploring Rome in a golf cart, which is perfect for all ages, including family members with mobility issues, to a-day-in-the-life of a Gladiator tour — an immersive experience for kids and teenagers.

In Barcelona, the teenagers are going to spend a day with a graffiti artist while older members of the family enjoy a paint and wine workshop.

One thing that is always a hit across the board with all age groups is a private, family cooking class. This allows for as much or as little participation as one would like and is an activity that makes memories for the entire family for years to come.

Another favorite are walking food tours in cities from Rome to Porto! Our clients have so much fun interacting with locals while noshing on delicious local eats.

How do you select and work with local guides to ensure they meet WATJ’s standards?

Devaki Das: I learned a long time ago that good people know good people, or put it another way, “birds of a feather flock together.”

We are in the people business, and it all comes down to our network of business friends in the travel business. We tend to usually work with small businesses who are subject-matter-experts. So nine times out of ten, I either know the tour guide personally (who is also the owner of the company because we have known each other for years and continue to meet up for a meal when I am traveling to their city), or I know the owner of the company and we share the same outlook in business and caring for our clients.

In this case, I may not personally know the guides, but knowing the person who is responsible for looking after our clients on the ground is priceless. We also have a zero-tolerance policy for BS. Things will invariably go south on the ground, and if the person or company we are doing business with starts making excuses instead of helping problem-solve, it is a huge red flag for us, and we drop them like a hot potato!

So, our roster of travel partners tends to be top-notch, and we constantly update our list at the end of each year. We are loyal to those we work with so it is crucial we work with good people all around the world.

How has the luxury travel industry changed since you founded WATJ, and how have you adapted?

Devaki Das: One thing that I have noticed since I started the company over a decade ago is that global consumers are becoming more affluent, have more disposable income, and there is an increasing trend to invest into experiences vs material goods. This has definitely led to increased demand for luxury travel and immersive experiences.

Also, keep in mind, that the very definition of luxury is different for different clients. For one traveler, it could be a private jet from one city to another because they don’t want to deal with lines and crowds. For another, it could be a villa in St. Tropez with a fine dining Chef preparing their meals based on strict dietary requirements. Curating something that appeals to clients on a specific, personal level and goes above the norms is key to the evolution of luxury travel, and this is something that we are seeing more and more.

In many ways, social media has shrunk the world, and clients want to go to far-flung places and see images of luxury splashed all over the screen. They appreciate high luxury and unique curated travel experiences the world over. So, at Weave A Thousand Journeys, we continue to travel and develop deep relationships with travel partners worldwide. What we bring to the table for our clients is the benefit of our firsthand experiences and meticulous attention to detail that truly sets us apart.

One of our clients perfectly captured our essence by calling us “memory creators” in her testimonial—which I humbly think sums up what we do perfectly.

What advice would you give to travelers looking to have a more immersive and culturally rich experience on their next luxury vacation?

Devaki Das: We always advise our clients to seek out the local and authentic.

  • Take Your Time! Slow travel, slow food. Don’t try to see everything in a rush. Jam-packing every single minute of each day is no greater recipe for misery during your travels than slowing down and savoring the experience. Spending more time in one place allows you to sit in a piazza surrounded by locals enjoying an evening aperitif. Isn’t that what it’s all about?
  • If possible, stay at Boutique Hotels or Heritage Properties. Opt for accommodations that reflect the local architecture and heritage. Boutique hotels, or converted palaces, and historic homes often provide a more authentic experience than large chain hotels. What’s the point if your hotel room in Lisboa is a replica of the one you stayed at in Chicago?
  • Engage with the Locals. Make an effort to interact with the local community through guided walking food tour, or tours with local historians, or participate in authentic cooking classes, pottery making, or traditional dance lessons.
  • Dine at Local Restaurants. Skip the hotel restaurant and seek out local eateries. One big tell is if you are walking down a main drag and you see a restaurant with a menu featuring photos of the food they serve with tourists at every table, run the other way! Talk to the concierge at your hotel, or do some research and eat at a local gem a few streets away from the madding crowds.
  • Use Local Subject-matter experts. Engage the services of a knowledgeable person who specializes in a subject. They can offer insider insights and access to places that are off the beaten tourist path. Plus, they often have fascinating personal stories that bring the destination to life.
  • Respect and Observe Local Customs. Do some research beforehand on the cultural norms and etiquette of the place you’re visiting. Dressing appropriately, understanding social dos and don’ts, and respecting religious practices will make your experience smoother and more enjoyable.
  • Support Social Enterprises. Look for tours and activities that give back to the community. For example, taking a cooking class at a non-profit that supports women and trains them in culinary fields is a much more meaningful way to not only interact with the locals in a community, but you are using your visit to make a positive impact for change.

Lastly, is there a specific mantra, quote, or affirmation that you hold close to your heart?

Devaki Das: At Weave A Thousand Journeys, we live by the mantra, “Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer.”

This belief shapes every bespoke journey I craft, ensuring each client returns home enriched with unforgettable experiences, deeper cultural understanding, and cherished memories. My dedication to this principle drives my passion for creating unique, immersive travel adventures that leave a lasting impact on the hearts and minds of those who embark on them.

Learn more about Devaki Das and her company, Weave A Thousand Journeys, here.

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Emily Sprinkle, also known as Emma Loggins, is a designer, marketer, blogger, and speaker. She is the Editor-In-Chief for Women's Business Daily where she pulls from her experience as the CEO and Director of Strategy for Excite Creative Studios, where she specializes in web development, UI/UX design, social media marketing, and overall strategy for her clients.

Emily has also written for CNN, Autotrader, The Guardian, and is also the Editor-In-Chief for the geek lifestyle site FanBolt.com