The world's most luxurious travel experiences: From superyacht stays and £18,000 desserts to trips to outer space and private island retreats

'Spare no expense' seems to be the mantra of the uber-wealthy when on holiday, from luxurious hotel suites to private island getaways – and even top-notch transport.For those for whom cost is no obstacle, getting away is less a break from reality and more a chance to push the boundaries of what you can experience on earth (and, indeed, beyond).From £18,000 desserts to in-flight apartments in the skies, the list of exorbitant travel experiences appears to have no limits.Join us as we take a look at how the other half live – or rather, travel... Book out an entire private island Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands is a lavish private island for rentYou might, perhaps, have heard of this ultra-luxe private island located in the British Virgin Islands in the Caribbean.That's because Necker Island is one of the world's most luxurious spots, owned by Sir Richard Branson, co-founder of the Virgin Group.It sleeps up to 48 guests across 24 rooms, and guest accommodation includes bedrooms in the Great House and individual Balinese houses around the island.Necker Island can be booked exclusively for up to 48 adults and six children, or, at certain times of the year, you can book individual rooms.Its 74-acre land is covered in white sand beaches and surrounded by the turquoise waters for which the region is famed.For exclusive use of the island, prices begin at $6,043 (£4,516) per night, making it a pricey getaway.There are, however, also dates throughout the year when you can book individual stays in the accommodation, without hiring out the entire island.Necker Island is the flagship of the Virgin Limited Edition collection.Head into space on a suborbital flight Virgin Galactic may soon be offering suborbital flightsSpaceflight expedition company, Virgin Galactic, aims to welcome suborbital flights – possibly even from 2027.The company's reusable, air-launched spaceships are designed to make spaceflight safe and increasingly accessible, advancing a long-term vision of opening space to millions for extraordinary purposes. Tickets will reportedly cost $750,000 (£555,712) per seat.Flights are not happening yet – but could be soon. Stay in one of the world's most expensive suites The centrepiece of the resort, The Royal Mansion is one of the most expensive hotel suitesWhat could be more glamorous – and pricey – than one of the world's most expensive hotel suites?'Luxury' is certainly the word that comes to mind when considering Atlantis The Royal in Dubai – glamorous even by this glitzy UAE city's standards.And while all of the rooms at this hotel are incredibly luxurious, the Royal Mansion suite on the 18th and 19th floors of the building is a cut above the rest.It is a four-bedroom, two-level penthouse with sky-high ceilings, an infinity pool and panoramic views. And in addition to plush accommodation, book for a stay here and you can expect a personal butler service, a private in-residence lift, exclusive in-room dining provided by celebrity chef restaurants and complimentary access to the AWAKEN Spa Elements Retreat.Prices start from £67,632. Charter a superyacht Chartering a super yacht - or even buying one - is reserved for the uber richFor decades, yachting has been the ultimate status symbol, with vessels traditionally boasting high-end features such as helipads, mini submarines and jet skis.Modestly priced superyachts come in at around £10million, with an estimated £1million extra required annually to cover crews, fuel and mooring charges in suitably glamorous harbours in the likes of Monaco or Antibes. But in the minds of the mega-rich, a superyacht equipped with state-of-the-art accessories isn't considered truly cool any more without inflatable toys to turn the yachts into a private aquatic adventure park.From pickleball courts and full-sized obstacle courses to blow-up bars and in-water trampolines, large-scale superyacht inflatables are serious business – so much so that owners are forking out over £200,000 on individual accessories.Book a three-room suite on a plane The Residence, offered by Etihad Airways, is a private apartment in the skyYour very own private apartment in the sky, The Residence can be found on Etihad Airways' A380 jet.Travellers are treated to a private bedroom with a double bed, an en suite shower and a living room.What's more, top-tier service begins before passengers even step onto the plane – with home or hotel check-in included, as well as chauffeur transfers and a personalised airport welcome.Scoring a near-perfect rating of 98 out of 100 in a recent ranking of the world's best airline luxuries, there's enough space for up to two guests here, and Etihad describes it as 'an experience that must be lived to be believed'.While the full price is route-dependent, fares are usually between $11,000 (£8,153) and $25,000 (£18,531), one-way.Take a 140-night cruise The cruise ship Seven Seas Splendor offers a 140-night tourThe 140-night World of Splendor cruise, from Miami to New York, allows the upper crust to sail across the hidden gems of the South Pacific to the coastlines of Africa and the Mediterranean. Run by Regent Seven Seas Cruises, it also includes exquisite dining, unlimited spa access and shore excursions.But it's not cheap.Prices start from £72,619 per guest for a Veranda Suite and reach up to £226,069.Lunch by helicopter Many guests take rides directly to hotels, restaurants or other attractionsHiring choppers in the mountain range has become increasingly popular among travel influencers, who frequently share images of high-end, pricey dining experiences, set against stunning scenery.From landing directly on heli-pads at luxury hotels to taking short rides into the landscape for a selfie opportunity, many helicopter companies in the region offer sightseeing journeys – with a price tag to match. Flyments, for instance, charges €589 (£500) for a 35-minute journey, while Kronair offers trips for up to a whopping €3,200 (£2,724).More than simple sightseeing tours, many now offer trips directly to hotels or restaurants, making them effectively taxis of the skies for those who can afford them.For example, the AMAN Rosa Alpina in St. Kassian, one of the most exclusive hotels in the Dolomites, allows you to arrive in style via helicopter.Some organisations offer helicopter trips specifically designed to drop you off at a picturesque lunch spot.If you have a spare €2,200 (£1,871), you can join Heliunion's Dolomites Deluxe journey, a 60-minute tour followed by lunch at a restaurant or Alpine hut.Likewise, with a SennAir Helicopter journey you can book a gourmet flight with a meal at the mountainside Mondschein restaurant for €2,699 (£2,300).Embark on a multi-day luxury champagne tour Some luxurious champagne tours can set you back as much as nearly £8,000A champagne tour is a lavish concept, regardless of whether you book an all-out blow-the-budget one.But some really take the cake.SmoothRed’s VIP Luxury Champagne Tour is a five-day, four-night trip starting from £7,970pp, for instance.The company says: 'With its scenic landscapes, historic villages and celebrated bubbly, this five-day luxury champagne tour offers the ultimate pilgrimage for lovers of the world’s most famous fizz. 'Celebrate all things bubbly with exclusive visits to some of the most illustrious Champagne Houses, including Krug, Ruinart, Dom Pérignon and Bollinger, and meet iconic figures, past and present, behind their legacy. 'This tour is complemented, in typical SmoothRed style, with exceptional hotels and gourmet, Michelin-starred meals.'Try the most expensive dessert available The 'Frrrozen Haute Chocolate' dessert has set a Guinness World RecordThe most expensive dessert in the world, according to Guinness World Records, is The Frrrozen Haute Chocolate ice cream sundae costing $25,000 (£18,000), which was added to the menu of the Serendipity 3 restaurant, New York in November 2007. Wealthy travellers may fly to the Big Apple just for a taste.Guinness World Records says: 'The dessert uses a fine blend of 28 cocoas, including 14 of the world's most expensive. The sundae was made in partnership with luxury jeweller Euphoria New York.'The dessert is decorated with 5g (0.17 oz) of edible 23-karat gold and is served in a goblet lined with edible gold. The base of the goblet is an 18-karat gold bracelet with one carat of white diamonds. 'The dessert is eaten with a gold spoon, itself decorated with white and chocolate-colored diamonds, which can also be taken home.'Visit Antarctica The wealthiest travellers can visit the most expensive destination in the worldA new study from Squaremouth found that Antarctica is the most expensive destination to visit in 2026.The average trip costs $27,195 (£20,146).Take an Antarctic expedition cruise to see penguins, seals, whales, icebergs and glaciers and, if you’re brave enough, try a polar plunge – the ultimate adrenaline-fuelled experience.Ride on an opulent train Venice Simplon-Orient-Express joins the ranking in fourth place Aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, you can travel to destinations including Paris and Venice, with extended routes to Vienna and Prague, in what can only be described as the utmost glamour.1920s carriage accommodation includes historic cabins, suites, grand suites and the extraordinary L'Observatoire, a private carriage designed in collaboration with world-acclaimed French street artist JR.Each category has been restored or designed to reflect the heritage of the train, with grand suites offering additional space, private bathrooms and 24-hour dedicated butler service.An uber-exclusive Paris-Istanbul journey is the creme de la creme of luxury, taking place only twice a year, and costing around £19,900 per person.Take a flight on a private jet While owning a private jet might sound like a great idea, make sure you know what you're signing up forAmong the possible purchases only accessible to the uber-wealthy – from superyachts to entire islands, mega mansions and top-end Rolls-Royce cars – few are as exclusive as a private jet.Owning a private jet not only tells people you're rich; it also indicates a certain taste for confidentiality and exclusivity.Reports suggest buying a plane can cost anywhere from £370,000 to the millions – but other aspects of owning one, from pilot fees to add-ons, can see your bill soar. The cost differs depending on the type of jet.For instance, a light jet can cost £3.5-£5million, while a mid-size model ranges from £6-£9million and a large jet between £30-£50million, according to multiflight.com.