Travel
Date Published: 12-04-2025
endless tabs, and constant second-guessing. In The Truth About Luxury Travel,
Raymond Giles reveals a better way to see the world: through the eyes of a
professional luxury travel concierge who turns ordinary vacations into
effortless, unforgettable experiences.
corporate assignments and visits to more than fifty UNESCO World Heritage
Sites, Giles explains what luxury travel really means. This book is not about
spending more money; it is about traveling smarter.
• What a luxury travel advisor actually does and why it is more personal
than a booking site.• How concierge-level planning saves time, reduces stress, and often
costs less than do-it-yourself travel.• The real truth about travel costs, hidden perks, and industry myths
that keep travelers from better experiences.• Essential insights on group travel, insurance, money management, and
safety abroad.• How to plan with purpose and design an itinerary that feels effortless,
intentional, and memorable.
transparent look inside the world of modern luxury travel where value,
personalization, and peace of mind matter more than price tags.
or simply curious about how high-level travel planning works, The Truth About
Luxury Travel is a practical and engaging guide that shows how to elevate
every journey without losing authenticity or control.
EXCERPT
Prologue
From my first Navy travels across Europe to leading global assignments for major companies, my passion for exploring cultures and connecting with people has never wavered. It was on those journeys that I discovered how meaningful travel could be, and not just the places I visited, but the moments shared, the stories heard, and the doors opened through intentional, curated experiences.
I’ve been to 56 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, navigated language barriers in remote places, and experienced both luxury and adversity on the road. Those experiences taught me how powerful travel can be-not just as an escape, but as a way to reconnect with ourselves, each other, and the world at large.
Over time, I realized that most people don’t travel this way—not because they don’t want to, but because they don’t know how. They either rely on algorithms and discount sites, or they fall into the trap of thinking luxury travel is only for the wealthy. In truth, the best travel experiences aren’t about spending the most money—they’re about knowing where to go, how to plan, and who to trust.
This book is the result of that journey. It’s a guide for travelers who want more from their travel experience-more peace of mind, more personalization, and more value. It’s also an invitation to rethink how you plan and experience travel, especially if you’ve been doing it all yourself or working with agents who treat your trip like a transaction.
As a luxury travel concierge, I’ve made it my mission to take the hassle and guesswork out of planning so you can focus on enjoying every moment. I’m here to advocate for you, guide you, and elevate your travel from “just a trip” to something transformational.
Let’s explore how I do that—and how you can benefit.
Raymond Giles is a married father of three based in Texas, a proud U.S. Navy
veteran, and a nuclear trained submariner.
After serving aboard fast-attack submarines as a machinist’s mate, he earned
his Bachelor of Applied Science and Technology in Nuclear Engineering
Technology from Thomas Edison State University.
