Many girls dream of traveling like a princess, but trust funds are hard to find. What’s a budget-minded princess to do?

Actually, luxe travel isn’t so unattainable with the right tricks. Trust me on this: I love to travel in style, but there’s no platinum credit card bankrolling my trips!

1. Find the Next Big Thing

One trick for finding value-friendly vacation destinations is scoping emerging locations on the brink of becoming the next hot vacation spot. Prices can be amazing since hotel inventory and services haven’t skyrocketed.

So what’s the next big thing, you ask? Try Panama, home to some outstanding Caribbean beach resorts and spas as well as amazing bargains. Search for a fab Renewal Suite at The Westin Playa Bonita Panama for less than the price of a standard hotel room in the US.

Prepare to be shocked when you see what you can get for your dollar in terms of dining, excursions and spa treatments.

Of course you should head to the spa, right? At the current rates charged at The Sensory Spa by Clarins you can afford half a dozen spa treatments for the price of a single treatment in most US spas.

2. Give Your Camping Experience an Upgrade

There was a time when the words “camping trip” meant uncomfortable nights, air mattresses, doing without a restroom or shower and eating out of a cooler all weekend. It’s fun for some, but one thing was for sure: you’d come home with plenty of dirt under your nails and desperate for a bath.

These days of course gals who love the outdoors and comfort in equal measure don’t have to compromise on either thanks to the joys of glamping: glamorous camping. See what they did there? Clever huh?G

A luxury, pampered camping trip means you can enjoy the great outdoors without having to use an outhouse at the same time. Glamping definitely is not roughing it. You will find everything from Turkish rugs, velvet chaise lounges, to four-poster canopy beds.

Glamorous camping is even available in Peru. Glamping along Peru’s legendary Inca Trail to Machu Picchu sounds very much like what an Inca Princess would have experienced during their lifetime. The mystique of the region as you trek to the “Lost City” has an exclusive ring to it too!

3. High Tea WithOUT the Queen

There is nothing more refined than taking time for High Tea in the afternoon. You may not have the budget to stay at an urban castle for the entire night, but visiting for afternoon for tea makes one feel like royalty.

Lady Grantham herself enjoys a tea that closely resembles the one held most days at The Ritz-Carlton Buckhead.

The Lobby Lounge’s large fireplace is the optimum location to refresh for the afternoon like a proper lady. Don’t forget to point your pinkie!

4. Don’t Blow the Crown Jewels

Unfortunately, for all the non-princesses among us usually we have no choice but to accept that we’re going to have to stick to a budget during our trip. In this situation I prefer to book into a budget-friendly hotel but then head out to find what facilities and spas I can find elsewhere.

I know plenty of princess wannabes that stay at Disney World’s Pop Century budget resort but still feel like true royalty by making appointments at the nearby luxurious Blue Harmony Spa.  The lobby has large paintings of royalty, chairs you could sink into all day and a spa with a private hot tub.

5. Every Princess Needs a Castle

 

One does not have to be a real life princess to sleep like one! How does a stone archways turrets and ancient castle charm feel for a place to lay your head? No princess should be without a castle, and the Ashford Castle in Ireland has made that happen.

The spectacular setting includes 350 acres of woodlands and gardens. The gray stone castle was once home to those who are practically Irish royalty, the Guinness family (yes the beer).

Riding and golf along with a stein of beer or two round out the most popular activities here. You can have a few drinks, since the castle rooms sometime go for as low as $139 per person per night. Most importantly, you’ll feel just like the “Princess and the Pea” in their large high rise beds with fluffy bedding.

 

Ava Roxanne Stritt

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ava is a travel writer and editor of the blog Spa Travel Gal. She believes that travel, spa and skincare experiences are not a luxury, but essential to a healthy body and mind. If her family needs to find her they just call the local luxury spa.

A renowned expert in spa and luxury travel, Ava is featured in USA Today, the Los Angeles Times, Spa Week, Fox News, and the Atlanta Journal Constitution, among many other publications.

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