Top Travel Services: Your Most Important Travel Companions

Jani Davids
Jan 16
9 min read

What Are Your Choices For Highly Personalized Services Throughout Your Trip?

To really have an extraordinary vacation in your chosen destinations, it’s important that you make sure you get the best in luxury services. This is your “comfort zone” during your travels and you’ll appreciate having done intensive research and vetted the travel suppliers whom you’ll be partnering with.

Especially if you’d prefer not to utilize the services of an expert travel advisor. What you should remember, though, is that a travel advisor should be your go-to person if you really want to get the ultimate best luxury services for your trip.

Nevertheless, in this scenario, you want to go the DIY way because you’re a first-time traveler and want to learn what it takes to organize a trip yourself. Which is not a bad idea. It will give you insight into the type of personalized services based on your specific travel needs and preferences.

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And by the time you decide to use the services of a travel advisor, you’ll be in a position to confidently navigate your way through the planning process with them.

Let’s have a look at the services that should be at the top of your list.

Luxury Accommodation

You should consider the following when selecting accommodation:

Destination – the region, the city or town. You won’t have a problem locating the best luxury accommodation in cities, but it might be more difficult in a town. Some towns are akin to cities and will have a lot to offer, whereas, other towns (including) villages are much smaller, with limited options.

However, in the last decade or so, most small towns and villages have been focusing on improving their locations to make it more attractive for both local and overseas visitors. This is due to an increased traveler interest to “get away from the madding crowd”.

So if you’re looking for a tranquil place, the small towns and villages that you choose should have amazing luxury accommodation in the form of luxury guest houses, privately owned holiday properties, and even castles and country estates with luxurious and modern amenities to make your stay pleasant.

Types of Accommodation

1. Boutique Hotels

In the cities and bigger towns, you’ll find top brands, as well as stunning boutique hotels. By “boutique”, we mean a luxury establishment from twenty, and to the most, thirty rooms. This is my opinion, but of course the opinions differ and in most cases those who differ describe it as having less than 100 rooms. Also, boutique hotels are not rated as in the case of larger hotels who are classified by type.

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I feel that it should be small enough to fit the requirement of: “a hotel that is small and unique, is meant to cater to a specific target audience that values service and uniqueness beyond price, offer a more personal approach to the hotel experience, focus on design to distinguish themselves from a traditional hotel, offers a more intimate or customized stay, and most important of all, offer one-of-a-kind experiences in well-known destinations across the world.” Phew! This is quite a mouthful to explain, but it should give you an idea what to look for when searching for such accommodation.

Although boutique hotels are often located in fashionable areas, it doesn’t mean there are no such establishments in the rural area small towns and villages. As long as they tick all the boxes mentioned above, they qualify for “boutique status”. Because what matters most is their commitment to deliver excellent and personalized services to their visitors.

One of them, for instance, is this boutique hotel located outside Reims, France. It has 25 rooms and is located amid stunning surroundings. Have a look at what I mean when I say you can find the best gems even in rural areas, small towns and villages. The establishment offers tours and special experiences to enhance your visit.

https://www.assiettechampenoise.com/en/hotel-en/

Make the best out of your accommodation by being selective so that you are as comfortable as possible during your stay. And since your days will be filled with activities, you should be able to enjoy a relaxing evening and a welcoming and warm place. The establishment must offer personalized services and a variety of activities to make your stay special.

Some other important amenities to look for would be:

1. Bed and Breakfast.

2. Safe and baggage storage.

2. Laundry Services.

3. Restaurant/Bar.

4. Pool, Spa, Gym or other similar amenities.

6. En-suite Rooms with all the usual services that you’ll expect from such an establishment.

2. Star-Rated Hotels

Larger hotels, as already mentioned, are classified by type. The most common category being the “start rating”. The rating is used as a general barometer for guests to better identify the level of service offered at the hotel. They are:

1. 5-Star Rating (Glamorous) – these are the most luxurious hotels in the world. They are fine establishments boasting extravagant lobbies, unparalleled service and unequaled comfort.

2. 4-Star Rating (Upscale Comfort) – they are large, upscale establishments, fully staffed, and offer tons of extras.

However, the “star rating” of hotels can be complicated to navigate and it’s up to you to decide whether you want to go this route.

3. Glamping or “Glamorous Camping”

For an adventurous, but modern type of accommodation, “glamping” is especially suited to those who are looking for an escape into nature. So what is “glamping”?

It is essentially “glamorous” camping, meaning upscale camping. Its a relatively new concept with the term first coined in 2005 in the UK, and was only added to the Oxford Dictionary in 2016. It is designed to appeal to travelers who are looking to disconnect from the indoors but with real mattresses, running water, and an actual bathroom (instead of an outhouse), as well as enjoying one-of-a-kind experiences.

Glamping is a way to experience nature with the creature comforts of a hotel. Glamping comes in may forms, including safari tents and yurts, camping cabins, and tree houses. Amenities depend on the type of accommodations, like real beds, kitchenettes, electricity, running water and more.

Check out this glamping site in Slovenia for inspiration!

https://www.gardenvillagebled.com/en

Multi-Modal Transportation

Getting from one place to the next can cause you extreme stress, especially if you’ll need multi-modal transportation. Your luxury transportation choices, like your accommodation, should focus on the benefits it can offer you on a very personal level.

Today, luxury transportation is much more more accessible and practical than might be assumed. It’s about transforming travel into a seamless, comfortable and memorable experience.

Luxury vehicle services, for example, maintain a fleet of high-end, impeccably maintained vehicles designed for a first-class experience. It ensures that you have a space where you can relax in the knowledge that they will provide you with a smooth, safe ride, They also offer a seamless airport meet-and-greet experience, making sure they are at your service whether you land early or during a delay.

Exploring a city, a private car service offers a superior way to see the sights and transform your experience int a memorable event.

Luxury travel extend far beyond the road. For comfort, exclusivity and personalized service, jets form part of the experience, while chartered yachts offer unparalleled water services.

However, if you prefer a business class flight or a cruise ship, it doesn’t mean that your trip will be less personalized. You can still count on a higher level of service excellence than the norm if you had chosen economy class or a ferry.

For luxury rail travel, the journey itself should be your focal point. Luxury rail travel offer white-glove services and the highlight of your journey will certainly be enjoying the most beautiful landscapes that you travel through.

What’s most important about utilizing luxury transportation, be it air, land, rail or water, is that the itineraries provided by service providers are guaranteed to ensure your safety, comfort, and designed to attend to your personal needs and preferences.

Whether you’re only visiting one destination or multiple destinations, it is more than just getting from point A to Point B. There’s a variety of steps that you have to consider before making those all-important bookings.

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In this article we’ll discuss the complexity of multi-modal transportation so that it gives you some insight into the process of planning.

You might wonder what is meant by multi-modal transportation when preparing your itinerary?

It simply means that you have to blend air, road, rail and water transport to create a seamless itinerary for your trip. Based on your travel needs from your home to your destination, crafting an efficient itinerary lies in understanding the nuances of each mode of transport and how they can complement one another. Mastering this skill will allow for more flexible and immersive experiences.

This is true whether you’re a seasoned or a first-time traveler. Effective planning involves measuring the strengths and limitations of each method, for example:

* Air travel covers long distances quickly;

* Trains offer scenic routes and city-center arrivals;

* Road trips are flexible;

* Water transport provides a relaxed atmosphere.

To create a cohesive journey, draw up a list of your destinations based on importance and geographical proximity. Research the transport options available between each location, considering time, cost and the overall experience of each mode.

A good place to start your research is by using Google maps. Google maps will show you the various modes of transport, the time each of them will take to get you to the next destination, and the distance between destinations.

Next, you can use the destination’s transport networks to find real-time pricing and compare the services related to each price model.

You may also discover that rail travel, for example, also offer you options for tours which might make it easier for you to include them in your itinerary.

When incorporating flights into your schedule, allow for enough time to get to and from the airport, as well as finding the best road transport services based on your preferences. In this case, it is a good idea to decide beforehand whether you’ll utilize the services of a private vehicle hire company or a shuttle service for airport transfers.

Major airlines operate on a hub-and-spoke model concentrating flights at key airports. Find out how their system works so that you can plan layovers that work in your favor. The hub should have excellent connectivity depending on your next destination, including rail and road transportation.

Major airports have their own Minimum Connection Time (MCT) which is the shortest time required to transfer between flights. This gives you an idea for instance, on when you will arrive at your ultimate destination if there is a layover, So it’s important to factor in the MCT and add extra time. In the case of domestic transfers you might want to add one to one and a half hours, while for international flights two hours will do.

Choose flight agreements that include Codeshare flights. Codeshare is when multiple airlines share the same flight which offer more seamless connections. It also coordinates baggage transfers and may use terminals that are closer together which will reduce your transfer time.

If traveling to Europe, make sure that you allow extra time for transfer between a Schengen and non-Schengen destination to take into account immigration procedures.

For rail travel, some airlines have formed partnerships with rail operators to offer integrated air-rail services. This allows you to book combined air and rail tickets. The service includes luggage check up to your final destination.

High-speed rail networks often connect city centers which eliminates the need for road transfers. This might be a good alternative to short-haul flights and will reduce your overall travel time.

You must consider check-in times and city center accessibility based on comparing door-to-door travel time of flights to high speed rail options.

For road trip planning, decide whether you prefer a private vehicle with or without a driver.

Also research water transport (ferries, etc.), helicopter, hot air balloon rides, and other options for excursions and sightseeing in your destination. This would make your trip more exciting. I would suggest that you utilize the services of a reliable local tour operator. They are knowledgeable about their destination and provide you with expert services and an excellent itinerary for your stay.

Another option would be to, if available, use the excursions recommended by your accommodation. They offer some great ways to explore the area and discover the sights.

In the case of utilizing the services of a local tour operator or your accommodation’s offers, you can incorporate your transportation itinerary with theirs. This will give you a full itinerary starting from commencement to the end of your journey.

Remember that the most important part of your planning should always include rest times so that you can fully enjoy your trip at your own pace.

Carpe diem and … healthy and safe travels!

Wrapping Up

That said, what should matter most is your own, very personal needs and preferences when choosing accommodation and transportation. It also depends on your idea of how you define luxury accommodation and transportation, whether it’s in an urban or rural area, and whether it fits the budget for your trip.

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