Explorers have it easy, some say too easy. With every inch of our planet covered by high-resolution satellite imagery, and every destination within airlines’ reach, fuelling our wanderlust is more effortless than ever. However if you’re one of those who are not satisfied with trotting the beaten path and following the masses, things get more challenging.
Yes, these days almost anybody can travel. This rapid growth of mass tourism has numerous and various effects but if there is one great thing that has happened since travel became every man’s hobby, it’s specialisation. For those who believe that it’s not only about where you travel, but what you experience and how deep you explore, a whole new branch of tourism has emerged – specialised, tailor-made travel.
To give you a better idea of what your travels can be if you have the required lust for adventure, courage and budget, we spoke with Exsus – a company that specialises in luxury tailor-made holidays and offers a variety of exclusive experiences designed to make the seemingly impossible, possible. Here’s just a taste of where they can take you.
No mission is impossible
Do you want to learn how to rescue a hostage? Or maybe fighting your way out of a surprise attack sounds like the type of thrill-seeking experience you might enjoy? Even if you missed out on the latest Special Forces draft, it’s not too late for you to turn into a special agent. For an adrenaline burst, Exsus has partnered with the Special Operations Agency (SOA) to offer a range of secret agent missions in cities around the world, where you will learn all super spy’s skills under the guidance of experts who have real-life experience of such situations: the SOA team includes several ex-Special Forces members. Is it fun? Author Anthony Horowitz, who penned the latest James Bond saga, Trigger Mortis, took on our secret agent mission in the beautiful city of Prague, describing it as ‘the most fun I have ever had.’
Dreams of sushi
There is sushi, and then there is fresh sushi, straight from the legendary Tsukiji fish market in Tokyo. A private tour of the market with a Michelin-starred sushi chef is a dream come true for any modern day foodie. One of the biggest food markets in the world, Tsukiji sells hundreds of varieties of fish and seafood, and you will learn how to select the very best, before heading to the chef’s own restaurant for a private master class in sushi making, and ducking into the fruits of your labour over a special lunch.
Fiji with a jet, yacht and… a submarine
Try and imagine paradise and you’ll probably end up thinking of something very similar to the tiny Fijian island of Laucala. With its inviting beachfront villas with private infinity pools, beautiful white-sand beaches fringed by coconut palms, aquamarine South Pacific waters and luxurious seclusion, you are guaranteed a holiday to remember. Especially if you arrive by private jet, board a luxury yacht to cruise around the island, and plunge into the colourful marine world in a submarine (yes, a submarine).
A watch that’s truly yours
You know what the problem with smartwatches is? Soon everybody will have one. If you’re more into the one of a kind, and the unique and personal, a visit to the world’s capital of watch making – Geneva in Switzerland – sounds like the right thing to do. A private tour of a designer watch museum and a personal consultation with artisan watchmakers and famous jewellers await you. Together you will create your own unique timepiece.
Take a chance with Bear Grylls
No one in his or her right mind would like to end up unprepared and vulnerable in the wilderness. But if next to you is no other but the celebrity survival expert Bear Grylls, your chances of emerging unscathed dramatically improve – and you’ll also be more likely to have some fun while you’re at it. Grylls has recently been guiding none other than president Barack Obama (they lunched on salmon discarded by a wild Alaskan bear) and celebrities such as actress Kate Winslet through unfamiliar terrain. This former member of the SAS, who has conquered Mount Everest and has a black belt in karate, will help you navigate into the depths of the wild, and teach you how to build a shelter, make a fire and live off the land in remote and unforgiving jungles.
For more details go to exsus.com/asia/exclusive-experiences
By Matt Clemens
