It’s time to add some luxury to your next trip. We’re talking private tours, fine dining, and those once-in-a-lifetime experiences you just can’t miss. However, being a VIP doesn’t always mean shelling out big bucks for premium experiences. Sure, there’s the helicopter and hot air balloon flights, but being a VIP is as much about traveling with ease and comfort as it is about style. Here are seven top tips for those looking to upgrade their next vacay.
Hiring a driver is a great way to start your trip out right.
1. Get picked up as soon as you touch down
When the plane lands, you’re either itching to start exploring or dying to jump into bed. But before you can do either, you have to tackle travel’s most annoying journey: getting to your accommodation. More often than not, this means deciphering a subway map or dragging your suitcase across the airport to negotiate with a taxi driver. That’s not very VIP, is it? Next time, swap this unnecessary hassle for a private transfer like these in Rome, Reykjavik, and Lisbon. There’s nothing quite like seeing a driver holding up a sign with your name after a long flight.
2. Say goodbye to public transport
True VIPs know that private chauffeurs aren’t just for airport transfers. They also take the stress out of hopping from one top sight to the next. Thankfully, it’s never been easier to hire a driver for the day. From Rome and St. Petersburg to Dubai and Bali, destinations all over the world offer this slice of luxury. In Bali, for example, you’ll get a personal driver for 10 hours. What’s more, you’re in complete control of the itinerary, meaning you can tell them exactly what you want to see. And the icing on the cake? This VIP indulgence is a whole lot cheaper than you imagine.
A bird’s-eye view is a great way to see your destination.
3. Find those once-in-a-lifetime experiences
Treat. Yo. Self. Even if you don’t want to go full-on VIP throughout the whole trip, splurging on some bucket-list experiences will take your trip to a whole new level. Chances are your vacation destination has some truly awesome things to do. It might be something wild like paragliding in Spain, or maybe it’s a new way to see a classic. Either way, these kind of memory-making experiences are why we all hit the road. Plus, think of the Insta brags (#takemeback).
4. Enjoy dinner with a view
Deciding where to eat while abroad can be a tricky task. Not only do you have to find a menu that suits everyone, but you’ve also got to find a restaurant in an easy-to-reach part of town. The VIP answer to this is simple: tuck into a delicious meal while gazing at one (or two) of your destination’s top sights. In Paris, you can do just this with a three-course lunch on the first floor of the Eiffel Tower. If you’d rather splash out on dinner, enjoy a gourmet meal with wine pairing as you glide along the Seine.
See your destination from the sky in a hot-air balloon.
5. Take to the skies
Nothing says VIP quite like a sightseeing flight. It’s the ultimate way to see the likes of the Grand Canyon, Hawaii, and New York. In Dubai, however, you can trade the standard flight for something truly unique: a seaplane! You’ll take off in the Persian Gulf before touching down 45 minutes later off the coast of Abu Dhabi. A guide will then take you on a private tour of Abu Dhabi before you return to Dubai via seaplane. It doesn’t get more VIP than that. If you want to take it a little slower, head to Cappadocia, aka the capital of hot-air ballooning. Here, you’ll experience a luxury flight during Turkey’s most snappable sunrise.
6. Enhance your trip with a private tour
A private tour adds a bit of luxury to any trip. In Florence and Granada, for example, a personal guide ensures you’ll delve into what makes an icon an icon. You’ll have uninterrupted access to the guide, meaning they’re solely focused on ensuring you have an informative and fun experience. Plus, most private tours can be customized, so you can see what you want, when you want. Of course, that doesn’t mean you’ll miss out on secret spots. Food tours like (this one in Lisbon) will take you to hidden gems where locals wine and dine.
Skipping the line is the best way to flaunt your VIP status.
7. Forget what it feels like to wait
VIPs don’t wait in line. It’s as simple as that. Luckily, top attractions all over the world offer skip-the-line tickets. It’s super easy to bypass the crowds at the likes of the Louvre or the Colosseum. You don’t even have to plan in advance. Just rock up, and if there’s a big ol’ line, head to the GetYourGuide app and snap up a skip-the-line ticket. The only hard part: not looking too smug as you breeze past everyone still waiting.
How do you take your trip to the next level? Tell us in the comments below. Hint: make sure you’re logged into Facebook to share your tips with us.
