As a Travel Writer for the past two decades, I have often heard that exclamation from travelers – “Oh! To be in the lap of luxury while vacationing!” The very idea evokes images of gorgeous balmy beaches or powdery snow and ski. Again, for some it is the lush green rainforests and spectacular wildlife drama – the “Call of the Wild”, so to say. Yet, for another set of travelers, they are excited to embark on voyages that are literally ripples of luxury on waters – be it the oceans or the great rivers of the world.
Irrespective of the discerning choices of today’s new-age luxury travelers, one thing stands out – they are always on the lookout for destinations that awesome in terms of beauty and natural panorama.
The quintessential new-age jet-set contemporary traveler wants surprises, escape routes, hidden treasures of nature, and a bewildering array of recreation options to complement the bewitching charms of the lands and regions they visit. The expected destinations where just about every lane is dramatic and charming. As visitors, they want to be spoilt for a choice and Oh! Yeah! They wanna be pampered.
And, for all these, they are prepared to pay big time.
Here is my bucket list of 20 top destinations to embark on a Luxury Travel for 2022.
Necker Island – The Secluded Celeb Paradise
Necker Island used to be a little known destination until British business tycoon Richard Branson stumbled across this speck of paradise way back in the 1970s and to put it succinctly in his own words – “I had no idea where they were located or that they were actually called the British Virgin Islands,” the billionaire entrepreneur writes in a blog about purchasing Necker Island. “But one Thursday in 1978, I was told that they existed and that I could potentially own one.”
Necker Island offers not just sea, surf, and sand. It offers a sleek peek into the mysterious luxury and opulence of the rich and the famous when they are in the holiday mood. From Nelson Mandela to Princess Diana, Necker Island has played host to some of the most glamorous people on Planet Earth.
Hawaii – One Little Corner Of The World
Hawaii is so dramatic that just about every lane is charming. From the best-kept secrets of the Napali Coast to biodiversity-rich national parks, visitors are spoilt for a choice when it comes to choosing the perfect place for holidays.
Apart from natural treasures, Hawaiian people are a blissful lot and peace is of paramount importance to the natives here, superseding even trade, commerce, and all that big talk about money that actually drives the contemporary world.
Davos – The Genuine Swiss Alpine Palette
Davos – the very name spells the ultimate in Swiss luxury. Davos has indeed come of age as an international Alpine holiday destination and today this stunning Alpine town with its impressive set of congress resorts, relaxation avenues and a plethora of winter sports activities have catapulted Davos into a much preferred Swiss vacation spot.
If you are a business magnate, Davos hosts the annual and the most highly acclaimed international congress of the World Economic Forum (WEF) which has been held in Davos since 1970. Every year in the month of January alone, Davos is host to over 200 high-flying guests from the worlds of politics, business, science, and civil society.
Kruger – The Mother Of All Safaris
When it comes to viewing wilderness in all its glory, nothing surpasses the excitement and drama that one is assured of in one of the world’s greatest Wildlife Reserves – Kruger National Park.
Much of Kruger is bushland and the luxury lodges offer rare and exclusive entrée to over half a million acres of unspoiled wilderness. Indeed, these days it is hard to come by Wildlife Reserves that can boast of “Big Five” in the same Reserve (Elephant, Lion, Rhino, Leopard, and Buffalo). But then, Kruger is an exception! And hopefully, it will always be so!
Dating The Eagle Hunters Of Mongolia
Indeed, Mongolia’s deep-rooted spiritual treasures – monasteries, cold deserts, Eagle hunters, and their nomadic lifestyle have become a topic of discussion for the new age traveler on the lookout for “bucket list” tourist destinations.
Although the towering figure of Genghis Khan dominates Mongolia’s historical landscape, a plethora of outdoor activities too ranging from Camping to Dog Sledding and much more awaits the discerning global traveler.
Nagaland – India’s Marlboro Country
As a tourist destination, the biggest advantage that Nagaland enjoys is that Tourism is still not commercialized. The Ultimate Travelling Camp (TUTC) are pioneers in “Luxury Camping” in some of India’s most remote locales.
The Camp is operational from November to 12 December and coincides with the annual Hornbill Festival, which is a riot of colors. This Festival has carved a niche for itself in the global tourism arena.
Cruising In Alaska – The Last Frontier
Alaska – World’s Last Frontier, which is all about icy wilderness, fjords, and mountain peaks that almost touch the sky is undoubtedly mother nature’s most blessed revelation.
It is not just through an adventure that you can explore this frozen wilderness, you have the option to unravel the mysterious side of Alaska luxuriously, if not opulently, viz-a-viz a cruise liner. Choosing to opt for a luxury cruise along Alaska’s coastline is like having a date with nature itself.
Bora Bora – Luxuriate In The Most Beautiful Island On Planet Earth
Bora Bora is a perennial favorite of the A-Listers, primarily for the element of privacy that it affords and the fact that Paparazzis find it difficult to penetrate inside their private lives. A vast majority of the hotels have their own private islands and no wonder all these come for a prize – would you believe that the stunning St.Regis hotel reportedly charged the celebrity couple Nicole and Keith $17,000 per night!
Tirol – Of Alpine Pastures & Rustic Log Cabins
How about spending time in a secluded log cabin that offers you the liberty to kick off your bloody shoes, reconcile and slow down your system and attune yourself with the pace of the mountain environment? The centuries-old “hütten” or Mountain Log Cabins for today’s discerning travelers are a revelation for modern-day travelers! The Tirol region in particular is mountain grandeur at its best.
Brussels – The City Of Beer And Brasseries
If you are a party hopper, there can be no better place to party than in Brussels. The contemporary music scene is booming with energy and innovation, courtesy of the thriving cosmopolitan population of this fascinating city.
Make it a point to savour the locally produced Belgian Lambic Beer and I was told that the “Yeasts” that go in the manufacturing process are acquired from the Senne valley. The Kriek beer is the most sought after and easily available in the bars.
Monaco – Pure Indulgence
Nestled ideally between the Alps and the Mediterranean, Monaco truly offers an amazing picturesque setting. Let me tell you, the Principality of Monaco is an extremely cultured place and is replete with elegant museums and some of the nicest hotels of the world, which is well supplemented by extravagant gastronomy.
Zurich – Water City And Lifestyle Capital
Being Switzerland’s largest city, Zurich also happens to be a financial nerve center and culturally very pulsating. In spite of its “Expensive City” tag, I can vouch for the fact that no other city in the world combines creativity and nature in such a harmonious manner as Zurich.
Laucala – Welcome To The World Of The Super-Rich
The dramatic Fijian landscape has lured many rich & famous people to its shores. For instance, Red Bull co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz, who was so mesmerized by the ethereal charms of Laucala island that he decided to buy the island and develop perhaps one of the world’s most outstanding islands hideaways.
Cortina – Refugio In The Italian Alps
The Dolomites – high, majestic and magical are unique. So unique that UNESCO has designated this incredible mountain system as a World Heritage Site. The real gem is Cortina d’Ampezzo, which is popularly referred to as the Pearl of the Dolomites. Old World towns invite you with their quintessential charming residences, medieval cathedrals, narrow streets, and a set of warm hospitable people.
Vembanad – Backwater Holidays In God’s Own Country
Kerala has carved a niche for itself as one of the world’s premier backwater destinations. Kumarakom Tourist Village, which happens to be the most popular site on the shores of the shimmering lake is in itself a gem of its own. Attain alleviation through – yoga & meditation, the famed Kerala Ayurvedic massage therapies, fishing to name just a few.
Chitwan – Call Of The Wild
Chitwan National Park is one of Asia’s best-managed National Park and has a tremendous reputation for resolving conflicts between the Park and the indigenous people.
What is more, Chitwan is the habitat of the rare and endangered One-horned Rhinos – 645 as of 2015, which indeed is praiseworthy.
The Maldives – The Robinson Crusoe Experience
The Maldives with its white powdery beaches, graceful palm trees, and endless stretches of white silvery sands offers some of the world’s most pristine coral reefs and a bewildering array of underwater sea life on planet earth.
With 1,190 coral islands dotting the landscape offers today’s discerning travelers with a bewildering array of tropical indulgences ranging from Jet-skiing to Wind Surfing.
Bordeaux – A Celebration Of Life
Bordeaux is undoubtedly the largest and oldest fine wine-producing region in the world. It has 113,000 hectares of vineyards and 57 appellations producing some 800 million bottles of wines every year – dry white, sweet white, rose, Clairet, and Cremant de Bordeaux.
Nice – French Riviera & Welcome To The Good Life
Nice – a wonderful French Riviera city, one which is a very popular destination for honeymooners and sun-worshipers. From the Sultan of Brunei to Lakshmi Niwas Mittal (the world’s richest Indian), they all come here to party. If statistical records are anything to go by, each year the French Riviera hosts 50% of the world’s yacht fleet, which in itself is astonishing.
Jamaica – Rum Capital Of The World
Land of Reggae music, Rum, and endless stretches of some of the world’s best beaches. Nature aside, who doesn’t know Usain Bolt, Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff …….. In Nassau Valley where the world-famous Appleton Estate is located has been silently brewing the famous Jamaican Rum for the past 265 years.
