Luxury Ambassador of the Month

Anny Stensvig, Head of Product, Nyhavn Rejser · Denmark

What sparked your passion for luxury travel?

"I love creating new itineraries, especially when clients trust me enough to give me the freedom to be creative. Of course I always keep their interests in mind, as well as any specific accommodations or destinations they'd like to include, the activities they enjoy, and their fitness level. I think we're incredibly fortunate to work in an industry where we help people plan something truly enjoyable – their free time. I'm not entirely sure what first sparked my passion for travel. I grew up on a farm, and our family holidays were mostly day trips around Jutland. Perhaps it started with travel stories, TV shows, and magazines. When I was 17, I asked my best friend to join me in England, where we worked for ten months. That's when I realized I wanted to work in the travel industry. It didn't happen immediately, but I always knew I'd find my way there eventually."

Image: Nyhavn Rejser

Career

  • 1991: Selling kibbutz stays to youth travelers, individual clients and incentive groups
  • 1997: Travel Designer for Down Under & Asia at Marco Polo Tours (later Hannibal Tours)
  • 2005: Travel Designer for New Zealand & Asia at Nyhavn Rejser
  • 2018: Nyhavn Rejser was bought by Aller Media Denmark, the largest Media and magazine company in Scandinavia and positioned as their luxury brand
  • 2021: After the pandemic, I moved into high-end travel sales. Alongside New Zealand, I also took responsibility for Australia at Nyhavn Rejser
  • 2025: Head of Products for New Zealand, Australia, Vietnam, Cambodia Laos, and Malaysia

Which travel themes do you specialize in?

"I specialize in Australia and New Zealand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, and Malaysia, as well as Portugal, Italy, Scotland, Iceland, the Faroe Islands, and luxury train journeys. New Zealand was probably the first destination I truly made my own. It is breathtakingly beautiful, and I believe the country is second to none when it comes to creating fun, quirky, and memorable excursions. That said, Australia has my heart. The incredible diversity is simply unmatched. It's also been wonderful to see First Nations tourism gain the recognition it deserves. For the past 25 years, Vietnam with its incredible variety of experiences has been my favorite destination in Asia. I'm also a firm believer in coolcations. While most people traditionally head south for their summer vacation – why not choose Iceland, the Faroe Islands, or Scotland instead? Each offers something truly unique and unforgettable in its own way."

What's the most unusual client request you've ever had?

"Probably a couple traveling through New Zealand. The gentleman asked me to arrange a special place where he could propose to his girlfriend – as a secret, of course. We booked them a heli flight from Queenstown to a remote spot in the Southern Alps, where the pilot left them with a picnic basket, sparkling wine, and a walkie-talkie so they could call him anytime. She had absolutely no idea – and fortunately, she said yes. Seven days later, while they were staying near Abel Tasman National Park, the groom-to-be contacted me again. This time, he asked if I could arrange for a wedding officiant to meet them on a beautiful beach and marry them on the spot. But this time she said no: She simply wasn't prepared for such a surprise and wanted her family and friends to be part of the wedding. Since everything had already been arranged, he still had to cover the cost. And I'm sorry I don't know how the story ended!"

Please share a suitcase packing hack that you like to use.

"Definitely: pack light! I'm always amazed by some of the things people bring on vacation – like an iron, coffee, oil to fix a squeaky hotel room door, their own pillow, food and drinks (when trying the local cuisine is such an important part of the experience!), a kettle, clothespins, or sometimes even cat food for stray cats in the destination. One former colleague even told me that he usually brings a vacuum cleaner to suck the air out of his compression packing bags. As for me, there are just a few things I never travel without –  apart from laptop, phone, and all the chargers: my sunglasses, a reusable coffee cup for takeout coffee, and those special blister plasters for my feet, which usually end up walking many kilometers each day. I also coordinate my clothes around a color palette so I can mix and match different pieces throughout the trip."

What has been your most memorable trip so far?

"Bhutan – without a doubt! It's a magical and deeply spiritual destination unlike anywhere else. Its beauty lies not only in the breathtaking landscapes, colorful prayer flags draped across the hills, and ancient temples, but above all in its people. Mindfulness and compassion are deeply woven into everyday life, guided by a philosophy that values contentment over material wealth. During my trip, I stayed at a variety of properties, and every single one offered its own unique character, exceptional hospitality, and spectacular surroundings. Two stand out in particular: Six Senses Thimphu and Gangtey Lodge. The local guides quickly become friends, making it all the more difficult to say goodbye."

What destinations remain on your personal bucket list?

"Australia continues to top my travel wish list – especially destinations like Lord Howe Island and iconic Outback lodges such as Bullo River Station, Mt Mulligan Lodge, and El Questro Homestead. I simply love the Australian Outback! I'm also eager to explore the Himalayas in India on one of Shakti Himalaya's renowned walking journeys. Cambodia is another destination I'd love to revisit, as Shinta Mani Wild in the Cardamom Mountains is still missing from my list. It's such a beautiful country! Beyond that, the Galápagos Islands, Colombia, the Greek Islands, Puglia in southern Italy, and Namibia are all high on my travel bucket list."

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