IN THE FAR EAST, you can explore undiscovered corners from primeval forests and volcanic landscapes in Japan to fascinating wildlife encounters and island expeditions in Russia.  Along the coast of Japan you will find a timeless empire steeped in tradition, lore, and natural beauty.   The islands give you a true feel for the past, present, and future in this land of the rising sun.There is a profound serenity in the mountain ranges of Kanazawa, ancient Samurai houses in Hagi, and mystical collection of gardens and temples in Kyoto. There here are also a myriad of escapades beckoning you in the Philippines, Borneo and Indonesia.  From jungle treks in Malaysia and the misty valley views of Indonesia to unexplored beaches in the Philippines, each destination is a chance to encounter mesmerizing island beauty.  You can marvel in a mosaic of colors and cultures while discovering ancient Komodo dragons and/or standing on the edge of an active volcano!

IN AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND, you will discover a vast paradise of islands teeming with untouched wilderness and secret underwater worlds of colorful marine life and dancing corals.  Visit jade-colored islands and revel in the underwater wonders of the Great Barrier Reef. Experience Outback adventures along the rugged coastline of Australia’s and New Zealand’s most breathtaking islands. Get a glimpse into the world of fairy penguins.  Feast your eyes on pink granite mountains, and uncover rushing rivers and golden beaches beyond the Tasman Sea.  Perhaps, explore beyond the ethereal beauty with a visit to New Zealand’s wine region, nestled amid charming fishing villages.  Either way, you will find an escape to this untouched corner of the world, where rugged peaks, thermal valleys, hidden inlets, and rainbow-colored lakes all add to the magical landscape!

IN ANTARCTICA & THE ROSS SEA, you will find a world of immense scale and visual splendor in the vast white wilderness of Antarctica. Iceberg prisms and glittering glaciers, historic explorers’ huts, bellowing elephant seals and the world’s largest penguin colony are just a few of the sights you can expect to see on this trip of a lifetime. Wake each day as if in a snow globe!

ADVENTURE CALLS on a luxury expedition cruise.  Itineraries balance days at sea with scheduled ports of call, and is intentionally designed to be flexible, allowing the Captain and his team of experts to incorporate unplanned “expedition days” when favorable weather conditions invite the opportunity for uncommon discovery.  The Expedition Team will maintain a keen eye so that if an opportunity arises and conditions allow, the Captain will attempt to position the vessel accordingly. 

The Luxe Report, uncovered five trends – all with an overarching movement toward personalization – shaping how upscale travelers will roam the world in 2019.

1. Motivation: Social media's influence is unmistakable, as it drives travelers' desire to find the most captivating backdrops and the best time of day for snapping images. Clients are requesting on-site photography sessions to create Instagram-worthy content, including replicating shots they admired online. Travel advisors are arranging themed photoshoots characteristic of destinations, such as wearing traditional geisha attire in Kyoto or ball gowns in Venice.
2. Transportation: When flying commercial, airlines with state-of-the-art business and first-class cabins are a favorite. Upon landing, VIP airport arrival services that whisk travelers through customs and ease tight connections are growing in demand. Requests are on the rise for private helicopter transfers to and from airports as well as from one city or resort island to another.
3. Accommodation: Experiential travelers who have seen it all are craving stays in unconventional accommodations. Those range from a treehouse to a monastery to an igloo in Norway, a tent in the Moroccan desert, the shores of the Red Sea, and even a bubble nestled in nature so they can gaze at stars before drifting off to sleep.
4. Recreation: People want to explore their passions through bucket-list experiences. Sports fans are asking for tickets to major events such as the Olympics, Super Bowl and Wimbledon. Art aficionados are inquiring about private tours of locales like the Vatican after hours. Shoppers want appointments at high-end stores such as Hermès to purchase signature items like a Birkin bag. Music lovers are booking trips to summer festivals and concerts. Advisors are also arranging private dinners with influential local figures.
5. Conservation: Travelers are expressing heightened interest in animal-related experiences. Some request visits to animal protection facilities or to observe animals in the wild, such as whale watching and viewing rhinos at close range. Some want to interact more directly with animals, such as at the Giraffe House in Nairobi or dog sledding to the North Pole. They also exhibit concern for animal welfare and want to ensure that interactions are sustainable.  

Exploring new destinations is the prevailing travel motivator for 2019, and Japan tops the list of emerging destinations for the first time, having previously finished third and fifth in 2018 and 2017, respectively.  Multigenerational travel maintains its stronghold as the hottest trend for 2019, a position it has held every year but one since 2011. Italy continues its reign as the top global destination as well as the leader for family travel, honeymoons and Millennial travel.

Contact ChrisRakes@totalexperiencetravel.com to learn more and start planning your customized trip today! 919.589.2437 / 434.333.0837