What springs to your mind when you hear the words “luxury travel”? For some, it might conjure the image of a lavish penthouse suite, walls dripping with fine art, ice melting around a bottle of Moet, four-figure thread counts and a butler at your beck and call. Who wouldn’t say no to that? But as travel has evolved – as it has, in fact, had to evolve in response to the ever increasing pressures on our planet - so too has the meaning of luxury.
One of the definitions given by the Collins dictionary is as follows:
"A luxury is a pleasure which you do not often have the opportunity to enjoy."
At Faran, when we talk about ‘luxury travel’, it is this definition that we have at the forefront of our minds. We know that, for most of our travellers, the trips we put together are not their run-of-the-mill summer holiday. Our trips are often a long time in the making – it’s not unusual for the planning stage to take weeks, even months – and they might be booked years in advance.
We also know that luxury means something different to everyone. We focus on getting to know each traveller as well as we possibly can, so that we’re able to design and curate travel experiences that will satisfy your definition of luxury.
Take going on safari, for example: for those seeking a more traditional luxury experience, this might be satisfied by a boutique lodge, a room with a private plunge pool, air-conditioning, gourmet dining and exclusive views over the savannah.
Singita Lebombo Lodge, South Africa
For others, luxury is found in total disconnection from technology and a corresponding submersion in nature. Travellers often come to us wanting experiences that push them out of their comfort zone – and we are only too happy to oblige! On this sort of trip, stripped back accommodation in remote, wild locations is often the most important factor – can there be any greater luxury than waking up in your tent to the low hoot of African eagle owl and elephants drinking not ten feet away?
Serengeti Safari Camp, Tanzania
For birdwatchers, photographers or wildlife enthusiasts with a specific goal in mind, the biggest luxury is often the quality of the guiding. A good guide will do their best to anticipate an animal’s behaviour so that you can be in the right place at the right time. They’ll share their knowledge and stories, and hopefully some laughs, in those quieter moments on safari and adapt to your likes and dislikes to ensure an unforgettable, enriching experience.
A rock ptarmigan sits happily on a rock in Svalbard
We know there is no one size fits all solution and that rarely it is as simple as one thing being the most important aspect on any holiday and that is why you have chosen to work with a specialist. With our expertise in curating bespoke travel experiences, particularly in wildlife adventures around the world and our deep knowledge of the countries we offer, we have the luxury of being able to define luxury and offer it to our travellers in a myriad of different ways.
If you want to know what luxury travel might look like for you, get in touch!
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