Luxury travel has evolved significantly over the years, and it continues to do so as we enter 2023. Gone are the days where luxury meant simply staying in a 5-star hotel with Champagne on arrival. Today’s luxury travellers are seeking unique, personalised experiences that allow them to truly disconnect from the stresses of everyday life and immerse themselves in new cultures.

So, what exactly defines luxury travel in 2023? It’s difficult to pinpoint one specific definition, as it varies from person to person. Is it exclusive access to once-in-a-lifetime experiences, personalised itineraries and unparalleled levels of comfort and service? Or something else? We asked 23 experts for their definitions of what makes luxury travel truly luxurious in 2023… let us know your own thoughts in the comments below!

“Luxury can mean different things to all sorts of people. With years

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Welcome to The Upgrade, By The Way’s series on travel hacks and hot takes. See how to submit here.

When traveling to a new city, people often put the usuals on the list of to-dos: local food, historic sites and museums. For me, I often plan as much of my itinerary around nightlife as I can. Yes, museums and restaurants will tell you about the history and culture of a place, but bars and clubs can reveal more about the city.

Beyond serving as a stage for the best of local fashion and music, nightclubs offer an unstructured, unfiltered environment that allows you to fully immerse yourself in a place. A drink or two doesn’t hurt either.

Our 10 best City Guides, according to readers

Indeed, some cities — from Baku to Berlin to Bangkok — are defined by their world-renowned nightlife subcultures. For fans

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The highly-anticipated opening of Conrad Rabat Arzana has marked the first brand entry into Morocco for Conrad Hotels & Resorts. With its modern architecture and pioneering design, the luxurious 120-guest room hotel will provide guests with a new sense of modern hospitality, premier dining experiences and personalised service for a memorable stay.

Located north of Harhouara, 15 minutes from the corniche and 35 minutes from Rabat Salé Airport, the property’s prime location close to the city’s cultural centre provides convenient access to historic tourist attractions such as Mausoleum Med V, Old Medina, Moorish Gardens and The Zoo of Rabat.

“The entry of our iconic Conrad Hotels & Resorts brand, named after our founder, Conrad Hilton, into Rabat marks a significant milestone in the growth of our portfolio in the Middle East & Africa – underscoring our strategy to bring Hilton’s luxury brands to new destinations across the region,” said Jochem-Jan

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There are thousands of travel products out there. From checked luggage to carry-on bags, travel backpacks, neck pillows, toiletry bags, headphones, portable chargers and much more, there’s a lot to choose from. At CNN Underscored, our goal is to help make the decision on what to get easier in order to help you travel better, smarter and more comfortably.

As the year comes to a close, we’re looking at the travel products that our readers can’t hit the road without. If you’re looking to boost your travel wardrobe before heading off on your first vacation of 2023, consider one of these Underscored reader favorites.

$20 $10 at Amazons

underscored amazon favs sept Mavogel Cotton Sleep Eye Mask

Mavogel

Our pick for the best sleep mask overall is a favorite among our readers, too — and for good reason. It’s got a nose wire and side covers that help to block out any and all light so you can catch

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On the heels of winning “Best Cruise Line in the Caribbean” for the 20th year in a row, Royal Caribbean International has introduced its 2024-2025 year-long and summer Caribbean cruises that will set the stage for the best family vacations with more adventure of all kinds – and less compromise – for every type of adventurer and all ages. From the world’s largest ships to adventure-packed weekend favorites, vacationers can have their choice of eight ships that sail to the best of the Caribbean. Highlights include the highly anticipated Icon of the Seas, sailing Eastern and Western vacations year-round from Miami, Florida, a first with Symphony of the Seas making its Big Apple debut when it sails from Cape Liberty in Bayonne, New Jersey, Freedom of the Seas heading to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Harmony of the Seas returning to the cruise line’s new, net-zero terminal in Galveston, Texas. The

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