Discreet and offbeat getaways are the new luxury

In a trend that is called ‘quiet luxury’ or ‘stealth wealth, high net-worth travellers, including Gen Z and millennials are looking for remote offbeat locations, discreet getaways, and meaningful connections, instead of glitzy cities or casinos.

In March this year, Lubaina Sheerazi did a polar plunge. Organised by Antarctica21, the fly-cruise expedition to Antartica had experts leading a small group of travellers on the great white continent.

“From transiting the Lemaire Channel, also known as the Kodak Gap because of its breathtaking beauty, and cruising on a Zodiac vessel to continental landing at Cape Perez, doing a polar plunge, and sailing through an active volcano, the itinerary was curated a day before, based on weather conditions,” says Lubaina, CEO and co-founder of Mumbai-based tourism marketing agency, BRANDit.

She also did a cruise aboard the Magellan Explorer where experts gave informative talks about Antarctica’s history, expedition centres, The Antarctic Treaty, the region’s wildlife, and more. “My co-passengers, some of whom were Indians, also had similar tastes and were very interested in learning more about the peninsula that we were sailing around,” she adds.

In a trend that is called ‘quiet luxury’ or ‘stealth wealth, high net-worth travellers, including Gen Z and millennials are looking for remote offbeat locations, discreet getaways, and meaningful connections, instead of glitzy cities or casinos. Case in point is the Q Odyssey Private Jet Round the World tour, the latest offering from The Q Experiences, a luxury travel company launched in 2018. This 27-day journey of opulence and adventure takes one across six continents on a private jet, focussing on experiences rather than mere destinations.

The trip also charters one of the most luxurious trains, The Rovos Rail, which traverses through the lush jungles of Africa, and to Victoria Falls and Pretoria, followed by a private jet ride that explores the captivating canyons and desert landscapes of Al Ula in Saudi Arabia. You will witness the mesmerising Northern Lights on Lofoten Island in Noway, ride a hot air balloon over the Teotihuacan Pyramids in Mexico, and unravel the mysteries of human civilisation on Easter Island, Chile. This luxury air travel experience unfolds aboard a chartered Boeing 757, where seats recline into fully lie-flat beds. With a dedicated crew, which includes two accomplished international chefs, voyage of opulence is priced at a whopping ₹99 lakh per traveller.

“Today’s travellers seek exclusivity, comfort, and a personalised experience that caters to their every whim. They aspire to embark on journeys that are thoughtfully curated to offer an unparalleled realm of opulence, with seamless access to the world’s most remote and remarkable destinations,” says Vasim Shaikh, founder and CEO, The Q Experiences.

Take for instance, Sriram Krishnan, an IT professional based in Bengaluru. Every year, he plans a luxury annual getaway with his family to offbeat locations like Mongolia, Georgia, and Uzbekistan. “We have stayed in a glass igloo in Finnish Lapland and glamped in Ladakh. The more offbeat and experiential, the better,” says Sriram, who plans to explore Albania later this year.