For those who have the money, travel is often luxurious, over-the-top and outlandish. Travel agents spoke to Condé Nast Traveler about the most expensive, outrageous trips they have planned.
1) Cost: $2.5 Million: A Los Angeles man threw a birthday party for his wife and 30 of her friends, in which 20 vintage cars from Europe were imported to Provence for a road rally through the Bandol wine region. During the 90-minute race, the road was closed off -- and at one of the pit stops, one of the girls' favorite Los Angeles chefs served snacks. Also included in this package is a six-night sailing on a luxury cruise ship and a cooking lesson with a six-star Michelin chef.
-Lia Batkin, In the Know Experiences (212-776-1784)
2) Cost: $17,000: One traveler from Istanbul who wanted to visit Troy at the last minute insisted on a twin-engine helicopter for the trip. The tour, which included two pilots and a noted historian, lasted just a few hours.
-Kevan Cowie, Exeter International (800-633-1008)
3) Cost: $25,000: Justin Bieber brings a girl onstage at every concert, and someone paid $25,000 for his daughter to be chosen by the star. Another couple paid close to $19,000 for two-day trip to D.C. for Obama's inauguration and inaugural ball.
-Jim Zissler, Inside Sports & Entertainment Group (646-453-8821)
4) Cost: $1 Million: Six Russian parliament members, their wives and adult children had planned a vacation to Canada, where they planned to go to Canada for fishing, hunting and one stop for plastic surgery. Unfortunately, they had to cancel the trip because of visa setbacks.
-Marc Telio, Entrée Destinations (604-408-1099)
5) Cost: $1 Million: During a three-day trip to Ireland, one family had a Celtic village, along with thatched-roof roundhouses and silversmiths, constructed at Lismore Castle. Jugglers, fiddle players, a sword fight and a private fireworks show entertained the vacationers.
-David Tobin, Dream Escapes (44-845-260-1085)
6) Cost: $800,000: One Russian tycoon took seven employees and their sons on a 10-day trip in Mexico. They flew from Moscow to Chiapas in the client's private 747, rented fifteen 4x4s directly from the owners (at $10,000 apiece), hired local police and private security to supervise the entire trip, and imported groceries from across the globe.
-Zachary Rabinor, Journey Mexico (800-513-1587)
7) Cost: $800,000: For a 50th birthday party, one Canadian woman surprised her husband with a trip to Brazil. The couple and 30 guests enjoyed dinner on Sugarloaf Mountain, and joined the winner's parade at the Brazilian Carnaval.
-Martin Frankenberg, Matueté (866-709-5952)
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
