With experiences like mystery holidays on the rise, it seems that many travellers are seeking the thrill of the unknown. One of the most intriguing, upcoming experiences that fits the bill is The Queen’s Lost Diamonds, a spring 2026 immersive live-action game designed for ultra-high-net-worth individuals by ‘impossible’ travel agency Ariodante Travel.
Awe is what attracts most of us to travelling – you’re unlikely to forget the thrill of the first time you stepped out of the airport into a totally new world, unceremoniously booted from your comfort zone. But the more you travel and the greater breadth of experiences you can afford, the harder that sense of awe is to come by.
Perhaps that’s part of the reason why more elusive and boundary-pushing travel, such as the trendy mystery holidays in which your destination remains a surprise until you arrive at the airport, is on the rise. In the case of UHNWI dropping six figures and more on a trip, completely unrepeatable travel experiences are stepping up the game even further. After all, what is luxury if not an experience just beyond the grasp of most people?
Travel creation agency Ariodante Travel (helmed by Colombian composer and conductor Ricardo Araujo) is at the forefront of these quite literally once-in-a-lifetime travel experiences, designed for centi-millionaire and billionaire clients nicknamed “dream seekers” by the company. In the past, Ariodante has developed journeys like a record-breaking expedition to the islands off Greenland and a murder mystery experience aboard the Orient Express.
The brand’s latest outlandish creation is The Queen’s Lost Diamonds (whose name is rendered even more on the nose by the recent jewellery heist at the Louvre). This isn’t a trip so much as an unscripted live-action game that blends the fantastical with reality, the first in a limited series of such games hosted by Ariodante in locations around the world. The experience has been designed by a team of specialists who have worked in total secrecy for the last three years.
If the whole thing sounds a little bizarre, that’s because it is. But that is also what makes The Queen’s Lost Diamonds so compelling. In this case, secrecy isn’t just a ploy to drive interest. It’s also crucial to the inner workings of the game itself: players won’t receive details until two months before the start date, ensuring they don’t receive outside help or influence. For this reason, few details are available at this point, other than that the game will take place next spring over three days and two nights.
It’s billed as a high-stakes adventure, in which players must navigate more than 100 scenes (with a ratio of 30 actors to each player) through some of Paris’ most iconic landmarks, many of which are typically closed to the public. They’ll have to meet with actors portraying historical characters such as Louis XV, Napoleon, Eugène Delacroix, and Alexandre Dumas in the hopes of beating the game by solving real-life mysteries that teams of scholars have puzzled over for centuries.
Anyone who wishes to play The Queen’s Lost Diamonds must jump through some major hoops to ensure exclusivity. It all starts with a pre-application form on Ariodante’s website, after which a select few applicants will be shortlisted. Founder and CEO Ricardo Araujo will then conduct interviews and personally select players based on factors like mindset, interests, and physical ability. The lucky few will then have to sign an NDA and purchase a ticket, the price for which starts at £437,000.
Beyond the concept and price tag, another unique facet of Ariodante’s experiences is their shift in focus away from destination-centred travel. That means that the destination (in this case, Paris) serves merely as a setting for the adventure rather than a springboard for cultural immersion. This kind of trip is not for everyone, not only because of the stringent application process, but also because, for those in search of relaxation on their travels, this all seems like a little too much. Meanwhile, holidaymakers who prefer rich cultural immersion may feel that Paris’ role as a mere stage upon which an adventure unfolds is not quite enough. We’re curious to see how that approach will shape this particular game, especially considering that it plays out in national monuments, cultural institutions, and historical venues.
If Ariodante Travel is going for intrigue, they’ve certainly succeeded with The Queen’s Lost Diamonds, an experience that seems fit for Indiana Jones. If this trickles down to the rest of the industry, we may start to see more thrilling or imaginative travel experiences on offer. And since travel in itself is already a form of escapism, the inclusion of more imagination and fantasy in our travels could open the door to entirely new realms. We’ll all be waiting with bated breath to see how the game plays out, and what this means for the future of mystery-shrouded travel experiences for the most discerning of travellers. Is not knowing the new luxury? Only time will tell.
Photography via Unsplash and courtesy of Ariodante Travel
