Pearls. Home, far from home.

When I think of home, I think of its pearls. There are family and friends, of course, and the people whose judgement we trust. There is the restaurant we choose for a special evening, the hotel we love returning to and a favourite place to spend our holidays. These people and places become part of us, often without our noticing.

When we relocate, we leave much of that familiar world behind. Our relationships and memories remain, but the pleasures of everyday life need to be discovered again. It takes courage to begin, and patience to let a new place become familiar.

I began looking for those pearls when I arrived in Latin America. That search inspired Latin Privilege Advisory. I want to help you find what makes life here feel like your own: places you love and local specialists whose judgement you trust. We build lasting relationships with our clients, taking the time to understand their lives and remaining a familiar point of contact as their plans change.

This collection is a small part of that search. It will hold no more than thirty-three Pearls, all places I have experienced myself. I wait until the first excitement of a visit has settled. If the memories stay with me and I still long to return, I know I have found a Pearl.

Stars and scores can tell us a great deal, but I wanted to share something more personal. A retreat among vineyards and a hotel beside the falls offer such different pleasures. Both must meet my standards; what matters beyond that is how it feels to be there. Pearls has no rankings, scores or critiques. It is a celebration of the few places in Latin America I love returning to and recommending with my whole heart to the families we advise. When I revisit, I add new photographs and impressions to its story.

They say diamonds are forever. I believe pearls are too. Once a place has become a Pearl for me, it keeps its place in my heart. Places have their ups and downs, just as we do. If I can no longer recommend one with confidence, I take it out of the collection. The memories remain, and I wish it well. I hope a future visit will restore my confidence and allow me to bring it back into the collection, perhaps with even more to love than before.

Finding your own pearls takes time. You might begin with something you already love, or try a new activity, learn the language or take a class with your children. Familiar places and shared interests give new friendships room to grow. We can help you find where to begin; the life you build will be yours.

Keep close to the people who matter, and give yourself permission to be a beginner again. Life here will be different. With courage and an open mind, it can be just as beautiful. I hope that one day you will look around, recognise your own pearls and feel at home, far from home.

Elena DanilchenkoFounder & Managing Partner