From space flights to renting private islands—affluent modern travelers are increasingly opting for trips free of crowds and offering complete privacy. In 2026, the trend shifted: it’s not about luxury, but about access to unique experiences available to only a select few. Learn more about the world’s most expensive and exclusive tours

Order an insurance policy for safe travel to any part of the world

ORDER

Popular tourist destinations like Venice or the Maldives are increasingly facing the problem of overtourism, prompting affluent travelers to seek alternatives.

By 2026, the main symbol of status will no longer be a luxury property or a yacht, but the ability to access unique experiences unavailable to most. That is why demand is growing for travel to remote and hard-to-reach places: from Antarctica to space. Today’s ultra-luxury travelers increasingly value privacy, personalization, and the exclusivity of their experiences.

Euronews Travel has named the five most exclusive travel formats chosen by the wealthiest travelers today—and some of them go far beyond conventional tourism.

In a previous article, we discussed new tourist taxes in Europe in 2026 and which countries will require tourists to pay more.

Planning a trip abroad and want to protect yourself from unforeseen situations?

Travel insurance from Visit World will cover medical expenses, flight delays, and lost luggage in any country. Get a policy online in a few minutes and travel with confidence!

Round-the-world trips on private jets

Demand for private air travel is growing due to the desire to fully control the itinerary and avoid mass tourism. The segment is actively developing thanks to fractional ownership models and charter flight services.

One of the most famous formats is the ready-made round-the-world tours from Four Seasons. They last 20–24 days and cover several continents at once. The itinerary includes destinations such as Bora Bora, the Galápagos Islands, Petra, Kyoto, Easter Island, the Maldives, the Serengeti, and Iceland.

The main feature is a fully organized experience with no planning required on the traveler’s part. The price includes:

- Private tours with experts

- Cultural activities (such as workshops or themed shows)

- Accommodation at Four Seasons-level hotels

- Meals and all transfers

There is an additional focus on unique activities: from exclusive cultural events to unusual experiences such as themed historical reenactments or local workshops.

The cost of such trips starts at approximately $219,000 per person, making them one of the most expensive forms of organized tourism in the world.

These tours are chosen not only for their comfort but also for the opportunity to visit dozens of locations in a short time without the logistical constraints and lines typical of mass tourism.

Learn more about the best European cities for a short budget trip by following the link.

Private Islands – A Vacation Without Any Neighbors

Renting a private island is one of the most radical ways to avoid crowds. This format is chosen for complete isolation: only one group of guests is on the island, and the number of villas is limited and spaced far apart, ensuring maximum privacy.

Popular destinations include Banwa Private Island in the Philippines, Calivigny Island in Grenada, Laucala Island in Fiji, as well as Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands and Musha Cay in the Bahamas, which are owned by well-known entrepreneurs and public figures.

These locations essentially function as fully self-contained resorts, closed to outsiders.

The vacation experience here is fully personalized: guests have access not only to their accommodations but also to the island’s entire infrastructure. This includes a custom menu, private chefs, a dedicated staff, private entertainment, and the ability to organize any vacation scenario—from family celebrations to private events.

The standard package typically includes:

- A full staff, including a butler

- A custom-designed menu

- Private entertainment and excursions

- Access to the island’s entire infrastructure

Prices depend on the level of service and location. For example, renting Voavah Private Island in the Maldives starts at approximately $46,000 per night, while Banwa Private Island can cost up to $100,000 per night. The main reason for the popularity of this format is complete control over the space and the absence of any outside guests, which is practically impossible even in the most expensive hotels.

In our previous article, we provided a selection of 3 European paradise islands for the perfect honeymoon.

Space tourism – from 10 minutes to orbit

Space travel is rapidly transitioning from a concept to a real tourism product. For the ultra-rich, it is one of the few ways to gain an experience that is physically inaccessible to most people.

The simplest format is short suborbital flights. For example, Blue Origin offers 10–11-minute missions during which passengers spend a few minutes in zero gravity and view Earth through panoramic windows.

A longer option is suborbital flights on Virgin’s spaceplane, which last about 90 minutes and also include a weightlessness phase and a view of the planet from a great height.

The most exclusive tier is full-fledged orbital missions. SpaceX uses the Crew Dragon spacecraft for multi-day trips around Earth. The spacecraft is designed for several passengers, features large portholes, a private bathroom, and a modern control system.

Key formats of space tourism:

- Suborbital flights (10–90 minutes, several minutes of weightlessness)

- Orbital missions (several days in Earth orbit)

The cost of such trips varies dramatically: while short flights cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, a full-scale orbital mission costs about $55 million per passenger.

The main value of this segment is not comfort, but the uniqueness of the experience. In fact, this is the only tourism product that allows you to see Earth from space without the professional training of an astronaut.

Earlier, we wrote about the best beach destinations in Europe to visit as early as late spring.

Expeditions to the Arctic and Antarctic

Polar travel has become one of the fastest-growing segments of luxury tourism. The main reason is the combination of extreme remoteness, unique nature, and limited access.

One of the most exclusive formats is offered by the tour operator White Desert. Guests are flown by private plane from Cape Town directly to the interior of Antarctica—to places where regular cruises cannot go.

Accommodation is provided in high-tech camps (Echo, Wolf’s Fang, Whichaway), where extreme conditions are combined with luxury-level comfort. Guests stay in heated capsules and have access to lounge areas, a library, and restaurant service.

The key advantage is access to unique locations:

- The Geographic South Pole

- Emperor penguin colonies (approximately 28,000 individuals in Atka Bay)

- The interior regions of Antarctica, inaccessible to mass tourism

Activities go beyond classic travel experiences: ice climbing, hiking through ice tunnels, rock rappelling, and fatbike rides accompanied by polar researchers.

Prices also reflect this exclusivity:

- 7–8-day penguin tours – starting at ~$70,000 per person

- short Arctic trips – starting at ~$16,000

Another option is Scenic’s six-star expedition cruises. They include helicopters, submersibles, and a team of experts (biologists, glaciologists), turning the journey into a scientific research experience. An important detail: after the tours end, the camps are completely dismantled to minimize the impact on the Antarctic ecosystem.

In our previous article, we talked about 5 underrated European cities that can truly surprise you.

100+ Day World Cruises

Multi-month cruises are one of the most convenient ways to visit dozens of countries without complicated logistics. The popularity of this format has grown thanks to the “all-inclusive” concept, where all expenses are already included in the price.

One of the most striking examples is Regent Seven Seas’ round-the-world itineraries. The voyages last over 140 days and cover dozens of destinations around the globe, including Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas.

Guests stay in luxury cabins with balconies, marble bathrooms, and separate lounge areas. The number of passengers is limited, which helps avoid overcrowding even during long voyages.

The format is as exclusive and comfortable as possible:

- Unlimited shore excursions

- Restaurants featuring signature cuisine and premium beverages

- Spa, wellness programs, and cultural activities

- Included flights, transfers, and onboard service

In addition to a classic vacation, these cruises offer an educational component: culinary workshops, expert lectures, and wildlife observation in various regions of the world.

The main advantage is the opportunity to travel for several months without changing hotels or constantly moving around, while enjoying a level of service comparable to that of five-star resorts.

No matter how well thought-out your itinerary is, there is always room for force majeure when traveling. Unexpected medical expenses, transportation delays, or problems with luggage can ruin your plans and budget. Travel insurance helps you avoid unnecessary worries in such situations. You can apply for a travel insurance policy for a specific trip online at Visit World - quickly and without unnecessary bureaucracy!

Take out a policy online at Visit World and enjoy your trip without any unnecessary worries!

We remind you! Some countries are island states with political neutrality, which means that the likelihood of military conflict is quite low. Read more about the countries that are likely to participate in World War III and the top safest countries in the world.

Products from Visit World for a comfortable trip:

Travel guide for 200 countries;

Legal advice from a local specialist on visa and migration issues;

Travel insurance around the world (please select the country of interest and citizenship to receive services);

Medical insurance all over the world.

We monitor the accuracy and relevance of our information, so if you notice any errors or inconsistencies, please contact our hotline