We were nervous that a luxury private trip might feel overly formal or even a little sterile. Thankfully, AVIORA was nothing like that. The service was polished, but the atmosphere remained relaxed.
Our guide was happy to have long conversations rather than simply deliver information. The driver gave us space when we wanted to talk privately, and the hotels gave us the comfort and quiet we needed at the end of each day.
The most memorable experiences were actually the ones that weren't built around famous names: a local breakfast, an evening walk, a small restaurant and a conversation about everyday life in China.
That combination of comfort and authenticity is difficult to achieve. AVIORA got surprisingly close.