Most travelers have a budget in mind when they book a trip and, typically, many are scrimping and saving just to afford a quick getaway.
For others, budgets are bigger-sometimes much bigger-and trips become even more lavish.
The most extravagant trip that Debra Kasen ever booked for a client was a Princess cruise trip to South America.
"Once we had the cruise booked, I put together an itinerary that included an over-the-top, all-inclusive resort in Patagonia and the Explora hotel, located in the beautiful Torres del Paine National Park in Chile," said Kasen of Romance Globe Travel in Scottsdale, Arizona. "The total cost was $30,000 and worth every penny. It was a bucket list-kind of trip."
Pam Walker has booked several luxury vacations for her clients, including a French Polynesia trip for two couples who went from island to island in a charter helicopter.
"They stayed in two-bedroom villas at 5*+++ properties for two weeks, including the opening weeks of The Brando resort, where they had a private villa with private services," said Walker of Walker Adventures Ltd., an affiliate of Travel Experts in Palm Coast, Florida. "In each location, they enjoyed specialized deep sea fishing and diving on a private yacht and private dinners by tiki torch on beaches with their own private chef."
Total cost? Well over $150,000.
She also helped to book a destination wedding to France at a castle where 50 guests were hosted by the groom.
"He paid for everything but the international airfare. Transfers from the airport to castle, suites for everyone for 4 nights, all the pre-event parties [were all included]," said Walker.
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Walker organized the wedding with a horse-drawn carriage to get them to the chapel on the grounds of the castle, rabbi, wedding licenses and bridal room with a personal assistant.
"The wedding dinner had an open bar and the best champagne, DJ for all parties, harp and violin for the service," she said. "Additionally, there was an open bar at all parties, flowers and decorations throughout the weekend; group dinner with host gifts on the night of arrival and departure complete with cocktails and wine and all the trimmings."
She organized the couple's honeymoon to One & Only Reethi Rah in the Maldives for one week in an over-the-water bungalow with plunge pool.
"For their re-entry, they flew to Dubai and stayed in One & Only The Palm for five nights," said Walker.
Total cost was well over $300,000.
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Lori Wall has a very high-end client who usually travels with an entourage of 19 people and she pays for them to travel with her.
"They are currently booked on a cruise for the week between Christmas and New Year, and they're all in concierge-level rooms," said Wall of Destinations to Explore in Hyde Park, New York. "The total trip cost is over $300,000 when factoring in all of the staterooms, limo, group air and a few nights stay at Walt Disney World prior to their trip."
Must be nice
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