As 2023 unfolds before us, we’ve rounded up current luxury travel trends to catch your eye. Sustainability remains at the forefront, whilst modern and future technology ensures the most luxurious and seamless experiences. From local gastronomy to going solo, 2023 promises to be a year of unforgettable journeys.

Sleep and sleep technology

@hastensleepspa_coimbra

Enjoy the most luxurious night’s sleep with the help of technology. Sleep is fast becoming one of the key luxury travel trends. More and more hotel brands are looking to technology to ensure their guests get the best rest. Think AI-powered beds that adjust mattresses to support your body and select the best room temperatures for you to maintain quality sleep.

In Coimbra, Portugal, you can enjoy the Hästens Sleep Spa Hotel, a boutique hotel from the famous Swedish mattress brand. Here acoustics, sleep books and hypoallergenic mattresses are all designed for optimal rest and relaxation. In London, the Belmond Cadogan Hotel offers the services of a ‘Sleep Concierge’ service. This includes meditation as well as weighted blankets, pillows and pillow mists, all based on a guest’s sleeping preferences.

Related content: 5 ultra-modern tech gadgets to help make jet lag a thing of the past

Flat-pack hotels

@habitastulum

Though this may sound like one of the more gimmicky luxury travel trends, it is rooted deeply in sustainability. The flat pack hotel has its parts manufactured in a factory, flat packed and transported to its destination, before being assembled on site. Famed for leading the trend is hotel group Habitas. While the phrase flat packed doesn’t initially conjure up luxury, its Tulum hotel in Mexico is a thoughtfully designed, sustainable lifestyle hotel that offers ‘stylish simplicity’.

Instead of glitzy lobbies and heavy structures, their hotels are built around natural elements such as trees, rocks and water. Habitas’ hotels have opened in the Ashar Valley of Saudi Arabia and in Mexico’s San Miguel de Allende countryside. More retreats are planned for 2023 in Mexico, Morocco, Costa Rica and Bhutan.

Related content: Our top 10 hand-picked luxury hotel stays for 2023

Meaningful itineraries

Having missed out on a lot of travel over the past few years, the luxury traveler is keen to make travel experiences deeper and more meaningful than ever. Instead of just passing through a destination or skimming its surface, guests are wanting luxury to also mean educational and real.

At Luxury Gold our curated experiences are the highlights of our tours, with many opportunities to enjoy local connections. Join us to tap into this trend for luxury travel in 2023. Delve into the colorful history of traditional textiles in Perugia, Italy, as you meet Marta who works hard to preserve the ancient craft. And in Memphis, USA, take part in a Creole cooking demonstration before feasting on traditional Southern dishes that you have learned how to create.

On our exclusive Founder’s Collection departures, meet European nobility, legendary locals and celebrated icons. Meaning that you mingle with the people who have shaped the history of the places you go. And you will make a positive impact on people, communities and wildlife through our MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences.

Discover this on: Ultimate Italy, Southern Grace

Read more: Slow and sustainable: the expectations of the luxury traveler in 2023 and beyond

The rise of solo travel

It seems everyone is talking about solo travel now as one of 2023’s hottest luxury travel trends. And we agree it’s an enlightening and empowering way to see the world. Why wait for others? Travel where and when you choose and make sure nothing remains gathering dust on your bucket list. And don’t think it is something only for the young, solo travel is for everyone. Virtuoso recently reported that among its travelers aged 65+, interest in single travel went from 4 percent in 2019 to 18 percent in 2022.

Choosing to travel solo in a group is the ultimate combination of individual freedom and the security of others. And luxurious, curated travel provides the ultimate way to realize your dreams and go beyond your expectations.

Read more: 7 reasons why luxury travel is the ultimate form of self indulgence

Metaverse

Image by Freepik

With the help of the Metaverse to ‘try before you buy’, traveler engagement will climb to the next level in 2023 and beyond. Through this technology, travelers are able to have experiences in the online world, for example at virtual concerts and exhibitions. As technology advances, it is possible to incorporate deeper cultural experiences into this virtual world.

The metaverse offers an exciting opportunity to enhance pre-trip assistance. As well as creating a sense of excitement and desire with previews of experiences that await. One of the more remarkable luxury travel trends, Qatar Airways recently announced the Qverse with a MetaHuman cabin crew. Through this they will offer an immersive experience for navigating Hamad International Airport.

Local travel and food ticks the boxes

@visitjapanau

More and more, high-end travelers are seeking out both luxurious and local. A yearning for locally sourced produce, seasonal menus, and regional fare is prevailing – and this is one of 2023’s luxury travel trends. And this means not just eating local food but having the opportunity to mingle with locals at the same time.

Today’s luxury traveler is looking for fine dining, but also for a selection of venues off the traditional tourist route. These are places where you can sit, mingle and soak up the true culture of your destination. At Luxury Gold there are plenty of opportunities to connect to the local culture and community and through cuisine. From thoughtfully selected restaurants to free time where your Travel Concierge can make recommendations, we’ve got it covered. Travel with us to Japan and we’ll introduce you to a Local Expert who will take you on a stroll through the famous Donburi Street. You’ll hit up all the best stalls to taste all the specialties from grilled meat skewers to melon pan ice cream.

Discover this on: Majestic Japan

Read more: From Tokyo to London, were to sample the world’s best street food

Luxury yachts from luxury hotel brands

@ritzcarltonyachtcollection

Imagine the luxury and comfort of your favorite hotel brand combined with the magic of the open sea. A new era of yachting from the world’s leading hotel brands is tantalizingly being dangled before us. And last October, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection was launched with Evrima, the most sophisticated and expensive civilian ship ever built in Spain.

At the end of 2022, Four Seasons confirmed the launch of a cruise ship with 95 suites. Belmond, the name behind the Venice-Simplon Orient Express, was a pioneer, launching its river-focused péniche-hôtels in 2004. These sophisticated vessels are designed for luxurious relaxation, letting the magic of each destination provide the main entertainment.

If these luxury vacation trends have inspired you to think about your next journey, take a look at our worldwide collection of limited-edition tours.

With the news that the highly acclaimed ‘world’s best restaurant’ Noma, is closing its doors in 2024, we asked our Luxury Gold Travel Experiences team for their world’s best restaurant recommendations. Whether you love casual and cozy or chic and sophisticated, from Michelin-star dining to traditional surf and turf here are some tantalizing suggestions.

The news about Noma

@nomacph

Despite holding three Michelin stars and the title of the world’s best restaurant, Copenhagen-based restaurant Noma has announced it will close for regular service by the end of 2024. An open letter on Noma’s website explained “In 2025, our restaurant is transforming into a giant lab—a pioneering test kitchen dedicated to the work of food innovation and the development of new flavors, one that will share the fruits of our efforts more widely than ever before.”

Through using ingredients often forgotten or underused, Noma chef, owner and co-founder René Redzepi is credited with inspiring the culinary movement New Nordic cuisine.

The Olive Tree, Bath, England

@olivetreebath

With a commitment to local and seasonal, the Michelin-starred Olive Tree restaurant offers a chic yet informal and welcoming fine dining experience. Set in Bath, the fertile heart of the English countryside, the restaurant is blessed with an abundance of high-quality produce from local suppliers. The only Michelin-star restaurant in Bath, the Olive Tree showcases both the best of Bath and the best of British cuisine.

Chef Chris Cleghorn, who gained his Michelin star in 2019, crafts menus that feature beautiful, fresh and seasonal dishes, with an unusual edge to simple flavors. With the finest meat, fish, cheese, fruit and vegetables available right on its doorstep, Cleghorn believes the more he buys from local producers, the more they thrive and carry on producing such great British ingredients. A strong contender for the world’s best restaurant, we are sure you’ll agree.

Discover this on: British Royale, Castles & Kingdoms

Read more: 5 Michelin star chefs celebrating local culture through food

Bennelong Restaurant, Sydney, Australia

@bennelong_sydney

Located within the famous Sydney Opera House, Bennelong is a unique venue set in the building’s iconic sails. A pinnacle of Sydney’s premier dining experiences, savor Australian produce and award-winning wine, coupled with stunning harbor views.

With Peter Gilmore, one of Australia’s most celebrated chefs at the helm, Bennelong showcases the flavor, diversity and quality of Australian produce. Taste dishes such as sashimi scallops with oyster cream, green almonds, rock samphire and black vinegar laver, and Maremma pasture-raised duck with hunter sausage, cherries, and Kampot pepper. Delicious desserts include ‘five textures of Queensland mango’ and pavlova.  A menu befitting of a world’s best restaurant contender.

More than an exceptional dining experience, when you travel with Luxury Gold, you’ll be treated to a VIP guided tour of the Sydney Opera House beforehand. Go behind the scenes and uncover its intriguing secrets.

Discover this on: Inspiring Australia

Related content: Our top ten hand-picked luxury hotel stays for 2023

L’Etoile, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

@letoilrio

Sophisticated and romantic, L’Etoile by Jean Paul Bondoux, combines high-level cuisine with a stunning view of Rio de Janeiro from its 26th-floor setting. Located on the top floor of the Sheraton Grand Rio Hotel & Resort, admire breathtaking views of the Ipanema coastline, whilst dining on French-influenced dishes.

Chef Matias Cifuentes, originally from Chile, presents a menu with classic French gastronomy techniques combined with a contemporary touch in this most luxurious restaurant. His menus include extensive fish and seafood offerings, reflecting the fresh produce of the region, as well as meat and vegetarian options.

A Michelin-award-winning restaurant, L’Etoile also offers a curated wine menu and impeccable service, making it a truly memorable experience.

Discover this on: Classic South America

Gibbys, Montreal, Canada

Take a step back in time as you dine at Gibbys restaurant, housed in a 200-year-old building in Old Montreal. This charming steak and seafood restaurant features historic stone walls, original beamed ceilings and cozy fireplaces along with the very best of fine dining. For locals and tourists alike, a visit to Old Montreal would not be complete without a meal at Gibbys.

Enjoy the finest seafood Montreal has to offer, including chilled oysters and a large choice of fresh fish. Or try one of Gibbys’ expertly aged steaks, cooked to perfection. A Montreal landmark for lovers of fine cuisine, the restaurant has been in operation since 1969 and was the dream of owners and foodies, Gibby and Allan. Prior to opening they traveled the globe and experienced many world-class restaurants. Curating their findings and ideas, the duo opened Gibbys to share their passion for gourmet food.

Discover this on: Indulgence in Eastern Canada

Related content: Uncovering Indigenous history with Canada’s Warrior Women

To sample these, and more of the world’s best restaurants, join us on a luxury, limited-edition tour, where exceptional dining and magnificent hotels bookend every day of your journey.

According to the Chinese Zodiac, 2023 is the Year of the Rabbit. And this Sunday, January 22nd, we’re looking forward to ushering in the new year. Whether you were born in the year of rabbit, you’re embracing Chinese New Year’s traditions, or simply looking for a fresh start to 2023, join us in celebrating the year of the rabbit.   

@woutvanacker

The Chinese zodiac 

How does the Chinese zodiac work? This ancient zodiac assigns each person an animal based on the year they were born. The 12 animals are the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. Each animal is linked to certain characteristics, much like the western zodiac. The animals also rotate each year. So, 2022 was the year of the tiger, 2024 will be the year of the dragon, and the symbol of 2023 is the rabbit.   

@pablomp

Year of the rabbit  

According to the Chinese zodiac, if your birth year falls in the year of the rabbit (2023, 2011, 1999, 1987, 1975, 1963, 1951, 1939, and 1927), you’re gentle, kind, a seeker of tranquility and have a grounded outlook on life. Rabbits are also said to be quick and skillful. Considering those aspects of their personality, we also dug into what’s to come for rabbits in 2023. 

@eastonmok

What rabbits can expect in 2023   

Some astrologists say rabbits should be prepared for adversity and ready to face challenges head on. 2023 may not be a smooth year, but because the sign of the rabbit is a symbol of longevity, peace and prosperity in Chinese culture, 2023 is also predicted to be a year of hope. Rabbits, while you may face the highest of highs and the lowest of lows in 2023, you can ride out the storms with your upbeat attitude. Perhaps a trip to one of our calm destinations will keep the positive energy going. 

Another outlook for rabbits 

However, other astrologists predict that 2023 will be a lucky year for rabbits with success in all areas and a time when they will come into their own. After commitment and dedication, they can expect advancements, achievements as a result of their efforts, and may see a boost in their career. Rabbits’ sharp financial sense also makes 2023 a good year to take a financial risk. In general, the year of the rabbit is an auspicious year for risk-takers. 

@sharonmccutcheon

In terms of relationships, this is the time for rabbits to follow their heart to start new romantic relationships as well as a year when they can expect existing relationships to deepen and achieve more harmony. It’s also a good year for rabbits to get married or have children. Similarly, because the rabbit is a symbol of fertility, 2023 is also a good year to start a new business or creative endeavor. Rabbits’ flexibility puts them in a good position to try anything unfamiliar. Rabbits should also focus their energy on their health and maintaining a balanced lifestyle for this year of healing. In summary, rabbits, this is the time you will see the results of your efforts. 

@ninjason

Welcome Chinese New Year 

No matter your sign, you can adopt the Chinese New Year traditions to ring in the new year. The Chinese New Year, or the Lunar New Year, is a time to say “goodbye” to the past year and welcome in the luck and prosperity of a new year. So, it’s no surprise that a common practice leading up to the new year is cleaning. By sweeping away the past and eliminating any old bad luck, you’re ushering in a fresh start and good luck. But be sure to finish your cleaning by new year’s day, as that’s a day of celebration and enjoyment. 

@hngstrm

Celebrate New Year

Now that your space is tidy, put up decorations. Fresh flowers and cumquats are said to bring prosperity. And because red is the Chinese color of wealth and good fortune, you’ll find red lanterns decorating many homes and shops that celebrate Chinese New Year. Gifts of money – crisp, clean bills only – are also given in red envelopes. To celebrate, families and friends join to offer sacrifices to ancestors and feast on a reunion dinner on New Year’s Eve. If you happen to be near a Chinese New Year festival, enjoy a performance of the dragon and lion dances. 

@yuweishaw

Festive foods 

One of the easiest and most fun ways to celebrate the Chinese New Year is feasting on festive foods. Long noodles, or longevity noodles, are a popular dish symbolic of living a long life. Spring rolls and dumplings are also eaten for good fortune. If your mouth isn’t watering from these Chinese dishes yet and you’re still dreaming of your next trip to Asia, check out some of Asia’s best food towns. 

@charlesdeluvio

Still thinking about how to welcome 2023? These are other New Year’s Celebrations around the world.