5 Luxury Vacations to Add to Your Bucket List

Taking a luxurious vacation can provide a range of benefits, including the opportunity to relax, unwind and recharge, as well as to experience new and exciting things. It can offer a break from the stress of daily life, allowing you to rejuvenate your mind and body in a beautiful and indulgent setting.

These vacations often come with high-end amenities, such as luxurious accommodations, top-rated restaurants, and personalized services, which can make for an unforgettable experience. They can also offer opportunities for adventure and exploration, such as private tours or activities, that may not be available during a more standard vacation.

Whether you’ve hit the jackpot, have spent years saving for a trip of a lifetime, or simply have a generous annual travel budget, you won’t want to miss these ideas for an extraordinary trip that you’ll never forget.

Yachting in the Med

One of the best ways to explore Europe is by boat, but if you’d rather have your own captain and crew instead of sharing staff (and amenities) on a large vessel – then a Mediterranean yacht charter could be for you.

These luxurious floating hotels offer five-star service paired with jaw-dropping scenic views. Drop anchor along spectacular coastlines and go for a dip, enjoy a gourmet picnic set among a crumbling fortress, or relax on your sundeck with a drink in hand. While each boat differs, most come equipped with gyms, hot tubs, dining rooms, and beautiful master suites. Water-sport enthusiasts will rejoice over the ample options for frolicking in the Med, from enormous waterslides to jet skis and overwater trampolines.

Mediterranean yacht charters generally run from April to October. One of the best times to visit the Med is in September, when the crowds die down, kids go back to school, but the weather is still warm (sometimes hot, depending on where you are).

Rent a Private Island

It doesn’t get much more luxurious than a private island, and if you’re looking for the ultimate in privacy, luxury, and discretion – a private island is for you! Options abound, from cozy retreats set amongst the trees in Canada’s Pacific Northwest to luxurious and sprawling villas in tropical climates.

One of the best destinations for private island rentals is the Caribbean, home to the famous Necker Island (owned by Virgin founder and business mogul Sir Richard Branson). Located in the British Virgin Islands, this 74-acre paradise can accommodate up to 54 guests comfortably. With multiple properties scattered throughout the island, guests can opt to rent a room, villa, or the entire island.

Another Caribbean island available for rent is Musha Cay, located in the southern Bahamas Exuma Chain. Available for one party at a time, visitors have exclusive access to Musha Cay and its wealth of amenities for the duration of their stay. With over 150 acres of powder-soft beaches, a fleet of outdoor water toys, and elegant accommodations, visitors to Musha Cay receive the finest five-star treatment. With 30 staff members to a maximum of 24 guests, vacationers here will want for nothing.

A Cozy Winter Villa

Imagine curling up in front of a roaring fire, getting snug under a blanket as the snow silently falls outside, or warming up in an outdoor jacuzzi as you’re delivered a flute of champagne. These are part and parcel when renting a mountain villa or luxury chalet.

While not all come fully staffed, it’s an easy adjustment to include a chef, butler, daily housekeeper, even a yoga instructor!

If you’re a ski or snowboard buff, staying at a villa in Whistler, British Columbia is an easy decision. The Belmont Estate in Whistler’s exclusive Stonebridge enclave rests on 7 acres of wilderness and can accommodate groups of up to 14. The helipad allows for a discreet arrival and departure, as well as access to off-piste terrain, and your private driver is available to whisk you away to the lifts each day should you wish to stick to groomed slopes.

An Alaskan Wilderness Lodge

Have you always wanted to explore the Last Frontier, but in style? No two Alaskan wilderness lodges are alike, and there are a select few that provide elegant luxury in rugged Alaskan surroundings. The crème de la crème, Sheldon Chalet, combines jaw-dropping views with gourmet dining, and fly-in-only access. It doesn’t get more luxurious (or remote) than this!

Sheldon Chalet is a five-star lodge resting on a nunatak in the Don Sheldon Amphitheater of Denali's magnificent Ruth Glacier. Days spent at the chalet are yours to explore, and activities include snow cavern spelunking, sledding, rappelling, or crevasse exploration. Nights usher in magnificent light shows, as you watch the Aurora Borealis dance across the sky from the comfort of your observation deck or sauna. Dining at Sheldon Chalet is top-notch, complete with a celebrity chef who has been selected to cook for the likes of Barak Obama and Neil Young.

An African Safari

With countless luxury resorts and safari experiences to choose from across Africa, it may seem impossible to narrow it down! If you must pick just one, venture deep into the heart of Kenya for a stay at one of the finest lodges in all of Africa.

Nestled on the edge of the Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya is Angama Mara, overlooking the Great Rift Valley. This owner-run safari lodge offers two intimate camps with only fifteen luxurious tented suites each, a private airstrip, and ample wildlife roaming free. Gracing the silver screen as the location for the Oscar-award-winning movie Out of Africa, the romance of this resort and region itself is undeniable. Complemented by the lodge is the Angama Safari Camp, an exclusive-use mobile tented campsite located deep in the Mara triangle, where you can spot prides of lion, cheetah, leopard, large elephant herds, and buffalo, and be perfectly positioned for a front-row seat to the annual migration.

Final Thoughts

Overall, a luxurious vacation can be an excellent way to treat yourself, escape from the routine of everyday life, and create lasting memories. It may not be the most budget-friendly option, but for those who can afford it, it can be a worthwhile investment in mental and emotional wellbeing.

While we’ve only mentioned five luxury experiences, countless others across the globe are not to be missed. These vacations are about more than just a place to stay, they are exclusive experiences of grand proportions. Make that decision and treat yourself to a dream escape that will exceed your wildest expectations!

If you would like to have your next getaway planned for you, consider joining Wander and Soul’s Travel & Lifestyle Club, where we will craft the perfect one-of-a-kind vacation for you, even if you don’t know exactly what it is that you want yet! Remember, how you travel matters. It’s not just where you go, but how the journey shapes you. Learn more about all the amazing benefits of becoming a member of our Travel & Lifestyle Club here.