17 Incredible Places To Visit If Money Were No Object

Got piles of spare cash and looking to quench some seriously exclusive wanderlust? Then worry not because there are plenty of divine destinations throughout the world where you won’t have to rub shoulders with raucous and unruly budget travelers.

Bora Bora, French Polynesia

Resort

Those after a ritzy tropical island escape need look no further than Bora Bora, a picturesque French Polynesian island considered by many to be the finest in the South Pacific. Here, all-inclusive US$1000-a-night overwater bungalows are pretty much the norm.

Bora Bora, French Polynesia

Find places to stay with our partner, Hotels.com

Bora Bora | © tpsdave / Pixabay

A Round the World Cruise

Let’s face it: one-week cruises are the plaything of the proletariat. Those with real money would surely prefer to circumnavigate the entire globe on an epic journey lasting three months or more. With a typical voyage taking in dozens of port calls across six continents, an RTW cruise is the only way to travel the world in style.

Space

The Russian Space Agency has already taken a handful of billionaire tourists to explore the final frontier, while American company SpaceX is planning to be the first private venture to offer trips around the moon in 2018. Although SpaceX is remaining quiet about exactly how much their interstellar journey will cost, some estimates are as high as US$175 million. It’s just as well since money is no object.

Antarctica

Only accessible on a multi-day cruise from Ushuaia in southern Argentina, a trip to the world’s most isolated continent will typically add up to US$10,000 or more. For this reason, those who do make it to this incredible winter wonderland will be surrounded by little more than penguins, icebergs, and fellow millionaire tourists.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Hotel

A small fishing village just a few decades ago, Dubai has undergone a miraculous transformation to become the international epitome of wealth and affluence. Stay in the iconic sail-shaped Burj Al Arab for a truly opulent seven-star hotel experience.

Dubai, UAE

Burj Al Arab | © Free-Photos / Pixabay

Tuscany, Italy

We’ve all heard of the ancient sites of Rome and the picturesque canals of Venice, but Tuscany in central Italy is where the millionaires go to holiday. With extravagant country manors to rent and endless rolling hills to explore (preferably in a Ferrari), Tuscany is a decidedly upmarket destination best enjoyed with huge sums of excess cash.

Tuscany, Italy

Find places to stay with our partner, Hotels.com

Tuscany | © Francesco Carrani / Flickr

Safaris in South Africa

Leading the way in the upmarket safari industry is South Africa, home to a myriad of elegant lodgings that cater to the world’s economic elite. The best of the lot may well be Richard Branson’s very own Ulusaba, which charges a cool US$6,000 per night for what one would hope to be a truly unforgettable wildlife-spotting experience.

South Africa

Safari in South Africa | © Sumarie Slabber / Flickr

Laucala Island, Fiji

There are plenty of stock standard resorts in Fiji offering shabby accommodation to the economically challenged. And then there’s Laucala, a private island owned by Red Bull billionaire Dietrich Mateschitz, which has become a lavish playground for the rich and famous. A favorite of many celebs is their in-house submarine, which allows guests to explore under the sea without the hassle of having to learn how to SCUBA dive.

Laucala Island, Fiji

The submarine at Laucala | Courtesy of Laucala

Mount Everest, Nepal

Natural Feature, Hiking Trail

Mount Everest from the Tibet side of the border

Nepal might be an extremely cheap travel destination for the Average Joe, but those looking scale the world’s highest mountain could fork out up to $100,000 for the most expensive package. They’d need to be pretty fit too, obviously.

Cocoa Island, Maldives

Overwater bungalows are synonymous with the Maldives, the best of which are on the Cocoa Islands, where opulent rooms lie just meters away from the aquatic life below. But get in quick: if climate change predictions are correct, these tropical digs might be fully submerged in the not-too-distant future.

Cocoa Island, Maldives

Cocoa Island | © Chi King / Flickr

A European River Cruise

For a unique and decidedly upmarket perspective of the old continent, hop on a river cruise down the Rhine or the Danube. With packages stretching into the tens of thousands of dollars, river cruising is a luxurious alternative to traveling Europe, which feels a world away from those stuffy bus tours.

Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur, India

Hotel

Built as a summer escape for royalty in the 18th century, Udaipur’s famous Lake Palace was converted into a fancy hotel back in the ’60s. This elegant floating palace, which covers every square inch of an island just a short boat ride from the city center, is the epitome of regal decadence.

Las Vegas, United States

Las Vegas is pretty lame if you’re broke. But for the wealthy and reckless, this “Disneyland for adults” is chock-full of fancy hotels, Michelin-starred restaurants, glamorous clubs and non-stop 24-hour gambling. Just remember the old saying, “What happens in Vegas…”

Las Vegas, NV, USA

Find places to stay with our partner, Hotels.com

Vegas | © zzim780 / Pixabay

The Mediterranean Sea

Sailing around the Mediterranean is a favorite pastime of Europe’s financial elite who dine on lobster for breakfast while exploring the region’s crystal clear waters. Don’t have your own super yacht? No worries, just rent one for a mere US$646,000 per week.

Mediterranean Sea

Sailing | © Airvideopl / Pixabay

The French Riviera, France

The southern coast of France is extravagant, to say the least. Well-to-do socialites descend on the region during the warmer months in droves, seeking sun and fun as part of their endless luxurious lifestyle. While you can visit the Côte d’Azur on a modest budget, a few extra million in spending money certainly wouldn’t go astray.

French Riviera, France

Find places to stay with our partner, Hotels.com

Monaco | © tpsdave / Pixabay

New York, United States

Hotel

Ever tried booking a hotel in New York? Then you’ll understand why it’s on this list. Thankfully, the Big Apple’s energetic vibe and countless attractions make such outrageous hotel prices seem almost worth it in the end. Almost.

New York, NY, USA

Find places to stay with our partner, Hotels.com

New York | © FrankWinkler / Pixabay

Mars

Okay, we might be jumping the gun a little here. But give it a few more decades and Mars may well be the solar system’s hottest travel destination. Of course, a trip to our red neighbor is going to be pretty expensive, so best start saving ASAP.

landscape with balloons floating in the air

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.