The big summer vacations are exactly what one would expect: luxury, privacy and strong doses of exaggeration.
As for the cost, most can not even grasp it.
This closed community of the tourist elite sails with its yachts for Ίμπιζα, sunbathes in tropical paradises and private islands or hangs out until morning in Saint Tropez.
Still others enjoy their Dom Pérignon in private jets, to destinations that others can only dream of.
For the club of millionaires and billionaires, relaxing next to him Richard Branson on Necker Island is not madness after all, but a petty reality.
This 1% of the world is looking for exclusivity and sophistication, but also authentic experiences with meaning. But where does he find them?
Jack Ezon of Ovation Vacations and Anne Scully of McCabe World Travel reveal some of the destinations of the aristocracy, where everything is possible for the man who has high demands.
And he is willing to pay them dearly…
A resort has occupied a 15th century fortress on a private Adriatic island, offering comfort and luxury with a scoop. The 80 acres of the hotel provide 3 private beaches with pink beaches, but also room options according to the level of privacy you are looking for.
A famous sanctuary of the European elite, it boasts two-storey suites with private pools and amazing views, where award-winning chefs prepare fine dishes on the spot. Of course we are talking about accommodation that starts from 4.000 euros per night…
For those who do not want to share the exotic paradise with others, there is a resort on its shores Belize which is essentially a personal playground. The level of isolation it offers for 2-4 people at a time is such that all staff retire to a nearby island and come by speedboat here every time they are called by customers.
Inside the protected coral reefs of the Caribbean Sea, there is a secret paradise that serves as a hermitage for plutocracy. It is made to accommodate a couple, simply giving the opportunity for 2 more friends. As for the prices, they start from 3.500 euros per night…
Not all the rich prefer the tropical Eden of the planet. As Jack Ezon reveals, the favorite escape of the elite who do not love the sea is a train. And while 7 days in a wagon does not exactly look like the definition of luxury, this is not the case when it comes to the Belmond Grand Hibernian.
The amenities stand out here and the journey seems to be taken from the luxurious trains of another era. This exclusive tour of its natural beauties Ireland is the big secret of the European ruling class, with prices even reaching 10.000 euros per person.
Even the Maldives, the absolute synonym of luxury, host even more private situations. So in one of the thousand islands of the complex you will find the familiar setting of sea magic, only here the bungalows on the water are not even the big trump card.
These also cost around 3.000-4.000 euros per night and are constantly crowded. In one of the 5 islands of the hotel, however, one will find the spacious villas that from 13.000 euros per night guarantee the kind of luxury and privacy that the elite is looking for. You get here exclusively with 45 minutes of seaplane flight, so that nothing bothers you.
If he is to leave the white beaches aside for the sake of the African adventure, in Tswalu Kalahari the cruise will make his safari. The resort is enthroned on the largest private hunting area in the country, occupying over 1.000 square kilometers of savannah, bringing the tourist in contact with most of its wildlife Black Epirus.
The 500 euros per night the only thing they can provide you here is sleep outside in the countryside! Croesus will prefer a tile under his head. And in Tswalu the tile is the luxury itself. From 3.000 euros per night, you enjoy a picnic with Champagne next to elephants, private wildlife observatories and a standard of living that a five-star hotel would envy…
Imagine a private area of 300 acres in its beautiful countryside Tuscany, in picturesque vineyards and organic orchards. From where the raw materials of the two restaurants of the resort are supplied daily, both awarded with 2 Michelin stars! This gastronomy paradise is another secret of the European elite, a five-star boutique hotel housed in a 13th century villa.
The rich enjoy exclusive culinary experiences, personalized tours and helicopter rides in the Italian countryside. This is where the tycoons "worship" in the private villas, available at prices starting from 3.000 euros per night…
Again a private tropical paradise where the beautiful bungalows on the water, the largest in the South Pacific, in fact, go unnoticed through the creek. Who will leave the crowds for the common mortals and will withdraw to one of the exclusive villas of the resort, which exceed 17.000 euros per night.
Here you have unparalleled amenities on a 24-hour basis, even exclusive access to one of the 4 restaurants of hotel. Which has thrown all the weight on the all-day butler service, so that the customer with the very thick wallet does not have to do anything alone…