“I want it to be special the first time,” he said. “Unique, off the beaten path, nothing run of the mill,” he added. Then he finished with, “Mostly, I want to come back feeling like I have a real sense of what it is like to be an Italian – oh, and maybe I’d like to fly first class!”

Before we ended the meeting, one subject (possibly the most challenging part) still needed to be discussed. It was essential and sometimes uncomfortable to bring up in the middle of a love fest like we were having. This could be the dealbreaker for both of us…

It was our first meet-up. A casual 30-minute Zoom date to test the relationship. No commitments, just a chance to learn more about him, a follow-up to his intro questionnaire.

Things were looking good. We seemed like an ideal match. He wanted to go to Italy; I had the means and the expertise to make that happen in an extraordinary way.

Understanding Travel Budgets

As you may have guessed, I am a travel designer. The professional term for the modern-day evolution of what used to be a “travel agent” (More on that in Part Two). My potential client and I were at that point where we had to address the subject of what his budget was going to be for this dream trip to Italy.

Now I know I don’t have to tell you that cost is always at least a question when someone wants an extraordinary travel experience. What may surprise you, however, is how often potential travelers come to me with either no idea of how to set a budget or, worse, with a very unrealistic expectation of what their “budget” will get them, especially regarding international travel. When one of these situations arises, it is uncomfortable for everyone involved and it need not be that way.

Qualifying Questions for Travel Budget

First, I NEVER tell people what they should spend on their travel experiences. I do personalized travel designs. For that reason, I approach the travel budget with one qualifying question: 

Is the traveler interested in the cheapest trip possible (the topic of yet another blog), or are they interested in the travel design that provides the best experience while being cost-conscious regarding a realistic budget?

The later traveler varies into two more categories: 

1. Travelers who want to know the cost of their wildest travel dreams before deciding on how much of the vision they wish to pursue
2. Travelers who have a budget in mind and want to see what style of travel the budget will afford them.

Factors Influencing Travel Budget

I can work from either direction during the inquiry consult, but ultimately, I will additionally need to know the following factors and their order of priority to the potential client:

• What Destination(s) do they want to go to
• Style of travel
• Length of Travel
• How many travelers
• Dates

To help potential clients feel comfortable discussing what they want or can invest in their travel dream, I have created the following guidelines for a MINIMUM budget. This assumes: 

• a verified 4-star property
• includes roundtrip private airport ground transportation
• reserved/recommended mostly private experiences
• usually some extra perks (Example: Breakfast included, Hotel or Resort Credit, Complimentary Upgrade at check-in, custom amenities, etc.)

(NOTE: Airfare is volatile and unpredictable; therefore, I have NOT included it in these guidelines – I will discuss best practices for purchasing your air in another blog.) Also, keep in mind that your travel date selection will increase costs during peak season, holidays, and special events or as demand for a destination increases (thank you – no thank you, IG influencers).

One final factor to consider is the exchange rate. 

TIP: When considering travel to an international destination, and the budget is tight, consider paying in full at booking to avoid the potential that the exchange rate becomes less desirable months later when the final payment is due. Of course the exchange rate could become more desirable as well.

Cost Estimates for Global Destinations

All that being said, Below are COST ESTIMATES for various global destinations. These are based on my years of experience and my worldwide connections. Drumroll, please…

The minimum investment required to provide the best travel experience when traveling to and in:

• Europe – $1,100/day per person
• Canada – $975/day per person
• Continental US – $900/day per person
• Hawaii and Alaska – $1100/day per person
• Scandinavia – $1,250/day per person
• Caribbean/Mexico resorts – $1,200/day per ROOM night (Two occupants)
• All-inclusive resorts – $950/day per ROOM (Two occupants)

Understanding Travel Costs

If these numbers gave you a little sticker shock, you are not alone – and sadly, depending on when you read this, the numbers may be higher. Travel, especially international, is more popular than ever. The post-pandemic re-opening never delivered the huge travel deals that many expected. As with everything else in life, where there is a fixed supply and an increased demand, costs will rise. 

Coming Up In Part Two

I’ll leave you with this advice – one of the very best ways to get the most bang for your travel buck, far and away, is to invest in the services of a travel professional. That leads me to the topic of part 2 in the series “Travel – What’s It Going to Cost?” where I will address the mystery behind true travel professionals, how we work, what we cost, and how to find a reputable one.

Ciao for now!