Have you ever heard the phrase "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder" or "To each his own"; here's one you haven't heard "Luxury is an Experience not an Expense".
All the phrases have one thing in common, they're self describers! That's right, like most things in life one has to determine what is right for them. I've heard so many people say, "Oh you sell luxury travel, we can't afford that". Because of this I felt it important to explain the definition of luxury.
Luxury is and experience not an expense
Luxury is anything you do out of the ordinary rituals of daily life
Luxury is having friends and loved ones
Luxury is being able to venture out in the world
Luxury is sharing, believing, developing and most of all caring
Not your normal understanding of Luxury, but the true value of luxury isn't in a price tag, brand, label, social status; it's about experiencing life & sharing your experiences. Before we go into why my definition of luxury isn't found in the dictionary you read, let's look at a couple of samples of luxury travel. It might surprise you to know that not all things are equal in travel or experiences, however; what is luxury for one isn't necessarily luxury for others! Important component of understanding true luxury. So here are a few vacations that people find to be a luxury vacation:
1). Fishing in a mountain stream
2). Strolling along the beach on a crispy fall morning
3). Riding the train, passing by the back yards of America
4). Staycation, staying in ones own area as a tourist
5). Volunteerism, Social Projects, International Relief
6). Your first visit to Disney Land w/ family, friends, coworkers
7). Weekend cruise or mini cruise / adventure travel instead of touristy
8). Staying in a 5* property instead of a motel or even a resort
9). Weekend in Las Vegas in a Penthouse Suite even New York or San Francisco
10). Flying Business or First Class - even Upper or Envoy Class
11). Having a limousine pick you up at home or work for your vacation
12). Renting a Villa or Castle - taking a private jet - chartering a ship
These are only brief examples of the different values of luxury, most of these items may not be considered luxury for you and for others they may seem extreme or even some might say ultra luxury. But the truth is none of these are luxury if they don't interest you or your traveling companions.
My definition of luxury is:
Luxury is an experience, in life we have few opportunities to experience things as they should be. Often we escape to a fantasy life and create our own sense of luxury and place; this is great, but why not experience some of the great things about life and do it in a way that makes sense and is affordable for you and your traveling companions. Luxury isn't about the price, although we know that a $650.00 a night hotel room will often delight the guests, sometimes a tent in the rain forest is more appealing and much more exotic then luxury and the experience will be told to everyone as "exotic and luxurious" as opposed to the $650.00 a night room, "expensive and exclusive" - now which would you think is a more interesting topic for your coworkers or happy hour friends? You know, because often you've had to listen to how much someone spent on their vacation and nothing about the actual vacation or life enhancing experiences.
Here are a few things I believe define luxury travel, some are low cost, some are extravagant but all will leave you enriched, improved, educated and with a sense of accomplishment:
1). Soft adventure cruising with mother nature & wild life as the focus
2). Cruising to Asia, South Pacific, South America, Europe & Americas
3). Humanitarian travel in Asia, Africa, Europe, Russia
4). Domestic Humanitarian travel, "Soup Kitchen Tours"
5). U.S.Historic East Coast, South & Southwest, West Coasts, Central Plains
6). Villa, Castle, Farmhouse, Apartments around the world, being a local
7). Around the World Trips, Discovering the Hidden Corners of the world
8). Canal, River cruising and barging, best way to experience European history
9). Private Jet Tours, Ice Breakers, Safaris, Private Trains - ultra exotic ports
10). Cultural Travel, Culinary & Wine Travel, Arts & Theatre, Discovery
Notice nothing mentioned about specific tours or trips, as you know now - your trip is only as excellent as your travel designer / agent! We listen, analyze and don't charge the normal $250.00 per hour for counseling, we offer experience, training, value added amenities and no "we don't know the cheapest ticket to Hawaii", but we sure can find out for a fee!
Travel wise, travel as an enrichment to your life and travel in luxury, whether a first cruise or traveling with 38 other adventure seekers to swim with the sharks.
Happy Travels!
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