Luxury travelers have plenty of time to browse for travel ideas, and the time and money to cluster trips in any way they want. Service becomes more individual as the price goes up. Travel groups get smaller, right down to one person or one couple with their own guide at their disposal.
From sleeping in an ice palace to moving into a fully furnished Paris flat for several weeks, luxury travel is truly whatever your client’s hearts desire.
Luxury tour operators may select off-the-beaten-path accommodation if it delivers a unique experience. The luxury traveler gets access to museums after closing hours, or the chance to stroll in remote locations. some of the choices are:
- Extended Cruises: The Grand World Voyage offered by Holland America Line takes travelers around the world, touching on coast-lines of six continents during 12 to 18 months of luxury cruising. These comfortable packages are increasingly expanding into less traveled ports and more exotic locations so that pampered, on-board residents can feel they are seeing what others have not.
- Spas: Located in beautiful and remote settings as a private island and offer spiritual rejuvenation as well.
- Adventure/luxury: Not all luxury adventure is pampered and soft – in fact, luxury can get very adventurous, like wild boar hunting in the mountains of Hawaii, or deep-sea fishing on a private yacht.
- The Safari: Many tour companies are offering luxurious safaris. Money can buy access to an array of wild animals, gourmet food, and elegant accommodation beautifully appointed in the middle of nowhere.
- Luxury Trains: The original Orient Express inspired stories of romance and whispers of intrigue and drama. Considered the epitome of luxury, today the Orient Express cars are used in Russian and Silk Road trips. Tour companies can provide a private rail car decked in luxury and serviced by experienced staff.
- Cultural Travel: Cultural events, historical architecture, galleries and museums have long drawn the well-to-do, many of whom are serious patrons of the arts. Travel consultants can specialize in after-hours access to private collections and exclusive auctions.
- Family Travel: A growing number of families are taking their children out to see the world firsthand. As Chris Ronneseth from Trek Holidays explains, “These well-off parents want to get their children away from the soda pop culture.
- Sailing: Nautical enthusiasts can truly get away from it all, sailing as the only passengers on a sailboat with whatever luxuries they want. The Mediterranean, with the famous Greek Islands to explore, offers many such opportunities.
The luxury traveler uses travel as a means to define themselves, and decide upon a trip based on some of these criteria: quality, value, enrichment, efficiency.