Perhaps you really do want to get away from it all - including the excess baggage that normally comes with a trip: long lines, crying babies, and airport security. Or, maybe you just want an uninterrupted weekend with friends or, even, just that one “special” friend. Whatever the motivation, private travel options can provide other perks too.
“Private travel really isn’t just about privacy,” explains Marc Silverstone, who runs Equilibrium Events Inc., a Fort Lauderdale-based company that specializes in bespoke getaways. “It’s about being able to create the exact trip you want that you might not be able to do without these options. For instance, there aren’t any luxury hotels in Mykonos. So if you want a five-star experience, your best bet is to charter a yacht for the week, lodge on it and then come ashore as needed for sightseeing and nightlife.”
But, what would such a thing cost? you might ask. To put things in perspective, Equilibrium Events Inc. could arrange for a stunning 237-foot Lambda yacht (above) that accommodates 30 guests (and 31 crew) in the Mediterranean for around $550,000 to 600,000 per week.
So if the perks outweigh the price tag, here are a few possibilities to consider - from secluded tropical hideaways to out-of-this world adventure - for when you want it all to yourself:
Founded in 2007, Privé Jets boasts a worldwide fleet of over 6,000 planes taking off from hundreds of airports often inaccessible by commercial flights (meaning you can most likely get much closer to your destination with no layover). The cost? A flight from Los Angeles to Las Vegas, for instance, on their smallest jet (a Phenom 100) that comfortably seats four adults starts at around $6,500; a cross-country flight from LA to New York non-stop on a mid-size Citation X that seats eight adults starts at about $28,000.
Las Vegas may seem like the last place to find any privacy, however, for the moments that call for it: ARIA Resort & Casino Sky Suites and Sky Villas offers a its guests a separate porte cochere accessible only by luxury vehicle that leads into a separate Sky Suites’ lounge with VIP guest check-in (above).
Otherwise known as Sir Richard Branson’s private island, Necker Island (above) in the British Virgin Islands is available for exclusive use and includes the Great House, six Balinese-style houses and other guest quarters. Rental of the island also includes all meals and drinks, a dedicated staff of 100, pools, tennis courts, wireless internet and a DJ for one night. Rates for the rest of 2015 start at $65,000 per night and accommodate 30 adults (in 2016, rates start at $78,000 per night and accommodate 34 adults.)
Renting a private home or villa can be a great alternative to staying in a hotel and can be a great way to gather everyone together when traveling with a group. Rental services like Luxury Retreats book properties all over the world such as the Villa Magnolia on Italy’s Amalfi Coast (pictured above) that sleeps 18 and rents for $2,565 to $4,368 per night.
Most notable restaurants have a private dining room, but one of the most special can be found hidden in the basement of New York City’s 21 Club. Available for events with up to 22 guests, the Wine Cellar is accessed through a two-tonne door matching the building’s foundation built during the Prohibition Era.
Hate waiting in line to get on your favorite rides? Just rent out the entire theme park and problem solved. Located about 20 miles outside Los Angeles, Knott’s Berry Farm is home to great coasters like Xcelerator, Silver Bullet and Boomerang (pictured) as well as the brand new Voyage to the Iron Reef. Call 800-742-6427 for more information.
If renting out an entire park seems a bit extravagant, Walt Disney World offers its Private Premium VIP Tours that include visits to multiple parks, special seating for parades and stage shows, plus a highly knowledgeable guide. Tours cost between $400 and $600 per hour for up to ten guests, depending on the season.
Has the tedium of being on Earth worn you down? Perhaps a little perspective is all you need. In 2017, World View Experience will initiate passenger travel to the edge of space. Guests will float in a stylishly-appointed capsule almost twenty miles above the earth and then sail for about two hours while taking in otherwise unparalleled views of our home planet. Capsules can accommodate six passengers (plus two crew members) with introductory tickets running $75,000 per person.
