The word luxury means many things to many people. It could entail Cristal and caviar, a large estate in the Hamptons, and private limos and jets for transportation. Maybe it means a walk-in closet and a fancy home theater setup, drawers full of diamond jewelry, or rows of classic automobiles parked in a custom garage. But no matter what your personal connotations of luxury include, we can all pretty much agree that the term entails comfort, cost, and exclusivity. So for the majority of adults looking to plan a vacation, luxury may seem like nothing more than a pipe dream. However, you don't have to resign yourself to traveling by Greyhound and booking a room at a Motel 6 in order to save some money on your trip. There are ways to get the extravagance you crave without blowing your budget out of the water. Here are just a few tips that will have you lounging in the lap of luxury for less.
1. Go all-inclusive. Cruises offer some of the best options out there when it comes to luxury combined with economy. Most are not terribly expensive (although you will have to pay extra for plane tickets if you don't live near a port), and even rooms with a view or a balcony can be had for a fraction of what you might pay on land. You will get smaller rooms than your standard luxury hotel provides, but if you're touring the Hawaiian Islands, the Caribbean, or the Mediterranean, the view is a luxury in and of itself. Plus, the food is usually delicious and you will have plenty of opportunity to explore ports of call.
2. Explore package deals. Since not everyone is keen to spend a week on a boat, there are also package deals that allow you to save some money when vacationing on dry land. Both travel agencies and online travel sites offer packages that include airfare, hotel, and transportation for less than you would pay for them individually. And you might even join hotel or airline membership programs to get access to special offers.
3. Opt for the off-season. Sure you might pay $500+ per night to stay at ocean-side accommodations in Hawaii during the summer or the holidays, but if you go in March you'll still get the good weather that the islands are known
1. Go all-inclusive. Cruises offer some of the best options out there when it comes to luxury combined with economy. Most are not terribly expensive (although you will have to pay extra for plane tickets if you don't live near a port), and even rooms with a view or a balcony can be had for a fraction of what you might pay on land. You will get smaller rooms than your standard luxury hotel provides, but if you're touring the Hawaiian Islands, the Caribbean, or the Mediterranean, the view is a luxury in and of itself. Plus, the food is usually delicious and you will have plenty of opportunity to explore ports of call.
2. Explore package deals. Since not everyone is keen to spend a week on a boat, there are also package deals that allow you to save some money when vacationing on dry land. Both travel agencies and online travel sites offer packages that include airfare, hotel, and transportation for less than you would pay for them individually. And you might even join hotel or airline membership programs to get access to special offers.
3. Opt for the off-season. Sure you might pay $500+ per night to stay at ocean-side accommodations in Hawaii during the summer or the holidays, but if you go in March you'll still get the good weather that the islands are known