I’ve been writing about travel and digital security for years, but one moment from a trip to Italy still shapes how I travel today. I had just arrived at a secluded hotel tucked into the cliffs of the Amalfi Coast. Everything about the place whispered serenity — the scent of lemon trees, the hush of waves below, the soft light in the room. After a long flight, I opened my laptop to send a quick message home.

The Wi-Fi password was written in elegant script on a small card. I connected, and for a second I felt a twinge of unease. Who else might be on this network? Could someone see what I was doing? Surrounded by physical luxury, I suddenly felt digitally exposed.

That moment changed how I travel. In an age of constant connectivity, privacy itself has become a form of luxury — an invisible amenity as important as a comfortable bed or a good night’s sleep.

For a long time, luxury meant the obvious things — Egyptian cotton sheets, Michelin-starred meals, personalized service. But today’s travelers want something more subtle: well-being, authenticity, and peace of mind. Wellness retreats promise mindfulness alongside massages. High-end hotels tout sustainability and seclusion. And privacy — once an afterthought — has joined the list of what people expect. Increasingly, travelers are also seeking curated, authentic activities beyond the hotel — for example, platforms like GoExplorience, which connects visitors with handpicked local tours and cultural experiences — so that their entire journey aligns with this new sense of luxury.

It isn’t only celebrities who need it. Ordinary travelers, even on vacation, are followed by the same digital tracking, data collection, and notifications they encounter at home. True sanctuary now includes not just where you stay, but how safe and undisturbed you feel when you log on.

We all know to protect our passports and wallets. But few realize that even at top-tier hotels, Wi-Fi networks can be unsecured or misconfigured. Cybersecurity experts regularly demonstrate how someone on the same network can intercept unencrypted data or identify who’s connected.

I learned this the uneasy way. After years of choosing destinations for their tranquility, I found myself unsettled by the invisible infrastructure — the very thing that connected me to the world. That’s when I finally took the time to understand what a VPN is and how a simple, unobtrusive tool could encrypt my internet traffic and mask my location. Services such as X-VPN make it easy for travelers to quickly set up secure connections without technical hassle.

Just as a well-built hotel room shields you from noise, a VPN shields your online activity from prying eyes. It’s a small change that restored my sense of sanctuary.

Now, preparing for a trip means more than rolling silk dresses or folding shirts. I also prepare my digital essentials. Before leaving home, I update my devices, review app permissions, and make sure my VPN is installed. When I connect to a hotel or café network, activating the VPN is as automatic as locking my door.

This ritual doesn’t feel technical. It feels like self-care. Knowing that my emails, banking logins, and travel documents are encrypted gives me the same kind of ease as knowing my valuables are in a safe. It frees me to enjoy the journey — to explore, meet new people, and be fully present.

If you value refined travel experiences, a few mindful habits can elevate your sense of security:

• Prepare before you leave. Review and minimize personal data on your devices. Delete old boarding passes or apps you no longer use.

• Be selective about networks. Use known networks or your own mobile hotspot. If you must use public Wi-Fi, activate your VPN first.

• Limit permissions. Turn off location tracking or microphone access for apps that don’t need them. It reduces data exposure and mental clutter.

• Schedule tech-free moments. True luxury is being fully present. Set aside time each day — perhaps during a sunset drink or morning meditation — without screens.

These aren’t about fear. They’re about aligning your digital environment with the serenity you seek in your physical surroundings.

When I first started traveling for work, I thought privacy tools were only for tech insiders or people with something to hide. But I’ve learned they’re simply part of a modern travel kit — as practical as noise-canceling headphones or a high-quality skincare routine for long flights.

If you’ve ever felt uneasy about hotel Wi-Fi or targeted ads while abroad, it may be worth asking yourself: do I need a VPN? Not because you’re doing anything wrong, but because your peace of mind is worth protecting — and because privacy, like wellness, is easier to maintain than to restore.

In the end, elevating my digital privacy while traveling has taught me something bigger about luxury. True luxury isn’t only about external opulence; it’s about internal ease — feeling safe, focused, and fully present wherever you are.

By making privacy a priority, I’ve turned what once felt like a chore into a quiet ritual. It’s become as much a part of my travel experience as choosing the perfect hotel or discovering a hidden restaurant. And it’s a luxury available to anyone who’s willing to be intentional about their digital habits.

Because in a world where our information is constantly in motion, the ultimate indulgence may be the ability to pause, protect, and breathe.

These habits around privacy have also deepened my appreciation for travel itself. When I feel digitally safe, I’m more open to new people and new experiences. That’s when I discover the most meaningful moments — a local chef inviting me into his kitchen, a hidden alleyway tour with a passionate guide, a quiet sunrise bike ride through an old city.

I now plan my trips with more intention. I no longer see accommodations, activities, and digital safety as separate checklists; they’re all part of one seamless experience. Choosing hotels and experiences that respect my time, my privacy, and the local culture has become my definition of modern luxury.

The result? Travel that feels richer, calmer, and more authentic. It’s not just about where you sleep at night, but how you feel — online and offline — throughout the journey. That’s a kind of luxury anyone can create for themselves with a few mindful choices.