The Elite's Travel Diary Unveiled
- The Fixer Lifestyle Group
- Sep 17
- 14 min read
For the world’s most discerning travelers, a journey is never simply a holiday, it is a statement. Each destination is chosen with precision, each moment crafted to embody influence, taste and belonging. This is travel beyond itineraries, where privilege replaces planning and experiences are beautifully orchestrated.
The year begins on the beaches of St. Barths, where superyachts gather like constellations for New Year’s Eve soirées known only to those with an invitation. In March, Art Basel Hong Kong draws collectors and power brokers to a city where culture and capital converge seamlessly. Come September, the Monaco Yacht Show transforms the Riviera into a stage of unmatched prestige, where the rarest vessels are unveiled to a select circle of global elites. And beyond these highlights lies a world of private experiences and whispered invitations, moments so intimate they are never advertised - they are known.
For billionaires, the map of the year is not marked by geography, but by access - an atlas of secrets, traced in whispers and sealed with discretion.
January – St. Barts
January opens with a migration of the world’s wealthiest to St. Barths, a jewel of the Caribbean that has become synonymous with prestige and celebration. The island’s natural beauty is effortless yet theatrical: soft, powder-white beaches framed by rugged cliffs, turquoise waters glittering like gemstones and sunsets that drench the horizon in molten gold.
St. Barths’ pull lies in its flawless fusion of French sophistication and Caribbean ease. Gustavia’s harbor becomes a floating catwalk of the world’s most impressive superyachts, their decks transformed into private nightclubs and salons of influence. Days are spent anchored in hidden coves or sailing between Colombier and Shell Beach, with Michelin-trained chefs serving bespoke menus on board. On land, designer boutiques line the streets - Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Cartier and Bulgari - turning every stroll through Gustavia into a curated shopping experience.
For billionaires, the island is as much about privacy as it is about spectacle. The Cheval Blanc St-Barth Isle de France, an LVMH icon, is the address of choice for those seeking couture-level service, immaculate design and total discretion. Eden Rock St. Barths, beloved by royalty and Hollywood legends, offers private villas with direct beach access, while Le Toiny caters to those who prefer secluded hillside estates with panoramic ocean views. Helicopter transfers and private jet charters make arrivals seamless, while yacht crews and villa concierges ensure every detail is anticipated.
St. Barths has become the ultimate New Year’s stage, a place where power and pleasure meet. The island’s appeal lies in its ability to be both intimate and glamorous: a destination where billionaires can dance barefoot at Nikki Beach, close out multimillion-dollar deals over sunset cocktails and retreat into sanctuaries of utter seclusion, all within the same day.
February – Courchevel
Courchevel 1850 reigns as the ultimate Alpine playground, where luxury and adventure converge at the highest altitude of Les Trois Vallées. The village’s immaculate slopes are groomed to perfection, drawing a global elite who arrive by private jet or helicopter for days of skiing on the world’s largest interconnected ski area. Off the pistes, Courchevel feels more like a Parisian arrondissement than a ski town: its cobblestone streets are lined with flagship boutiques from Moncler to Goyard, alongside fine-jewelry maisons such as Chopard that cater to clientele who expect their purchases delivered to their chalet doorstep.
The allure extends well beyond its designer storefronts. Michelin-starred restaurants, including Le 1947 at Cheval Blanc and Le Chabichou, turn evenings into culinary events, while private chefs and sommeliers craft intimate tasting menus inside chalets with subterranean wine cellars and cigar lounges. The après-ski scene is equally exclusive, with champagne bars and private members’ clubs where billionaires gather fireside before retreating to their secluded sanctuaries.
Among Courchevel’s legendary stays, Les Airelles Courchevel epitomises old-world grandeur, a palatial retreat inspired by Austro-Hungarian castles where ultra-wealthy guests are welcomed like royalty. Equally renowned, Cheval Blanc Courchevel offers ski-in/ski-out perfection, a Dior Spa and an aesthetic blending mountain warmth with contemporary elegance. Nearby, L’Apogée Courchevel delivers intimate privacy and sweeping views from its perch at the top of the former Olympic ski jump.
Billionaires choose Courchevel in February because it offers absolute privacy during peak ski season, unmatched luxury and an exclusive social scene. It is where the world’s wealthiest can ski untouched slopes by helicopter, shop rare designer pieces and dine at Michelin-starred restaurants, all while staying in chalets and hotels built for total discretion. Courchevel is considered a status ritual, a place to see and be seen among a like-minded global elite.
March – Hong Kong
March is for visionaries and it is the month in which Hong Kong awakens, being transformed by Art Basel into the world’s premier hub for collectors and curators. Behind closed doors, billionaires negotiate acquisitions that will define private collections and cultural influence for decades to come.
The city’s luxury extends beyond its art scene: helicopter transfers bypass traffic, chauffeured Bentleys line the Mandarin Oriental and Victoria Harbour becomes a stage for superyacht gatherings where collectors mingle over vintage vintages.
Landmark shopping at The Galleria, bespoke jewelry at Harry Winston and private viewings at international galleries like Gagosian and Hauser & Wirth turn Hong Kong into a cultural marketplace for the world’s wealthiest. At The Upper House, a sanctuary of understated elegance, billionaire guests retreat to sprawling suites and panoramic harbor views, served by staff who anticipate every preference before it’s voiced.
For the elite, Hong Kong in March is not just a stop on the circuit, but it’s where influence is traded as effortlessly as art, where the world’s financial power meets cultural sophistication. It is a convergence of wealth, culture and influence.
April – Monaco
April brings a heady mix of adrenaline and refinement to Monaco, a principality that has become synonymous with prestige. As anticipation for the Grand Prix builds, Port Hercules transforms into a glittering amphitheater of superyachts, each a private world of its own, hosting soirées that blur the line between celebration and theater. VIPs enjoy exclusive privileges, private paddock access, behind-the-scenes time with F1 drivers and invitations to dinners where racing legends and billionaires share tables under soft Mediterranean light.
Beyond the race circuit, Monaco offers a rhythm of indulgence that’s uniquely its own. The Carré d’Or district rivals Paris’ Avenue Montaigne, with boutiques from Hermès, Cartier, and Chanel curating collections available only to their top-tier clientele. Days are punctuated with private gallery visits, fine art acquisitions, and leisurely lunches on terraces overlooking the cobalt waters of the Riviera. Helicopter transfers make quick escapes to neighboring Èze or Cap Ferrat effortlessly, ensuring every moment is tailored, curated and perfectly timed.
For accommodations, Hotel de Paris Monte-Carlo remains the epitome of Riviera glamour, offering suites with sweeping harbor views, a wine cellar boasting over 350,000 bottles and Michelin-starred dining at Alain Ducasse’s Louis XV. For those seeking the utmost discretion, cliffside estates and private villas, complete with dedicated staff, pools, and cinematic sea vistas, offer sanctuaries from the high-octane energy of the city below.
Billionaires go to Monaco as the destination offers a rare blend of prestige, privacy and spectacle. It is one of the few places where they can display influence in an environment designed entirely for them: the Grand Prix, that provides adrenaline and global visibility, while superyacht berths and private paddock access that scream exclusivity. A destination as Monaco that offers such high-end experiences reinforces the elite’s place in a world defined by rarity.
May – Cannes
May crowns the French Riviera as the world’s most glamorous playground and Cannes becomes its heart. For two weeks, the Croisette transforms into a runway of haute couture and cinematic prestige, where the Cannes Film Festival draws billionaires, royals and Hollywood’s elite. Power is performed in quiet gestures, front-row premieres followed by intimate dinners aboard superyachts moored in the bay, private screenings in palatial villas and champagne receptions hosted by directors and producers. With Monaco’s Grand Prix just a helicopter ride away, this stretch of May is a seamless circuit of influence and spectacle.
Beyond the velvet ropes, Cannes offers a private side known only to the world’s wealthiest. Guests spend mornings touring hidden galleries and private art collections curated for acquisition, or shopping for couture pieces at Chanel, Dior and Cartier’s most exclusive ateliers. Michelin-starred dining experiences and tables at La Palme d’Or or Le Park 45 are secured weeks in advance, while hidden beaches and private clubs such as Baoli become a sanctuary for sun-soaked indulgence.
The InterContinental Carlton Cannes, a Belle Époque icon synonymous with Riviera glamour, remains the pinnacle address for the elite, with suites that overlook the Croisette and a legacy of hosting royalty and stars since 1911. For those seeking greater seclusion, sprawling hillside estates and Cap d’Antibes villas offer panoramic sea views, private pools and full staff, allowing guests to retreat from the festival’s dazzle without sacrificing luxury.
The Cannes Film Festival is one of the world’s most powerful networking stages, where cultural prestige meets business opportunity and this draws the most significant elite audience. It is not just about red carpets, but also a hub where film financing deals, brand partnerships and art acquisitions happen in private salons and yacht lounges, away from public view. This destination also offers a perfect blend of visibility and seclusion: they can showcase influence at premieres while retreating to villas, yachts and Michelin-starred restaurants with complete discretion. For the ultra-wealthy, Cannes is a strategic social and cultural summit wrapped in Riviera glamour.
June – Lake Como
Lake Como in June is where the world’s elite retreat to a landscape of cinematic beauty, historic grandeur and unrivaled privacy. Framed by the dramatic peaks of the Alps and bathed in early summer light, the lake becomes an exclusive playground for billionaires, royals and cultural tastemakers who value discretion as much as indulgence. June offers the perfect balance, warm, sun-drenched days ideal for life on the water, yet before the high-season crowds descend, allowing the ultra-wealthy to enjoy Como at its most serene.
Historic villas that once entertained European aristocracy now open exclusively for private stays, offering bespoke services from Michelin-starred chefs and personal butlers to luxury car fleets for lakeside exploration. Riva yachts are the vessel of choice, gliding seamlessly across Como’s crystalline waters, it delivers guests to Bellagio’s charming streets, Varenna’s hidden coves and Menaggio’s timeless promenades. The experience extends beyond leisure: sommeliers curate rare Italian vintages from private cellars, Milanese fashion houses arrange in-villa fittings of couture collections and evenings unfold with private concerts in frescoed salons or candlelit gardens overlooking the lake.
The region’s legendary hotels are destinations in themselves. Villa d’Este, an icon of European luxury since 1873, offers an unrivaled blend of Renaissance architecture, manicured gardens and suites that epitomize understated opulence. The Mandarin Oriental Lago di Como offers seclusion in an 18th-century villa with world-class spa treatments and lakefront dining, while Il Sereno, designed by Patricia Urquiola, caters to a more contemporary, design-conscious clientele with sleek private terraces and tailored experiences.
Billionaires flock to Lake Como in June because it offers the perfect balance of privacy, prestige and timing. The weather is warm and idyllic, yet the peak-season crowds haven’t arrived, allowing the world’s wealthiest to enjoy the lake’s iconic villas, Michelin-starred dining and private yacht cruises in complete discretion. Its proximity to Milan’s private airports and luxury fashion houses makes it a seamless escape for both leisure and business, while exclusive retreats like Villa d’Este provide a sanctuary of historic elegance. Como’s reputation as a playground for aristocracy and modern billionaires alike cements its status as the ultimate early-summer haven.
July – The Hamptons: Iconic Summering
The Hamptons remain the East Coast’s most coveted summer escape, where windswept beaches meet storied estates and prestige is measured in privacy, legacy and the circles you keep. What sets the Hamptons apart is the rare balance of seclusion and influence, a retreat from the city that doubles as an intimate stage for art, culture and connection.
Days often begin with private polo matches in Bridgehampton, followed by gallery showings and discreet art auctions in East Hampton, where collectors secure works destined for private estates. Along the coastline, yachts glide between Sag Harbor and Shelter Island, hosting lunches catered by Michelin-starred chefs. Helicopter transfers from Manhattan make the journey seamless, preserving the most valuable luxury of all: time.
While as the sun sets, the destination comes alive with waterfront dinners, vineyard tours in Montauk and private soirées in estates overlooking the Atlantic. It is a rhythm of leisure and connection. At Gurney’s Montauk Resort & Seawater Spa, oceanfront suites and private residences offer a sanctuary of discretion. With exclusive cabanas, bespoke wellness programs, and curated dining overlooking the Atlantic horizon, the resort delivers both seclusion and prestige, aligning seamlessly with the expectations of the world’s most discerning travelers.
The Hamptons endure as a symbol of refined summer living, chosen for their exclusivity. The region’s understated elegance, iconic shingle-style mansions, pristine beaches, farm-to-table estates, reflects a taste for heritage and authenticity, attracting billionaires who value discretion but enjoy mingling with a like-minded elite.
August – St. Tropez: Mediterranean Majesty
On the shores of St. Tropez, elegance and exclusivity come naturally. Golden beaches, sun-drenched piazzas and hillside villas create a playground for those who seek privacy and prestige in equal measure. Yachts form a floating village in the harbor, offering a discreet stage for private gatherings, while the hills above host villas that become the backdrop for legendary soirées and curated celebrations.
Days unfold with private yacht excursions to Pampelonne Beach, where guests enjoy tableside service at exclusive beach clubs like Nikki Beach or Bagatelle, or explore hidden coves by tender. Shopping is not just leisure but ritual: designers open their ateliers for private fittings, delivering couture pieces created for a single client. Art and culture enthusiasts may enjoy exclusive gallery openings or curated exhibitions designed for select guests, while the adventurous can take helicopter tours over the French Riviera for a perspective reserved for few.
At the heart of this elevated summer scene is Château de la Messardière, a landmark 5-star resort blending Belle Époque charm with modern discretion. Suites and villas offer panoramic views of the Gulf of St. Tropez, while personalized service arranges private beach dinners, curated wine tastings and bespoke wellness experiences. Every detail, from sunrise yoga on the terrace to sunset cruises along the coast, is tailored to create moments that feel effortless and unforgettable.
St. Tropez is a world crafted for those who move through it with intention. In August it transforms into the epicenter of the global elite’s summer season, blending Mediterranean glamour with unrivaled exclusivity. Every villa, hidden cove and private yacht is a stage for curated moments, where sophistication is effortless, indulgence is deliberate and each return reveals new layers of discovery. A place where privacy, elegance and timeless allure converge, year after year.
September – New York
September in New York is a time of unmatched sophistication and curated experiences. The energy of the season draws those who move through it with purpose: private boxes at the US Open, front-row seats at Fashion Week and invitation-only gallery previews where art acquisitions shape private collections.
Manhattan transforms into a playground of bespoke opportunities, after-hours tours of the Met and MoMA, private helicopter flights over the skyline at sunset, and access to ateliers where couture is crafted exclusively for each visitor.
Guests can dine in Michelin-starred kitchens closed to the public, enjoy private jazz sessions in SoHo lofts, or take tailored yacht cruises along the East River, each experience designed to feel seamless, effortless and entirely personal. The city’s hidden corners reveal rare experiences, from after-hours art tours to private couture fittings and invitation-only gallery evenings.
Aman New York provides a sanctuary amidst the city’s pulse. Suites and private residences blend refined modern design with absolute privacy, while service anticipates every desire. From sunrise breakfasts overlooking Central Park to evening cocktails on a secluded terrace, every moment is thoughtfully orchestrated for those who seek more than a visit… a city that rewards curiosity, style and refined taste at every turn.
New York’s allure lies in its balance of opportunity and discretion. It is a city where connections are made, culture is experienced intimately and each return offers new perspectives, hidden treasures, making it a destination that continually calls back those who value exceptional experiences above all else.
October – Marrakech
October’s golden light makes Marrakech irresistible: the days are warm enough for rooftop cocktails above the Jemaa el-Fnaa, while cool evenings invite lantern-lit dinners in hidden courtyards perfumed with jasmine and rose. For elite travelers, private guides curate bespoke journeys through the medina, sourcing antiques, handcrafted jewelry and bespoke textiles directly from artisans whose techniques have been passed down through generations. Shopping here is not transactional but deeply personal, with ateliers opening their doors exclusively for these clients.
Beyond the city, helicopters lift guests into the Atlas Mountains for intimate Berber village encounters or to the edge of the Sahara, where private desert encampments become candlelit sanctuaries. Under an ocean of stars, Michelin-trained chefs reimagine Moroccan cuisine and handwoven carpets and silk canopies create a cinematic sense of drama. For billionaires, Marrakech offers something unique: an opportunity to explore centuries of artistry while enveloped in a cocoon of modern luxury.
The pull of this destination lies in this perfect balance of authenticity and exclusivity. It is a place where every detail is orchestrated, private spa rituals in hammams restored to royal standards, lessons with master craftsmen, curated art and design tours and dinners in riads closed to the public. Brands like Yves Saint Laurent’s Musée, with its gardens and rare archives, or boutique design ateliers known only through private networks, make the city a haven for those who crave culture and beauty in equal measure.
In October, Marrakech is at its most alluring: vibrant but uncrowded, cool enough for exploration yet warm enough for leisure… a destination that offers the elite a retreat that feels like stepping into a world outside time.
November – Dubai
November is the month of crescendos. Dubai hosts design weeks, supercar auctions and the Abu Dhabi F1 finale, attracting a network of global elites who come for both business and pleasure. From sky-high dining to bespoke jewelry showings, Dubai caters to every whim with unrivaled precision.
A destination of unparalleled ambition and refinement, drawing the wealthiest with its extraordinary fusion of futuristic architecture, curated indulgence, and discreet exclusivity, Dubai. The skyline, a constellation of iconic towers and visionary designs, mirrors the aspirations of the world’s wealthiest, who arrive to experience a destination where every detail can be tailored to their desires. Legendary hotels like Burj Al Arab, Atlantis, The Palm and the private villas of Bulgari Resort Dubai offer panoramic vistas, private butlers and suites so meticulously appointed that they feel like personal palaces, each one a sanctuary of privacy and elegance.
The city’s allure extends beyond the skyline, with November’s Dubai Design Week galleries, private showrooms, and art installations are transformed into curated arenas for elite collectors, while invitation-only previews allow acquisitions long before they reach the public eye. Ultra-exclusive shopping at Hermès, Cartier, Dior, Chanel and Louis Vuitton ensures that every desire is fulfilled, often within the privacy of a hotel suite or personal atelier. Helicopter transfers, Rolls-Royce fleets and private jets make the city effortlessly navigable, while luxury yachts along the Marina and private desert retreats offer experiences as dramatic as they are discreet.
The nearby Abu Dhabi Grand Prix elevates the season with adrenaline-fueled exclusivity, granting VIP paddock access, closed-door receptions with team principals and private gatherings aboard floating palaces on the Gulf. Private desert safaris allow guests to dine under an endless canopy of stars, while curated wellness rituals, helicopter excursions and bespoke cultural tours ensure every moment is designed for those accustomed to the extraordinary.
Billionaires come to Dubai not only to indulge, but especially to assert influence, cultivate global connections, and live a life orchestrated entirely on their terms. Every element - from the cutting-edge architecture to the curated art, from the desert’s serenity to the Marina’s private soirées - reflects a city built to serve ambition, elegance and absolute discretion.
December – Gstaad
In Gstaad, the Alps are a private world of snow-dusted elegance and enduring tradition. Multi-generational chalets offer complete seclusion, where mornings begin with ski-in, ski-out access to pristine slopes and afternoons are spent exploring hidden winter trails on private snowmobiles or guided ski tours.
Guests can start their day carving fresh tracks on pristine slopes, glide through the mountains on private snowmobile excursions, or take a helicopter ride over the Alps for panoramic views. While afternoons can be spent sampling rare vintages in hidden wine cellars, learning traditional Swiss chocolate-making in a private atelier, or enjoying a quiet moment in a snow-dusted outdoor hot tub with the peaks as a backdrop. Evenings bring intimate dinners by Michelin-starred chefs, cozy fireside gatherings, or private screenings in chalets that feel entirely their own.
The Alpina Gstaad exemplifies alpine luxury at its finest. Suites and chalets combine traditional Swiss craftsmanship with contemporary design, offering sweeping views of the surrounding peaks and service that anticipates every need. From après-ski champagne tastings on snow-dusted terraces to guided mountain excursions and bespoke wellness experiences, every moment is designed to feel private, effortless and unforgettable.
Gstaad’s allure lies in its seamless blend of heritage, discretion and curated winter experiences. Here, traditions are preserved, family gatherings are celebrated in privacy and indulgence is lived rather than displayed, creating a sanctuary that draws visitors back year after year, where winter is celebrated not merely as a season, but a world unto itself.
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