12 Over-the-Top Vacation Ideas for the Elite Jet Setter
If you’ve already been to the usual luxury hotspots, the idea of yet another “five-star” getaway probably doesn’t get your heart pumping. The elite traveler is looking for something different, destinations and experiences that will yield stories worth telling. These aren’t trips, they’re adventures designed to take your breath away.
From dining on a glacier to diving into history to renting your own private island, these vacation ideas are for the traveler who thinks of the world as their playground. If you’re ready to upgrade your travel game, you’ve come to the right place. Now let’s take a look at some truly extravagant escapes.
Private Island Exclusivity
Why not have paradise all to yourself? It’s not just celebrities who can rent a private island anymore. In the Maldives, you can lie alone in overwater villas with personal butlers and world-class chefs at places like Velaa Private Island. A report from Statista found that private island rentals experienced a 30% increase in popularity among high-net-worth individuals during the pandemic, and that trend is still on the rise.
A Journey Aboard a Submarine
If you’re wondering about the depths of the ocean, why not charter a private submarine? This is possible thanks to companies like Triton Submarines who sell dives into underwater worlds that few human eyes have seen. It’s like stepping into an alien planet without leaving Earth. The secrets of the ocean become plain to see like shipwreck or bioluminescent creatures casually drift by.
Dine on a Glacier
Staging culinary experiences on actual glaciers takes them to a whole new level. For example, in Alaska helicopter operators take visitors to remote icefields to have private dinners under the northern lights. ‘Luxury today is about creating moments as rare as they are spectacular,’ says chef Benjamin Curtis, who specializes in these arctic meals.
An Arctic Safari
Custom safaris in Greenland and Svalbard are arranged by luxury outfitters such as Natural Habitat Adventures. You will travel by private yachts and tundra buggies, sleeping in heated, glass-roofed domes that allow you to watch the auroras dance above you.
Rent a Castle in Europe
A week living like royalty in a Scottish or French castle makes for a slice of old-world grandeur. Moats, historic libraries, and ballrooms out of a period drama are all part of the experience. This is like Downton Abbey, but you’re the star of the show.
Space Tourism
It’s become a vacation option for those with a thirst for adventure and a healthy bank account. Suborbital flights are available from companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin. You can see Earth from space! NASA says the space tourism market could be worth more than $1 billion by 2030.
A Private Safari Train
If you’re looking for a safari experience with African wildlife, but you don’t want to deal with dusty roads or crowded lodges, a private safari train might be for you. In South Africa, you can spot giraffes from the suite or savour a candlelit dinner while the savannah rolls by, from the comfort of Rovos Rail luxury trains. This is the height of ‘slow travel,’ with the full range of first class luxury.
Exclusive Concert Experiences
Nothing is as good as a private concert in an iconic location for music lovers. Picture Andrea Bocelli serenading you and a few of your friends at Italy’s Lake Como, or your favorite artist performing for no one else but you at a luxury retreat. Even these dreams are possible with the right connections.
An Antarctic Cruise
A luxury expedition yacht Antarctic voyage is an experience to remember. The likes of Scenic Eclipse have it all helicopter tours flying over icy cliffs; and onboard submarines for underwater exploration. Fewer than 1% of travelers have ventured this far, and it’s an experience that very few can brag about.
It’s a Personalized Fashion Retreat
Milan and Paris both present fashionistas with their top stylists. These trips include private atelier visits, meetings with designers, and entry into elite runway shows. Stylist Jenna Crawford who organizes these trips for clients, says, “The modern traveler wants to experience culture through its creators.”
Helicopter Skiing
In Canada, CMH Heli-Skiing has made a business of whizzing thrill seekers to untouched peaks reachable only by helicopter. This is winter sport at its most indulgent with a guide at your side and fresh tracks all day.
Wine Blending in Napa Valley
Why not make your own wine? Vineyards in Napa Valley like Raymond Vineyards, offer guests the opportunity to craft personal blends under the expert influence of vintners. While you sip and mix, you’ll learn to appreciate the art of winemaking, and you’ll leave with a case of your exclusive vintage to enjoy back home.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
Affordable Home Entertainment: 11 Must-Have Finds For Enhancing Your Family Movie Nights
Affordable Home Entertainment: 11 Must-Have Finds For Enhancing Your Family Movie Nights
How to Clean Your Smoker Grill Combo Like a Pro
How to Clean Your Smoker Grill Combo Like a Pro
10 Best African Photo Safaris You Must Experience
Even if you’ve been on a safari in the past, an African photo safari is something you want to experience or at the very list add to the top of your bucket list.
But first, what is a photo safari? The phrase “photo safari” is not a common sentence structure but its meaning can be deduced easily. An African photo safari in general context means going on an adventure with the sole purpose of taking high-quality pictures.
10 Best African Photo Safaris You Must Experience
