Luxury Escapes launches experiences, with champagne cruises and private dining

The Melbourne-based travel agency that carved a reputation for its all inclusive holiday packages is branching out beyond the hotel game.

Luxury Escapes first launched Experiences in 2019 as a catalogue of attractive accommodation add-ons (like luxury airport transfers and ticketed events). Now the company is revitalising the category to include thousands of gleaming stand-alone experiences – no vacation necessary.

By early June, the brand will relaunch with around 40,000 new offerings globally, from the ubiquitous (food tours, hot air balloon rides and the like) to the more exclusive (highly-curated experiences bearing an "Only on Luxury Escapes" stamp).

Luxury Escapes co-founder and chief executive, Adam Schwab, says locals can look forward to about 10,000 experiences launching in Australia alone, with more added every day.

"We will have a growing number of offerings bespoke to Luxury Escapes like our Vue de Monde dining series, Veuve Clicquot partnerships and access to the very best seats at the Australian Open – or global products like tickets to Harry Potter and the Cursed Child [the musical]," Schwab says.

Among the launch offerings will be a private Sydney Harbour Veuve Clicquot cruise aboard the Suellen, a beautifully-restored 1950s bridge deck cruiser that harks back to the maritime golden age (former US first lady Jackie Onassis can be counted among the vessel's past clientele). The harbour jaunt comes with unlimited champagne, gourmet canapes and stops at secluded coves only accessible by boat.

Dining will form a major aspect of the revamped category, Schwab says. In Sydney, they've teamed with renowned restaurant Quay for a "hero" event.

"The dining experience includes exclusive seating in Quay's private dining room, a bespoke six-course menu by Quay's executive chef Peter Gilmore, premium wine pairings created by head sommelier Ashlyn Foster, a signed Quay cookbook and a private kitchen tour with the head chef," he says.

In Melbourne, foodies can splurge on a similarly-decadent event series at hatted Vue de Monde, with perks from private cellar tours to chef meet-and-greets.

Another unique add-on will be the option to have a professional photographer capture the day, thanks to a partnership with photographer-for-hire company Travelshoot. And really, does it get more VIP than your own Instagram photographer?

See luxuryescapes.com/au/experiences