subject: How to Ensure your Next Luxury Vacation Lives up to Expectations [print this page] How to Ensure your Next Luxury Vacation Lives up to Expectations
In this world of mass consumerism, how do you sift through all the choices when planning your luxury vacation? Most of us start by looking for luxury villas to rent, or reading about exotic locations that spark our interest. But when the rubber meets the road, reality sometimes fails to live up to our expectations.
Find a Travel Agent who Focuses on Service
Good travel agents who specialize in luxury travel put service above all else. They work to understand your specific wants, needs and expectations. They also take the time to become experts in specific travel destinations and visit sites regularly to ensure you are getting the level of quality and service you are expecting. Best of all they advocate for you whenever there is a problem and bend over backward to make sure your trip runs smoothly and that you get the deluxe vacation experience you want and deserve.
What to Look for in Luxury Travel
Many travel agents describe their offerings as "luxury" vacations. How do you know the difference between extraordinary offerings and run-of-the-mill tours and locations that don't provide any real value to you?
Price is one consideration, but not always the best criteria. Other things to look for include the expertise of the travel consultant and their intimate knowledge of the destination. Can they answer questions, provide valuable suggestions, and address all your concerns? They should also be showing you exclusive properties, finding private tours and getting to know you so they can recommend the best hidden gems on the market.
Things that define most luxury travel experiences include one or more of the following:
Boutique hotel setting or private luxury villa or cottage
Deluxe room on a secluded estate setting
Concierge service, round-the-clock room and maid service, and butler service distinguish most luxury properties
Private tours or small group tours instead of large coaches, ships, or groups
Knowledgeable local guides who speak the language, know the customs, and have an extensive knowledge of local history, culture, food, architecture and art.
Private connecting flights between destinations, or chartered planes. Private helicopter tours, balloon tours, or jeep or limo tours of various locations.
6-star gourmet dining experiences and fine wines and liquors.
Choosing a Luxury Travel Agent
The most important consideration when looking for a luxury travel agent is finding someone who has knowledge and expertise in creating the types of customized outings that match your personal interests. After all, you're paying for a luxury vacation experience, you should get the personalized attention and service you're accustomed to. You may be yearning for some heart-pounding adventure, while your spouse prefers a relaxing beach or spa vacation. Maybe you'd like to create a family vacation with kid-friendly outings and adventures. A good luxury travel agent should be able to set you up with something for everyone and know the best 5 and 6-star accommodations, personal tour guides, and dining options for every taste.
The best luxury travel agent is someone who comes up with fresh new ideas that you may not have even considered. Whether it's an "off the beaten path" adventure, a "behind the scenes" tour of an iconic attraction, or an amazing new local vineyard, they'll pull together something special that will set your vacation apart and help you create the memory of a lifetime.
