Getting away from it all by booking the vacation of a lifetime is what life is all about, but how do the rich and famous seem to make it look so effortless? By moving away from tourist hotspots and mass-market offers, they focus on the exclusive side of luxury travel, allowing themselves to enjoy so much more.

If you want to combine comfort, privacy, and breathtaking settings that will enable you to make memories for a lifetime, you’ve come to the right place. Keep reading, and we’ll guide you through everything you need to know about the world of off-the-books escapes.

What are off-the-books escapes?

The global elite and the rich and famous don’t go on the same price comparison sites that the general public automatically turns to. They look for private clubs and invitation-only membership sites so that they can get access to things that are strictly off limits to the 99%. They’re the ones who are able to book hidden luxury experiences and vacations that no one else can see because they’re the only ones being shown them. With this in mind, the first thing you need to do is make sure that you find the right entry point into this exclusive world of hidden luxury.

Finding the right platform

Exclusive booking platforms will either ask you to pay a membership fee upfront for the privilege of using their service, or they will only accept people who have been invited by existing members. If you’re happy with this sort of arrangement, you can explore options like Secret Escapes and Voyage Privé at your leisure.

There is a wealth of choice out there, from hand-picked luxury to surprise trips that provide you with nothing more than a packing list. The personal nature of such services means that you will often not see a standard price quoted as you look at the online offerings, and you’re unlikely to see the discount codes and flash sales that you would on standard travel sites. Have all of this in mind and be flexible so that you can ensure you get a trip you are truly happy with.

Making use of personal service

Many of these sites will give you a personal point of contact who will act like a digital concierge during the booking process. Sometimes, all it takes is a quick conversation where you tell them about a part of the world you have always wanted to explore, and they will come back to you with a range of options to choose from. Making the most of the personal service will ensure that you hear all about exclusive options that are off the beaten track, allowing you to enjoy a vacation unlike anything else.

Confirming your arrangements

Once you have settled on travel, accommodation, and activities, it’s time to lock in your escape before someone else takes it. Because you will generally be booking with a range of exclusive hotels and travel services, payments can be structured a little differently than if you were booking a package holiday with a major resort. With this in mind, it’s important to make sure that you take care as you look to finalise and confirm your payments.

Scammers and confidence tricksters will often look to prey on the fact that everyone wants to be able to enjoy the vacation of a lifetime. There are cases where scammers will impersonate legitimate off-the-books services in an attempt to trick honest people into transferring their payments to a completely different part of the world. The key here is to use a specialist international payment service that will guide you through everything you need to know. SWIFT codes are used by banks to talk to one another, and a change of a single digit can mean that a bank on the other side of the world will receive the money instead. Look for a service that provides an easy-to-follow SWIFT codes resource so that you can check that the bank you are being asked to send money to is actually located where you believe it is.

Staying safe after you book

While it is natural to want to share your good news with friends and family, doing so in a way that is safe and secure is important. Private messaging is always preferred to a public Facebook post or an Instagram screenshot, and will ensure that only people you trust know your travel arrangements.

Now that you know how to book safely and securely, it’s over to you to plan the escape you have always wanted. Enjoy!