Does luxury travel necessarily have to be expensive? If you know where (and how) to look, you may find inexpensive fantasy holidays more easily than ever before, whether you’re seeing historic towns in elegance or enjoying drinks by the sea.
From lesser-known locations to clever travel tips that give you a five-star experience without the five-star price tag, we’ll show you how to travel in style on a budget in this book.
Why Expensive Doesn’t Always Have to Mean Luxury
Comfort, exclusivity, and life-changing experiences are what define luxury, not necessarily cost. By picking the perfect destination and planning your travels carefully, you can stay in boutique hotels, eat at fine dining establishments, and unwind in style.
The Best Low-Cost Luxury Vacation Spots
1. Indonesia’s Bali
- Private villas with beach clubs, spa treatments, and infinity pools are the reasons it seems opulent.
- Budget tip: Make reservations during the shoulder season (April–June, September). There will be fewer people and cheaper prices.
2. Portugal
- Seaside resorts, wine tours in the Douro Valley, and cobblestone alleys are the reasons it feels opulent.
- Budget tip: 4-star hotels in Lisbon and Porto are half as expensive as those in Paris or Rome.
3. Turkey
- Turkish baths, Mediterranean coasts, and hot air balloon excursions in Cappadocia are some of the reasons it seems opulent.
- Budget tip: For genuine meals at affordable prices, haggle at neighborhood bazaars and dine at family-run eateries.
4. Mexico (Oaxaca and Yucatán)
- Rich cultural experiences, cenote swimming, and boutique beach hotels are the reasons it feels opulent.
- Budget tip: For genuine charm and lower prices, stay in little villages outside of Tulum or Cancun.
5. The country of Sri Lanka
- Safaris, beach resorts, rainforest lodges, and scenic train journeys are the reasons it seems opulent.
- Budget advice: Take the train, eat locally, and look at guesthouses for interesting stays for less than $50 per night.
When to Save and When to Splurge
Go ahead and indulge:
- Glamping tents, castles, overwater bungalows, and vintage hotels are examples of unusual lodging options.
- Local activities include private chefs, wine tastings, and guided cultural tours.
- Comfortable flights: Long-haul flights can be upgraded to premium economy or business class.
Conserve:
- Avoid weekends and school holidays while traveling during off-peak hours.
- Local transportation: Rather than hiring a car, take the bus, train, or shared cab.
- Local dining and street cuisine are frequently superior to upscale dining establishments, and they cost a third as much.
Ways to Reduce the Cost of Luxury Travel
- Utilize discount websites: Take a look at Skyscanner, Google Flights, Luxury Escapes, or Secret Escapes.
- Points and loyalty schemes: Enroll in hotel and airline rewards programs.
- Travel light: Save on baggage fees and check-in times.
- Set alerts: Receive notifications when airfares decrease.
- Bundle deals: Save money by booking hotels and flights together.
Apps for Travel That Let You Save Money in Style
- Hopper: Predicting flight and hotel costs
- Last-minute luxury hotel offers are available at HotelTonight.
- Rome2Rio: Locate the least expensive route to any destination
- Splitwise: Monitor collective spending on joint travel
Concluding remarks
Enjoying a lavish vacation doesn’t require a high salary. You can design an amazing trip without breaking the bank if you plan, do some research, and have an open mind.
Luxury is about how it makes you feel, not how much it costs.