Tips for Taking Luxurious Vacations for Less

When you think “budget vacation,” you might envision staying at less-than-glamorous motels and cooking most of your meals on a hot plate in the room.

Fortunately, it’s possible to enjoy some luxurious and enjoyable vacations without breaking the bank or having to compromise on where you stay. As for how to make this happen, consider the following tips:

Stay Away from the Super Popular Spots

If you have a need to put your toes in the sand and relax on a gorgeous beach, you can do so for a budget-friendly price. The secret is to steer clear of popular destinations, where a majority of tourists tend to flock, and instead opt for beaches in less-traveled areas.

For instance, if you stay in Miami, prepare to spend a lot of money for lodging. Conversely, if you head to Galveston, Texas — or another beach city on the Gulf as opposed to the coast — you’ll find cheaper hotels, along with bargain restaurants and other budget-friendly activities.

Watch for Last-Minute Deals

If you can leave for your vacation with little notice, you can often score some amazing deals. For instance, Princess offers a number of Alaska cruise packages that include glacier viewing experiences and the chance to see some pretty amazing wildlife up close.

The Princess website also has a “deals” tab at the top of the page that’s frequently updated with cruise deals and promotions. This includes a section that showcases low prices on Alaskan cruises. For people with more flexible work schedules, the ability to head out without a ton of notice can result in an affordable luxury vacation.

Travel During the Off Season

Most popular vacation spots increase their rates during peak seasons, and those tend to fall on school breaks. For example, in March when many schools are on spring break, airlines and hotels will raise their prices. To save money but still travel to amazing places, avoid these seasons and try to go during other times of the year.

For instance, if you’ve always wanted to check out the beautiful Southwest and book a luxury resort in Scottsdale, traveling in the winter or spring will cost you more. Instead, opt for the summer. Yes, it will be a lot hotter, but if you plan to spend time in the resort spa and splashing in the pool, the warmer weather won’t be an issue.

Always Opt for a Basic Room

Fancy suites with tons of amenities are ideal for vacation. But to save money on your trip, go for a basic room instead. Plus, if you plan on spending most of your time out and about enjoying the city and what it has to offer, you don’t need to shell out an arm and a leg for a room where you’ll only be sleeping and showering.

Luxury and Low Cost Can Go Hand in Hand

Ultimately, it should be reassuring to know you don’t have to go deep into debt or rarely get away on nice vacations due to cost.

By choosing carefully where and when you travel, being flexible with departure days and opting for basic accommodations instead of the glam suites, you can enjoy a luxury champagne vacation at a beer budget price.