What better way for the overworked, over-stressed executive to relax this summer than spend a couple of weeks on a private island in the Caribbean. A full staff caters to every need and a 173-foot yacht is available for recreational sailing.

Not exciting enough? How about a safari excursion in East Africa where you travel by jeep, horse and camel in search of game, see a rare moonbow, live out of a tent and ride a hot air balloon over the wild plain lands?

Can't make up your mind about what to do? Do a little bit of everything on an around-the-world trip to see some of the most rare, most luxurious and most beautiful sites on earth.

If you have a vacation dream, and $1 million or more to spend, concierge travel specialists say they can find a way to make it happen-virtually anywhere in the world.

"True private travel arrangements are very labor-intensive and require a rare blend of professionalism and knowledge, patience and understanding, a willingness to discuss and alter and, most of all, creativity and caring," says Jean Fawcett of Abercrombie & Kent, USA. The firm has a network of 60 overseas offices, plus other travel partners, that work with corporate executives, entrepreneurs, Wall Street traders and discriminating travelers in all fields.

"These destination experts are adept at devising personalized itineraries that allow our clients to travel where they want, when they want, with whom they want and in whatever style they choose, from luxurious to adventurous," Fawcett adds.

High-end travel is still in demand despite the sluggish pace of the economic recovery, she says. "Our clients consider travel an essential part of their lifestyle," Fawcett says. "Travel is not negotiable, especially when both partners work."

About 12% of Abercrombie & Kent's bookings are designed to celebrate a birthday, anniversary, graduation or retirement, she says. And while happiness is spending time together on a vacation, travel consultants can turn that to jubilation with a few personalized touches. A stay at the former queen's chamber at the Taj Lake Palace Hotel, a former 18th Century palace in the middle of Lake Pichola in Udaipur, India, for example, can be garnished with a greeting of scattered rose petals, transportation by ganguar-or royal barge-rowed by turbaned men to a pontoon for a private gourmet dinner. Then, at the traveler's command, the evening can be capped off with a fireworks show of red, blue and green chrysanthemums.

Back To The Cradle-Of Civilization
In the Middle East, $1 million could buy an exotic week in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the oil-wealthy United Arab Emirates situated on the Persian Gulf. Abu Dhabi, which travel experts say combines the Arabian mystique within a cosmopolitan metropolis, offers pristine beaches, traditional Arab bazaars and some of the world's last surviving white lions and tigers.

The best place to stay in Abu Dhabi, and one of the best hotels in the world, is the Emirates Palace Resort, sprawling across 247 acres of manicured lawns, landscaped gardens and nearly a mile long stretch of white beach, travel experts say. And the best play to stay in this plush hotel is the 7,300-square-foot, three-bedroom palace suite, with Swarovski crystal chandeliers, a marble Jacuzzi and rain shower unit and 24-hour butler service.

The package includes a chauffeur-driven Maybach, spa treatments and daily excursions in a private jet to nearby locations. Some examples: Iran, where one can buy a Persian carpet from an exclusive and renowned weaver; Jordan, where travelers can explore the famous Dead Sea; and Bahrain, which offers pearl-diving expeditions. Golfing, deep-sea fishing, a desert islands tour and the chance to create your own perfume scent round out the trip.

"This is a trip truly designed for a millionaire or billionaire," says Jaclyn Sienna India, president of the boutique Sienna Charles travel agency. "Everyone wants to see what the Middle East is like."

Another exotic locale ripe for exploration is Turkey, jutting into the Mediterranean Seat at the crossroads of Europe and Asia. While the beauty of the Mediterranean evokes relaxing seaside holidays, the region is also one of the cradles of civilization with a rich cultural heritage.

Istanbul, the metropolitan center of Turkey that evokes images of sultans, belly dancers and colorful markets, is home to one must-see sight: Hagia Sophia, or the Church of Divine Wisdom. A world heritage site, Hagia Sophia is an imposing part of the Istanbul skyline and an architectural masterpiece with important ties to both the Byzantine and Ottoman empires.

There is also much to explore in the Ephesus region in Western Turkey. Once an important city of ancient Greece, Ephesus is home to numerous ancient ruins, including those of the Terrace Houses district and the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. A visit to Turkey becomes even more special with a cruise on the Borphorus, the narrow strait that is one of the borders between Europe and Asia, and a private dinner amidst the Ephesian ruins while a chamber orchestra plays Vivaldi and Mozart.

Just across the Mediterranean, Italy offers several options for one-of-a-kind vacations. Virtuoso, which has a network of 300 travel agencies around the world, offers a little star-gazing of the human kind-an exclusive vacation package that lets travelers enjoy a glass of wine with singer/songwriter Sting and his wife Trudie Styler at their 16th century Tuscan villa and estate in the Chianti region. Near the town of Figline Valdarno, south of Florence, their summer home is the 900-acre Il Palagio, with a pale gold, ivy-covered villa whose traditional red-tile roof embodies Tuscany.

From songs to shoes, the Palio di Siena horserace through the Piazza del Campo can be viewed as a guest of the Ferragamo family-the dynasty known for its line of fine Italian shoes. Visitors can then retire to their private Villa del Borro, built in 1848 and recently restored.

To navigate the winding Tuscan roads, travelers can drive the latest and fastest Ferrari, then head to Rome for unprecedented personal access to some of the most beautiful, unique and mysterious places in Christianity. Individual after-hours tours of the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican's Secret Archives are available, as well as a private mass with a cardinal and an exclusive wine reception and candlelight gourmet meal in the Vatican Museums.

Travel experts note that tours involving celebrities, such as the Sting and Ferragamo excursions, are only available at certain times of the year, and need to be arranged well in advance through a concierge agency.

"Through the planning process, they can craft dream trips, specializing in the things you can't Google," says Virtuoso spokeswoman Misty Ewing.

Upscale getaways that put you in the setting of a book or movie are becoming increasingly popular, travel experts say. A Vatican visit could, for example, be the start of a vacation based on Dan Brown's popular novel, The Da Vinci Code.

Abercrombie & Kent has designed a number of "cinema-cations" inspired by movies, Fawcett says.

Family can relive their favorite Harry Potter moments, for example, by visiting the Great Hall at Oxford University-otherwise known as the dining hall at Hogwarts-and riding The Royal Scotsman across the dramatic Glenfinnian Viaduct in the United Kingdom's Western Highlands, which is the route the Hogwarts Express took in three of the movies.

Or vacationers can take a personal journey through Northern India on a vacation inspired by the movie Eat, Pray, Love. Visit a spiritual Aarti ceremony on the Ganges River at night, see the Taj Mahal at sunrise and sunset and visit Khajuraho's Hindu temples.
For fans of the classic adventure tale, Around the World in 80 Days, Sienna Charles can fulfill that fantasy in a bit less time with a 28-day trip comes close to recreating the journey of Jules Verne hero Phileas Fogg, only with private jet transportation instead of a hot air balloon.

The tour begins in London and includes gourmet meals, luxury accommodations and activities at 11 other stops. The trip-which can cost upwards of $1 million depending on how its packaged-includes a chauffer-driven Rolls Royce Phantom in London, a camel or horse safari in Dubai, a yacht cruise on the Arabian Sea, a private viewing of royal jewels at the Gem Palace in Jaipur, a traditional Japanese tea ceremony in Tokyo and a stay at a three-story suite at the New York Palace Hotel, with a rooftop balcony that provides a view of the Manhattan skyline. There are also stops in Paris, Mumbai, Udaipur, Hong Kong, Honolulu, San Francisco and Chicago.
"These trips are so individualized you can work with a client for up to a year on a trip," India says. "Or, we have as little advanced notice as 'We want to go this weekend,' and we wind up talking to the clients during the entire trip."

Living It Up In Rio
In Buenos Aires, known as the Paris of South America, vacationers can take in a show at Teatro Colon, considered one of the five best opera venues in the world. The 100-year-old seven-tiered theater features Italian pink marble staircases and French stained glass. For a more customized experience, travelers can receive private tango lessons from Tony Award winners Mayoral and Elsa Maria in their historic mansion.

The continent also has something to offer outside the big cities. The Machu Picchu, deep in the heart of the Andes of Peru, is an ancient citadel of the Incas located high on a peninsula overlooking the Urubamba River. The Galapagos Islands, a wildlife paradise off the coast of Ecuador, is another popular destination. The 13 islands and numerous islets, which inspired Charles Darwin's theories of evolution, are home to unique species of tortoise, iguana and penguin.

"Galapagos is one of our most popular destinations," Fawcett says. "Clients stressed out by constantly checking their phone and e-mails on holiday are searching for places completely off the grid-no phones, no fax, no Internet."

One such place is in the southeastern Pacific Ocean, about 2,200 miles from the coast of Chile: Easter Island. More Polynesian than South American, this 64-square-mile island is one of the world's most isolated inhabited territories and is famous for the more than 800 giant stone statues-called moai-that dot its landscape.

Keep heading west to Australia's Outback, where vacationers can meet with artists living a traditional Aboriginal lifestyle and learn more about their life and art in three distinct locations: Alice Springs, Balgo Hills and Bullo River Station.

Traveling north to China, a multi-day cruise along the Yangzi River would go through the fabled Three Gorges, whose canyons provide some of the most spectacular scenes in China. Lodgings could be provided by the luxury cruise ship, Sanctuary MS Yangzi Explorer, which features a 1,200-square foot "Celestial Suite" with a private balcony.

In Cambodia, Angkor Archaeological Park, one of the most important archaeological sites in Southeast Asia, is a popular destination. It contains the remains of the capitals of the Khmer Empire from the 9th to 15th centuries. Travel packages offer vacationers the chance to see the entire area by private helicopter. The trip could also include a walk through the Angkor Wat temple, one of the world's architectural wonders, and Ta Prohm, where the roots of fig, banyan and kapok trees form roofs atop the stone structures.
Vietnam has become a high-end destination, with lavish hotels, delicious cuisine and a host of activities ranging from kayaking to sightseeing in areas not previously known for tourism.

Speaking for Asia Transpacific Journeys, Lisa Hübner said Vietnam has been growing in popularity as a luxury destination over the last decade with the opening or renovation of a number of high-end hotels, including the opening last year of the exclusive Maia Fusion Danang spa. The best time to visit is late October through mid-April.

Because of its location, a trip to Vietnam includes numerous water-related activities. You can cruise along the Mekong Delta, exploring the pristine Phu An hamlet area, visiting temples and shrines and spending a night aboard a restored Chinese junk in Halong Bay. Snorkeling trips take vacationers over coral reefs teeming with fish and turtles in Ninh Van Bay.

Several spots in Africa provide unique safari experiences, travel experts say. In Botswana's Okavango Delta, elephants outnumber people. Also plentiful within the reserve are lions, leopards, cheetah, spotted hyena and rare African painted dogs. The Sanctuary Chief's Camp on Chief's Island, one of the many islands created by seasonal floodwaters, provides luxury lodgings.

At Victoria Falls, primeval forests and lush savannahs can be explored via safari vehicle and boat, and on foot. If trips are well timed, travelers may be lucky enough to see a moonbow-a rare lunar rainbow that forms when the light of a full moon is refracted through water spray. Victoria Falls is one of a handful of locations in the world where moon and water converge to create moonbows on a regular basis-next year, they are due to appear June 4 and July 3.

Finally, in Uganda, the last remaining mountain gorillas-fewer than 800 are estimated to remain in the world-can be viewed and photographed in the remote Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Guided hikes allow vacationers to view groups of gorillas in their natural habitat, as they forage for food, play or lounge in the undergrowth under the watchful eye of their dominant male, the silverback.

Traveling north up the continent to Egypt, vacationers can travel the Nile River on the Zein Nile Chateau, a luxurious dahabieh, or private boat, in the company of an Egyptologist. Destinations would include Luxor and the Valley of the Kings, and less-visited sites such as the Temple of Horemheb, which is cut into riverside rocks at Gebel Silsila, and El-Kab, the pre-Dynastic capital of Upper Egypt, with tombs and temples dedicated to the vulture goddess Nekhbet. Zein Nile Chateau is "a favorite among celebrities," Fawcett says. It was the first dahabieh built to international luxury standards.

"The Farouk suite, located on the upper deck for added privacy, has panoramic windows offering superb views of the surroundings," she says. "Influences from Egypt's royal era can be seen in the furniture and décor."

Continuing on to the Mediterranean, Malta contains even older ruins. Inhabited for more than 7,000 years, Malta is home to remnants of the earliest Neolithic civilizations, with large stone temples built a millennium before the Great Pyramids.

France's Burgundy region can be viewed from aboard the eight-passenger luxury hotel barge Amaryllis, which includes a heated swimming pool and Louis XVI furniture. You'll float past vineyards, wildflowers and castles and go ashore for private visits to wineries and chateaux. During July, vacationers can experience Semaine des Grand Crus and taste all 33 Grand Cru wines of Burgundy. During the trip, they can take in an evening at the Chorégies d'Orange opera festival in the Roman Theater in Orange.

Contemplative Excursions
If the goal of the vacation is relaxation rather than sightseeing, travel experts recommend a super luxurious hotel suite or private villa.

Possibly the largest and most luxurious hotel suite in the world, they say, is the Royal Penthouse Suite at the Hotel President Wilson in Geneva. Covering the entire top floor of this hotel, with a view of Lake Geneva and Mont Blanc, the 18,000-square-foot suite includes 12 bedrooms and baths, a billiards table, a Steinway grand piano and a private terrace. Such luxuries make it reportedly the most expensive hotel suite in the world, with a nightly cost approaching $50,000.

The Falcon's Nest Villa at the Peter Island Resort and Spa sits on a private cliff overlooking the Caribbean. This 22,000-square-foot villa includes six bedrooms, an infinity pool and a full staff, including a valet, chef, housekeeper and chauffeur. Prices vary by season, but start at $11,500 per night for a dozen guests.

Renting fully staffed villas has become more popular, India says. "People are looking more at the value they get than at the amount of money they are spending," she says. "There is less to think about. The service there is so discerning."

For travelers who crave privacy, travel experts note that they can make arrangements to reserve entire islands.

Another alternative, they note, is to forget the island and get the same level of service and privacy on a fully staffed yacht. The 280-foot Annaliesse, for example, is one of the largest and most luxurious charter yachts in the world. Chartering the ship for a week can cost up to $1 million.

With 25,000 square feet of guest space, it has a staff of 34, including a masseuse and a beauty therapist, and can accommodate 36 guests. It includes a helipad, fitness center, spa and salon, screening room and diving center. The 1,300-square-foot master suite has a California King bed, 180-degree panoramic windows, a private deck, a plasma TV and a white Afion marble bath with a double Jacuzzi and two walk-in closets. The suite has a twin stateroom for children or personal staff. The yacht also includes a fully equipped business office and a medical center.

But no matter what the destination, or the mode of transportation, travel experts note that truly great vacations are defined by one thing: lifelong memories.

"Whenever you go on vacation, your life is always changed," India says.

When The World Isn't Enough...
For those who want to experience a vacation that's really out of this world, an opportunity for a fantasy trip may be available sooner than you think.

Although Russia recently halted its space tourism program, that country's space program is preparing to once again blast civilians into outer space. Meanwhile, private companies such as Virgin Galactic are close to launching their own tours into earth's outer reaches.
In fact, a new age of space travel may soon be emerging that could redefine the travel industry.

"The next ten years will be critical for the commercial spaceflight industry with new vehicles and destinations coming online," says Eric Anderson, chairman of Space Adventures Ltd., a Vienna, Va.-based firm that is involved in several civilian spaceflight ventures.
Over the last decade, civilians have made eight trips to the International Space Station in a Russian Soyuz craft. California entrepreneur Dennis Tito was the first to do it in April 2001 and the last was Guy Laliberte, the creator of the traveling show Cirque du Soleil, in October 2009. These space tourists paid a reported $20 million to $40 million each for a journey that fewer than 1,000 people have made since the first manned space flight 50 years ago.

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