Based on a True Story (BOATS) is the brainchild of Niel Fox, who along with his dedicated team arrange the most thrilling and usually nothing less than million dollar trips around the world.
Based in the U.K. it’s not very well known to the public as BOATS caters only to the wealthiest travellers who seek something beyond the luxury hotels, resorts and five-star reception they are used to.
These clients are after a getaway that even money can’t buy. Fox says he stages around 20 such trips each year, and in 2015 none of these cost less than seven figures. Being such a niche service, projects require about two to six months to create and evolve and the small projects start at over 500 K.
The company arranges individual experiences around the world that go far beyond the imaginations of their clients, and each one is completely different. Their aim is to get people into places they wouldn’t normally be able to organise themselves- places where others wouldn’t think of taking them because there are no hotels, restaurants or other necessities close by. Instead Niel and his creative team plan these exclusive holidays, which include one- off luxury spaces, which are designed at the desired location of their client.
While the company can arrange your typical superyacht and land-based itineraries (and Niel has done so for many A-list musicians and celebrities) the situations in which the company thrives are the unusual, unheard-of trips.
BOATS have partnered up with locals on the ground, whereby Niel and his ten-strong team can create experiences no one else could.
Based On A True Story create tailor-made one-off adventures, family expeditions, honeymoons, thrilling fantasies and events, in the world’s most breathtaking locations and Greece is one of their hottest destinations.
One client wanted to teach his four children about economics after Greece’s financial issues with the EU. The BOATS team constructed an elaborate adventure that not only included transport and accommodation, but a written storyline—with sets constructed and hundreds of actors hired to bring it to life.
That journey began with an appearance from an actor playing the ancient god Hermes. “Help my country” he said, by finding a hoard of hidden gold. Then the real-life treasure hunt began.
The children had to become respected warriors, like Spartans, and then overcome Medusa and the Cyclops. In one small village, they met the Minotaur and had to sing a lullaby to get him to sleep.
Each time they succeeded, they received a clue. Eventually they found a massive hoard of gold (real gold) and actually believed they saved the entire Greece. What's even more amazing is during this entire trip the family didn't see one other tourist along the way- even though it took place during August, which is Greece’s high season.
Any traveller returning from their trip planned by BOATS also receives a 250-page leather-bound book, custom made and packed with personal memories and photos. The shots inside have been taken by their VIP tour guides who help design these trips and are also trained photographers.
