With vacations, as with many other things, if you fail to plan, you plan to fail. “But vacations are supposed to be fun and carefree! Not a minor course in event management! We hear you cry. But dont you worry, because you’ve come to the right place for that dream vacation to become a reality…carefree enjoyment and all. After the planning, that is! We know, that sounds like a cruel joke, but really it’s not as bad as you might think. If a little bit of planning ahead of time can turn the average validation into a high-end experience from start to finish, why would any vacationer turn it down? Here’s how to do just that, the simplest and most practical way possible.

Choose Seamless Transport

Transport can often be the stone in the shoe of an almost perfect vacation. Depending on where you’re going and how remote the destination is, transport can be a bigger or smaller problem, but even some of the world’s most efficient countries and tourist traps face travel issues. The key to planning to avoid those issues is choosing transport solutions that offer seamless service rather than more connections or stops. Private jet hire is the most efficient way to travel bar none (until teleportation tech is invented that is!) and it’s probably a more practical solution than the average vacation or things it is, especially if you’re traveling in a group. 

Hiring a private jet for your travels will ensure that you begin and end the experience on a high note. If your jet hire company works out of a commercial airport, you’ll still have to deal with some crowds and traffic, but not a lot: you’ll have private boarding gates and check-in counters and be whisked through them before you can even blink! When using a private airport, crowds and traffic won’t be an issue, since the only other people there will be staff and passengers like you. Once you’re on board your jet, no matter how far it is you have to fly, you won’t need to deplane at all: the plane will land and refuel without you even having to leave your seat (except possibly for customs clearance) …then it’s on to the next leg of the journey. Private jet companies also offer concierge services that can assist with booking ground transportation, helicopter transfer, and even arranging hotels and experiences for their passengers. It doesn’t get much more seamless than that!

Have a Smart Booking Strategy

If you’re looking for truly exclusive and opulent experiences, there are two options available to you, both worthwhile. Either you should begin booking all of your desired locations and experiences well in advance of the trip to ensure that you are able to see and do all the things on your travel bucket list, OR you can work with a travel coordinator who can do all of that for you.

If you choose to handle all the bookings, etc., yourself, we advise that you lean on all the rewards programs and connections you have at your disposal. Points may enable upgrades to suites or penthouses, and someone you know who knows someone important may be able to squeeze you onto the backstage guest list for that concert you’ve been dying to see. A travel concierge will operate through slightly less occult methods, but you won’t have to take on all that stress yourself! It’s about deciding early which way you’d like to go.

Choose Destination Hotels

Choosing a hotel that is, in itself, a luxury destination, can also take the pressure off when planning a vacation. In some cases, vacationers choose a destination because they wish to explore it and the locations nearby, but sometimes they just want five star room service, pool complexes, entertainment, shopping and the lost luxurious stay all in one convenient place: destination hotels work for both kinds of experience.

These are some of the highest rated destination hotels in the world:

  • Rosewood Blue Palace, Crete. Features 154 exquisite rooms, with 85 spacious suites offering private pools. THis hotel is very focused on integrating with the natural Cretan landscape and appreciating its natural beauty. 
  • Atlantis The Royal, Dubai: A highly ranked modern resort known for its extravagant design and opulent stays.
  • Rosewood Hong Kong: Rated among the best hotel stays in the world thanks to its skyline views and luxury, white-glove service.
  • Passalacqua, Lake Como: A top-tier European destination (even without the hotel being of such an incredibly high standard) offering quintessentially lavish Italian luxury.
  • Four Seasons Bangkok at Chao Phraya River: Urban resort luxury in Bangkok, giving guests direct access to the city and its delights.

Invest in Experiences

Everyone loves a little something from their friend who was just somewhere beautiful and far away from home, but when it comes to “shopping” for yourself on your vacation, choose to invest in experiences rather than things. Charter a yacht to take you to that gorgeous island you saw from above on your flight in; treat yourself to a cooking class where you can learn to make local specialties from locals who have been using the same recipes for hundreds of years; watch an authentic flamenco show or visit an exhibition. The memories of these experiences will stay with you long after the souvenir t-shirt has stretched out from too much wear or your “I went to Greece” mug has come out of the dishwasher broken. Memories last forever.

The Ball Is in Your Court

You’ve got all the information that you need to make your next vacation the most elite, luxurious one you’ve ever had. ALl that awaits is within your control, so choose well and you’ll be choosing the vacation of a lifetime.

​Published by HOLR Magazine.

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