With travel starting to heat up again and people planning their post-pandemic vacation for later this year and into 2022, we thought it was a good time to highlight the destinations that offer luxury for the best price.
You missed out on travel over the past year, so your next vacation is going to be a big one. Why not treat yourself and indulge in a little luxury? Luckily, you don’t have to break the bank to enjoy carefully-selected first-class and deluxe accommodations and a combination of private and small group touring. There are destinations that accommodate affordable luxury, which combined with extra savings due to not travelling during the pandemic makes for great value.
If you are planning a vacation in the next few months or want to secure a trip for 2022, these destinations have exceptional offers and are good value. They let you stretch your dollar even further and enjoy the best that travel has to offer.
Dubai
Dubai is one of the few nations that has kept travel going throughout most of the pandemic. You can travel right now and take advantage of the city as an ideal stopover en route to other destinations in Asia and Africa. Prices are highly competitive right now and with the upcoming Dubai Expo 2020 starting in October, prices are going to stay competitive for the near term in order to attract as many visitors as possible. In Dubai, you can explore the futuristic wonders like the Burj Khalifa, head on a 4x4 ride over sand dunes in the Arabian Desert, and cruise along the gulf in a yacht or traditional dhow. You can also pair Dubai with Egypt for an exceptional value vacation to two of the Middle East’s hottest destinations.
Egypt
Like Dubai, Egypt has remained largely open to tourists throughout the pandemic and is currently open to travel. It’s a popular destination year-in, year-out, but offers special value at the moment. As an added bonus, there are fewer travellers than usual at the country’s landmarks, meaning you can have a more intimate experience at the many temples, tombs, and pyramids. You can see the pyramids in Cairo, visit the brand-new Grand Egyptian Museum opening later this year, and explore the citadels and souks of Islamic Cairo while staying in deluxe accommodations. Then transfer to Luxor for a cruise along the Nile River aboard a first-class river vessel and spend your days exploring ancient temples and tombs alongside the river. Combine Egypt with Dubai for the best value and the ultimate way to celebrate your return to travel.
Greece
Greece has always offered great value. Right now is no different. The country is currently open to travellers and offers the chance to explore the treasures of ancient Greece and some of the world’s most beloved islands, all while enjoying pampering accommodations and private guided tours. Connect to several islands in the Aegean Sea, including Santorini and Crete, and explore volcanic landscapes and ancient archaeological sites with expert guides. Discover the wine culture on Santorini with a vineyard excursion with only a few other travellers and enjoy first-class accommodations throughout your travels.
The Islands of Tahiti
The Islands of Tahiti are arguably the most famous honeymoon destinations on the planet. They’re also not what people would call budget destinations. But that doesn’t mean the luxury comforts that the islands are renowned for are out of reach for more budget-conscious travellers. Quite the opposite actually. At the time of writing, travellers can save up to 40% on packages to select first-class resorts throughout the islands of French Polynesia. Relax in a garden bungalow at your beachside resort on the island of Moorea before connecting to Bora Bora for the famous overwater bungalow experience, enjoying several days in a pampering room overtop the turquoise lagoon. You can also explore the mainland on a jeep safari and snorkel alongside reef sharks and friendly stingrays. Combine two idyllic islands on one vacation and take advantage of great savings.
New Zealand
New Zealand has yet to open its border to travellers, so you cannot currently visit the nation. However, right now is a perfect time to plan for 2022 and lock in a luxury trip to the country with the most affordable prices imaginable. Not only will you secure space at luxurious accommodations and on private tours throughout the popular nation, but you’ll save some dollars along the way. You can focus on the North Island or South Island individually, or save on a combined journey to the highlights of both islands. Sail through Auckland’s Waitemata Harbour aboard an America’s Cup yacht, relax at a countryside getaway in Hawke’s Bay, discover the forests and birdlife of the South Island, and fly high over the Southern Alps before cruising up to beautiful Milford Sound. New Zealand is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. How affordable luxury experiences in it can be is the icing on the cake.
South Africa
Safaris will always be more expensive than many vacations, but there are great deals to be found out there. Enter South Africa, a nation that boasts several great safari regions as well as cultural highlights in its various metropolises and coastal regions. If you want to explore this popular wildlife destination, you can book for the near future and enjoy phenomenal deals on luxury accommodations and tours. For instance, you can split time between game reserves in KwaZulu-Natal and Greater Kruger National Park. Stay in 5-star game lodges and split up the two reserves with some time at the beach in Umhlanga while staying at the iconic Oyster Box Hotel. You’ll search for the Big Five in their natural environments and hit up a famous beach in the process. What’s not to like?
Thailand
Thailand is one of the most popular destinations in the world and incredibly affordable. These two facts are likely related, but just because Thailand lets you stretch your budget further than other destinations doesn’t mean the country cannot go toe-to-toe with any other destination on the planet in terms of natural beauty and cosmopolitan wonders. It’s a country that has it all, from the bustling excitement of Bangkok, a city where anything feels possible, to the sun-kissed beaches of the islands in the south to the tranquility and balance of the jungles in the north. Right now, you can plan ahead and save big on a luxury trip later this fall or in 2022. There are great deals on a romantic journey throughout the entire nation, which includes visits to Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Chiang Rai and plenty of time on the beaches of Phuket and Koh Yao Noi. You’ll even stay in a luxury treehouse villa at Koh Yao Noi, an unforgettable kind of accommodation.
31 May 2021, 2:19 p.m.
