The GOAT “Greatest of All Time” Trip is expected to lead travel trends for 2022, as projected by Expedia’s recent survey results. Whether to celebrate major milestones, or to check it off the bucket list, travelers are seeking once-in-a-lifetime experiences in travel this year.
Here are some trips of a lifetime from around the world, from other-worldly islands to lakeside palazzos for any type of traveler to live out their greatest travel dreams:
The Ultimate Maldives Experience
Conrad Maldives Rangali Island – South Ari Atoll, Maldives: A world unto itself, the Maldives embodies bucket list travel with awe-inspiring crystal waters and ultra-luxury offerings. Proudly the first international resort brand to arrive in the Maldives and soon to complete 25 years in time for the grand relaunch in 2022, Conrad Maldives Rangali Island continues to be a pioneer amongst the Maldives’ 150 resorts. At Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, arrive by sea plane, dine at check “dining in the world’s first underwater restaurant” and “staying in the world’s first underwater villa” off your bucket list at The Muraka and Ithaa, and experience unparalleled marine excursions in the premier destination in the world for whale shark spotting. Boasting a one-of-a-kind twin island experience, the hotel offers a family island and adults only island to meet the needs of any type of traveler.
Great American Northeast Road Trip
Sometimes the greatest discoveries in travel don’t require a passport at all. For a good old-fashioned American road trip, the Northeast offers an incredible diversity of landscapes and experiences, with cozy inns, soaring mountains, stunning coastlines, and endless historic hamlets to discover. For families or groups of friends setting out to discover quintessential New England charm, below are a few necessary stops:
Acclaimed Wellness Retreat in California
The Ranch in Malibu, California, is a healthy lifestyle company that features three acclaimed results-oriented, fitness and wellness programs. The Ranch currently has three programs: The Ranch Malibu, The Ranch Private, and The Ranch 9.0. Dedicated to improving the quality of one's life by improving their health, The Ranch programs recalibrate the mind and body through an intense fitness and wellness regimen paired with a highly structured, plant-based nutritional diet. Each day consists of 8 hours of low impact activity – centered around breathtaking and varied 4-hour group hike each morning, afternoon nap time, fitness classes, yoga, and daily massages. During the stay, guests connect with nature’s healing elements and can also experience more unique health modalities including pre-and post-program cholesterol testing and body fat analysis, a weekly sound bath, acupuncture, chiropractic treatments, cryotherapy and IV Therapy to further enhance results. The Ranch was founded to provide a beautiful, nurturing place for guests to learn about and practice healthy living. The Ranch’s various programs spread a message of sustainability of body, mind, and spirit. The Ranch staff members coach, mentor, and support guests on how to live a truly sustainable lifestyle at a personal level that has a lasting impact.
Socially Distanced Private Island Experience in Bora Bora
Bora Bora One, a five-suite estate (available as a single booking) located across from the main island of Bora Bora. Set on a private beach bordered by a quiet lagoon, the estate relaunched in February 2021 with a totally redone look as well as upgraded services that now provide a truly resort-level experience.
Located on Motu Piti A’au, the same island that’s home to the St. Regis and Four Seasons resorts, the independently owned and managed Bora Bora One is spread out over seven-and-a-half-acres of a secluded peninsula that’s about a 20-minute boat ride away from the Bora Bora airport. In addition to design upgrades including the addition of local Tahaa stone walls, teak floors, sliding glass doors and solar panels, the revamped estate features new tennis courts, a state-of the-art gym (stocked with such equipment as a Woodway Wattbike, a Concept 2 rower, and a boxing area with punching and speed bags) and a pool deck outfitted with daybeds, hammocks and teak chaises.Each of the five suites has its own lagoon-facing terrace, while the spacious living room opens up to outdoor lounging spaces, the main swimming pool, an outdoor pool table and a beachside traditional
A dedicated private chef, dedicated housekeeping team and a resident masseuse can be arranged upon request (the new gym also has a massage room) and the estate concierge and head butler can arrange such on-site activities as a garden-to-table cooking class, yoga classes, volleyball and soccer matches and game nights under the stars.
For an additional fee, the team can also arrange such off-site fun as motu picnics, wine tastings on a yacht, trips to Bora Bora for shopping and dining, plus scuba diving, kayaking, parasailing, jet skiing, swimming with manta rays and more. Tech such as SONOS sound systems, Apple TV and on-demand movies will also help keep you entertained, while the WiFi has been upgraded to accommodate large file transfers and Zoom calls—in case you’d like to make Bora Bora One your WFH base for a while.
Rates start at approximately $18,191 per night in low season, and $21,828 per night in high season, for up to 10 guests; a four-night minimum is required. Rates include the services of the staff, as well as all on-site activities; an approximately $121 per guest food and beverage charge will be added per night.
Experience one of the most sought-after golf destinations in the U.S at Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa.
Secluded in the rolling hill country of Austin, Texas, the 4,000 acre newly-renovated Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa is the ultimate retreat. Whether you want to relax under the care of our trained masseuses, play a round of some of the best golf in the country, or experience everything the "Live Music Capital of the World" has to offer, we'll provide you the perfect accommodations for romantic weekend getaways, golf retreats and memorable family vacations alike.
Recognized as one of the best golf resorts in the Southwest by GOLF Magazine and featuring top-ranked courses by Golf Digest and Golfweek, Barton Creek Resort & Spa offers four distinct award-winning courses and onsite professional teaching staff, exclusively available to members of Barton Creek Country Club and registered guests of Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa.
The Fazio Canyons Golf Course boasts the signature touch of Tom Fazio, the legendary golf course architect. The design and construction of this award-winning course embodies a Fazio trademark of protecting and preserving the environment. Fazio Canyons was the first resort course in Texas to be certified as an Audubon International Signature Sanctuary and was designated as a Certified Signature Sanctuary. Recently named among Golfweek's Best Courses You Can Play in Texas, Fazio Foothills played host to the Champions Tour Legends of Golf tournament from 1990-1994 and has hosted numerous PGA of America Championships including the PGA Cup, Inaugural Women’s PGA Cup and is slated to host the 2022 PGA Professional National Championship. Inspired by surrounding nature, the Coore Crenshaw course highlight is the 18th hole, an exciting climax that plays slightly uphill where olfers must achieve approach shots across a running creek to land on a low-lying green, which is seemingly etched into the hillside. Designed by Arnold Palmer and perched on a secluded hilltop overlooking Lake Travis, Palmer Lakeside is a buddies’ trip favorite and a big hitter’s ballpark that features panoramic lake views and twilight glimpses of whitetail deer.
To book a tee time, call (512) 329-4653. Rates range from $120 – $500. Discounted twilight rates are available.
Live La Dolce Vita on Lake Como
For the family reunion, destination wedding, or group trip of a lifetime, it is hard to top a private villa on the banks of the famed Lake Como. Villa Pliniana is a stunning 16th century palazzo located in the village of Torno, Italy and set on an 18-acre private estate which offers accommodations for up to 39 guests, two large ballrooms, a kitchen fully equipped for private catering services, a reception hall and a billiard room. In addition, the Estate has a covered heated pool, spa, Turkish bath, Scottish showers, sauna, a heliport, ample and a large jetty.
A Sereno Hotels property, Villa Pliniana offers all the benefits of top-notch hotel service while offering ultimate privacy and exclusivity for groups traveling together.
