Travelling in style

There might be a global economic crisis, but there are still some very wealthy clients out there who want to travel in style. ATN shows you how to cater to their expensive tastes.

Today’s luxury travel market is growing ever more sophisticated. Demands from increasingly savvy clients extend not only to the end destination, but to the mode of transport available to them as well. 

As American novelist Ernest Hemingway once said: “It is good to have an end to journey towards, but it is the journey that matters in the end.” 

Bearing this in mind, ATN takes a look at some of the more stylish and original transport options and accessories available around the globe.

THE JET SET

While many facets of the Middle East’s travel industry are feeling the strain from the global downturn, the private jets sector remains miraculously unaffected, according to ATN sources.

Private jets are ideal for luxury travellers and high-end business groups that want to travel with minimum hassle and maximum comfort and are also provide a great opportunity for agents to earn high commission on bookings. 

The Gulfsteam (G450) from Elite Jets encompasses these two factors with top-of the range facilities, upgraded engines and a spacious cabin providing clients with plenty of room to stretch and move around.

Website: www-elite-jets.com

GET SHORTY

Empire Aviation Group (EAG) offers a guaranteed personalised VIP service throughout the flight and gives clients the option of travelling at the last minute — the company only requires a three-hour notice prior to departure to prepare an aircraft.

Website: www.empire.aero

UNLIMITED LIMO

You can’t argue with a classic and arriving or departing in a chauffeur-driven limousine is always a stylish option worth booking for clients.

Business travellers who arrange to be met by a limo from the airport for example, know that’s one less thing to have to worry about.

It certainly beats waiting around for a cab and by-passes having to queue up at a car-hire desk to boot. Luxury limousine companies like UK-based LuxuryLimoReservation.co.uk are becoming increasingly more sophisticated in their offerings, offering diverse fleets of vehicles that can cater to small parties or bigger family groups and include a bevy of all of the latest hi-tech gadgets.

Website: www. LuxuryLimoReservation.co.uk

LUXURY LUGGAGE

There are some parts of the travelling experience that even high-end travellers have to put up with along with the rest of the herd such as lumping around heavy bags or fighting to get a trolley. Luggage specialist Live Luggage is seeking to eliminate this difficulty by offering travellers an effort-free luggage alternative.

The product offers power-assisted features like the adjustable ‘anti-gravity’ handle that ensures 85% of the luggage weight is always balanced over its wheels. Not only does this mean lugging heavy cases around can become a thing of the past, but the trend-setting crowd will also note that it looks pretty cool as well.

Website: www.liveluggage.com

It’s not always about getting there fast when it comes to travel. Luxury rail packages offer sedate comfort often with stunning countryside views that simply aren’t possible to enjoy in the same way with any other option. Clients can take in as much or as little of the countryside as they fancy, or simply bask in their luxurious private compartments attended by cabin stewards throughout the journey.

Orient Express Hotels Trains and Cruises offers a seven-night ‘Grand European Journey’ package on the Venice-Simplon Orient Express that travels through five countries and five major cities, including stops at Krakow and Warsaw.

Website: www.orient-express.com

COOL CRUISING

The best thing about cruises is that the journey itself is half of the holiday and something to be savoured.

Clients can lounge around on deck or take advantage of the ship’s leisure and entertainment facilities before they even arrive at any of the ship’s eventual destinations.

Cruises also offer a range of itineraries of varying length and activities so there is always something to accommodate any client’s preferences — from the upwardly mobile to the outwardly slothful.

The luxury Yasawa Princess Cruise ship is a case in point, offering seven- or 14-day packages trawling around the Maldives.

The ship is replete with a host of luxury facilities like top-end cabins with en-suite showers and snorkeling and fishing options to entertain guests before the ship even pulls into any of the stunning desert islands for them to explore.

Website: www.yasawaprincess.com

ITS JUST YACHT YOU NEED

Continuing with the nautical theme, a stylish travel option that combines the joys of the open sea offered by luxury cruises but with a bit more pace for the adrenalin junkies is the 37-metre motor yacht Ermis². With outer engines driven by Rolls-Royce 56SII waterjets, the Ermis² is capable of speeds in excess of 55 knots and has a long range of roughly 2300 miles. The Ermis² comprises a saloon, dining area, galley and a large bridge with suspension chairs from which guests can survey the rapidly passing scene in indulgently luxurious comfort.

Website: www.rolls-royce.com