Everyone deserves a luxurious vacation where they experience ultimate relaxation, pampering, and happiness. Given the choice, the majority of people would choose to travel in the lap of luxury year-round. But unfortunately, this doesn't seem attainable for a lot of individuals-or at least that's what they think. The truth is, a luxurious vacation doesn't need to be far-fetched. With the right planning, you can be on your way to an opulent getaway. Read on for our smart travel tips for planning a luxury vacation.
1. Start Planning Early
Probably one of the most important tips we can give you is to start planning early. The sooner you begin, the more time you have to research different locations, choose the best prices, and get your trip down pat. A decently priced luxury vacation isn't going to fall into your lap a month in advance. We suggest planning at least six months ahead of time. This doesn't mean that you need to book everything six months prior, but instead that you should begin your research.
Document the general price of things-this hotel compared to this rental home, this airline compared to that, food costs, etc. For each destination you're thinking of visiting, try to get a general guide for how much it will cost; this will help you narrow down your choices.
2. Look for Unique Locations
We get it-a lot of people want to travel to renowned cities and areas that everyone raves about. Whether that be Aspen or Paris, they have a reputation for luxury. However, there are plenty of other destinations that will provide you with a posh vacation. Go for the places that may not be as well known-look into areas such as Telluride, CO, and southern France.
It will also be better for your bank account if you target the lesser known destinations. If you're not very particular about where you're going, use Skyscanner's everywhere tool. Just input your preferred airport and choose the everywhere option, and Skyscanner will search for the cheapest flights across the globe.
3. Travel Off-Season
Vacations are important, but unless you want to pay an exorbitant amount, you'll want to avoid the times of the year when everyone else is taking a trip. Once you decide where you're headed, determine when is the best time to go. Avoid vacationing on holidays and other occasions when a lot of other people take time off. Thanks to Gallup's research, we know that in 2017, 62% of Americans took a vacation away from home, many of whom did so over the holidays. Try not to vacation when that 62% are traveling, otherwise, you're headed for steeper prices and less availability.
4. Compare Accommodation Prices
One of the biggest aspects that will solidify a luxurious vacation is the accommodations. In order to find the right fit for you, you're going to have to do quite a bit of research and organizing. Think about the pricing of a grand hotel or a beautiful rental property. The goal is to find affordable lodging that comes with extra perks such as a private chef, pool, and more. If you spend more on the accommodations but travel cheap, your budget should equal out.
5. Set Price Alerts
When it comes to getting to your destination, you should set up price alerts. They do all the work for you. All you have to do is set the alerts for different flight routes during specific start and end dates, and let them notify you when the prices are at their lowest. You can even set up price alerts for hotels in various cities if you decide. These will ensure that you're getting the very best pricing possible.
6. Travel Cheaply
Furthering the above point, once you've settled on your opulent accommodation, you'll want to make sure that you keep your travel budget tight. This doesn't just include the flight-in fact, a lot of people end up spending more than necessary on transportation once they're at their destination. For example, instead of paying for taxis or a driving service every time you want to go out, opt for a rental car. If you're in a city, use public transportation-it may not seem as lush, but you'll save more money in the long run.
7. Splurge Carefully
We've discussed how important it is to plan in advance and really pay attention to the varied pricing for different cities and accommodations. That said, as you plan the day-to-day of the trip, you'll want to make sure that you're not overdoing it-you don't want your vacation to go over budget or leave you exhausted. Your luxurious accommodations may be the only thing you need to splurge on. Otherwise, keep the overt money spending to a minimum. There's always plenty of adventurous or relaxing things to do that ooze luxury and won't break the bank.
8. Plan Out Activities
Similar to the above, to keep yourself from stressing during the trip about what to do each day, plan it out in advance. Leave yourself days to do nothing, and plan for days where you can get out and explore. Especially if you're in an area you've never been, you'll want to plan a little more meticulously-maybe you'll need to purchase tickets in advance for a windsurfing lesson or perhaps that to-die-for restaurant requires reservations far in advance. The more you have planned for the day-to-day, the more you'll be able to relax and enjoy your elegant vacation.
As you plan your vacation, consider lodging with Exceptional Stays. We have numerous luxurious rental properties that provide everything you've been looking for. You can find our properties in France, Mexico, Spain, Telluride, Switzerland, and more. We pride ourselves on the ability to give guests the experience of a lifetime.
If you come across a home that you would like to rent out, our property management team in Telluride can help you make the most out of your home. Whatever you decide to use us for, we will go above and beyond to provide you with the best experience. Learn more about how we can help you-from property management, luxurious accommodations, and more-here.
