Does your bucket list for 2018 consist of swanning around on your own private island, helicopter riding into an Icelandic volcano and seeing the Northern Lights from your very own idyllic igloo? Nope neither does ours, but we can all dream, right? These are the top travel experiences of 2018, if you’re absolutely ballin’…
Hire a private island in Fiji
Sure, sunning yourself in a hotel is okay, but who wants to be around other people when you can have your very own private island? Why not head to the Laucala island in Fiji – the 12-square kilometre private island is surrounded by tropical wildlife and you can hire it for just $150,000 a night – bargain! The island compromises of 24 tropical villas and has all meals and drinks included. What a steal…
Have the ultimate glamping experience in the Maldives
Far far away from the mud and rain of your average glamping experience, Soneva Fushi on the Maldives sandbank offers glamping with a twist. The not quite so steep $2,000 per night trip will have you laying amongst the shimmering turquoise waters as you feast on a candlelit dinner set up by private staff, before falling asleep on the secluded sandbank. And in the morning? Sunrise breakfast followed by a private yoga class of course. Valentine’s day present anyone?
Snuggle down in a boutique chalet in Austria
If living it up in the sun isn’t for you then why not hit the slopes? But don’t just head to any old ski chalet, head to the ultimate Austrian Alpine retreat: hotel Blumen Haus Lech. The boutique-esq chalet includes iPad wall activation, Revox sound systems, a rolling gallery of contemporary artwork, an infinity pool and of course flowing champagne afternoon tea. The price? Around £2,000 per suite (per night).
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Live like royalty on a luxury yacht
Why spend your travels on land when you could be floating on the sea… on a luxury yacht that is. The Irimari is one of the most luxurious yachts of them all, containing a 7,000-litre jet stream pool, water sports equipment, three metre cinema screens, interactive games and let’s not forget the grand piano. To spend 1 week on this bad boy during the summer months, expect to pay around €460,000.
Fly Over the Great Wall of China
Sure, you could walk The Great Wall of China, but why walk if you can fly? Experience one of the greatest wonders of the world as you soar your way into the skies on a private helicopter ride, before landing onto the wall for your very own sunset 3-course-dinner. As you sip on your champagne you’ll be informed about the history of your surroundings with your very own on-site expert. And how much will that all cost? Prices are from a mere $3,400 per couple.
See the Northern lights from a private igloo
If seeing the Northern Lights isn’t incredible enough, why not snuggle up and watch them from the magical Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort igloo pods in Finnish Lapland? The igloos, made of glass, have been designed so that the windows don’t frost over or steam up, giving you perfect visibility. Expect a comfy bed and an en-suite bathroom, setting you back around £800 per night.
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Head to a Safari Lodge with a view in Rwanda
Located in an eroded volcano cone, Bisate Eco Lodge offers some of the most jaw dropping views around and features six enchanting suites that look over Rwanda’s volcanoes and Afro-alpine forests. Guests can take day trips to the Park Headquarters where the gorilla treks take place whilst also participating in rehabilitation and reforestation programmes. For a front row rainforest view, rooms start at $1,100 per person per night.
Ride a helicopter inside a Icelandic volcano
On the topic of volcanoes, why not wine and dine in Iceland’s Trihnukagigur volcano’s magma chamber? The luxury tour company Jacada Travel offers customised helicopter tours through Iceland, finishing with a luxury (dormant) volcanic experience. And if magma isn’t your thing, you can opt to have dinner on top of a glacier instead. Either way, prices start at $14,280 (including hotel stays).
Live it up in the South of France
Heading back down to warmer territories, the South of France is all about the luxury lifestyle of class and sophistication. If you’ve got elegance and a few Euro’s to blow, head to the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, where you’ll find a grand 19th-century mansion on Cap d’Antibes with 117 rooms and two villas. The estate is also home to the Eden-Roc Restaurant, which is based out on the rocks and looks over the blue seas of the South of France. Feasting on lobster and sea bass will set you back around £150 per person. Bon appetit!
Take a White Desert trip to Antarctica
Fancy going to Antarctica but don’t have much time? Why not hop on a private jet from Cape Town? Once you arrive, travellers will have around 8 hours to explore, not to mention an endless stream of champagne, then it’s back on the jet and back to normality. The entire trip lasts less than 24 hours but will cost a steep $195,000, so make the most of that champagne!