Break-the-Bank Birthday
PRICE TAG $2.5 MILLION
As part of a $2.5 million, two-week birthday romp through southern France that a Los Angeles man threw for his wife and 30 of her friends, 20 vintage cars from all over Europe were imported to Provence for a road rally through the Bandol wine region. The road was closed to the public for the 90-minute race, and at one of the pit stops the birthday girl's favorite chef from Los Angeles served snacks. Other highlights included a six-night sailing on a luxury cruise ship and a private cooking lesson with a two-star Michelin chef. –Lia Batkin, In the Know Experiences
Copter Crazy
PRICE TAG $17,000
A traveler in Istanbul who wanted to visit Troy at the last minute insisted on a twin-engine helicopter for the trip. One was procured — along with two pilots and a noted historian — for a tour that lasted just a few hours. –Kevan Cowie, Exeter International
Bieber Fever
PRICE TAG $25,000
Justin Bieber brings a girl on stage to serenade at every concert, so one client paid $25,000 for his daughter to be picked by the teen heartthrob. A New York couple paid close to $19,000 for a two-day trip to D.C. to attend President Obama's second inauguration and inaugural ball. –Jim Zissler, Inside Sports & Entertainment Group
Politburo Par-tay!
PRICE TAG $1 Million
Six members of the Russian parliament, their wives, and adult children had planned a month-long, $1 million vacation in Canada fishing, hunting, and stopping in Montreal for plastic surgery. Sadly, visa setbacks forced them to cancel the trip. –Marc Telio, Entrée Destinations
It Takes a Village
PRICE TAG $1 Million
For a diversion during a $500,000 three-day holiday to Ireland, a family of five had a Celtic village, complete with thatched-roof roundhouses and silversmiths, constructed at Lismore Castle. Entertainment included jugglers, fiddle players, a sword fight, and a private fireworks show. –David Tobin, Dream Escapes
From Russia, with Rubles
PRICE TAG $800,000
A Russian tycoon took seven employees and their sons on a 10-day off-road trip in Mexico. They flew from Moscow to Chiapas in the client's private 747, rented 15 4 x 4s directly from the owners (at $10,000 apiece), hired local police and private security for every leg of the trip, and had groceries imported from around the world — lobster from Maine, pheasant from England, and caviar from you know where. –Zachary Rabinor, Journey Mexico
Peak Experience
PRICE TAG $800,000
For a 50th-birthday celebration, a Canadian woman surprised her husband with a trip to Brazil. Birthday festivities — for some 30 guests — included a private dinner on Sugarloaf Mountain and joining in the winners' parade during Carnaval. Price tag for the week: approximately $800,000. –Martin Frankenberg, Matueté
Source: Conde Nast via Huffington Post
