When most people think of luxury travel, five-star resorts, award-winning restaurants, and white-glove service likely come to mind. And while all of these things are appealing, the modern upscale traveler is also striving for something more: vacations that feel meaningful. Luxury doesn’t necessarily only mean the opulent bells and whistles anymore (though those things are very nice); luxury also translates to curated and personalized experiences that help travelers connect with themselves, their companions, and the places and people around them. The most precious kinds of adventures help spark personal growth within us—and the following stories cover trips that are nothing short of transformative.

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