This Michigan Luxury Experience is Fantastic and Affordable
Just because something is luxurious, that doesn’t mean you can’t afford it. There are plenty of luxury experiences, including one Michigan luxury experience, that won’t break the bank but will still give you that special, indulgent feeling. Living the high life doesn’t mean going outside of your comfort zone with big spending, either. It can mean enjoying some little adventures that give you the feeling of being VIP. With that in mind, here are some of the best luxury experiences that you can still afford.
This Michigan Luxury Experience is Affordable
The experts at CardRates.com have a new feature up about the best places for luxury escapes, and they name one Michigan luxury experience as not only really fun but also affordable. “A wine-tasting tour through the lush vineyards of Napa Valley, reveling in the dazzle of a Broadway spectacle topped with dinner at a world-class restaurant, or unwinding in the relaxing embrace of a Sedona spa retreat,” they write. They add that this tally features some great places to have luxurious escapades using your credit card points. But, I say, even if you don’t have credit card points, these could be awesome. For their survey, they looked at 3,000 cardholders with significant points balances and studied how they used those points for a memorable weekend escape.
Before we get to our state, let’s look at No. 1 on the tally, which is Maui Beachfront Resort Stay in Hawaii. I’m not surprised to see Hawaii on the top of this roster, because it’s supposedly gorgeous there. “In first place, respondents would most like to redeem their points on a luxurious stay at a beachfront resort in Maui,” CardRates.com states. “Here, they could spend their days snorkeling, stand-up paddleboarding, and relaxing on the sandy beaches.” They also suggest a private helicopter tour, which gives you some views of Haleakal? and the Hana rainforest. I’ve always wanted to visit a rainforest, so perhaps this is my chance. No. 2 on the tally is the Northern Lights Viewing and Hot Springs in Alaska, and No. 3 is Redwood Forest Luxury Camping in California.
So, which Michigan luxury experience is amazing and also affordable? CardRates.com has doing a Traverse City wine and culinary tour as No. 38 on their list. “Base yourself in a luxury resort or boutique hotel in Traverse City and explore the surrounding vineyards on private wine tasting tours,” they suggest. That’s definitely a great way to spend the day, and if you go during the offseason, you’ll find really good deals. They also have a Mackinac Island historic retreat as No. 42 on their tally. Contact me with your favorite luxury experiences.
Secret Tips to Save Money on Your Next Vacation
1. Try to Negotiate Your Lodging
Did you know that hotel fees can be negotiable? Fidelity.com points out that, “You may be able to negotiate the online price by calling a hotel directly, or asking if they have any discounts for students, government employees, or members of certain groups, such as AAA.” So, don’t settle for that price you see on your laptop. Try to do better. It’s a secret tip that can pay off bigtime.
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2. Get Smart with Your Lodging
Did you know some hotels that are virtually the same, including the same brand, can be cheaper just a few miles apart? As a general rule, hotels that are near the airport are more expensive. So, you can look at the hotels you want to stay at and their multiple locations in the area for the best rate. “Some hotels that are under construction may rent rooms at a discount, which is a great option if you can deal with the noise,” Fidelity.com points out.
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3. Snack Your Way to a Cheaper Trip
Going out to eat on vacation can be one of the most exciting things about the trip. But, if you want to save on cash, skip a few meals out and opt for healthy, hearty snacks. Pack (or buy at a local store) some protein-rich snacks, like protein bars and meal bars, and limit your dining out. You can still enjoy some of the best food the area has to offer, just not as much of it. This is a way to stay fit on your trip, too. A lot of people don’t think of this tip, so it’s a bit of a secret.
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4. Timing is Everything
You’ve heard it so many times in life: Timing is everything. That’s true for travel, too. Research to find the least-busy times to visit your destination. If you travel during those downtimes, you’ll save big. While this is a common tip, something people forget is that every vacation destination has its own peak time. So, be specific for your travel spot.
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5. Travel with a Friend
If you’re thinking of traveling solo to a place you’ve always wanted to visit, go cheaper by traveling with a friend. You two can share lodging fees. Also, sometimes there are more deals and discounts for those traveling with multiple people. I always do this when going to a big music festival, if it’s far away. I’ll usually meet my friend there, and we share lodging costs. It also makes the trip more fun.
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6. Find Free Spots to Travel
Look for some free attractions in your travel area. Chances are, they won’t be as packed as the big-named places, too. You can still visit some of the popular landmarks. But, if you add a trip to a national park or free museum to your itinerary, it will save you some cash.
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7. Max Out Your Memberships
Are you a member of any random groups? You might have travel deals just waiting for you. Check everything, from your college alumni membership to your credit cards, for travel discounts. You may be surprised what you find.
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8. Don't Get Picky
Say you just want to get out on a fantastic trip, but you don’t really have a place in mind. That’s actually a good thing. Take an hour to look at flight specials happening right now. If you aren’t picky on where to travel, chances are you’ll find a great rate on airfare and lodging somewhere. Once you find the most reasonable place to travel, then you can start looking at what to do when you’re there.
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9. Go Popular
This is a bit ironic, but often times, the most popular tourist destinations are also the cheapest. That’s because there is a lot of competition for all those travelers. So, big-named destinations like Orlando, Florida, or Las Vegas, Nevada, tend to have really good travel deals. Go popular, or go home.
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