Imagine jetting off to the Maldives on a private plane, spending weekends in a French chateau, or organising a child’s lessons aboard a luxury yacht in the Mediterranean. For many, this sounds like a dream reserved for celebrities or the ultra-wealthy, but for those who experience luxury travel as a private governess, it can be part of everyday life. Luxury travel is a unique perk of working with VIP families, but there’s more to the role than five-star hotels and glamorous destinations. Behind the scenes, being a private governess is a professional role that demands flexibility, discretion, and dedication. In this post, I’m giving you an insider’s look at what it’s really like to travel the world as a private governess, the perks, the challenges, and everything in between.
Curious if this could be your next career move? Don’t forget to grab my free Teacher to Governess Mini Guide to discover how you can start your journey into this exciting world.
When Luxury Destinations Become Your Workplace
It’s no surprise that the Easter holidays are one of the busiest times for ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) families to pack their bags and head abroad. With many children attending independent schools (where holiday breaks tend to be longer) families take full advantage of this extended time to escape to luxury destinations around the world.
One such hotspot is Dubai, a firm favourite thanks to its guaranteed sunshine, pristine beaches, world-class dining, and high-end retail experiences. I’ve just returned from Dubai myself, where I had the chance to enjoy a stunning luxury hotel and some truly unforgettable experiences. Proof that, as a private governess, these incredible destinations can become part of your working life. For a governess, Dubai might not just be a dream getaway, it could be your temporary classroom, playground, and office all rolled into one.
We were lucky to have completed all holiday homework before we departed, which meant we were free to fully explore and make the most of everything Dubai has to offer.
During our recent trip to Dubai, I had the opportunity to stay at the incredible Atlantis The Royal, known for its world-class service and gastronomy. Luxury hotels like this often become part of a governess’s day-to-day environment when traveling with high-profile families.
The Governess Role: More Than Just Childcare in Luxury Settings
When people hear the term private governess, they often picture a modern-day Mary Poppins, accompanying children on glamorous trips and living a life of adventure. While there’s no denying that working with high-profile families often means embracing luxury travel as a private governess, that most people can only dream of, the role is far more complex and rewarding, than simply providing childcare in beautiful locations.
Unlike a travel nanny, whose primary focus is on care and supervision, a governess is responsible for maintaining academic progress, encouraging cultural enrichment, and ensuring continuity, even when families are jetting off to different corners of the world.
For many of these families, frequent travel is a way of life, whether it’s extended holidays, business trips, or moving between multiple residences across countries. In these situations, a governess plays a vital role in offering stability and consistency for the children amidst ever-changing environments.
You’re not a tourist, you’re a trusted professional, keeping routines and education consistent on the move. That said, one of the unique perks of this role is that when your responsibilities take you to extraordinary places, you often get to share incredible experiences as part of your day.
During my recent trip to Dubai, I had the opportunity to enjoy an unforgettable afternoon and evening desert safari with the child I was caring for. Together, we explored the dunes in an open-top jeep, watched a captivating falconry display, rode camels as the sun set, tasted traditional Emirati food and ended the day stargazing under the vast desert sky.
It was a perfect example of how, as a private governess, your classroom can sometimes be the great outdoors and cultural experiences like this, become part of both learning and lasting memories.
Luxury Travel as a Private Governess: Jets, Yachts, and 5-Star Perks
As a private governess, luxury environments often become part of your everyday working life, especially when accompanying VIP families on holiday. From five-star resorts to exclusive villas, these stunning destinations aren’t just places you visit, they’re where you work. But before you even arrive at these luxury holiday spots, you’ll likely experience first-class or private jet travel, complete with VIP airport services.
I’ll never forget my first experience flying on a private jet. It felt surreal to be stepping aboard after having spent years driving to school placements in my little Fiesta! It’s moments like these that highlight just how different life can be when you transition into a governess role for high-profile families.
If you’re wondering how to swap your daily, teacher commute, for private governess luxury travel, that could take you around the globe, bringing you unique opportunities, then download my free Teacher to Governess Mini Guide and discover how to take the first step into this incredible lifestyle.
Behind the Glamour: The Day-to-Day Life of a Traveling Governess
As a private governess, it’s easy to get swept up in the allure of luxury travel. But the reality is, this is still a job, and can be a demanding one. As a traveling governess, your priority is ensuring the child’s education, routines, and wellbeing remain consistent, even when your surroundings are constantly changing. Some UHNW (Ultra High Net Worth) families have multiple residences around the world and split their time between them, whereas other families may only travel during the school holidays.
You might spend mornings overseeing schoolwork in a hotel suite, afternoons planning cultural outings, and evenings preparing for the next destination. Jet lag, unpredictable schedules, and adapting lesson plans to fit into travel days are all part of the experience. Having recently flown to Japan from the UK, for a weeks holiday, I can testify how awful the jet lag was. But the cultural experiences we had out there, certainly made up for it.
Having experienced luxury travel as a private governess many times over the last fifteen years, I’ve learned the importance of staying organised and always being prepared for delays or last-minute changes, even when flying from small airports on private jets. On many occasions I have found myself creating impromptu educational games in airport lounges. Flexibility is key!
The Skills You Need to Thrive as a Globetrotting Governess
Not everyone is suited to this fast-paced, ever-changing lifestyle. Thriving as a private governess for high-profile families requires a unique set of skills:
- Flexibility & Adaptability: Plans change, often with little notice.
- Cultural Awareness: You’ll find yourself in diverse environments, where respect and understanding are crucial.
- Organisation: Keeping track of lessons, routines, and travel logistics is essential.
- Discretion: Working with VIP families demands the utmost professionalism and confidentiality.
- Calm Under Pressure: Whether it’s a delayed flight or a tired child in a new timezone, staying composed is vital.
Thinking of making the leap?
If you’re a teacher wondering whether you have what it takes to succeed in this exciting role, grab my free Teacher to Governess Mini Guide and start exploring how your skills can open doors to a global career!
Personally, I’ve grown not only as a professional, but also as an individual. Navigating life in high-end environments, adapting to different cultures, and managing responsibilities on a global scale has been both challenging and incredibly rewarding.
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Want to know more about how this career can transform your life? Check out my blog post on 10 Transferable Skills That Make Teachers Ideal for Governess or Governor Roles for even more insight.
