How to organise a cheaper luxury holiday
After all those hours stuck in the office, you want your hard-earned cash to be spent on a vacation where you can truly relax and be pampered – that means mouth-watering cuisine, top-of-the-line service, and a spacious and stylish place to stay.
The only thing standing in the way between you and your luxury holiday, of course, is the funds to make it happen. However, there are plenty of money-saving tips that can help you turn your dream holiday into a reality, and ensure that the idea of a ‘cheaper luxury holiday’ isn’t a contradiction.
Go in the off season
If you’re like most people, you schedule your holiday during the summer months – but due to the high volume of tourism over the summer, it can be extremely difficult to find flights and hotel rooms at reasonable rates. So, consider booking your next holiday in the off season, when hotels and tour operators will be more willing to sell you rooms and tours at discounted rates. Likewise, check to see if you can get cheaper rates by arriving and departing on a weekday rather than on a weekend.
Remember that tropical destinations enjoy favourable weather year round, and destinations south of the Equator reach peak temperatures during the UK’s bleakest months. Experts suggest booking either extremely early – about 11 months prior – or just a few weeks before your intended departure date to find the best deals.
Keep yourself informed
It’s no secret that the Internet is inundated with travel sites that offer discounted flights, hotels, car rentals, and tour packages. Choose a few services and sign up for their daily e-newsletters to be notified of their latest travel offers. Achica Living, i-escape, Tablet Hotels and Vacationist are just a few of the resources available to help you travel in style without having to pay the high price tag.
Book packages
You can find some unbeatable travel deals if you book your flight and hotel together, or look for an all-inclusive holiday package. Of course, you’ll need to do a thorough price comparison and verify which services are included in the package to ensure that you couldn’t book the same package more cheaply on your own. Check out sites like Achica, a members-only luxury lifestyle website that offers daily holiday deals.
Consider travelling in a group
If you’ve been yearning to rent that beautiful beachside cottage for years, don’t let the price tag hold you back any longer. Plan a holiday with some of your closest friends to help split some of the expense. Travelling in a group is also a smart way to get major discounts on tour packages, as agencies will be very willing to cut some of the price padding in order to make a grander total sale.
Don’t be afraid to ask
These days, the majority of us are accustomed to browsing the Internet and booking our hotels, flights and vacation package through the company’s website or another online service. However, it doesn’t hurt to pick up the phone and call – or at least e-mail – an agent to see if they can give you a better rate. Generally speaking, hotels, airline companies, and tourism agencies do not publish their lowest rates online. Even if the agent won’t offer you a cheaper price, they may be able to suggest a package or throw in some extra perks to help you make the most of your money – and secure the luxury holiday that you crave without breaking the bank!
Photo credit: Graham Soult
