A Different Kind Of

Holiday Travel

F1RST Selects

A Different Kind Of Holiday Travel

With ongoing travel restrictions and recommendations, renting a luxury villa or home is one way to socially distance while still enjoying a slew of amenities. Plus, we’re sharing our favorite gifts and go-to travel tips to make this holiday season (yes, even this year!) fun and memorable.

You’ve heard it before: This year’s holiday season will be decidedly different. You might be swapping your ski vacation in Switzerland or the annual New Year’s island getaway for a trip closer to home. Or you might stay put and recreate your favorite holiday travel experiences at home. (Check out our gift guide below for inspiration!) That’s where we come in: F1S has been putting together amazing holiday travel itineraries for decades—and this year is no different. We want to make sure that, no matter what your plans look like, the spirit of the season is always present. To help, we’ve put together a holiday guide featuring some of our favorite luxury rental properties—plus great gift ideas for travelers, along with tried-and-true tips from our advisors to guarantee everything goes as smoothly and safely as possible.

Lux Rental Homes We Love

Renting a private luxury home or villa has always been a great idea, but with the ability to socially distance, try fun experiences like private dining and virtual classes, and take advantage of in-home amenities like gyms, theaters, and game rooms, the option is even more appealing this year. At F1S, we work directly with our partners—many of whom have exclusive inventory and direct-to-homeowner relationships and who are taking various measures to keep their properties sanitized and safe—to ensure you’re getting the best options, rates, and perks. Here are a few homes we love:

California
Whether you’re already in LA and looking for a change of scenery, or coming from further away, LA is a perennial favorite for private home rentals. Through our partners at onefinestay, we have homes throughout LA — from the Hollywood Hills to the Pacific Palisades to Venice Beach and Beverly Hills. Marmont Avenue in the Hills boasts four bedrooms, along with a hot tub, barbecue, fire pit, tennis court, and outdoor heated pool, with a guest house to boot. In the Palisades, Sunset Capri is the perfect family gathering space, with a dedicated game room, heated outdoor pool, and even a treehouse! Seasonally specific amenities make the stay even better, with available services including pre-arrival holiday decorating, curated festive tablescapes, and even virtual Santa visits for the little ones.

For the home-plus-resort route, the private cottages at Belmond El Encanto in Santa Barbara sit on seven private acres. There are a variety of exclusive offerings, from dining (garden picnic, anyone?) to outdoor movie screenings to yacht sailings. Cottages are available with either 2, 3, or 4 bedrooms, with an equal number of bathrooms to match—as well as features like fireplaces, kitchens, and dedicated outdoor areas. When you want to venture out, the resort includes a zero-edge pool, fitness studio, and spa, among other amenities.

Florida

It’s been a stressful year, so what better place to unwind than in a luxury waterfront villa in Miami? Two we love: The 7,500-square-foot Villa Sophia, which can sleep up to 12—there are 6 bedrooms—offers a whole range of amazing amenities, including a rooftop pool, huge terrace to take in the skyline, home theater, and, for those times when work is inevitable, private office space on the top floor. And, for something slightly bigger, the 10,000-square-foot, 6-bedroom Villa Venezia stuns with its high ceilings and offers lots in the way of entertainment, including a billiard room, pool, theater, and boat deck.

Colorado

If snow and skiing are must-haves for the holiday season for your family, then consider one of Cuvée’s private rental homes in Aspen, Vail, or Beaver Creek. There’s Four Peaks Estate, situated on three private acres in Aspen’s only gated community, with 5-bedrooms and truly jaw-dropping views of the four mountain peaks. Then there’s The Mother Lode—the name says it all—that offers 6 bedrooms, billiards, arcade, gym and theater areas, and a rooftop made for entertaining, all in the heart of downtown Aspen. Along with an onsite experience curator, and included amenities like a stocked bar and a chef-made reception when you arrive, there are customizable services Cuvée offers for the holidays, such as homemade gingerbread house making for the kids, and homemade mulled wine and eggnog for the adults. Plus, they can also bring in private bartenders, comedians, and live music to the comfort of your own space.

Canada

For an East Coast snow-capped December destination, there’s Mont Tremblant in Canada, where you can stay in a gorgeous luxury home through Tremblant Living. If you’re looking to be close to the action, there are the Altitude condos, including a 1,800-square-foot space with three bedrooms, where you have access to a hot tub and sauna. Or, go with a townhome, like Panache Mont Tremblant, which has 6 bedrooms, a private hot tub, and an open kitchen area, plus a sun deck and billiard room. When you have a larger group, the contemporary 4,540-square foot Trailside home offers 8 bedrooms, a private hot tub, direct ski-out access, and more.

Looking for additional destinations? Contact your F1S advisor at travel@f1s.com for ideas on private home rentals both domestically and internationally.

Our Favorite Travel-Related Gifts

Looking for great gift ideas? We’ve got you covered:

Frame a photo or souvenir through Framebridge. What better way to reminisce about a favorite trip than by framing a memorable photo or souvenir? The list of items they frame is a long one—beach glass, coins, even passports are included—so the inspiration is sure to strike.
Send a Universal Yumssubscription box. One of the best parts of traveling is trying all the local snacks (we know it’s not just us!). Each box comes with anywhere from 6, 12, or 20-plus snacks from a specific country—you choose the amount, with past countries featured including Thailand, Egypt, and Italy. Want to try a variety? Be sure to check out the Holiday Box, which includes snacks from different countries.
Gift a Masterclass. Where else can you learn about conservation from Dr. Jane Goodall or photography from avid climber Jimmy Chin? Bonus: Masterclass is currently running a promo where you buy one yearly membership and get a second free, so you AND your favorite travel buddy can get it together.
Give travel-ready clothing from Anatomie. Our advisors swear by the comfortable, wrinkle-free, and lightweight clothing from Anatomie, which ranges from pants and leggings to dresses and jackets. (If you have a safari planned for next year, one advisor says pieces from this brand are a must.)
Channel the feeling of a hotel stay with a Vitruvi. Help a friend de-stress with these diffusers, which can feel almost as soothing as a spa getaway. Plus, you can snag essential oil kits, like the Unwind Kit or Reset Kit to go along with it.
Give a one-of-a-kind gift. From scratch-off maps to give travel inspiration and cure wanderlust, to holiday ornaments from around the world— Etsy provides great inspiration for where to go once the world fully reopens again.

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Our Go-To Holiday Travel Tips

Here’s the truth: These travel tips are great at any time. But there’s something about making holiday travel easier and more memorable that makes this advice even more important this time of year.

Advisors can seamlessly make all of this happen—from booking private events and dinners to always staying one step ahead of changing regulations and local restrictions.

If you don’t already send your luggage ahead, this is the year to consider it. F1S has partners that can get your bags to your destination so you don’t have to deal with the stress of lugging, claiming, and carrying.
Also great for airport travel? An airport greeter, who can help you at every step of the way. That includes making check-in easier (even private, in some places), getting you fast-tracked through customs, offering cart services to quickly get you where you need to go, and even help with making your connecting flight.
Food is the name of the game during the holidays, and we’re here to help with booking a private culinary event—whether that’s a cooking class, food tour, or personalized dinner. Plus, this is a great way to try something new and local, while avoiding crowds.
A way to familiarize yourself with a place and get an insider look at what to do and see before visiting: Tap into Instagram hashtags. They can be specific to a location, like #visitcalifornia or #nyceats, or to where you’re staying, like #theartofbelmond for Belmond properties or #staycuvee for a Cuvée property. (And of course, be sure to follow #F1Sinsider for our expert take.)
We always recommend clients opt for travel insurance, but never has it been more important than now, when there are so many moving parts to travel. F1S also works with Medjet, a service that offers emergency medical-related transportation, which is another smart add-on.

*This article contains affiliate links.

Speaking of things like travel insurance, this is where we remind you again how important it is to have a travel advisor. Advisors can seamlessly make all of this happen—from booking private events and dinners to always staying one step ahead of changing regulations and local restrictions. And our goal—to ensure you have the best travel experience possible—always remains the same.

Speak To An F1S Advisor Now

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A Different Kind Of Holiday Travel