While we agree money can’t buy happiness, it certainly can buy once-in-a-lifetime experiences. And many travellers agree. Insights from luxury travel company Virtuoso found that 47% of people are willing to spend between £7,840 and £19,600 on luxury fine dining. Moreover, 15% are willing to dish out between £19,600 and £39,201 for even finer options.

More than fine dining and good wine, however, Virtuoso found that 87% of travellers seek immersive, authentic, and cultural experiences — wherever they may be. One of the best souvenirs we can get from travelling places, after all, is experience. In this post, we’ll share four once-in-a-lifetime travel experiences from around the world:

Explora I – Ocean State of Mind

Luxury cruise line Explora Cruises is well known for its immersive experiences. The cruise company offers a range of destinations from the Mediterranean and Western Europe to the Red Sea, Arabian Peninsula, and India. Travellers are in for a five-star treat from Explora’s team of hospitality experts, as well as onboard and in-suite dining featuring distinct culinary options.

Recently, Explora introduced its first ship aimed at reshaping luxury travel. Aboard the Explora I, travellers can access six restaurants, four swimming pools, and extensive spa and wellness facilities. The onboard suites are aptly called penthouses and residences, ready to house over 922 passengers. The goal, according to Explora, is to provide a luxury cruise experience akin to a floating hotel with tailored individual experiences.

Amansara – Exclusive access to Angkor Wat

Back on land, the Amansara — considered one of the best hotels Southeast Asia has to offer — allows unparalleled access to Siem Reap and the temples of Angkor since its opening 20 years ago. Previously, the hotel served as the guest residence of King Sihanouk, welcoming the likes of Jacqueline Kennedy and former French President Charles de Gaulle.

Guests can marvel at Angkor Wat’s architecture and take cruises on the vast freshwater lake of Tonlé Sap. Aside from being able to explore the lush green sceneries, travellers can drive into the countryside to visit monasteries and ancient temples. These monasteries offer a little more than lightness and purification as guests are treated to picturesque sunsets.

The Residence Zanzibar – Secluded safari getaway

On Zanzibar Island off the coast of Tanzania, The Residence Zanzibar offers relaxation and top quality hospitality while perfectly blending the island’s African, Omani, and European heritage. Surrounded by 32 hectares of tropical gardens, The Residence offers palace-like villas and infinity pools, as well as high-end dining and drinking experiences for travellers looking for a luxe twist on safari.

Guests can enjoy a variety of experiences during their stay at The Residence, which includes an ocean safari trip to greet humpback and bottlenose dolphins at the crystal clear, turquoise waters of Menai Bay. For a truer safari experience, travellers can also visit the beautiful Zanzibar Butterfly Centre near Jozani Forest and learn about the native and endangered butterfly species.

Ještěd Hotel – Supervillain lair hotel

Finally, another once-in-a-lifetime travel experience for the luxury niche is one we’ve previously written about. The architectural marvel on Mount Ještěd is simply called Ještěd Hotel, located near the city of Liberec. Today, the Ještěd is considered the most important Czech building of the 20th Century.

Designed as a singular pointy dome, the Ještěd Hotel offers varied accommodation options based on your taste. For guests who want more modern-looking rooms, the Ještěd has them as part of its recent refurbishing. However, travellers looking to go back in time can still opt for the hotel’s retro offerings, restored according to the original plans from the hotel’s architect. Either way — the view from these rooms is bound to be breathtaking.