What is luxury to you?

In this episode of Vacation Inspiration, we explore the concept of luxury—how it means different things to different people and how personal experiences shape our definitions. Paula shares her own journey with luxury, from her love of five-star hotels to the simple joy of morning walks with her dogs. She also discusses how luxury in travel can range from private transfers and butler service to unique, exclusive experiences that can't be Googled. This episode challenges you to reflect on what luxury means to you and how you can incorporate it into their travels.

• How Paula’s background shaped her perception of luxury
• Different interpretations of luxury: time, space, service, exclusivity
• The role of personalization and attention to detail in luxury travel
• Examples of luxury in travel: private transfers, unique experiences, overwater villas
• The importance of well-being and self-care as a form of luxury

What does luxury mean to you? Is it about indulgence, convenience, or meaningful experiences? DM me or comment on social media—I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Thinking about your next trip? Contact Black Dog Luxury Travel to craft a journey that’s luxurious—whatever that looks like for you.

Black Dog Luxury Travel Website: https://blackdogluxurytravel.com/

Want to connect? I'd love to hear from you!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackdogluxurytravel/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blackdogluxurytravel

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blackdogluxurytravel/

Transcript

Paula: 0:00

Welcome to the Vacation Inspiration Podcast. I'm Paula, your host and owner of Black Dog Luxury Travel, where we design custom vacations for the discerning traveler. If your vacation plans are in need of some serious inspiration, you're in the right place and I am so glad you're here. Hey there, everyone. Welcome back to the podcast. I wanted to do a quick little podcast today on something that I have kind of heard, oh gosh, for a while now, but it just popped up kind of again the other day and it always sort of makes me chuckle. Someone came to me. And we are planning a big family vacation for them. And they actually said, you know, your name scares me, Black Dog Luxury Travel, like how much is this going to cost me? Like, da da da da da. And, the reality is, is we do all types of trips. We do trips that make sense. So, definitely we do luxury trips. We also, we do all sorts of different trips for people at all sorts of different price points, like as long as it makes sense. And so I think kind of one of the big things is that we do have luxury in our name and that seems to be sort of triggering for some people, and it brings up some interesting interesting responses and interesting kind of thoughts. So I just sort of wanted to, like, dive into that just a little bit. Luxury, it means so many different things to different people. And so I just wanted, like, Go and expand on that. Like when you hear luxury, like what comes to your mind? And I know for me this was something that I like personally sort of, because I grew up very humble. humble background, very blue collar background. And so to like, honestly, even just admit that I enjoyed something quote unquote luxurious. It took some personal growth to, to happen and to realize that that's okay. And luxury, like I said, it just means different things for different people. Like for instance, I walk my dogs every single morning. And that, to me, is literally one of the biggest luxuries of my day. Like, it's that time I get to be outside. I walk them, I've got three, as most of you know. Dormi, Chip, and baby Atlas, who's a year old now. And crazy, and not a baby anymore, but that's okay. But I walk them every morning. That, to me, is one of the biggest luxuries. It really is. I, unless it's hailing or lightning, we don't go. But otherwise, we go for a walk every morning. It's between three and four miles. I walk them separately because I love it. It's like mommy and me time, and I get to be outside. I get to interact with a few of my neighbors that are always out walking and sitting, you know, kind of the same time of the day, stuff like that. It's that to me. Is luxury, so it's kind of funny that, you know, flowers on my table, a luxury you know, a text from a friend or someone that I'm dating says, Hey, I think I'm thinking about you that to me is luxurious also to like, I love big open spaces. I love a luxury hotel. I love private villa. I love five star experiences. Hands down, that to me is luxury. I love a big open space. I love spaces that are designed well. I love really great fabrics. I love, I love clothing that is, you know, cut well and designed well and fits well. That, all these things to me are, are luxury. Now, are they necessarily expensive? Some maybe, some maybe aren't but it's all kind of in, in the eye of the beholder. So I kind of want to expand on this a little bit, like when traveling, you know, what, what does luxury mean to you? So is it, Is it, you know, you're saving time and convenience you don't have to work on, on putting all the puzzle pieces together for your own vacation. Is it having a private transfer meaning like you get to the airport and there's somebody waiting for you to take you to your hotel or there's someone picking you up at your hotel and taking you to wherever it is you're going to be going. Is it attention to detail? Is it you know, a butler service? Is it them knowing your favorite drink when you walk into the bar? Is that, you know, luxury to you? Is it, is it scenery? Is it an overwater villa? Is it something remote? Is it something off the beaten path? All of these things can definitely be, you know, luxurious for sure. Is it, you know, meeting with locals? Love that. For me, another thing is also I love, love, love exclusive and unique experiences. some of these These things that you just, you can't Google, you can't find on the internet, like AI can't reproduce some of these experiences that you have. And I love the ones in nature, some of my favorite ones with nature have been, you know, things that you can't even really necessarily plan. You know, seeing certain wildlife and situations where It would be unlikely for you to see them. The Northern Lights. I was in Finland. And they were like, Ugh, you know, it's pretty foggy. May not happen. Da da da da. And lo and behold, skies cleared. amazing northern lights all night long. Definitely recommend seeing them in a glass igloo, just in case you're wondering. But you know man horseback riding, going swimming with horses, like some of these things, you know, the, it's, it's, to me, they're just, they are, The epitome of luxury. I also, I do love really high thread count sheets. No lie. Hot water in a shower, an amazing shower. Yes, please. Great meals. I do love, I'm not even, I'm not a foodie. I should be, but I'm not. But I appreciate good food. I appreciate fresh ingredients. I appreciate the love and care that go into a well made meal. And some of these, you know, maybe I've, I've been to multiple Michelin star restaurants and they are phenomenal. I've also had amazing meals, you know, in, in the sticks you know, home cooked over a fire and, and in just these intimate villages and things like that. And, you know, are they all, To me, they are. So it kind of, you know, really depends on, on how you define it. It's just such a, a personal thing. Is it, is it, is it indulgence? Is it lavish? And there's nothing wrong with that at all. If that's what floats your boat knock yourself out. Is it, is it just ease? Is it having something easy? Is it being Connected? Is it something entirely else? I would love to know What like luxury means to you because like I said, it it seems to be sort of a triggering word And I think it's again. I think it's just one that is super super subjective when it comes when it comes to luxury travel it can be Like I said, it can be all over the board. Like one of the, like, obviously one of the things that comes to mind obviously are your properties. They're amazing high end properties that are definitely luxurious and the attention to detail. That they give their property and the, and the people staying there. I mean, you notice it. You are not a number like they, they treat you like the best that you could ever be treated. And that is, is honestly, it's how you should be treated whether that's considered luxury or not. It is how you should be treated. Let's see, like even wellbeing. I think is, is a luxury thing. Taking care of yourself and making conscious choices to taking care of yourself. And I think, I don't know if this is just because I'm, I don't want to say I'm getting older, but maybe not as young as I have been in the past. Let's put it that way. But you know, I really cherish I think it is a luxury to be in good health and to take care of myself and to, you know, be physically healthy and physically fit to go do things that I want to do in life. Whether, like I said, whether it's walking my dogs every morning or whether it's going on a hike when I'm traveling or You know, I was, I was traveling once with my, my dear friend and we were in Europe and I was like, Oh, we could go to the, you can go to the rooftop of this church. And it was like, I don't know, 640 steps or something. And they told you that And I was like, let's do it. And she's like, okay. And she cussed me out the whole way up and, and the next two days. Because it wasn't just like steps up. It was like European steps up. So there were little, little spiral staircases all the way up. And I love her dearly. She's been working on her own health journey, but at that time. It was definitely not a priority in her life, so to go and do that endeavor was, was a strain. Was a strain. So, well being, for me I think is a luxury. I really do. To take care of yourself, you know, women, we love our spa days. I love my spa days, too. That definitely helps. I love great massage. Yes, please. You know, what a fantastic luxury to, to give, give your body that gift. So I definitely think taking care of yourself, you know, can be considered a luxury. It's definitely a luxury, like I said, that I enjoy. So, it all circles back to the perspective of what is luxury to you? What does luxury mean to you when you travel? That is really, it's my burning question for you today. I would just, I would love for you to reach out to me and let me know what luxury looks like to you. And I think it's just kind of an ex a topic that, is entertaining, if nothing else, on, on exploring and understanding that, you know, what, what's important to you? What does it look like to you? Things like that. What do you cherish? So I just wanted to. expand a little bit on this and, and bring it up. Again, I just find it so fascinating. I also want to thank you for taking the time to listen to me today. That is certainly a luxury. And if you're thinking about taking a trip and you want some help, please reach out to Black Dog Luxury Travel. We would love to make it luxurious, whatever that looks like for you, and make it easy and Get you on your way. So you have an amazing time. So thank you so much. I hope everyone has an amazing day and a luxurious day to you.