Many of us count down the days when we can pack our bags and fly on a dream vacation.

For obvious reasons, the closest we can get to sandy beaches, snow-capped mountains, and culturally rich cities is by watching a guidebook on YouTube or scrolling through Instagram.

International travel may not be on your agenda right now, but that shouldn’t stop you from compiling a bucket list of places to visit if it is safe to do so.

Here we choose some of the top luxuries travel Excursions and destinations that should inspire you …

1

Mediterranean Sea-

Sail in the Mediterranean on the legendary superyacht Maltese Falcon

The boutique broker SuperYachtsMonaco has added the legendary Maltese Falcon to its fleet. Known as one of the most unique superyachts of all time, the Maltese Falcon was extensively refurbished in 2020 and can now be chartered exclusively with SuperYachtsMonaco in the western and eastern Mediterranean. Up to 12 guests can be accommodated in six luxurious cabins. 19 crew members take care of all guests’ needs. The impressive VIP cabin is located on the upper deck and offers a view of your own deck. The deck is perfect for sunbathing during the day and turns into an open-air cinema at night with one of the largest open-air movie screens that can be seen on any yacht. Further features are an outdoor and an indoor whirlpool. Card and game rooms; Office with video conferencing; a gym and spa with a beauty therapist on board; and a number of areas to entertain. The Maltese Falcon can be chartered for € 460,000 (£ 400,262) to € 520,000 (£ 452,470) per week.

2

Italy

Merrion Charles’ luxurious Grand Tour of Italy

Luxury vacation curator Jude Law and Stella McCartney, private travel consultant Merrion Charles, is kicking off the ultimate grand Italian tour in late spring. The 15-day itinerary offers guests four luxurious experiences in one trip and includes some of Italy’s most famous landscapes, from the majestic Dolomites and rolling hills of Tuscany to the magical Pontine Islands and cultural landmarks of Rome. With a stay at the Conti di San Bonifacio wine and wellness resort in Tuscany (picture) and island hopping aboard the Blue Deer San Lorenzo Sea Lodge’s 74-foot catamaran, the 15-day tour costs from £ 114,000 for six people. The journey between the destinations is carried out by helicopter or Mercedes limousine. Private jets to and from the UK can be arranged upon request.

3

Antarctic

White desert Antarctica

Antarctic luxury with a private jet and polar capsules

White Desert Antarctica is the only company to offer a private jet service to one of the last great wilderness areas on earth and to fly its own Gulfstream aircraft over the Southern Ocean from Cape Town, South Africa to its 3,000m blue ice rink in Wolfs Fang. The runway is made of snow that has been compacted under its own weight over thousands of years and can accommodate aircraft of all sizes.

Guests can travel either as a single person or as a group of up to 12 people in the state-of-the-art “Polar Pods” of the luxurious Whichaway Oasis Eco-Camp.

In this once-in-a-lifetime experience, guests can simply relax and recharge as they explore the oasis’ glaciers and ice tunnels, visit one of the largest emperor penguin colonies in Antarctica, and travel to the geographic South Pole.

The White Desert Antarctica offers a “Greatest Day Trip” for $ 14,500 (GBP 10,600). Prices for other itineraries start from $ 40,000 (£ 29,300).

4th

Botswana

Xigera Safari Lodge Botswana

Explore the Okavango Delta at Xigera Safari Lodge

The Xigera Safari Lodge was opened in the game-rich Okavango Delta in Botswana. The Xigera is hidden amid a canopy of native trees and has 12 spacious suites. each individually designed to provide a unique Okavango experience.

The Lodge is a unique festival of African art, culture and creativity: a living gallery of African talent. Experiences include glass-bottomed mokoro excursions gliding across the delta’s waterways and a unique sleepout experience in a baobab tree house.

Prices at Xigera Safari Lodge start at USD 2,320 (GBP 1,700) per adult per night. This includes accommodation, parking fees and all activities.

5

Maldives

Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi - The private island

Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi – The private island

Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi has unveiled the largest private island in the archipelago state. The ultra-exclusive destination spans 32,000 m² in the heart of the Indian Ocean and is just a 40-minute drive from Malé on the resort’s Princess yachts or a 15-minute seaplane flight.

The sprawling property sleeps 24 guests in two, three, and four bedroom residences located on the island’s private beach and over the water. The private island also has its own culinary team.

6

Italy

Ultimate Driving Tours, Italy

Discover Tuscany in a supercar with Ultimate Driving Tours

If supercars and delicious food are your thing, Ultimate Driving Tours’ self-drive tour of Tuscany in Italy should pique your interest.

With an emphasis on Italian food and unique experiences like truffle hunting and world-class wine, the Tuscany tour features locations like Florence and Casole and can be booked from April to November.

The self-guided bike tours include a fully programmed route and a selection of supercars. The biggest decision will be whether you drive a renowned Italian brand like Ferrari or Lamborghini or a Mercedes, McLaren or Porsche.

Ultimate Driving Tours is also launching a new supercar tour in France this year. The five-day Le Grand Motoring Tour d’France takes place from June 28th to July 2nd.

7th

United States

Marilyn Monroe's legendary Bungalow 1 at the Beverly Hills Hotel

Live like Marilyn Monroe at the Beverly Hills Hotel

Live like a Hollywood star at the Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles. The five-star Dorchester Collection is located on Sunset Boulevard and is famous for its glitz, glamor and the catwalk of famous guests.

To celebrate the relationship with Hollywood’s best, some of the hotel’s iconic bungalows have been redesigned to honor previous residents such as Howard Hughes, Charlie Chaplin, Elizabeth Taylor and Frank Sinatra.

The design of Bungalow 1 incorporates aspects of the life of one of its most famous guests – Marilyn Monroe. She spent weeks in Bungalow 1 filming Let’s Make Love in Bungalows 20 and 21.

The bungalow includes a library of Marilyn Monroe films and books, as well as a Chanel No.5 fragrance bar and toiletries. Prices start at $ 9,200 (£ 6,700) per night.

8th

Africa

African Wonders trip with the Four Seasons Private Jet

African wonders on the Four Seasons Private Jet

The new Four Seasons Private Jet is preparing to fly this year and to mark the occasion, the luxury hotel company has announced its first itineraries. One of the most memorable trips on offer is a 13 day seven-destination African Wonders experience.

The tour runs from December 28, 2021 to January 9, 2022 and begins with a day trip from Athens to the ancient pyramids in Egypt. This is followed by a hot air balloon ride and a torch-lit bush dinner party to ring in the new year in the Serengeti, Tanzania.

Mauritius, Victoria Falls in Rwanda, Zambia (day trip) and Johannesburg, South Africa are also represented.

Prices start at USD 104,500 (£ 76,670) per adult (based on double occupancy).

9

Antigua

Tennis at Curtain Bluff, Antigua

Tennis fun in the Caribbean sun at Curtain Bluff

If you enjoy playing tennis in the sun, you can take a trip to the Caribbean. Curtain Bluff in Antigua has world-class tennis facilities and hosts many events each year. Two notable events are Antigua Tennis Week (every spring) and Tennis Challenge Week (every November).

At this year’s Tennis Challenge Week, guests can enjoy a week of tennis, relaxation and celebration with former US Davis Cup player Dick Stockton.

The Curtain Bluff is tucked away on the south side of Antigua and offers sandy beaches, 72 spacious suites and guest rooms as well as a number of wellness and restaurants.