I plan luxury vacations for elite clients. Here are 5 secrets to traveling like the wealthy.
As a luxury-travel advisor, I’ve had the privilege of curating exceptional vacations for some of the world’s most discerning travelers.
Whether I’m planning a honeymoon or a family vacation, I take care of every detail, from transportation to the airport to special excursions and activities. Ultimately, my job is to turn a client’s travel dreams into a reality while catering to their unique tastes.
While curating these trips for over a decade, I’ve also discovered a lot about the habits and preferences of well-heeled travelers.
Here are five things I’ve learned about how the rich travel that may inspire you to level up your next trip.
Wealthy travelers will pay a premium for convenience
My travelers with disposable income are often busy executives or entrepreneurs who value convenience and anything that saves them time.
Because of this, they’re willing to pay a premium for white-glove services that minimize travel time and hassle. That’s why many of my clients charter a private plane or fly first class.
If they’re flying commercial, they’ll use a service such as Private Suite to check in at private terminals and avoid the long lines and crowds at airports.
Lesser-known destinations are a priority
I have suggested Sardinia, Italy, to some of my clients.
For many of my clients, privacy is key.
They’re not interested in overcrowded destinations like Rome or Florence. They often ask me where the next hot spot is because they like to visit emerging travel spots that have yet to become mainstream.
Some lesser-known destinations I recommend to my clients include Sardinia, Italy; Ticino, Switzerland; and Costa Navarino, Greece.
They always book private transportation so they can ride in style and multitask
Travel days can be stressful, and getting to and from an airport is always a drag. My clients prefer a private chauffeur service that can be booked in advance so they don’t have to wait for their ride.
I usually book my clients luxury SUVs through Blacklane. In my experience, its professional drivers are reliable and always show up a few minutes ahead of time.
Since many of my clients are busy, I find they often use their private rides to and from airports to get last-minute emails and work calls out of the way.
These types of clients travel frequently and often book less than 60 days out
My clients want to save time more than money.
My clients are fine with taking more last-minute trips. They typically book their travel less than 60 days out, and sometimes within a few weeks.
Although it’s often cheaper to book travel further in advance, cost isn’t a huge factor for them when planning trips. It can also be hard for them to plan their schedules too far in advance.
They also travel often. Rather than taking one big vacation a year, the clients I work with usually travel multiple times a quarter, going on a mix of small weekend trips and longer, international ones.
They want access to local experiences that are not available to the public
Wealthy travelers often seek more than just a destination — they crave personalized, immersive experiences that are not available to the general public.
My clients love when I suggest new or underrated activities they may not know about. They’re willing to pay extra for exclusive access to experiences that are off-limits to the general public, like an after-hours tour of the Vatican.
Sometimes, I’ll arrange private viewings of renowned art collections or organize a behind-the-scenes culinary tour with a Michelin-starred chef.
