Redefining luxury travel: 3 ways to elevate your next budget-friendly trip

If you’re looking to live a little larger on vacation than you do when you’re at home, don’t let your bank-account balance dash your dreams. Luxury travel isn’t only reserved for the wealthy. 

The secret to a more affordable luxury vacation is planning an experience tailored to your personal interest. Everyone has a different idea of what luxury looks like, so put careful thought into what makes you feel indulged.

For you, it may be food adventures planned around meals, days spent at the spa or heading out of town for a tramway ride or hike. Plan your trip around whatever activities make you feel satisfied and relaxed.

Below are some ideas to help you plan the luxe vacation that you deserve— without breaking the bank .

Read more: How to save for every aspect of your trip

Going to a spa while on vacation is a fast pass to feeling like a VIP. But massages, facials and body scrubs can be pricey at high-end properties. Get pampered for less by booking your appointments at wellness facilities that aren’t affiliated with ritzy hotels and resorts. Spa apps and apps that offer discounts on wellness services throughout the country can usually connect you with much better deals in the same area, as can various map apps.

If you do book treatments at the hotel or resort spa, consider shorter, less expensive treatments. A 30-minute massage is still a massage, after all. And a nail polish change will set you back far less than an all-out manicure. The same goes for a hair conditioning treatment versus a haircut or color. If the property where you’re staying isn’t completely full, don’t be afraid to try to politely negotiate a better deal. The worst that will happen is they say no.

Booking a reservation at a highly-rated restaurant can make you feel like a millionaire, but don’t overspend on just one meal. The average price for the tasting menu at a three-star restaurant can be  $357 per person . Instead, make a whole day out of a one-of-a-kind culinary experience for a fraction of that price.

Travel apps allow you to seek out local food tours that will give you a sampling of the area’s best culinary offerings. Browse through a multitude of options that are led by local guides who know the lay of the land and can tell you where the best authentic (and off the radar) local food is served. You can also use these companies to book cooking classes, so you can bring those culinary skills home to elevate your meals there, too.  

If you’re still craving the ambiance of a fine-dining establishment, skip the dinner reservation and sip cocktails at the bar instead. For the price of a cocktail, or an often-less-expensive mocktail, you’ll be able to soak it all in. Making early reservations for lunch (instead of dinner) or the restaurant’s prix fixe menu can help make your money stretch further, too. 

Affordable day trips don’t only happen on crowded bus tours. You can also book private tours with specific travel apps. Depending on the part of the world where you’re staying, you can choose from options like a helicopter ride, a sunset boat cruise, or a private tour of a grand villa. The key is to choose an experience that resonates with you, so you can savor the special treatment. 

Visiting local wineries is another way to feel like you're enjoying a customized experience. They typically include a free guide, and most of them have no entrance fee—or timed entry and exit. That allows you to savor your glass of Pinot or Sauvignon Blanc overlooking the hills of the vineyard, feeling exactly like the VIP that you are. If you’re more outdoors-y, some resorts offer bike rentals or off-site paddle boarding excursions. Seek out such physical activities to get out on the water or towpath and enjoy some fun under the sun for the day.