True travel is messy. It’s uncomfortable. It’s raw. It doesn’t come wrapped in a package with an itinerary that promises you personal growth for the right price. And yet, we’ve built an entire industry around the idea that transformation can be bought—that all you need for an "authentic" experience is the right kind of luxury, conveniently marketed to match your curated vision of the world. This isn’t travel; it’s escapism, and the worst part? People are buying into it.

Luxury travel exists in a different realm. It isn’t about escape—it’s about experiencing the world without sacrificing comfort. Unlike cruises, it allows for choice. Travelers can stay in stunning hotels and still immerse themselves in local culture. But that depends on how they approach it. There’s a big difference between staying in a high-end lodge while truly exploring a place and never leaving the infinity pool. Luxury travel can be authentic, but it often isn’t. Resort