The world's most expensive holidays

If money is no object, these are the best ways to get some rest and relaxation.

As the weather starts to improve, and the schools break up for the holidays, many of us are set to head off on our summer holidays.

And while for most of us those will consist of a couple of weeks in the South of France, for the ultra-wealthy, holidays tend to be a little more extravagant. Here, I've had a look at some of the most expensive holidays around. I’ve had a look at a variety of different trips, from safaris to Antarctic expeditions. As a result, some chance-of-a-lifetime trips begin to look positively value for money!

Your own yacht

How do you fancy chartering your own yacht? The Andreas L, available from Liveras Yachts, is a 60 metre Benetti yacht, with three different deck areas for dining or sunbathing, a Jacuzzi on the sun deck, and an air conditioned gym and massage room.

There’s room for up to 12 guests, with an onboard staff of fifteen. Best of all, you can choose exactly where it takes you.

It’s pretty pricey though. During the summer high season, it will set you back a whopping €315,000 (£277,739) a week.

Explore the Antarctic

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2011 marks the 100-year anniversary of the first human arrival in the South Pole. And if you want to tread in the footsteps of Shackleton and Scott, you can do so on the Kapitan Khlebnikov, a Russian icebreaker on a 29 day expedition.

Departing in December, you’ll start off in New Zealand, take in the Auckland Islands where you can see yellow-eyed penguins, pretrels and albatross, before moving through the shifting pack ice of the Ross Sea taking in Emperor Penguin rookeries, historic exploration bases and modern research stations. Then it’s on to the Balleny Islands and McQuerie Island, before finishing in Australia. What’s more, this may be the last chance to ever experience this expedition, as the Kapitan Khlebnikov is heading back to Russia once it's finished.

But to enjoy it, it may cost you as much as £38,940 per person.

Rent your own island!

Often the worst thing about a holiday is the other tourists that you have to share the resort with. No such worries if you simply rent the entire island yourself!

For example, there’s Necker Island, a British Virgin Island in the Caribbean owned by Sir Richard Branson. You’ll be outnumbered by staff, and can enjoy the indoor garden, a floating dining pavilion, or  - if you fancy getting dressed up in your finest – enjoy the private dining room, with its silver, lace, linen and crystal place settings.

Prices start at $322,000 US for seven nights (£197,552).

Of course, if you’d rather have your own island on a more permanent basis, you could always just buy one. And they may be cheaper than you’d think – we've discovered you can buy your own island for £95,000!

Lake Como

OK, this isn’t quite your own island, but you can rent a villa on Lake Como which is only accessible by boat – the next best thing!

The Villa Lake Como XIII offers seven bedrooms with all mod cons, a drawing room, family kitchen and dining room with space for 24 people.  There’s also a 30,000 square metre garden area, featuring another four homes, heated swimming pool gym and cinema.

And to ensure your stay is comfortable, you’ll enjoy the services of a butler, head housekeeper, cleaner, house manager and two gardeners.

For a week in the villa, you’ll have to fork out €115,000 (£101,397).

A private safari

One of the biggest selling points of a holiday in Africa is the chance to go on safari. And you can do that in serious style in South Africa, at the Tswalu Kalahari Reserve.

Owned by the Oppenheimer family – the family behind the De Beers diamond dynasty – you have the choice of two different forms of accommodation. Tarkuni is the family’s own home within the reserve, offering five luxurious suites, your own chef, vehicle and personal field guide so that you get to experience the safari on your own terms. You also have your own pool.

For bigger parties, there’s the Motse (meaning village), consisting of eight suites. Each suite has a bedroom with its own open fire, indoor and outdoor showers, a study area and a private waterhole, and the various animals that make use of it.

For a week in a Double Family suite, you’ll be shelling out £12,692 per person.

Live like Hugh Hefner!

This may just be my personal favourite – the Hugh Hefner Sky Villa at the Palms Hotel in Las Vegas! Who wouldn't want to live like the Playboy boss?

For the paltry sum of $40,000 a night (that’s an unbelievable £25,000) you can enjoy two floors all to yourself, capable of holding 250 people. You have your own fully-equipped gym, an ‘extra large’ show tub, a wet bar, Jacuzzi, media room, dining room, poker table, private elevator and eight foot rotating king-size bed, with mirrored ceiling.

The walls are covered with the Playboy art collection, while there’s also incredible views of the strip to enjoy.

Sadly, you’ll have to sort out your own Playmates!

Using a specialist

If that isn't quite creative enough, then you can always make use of specialist travel firms, who can create a bespoke and completely different holiday experience.

For example, Black Tomato told me about these barmy but brilliant holidays they have put together before:

• Custom-built igloos

Your house of ice, based in Greenland, will be equipped with a bedroom, living room and veranda, all heated by a special internal heating supply. You'll get your own chef, who comes to the property by snowmobile, to cook you the very best Nordic cuisine. And best of all, you'll get your own swimming pool! This will cost around £80,000 per person.

• Heli surfing

You can make use of your own private helicopter to enjoy both of New Zealand's islands. You won't have to waste time researching which beaches are best, as your pilot can deposit you there directly! This will cost around £30,000 per person.

Another firm, Elite Travel Boutique, told me about the following:

• Carcassonne

A private jet was hired to transport six travellers to the UNESCO medieval citadel for a weekend. A private tour was included, as well as dinner in the Michelin-starred restaurant, golf sessions for the male guests, spa treatments for the girls, all finished off with an al fresco lunch on the coast on a private yacht. This came to £25,000 for the party.

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