As someone who alternates between visiting luxury holiday destinations when I am traveling with family and a flashpacker when I am traveling solo, I am always on the lookout for luxury travel spots. And that is why I compiled this list of must-visit luxury experiences.
So, what does luxury travel mean? It could be anything from staying for 1000$ per night to a private jet charter to your dream destination or eating at the best Michelin-starred dining spots to staying in anything from a water villa to palaces to partying in private islands. The list is endless, and in this post, I cover some of the best luxury travel destinations.
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Top 20 luxury holiday destinations
Are you someone who loves to splurge on luxury once in a while? Then this list is for you. Whether you’re taking a cruise or private jet charter, these destinations offer the best of the best. Without further ado, presenting the top destinations to visit for luxury.
India
I know India may not be an obvious choice when it comes to luxury travel. But after traveling in India for more than 20 years, I’ve found many luxury experiences for you to choose from. With the growing number of Indians with a spending power for luxury travel, these experiences are only going to increase in the coming years. Some examples include:
- Cruising in a luxury, fully catered houseboat in the backwaters of Alleppey in Kerala.
- Explore some private game drives in Pench, Kanha, or Tadoba and catch some exclusive tigers.
- Living the Royal life on the Maharaja Express, one of the most luxurious trains in the world.
- Stay like royalty in palaces like the Taj Lake Palace or Umaid Bhawan Palace Hotel in the state of Rajasthan.
Bora Bora
Bora Bora ranks among the best luxury holiday destinations in the world all the time. And it is not surprising to see why. With overwater bungalows starting from 1500$ per night, it’s definitely one of the best spots for luxury travel. Laze around in your private water villa for 3–4 days, and you will leave relaxed — obviously, private butlers are optional to wait on your every need there. I only wish it was easy for us to get to the destination from here.
Caribbean
Looking for another relaxing beach destination? Then choose from the many beach resorts in any Caribbean country like the Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, Anguilla, Cayman Islands, or the Dominican Republic.
Alternatively, opt for a luxury cruise starting from either Puerto Rico or Barbados, and you are guaranteed to have one of the best luxurious holidays in your life.
Switzerland
After years of planning a trip to Switzerland with my partner, we finally went for his birthday, and it was a magical experience.
We ended up hiring a car rental, driving around the pristine Alps, and staying in some of the remotest luxurious chalets in the world, with only the best cheese and chocolates for company. It was a truly luxurious holiday for us.
I would love to go back in the winter to experience the world-class ski resorts and also maybe experience the Glacier Express during snowtime.
Japan
Japan constantly ranks number one when it comes to exotic luxury vacation destinations. And it is no surprise why. With a heavy focus on world-class hospitality, or Omotenashi, Japan caters to the whim of every luxury traveler.
From exclusive tea ceremonies (sado) with geishas to staying in gorgeous Machiya homes and traditional inns (ryokans). Did you know that Tokyo has the most Michelin-starred restaurants in the world, and the luxury traveler has a vast variety of gourmet cuisines to choose from?
Don’t forget to try the onsens or go kimono silk shopping during your visit. Add the luxury train experience or the bullet trains and a visit to the offbeat Ryukyu Islands in the south, and you are all set to go.
Dubai
After traveling to Dubai more than 15 times in the past 10 years, I can definitely say that it is one of the most luxurious holiday destinations.
Stay in one of the many underwater suites at the Atlantis Palm, drink tea at the Burj Al Arab, or cruise around the Dubai Marina during sunset. Head to Yas Island for some adventure, rent a private villa for you and your friends on Jumeirah Island, or party with the elite in some of the most exclusive clubs around the city.
You can also shop till you drop at one of the many luxury brand outlets in the city — there’s just so much to do here!
The list is quite literally endless, so Dubai makes for one of the best luxury family holiday destinations.
Singapore
With Singapore being one of the most expensive cities in the world, everyone who’s anyone heads there to live just like the characters from ‘Crazy Rich Asians’.
When it comes to luxury, you can stay at the famous Marina Bay Sands and treat your gastronomical senses to some world-class cuisine. Dine at Waku Ghin, National Kitchen, LAVO, or the Aura Sky Lounge. Each is just as exclusive as the next!
Once you’ve had your fill of the city life, head to Sentosa Island for a rejuvenating holiday and spend your last day getting some much-needed massages. Travel back home with a calm body and mind — while making plans to return here, of course!
Safari in Africa
Africa has 54 countries, and each one is full of rich cultures and lush natural spaces. As someone who spent her childhood years in Africa, a safari here is definitely one of my favorite luxurious holiday experiences. And you have so many places on the continent to choose from.
You could consider the rugged plains of Botswana, the Kruger National Park in South Africa, experiencing the wildebeest migration in the Serengeti, or meet the famous Masai Mara. No matter which nature reserve you find yourself in, there’s plenty of wildlife to see, including the Big Five.
Once you’re done in the wild, why not take a trip to one of the most gorgeous islands in Africa? Zanzibar could be the cherry on top, making Africa one of the best holiday destinations.
Seychelles
This offbeat destination near the African continent is one of the best luxury romantic holiday destinations for couples.
Choose from the many island resorts in the country, like The Raffles, the Four Seasons, or Anantara, where luxury is not just the experience; it’s also the expectation. This idyllic beach getaway is a must for romantic luxury travelers.
Lake Como, Italy
Lake Como in Italy ranks as one of the best luxury holiday destinations in Europe, which is why we headed there last summer.
Lake Como is the location of many A-list celebrities’ summer homes. With gorgeous villas surrounding Lake Como, you will enjoy luxury accommodations in many of the villages surrounding Lake Como.
Also, with Bollywood A-listers like Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh getting married in the gorgeous backdrop of Lake Como, it has become a hot spot for luxury weddings there too.
Stay in a villa in any of the villages of Bellagio, Como, Varenna, or Menaggio to make your Italian summer a hit.
Indonesia
There is so much more to Indonesia’s luxury travel scenes other than staying at the ultra-lux resorts in Bali.
Take a private seaplane to the Riau Islands, go glamping at the beach at the many resorts around Indonesia, take a luxury train ride to Java Island, go spot some Komodo dragons, or take a liveaboard trip in Labuan Bajo. This kind of range makes Indonesia one of the world’s top 10 luxury holiday destinations.
Maldives
With the small country’s many private island resorts, Maldives is one of the most expensive holiday destinations.
My parents, along with my sister and family, were there last summer, and they stayed at the Taj Exotica Spa and Resort in the Maldives.
For the four days they visited, my family swam with sharks, stayed in private water villas and ate floating breakfasts, went on a glass-bottomed boat tour, and caught the many gorgeous sunsets around the island.
Fiji
With more than 300 tropical islands to choose from, Fiji is every luxury traveler’s paradise destination.
Take a road trip around Viti Levu, go scuba diving in some of the clearest waters in the world, or go island hopping between Likuliku, Tokoriki, Nanuku, Vomo Island, Kokomo, or Yasawa Island. There’s lots to see and even more to entice you the next day!
If you’re feeling adventurous, go swimming with the manta rays, or if you’re feeling like a homebody, stay in some of the most gorgeous overwater bungalows. Fiji has something for everyone, making it one of the most exotic travel destinations.
French Riviera
Côte d’Azur is definitely one of my favorite luxury European holiday destinations. Road-tripping the Côte d’Azur was a major highlight of our European trip last year.
With Monaco being so close by, why not go casino hopping and see what the super-rich get up to? You can also sail a yacht across the French Riviera and spend an afternoon visiting Cannes.
If you’re feeling up to more relaxed activities, go beach hopping around the many beaches in Nice, Menton, and Antibes — these are some of my favorites.
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia is emerging as one of the most luxurious holiday destinations in the world. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of Al-’Ula, stay in the many luxury desert camps across the country, see the country from above in a private helicopter, and visit the rock tombs of Hegra.
The ocean is always close by here. You can snorkel in Umluj — the ‘Saudi Maldives’ — or explore the country on your own in your private car rental. Whatever kind of adventure you desire awaits you in Saudi Arabia.
Wadi Rum, Jordan
One of my favorite experiences last year was sleeping under the stars in the desert landscapes of Wadi Rum in Jordan. Visitors can choose from a range of luxury desert camps to spend their nights at and also visit some of the film locations where movies like ‘The Martian’ or ‘Lawrence of Arabia’ were filmed.
If you opt for a desert camp, you can photograph the Milky Way from the middle of nowhere and stay in your private tent while there. And you will also wake up to spectacular sunrises — what’s not to love?
New York
New York is among the most famous luxury vacation destinations in the USA. Plus, it’s also my first solo travel destination.
Stay in the lap of luxury at gorgeous hotels, attend private shows on Broadway, explore the club scene of the rich and famous in New York, and take a horse carriage around Central Park.
If you watched films set in New York and fell in love, why not experience the real thing? Go behind the scenes of many filming spots around the city, museum hop on the Museum Mile, indulge in some luxurious shopping at Maddison Avenue, and view the city from the top on private helicopter tours.
New York has something for every kind of luxury traveler and should definitely not be missed.
Santorini
Santorini, the stunning Greek island, is famous for its white houses and blue roofs. And it offers a lot more for the luxury traveler in you.
Go on private yacht cruises, chase sunsets across the city, choose from the many luxury stays in Oia and Fira, or rent a luxury villa in Imerovigli village.
Who doesn’t love a jacuzzi with a view of the Aegean sea? Combine rest and relaxation with wine-tasting tours around the island and make Santorini another perfect romantic destination.
London
This is the land of the most famous royals, and many people come to London to experience a taste of it.
Indulge in some afternoon high tea in some of the oldest hotels in the world, hop between the many Michelin-starred restaurants in the city, go on a luxury cruise along the Thames, and treat yourself to a day trip to the nearby Windsor Castle.
Finland
Finland has so many luxury experiences, but my favorite luxury experience is visiting “Santa’s Village” in Rovaniemi.
My dream has always been to stay in a glass cabin surrounded by snow and Finnish wildlife, meet Santa, and use the post office there.
If you’re visiting Finland, you can enjoy husky sledding as well as make friends with the cutest reindeer in town. And the icing on the cake would be to witness the Northern Lights in all its glory!
Paris
Paris has become my favorite luxury holiday destination, and I have been to this city around 4 times to date.
There are so many wonderful things to do here: dine at the top of the Eiffel Tower, shop your heart out in the fashion capital of the world, catch a show at the famous Moulin Rouge in Paris, or go on a romantic private cruise with your partner on the Seine.
It’s the city of love, and what better way to experience it than to eat your way around it? Order the famous hot chocolate in Angelina, the delicious macaroons at Laduree, or shop for some Pierre Hermé chocolates and stay in the luxury district of the 1st arrondissement. Paris is a treat for luxury travelers like me.
Now That You Know, Where Are You Headed Next?
Exploring the world’s best luxury holiday destinations is truly an enchanting experience that can indulge all our senses and fulfill our wildest dreams. Whether relaxing on pristine beaches, immersing ourselves in vibrant cultures, or indulging in decadent cuisine and lavish accommodations, these destinations offer nothing short of extraordinary moments that will stay etched in our memories forever. So why wait? After all, life is too short to settle for anything less than the best when creating unforgettable travel experiences.
