How to Have a Luxury Trip for Much Less Than You Think
We, at TravelManor, found this article on luxury traveling and we like the idea of turning a business trip into a luxury trip
A high-end vacation doesn’t have to mean spending big dollars. Here are 10 cities where you can have upscale experiences
without paying premium prices.
Luxury travel can be experienced in two ways: by paying top dollar or by paying less. Given the choice, wouldn’t you pick the
latter?
Of course, the idea of what luxury travel is can differ depending on the person. For some, it means hotels with butlers and fancy
sheets and flying first class; for others, it’s about hitting three-Michelin-starred restaurants and hiring the occasional private
guide and car with a driver.
Ultimately, it doesn’t matter
how you define high-end travel.
What matters is that it doesn’t have to be had at a premium price.
Here, 10 destinations where you can save money on an upscale trip without sacrificing a feeling of
luxury.
Temple of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Barcelona.
Barcelona
Looking for a luxury vacation to Barcelona without paying top dollar to have one? Done, says Virginia Irurita, the founder
of a Madrid-based company that sells upscale trips. “Barcelona has become much
more affordable in the last year,
and a high-end trip on a limited budget is now attainable,” she said.
Ms. Irurita’s advice:
When to Go Hotels in Barcelona have the highest prices from April through October. From November through March,
rates are at least 25 percent lower. Many five-star hotels also offer attractive packages during this low season.
Where to Stay Accommodations in residential neighborhoods offer better value than ones in touristy areas. Les Tres
Torres, for example, has a few locally run, upscale properties like Primero Primera, on a quiet, tree-lined street.
Indulge in Lunch Locals make lunch their biggest meal of the day, and visitors should too, because they can take
advantage of well-priced set menus at top restaurants. A starter, main course, dessert, wine and coffee is around 20
euros (about 23 dollars), for example, compared with 50 euros at dinner. Ms. Irurita enthusiastically recom-
mended lunch at the Michelin-starred eatery Caelis, where a three-course meal with wine is 42 euros.
Skip Cars and Drivers A car with a driver is an unnecessary expense in Barcelona. Taxis are readily available and
Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires isn’t an expensive destination to begin with, and travelers seeking an upscale vacation to the city can have
it without too much effort, according to Jennifer Gillmore, an Argentina expert at a travel company in
Wayzata, Minn. “I know from personal experience that you can get luxury in Buenos Aires without paying luxury prices,”
she said.
Her advice:
When to Go Peak season in Buenos Aires runs from November through March, Argentina’s summer, but Ms. Gillmore
prefers visiting from May to September, when hotel prices drop by 15 percent or more (and temperatures are also mild).
Luxury hotels such the Palacio Duhau Park Hyatt frequently offer promotions during these months: one example is
paying for two nights and getting to stay for three. Breakfast is typically included.
Culture Is a Bargain Buenos Aires is part of the micro theater movement, where a series of short plays is performed
over the course of the evening at small venues; tickets are usually $10 or less a person. And instead of spending money
on a touristy and overpriced tango show, visit a milonga, or tango hall, where you can watch locals dance and also parti-
cipate for between 137 and 219 Argentine pesos, or $5 to $8 a person.
Take Taxis or Walk Taxis are a safe and economical way to get around; Ms. Gillmore advised having your hotel
or restaurant call a radio taxi, which registers all its drivers. Her favorite way to explore the city is on foot.
“The architecture, the streets and the locals is what makes Buenos Aires special, and the best way to appreciate that is by walking,” she said.
Chicago
There’s good news for travelers to Chicago who want a high-end trip: Shawna Owen, the president of a Chicago
travel consultancy, said that compared with other large cities, the Midwest metropolis is relatively
wallet-friendly. “Your money will go far here, but there are ways to stretch the dollar even more,” she said.
Below, Ms. Owen’s tips:
When to Go Chicago’s upscale hotels offer great deals and their lowest rates during the first quarter of the year.
In 2018, for example, the Peninsula Chicago had a promotion where guests who paid for two nights got a third night
free. Nightly rates during those months started at $399, which is more than a 50 percent savings from peak season
rates. Ms. Owen said that hotels also tend to offer promotions in August.
Eat Affordably Enjoying some of the city’s most popular restaurants doesn’t have to break the bank, Ms. Owen said.
And, since the food portions are generous, it’s possible to split dishes and save even more money. Her top picks for reasonably priced eats include
Lou Malnati’s for deep-dish pizza, Small Cheval for burgers and Publican Anker, a vibrant gastropub with creative
dishes.
Soak Up Culture Chicago has a fantastic and affordable culture scene, Ms. Owen said. Admission to the Museum
of Contemporary Art,
which has groundbreaking exhibits from global artists, is only $15, and some theaters have discounted tickets for same-
day shows. Steppenwolf, for example, allots 20 tickets priced at $20 each for some performances.
Walk or Take the L Regardless of the time of year, Chicagoans love to walk, and Ms. Huffman recommended
that visitors do the same. As an alternative to walking, the L, the city’s rapid transit system, is an efficient and inexpensive way to get around
Hong Kong
Hong Kong can be a cost-prohibitive vacation
destination, according to Brooke Lavery, a Southeast Asia specialist and an owner of a New York City luxury travel
company. “Hong Kong is one of the most expensive cities in the world, but also offers a great high-low
balance which can be optimized,” she said.
Ms. Lavery’s suggestions:
When to Go Hotel rates stay steady in Hong Kong throughout the year with the exception of June, July and August;
these are the city’s hottest and most humid months, and hotel prices drop. However, they’re not the ideal time to visit,
Ms. Lavery said, unless you don’t mind steamy weather.
Stay in Lesser-Known Hotels Hong Kong has plenty of upscale independent and small-chain properties that are
a fraction of the cost of hotels from well-known luxury brands. Examples include The Pottinger, on a stone slab
street, and East HK, in the buzzy Taikoo Shing neighborhood.
Save on Food, Splurge on Cocktails Ms. Lavery recommended a Cantonese fine-dining experience, like Seventh
Son in Wan Chai, for lunch because the tab is lower compared with dinner. For dinners, stick to inexpensive, casual
joints that serve noodles or curry balls, and post-meal, head to a bar for a cocktail. “Drinks can be pricey, but you’re
spending a lot less than you would on a high-end dinner,” Ms. Lavery said.
Shop for Custom Clothes Hong Kong is known for its incredible tailors, and an article of bespoke clothing is a fan-
tastic souvenir; most tailors can turn around a piece in 48 hours. Custom shirts generally cost 314 Hong Kong dollars
(about $40) while suits can run 3,924 Hong Kong dollars (about $500). The Central area is full of talented tailors like
Jantzen Tailor.
Walk and Take a Boat The ideal way to see the city is to stroll through its many back alleys and get lost. Or book
a walking tour; Little Adventures in Hong Kong, for example, has walks limited to five people that are led by local
journalists and chefs and cost $115.
Sailing Victoria Harbor on a traditional Chinese wooden junk is a quintessential Hong Kong experience. Instead of book-
ing an expensive private boat, go for a reasonably priced small-group tour; AquaLuna, for one, offers a range of these.
Turbine Hall at the Tate Modern in London.
London
A luxury trip to London on a limited budget isn’t hard to pull off, says Nicola Butler, the owner of a London travel
company specializing in upscale vacations in Britain. “The favorable exchange rate between the dollar and the pound
make the city an affordable vacation choice,” she said.
Ms. Butler’s advice:
When to Go Hotel rates in London soar from May through July. From early September to the end of February,
however, they drop slightly. If chilly days don’t bother you, January is the cheapest month to visit. “The hotels have
the lowest prices, and restaurants, theaters and museums offer deals to boost business during a quiet time,”
Ms. Butler said.
Splurge on Tea, Save on Lunch and Dinner Enjoying the famous London tradition of afternoon tea at a
luxury hotel like Claridge’s is 50 percent less expensive than dinner in a pricey restaurant but has the same sense
of extravagance. For lunch, grab an inexpensive and tasty meal at a food hall such as Bang Bang Oriental, special-
izing in Asian cuisine, or hit one of the food markets such as Borough Market. Come dinnertime, try a pub
to sample hearty British cuisine like fish and chips.
Culture Is a Bargain Many of London’s museums, including the Tate Modern, have free admission. Art galleries
are also free, while popular attractions such as St. Paul’s Cathedral have inexpensive entry fees, and some theater
houses sell discounted tickets for same-day shows.
Skip Cars and Taxis Chauffeured cars and taxis in London can cost a few hundred pounds a day. Save money, soak
up the city and get some exercise all at the same time by using walking as your main mode of transportation. For longer
distances, rely on the Tube.
The Palacio de Bellas Artes, in the foreground, in Mexico City.
Mexico City
There’s never been a better time to take a luxury-for-less vacation to Mexico City, according to Lillian Aviles, the
director of business development for a Mexico travel company that sells upscale trips to the
country. Ms. Aviles, who lives in the city, said that the peso is weak compared with the dollar, and prices,
in general, are low. “You can get a lot without spending too much,” she said.
Her tips:
When to Go Mexico City is a corporate-driven market, so weekends are the time to go; weekday hotel rates
can be twice as much. Prices also dip between May and September, when the weather is hot, but given the tempe-
ratures, the savings may not be worth it.
Eat Like a King High-end dining in Mexico City is a bargain compared with other large cities. Ms. Aviles’s tops
picks include Limosneros, which uses pre-Hispanic ingredients like the leafy greens called quelites in modern
dishes (the average dinner per person without a drink is about 466 Mexican pesos, or about $25) and Los
Danzantes, which serves upscale Oaxacan cuisine (the average dinner per person without a drink also about
466 Mexican pesos).
Dining at a taco bar is another option: two or three tacos with wine will set you back between $5 and $10
a person.
Shop at Markets For the best deals on fantastic shopping, hit Mexico City’s many markets. On Saturday, for
example, the San Angel neighborhood has a bazaar where local designers sell wares ranging from ceramics to jewelry,
and Mexican painters sell their canvases. The daily artisan market La Ciudadella sells handmade goods from
around the country.
Take Uber “Uber is inexpensive and efficient,” Ms. Aviles said.
Milan
Italy’s fashion and business capital of Milan isn’t necessarily the ideal destination if you’re on a budget but enjoy high-
end travel. Luca Finardi, the general manager of the Mandarin Oriental Milan, said that the city’s five-star hotels,
designer stores and well-known restaurants can be expensive.
But he also said that there are ways to save.
Mr. Finardi’s tips:
When to Go Hotel rates in the city are up to 30 percent lower in November and December compared with the rest of
the year. These months are Mr. Finardi’s preferred time to be in town. “The temperatures are mild, the holiday decor-
ations are up and the atmosphere is lively,” he said.
Dine Smart Michelin-
starred or otherwise pricey restaurants are common in Milan, and travelers who want to experience them should
go at lunch, when the cost of a meal is substantially less than at dinner. At the two Michelin-starred Seta, for example,
a three-course lunch with an amuse bouche and petits fours is 70 euros (about $82), compared with 150 euros
for a similar meal at dinner.
And don’t miss the Milanese tradition of going to a bar for aperitivo hour, usually from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Drink orders
are typically accompanied by free food.
Shop Local and Hit Sales Travelers can find well-priced fashionable ware from local designers in the many
boutiques in the Isola and Brera neighborhoods. If you’re on the hunt for goods from Italy’s many internationally
known luxury brands, come in January and February when they have their sales.
Walk, Bike and Use Public Transportation Mr. Finardi said that the center of Milan is small and walkable, and
the public transportation system of metro lines, buses and trams is efficient and clean. To explore more expansive
areas such as the scenic Parco Sempione, consider renting a bike from the bike-sharing service BikeMi; daily
rates start at 4.50 euros ($5.25).
The Minara Masjid, right, in Mumbai.
Mumbai
A luxury trip to Mumbai, India’s largest city, on a wallet-watcher’s budget isn’t hard to pull off, according to Fiona Caulfield,
the founder of the India travel book series Love Travel Guides, who also lives in the country. “If you have some basic know-
how, you can get a lot for your money without spending too much,” she said.
Her advice:
When to Go Mumbai hotels rates are highest from October to mid-April. Prices drop at least 30 percent until the end of
September, but Ms. Caulfield said that May and June are uncomfortably hot while July and August is heart of monsoon
season. “The end of April and September are the most value-friendly and ideal times to visit,” she said. Also, many prop-
erties offer 10 to 15 percent discounts on stays of three nights or more.
Avoid Eating at Luxury Hotels Mumbai’s many five-star hotels are full of pricey restaurants that usually aren’t worth
the expense. Ms. Caulfield said that travelers can save substantially by sticking to independent places. Her favorite is
The Bombay Canteen, which serves regional contemporary Indian food. Time Out Mumbai has an expansive list of
options.
Shop at Bazaars and Markets The city’s bazaars and markets sell high-quality, unique goods, and haggling to
get the lowest prices is the way to go. Colaba Causeway has several street stalls that sell fashionable handcrafted
leather sandals for men and women, and Chor Bazaar hasvintage finds.
Hire a Private Guide Compared with other large cities, private guides are a manageable expense in Mumbai.
You can find a guide through an online search and on TripAdvisor.com. No Foot Prints and Bombaywalla are well-
regarded local tour companies.
Get Around Like a Local Avoid taking expensive hotel cars; taxis are safe, inexpensive and easy to hail, and Uber
is also popular and affordable.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.
New York
A luxury vacation to New York City on a budget can be done, according to Eric J. Gordon, the owner of Beyond Times Square, a company that plans high-end New York City trips. “New York is expensive, but there are ways to have an upscale getaway without paying premium prices,” he said.
Tips from Mr. Gordon:
When to Go Hotel room prices in New York are highest from September to the first week of November, and from Thanksgiving to New Year. They’re also high in the spring and summer. In early November and from January through early March, however, they drop by around 20 percent. The city's hotel industry is driven by business travelers so nightly weekday rates at upscale hotels are as much as $150 more than weekend rates.
Eat Strategically If high-end dining is a priority for you, Mr. Gordon said to plan your visit during Restaurant Week (usually at the end of January through early February, and at the end of July through early August), when a three-course lunch at some of the city’s finest restaurants is $29 and a three-course dinner is $42. And, at any time of the year, many pricey restaurants like Estiatorio Milos offer comparatively affordable prix fixe lunch and dinner menus, usually during certain hours.
Culture Is a Bargain Some of the best sightseeing in New York is inexpensive. The Metropolitan Museum of Art has $25 admission, and your ticket is also valid that day for the Met Cloisters, in Upper Manhattan, and the Met Breuer, a 10-minute walk away. The city also has free festivals and street fairs throughout the year, and Central Park and Hudson River Park host free concerts in the summer, spring and fall. Time Out New York lists events in town.
Skip Cars Relying on taxis or car services for transportation can add up to $100 or more a day. Take the subway or walk instead. Mr. Gordon also recommended the NYC Ferry: a one-way ride is $2.75, and the boats have Instagram-worthy views of the skyline. If a car is a must, try the ride-sharing app Via, whose rides are usually a moderately priced $5 to $7 a person.
Luxembourg Gardens in Paris.
Paris
An upscale vacation to Paris can be a pricey proposition, says Barkley Hickox, a Paris specialist and an owner of a
New York travel consultancy. But she also said that there are plenty of ways to stretch your dollar and have a high-end
getaway.
Her tips:
When to Go Get the best value on hotels by visiting Paris between November and April, when they have their lowest
rates. Some high-end properties offer further discounts if you book a stay several months in advance and also have
attractive packages that can include meals and other amenities during these months.
Arrive in Style The all-
business airline La Compagnie flies direct from Newark Liberty International Airport to Orly Airport and has fares
starting at $1,000 round-trip. Also, some business travel agencies, including Local Foreigner and Skylark, have access
to discounted business-class tickets to Paris on large carriers.
Choose the Right Accommodations Families traveling to Paris should consider booking a luxury apartment
through a company such as OneFineStay or Paris Perfect. It’s less expensive than booking multiple rooms at a
high-end hotel, and having a kitchen to cook meals on occasion helps cut food costs. The city also has several afford-
able but upscale boutique properties including Maison 1400, in one of the oldest houses in the Marais district, and
Le Roch Hotel & Spa, set in a 19th-century house in the heart of the city.
Eat Smart Dine at one of the city’s renowned restaurants at lunch, when the tab is much lower compared with dinner.
Several popular places offer affordable midday prix fixe menus. For dinner, Ms. Hickox recommended going to
restaurants in residential neighborhoods such as South Pigalle, the Haut Marais and Montmartre, where a meal
with wine can be between 35 and 50 euros a person.
The blog Paris by Mouth has advice on more off-the-beaten path restaurants.
In warmer weather, pick up
a baguette, cheese, pastries and wine and head to Luxembourg Gardens or another park for a decadent but wallet-
friendly picnic.
Ditch Taxis and Cars Ms. Hickox’s favorite way to explore Paris is on foot. “You can fully appreciate the city’s beauty
by walking, and it’s designed for walkers because there are walking paths and sidewalks everywhere,” she said.
For longer distances, she suggested using the city’s bike share system, Velib or the Metro; both are inexpensive.
Article source: https://corporatetraveltalk.wordpress.com/2019/03/27/how-to-have-a-luxury-trip-for-much-less-than-you-
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