5 affordable vacations that feel lux
Planning your next vacation can be loads of fun, but it does have its downsides. One of the worst parts about vacation planning has to be the budget, when you have to make tough decisions about if you can really afford that fancy spa, or whether the view from the bedroom is going to be the beach or the parking lot.
Luckily, fans of luxury vacations don’t always have to compromise. There are plenty of destinations and vacation options that are much cheaper than you might think, but still provide that elegance and sophistication that comes with the fancier end of the spectrum. These are five affordable vacations that still feel luxe.
Live like French royalty for under $100
If you’ve ever wanted to know how kings and queens live, take a look at this astonishing AirBnB in France. A genuine, honest-to-goodness three bedroom castle, with turrets, a wine vault and a swimming pool, all for $82 per night! Live out your dreams and fantasies about being whisked away by European royalty as you drink in the ambiance of the historic setting. You can’t get more budget-friendly luxury than this.
An all-inclusive paradise in Fiji
All-inclusive resorts are a great way to spend a little time in a luxurious setting without breaking the bank. Resorts on the picture-perfect island of Mamanuca in Fiji offer some truly stunning deals, with options including flights, transfers and five days of extraordinary pampering and all-inclusive dining starting from as little as $1,500.
Caribbean elegance in Colombia
Caribbean vacations can be expensive, which is why the savvy crowd is increasingly heading down to Cartagena on Colombia’s beautiful Caribbean coast. This beautiful beach city is full of breathtaking colonial architecture and a wonderfully vibrant nightlife and culture, and beachfront hotels with spas, pools and even golf courses are available at exceptionally reasonable prices. Watch the sunrise on the beach, then explore the city’s myriad delights, before spending the afternoon relaxing under the shade of swaying palm trees.
Natural beauty in Mexico’s Riviera Maya
Take a long weekend cruise down to Mexico’s gorgeous Riviera Maya, and explore the extraordinary variety that this part of the world has to offer. From ancient Mayan culture and the remarkable natural world of the Sian Ka’an biosphere reserve to dreamy white-sand beaches and crystal clear turquoise waters, this has everything a luxury tourist could hope for. A cruise brings great value for money, while Mexico offers great bang for your buck, making this a completely affordable trip.
Mainland Tanzania, not Zanzibar
Zanzibar is world-famous as a resort destination, particularly among newlyweds, but can cost a pretty penny as a result. However the Tanzanian coastline just across the water from Menai Bay is just as beautiful, but with hotels and experiences at a fraction of the cost. There are a range of excellent beachfront luxury hotels in Dar-es-Salaam that offer a similar Indian Ocean beach destination without the need to remortgage the house, and the city itself is a bit of a cultural hub too and well worth exploring.
*This is a collaborative post.
