Tell me about an expensive vacation experience that was worth every penny!

[Anonymous]

We used a luxury travel agent to plan a trip to Italy for a group of 6. We booked our own flights, but they picked nice hotels, arranged private drivers and a bunch of private tours and excursions. We could have done it ourselves and saved a bunch of money, but it was amazing not to be the one reading a bunch of hotel reviews and trying to figure out public transport between various cities and booking our own tours. I would rather travel half as much so we can spend the money on less hassle!

[Anonymous]

Nour el Nil Nile cruise and generally my trip to Eygpt last March.

[Anonymous]

Pancake rock on the west coast of the South Island of New Zealand. It didn’t cost a penny to see it, but a lot to get there. Truly spectacular sight at sunset and high tide.

[Anonymous]

We did a luxury private tour in Peru - They handled everything. Hotels, flights, trains, drivers, drivers, and most meals. We did the Amazon, Machu Pichu, Cusco, and Lima.

The Galapagos

Private charters with captains in the Virgin Islands and in the Bahamas.

Only luxury vacation I have regretted is with Inspirato.

[Anonymous]

We kayaked around the coast of Kauai with a guide. It took all day from sunrise to sunset and it was amazing. We still had to paddle our own kayaks, but the guides carried the lunch, first aid kit, etc. Every but our water, camera, and sunscreen.

In New Zealand we went on a guided hike for a 20 mile section of one of the “great walks” and another private kayak tour. Both amazing.

I am a sucker for a private guided tour any time it’s offered. If you have 4 people it’s usually not that crazy if the normal tours are priced for 8-12 people with 2 guides. I’m also a sucker for a private dinner in a wine cave or a private tour of a vineyard.

[Anonymous]

Spent a lot of money on a villa on a Croatian island. It was even more beautiful than the pictures had depicted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People will call me super basic but here is my list —

Helicopter tour of kaui

Glacier dog sledding in Alaska

Getting the suite at el Tovar with the enormous patio looking over the south rim

Disney VIP private tour where they take you on all the rides with almost no waiting and drive you around between the parks — crazy expensive but you can do in one day what you would otherwise do in three so if you factor in savings on park tickets and hotel, it is more justifiable. I’m always embarrassed to tell people we did this though.

Oh and I don’t know if this was crazy expensive but chartering a boat for day snorkel trip for family — we’ve done that a couple times when we vacationed with my siblings and it is totally worth it to have the boat to yourself.

Snorkeling is so bad compared with diving. My 10 yo was eye to eye with a sea turtle today. I would never go back and neither would my kids.

DP. One upping that poster added nothing.

[Anonymous]

Falconry at the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Spent a lot of money on a villa on a Croatian island. It was even more beautiful than the pictures had depicted.

I’m looking to rent a villa in Croatia next summer, could you share what company you used? How did you find it?

[Anonymous]

Safari!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People will call me super basic but here is my list —

Helicopter tour of kaui

Glacier dog sledding in Alaska

Getting the suite at el Tovar with the enormous patio looking over the south rim

Disney VIP private tour where they take you on all the rides with almost no waiting and drive you around between the parks — crazy expensive but you can do in one day what you would otherwise do in three so if you factor in savings on park tickets and hotel, it is more justifiable. I’m always embarrassed to tell people we did this though.

Oh and I don’t know if this was crazy expensive but chartering a boat for day snorkel trip for family — we’ve done that a couple times when we vacationed with my siblings and it is totally worth it to have the boat to yourself.

Snorkeling is so bad compared with diving. My 10 yo was eye to eye with a sea turtle today. I would never go back and neither would my kids.

Teaching her kid to be a disgusting snob. PP, do you know what is going to happen to your kid when they sneer at a friend's snorkeling trip? They might get their @$$ kicked. Or they might get ... no more friends.

[Anonymous]

I agree with PP about private tours - not multi day but private experiences. Also always a private car traveling between towns. I like custom and never do tours. I project manage my holidays with family and it's a lot of work planning but I know what we want.

Renting a boat for the day in Amalfi was $2400 but worth it last summer. So is staying at sugar Beach in St Lucia. Overwater bungalows honeymoon in bora bora years ago. Helicopter ride over Grand Canyon years ago during Spring Break. Countless 1:1 experiences with animals for kids.

In general I don't stay at hotels rather prefer Airbnb or a home. I've been happy 95% of the time booking - I've stayed at the best hotels and I just don't like the hotel vibe. And I mean top hotels in the top locations v just a top brand hotel aka Mandarin in HK is going to be better than DC. Although the best massage 3 hr spa experience I've had in my life I have to say was there

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People will call me super basic but here is my list —

Helicopter tour of kaui

Glacier dog sledding in Alaska

Getting the suite at el Tovar with the enormous patio looking over the south rim

Disney VIP private tour where they take you on all the rides with almost no waiting and drive you around between the parks — crazy expensive but you can do in one day what you would otherwise do in three so if you factor in savings on park tickets and hotel, it is more justifiable. I’m always embarrassed to tell people we did this though.

Oh and I don’t know if this was crazy expensive but chartering a boat for day snorkel trip for family — we’ve done that a couple times when we vacationed with my siblings and it is totally worth it to have the boat to yourself.

Snorkeling is so bad compared with diving. My 10 yo was eye to eye with a sea turtle today. I would never go back and neither would my kids.

Teaching her kid to be a disgusting snob. PP, do you know what is going to happen to your kid when they sneer at a friend's snorkeling trip? They might get their @$$ kicked. Or they might get ... no more friends.

Not to mention that I think 10 year olds can only dive to 40 ft. That is so bad compared to real diving.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am currently trying to justify a helicopter ride to a glacier for dog sledding in Alaska.

We did this in Alaska a few years ago with our middle school and elementary school aged children, and it’s still one of my favorite life experiences. We did the dogsled on the glacier, played with the dogs, then went to another glacier and took in the views, the kids drank the melted glacier water, and ran around. It was stunningly beautiful and one of the highlights of a snacking trip.

Sounds wonderful! Do you remember what company you went with?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am currently trying to justify a helicopter ride to a glacier for dog sledding in Alaska.

Dog sledding is a not-to-be-missed experience, but there are plenty of places you can access it without a copter. Helicopters are inherently dangerous. Any hint of unpredictable wind gusts or of humidity that could lead to fog, and you can crash so, so easily.

Alaskan here. I fly in helicopters and small planes every year for field work. I have had several field seasons where I was in helicopters 7 days a week for months. They are very dangerous and Alaska's weather and terrain are very unforgiving. Google "temsco helicopters crash skagway" as just one example of just one company in just one town in Alaska. Last year I lost 3 coworkers in a helicopter crash, pilot also lost. The year before we lost a pilot in a crash. It is not a joke and you don't have to trust my anecdotes, you can easily do your own research.

Do you feel the same way about the float planes? I am also eyeing a day trip to Lake Clark or Katmai for bear viewing.