Travel on the other side of the fence: How the rich and famous get around

WHAT must it be like to live in a world where the airspace is shut down when you arrive, your blood type is carried in your car in case of emergency and your security team can request the removal of city roundabouts so you don’t have to slow down?

Who knows, because it’s not a world that most of us inhabit, or may wish to for that matter. But for U.S. President Barack Obama that’s par for the course whenever he moves around the globe. He’s not the only one that gets special treatment though. Let’s take a look at some of the ways politicians, protected persons and personalities travel.

Motorcades for important political delegates at Brisbane’s G20 were often numerous and stretched up to 40 cars in the American president’s case. Pic: Joanne Lane, www.visitedplanet.com

The American president’s motorcade has to be seen to be believed; replete with two limousines, a variety of SUVs, an ambulance, fire brigade, police and other cars it can stretch up to 40 vehicles in length. It’s also never clear which car exactly the president is sitting in himself, perhaps even deploying a decoy to wave for him from the limousine nicknamed “the beast” that is bomb and bullet proof.  When Obama travels his cars are also flown in ahead of him for use on the ground and should he choose to dine out at night several restaurants are booked out so a last-minute decision can be made on which to choose. 

"The beast" aka Obama’s limousine photographed in Brisbane at the G20 Leaders Summit on 15 November, 2014 with a waving figure in the back that may or may not be the president. Pic: Joanne Lane, www.visitedplanet.com

When Russian President Vladimir Putin is traveling the globe it’s not unusual for the Russian navy to deploy in support. Yes, this is a leader who travels with a flotilla. At the recent G20 Leaders Summit in Brisbane on November 15-16, Russian warships were seen just off the coast, floating past as swimmers and holiday makers enjoyed the beach north of the city. Putin also sent his ship to the APEC summit in 2009 in Singapore. Putin also has a motorcade to rival President Obama’s with 20 vehicles recently supplied for the Brisbane G20 Summit that were flown in ahead of his arrival. However, it was reported he wound down the window at one point over the G20 weekend to wave to the crowd.

Vladimir Putin in Brisbane on November 15, 2014 for the G20 Leaders Summit. Pic: Joanne Lane, www.visitedplanet.com

If you’re American actor Tom Cruise you get an altitude perk when you fly. His private jet, a Gulfstream IV, flies about 10,000 feet higher than most commercial aircraft at 45,000 feet. The other great feature about this aircraft is that its pressurized at 6,000 feet rather than the usual 8,000 feet of normal flights so he arrives far more refreshed. He also doesn’t have to wait in a queue like everyone else when he lands because for Tom Cruise customs boards his plane. He’s not the only one to enjoy these lofty heights. John Travolta is also an owner of a Gulfstream IV.

Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud has ruled Saudi Arabia for the past decade and is the world’s eighth most important person, according to Forbes magazine because he has a personal fortune of US$18 billion and is very influential in the Arab world. But at 90 he’s getting on so his brother, Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, did the honours for the recent G20 Leaders Summit held in Brisbane. While the Prince touched down in Brisbane like the other delegates, and stayed at the Sofitel, his forward delegation arrived days before at the Gold Coast an hour away to stay at an exclusive resort. There was also a rumour that they had booked out a major Gold Coast theme park, Seaworld, for their own use for the day. This year a poll by Newspoll found it to be Australia’s most popular park. General admission starts at AUS$93 (US$81).

Arguably the biggest star couple in Hollywood today, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are often seen travelling with their six children in tow. According to Forbes Magazine what is not seen are the legions of nannies helping them as they move around, often mysteriously absent from photographs. At a Caribbean holiday in 2012 The Daily Mail reported they took 12 nannies with them.

In the UK newspapers actually fill with reports when the royal family don’t travel with the usual array of luxurious frills and detailed security arrangements. In 2009 The Telegraph reported the heir to the British throne Prince William’s choice to fly economy “where possible” was made in an effort to cut down his travel budget and done with “little fanfare”. He was again praised recently in 2014 for flying coach on a domestic flight in the US.

Young spectators wait outside of Buckingham Palace for the Royal Wedding of Britain’s Prince William and Kate Middleton in London Friday, April, 29, 2011. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)

Agoda

Last week, Shanghai’s most celebrated dissident announced he would launch a manifesto on human rights to coincide with the World Expo, China’s biggest spectacle since the Beijing Olympics. The next day, the police were at his door. Feng Zhenghu’s “Expo of Judicial Injustice” was meant to be a sharp critique of Shanghai’s legal system just…>

Britain’s Prince Charles met with Indian President Pratibha Patil for informal talks Saturday, a day before the two are to jointly inaugurate the Commonwealth Games, ending a protocol tussle. Charles and Patil, accompanied by their spouses, later strolled through the Mogul-style gardens of the pink sandstone presidential palace in the Indian capital. With Queen Elizabeth…>

Villa Kiara Boutique Hotel

Urban Boutique Hotel

Siem Reap, , Cambodia

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Barefoot Sakau Lodge

River Guesthouse

Sandakan, Sabah, Malaysia

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The Peninsula

Urban, Luxury

Bangkok, , Thailand

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Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit

Urban Luxury Hotel

Bangkok, , Thailand

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Shangri La Bangkok

Urban Luxury

Bangkok, , Thailand

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The Heritage House & Gardens

Boutique Resort

Chiang Mai, , Thailand

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Dream Bangkok

Boutique Hotel

Bangkok, , Thailand

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Santhiya Koh Phangan Resort & Spa

Boutique Resorts

Koh Phangan, , Thailand

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Sala Samui

Boutique Resort

Koh Samui, , Thailand

Deal USD $ 225 per night

Panviman Resort

Boutique Resort

Bantai, Koh Phangan, Thailand

Deal USD $ 275 per night

The Racha

Luxury Resort

Racha Island, , Thailand

Deal USD $ 250 per night

Lebua At State Tower

Urban Luxury Hotel

Bangkok, Bangrak, Thailand

Deal USD $ 150 per night

The Sukhothai Bangkok

Boutique Hotel

Bangkok, , Thailand

Deal USD $ 190 per night

Anantara Bophut Koh Samui Resort & Spa

Luxury Resort

Koh Samui, , Thailand

Deal USD $ 125 per night

Zeavola Resort

Boutique Resort

Ao Nang, Koh Phi Phi , Thailand

Deal USD $ 210 per night

Rachamankha Hotel

Boutique Hotel

Changmai, , Thailand

Deal USD $ 150 per night

LUXX

Boutique Hotel

Bangkok, , Thailand

Deal USD $ 75 per night

The Nam Hai

Luxury Villa

Hoi An, Quang Nam Province, Vietnam

Deal USD $ 550 per night

Hotel Penaga

Boutique Hotel

Georgetown, , Malaysia

Deal 150 per night

Hibiscus Villa

Luxury Villa

Kudat, Sabah, Borneo

Deal USD $ 750 per night

Sepilok Jungle Resort

Nature Resort

Sandakan, Borneo, Malaysia

Deal USD $ 10 per night

Old Penang Guesthouse

Urban Boutique Guesthouse

Penang, Georgetown, Malaysia

Deal USD $ 10 per night

Marco Polo Hotel

Urban Luxury Hotel

Davao City, , Philippines

Deal USD $ 92 per night

Pearl Farm Resort

Luxury Beach Resort & Spa

Davao, Samal, Philippines

Deal USD $ 119 per night

Bohol Beach Club

Beach Adventure Resort

panglao, Bohol, Philippines

Deal USD $ 111 per night

Eastwood Richmonde Hotel

Urban Hotel

Metro Manila, , Philippines

Deal USD $ 94 per night

Casa Leticia Boutique Hotel

Urban, Boutique

Davao City, , Philippines

Deal USD $ 67 per night

Satrisna Home

Urban Guesthouse

Tanjung Bungah, Penang, Malaysia

Deal USD $ 125 per night

Manila Hotel

Urban Hotel

Manila, , Philippines

Deal USD $ 185 per night

Dusit Thani Manila

Urban Hotel

Manila, , Philippines

Deal USD $ 140 per night

Sipadan Kapalai Dive Resort

Beach Resort

Kapali, Sipadan Island, Malaysia

Deal USD $ 1000 per night

Sukau Rainforest Lodge

Eco River Retreat

Kinabatangan River, Borneo, Malaysia

Deal USD $ 400 per night

Casa Nicaros Hotel

Urban Budget Hotel

Manila, , Philippines

Deal USD $ 50 per night

The Poseidon House

Luxury Villa

Kudat, Sabah, Malaysia

Deal USD $ 363 per night

Abaca Boutique Resort

Spa & Wellness Resort

Lapu Lapu City , Mactan Island, Philippines

Deal USD $ 340 per night

Sangria Langkawi

Luxury Beach Villa

Pantai Tengah, Langkawi, Malaysia

Deal USD $ 530 per night

Eternity Springs Art Farm

Eco Wellness Retreat

Byron Bay, New South Wales, Australia

Deal USD $ 100 per night

Bali Dynasty Resort

Beach Resort

Kuta, Bali, Indonesia

Deal 132 per night

Club Bali Hawaii

Beach, Adventure

Anyer, Bali, Indonesia

Deal USD $ 90 per night

Desa Seni

Boutique Spa Resort

Canggu, Bali, Indonesia

Deal USD $ 125 per night

Alila Ubud

Boutique Retreat Resort

Ubud, Bali, Indonesia

Deal USD $ 163 per night

Long Life Hotel

Urban Budget Hotel

Hoi An, , Vietnam

Deal USD $ 28 per night

Grace Hotel Beijing

Urban Boutique Hotel

Beijing, 798 Art District, China

Deal USD $ 135 per night

Life Heritage Resort Hoi An

Urban Retreat

Hoi An, , Vietnam

Deal 131 per night

Princess D’Annam Resort & Spa

Boutique Resort

Binh Thuan, , Vietnam

Deal USD $ 250 per night

Evason Ana Mandara Hideaway

Luxury Beach Resort

Nha Trang, , Vietnam

Deal USD $ 200 per night

Victoria Chau Doc Hotel

Boutique Hotel

Chau Doc , , Vietnam

Deal USD $ 125 per night

The Terraces

Boutique Hotel

Kanatal, Uttarkhand, India

Deal USD $ 240 per night

The Orchid

Urban Boutique Hotel

Beijing, Gulou, China

Deal USD $ 110 per night

The Quay

Urban Retreat Hotel

Phnom Penh, , Cambodia

Deal USD $ 70 per night

Luang Prabang River Lodge

Urban Budget Hotel

Luang Prabang, , Laos

Deal USD $ 40 per night

Royal Bay Inn Angkor Resort

Urban Hotel

Siem Reap, , Cambodia

Deal USD $ 60 per night

Knai Bang Chatt

Beach Resort

Kep, , Cambodia

Deal USD $ 115 per night

City Inn

Urban Budget Hotel

Vientiane, , Laos

Deal USD $ $60 per night

Independence Hotel

Luxury Beach Hotel

Sihanoukville, , Southern Cambodia

Deal USD $ 130 per night

Amanjaya Pancam

Urban Retreat Hotel

Phnom Penh, , Cambodia

Deal USD $ 100 per night

Sala Luang Prabang

Urban Budget Guesthouse

Luang Prabang, , Laos

Deal USD $ 50 per night

La Residence d’Angkor

Luxury Hotel

Siem Reap, , Cambodia

Deal USD $ USD $285 per night

Settha Palace Hotel

Urban Boutique Hotel

Vientiane, , Laos

Deal USD $ 150 per night

Wanderlust

Urban Boutique Hotel

, , Singapore

Deal USD $ 158 per night

The Mercer

Designer Luxury Hotel

Hong Kong, Sheung Wan, China

Deal USD $ 200 per night

The Club Hotel

Urban Boutique Hotel

China Town, , Singapore

Deal USD $ 188 per night

L’Hotel Nina at Convention Center

Urban Budget Hotel

Hong Kong, The New Territories, China

Deal USD $ 100 per night

Hotel Fort Canning

Urban Hotel

, , Singapore

Deal USD $ 240 per night

Marina Bay Sands

Urban Hotel

Marina Bay, , Singapore

Deal USD $ 341 per night

Hullet House

Urban Luxury Hotel

Hong Kong, Kowloon, China

Deal USD $ 500 per night

Hotel De Edge

Urban Designer Hotel

Hong Kong, Sheung Wan, China

Deal USD $ 100 per night

Sunrise Nha Trang Beach Hotel & Spa

Luxury Beach Resort

Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa province, Vietnam

Deal USD $ 134 per night

Maya Ubud Resort and Spa

Mountain Luxury Retreat

Ubud, Bali, Indonesia

Deal USD $ 295 per night

Batu Karang Lembongan Resort

Luxury Beach Resort

Nusa Lembongan, Bali, Indonesia

Deal 230 per night

Bon Ton Resort

Beach Luxury Villa

Pantai Cenang, Pulau Langkawi, Malaysia

Deal USD $ 250 per night

Clove Hall

Urban Boutique Hotel

Georgetown, Pulau Penang, Malaysia

Deal USD $ 180 per night

The Secret Sanctuary Boutique Cottage

Boutique Guesthouse

Kuching, Borneo, Malaysia

Deal USD $ 35 per night

O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat

Boutique Resort

Canungra, Queensland, Australia

Deal USD $ 200 per night

Argonauta Boracay

Beach Boutique Hotel

Hagdan, Boracay Island, Philippines

Deal USD $ 120 per night

Anggun Boutique Hotel

Urban Boutique Hotel

Kuala Lumpur, Bukit Bintang, Malaysia

Deal USD $ 75 per night

Soria Moria

Urban Retreat

Siem Reap, Old French Quarter, Cambodia

Deal USD $ 40 per night

La Villa Battambang

Boutique Guesthouse

Battambang, Rattanak Srok, Cambodia

Deal USD $ 55 per night

The Apsara

Urban Boutique Guesthouse

Luang Prabang, Luang Prabang Province, Laos

Deal USD $ 75 per night

Salana Boutique Hotel

Urban Boutique Hotel

Vientiane, Wat Chan , Laos

Deal USD $ 100 per night

Villa Santi Hotel

Boutique Hotel

Luang Prabang, Ban Wat Sene, Laos

Deal USD $ 90 per night

TenFace Bangkok

Boutique Hotels

Bangkok, Pathumwan, Thailand

Deal USD $ 87 per night

Villa Lomchoy

Luxury Villa

Chaweng, Koh Samui, Thailand

Deal USD $ 275 per night

Hintok River Camp @ Hellfire Pass

Rivers Glamping

Kanchanaburi, River Kwai, Thailand

Deal USD $ 125 per night

Luang Poj Boutique Hostel

Boutique Guesthouse

Ranong, City Centre, Thailand

Deal USD $ 13 per night

The Chedi, Chiang Mai

Luxury Boutique Hotel

Chiang Mai, Chang Khlan, Thailand

Deal USD $ 250 per night

Villa Blubambu

Luxury Spa Villas

Seminyak, Bali, Indonesia

Deal USD $ 115 per night

Santi Sari

Luxury Guesthouse

Goris, Bali, Indonesia

Deal USD $ 200 per night

La Residence Hue

Boutique Hotel

Hue City, Tha Thien-Hue, Vietnam

Deal USD $ 118 per night

Ana Mandara Villas Dalat Resort & Spa

Luxury Resort

Dalat, Lam Dong, Vietnam

Deal USD $ USD $175 per night

Hotel G

Urban Boutique Hotel

Beijing, Sanlitun, China

Deal USD $ 170 per night

Tiger Rock

Luxury Boutique Guesthouse

Pangkor Island, Perak, Malaysia

Deal USD $ 200 per night

The Opposite House

Urban Luxury Boutique Hotel

Beijing, Sanlitun, China

Deal USD $ 330 per night

The T Hotel

Urban Designer Hotel

Hong Kong, Pokfulam, China

Deal USD $ 150 per night

Hotel ICON

Urban Luxury Boutique Hotel

Hong Kong, Kowloon, China

Deal USD $ 335 per night

Hotel 1929

Urban Boutique Hotel

Singapore, Chinatown, Singapore

Deal USD $ 136 per night

The Scarlet Hotel

Urban Boutique Hotel

Singapore, , Singapore

Deal USD $ 200 per night

New Majestic Hotel

Urban Boutique Hotel

Singapore, Chinatown, Singapore

Deal USD $ 196 per night

Rohet Garh

Luxury Boutique Hotel

Rohet Garh, Rajasthan, India

Deal USD $ 100 per night

Padmini Niwas

Luxury Hotel Test

Mussoorie, Uttarkhand, India

Deal USD $ 33 per night

Orange County

Boutique Luxury Resort

Coorg, Karnataka, India

Deal USD $ 380 per night

Old Harbour Hotel

Luxury Boutique Hotel

Fort Kochi, Kerala, India

Deal USD $ USD $185 per night

Nilaya Hermitage

Boutique Luxury Hotel

Arpora, Goa, India

Deal USD $ 397 per night

Maneland Jungle Lodge

Adventure Resort Retreat

Sasan Gir, Gujurat, India

Deal USD $ 65 per night

House of MG

Urban Boutique Hotel

Ahmedabad, Gujurat, India

Deal USD $ 92 per night

Hotel Bougainvillea

Budget Boutique Guesthouse

Anjuna, Goa, India

Deal USD $ 15 per night

Fort Tiracol

Luxury Boutique Hotel

Tiracol, Goa, India

Deal USD $ 172 per night

Fort Chanwa Luni

Luxury Boutique Hotel

Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India

Deal USD $ 130 per night

Fernhills Palace

Luxury Boutique Hotel

Ooty, Tamil Nadu , India

Deal USD $ 235 per night

Carlton Plaisance

Luxury Hotel

Mussoorie, Uttaranchal, India

Deal USD $55 per night