The weather may have turned cold, but your sense of wanderlust is just heating up. The only problem? It’s going to take more than another trip to Aspen or St. Barths to keep your travel journal feeling fresh this year. You want something new. Something different. Something your passport has never seen before. It’s time to think grand and global this season, and Coldwell Banker Previews International® has just the ticket. Journey to the edges of the Earth…take a private luxury train to explore the wonders of the world…head to New Zealand for a one-of-a-kind golf tour. Let us take you around the world (or just above it) with our latest and greatest escapes:
Space Travel
“Five, four, three, two, one. Zero. Liftoff!” These are not the words typically associated with luxury travel, but that’s about to change thanks to companies like SpaceX, Virgin Galactic and World View. The latter is set for a 2016 launch, lifting affluent voyagers in a pressurized capsule via a space balloon to the edge of space. The $75,000 World View experience promises “the ‘Overview Effect’—the unexpected emotional reaction and unparalleled perspective-shift that comes from seeing our planet suspended in space.”
Wonders of the World
Exotic travel comes in many forms. A private luxury train to the 15th century Incan ruins of Machu Picchu. A jaunt to Cambodia’s Angkor Wat, the largest religious monument in the world. A private tour of Istanbul. An excursion to Morocco with accommodations in a luxurious desert tent. The Wonders of the World experience encompasses all of these along with a trip to a private island in Australia, Easter Island, Samoa, Istanbul, and India to tour the Taj Mahal. This 24-day globetrot hosted by Abercrombie & Kent Group of Companies founder Geoffrey Kent is priced at $108,000.
Mountain Travel Sobek
Haven’t crossed a trek across the Swiss Alps off your bucket list yet? How about that arctic circle voyage you’ve been secretly longing for? The sky’s the limit for well-heeled adrenaline junkies with Mountain Travel Sobek, which is offering luxury private bucket-list itineraries for 2015. Our personal favorites from the adventure travel company include the artic circle voyages starting at $10,000 per person, the trek across the Swiss Alps (prices vary) and the boat trip to Greece’s Cyclades Islands starting at $10,000 per person.
Dubai
While Dubai is becoming an increasingly popular travel destination, there are some spots that remain reserved for a very few. A stay at the posh Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, known as the world’s most luxurious hotel, promises a singular experience in one of 202 luxury duplex suites, each with its own dedicated butler. The hotel boasts an 8:1 staff-to-guest ratio, nine world-class restaurants and bars, four swimming pools, the Talise Spa, private beach access, 24-carat gold iPads for guests, and opulent extras including helicopter tours from the rooftop helipad, chauffeur-driven Rolls-Royce, use of a fleet of luxury cars for hire, and private yacht charter. And, you may not want to miss the hotel’s anniversary celebration beginning Dec. 1. Take advantage of the “Best of the Burj” anniversary package, starting at $2,175 USD per night, which includes a Rolls-Royce Phantom pick up, suite accommodations, six-course degustation dinner, signature spa experiences and more.
Royal Amalfi Escape
Experience the Mediterranean like you’ve never experienced it before aboard a luxurious private gullet (a traditional sailing yacht), courtesy of Ker & Downey. A full staff and private chef are at your disposal for the duration of the seaside journey, tending to your every need and escorting you to picturesque islands and coastal ports for excursions on the shore. See the place of exile for many members of the Roman imperial family on Ventotene Island, shop the luxury boutiques on the Isle of Capri, and taste lemoncello and traditional Mediterranean cuisine in Sorrento. Take a dip in the Mediterranean’s azure waters, soak in the sweet warmth of the sun, and sail along the most beautiful routes of the Italian seas. Prices start from $20,010 per person for eight days and seven nights.
Golf in New Zealand
For those who live for just one more round of 18 on a pristine course, the curve of the greens provides the perfect canvas for a relaxing afternoon and a competitive challenge. They’ll travel the world over to play the ideal course. For many, that means an excursion to New Zealand, home of nationally ranked courses including Titirangi Golf Club, Kauri Cliffs, The Kinloch Club, Millbrook Resort, and The Hills Golf Club. The $67,280 Bespoke Golf Journey to New Zealand from Ker & Downey includes play on all five courses over a two-week span, with transportation by helicopter and private jet and off-the-course excursions to the volcano on White Island and the Valli Vineyards.
Which high-flying trip sparks your wanderlust for the holidays?
