For high net worth individuals, travel has always been about the experience — the unique, one-of-a-kind adventure that can’t be replicated. Journeying into the extraordinary and even the unknown are becoming highlights on luxury itineraries.

A growing trend in these unusual experiences is the surprise factor. Recently, Mashable covered a little-known gem in the culinary world called “Dinner Lab”, which offers its members many of the typical aspects of the dining experience with a twist: they do not know where, or with whom, they are dining. The goal of Dinner Lab is to eliminate the extraneous factors of traditional restaurant dining — formality, ambiance, and familiarity — to create an entirely new and authentic experience. Read the full story on Mashable and check out the video below.

While only $175 per year for an individual membership, the dining experience has enjoyed immense success and is now sold out in 8 out of its 10 cities.

Most luxury travelers, however, do know their ultimate destinations and are instead engaging in spontaneous ventures after arriving. Luxury Travel Magazine is predicting an increase in quick, off-the-cuff excursions, primarily during planned layovers. Although the hours (more likely days) between flights are scheduled, the activities are not. In addition, the article predicts continued interest in farm-to-table culinary experiences as well as trips planned around local events. The conclusion from these developing trends? An increased interest from luxury travelers in the culture and lifestyles of their destinations.

Do you have predictions for the coming year? Seeing any trends in luxury travel? Share them with us and they might be featured in a future blog.