If you have your heart set on luxury travel abroad this year, you may have falsely assumed that you need to pull on your purse strings just to be able to have a taste of the finer things in life for a week. Or empty your emergency savings account.
Related: Five primetime warm weather destinations for the luxury travel wanderlust crowd
It is, however, entirely possible to organize a luxury holiday for less money than you might think. Look to tried and tested travel tips, tricks, and hacks allowing you to experience how the other half live abroad for less. To familiarize yourself with luxury travel tips for holidaymakers on a budget, continue reading.
Organize travel insurance in advance
If you have booked your flights and accommodation, organizing travel insurance should be your next step. It may sound like a time-consuming and unnecessary expense, especially if you are looking to travel on a budget. But it can end up saving you a considerable amount of money by ensuring you are covered in the event of a medical accident or emergency that robs you of the opportunity to thoroughly make the most of your luxury holiday.
To save money on your travel insurance, always remember to book sooner rather than later. This can boost your chances of receiving a full refund in the event that your trip is cancelled or if you change your mind at the last minute.
Ask for a flight upgrade
If you hate confrontation, the sheer thought of asking for a flight upgrade may send shivers down your spine. But by appearing confident and, in the simplest of terms, as if you know what you are talking about, you are more likely to bag yourself a bargain with it no longer unheard of to receive an upgrade to a first-class seat without spending an extra penny.
This can be an especially helpful tool if you have chosen to splash out on the cost of your accommodation as opposed to your flight with a long-haul flight, noisy neighbour, screaming baby, or lack of leg room no longer a worry when you bag yourself a free flight upgrade.
Luxury travel: Choose a less popular travel destination
It can be difficult, and not to mention nerve-wracking, to visit an unfamiliar or relatively unheard-of travel location on an upcoming trip but by choosing a less popular destination, you may be able to uncover a hidden gem for less.
To experience some of the world’s most awe-inspiring sun, sea, and sand-filled views, for example, the Gili Islands in Indonesia are home to 5-star hotels for as little as £35 ($60 CAD) per night. A similar hotel in Hawaii’s Kalua-Kona will set you back at least £1,000 ($1,690 CAD) per night. This can also allow you to stretch your budget further during your luxury trip with more money freed up for flights, extended stay hotels, activities, excursions, and shopping.
Travel during shoulder season
If you are looking to beat the crowds, travelling during shoulder season can allow you to make the most of the down season and take as many photos as you want without hundreds of like-minded tourists also crowding around and ruining your shot. This includes the months before and after tourism peaks in a particular travel destination which generally tends to be between March and May and August and October.
If you want to plan a luxury trip but are restricted by a limited budget, there are a number of tips and tricks you must familiarise yourself with beforehand. This includes organising travel insurance in advance, asking for a flight upgrade, choosing a less popular travel destination, and travelling during shoulder season.
Travel the perimeter of Western Europe rather than the center
Travel the perimeter of Western Europe rather than the center. Cities that are farther out from the center tend to be less expensive. Think Porto, Portugal; Valetta, Malta; or Athens, Greece. The same does not apply to northern Europe which is quite expensive.
If you decide to travel from Greece to Italy and want to have a day trip in Milan, you can get Milan luggage storage at an affordable rate. If you’re transiting through the city for a few hours and would like to do some sightseeing, the last thing you want is to have your luggage with you. Getting storage for these items is a perfect solution so that you can enjoy your day in the city.
I am a 50-something Torontonian who loves everything about my city. It’s been my home, my playground, for my entire life. I went to school here. I met my wife here. I own real estate here. I love writing about the transformation of my city on the world stage, which hasn’t been anything short of dramatic. That continues on, as I write this. I write on the real estate scene. I write on travel and fashion. I like following the world of luxury watches.
But I love writing about cars – check that, luxury cars, a level of superior, engineering sophistication, high performance and style, that transports you not just from one destination to another but also out of whatever you are going through on a particular day, whatever mood you are in, all to another head space. It’s complete and total exhilaration, head to toe.
Check out my stories, and email me direct at mkeast@regardingluxury.com
