Virtuoso Life September/October 2023
“A Galápagos sea lion swims off Santa Cruz Island and exploring a lava flow on Santiago Island, with Aqua Mare in the distance.”
Travel + Leisure August 2023
“Today’s passengers are seeking out innovative new ships and itineraries that deliver both convenience and quality of experience. With trips on two of the world’s most iconic rivers, the Amazon and the Mekong, Aqua stands out for its small vessels – none larger than 20 suites – and excellent cuisine.”
Spear’s Q3 2023
“I’m on a tender just off the coast of Rinca Island, East Indonesia. It’s just after sunrise. The water is clear enough to see the coral and sea life below. The surrounding scenery is lush and dense with trees and shrubs, despite the dry morning heat. It feels not just peaceful, but undiscovered. There’s a sense of stillness, which seems impossible to disturb.”
Conde Nast Traveler Jul/Aug 2023
“‘Shh, listen to the symphony.’ This is the instruction issued by our guide, Neycer Pizango, who has cut the engine of our skiff. Striving to be a good student, I sit as still as I can and tilt my head up toward the forest canopy. An echo of chattering macaws cracks through the rattle of the cicadas.”
THE WEEKEND AUSTRALIAN TRAVEL + LUXURY JUNE 2023
“It’s early morning and the sky is lowering a grey curtain over the peaks of Rinca Island as our tender boat bumps across the bay towards a deserted beach. There are no other vessels to be seen, no winking lights of habitation on the shore. A lone raptor patrols overhead but there is no birdsong. It feels wild and unexplored in this corner of the eastern Indonesian archipelago and who knows what the clouds are concealing in those forested hills.”
Qantas Magazine June 2023
“On the Mekong River, Alison Boleyn glimpses Cambodian traditions close to lost and gets to party with an eclectic mix of travellers.”
BOAT International June 2023
‘Unpredictable, remote, extraordinary – most people would agree that the Amazon River is a bucket-list trip of a lifetime. But is it still a no-sail area for superyachts? Tristan Rutherford investigates’
Luxury Traveller April 2023
“As CEO and Founder of luxury small ship cruise company Aqua Expeditions, Francesco Galli Zugaro talks about his thirst for soft adventure, his love for Italy and appreciating life’s special moments through slow travel. As told to Katrina Holden.”
Asia Pacific Boating Spring Summer 2023
“Aqua Expeditions founder and CEO Francesco Galli Zugaro has just added a second superyacht to his charter fleet. He talks with Asia-Pacific Boating about life after Covid and his plans for the future.”
Porthole Cruise & Travel June 2023
“As we pried the lid off our post-pandemic bucket of travel dreams, the off-the-radar destination of Raja Ampat rose to the top. When we mentioned the region to our friends as our next adventure, puzzled looks gave way to, ‘Where and what is that?'”
Departures March 2023
“I came to the Galapagos Islands for one reason: to mingle with animals in one of the most remote ecosystems on Earth. This made experiencing the archipelago’s 13 major islands by boat the obvious choice, and I was lucky enough to do so aboard Aqua Mare, the newest addition to the Aqua Expeditions fleet of luxury vessels.”
Paris Match February 2023
“Le dernier bateau d’Aqua Expeditions permet de concilier confort et aventure. Et de serpenter parmi les meandres du plus long fleuve du monde a la decouverte d’une jungle quasi immaculee.”
The Weekend Australian Travel + Luxury January 2023
“The rules of engagement are clear in Ecuador’s Galapagos Islands: Don’t touch the wildlife and keep a distance of at least 2m. That’s easier said than done in a biodiversity hotspot where the animals have little fear of human interlopers.”
WORLD Magazine Summer 2022
“Tricia Welsh meets spectacular wildlife above and below the waves on a five-star expedition cruise among Indonesia’s remote and magical islands.”
Signature Luxury Travel & Style – Cruise Edition
“We’re delighted to resume Signature Luxury Travel & Style’s Luxury Cruise Awards in 2022, out chance to celebrate the ocean, river, expedition, family and tall-ship cruise lines that go above and beyond when it comes to onboard and on shore services, facilities and experiences.”
TRAVEL ECUADOR WINTER 22
“Aqua Expeditions launches their fifth vessel in the remarkable Galapagos Islands marking a profound moment for founder and CEO Francesco Galli Zugaro: “Every since I left Ecuador in 2006 to build my own business, I have wanted to return with our very own luxury expeditions ship.” Enter Aqua Mare…”
DOLCE VITA WINTER 2022
Die «Aria Amazon» führt Gäste luxuriös ins Naturschutzgebiet Pacaya Samiria in Perus Amazonasbecken – eine abenteuerliche Reise zu den letzten Geheimnissen dieser Erde.
Starboard Issue 8, 2022
“Bordering Puerto Ayora, the largest and most populated town in the Galapagos, on the southern edge of Santa Cruz Island, the radiant turquoise waters see yachts, fishing trawlers and sailboard bobbing gently up and down on the waves. Amid this jumble and a raft of frolicking sea lions, Aqua Mare stands out from the crowd. “
Travel+Leisure December 2022
“On trips down the Peruvian Amazon, passengers on the Aqua Nera can soak up the moody riverscape and spot pink dolphins from the top deck. What they may not realize is that the handrails and carpets of the Aqua Expeditions ship are helping to protect, in a small way, the delicate ecosystems all around them.”
Country & Town House Nov/Dec 2022
“The fifth vessel to join the Aqua Expeditions fleet, Aqua Mare is the first true superyacht in the Galapagos Islands. A sort of homecoming for the company’s CEO and founder, Francesco Galli Zugaro, whose professional career in luxury travel began in Ecuador.”
