Buying Time: What Luxury Travel Really Costs in 2026

I was recently asked a question that completely blew my mind.  And I couldn’t really answer it.

"What would you pay to buy time?" 

What price do you put on ‘time?’  I have no idea!

It’s a brilliant way to look at it and it made me start to think about other things that are difficult to put a price tag on.  When you book a holiday, you aren’t just paying for a flight or a hotel room. You are investing in moments with your family & experiences that stay with you.  And these are things that are also tricky to give a monetary value.

I talk a lot about ‘luxury travel’.  But luxury travel means something different to everyone.  It is not just about the highest thread count on the sheets or the number of Michelin stars at a restaurant.  Luxury in 2026 is about how you want to feel.

Luxury isn't a one-size-fits-all label. For some of my clients, it means a personal butler who anticipates every whim before they even speak. For others, it means finding somewhere that gives them complete peace - total privacy to have a real reset.  Each client may spend a similar amount, but their value is entirely different.

In recent months I am seeing a huge shift in how people want to travel to find their own versions of ‘luxury’ and my job is to discover which version fills your cup

Wellness Retreats: Specialist programmes that don't just help you rest for a week but set you up for the months ahead.

Authentic Connection: A private cooking lesson in a family home in Tuscany often beats a fancy restaurant because it’s the meal your kids will actually remember in ten years.

Expedition Luxury: Swapping the screen for the real thing. Seeing the Northern Lights or meeting mountain gorillas in Rwanda.  A different kind of luxury – the kind that gives an irreplaceable memory.

Clients are not really spending more for 2026 travel.  But they are spending smarter.  You don't have to splurge on every single element to have a luxury experience. Strategic planning is your best friend here.

The 'Shoulder Season' Secret: using the slightly ‘off-peak’ shoulder seasons in destinations can often get you the same five-star service for a fraction of the price.

Emerging Spots: There are incredible destinations off the beaten path that offer richer culture and calmer environments than the most popular Insta spots.

Space is the ultimate indulgence. A client asked for a 'luxury beach resort.'  But after talking to her, I learned what she really wanted was total invisibility.  No small talk at breakfast, no crowded pools. I found her a peaceful villa in the Maldives, and she told me it was the first time she'd truly relaxed in years.

You might think you’re just using a travel agent to 'book a holiday’.  But in reality, you are buying peace of mind. You are buying an advocate who knows which resort photos are a bit 'creative' and which ones actually under-promise and over-deliver.  You know if a flight gets cancelled or that 'sea view' turns out to be a building site, you don't spend your holiday on hold to a call centre. I handle it. I fix it.

You are also buying the freedom from spending your Sunday nights drowning in 50 open browser tabs, which to me would feel the biggest luxury of all!

So what is luxury to you?  Let's talk about it - because once I know your answer, I can find the trip that delivers it.