Lindsay Lambert Day
A private-villa perch worth traveling around the globe for.
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These over-the-top hotel stays, epic expedition cruises, and otherworldly adventures are pure trip-of-a-lifetime material.
Dream vacations look different to everyone, but no matter what your travel style, some experiences will always elicit that big wow. We call these trips ultra-luxe – they’re the thrill-packed itineraries to the farthest corners of the globe, the romantic private-island getaways, and the unbelievable African safaris. Get inspired by this list of ideas from Virtuoso hotels, cruise lines, and travel companies that specialize in ultraluxe travel; when you’re ready to go big, your Virtuoso travel advisor can help make it happen.
Invite your friends and family to your villa.
One of the best perks for family celebrations and get-togethers: a sprawling space to call your own, whether it’s a private chateau, a beachfront villa, or a three-story riad. These exclusive abodes feature every convenience (multiple bedrooms, complimentary bikes, direct ocean access, rooftop terraces) and creature comfort – heated pools, outdoor bathtubs, and private-chef-prepared dinners are just the beginning. Choose from hillside hideaways with spa therapists who come straight to your door or prime urban perches that make it easy to get out and explore historic Old Towns, weekend farmers’ markets, and bustling medinas.
Will travel for some of the world's best wine.
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Settle down in the countryside.
For many, an escape from fast-paced city life delivers simple and extravagant pleasures: peace and quiet, fresh air, and a home base fit for nobility. From the South of France to the UK and Ireland and South Africa wine country, glamorous castle hotels and grand châteaus set the scene for a properly posh, laid-back getaway. Perfect your aim during an archery lesson, trot across estate grounds on horseback, and sip a nightcap beside a crackling fire. To elevate your countryside holiday, board a hot-air balloon to soar over vineyards before sipping flights from local winemakers, or trace aristocratic footsteps across centuries with the help of private chauffeurs and expert guides who know the inside scoop behind the legends and fairy tales.
Go on an epic adventure.
Some travelers prefer to lounge in the sand or stroll the halls of history museums, while others crave more adrenaline-filled pursuits. Choose your bragging rights: Antarctic cruises cross the Drake Passage and give travelers the chance to zip between icebergs and spy penguins against one of the world’s most awe-inspiring backdrops. In Switzerland, ice skate atop a frozen lake before returning to your mountain hideaway on a torchlit, nighttime forest walk. Farther north still, inside the Arctic Circle, snowmobile and dogsled under the amethyst and emerald waves of the aurora borealis. Warmer climes more to your liking? Set out on a cave exploration in a recently discovered Mexican cavern. Wherever you dare to venture, Virtuoso travel advisors can arrange the right travel insurance and emergency coverage to quell any pre-trip jitters.
Excursionist (American Excursionist + Canadian Excursionist)
Private-island dreams come true in the Maldives.
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Unwind on your own private island.
Having the beach entirely to yourself adds an extra level of luxury to clinking Champagne glasses at a sunset, toes-in-the-sand dinner. From the Maldives to French Polynesia and the Mediterranean, travelers can picnic on sandbars, scuba dive among coral reefs, or board a private yacht to explore the coastline. Every day can be as slow or activity filled as you’d like: Ride bikes under a canopy of palm trees filled with birdsong, with a naturalist by your side to help identify the source of every chirp, or feel the breeze beneath unfurled sails on a chartered-yacht expedition.
Pack your bags for an extended, immersive journey.
The age of slow travel is here, and Virtuoso advisors are experts at weaving marquee cultural experiences into an easygoing pace. Spend a few weeks journeying to some of Japan’s lesser-traveled prefectures, for example, following pilgrimage trails past waterfalls, visiting Shinto shrines, and sampling culinary traditions in tiny villages along the way. Multiweek tours across Mexico can intersperse ancient Mayan and Zapotec ruins with village craft markets and the Riviera Maya's pristine beaches, while Australia and New Zealand’s road-trip pros can mix-and-match snorkeling sites and helicopter tours with Lord of the Rings-worthy landscapes. On a monthlong private-jet adventure around the globe, customizable itineraries whisk travelers from Kyoto’s bamboo groves, Buddhist temples, and teahouses to Palermo's artisan villages and coastal cliffs. Or, circumnavigate the globe on a world cruise, stopping to explore glittering cities, remote islands, and every imaginable awe-inspiring landscape along the way.
Embark on a conservation-minded adventure.
Sustainable vacations are about way more than preserving the planet (though of course that’s an essential element). They can also financially support local communities and connect travelers with more-immersive experiences around the globe, including in Africa. Staffers at Zimbabwe lodges help protect wilderness and wildlife, and preserve local traditions and customs – values incorporated into experiences such as canoeing excursions on the Zambezi River or guided walking tours of Victoria Falls. Kenya’s low-impact safaris facilitate respectful interactions with residents, from the Maasai Mara to bustling Nairobi, while naturalists in Rwanda lead educational tree-planting sessions to help preserve the natural habitat.
Singapore’s city-meets-nature skyline.
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Hit the city like a VIP.
Boutique and designer shopping; chic, rooftop restaurants; and renowned art galleries and museums attract travelers to the world's major metropolises – and Virtuoso advisors know how to make the most of these trips. Dig into Michelin-starred meals in cities such as Dubai or Singapore, or pair street food with a stroll through botanical gardens hidden amid towering skyscrapers or along seaside promenades. Cosmopolitan favorites such as Paris and NYC include stays in penthouse suites with private terraces – the perfect setting for sipping cocktails while recapping a day of well-deserved urban pampering. Wherever you decide to go, arrive – and depart – in style with chauffeur services worthy of the A-lister you are.
Go completely bespoke.
Sometimes, only the one-of-a-kind variety of vacation will do. Maybe it’s a sun-soaked coastal escape packed with yachting, wine tasting, and cooking. Or it’s exclusive access to some of Europe’s most popular (and crowded) museums, or for those who crave more adrenaline, a test-drive around a private German racetrack with an expert instructor. These experiences are only the tip of the iceberg – and speaking of icebergs, how about cruising between them in the Arctic Ocean off Greenland? It’s all possible when your Virtuoso travel advisor teams up with an on-site tour connection that specializes in a tailored, just-for-you itineraries.
Your Luxury Travel Experience awaits...
I help passionate travelers plan food, wine, and active adventures to unique destinations across the globe.
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