How the Elite Really Travel in Style
Lately, TV has been full of affluent people going on ridiculous holidays. Obviously White Lotus is the big one (especially the previous season), with all the boat rides, awkward massages, and dinners that cost more than a monthly rent payment.
Then there’s Succession, where no one ever checks in at a hotel or stands in a queue. You just see helicopters, coach, and yeah, obviously a lot of pretty sites. They just arrive… and things are magically already ready for them to soak up and soak in.
But really, it’s no wonder people are obsessed with the whole “old money” travel vibe, like the linen shirts, the Ralph Lauren aesthetic, the vintage luggage, sipping espresso in a quiet piazza like they’ve been there for years. But there’s dressing the part, and then there’s actually living it. Honestly, who wouldn’t want to escape the ordinary, right?
Well, nothing seems ordinary for the rich though. and yeah, you probably now this, but the way the super-rich travel looks nothing like the rest of us, even if the outfits are similar (well, similar-ish).
There’s no single official definition of ‘the elite’, but the term is widely used in sociology, political science, and economics to describe a small group of people who hold disproportionate power, privilege, or influence within a society.
The elite are those who occupy the top positions in the political, economic, and military institutions of society, and whose decisions have major consequences for everyone else. – Sociological (C. Wright Mills, “The Power Elite”
“A group of people who are powerful, rich, or have a lot of influence because of their position in society.” – Cambridge Dictionary
“A select group that is superior in terms of ability or qualities to the rest of a group or society.” – Oxford English Dictionary
How the Elite Really Travel – It’s Not What You’d Expect!
How The Elite Really Travel in Style #1
First-Class Isn’t Quite There
Most people hear “luxury travel” and think of flying first-class, stretching out, maybe getting a glass of champagne. And sure, that’s lovely. And yeah, that is technically luxury travel too. But that’s still standing in a security queue, still walking through the terminal, still hoping your bag isn’t too heavy. There’s luxury travel, and then there’s luxury travel. They seem similar, but they’re not.
Okay, but how? Well, the 1% aren’t queuing at all. They’ve got private lounges, their own security lines, and flights that don’t leave without them. Some of them don’t even fly commercial. They hop on private jets with a glass already poured and slippers already waiting. Of course, not all of them fly private, but of course, that’s getting more and more romanticised on TV, movies, social media, and well, everywhere else.
Further Reading: 8 Elegant Luxury Hotels in Dublin City – Tried & Tested
How The Elite Really Travel in Style #2
Someone Else Does The Planning, Always
If you have money for it, why not, right? So yeah, the whole thing is planned by someone else, usually a travel assistant or someone on their team. They show up, everything’s arranged, and they just go along with it.
If they’re off to Italy, for example, it’s probably not just one hotel stay. It might be a quiet villa in Tuscany followed by an Italy yacht charter along the coast. Basically, something like sailing from one gorgeous spot to the next, staff onboard, wine ready, dinner sorted. So, there’s no stress, no bookings, no logistics. Instead, they just float, relax, and repeat. But it all honestly sounds perfect, right?
How The Elite Really Travel in Style #3
Travel’s Not A Treat, It’s Just How Life Goes
For most people, a holiday is something to plan months in advance, something to look forward to. But when you’re in that 1%, travel isn’t an escape. For the most part, it’s just part of the routine. A few weeks in the south of France, a quick weekend in Milan, skiing over Christmas. No big deal. No mad rush to make it all fit. Just another part of the calendar.
And it’s usually not flashy. It’s not about snapping selfies in front of tourist spots. It’s more private dinners, hidden beaches, and places that don’t even come up on Google Maps unless you already know they’re there.
Further Reading: LOCulinary Waves: Fine Dining on Cruise Ships
How The Elite Really Travel in Style #4
It’s A Whole Lifestyle, Not Just A Trip
That’s the big difference. It’s not just about where they’re going. It’s how the whole thing feels. No rushing, no juggling, no surprises. Everything’s calm, smooth, and a little bit unreal. They travel the same way they live, with help, comfort, and a lot of space.
Did you know?
- The Top 1% salary in Ireland is: €290,000+ (Source: Irish Revenue & Oireachtas data (2024))
- The Top 1% salary in the UK is: £183,000+ (Source: UK HMRC and Office for National Statistics (2023–2024))
- The Top 1% salary in the US is: $650,000+ (U.S. IRS & Economic Policy Institute (2023 data, adjusted for inflation))
How The Elite Really Travel but Who Are ‘The Elite’?
In Ireland, the top 1% of earners are primarily found in high-paying professions – medical consultants, senior legal professionals, tech executives, and finance leaders. Many also include business owners of large SMEs or successful startups, Big Four accounting firm partners, and top earners in multinational corporations – usually based in Dublin.
Here are the four types of ‘Elites’ that can be found worldwide:
Economic elite – Ultra-wealthy individuals, top earners, and influential investors.
Political elite – Heads of state, senior politicians, power brokers.
Cultural elite – Influential artists, academics, or media figures.
Social elite – People with prestigious family backgrounds or exclusive social capital.
Did you know how the elite really travel in style? ARE YOU ONE of the ONE % – if so enjoy the luxury!
PIN: Inside the Luxe Life: How The Elite Really Travel in Style!
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