As destinations across the globe battle overtourism, the demand for ultra-luxury, exclusive experiences away from the crowds is steadily rising.
For high-net-worth individuals, the new currency of luxury isn't about ownership (presumably of a yacht, or a multi-million-euro holiday home) – it's about access, at least that's according to the World Luxury Chamber of Commerce's 2026 Travel Trends Report.
As the ultra-rich navigate the globe, they are seeking out hyper-personalised, authentic travel experiences not open to the general public.
Here we take a look at some of those exclusive and ultra-luxury travel experiences.
Fly the globe in style on a private jet
Private jet journeys have been gaining in popularity thanks to the rise of fractional ownership models and charter apps.
For those who don't want to plan out their own itinerary, Four Seasons offer fully-curated around-the-world trips by private jet. Lasting between 20 and 24 days, you can choose between “New World Icons”, “Ancient Explorer” and “International Intrigue” itineraries.
These journeys will allow travellers to visit destinations like Bora Bora, the Galapagos Islands, Petra, Kyoto, Easter Island, the Maldives, Serengeti and Iceland, among others. Journeys also include private guided tours, unique workshops and expert-led cultural experiences like samurai sword fighting in Tokyo.
A custom-made Airbus A321neo-LR is used for these journeys, with only between 48 and 52 seats. Passengers can sink into customised Italian leather flatbed seats, order plates from bespoke menus curated by the onboard executive chef, and make use of the dedicated concierge team.
With a “hotel in the sky” feel, there’s also a dedicated lounge area for socialising and ample personal space built into the cabin.
Trips also include all ground transportation, excursions, meals and accommodation, which is usually in Four Seasons hotels.
Four Seasons’ private jet around the world journeys start at around $219,000 (€187,000).
Rent an entire private island
For the ultra-rich, renting a whole private island outright for a milestone event, birthday, wedding or other celebration is an obvious choice. These islands usually only accept small groups and have very few spaced out villas, for maximum seclusion and privacy.
Some islands available for rent include Banwa Private Island in the Philippines, Calivigny Island in Grenada, and Laucala Island in Fiji.
Stay in stunning overwater villas, five-star thatched roof cottages, or beachfront villas with private infinity pools.
Richard Branson’s private retreat, Necker Island, in the British Virgin Islands can also be rented out completely, offering plenty of wildlife and water sports.
Similarly, travellers can rent out Musha Cay island in the Bahamas, part of a 700-acre chain and owned by American illusionist David Copperfield. Here, they can enjoy a range of exclusive, ultra-private experiences like dining on two-mile sandbars, interactive treasure hunts, an outdoor cinema, wellness treatments, water sports and excursions.
Facilities on private islands usually include butler service, gourmet or customised dining, private airstrips and dedicated staff.
While some private islands like Voavah Private Island in the Maldives can cost around $46,000 (€39,000) per night to rent, others like Banwa Private Island can go for as much as $100,000 (€85,000) a night.
Touch the edge of space
Bored with generic ski breaks and tropical paradises? If your pockets are bursting, you can now reach for the limits of modern travel with spaceflights taking you to the edge of space.
Beginners can ease into space travel with Blue Origin’s 10-11 minute suborbital flights, for a thrilling three-to-four minutes of weightlessness after crossing the 100km Kármán line, before floating back to Earth. Passengers have a prime view of Earth from the huge windows aboard this fully autonomous flight.
Looking for something more adventurous? Take a Virgin Atlantic spaceplane for a 90-minute suborbital “thrill ride”, where travellers can enjoy a view from space and an adrenaline-filled few minutes of weightlessness before coming back to Earth.
If these two aren’t enough to satisfy your space cravings, try SpaceX’s Crew Dragon, which takes travellers into full Earth orbit for multi-day stays.
With spacious, sleek white interiors and comfortable Alcantara-upholstered seats, the spacecraft seats up to seven guests and has four windows and a private bathroom, with streamlined touchscreen technology.
SpaceX’s Crew Dragon flights cost an eye-watering $55 million (€46.9 million) per passenger.
See polar bears and penguins with ultra-luxury private tours
Arctic and Antarctic travel has exploded in the past few years, as travellers seek more adventure, outdoor and nature experiences.
Tour operators like White Desert offer super-exclusive, private tours to the Antarctic interior, flying guests via private jet from Cape Town straight to luxury camps.
Travellers can enjoy a carbon-neutral adventure to one of the last frontiers of modern travel, gaining a rare glimpse into the real “white continent”, unlike most cruises which only stick to the coast and outer islands.
Stay in bespoke, high-tech pods at Echo, Wolf’s Fang or Whichaway camp with heated sleeping pods, a library set on rare exposed rock and gourmet dining.
Travellers also gain exclusive access to the Geographic South Pole and the Atka Bay Emperor penguin colony, with around 28,000 penguins.
Other activities include ice climbing, abseiling, hiking under ice tunnels and fat biking, all guided by expert polar explorers.
At the end of trips, camps are fully dismantled in order to avoid impacting fragile ecosystems with waste.
White Desert’s seven-to-eight day Early Emperors tour starts at around $70,000 (€60,000) per person, with day trips such as The Greatest Day or Antarctica in a Day starting at $16,000 (€13,600) per person.
Similarly, Scenic Cruises offers six-star Arctic expeditions, complete with helicopters, a custom-built six-guest submarine and up to 20 specialists, including marine biologists, glaciologists and historians for on-board education and guided shore landings.
Guests stay in all-veranda suites, with cruises limited to 200 or 228 passengers, depending on the itinerary. Other facilities include gourmet dining, butler service, premium beverages, yoga and pilates studios and multiple lounges.
Immerse yourself in months-long cruises around the world
Cruises have seen soaring popularity in the last few years too, due to their all-inclusive convenience, allowing travellers to visit multiple destinations without having to make separate bookings and only packing once.
With travellers looking for more distinct, once-in-a-lifetime experiences, multi-month, around-the-world cruises have gained more interest.
Cruises like Regent’s Seven Seas cruises offer ultra-luxury, all-suite, all-balcony and all-inclusive experiences in a country-club style.
Passengers can enjoy a true six-star trip, lasting more than 140 days and visiting dozens of destinations around the world on either the Seven Seas Splendour or Seven Seas Voyager ships.
Facilities include gourmet dining and fine wine at multiple speciality restaurants like Pacific Rim and Prime 7 steakhouse, unlimited curated shore excursions, premium beverages, unlimited Wi-Fi and valet laundry, among others.
Travellers stay in suites with private balconies and amenities such as marble bathrooms, spacious living areas and walk-in closets.
Excursions include culinary experiences, wildlife viewing, culture-focused tours and more, with guests able to take part in cooking classes or enjoy spa and wellness treatments as well.
Itineraries included roundtrip airfares, all gourmet meals and drinks, entertainment and excursions.
