Too often I find myself mildly inebriated when
someone asks that dreaded “what if?” question.
- What if you only had a year to life?
- What if you could travel anywhere for the first time?
- What if you won the lottery tomorrow?
No one is going to walk up to you one day and tell you when
you’re going to die. There are no
opportunities for “do-overs”, and winning the lottery is not something I would
bet on.
All the same, it is nice to dream…
So what should die-hard travelers dream about? I have a few suggestions.
Beware: These
trips are moderately to obscenely expensive.
Drool if you like, but don’t fall in love.
1. The Ultimate African Safari:
Imagine a jeep to yourself in the wilds of
Ngorogoro Crater, camera ready as a leopard leaps up onto a strategically
placed log in the distance. Not ten
minutes previous you were surrounded by lions sunning themselves in the grass,
a pair of cubs playing while their mother studiously ignored them. The sun will set soon, at which point tables
will be laid out with chairs and drinks will be poured. You’ll toast to a day well spent before
returning to your luxurious hotel for a sumptuous meal, a nightcap, and a
restful sleep. Repeat as necessary in the days to follow.
Micato is a safari company that can offer this and more. This family-run company is based out of Africa and doesn't pull any punches when it comes to the perfect safari experience. They have won awards from "Travel & Leisure" year after year, are featured as the best safari operator in east Africa in "1,000 Places to See Before You Die", and reviewers can’t speak highly enough of them.
In terms of safari experiences, you can expect a personalized trip regardless of whether you choose to travel in a group or solo, overland or by private plane. Just book, then charge your camera batteries because there's nowhere quite like Africa for obsessive photographers and their favorite toys!
Micato is a safari company that can offer this and more. This family-run company is based out of Africa and doesn't pull any punches when it comes to the perfect safari experience. They have won awards from "Travel & Leisure" year after year, are featured as the best safari operator in east Africa in "1,000 Places to See Before You Die", and reviewers can’t speak highly enough of them.
In terms of safari experiences, you can expect a personalized trip regardless of whether you choose to travel in a group or solo, overland or by private plane. Just book, then charge your camera batteries because there's nowhere quite like Africa for obsessive photographers and their favorite toys!
The website: http://www.micato.com
The catch: Starting at ~$8,000USD per person, double occupancy
The catch: Starting at ~$8,000USD per person, double occupancy
2. Round-the-world on a private jet
You like?
Just think, numerous flights that won't leave until you arrive. You are simply driven onto the tarmac, flash a bit of ID, and while your baggage is whisked away you stroll leisurely towards the bar where your champagne or Johnny Walker Blue are waiting. Does it really matter where you go? For once we can all agree, half the joy of the trip is the flying!
Several companies offer luxury round-the-world vacations. These include flights, hotels, meals and tours. Basically everything, including guides with impressive credentials. The one challenge consistent with the itineraries is the locations, which tend to be less adventuresome that I would like.
National Geographic Expeditions: http://www.nationalgeographicexpeditions.com/expeditions/around-the-world-jet-tour/detail
The catch: ~$70,000 per person for 24 days
Smithsonian Journeys: http://www.smithsonianjourneys.org/tours/around-the-world-private-jet?display=itinerary
The catch: ~$70,000 per person for 23 days
Abercrombie & Kent: http://www.abercrombiekent.com/discover/private-jet/
The catch: ~$105,000 per person for 25 days
3. Visit Every UNESCO World Heritage Site
So if my complaint is that most round-the-world trips aren't adventuresome enough, this trip is the solution.
The UNESCO World Heritage Site List includes 981 locations of cultural or historical significance (http://whc.unesco.org/en/list). Most travelers will visit at least one of these on a given cultural/historical trip. Common examples include:
The UNESCO World Heritage Site List includes 981 locations of cultural or historical significance (http://whc.unesco.org/en/list). Most travelers will visit at least one of these on a given cultural/historical trip. Common examples include:
- The Great Wall, China
- Machu Picchu, Peru
- Stonehenge, UK
- The Great Barrier Reef, Australia
- Yellowstone National Park, USA
- Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
Some travelers count not just
the countries and continents they've visited, but also the world heritage
sites. With so many, it’s hard to think
that someone might be able to visit them all.
Until now.
This two year trip sells itself as an
opportunity to visit every UNESCO World Heritgage Site on the list (excluding
those in war zones where safety issues may arise). The company will help travelers arrange a
schedule that meets their travel objectives, offering both luxury and
flexibility.
The catch: To date, only one of these trips has been sold for a reported £990,000 per couple (£1,370 per couple per day). Based on this cost, the trip is touted as the most expensive overall vacation currently available.
The catch: To date, only one of these trips has been sold for a reported £990,000 per couple (£1,370 per couple per day). Based on this cost, the trip is touted as the most expensive overall vacation currently available.
Write-up by the UK's Daily Mail: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2295636/Around-world--962-Unesco-sites-Luxury-experience-company-offers-ultimate-trip-long-TWO-YEARS-990-000-spare.html
4. Space
Perhaps Earth has gotten a bit blase? Virgin Galactic is your solution. Details are still somewhat sketchy, but the itinerary appears to include several days of pre-launch training, followed by a single flight that has a brief period spent in zero gravity conditions. Tickets have already been sold to several hundred passengers globally, and passengers are welcomed to attend special events Virgin Galactic hosts in advance of the project launch.
If you're someone who wants to stop looking at the stars and start experiencing them, this trip is one to watch.
If you're someone who wants to stop looking at the stars and start experiencing them, this trip is one to watch.
The website: http://www.virgingalactic.com/
The catch: $250,000 per person
5. Antarctica
Space may be considered tempting
for the elite traveler, but not to be missed back on Earth is the stunning scenery
of the seventh continent.
Recently the international community decided to disallow large cruise ships from sailing through antarctic waters. This means the only options remaining are the smaller and considerably more costly expedition ships. These set sail only a few months of the year, but are better equipped to provide experiences that not only include viewing the scenery, but shore landings, kayaking, camping, and authentic Antarctic snowball fights.
National Geographic has partnered with Lindblad to offer several fantastic itineraries to the frozen continent. These are guided by renowned scientists and photographers, have chefs aboard prepared to cook extraordinary feasts, and a variety of luxurious bedrooms that make it hard to believe you're on an expedition ship and not a private yacht.
Recently the international community decided to disallow large cruise ships from sailing through antarctic waters. This means the only options remaining are the smaller and considerably more costly expedition ships. These set sail only a few months of the year, but are better equipped to provide experiences that not only include viewing the scenery, but shore landings, kayaking, camping, and authentic Antarctic snowball fights.
National Geographic has partnered with Lindblad to offer several fantastic itineraries to the frozen continent. These are guided by renowned scientists and photographers, have chefs aboard prepared to cook extraordinary feasts, and a variety of luxurious bedrooms that make it hard to believe you're on an expedition ship and not a private yacht.
The website: http://www.expeditions.com
The catch: Starting at ~$12,000 per person
As with many trips, it's not just the locations themselves but the company you keep while seeing them. These trips almost guarentee fascinating joiners, and if you get tired of those you can always entertain yourself asking dozens of uninformed questions to the expert guides or convincing the professional photographers to teach you a few tricks.
So next time you're drunk as a skunk and someone asks that dreaded "what if..." question, don't roll your eyes. Instead, tell them you have a list of choice travel options, but you'd prefer to start with a new drinking game called "Name that UNESCO World Heritage Site!".
The catch: Starting at ~$12,000 per person
As with many trips, it's not just the locations themselves but the company you keep while seeing them. These trips almost guarentee fascinating joiners, and if you get tired of those you can always entertain yourself asking dozens of uninformed questions to the expert guides or convincing the professional photographers to teach you a few tricks.
So next time you're drunk as a skunk and someone asks that dreaded "what if..." question, don't roll your eyes. Instead, tell them you have a list of choice travel options, but you'd prefer to start with a new drinking game called "Name that UNESCO World Heritage Site!".
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