Photos by: Ciara Aranilla / Oracle
LUXURY TRAVEL FOR A STUDENT ON A BUDGET: IS IT POSSIBLE?
By: Dianne Mikaela Socorro S. Brillantes
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If there's one crucial thing that one should do to make a successful travel plan, it would be to research, research and research— yes, research is an undoubtedly important element in making a travel plan. Whether it is planning an itinerary, browsing accommodation options, or booking tickets, research is essential and is basically the foundation for an entire trip. After all, thousands of travel agencies use this to their advantage and make a living out of it. Besides, it is also part of what makes travelling fun and exciting, especially if it is your first time. Without proper research, then the possibility of your travel experience being unsatisfactory and different from your expectations is high.
Even if you are not that good at planning or do not know much about the place you are visiting, you can still get a ton of useful tips from travel bloggers and by reading articles about their experiences and opinions. If you are still feeling quite unconfident about planning a trip on your own, you could try reaching out to different travel agencies directly and seeing which one can provide you with the best service. Alternatively, maybe a friend or a family member can help you out; the only way to know is to ask! With that in mind, you can always have the luxury at a lower price if you…
1. Visit a city with fewer tourists.
Getting off the usual path can not only cut down your major expenses, like accommodation, local transport, food, and sightseeing, but it can also allow you to enjoy tourist-free places, which are often more authentic and just as pretty as the major tourist hubs. This way, your limited budget will take you a lot farther and allow you to fully experience a luxury-vacation for less, wherein also only a few have experienced before.
2. Avoid tourist traps.
Usually, popular places that attract a lot of tourists tend to have higher prices than normal. Generally speaking, tourist traps will account for most of the money you will spend during your holiday. This is, of course, due to the inflated prices in these places. Again, a great way to avoid tourist traps and save some money is to do my favorite thing in the world: get off the beaten path!
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3. Consider an all-inclusive-vacation, but don’t forget about deal sites.
If you want to leave a part of the planning to someone else and have a hassle-free vacation, consider an all-inclusive-vacation. You can find a lot of last minute deals for 4-star or even 5-star properties for only a fraction of the price. However, despite booking an all-inclusive holiday, there can always be some other things you might want to do. That is why you should not forget about travel deal sites available on the internet. You can find guided tours, boat cruises, and more for prices that you didn’t even think were possible!
4. Travel where your currency is worth more.
Following the economy news never hurts, especially if you’re planning to travel. Keep track of which currencies are performing well and which are plummeting before you visit. Don’t forget to compare the exchange rates before you visit, and ensure that where you’ll be travelling won’t cause you more harm than good.
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5. Not all 5-star destinations are expensive.
Choosing the right vacation destination is arguably as important as the whole planning process. There is a difference between staying in a luxury hotel in the west and staying in a luxury hotel in the east. This comes down to the living standard and price levels in that particular country, as well as the currency exchange. If you are a smart traveler, you will ideally choose a country where your currency can buy more things for less. Doing your homework regarding the economic situation in the country and the particular currency conversion rate will help you choose the right destination with ease.
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ORACLE™, MARCH 2019
