You may know that I started my travel life as a backpacker way back in the 90’s. I stayed in hostels, slept on trains, and ate baguette and tomato until I could not look at it anymore. Having these frugal roots in travel, and being a single mother supporting my family on one income, I have a hard time ever spending more than I must when I’m traveling.
That doesn’t mean I don’t like the concept of luxury. I look at all the same social media as you, with thin young influencers enjoying champagne they didn’t pay for by the pool in a luxury hotel. It would be neat to have the cash for a lux life but I have college tuition to pay. So, what’s a girl to do?
My solution is to indulge in what I consider “small luxuries.” These are the moments when you splash out a bit and get a big return on investment. Small luxuries are the intentional upgrades that provide a high “joy-to-dollar” ratio. They are the tactical shifts that make you feel like a VIP without needing a trust fund. Everyone can do it on any budget, and I’ve written down my favorites, from $10 to much more. It’s a little like being Cinderella. Nobody will know you’re eating cereal for dinner in a cheap hotel in exchange for a fancy cocktail in a ballroom. Cut some corners in your travel budget, spend the savings on something that will make you feel like a princess.
1. The “First Class” Picnic ($40–$60)
Skip the tourist-trap bistro with the laminated pictures of pasta. Instead, head to the local Mercato or Alimentari.
The Move: Spend $50 on the absolute best version of three things: a wedge of aged Pecorino or 36-month Comté, a hand-sliced selection of Prosciutto di Parma, and a bottle of wine that the shopkeeper personally recommends. Take your haul to a spot with a million-dollar view—the Gianicolo Hill in Rome, Steps of the Sacré-Cœur at sunset, or the banks of the Arno in Florence. The Luxury: You are eating better ingredients than the people in the 5-star hotel restaurant, with a better view, for a tenth of the price.
2. The City from the Water Moment ($15–$150)
In Venice, a private gondola will set you back $100+ for 30 minutes. While I think gondolas are actually worth it in the right conditions (like sunset) you can spend less for a similar experience.
The Move: Use the public transport, but do it with strategy. In Venice, take the Vaporetto Line 1 at night and get on at the very first stop. Secure a seat at the very front or back of the boat. For the price of a standard ticket, you get a front-row seat to the Grand Canal’s illuminated palaces. For about $100, you can rent a taxi in Venice for an even more romantic, private treat. There are similar boat experiences in London and Paris, and the evening makes it much more enchanting. The Luxury: The wind in your hair and the city lights reflecting off the water. It’s a cinematic experience that feels like a private screening of the city’s history.
3. The “Chauffeur”
It’s hard to afford a private car and driver. But, here’s a tip: taxis are not just for point to point trips. Did you know you can rent them by the hour? I learned this trick working on guidebooks with Rick Steves. We would ask any random taxi driver how much for an hour? It’s usually about $60-80.
The Small Luxury: Most taxi drivers know everything about their city. If you can find one that speaks English, you can ask them to simply show you their city. Ask them to take you to their favorite place for a snack, their favorite church, whatever they think someone should see. You’ll get a budget chauffeur and tour guide, with an off-the-cuff commentary that is usually about as colorful as it gets.
4. The Professional “Glow” ($60–$90)
Traveling can make you feel world-weary (and look it). Live your Audrey Hepburn moment without the shocking hair cut.
The Move: Book a “Blowout” or, for men, a traditional shave in a neighborhood salon. In cities like Lisbon, Madrid, or Rome, a high-end salon will give you a wash, scalp massage, and professional style for $40–$70. The Luxury: For an hour, you aren’t a “tourist”; you are a “client.” You get to sit in a beautiful local space, be pampered, and walk out feeling like you belong on the streets of Milan. It changes your entire posture for the rest of the day. I often visit a stylist in Rome who used to cut Valentino’s hair, and he makes me feel like an Italian model.
5. The “Off-Peak” or Special Hours Upgrade
Luxury is often just the absence of crowds.
The Small Luxury: Visit the “Big Hits” during the last hour before closing. Why it’s Luxury: Having a gallery in the Louvre or a corner of the Parthenon almost to yourself feels like a private viewing arranged just for you. It costs nothing extra, just the discipline to shift your schedule. The Move: Book the “Early Access” or “Night Tour” tickets for major monuments. Whether it’s the Vatican Museums or the Alhambra, paying the $20 premium for the first time slot of the day is the best money you will ever spend. The Luxury: Standing in the Colosseum under the stars beats any daytime tour.
6. Shopping Like the Queen
Every city has a shopping district and a flagship department store. Most have food halls where you can buy an affordable treat. You can budget for some kind of small luxury item, like a Chanel lipstick in Paris ($60). Even visiting without spending a dime can feel fancy.
The Move: Find the famous department store wherever you’re going. Most have food halls, where you can browse for snacks, or have a lunch. Fortnum and Mason in London sells pretty tins of biscuits and teas that won’t break the bank. El Corte Ingles in Barcelona has a top floor food court that’s inexpensive for lunch and has a fantastic view.
7. The Afternoon “Respite” at a Grand Hotel ($25–$45)
You don’t have to stay at the Ritz to enjoy the Ritz. This is my most enjoyed small luxury while traveling.
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The Move: Walk into the most opulent hotel in town—the ones with the doormen in top hats—and head straight for the bar or the tea room. Order one cocktail or a pot of high-end tea. I tend to look for fancy hotels with a view, such as The Court in Rome. The Luxury: You are paying for the atmosphere, the hushed tones, the plush velvet, and the impeccable service. For $30, you get to inhabit that world for 90 minutes, rest your feet, and use the nicest bathrooms in Europe.
8. Book a Self Care Day
Going to the spa is even more fun, and necessary, on the road.
The Move: Book a massage or spa day wherever you are. Many luxury hotels have on staff masseuses or “hammam” to scrub-a-dub those aching feet. The Luxury: While it’s obviously luxurious to hit a spa at a fancy hotel, taking a day out of your travel schedule for self care is indulgent and will elevate any trip. I look for Thai massage shops (they are everywhere) or nail shops to get a pedicure. Booking a hotel room with a bathtub and buying some nice suds can make you feel like a million bucks.
9. Book that Posh Hotel (Just for a Night)
Schedule one fancy hotel along your route. You don’t need to stay more than one night to enjoy it and one splashy night will make your whole trip feel glamorous.
The Move: Strategically plan a fancy hotel. I will sometimes use credit card points for this purpose. If you don’t have points, look for 5 star hotels in smaller towns which will give you more bang for the buck. For example, there are small town castles you can stay at in France that will cost less than $500 per night, which is the cost of a Marriott in Paris. Since it’s just one night, arrive exactly at check in time and see if you can check out late to maximize your time enjoying amenities. Most hotels will let you use the pool and hotel facilities until the end of the day.
10. Upgraded Transportation
We’d all love to travel first class, but who can afford that all the time? Look for airline deals and cheap rail upgrades.
The Move: Keep tabs on upgrade offers from your airline. Join the mileage program, if you haven’t already, and check on your seats from time to time. Arrive early at the check in counter and ask if there are upgrades on offer. I’ve scored first class for $500 on the spot. Train tickets, if bought way ahead, can sometimes have hardly any price difference between first and second class. The Eurostar, for example, offers business seats that include a meal, so an upgrade of up to $50 feels worth it to me for a lunch and comfier experience.
Why Small Luxuries Matter
Luxury isn’t a price point. It’s a state of mind. It doesn’t matter if you’re staying in a Holiday Inn when you’re having high tea at Claridge’s, nobody else will know. For those few hours, you’re the Queen.
Even when I’m planning my tours, I think about how a strategic $100 spent can make a special event. Plan out a few fancy moments on your trip and those will likely be what you remember and that’s all that matters in the end.
What are your favorite affordable luxuries when you travel? Comment below!
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