We sat down with William Siddeley, CEO of 1953, the specialist travel company redefining what it means to explore the world.

Tell us a little about yourself

Growing up, my family holidays always had an adventurous slant, which is where my curiosity

for nature and the outdoors began. I particularly remember a trip to a dude ranch in Idaho when

I was 12 and we went white water rafting and horseback riding. The thrill and excitement from

this trip was particularly formative in my love of adventure. This has continued throughout my life and since graduating from the University of Nottingham, I’ve spent the past decade pursuing my love of exploration, working for Bear Grylls and several leading adventure travel companies.

Living in South Africa further deepened my connection to adventure and conservation. I was

inspired by the wildlife and I can remember helicopter safaris across Tanzania, Kenya, and

Botswana vividly. I’ve also been fortunate to embark on diving expeditions in Mozambique where I swam with two whale sharks in the same day. My passion for ocean conservation deepened when I supported various submersible diving trips in the Solomon Islands, Fiji, and French Polynesia. I was able to experience marine life in a way I had never before.

These travels, alongside visits to the Amazon jungle and the Galápagos Islands, have strengthened my passion for some of the world’s most remarkable natural environments and sharing this with others.

What inspired you to start 1953? How did the name 1953 come about?

My own experiences have shown me the power of travel with purpose. Not just ticking off destinations but creating meaningful moments that connect you to the wild, to local communities and to something bigger than yourself. That is what I wanted to build with 1953.

The name 1953 is inspired by a defining era of exploration and discovery. It was the year Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay summited Everest, a moment that captured the courage, curiosity and pioneering spirit that continues to inspire our team today. For me, 1953 represents a mindset of meaningful exploration, seeking out the extraordinary while remaining deeply connected to people, culture and the natural world. That same spirit sits at the heart of everything we do, creating thoughtful journeys designed around what matters most to each traveller.

What sets your service apart from other high-end travel providers?

What sets us apart is the level of care, collaboration and personalisation behind every journey we create. We work closely with our clients from the very beginning, developing ideas and shaping experiences around what inspires them most before crafting a fully tailored itinerary with a few thoughtful surprises along the way. Every itinerary is designed entirely from the ground up around the individual group, their interests, pace and style of travel.

No trip is ever repeated twice. We create thoughtful, seamless journeys that feel personal, immersive and memorable from beginning to end. To make the experience even more personal and carefree, 1953 offers experienced and personable hosts to look after every detail.

How do you ensure each itinerary feels truly personal and unique?

Personalisation sits at the heart of everything we do. Every journey is designed entirely around the individuals travelling, ensuring no two experiences are ever the same. From shaping itineraries around personal passions and interests to creating one of a kind moments and surprises, we believe the smallest details often leave the biggest impression. We have curated highly personalised celebrations and events, including milestone birthdays, family gatherings and special anniversaries. We also share thoughtful personalised gifts for our clients, allowing them to take home lasting reminders of their experience. We often encourage guests to travel with their own photographer or videographer. This allows us to help create beautifully documented memories through trip films, documentaries and artfully designed photo albums.

Are clients prioritising bespoke experiences now compared to a few years ago?

We have seen a shift towards deeper, more meaningful experiences rooted in nature. Clients are increasingly willing to travel further in search of rarer experiences, whether that is exploring Patagonia or sleeping out on a private island in the Okavango Delta in Botswana.

There is a growing desire to move beyond traditional luxury travel and experience places that feel wild, authentic and difficult to access. This can be anywhere from the South Pacific to Antarctica. With some clients, the more remote the better, while never sacrificing on comfort.

Can you share an example of a particularly memorable or unusual trip you’ve curated?

One trip I designed was for a multigenerational family that was looking to celebrate a family

members’ significant birthday. These briefs are always my favourite as its incredibly special to

be part of helping a family come together and honour one another. The design process was

incredibly collaborative which meant that we had lots of personal details to enrich each chapter

of the trip and make it unforgettable. We had big moments like surprising them with their favourite musical performer to smaller moments such as awarding the children with a bead to add to their bracelet after they had conquered that day’s adventurous activity.

Are there any hidden gems you particularly enjoy recommending?

My ‘hidden gem’ destinations right now are Iceland, Finland and Norway. I was recently in

Iceland and was reminded what an incredible and dramatic place it is. I saw the Northern Lights

in Finland last year which was particularly special given we are in a ‘solar maximum’ period.

Similar to these two countries, Norway enjoys the dramatic fjords, remote wilderness, and unique wildlife encounters. I think these various aspects of all 3 destinations oUer an incredible variety of experiences in a setting of raw natural beauty which feels quite transformative.

Are there exclusive experiences you can offer that others can’t?

Absolutely, we focus on experiences that are difficult to replicate as they rely on trusted relationships built over time, logistical capability, and, in some cases, highly remote operations.

A few examples we’re currently suggesting to clients:

• Remote heli-ski expeditions in Patagonia directly from your private superyacht, including

the rare opportunity to ski untouched volcanic terrain accessible to only a handful of travellers worldwide.

• Journeys into remote regions of Papua New Guinea, where guests can meet isolated

tribes in East New Britain and witness extraordinary ceremonial traditions.

• Encounters with the Tigak shark-callers, also in Papua New Guinea, who use ancient chants believed to summon ancestral spirits from the deep. Guests can participate in an ethical lasso-and-release shark experience that combines cultural immersion with

adrenaline.

• Conservation-led experiences in South Africa’s Kruger National Park, including privileged access to active rhino protection initiatives. In partnership with the national park authorities and licensed wildlife veterinarians, guests can observe and support the

highly controlled de-horning process used to protect rhinos from poaching.

What are the biggest challenges in delivering truly bespoke travel?

Every client who travels with us has a personal motivation for their journey. It may be celebrating

a milestone birthday or reconnecting as a family or looking to turn off and disconnect.

I’d say the greatest challenge, and the most rewarding part of what we do, is successfully

translating that emotional brief into an experience that delivers the feeling our client is searching for. We understand the investment that our clients are making with trips of this size and we are committed to ensuring that itineraries are not only flawlessly executed, but that they also live up to the feeling being sought after.

Achieving that often requires navigating extraordinary logistical complexity, access, timing, and local relationships behind the scenes. But for the client, the experience should feel effortless,

personal, and deeply meaningful.

What has been your own most unforgettable travel experience?

I had the opportunity to swim with humpback whales in French Polynesia in 2020, and it remains one of the most unforgettable experiences of my life.

I remember vividly the moment a mother humpback whale and her calf rose slowly from the depths beneath me, and I found myself making eye contact with her. It was a remarkable moment. Long after they disappeared back into the blue, I could still hear them calling to one another beneath the surface.

While each journey has been extraordinary in its own way, swimming with humpback whales

still stands apart.

If you had to recommend one “once-in-a-lifetime” trip, what would it be?

Exploring the Galápagos Islands aboard your own private yacht is, in my view, one of the world’s

truly once-in-a-lifetime journeys. My choice is definitely influenced by my love for ocean conservation and the Galápagos stands as one of the world's most remarkable examples of marine conservation in action. Above and beneath the water, the islands are home to extraordinary endemic wildlife, from giant tortoises and marine iguanas to the world’s northernmost penguins and vast schools of sharks.

What makes the Galápagos so special is the intimacy of the encounters. Because there are no

large natural predators, many of the animals are remarkably unafraid of humans. You can swim

alongside sea lions, walk through vast seabird colonies, and follow sea turtles across pristine

reefs. Experiencing the islands aboard a private yacht offers complete freedom and flexibility, allowing you to explore remote coves, hike volcanic calderas with private guides, snorkel untouched waters, or just relax on deserted red-sand beaches.

1953 is a Wentworth Lifestyle Partner