Think it’s impossible to do book a luxury break on a budget? It’s actually well within the realm of possibility – all you need is some creative thinking and time to hunt out the best deals.
While it’s obviously important to stick to holidays that you can afford, finding a way to indulge in a truly luxurious retreat is great for your body and mind, giving you the chance to recharge and unwind. It can also be a fantastic way to bond with the people that you care about.
That’s why we love these tactics for making your dream break cost less.
Club together on a group holiday
Why book a room in a hotel when you could stay in your own, exclusive property with stunning architecture and its own pool? Booking a huge property and splitting it between the cost between a large group of friends or a couple of families can actually work out as a much better deal, particularly when you consider the quality of the property that you’ll be booking.
Take the example of Tuscany luxury villas: these can sleep as many as 16 guests, and offer privacy and relaxation that you often can’t get in a hotel. If you’re able to fill up all of the rooms with paying guests then you’ll really be getting a great deal. You’ll also be able to club together to stock the kitchen and take in turns at the cooking, which is a lot better value than eating out every night.
Make savings on the things that matter less
Everybody has their own fantasy of what a dream holiday should be, and you need to work out what yours looks like. It may be that the quality of the accommodation is the most important thing, in which case you’ll be looking for mod-cons like heated floors, an infinity pool or a fully equipped kitchen. On the other hand, you might prefer a slightly cheaper place to stay if it means that you can splash out on fine dining or one-of-a-kind experiences.
Try some visualisation techniques to figure out exactly what your perfect holiday consists of. Lie back, shut your eyes and imagine that you’re already there. What are you doing? Who are you with? See which things your mind lingers on – and try and be as specific with the details as you can. Once you’re done daydreaming, write it all down and then list out the priorities so that you know where to focus your money.
Embrace local culture
You may be on holiday, but that doesn’t mean that you need to be a tourist. Some of the best experiences are to be had with the locals, which is to say that you’re more likely to make memories at an authentic restaurant than an overpriced chain.
Again, this can leave you with more budget to flex in other areas so that you can afford that luxury villa or those first-class flights. But it also allows you to get something that’s essential to any luxury break: experiences that you wouldn’t have been able to have at your home. This means indulging in local delicacies and venturing off the beaten track, giving yourself a chance to sample the real culture of your holiday destination.
Stay close to home
There are some truly stunning locations across Europe that can easily match up to places you’d see by flying yourself halfway across the world. Going a shorter distance means that your carbon emissions won’t be as high, you won’t have to spend quite as long cramped onto an aeroplane, and you won’t end up shelling out quite as much money on a flight. Once you’ve looked out over the rolling hills of central Italy or sunk into the sand at a Greek beach, you’ll find yourself wondering why you ever planned to venture further afield!
Ultimately, you can’t book a luxury break without spending out in some areas, but this doesn’t have to mean that it’s beyond your budget. By making smart decisions, booking as part of your group and making compromises on the things that don’t matter as much, you can significantly cut down on the cost of a truly exceptional break.
