Spend Those Life Savings
Sure, a vacation is a vacation. Even if you’re making most of your meals at a three-star resort. But… sometimes you want to know how the other half lives. What kind of things do you get when money isn’t an object? What is above first class? And how can we get a glimpse into the secret travel lifestyles of the most elite?
1. Dolphin Trainer-for-a-Day
Why just swim with dolphins when you can also train them? This full-service program lets you feed, train, and play with the dolphins in your care, while also getting a backstage, educational look at the aquarium.
Stamatina Kiriazou on Unsplash
2. Annapurna Base Camp Trek
If you have the money, being able to hike Mount Everest should be on everyone's to-do list. This is no easy feat, requiring you to climb over 13,000 feet above sea level in a span of 10 days. However, the views from the camp are well worth it.
3. Book Your Own Private Jet
Did you know that you could book your own private jet? It’s true, many private companies out there offer a look at first of first-class aviation from anywhere in the world. Luxury comes at a price, however, asking for a minimum of $2,000 per hour- and that's the cheaper end!
4. Island-Hopping
Yeah, bar hopping is cool and all, but island hopping sounds even better. Visit your new favorite spots across the Mediterranean and Oceania by boat or ferry to get a well-rounded cultural experience.
5. Yachting
If you’ve ever watched Below Deck, you know that private yachts are just as common as private jets. A trip can cost you anywhere from hundreds of thousands of dollars to well into the millions, but you get a full group of people who are there to cater to your every whim.
6. La Dolce Vita Orient Express
This two-day trip will take you through different areas of Italy on a world-class sleeper train. Enjoy an incredibly detailed luxury experience as you traverse the Italian countryside for a minimum of $2,500 a night.
7. Head To Antarctica
If money really is no object, why not visit the forgotten continent? Any trip that far south will be pricy, but it sure would be cool to say that you’ve visited Antarctica before.
8. Stay In The Villa Pliniana
Another Italian staple, this 16th-century Palazzo is considered the most luxurious on Lake Como. It has 17 bedrooms, a private boat dock, a helicopter landing pad, spas, and so much more. It’s a popular spot for weddings, but it will run you about $160,000 for a week-long stay.
Steffen Lemmerzahl on Unsplash
9. Nour El Nil Dahabiya
With much of its history being a popular tourist destination, it's no surprise that Egypt offers some luxury trips for the high-class traveler. This particular trip will get you close to the Pyramids of Giza, as well as the Sphinx, and will even take you on a cruise along the Nile River.
Jordi Orts Segalés on Unsplash
10. Go On An African Safari
How cool to say you saw the wilderness up close! It’s not necessarily as expensive as some of the other items on this list, but a couple of thousand dollars will put you into an incredibly diverse and lush animal kingdom.
11. Visiting The Brando
French Polynesia is a popular spot for us fancy folk, and The Brando is no exception. Situated on Tetiaroa Atoll, this private island resort has a spa, educational and cultural experiences, tours, and plenty of water sports to keep you entertained. It’ll only run you a couple of grand a night.
12. The Langkawi Rainforest
This tropical paradise is located in Malaysia and is home to some of the best 5-star resorts in the country. The Langkawi Rainforest Hotel is prized for its well-loved curated nature experiences, holistic spa experiences, and even cooking classes!
13. Grand Prix World Tour
Formula 1 is one of the most expensive hobbies in the world, so front-row seats to the tour are no exception. Tickets will run you around $1000 per race, meaning you’re spending at least 24,000 without worrying about accommodation or travel. Of course, you could always just pick some of your favorite spots throughout the year.
14. Staying In A Castle
Obviously, a castle stay is going to be pricier than your standard hotel, motel, or Holiday Inn, especially if they’ve been transformed into a private experience. That said, being able to say you’ve stayed in a castle is well worth any price you have to pay.
15. Overwater Bungalows
These famous stays are popular in places like the Caribbean or Oceania, especially for honeymooners. Sure, it fetches a high price, anywhere from $300 to over $1000 per night, but it pays to have the ocean at your doorstep.
16. Michelin-Star Tour
There are plenty of pre-determined Michelin tours to choose from, but we would also recommend just making one of your own! Throw a few darts on a map and go from there—you’ll never know where you end up.
17. Visiting France’s Champagne Region
The province of Champagne is a historical area that encourages a little libation. You can easily find lodging in one of the region’s many charming communities, or travel in for the day from Paris.
18. Experience A Geisha Performance
Geishas are a form of high-end entertainment due to their long history, meaning you won’t get this once-in-a-lifetime experience just by walking the streets of Osaka. A Geisha-hosted dinner is a very, very expensive and very, very exclusive event, which must be honored with the utmost respect.
19. A Wellness Retreat
We’re not talking about a hotel with a gym and a juice bar. No, we’re talking about a White Lotus season 3 style, no phones, holistic wellness, therapy, massage, lymphatic drainage, morning yoga on the beach type of wellness. You’re paying top dollar for these experiences, but at least you’re present.
20. See The Sunrise Over Haleakala
Take a trip to Maui to witness this beautiful experience for only a couple of hundred dollars. Following a trained guide, you can make your way through Haleakala National Park, enjoy a hot breakfast on the mountain, and learn a little bit about the flora and fauna on your way up.
