10 Things to Splurge On When Travelling

Hiring a private driver to navigate the hairpin turns on the Amalfi Coast? Definitely splurge-worthy.

So I hesitated to write this post because I don’t want people thinking we’re snobs, but then I thought who the fuck cares if people think we’re snobs. We’re at a certain point in our lives where we’ll pay for certain conveniences or experiences and we’re grateful that we can. Because we look forward to our one big trip all year and we want it to be as comfortable as possible (to a point).

This is not a post about luxury travel. So if you want those tips, there are other people blogging about that and living all our travel fantasies (bastards!). These are somewhat affordable conveniences you can consider for your next holiday, particularly if you’re going to Europe.

1. Hire a private driver to and from the airport

Now wait, I know what you’re thinking. Take off your judgey hat off and consider this: you arrive in INSERT SUPER AWESOME PLACE after an eight-hour flight. You stink, you’ve only eaten salted pretzels, and all around you people are speaking a different language. And there’s so many of them. And so many signs.

Why not take the edge off and have someone there to greet you? We’ve done this in Rome and Prague and it wasn’t much more expensive than a cab or a train or a shuttle bus. Yes, it’s likely more expensive than public transportation, but I just recommend you do a bit of research in advance before you write the idea off completely. And the amount of time it takes to use public transportation can end up costing you sightseeing time.

Also, we travel with backpacks - lugging those bitches around train stations and metros and buses feeling exhausted and irritable is a terrible way to start your big adventure. Ease into it. Hire a driver.

It’s a little lazier when you’re heading back to the airport. I don’t know about you, but our travel day has this feeling: Get us the fuck home. One less headache carting our bags around is worthy of getting picked up right at your accommodation.

Tip: If you book both ways, ask for a discount.

2. Get a room with a private bathroom

Sharing is so nasty. (Although I am a pretty serious germ-a-phobe.) I really don’t want to see a stranger’s toothpaste debris or hair. Or deal with waiting to use the washroom (particularly with my sensitive stomach!).

You might miss out on some cool accommodations, but you also might miss out on getting warts on your feet.

3. Book a room with air conditioning

You think you can handle the heat. And then you’re lying in a pile of sweat at 2 am and agreeing with Satan to swap your first borne with an AC unit.

Get a good sleep and just splurge for the accommodation that offers AC. Optional of course if you’re not travelling somewhere hot.

But be a thoughtful guest - make sure you turn it off when you’re not in your room.

4. Pay more to be closer to stuff

Because what do you want to do, pay for transportation to save a few bucks (and waste your time trying to figure it out)? I don’t mean you need a window looking over the Duomo. I mean stay just on the edge of old town, not a half hour away.

We love to walk, but we also like to be in the heart of the action, or the periphery at least. Remember, you have a short amount of time to fit in a lifetime’s worth of memories. Of course for some people, taking public transport is half the fun, so give ‘er if that’s you.

5. Eat a fancy meal once

I’m talking a meal you might not splurge on at home. Six courses, wine pairings, fancy cutlery. Just don’t waste your money on a worn tourist restaurant that inflates their menu prices because they’re located on Piazza San Marco. Do a bit of research, ask your host.

Typically, we tend to grab something quick from the market or a bakery (you’ll also never get fruit or baking that good at home) for breakfast and lunch to save for a fancier supper. For 5 euro, you can get an amazing cappucino and chaussons aux pommes anywhere in Paris. If you’re in Paris right now, you’re probably standing in front of a place.

6. Sip a fancy drink once (or twice)

Drink champagne at noon, try that 15 euro cocktail at that famous bar where Hemingway drunk himself into another story.

We’ll often buy booze the day we arrive and hang out in a common area at night, drinking our cheap beverages. In some amazing cities, you can drink in public so grabbing a beer from a convenience store and walking around at night is awesome too. Just be respectful and don’t get too sloppy. No one likes “that sloppy tourist.” Particularly if you’re in Dubai. Bad idea.

7. Get a room with a mini fridge

If you’re planning to stay a couple nights, a fridge is handy for beer, leftovers, quick breakfasts and lunches. You don’t typically have to pay more for this, but it’s something to consider when choosing a room.

Universal Studios Express Pass means more time for Butter Beer at Harry Potter World.

8. Pay to get to the front of the line in high season

Whether you’re at Disney or Versailles, find out if there’s a way to keep ahead of the crowd and weigh it against the cost of your time (or the cost of seeing less that day).

Some people will disagree with this, but they must be okay with burning time like piles of cash. If there’s a private or group tour for a couple more dollars, take it; if there’s a special ticket to skip the line, take it. Unless you like socializing in line like my dad, then feel free to wait.

9. One or two really nice items to remember your trip by

When you die, you don’t get to take that taxidermy blowfish with you or that creepy mask. Choose what you bring home carefully and think about whether or not you will want it in your house in two years. Personally, I look for unique, local art pieces that are easy to pack. But mostly we hang photos from our trips.

Oh and we often bring back as many bottles of wine as possible. We also have a thing for corkscrews.

10. Invest in one or two experiences of a lifetime

I’m not saying empty your wallet on a private yacht, but I do think there’s justification to save up for one really cool experience. I regret not taking a hot air balloon ride over the Dordogne river valley in France and I (sort of) wish I would’ve sky dived in Dubai over the Persian Gulf.

Think about the likelihood of whether you’ll go back. One big experience may be what you remember when you’re 90. It may change your life or your perspective or your mobility (haha – skydiving joke).

Join a food tour in Prague, take a winery tour, take a Thai cooking class, go parasailing in Canne. Hell, some of these things might not be that expensive since the Internet has made it easy to find cheap deals.

I hope these suggestions give you some ideas for where you can spend for an experience and save on precious sightseeing time. Whether you’re on a budget or just being mindful, there are always ways to balance out how you spend your money on holidays.