Travelers are stepping up their vacation game after a long pandemic pause. We’re talking private planes, resort buyouts, and private yacht charters. As travel resumes, people are planning more bucket-list trips and life-changing adventures. At the same time, enjoying distinctive experiences and spending quality time with loved ones became more important. For these reasons, ultra-luxe travel is on the rise.

What is ultra-luxe travel?

Ultra-luxe vacations are usually comprised of “exclusive use” travel components such as private transportation, accommodations, and experiences. The pandemic made us all reevaluate many areas. Travelers reprioritized vacations as a “need” rather than a “want,” and now they are making up for lost time. Although ultra-luxe travel carries a higher price tag than standard travel, many people view it as an investment in happiness and wellbeing.

The scarcity of exclusive experiences requires planning farther in advance, so they are often booked up one to two years or even more in advance. Travel Maestro tip: Develop a relationship with your vacation advisor and let them know what is on your ultra-luxe travel wish list so they can help you plan.

For inspiration, here are five ultra-luxe travel ideas to consider adding to your bucket list.

Embark on a thrilling polar adventure.

Polar expeditions are a hot ticket right now, although a very small percentage of the world’s population has explored beyond the Arctic or Antarctic Circle.

• Antarctica – Several luxury expedition companies cruise to Antarctica during the polar summer, November – February. You can go ashore to hike up a glacier, walk among penguin colonies, and do a Polar Plunge. For ultra-luxe adventure, take a private jet from Cape Town to White Desert, the most remote luxury camp on Earth, and visit the geographic South Pole.
• Polar Bears – Churchill, Manitoba, on the western shore of Hudson Bay is the “Polar Bear Capital of the World.” During the thaw from June to October, 900-pound beasts spend time there before moving out on the ice. You can also try dogsledding, meet the local Inuit peoples, and maybe catch the Northern Lights.
• Norway – Zoom through the rugged wilderness on a snowmobile and then set off in search of the northern lights. Venture to the remote Arctic archipelago of Svalbard to experience the lifestyle of the world’s northernmost community.

Reconnect with family-friendly luxury.

Luxury resorts are at the top of every family’s bucket list. Here are some splurge-worthy retreats that go all out for the whole family.

• Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, Florida – This resort is perfect for a classic family beach vacation with a little education thrown in. One of the best Ritz Kids programs in the country has daily activities like shark tooth hunts and Pirate Treasure Hunts.   
• Moskito Island, BVI – Sir Richard Branson’s newest private island family experience is an idyllic playground for adults and kids. Sail, snorkel, hike, or take a beach picnic, all coordinated by the Island’s concierge.
• Private villas – Villas are a top choice for multigenerational family get-togethers: hole up in Costa Rica for days spent surfing and swimming with nightly meals provided by a private chef, or stake your claim on an expansive, ultra-luxe villa overlooking Lake Garda in Italy for cycling, sailing, and wine-tasting. 

Get on ultra-luxe island time.

Who doesn’t enjoy the warm sun, a sparkling sea, and easy-does-it island vibes? Add a magical sunset and a private beachfront dinner for ultra-luxe vacation relaxation.

• The Maldives – with 1,200 private islands and some of the world’s best diving, a vacation to this remote, Indian Ocean destination is an exotic playground. Ultra-luxe resorts each inhabit their own private island where you stay in surreal, over-the-water villas, tranquil beachfront villas, or even the world’s first undersea residence.  
• Greece – Charter a private yacht in Greece for an ultra-luxe island-hopping adventure in the Cyclades Islands. Let an attentive captain and crew take care of all your needs as you swim at deserted beaches, dine on world-class Greek cuisine, partake of the famous Mykonos nightlife, and watch the sublime Santorini sunsets.
• Tahiti – The Brando is the ultimate private island resort located on French Polynesia’s breathtakingly beautiful atoll of Tetiaroa. Pristine small islands (motu) surround the three-mile-wide lagoon. Single and multi-room villa rates are all-inclusive and activities on land and sea abound.

Set sail on an ultra-luxe voyage.

Cruising comes in many flavors – river cruising, ocean cruising, and expedition journeys. Travel Maestro recommends two ways to upgrade your cruise to an ultra-luxe vacation.

• World Cruises – Many cruise-lovers would like nothing more than living aboard full-time in fine style. After all, cruising includes the ultra-luxe lifestyle of having a chef, dining server, housekeeper, pool attendant, concierge, and more at your service. World cruises up to 270 days in length are incredibly popular and the most luxurious voyages sell out in a matter of hours, up to two years before sailing.  
• Suite Upgrade – All of the luxury cruise ships offer a top category ultra-luxe Penthouse or Owners Suite that is often larger than a spacious New York City apartment. They have multiple bedrooms, extra bathrooms, separate living and dining rooms, balconies with private hot tubs, and most include private butlers. Again, exclusivity sells fast, so book early to get the top category suites.

Get in touch with nature on an Africa safari.

From feeling the spray from thundering Victoria Falls to drifting silently above the Maasai Mara in a hot air balloon, Africa’s wilderness never disappoints.

• Capture the Big 5 – Take your trophy shots (with a camera, not a gun) of lions, elephants, leopards, African buffalo, and black rhinoceros on an ultra-luxe Africa safari. Enjoy privately guided game drives by open vehicle, bush walks, and canoe. Stay in luxury tented camps and superb resorts overlooking watering holes. Be sure not to miss out on sundowners!
• Gorilla Trekking – For a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, track Africa’s most famous residents, the endangered mountain gorillas, through dense jungles and misty rainforests. Wildlife enthusiasts will find the quest challenging and the prize thrilling.

Ultra-luxe travel is only limited by imagination.

By definition, ultra-luxe travel is distinctive, exclusive, and personal, so it can be any adventure you dream of. Covington vacation advisors excel at customizing travel with special experiences and are ready to assist you in upgrading your travel to ultra-luxe. Contact us to get started checking off your bucket list.