Luxury travel in 2023 is set to be slow, sustainable and immersive. From extended train journeys to memorable encounters with nature and spending longer at each destination, luxury holidaymakers are seeking a more meaningful escape. Research shows that sustainable travel experiences, connecting to the local culture and leaving a positive impact on the places you visit are all high on the travel agenda. We take a look at this gratifying travel trend and show you how our Luxury Gold limited-edition tours can help you tick these boxes.

A new rationale for travel

Travelling slowly, immersively and sustainably is an absolute expectation for luxury travel in 2023. The most recent American Express Global Travel Trends Report revealed widespread changes in the rationale of travelers. 81% of respondents want to visit destinations where they can immerse themselves in the local culture. 78% of respondents expressed a desire to have a positive impact on the community they were visiting. While 62% agreed they wanted to be more thoughtful about where and how they travel.

While travelers are spending on immersive experiences and longer holidays, the luxury traveler is doing so with an increasingly eco-conscious mindset.

Read more: 5 common misconceptions about luxury travel (and why they are wrong)

Slow and immersive with Luxury Gold

From timeless train journeys to luxury safaris, there are many ways to enjoy slow and immersive travel on our limited-edition journeys. Defining luxury travel in 2023, picture multi-night stays in magnificent hotels that enable you to unwind and make your time more meaningful with friends a family. Private access to galleries and landmarks away from the crowds, enabling you as a VIP traveler to soak up culture at your own pace. And MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® as you go, the ultimate in immersive responsible travel experiences. Here you can connect to the communities you visit, exchange stories with locals, make a positive impact and create lasting memories.

Read more: 5 benefits of visiting iconic tourist hotspots out of hours

MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®

Sustainable travel has long been at the heart of Luxury Gold. And this is brought to life through our MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences, included on most of our limited-edition tours. Thoughtfully chosen, these experiences offer the chance to immerse yourself deeper in your destination, through its people, nature and wildlife. If you are looking to make time and travel more meaningful, this is a unique opportunity for new learnings. To make lasting connections and leave a positive legacy.

Aligned to the United Nations Global Goals for Sustainable Development, each MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® experience is carefully selected and assessed for its positive, and long-term impact. Even though the experience might be for just a couple of hours, the memory that you leave with, this feeling of having contributed, stays with you forever.

Read more: How your travels with Luxury Gold help conserve nature for future generations

If traveling slowly, immersively and sustainably sounds like you, then to whet your appetite further here are three of our limited-edition tours, defining luxury travel in 2023.

Majesty of the Rockies

Meet the Warrior Women and travel aboard the Rocky Mountaineer: On the stunning limited-edition tour Majesty of the Rockies we invite you to explore Western Canada’s treasures. Travel through the majestic Rocky Mountains, spending two luxurious days aboard the Rocky Mountaineer GoldLeaf Service. Here lose yourself in the most spectacular scenery and take time to reset, admiring nature at its most sublime. The tour also offers a plethora of immersive nature experiences. Including setting foot on a glacier and gentle canyon hikes. Multiple-night stays in the most luxurious mountain retreats allow time to enjoy the amenities, such as golf clubs and spas. This is the ultimate opportunity to relax and absorb the true magnificence of your surroundings, and reflect on the curated experiences you’ve been enjoying.

Read more: Rustic luxury: why Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge is the ultimate mountain escape

In the stunning setting of Jasper National Park, an exclusive invitation and MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience awaits. Here you will meet the First Nations Cree Warrior Women from the Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation, over an intimate fireside meal with a spectacular view of Pyramid Mountain. Learn about Indigenous spirituality, music and drumming as you engage in a fascinating conversation about the aboriginal culture of Canada. Leave enthralled and enlightened with some amazing stories to share with family and friends.

Read more: Uncovering Indigenous history with Canada’s Warrior Women

Discover this on: Majesty of the Rockies

Spectacular South Africa

Bask in nature on a three-day safari and support local youth: Experience the magic and wonder of South Africa on Spectacular South Africa. This nine-day luxury tour features an extended stay at the 12 Apostles Hotel and Spa in Cape Town. And a three-day safari with a stay in a memorable bush lodge. Enjoy spectacular sunsets over Cape Town and view the city from atop Table Mountain. In Kruger National Park, adventure out on a private open-air safari in search of some of the earth’s most magnificent beasts. Led by professional trackers, this once-in-a-lifetime experience unfolds the largest game reserve in South Africa.

Read more: Where the wilderness and luxury combine: step inside the Lion Sands Game Reserve

On the UNESCO World Heritage site of Robben Island, enjoy the opportunity to connect to the young people of the area as you join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at the Amy Foundation. Here you will meet people from the foundation and see first-hand how the lives of vulnerable young people are being transformed through a variety of empowering programs. This is a unique opportunity to see the area through a different lens. And, through your visit, contribute to the important work taking place and give something back.

On Robben Island, you’ll have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to sit down with Christo Brand. As former prison guard to Nelson Mandela, you’ll be treated to fascinating stories about one of history’s most inspirational figures.

Read more: Meet Christo Brand, former prison guard to Nelson Mandela

Discover this on: Spectacular South Africa

Majestic Switzerland

Journey aboard the Glacier Express and discover sustainable transport: From St. Moritz to Zermatt and onto Geneva, Majestic Switzerland offers a once-in-a-lifetime itinerary across one of Europe’s most sustainable destinations. Take your first-class seat onboard the Glacier Express, a spectacular and sustainable way to travel through the Swiss Alps. Marvel at unrivaled views of snow-covered peaks, alpine villages and the Rhine Gorge, known as the Grand Canyon of Switzerland. Ride Europe’s highest open-air cogwheel train to the summit of the mountain. Glimpse of some of Switzerland’s highest peaks, Monte Rosa and the Matterhorn. Then take all the time you need to wander the art-filled halls of the Rosengart Collection on an after-hours private tour. Relax, reflect and enjoy this special time surrounded by the masterpieces of Chagall, Renoir, Kandinksy and Picasso.

Read more: Geneva’s Hotel D’Angleterre is a hotel committed to positive change

@verkehrshaus

An inspirational MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience lies in store at the Swiss Transport Museum. From luxe Monteverdi cars to alpine trains, discover Switzerland’s fascinating transportation and energy systems and innovations with your Local Expert. Learn about sustainable energy and fossil fuel alternatives. Chart the history of alternative transport methods, from horses and steam to electric and solar power. As well as a fascinating tour, this experience will leave you educated, and inquisitive to learn more.

Read more: Majestic Switzerland through the lens of a travel concierge

Discover this on: Majestic Switzerland

 If you’re looking for the ultimate in luxury travel in 2023, take a look at the full Luxury Gold collection of limited-edition tours.

Imagine the luxury of having some of the world’s most iconic tourist hotspots all to yourself. To be able to take your time and enjoy them as you please. Well at Luxury Gold that’s how we believe travel should be and are proud offer our guests unique VIP access  to some truly amazing places. To tempt you further we’ve highlighted five benefits of visiting these magnificent landmarks out of hours.

You feel like a VIP

As you approach and the velvet rope is pulled back, with the doorman admitting only selected individuals to an iconic landmark, this is a truly VIP experience. This is Luxury Gold.

Join us to explore Italy and in Venice you’ll step into the spectacular Doge’s Palace after-hours for an exclusive tour. Bask in the 14th-century Venetian Gothic details, stroll the halls and  the magnificent Gold Staircase in an intimate group. Formerly the Doge’s residence and the seat of Venetian government, the Palace is the symbol of Venice and a masterpiece of Gothic architecture.

From the moment you enter to the moment you leave, the joy of such a rare and special experience at one of the world’s iconic tourist hotspots will leave memories for a lifetime.

Discover this on: Ultimate Italy

Read more: Dine, Sleep, Do: How to spend a blissful 24 hours in Venice

You have the place to yourselves

When we dream of seeing the world’s magnificent sights, we generally don’t account for the crowds. In our minds it is just ourselves, wonder and awe. But understandably, iconic tourist hotspots are also popular with other travelers which can have its drawbacks.

Now imagine gazing up at one of Egypt’s ancient structures with just a handful of your traveling companions for company. If it is serenity that you are after, travel with Luxury Gold and enjoy exclusive VIP access as you explore UNESCO World Heritage Site the Temple of Luxor after-hours. Founded in 1400 BC during the Golden Age of Thebes, this was the largest and most significant religious center in ancient Egypt.

Meander at your heart’s content without having to think of others. Choose your own route as you explore, stopping to view anything of interest to you, without waiting in line or jostling for space. Embrace the unique opportunity to really lose yourself in your location and appreciate the wonders of the world in such a decadent way.

Discover this on: Elegance of the Nile

Read more: Travel and Leisure names Mena House Hotel Cairo one of the world’s best

You can take as long as you want  

@museumrosengart

When presented with a Picasso or a Renoir, you want to savor the moment. And, with champagne in hand at a private viewing, you can take all the time in the world. Admire the subject and textures, the intricate details and contemplate the meaning of the masterpiece. With no pressure to move along, stay until your curiosity is sated.

At the acclaimed Rosengart Collection in Switzerland, we invite you to enjoy an exclusive VIP experience, with a private after-hours viewing. The collection exhibits over 300 works of art by 23 different artists of the so-called Classical Modernist Period, including Cézanne, Monet and Matisse. And is world renowned for housing two unique groups of work by Pablo Picasso and Paul Klee. The Rosengart Collection was originally the private Art Collection of the art dealer Siegfried Rosengart (1894–1985) and his daughter Angela.

Whether you are an expert or just an admirer, and be it masterpieces or artefacts, having the opportunity to take your time is priceless.

Discover this on: Majestic Switzerland

Read more: Majestic Switzerland through the lens of a Travelling Concierge

You have more time to learn from your expert guide

The joy of exploring a magnificent palace is only enhanced with a historian at your side. Whether an aficionado or a newcomer, the amount you can learn from such an expert greatly enriches your experience. And when visiting iconic tourist hotspots after-hours you have the time and space to ask everything you want and more.

During an VIP visit to Vienna’s Schönbrunn Palace after-hours you can use up every minute of your Local Expert’s time. At Luxury Gold we have selected the most knowledgeable and likeable experts to bring the iconic sights to life for you, and to truly personalize your visitor experience. Stand beneath frescoed ceilings, crystal chandeliers and gilded Rococo frames, where Mozart performed as a child prodigy and ask anything you want. Whether you want to examine the opulent furnishings or the socio-political history of the time, there is no rush.

Discover this on: Harmony of Central Europe

Read more: Why a highly personalized travel experience has never been more important

Iconic landmarks have so much to offer, so many nooks and crannies and different aspects and angles. When you have access out of hours, you have the space and time to fully appreciate the finest details that you might otherwise miss.

Travel to England with luxury Gold and after the sun sets and London lights up, embark on a private tour of the Tower of London after-hours. Beneath the moonlight, a serving Yeoman Warder greets you and accompanies you through the grounds. While you walk they regale you with stories of this haunting site. Full of intriguing buildings and small historical details, enjoy the freedom to pick out the things that interest you most. With no one blocking your view or hurrying you along it is amazing what you can discover.

To round off a very special evening, you’re invited to to experience the ancient gate-closing ritual of the Ceremony of the Keys. This is the oldest practiced military ceremony in the world. Get an inside look at the history of the tradition and etiquette of handling the keys. This tradition has been carried out every night by the Yeoman Warder for the past 700 years.

Discover this on: British Royale

For inspiration: England destination guide

If you want to discover the world like a VIP and benefit from special access to iconic tourist hotspots, then take a look at our exclusive worldwide collection of luxury guided tours.

Europe is renowned for its picturesque cities, where stunning architecture, cobblestone streets, and iconic landmarks pose against backdrops like the golden Mediterranean and the snowy Alps. But some cities are so spectacular, they keep us coming back time and time again. From London to Rome, here are five timeless and beautiful European cities to revisit this summer.