[luxury travel]grinvalds/Getty Images * The ultra-rich are investing more in travel as a way to show off their wealth, and that includes everything from sabbaticals to brief vacations. * We teamed up with luxury travel agency Original Travel to find the hottest spots billionaires went to in 2019. * A few classics like Great Britain made the list, but many billionaires are seeking adventure, from Rwanda to Bhutan. * Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. Investing in travel is becoming an increasingly popular way for the ultra-rich to signify their status — and they're extending it far beyond the classic idea of a vacation. But just where are these billionaires headed? Business Insider teamed up with boutique luxury travel agency Original Travel, which plans trips for high-net-worth individuals, to find out the hottest spots the elite spent their money on in 2019. They based this ranking on the number of bookings and performance; the latter was assessed by feedback, their expertise, and client inquiries. Turns out, billionaires had a taste for adventure in 2019. While a few classics made the list, such as Britain and France, far-flung countries — from Rwanda to Myanmar — made an appearance on the list, too. Keep reading to see where the rich are got their passports stamped this year. 15. MONTENEGRO Olena Z/Shutterstock Lesser-known than neighbors Croatia and Greece, the tiny slice of Adriatic coastline that is Montenegro has previously lacked high-quality accommodation (other than the Aman network) to rival its fjord landscapes, Tom Barber, co-founder of Original Travel, told Business Insider. Montenegro got a luxury upgrade in 2019 with the newly opened Chedi Lustica Bay, he said. 14. OMAN Shutterstock/lkpro Business Insider previously reported that Oman is the next big destination for luxury travelers. Its peak travel season runs from October to April. "Luxury brands like Anantara Hotels, which has already opened two resorts there, are claiming the country's culture and unique topography are a huge draw for travelers," reported Sarah Jacobs. 13. FRANCE FreeProd33/Shutterstock Champagne, in particular, is France's hottest destination right now, according to Barber. Belmond's new Pivoine Champagne barge launched in 2018, and the recent opening of The Royal Champagne Hotel "injected a much-needed shot of luxury and style to the hotel offerings of the region," he said. He added: "From barge or hotel, we recommend arranging a private vineyard tour and tastings including a backstage at Bollinger experience, along with a make-your-own Champagne lesson and treehouse Champagne bar experience for a comprehensive immersion in the region." SEE THE REST OF THE STORY AT BUSINESS INSIDER SEE ALSO: * Forget Bali and Mykonos: An ancient port city in Turkey is the under-the-radar luxury hotspot to visit in 2020 * Forget New York City and Paris: These are the 11 best small cities to move to in 2020 * Tadashi Yanai — the richest person in Japan — is stepping down from the board of SoftBank. Here's how the founder of Uniqlo built and spends his $31 billion fortune. SEE ALSO: WHAT A $1 MILLION VACATION LOOKS LIKE IN MYKONOS, GREECE, WHERE YOU'LL FLY IN ON A PRIVATE JET, SLEEP IN AN OCEAN-VIEW VILLA, AND CRUISE THE SEAS IN A YACHT DON'T MISS: BILLIONAIRES' VACATION PERKS RANGE FROM FERRARI-DRIVING LESSONS TO AFTER-HOURS TOURS AWAY FROM THE CROWDS — HERE'S WHAT IT'S REALLY LIKE TO TRAVEL WHILE RICH
 |
| READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.businessinsider.com |