Sometimes the perfect meal while traveling is one that you can put together yourself.
05.11.2024 - 11:31 / insider.com / Agatha Christie / Vita La-Dolce / Julia Carter
There's an old saying that goes, one person's loss is another's gain — and the same can be said for industries.
As luxury brands struggle due to economic instability, declining consumer confidence, and a slowdown in key markets such as China, another luxury sector is thriving: travel.
Brought to a standstill during the COVID-19 pandemic, as demand for luxury brands was nearing an all-time high, luxury travel is on the up and up as wealthy and aspirational consumers prioritize experiences over goods.
"People are going overseas, and much more experiences are open to them," Amrita Banta, managing director of luxury insights firm Agility Research & Strategy, told Business Insider. Ultra-high-net-worth Chinese consumers have also caught the travel bug, she said, and are increasingly spending in other countries like Singapore, Thailand, and Japan.
The good times are expected to continue as McKinsey & Company analysis estimates that global spending on luxury leisure hospitality will grow to $391 billion in 2028, a 10% jump from 2023.
Travel agent Julia Carter, founder of the luxury travel agency Craft Travel, said unique experiences are higher on the priority list of wealthy vacationers than ever.
"People want things that are curated to them," Carter said. "They don't want cookie-cutter experiences, they don't want to go somewhere where everything feels like it could be AI-generated."
This shift in consumer spending habits may be hurting luxury brands, but it's a means for the Orient Express, a once-defunct train service, to stage a comeback.
Launched 140 years ago by Belgian engineer Georges Nagelmackers, the Orient Express was a luxury sleeper that, at its peak, had trains running from Paris to Istanbul.
The brand became so embedded in popular culture that it inspired Agatha Christie novels and, in recent years, Hollywood movies starring Dame Judi Dench and Kenneth Branagh.
As the draw of slow train travel gave way to speedier options like planes and high-speed railways, Orient Express's golden era ended. It made its last direct trip between Paris and Istanbul in 1977 before a brief revival with pared-back service in the early 1980s.
That was pretty much the end of the line for the Orient Express — until now.
In partnership with Italian luxury hospitality group Arsenale, the Orient Express is poised for a comeback, opening two new hotels in Italy and six brand-new luxury sleeper trains dubbed La Dolce Vita.
From spring 2025, La Dolce Vita trains, which accommodate up to 62 passengers in deluxe and suite cabins, will run across 10,000 miles of track around 14 regions of Italy, including Sicily.
Ticket prices start at 3,500 euros ($3,800) for a one-night itinerary in a deluxe cabin.
The timing couldn't be
Sometimes the perfect meal while traveling is one that you can put together yourself.
For travelers without TSA PreCheck, wearing shoes that easily slide on and off makes navigating airport security checkpoints a tad more efficient. Let’s face it, we’ve all been the passenger with mere minutes to make it to the gate on time, and some footwear just isn’t meant for beating the clock (hiking boots, strappy sandals, most lace-ups). Beyond efficiency, those who have their hands full—traveling with kids comes to mind—or who face mobility challenges may also appreciate this type of travel-friendly shoe.
I spent three days exploring some of the most coveted real estate in the US in a 60-mile-long valley on the edge of Grand Teton National Park.
Travelers sailing to Antarctica with HX (formerly Hurtigruten Expeditions) can take a new online course about the White Continent—and earn an official certificate from the University of Tasmania in the process.
Spirit Airlines filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Monday in New York. The airline will continue to operate normally in bankruptcy and says it will honor all existing reservations, tickets, flight credits, and loyalty points. Spirit also says it has already secured agreements from the majority of its creditors to restructure its outstanding debt, and it expects an expedited process that it anticipates emerging from in the first quarter of 2025.
Planning to visit or travel within France this November and December?
Packing for a Florida escape means adhering to a polished warm-weather dress code. At Beach Club, a hotel within The Boca Raton resort that just completed a $120 million renovation, this means curating a travel wardrobe that looks as at home in the water as it does on a yacht. Dress in shades of soft sand and palm green for the scene at the Harborside Pool Club, where butlers deliver pitchers of rum punch to private cabanas; come sundown, glam things up with a flash of gold or pearls. You'll feel right at home in guest rooms that have been reborn with teal and coral-colored velvet accents—the same classic, refined image of Florida that The Boca Raton helped invent when it opened nearly a century ago. Below, our curated list of vibrant and chic packing essentials for a trip to The Boca Raton. Colorful two-piece sets, embroidered linen tops, and timeless accessories are all included.
The Matador Network team isn’t always shackled to a desk. This year, we’ve explored around the world on memorable trips to places like the volcanic archipelago of the Galapagos, the Northwest Coast of Norway, and stayed in hotels breaking ground on sustainability measures. While doing so, we’ve tested truck loads of gear, from the latest apparel and luggage from leading outdoor and travel brands, to gadgets and packing aids that make our journeys more comfortable, to on-the-road essentials to keep our kids entertained. This year’s gift guide compiles our favorite products — items in our travel tool kits that have become indispensable. Whether you’re looking for a stocking stuffer, an affordable present for a white elephant gift exchange, or something special for a loved one who enjoys traveling as much as we do, our tried-and-tested suggestions will make your holiday shopping a walk in the park.
Family reunions can be hectic to plan. You need a big home, activities for the kids, a few good restaurants to sample, and easy escapes for a bit of fresh air. Fortunately, half the work’s done for you with these gorgeous Airbnb homes that are perfect for family gatherings with members of all ages. Check out Airbnb’s most wish-listed family-friendly stays, perfect for your next big get-together.
As the Toyota Land Cruiser begins its trek up to TAASA Lodge in the northern part of Tanzania's Serengeti National Park, the sound of voices grows louder and louder.
Forbes Travel Guide named Singapore's Changi Airport the world's most luxurious airport for 2024 — and I couldn't agree more.
Good news for travelers: Early Black Friday deals have already landed. This means you can save on editor-tested luggage, outdoor gear, tech essentials, home goods, and just about everything else before the crowds and before popular items sell out. Official Black Friday deals begin on Friday, November 29, but these early deals from brands we love like Calpak, Dagne Dover, and Cozy Earth are already live—with some discounts as high as 50 percent off right now. We're seeing major deals on everything from duffel bags and pet carriers to cozy pajamas and noise-canceling headphones. Below, we've rounded up the best Black Friday deals for travelers happening now, so you can start your holiday shopping early and save on this year's best-selling travel gear. Scroll down to see all the best deals or jump right to the section you're looking for: