Luxury Travel - Really the best way to experience a country?

[thesecretcompass]

Without sitting on the local buses, sleeping on the floor of a kindly local who has welcomed you into their home or eating in the local markets can one ever truly experience a country, its people and its culture?

In having a luxury hoilday is one being sheltered from the reality of a place?

This is not at all a critisism of luxury travel this is just a moot point

[mike_like_travel]

Interesting thought. I agree with you more when I was backpacking, but now I have a bit more experience under my belt. Now that I think about it, maybe I was just resentful. These days, I would love to be able to travel in the luxury side of things. I cant afford it, but if I could I would.

But I know that if I could afford luxury I would still be able to "meet the locals" and get "off the beaten" path. I have oin the past so I know where to look.

In conclusion I think if you know where the local beat is, you will find it, no matter what hotel you stay at. If you have never been exposed to it and only know luxury, than you may not know or understand what you're missing.

Hopefully that makes sense... If not Im sure I will get called out on it.

[GuillaumeS]

It is possible to combine the true nature of a country and traveling luxurious. It just depends how the trip is organized, but i had many good experiences, where the tour was kinda luxury but still got in contacts with the locals and the culture of that country.

For me luxury does not only mean I get the best quality, but also being private and not being in a group of 100 people or staying in an overcrowded hotel.

[tanya_summer]

Depends on how one would define luxury. For example, I think being able to dress up in a kmono in the traditional Japanese way would be as luxurious as dressing up in Valentino for a night out. Luxury and commercialized doesn't necessarily mean one thing.

[korn]

It is an interesting question, generally I would say: Yes, you miss something if you do not get in touch with the local community since it constitutes an important part of the culture. Local food, language, art and mentality cannot be experienced by living in posh hotels and being served by posh-looking people. I think, the local experience can be real luxury in fact. It widens your view for new things and personalities etc.
but of course, one should not forget that holidays are also about allowing oneself to relax, and luxury can be really relaxing, for example a good shopping tour to get an original Maurice Lacroix in expensive shops, a massage, a swimming pool etc, can enhance a holiday feeling. So I think, luxury also belongs to one's holidays somehow. It does not necessarily have to be something material, maybe a visit of an exclusive concert is okay, too.
Different people, different preferences, I'd say.

[KatyVersey]

I've done both backpacking and luxury travel. In every country and city there are tiers of realities. So whether you are eating a kebab from a street vendor or sampling champagne in a luxury penthouse you still experiencing an aspect of that culture. Obviously, if you are in an all inclusive resort who's only aim is to keep you within their walls spending money then this is different but those that go on that type of holiday are going for more rest, relaxation and ease and not really to experience the local community (both rich and poor).

[jojones]

I think backpacking will get you closer to the real people/culture of a country. That said, I will certainly be going the luxury route when I return to certain places in India and other places in future.

[polepa80]

Hiring your own car for a start, trying to speak the local language whenever possible, trying all types of restaurants serving local food (both the gourmet/expensive ones and street food when possible), listening to local TV and radio. And I guess you must stay in a country at least 2 weeks, better if 1 month or more