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Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
Secret European destinations where rich people are hiding out this summer
Academy Empower your mind, elevate your skills Corsica and Èze, France Lake Jasna, Slovenia Lake Orta and the Dolomites, Italy Menorca, Spain It wasn't long ago that luxury travelers planned their itineraries to see and be seen. Now the ultimate flex is receding entirely from public hallmarks of status—a sun-drenched table at St. Tropez's Club 55, a front-row lounger at Cala Jondal in Ibiza, dropping anchor off Nammos Beach in Mykonos—have largely been overtaken by influencers. Which means anonymity and discretion have become prime commodities for today's most affluent travelers. Stealth wealth may have given way to flashiness in 2025, but stealth travel is still all the rage.'We've noticed a shift away from the typical luxury hot spots toward destinations that offer a deeper sense of privacy and exclusivity,' says Jaclyn Sienna India, CEO of Sienna Charles, a travel consultant catering to billionaires and the global 1%. Clients are increasingly favoring places that require a genuine effort to reach, signaling a desire for experiences that are intentionally off the beaten path and unavailable to the masses: Lake Orta over Lake Como; Corsica over Cannes; Patmos over Mykonos; Menorca over Mallorca; and private island resorts throughout the Caribbean, such as Como Parrot Cay or Jumby Bay Island, over the high-profile hangouts of Saint Barth' shift is trickling down to a wider swath of luxury travelers and affecting the expansion strategies of legacy hospitality brands. Not only are they building resorts in some of these next-great destinations, but they're also designing them to have the privacy-first blueprints that skyrocketed in demand during the pandemic. 'Hotels are creating more stand-alone accommodations, like cottages, so that people can have the privacy of a villa rental even within a resort,' says Melissa Biggs Bradley, founder of high-end travel company to fly under the radar? Here are six European stealth-wealth havens that will still be great well into the those seeking the allure of the French Riviera without its crowds, a more understated route is gaining traction. Corsica—rugged, cinematic and blissfully under-touristed—offers pristine beaches, remote coves ideal for private yachts and discreet escapes tucked into the landscape. Indagare's Bradley recommends Domaine de Murtoli, a 6,000-acre estate on the island's southwest coast, which has turned a clutch of shepherd's houses into secluded villas, each with private beach the mainland, there are quaint villages just inland of the Riviera that trade glamour for character: Think stone alleyways lined with artist-run galleries, views that sweep across the Mediterranean and hyper-local restaurants. Historic Èze stands out among them—and not just because it's perched 1,300 feet above sea level. Stay at Château de la Chèvre d'Or, a hotel that occupies a handful of medieval structures. Its terraced gardens ramble down toward the shore, and 'tradition' rooms are carved into centuries-old stone, with arched ceilings and thick limestone walls. They feel a bit like luxury caves, with hot tubs and waterfront views. Yes, it's a great place to hide away. But keep your eyes peeled for A-list sightings while you're there; this is a spot beloved by Bono, the Obamas and Leonardo you get there: A roughly 90-minute flight will get you from Paris to Corsica or Nice; from Nice it's a short drive (around 25 minutes) to between the Alps and the Adriatic, Slovenia has quietly become one of Europe's most rewarding high-end escapes. Its cuisine combines a heady mix of Alpine, Mediterranean and Slavic flavors, while boutique winemakers in regions like Brda and the Vipava Valley are making the kinds of natural wines that you'd expect to find in Paris' best bars. And then there's the scenery: glacier-fed lakes, dense forests and mountains as jagged and dramatic as anything in Switzerland.A growing number of travelers are catching on to its charms: Black Tomato says inquiries are up 34% year over year; the destination is particularly compelling to 'soft adventure' types who enjoy fly fishing, hiking and cycling. Those who book often end up in the Julian Alps, where Hotel Milka offers elegant minimalism with floor-to-ceiling mountain views. Its fine-dining restaurant is helmed by chef David Žefra, who whips up Danube salmon with kohlrabi and elderflower or venison with wild mushrooms and fermented cherries—Alpine ingredients prepared using Nordic you get there: Flights to Ljubljana from Paris, Frankfurt, Zurich and other European cities are all under two hours. Then it's just over an hour by car to Hotel Venice draws Bezos wannabes and Amalfi approaches overexposure, Piedmont's Lake Orta is emerging as a serene alternative. Stay at the 11-room Casa Fantini, where you can rent an electric boat to zip around in seclusion. The staff sends you off with a full picnic basket so you can play your day by ear. Most days on the lake involve seeing the frescoed 12th century basilica on San Giulio Island; the small enclave, floating in the center of the lake, is inhabited by only a couple dozen Lake Orta is so far to Italy's northwest, it still takes about four hours to drive east to the Dolomites—a pairing many travelers opt for, if only to indulge in one of the region's newest five-star stays. Yes, Aman Rosa Alpina is among the splashiest (re)openings in the area. But we'd pick the 35-room Ancora Cortina, a historic inn that's been brought back to life by Renzo Rosso, the founder of Diesel, and Aldo Melpignano, whose Italian hospitality empire includes Puglia's critically acclaimed Borgo Egnazia. It's smack in the historic center of town and surrounded by family-owned businesses that have existed in Cortina for generations, like the 98-year-old Pasticceria Lovat across the you get there: Fly to Milan, then drive 60 to 90 minutes to Orta San Giulio. If you're only headed to the Dolomites, it's a two-hour drive from Venice airport to overshadowed by Ibiza's nightlife and Mallorca's five-star polish, Menorca has become the Balearics' unexpected standout—a place with endless walking trails, laid-back beach clubs and preserved wetlands that serve as rare bird habitats. 'It's far less frenetic than Ibiza or Mallorca,' India says.A pair of new properties in restored farmhouses—Santa Ana and Son Ermità—epitomize the island's low-key luxury vibe. You'll need to book all six rooms at Santa Ana for a single group; the 200-year-old finca is meant for exclusive use, which works well for a small group of friends or a large family traveling together. Son Ermità is more conventional. Its 11 rooms—many of which have elaborate exposed beams and terracotta tile floors—can be booked individually, with shared access to 800 acres of grounds and a seafood-oriented restaurant in the main building. Both make excellent launching pads for a range of relaxing activities, like hiking coastal trails, kayaking along hidden beaches or daytrips to Hauser & Wirth's trailblazing art gallery in the center of the you get there: Menorca is an hour by plane from Barcelona and about 90 minutes from Madrid.
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Yahoo
Inside the billionaire travel club: meet the luxury concierge who rented an island for Mariah Carey
What plans have you made for your next holiday? Breakfast atop the Arc de Triomphe, or perhaps private dining amid the splendour of the Palace of Versailles? How about an intimate tour of the Great Sphinx of Giza? It's all in a day's work for the luxury travel concierge Jaclyn Sienna India, who has devoted her career to masterminding incredible experiences for her high-net worth customers. "We do all the crazy stuff," Jaclyn tells HELLO! in our exclusive interview, speaking from her new home in Beverly Hills. "We shut down monuments; we work with the most exclusive clients." The founder of her own bespoke travel company, Sienna Charles, Jaclyn, 43, is the woman the ultra-wealthy turn to for premium out-of-reach experiences. She once rented an entire private island in the Caribbean to host a birthday party for Mariah Carey. Membership of Sienna Charles starts at $50,000 a year – and there's a long waiting list. "I'd say we don't have any members now who are worth less than $500m," she tells us. "Probably 90% of our clients are billionaires." 'You can't just be a travel agent anymore. You have to know the hottest places, because when a client books that trip, they start communicating it to friends. You need to know the restaurants before they do, and get them in. You can't sell something you don't have access to." Jaclyn's secret weapon is her little black book, in which she records the hotspots she finds through her extensive travels. The American businesswoman spends more than 200 days a year visiting between ten and 20 countries to vet locations and meet locals, so she can "discover places and experiences that simply aren't found through conventional searches". "The UK, France, Italy and the US are our top four destinations," she says. "Japan is really popular, and skiing in the French and Swiss Alps… then, in awards season, it's Los Angeles, London for art shows, Paris for dining. The summer is the south of France, Italy and Greece." 'In the UK, it's London for private viewings of the Crown Jewels, access to private art galleries, dining at Michelin starred restaurants and VIP shopping experiences. Then it's the countryside, with experiences like falconry, horseback riding and farm-to-table dining." High-net-worth individuals are using services like Jaclyn's to ensure their lives run seamlessly, wherever they are. And it seems that no request is too big for Sienna Charles. "We've travelled with tonnes of celebrities and booked trips for them, and the ask is always the same – privacy," Jaclyn says. Think private meals at Louis Vuitton's historic home in Paris, or breakfast with the Hermès and Fendi families, also in the French capital – experiences that are out of reach for most people. One high-profile client of Jaclyn's was the former American president George W Bush. "We organised a remarkable visit to Ethiopia's Omo Valley for President Bush, his wife, four friends and 30 security agents," Jaclyn says. "We collaborated with local partners to custom-build a luxury camp specifically for his stay. We also added personalised touches. "The Secret Service very rarely comes out of their approved list – they have to really want to work with somebody like me – so having that glimpse into the government was really special." There is always a way to fulfil a client's wish, she says. "If somebody wants Super Bowl tickets the night before, how much are you willing to pay for it? You can always get it done." Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Jaclyn now splits her time between her homes in LA, New York and Paris – and she finds her client base fascinating "People think differently when they have that type of money," she says. "Our clients often approach life and travel with a distinct mindset. It's not just about what they can afford, but how they prioritise and value their time and experiences. "Many of our clients are what we call Type A personalities, accustomed to efficiency and excellence in all aspects of their lives. "Whether it's deep-sea fishing in a remote ocean or attending an exclusive art auction, their passions inform their travel choices, and they are willing to spend sometimes up to $500,000 on a trip to make it special and memorable." Jaclyn's own story began when she studied art history at Temple University, Philadelphia, and worked at the five-star French restaurant Le Bec-Fin, where its extremely wealthy diners would often spend $5,000 on a meal. "They would talk about where they ate in Paris or New York or London. I would literally save the list, run there and be like: 'Wow, you could tell the difference.' They had such a standard." After graduating, Jaclyn spent time travelling before setting up her agency in Palm Beach, Florida, in 2007, together with her husband, Freddy Charles. An expert in restaurants, wine, art, fashion and history, Jaclyn tells us that her company's unique selling point is herself. "The differentiating factor is me, because of my taste level, my connections and my know-how of how to get it done, over and over again," she says. So, what do her clients want right now? "People are not taking vacations," Jaclyn says. "It's part of this new wealthy lifestyle. They live in four homes every week: there's a new social calendar. They're going to a winery for the harvest or to a fashion show, and they're moving around quite nomadically." Her own destinations of choice include Bali, Hong Kong and Korea. "I love Asia," she says. "My brother lives in Vietnam, so every year I take an apartment there for two months, and my husband and I rent a motorbike and are very much a part of the culture there." There's no doubt that Jaclyn is a one-off powerhouse, and she isn't slowing down. "I love learning – new places, new hotels," she says. "There's always a new restaurant, always a new designer. There's always something new."
