Luxury Travel Ideas

Luxury travel ideas can be found almost anywhere—sometimes in very surprising places. The best luxury vacation idea usually involves accommodation, and you can find extremely exclusive places even in some of the poorest nations in the world.

You might not think of extravagant comfort in the vast savannahs and plains of the Serengeti, but Tanzania (one of the poorest nations in the world) can offer you the beautiful Kirawira Tented Camp in the far west of this remote area. It is a traditional and elegant permanent tented camp where royalty and heads of state stay and where each opulent large tent comes complete with its own butler. There are camps and lodges like this throughout East Africa’s safari parks, and since how you get around is also a factor, you can book luxury tours that fly you from place to place in a private jet, missing many of the rough roads. The best places to go on a luxury trip in Africa will have options like this. Look to Botswana, known for its very upscale lodging and transport options, or South Africa, which is a sophisticated country with numerous luxury hotels and wildlife lodges.

Some luxury travel ideas are based around transportation both to get around as accommodation. For this you can look to the high seas and Southeast Asia. Most cruise ships offer a degree of luxury, but you can find ships that truly cater to those who have few limits on their budgets. Traditional luxury can be found on the Silversea ships. If you want tropical elegance, try the Paul Gauguin line that sails through French Polynesia and South Pacific. If you want your (almost) private yacht, try the SeaDream line whose ships carry only 110 passengers. Both Europe and Asia also offer luxury river cruise ships. The best luxury vacation idea for this kind of cruise might be the Orient-Express ship Road to Mandalay, which sails in opulence on the Irrawaddy River in Myanmar (formerly Burma). The Orient-Express also operates a train reminiscent of an aristocratic bygone era through Laos, Thailand, and Malaysia. Onboard are lavishly appointed private sleeping compartments and elegant gourmet dining with crystal and linen service. There are also numerous intimate luxury river cruise ships that ply the waters of the Rhine, Main, and Danube River in Europe, stopping at grand capitals like Vienna and Budapest, charming historic villages, and attractions along the river banks.

Some of the best places to go on a luxury trip in Asia include the sprawling and gleaming high-rise metropolises—from Shanghai and Singapore to Hong Kong and Tokyo. Some of the finest five-star hotels in the world are located in these cities. Extravagant accommodations can also be found in the oil-rich desert countries of the Middle East. Look to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates for some of the most dramatic engineering marvels in the world, like the Palm. Or you can buy a mansion on the manmade islands that make up Palm Island and The World.

There are sophisticated and cosmopolitan cities around the globe, each of which boasts one of the finest five-star hotels in the world. Luxury travel ideas in South America for cities like this include Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires. Factors that make cities like this so attractive to those who can afford not to worry about budget include, stunning locations, world-class gourmet dining, chic shopping opportunities, international cultural events, and numerous iconic attractions. In Europe, Paris certainly qualifies. As does London and Rome. In the United States, you might head to New York City with its iconic skyscrapers and monuments like the Statue of Liberty, the stately and dignified Washington DC, or lovely San Francisco. If you want a little sizzle with your luxury, there is no better place than Las Vegas, full of luxury hotels and VIP treatment with exciting shows and hypnotizing casinos.

You can even enjoy pampered elegance in the wild places of the United States, which includes some of the country’s magnificent national parks and most elite recreational spots. The best luxury vacation idea for this kind of trip might be the Ahwahnee Lodge in Yosemite National Park for classic elegance. This elite accommodation on the floor of the breathtaking valley has been in operation and serving the rich and powerful since 1the 1920s. Or you could choose the venerable Hotel Jerome in Aspen Colorado where you can schuss the ski slopes with movie stars and always be in comfort when you return to your lodging.

If you are looking for romantic escapes, the best places to go on a luxury trip are tropical islands. These include everything from exotic Tahiti and Bora Bora in the South Pacific to the opulent Cap Juluca Resort on Anguilla in the Caribbean. Try the Seychelles in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Africa for some of the best wedding destinations and honeymoon spots.