Bespoke Travel vs. Luxury Travel: What’s the Real Difference?

I have a secret to share… I didn’t know what bespoke travel was until about two weeks ago. I was trying to find a word to describe elevated travel, that wasn’t necessarily luxurious. I went on ChatGPT and asked it to put a word to what I was imagining – and boom. I discovered bespoke travel. I realized that I have been traveling like this my entire life, and I never knew what it was.

Bespoke travel is a personalized experience that fit an individual’s wants and needs. It’s not about lavishness—it’s about intention, authenticity and crafting moments that feel made just for you.

While bespoke travel can still come at a higher cost, its true value lies beyond the price. Rather than paying for a name or brand, you’re paying for unique experiences thoughtfully crafted around you as a person.

For my fellow visual learners, I have created a chart to help understand the difference between Luxury and Bespoke

Feature	Luxury Travel	Bespoke Travel
Customization	Limited	High
Focus	Comfort & status	Personal experience
Planning	Often mass-marketed	Individually designed
Experience	Premium but predictable	Unique and tailored
Example	Staying at the Four Seasons	Renting a private villa with a chef and driver

Breaking it down

It is easy to see that Luxury Travel is centered around the “best of the best,” like staying at a 5-star resort or eating at a Michelin-star restaurant. Luxury tends to cater towards pre-fixed itineraries and excursions, high-end amenities, first-class flights, and 5-star hotels.

Yet, Luxury travel can still feel impersonal or one-size-fits-all. Bespoke Travel is catered to your individual needs and desires. While it can still be luxurious, it is high-end in different aspects. I’m talking private chefs, custom itineraries, local guides, off-the-beaten-path moments.

Real-Life Example

For example, while traveling with my family this past summer, instead of staying at a 5-star hotel, we stayed in a 12th-century apartment that was owned and lived in during the 1940s by the legendary French poet, writer and screenwriter Jacques Prévert. While our trip was still luxurious, it was catered to our specific needs. And it gave us a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

In my personal opinion, I would rather travel bespoke. Don’t get me wrong, a luxury resort is perfect for relaxation or when convenience matters (if anything, I took an all-inclusive resort vacation over spring break), but when you want to dive deeper into a destination, celebrate something special or just want to do something no one else has done, it’s time to start bespoke traveling.

I want you to ask yourself something… Have you ever taken a truly bespoke trip? Or is it on your bucket list?

If bespoke is something that is calling your name, I hope you stick around, and I can help you with all things bespoke travel.