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Billionaires' vacation perks range from Ferrari-driving lessons to after-hours tours away from the crowds - here's what it's really like to travel while rich
Billionaires' vacation perks range from Ferrari-driving lessons to after-hours tours away from the crowds - here's what it's really like to travel while rich
Sarah JacobsMar 30, 2018, 19:27 IST
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Billionaire vacation perks far exceed luxury hotels and first-class flights.
Private Farrari driving lessons, after-hour visits to tourist sites, and private art tours are just some of the experiences Nota Bene Global plans for the its wealthiest clients.
Nota Bene Global plans vacations for the ultra-wealthy, who have net worths ranging from $10 million to $8 billion.
Billionaires don't vacation like the rest of us.
Private Farrari driving lessons, after-hour visits to usually tourist-packed historical sites, and private art tours hosted by city's top curators and art historians are just some of the things that Nota Bene Global, a London-based, luxury travel- and lifestyle-management company, help coordinate for their mega-wealthy clientele.
"Ten to $20 million is the starting wealth [of our clients]," Anthony Lassman, the co-founder told Business Insider. "Some of them I know are worth between $1.5 to $8 billion," he said.
Vacation requests from high-end clients can come without much notice. "I once had a client ring me up saying, 'Oh it's really cold in Toronto, we think [we want to go to Brazil.]...on Saturday.' It was a Thursday," said Lassman.
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He and his Italy-based agents recently planned a trip for an American billionaire who wanted to explore the food and art scene of Venice and Milan.
"He's the kind of guy who will be on a luxury yacht, but wants to eat in the simplest trattoria - just fresh, simple food," said Lassman. Impressed by the restaurants Nota Bene had chosen during his trip, the client later requested a separate trip and cooking lessons for his personal chef so he could bring the taste of Italy back home.
Below, a look at a sample itinerary of the type of Italian trip that Nota Bene can arrange.
Day 1: Arrive in Venice. The mega-rich are generally fast tracked through immigration lines — allowing them to arrive at their hotel suites in no time. A private boat whisks travelers to their suite at the Aman Venice, located on the Canal Grande.
Day 2: All day private tour of Venice's contemporary art scene with one of the city's top curators and an art historian.
Stops include the Prada Foundation's Venice location, and the Punta della Dogana.
Dinner at Da Ivo, a classic Italian restaurant, is suggested.
Day 3: Take a beautiful wooden riva boat to the island of Murano to enjoy a private tour of the glass-making workshops of Archimede Seguso, which are not normally open to the public. Seguso has created works for Cartier, Versace, Tiffany, Valentino, and more.
Lunch time is hosted on the special island of Torcello at a local favorite: Locanda Cipriani.
In the evening, a private visit to St Mark's Basilica is arranged — getting to view the majestic cathedral alone is a perk only the mega-rich can afford.
Day 4: A morning tour of the Rialto market, one of the oldest in the world. The tour ends in a small wine shop on the other side of the Rialto Bridge.
A private chef is also waiting at the end of the Rialto market tour, ready to give a cooking lesson with the fresh ingredients purchased. Travelers sip local wines while dining in an exclusive room that faces the Grand Canal.
Day 5: Learn how to drive a Ferrari with the guidance of an expert driver during a private lesson. While driving from Venice to Lake Garda, the driver will stay close behind — and carry all your luggage.
On the way to Lake Garda, travelers make a pit stop at the Franciacorta vineyards, where the famous Franciacorta DOCG, a classic method for making sparkling wine, has been produced since 1961.
That night travelers stay at the Grand Hotel a Villa Feltrinelli. During the opera season, Nota Bene can arrange a trip by helicopter and limousine to Verona for dinner and an opera performance.
Day 6: A leisurely boat tour of Lake Garda.
Dinner is served at Lido, a family run fish restaurant with a terrace overlooking the lake.
Day 7: Drive the Ferrari out to Bergamo to explore the ancient city's botanical gardens and cable car for the view.
Lunch is served at Da Mimmo, located in the main square.
Day 8: The trip comes to a close in Milan. A private car drives the traveler two and half hours to the Mandarin Oriental in Milan. More private art viewing can be arranged in Milan, along with personal shopping trips before heading back home.
