Having a strict or ‘shoestring’ budget when you’re on a trip can be a punch to the gut. The majority of activities you want to do are too pricey, the place you want to stay is far too expensive, and you’ve still got 3 or 4 days ahead to fork out for - what are you supposed to do? Well, you can still sprinkle a little luxury into your adventure if you get clever with the way you plan your trip and spend your money.
It’s true! When you know what you want out of your time away, and you’re headed somewhere that’s known for giving visitors a slice of the highlife no matter the money in their pocket, you can feel that sense of luxury so many travelers look for. So without further ado, here are some of the best ways to make your budget go the extra mile and treat you just right.
Photo by Christian Lambert
Head Somewhere with an Affordable Reputation
Plenty of countries around the world boast destinations with the luxury tag attached, but many of those countries don’t necessarily charge what you would expect for them. In fact there are more affordable tourist spots than there are ‘truly’ luxury and/or exclusive resorts! Countries like Thailand, France, Indonesia, and Spain are all thought of as luxury places to be, but shoestring budgets work very well in these areas as well.
Of course, it’s all dependent on where you go within these countries, but you can easily cross over between districts when you’re a traveler. You can also book any number of tours to experience life in different areas and witness all kinds of sites and experiences you wouldn’t get anywhere else. And the price tags change all the time as people find more and more areas to discover, so what was once a little too pricey for you could now be the perfect next destination to discover. Keep on looking!
Get Out in the Sun
The sun always makes the day feel luxurious! When it’s out and lighting up the blue sky, and there are few clouds in sight, you know it’s going to be a lovely day. And when it’s not raining or overcast, you can pretty much get up to whatever you want. Hit the beach, go through the downtown area, have rooftop cocktails and enjoy the sunset - a good bit of weather goes a long way!
No matter where you’re staying or what destination you’re visiting, if there’s sunny weather forecasted your trip will feel a lot more fancy. Take this chance to pack your towel and swimming costume in an extra bag and take yourself off to heights unknown - if you can find a waterfall nearby, you’ll score some shots everyone will be envious of! Remember: as long as the setting is right, your trip will feel luxury in a way money simply can’t buy.
Photo by Angelo Pantazis
Take in Plenty of Natural Vistas
Another money-can’t-buy element, if there’s a lovely landscape to look out over, your trip will have another luxury factor you won’t have to fork out a single penny for. All you need to do is drive or walk off to a nearby park or forest or cliff edge and take your time admiring the view. A natural vista can take your breath away, and plenty of travelers need to have a moment to really take it all in.
Check out the natural sights before you head off to make sure you don’t waste time looking around whilst you’re there. It’s fun to get lost every now and then, but you want to have a general idea of where you're going and what you’re going to find - once you’ve got the landmark in mind, only then should you go off on an adventure!
Book a Short Hotel Stay
Of course, you might not have the money to stay in a hotel for the long term. But could you stay in a little luxury boutique place for just one night? Maybe the day before you come home, to ensure you get a good night’s sleep and somewhere to relax before you have to get back on a boat or a plane?
One night in a hotel that comes with a spa and pool can have you living the high life for 8 to 12 hours at a time - and that’s often enough when you’re just trying to have a good holiday! And only staying in a hotel for one night really won’t break the bank; check out sites like www.ocean-florida.com to find deals ahead of time and scope out your options during off peak season. Accommodation that’s on the luxury side can be surprisingly affordable when you’re just going for a taste!
Image by Ishan Seefromthesky
Go Home a Couple Nights Early
The shorter your trip is, the more money you’ll have to spend on it. So if you’re already running out of things to do towards the final couple of days whilst you’re away, why not just head home early? It’ll save you some money on big budget things like food, amenities, and accommodation, and that means you can spend that elsewhere.
A shorter trip means better accommodation, better tours and day excursions, and even better souvenirs to take home from local shops. Even if you just free up a hundred pounds or dollars, you’ve got that hundred to make good use of wherever you want to. Maybe you can splurge for a night in a high end restaurant? Or maybe you can buy some of that expensive, locally made coffee? You can do what you like, and that’s a very luxurious idea to have at hand!
Heading off on a luxury trip might be entirely out of your price range - we get that. But needing to use a budget doesn’t have to hold you back. You can add a little bit of a luxury experience here and there, as long as you’ve got good weather and a lovely landscape to revel in!
This post is a contribution to HandZaround.com
Cover Photo by Mohamed Masaau
