VIP Travel Experience Blog: How to Get the Most Out of Your Luxury Vacation

 

Today, many families are choosing luxury vacations to celebrate special occasions such as weddings, anniversaries, and birthdays or just because they want to treat themselves to a relaxing getaway. 

While traveling in style can be fun, it also means that you need to make sure that you choose the right hotel and airline service, which will ensure the trip goes smoothly and that your family has the VIP travel experience they deserve. 

If you’re thinking about planning such an experience but aren’t sure how to do it, keep reading to learn more about how to get the most out of your next luxury vacation.

Try Something New

Planning a trip as a tourist may sound like fun, but if you really want to get immersed in a place—and see all it has to offer—the key is being an active participant. 

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For example, don’t just see a show; audition for one. Don’t just eat at restaurants; sign up for cooking classes or food tours. Pick up any book on how to live like a local and spend your vacation actually living like one. You’ll leave feeling more connected and will have endless stories (and photos) of experiences that money can’t buy.

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Go Off the Beaten Path

You don’t need a luxurious resort or five-star dining to have an amazing vacation. You just need a little flexibility and curiosity. If you want, say, surf lessons in Indonesia but are tired of being stuck on a resort’s property, look for nearby towns with boutique hotels that offer cheaper rates and more opportunities for off-property exploration. 

Plus, these properties tend to be smaller and quaint—great places for personal attention. Or maybe you want a historic tour in Germany but don’t have time for multiple nights in Munich. In that case, head south into Austria where some castles date back thousands of years and are open all year round.

Ask Questions & Talk to People

Anyone who has done a research project in school knows that you can’t get anywhere if you don’t ask questions and talk to people. Once again, great networking comes into play. 

The best way to understand what makes the VIP travel experience special is by actually talking with people who have had these experiences. Talk with as many as possible—from flight attendants, concierges, taxi drivers, and anyone else who works in or around luxury resorts. 

This can help answer some big questions about your target market (people like me). It can also help open doors and build relationships that may come in handy later on when you are trying to promote your business or new service offering.

Expose Yourself to New Experiences

Don’t be afraid to try something new when you’re on vacation. When you visit a new place, don’t just seek out things that pique your interest—be willing to take risks, leave your comfort zone and challenge yourself. 

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The moments that feel uncomfortable or unfamiliar are often where we experience growth as travelers and people. And if you find out something isn’t for you, well, at least you can say you tried it! 

Let Go and Relax

Many luxury vacation experiences are built around being pampered, but when you’re constantly thinking about a schedule or itinerary, it can be difficult to fully let go and relax. Relaxing on a vacation is often not on your agenda—but it should be. 

You deserve it! No one knows your body better than you, so try out at least one activity that makes you feel rejuvenated. 

There are plenty of ways to relax and destress on any vacation from spa treatments to guided walks through nature. Don’t forget that eating healthy can help soothe your body after stressful weeks at work. The key is simply finding what works for you and trying something new!

Meet with Locals

It’s an oldie but a goodie—one of my favorite ways to have a VIP travel experience is by meeting with locals, whether that’s in person or via social media. 

Not only does it help you get insider recommendations for sightseeing, dining, and lodging, but it also allows you to become a cultural ambassador and make new friends. You can learn so much about a place when you spend time getting to know its people. 

What are some places near your next travel destination that are waiting for your arrival? Check out our guide to meeting locals on social media here.

Embrace your Inner Child

One way to keep your kids (and yourself) happy on vacation is by revisiting your inner child. If you can manage that, then you’ll be able to enjoy just about any experience. 

When I’m working with a family on a travel plan, one of my favorite ways to open up their eyes is through adventuring. That’s when I get them outside, away from their hotel or cruise ship, and into as many new experiences as possible. 

We like visiting local parks and playgrounds where we can let our children explore new places and return back home with a bunch of great pictures for them to look at in years to come.

Plan Ahead, but Don’t Worry Too Much

There’s no use stressing out too much before you leave on your trip. Sure, there are a million ways things could go wrong—lost luggage, missed flights, delayed taxis, and hotel problems—but all these potential issues can be taken care of once you’re actually in vacation mode. 

If possible, ask for two copies of your itinerary so that you can always have one on hand in case there’s a chance. If something does go wrong (which it will), don’t panic! Just keep asking questions until you feel like everything is back under control.