A six-figure summer vacation

It's time once again to be reminded that the very rich - we're talking net worth of more than $10 million - are indeed different than... well, let's just say me and Roderick. Rich people surveyed for Elite Traveler magazine plan to spend an average of $622,202 on luxury goods and services this summer, a 56 percent jump from 2005, which is the last time the survey was conducted. Yacht rentals are tops in spending - $384,000 - followed by redecorating, at $129,000 (what better time to work on the mansion when you're out on the yacht?), and villa rentals, at $106,000. Among the big categories this summer: experiential excursions, which is spending lots of money on a vacation that's supposed to have some greater purpose for the soul - like learning to make pasta at a villa in Tuscany. "The super wealthy are not impacted by external influences such as gas prices, job outlook and mortgage rate increases," said Russ Prince of Prince & Associates, which conducted the survey. Thing is, should someone in Los Angeles with a net worth of $10 million be considered super wealthy? In some neighborhoods, that would be slumming it. Anyway here's the breakdown:

ACTIVITY % RESPONDENTS $ PLANNED
1)Yacht rentals 10.6 $384,000
2)Redecorating 44.9 $129,000
3)Villa rentals 15.7 $106,000
4)Experiential excursions 25.8 $103,000
5)Jewelry/watches 73.7 $94,000
6)Luxury cruises 47.5 $92,000
7)Charitable giving 97.5 $82,000
8)Vacation home rentals 12.1 $82,000
9)Spa Services 67.7 $61,000
10)Summer entertaining 93.9 $56,000