The remarkable and lesser explored destinations made possible by private jet, from the Atlantic Ocean islands to the Arctic Circle.
Don’t be limited by direct commercial flights this autumn and winter. Here are seven great options which could be perfect for a last-minute holiday with family and friends.
All these destinations are great options for two- to seven-night holidays packed with new experiences. Yes, you can reach them by commercial flights too. But with multiple legs and inconvenient layovers, you lose too much time for the trip to be worthwhile.
Private jets not only maximise your time. They help your holidays in places other people simply don’t know.
Bodrum
The summer season continues until late October in Bodrum. While most Czechs know Antalya, Istanbul and Alanya, because of the direct flights, Bodrum is where Turkey’s best hotels are located.
These include the Czech-owned Six Senses Kaplankaya, best for couples requiring a serene beachside retreat.
The Bodrum EDITION has a lot more energy and is a better choice for a group of friends. For families we recommend Mandarin Oriental Bodrum, a beachfront property full of natural charm.
Bodrum is a combination of beautiful coves, exclusive resorts, fishing villages and spa retreats. Where you could spend a day cruising in a traditional gullet, exploring wonders of the world on the interior, or doing nothing at all.
Corsica
Corsica is a fantastic explorer destination in Europe. It’s stayed more authentic than neighbouring Sardinia, mostly due to the limited flight access throughout the year.
Welcome to an island of rugged mountains and time-forgotten villages, with clearest turquoise waters and whitest beaches in all of Europe.
Unlike Sardinia, Corsica doesn’t have a proliferation of top luxury hotels. We recommend Corsican villa options, especially the old fincas converted into contemporary private villas, often with infinity pools overlooking the Mediterranean.
Corsica is a surprisingly large island. Almost all commercial flights land at Ajaccio Napoléon Bonaparte Airport, next to the island’s main city. We prefer other parts of the island.
With a private jet you can land at one of four different Corsican airports. And you can fly back from another.
Champagne
Wine harvest has just begun in Champagne and it will continue until the middle of October.
So how about drinking Champagne in Champagne? And getting involved with the harvest!
In early October you can discover how Champagne is harvested and made, with the wine producers as your guides.
Another highlight of visiting Champagne is discovering small local producers who don’t export their production outside of France. There’s so much more than the big-name Champagne houses most people know, or even producers like De Castellane who are known but not world famous.
Of course you can go drink a 2008 Dom Perignon Brut, Moët & Chandon Brut Imperial, or a Krug Clos du Mesmil. After being guided by a local expert, you’ll return home with cases of enviable Champagne that your friends and peers don’t know.
Another benefit of flying by private jet: there’s no stress about how to get your wine purchases back home. We will advise you on luggage limits of course, as these vary by aircraft, but in most cases you can step on board with the Champagne you bought.
Ibiza
The white Balearic isle is overly chaotic and crowded during the peak months of July and August. The best time to visit is mid-September to mid-October.
This is when the crowds have left and the clubs have their infamous closing parties. In particular, the first week in October is a never-ending feast of the world’s best DJs playing extended sets and villa parties, getting loose themselves after long summer residencies.
Away from the clubs, it’s a place to rest and reset, to ignite the free spirit from within yourself. This is an island of mystical light and a persuasive rhythm, as well as the hottest places to be seen.
The new Six Senses Ibiza is our favourite hotel on the island, hidden away in the far north of the island. Nobu Hotel Ibiza Bay is a better choice if you want to party, as it’s much closer to the biggest clubs.
The Azores
Nine green volcanic islands, cast adrift in the Atlantic Ocean. Think steep peaks, sunk calderas, green crater lakes, lava tubes, volcanic vineyards, whale watching and epic surf.
It’s a true once-in-a-lifetime explorer destination, all about getting out in nature and feeling the beauty of silence.
Except most people visit the same places on the same few islands. This is mostly because they fly to Ponta Delgada International Airport on São Miguel. With a private jet you can fly direct to the lesser-visited outlying islands too, saving on layovers and long, bumpy ferry journeys.
This private jet destination also differs from the others because of the longer flight distance. All aircraft have a different range and we recommend different aircraft depending on the journey and who you are flying with.
We are an independent jet broker with access to a complete range of aircraft. So we can always present to you different jets and prices, for every individual flight.
Skiing in the French Alps
After a ski season made famous for a lack of snow, it makes sense to stick to higher altitudes in the Alps, above 1600 metres. So, Courchevel for Christmas?
On a commercial flight it’s a 2.5-hour transfer from Geneva Airport to Courchevel. Bear in mind that direct flights from Prague to Geneva do not operate every day either.
Clients flying private will land in Chambery, only one-hour road transfer from Courchevel. Chambery is also the closest airport for a ski holiday in Meribel (1400 – 1750 metres) and recommended choice for skiing in Val d’Isere (1850 metres), although note this is a two-hour transfer.
We like aircraft like the Pilatus PC-24 for flying in the Alps.
It’s a versatile jet that can land on short runways and negotiate steep mountainous terrain, with plenty of space for up to eight passengers and all their ski equipment.
Note that although there is an airstrip and helipad in Courchevel, commercial access isn’t possible due to the dangerous approach and very short runway.
Lapland for Skiing
For an alternative ski destination go north to the Arctic Circle. There’s always winter snow in Lapland and the skiing can be combined with many other experiences.
Imagine witnessing the northern lights from a glass igloo, after a morning on a dog sled and afternoon on the slopes.
Imagine crossing a frozen lake on an electric snowmobile, exploring vast wilderness areas populated by reindeers. Before a couple of hours on the slopes.
Citation 680 Citation Sovereign, Citation XLS, Gulfstream G200 and Gulfstream G280 are our regular recommendations for a ski holiday in Lapland. These aircraft have a good combination of range, price, cabin space and luggage space.
So you can fly direct to Lapland without a refuelling stop. Where in Lapland? The new edition of Explorer magazine has all the best options.
A Holiday by Private Jet
Of course private jets create a feeling of exclusivity. More crucially, private jets will take you to destinations you couldn’t otherwise visit.
Use these seven ideas for starters. We have many more to share with you and we’ll demystify some of the perceptions about private jets.
We can even ensure your flight is powered by sustainable aviation fuel, so your carbon footprint is below that of taking a seat on a typical commercial flight.
There’s a whole world out there to explore. Where do you want to fly?
