How do you define Luxury Travel?

When it comes to luxury, restaurants, hotels, and tour operators around the world increasingly improve their services to provide their customers with unique experiences. But what exactly defines Luxury Travel?

So, how do you define luxury travel? One traveler’s luxury is another’s ordinary, and this means people's perspectives of what makes travel luxurious can vary a lot. For some travelers, white-glove service and a private butler are mandatory, while for others luxury is a bed with a breath-taking view over a beach, or even an escape to an isolated place, far from the busy and noisy cities. 

Most of us associate luxury with something expensive, but you don't actually need to break the bank to get access to five-star treatment. The trick is to find a travel destination that provides luxury holidays possibilities and, at the same time, offers great value deals. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying it's cheap. Cheap has a strong connotation with low quality and that is definitely not what you will find at most travel destinations. Portugal, for example, is a country where you can find great deals. You pay a fair price for a great service, or product, with excellent quality standards, or in other words, you’ll get great value for money.

One of the best definitions for luxury travel was shared by George Morgan-Grenville: 

“Luxury travel today is defined less by thread count and Michelin stars and more by access to the people, places, and experiences that represent all that is authentic about a destination. There’s no denying that comfort factors still apply and high standards of accommodation and dining will always feature on the luxury traveler’s wish list. However, today’s luxury traveler seeks more depth of understanding and immersion into the local culture than ever before. People don’t just want to see – they want to participate. The sales process is also critical and whilst the online proposition can be an asset in terms of booking more simple arrangements, clients looking for luxury experiential travel require a deep level of sophisticated knowledge and confidence during the sales process.”

Today, luxury is all about the experience, the authenticity of the destination, interacting with locals, and, at the same time, planning the trip with a tour operator that inspires confidence, professionalism, and understanding of the traveler's needs.

Another great luxury travel definition comes from Wine Tourism in Portugal, the main wine and luxury holidays gateway in Portugal:

“Luxury has a different meaning for each traveler. For Wine Tourism in Portugal, the focus is on delivering a unique and personal service. We want to help our clients to plan and enjoy genuine, high-quality experiences that will be forever cherished. Luxury travel is a great experience born from the clients' wishes and dreams and put together by the knowledge and expertise of our travel consultants."

Wine Tourism in Portugal has recently launched luxury itineraries in Portugal with the purpose of showing to world travelers that the country provides luxury holidays with exclusive, seamless, and authentic experiences available only in a country with such unique characteristics. If you are looking for a special vacation, you will probably find an itinerary that suits your travel indulgences on these luxury vacation itineraries in Portugal. And, of course, you can always modify anything you wish to tailor it perfectly to fit your needs.

Remember that service can make or break a luxury experience. Be sure to read reviews of tour operators, hotels, and restaurants you are considering. This is the preferential and most influential aspect of travelers' holiday planning and decision-making. 

Add a little luxury to your holidays this year, you deserve it!

Original article at Luxury Travel Blog.